Month: February 2023

The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government is taking action to protect the 400,000 construction jobs across the state by strengthening industrial relations and procurement oversight for Government projects.

The boost to the Construction Compliance Unit will further protect the state’s $116.6 billion infrastructure pipeline and the jobs and families it supports.

The move comes after the federal Labor Government abolished the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) and the federal building code of conduct.

The federal instruments had successfully underpinned productive growth and lawful conduct in the industry, supporting the construction boom in NSW over the last decade.

In response to federal Labor abandoning sensible regulatory safeguards in the construction industry, the NSW Government is stepping in to fill the void by:

· Boosting funding to the NSW Construction Compliance Unit (CCU) by $1.3 million a year for proactive monitoring, reporting and compliance activities;

· Increasing unannounced site visits on NSW Government-funded infrastructure projects by the CCU and

· Commencing an open consultation with industry stakeholders to review the NSW Building and Construction Procurement Guidelineswhich regulate the conduct of building and construction work on NSW Government projects.

These measures will protect against cost and time blow outs that would lead to a less productive industry with fewer jobs.

Treasurer Matt Kean said the Liberal and Nationals Government was committed to a flourishing construction industry that delivers for workers, taxpayers and the broader community.

“The benefits of our record infrastructure pipeline will be felt far and wide and we cannot allow Labor’s sabotage of a successful regulatory framework to put those projects and jobs in jeopardy,” Mr Kean said.

“We are just catching up from Labor’s abysmal record on infrastructure delivery in this state and proper regulation of the construction industry is a crucial part of the Liberal and Nationals delivering for the people of NSW.”

Minister for Employee Relations Damien Tudehope said opposition to regulation of the construction industry and the ABCC was not in the best interests of workers.

“The Liberal and Nationals Government has a proven track record of driving a consistent pipeline of good jobs in construction and we want this to continue,” Mr Tudehope said.  

“Construction union membership is under 10 per cent in Australia but we know from the experience in other states that this minority can impose an enormously damaging impact from shutting down projects, coercive and illegal action and dragging out industrial disputes with ambit claims.

“Whether it’s promoting compliance when a new tunnel is being dug or at a motorway expansion project, these measures will mitigate against the risk of delay or interruption to the state’s major infrastructure projects.”

Brian Seidler, Executive Director of Master Builders Association NSW, said following the abolition of the ABCC last year, it was pleasing to see the NSW Government taking steps to ensure that construction sites here have some protections from unlawful and coercive behaviours.

“Since at least 1982 multiple Royal Commissions and judicial enquiries have recognised that the unique nature of commercial construction means that the industry is especially vulnerable to unethical and illegal behaviour, and as such requires special measures in order to deter illegal behavior,” Mr Seidler said.

“Greater oversight and increased funding for the NSW CCU to undertake proactive monitoring, reporting and compliance activities is welcomed.”

The Perrottet Government’s two-year funding boost for the Productivity Bootcamp will give hundreds more young people from the South Coast access to training construction industry opportunities.

Liberal Candidate for South Coast, Luke Sikora, welcomed the $3.2 million extension of the program, which will help 16 to 25 year olds develop pre-trade skills for jobs on local construction projects.

“This funding for additional training opportunities will help us to bolster out local workforce in a critical industry that will be building South Coast’s future,” said Mr Sikora. “I am proud to be running for the Perrottet Government which is investing in empowering our communities and building South Coast’s future.”

Minister for Skills and Training Alister Henskens said the funding boost builds on the Liberal and Nationals Government’s record $3.1 billion skills budget, which is part of our long-term economic plan to keep NSW moving forward.

“The South Coast continues to benefit from the Liberal and Nationals government’s record infrastructure investment, but with that comes great demand for skilled workers.

“We’re already investing record funds in TAFE NSW and delivering an unprecedented level of fee-free training to help people get the skills they need for the jobs they want.

“This funding for Productivity Bootcamp builds on that, delivering practical, challenging and hands-on skills for young people seeking jobs in the construction industry.”

The funding will enable Productivity Bootcamp to deliver an additional 11 eight-week programs and one five-week program at its South Nowra centre over two years.

