The Federal Liberal and Nationals Government will deliver a $1.8 billion boost for road and community projects through local governments across Australia.
The package of support will help local councils support jobs and businesses by delivering priority projects focused on infrastructure upgrades and maintenance.
The new $500 million Local Road and Community Infrastructure Program and the bringing forward of $1.3 billion of the 2020-21 Financial Assistance Grant payment will also help communities battling the effects of COVID-19.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said local governments were playing a critical role in responding to the impacts of COVID‑19.
“Our funding boost will help councils accelerate priority projects that will employ locally and support local business and also stimulating our economy,” the Prime Minister said.
“These projects will cut travel times, make our communities safer and upgrade the facilities we all enjoy while also getting more people into jobs.
“We know this is going to be vital support, particularly for councils that have faced the combined impacts of drought, bushfires and now COVID-19.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said supporting councils to improve local roads and community infrastructure would have lasting economic and social benefits for communities, particularly those in the regions.
“This package will improve road safety and bolster the resilience of our local road networks, which will get Australians home sooner and safer, no matter where they live,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
“Projects could include constructing or improving bridges and tunnels, street lighting and heavy vehicle facilities such as rest areas.
“Providing support for social infrastructure projects such as new or upgraded bicycle and walking paths, community facilities, picnic shelters and barbeque facilities at parks, will help communities, especially those in regional and remote areas, stay connected.”
Minister for Regional Health, Regional Communications and Local Government Mark Coulton said investing in infrastructure and jobs was crucial to helping regional communities rebound from COVID-19.
“Our package enables councils to continue their proven track record of partnering with the Coalition Government to deliver opportunities for locals to be employed and businesses to benefit by providing materials and services,” Minister Coulton said.
“The package takes Commonwealth investment in local governments through the Financial Assistance Grant program to $2.5 billion this financial year, with a further $1.2 billion being distributed through other programs to deliver infrastructure, and provide relief from drought and bushfires.”
Guidelines for the Local Road and Community Infrastructure Program will be provided directly to local governments by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications.
Allocations under the Financial Assistance Grant and Local Road and Community Infrastructure programs can be found at https://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/lrci.
Month: May 2020
AAA Credit Rating Reaffirmed By Fitch
Australia’s AAA credit rating has been reaffirmed by Fitch in an expression of confidence in the Morrison Government’s handling of the coronavirus crisis and our demonstrated record of economic management and in the words of Fitch “commitment to fiscal prudence.”
In its report, Fitch notes that Australia’s “effective macroeconomic policy framework, has supported a long record of stable economic growth prior to the current exogenous shock” and that “substantial fiscal and monetary policy stimulus” has been put in place “which should soften the shock and support the economic recovery.”
Today’s report confirms Australia as one of only 10 countries with a AAA credit rating from all three major ratings agencies.
Fitch recognises the “significant impact the global coronavirus pandemic has on Australia’s economy and public finances” and has put our AAA rating on a negative outlook.
Fitch’s action today, in reaffirming our AAA rating, is a reminder of the importance of maintaining our commitment to medium term fiscal sustainability.
Our disciplined economic and budget management saw the Federal Budget return to balance for the first time in 11 years and the Budget was on track to achieve a surplus in 2019-20 before the COVID-19 outbreak.
Our measures are temporary, targeted and proportionate to the challenge we face and will ensure Australia bounces back stronger on the other side, without undermining the structural integrity of the Budget which Australians have worked so hard to restore.
In its report, Fitch notes that Australia’s “effective macroeconomic policy framework, has supported a long record of stable economic growth prior to the current exogenous shock” and that “substantial fiscal and monetary policy stimulus” has been put in place “which should soften the shock and support the economic recovery.”
Today’s report confirms Australia as one of only 10 countries with a AAA credit rating from all three major ratings agencies.
Fitch recognises the “significant impact the global coronavirus pandemic has on Australia’s economy and public finances” and has put our AAA rating on a negative outlook.
Fitch’s action today, in reaffirming our AAA rating, is a reminder of the importance of maintaining our commitment to medium term fiscal sustainability.
