SYDNEY MARKETS TO SECURE ITS FUTURE IN THE AEROTROPOLIS

The iconic Sydney Markets have joined major international companies and signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the NSW Government to contribute towards the creation of the 200,000 jobs in the Western Sydney Aerotropolis.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Sydney Markets Chairman John Pearson today agreed to work together to enable the Sydney Markets to expand into the Aerotropolis.
“Sydney Markets are part of the fabric of Sydney and they have joined international businesses, including Northrop Grumman, Mitsubishi Heavy and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group racing to be a part of our Aerotropolis,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“It is not every day you get the opportunity to build a new city around a new airport from the ground up and we are doing what it takes to make it the best in the world.
“We are making the crucial investments now so that the Aerotropolis delivers families and communities across Western Sydney the best jobs, the best opportunities and the best quality of life right on their doorstep.”
Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the Sydney Markets presence in the Aerotropolis will allow it to take advantage of the agri-business, freight and logistics opportunities that will develop in the area over the next decade and beyond.
“The business confidence in the Western Sydney Aerotropolis is skyrocketing and local and international companies will help to provide the skilled jobs Western Sydney needs to thrive,” Mr Ayres said.
Sydney Markets Chairman John Pearson said the company is excited to work with the NSW Government to expand the Sydney Markets Brand and be a part of this growth in the Western City. Time will tell whether the existing Markets move or a new Market is established.
“Over recent years, the SML Board on behalf of its shareholders has pro-actively initiated a range of strategic planning initiatives to secure the future of the Markets,” Mr Pearson said.
“Whilst we are at an early stage in this longer term journey with specific sites to be defined, the opportunity for Sydney Markets to be an anchor brand in the Western City should not be underestimated.”
There will be further signing of agreements in the coming days and weeks that will give confidence to the community that the Western Sydney Aerotropolis will deliver on its promise of 200,000 jobs and become an economic powerhouse for years to come.

NSW WAGES GROWTH HIGHEST IN FOUR YEARS

New South Wales has experienced its biggest lift in annual wages growth in four years according to the latest data from the ABS released today.
The NSW Wage Price Index (WPI) rose 1.2 per cent in the September quarter to be 2.4 per cent higher through the year.
More than 70 per cent of NSW industries have seen wages growth accelerate over the past year.
NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said today’s data was encouraging news for people that wages were beginning to increase after a substantial period of stagnant growth.
“Wages growth has been subdued not just in NSW but right around the world, so today’s result is heartening for wage earners across the state,” Mr Perrottet said.
“The State’s unemployment rate is currently at a decade low of 4.4 per cent and that is one of the factors behind the positive news on wages today.”
Among the highlights, workers in the health care and social assistance industry in NSW saw their wages grow by 3.0 per cent followed by education and training at 2.7 per cent.
Wages in the public sector have increased by 2.6 per cent over the past 12 months with the private sector recording 2.2 per cent growth.
Mr Perrottet said the Government’s reforms such as cutting payroll tax and slashing red tape was having a positive benefit to businesses across the state.
“The Liberals and Nationals will always deliver better outcomes for the people of NSW, our Government promotes innovation and growth, unlike Labor who just want to slash projects and destroy jobs.”

Finalists announced for 2018 Rotary Police Officer of the Year Awards

Thirty-three NSW Police officers have been announced as finalists for the prestigious 2018 Rotary Clubs of NSW, Police Officer of the Year awards.
The category winners and overall Police Officer of the Year will be announced at a special dinner held at the Hyatt Regency, Sydney, this Friday (16 November 2018).
The finalists for each category are as follows;
Metropolitan Field Operations Police Officer of the Year Award

  • Leading Senior Constable Daniel Glenn – North Shore Police Area Command
  • Senior Constable Rahsan Keles – Auburn Police Area Command
  • Senior Constable Steven Day – Blue Mountains Police Area Command

Regional NSW Field Operations Police Officer of the Year Award

  • Inspector David Maher – Orana Mid-Western Police District
  • Detective Sergeant Justin Marks – South Coast Police District
  • Senior Sergeant Lisa Westwood – Wollongong Police District

