Month: March 2021

Dedicated community Recovery Centres are now open, providing face-to-face support for NSW residents affected by recent rainfall and subsequent extreme flooding.
The first Recovery Centres are located in Port Macquarie, Taree and Laurieton with another opening today in Macksville.
Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for Disaster Recovery John Barilaro said the NSW Government, community organisations, and welfare bodies will work from the recovery centres to assist individuals, businesses, farmers and landholders dealing with the fallout from the record-breaking storms and flooding.
“The recovery process is well underway, with equipment and crews mobilised for the clean-up, and these recovery centres will further help flood-affected communities get back on their feet as quickly as possible,” Mr Barilaro said.
“We will work with local communities and councils to progressively build on the services offered at the drop-in Recovery Centres and we will continue to support flood-affected communities for as long as it takes and in every way we can.”
The Recovery Centres are located at;

• The Hub, 143 Gordon Street, Port Macquarie
• The old Council Chambers, 2 Pulteney Street, Taree
• The School of Arts Hall, 58 Bold Street, Laurieton
• he Senior Citizens Centre, 39 Princes Street, Macksville (opening today)

Three more Recovery Centres will soon be established in the Hawkesbury region, to be located in the Windsor, Wisemans Ferry, and North Richmond areas.
The NSW Government is working in partnership with local government and the Commonwealth Government to provide impacted people with information on and access to:

• Clean-up services
• Financial assistance
• Insurance and legal support
• Support for businesses
• Mental health and wellbeing services

The NSW Government will closely monitor the need for any additional recovery centres and stands ready to provide further support where required.
For those wanting to be assisted remotely, and for more information on all available disaster assistance, please contact the Disaster Customer Care Service at Service NSW on 13 77 88 or online via service.nsw.gov.au.

More than 190 schools will receive priority upgrades, including improvements to playgrounds, sports courts and libraries, thanks to Tranche 2 of the $120 million NSW Government Metro Renewal Program.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell visited Homebush Boys High School today to announce the projects that will receive funding.
Homebush Boys High School will receive a $2 million upgrade to convert an existing building into a new library with a “STEM” Room and seminar rooms with student study areas. The school will also receive upgrades to its admin area, staff lounge and interview rooms.
Ms Berejiklian said the NSW Government is committed to ensuring students across NSW have access to quality school facilities.
“Hundreds of schools across Sydney have been given the green light to their projects and will go out to tender immediately,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Fires, COVID-19 and floods have had a huge impact on people across NSW, including our school communities who saw their school year disrupted and campuses impacted. This funding will provide a boost, not only to local school infrastructure projects and the economy but also to the morale of school communities.”
Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said the program is driven by what school communities want.
“I’m delighted to see 220 metro projects in this next tranche of the program, all put forward by schools as priorities,” Ms Mitchell said.
“Overall, we will see over $76 million invested in metro school infrastructure in this second tranche of the program.”
In November 2020 the NSW Government announced the $240 million Metro and Regional Renewal Program. To date, over 1,300 have been approved (over 790 and 590 in tranche one and tranche two respectively) across over 1,200 schools.
The programs will support over 2,600 jobs across regional and metro NSW, and wherever possible, schools will use local contractors and suppliers ensuring the positive impacts of this stimulus are felt as far and wide as possible.
The projects are identified by school communities and co-funded by the school and the NSW Government.
The NSW Government is investing $7 billion over the next four years, continuing its program to deliver more than 200 new and upgraded schools to support communities across NSW. This is the largest investment in public education infrastructure in the history of NSW.

Investment NSW, a new NSW Government agency, is open for business from today, reinforcing the State’s position as the economic engine room of the country.
Premier Berejiklian says the new agency will drive local and global investment and create the jobs of the future for NSW, showing the world that the State is open for business.
“Investment NSW is a one-stop-shop for the private sector – attracting and growing Australian and global companies, overseas capital, talent, tourists and students,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“From today, Investment NSW is up and running, with a mission to enhance NSW’s global position as a safe place to do business, attracting investment capital and creating jobs for our State.
“It will act as a concierge for businesses and investors to help them navigate the many options available for partnering with the NSW Government, whether that’s payroll exemptions, co-funding great ideas, providing connections to global export markets and more.”
Minister for Jobs, Investment and Tourism Stuart Ayres said the Government’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan is the blueprint that will reinforce NSW’s position as the economic engine room of the country.
“The NSW community has shown extraordinary resilience in the face of many challenges – bushfires, drought, flood and the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mr Ayres said.
“Now is the time to be confident and on the front foot in attracting investment, talent and visitors who will drive us to new heights as we look beyond economic recovery to growth.”
Investment NSW will be led by Chief Executive Amy Brown, who was previously Deputy Secretary at the Department of Premier and Cabinet, heading the economic and commercial leadership team.
“As a central agency, Investment NSW will drive all trade and investment attraction activities as a one-stop-shop to maximise economic benefits and jobs growth across NSW,” Ms Brown said.
“From day one we will be reaching out to key industry partners and investors – both domestic and international – to start work on their top priorities for government to partner through the COVID recovery.”
The establishment of Investment NSW brings together a number of groups from across government into the Premier and Cabinet cluster including the Jobs, Investment and Tourism group from NSW Treasury (includes Jobs Plus and the 24 Economy Commissioner), Destination NSW, Study NSW, R&D NSW and Global NSW.
Investment NSW will be jointly responsible to the Premier, the Deputy Premier, Minister for Regional NSW, Industry and Trade and the Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney.
For more information about Investment NSW visit https://www.investment.nsw.gov.au/