Our disciplined economic and budget management saw the Federal Budget return to balance for the first time in 11 years and the Budget was on track to achieve a surplus in 2019-20 before the COVID-19 outbreak.
Our measures are temporary, targeted and proportionate to the challenge we face and will ensure Australia bounces back stronger on the other side, without undermining the structural integrity of the Budget which Australians have worked so hard to restore.
Harnessing new technology to grow jobs and the economy and lower emissions
Investment in low emissions technologies that strengthen our economy and support jobs and businesses are a priority of the Morrison Government on the road to recovery from COVID-19, and to help Australia reduce global emissions.
Today, the Government has released the Technology Investment Roadmap discussion paper, that will bring a strategic and system-wide view to future investments in low emissions technologies.
Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said the Government sees enormous potential in technologies like hydrogen, carbon capture and storage, soil carbon sequestration, biofuels, resources and energy exports to reduce emissions while strengthening our economy.
“The Government is committed to reducing emissions without imposing new costs on households, while at the same time growing businesses and the economy,” Minister Taylor said.
“At its core, this is about technology not taxes. It means reducing emissions, not reducing jobs and the economy. It is an approach based on rigour, confidence, optimism, and Australian ingenuity not ideology.
The Government has a clear focus – back new and emerging technologies that will:
- Continue supplying the affordable and reliable energy households and industry need to support jobs and the economy;
- Increase the productivity of export sectors like agriculture, energy, metals and minerals processing;
- Allow Australia to capitalise on opportunities to develop new industries and jobs; and
- Position Australia to support our trading partners’ plans to reduce emissions through the export of low emissions technologies, energy and other products.
“The Government’s Technology Investment Roadmap is about more than just reducing emissions,” Minister Taylor said.
“This is about developing technologies that will support jobs growth. This is about ensuring that mums and dads and small businesses are paying a fair cost for energy and not imposing taxes on them. This is about backing new industries that will help our regional communities and local economies to prosper. This is about putting Australia at the forefront of research and development, and maintaining our strong track record of reducing global emissions.”
The alternative is to sign up to long term targets without a clear plan. This approach will penalise energy-intensive industries and reduce economic activity.
Other countries, particularly our largest trading partners, are reluctant to commit to policies and targets with material economic costs.
“Australia will play its role on the global stage by partnering with other nations to accelerate technologies with high abatement potential. Reducing emissions in a way that benefits the economy of these countries is the only way to broad agreement on a way forward,” Minister Taylor said.
“Real action on technology, not taxes, is the pathway to increasing global ambition.”
The Roadmap goals will be developed in consultation with industry, researchers and the financial sector, with progress reported through an annual Low Emissions Technology Statement.
The Government has appointed a Ministerial Reference Panel, led by Australia’s Chief Scientist Dr Alan Finkel, to support the development of the first Low Emissions Technology Statement that will be published later this year.
The Roadmap will be a cornerstone of Australia’s Long Term Emissions Reduction Strategy, to be released ahead of COP26.
The Government will look to support a wide range of technologies with the potential to reduce emissions across sectors. Through the Technology Investment Roadmap process, clear goals will be set for the most important and prospective of these – as we have already done with the ‘H2 under $2’ program.
The Government has already made substantial investments in clean energy technology, with more than $10 billion invested in more than 670 clean energy projects with a total project value in excess of $35 billion.
To contribute to this important national conversation or learn more about the Roadmap process, visit: https://consult.industry.gov.au/climate-change/technology-investment-roadmap/
Written submissions are open until Sunday 21 June 2020.
New Skill Set to Support Aged and Disability Sectors
The Morrison Government is continuing to rapidly roll out more qualifications to deal with the challenges put by COVID-19.
Australia’s aged care and disability support workforce is set to be reinforced with new training qualifications to help the sector meet the demand for skilled workers.
A new, national skill set has been developed that will enable new workers to be rapidly deployed with the essential entry level skills they need to help boost the ranks of the care and support sectors.
Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash, said this skill set was another successful outcome from the COAG Skills Council.
