Category: NSW News

Up to 300,000 households across NSW could save hundreds of dollars on their power bills thanks to a no-interest loan provided by the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government to purchase solar-battery and battery systems.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian today announced the 10-year Empowering Homes program, which will unlock a $3.2 billion investment in renewables and give families the opportunity to install solar energy and battery storage systems that will also help cut emissions. This initiative is only made possible due to the strong economic management of the NSW Liberals & Nationals.

“We’ve been working hard to ease cost of living pressures for families and this is a major initiative that households can use to help reduce their power bills,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“Embracing new technology is a good way for many people to access cheaper energy – putting more money back into the pockets of hard working households.”
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said bringing down the cost of power bills is a priority of the NSW Liberals and Nationals.
“Families across the state will be able to take control of their energy bills and potentially save thousands of dollars a year,” he said.
Energy Minister Don Harwin said the program was designed to bring down the cost of power bills, while allowing more households to access affordable solar technology.
“More than 400,000 households and small businesses in NSW are already benefitting from solar power. This new program will help up to a further 300,000 households over 10 years reap the benefits of solar with no interest loans for solar energy and battery storage systems,” Mr Harwin said.
It is estimated that a family with a $500 quarterly electricity bill could save up to $285 a year on their bills while repaying the no interest loans. These savings could increase to more than $2,000 a year when the loan is fully repaid.
Households with quarterly energy bills of $625 could save up to $457 a year while repaying the no-interest loans, and up to $2,200 a year when the loan is fully repaid. Households with quarterly energy bills of $875 could save up to $640 a year while repaying the loans, and up to $2,390 when the loan is repaid.
When the program is fully rolled out, these batteries will add up to 3,000 megawatt hours of storage to our energy system.
To be eligible for the scheme, applicants will need to be owner-occupiers of a house with an annual household income of up to $180,000. Loans of up to $9,000 per battery system and up to $14,000 per solar-battery system will be available.
Delivery partners for the program will be selected through a competitive tender process to ensure households receive high quality and cost effective systems, with only approved accredited installers able to participate in the program.
The Government will also use this program to encourage battery manufacturing in NSW as part of the roll out which will create jobs and encourage innovation.
In recent months the NSW Government has helped households and businesses right across the State with their power bills by:

• Boosting  energy rebates by 20 per cent for around 900,000 households;
• Helping households save on average over $400 on their annual electricity bills by switching to a better electricity deal through Service NSW’s free Energy Switch service; and
• Allocating funding from the Government’s $1.4 billion Climate Change Fund to help thousands of households and businesses to transition to energy efficient and lower emissions technologies.

The Empowering Homes program is another NSW Liberals & Nationals commitment to more affordable, reliable and cleaner power.

Up to 65,000 Western Sydney road users a day will benefit from a $480 million investment by the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government to slash travel times and improve safety for motorists, with major upgrades to Mamre and Mulgoa roads.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said investing hundreds of millions of dollars in Mamre and Mulgoa roads was only possible through the strong economic management of the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government.

“Thanks to this Government’s strong financial management, we can invest in projects such as Mamre and Mulgoa roads, which are critically important to residents and businesses in western Sydney,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“We want to make life easier for those who use Mamre and Mulgoa roads, reducing time stuck in traffic.”
Mamre Road will be upgraded along a 3.8 kilometre section to a four-lane dual carriageway between the M4 Motorway and Erskine Park Road, with an investment of $220 million.
“This will transform the existing two-lane undivided road into a four-lane divided road, providing a safer, higher-capacity link. The Mamre Road upgrade will also be future proofed, allowing another two lanes to be added down the track,” Ms Berejiklian said.
The initial stages in the expansion of Mulgoa Road are already underway, jointly funded with the Federal Government, to increase capacity from four to six lanes between Union Road and Museum Drive. The next phase of this jointly-funded work will be between Jeanette Street and Blaikie Road, starting next year.
Under today’s announcement, the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government will fund a further $260 million in upgrades of Mulgoa Road, from Jeanette Street to Glenmore Parkway and Jamison Road to Blaikie Road.
“Mulgoa Road carries 3,800 vehicles per hour during the morning and afternoon peak. This project will tackle congestion and delays along Mulgoa Road during the peaks,” Ms Berejiklian said.
Member for Mulgoa Tanya Davies said she was pleased a NSW Liberals & Nationals Government would step in and fund these crucial upgrades.
“This is a fantastic outcome for my community. For too long the people of St Clair and Erskine Park have battled to turn on to Mamre Road, often making risky decisions with grave consequences,” Mrs Davies said.
“Last year I called on the Federal Government to recognise Mamre Road as part of their strategic plans for the Western Sydney Airport and to provide urgent funding. Over 2000 residents signed the petition to see Mamre Road urgently upgraded.
“Every day that Mamre Road is not upgraded more lives are at risk. Today I am proud to announce that through our advocacy the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government will step in and upgrade Mamre Road.”
Member for Penrith Stuart Ayres said Mulgoa Road was an important connection for the Penrith community.
“Mulgoa Road is the spine of the local road network and every single person in Penrith knows it needs to be wider,” Mr Ayres said.
“We have just started widening Castlereagh Road underneath the rail-line and today’s additional investment will accelerate the widening of Mulgoa Road by many years.
“This will reduce congestion and better prepare Penrith for the future.”

