Month: March 2023

The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government is partnering with the Qantas Group in a move that would bring thousands more interstate tourists to Bega and drive more dollars into local businesses.

Qantas and Jetstar routes into Merimbula from select interstate ports are being supported through the NSW Government’s Aviation Attraction Fund, ensuring increased capacity is available for domestic visitors.

Liberal Candidate for Bega, Russell Fitzpatrick said the partnership was great news for Bega and local businesses engaged in the visitor economy.

“The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government is making it easier for interstate visitors to come to Bega which will mean more people staying in local hotels, enjoying our local hospitality and spending with local retailers and attractions,” Mr Fitzpatrick said.

“Our businesses and community are ready to welcome visitors and show them what makes Bega a special place to live, work, stay and play.”

Minister for Tourism Ben Franklin said this initiative would accelerate the NSW visitor economy’s road to recovery.

“This partnership with the Qantas Group will see an increase in flights into Bega, delivering economic and social benefits to the region,” Mr Franklin said.

“We expect this partnership will support more than 86,000 inbound seats, injecting almost $12 million into the regional NSW economy.

“Over the past 12 months we have secured partnerships with 20 airlines, across more than 25 routes, supporting the delivery of up to 1.7 million additional inbound seats to NSW.”

QantasLink CEO John Gissing said this support from the NSW Government has helped make a number of these routes possible and is key to driving tourism in regional New South Wales.

“As the national carrier, we know how important tourism is for regional economies and through this partnership with the NSW Government we will see more people experiencing all that regional New South Wales has to offer,” Mr Gissing said.

QantasLink operates to 15 destinations in regional New South Wales with 12 direct interstate routes.

The supported routes are Melbourne to Merimbula (five flights per week).

The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government will open one of Sydney’s most historic gems, St James Station Tunnels, to the public following its restoration and revitalisation.

The public will be able to explore the hidden parts below one of Sydney’s busiest train stations, which was once utilised as an air raid shelter and RAAF control room during the Second World War.

Constructed in the 1920s as part of John Bradfield’s grand transport vision for Sydney, these long forgotten “ghost” tunnels are being re-imagined as a tourist attraction.

Minister for Infrastructure, Cities and Active Transport Rob Stokes said these precious relics have long been hidden underneath our feet, and it’s high time the public were able to benefit.

“Subterranean Sydney will be a secret no longer,” Mr Stokes said.

“This is an incredible opportunity to bring Sydney’s ghost tunnels to life and share our city’s forgotten past with a new generation.”

Minister for Transport, Veterans and Western Sydney David Elliott said with concept designs and selected early safety works complete, public access to the disused tunnels will soon be a reality, with work already underway to facilitate exciting and authentic guided tours of the southern tunnel, supported by innovative visitor experiences.

“As Veterans and Transport Minister, it is always a pleasure when my portfolios intersect. These tunnels are not only a gateway to Sydney’s transport history, but our war efforts and to this day bear the signatures of soldiers,” Mr Elliott said.

“The tour is expected to include an immersive experience which covers John Bradfield’s 1920s vision for Sydney’s transport, the construction of the City Circle as well as the experience of those who so valiantly served to defend their country in the Second World War.”

Transport Asset Holding Entity (TAHE) CEO Benedicte Colin said it would be a great opportunity for visitors to the tunnels to become urban explorers, venturing through the long-hidden platform behind the St James concourse to the tunnels which run under Hyde Park.

“The project supports TAHE’s social responsibility objectives, and this innovative approach will see the value of this otherwise disused asset unlocked,” Ms Colin said.

Transport for NSW Chief Operations Officer Howard Collins said teams have been working hard to remediate and renovate this almost forgotten historic piece of NSW infrastructure.

“Like any area that has been unused for many years we need to ensure we not only have a safe and practical plan, but also look after the heritage aspects which will make them so interesting for visitors,” Mr Collins said. 

The official opening and commencement of tours, initially in the southern tunnel, is expected to take place in late 2023.

Road space will be re-allocated to prioritise bus commuters, pedestrians and bike riders along two major Inner West roads, slashing commute times and creating more opportunities for local businesses.

The new vision for Parramatta and Victoria roads is only possible thanks to the Liberals and Nationals Government’s record investment in underground motorways.

Minister for Infrastructure, Cities and Active Transport Rob Stokes said the new plans show how both roads will be reimagined in the short, medium and long-term with revitalised high streets, opportunities for affordable housing and more tree canopy.

