Month: August 2022

More victim-survivors of domestic and sexual violence will receive critical support thanks to a $20 million funding boost announced by the NSW Government today.

The package announced today is part of the joint $140 million commitment from the NSW Government and Commonwealth under the National Partnership on Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence Responses 2021-23.

Minister for Women’s Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Sexual Violence Natalie Ward said this new funding will provide additional support to specialist front-line services across NSW, as well as trialling some innovative new programs.

“Over half of the funding is for services that directly assist victim-survivors, giving them the help they need to recover from their traumatic experiences and start a new chapter in their lives,” Mrs Ward said.

“One of the projects being funded is a trial to provide women with support and services so that they feel safe during court proceedings, which will ensure that more domestic and family violence matters proceed.

“A number of projects are focused on improving outcomes for Aboriginal women, either through expanding existing programs and ensuring these communities have a seat at the table in the development of future policy.”

Federal Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth thanked service providers for the work they do in supporting victim-survivors and said more will be done to boost the frontline workforce and improve access to family, domestic and sexual violence services.

“In addition to the National Partnership with states and territories, the  Australian Government will generate 500 new jobs for frontline and community sector organisations to address staffing shortages in shelters and crisis support services,” Minister Rishworth said.

“This will mean better access to critical support services for victim-survivors, including in regional, rural and remote areas.

“One woman dies every ten days at the hands of her former or current partner. This is unacceptable and I’m committed to working with states and territories to end violence against women and children.”

Minister for Families and Communities Natasha Maclaren-Jones said the funding will support a range of services to help those who need it most.

“This funding will not only support providers, it will enhance early intervention programs, provide access to vital services and improve workplace training,” Mrs Maclaren-Jones said.

The NSW Government has a strong record of supporting victim-survivors of domestic violence, committing $687 million in the 2021/22 Budget and a further $100 million in the 2022/23 Budget, towards the prevention of domestic, sexual and family violence and improving women’s safety across the community.

The initiatives funded under tranche two of the National Partnership Agreement are available here.

Residents impacted by the June-July floods can now apply for rental support payments to help meet the cost of temporary accommodation, and Back Home grants to help with household repair costs.
 
Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said the support payments can be accessed by residents in 17 local government areas (LGAs) across Greater Sydney, the Central Coast, the Hunter and the Illawarra.
 
“For some residents this is the fourth flood in 18 months and as a Government we have moved quickly to put these additional financial assistance programs in place,” Mr Dominello said.
 
“From today, impacted residents can apply on the Service NSW website or via the app, over the phone on 13 77 88 or in-person at a Recovery Centre.”
 
The Rental Support Scheme provides flood-impacted households with payments which cover up to 16 weeks’ rent.
 
The Back Home grants provide one-off payments of up to $20,000 for owner-occupiers, $15,000 for landlords and $5,000 for renters towards the cost of replacing appliances, reconnecting utilities, fixing roofs, connecting electricity and making other necessary repairs.
 
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said the support will help people get back to their homes as quickly as possible.
 
“It’s vital people have a roof over their head as they recover from this devastating flooding,” Ms Cooke said.
 
“The June-July flood event caused damage to more than 10,700 homes across the State, with more than 1,500 assessed as uninhabitable.”
 
Rental support payments and Back Home grants are available in the 17 severely flood-impacted LGAs of Blacktown, Camden, Canterbury-Bankstown, Central Coast, Cessnock, Fairfield, Hawkesbury, Hornsby, Liverpool, Maitland, Mid Coast, Penrith, Port Stephens, Singleton, Sutherland, The Hills and Wollongong.
 
The Rental Support Scheme and Back Home grants are in addition to a series of clean-up and funding programs underway, jointly funded by the NSW and Commonwealth governments.
 
For eligibility information and to apply, visit: www.service.nsw.gov.au/floods/financial-assistance.

More than 50 new affordable housing units for the Illawarra are a big step closer to being constructed with the concrete pour taking place in Dapto this week.
 
Dapto’s housing project is funded through the NSW Government’s $1.1 billion Social and Affordable Housing Fund (SAHF).
 
In a partnership with Anglicare, the new development provides both affordable housing and  wraparound supports for residents.
 
Minister for Families and Communities and Disability Services Natasha Maclaren-Jones said integrating new affordable housing with services ensures residents will be supported both financially and sustainably.
 
“Not only is the Illawarra getting a needed injection of affordable housing, we are focused on ensuring that the services are there at the same time.  That means tenancies are more sustainable and people are receiving support where and when they need it,” Mrs Maclaren-Jones said.
 
Minister for Finance and Employee Relations Damien Tudehope said delivering affordable housing is central to  the NSW Government’s commitment to securing a brighter future for the people of NSW.
 
“We will continue to prioritise investment in the delivery of safe and affordable housing for people across the state,” Mr Tudehope said.
 
51 of the 60 single-bed units under construction will be specifically set aside for social and affordable housing.
 
“This new development in Dapto will ensure those who need it most will have a safe and stable place to call home,” Mrs Maclaren-Jones said.
 
