Month: October 2019

Senate calls on Feds to rule out funding NSW dams that bypass enviro laws

The Senate has today passed a Greens’ motion calling on the Federal Government to rule out giving any public funding to dam and water infrastructure projects that circumvent environmental assessment and don’t abide by proper environmental protections.

The motion moved by Greens Spokesperson for Water and the Environment, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, was in response to the NSW Government’s plans to water down environmental rules to fast-track approvals for new dams and pipelines.

“The Murray-Darling River is in environmental collapse and bypassing environmental protections will do more harm,” Senator Hanson-Young said.

“Plans to override environmental protections will have negative impacts on downstream communities and the health of the River system.

“The NSW Government has itself admitted its building dams “for the future and to give hope” to communities that are running out of water. Its own allocation rules mean water in any new dams won’t even be used for the community or the environment.

“All evidence shows spending more public money on these dams will only deliver more water for big corporate irrigators. Building dams will not make it rain.

“The Federal Government’s decision to spend public money on new dams that won’t go through proper environmental and economic assessment is reckless and they should follow the will of the Senate and rule it out.”

Federal Govt refuses to rule out privatisation of National Parks for high-end resorts

The Federal Government has today refused to rule out the privatisation of National Parks for high-end resorts, again putting the interests of their rich mates ahead of everyday Australians and the environment, the Greens say.
“Today I called on the Government to honour the century old Australian ethos that National Parks should be for the people and not for private high end resorts which exclude ordinary Australians and devalue prime park qualities, and they refused,” Greens spokesperson for the Environment Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.
“What’s clear is the Liberal National Party are standing true to their ethos of privatisation and selling out the rest of us out in favour of their corporate mates. Australians will not just stand by and allow this to happen to our National Parks.
“Here in South Australia, fragile coastal sites in the wild and unspoilt parts of Flinders Chase National Park on Kangaroo Island are under threat because of a proposal by a private corporation for a luxury development.
“Just last week we saw hundreds of people rally on the steps of SA Parliament, together with former Greens Leader Bob Brown, against this proposal. They’re not only disgusted they weren’t consulted on the project, but also that $830,000 of their taxpayer money was given to The Australian Walking Company to help them profit off public land.
“The same private company has already developed parts of Cradle Mountain in Tasmania, and other locations across Australia including Uluru and Hinchinbrook Island under threat.
“These precious wild areas should be protected – it’s shameful any government would allow, let alone pay a private company to destroy it.”

Fighting back against phone scams

The Morrison Government is working to keep Australians safe from telephone scammers, starting with the introduction of strict new identification measures to combat the hijacking of mobile numbers by fraudsters to illegally access personal and financial information. Fraudulent number porting affects thousands of consumers each year with average losses of more than $10,000.
Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher, today announced new telco regulations which mandate stronger industry-wide identity verification measures before mobile numbers can be transferred from one provider to another.
Two‑factor authentication – such as inputting a code on a website or responding to a text message – is a proven and highly effective security measure and will be required before a number can be ported.
Many Australian telcos – including Telstra, Optus and Vodafone – have already introduced stronger pre‑port verification measures. However telcos representing more than one million mobile services are yet to implement these consumer safeguards, putting all Australian mobile users at risk of fraudulent number porting.
“The Government expects all telcos to pull their weight. I want Australians to be confident that every telco has put in place strong verification processes to stop fraudulent mobile number porting and the devastating consequences it can have for victims,” Minister Fletcher said.
“That is why I have issued a formal direction to the Australian Communications and Media Authority to make new rules mandating stronger identity verification processes before mobile numbers can be transferred. The entire industry needs to put in place a solution otherwise those telcos without safeguards in place will be a magnet for fraudsters.”
The Government has set up the Scam Technology Project, led by the ACMA working with experts from Australia’s major telecommunications companies, and charged it to develop technology-based solutions to combat telecommunications-based scams.
“If criminals are using technology to scam Australians, we need to make sure we are using technology to fight back. The measure I am announcing today is the first outcome from the Scam Technology Project – but I expect there will be more in coming months,” Minister Fletcher said.
“Criminals will continue to look for new ways to rip off Australians using the telephone system. That is why tackling telecommunications scams is a priority for the Morrison Government.”