Investigations and Counter Terrorism Police Officer of the Year Award

  • Detective Sergeant Jay Locke – Child Abuse & Sex Crimes Squad
  • Detective Sergeant John Edwards – Criminal Groups Squad
  • Detective Sergeant Joseph Maree – Homicide Squad

Specialist Support Police Officer of the Year Award

  • Sergeant Gregory Moon – Forensic Evidence & Technical Services Command
  • Senior Constable Katherine Emerson – Traffic & Highway Patrol Command
  • Senior Sergeant Raymond Cameron – Police Prosecutions

Corporate Services Police Officer of the Year Award

  • Senior Sergeant Barry Cash – Workforce Safety Command
  • Sergeant Janelle Widders – NSW Police Academy
  • Senior Constable Sascha Benn – Education & Training Command

Employee of the Year Award

  • Darryl Hamilton – Mt Druitt Police Area Command
  • Lisa Gardner – NSW Police Academy
  • Scott Mieni – Mid North Coast Police District

Volunteers in Policing Award

  • Harry Scope – Tuggerah Lakes Police District
  • Helen Chapman – Kings Cross Police Area Command
  • Glen Fanning – Riverina Police District

Rotary Community Award

  • Leading Senior Constable Bianca Williams – The Hume Police District
  • Chief Inspector Guy Guiana – Hunter Valley Police District
  • Chief Inspector Robert Fitzgerald – Blacktown Police Area Command

Customer Service Excellence Award

  • Sergeant Aaron Greenwood – Richmond Police District
  • Senior Constable Draz Brkljac – Youth & Crime Prevention Command
  • Sergeant Scott Mostran – Kings Cross Police Area Command

The Irene Juergens (IJ) Fellowship Award – Sworn Category

  • Sergeant Kelsey Priestley – North Shore Police Area Command
  • Senior Constable Raffaelle Frisina – Liverpool City Police Area Command
  • Senior Constable Sam Donni – Kings Cross Police Area Command

The Irene Juergens (IJ) Fellowship Award – Unsworn Category

  • Kim Fenwick – St George Police Area Command
  • Patricia Owen – Newcastle City Police District

Man charged over alleged sexual assaults of young neighbour

A man will face court today charged over the alleged historical sexual and indecent assault of a young girl in Sydney’s west.
Detectives from the State Crime Command’s Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad commenced an investigation following reports a 13-year-old girl had been sexually assaulted by a man known to her.
Following inquiries, a 65-year-old man was arrested at a home in the Parramatta area about 6pm yesterday (Monday 12 November 2018).
He was taken to Parramatta Police Station, where he was charged with two counts of sexual intercourse with person under the age of 10 years, and two counts of indecent assault person under 16 years of age.
Police will allege in court that the man, who was a family friend and neighbour, sexually and indecently assaulted the girl on a number of occasions between 2011 and 2016.
The man was refused bail and is due to appear in Parramatta Local Court today (Tuesday 13 November 2018).
Investigations are continuing.
The Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad is comprised of detectives who are specially trained to investigate matters against children and adults, including sexual assault, serious physical abuse, and extreme cases of neglect.
Anyone with concerns about suspected child abuse or exploitation should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au
Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. People should not report crime information via our Facebook and Twitter pages.

Charges laid after girl allegedly sexually assaulted – SCC Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad

Police have charged a man after a girl was allegedly sexually assaulted on the state’s south coast.
Detectives from the State Crime Command’s Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad commenced an investigation following reports a 14-year-old girl was sexually and indecently assaulted by a man known to her.
Following inquiries, a 35-year-old man was arrested at a home in Sydney’s west on Friday (9 November 2018).
He was taken to Penrith Police Station, where he was charged with indecent assault person under 16 years of age, and have sexual intercourse with person >=14 & <16 years.
Police will allege in court that the man groomed the girl through an online messaging application and sexually and indecently assaulted her at a home on the state’s south coast between Friday 31 August 2018 and Sunday 9 September 2018.
The man was refused bail and appeared before Penrith Local Court on Friday 9 November 2018, where he was refused bail to appear before Bega Local Court on Tuesday 27 November 2018.
The Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad is comprised of detectives who are specially trained to investigate matters against children and adults, including sexual assault, serious physical abuse, and extreme cases of neglect.
Anyone with concerns about suspected child abuse or exploitation should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au
Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. People should not report crime information via our Facebook and Twitter pages.

