February 2023 – Page 9

WestInvest funds huge boost to sporting facilities across Western Sydney

A new state of the art sport and health centre of excellence in Leumeah, a huge new sports precinct in Leppington and new Olympic sized swimming pools are among the latest sporting projects funded through the NSW Government’s $5 billion WestInvest program.

Premier Dominic Perrottet and Minister for Sport Alister Henskens today announced more than $309.6 million in funding for local councils and community groups in the Burwood, Camden, Campbelltown, Liverpool, Penrith and Wollondilly LGAs to deliver 14 new and upgraded sports facilities across Western Sydney.

This is in addition to the 15 sports projects announced yesterday, taking the total investment in new sporting facilities through the $1.6 billion WestInvest Community Project Grants – Competitive Round to more than $626 million for 29 projects.

The projects announced today include:

· $52.4 million for the Burwood Council to redevelop the Enfield Aquatic Centre at Enfield including a new 50 metre pool to support swimmers

· $53.4 million for the Liverpool Council to deliver the Carnes Hill Aquatic & Leisure Centre which will upgrade the centre with new 50 metre pool and other amenities

· $21.3 million for Camden Council to deliver open space in Leppington, with three sports fields, three tennis courts, a multipurpose court and three local parks

· $19.1 million for Penrith City Council to upgrade Cook Park Precinct in St Marys to improve access for district level sports;

· $16.7 million for Campbelltown City Council to deliver the Sport and Health Centre of Excellence at Leumeah, in partnership with Western Sydney University, the Macarthur Bulls, Wests Tigers and the South-West Sydney Academy of Sport;

· $5.2 million for Wollondilly Shire Council to upgrade the Waterboard Oval in Warragamba with new and improved facilities to accommodate soccer, cricket, AFL and various court sports.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the projects funded through WestInvest include upgrades to ovals and change rooms to support the increasing number of women in sports and a new centre of excellence to support our elite athletes.

“We want to encourage the growth in women in sport by ensuring we have appropriate change rooms and training facilities, as well as inspiring places to pursue a diverse range of sports,” Mr Perrottet said.

“This WestInvest funding will help drive women’s participation from the grassroots to the elite level, thanks to the long-term economic plan of the Liberal and Nationals Government.

“The new Sport and Health Centre of Excellence at Leumeah will also go a long way to supporting local talent development pathways for athletes into elite sport through specialised science and research programs.”

Treasurer Matt Kean said the funding will boost sports facilities right across Western Sydney, enabling more people to stay active and keep fit.

“No matter where you live, you should have access to state-of-the-art sporting facilities and WestInvest is delivering for Western Sydney,” Mr Kean said.

“This funding will provide greater opportunities for the community to train and play in any weather on any day and maintain a healthy lifestyle.”

Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said the WestInvest funding for the open space project in Leppington will deliver essential green and open spaces to encourage health and well-being in one of Western Sydney’s fastest growing suburbs.

“This WestInvest funding will go towards three A-grade sports fields, three tennis-courts, a multipurpose court as well as play areas and amenities,” Mr Henskens said.

“Regardless of age, ability or the sport you play, this investment will deliver critical sport infrastructure and green space that will promote participation and ensure anyone who wants to serve an ace, shoot a hoop, or kick a ball can do so in a safe environment.”

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

Second stage of $1B Nepean Hospital upgrade gets underway

Penrith and Blue Mountains communities will soon benefit from a new intensive care unit, additional inpatient units, renal services and more, with construction now underway on the second state-of-the-art clinical services building at Nepean Hospital.

Premier Dominic Perrottet, Health Minister Brad Hazzard, Member for Penrith Stuart Ayres and Member for Mulgoa Tanya Davies have turned the sod on the site of the new building being delivered as part of Stage 2 of the NSW Government’s $1 billion Nepean Hospital Redevelopment.

“Thousands of people in Penrith and the Blue Mountains are already reaping the benefits of the newly-opened 14-storey hospital tower at Nepean Hospital, which now boasts one of the best emergency departments in the State,” Mr Perrottet said.

