Marine Rescue NSW specialists have put their skills to the test in a major maritime capability operation on Pittwater this weekend, preparing for real-life on-water emergencies.
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience Steph Cooke said the two-day Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX) tests the training and coordination of multiple emergency services organisations.
“More than 115 search and rescue specialists, including 70 Marine Rescue NSW volunteers from eight units across Greater Sydney and the Central Coast, are taking part in this important operation,” Ms Cooke said.
“Training opportunities like this are vital to help our crews stay sharp and ready to save lives when more people take to the water in the warmer months.”
Member for Pittwater Rob Stokes said despite the wet weather, Marine Rescue NSW volunteers have responded to 3,896 calls for urgent help this year.
“Tragically over the past year 14 boaters and paddlers have lost their lives, and I urge everyone heading out on the water to do their bit by always wearing a lifejacket and Logging On with their local Marine Rescue base,” Mr Stokes said.
Marine Rescue NSW Deputy Commissioner Alex Barrell said the exercise was the largest of three held across the State this winter to test the readiness of search and rescue crews.
“This weekend’s event is a major component of our ongoing professional training program for our highly skilled boat crew and radio operators, in the State’s busiest boating region,” Deputy Commissioner Barrell said.
“Our volunteers are trained to the highest standards for their roles and the on-water experience they gain from this exercise helps keep them rescue-ready around the clock.”
The scenario for the SAREX involved a search for multiple victims of a missing recreational fishing boat off the coast.
Marine Rescue NSW members from the Botany Port Hacking, Broken Bay, Central Coast, Cottage Point, Hawkesbury, Middle Harbour, Port Jackson and Sydney units were joined by personnel from the NSW Police Force Marine Area Command, Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter and Surf Life Saving NSW.
Month: July 2022
Singapore Trade Office to bolster business in NSW
Trade between Southeast Asia and NSW is set to increase with the official opening of the NSW Government Office Singapore.
Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade Stuart Ayres formally opened the office today and said the opening reflects the state’s commitment to increasing opportunities for NSW businesses to find new markets, growing NSW exports to the region and attracting new investment into the state.
“ASEAN collectively represents NSW’s second largest two-way trading partner and the fourth largest investor into Australia making it a significant economic partner for our state,” Mr Ayres said.
“We have a strong and vibrant relationship with Singapore and having a presence on the ground will play a vital role in delivering on our commitment to ensuring Asia’s biggest companies establish a presence in NSW.
“The NSW Government is expanding the states international network to boost two-way engagement, increase trade and encourage and attract investment.”
The office is led by Andrew Parker the Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner to ASEAN who is working with the team to build the profile of NSW’s capabilities to government and commercial partners in the region.
“Singapore is a hugely successful economy and holds significant potential for our state’s growing businesses. Work is already well underway to support NSW exports to expand into the region, get students and visitors back and to attract innovative companies from the region to invest in NSW,” Mr Parker said.
The NSW Government Office is located at Raffles Place in the Republic Plaza of Singapore.
The NSW Trade Statement can be downloaded at investment.nsw.gov.au.
Shared e-scooter trials ready to roll
Four popular Western Sydney locations have been selected to welcome the first of several shared e-scooter trials to roll out across NSW.
The first shared trials will begin on Saturday at three locations in Western Sydney Parklands’ Bungarribee Park, Lizard Log and Shale Hills, as well as The Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan.
The trial parameters have been carefully considered, taking lessons from e-scooter use around the world and across the country to ensure the safest, most practical and effective measures are in place.
Minister for Active Transport Rob Stokes said the Government was committed to cautiously trialling the use of e-scooters in safe environments.
“Like any new technology, e-scooters present us with enormous opportunities and several challenges to address before we can permanently permit them on our streets,” Mr Stokes said.
“This is why the NSW Government is committed to trialling them and why our parklands are the perfect location to start ahead of trials across multiple council areas.
“Councils can now formally apply to hold a 12-month trial with selected e-scooter shared scheme providers in their area. The trial is restricted to shared scheme e-scooters, so we can guarantee the safety parameters of each device.”
Council areas can now apply to be part of the trial and once approved can begin 12-month trials with e-scooter shared scheme providers in their area.
The trial will limit shared scheme e-scooters to riders 16 years old and over, limited to a maximum of 20km/h on bicycle paths, or roads with a speed limit up to 50 km/h, and a speed limit of 10km/h for shared paths.
E-scooters will not be permitted on footpaths and the use of privately owned e-scooters will remain prohibited.