Every public high school in NSW will experience the Olympic spirit in the lead up to Tokyo 2020, with some of the nation’s most elite athletes to visit students as part of an initiative supported by the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Sport Stuart Ayres were joined by past and present Olympians Matt Shirvington, Jessica Fox, and Aidan Roach as well as the CEO of the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) Matt Carroll to announce the NSW Government’s support for Olympics Unleashed, a program for school students coordinated by the AOC.

“Matt, Jessica, and Aidan are so inspirational and they set a great example for kids: if you set goals and work hard, you can achieve your dreams,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“Olympics Unleashed will give students a chance to learn from one of the 100 past, present or aspiring Olympians who are involved with the program.”
Mr Ayres said the program will be targeted at Year 9 students who attend the State’s 460 plus public high schools and central schools, giving them insight into what it means to be an elite athlete, while promoting the Olympic values of friendship, respect and excellence.
“We want more young people to participate in sport and learn about setting goals, and having these athletes visit schools could be no greater motivation,” Mr Ayres said.
“In turn, our athletes will be heading towards Tokyo 2020 knowing that back home, they have the support and admiration of the next generation.”
While all public high schools will be able to have an Olympian visit their school, the Olympics Unleashed program is also available to Catholic and independent schools, so that every school can share the Olympic spirit.
Mr Stokes said the program would inspire students to aim higher not just in sports but also in their academic endeavours and other life goals.
“By hearing the athletes’ personal stories, students will learn the importance of effort and commitment,” Mr Stokes said.
“The lesson taught by the example of our most successful athletes is that great results follow hard work, commitment and discipline. What an encouraging and inspiring message for young people across NSW schools,” Mr Stokes said.
Matt Shirvington, Australian sprinting legend and Sydney 2000 Olympian, knows the value athletes can provide to the community.
“The Unleashed program comes at a perfect time, with our kids inundated with confusing and conflicting messages across so many forms of media these days,” Mr Shirvington said.
“Having an Olympian standing in front of them telling their story, a story of determination, time management and humility is brilliant. These are all traits any up and coming generation would benefit from.”
Two-time Olympic medallist Jessica Fox said Olympics Unleashed will allow athletes to motivate the next generation and help them achieve their dreams.
“Being able to set goals, working out steps to achieve them and overcoming challenges is so important for all of us. Olympians understand this really well and we are keen to pass these lessons on,” said Ms Fox.
AOC Chief Executive Officer Matt Carroll said Olympians have unique stories of hard work, goal-setting and resilience.
“The AOC is committed to use the spirit of the Olympics and Australian Olympians to inspire NSW youth to be their best, in the classroom, on the sporting field, and in their personal lives,” Mr Carroll said.
The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government will provide $1 million to the Australian Olympic Committee over two years to support the rollout of the program in high schools across the State and to provide our students with personal access to some of our greatest sportspersons.
Schools can apply to be part of Olympics Unleashed directly through the AOC website, www.olympicsunleashed.com.au

Member for Goulburn Pru Goward joined Hilltops Council Mayor Brian Ingram and Liberal Candidate for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman on Tuesday to announce that funding has been secured through the NSW Government’s Restart NSW – Safe and Secure Water Program.
The Scoping Study will investigate the construction of a new bulk water supply pipeline from Harden to Boorowa.
“This funding reiterates the State Government’s understanding of how vital a decent supply of good quality water is to Boorowa families and how it will help the town to grow,” Ms Goward said.
“The NSW Government has recognized that this is a high priority project for the community of Boorowa and is providing up to $265,000 for 50 per cent funding of the estimated cost of $530,000 for this important project”.
“This funding is part of the NSW Government Safe and Secure Water Program to ensure regional communities have the right infrastructure into the future,” Ms Tuckerman said.
Mayor Brian Ingram welcomed the announcement and the support of the state government in the delivery of a scoping study for the Boorowa water security project.
“This pipeline is the number one infrastructure priority for Hilltops Council and I look forward to completing the business case so that we can move forward with delivery for the community.
“Thank you to Pru Goward MP for her help in securing this much needed funding,” Cr Ingram said .
The Safe and Secure Water Program enables local water utilizes to construct modern infrastructure to provide safe, secure and reliable water and sewerage services for their communities.