“This sod turn marks the start of major construction of a second clinical services building, which will take Nepean Hospital to the next level, ensuring it will continue to deliver the very best healthcare for growing Western Sydney communities.”

The new building, which will be connected to the 14-storey tower built under Stage 1, will provide a new adult intensive care unit, more in-patient units, renal services, medical imaging and nuclear medicine services, education and training facilities and an accessible and welcoming front-of-house for patients, visitors and staff.

“Nepean Hospital is undergoing a tremendous transformation thanks to this $1 billion record investment from the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government that will ensure Western Sydney communities are provided with world-class health services well into the future,” Mr Hazzard said.

“By 2031, more than 468,800 people are expected to call the Nepean Blue Mountains Health District home – up 21 per cent on the population in 2016 and we have planned ahead to meet their healthcare needs.”

Member for Penrith Stuart Ayres acknowledged the health staff who had been key to delivering a first-class hospital redevelopment for Western Sydney communities.

“Our fantastic staff at Nepean Hospital have been instrumental in the design of our new facilities, including the second clinical services building that has now started construction, to ensure they can continue to deliver the very best healthcare to their patients,” Mr Ayres said.

“The successful recent opening of the new emergency department is a great example of everyone’s commitment and passion. I am extremely grateful to the hospital staff and everyone working on the redevelopment who have helped get us to this exciting milestone.”

Member for Mulgoa, Tanya Davies said the ongoing construction at Nepean Hospital was a great boost for the local economy.

“The Nepean Redevelopment is creating more job opportunities and ensuring better health outcomes for local people,” Ms Davies said.

“More than 3,700 contractors and subcontractors worked on Stage 1 of the Nepean Redevelopment during its construction phase, with 73 per cent of the workforce from Western Sydney.”

CPB Constructions has been awarded the tender to build the second clinical services building. Stage 2 of the redevelopment also includes an expansion of community-based healthcare in the Penrith area. Construction of this community service will begin once the design process has been finalised with hospital staff.

A new Pathology Unit is also being constructed at Nepean Hospital as part of Stage 2, and clinical areas are being repurposed to better co-locate services and improve patient access.

The NSW Government is investing a record $11.9 billion in health infrastructure over four years to 2025-26. Since 2011, the NSW Government has delivered more than 180 health capital projects across NSW, with more than 130 projects currently underway.

In Western Sydney and South Western Sydney, the NSW Government has delivered, or is delivering, around 40 health capital projects, with a total investment of just on $8 billion.

For more information about the Nepean Hospital Redevelopment visit: https://www.nepeanredevelopment.health.nsw.gov.au/

Link to animation and artists impressions

Bright future for Royal Prince Alfred Hospital

New designs have been unveiled showcasing the state-of-the-art $750 million Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, which will see a doubling of treatment spaces in the emergency department and a 30 per cent increase in bed capacity in the Intensive Care Unit.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said a new 15-storey tower will be the centrepiece of what is the most significant redevelopment in the hospital’s proud 140-year history.

“This redevelopment is a once-in-a-generation project, delivering 1400 direct construction jobs and thousands more indirect jobs but most importantly, it will expand the cutting-edge healthcare facilities and services on the campus,” Mr Hazzard said.

“The redevelopment will deliver more state-of-the-art operating theatre space including a hybrid theatre to facilitate complex surgeries, double the recovery space, as well as deliver a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit with 30 per cent more capacity.”

RPA is one of Australia’s leading hospitals, renowned for its excellence in providing innovative health care and education for the 740,000 people who live in the Local Health District, and the more than one million people who work or transit daily in the vicinity of the campus, including patients, visitors and students.

The bright, contemporary design of the new tower will seamlessly connect to the existing hospital campus and includes a new northern entry from Johns Hopkins Drive, which will improve access for the community to the campus.

Mr Hazzard also today officially opened the new, expanded RPA Kidney Dialysis Centre, one of the first new facilities to be delivered as part of the early works for the redevelopment.

“The new dialysis centre will ensure people with chronic kidney disease are receiving the best possible life-saving care in a comfortable, modern health facility, supported by a fantastic team of renal and renal transplant clinicians,” Mr Hazzard said.