“We’ve taken our time to get this trial right, which is why we’re not rushing into rolling this trial out to interested council areas immediately,” Mr Stokes said.
“Each shortlisted council will have to meet the requirements of the trial and undergo a safety assessment before being approved.”
Visitors to Western Sydney Parklands and The Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan will be able to hire an e-scooter through the provider’s app. The app will provide visitors with a map that shows where the scooters are located to pick up and ride.
Applications to be part of the e-scooter shared scheme trial are open until September 30 this year. You can find out more about e-scooter trials here.
Securing before and after school care for families in regional NSW
Balancing work and life for families in regional NSW will become easier thanks to a $37.9 million investment in before and after school care.
Acting Premier Paul Toole and Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell today visited Bulahdelah Central School, one of 35 small regional schools to receive a financial boost to establish before and after school care in the community.
Mr Toole said the funding would help families access before and after school care, no matter where they live.
“This investment will give parents in small regional communities more flexibility and make the juggle between work and raising a family that little bit easier,” Mr Toole said.
“The NSW Government has committed more than $20 million to establish before and after school care services in smaller communities like Bulahdelah where a traditional service is unviable.”
Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said the NSW Government is committed to delivering quality before and after school care to NSW families.
“This Government is supporting working families by expanding before and after school care services across NSW, creating an additional 19,420 before and after school care places over the last three years,” Ms Mitchell said.
“We know that regional working families can struggle when there’s a lack of before and after school care services, as it often has a flow-on impact to parents participating in the workforce.
“Providing more before and after school care services has flow on effects in regional communities, making life easier for working families.
“This $37.9 million investment is on top of our existing $235 million commitment, to help support and grow the before and after school care sector to improve access and affordability for NSW families.”
The BASC package includes:
- More than $20 million to expand BASC provision in regional schools.
- More than $16 million for grants to improve transport services to BASC services.
List of 35 schools receiving a financial boost:
- Adaminaby Public School
- Afterlee Public School
- Baradine Central School
- Bemboka Public School
- Bigga Public School
- Binnaway Central School
- Blackville Public School
- Bobin Public School
- Bogan Gate Public School
- Bombala Public School
- Bredbo Public School
- Bribbaree Public School
- Bulahdelah Central School
- Bundarra Central School
- Caragabal Public School
- Condobolin Public School
- Deepwater Public School
- Delegate Public School
- Ebor Public School
- Ellerston Public School
- Eumungerie Public School
- Goolgowi Public School
- Gulargambone Central School
- Hernani Public School
- Humula Public School
- Jerilderie Public School
- Jugiong Public School
- Mathoura Public School
- Murrurundi Public School
- Narromine Public School
- Nymboida Public School
- Pallamallawa Public School
- The Sir Henry Parkes Memorial Public School
- Ungarie Central School
- Wooli Public School
NEW SPECIAL ENVOY FOR DISASTER RECOVERY
The Government is pleased to announce the creation of a new role, Special Envoy for Disaster Recovery, which will be held by Senator Tony Sheldon.
Senator Sheldon will work alongside Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt, to ensure much-needed support is delivered to communities when natural disasters hit.
A number of natural disasters have impacted parts of Australia in recent years, and we know from experts natural disasters will become more frequent and more severe due to the effects of climate change.
The appointment of Senator Sheldon to the Special Envoy position, as well as the Government’s commitment to establish a new Disaster Ready Fund of up to $200 million a year on mitigation works, is a demonstration of the Albanese Government’s commitment to strengthening emergency management.
The Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese said:
“Creating a Special Envoy for Disaster Recovery illustrates how seriously we are taking natural disasters..
Senator Sheldon is someone who has spent his entire working life helping others, and is a strong contributor in our Senate team.
My Government will always take responsibility and stand with Australians – before, during and after a natural disaster.”
The Minister for Emergency Management, Senator Murray Watt said:
“I welcome Senator Sheldon to the role and, having worked closely with him in the Senate, I know he will do a terrific job.
We know that disaster recovery can take a long time, but Senator Sheldon’s appointment will ensure our government is doing all it can to get support where it’s needed, as quickly as possible.
We’ve seen disaster victims feel abandoned in past years and Senator Sheldon’s appointment will help ensure that doesn’t happen in future.”
The Special Envoy for Disaster Recovery, Senator Tony Sheldon said:
“I’m very honoured to take on the new role of Special Envoy for Disaster Recovery.
In my own state of New South Wales, I’ve seen first-hand the trauma created by compounding fires and floods and I will now have the chance to help those affected.
I’m looking forward to strengthening the Albanese Government’s team, to ensure Australians get the support they need, in their darkest hour.”
