Month: October 2023

The Minns Labor government is removing red tape to bring back live music and encourage local entertainment zones that are as vibrant and diverse as traditional precincts like the Sydney CBD – especially at night.

The government is also overhauling regulatory frameworks to prevent single complainants from shutting down venues.

A package of reforms to be introduced to Parliament will put the age of lockouts and over-regulation behind us, with venues that host live music empowered to trade 2 hours longer under streamlined licensing laws.

The vibrancy package will strip back the current tangle of red tape to allow just one set of laws for noise disturbance complaints against live music and performance venues, with higher hurdles imposed for complaints to progress and no avenue for a single complainant to close venues.

Currently, there are 7 agencies that accept noise complaints. The government’s proposed changes will streamline the process by making Liquor and Gaming NSW the lead in managing noise complaints against licensed venues.

The ‘order of occupancy’ will be made a central consideration in disturbance complaints to address the situation in which newcomers to a neighbourhood work to shut down or wind back the entertainment offerings and/or operating hours of established venues.

The changes will be delivered through 6 areas of reform:

Sensible venue sound management

A single noise complainant will no longer be able to shut down a venue.

Liquor and Gaming NSW becomes the lead regulator of formal entertainment sound-related complaints for licensed premises, removing complex and highly subjective noise tests.

Vibrant, coordinated precincts

The success of the Enmore Road Special Entertainment Precinct, now rated one of the best going-out districts in the world, will be expanded to other areas via a new framework for councils that makes it easier for them to deliver vibrant, safe going-out destinations supported by adequate and reliable transport and good lighting.

An activated outdoors

COVID-19 showed us that Sydney is a city that does alfresco well.

The reforms will permanently relax the rules for outdoor dining allowing venues to make the most of their outdoor space with a quicker, light-touch application process.

Councils will also be supported to ease the way for creatives and community groups to stage pop-up events and festivals, including street closures and global pre-approvals for event sites.

Empowering the 24-hour economy commissioner to deliver a sustainable, thriving night-time economy

NSW is the first jurisdiction in the world to appoint a 24-hour economy commissioner, and the role will now be made a statutory appointment with an expanded remit beyond Greater Sydney, to include Newcastle, Wollongong and the Central Coast to make this a permanent priority for the government.

The statutory appoinment solidifies the night-time economy’s standing within government and allows the commissioner to work across government to ensure these reforms benefit a range of industries across the sector.

The commisioner will continue to be responsible for ensuring that as these reforms are implemented, fun doesn’t come at the expense of a safe night out.

Licensing

A common-sense approach to risk will be adopted in relation to liquor regulation, removing outdated rules, and beginning work to streamline planning and licensing processes.

More efficient consultation will make it easier for venues to open and diversify, and for communities to have their say. Plus, meaningful incentives for venues to feature live music and performances will drive new employment opportunities for creatives and entertainment options for audiences.

Improving the night-time sector for workers

The amenity of the city shouldn’t be reduced because of the hours people work. The 24-hour economy commissioner will develop a plan to make our state a better place to work for those who don’t work 9 to 5.

Existing legislation will be amended to support the NSW Government’s Vibrancy Reforms, including the Liquor Act 2007, the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997, the Local Government Act 1993, and the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

A new Bill will be introduced for the statutory appointment of the 24-hour economy commissioner.

The NSW Government is spending in excess of $58 million in 2023–2024 on supporting this work and will be seeking co-funding from the hospitality and entertainment sector.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car said:

“The vibrancy package is a whole-of-government priority and we expect to deliver the initial reforms ahead of summer so that venues have the chance to respond and communities, including those in western Sydney, will have more options for music and live entertainment.

“Western Sydney has a multitude of thriving and varied night-life cultures, from areas like Lakemba, which has recently been recognised with a Purple Flag accreditation, to Parramatta, where the Parramatta Lanes festival is showcasing the best in music and food. This package will give businesses the certainty they need to open and continue to entertain Western Sydney residents and visitors.”

Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy John Graham said:

“As a government we know we need to change the laws in this state to value music, to value creativity, to support community and to bring back vibrancy.

“We need to change the rules in the planning and liquor laws to save the music and cultural venues we have, and to build more.

“We need to change the rules around outdoor and street activation so that music, culture and entertainment can spill outdoors.

“We especially need to change the rules for sound and noise complaints that allow a single neighbour to make serial complaints to close a long-running venue they have just moved in next to. 