“Our record investment in underground motorways like WestConnex and the Western Harbour Tunnel will result in fewer cars above ground on Victoria and Parramatta Roads, meaning they can be reimagined as places for people,” Mr Stokes said.

“Successive Labor Governments allowed the health of these roads to deteriorate, becoming clogged arteries in the city’s road network, dreaded by motorists and avoided by pedestrians

“This is a golden opportunity to restore these roads to their former glory as the beating hearts of their community, with more alfresco dining, more opportunities for affordable housing and greater priority for public and active transport.”

The new vision includes:

· Extension of Victoria Road bus lanes in Rozelle, Drummoyne, Gladesville, Ermington and Melrose Park.

· New bus and transit lanes along Parramatta Road in Leichhardt and Ashfield.

· Greater priority for buses at traffic lights.

· Additional space for Victoria Road pedestrians and bike riders following completion of Western Harbour tunnel.

· Investigations into opportunities for wider footpaths and safer bike lanes. 

Short term work to improve bus lanes on Parramatta Road and Victoria Road are funded under the Bus Priority Infrastructure Program and will commence in 2023. The medium term and long term visions are subject to a final business case to be completed in the future.

For more information, visit: nswroads.work/parramatta-road-vision and nswroads.work/victoria-road-vision

A re-elected NSW Liberal and Nationals Government will introduce a package of measures this year to provide greater protection and support for renters.

The proposed reforms include:

· Moving to a ‘reasonable grounds’ model for evictions during periodic leases, with the final list of reasonable grounds to be subject to consultation with key stakeholders, including landlords.

· Extending notice periods for end of fixed term leases from 30 to 45 days, allowing tenants more time to find a new home.

· Introduce a new, optional standard lease agreement with three and five year terms, to improve uptake of long-term leases and improve the ability for tenants to ‘make a home’. These standard forms will be developed in consultation with industry.

· Introduce a rental bond rollover scheme to reduce the financial impact associated with moving homes.

· Regulating information collected and stored from tenants and applicants.

These measures are in addition to a range of initiatives already implemented, including: 

· Prohibiting solicited rent bidding; 

· First Home Buyers Choice initiative, to help first home buyers enter the market; 

· A shared equity scheme to assist key workers, single parents and singles over 50;

· Planning reforms to increase the supply of homes. 

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the reforms would provide greater protections and certainty for renters across the state, while protecting the rights of landlords.

“We are supporting renters to get into housing in a fairer way, without stressful bidding wars where people get pushed beyond their comfort levels,” Mr Perrottet said.

“Our ban on solicited rent bidding is already improving affordability for those looking for rentals.

“These new measures will provide even greater certainty and flexibility for nearly a million renters across NSW.

“This package supports a range of existing measures introduced by the NSW Liberal and Nationals to drive housing supply, improve rental affordability and increase home ownership.”

Minister for Fair Trading Victor Dominello said the changes build on new rules introduced by the Government last year to stamp out rent bidding in the market.

“Whether you are a university student, a young family or retiree, these reforms will strengthen the rights of renters,” Mr Dominello said.

“This package will complement work undertaken since 2020 to improve and enhance residential tenancy laws, including allowing tenants to take immediate action to end their tenancy, without penalties, if they or their children are experiencing domestic violence.

“The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government has listened to the concerns of tenants’ advocacy groups, and now is the time to act to give more protections to renters.”

Patients in the Milton-Ulladulla region requiring a CT scan will no longer need to be transported outside the area, with Liberal candidate for South Coast Luke Sikora welcoming plans unveiled for a new medical imaging facility.

“This is great news for patients across the South Coast community who will not need to travel to get the CT scan they need,” Mr Sikora said.

“It is a considerable investment into the health of locals and means doctors will have state of the art equipment to make a diagnosis.

“Having Minister Hazzard here today to make this significant announcement shows the Perrottet Liberal Team’s commitment to healthcare on the South Coast.

“These investments are only possible from the NSW Government’s strong financial record and long term plan to keep our state moving forward.”

Mr Sikora also welcomed investment into the master planning for Milton Ulladulla Hospital.

“This funding is part of the continued investment in health services across South Coast so patients can feel comfortable that they receive the best possible care,” he said.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said a purpose-built facility at Milton will house the new CT scanner as part of a $7.5 million investment to deliver new and expanded services.

“This commitment under a re-elected NSW Liberals and Nationals Government is about bringing the best health services closer to home for the community,” Mr Hazzard said.