LABOR’S PLAN TO HELP PREVENT KNEE INJURIES IN YOUNG SPORTSPEOPLE

NSW Opposition Leader Luke Foley has announced Labor’s program to help prevent ACL injuries in young sportspeople, which can have lifelong impacts.
Mr Foley was joined today by young athletes at Coleman Park, home of the Lidcombe Waratah FC, to announce Labor’s $2 million neuromuscular training program, aimed at reducing the incidences of ACL injuries in 12-25 year olds.  
ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury is a serious and debilitating knee injury that is more common in high-risk sports, including netball, basketball, rugby league, rugby union, touch football, soccer, AFL and skiing.  Typically the ACL ruptures when someone changes direction at speed while playing a multidirectional sport.
Australia has one of the highest rates of ACL injuries in the world with approximately 72 per cent of ruptures sport related.  ACL injuries increase rapidly during the early teenage years and peak between the ages of 15 and 25. Research shows girls and women are two to 10 per times more likely to rupture their ACL when participating in high-risk sports.
Costly knee reconstructions are most often required following this injury and the person can suffer lifelong consequences; almost all athletes who tear their ACL are at increased risk of osteoarthritis later in life.
Despite sport related knee injuries in Australia increasing by five per cent a year, ACL injury is largely preventable.
Labor’s prevention program is designed to deliver neuromuscular training consisting of warm-up, balance, stretching, strengthening, plyometrics (jump training) and sport specific agility training through a smart app.
Neuromuscular training programs are proven to prevent 50-80 per cent of ACL injuries by teaching the body better habits for knee stability by training how the knee moves, especially when jumping, landing and pivoting.
Trials have shown that a youth sports injury prevention program would reduce the risk of ACL injuries in females by 52 per cent and 85 per cent in males.
Labor’s ACL injury prevention plan will incorporate a smart app 15 minute pre-training program for high-risk sports as well as a ‘Training the Trainer’ program to run alongside the smart app. The program will also have the capability to follow up with teams and track the app’s use.
Similar programs are currently delivered to professional athletes. Sporting bodies already signed up include the: AFL, AFL Doctors Association, FFA, Netball Australia, NRL, Touch Football, ARU, Basketball Australia, Australian Physiotherapy Association, and Arthritis Australia.
Quotes attributable to NSW Opposition Leader Luke Foley
An early ACL injury can change the course of someone’s life and has lasting impacts on future employment and ability to exercise.
“Prevention is key here. While our elite athletes already take part in similar pre-training programs, the biggest impact could be made at the grass roots level for young sportspeople.
“Saving kid’s knees should be a top priority. If the government can find $2.3 billion for Sydney stadiums – it should be able to allocate funds to protecting young sportspeople and preventing lifelong injuries.”
Quote attributable to Shadow Minster for Sport Lynda Voltz
“Almost half of all hospitalised injuries for young people occur during sport or leisure activities.
“It’s estimated that for every 100,000 high-risk youth trained, 3,764 lifetime ACL ruptures, 842 lifetime cases of osteoarthritis and 585 total knee reconstructions are prevented.
“Smartphone technology is the way to reform how people get access to sport and fitness resources. Young people crave direction for health and fitness, but they do not have a credible source for their information or fitness plans.”

