Month: July 2020

Major construction on the Parramatta Light Rail has started in the Westmead Health Precinct to provide crucial access to one of Australia’s largest health, education and research hubs.
Minister for Transport Andrew Constance said the Parramatta Light Rail will provide ‘turn-up-and-go’ services seven days a week, linking Westmead customers to rail, bus, ferries, and the future Sydney Metro West.
“These world-class health services and facilities will be more accessible than ever, taking the Westmead Health Precinct to the next level,” Mr Constance said.
“The precinct will cater to more than 40,000 full-time staff and 30,000 students by 2036 and building this type of infrastructure will be key to our economic recovery and will help get people back to work, important parts of the NSW Government’s COVID Recovery Plan.
“It’s vital we have strong public transport infrastructure in place to support this growth and deliver this legacy project for future generations.”
Upcoming work includes removing the road surface, replacing underground utilities and rebuilding the road.
Mr Constance said the Westmead Redevelopment project is one of the biggest health infrastructure projects in the state, intended to transform the Westmead Health Precinct and deliver an innovative, integrated facility that will continue to deliver high-quality healthcare for decades to come.
“We recently finalised work to prepare for the light rail in the area with the widening of Hawkesbury Road. These are big changes and we ask for your patience as we undertake significant works to create a connected, revitalised Westmead Health Precinct
The $2.4 billion Parramatta Light Rail will connect Westmead to Carlingford via the Parramatta CBD and Camellia, and is set to open in 2023.

The NSW Government will introduce a land tax discount for new build-to-rent housing projects until 2040 and a new Housing Diversity SEPP to provide more housing options, greater surety for renters, boost construction and support jobs during the COVID-19 recovery.
NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes said the tax cut would encourage build-to-rent developments by ensuring they were subject to similar overall amounts of State tax as comparable build-to-sell developments.
“Build-to-rent is popular overseas but still in its infancy in Australia, and we want to remove barriers and allow this segment of the market to grow,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Renters benefit through greater choice and because the focus is placed on them, rather than just geared towards property owners, it has an added benefit of encouraging better quality rental properties and much longer-term leases.
“This will provide further confidence, boost the housing construction industry, create more options for investors and builders of developments and ultimately more housing options and security for tenants.”
The discount will be equivalent to at least a 50 per cent reduction in land tax, dependent on the unimproved land value. To be eligible for the discount, a build‑to‑rent development in metropolitan areas must be at least 50 units, with a different threshold for regional areas to be considered.
Construction must have commenced on or after 1 July 2020 and the projects must provide purpose built rental units, be managed under unified ownership, and include options for longer leases.
An exemption from foreign investor surcharges will also be provided until 2040 for Build‑to‑Rent developers, and integrity measures will be included to ensure that these discounts are not used for tax avoidance.
Full eligibility criteria for build-to-rent projects will be set-out in guidelines for the industry in coming weeks.
The NSW Government is also exhibiting a new streamlined Housing Diversity State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) that includes proposed development standards for build-to-rent housing across the state and design guidance on built form, context and character, sustainability and amenity to ensure good outcomes for surrounding communities and future residents.
Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes said the proposed changes will simplify planning controls to support investment in diverse and affordable housing types including built-to-rent, co-living, social housing, and student housing.
“Not only do we need different types of housing – such as detached, high-rise and missing-middle types, we need different tenures of housing – such as affordable and social housing, short and long-term rentals and owner-occupiers,” Mr Stokes said.
“Build‑to‑rent provides a more direct route for investment in housing diversity, and provides the certainty needed to build in uncertain times.
“These proposed changes will help support the State’s future housing needs while contributing to NSW’s economic recovery from COVID-19 by boosting residential construction and supporting jobs.”
The new SEPP also includes new statewide definitions and provisions to support co-living developments and student housing, and new measures to assist the NSW Land and Housing Corporation to deliver more social housing on government owned land.
“The Housing Diversity SEPP delivers on our commitment to simplify the planning system, reduce complexity, and support a strategic-led planning system that delivers a broad range of housing needs for the community.”
The Housing Diversity SEPP is on exhibition for feedback until 9 September 2020.