Productivity Bootcamp founder and director Paul Breen said the company has been delivering strong results in previous Bootcamps in Western Sydney since 2015.

“Our Bootcamp program provides a transformative 8-week intensive course that arms young people with the skills and attitude needed to be successful,” Mr Breen said.

“It helps young people develop the skills and attributes demanded by employers, such as reliability, communication and teamwork.”

Grassroots sport will be safer for players, spectators and volunteers as part of a $500,000 push to install life-saving defibrillators at community facilities across NSW.

Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said 191 devices will be installed thanks to the latest round of the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government’s Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program.

“With more than 8,500 people experiencing out-of-hospital cardiac arrest each year in NSW, this program provides sports with early access to a defibrillator in the worst case scenario,” Mr Henskens said.

“Since the Liberal and Nationals Government introduced this program in 2017, more than 2,000 defibrillators have been installed at sports facilities across NSW.”

The grants cover the full cost of equipment under the program with several sporting organisations receiving multiple devices.

Up to $3,000 was available per device and with more people participating in sport and active recreation, these devices will ensure our sports facilities are better-equipped to respond to life-threating emergencies.

Professor Jamie Vandenberg, Co-deputy Director of the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, said nine out of every 10 people who suffer a cardiac arrest outside of hospital don’t survive.

“We want to change that statistic so it’s vital that we get as many defibrillators installed across NSW,” Mr Vandenberg said.

“Every one of these new devices could prove lifesaving and help us achieve our goal.”

More information about the program is available online.

From grassroots junior sports teams to elite athletes, residents across North West and Western Sydney will benefit from a huge boost in funding for sports facilities, thanks to the NSW Government’s $5 billion WestInvest program.

Premier Dominic Perrottet, Treasurer Matt Kean and Minister for Sport Alister Henskens today announced more than $316.7 million in funding for local councils and community groups in the Blacktown, Blue Mountains, Parramatta, Cumberland, Fairfield, Hawkesbury, Strathfield and The Hills LGAs to deliver 15 new and upgraded sports facilities across Western Sydney.

The projects funded under the $1.6 billion WestInvest Community Project Grants – Competitive Round, range from new indoor and outdoor sports courts for basketball, netball and tennis, to upgrades to community ovals to support football and cricket to skate parks and new pools.

The projects include:

· $53.7 million for Cumberland Council to transform an underutilised site at Greystanes into a precinct for indoor and outdoor sport including netball, AFL, football, cricket, baseball, rugby league, rugby union, cricket, basketball, volleyball and badminton;

· $16 million for Fairfield City Council to upgrade the Endeavour Sports Park with a new synthetic field, sized for two soccer pitches, an AFL or a cricket pitch;

· $9.8 million for Hawkesbury City Council for the Tamplin Field redevelopment project for a new synthetic field to enable games, training and events in all weather;

· $5.6 million for the City of Parramatta Council to deliver the North Granville Community Open Space Upgrade project which will upgrade FS Garside Park and construct a natural turf football field and install new sports field lighting, seating and a regional sized playground.

· $3.5 million for the Blue Mountains Council to transform the Pitt Park Athletics oval into a dedicated state-of-the-art athletics sporting precinct. 

· $1 million for The Hills Shire Council to transform Fred Caterson Reserve in Castle Hill to support a range of indoor and outdoor sports.

· More than $573,000 for the Strathfield Municipal Council to deliver the Upgrade to Cooke Park Skatepark project to provide state of the art facilities to young skaters. 

Premier Dominic Perrottet said a sporting club is the heart and soul of a local community and WestInvest is enabling communities in North West and Western Sydney to grow, exercise and thrive.

“From the Pitt Park athletics complex in the Blue Mountains, Fred Caterson Reserve in The Hills to Tamplin Field in Hawkesbury, local communities across will benefit from a huge variety of sporting facilities funded by WestInvest,” Mr Perrottet said.

“Through the WestInvest fund we are laying the foundations to support for the next Harry Kewell, Pat Cummins, Alana Kennedy, Ian Thorpe and Paige Hadley.”