“Our immediate priority is to ensure we have enough skilled workers to deliver the care and support these essential sectors need right now,” Minister Cash said.
“This new skill set will ensure our aged care and disability support workforce, who are facing unprecedented challenges, continue to be supported throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The Entry into Care Roles skills set will provide foundational knowledge and skills, including safe work practices and infection prevention procedures.
The new training was fast-tracked through the COVID-19 sub-committee of the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC), which was established to drive rapid and flexible development of training packages during the COVID-19 crisis.
Minister Cash said the Human Services Care Skills Organisation Pilot was also leading innovative new ways to develop training skill sets.
“The Skills Organisations pilots are working in critical sectors looking at ways to improve Australia’s training system to respond to industry skills needs,” Minister Cash said.
“They are also playing an important role in the rapid development of skill sets to meet an urgent need and to fill gaps in the workforce.”
Assistant Minister for Vocational Education, Training and Apprenticeships, the Hon Steve Irons MP, said the national training system had worked well together to deliver this important training.
“These are the types of flexible and practical solutions our country needs right now to help us confront the workforce challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Assistant Minister Irons said.
“It offers new opportunities for people whose jobs have been impacted by the crisis to quickly upskill and find work in the aged and disability sector.”
More information about the Entry into Care Skill Set training is available at: https://www.aisc.net.au/content/communiques-and-training-package-updates
Australia’s aged care and disability support workforce is set to be reinforced with new training qualifications to help the sector meet the demand for skilled workers.
A new, national skill set has been developed that will enable new workers to be rapidly deployed with the essential entry level skills they need to help boost the ranks of the care and support sectors.
Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash, said this skill set was another successful outcome from the COAG Skills Council.
“Our immediate priority is to ensure we have enough skilled workers to deliver the care and support these essential sectors need right now,” Minister Cash said.
“This new skill set will ensure our aged care and disability support workforce, who are facing unprecedented challenges, continue to be supported throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The Entry into Care Roles skills set will provide foundational knowledge and skills, including safe work practices and infection prevention procedures.
The new training was fast-tracked through the COVID-19 sub-committee of the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC), which was established to drive rapid and flexible development of training packages during the COVID-19 crisis.
Minister Cash said the Human Services Care Skills Organisation Pilot was also leading innovative new ways to develop training skill sets.
“The Skills Organisations pilots are working in critical sectors looking at ways to improve Australia’s training system to respond to industry skills needs,” Minister Cash said.
“They are also playing an important role in the rapid development of skill sets to meet an urgent need and to fill gaps in the workforce.”
Assistant Minister for Vocational Education, Training and Apprenticeships, the Hon Steve Irons MP, said the national training system had worked well together to deliver this important training.
“These are the types of flexible and practical solutions our country needs right now to help us confront the workforce challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Assistant Minister Irons said.
“It offers new opportunities for people whose jobs have been impacted by the crisis to quickly upskill and find work in the aged and disability sector.”
More information about the Entry into Care Skill Set training is available at: https://www.aisc.net.au/content/communiques-and-training-package-updates
City’s action to address climate change set to be strengthened
With City of Newcastle already leading the local government sector on climate action, the community and local businesses are now invited to learn about the development of a new strategy to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions even further as we continue to drive the City’s journey towards a net zero emissions future.
The City’s new climate action plan will outline specific goals and priorities for the next five years, paving the way to further positive environmental impacts, such as additional clean energy initiatives, resource efficiency, emissions reductions in supply chains and more sustainable transport.
Community engagement on the 2025 Climate Action Plan will help build on the achievements of the existing 2020 Carbon Water Management Action Plan (CWMAP), which winds up at year’s end.
The CWMAP helped slash carbon emissions through construction of a five-megawatt solar farm, installation of more than half a megawatt in rooftop solar panels on council facilities across the city and our suburbs, significant streetlight LED upgrades and a power purchase agreement that sees the City running on 100 per cent renewables.