The NSW Government congratulates Natasha Maclaren-Jones MLC on her election as the NSW Legislative Council’s 22nd President.
The Presidency became vacant after John Ajaka MLC announced his retirement and the House was compelled to elect a new President before conducting any further business.
Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council Don Harwin said Ms Maclaren-Jones was an outstanding and highly competent member of the Legislative Council and would make a fair and impartial President.
“Ms Maclaren-Jones has the demonstrated temperament, character and expertise to be the President of this House. She was elected to the House 10 years ago in 2011 and has served for a decade with distinction.
“As Government Whip, Ms Maclaren-Jones has been remarkably capable, with a flair for organisation of government members and also has shown a level of leadership to ensure the Chamber and its processes function effectively,” Mr Harwin said.
The Government’s position, reinforced by legal advice from the Crown Solicitor, is that Natasha Maclaren-Jones is the legitimately elected President of the Legislative Council. The Government relies on the construction of the standing orders – specifically standing order 13(2) which says,
“When 2 members have been proposed as President, ballot papers will be distributed by the Clerks to all members in their places. Members must write on the ballot paper the name of the candidate for whom they wish to vote, and deposit it in the ballot box provided by the Clerk. The candidate who has the greater number of votes is to be declared elected President, and will be conducted to the Chair.”
The Government notes that standing order 13(3) – under which the Clerk declared the ballots on Wednesday – only applies where there are more than two candidates.
The legal advice received by the Government from the Crown Solicitor has been sent to the Clerk of the Parliaments and distributed to members of the Legislative Council.
Minister Harwin said, “The Standing Orders are clear. In the case of a ballot where there are only two candidates, the candidate with the greater number of votes is to be declared elected President.”
Deputy Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council Sarah Mitchell congratulated Ms Maclaren-Jones.
“Ms Maclaren-Jones is a champion for female representation – not only in Parliament but in politics generally. She is a great role model, especially for the next generation of women and is an exceptional choice for the Presidency of the Legislative Council,” Ms Mitchell said.
“Her wealth of experience includes five years as a Temporary Chair of Committees, working with boards of women’s refuges in the Northern Beaches community and being a part of the Parliamentary Friends for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault.”

Free menstrual hygiene products will be available to students in two pilot regions in NSW ahead of a wider rollout.
Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell and Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor announced the locations of the trial today at Birrong Girls High School.
Ms Mitchell said the pilot will run in 30 schools across Western Sydney and Dubbo for two terms.
“It’s important no female student feels like they can’t fully participate in all aspects of school life because they do not have access to menstrual hygiene products,” Ms Mitchell said.
“I want to make sure there are no barriers to education for female students just because they get periods.
“Once the pilot is finished we can look at how we roll this service out to all schools in the state.”
Dispensers will be provided with sanitary products including pads and tampons at no cost to schools or students. The department will trial two types of dispensers, which will be placed in the female student’s bathrooms.
Minister for Regional Youth and Women, Bronnie Taylor said this is something that many young girls have been asking for.
“I know that women and girls’ physical, social and economic potential is maximised when they are healthy, and their health needs are addressed,” Mrs Taylor said.
“Providing sanitary products has the potential to positively impact educational engagement and attainment, whilst reducing shame and embarrassment.”
Information about the products and their availability has been supplied to principals and schools will educate students who are likely to access the products as well as distributing materials to their community.