“We are stopping the great NSW sport of single-neighbour serial complaints that close down venues.

“We want to encourage businesses to innovate and put on live performance, by giving them certainty. We want to create a safe and diverse set of options for people when they go out, to go to a pub, to see a show, to get a late-night meal. We want to activate our streets – see people milling on pavements after an exhibition or show, or dancing in the streets at a festival.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“The current outdoor dining exemptions have given the hospitality industry much-needed flexibility and allowed greater productivity.

“We made an election commitment to make outdoor dining permanently available across NSW, supporting the hospitality sector and boosting the economy and we are delivering it.

“It means pubs, cafes, bars and restaurants won’t have to submit a detailed development application – just a faster and more cost-effective complying development certificate.

“The proposals include safeguards with development standards for permissible locations, restrictions on smoking and gaming machines and the amount of outdoor space used.”

Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris said:

“If you speak to any venue, they’ll tell you the regulatory frameworks for sound management and liquor licensing are incredibly confusing and complex and prevent them from trading at their full potential.

“Our reforms slash red tape and streamline processes so businesses can focus on what’s important – delivering a great experience for their customers.

“The number, viability and growth of venues and entertainment and performance spaces has been unduly reduced and restricted by planning, licensing and noise regulatory frameworks that are duplicative, outdated and complex. It’s time to change that.”

Find more information about the NSW Government’s Vibrancy Reforms.

The NSW Parliament has today passed a Bill that will help support and ensure an efficient, fit-for-purpose justice system in NSW.

The amendments in the Justice Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous) Bill 2023 form an essential part of the NSW Government’s commitment to a healthy program of legislative maintenance and review. This Bill introduces several amendments to improve, clarify and update legislation across various areas of the justice system, and plays a key role in good governance.

This Bill introduces amendments that address developments in case law, close gaps, provide clarity and updates where needed, and support operational improvements. Key features of the Bill include:

• Amending the Fines Act 1996launch to allow for the completion of prescribed activities to be treated as payment of a penalty notice. This change allows for the making of a regulation to facilitate the Pre-Court Diversion Scheme, announced last week. The Scheme will enable $400 criminal infringement notices (on-the-spot fines) to be issued for the possession of small quantities of drugs and for personal use, with the fine to be considered paid if the person completes a tailored alcohol and drug health intervention.
• Amending the Bail Act 2013launch to permit a court to impose a pre-release bail condition requiring the accused to be accompanied by a specific person upon release from custody.
• Amending the Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002launch to allow the continued use of email applications for search warrants, following a trial period, improving efficiency and justice system processes.
• Amending the Terrorism (Police Powers) Act 2002launch to implement recommendations of the statutory review of that Act. This includes an amendment to extend the preventative detention scheme for a further three years, and amendments to ensure that a person on a preventative detention order has the right to contact the Ombudsman and is informed of that right.

Read the full Bill here: Justice Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous) Bill 2023 (nsw.gov.au)launch

The most recent substantial Justice Miscellaneous Bill was passed in 2020.

NSW Attorney General Michael Daley said:

“This Bill is an investment in our justice system. It ensures that legislation is fit for purpose and introduces reforms to make our justice system more efficient and easier for everyone, from judicial officers who apply the law to the people who come before the courts and the wider community.”

“The justice system is dynamic and evolves over time. It is important that the legislation that underpins it is kept up to date and clear in its intention and application.”

“The Bill amends a number of Acts and seeks to address multiple elements of the justice system quickly and efficiently.”

Major construction is underway on the $940 million redevelopment of the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (RPA), which will deliver the biggest transformation in the hospital’s 140-year history.

Premier Chris Minns, Health Minister Ryan Park and Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully joined health workers at the site for a traditional sod-turn event to mark the important milestone.

The major milestone follows the recent approval of the State Significant Development Application for the project.

The $940 million RPA Hospital Redevelopment, with over 700 acute beds available at the end of the project, includes:

• expanded and enhanced emergency department and intensive care units. With the hospital’s Emergency Department to expand from 42 treatment spaces to 91 treatment spaces
• more than a 50% increase in the adult intensive care bed capacity from 49 adult intensive care unit (ICU) beds to 74 adult ICU beds
• state-of-the-art operating theatres.
• expanded and improved adult and paediatric inpatient accommodation/beds
• increased interventional and imaging services
• enhanced maternity services and neonatal services. With the Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Special Care Nurser increasing capacity by more than 30% from 34 beds to 45 beds
• improved signage and landscaping throughout the hospital campus
• a new open garden courtyard.

