Month: August 2022

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crews across the State are being trained to use state-of-the-art drone technology to assist in firefighting operations and other emergencies.
 
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said the Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) are being rolled out as part of a $5.4 million investment by the NSW Government.
 
“These drones are being deployed to 25 regional areas, giving FRNSW crews an eye in the sky to help them better fight fires and keep our communities safe,” Ms Cooke said.
 
“The drones are connected to FRNSW’s wireless and satellite communication networks, allowing images to be viewed and analysed in real time at the scene of an emergency which helps firefighters make quicker decisions and act faster.”
 
The RPAS are equipped with thermal imaging cameras and laser technology that can detect variable heat temperatures, identify people or animals under threat in a fire zone and measure the size of an area impacted by fire.
 
FRNSW Bushfire and Aviation Unit Commander Scott Donohoe said the drones can be activated at an emergency scene within minutes.
 
“The drones are stored in our vehicles and ready for immediate use, providing FRNSW commanders with aerial images that can help determine the safest and most effective places to position fire trucks and crews,” Superintendent Donohoe said.
 
“We are planning to have around 200 firefighters trained to pilot the drones. The available training over several tiers includes sessions on night flying, situational awareness, ‘live’ streaming, rapid mapping, aerial incendiary use and 3D panoramic skills.”
 
The drones can be used to assess bush fire risk, assist in hazard reduction operations and find people missing in dense bushland.  
 
The drones have already been deployed to the Northern Rivers region to assess flood-damaged infrastructure, identify hazardous materials and find leftover debris.

The NSW Government will invest $25 million in a ground-breaking female sport facility program that aims to get more women and girls playing sport.

NSW Treasurer Matt Kean said the Community Female Friendly Sport Facilities and Lighting Upgrade Grants Program will see community sports facilities across NSW transformed into safer and more inclusive venues for females.

“This program will deliver female-friendly change rooms, amenities and lighting upgrades at grounds across the state to enable more women and girls to get involved in sport,” Mr Kean said.

“This is really important to us – that’s why the NSW Government committed $16.5 billion in the Budget over 10 years to supporting opportunities for women and children.”

Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor said the program was a game changer for women’s sport in NSW.

“Women’s sport is going from strength to strength across our state and this program will provide safer, more inclusive community sports facilities that our female athletes need and deserve,” Mrs Taylor said.

“I am proud to be part of a government that is removing barriers and inspiring more women and young girls to get involved in sport.”

Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said women’s sport is growing in popularity and this investment in community infrastructure and facilities will accelerate the number of girls and women playing sport.

“The recent Commonwealth Games highlighted the depth of talent in women’s sport. The upcoming FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup will see Sydney host the world’s best players in September and inspire the next generation of female athletes,” Mr Henskens said.

“By investing in our sport communities to help boost female participation, we will ensure any young girl or woman who wants to lace up a boot, pick up a ball or run around a track, will do so in a supportive environment.”

The Community Female Friendly Sport Facilities and Lighting Upgrades Grant Program will open in late 2022. Government and sporting organisations can register their interest in the program at: https://comms.sport.nsw.gov.au/female-friendly-sport-facilities-and-lighting-upgrades-ryi

Penrith and Blue Mountains communities will soon benefit from more pathology laboratories and services, with construction underway on a new, expanded pathology department as part of the $1 billion Nepean Hospital Redevelopment.
 
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the new pathology department was being fast tracked as part of Stage Two of the Nepean Hospital Redevelopment, which will provide the Penrith and Blue Mountains communities with access to world-class health services well into the future.
 
“The new pathology department will be in a larger, purpose-built facility and provide significantly expanded pathology services to meet the needs of the growing local communities and boost health outcomes in the region,” Mr Hazzard said.
 
Construction of the pathology department in a newly built facility in Building E (East Block) will include new laboratories, services, reception area and administration spaces, and is scheduled for completion in mid-2023.
 
Member for Penrith Stuart Ayres said after years of neglect and band-aid solutions by the former government we are finally getting the Nepean Hospital that patients, medical staff and our community deserve.
 
