Month: August 2020

Emergency services workers and volunteers across regional NSW will be better equipped to continue their dedicated service ahead of the upcoming bushfire season following the official opening of four new fire stations, the handover of four new fire trucks, and a boost for paid positions to fast-track hazard reduction.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott, Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson and NSW RFS Assistant Commissioner Peter McKechnie met with members of the Namoi River Brigade to officially open two new stations at Upper Manilla and Namoi River, made possible thanks to a nearly half a million dollar investment by the NSW Government.
“We thank our firefighters for their unwavering efforts over what has been a difficult 12 months in the service. We are committed to providing our firefighters with the best possible equipment and amenities so they can get on with the job they do best – protecting the irreplaceable,” Mr Elliott said.
Mr Elliott and Mr Anderson also joined Fire & Rescue NSW (FRNSW) Commissioner Paul Baxter today to open the new $5 million South Tamworth Fire Station and Zone Office.
Mr Elliott said the new station was a significant investment in the Tamworth community that will see the local response to fires and other emergencies improve.
This comes after, only yesterday, Mr Elliott joined Sam Farraway MLC and Fire & Rescue NSW (FRNSW) Commissioner Paul Baxter to officially open the new $2.05 million Parkes Fire Station.
“The NSW Government has invested over $14 million in new and upgraded fire stations across the state, and it’s great to have the opportunity to tour regional NSW over the last couple of days to deliver four new stations to local communities,” Mr Elliott said.
Fourteen new State Mitigation crew positions were also announced at Tamworth, Glen Innes, Moree Plains and Armidale to help fast track hazard reduction burns and build bushfire resilience across regional communities.
“These new roles, part of the recent $10.7 million state-wide investment in bushfire preparedness and regional jobs, will support and supplement volunteers and fast-track hazard reduction in areas that need it most,” Mr Elliott said.
The Garah, Wallah and Baan Baa communities are also set to benefit from three new Category 1 fire tankers worth nearly $350,000 each, as part of the NSW Government’s $34.4 million investment in upgrading the RFS firefighting fleet.
The recent investments in the RFS’s bushfire response capability come on top of a record $1.7 billion budget for emergency services in NSW.

Vivid Sydney – the Harbour City’s iconic celebration of lights, music and ideas – will return in August 2021.
The popular and award-winning event will bring creativity, innovation and excitement to Sydney in a COVID-safe manner for locals, visitors and global fans to enjoy, near or afar.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said Vivid Sydney was an important cultural, social and economic beacon for NSW.
“Major events will play a critical role in stimulating the visitor economy and NSW’s broader COVID-19 recovery strategy,” Minister Ayres said.
“We’re cautiously optimistic that with a slight delay to regular scheduling, Vivid Sydney will be able to proceed as the bright, dynamic event we all know and love in August next year.
“There’s no doubt that all future events will need to make adjustments to be COVIDsafe in line with NSW Health advice and reflect the changes we are experiencing in day-to-day life.
“Vivid Sydney has always celebrated and explored innovation and creativity, but more importantly brought joy to people who visit in person or who follow the media and social media coverage.
“We look forward to reigniting that excitement and passion within the artistic community and our supporters, and creating tangible opportunities for the tourism industry by driving visitors to Sydney and NSW in a safe way.”
In 2019, a record 2.4 million people attended Vivid Sydney, generating $172 million in tourism expenditure.
Further details about Vivid Sydney 2021 will be shared later in 2020.

Farmers and critical agricultural workers who reside outside the Border Region Zone in Victoria will now have a new pathway to enter NSW and move outside the ‘border bubble’ for work.
Under the changes, individuals will be able to access a new Highly Specialised Critical Services (Agriculture) Permit if they:

• Provide a highly specialised critical agricultural service**;
• Are moving and working anywhere within 100km of the New South Wales/Victorian border, on the NSW side;
• Comply with strict conditions if staying overnight; and
• Adhere to other safety requirements, including self-isolating when not delivering the critical service.

