The summer holidays just got even better for New South Wales residents, with two additional $25 Dine & Discover vouchers rolling out for eligible customers from today.
Treasurer Matt Kean said new applicants will receive three Dine NSW and three Discover NSW vouchers, while existing customers will receive one of each.
“The NSW Government’s $250 million expansion of Dine & Discover, announced as part of our $2.8 million economic recovery package, will help our local businesses grow and thrive this summer,” Mr Kean said.
“More than 15,000 businesses and 4.8 million customers have already registered for the Dine & Discover NSW program, with almost $276 million vouchers used so far.
“The two $25 vouchers will ensure we end 2021 with a bang and provide a much needed boost for businesses right across NSW as we head into a revitalised 2022.”
Minister for Digital and Customer Service Victor Dominello said accessing the new vouchers would be simple and available in the palm of your hand.
“We have made receiving vouchers for individuals even easier, with the additional vouchers appearing automatically in the Service NSW app, via SMS or email for existing digital customers,” Mr Dominello said.
“Dine & Discover NSW vouchers will start appearing from today in the Service NSW app with all delivered by early December. Current digital customers do not need to reapply to receive the extra vouchers.
“Whether it’s going out for dinner, catching a live show or visiting a wildlife park, we’re helping more and more people explore our great backyard while supporting businesses who have done it tough this year.”
Customers who don’t have access to digital vouchers can opt into a new call and collect delivery method. All customers need to do is to call Service NSW on 13 77 88 from 3 December, nominate their nearest Service Centre and in three business days they can collect their paper vouchers.
Participating registered businesses do not need to re-register, while those who want to join the program are encouraged to sign up now, download the Service NSW for Business app and get ready to redeem.
NSW residents aged 18 years and older who are yet to apply will be able to do so until the program ends and will receive all six $25 vouchers.
Dine & Discover NSW vouchers can be used seven days a week, including public holidays, and are valid to 30 June 2022.
More information: nsw.gov.au/covid-19/business/financial-support/dine-discover-nsw
Month: November 2021
New Destination Network structure to grow regional
The NSW Government has announced changes to the state’s Destination Networks to ensure the regional visitor economy is set up for continued success and receives more local resources and support.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the NSW Government was committed to growing the visitor economy of regional NSW with the right framework in place to support visitor growth, job creation, skills development and stakeholder engagement.
“We’re proud of our track record of supporting the regional visitor economy, including the establishment of the Destination Networks, and these changes give the Networks an even stronger and more sustainable framework to support our growth targets,” Mr Toole said.
“We’re focused on ensuring this important sector has the right support and structures in place to make sure regional NSW comes back bigger and stronger than ever before.”
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western and Minister for Trade and Industry Sydney Stuart Ayres said the visitor economy was a critical industry for many regional NSW communities and growing visitation would play a key role in the state’s COVID-19 recovery.
“Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic the regional visitor economy contributed $22.5 billion in tourism consumption and supported 99,600 direct jobs, over half the state’s visitor economy workforce,” Mr Ayres said.
“Destination Networks play a key role in delivering our NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2030, including our target of $25 billion in regional overnight visitor expenditure by 2030. We have a vision of making NSW the premier visitor economy of the Asia Pacific and it’s critical the regional visitor economy is supported appropriately to help achieve this.”
Changes to the Destination Network structure include:
- A new Destination Network for Central West NSW to increase resources for well-established visitor destinations, including Bathurst, Orange and Mudgee
- The relocation of Snowy Valley Local Government Area from Destination Riverina Murray to Destination Southern NSW
- Aligning Destination Sydney Surrounds North and Destination Sydney Surrounds South boundaries with Western Parkland City
The changes to Destination Network borders will take effect from 1 July 2022.
The NSW Government established the original six Destination Networks in 2016 following a review of regional tourism to improve regional stakeholder engagement and better support the regional NSW visitor economy. The Destination Networks are the ‘shopfront’ for Destination NSW in regional NSW and work closely with local government, tourism organisations and operators.