Pottsville To Get High School


NSW Labor today committed to build a new public high school at Pottsville.
The announcement was made by NSW Labor Opposition leader Luke Foley and Country Labor candidate for the Tweed, Craig Elliot on the State’s North Coast.
Labor’s action is in stark contrast with the Berejiklian Government’s failure to support the construction of a local high school in Pottsville.  The community has been calling for a high school for more than a decade due to population growth in the area.
Pottsville Beach Public School is bursting at the seams and it is expected to have up to 1,000 students.
Currently, there are more than 750 secondary students who have to travel for at least 30 minutes each way by bus north to Kingscliff High School and another 100 schoolchildren are forced to travel to other district government high schools such as Murwillumbah High School.
A parcel of land has been set aside for a school with the support of the local Tweed Shire Council, but the State Government has refused to purchase the land.
Construction would begin in the first term of a Foley Labor Government. NSW Labor has allocated $40 million for the high school. – The Berejiklian Government has the wrong priorities – preferring to splurge on Sydney stadiums rather than fund schools and hospitals in rural and regional NSW.
Tweed National MP Geoff Provest promised to build a Pottsville high school in 2007, but after 11 years, he has failed to deliver  and now he just ignores the community, claiming that there is no need for a  new high school in what is a rapidly growing area of the State’s North Coast
Quotes attributable to NSW Opposition leader Luke Foley MP
“Make no mistake, NSW Labor and Craig Elliot will build a high school at Pottsville.”
“The case is clear. Pottsville needs a high school and only a NSW Labor Government will build it.” 
“The Nationals have the wrong priorities. They want to splurge billions on stadiums in Sydney rather than investing in schools and hospitals.”
Quotes attributable to Country Labor candidate for the Tweed – Craig Elliot
“I’m out listening and talking to locals every day and the calls for a public high school for Pottsville are growing louder and louder.
“Pottsville has a huge number of young families and locals are sick of having their needs ignored by the National Party.
“It is unfair for their children to spend countless hours a week on the bus going to other high schools when there is a clear need for a high school at Pottsville.”

Labor Puts Public Transport Before Toll Roads In Plan For Sydney’s West And South


A Foley Labor government will prioritise public transport over toll roads by re-allocating funding from existing Liberal projects into a $13.5 billion public transport acceleration fund.
Labor’s priorities include a fast train between Parramatta and Sydney’s CBD by the mid-2020s as well as improving public transport services in Sydney’s South.
Labor will accelerate construction of the Western Metro, a new fast rail line between Parramatta and Sydney CBD, by re-allocating funds from the Northern Beaches Tunnel, Western Harbour Tunnel and conversion of the Sydenham-Bankstown line to metro.
Government is about choices and priorities and Labor’s transport plans will give voters a clear choice come next March.
The State Government’s own infrastructure experts have consistently said that a fast train between Sydney’s West and the CBD is the number one rail priority.
In other major transport commitments announced today, Labor will:

  • Proceed with the M12, a toll free motorway to the new Western Sydney Airport;
  • Proceed with the toll free Sydney Gateway, but will also establish a taskforce to actually get the Gateway to Port Botany as was always intended but the Government failed to deliver;
  • Proceed with the M4-M5 tunnel (WestConnex Stage 3A) as, with the Sydney Motorway Corporation privatised and construction contracts signed, this project is now past the point of no return. Labor will also proceed with the Rozelle Interchange (WestConnex Stage 3B), but will subject the project to a design review. The community has no confidence that the Government has got the Rozelle Interchange right.

Labor will be able to do much more than the Liberals for public transport because it will re-prioritise $4.5 billion:

  • $1.6 billion from the Sydenham to Bankstown conversion, that fails to add new capacity, to the Western Metro;
  • $2.4 billion from the F6 Stage 1 to deliver improved public transport in Sydney’s South including rail services on the Illawarra and South Coast lines;
  • $477 million from the Western Harbour Tunnel and Northern Beaches Tunnel to the Western Metro. Infrastructure Australia has confirmed that the Western Harbour Tunnel is a longer term priority (10-15 years) and it can be considered in the future once the Sydney Metro and Western Metro have been delivered. The total cost of the two tunnels is estimated at $13.7 billion and they will require a massive capital contribution from the NSW Government to ever be realised.