Treasurer Matt Kean said WestInvest will deliver world class facilities to support all sports ranging from junior level to the professionals to people who want to get more exercise and kick a ball around.

“This type of community infrastructure is critical for our future sporting stars to thrive from the day they step on to the sporting field. Athletes in Western Sydney deserve the best facilities to compete and perform so they can strive for greatness,” Mr Kean said.

“These facilities range in size and scale and cater to just about every sport from basketball, netball and volleyball to badminton and roller sports.”

Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said the WestInvest funding was another example of the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government’s strong track record of investment in community sport facilities.

“From grassroots sport through to the elite, these investments will turbocharge sport participation in Western Sydney, providing quality local facilities for players of all ages and abilities,” Mr Henskens said.

“It builds on the enormous amount of work we’ve done to invest in community sport infrastructure across our state.”

To find out more about WestInvest visit www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/westinvest

The countdown to Vivid Sydney 2023 has officially begun, with today marking 100 days until the festival’s Lights On moment at 6pm on Friday 26 May.

Celebrating creativity, innovation and technology, Australia’s largest festival will dazzle and delight audiences for 23 days and nights across four pillars this year – Vivid Light, Vivid Music, Vivid Ideas and the brand new Vivid Food.

Minister for Tourism Ben Franklin said Vivid Sydney was one of Australia’s best events and a vital economic driver for NSW during the winter months.

“Vivid Sydney is NSW’s biggest annual event and makes a vital social and economic contribution to our state. From our creative industries to entertainment and hospitality venues, accommodation and retailers, it supports and creates jobs across the NSW economy,” Mr Franklin. 

“Last year Vivid Sydney was attended by over 2.5 million people and injected $119 million into the NSW economy. With internationals borders fully reopening, we’re anticipating this year’s festival to be our biggest and best yet.

“Vivid Sydney 2023 promises to be a significant driver for domestic and international visitors to travel to NSW and attend Australia’s brightest event and immerse themselves in our city.”

This year’s creative direction, ‘Vivid Sydney, Naturally,’ has been inspired by our connection to the natural environment and will be brought to life via a kaleidoscope of colourful light projections and activations, plus free and ticketed events. 

Vivid Sydney Festival Director Gill Minervini said this year’s festival would raise the bar even higher than past events with festival-firsts, world-firsts and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

“We are proud to have curated an impressive collection of local and international artists and food creatives to provide Vivid Sydney audiences with new and exciting experiences,” Ms Minervini said.

“We have expanded and evolved the festival further this year and have curated an amazing line-up for 2023. The festival offering includes some significant new and Vivid-first experiences, as well as Vivid Food to deliver world-class culinary talent, events and activations as part of the program.”

A preview into some of the Vivid Sydney 2023 highlights includes:

· The Vivid Sydney Light Walk will return in 2023, with more than 49 light installations and 3D projections along the 8km illuminated walk

· The internationally acclaimed, multi-sensory experience of light, colour and sounds, Lightscape, will transform The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney for the first time at Vivid Sydney

· First Nations artist Maree Clarke’s Barerarerungar will be projected on the Museum of Contemporary Art

· Internationally renowned Jen Lewin’s The Last Ocean will enthral audiences following its 2022 debut at Burning Man

· Brand new festival pillar Vivid Food will activate across venues in Sydney’s CBD showcasing a variety of creativity, innovation and culinary experiences, from pop up restaurants to haute cuisine celebrating the city’s vibrant and diverse food culture

Vivid Sydney 2023 will illuminate and energise various locations throughout the city, including Circular Quay, The Rocks, Barangaroo, Darling Harbour, The Goods Line, Central Station and Sydney icons such as the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Museum of Contemporary Art and more.

Vivid Sydney is proudly owned, managed and produced by Destination NSW, the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency. The complete program for Vivid Sydney 2023 will be announced in mid-March. For more information, and to keep updated on the program, visit vividsydney.com

Liberal candidate for South Coast Luke Sikora has welcomed the Government’s announcement that women and girls hitting the golf course at Mollymook will benefit from new bathroom amenities thanks to the $25 million Female Friendly Sport Facilities and Lighting Upgrades Program.