Thousands of new commuter car parking spaces have been completed along the Northwest Metro rail line, which will open to customers from Rouse Hill to Chatswood within months.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said it is another major milestone on the $8.3 billion Metro project, which has only been made possible because of the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government’s strong economic management.
“Sydney Metro will provide turn-up-and-go train services up to every two minutes and revolutionise the way we get around our great city,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“As part of the major investment we are providing 4000 new commuter car spaces to make it as easy as possible for commuters using the Metro.
“This is the first time 4000 new commuter spaces have been opened at once in Sydney and it is 1000 more than we originally proposed.”
The capacity of the Sydney Metro Northwest car parks is:

• Tallawong -1000 spaces;
• Bella Vista – 800;
• Hills Showground – 600;
• Cherrybrook – 400;
• Kellyville – 1360

Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance said all of the new commuter car parks will open at the same time as the Metro Northwest rail line.
“The Metro Northwest rail line is being delivered by the NSW Government on time and more than $500 million under budget,” Mr Constance said.
“This project shows the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government delivers on its promises.
“You can’t trust Labor – when they were last in office they promised 12 rail lines and did not complete one in full.”
There are more than 340 spaces for bikes, 16 new bus stops, 52 taxi spaces and provisions for more than 100 kiss and ride spaces across the Sydney Metro Northwest line
Sydney Metro is being extended from the north west into the CBD, with services to start in 2024 – when Sydney will have 31 metro station and a new 66km standalone metro railway.

Liberal for Macquarie Sarah Richards is calling on Labor and their local Member Susan Templeman to reject a dangerous bill by federal newcomer Kerryn Phelps.
A briefing note from the Department of Home Affairs, based on advice from ASIO and the Australian Border Force, has today warned that Dr Phelps’ bill would dismantle regional processing – one of the three pillars of the Liberals’ successful border protection policy that has stopped the boats.
Labor has committed to removing Temporary Protection Visas and has endorsed legislation that will end regional processing.

“Labor’s support of this Bill would render us powerless to effectively security check people applying for a transfer to the mainland for a medical assessment – those in detention could essentially shop around for a doctor to approve the move.”

“Our intelligence agencies’ advice is that the Department of Home Affairs would be unable to stop people with violent criminal histories from coming to the mainland.
“Labor’s actions would undoubtedly be exploited by criminals and people smugglers who would view the move as a serious weakening of our borders.
“In 2016, the Labor member for Macquarie encouraged people smugglers, who make a profit by putting thousands of people’s lives at risk, by promoting an open borders policy. ‘Let them stay’ she said of illegal immigrants. But there is nothing compassionate or humane about a policy that will ensure boat arrivals start again.
“She said her open borders policy was about ‘fairness’, but there is nothing fair about a policy that also threatens the safety of Australians at home.
The Liberal Government has removed every child from Nauru or have delivered a clear path off it and strong border protection policies have stopped the boats meaning no more children are arriving.
“The Labor member for Macquarie said she was concerned about children ‘living a life in limbo’, but you don’t get children off Nauru by putting more on. That is what Labor wants to do, by tearing apart our strong border policies.”
“Our intelligence agencies have made it clear. A weakening of our border protection policies will have dire consequences for both national security and the potential victims of people smuggling.
“I call on Bill Shorten and his Labor member to rule out supporting this dangerous Bill.”

Police have charged a woman following an alleged domestic violence-related stabbing in Pyrmont overnight.
About 11pm (Thursday 7 February 2019), emergency services were called to Bank Street, near the Western Distributor, following reports a man had been stabbed.
Police have been told the pair had an argument, before the woman allegedly stabbed the 39-year-old man in his torso.
The injured man was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics, before being taken to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in a serious but stable condition.
Officers from Sydney City Police Area Command established a crime scene and commenced investigations. A knife has been seized for forensic examination.
Police arrested a 49-year-old woman nearby. She was taken to Day Street Police Station and charged with reckless wounding (DV).
The woman has been refused bail to appear before Central Local Court today (Friday 8 February 2019).

The NSW Government will fast-track the delivery of another 17 new air-conditioned Waratah Series 2 trains in response to growing demand across the Sydney Trains network.
This is in addition to 24 new trains currently in delivery, bringing the total of new Waratah Series 2 trains to 41.
Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance said the investment in the new trains is only possible because of the strong economic management of the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government.
“We are investing record amounts into the existing rail network and delivering a world class turn-up-and-go service in Sydney Metro at the same time,” Mr Constance said.
“Already 12 of the new Waratah Series 2 trains have been introduced to the suburban network, and the rest are being progressively rolled out over the next few months.
“By bolstering our order by another 17 trains, we will make the network more reliable and more comfortable for customers.”
The newest trains will start rolling onto the tracks from 2020.
“This investment in new trains is needed because we have seen rapid growth across the rail system,” Mr Constance said.
“There has been a 30 per cent increase in patronage over the last five years, with the number of trips a year increasing from 300 million to more than 413 million last year.”
The new trains feature:

• Double deck carriages;
• Air-conditioning with temperature control;
• High definition customer information screens;
• Internal and external CCTV and customer help points;
• Priority seating, wheelchair spaces and hearing aid loops.