Constructed on a former landfill site after securing a $6.5 million loan from Australia’s Clean Energy Finance Corporation in 2018, our solar farm is the city’s single largest investment in a renewable project, following eight other solar installations at our Waratah Works Depot, Newcastle Art Gallery, City Hall, Wallsend and New Lambton libraries, No.1 and No.2 Sportsgrounds and Newcastle Museum.
The solar farm at the Summerhill Waste Management Centre builds on one of Australia’s most advanced renewable energy setups at a waste facility – with a 2.2megawatt landfill gas generator and a small wind turbine also located onsite.
Meanwhile, the City has begun transitioning to electric vehicles, installing electric vehicle charging stations to encourage EV take up and investigating the use of electric trucks to reduce diesel usage and further cut emissions.
“Through strong and consistent actions to reduce our emissions, in part due to our ambitious 2020 Carbon Water Management Action Plan, City of Newcastle is now recognised as one of the leading local government authorities when it comes to implementing initiatives to address climate change,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
“After achieving so much over the past five years, in particular becoming the first NSW Council to become powered by 100 per cent renewable energy this year, our transformation to a sustainable city will continue under a new Climate Action Plan.”
“People can learn about the goals we’re looking to adopt in tackling climate change during the month-long public exhibition period.
“I encourage everyone to let us know what they think should be prioritised and what role not only the City but businesses and the community should take to realise net zero emissions.”
In May 2019, City of Newcastle recognised that there is a global climate change emergency and urgent need for real action on climate change.
In doing so, the City reaffirmed our commitment to a just economic transition for coal mining communities, including support for investment in hydrogen as an export energy, construction of large-scale renewables and pumped hydro, and manufacturing of electric vehicles.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the City also plays a strong advocacy role when it comes to pushing for action on climate change from the local government sector.
“City of Newcastle has long ensured local government steps in to fill the policy gaps left when other tiers of government and the private sector have failed to assist in reducing global emissions.
“Dating back to the Pathways to Sustainability Conference held in Newcastle in 1997 and subsequently by the development of local strategies and solutions through the Cities for Climate Protection Program, the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy and through development of practical implementation programs for local government in Australia and New Zealand, City of Newcastle has long led the way by working in partnerships to develop and implement strategies and initiatives to tackle climate change head on,” the Lord Mayor said.
City of Newcastle is a founding member of Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI), a founding member of the Business Renewables Centre, a member of the Cities Power Partnership, a member of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, and recently became a Pioneer City for ICLEI’s CitiesWithNature program.
City of Newcastle has formally committed to the principles and targets of the Paris Climate Agreement.
An online information session will be held on Thursday 28 May at midday to provide further information on the City’s current and future initiatives before the draft plan goes on Public Exhibition later in the year.
Register here to register for the online session.
Participants are encouraged to submit three topics they’d like covered or questions on climate action in advance here
Under the 2020 CWMAP, to date City of Newcastle has:
The City’s new climate action plan will outline specific goals and priorities for the next five years, paving the way to further positive environmental impacts, such as additional clean energy initiatives, resource efficiency, emissions reductions in supply chains and more sustainable transport.
Community engagement on the 2025 Climate Action Plan will help build on the achievements of the existing 2020 Carbon Water Management Action Plan (CWMAP), which winds up at year’s end.
The CWMAP helped slash carbon emissions through construction of a five-megawatt solar farm, installation of more than half a megawatt in rooftop solar panels on council facilities across the city and our suburbs, significant streetlight LED upgrades and a power purchase agreement that sees the City running on 100 per cent renewables.
Constructed on a former landfill site after securing a $6.5 million loan from Australia’s Clean Energy Finance Corporation in 2018, our solar farm is the city’s single largest investment in a renewable project, following eight other solar installations at our Waratah Works Depot, Newcastle Art Gallery, City Hall, Wallsend and New Lambton libraries, No.1 and No.2 Sportsgrounds and Newcastle Museum.
The solar farm at the Summerhill Waste Management Centre builds on one of Australia’s most advanced renewable energy setups at a waste facility – with a 2.2megawatt landfill gas generator and a small wind turbine also located onsite.
Meanwhile, the City has begun transitioning to electric vehicles, installing electric vehicle charging stations to encourage EV take up and investigating the use of electric trucks to reduce diesel usage and further cut emissions.