LAST POST CEREMONY
The first bullet of World War I heralded a calamity on a scale unknown to humanity. The last shot was followed by silence.
As Charles Bean wrote of the eerie quiet that settled along the Western Front:
“The change went too deep for actual rejoicing… The sound of guns ceased – the gates of the future silently opened.”
While many of our soldiers found ways to celebrate, many greeted the peace with their own quiet.
Unlike the children who chalked the walls of village houses with messages celebrating the end of the war, many couldn’t even bring themselves to note it in their diaries.
In the spare words of one Australian digger:
“It was over. That was enough.”
We thank them for the peace that came when the final shell crater had uncurled its final wisp of smoke.
When the sea and the sky were killing grounds no more.
When the last coil of barbed wire had been cut apart or turned to rust.
When the singing of bullets had given way to the song of birds.
When the naked mud had begun to once again be clothed in grass and flowers, hellscapes turned back to meadow and farmland.
When ruin had given way to rebuilding.
But as those who survived the War to End All Wars soon learned: victory in war offers no guarantee of the victory of peace.
Another war came. Another generation of Australians went. And at the end of it, another silence.
It was the silence of guns suddenly stilled, of planes left on the ground, of ships with their cannons lowered.
But it was also the silence of the dead, and the grief of those they left behind.
Each time we honour our fallen with silence, it is a silence that also contains within it the hope that humanity has at last learnt its lesson.
The hope that this will never happen again.
Hope, it must be said, is playing a long game. And hope may yet win out.
But we will keep returning to this silence.
This solemn quiet that holds both endings and beginnings.
Of exhaustion and rebirth, and a belief in humanity that somehow survives and holds on despite everything that is thrown at it.
It is a silence I hope that our courageous, suffering friends in Ukraine will also soon know.
For so many of our veterans, silence is also a shield against the world – an outer stillness while within them, the cacophony of war rages on.
That has been the experience for so many, whether they raised arms against the enemy, or worked desperately to save the lives of the wounded and the dying.
But when that outer silence ends, when that shield is lowered, we must listen.
Listen even to the silence.
Just as our veterans stepped up for us, we must step up for them.
We owe them a debt greater than mere gratitude.
I have stood here before and cited the examples of my great mentor Tom Uren – a giant of the Labor Party – and Sir John Carrick, a giant of the Liberal Party.
Two great Australians who, even amid the deprivation of prisoner of war camps, managed to encapsulate what is best about our national character: that our deepest instinct is to respond to the worst of times by being our best.
As we gather in this place of memory, we honour all those who have gone in our name.
We honour them as the bugler sounds the Last Post.
We honour them as the piper plays The Flowers of the Forest, a lament of stately sadness unsoftened by the passing of centuries.
But in our gratitude and sorrow at their sacrifice, we honour them most profoundly with silence.
Lest we forget.
The corporate sustainability skills gap on the road to net zero
Over half (52%) of Australian business leaders believe that a sustainability skills shortage is holding back their organisation’s energy transition, according to new research.
The survey of more than 500 business managers and decision-makers across corporate Australia found that 76% of businesses saw sustainable transformation as providing a competitive edge. However, it also highlighted that the majority are struggling with a lack of energy transition expertise and dedicated personnel to get their strategies in place.
The concerning findings are part of the new Sustainability Index: transforming intention to outcomes report from Schneider Electric, the global leader in digital transformation of energy management.
“Corporate Australia is committed to energy transition, but our research shows that without proper support and intelligence, a significant proportion are struggling to make an impact on their emissions,” says Gareth O’Reilly, Schneider Electric’s Pacific Zone President.
Over a tenth (14%) of business leaders admitted they don’t know where to start in setting carbon emissions reduction targets. A similar number (12%) were also unsure how to create an energy usage data capture and reporting strategy to understand their current emissions.
The findings may explain why only 14% of respondents said their companies had developed and published a climate action plan internally. As well as why, only 11% had publicly shared an intention to reduce their carbon emissions and just 7% had announced any commitment to reach net zero.
“Energy transition is inevitable for all businesses, what we need now is quick and effective outcomes. Key to this will be helping businesses understand their emissions and what to do to reduce them.” says Mr O’Reilly.
Currently carbon emissions are measured across three scopes. The first (Scope 1) covers emissions from a company’s owned or controlled resources. The second (Scope 2) are those generated from purchased energy, such as gas and electricity. Finally, Scope 3 emissions are created indirectly through a business’ value chain by third parties, such as its suppliers and end users.