New rules will be introduced across NSW requiring gyms and fitness centres to register their COVID Safety Plan, and have a dedicated hygiene marshall on duty at all times.
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said these extra measures are necessary to stop the spread of the virus and take effect from 12.01am on Saturday 1 August.
“We cannot afford to take any risks or allow complacency to creep in. Businesses must take all reasonable steps to reduce the risk of COVID transmission or risk facing a fine or closure,” Mr Dominello said.
“Gyms play a crucial role in the promotion of health and fitness across our community but they are not immune from this challenge. Without proper COVID safeguards, they may present a transmission risk and that is why we need operators to put their customers first by registering their COVID Safety Plan.
“Whether it’s maintaining social distancing, cleaning equipment after use or making hand sanitiser available for customers, these dedicated COVID Safe Hygiene Marshalls will play a pivotal role in keeping gyms safe and compliant.”
NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said this is a critical time in our response to COVID-19.
“Members of the community and business have important roles to play. Gyms support people maintain their health and wellbeing. I ask that patrons cooperate with Hygiene Marshalls to keep people safe,” Dr Chant said.
For the latest information visit www.nsw.gov.au

A woman has been charged and a business was fined over separate alleged breaches of the state’s Public Health Orders in the past 24 hours.
Officers from Liverpool City Police Area Command were called to Liverpool Hospital just after 7am yesterday (Tuesday 28 July 2020), following reports a woman had assaulted a nurse and security staff.
On arrival, police were told the woman had refused to leave despite having been discharged and allegedly abused nursing staff and security using offensive language as they attempted to get her to leave.
It’s further alleged that as security escorted her from the building, the woman spat on the face of one of the guards and threatened him, bit another guard on the hand, and kicked at them and a nurse.
The 45-year-old woman was arrested and taken to Liverpool Police Station, where she was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, three counts of common assault, behave in offensive manner in/near public place/school, remain on prescribed premises without lawful excuse, stalk/intimidate intend fear physical harm.
She was also charged with not comply noticed direction re spitting/coughing-COVID-19.
The Ambarvale woman has been refused bail to appear at Liverpool Local Court today (Wednesday 29 July 2020).
In an unrelated incident, officers from St George Police Area Command attended a bakery on Railway Parade, Kogarah, about 11.40am yesterday, as part of a proactive compliance operation.
Police approached the owner to discuss the business’ COVID-Safe plan and it was quickly established the store was not complying with requirements – which included not having a patron register while there was a customer eating in the store at the time.
Following further inquiries, officers advised the 34-year-old male owner that he would receive a $5000 Penalty Infringement Notice for business not complying with noticed direction re s 7/8/9 – COVID-19.
Police continue to appeal to the community to report suspected breaches of any ministerial direction or behaviour which may impact on the health and safety of the community.
Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.

There can be few more disgraceful acts than deliberate violence committed against our NSW Police Force officers, correctional and youth justice officers, emergency services workers and health workers as they bravely serve our community.
That’s why I’ve asked the NSW Sentencing Council to review the sentencing for offences involving assaults on these workers.
My terms of reference to the Council today ask it to consider sentencing options to deter and reduce this type of offending.
The review will take into account recent trends in assaults upon these workers, who keep our community safe, protecting our lives, property and health.
This work will complement a Parliamentary Inquiry announced by Minister for Police and Emergency Services, the Hon David Elliott MP, which is examining matters including the motivation driving these attacks on members of the NSW Police Force.
The Sentencing Council is led by former Royal Commission Chair and NSW Judge of Appeal, the Hon Peter McClellan AM QC, and includes representatives from the NSW Police Force, victims of crimes and the community.
NSW is fortunate to have experts of this calibre to conduct this important review and provide the Government with recommendations on appropriate sentencing reforms.
The Sentencing Council is accepting public submissions to this review. I encourage any person or group interested in these issues to find out how to provide a submission here:  http://www.sentencingcouncil.justice.nsw.gov.au/

Six people have been arrested during an unauthorised public assembly in Sydney’s CBD today.
At the weekend, the NSW Supreme Court prohibited the public assembly planned for Sydney today due to health and safety concerns associated with COVID-19.
Following an unsuccessful appeal application yesterday (Monday 27 July 2020), the protest remained unauthorised. Despite this, police received information a number of people still planned to attend.
A high-visibility police operation was launched in response to the unauthorised protest today (Tuesday 28 July 2020), to ensure the safety of the community.
General duties officers from Sydney City Police Area Command and across the Central Metropolitan Region were assisted by specialist police from the Public Order and Riot Squad, Police Transport Command, Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, and the Mounted and Dog Units.
During the operation, three men, aged 40, 37 and 22, and two women aged 50 and 23, were arrested at the Domain and each issued with a $1000 Penalty Infringement Notice (PIN) for breaching public health orders, before being issued move-on directions.
A third woman, aged 25, was arrested and issued a Criminal Infringement Notice for offensive language.
The NSW Police Force is reminding the community that a number of ministerial directions remain in place covering returned overseas travellers, diagnosed persons, mass gatherings and movement, spitting and coughing, residential aged care facilities, border control measures and compliance requirements for NSW businesses, funerals, places of worship, weddings and corporate events.
Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.