Destination NSW will work with visitor economy stakeholders in each region to implement the changes.
Central Sydney soaring to new heights
Sydney’s heart is shaping up for its comeback, with planning complete on the next steps to unlock a potential 2.4 million square metres of new commercial and employment floor space in Central Sydney and Pyrmont.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said the finalisation of the Central Sydney Planning Strategy provided the perfect opportunity to revamp and improve our great city.
“Sydney is the nation’s only global city and we have a once in a generation opportunity, as we come out the other side of the pandemic, to continue transforming it into one of the world’s greatest cities,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Sydney is the world’s gateway to Australia and this strategy will help cement our positions as the epicentre of global investment and innovation as well enhance our natural assets to build a city that is the best place to work, rest and play in the nation.”
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the long awaited finalisation of the Strategy will enable more development in the city centre while protecting public space and solar access.
“This is the culmination of years of hard work with the City of Sydney, the community and industry. Towers will be taller, planning processes will become simpler and more transparent, and strict rules will be introduced to protect important public spaces,” Mr Stokes said.
“This Strategy balances Central Sydney’s global role as a hub for business and innovation with its attractiveness as a place to live and play. It brings certainty to the planning system, which will make Central Sydney an even more attractive place to invest.”
Simplified new rules for infrastructure contributions will help fund a range of public services to accompany more development, including upgrades to Hyde Park, Belmore Park and George Street, and improvements to community facilities and pedestrian and cycling links.
Coinciding with the finalisation of the Central Sydney Planning Strategy is the public exhibition of detailed plans for the Pyrmont Peninsula Place Strategy.
Consultation is underway on master plans for the seven sub-precincts, including proposed plans for a new six-star hotel at The Star, UTS Indigenous Residential College, and the two sites for the new Sydney Metro station at Pyrmont.
“We want the community to have its say on the next stage in the evolution of this significant part of Sydney which includes the Pyrmont Metro station development, a key piece of the Pyrmont puzzle planned to priortise pedestrians and enable a new level of connectivity to the Peninsula,” Mr Stokes said.
Along with the seven sub-precinct master plans, amended planning controls and a proposed Special Infrastructure Contribution to help fund Sydney Metro West are also on exhibition. Submissions will be open until 4 February 2022.
To read the finalised Central Sydney Planning Strategy visit: www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/policy-planning-changes/central-sydney-planning-framework
For more information about the Pyrmont Peninsula Place Strategy visit: www.planning.nsw.gov.au/Pyrmont
Man charged with alleged sexual assault offences – Wyong
A man will appear in court next month, charged with the alleged sexual assault of two women in the Lake Macquarie area.
In October 2021, officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District commenced an investigation into reports two women – aged 41 and 50 – had been sexually assaulted by a man they had met on a social media dating application.
Following extensive inquiries, detectives arrested a 48-year-old man at an address on Owen Avenue, Wyong, about 8.50am yesterday (Thursday 25 November 2021).
He was taken to Wyong Police Station where he was charged with four counts of sexually touch another person without consent.
Police will allege in court that the man sexually assaulted the women in separate incidents in Fernleigh and Wyong after meeting them on a social media dating application.
The man was refused bail to appear in Belmont Local Court on Wednesday 15 December 2021.
Investigations are ongoing.
Off-duty officer charged with high-range PCA – Northern Region
An off-duty police officer has been charged with high-range PCA in Lake Macquarie yesterday.
About 11.30pm (Thursday 25 November 2021), officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District attended Palmers Road, Freemans Waterhole, after reports a white Volkswagen Amarok was parked in the middle of the road.
Members of the public observed the driver standing outside the vehicle and assisted in moving the car off the road.
The driver – an off-duty probationary constable attached to the Northern Region – participated in a roadside breath test that returned a positive result.