“Through strong and consistent actions to reduce our emissions, in part due to our ambitious 2020 Carbon Water Management Action Plan, City of Newcastle is now recognised as one of the leading local government authorities when it comes to implementing initiatives to address climate change,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
“After achieving so much over the past five years, in particular becoming the first NSW Council to become powered by 100 per cent renewable energy this year, our transformation to a sustainable city will continue under a new Climate Action Plan.”
“People can learn about the goals we’re looking to adopt in tackling climate change during the month-long public exhibition period.
“I encourage everyone to let us know what they think should be prioritised and what role not only the City but businesses and the community should take to realise net zero emissions.”
In May 2019, City of Newcastle recognised that there is a global climate change emergency and urgent need for real action on climate change.
In doing so, the City reaffirmed our commitment to a just economic transition for coal mining communities, including support for investment in hydrogen as an export energy, construction of large-scale renewables and pumped hydro, and manufacturing of electric vehicles.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the City also plays a strong advocacy role when it comes to pushing for action on climate change from the local government sector.
“City of Newcastle has long ensured local government steps in to fill the policy gaps left when other tiers of government and the private sector have failed to assist in reducing global emissions.
“Dating back to the Pathways to Sustainability Conference held in Newcastle in 1997 and subsequently by the development of local strategies and solutions through the Cities for Climate Protection Program, the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy and through development of practical implementation programs for local government in Australia and New Zealand, City of Newcastle has long led the way by working in partnerships to develop and implement strategies and initiatives to tackle climate change head on,” the Lord Mayor said.
City of Newcastle is a founding member of Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI), a founding member of the Business Renewables Centre, a member of the Cities Power Partnership, a member of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, and recently became a Pioneer City for ICLEI’s CitiesWithNature program.
City of Newcastle has formally committed to the principles and targets of the Paris Climate Agreement.
An online information session will be held on Thursday 28 May at midday to provide further information on the City’s current and future initiatives before the draft plan goes on Public Exhibition later in the year.
Register here to register for the online session.
Participants are encouraged to submit three topics they’d like covered or questions on climate action in advance here
Under the 2020 CWMAP, to date City of Newcastle has:
- Reduced electricity usage by 14.45 per cent
- Upgraded 31 per cent of streetlights to LEDs
- Secured 100 per cent of electricity from renewable sources
- Reduced potable water usage by 8.59 per cent
- Slashed the City’s carbon footprint by 77.36 per cent, excluding emissions from Summerhill Waste Management Centre
- Reduced liquid fuel use by 6.97 per cent
Newcastle Ocean Baths restoration to receive $9.5 million from sale of local buildings
The Newcastle Ocean Baths will inherit $9.5 million towards its long-awaited restoration should Councillors agree to the sale of three City of Newcastle owned buildings.
City of Newcastle announced last September it intended to sell or lease the vacant Frederick Ash Building, along with the neighbouring properties that are currently home to the Blue Door Café and the Clarendon Hotel on Hunter Street.
If the sale is approved by the Council, the $9.5 million proceeds will be placed into a reserve to part fund the much needed restoration of the Newcastle Ocean Baths.
City of Newcastle Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said that the City’s asset committee had endorsed the sale, contingent on allocating the proceeds from the sale of three Council owned buildings to the Newcastle Ocean Baths.
“The addition of $9.5 million to the restoration of Newcastle Ocean Baths allays any community concerns that the economic impact of COVID-19 would delay work proceeding to restore such an important site to the broader Newcastle community,” the Deputy Lord Mayor said.
“The engagement process to date involving the restoration of the Newcastle Ocean Baths has overwhelmingly shown that the people of Newcastle see the return to its former glory as an urgent project.
“While the impact of restrictions to limit the spread of COVID-19 have significantly impacted on Council’s income this year, with the sale of these properties there is money in the bank to get the restoration of the Baths underway.’’
City of Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath said the sale cemented the Civic Precinct’s attractiveness as a tourism and hospitality hub.