The NSW Government has already employed 450 additional train drivers since 2016 helping to deliver about 1500 extra train services each week.

At least 1000 community organisations and small businesses will benefit from funding to install CCTV cameras to make our streets even safer, under a program to be delivered by the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said $5 million will be committed over four years to rollout CCTV cameras in Western and South-Western Sydney before being assessed for expansion to other areas of NSW.

“Community safety is the NSW Government’s top priority and this investment will keep residents and small businesses safe from crime and anti-social behavior,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“More CCTV cameras will increase community confidence and send a strong message to would-be criminals that if you do the wrong thing, you will be caught and punished.”
Police Minister Troy Grant said CCTV camera footage can be a vital source of information for NSW Police when gathering intelligence and investigating criminal activity, and acts as a deterrent to criminals, reducing the likelihood of crime.
“This is a great initiative that will improve public safety and community confidence by cracking down on criminal and anti-social behavior,” Mr Grant said.
“It’s about putting criminals on the back foot – if they know they’re being watched, it makes them think twice about doing the wrong thing.”
Mr Grant said the program will continue the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government’s strong record of investment in local community safety initiatives, including the Government’s commitment to deliver 1500 new police to put more cops on the beat.
“This program means funds can go directly to small businesses and community groups impacted by crime, empowering communities to make our streets even safer,” Mr Grant said.
Eligible community groups and small businesses will be able to apply for up to $5000 in funding, and will have their applications assessed by officials from the NSW Police Force and the NSW Department of Justice, from April 2019.
Community groups and small businesses in the following ten local government areas will be the first groups and businesses eligible to participate in the program:

• Blacktown;
• Camden;
• Campbelltown;
• Canterbury-Bankstown;
• Cumberland;
• Fairfield;
• Liverpool;
• Parramatta;
• Penrith; and
• Wollondilly.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian has today announced a new national park for NSW – providing another significant boost for the State’s koala population – along with a major new package that will improve access to existing national parks.
The State’s newest national park will cover around 3680 hectares in the north of Goulburn electorate, bordering Wollondilly. The new park is centered around Tugalong Station – about 25 kilometres northwest of Bowral.

“The NSW Liberals & Nationals have been careful custodians of the State’s national parks and I am thrilled to be able to unveil a new one today,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“This new national park will ensure that a vital koala wilderness area south of Sydney is preserved. Like all national parks, it will be open to the public so they can explore the wilderness country.”
Ms Berejiklian also announced a $150 million investment to improve access to national parks across NSW – funding made possible due to the strong economic management of the NSW Liberals & Nationals.
“This includes major upgrade works in places like Sydney’s Royal National Park and in the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, making it easier for people to enjoy our wonderful natural beauty,” Ms Berejiklian said.
Environment Minister Gabrielle Upton said the new national park contains some of the Southern Highlands’ best koala habitat.
“Koalas are an iconic species and we are acting to ensure their survival,” Ms Upton said.
“The new national park will not only add to the State’s conservation lands, it is yet another example of how the NSW Government is moving to protect and preserve the koala population.”
The Government’s $150 million investment to improve access to existing national parks includes upgraded walking tracks, better visitor infrastructure and facilities and new digital tools such as virtual tours and livestreaming cameras.
This will include:
• More access – significant upgrade to the 13.6 kilometre Grand Cliff Top Walk from Wentworth Falls to Katoomba in the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area ($10 million). Also, upgrading access to iconic lookout points to a mobility impaired access standard ($9.9 million);
• Improved park visitor infrastructure and facilities – expansion of picnic areas, BBQs, water provision, facilities ($38.7 million) and increased support for families and people with restricted mobility ($45 million). This will include upgraded picnic facilities and the walking tracks at Audley Weir, in the Royal National Park.
• Safe access – Investment in making our extensive network of walking tracks and trails safer and more accessible ($36.4 million); expansion of the ‘Think before you Trek’ safety program for bushwalkers and work with other agencies to deliver other priority safety programs like  rock fishing and enhanced mobile connectivity in the parks ($1 million).
“NSW boasts some of the most majestic and picturesque coastal lookouts, outback walking tracks, camping grounds and beaches in the world and we want more visitors to experience the natural beauty and wonder of our national parks,” Ms Berejiklian said.
Ms Upton added: “As well as international and interstate tourists, we want to make it easier for families to get out there and discover the natural beauty our State.”