Co-located with the Kidney Centre’s outpatient services for the convenience of patients and their carers, more than 160 patients have received ongoing dialysis treatment in the facility, in addition to more than 50 patients who have been trained or updated for home dialysis treatment.

It includes 38 new haemodialysis chairs, three peritoneal dialysis rooms and an additional 10 home training chairs for patients learning to self-dialyse.

The $750 million RPA Redevelopment includes:

· Expanded and enhanced emergency department and intensive care units

· State-of-the-art operating theatres

· Expanded and improved adult inpatient accommodation

· Increased interventional and imaging services

· Expanded neonatology services

· Improved roads, signage and landscaping throughout the hospital

· A new open garden courtyard

· Rooftop helipad

Sydney Local Health District Chief Executive Dr Teresa Anderson AM said staff were excited to see the stunning new designs and flythrough of the redevelopment, which will support millions of health workers, patients and their families in the years ahead.

“This expansion will allow us to build on the world-class services we already provide to the people of Sydney and NSW,” Dr Anderson said.

“From expanded emergency rooms to state-of-the-art operating theatres and much more, the health and wellbeing of our patients and their families has been at the forefront of this new design.”

Early enabling works for the redevelopment are currently underway alongside the planning and design of the new hospital expansion, with the main works construction contract expected to be awarded in late 2023.

Planning for the redevelopment is progressing, with the final State Significant Development Application recently submitted with the NSW Department of Planning and Environment and currently on public exhibition.

Construction for the RPA Hospital redevelopment is expected to be completed in 2028, and is part of the NSW Government’s record $11.9 billion investment in health infrastructure to 2025-26.

The NSW Government has invested $18 billion in health infrastructure since 2011.

For more information visit: www.rparedevelopment.health.nsw.gov.au

Click here to view the flythrough video

NSW jobs market continues strong run with lowest unemployment rate in Australia

New South Wales has maintained the lowest unemployment rate among the states for the fifth consecutive month, according to today’s ABS labour force data.

The figure shows 5,100 fewer people are in work but the unemployment rate remained steady at 3.1 per cent. The national unemployment rate increased to 3.7 per cent.

The female unemployment rate is 2.8 per cent in NSW, the lowest since monthly records began.

NSW Treasurer Matt Kean said today’s figures demonstrated the strength of the NSW economy and the impact of the state’s initiatives for women and childcare.

“We expect our initiatives for women and childcare will support more women in employment and unlock future productivity dividends to strengthen our economy,” Mr Kean said.

“Today’s results are encouraging considering the current national and international economic challenges we’re facing here in NSW.”

WestInvest funds huge boost for sporting facilities in St Marys

Liberal candidate for Leppington, Therese Fedeli, has welcomed significant investment in the local community from the NSW Government’s $5 billion WestInvest program.

“This is an incredibly exciting day for the Leppington community. Whether it’s a swimming pool, sports fields, tennis courts and parks, this is the investment that binds a community together,” she said.

“The Premier again visited to make this major announcement which shows his commitment to the Leppington area as a whole. This is a government that has a long term economic plan which delivers on investments like this.”

The projects announced today include:

· $53.4 million for the Liverpool Council to deliver the Carnes Hill Aquatic & Leisure Centre which will upgrade the centre with a new 50 metre pool and other amenities; and

· $21.3 million for Camden Council to deliver open space in Leppington, with three sports fields, three tennis courts, a multipurpose court and three local parks.

Premier Dominic Perrottet and Minister for Sport Alister Henskens announced more than $309.6 million in funding for local councils and community groups in the Burwood, Camden, Campbelltown, Liverpool, Penrith and Wollondilly LGAs to deliver 14 new and upgraded sports facilities across Western Sydney.

“This WestInvest funding will help drive women’s participation from the grassroots to the elite level, thanks to the long-term economic plan of the Liberal and Nationals Government.

Treasurer Matt Kean said the funding will boost sports facilities right across Western Sydney, enabling more people to stay active and keep fit.

“No matter where you live, you should have access to state-of-the-art sporting facilities and WestInvest is delivering for Western Sydney,” Mr Kean said.

“This funding will provide greater opportunities for the community to train and play in any weather on any day and maintain a healthy lifestyle.”