The data shows that anywhere between a quarter to a third of business leaders are struggling to understand their emissions across these scopes:
- Scope 1 & 2:
- Natural gas (25%)
- Refrigerants (25%)
- Transport fuels (26%)
- Other liquid fuels (30%)
- Electricity (14%)
- Scope 3:
- Upstream leased assets (33%)
- Employee commuting (26%)
- Capital goods (24%)
- Business travel (21%)
- Franchises (35%)
- Investments (25%)
“When you consider the breadth of carbon emissions a company can contribute to, it’s clear that expert skills are essential to effective energy transition,” adds Mr O’Reilly. “Encouragingly, businesses are identifying the quickest way to gain the expertise they need is through third parties.”
More than a third (38%) of organisations confirmed that they are receiving external partner support in decarbonising. This included over half (55%) of Australia’s large companies with 200+ employees, almost half (48%) of medium-sized companies and 29% of small businesses with less than 20 employees.
Companies that engaged third party experts were more likely to have implemented energy management systems (41%), IOT assets (40%) and specific software (35%). While companies which hadn’t gained assistance have lower levels of adoption (24%. 17% and 18% respectively).
Large companies were also most likely to have either identified their material risks and started to develop an action plan (35%), or to have already published one (23%).
“It’s make or break time for businesses to address energy transition and sustainability skills will be a leading determinant in those that get ahead and those that fall behind,” says Mr O’Reilly. “Businesses must secure their access to the decarbonisation expertise now, or potentially fall through the sustainability skills gap on the road to net zero,” he concludes.
For more information about energy transition and digitalisation visit www.se.com.
About Schneider Electric
Schneider’s purpose is to empower all to make the most of our energy and resources, bridging progress and sustainability for all. We call this Life Is On.
Our mission is to be your digital partner for Sustainability and Efficiency.
We drive digital transformation by integrating world-leading process and energy technologies, end-point to cloud connecting products, controls, software and services, across the entire lifecycle, enabling integrated company management, for homes, buildings, data centers, infrastructure and industries.
We are the most local of global companies. We are advocates of open standards and partnership ecosystems that are passionate about our shared Meaningful Purpose, Inclusive and Empowered values.
About the survey: this study of 500 senior decision-makers investigates Australia’s corporate position on sustainability and energy efficiency, and the challenges and opportunities that companies are facing. Respondents came from SMEs and major corporates, such as Woolworths, IBM, Toll, Coles, and the Commonwealth Bank. They belong to a wide range of industries, including construction, manufacturing, retail, financial and insurance services, health care and social services, and professional services. Key facts:
- Over half (52%) of Australian businesses are struggling to find sustainability skills they need.
- Only 7% have publicly announced a commitment to reach net zero.
- 14% of business leaders don’t know where to start in setting carbon emissions reduction targets.
- Three-quarters (76%) of businesses see sustainable transformation as providing a competitive edge.
- Over one-third (38%) of businesses are recruiting external sustainability support to address their carbon emissions.
Internet now lightning fast for regional schools
Thousands of students are now benefitting from faster, more reliable internet thanks to a $328 million investment by the NSW Government to connect every public school in regional NSW to fibre internet.
Deputy Premier Paul Toole and Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell were at Wattle Flat Public School in the State’s Central West today to mark the final 12 public schools in NSW to now be connected to fibre internet.
“The NSW Government is committed to offering the best opportunities to all NSW students no matter where they live – and that means have accessing to fast, reliable internet,” Mr Toole said.
“Partnering with Telstra has allowed us to move the remaining 12 public schools in NSW from satellite to fibre optic cable, ensuring much faster internet speeds for students and teachers.”
Mr Toole said the investment was driving improved communications right across regional NSW.
“We are not just improving the connection to the world for our school kids but for entire communities,” Mr Toole said.
“By investing in internet infrastructure to the school gate, we are bringing opportunity to previously disconnected communities.”
Ms Mitchell said the NSW Government has spent hundreds of millions connecting regional schools to high speed internet, upgrading classrooms with new hardware and providing students and staff with new computers.
“Improving the internet access in regional schools is not just about faster connectivity, but also about greater access to teaching and learning opportunities for students and staff,” Ms Mitchell said.
“This upgrade has seen an improvement to internet speed that will enhance teachers’ lessons, but also the opportunity for reliable video conferencing and professional development opportunities.”
Telstra Enterprise Public Sector Group Owner, John Ieraci, said the partnership was proof of Telstra’s commitment to investing in infrastructure across the country.