The 39-year-old man was arrested and taken to Toronto Police Station where a subsequent breath analysis returned an alleged reading of 0.218.
The officer, from West Gosford, was issued a Court Attendance Notice for drive with high range PCA and is due to appear at Toronto Local Court on Tuesday 18th January 2022.
His licence has been suspended
More action needed to eliminate violence against women
On International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women the Greens have called for the Morrison Government to commit serious funding to frontline services, prevention programs, and short and long term housing so that women are not forced to choose between violence and homelessness.
The Greens have also endorsed the recommendations of today’s Pathways to Safety report from Aboriginal-led justice coalition Change the Record, which calls for governments to prioritise the leadership of Indigenous women and increase investment in violence prevention, support services and housing.
Greens deputy leader and spokesperson on women Senator Larissa Waters said:
“Every year on this day we recommit to ending sexual and physical violence against women around the world.
“If the Morrison Government was serious about ending this epidemic of violence they would have listened to the sector’s calls for $12 billion over the 12 year life of the National Plan, rather than the inadequate amounts they have pledged to date.
“We need expert-led prevention programs, not milkshake videos, and real work to end the gender inequality that drives violence against women.
“To eliminate violence against women the government must deliver what women’s groups have been demanding for years: proper sexual consent education in schools; addressing the causes of the gender inequality that drives violence; a massive investment in crisis, transition and long-term housing so women are not forced to choose between homelessness and violence; and a commitment of $12 billion over the 12-year life of the next national plan to ensure frontline services are fully funded and no-one seeking help is turned away.
“And we need a stand alone, self-determined First Nations National Women’s Safety Plan – as called for by today’s Pathways to Safety report from Change the Record. First Nations women know how to keep their children and communities safe, and we need a National Plan than listens to them and provides the tools they need to end violence against First Nations women and children.”
Huge RMIT wage theft bill vindicates casual staff
Australian Greens Education spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has responded to reports that RMIT will pay back up to $10 million to casual staff for work dating back to 2014.
Senator Faruqi said:
“Casual university staff are absolutely sick and tired of being underpaid, undervalued and taken for granted.
“Wage theft at our campuses is systemic and universities are finally realising they can no longer run away from this. This wage theft disproportionately affects casual staff and women.
“As universities have casualised their workforces, wage theft has been allowed to fester, and it’s now been revealed that staff at campuses in all parts of the country are affected.
“My congratulations must go to the staff and unions who continue to fight hard for the rights of university workers.
“The Senate Inquiry into Job Security, which I sit on, has made numerous excellent recommendations with respect to wage theft which should be implemented as a matter of urgency.”
Greens reject Morrison discrimination bill
The Greens have vowed to block Scott Morrison’s religious discrimination bill, saying it was a Trojan horse for hate that went well beyond a shield to protect people with religious beliefs, calling on Labor and Senators to join them in blocking it.
Leader of the Australian Greens Adam Bandt MP said:
“Scott Morrison’s bill means more discrimination, not less.
“Scott Morrison has a bill for more discrimination but no bill to stop corruption.
“The bill overrides State and Territory protections and makes bigoted hate speech legal.
“The bill goes beyond being a shield. It has many swords and they will do harm.
“The Greens call on Labor to block this harmful bill.
“The Greens support protections against religious discrimination, which is why Australia needs a charter of rights, but this bill isn’t that.”
Australian Greens LGBTIQA+ spokesperson Senator Janet Rice said:
“Scott Morrison’s discrimination bill is a Trojan horse for hate.
“Any bill that enables discrimination against LGBTIQA+ people, women, people with disabilities, minority faiths, or First Nations people is unacceptable and must be voted down.
“Under the guise of faith, bigots would be free to discriminate against people at school and universities, in the workplace, hospitals, restaurants – anywhere in public life.
“Morrison’s whole schtick is to divide Australians and create problems where none existed.
“Morrison and the Liberals are using culture wars as a distraction so people won’t notice this government has done absolutely nothing to help struggling Australians.