“This WestInvest funding will go towards three A-grade sports fields, three tennis-courts, a multipurpose court as well as play areas and amenities,” Mr Henskens said.

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

RBA admits printing money caused inflation

The RBA Governor has today admitted under vigorous questioning by Senator Malcolm Roberts that the sheer volume of money spent during the last 3 years of reckless government intervention has driven our current inflationary problems.

In the exchange, Dr. Lowe was asked about the unexpected rise in inflation, which reached a 30-year high of 7.8% in the December quarter. During the ABA Australian banking association conference that both he and I attended, Dr. Lowe predicted that inflation would peak at 4.2% in March ’22.

We asked why Dr. Lowe was surprised by the inflation when several individuals, including myself, had previously warned the Reserve Bank and the government about the possible significant inflation that could arise due to the sheer volume of money being splashed around the economy.

Dr. Lowe responded that although the expansion of the money supply, low-interest rates, and government support during the pandemic has contributed to inflation, the entire story is not complete as at least half or even three-quarters of the increase in inflation is due to what went on in Europe and the supply-side disruptions.

That might be where the ‘meeting of the minds’ between One Nation and Governor Lowe departs. His concession at Senate Estimates is a start in the long process of accountability for Australia’s rapidly deteriorating economy.

What every reasonable Australian accepts is that, to quote Governor Lowe, “The expansion of money supply, low-interest rates and government support during the pandemic has driven inflation”.

Governor Lowe was then asked if the public was paying the price for the Reserve Bank’s support of the government’s wasteful management of COVID using lockdowns and other restrictions, which necessitated the money creation.

Dr. Lowe clarified that the Reserve Bank did not create money at the government’s request. Hard to accept, but that was his response. However, the Governor admitted, in terms, that while it wasn’t directed he print money the cash creation was in response to the government’s actions during the early stages of COVID management of destroying our economy, closing the borders and shutting down businesses. If the economy wasn’t in the drain because Scomo & Co told us we had to hide in the cupboard then RBA wouldn’t have printed. A startling admission indeed.

The board of the Reserve Bank consisting of nine individuals decided to create money, he informed the committee, and they had meetings with the government. Most Australians would be shocked if at those meetings the government didn’t pressure the bank to print money, but that fight for accountability remains ongoing.

If you are sceptical of Governor Lowe’s reliability on economic management, your concern may be well placed. Let’s not forget his promise that rates would stay low until 2024 and while it may have been foreseeable, the fact is Australians who relied on the Governor’s promise will likely go broke because they relied on his advice.

One Nation will not rest until every detail of this sticky, shocking mess is unraveled.

Woman wanted on outstanding DV warrant arrested

Police have arrested and charged a woman wanted on an outstanding warrant in Sydney’s West.

Officers attached to the North West Metropolitan Region Domestic Violence High Risk Offender Team commenced an investigation to locate a 40-year-old woman, wanted on an outstanding warrant for breaching an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order.

Following inquiries and a public appeal, about 1.20pm today (Wednesday 15 February 2023) officers attached to the Domestic Violence High Risk Offender Team attended an address in Colyton, where a 40-year-old woman was placed under arrest and taken to Penrith Police Station.

She was charged for the outstanding warrant and breach of bail conditions.

The woman was refused bail and is due to appear at Penrith Local Court tomorrow (Thursday 16 February 2023).

NUCLEAR BOMBERS CAN LAUNCH FROM AUSTRALIA WITHOUT BREACHING TREATY OBLIGATIONS, MINISTER CLAIMS

Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong has just admitted in Senate Estimates that nuclear-capable bombers can rotate through Australia without breaching international obligations, under questioning from the Greens.

Australian Greens Senator and Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Jordon Steele John said:

“Australians have resisted the nuclearisation of our military for decades and now the Albanese government is letting the Americans do it for us.

“Nuclear capable B-52 bombers have no place on Australian bases, on Australian shores or in Australian airspace. They are an offensive weapon that will destabilise our region.

“The decision for the Australian Government to allow American B-52s into Australia is another clear example of successive major party governments selling out Australian interests for the Americans.

