Month: July 2021

Ten NSW manufacturers have received a share in $5 million of NSW Government funding to produce personal protective equipment (PPE) to support domestic and international markets through COVID-19 and boost local jobs.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the grants of up to $500,000 each have enabled the production of face masks, gloves, disinfectant and medical-grade handwash and soap.
“When COVID-19 first hit last year, we realised how important it was for Australia to reduce its dependence on PPE imports and to shore up local manufacturing for our future needs,” Mr Barilaro said.
“The demand for PPE remains high both here and internationally and the NSW Government is pleased to support our local businesses to pivot from their traditional practices and produce the materials desperately needed for export.
“NSW’s management of COVID-19 has provided an opportunity for innovative home-grown businesses to not only support Australian citizens with PPE, but to export these critical products to our international neighbours.
“These grants are supporting companies across NSW, including five regional businesses, to create new jobs, boost local economies and strengthen our manufacturing export capability in the longer-term.”
Envirus is a new joint venture enabled by the funding between Newcastle-based industrial PPE manufacturer Maddison Safety and wetsuit manufacturer Sharkskin International.
The funding has supported the businesses to purchase additional machinery and equipment to increase their capacity to retool and produce P2 face masks, with Sharkskin focusing on the business to customer market and Maddison Safety the business to business market.
Tim Maddison, Managing Director, Maddison Safety and Shane Holiday, Managing Director, Sharkskin International said that this is a great initiative for Australian manufacturing.
“The grant has supplemented the investment we made during the height of COVID in 2020, helping us to purchase new machinery and secure more staff and training to keep up with demand,” Mr Maddison said.
“While COVID-19 has impacted domestic business in our traditional markets Sharkskin International’s Domestic Manufacturing of PPE grant will help the business to scale-up production and further pursue international markets,” added Mr Holiday.

Driver journeys through Bankstown have improved after the Stacey Street and Fairford Road upgrade opened to traffic.
Minister for Roads Andrew Constance said the extra lane in each direction and extended right-hand turns would improve journey times along this important corridor and also have benefits for the surrounding streets.
“This work was funded by the NSW Government’s $300 million Gateway to the South Pinch Point Program, which is focused on work that eases congestion and improves journey reliability on Sydney’s key western corridors,” Mr Constance said.
“Drivers will notice a more efficient journey through this part of Bankstown, as well as on the streets connecting to these key arterial roads.
“With construction works now complete, people should drive to the standard speed limit and follow the directions of traffic signs.”
Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the upgrades would help streamline traffic, bust congestion and assist drivers when having to cross traffic.
“It’s great for traffic flow because this upgrade has provided an additional lane in each direction between Macauley Avenue and Stanley Street. It has also seen an extended right-hand turn bay from Stacey Street southbound into Stanley Street and an additional right-hand turn bay from Stacey Street southbound into Macauley Avenue.
“A new bus lane will further assist traffic turning right from Macauley Avenue on to Fairford Road,” Mr Ayres said.
A new signalised pedestrian crossing has been installed at Salvia Avenue while the existing pedestrian crossing at the intersection of Stacey Street and Macauley Avenue has been relocated from the southern to the northern side of the intersection.
Transport for NSW has thanked nearby residents, Canterbury Bankstown Council and the entire community for their goodwill, patience and support over the life of this project.