“This project is the perfect example of the NSW Government working hand-in-hand with a non-government organisation to deliver real outcomes for the people of our state.”
 
Anglicare CEO Simon Miller said the project would be integrated into an existing retirement village and support people aged over 55, and 45 for Aboriginal people.
 
“We all know there is a housing crisis and projects like this will help us solve it,” Mr Miller said.
 
“This is exactly what communities like Dapto need and we are grateful to the Government for helping us to deliver it.”
 
The development, due for completion in June 2023, will comprise two residential buildings along with a community building that includes a café and hairdresser. 
 
The SAHF is a key initiative of Future Directions of Social Housing in NSW and is on track to deliver 3,486 homes across NSW.

A greenway from Iron Cove to the Cooks River, designs for the Pippita Rail Trail connecting Lidcombe to Sydney Olympic Park and a key section of Wollongong’s 60km coastal Grand Pacific Walk are among $40 million of new projects funded though the State Government’s Get NSW Active program.
 
Minister for Active Transport Rob Stokes said Tranches 1 and 2 of the $110m Get NSW Active Program would deliver 55 projects right across the six cities.
 
“From designs to convert an unused abattoir’s rail line from 1911 into an active transport link, through to a new bike link between Randwick and Coogee Beach, the Get NSW Active program is all about funding a strong pipeline of active transport infrastructure for all of the community to enjoy,” Mr Stokes said.
 
“More than $40 million in funding for projects right across NSW will provide families with choice on how they’re going to get to school or work, their local park or shops or even the beach, giving them the chance to leave the car at home and leave more money in hip-pockets.
 
“The evidence is clear that investing in Active Transport infrastructure makes local communities happier, healthier and more productive.”
 
Key projects to be delivered across the six cities include:
 

• $600,000 to build a 2.5m wide pedestrian pathway in Clifton, delivering a key missing link of the 60km Grand Pacific walk that will increase tourism and economic growth in the Illawarra region.
• $1.14 million to construct of a new shared path along the western side of Cawdor Road between Sheathers Lane and Camden High School supporting kids to ride or walk to school safely.
• $770,000 for detailed designs of the Pippita Rail Trail project to convert an unused freight link into a 2km share cycling and walking route connecting Lidcombe Station to Sydney Olympic Park.
• $3.1 million for George Street East Pedestrian and Cyclist paths, connecting to the $19 million Alfred Street pedestrian and cyclist to the Parramatta CBD.
• $9.8 million to deliver the southern portion of the Cooks River to Iron Cove Greenway that will connect communities in Canterbury, through the inner west to the Bay Run.

 
From Camden to Canterbury and Hawkesbury to Haberfield, communities right across the six cities will all benefit from new pathways, cycleways and connections that encourage active transport.
 
Get NSW Active received 474 applications from councils across the state with the first and second of four tranches allocating funding for 55 Greater Sydney projects and a range of regional projects which will be announced in the coming weeks.
 
More than $200 million has already been allocated to more than 400 projects over the past five years, including Parramatta Escarpment Boardwalk, Inner West Greenway and Newcastle Light Rail Shared Path Stages 2 & 3.
 
A full list of the successful metropolitan applicants is available here.

A Minns Labor Government will commit $225 million for a Western Sydney Floods Resilience Plan to commence immediate work on projects including evacuation roads, levees and critical communications infrastructure that will help improve and bolster flood prevention and evacuation infrastructure across Western Sydney.
  
We have all seen the devastating floods in Western Sydney where roads have been cut off, homes evacuated, businesses destroyed – some for the fourth time this year.
 
Unfortunately, we have to expect and plan for more flooding emergencies in NSW like we have seen this year.
 
The financial and personal cost of these tragic events outweighs any other factor. During the February and March floods earlier this year across the state, four people tragically lost their lives ,169,000 people were forced to evacuate, and 4000 buildings rendered uninhabitable. The cost to state and federal governments for support and rebuild will be over $8 billion.

This funding package is a commitment from Labor to help reduce the impacts of flooding in communities situated in flood prone areas.
 
We welcome the Federal Government’s initial commitment of $300 million in roads in the North West corridor.
 
If elected, NSW Labor will also seek to partner with the Federal Government in matching today’s roads funding announcement.
 
Importantly – the $225 million in funding commitments will be required to be spent within two years. While the current NSW Government wants to spend the next five years in the planning phase, Labor wants to see planning and work commence far quicker. Communities at risk of flooding have waited long enough for action.
 
Road Upgrades
 
NSW Labor will commit $200 million to identify, plan, and commence work on critical evacuation roads and bridges across Western Sydney.
 
Selection of road upgrades will be done in consultation with local councils, businesses, community groups and other key stakeholders to ensure this funding goes to the roads that can have the most immediate and significant impact.
 
Funding will need to be spent within two years – ensuring immediate action to protect communities.
 
NSW Labor will also invest in installing live traffic cameras on local roads and bridges to assist residents when they attempt to evacuate.
 