Investment NSW, a new NSW Government agency, is open for business from today, reinforcing the State’s position as the economic engine room of the country.
Premier Berejiklian says the new agency will drive local and global investment and create the jobs of the future for NSW, showing the world that the State is open for business.
“Investment NSW is a one-stop-shop for the private sector – attracting and growing Australian and global companies, overseas capital, talent, tourists and students,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“From today, Investment NSW is up and running, with a mission to enhance NSW’s global position as a safe place to do business, attracting investment capital and creating jobs for our State.
“It will act as a concierge for businesses and investors to help them navigate the many options available for partnering with the NSW Government, whether that’s payroll exemptions, co-funding great ideas, providing connections to global export markets and more.”
Minister for Jobs, Investment and Tourism Stuart Ayres said the Government’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan is the blueprint that will reinforce NSW’s position as the economic engine room of the country.
“The NSW community has shown extraordinary resilience in the face of many challenges – bushfires, drought, flood and the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mr Ayres said.
“Now is the time to be confident and on the front foot in attracting investment, talent and visitors who will drive us to new heights as we look beyond economic recovery to growth.”
Investment NSW will be led by Chief Executive Amy Brown, who was previously Deputy Secretary at the Department of Premier and Cabinet, heading the economic and commercial leadership team.
“As a central agency, Investment NSW will drive all trade and investment attraction activities as a one-stop-shop to maximise economic benefits and jobs growth across NSW,” Ms Brown said.
“From day one we will be reaching out to key industry partners and investors – both domestic and international – to start work on their top priorities for government to partner through the COVID recovery.”
The establishment of Investment NSW brings together a number of groups from across government into the Premier and Cabinet cluster including the Jobs, Investment and Tourism group from NSW Treasury (includes Jobs Plus and the 24 Economy Commissioner), Destination NSW, Study NSW, R&D NSW and Global NSW.
Investment NSW will be jointly responsible to the Premier, the Deputy Premier, Minister for Regional NSW, Industry and Trade and the Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney.
For more information about Investment NSW visit https://www.investment.nsw.gov.au/

Work has started on the upgrade to the Warringah Freeway, which will pave the way for the future Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link, and transform the way the community moves between western Sydney and Sydney’s north.
Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said more than 15,000 jobs will be created during construction for the NSW Government’s Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link Program, with about 600 people working on the freeway upgrade.
“Workers are donning hard hats for the first time on this city-shaping project to begin work on the Warringah Freeway, which includes service and utility relocations, before major work starts later this year,” Mr Constance said.
“The Warringah Freeway upgrade is just the first stage of this massive program, which will connect western Sydney to Sydney’s north and help slash travel times for thousands of commuters by up to 56 minutes.”
Member for North Shore Felicity Wilson said the four kilometre upgrade, between North Sydney and Naremburn, will reduce lane merging, boost safety, and improve traffic flow for the 250,000 vehicles who use the freeway every day.
“This upgrade is part of our commitment to ease congestion on local roads and it will streamline the Warringah Freeway to connect to the future Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link,” Ms Wilson said.
“Transport for NSW will deliver a continuous southbound bus lane from Miller Street to the Harbour Bridge, which will improve bus links to the North Sydney CBD and the new Sydney Metro, while also building new pedestrian and cycling infrastructure.”
Member for Manly James Griffin said the community will be kept updated throughout all phases of this massive program.
“The Warringah Freeway is the main artery from Sydney’s north into the heart of the CBD, and this game-changing project will help people spend less time sitting in traffic and more time with family and friends,” Mr Griffin said.
“Community feedback on the entire program has been valuable in helping understand and deliver positive changes. We will continue to work closely with the local communities through every stage of this major program.”
The Western Harbour Tunnel will deliver major travel time savings, including

• Up to 20 minutes from Sydney Olympic Park to North Sydney.
• Up to 20 minutes from Leichhardt to North Sydney.
• Up to 15 minutes from North Sydney to the Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport.
• Up to 20 minutes on the city commute from locations such as Chatswood, Roseville, Lindfield, Forestville, Belrose, Frenchs Forest, Cromer and North Narrabeen.

Combined with improvements to the wider network, future forecast travel time savings for Beaches Link include:

• Up to 38 minutes from Balgowlah to Sydney CBD.
• Up to 56 minutes from Dee Why to Sydney Airport.
• Up to 54 minutes from Frenchs Forest to Rozelle.

Drivers are encouraged to visit the online portal at nswroads.work/whtportal to have a virtual experience of what their commute will look like when the program is complete.

Aptly named after the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) motto ‘Per Ardua Ad Astra’, meaning ‘through adversity to the stars’, a new exhibition featuring veteran treasured memorabilia has launched at Anzac Memorial to celebrate the RAAF’s 100^th birthday.
Minister for Veterans Geoff Lee said the exhibition is a celebration of RAAF personnel past and present, and a way to recognise the service and sacrifice of those who have helped to shape the modern force we know today.
“Australia was among the first nations to create an independent branch of its defence forces dedicated to military aviation in 1921”, Mr Lee said.
“From 1920s aerial survey flights to modern peacekeeping, every individual who has served over the past 100 years has contributed to the vital defence service of our nation and helped to form the state-of-the-art force we know today.”
Visitors can view invaluable items such as souvenirs of a pilot who bombed German positions at Hamel just days before a battle that influenced the Great War outcome.
The Distinguished Flying Cross awarded to Flight Lieutenant Doug Millar for his daring low-level flight will also be on display, along with an extremely rare Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force uniform worn by a nurse at the RAAF Hospital in Tocumwal.
The commemoration is a partnership between the NSW Air Force Association on its 101^st birthday and the Anzac Memorial Board of Trustees. In addition to the launch of the RAAF Centenary exhibition, the event also included a ceremony and the donation of the RAAF Memorial Book to the Royal United Services Institute of NSW Library of Military History.
For more information, visit: anzacmemorial.nsw.gov.au/event/raaf-centenary-exhibition