“The sale completes City of Newcastle’s relocation from the former Civic Precinct to the new CBD in Newcastle West,” Mr Bath said.
“Should the Council support the sale, then Blue Door and the Clarendon Hotel will continue as is, and the Frederick Ash Building will likely to be converted to tourist accommodation.
“This decision allows for an adaptive reuse of the historic Frederick Ash Building, and further activation in the Civic Precinct. Importantly, its heritage is protected through the sale, given its listing on both local and state heritage registers.
“The future of the Civic Precinct is very exciting. The Roundhouse building is currently being converted to the city’s first five-star hotel in what is a $30 million project. Right next door workers are putting the final touches to a stunning $25 million restoration of the City Hall.
“Across the road, City of Newcastle is days away from being handed the keys to the new Visitor Information Centre. The former Civic Station sits in front of the recently completed Museum Park on what is the former heavy rail line.
“Just a few blocks to the east, work is progressing quickly on the $700 million East End development, which will see a stunning overhaul of the old Hunter Street Mall to include boutique shops and stunning apartments with harbour views. This includes the former David Jones building which is now also being converted to a five-star hotel.”
A business case for the sale of the buildings will help inform Councillors’ decision whether to sell or retain the three properties. The business case will show that the sale price is in line with a market valuation of the three properties, as well exceeds the NPV to retain the properties by almost $4.5 million.
The decision to proceed with the sale will go before Council on Tuesday 26 May.
Regional Code of Conduct Review Panel EOI: Hunter Joint Organisation
The Hunter Joint Organisation and its ten member councils are refreshing their Regional Code of Conduct Panel and are inviting Expression of Interest. The Hunter JO represents the ten councils in the Hunter region;
- Cessnock City Council
- Dungog Shire Council
- Lake Macquarie City Council
- Maitland City Council
- MidCoast Council
- Muswellbrook Shire Council
- Newcastle City Council
- Port Stephens Council
- Singleton Council
- Upper Hunter Shire Council.
Under the Local Government Act 1993 and the Code of Conduct framework, Councils are required to establish a Panel of Conduct Reviewers, to inquire into complaints alleging breaches of the Code by the Mayor, Councillors or General Manager.
Councils may enter into an arrangement with one or more other Councils to share a Regional Panel. Hunter JO Member Councils have agreed to establish a Regional Panel of Conduct Reviewers for a period of up to four years commencing 13 August 2020.
The Hunter Joint Organisation (Hunter JO) invites Expressions of Interest from suitably qualified and experienced persons for appointment to a Regional Code of Conduct Review Panel. Persons seeking appointment must satisfy the criteria specified in the EOI and nominate their schedule of fees.
To complete an Expression of Interest, please use the following link to access the documentation through Tenderlink: https://www.tenderlink.com/regionalprocurement/
select ‘All Current Tenders’ and Notice Number: REGPRO-918363.
For any questions on the EOI process, please contact the Hunter JO Chief Executive Officer on 02 4978 4040, or by email to admin@hunterjo.com.au.
Expressions of Interest close at 5 pm on Friday 19 June 2020.
Weather warning for this weekend
Hazardous conditions are expected for coastal activities, such as rock fishing, swimming and surfing along Newcastle’s coastline.
Numerous accessways to Stockton Beach will remain closed over the weekend with the possibility of further coastal erosion in Stockton due to the impact of the weather. King Street and Little Beach access is likely to remain open but conditions will be monitored and access may change.
Please stay safe when moving around coastal areas, and adhere to warning signs. Coastal erosion can change beach conditions dramatically and quickly. This can lead to sand cliff collapses without warning.
To stay up to date on the weather warnings, please follow the Bureau of Meteorology http://www.bom.gov.au/, and for emergencies, the State Emergency Service https://www.ses.nsw.gov.au/ 13 25 00.
MORE PLANNING PROJECTS TO PROPEL FUTURE OF NSW
NSW will lead Australia to economic recovery, with the NSW Government today announcing another 24 priority projects, including a new retail centre, industrial precincts, three new schools and the relocated Sydney Fish Markets, that could inject more than $5.37 billion into the State’d economy.