Exemptions for individuals needing to move beyond the 100km limit for work will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The changes come into effect at noon today and the new permits will be available via the Service NSW website.
This is a sensible solution to the issues caused by recent changes and ensures our State’s agriculture sector has the workforce it needs to keep powering ahead in the midst of improving seasonal conditions.
While this will be very welcome news, it does not solve all the problems and in my view, is just the first step towards allowing the critical agriculture sector on both sides of border to operate freely, as it needs to.
At my request, the Health Minister has committed to reviewing the Public Health Order again next week.
I will continue to work with industry and my colleagues to ensure the right policy settings are in place to support our State’s agriculture industry and protect the health and wellbeing of NSW residents.
For more information visit https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-covid-19-nsw-border-entry-permit

Police in the Riverina region have issued two Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) in the past 24 hours for non-compliance with COVID-19 Public Health Orders.
As part of proactive compliance operations, officers from Riverina Police District attended a restaurant on Fernleigh Road, Mount Austin, just before 7pm on Saturday (15 August 2020).
After speaking with the 39-year-old male owner, officers conducted a walk-through and established that a COVID Safety Plan had not been completed.
Further, the owner, who was also the chef, claimed to be the designated COVID marshal.
The owner was informed he would receive a $5000 PIN for non-compliance with the Public Health Orders, which was issued yesterday (Tuesday 18 August 2020).
In a separate and unrelated incident, officers from Riverina Police District have been conducting inquiries into suspected non-compliance of self-isolation directions since late last month.
On Saturday 25 July 2020, local police were contacted after a 25-year-old woman, who had arrived in Wagga Wagga from Victoria on Thursday 23 July 2020 on a valid permit, was reportedly not self-isolating.
Police conducted a number of inquiries, including repeat compliance checks, during which it was established she had not been self-isolating.
Officers advised the woman she would receive a $1000 PIN for fail to comply with noticed direction in relation to s7/8/9 – COVID-19 and reminded she must complete the full self-isolation period.
The woman was issued with the PIN yesterday (Tuesday 18 August 2020).
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.

Streets across NSW will be transformed into vibrant pedestrian-friendly public spaces with the NSW Government today announcing the successful funding recipients under the $15 million Streets as Shared Spaces program.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the funds will help 27 regional councils and 14 councils across Greater Sydney deliver temporary street transformations, such as cycleways, pop-up parklets and improved lighting.
“It’s fantastic to see so many councils eager to provide new and improved public spaces for their communities, encouraging active transport and beautifying their streetscapes,” Mr Stokes said.
“These projects will transform neighbourhoods across the State, making it easier for people to walk or ride to local shops and services by creating safe, attractive and accessible streets and public spaces.”
Successful trial projects will provide new pedestrian and cycleway connections and  reclaim little-used carparks and roads across NSW, including:

• creation of a ‘green spine’ on Harbour Drive in Coffs Harbour;
• activation of an underutilised laneway in Parramatta;
• a temporary road closure to create a public square in Griffith; and
• a pop-up park on Dunmore Street, Wentworthville.

The Streets as Shared Spaces program provides funding for councils to support the delivery of short-term improvements to local streets and public spaces through pop-ups and pilots that encourage social distancing and improve the attractiveness of our neighbourhoods.
There are two types of project grants under the program: Quick Response Demonstration Projects valued at up to $100,000 per project, to be delivered within three months of approval, and Pilot Projects valued at up to $1 million per project to be delivered within one year of approval. Councils will need to obtain all of the relevant approvals and engage with their community in delivering the projects.
For more information and the full list of 48 successful proposals visit: www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/streetsgrants

Small and medium-sized businesses and regional communities across the State are set to benefit from a coordinated NSW Government push to showcase local products and develop global export sales.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW, Industry and Trade John Barilaro today launched the NSW Government’s $12 million Going Global Package which includes grants of up to $10,000 for eligible businesses through the Export Assistance Grant scheme.
“Helping home-grown businesses succeed in the global marketplace is more important than ever before and here in NSW we have some of the best produce in the world,” Mr Barilaro said.
“That is why the NSW Government is coordinating export assistance across a range of initiatives including market tailored workshops, business matching and exporter grants of up to $10,000.
“We are promoting NSW businesses globally, just like we promote our fantastic regional products state-wide through our Buy Regional campaign.
“Our Export Assistance Grants, together with intensive, direct assistance through the Going Global program will complement existing support and advice services to forge new business connections and sales offshore.”
The Going Global Package includes:

• A $1.8 million Going Global program which will provide export coaching, networking and in-market assistance for export-ready firms. The initiative includes 15 tailored programs covering nine markets and ten sectors.
• A $10 million Export Assistance Grant scheme reimbursing 50 per cent of eligible expenses up to a maximum of $10,000 per eligible business
• Connections to international consumers via the Buy Regional Goes Global initiative
• Online webinars to help businesses upskill
• Ongoing support through the NSW Government’s network of trade advisors in regional locations and Sydney, and its international trade and investment offices around the world
• Access to information on the Global NSW website
• Other support, tools and resources available online

Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said trade would be vital to restoring growth after COVID-19, with exports making up 16 per cent of the State economy before the global pandemic.
“We know our exporters have faced big hurdles in recent months, especially in regional areas also affected by bushfires and drought,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Applications for the Going Global program can be submitted now, and the Export Assistance Grants application will be available soon. I urge small and medium-sized firms in regional areas and across NSW to apply.”
Graham Gilmore from Black Springs-based agribusiness TattyKeel, said exporting was a great way for regional businesses to stay competitive and build resilience, despite the challenges of COVID-19.
“We’re a family farm that’s changing the boundaries. We’re doing R&D and we’re actually creating a new product that’s got some pretty unique eating qualities,” Mr Gilmore said.
“Developing markets overseas is an important part of our plan to support that work.”
TattyKeel’s innovative new brand Margra Lamb is among the enterprises profiled in Buy Regional.
In addition to the initiatives announced today, export advisors remain available to assist business in regional locations throughout the State and, under the Global NSW strategy, the Government is expanding its network of trade and investment offices around the world from 11 to 21. The Buy Regional platform will continue to promote regional businesses and exporters.
More information is available at: global.nsw.gov.au/nsw-export-assistance-package

Residents in Sydney’s south will soon be able to enjoy new and upgraded sport and recreational facilities, after work began today on open space near the future M6 Stage 1.
Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said the revitalisation project will support around 200 jobs and signals the start of work along the planned road corridor that’s been reserved since the 1950s.
“The improvements include new playing fields, open space and more car parking so our local sporting teams can keep their seasons running while the M6 Stage 1 is delivered,” Mr Constance said.
“The M6 Stage 1 is expected to create around 5,300 jobs, help motorists bypass up to 23 sets of traffic lights and take up to 2,000 heavy vehicles a day off surface roads when the four kilometre tunnel opens by the end of 2025.”
Member for Miranda Eleni Petinos said the upgrades are part of the $2.6 billion ‘missing link’ between President Avenue at Kogarah and the recently opened WestConnex M8 at Arncliffe.
“With this community infrastructure set to be complete by the end of 2021, we’re bringing southern motorists one step closer to enjoying quicker travel times to the city with Stage 1 of the M6,” Ms Petinos said.
The NSW Government is investing around $28 million into upgrades at Ador Park and McCarthy Reserve at Rockdale, and Brighton Memorial Playing Fields at Brighton-Le-Sands.
Member for Oatley Mark Coure said “the announcement will ensure local communities don’t miss out on valuable open space and sporting facilities while work is carried out.”
The improvements to Ador Park Precinct and McCarthy Reserve include:

• An upgraded full-sized synthetic field and a new mid-sized grass field.
• A new skate park, play area, BBQ area and amenities building.

At Brighton Memorial Playing Fields, there will be:

• An upgraded full size synthetic field and a new mid-sized grass field.
• A new play area, memorial, lawn area, amenities building and lighting.
• Increased car parking capacity with safety improved on Sybil Lane.

The improvements also include a new shared path, a pedestrian bridge over Muddy Creek, upgrades to West Botany Street Bridge and larger car parks at both sites.
The NSW Government has awarded the tender for the community recreation facilities to Ertech.

Two people have been issued with Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) since the last update:

• About 6pm on Sunday (16 August 2020), officers from Eastern Beaches Police Area Command responded to reports of a large gathering at Jack Vanny Memorial Park, Maroubra. Officers spoke with a 33-year-old man who was one of the organisers of the event, before the crowd was dispersed without incident. Following inquiries, the man was issued with a $1000 PIN yesterday (Monday 17 August 2020) for fail to comply with noticed direction in relation to s7/8/9 – COVID-19.
• On Friday 14 August 2020, a 57-year-old man attended Bourke Hospital with possible COVID-19 symptoms. He was tested for the virus and directed to self-isolate at home. About 3.30pm yesterday (Monday 18 August 2020) the man was located at a friend’s house. Further inquiries revealed the man had attended a local shop the same morning. He was issued with a $1000 PIN for fail to comply with noticed direction.

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.