“Whether it be the AUKUS pact, the coverup of how Australia became involved in the illegal US invasion of Iraq or this newest escalation in the force posture agreement. When it comes to the US, there is no Australian interest this government has not been willing to sell out.

“Australia needs to deeply reevaluate our relationship with the United States and pursue an independent, peaceful and cooperative foreign policy,” Senator Steele John said.

Australian Greens Senator and Defence Spokesperson David Shoebridge said:

“It is highly alarming that Australian military facilities are being made available for the US to launch its nuclear capable bombers.

“The fact that we are allowing Australian military facilities to host US nuclear bombers should alarm all Australians who are concerned with our collective safety.

“This decision not only makes us a nuclear target, it further erodes our sovereignty.

“The US has made it clear it won’t tell anyone when their B52’s are nuclear armed or not. This leaves Australia in the dark about our role in the USA’s global nuclear strategy.

“This decision directly contradicts the Defence Minister’s claims that our relationship with the US does not undermine Australia’s sovereignty.

“This will further destabilise our region and force Australia into an unwitting role in the global nuclear weapons threat,” Senator Shoebridge said.

GREENS URGE LABOR TO END NATIVE FOREST LOGGING IMMEDIATELY AND ENSURE JUST TRANSITION FOR WORKERS AS AUSTRALIA’S LAST WHITE PAPER MILL CLOSES

Greens forests spokesperson, Senator Janet Rice has called on state and federal Labor governments to commit to ending native forest logging immediately and ensure a just transition for forestry workers that are about to face an uncertain future, with Australia’s largest white paper producing plant, set to close.

Greens spokesperson for forests, Senator Janet Rice said:

“The end of white paper production at the Maryvale paper mill shows the writing is on the wall for Victoria’s native forest logging industry.

“Unions believe about 200 people may become unemployed as a result of this closure. The mill should have been supported to transition away from woodchips from native forests well before now, for example, by using supplies of logs from eucalypt plantations from western Victoria and Tasmania that are currently being exported.

“Instead, workers will be left with the stress of job loss, in the midst of a cost of living crisis, wondering about their future.

The state government saw this coming but they chose to continue denying reality. With this woeful oversight by the state government, it’s time the federal government step up, commit to ending native forest logging across the country and ensure a just transition for workers.

“Recent supreme court cases have proven illegal logging and multiple breaches of state environment laws by VicForests, resulting in native forest logging operations grinding to a halt.

“Native forest logging is a dying industry and there’s no way around it.

“Labor has a choice. They can either begin a fair transition for workers, or they can keep their head in the sand and leave more workers stranded.

“The Greens will keep fighting to secure meaningful climate and environment legislation, which must include saving what remains of Australia’s native forests and stopping the extinction of the iconic species that call these forests home.”

Additional humanitarian assistance to Türkiye and Syria

The Albanese Government will contribute an additional $8 million dollars to Australia’s response to the devastating earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria, bringing the total to $18 million.

This funding will provide lifesaving assistance, with a focus on protecting those made most vulnerable by the earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria. It will also support ongoing search and rescue efforts.

In Türkiye, we will contribute an additional $4.5 million. This includes $2 million to Australian NGOs through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership to deliver lifesaving assistance, with a focus on protecting those made most vulnerable by the earthquakes. Remaining funds will support ongoing search and rescue efforts and other emerging needs arising from this crisis.

In Syria, $3.5 million will be provided to the United Nations Population Fund to deliver maternal and child health services and protect women and girls without safe housing. This is in addition to the $3 million that Australia has committed to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

We extend Australia’s deepest sympathies to families and communities that have lost loved ones in the earthquakes, including families here in Australia.

The earthquakes have also exacerbated the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Syria, where years of conflict have driven millions from their homes.

In addition to the earthquake response, the Australian Government will provide $15 million through trusted partners to assist conflict-affected Syrians and their host communities in Syria, Lebanon and Jordan.

Imagery of the Australian Government’s Disaster Assistance Response Team in Türkiye is available at: https://multimedia.dfat.gov.au/fotoweb/albums/Y-agmMww5crkgPyn/