Levees
 
NSW Labor will commit $24 million to protect communities around Hawkesbury and Nepean River and Camden and Picton from large scale flooding by building new levees at Peachtree Creek levee, McGraths Hill levee and Pitt Town levee.
 
Peachtree Creek levee:
 
Estimated to cost $1.3 million, the Peachtree Creek levee will help protect properties between the Nepean River and Penrith CBD from backwater flooding with an earthen levee, a retaining wall and floodgates.

It would include Peachtree Creek main levee, including floodgates over Boundary Creek; Old Ferry Road levee; and Tennis Court levee.
 
McGraths Hill levee:
 
Estimated to cost $8 million, the McGraths Hill levee will help protect residential properties in against flooding up to the 1 in 50 chance per year event. It would block flows that enter the suburb through low lying areas to the south and east.
 
Pitt Town levee:
 
Estimated to cost $9.6 million, the Pitt Town levee will help protect residential areas within the town by blocking flows that enter through low lying areas to the south and east.
 
Communications infrastructure
 
Telecommunications are critical infrastructure but are susceptible to failure in the event of natural disaster such as fire and flood.
 
That’s why NSW Labor will purchase four Cells on Wheels stations for deployment in emergencies at a cost of $1 million.
 
These are a self-powered, trailer mounted, cell towers that can be deployed to disaster areas to replace damaged or destroyed mobile phone towers.
 
NSW Labor will also increase access to Department of Primary Industries water gauges on rivers and creeks to help residents monitor rising flood levels and make the real time data easier to access and use.   

These projects – along with a balanced approach to lowering the maximum capacity of Warragamba Dam while ensuring the replacement of any lost capacity in drinking water – can all be actioned far quicker than any mooted plan by the NSW Government.

Importantly, this also recognises that 45 per cent of flood waters in the area come from rivers other than Warragamba.
 
Communities facing continual flood risk – and who have faced floods several times in the last year alone – need urgent action and solutions that can be delivered right now, not in another decade.
 
Chris Minns, NSW Labor Leader said:
 

This is only the beginning of Labor’s flood mitigation plan.
 
“I’ve visited these communities and inspected the flood damage. It’s heartbreaking talking to families who have lost homes, businesses who have to start from scratch.
 
“The fact of the matter is these communities will face continual flood risk – and we need urgent action and solutions that can be delivered right now, not in another decade.
 
“These are sensible actions we can take right now to help improve the flood resilience and emergency response across these communities.”

 
Shadow Minister for Emergency Management, Jihad Dib said:
 
“This is a very sensible approach that seeks to address some of the challenges we have seen during recent flooding events. By having better mitigation, communication and evacuation strategies, we are working to provide the best possible response to flooding events to communities at their time of vulnerability.
 
“We have all seen the problems people and emergency service personnel have faced when communications are lost during natural disasters.  These Cells on Wheels are easily moved and will play a very important and practical role in ensuring communication can be established and maintained at times when they are needed most.
 
“Far too often, impractical evacuation routes have served to isolate communities and placed them at further risk. This is something that needs to be fixed.”
 
Shadow Minister for Roads John Graham said:
 
“Ensuring communities have adequate flood evacuation routes is common sense and yet we have seen these roads and the people living in these areas neglected through poor planning for rapidly growing populations.”

A Minns Labor Government will abolish the Liberals’ and Nationals’ senior trade and investment commissioner roles.
 
The Liberal and National Government announced in November 2020 that it would spend millions on six overseas senior trade and investment commissioner roles, who will receive salaries of up to $500,000 per year.
 
Labor’s announcement comes after a series of embarrassing revelations surrounding the Government’s touted Global NSW Strategy.
 
Serious questions have been raised about whether the multimillion dollar scheme has delivered taxpayers value for money.
 
These contracts will not be renewed, and after two failed processes to fill their $500,000 position in New York – which has been mired in scandal and secrecy – now is the time to stop.
 
Labor will work with the business community and industry groups about a suitable replacement program that deliver meaningful investment and growth for NSW industries, and work with Austrade to align our investment activities.
  
The role of Agent-General for NSW in London was axed in 1993 after an expenses scandal, used to fund an extravagant lifestyle.
 
The late former-premier John Fahey described the position as a sham, saying the position was a throwback to colonial days when it was important to have “garden parties and participate in ceremonies.”
 
Chris Minns, NSW Labor Leader, said:
 

With our hospitals overstretched and teachers under-resourced, the Government has failed dismally to demonstrate value for money of its senior trade commissioners.
 
“Labor will prioritise rebuilding NSW’s domestic manufacturing capacity and delivering local job opportunities.”

Anoulack Chanthivong, NSW Shadow Minister for Industry and Trade, said:
 
“The Government is unable to establish how much trade or investment can be directly attributed to its grandiose senior trade roles.
 
“The Government’s senior trade roles have been mired in scandal – not only about who is being appointed to these roles and how, but also the overseas activities at taxpayers’ expense.”