“These are important upgrades for women and girls playing golf at Mollymook,” Mr Sikora said.

“Women’s sport on the South Coast is incredibly popular and having new amenities makes sport even more appealing. These investments are only possible because of the long term economic plan setout by the Perrottet Team who can deliver infrastructure projects.”

Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said Mollymook Golf Club will receive more than $236,000 to build new bathroom amenities on course at both its Hilltop and Beachside courses.

“Women’s sport is booming in NSW and this program will deliver the facilities women and girls need and deserve,” Mr Henskens said.  

“This groundbreaking program will level the playing field by improving facilities that for decades have been predominately used by men, but now cater for a growing number of women’s and girls’ sporting teams.”

Since 2017 the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government has committed more than $1 billion to deliver new and upgraded community sport facilities.

Member for South Coast Shelley Hancock said the facility is used by the football community throughout the year and this investment would help to boost female participation by providing a safer environment for women and girls.

“Community sport is a vital part of our social fabric and some of the biggest barriers faced by women and girls are the lack of female change rooms and amenities, as well as adequate lighting,” Mrs Hancock said. 

“When women and girls feel comfortable they are more likely to stick with their chosen sport. This funding boost to upgrade the bathrooms will mean more women can play golf on the South Coast.” 

More information about the program is available online. 

Liberal candidate for Parramatta, Katie Mullens, has welcomed every public school classroom across Western Sydney being air-conditioned as part of an additional $130 million investment from the WestInvest fund.

“The Cooler Classrooms Program means a big win for students in Parramatta,” Ms Mullens said.

“A more comfortable classroom means a more comfortable learning experience for students. These air conditioners will continue the Perrottet Liberal Government’s commitment to upgrading our schools in Parramatta.”        

Schools in Parramatta benefitting from this initiative are:

• Bayanami Public School
• Cumberland High School
• James Ruse Agricultural High School
• Telopea Public School
• Yates Avenue Public School

The additional 84 public schools will receive air-conditioning as part of the $5 billion WestInvest program, with more than 3,500 classrooms across 301 public schools in Western Sydney to be air-conditioned.

This builds on the 1,000 public schools across NSW already receiving cooler classrooms, thanks to the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government program introduced in 2018.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the investment would ensure students in public schools across Western Sydney would enjoy fully air-conditioned classrooms improving the learning environments for both students and teachers.

“This WestInvest boost finishes the job of installing air-conditioning in our Western Sydney schools as part of the Cooler Classrooms Program,” Mr Perrottet said.

“We are making the investments that matter for our growing communities in Western Sydney, helping prepare our children for the future as part of the largest investment in public education infrastructure in the history of our State.

“Only the NSW Liberal and Nationals can deliver modern schools and classrooms for our kids because we have the long term economic plan to fund these vital projects.”

Minister for Education and Early Leaning Sarah Mitchell said the funding was thanks to the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government’s $5 billion WestInvest program, which is securing the best quality of life for the people of Western Sydney – one of the youngest, fastest-growing and most diverse populations in the nation.

“So far through our Cooler Classroom Program we’ve delivered air-conditioning to more than 7,500 learning spaces and 491 libraries,” Ms Mitchell said.  

“It’s fantastic news that this additional funding boost will support Western Sydney students and that they will all soon have to access to more comfortable learning spaces in the summer and winter.

“It’s all thanks to the NSW Liberals and Nationals, investing in every aspect of our public schools. From fresh paint to air-conditioning and security fencing to accessibility works, this Government understands the importance of maintaining and upgrading our schools.” 

Where feasible, solar PV systems and battery storage technology is also being installed to offset energy usage. More than 210 systems have been installed with a further 460 underway.  

The NSW Government is investing $8.6 billion in school infrastructure over the next four years, continuing its program to deliver 160 new and upgraded schools to support communities across NSW. This builds on the more than $9.1 billion invested in projects delivered since 2017, creating a total $17.7 billion investment in public education infrastructure.