The $4.5 billion is on top of the existing $3 billion Restart NSW reservation for the Western Metro. It is also in addition to the $6 billion committed by Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten for Western Sydney rail, including a rail service to Western Sydney Airport up and running from day one.  The Western Sydney Airport will be a major job generator for Western Sydney and has the potential to provide massive economic benefits to the region.
Quotes attributable to NSW Opposition Leader Luke Foley
“Labor will always put the needs of Sydney’s West and South first.
“A fast train between Parramatta and Sydney’s CBD is Labor’s number one transport priority and we will deliver it earlier because we are making it a priority.“The Liberals are promising everything but are struggling to deliver anything. Premier Berejiklian wants tunnels and toll roads whereas Labor is for faster, affordable public transport for the million extra people who will be living in Western Sydney over the next decade.
“Good government is about making choices and Labor is choosing to put public transport over toll roads.”
Quotes attributable to Shadow Minister for Infrastructure Michael Daley
“Infrastructure and transport projects under this government are in disarray – they can’t get the planning, procurement or delivery right, communities are angry and they are in court with their contractors. Labor will put an end to this mess.”
Quotes attributable to Shadow Transport Minister Jodi McKay
“We will listen to the experts and the community when it comes to WestConnex exhaust stacks and give proper consideration to their filtration to improve environmental outcomes.”

Funding announced for Wilcannia Weir​

The Commonwealth and NSW Governments have committed up to $30 million for the Wilcannia Weir upgrade.
Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources David Littleproud said first a business case would be put together to select the best location.
“We’ve got the money sitting in the bank and this business case will make sure it’s well spent,” Minister Littleproud said.
“The weir is an important place for local Aboriginal communities and cultural gatherings.
“This is one part of the Coalition Government’s commitments under the May 7 agreement with the opposition to improve outcomes for indigenous Basin communities.”
NSW Minister for Regional Water Niall Blair said he was committed to seeing this project come to fruition.
“The NSW Government previously prepared a scoping study and business case to replace Wilcannia Weir, which suggested a new weir be built 5.2km downstream,” Mr Blair said.
“These studies will form the basis of the final investigations, including the consultations on the original business case which identified that the communities preferred option was a weir built downstream of the existing structure. ​
“This project goes beyond just providing drinking water, this Weir is a place for the Wilcannia community to swim, fish and celebrate the cultural traditions it holds dear.
“I know this project has taken some time but we didn’t give up, we said we would keep going until we could deliver the funding and today I am happy to say we hold true to that commitment.
“We expect that the preferred location and design of the weir to be confirmed by mid next year, with construction expected by the end of 2019.”
Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said the development will bolster the local community.
“Locals have been calling for a new weir for decades and we’re determined to see it through,” Mr Coulton said.
“A new weir will secure the community’s future so locals can keep enjoying the Wilcannia life.”
Member for Barwon, Kevin Humphries said he started this work as Minister for Western NSW five years ago with the then Member for Murray-Darling John Williams.
“We met with representatives of the community on the banks of the Darling River in 2013, at ‘Cemetery Rocks’, downstream of the Wilcannia township,” Mr Humphries said.
“The good work of the community will see a weir pool built to meet the current needs of the community and future opportunities for the region.”
Funding for Wilcannia Weir is drawn from the Sustainable Rural Water Use and Infrastructure Program, a national program investing in rural water use, management and efficiency.
Fast Facts:

  • Both Commonwealth and NSW Governments have committed up to $15 million each for a new weir
  • $150,000 will be spent to build a business case for the preferred site of the new weir
  • The weir upgrade is part of the Federal Coalition Government’s agreement with the opposition to improve outcomes for Aboriginal communities in the Basin.​

Free Public Transport for NSW School Kids

No matter where you live or where you’re traveling, day or night, training, footy, school – public transport will be free for kids on the Opal network.
This is something we are doing for the families of NSW to help with cost of living pressures.

Labor’s Fair Fares: Under a Daley Labor Government, your kids will get to travel on public transport for free.