“Having a new CT scanner on-site will not only save patients a trip to Nowra but importantly, it will help doctors make a fast, accurate and earlier diagnosis to begin treatment, which can result in improved patient outcomes.”

A CT scan is painless, state-of-the-art medical imaging that can identify a wide range of clinical problems and may eliminate the need for exploratory surgery and biopsies.

In addition to the new CT scanner and medical imaging facility, $1.5 million of the allocated funding will go towards upgrading the Community Cancer Services Centre.

Mr Hazzard said a further $500,000 of the total $7.5 million investment earmarked for the region, will also see master planning commence for the Milton Ulladulla Hospital.

“These three complementary health initiatives are a win for the local community which is growing in size and welcoming more holiday makers every year,” Mr Hazzard said.

“Undertaking master planning of the hospital site will ensure the Local Health District can identify health service requirements needed to support the community into the future.”

Member for South Coast Shelley Hancock welcomed the investment and said it is a hallmark of the Liberal and Nationals Government, future-proofing the health system.

“In our first decade in Government, we invested more than $18 billion on building and redeveloping hospitals and health facilities across NSW that Labor never touched.”

Public land locked off to the community for decades is set to be transformed into a stunning waterfront park under one of Sydney’s landmark structures as part of the revitalisation of Blackwattle Bay.

Minister for Infrastructure, Cities and Active Transport Rob Stokes said Bank Street Park will be the next piece of the puzzle as part of the reimagination of Blackwattle Bay, with a portion soon to be open to the public.

“Bank Street Park will be a drawcard for locals and is set to become a standout feature along the continuous 15 kilometre foreshore walk from Rozelle Bay to Woolloomooloo, nestled alongside the southern pylon of the Anzac Bridge,” Mr Stokes said.

“It will be especially accommodating for kayakers, canoers and the Dragon Boat community, who will be able to paddle from Rozelle Bay to Blackwattle Bay, park their kayak or canoe and have a coffee in the kiosk.

“While we consult with the community on the long-term plan for the park, we will open up part of the area by building a multi-purpose sports court for all to enjoy.”

“We have already spoken to the community about what features they would like to see in the park and have released three concept-designs for community feedback on its long-term future.”

Community members can have their say on the design of the park, which will include:

· A permanent outdoor multi-purpose sports court.

· Inclusive play space and outdoor fitness station.

· Kiosk and public amenities.

· Water access and storage for dragon boats and paddle craft.

· Marina operations space.

For more information or to participate in consultation opportunities, visit BlackwattleBay.insw.com

A report released by global ratings agency Standard and Poor’s (S&P) this week noted Australian wages caps, like the one in NSW, have “struck a pragmatic middle ground” as the “fiscal scars and debt overhang from COVID-19 linger”.

The report, titled Subnational Debt 2023: Australian States Navigate Crosscurrents of COVID, Coal And Capex, outlines the challenges facing Australian states including pressures on infrastructure delivery and rising interest rates.

It also notes Australian states, including NSW, are “highly rated” by ratings agencies.

NSW Treasurer Matt Kean said the “middle ground” noted by S&P was a result of the NSW commitment to deliver a fair deal for both public servants and taxpayers.

“Despite current economic challenges following unprecedented floods, fires and the pandemic, NSW remains in a strong economic position that allows some of the most generous public sector pay increases in the country,” Mr Kean said.

“This is what a Liberal and Nationals Government dedicated to providing support, services and a strong economy can actually deliver, as opposed to NSW Labor promises that will never be delivered. NSW Labor left a $30 billion infrastructure backlog last time they left office with their poor economic and financial management.”

The report comes after the Reserve Bank Governor Philip Lowe warned that further increases in interest rates would be required in the months ahead.

The February Statement of Monetary Policy said the Reserve Bank board would pay close attention to labour costs and the price-setting behaviour of firms, “given the importance of avoiding a prices-wages spiral”.

Mr Kean said the Minns and Mookhey policy of removing the public sector wage cap could have grave economic consequences for the people of New South Wales.

“The risks of Labor’s half-baked approach to economy and fiscal policy is clear,” Mr Kean said.

“It’s a price every household in NSW would pay if these two former Labor Party officials were elected. It would mean higher interest rates for longer as the Reserve Bank’s monetary policy fights against NSW Labor’s fiscal profligacy.

“Wages make up more than 40 per cent of the state’s budget. We are already seeing Labor cancel Metro projects from opposition to cover their $8 billion public sector wages black hole

“Only the Liberal and Nationals Government has a long-term economic plan to keep NSW moving forward.”