Month: March 2020

Communities and first responders will benefit from increased mission critical communications coverage during emergencies, with a $217 million boost to expand the Government Radio Network (GRN), and build a Public Safety Network for Emergency Services Organisations.
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello and Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said the investment will strengthen community safety and better protect first responders, by consolidating about 70 separate agency radio networks into one, allowing vital information to be shared more efficiently.
“The radio network played a critical role in protecting communities and supporting the Rural Fire Service, Police, Fire and Rescue, Ambulance and the State Emergency Service during the recent bushfires,” Mr Dominello said.
“During emergencies such as bushfires and floods, every second counts. We are making life easier for first responders by providing them with a first class communications infrastructure that will help keep people and places safe.”
Mr Elliott said first responders risk their lives to protect communities, and the funding will give them greater certainty and confidence when working on the frontline.
“In Northern NSW, the coverage will expand to Glen Innes, Inverell, Tenterfield and Ben Lomond and provide improved coverage for areas including Moree and Warialda,” Mr Elliott said.
“In Southern NSW, it is expanding across the Riverina to the Victorian border to provide greater coverage to the towns of Holbrook, Tarcutta, Gundagai and Albury.”
The funding will enable the NSW Telco Authority to accelerate the Critical Communications Enhancement Program to reach 96 per cent of populated areas.
This funding is in addition to the more than $401 million allocated to the upgrade of the GRN since 2016.

Internationally renowned scientist Professor Maria Kavallaris AM has been named the 2020 NSW Premier’s Woman of the Year – the top honour at the NSW Women of the Year awards.
Prof. Kavallaris accepted the award from Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor at the WOTY Awards ceremony in Sydney today.
“Maria is a remarkable achiever whose ground-breaking research has led to more effective therapies for aggressive childhood cancers,” Ms Berejiklian said.
A further six outstanding women from across NSW took out the top spot in their nominated category, ranging from community heroes to lifetime achievers.
“Congratulations to all the incredible women who have deservedly been recognised; their achievements are an inspiration to women who want to make a difference.” Ms Berejiklian said.
Mrs Taylor said this year’s awards program attracted an unprecedented number of nominations and more than 7,000 votes in the publicly decided categories.
“Be it science, industry, business or community; every part of NSW has benefited from the outstanding contributions made by women,” Mrs Taylor said.
“You can’t be what you can’t see; so please join me in celebrating these women and sharing their stories of success to help improve the lives of girls and young women across our state.”
2020 NSW Women of the Year Award winners are:

• Premier’s Award for Woman of the Year – Professor Maria Kavallaris AM
• Aboriginal Woman of the Year – Kirli Saunders
• Rex Airlines Regional Woman of the Year – Krystaal Hinds
• First State Super Lifetime Achievement Award – Christine Strachan
• Harvey Norman Young Woman of the Year – Hannah Beder
• Community Hero Award – Justine Lorenz
• NSW Business Woman of the Year – Anneke van den Broek

The NSW Government will provide more than $1 million in relief to support bushfire affected commercial fishing businesses and charter boat operators, with Deputy Premier John Barilaro and the Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall announcing a major fee waiver today.
Mr Barilaro said the bushfires had taken a severe toll on the State’s primary industries, and NSW commercial fishers were no exception.
“Our communities in Regional NSW have copped enough with devastating bushfires and the ongoing drought.”
“Commercial fishing businesses employ thousands of local residents and it is vital we keep the local economy ticking and give them a hand up during the recovery phase.”
“The recent bushfires have not only hindered access to fishing grounds due to area and road closures, there have also been limitations on fishers’ ability to get products to wholesalers, markets and cooperatives,” Mr Barilaro said.
Mr Marshall said that under this waiver, fishing business owners will not have to pay the second instalment of management charges that would have otherwise been due on 28 February 2020.
“Almost 1,200 businesses will receive a fee waiver, providing essential financial relief for those experiencing the impacts of bushfires.
“Our fishing businesses play a vital role in the economic health of coastal communities throughout NSW and this is one way the government can support the industry during such a difficult time.”
Chief Executive Officer of the Professional Fisher’s Association Tricia Beatty said the fee waiver was welcome relief for many fishers who have been through a tough time.
“Our industry have been struggling under the pressure of the ongoing drought and the more recent impacts of fires, floods and now the coronavirus,” Ms Beatty said.
“We welcome the NSW Government’s announcement to support our industry through a fee relief to reduce the burdens we face.”
Fishers who have already paid the management charges due for that instalment will receive a credit on their account with the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI).
Commercial fishing business owners or charter boat owners with questions regarding fee relief are encouraged to contact DPI on 1300 720 662.

A team of the state’s best teachers will roll out to targeted high schools to lift performance using proven and successful teaching methods.
The new ‘Best in Class’ Teaching Unit is made up of handpicked educators, chosen for being leaders and teaching experts in their respective fields.
They’ll share their classrooms skills directly with those teachers and students who need it most, while also building a new teaching package to build on existing ‘best practice’ research for NSW Schools.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell joined students to announce the teaching program.
“We’re investing millions of dollars in school infrastructure across the NSW and we are also committed to supporting students in the classroom,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The teachers selected to deliver the program stand out, and their results speak for themselves. We want to replicate these great teaching methods, and share them across all the state’s classrooms.”
HSC students will be the first to benefit from the new approach – with the Best in Class Unit beginning the job this week.
HSC results are already monitored closely as students are completing the last year of high school. Comparing these results will provide useful data to monitor the impact ‘Best in Class’ is having on school performance.
Ms Mitchell said Best in Class is a continuation of the NSW Government’s commitment to building excellence in the teaching profession.
“The Best in Class unit will effect real change – and will lift standards across the state,” Ms Mitchell said.
“We know that the biggest positive impact on students learning is the teacher standing in front of them.
“NSW has the highest entry standards for students wanting to become teachers, and now we are using very best teachers to grow the entire profession from the inside out.
“This is an exciting time for education in NSW, ‘best in class’ will allow us to help teachers deliver lessons and improved curriculum to the best of their abilities.”