Month: September 2020

A major upgrade of the Tamworth Intermodal Rail Line is on target for delivery with the Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson today announcing $28 million for the project to support regional NSW’s freight sector, creating hundreds of regional jobs.
Mr Barilaro said this investment will fund works to reinstate a section of non-operational railway line, support the development of an intermodal rail facility in Westdale and link Tamworth to the state’s major port.
“This significant investment is key to the development of the new intermodal rail hub that will better connect Northern NSW’s producers and businesses to the world,” Mr Barilaro said.
“This funding will restore and raise five kilometres of track on the West Tamworth to Barraba line and install new level crossings to activate rail freight access to Tamworth’s new Regional Freight Terminal.
“When complete, a functioning intermodal rail hub and freight terminal in Tamworth will create a direct rail route to vessels docked at Port Botany, saving businesses significant freight costs.”
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the NSW Government was investing in the rail freight network to increase capacity, secure reliable freight movements across the state, and meet future freight demand.
“Inland intermodals are an integral part of moving freight throughout NSW by providing a delivery point load breakdown services and an interface for road to rail integration,” Mr Toole said.
“With a projected 28 per cent increase in the regional freight task by 2036 from just four years ago, facilities like the one at Tamworth will play an increasingly important role in connecting NSW’s products to export markets.”
Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said the NSW Government is investing in the infrastructure, programs and services that support industry development, improve productivity and economic growth and make regional NSW a great place to live, work and play.
“This is a huge milestone for the people, producers and businesses of Tamworth. The Tamworth intermodal will make the city the freight capital of the New England and North West and drive enormous investment and job growth locally,” Mr Anderson said.
“In 2016, 482 million tonnes of freight was moved in NSW and with that volume expected to increase to 618 million tonnes by 2036, this project is one of the big picture infrastructure investments delivered by the NSW Government to help Tamworth and regional NSW’s industry succeed.”

Today marks Early Childhood Educators Day, celebrating our dedicated and passionate early childhood educators and recognising their positive contribution to improving outcomes for children in NSW.
To coincide with this important day, Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell has announced a new Early Childhood Education scholarship program to increase the number of qualified Early Childhood Teachers, in line with the NSW Government’s Early Childhood Education Workforce Strategy.
“These scholarships support the NSW Government’s vision of a highly qualified and sustainable workforce which meets the needs of children and families, including those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those in regional and remote locations as well as children with additional needs,” Ms Mitchell said.
“Supporting high quality candidates to study and take up careers as early childhood educators is key to our commitment to ensure children across NSW have access to quality early education wherever they live and whatever their circumstances.”
Ms Mitchell said early childhood educators play a critical role in children’s development. Attending early learning services teaches children social skills, practical skills and early literacy.
“Our early childhood educators are there guiding children, building their confidence and helping them make sense of the world around them,” Ms Mitchell said.
Successful applicants will be offered a scholarship of up to $20,000 to undertake or complete an approved early childhood teaching degree qualification recognised by the Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA). Up to 40 scholarships will be awarded each year for three years.
Scholarships will be prioritised to meet emerging workforce needs including those already employed in eligible early childhood education services, Aboriginal people, those in regional and remote areas and/or those with high numbers of disadvantaged children. Applications close 4 October.
Further information about the scholarships and how to apply is available here.

Central Sydney will get a new Ambulance Superstation as part of the NSW Government’s record $184 million infrastructure investment in stations across Sydney.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian today unveiled the plans for the Central Sydney Ambulance Station, announcing the state-of-the-art building will be at the site of the former Coroners Court of NSW at Glebe.
“For the first time in more than 15 years, Sydney is benefiting from modern, purpose-built ambulance stations, with nine already completed as part of the Sydney Ambulance Metropolitan Infrastructure Strategy program,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Continuing our record investment in health infrastructure is a central component of the NSW Government’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan.”
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the new Central Superstation is another step forward in the transformation of Sydney’s ambulance service.
“This will be a Superstation home base like no other and will enable paramedics to improve response times and continue providing high-quality care to the community.” Mr Hazzard said.
Commissioner of NSW Ambulance, Dr Dominic Morgan ASM said it is the final of 11 ambulance stations to be built as part of the paramedic response network.
“Our paramedics do a fantastic job servicing their local communities from state-of-the-art infrastructure and I expect the new central Sydney station to continue our distinguished tradition of excellence in care for local communities,” Dr Morgan said.
Nine new ambulance superstations have already been built and construction of a new superstation at Randwick and a new ambulance station at Mona Vale are underway.
The $184 million investment in metropolitan ambulance infrastructure is part of more than $10 billion invested in health capital works by the NSW Government since 2011, with a further $10.1 billion committed in this term of government.
The NSW Government has invested more than $1 billion in NSW Ambulance during 2019-20, including $27.1 million to employ 221 paramedics and call centre staff from a total 750 over this term.