KEEPING FESTIVAL PATRONS SAFE

Legislation to reinstate a festival safety system that was overturned by an alliance of Labor, Greens and Shooters’ MPs will be introduced to Parliament today.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the legislation would restore the requirement for high-risk music festivals to prepare a safety management plan.
“Labor, the Greens and the Shooters took away these regulations and left nothing in their place. This legislation will rectify that,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The situation is clear – music festivals identified as high risk under the former licensing system will continue to be high risk under this law.
“These laws provide absolute certainty for the festival industry. They impose the same requirements on high-risk music festivals that were in place under the regulations that were disallowed by Labor, the Greens and the Shooters.
“My position on illicit drugs is very well-known – I went to the election with this position and I won’t be changing it. There is no such thing as a safe illegal drug.”
The legislation will reinstate the requirement to develop safety management plans in consultation with NSW Health, NSW Police and the Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority. This applied to only 11 of more than 90 festivals in NSW.
“I now call on Labor, the Greens and the Shooters to do the right thing – put aside politics and work with the Government to safeguard the health of young people. The festival season is upon us, so urgent action is required,” Ms Berejiklian said.
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said some events present a higher risk than others, and this legislation imposes more stringent conditions on these events.
“Music festivals are an important part of NSW’s entertainment scene and economy, and we want them to thrive,” Mr Dominello said.
“The vast majority of festivals are managed responsibly and are safe, however the death and serious illnesses that have occurred compels the Government to act.”

DRIVING FORWARD WITH PLANS FOR THE M12 MOTORWAY

The M12 Motorway is a step closer with the community invited to provide feedback on plans for the connection across Western Sydney.
Minister for Roads Andrew Constance said an Environmental Impact Statement for the new 16 kilometre motorway is on exhibition from today allowing locals to have their say on the project.
“The M12 will provide direct access to the new Western Sydney International Airport and connect to Sydney’s motorway network,” Mr Constance said.
“The M12 project will be delivered as part of both governments’ $4.1 billion Western Sydney Infrastructure Plan.”
Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes said the project demonstrates the NSW Government’s commitment to creating well-connected communities.
“The new airport will boost investment and growth opportunities by better connecting Western Sydney to international businesses, students and tourists across the globe,” Mr Stokes said.
“We are working with the Federal Government to ensure that road and transport infrastructure is in place, to better connect the region to the rest of Sydney before the first plane takes off.”
The M12 will provide a new motorway between the M7 and The Northern Road with two lanes in each direction and three major interchanges. A new off-road shared user path will provide better safety and connectivity for cyclists and pedestrians.
A number of drop-in sessions will be held from Saturday 19 October until mid-November for the community to learn more about the proposed upgrades and provide feedback.

EXTRA MORNING PEAK SERVICE FOR POPULAR T5 CUMBERLAND LINE

From next January, south-west train customers will benefit from a new direct morning peak service from Leppington to Schofields via Parramatta, boosting capacity and making journeys more comfortable on the popular T5 Cumberland Line.
Minister for Transport Andrew Constance said demand for T5 Cumberland Line services has surged, with 30 per cent more south-west customers catching trains towards Parramatta this year.
“By boosting capacity on an increasingly busy part of the network, customers across the south-west region including Glenfield, Liverpool and Cabramatta will enjoy a more comfortable and convenient morning commute,” Mr Constance said.
“Customers from the T8 South Line between Macarthur and Macquarie Fields will also benefit from the new service as it provides an extra connection at Glenfield to T5 services headed towards Parramatta and further west.”
The T5 Cumberland Line has become more popular since it was extended to start at Leppington in November 2017.
“With modern air-conditioned trains, direct links from Leppington to Parramatta and Blacktown, as well as late night and weekend services, demand on this part of the network continues to grow. That’s why we’ve been working hard behind the scenes to do everything we can to improve your daily commute.”
The new direct all-stops morning peak service departs Leppington at 7.07am, arriving at key stations such as Parramatta at 7.49am, Blacktown at 8.07am and Schofields at 8.17am.
The existing 7.21am all stops Leppington to Schofields service will instead depart at 7.37am, arriving at key stations such as Parramatta at 8.19am, Blacktown at 8.37am and Schofields at 8.47am.
“By giving customers an extra direct morning peak train and adjusting other services, the gap between trains will reduce to every 30 minutes during the peak period, and in some cases, the wait will be just 16 minutes,” Mr Constance said.
These improvements will take effect from Monday 6 January.