Construction of a new 14-storey clinical tower as part of Stage 1 is now complete, and floors are opening to patients and staff in stages this year.
 
Member for Mulgoa Tanya Davies said she was very impressed with the transformation of the hospital campus, with more exciting changes to come.
 
“The new building being delivered as part of Stage 2 has been designed to seamlessly connect with the new hospital tower, which is already an impressive landmark in the Penrith skyline,” Mrs Davies said.
 
The next stage of the Nepean Hospital redevelopment includes a new intensive care unit, in-centre renal dialysis unit, medical imaging and nuclear medicine services, cardiology services, more beds, community health services and a front of house for the hospital.
 
Since 2011, the NSW Government has delivered more than 180 hospitals and health facilities across NSW, with more than 130 currently underway.
 
The NSW Government is investing $3 billion on health infrastructure, as part of a $11.9 billion investment over the next four years.

Public transport commuters across Sydney’s booming north-west are set to benefit from the newly completed Schofields Station commuter car park.
 
Minister for Transport, Veterans and Western Sydney David Elliott said the project had delivered 700 additional parking spaces for commuters as well as 15 new dedicated accessible parking spaces and six motorcycle bays.
 
“Car parks such as this one at Schofields not only helps make catching public transport even easier and more convenient for commuters but helps reduce congestion on the roads.
 
“The 305 spaces delivered today is excellent news for the growing number of residents in Schofields and surrounding suburbs, following completion of 395 new spaces last month.
 
“A total of 398 people worked 61,030 hours on the project, pouring 1100 square metres of concrete and laying 1574 tonnes of asphalt to deliver a modern, accessible car parking station. There was also 700 square metres of recycled mulch used and 99 earthmoving machines were put to work.
 
“Schofield commuters now have safe and reliable parking 24 hours a day to access public transport. This car park features CCTV coverage, lighting, fencing and wayfinding signage to help customers navigate the car park safely and additional facilities for motorcyclists and those who require accessible spaces,” Mr Elliott said.
 
The project was delivered as part of the NSW Government’s Commuter Car Park Program which provides more convenient access to public transport at key interchanges. The NSW Government has delivered more than 13,000 commuter car spaces across Sydney since 2011, with around 5000 additional spaces under development.
 
Member for Riverstone Kevin Conolly said the new commuter car park had been provided to cater for the growing population of the district.
 
“I’m pleased that we have been able to deliver 700 extra spaces for commuters at Schofields station,” Mr Conolly said.
 
“This will make life easier for those who travel by train to and from work every day.”
 
Transport Park&Ride boom gates are also planned for installation to free up more spaces for those who travel on public transport. The Opal card operated boom gates will provide parking for up to 18 hours when customers tap onto a connecting public transport journey.

The NSW Government is investing over $500,000 for security upgrades at more than 80 women’s refuges across NSW to protect women and children leaving domestic violence.
 
Attorney General Mark Speakman said he was pleased to allocate funding for the security upgrades from the NSW Government’s Crime Prevention Fund. 
 
Mr Speakman said upgrading security at refuges is crucial to ensuring women and children feel safe when they seek shelter in a refuge.
 
“Women accessing refuge services can be in the most desperate of circumstances, often fleeing the horror of domestic and family violence,” Mr Speakman said
 
“We need to have a high level of security in place to protect residents from possible threats from abusers and also ensure that these women and children feel safe.
 
“The security upgrades will include replacing external fluorescent emergency lighting with energy-efficient vandal-proof lights and the installation of additional external illumination in poorly lit areas, including front and back yards, pathways, garages and other outdoor structures.”
 
Minister for Women’s Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Sexual Violence Natalie Ward said the upgrades provide another layer of security for women and children as they recover from trauma.
 
“Women should not have to fear what is lurking in the shadows, especially when they have made the difficult and complex decision to leave their homes to escape violence,” Mrs Ward said.
 
“Complete outdoor lighting especially at refuges has been proven to be a strong crime deterrent.
 
“Wherever you live in our state, you should be safe and you should feel safe.”