Westmead Health and Innovation District took a major step forward today with the launch of a new project delivering over 1,000 jobs and 28,000 square metres of health, research, education and commercial space.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the $350 million development, a joint venture between Western Sydney University and Charter Hall to be known as Innovation Quarter or iQ, would house leading some of the University’s leading research institutes and Australia’s national science agency CSIRO.
“Commencement of ground works for this new complex will help strengthen Westmead Health and Innovation District as a leading global centre for health care, medical research and commercialisation, education and training,” Mr Ayres said.
“It’s another sign of confidence in the NSW economy and demonstrates more progress out west in the Central City, supporting the NSW Government’s focus on technology and innovation as key drivers of growth.”
Western Sydney University will base its MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development, NICM Health Research Institute and Translational Health Research Institute (THRI) at the complex when it opens in 2021.
CSIRO will bring world-leading research staff from its e-Health and Nutrition & Health programs.
Western Sydney University Vice-President (Finance and Resources), Peter Pickering, said the Innovation Quarter at Westmead is part of the University’s ‘Western Growth’ strategy – an ambitious program that is reshaping the University’s campus network and co-creating cities and transformative educational infrastructure across western Sydney, in partnership with industry and government.
Mr Pickering said it will build upon the University’s existing footprint in Westmead to integrate first-class health and medical research into policy and practice.
“The University’s presence within the Innovation Quarter will enable researchers, industry partners and clinicians to come together and address the nation’s most pressing health challenges.
“During these challenging times, the Innovation Quarter will also make important economic contributions to the region, creating over 1,000 jobs and generating $150 million to the regional economy.”
Charter Hall Group CEO and Managing Director David Harrison said there had never been a more important time to focus on health research and innovation.
“Our project collaboration with Western Sydney University will deliver a state-of-the-art innovation centre to support the work of both the Western Sydney University and CSIRO’s medical research facilities.”
“iQ will create a truly visionary precinct that brings together the most forward-thinking research, health education and commercial sectors in the Southern Hemisphere. The project will provide an environment for some of the brightest minds in the country to innovate, create opportunities for collaboration and solve global challenges in the heart of Westmead,” Mr Harrison said.
Dr Dave Williams CSIRO Executive Director said the move to Westmead would improve collaboration opportunities to create innovative health and wellbeing solutions for the nation.
“CSIRO has a long history of partnering with health, education and research organisations to help solve Australia’s greatest challenges in health,” Dr Williams said.
“We look forward to building on this and embarking on new partnerships and innovations at Westmead.”
Images of the development can be downloaded here.

Two people were charged and three Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) were issued yesterday in relation to various breaches of Public Health Orders across NSW in recent days.
About 9.30am yesterday (Tuesday 1 September 2020), officers from Operation Border Closure were conducting permit checks at a checkpoint on the Hume Highway, South Albury, when they stopped a 27-year-old male driver allegedly attempting to travel into NSW without a permit.
The man was advised to return to Victoria, but after being observed not taking the returning route, he was stopped again and directed to take the most direct route back to Victoria.
After again failing to return to Victoria, the man was stopped again and arrested.
The Western Australian man was taken to Albury Police Station and charged with fail to comply with noticed direction in relation to section 7/8/9 – COVID-19.
He is due to appear at Albury Local Court on Monday 28 September 2020.
Following the man’s release from police custody, he was escorted back across the border into Victoria.
The details of another arrest were issued yesterday, which relate to a 27-year-old woman who was charged after allegedly hiding in the back of a truck in Victoria and entering NSW without a valid permit at the weekend.
The Penalty Infringement Notices include:
A 27-year-old woman was issued two $1000 PINs in less than three hours after attempting to enter NSW without a valid permit at two different checkpoints. She was first stopped about 12.40am yesterday (Tuesday 1 September 2020), at a checkpoint on the Sturt Highway, Buronga, where she was denied entry as she did not have a permit. After attempting to enter NSW regardless, she was issued with a $1000 PIN and escorted back into Victoria. She was then stopped at the checkpoint on Abbotsford Road, Curlwaa, about 3am and denied entry but refused to return to Victoria. She was issued with a second $1000 PIN and escorted into Victoria.
A 28-year-old man has been issued a $1000 PIN after providing an entry permit in someone else’s name at the Wodonga Point checkpoint in Albury, just after midnight yesterday (Tuesday 1 September 2020). When asked by officers to provide identification, the man could not, and eventually admitted he had provided a false name and a permit belonging to someone else. He was issued a PIN for not provide/give false info – COVID-19 Border Control and was also issued additional infringements for goods in custody, stealing and being in possession of a knife.
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.