SAFEGUARDING INDIGENOUS PEOPLE IN CUSTODY

The NSW Government is providing stronger protection for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in police custody by implementing reforms following the inquest into the tragic death of Rebecca Maher.
Attorney General Mark Speakman and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Don Harwin said the Government has moved swiftly to expand the Custody Notification Service (CNS), an initiative run by the Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) Limited (ALS) to provide 24-hour legal advice and an R U OK phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people taken into police custody.
“NSW Police are obliged to notify the ALS after taking an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person into custody in connection with an offence to ensure they get appropriate support. This reform expands the CNS, so police must now also call the service if an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person is taken into protective custody for intoxication,” Mr Speakman said.
“The NSW Government is grateful for the ALS’s ongoing delivery of the CNS and to the Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians Ken Wyatt for providing the necessary funding to support this important expansion.”
Mr Wyatt said the Morrison Government was proud to support this critical service.
“We are investing $1 million to support the delivery of the CNS in 2019-20 – almost twice as much funding compared with 2018-19 levels,” Mr Wyatt said.
Mr Harwin said this is a necessary reform in response to the findings of State Coroner Magistrate Teresa O’Sullivan in July this year.
“The 2016 death of Aboriginal woman Rebecca Maher at Maitland Police Station is a terrible tragedy. We don’t want to see these horrific circumstances repeated, which is why we are acting to provide better protection for First Nations people,” Mr Harwin said.
The CNS was formally established in 2000 in response to recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. Ms Maher was the first Aboriginal death in a NSW police cell since the introduction of the CNS. Under the system, trained lawyers carefully respond to welfare concerns including threats of self-harm, access to medication, notification of injuries and ensuring police provide a duty of care.
CEO of the ALS Karly Warner said the CNS provides a critical health and legal lifeline for more than 18 000 Aboriginal people every year.
“Aboriginal men, women and children in custody trust the ALS because they know our lawyers will advocate strongly for their legal, health and family welfare. We welcome the NSW Government’s reforms in this area, and the Federal Government’s support to expand the CNS.” Ms Warner said.

NSW PROJECT TO REVOLUTIONISE SOLAR CONSTRUCTION

Australia’s solar industry is set for a major boost thanks to research involving a startup company and UNSW Sydney, supported by the NSW Government to embed solar panels into building materials.
Minister for Energy Matt Kean said the project with startup Solspan Pty Ltd – supported through the NSW Government’s Boosting Business Innovation Program, aimed to integrate solar panels into sheet metal for use on building roofs and walls.
“It’s fantastic to see more grants going to innovative renewable energy technology.
“I encourage our entrepreneurs, engineers and scientists to think big about our future energy needs. It’s innovation like this, that will make energy more affordable, reliable and clean and will shape our 21st century grid,” Mr Kean said.
Small Business Minister Damien Tudehope said the $18 million Innovation Program was all about helping businesses tap into the top-notch research of the State’s universities and the CSIRO to develop new products and services.
“Bringing together great business and academic minds gives our entrepreneurs confidence to invest in their ideas and support to help them succeed.”
Solspan managing director Wade Blazley, a builder for 40 years, said a matching $15,000 TechVoucher grant under the Boost program helped him work with UNSW to integrate solar photovoltaic cells into his ‘Solspan’ sheet metal building panel.
“Our integrated solar building panels would be used to construct roofs and even walls on buildings, making the separate installation of solar panels unnecessary.”
Associate Professor Anita Ho-Bailllie from UNSW’s School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering said researchers had successfully integrated thin film silicon solar cells into Solspan’s sheet metal panels.
“Now we need to make the solar building panels weatherproof by putting a transparent and flexible protective layer on top, and ensuring they are structurally sound to get building approval to Australian standards.”

NSW GOVERNMENT WEEKLY UPDATE – 15 OCTOBER 2019

BILLION-DOLLAR INVESTMENT IN NSW DAMS

  • The Morrison and Berejiklian Governments will deliver a $1 billion water infrastructure package for rural and regional communities impacted by the devastating drought in NSW.
  • In partnership with the Commonwealth, we will build the first new dam in NSW for more than 30 years.
  • This builds on the NSW Government’s record $3 billion in drought support and water security announced since 2017, including funding for 60 bores across 23 communities and 14 pipelines
  • The NSW Government has already committed close to $3 billion to drought relief and water security since 2017.
  • The NSW Government has been getting on with building critical water infrastructure projects but this was a significant turning point to future-proof the state.

METRO TUNNELS HIT HISTORIC MILESTONE

  • Sydney’s new twin metro railway tunnels are now 70 per cent complete as tunnelling reaches the heart of the city deep under Martin Place, with work under the CBD about to head to Barangaroo.
  • This historic milestone means 22 kilometres of the Sydney Metro tunnels are now finished in just 11 months.

NSW RECORDS $400 MILLION BOOST TO BOTTOM LINE

  • The NSW Government has continued to deliver sound financial management and secure the State’s economic future with Treasurer Dominic Perrottet releasing the Total State Sector Accounts (TSSA) detailing the actual financial result for 2018-19.
  • The TSSA show a surplus of $1.2 billion was achieved in 2018-19, a $417 million improvement from the $802 million result forecast in the NSW Budget delivered in June.
  • Mr Perrottet said that due to the improved budget result, almost $300 million extra would now be directed into the NSW Generations Fund (NGF) – a sovereign wealth fund set-up in 2018 to enable debt retirement and benefit the State for the long-term.