Households and small businesses impacted by the mouse plague across regional NSW can now claim rebates as part of the NSW Government’s $150 million Mouse Control Program by visiting the Service NSW website.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro said eligible households can claim up to $500 and small businesses up to $1,000 to help meet the cost of mouse baits, traps and cleaning materials bought after 1 February 2021.
“These rodents haven’t just impacted farmers and crops, they have also been a scourge on homes and businesses right across the regions,” Mr Barilaro said.
“Fighting this plague has come at a financial cost and this rebate is putting money back in the pockets of hard-working families and business owners.
“Claiming rebates is simple but you can only claim once, so I encourage residents and small business owners who have spent close to the maximum amount available to visit the Service NSW website today.”
Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall said primary producers who lived where theyworked could claim a single rebate of up to $1,000 to help meet the cost of protecting their premises.
“Farmers know how to protect their crops and are well prepared to meet a potential mouse surge as we draw closer to the spring harvest and this rebate will help them to also safeguard their homes,” Mr Marshall said.
“By the end of the month, primary producers will also be able to claim a 50 per cent rebate on purchases of zinc phosphide based bait, to a maximum of $10,000, through the Rural Assistance Authority.”
Eligible customers can make a claim for the household or small business rebate via the Service NSW website, where they can upload receipts for mouse bait, trap and cleaning purchases dating back to 1 February 2021.
Customers wanting to claim the rebate by calling the Service NSW hotline should expect longer than usual call waiting times, due to the current COVID-19 situation. For further details about the mouse rebate program, including eligibility and the claims process, go to www.nsw.gov.au/mice.

The next round of the NSW Government’s Infrastructure Grants program opens today, with community organisations impacted by COVID-19 encouraged to apply for funding.
The NSW Government offers grants to communities across NSW to support the building, renovation and fit-out of local community infrastructure. Each year $12.5 million is available for projects across arts and culture, sport and recreation infrastructure and projects that assist communities with essential infrastructure and disaster readiness.
Minister for Digital and Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello >said the impacts of COVID-19 are still being widely felt and support for community organisations will remain a priority for this latest round.
“Community organisations play an invaluable role in promoting social inclusion, participation and boosting local economies,” Mr Dominello said.
“Community infrastructure is now a standalone category and it can be used for spaces like halls and meeting rooms, community transport, and infrastructure that supports youth, disability, mental health, homelessness, and domestic violence services.
“During the pandemic, some communities have struggled to maintain sports, cultural and other social activities. Now is an opportunity for local organisations to apply for funding that enables them to strengthen and grow.”
Infrastructure Grants are made possible through the NSW Government’s Clubgrants Category 3 Fund, which reinvests a contribution from the state’s registered clubs gaming machine profits back into community projects.
To be eligible for funding, applications must meet eligibility conditions including, the project location, the applicant and project benefit, purpose and development status. There is also a requirement for local government applicants to match funding.
Infrastructure Grants can be used toward the costs of construction, alteration, renovation, completion and fit-out of buildings and community infrastructure in the following categories:

• Arts & Culture: $50,000 to $200,000 available per project
• Community Infrastructure: $10,000 to $200,000 available per project
• Disaster Readiness: $10,000 to $200,000 available per project
• Sport & Recreation: $50,000 to $300,000 available per project

Since 2015, the NSW Government has funded more than 441 community projects worth $73 million under the Infrastructure Grants program.

The last of the NSW Government’s 41 Waratah Series 2 trains has entered service, on the 10^th anniversary of the original Waratah series hitting the tracks.
Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said the new trains will help support future patronage growth across the network, and will be more comfortable and reliable for passengers.
“We based the design of our Waratah Series 2 trains on the original Waratahs which meant we could get the new trains on the network in record time,” Mr Constance said.
“The introduction of the Waratah Series 2 fleet also led to the retirement of the S-Sets after almost 50 years in service, which means 100 per cent of the Sydney Trains fleet is now air conditioned.”
“The new Waratah also feature high definition customer information screens, internal and external CCTV, priority seating, wheelchair spaces and hearing aid loops.”
Sydney Trains Chief Executive Matt Longland said the initial order of 24 trains Waratah Series 2 trains was placed in late 2016, before the size of the fleet was increased to 41 in February 2019.
“The time between the delivery of the first and the last of the additional 17 Waratah Series 2 trains was just 302 days,” Mr Longland said.
“This Waratah fleet is the workhorse of our network and has not only proven to be the most reliable double deck train in Australia but is clearly a favourite with our customers.
“We want to thank those behind the scenes at the Auburn Maintenance Centre, who have played a huge part in this successful rollout, as well as the ongoing maintenance and training of our crew.”