“We’re thrilled to have worked with the NSW Department of Education to ensure all students, regardless of where they live, will have access to the amazing learning opportunities that quality, high-speed connectivity brings,” Mr Ieraci said.
“In addition to the fibre rollout, this project has significantly upgraded the speed and capacity for more than 2,200 schools, delivering new learning capabilities and opportunities for students across the state.”
NSW Government has also invested $365.8 million in the Regional Access Gap to close the digital divide. This investment is delivering learning devices to students and teachers, smartboards and internet connectivity.
Helping more home buyers enter the market
Almost 115,000 dwellings and land lots have been approved across NSW in the past year, expanding opportunities for first home buyers to purchase their first home.
Between 1 July 2021 and 30 June 2022, 114,881 total dwellings and lots were approved through development applications.
Treasurer Matt Kean said that the NSW Government is committed to supporting first home buyers purchase their own slice of the Australian dream.
“The $2.8 billion housing package announced in last month’s Budget includes $729 million for the First Home Buyer Choice to reform stamp duty, a significant barrier to first home buyers getting a foot on the property ladder,” Mr Kean said.
“This is all about giving first home buyers a choice – a choice between paying an upfront stamp duty or an annual property tax.”
On a four-bedroom house sold in Leppington for $1.04 million with a land value to property price ratio of 36 per cent, a first home buyer would have a choice between an upfront stamp duty of $41,890 or an annual property tax in the first year of $1,537.
Under the First Home Buyer Choice, first home buyers who opt into the property tax will pay an annual $400 plus 0.3 per cent of the land value component of the property. The annual tax stops being paid once the property is sold.
The median time owner occupiers hold onto homes in NSW is 10.5 years.
Minister for Planning and Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts said the government
will do all it can to boost supply and give more people in NSW the opportunity of home ownership.
“The Government is investing almost $500 million to unlock land and accelerate infrastructure to boost housing supply, and we will use every measure we can to enable more people to own their own home sooner,” Mr Roberts said.
“We have paved the way for 23,000 dwellings through state-led rezonings including 7,000 rezoned lots in Glenfield and 3,000 in Rhodes, while planning proposals accounted for another 26,703 dwellings.”
The top three local government areas where lots and dwellings have been approved were:
Blacktown – 14,329
Sydney – 8,949
Parramatta – 8,633
The top three LGAs where rezonings were approved were:
Parramatta – 12,282
Camden – 9,410
Campbelltown – 8,022
Of the 114,881 approved dwellings and lots:
88,181 were in metropolitan areas
26,700 were in regional NSW
Japanese powerhouse Hitachi to attract innovation jobs to Western Sydney
The NSW Government has agreed to finalise the first private-sector tenancy agreement for the Bradfield City Centre’s First Building with global giant Hitachi, whose collaborative research model will attract advanced technology jobs to Western Sydney.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said the Japanese multinational would establish its Kyoso (collaborative creation) Centre alongside the Advanced Manufacturing Research Facility (AMRF) in the First Building in Australia’s newest city Bradfield, in 2023.
Mr Perrottet had a face-to-face meeting with Hitachi’s executives including the Vice President and Executive Officer, in charge of Regional Strategies [APAC] Mr Kojin Nakakita.
“This Japanese conglomerate Hitachi has recognised the value of establishing a presence in Australia’s newest city on the doorstep of the future Western Sydney International Airport and that will mean jobs and innovation in Western Sydney,” Mr Perrottet said.
“The Kyoso concept is about collaborative research between business, education institutions and government which aligns perfectly with the values of the AMRF, to bring industry and education providers together to test solutions to advanced manufacturing challenges and drive innovation”.
Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade and Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said this is an exciting step forward in the development of Bradfield City Centre.
“Hitachi will be the first non-government tenant in Bradfield City Centre. This signals high confidence in the private sector for the vision of the Western Parkland City. It means more premium, high-skilled jobs and global career opportunities for the residents of Western Sydney,” Mr Ayres said.
Hitachi’s Regional Vice President Mr Nakakita said: “Hitachi’s participation in Western Sydney reflects our confidence in the significant growth opportunities in NSW and Australia. We are delighted that Western Sydney will allow Hitachi to showcase our co-creation strategies and deliver our global capability and solutions, for the benefit of our customers and the community at large.”
The Hitachi agreement is a result of a public tender process and follows the NSW Budget commitment of $260 million to establish the Australian-first full scale AMRF, which will create new high-paying jobs of the future in Western Sydney and make Bradfield City Centre the national capital of advanced manufacturing.
Click here to download the current Bradfield City Centre flythrough video.