MINING APPROVAL SECURES ALMOST 300 REGIONAL JOBS

  • The NSW Government has today welcomed the Independent Planning Commission’s decision to allow Rix’s Creek South Mine to continue operating through to 2040, securing almost 300 jobs in the Upper Hunter.
  • “In just six months, we have approved six mining applications, which has provided almost 2,000 jobs and generated more than $1 billion in investment across NSW.
  • “We know our regions are doing it tough in the drought and the continuation of the Rix’s Creek South Mine will secure almost 300 jobs for the community.”

SPEED CAMERA REVIEW PROVES THEY SAVE LIVES

  • Fixed speed cameras across the state have reduced fatalities by 80 per cent, according to the latest annual performance review.
  • “Last year we lost 347 lives on our state’s roads, and this year’s toll is already at 292. Speeding is the biggest killer. We know speed cameras in the right locations slow drivers down and save lives,” Mr Constance said.
  • The review found at the 110 fixed speed camera locations in NSW injuries also fell by more than a third.
  • At the 171 intersections where red-light speed cameras are installed, fatalities fell by 74 per cent, serious injuries dropped by 40 per cent and pedestrian casualties almost halved.

NSW GOVERNMENT SWITCHES ON $12.85M MALPAS TO GUYRA PIPELINE

  • The $12.85 million Malpas Dam to Guyra pipeline was officially switched on delivering water security for the community of Guyra.
  • Mr Barilaro said the project will ensure water for the 2000 people in Guyra who have been doing it tough during this unprecedented drought.
  • We made sure this project progressed quickly providing $820,000 in additional emergency funding to get water pumping through the pipeline earlier than planned

PYRMONT TO BE THE NEW GATEWAY TO SYDNEY CBD

  • Pyrmont and the Western Harbour precinct will be transformed into the next jobs hub and economic driver of Sydney under a NSW Government plan to revitalise the key inner-city precinct.
  • Premier Gladys Berejiklian made the announcement following the release of the Greater Sydney Commission’s (GSC) review into the area’s planning rules.
  • Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes said the NSW Government would immediately move to amend the planning controls with a focus on jobs and economic activity to better support proposals to develop the area.

MORE THAN 5,500 STUDENTS ACROSS NSW TO BENEFIT FROM SCHOOL UPGRADES

  • Seven schools across NSW have been upgraded benefitting more than 5,500 students, thanks to the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government.
  • The NSW Government is investing $6.7 billion over the next four years to deliver 190 new and upgraded schools to support communities across NSW. In addition, a record $1.3 billion is being spent on school maintenance over five years.
  • This is the largest investment in public education infrastructure in the history of NSW.

LIGHT RAIL COUNTDOWN HITS HOME STRAIGHT

  • Tram testing is ramping up in the CBD – and will soon begin for the first time in Kingsford and Kensington – as Sydney counts down for the commencement of commuter services in December.
  • Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Minister for Transport Andrew Constance, NSW Police and the NRMA today reminded road users to be alert around the new light rail corridor as testing steps up.
  • Sydneysiders will see more trams every day. Driver training extends into the CBD this week and there will be up to 12 trams out testing day and night, seven days a week
  • Trams will soon start testing in Kingsford and Kensington.

$28 MILLION TO REALLY FLOAT YOUR BOATS

  •  $28 million will be spent on improving maritime facilities across the state.
  • The funding is the third round in the government’s Boating Now Program, which has already delivered over 200 projects.
  • The investment builds on the original $70 million program which began in 2015.

Man charged following alleged armed robbery – Strike Force Timbrell

A fourth man has been charged following an investigation into an armed robbery that occurred late last year in the Hunter Valley.
About 4.50am on Saturday 22nd December 2018, three men allegedly forced entry into a licence club in the town of Greta, near Maitland.
The club was closed at the time, when the trio, allegedly armed with a firearm, a baseball bat and a sword, approached an employee, who was the only staff member present.
The group allegedly attacked the employee before collecting a number of items and leaving the location in a car driven by a fourth man.
Strike Force Timbrell was established by State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime squad to investigate the incident.
About 9.15am (Wednesday 16 October 2019) a 26-year-old man was conveyed from a correctional facility in Cessnock to Newcastle Police Station.
He was charged with robbery whilst armed with a dangerous weapon and refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Wednesday 16 October 2019).