“While the Liberals are fighting fake cancel culture, the Greens are fighting for what Australians want – action on climate change, taxing the billionaires, raising income support, getting dental into medicare and laws that protect all of us equally.”
City trials world-leading technology in raingardens to keep waterways clean
City of Newcastle is leading the trial and implementation of a new sustainable technology that improves cleanliness of stormwater runoff through an innovative filtration system used in garden beds along our city streets.
Filter soils have been installed at test sites in Newcastle suburbs using compost soil and specially processed recycled materials like glass and green waste.
Raingardens are small garden beds located along the street featuring soil and plants that slow down and filter pollution in stormwater, so it doesn’t harm waterways and beaches.
The raingardens are usually found on street corners where cars can’t park and have more grass-like shrubbery than usual roadside plantings and are set in lowered beds over drains.
Recycled glass and green waste is now being used as a filter material that creates a healthy environment for plants increasing biodiversity in the suburbs. In addition to filtering the water, the raingardens also create a habitat for flora and fauna and absorb heat, meaning our streets are cooler in summer.
Data collected from these test sites will be verified by University of Newcastle as part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Centre for Organic Research and Education (CORE) and City of Newcastle.
City of Newcastle is the first council to use the biofilter material that contains recycled products within the soil mix, such as crushed recycled glass instead of virgin sand, and organic composted waste products instead of artificial fertiliser and clay.
The unique material can remove pollutants such as sediment and heavy metals that come from our tyres and brake pads as they wear down; grease, oil, petrol and air conditioner coolant that drips from motor vehicles; and excess nutrients from parks and gardens that can cause algal blooms.
The water is carried away through drains, pipes and channels to local creeks, wetlands, estuaries and finally to the ocean, which is a great outcome for the environment.
Biofilter raingardens have now been installed at sites in Cooks Hill, Merewether, Mayfield West, Stockton, The Junction and Wallsend. Existing systems in Beresfield and Fletcher will soon be renewed with biofilter material.
Costa Georgiadis, Chair Centre for Organic Research and Education Eric Love, City of Newcastle Asset Services Manager Peter McMurray and City of Newcastle Asset Engineer Luke Jaszczyk at a biofilter raingarden in Wallsend.
City of Newcastle welcomes improvements to Infrastructure Contributions Bill after advocacy
City of Newcastle has welcomed the NSW Government’s decision to amend its unpopular infrastructure contributions scheme following the Council’s advocacy.
Planning Minister Rob Stokes has confirmed that proposed reforms to the State’s infrastructure contributions scheme will be modified to ensure City of Newcastle and other local councils can continue to fund community infrastructure from developer contributions.
Advocacy led by Local Government NSW and City of Newcastle had raised concerns about the potential impacts of the proposed reforms on councils’ financial sustainability if the funds had been redirected for distribution by the NSW Government as originally proposed.
The modified reforms will also ensure state contributions are spent in the region where they are collected rather than be spent in regions at the discretion of the NSW Government.
City of Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath welcomed the changes as a win for Newcastle and communities across the state.
“I would like to thank the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces for listening to feedback from City of Newcastle and working with Local Government NSW to address our concerns,” Jeremy Bath said.
“Newcastle will welcome 23,000 new residents and house 11,500 new dwellings by 2036. Developer contributions provide vital funds that help deliver community infrastructure such as cycleways, bus shelters, parks and playgrounds, sporting grounds, recreation facilities and town centre public domain improvements.
“We need to ensure public infrastructure keeps pace with growth and is equitably funded, while also protecting current ratepayers from being financially burdened by the infrastructure requirements that result from future development.”
The NSW Government’s Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment (Infrastructure Contributions) Bill 2021 was introduced into NSW Parliament with the NSW Budget.
A Notice of Motion moved at City of Newcastle’s August Council meeting called on the NSW Government to undertake further consultation with the local government sector on any proposed reforms to the infrastructure contributions system.