The second tranche of projects released today will have their planning assessments fast-tracked and finalised through the Planning System Acceleration Program, which is boosting the State’s economy and creating opportunities for thousands of new jobs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Program includes 11 rezonings that will unlock major commercial, industrial and residential development across the State to propel NSW’s economic rebound, with a determination to be made on every project in the tranche within four weeks.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the second batch of projects could provide more than 15,000 jobs, more than 3,600 new homes and enhance NSW’s status as this country’s economic powerhouse.
“NSW is streets – and roads and homes and hospitals and schools – ahead of every other State in providing new jobs, economic growth, infrastructure and services for our people,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“This health crisis only sharpens our focus and energy as we bring forward the NSW Government’s unprecedented infrastructure spend and create an environment where private and government investment combine to help us rebound from the pandemic together.”
The second tranche of shovel-ready projects includes eight suggested by the private sector, including a specialised retail centre at Eastern Creek, a waste recycling facility in Girraween, new public open space in St Peters and an expansion of the Cumberland State Forest.
Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes said projects such as the $2.6 billion Mamre Road industrial precinct, including new environmental lands and open space, will transform NSW.
“The Mamre Road project alone creates opportunities for more than 5,250 jobs and it will happen sooner because the NSW Government has re-allocated planning resources to assess these projects faster,” Mr Stokes said.
“Our first tranche of 24 projects delivered more than 10,000 jobs and $7.7 billion in economic benefit to our State but it’s important to recognise these are just the projects we’ve prioritised.
“During the same period we also approved – through our normal process – 42 projects worth $2.4 billion, creating opportunities for more than 4,600 jobs and 399 new homes.
“We’re creating great places to live, work and play while also showing the world that NSW is ready to not only recover but thrive,” Mr Stokes said.
To be considered for a fast-tracked assessment through the Planning System Acceleration Program, a development application (DA) or rezoning must already be in the system, deliver a public benefit, demonstrate an ability to create jobs during construction and once complete, be able to commence construction within six months (for a State Significant Development application or State Significant Infrastructure application) or allow a DA to be lodged within six months (for a rezoning).
Decisions will be made on the projects by 18 June 2020. For more information visit: www.planning.nsw.gov.au/fast-tracked-assessments
$12.6 MILLION FOR TAXI INDUSTRY SUPPORT PACKAGE
The NSW Government has today announced a $12.6 million support package for the taxi industry to provide operators with some financial relief during the COVID-19 shutdown and help taxis remain on the road.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said the financial assistance recognises the challenges the taxi industry is facing as a result of this pandemic.
“With a large decrease in passenger trips being taken the taxi industry is really suffering, like so many others. The NSW Government is committed to doing what we can to keep businesses in business and people in jobs and this includes helping taxis stay on our roads,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Taxis play an important role in NSW and the industry has continued to provide essential passenger services during the COVID-19 crisis. This includes Wheelchair Accessible Taxis (WATs) that provide services for some of our most vulnerable members of the community,” Mr Constance said.
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the funding would help ease the pressure for taxis operating in the bush.
“In some more isolated regional areas, taxi services are considered the public transport system. The NSW Government is committed to providing assistance to eligible registered taxi vehicle owners to ensure services in regional areas can continue,” Mr Toole said.
The support package provides owners of WATs and taxis operating at 1 May 2020 with a $2,900 subsidy per vehicle for six-months costs towards CTP insurance, registration fees and other on-road costs. This will support around 3,500 taxis to continue to operate across NSW. To apply for the subsidy operators will be able to claim through the Service NSW website, www.service.nsw.gov.au/covid-19, or at a Service NSW Centre from June.
In addition, those currently holding a renewable annual taxi licence issued by the NSW Government will receive a 50 per cent waiver of their annual licence fee. Eligible taxi licence holders will be contacted by the NSW Point to Point Transport Commissioner’s office.
The support package also provides a $500 waiver of 2018/19 authorisation fees for all authorised service providers, which represents a full annual fee waiver for over 1,800 smaller service providers. For more information visit https://www.pointtopoint.nsw.gov.au/.