Work on the redevelopment is being carefully planned to ensure clinical services remain operational during construction, while staff and the community will continue to be updated as the project progresses.

The start of major construction marks the completion of enabling works on site, which includes the temporary relocation of the helicopter landing site to the roof of a multi-storey carpark located off Hospital Road and Grose Street, on RPA’s western campus.

Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:

“RPA is one of Australia’s leading hospitals, renowned for its excellence in providing innovative health care and education.

“It is exciting to see the redevelopment taking shape in the heart of Sydney not only for local inner west residents but for patients right across the state who may require the complex healthcare and cutting-edge services that RPA is renowned for.”

Minister for Health Ryan Park said:

“The RPA Hospital redevelopment is a once-in-a-generation project which will continue to deliver world-class healthcare facilities to our communities right across the state.

“This major investment will enhance access to vital health services including construction of a new 15-storey clinical services building, an expanded emergency department and intensive care unit, more inpatient beds, as well as medical imaging, operating theatres and neonatal areas.

“I want to thank all the clinicians, staff and the community who have been engaged in the planning and design of the redevelopment every step of the way.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“This state significant development approval will deliver the biggest transformation in the RPA hospital’s 140-year history of caring for the community.

“It is an investment in our future to ensure the growing populations have access to the highest quality health care for years to come.

“The project will generate 1400 construction jobs and 900 additional health related jobs when it’s complete. I am pleased it will be not only be able to provide high-quality health care it will also be able to give the local economy a boost in the process.”  

Get more information on the Royal Prince Alfred hospital redevelopment.launch

War widows in New South Wales were honoured today with events across the state to commemorate the second annual War Widows Day.

War Widows Day is held annually on 19 October, the birthday of Mrs Jessie Vasey OBE CBE (1897-1966), founder of the Australian War Widows Guild.

Mrs Vasey, widow of Major General George Vasey who was killed en route to New Guinea during the Second World War, founded the NSW War Widows Graft Guild, a self-help organisation to support women widowed in the War to come to terms with their loss, while creating opportunities to support themselves and their children financially.

There are more than 15,000 war widows in NSW. Over 1,200 veterans transition from the ADF into NSW annually, and many of these veterans have a family that has supported them through their service.

This year, the Guild, now known as Australian War Widows NSW, is partnering with Legacy to recognise war widows and celebrate their contributions to their families, their communities, and the nation.

Minister for Veterans David Harris will join war widows and the defence and veteran community at a commemorative service at the Cenotaph in Martin Place.

Get more information on how to support War Widows Day.launch

Minister for Veterans David Harris said:

“From the Great War and Second World War, through to more recent conflicts and peacekeeping operations, the service of our veterans is acknowledged and commemorated at various times throughout the year.

“Yet, every veteran has a family, and we must not forget the important role that family plays in thelives of veterans, and the sacrifices that families also make that allow veterans to serve their country.

“Families of our veterans are their primary support network, and families too can be affected by the service of their loved ones.

“It is wonderful that we now have a War Widows Day. The NSW Government designated this day last year, and it is great to see this gaining traction around the country.

“NSW is leading the way in many aspects of veteran support, and with thanks to Australian War Widows NSW we are now paving the way for support to families too.”

CEO of Australian War Widows, Ms Renee Wilson said:

“Today is a special day as war widows from around New South Wales have come together to acknowledge War Widows Day, in honour of our founder, to celebrate the contributions to our families, our communities and our nation.

“I invite you to continue to stand with our war widows and widowers, and to show your support through purchasing a limited release lapel pin or support our ‘Buy a Widow a Coffee’ campaign, to help raise much needed funds to help us to deliver our social connections program.” 

The NSW Government has announced that work is underway on a new single digital patient record (SDPR) system.

The current system for recording health records is complex, cumbersome and outdated.

Currently we have 9 systems used for electronic medical records, 10 patient administration systems and 5 pathology laboratory information manage systems in use across NSW Health.

NSW Health is now working on a single streamlined system to record patient records to replace and consolidate what is currently available.

The current system(s)

Currently, these systems are not connected statewide.

Data is routinely collected but is often unable to be shared or integrated in real time.

This can create duplicative data collection or create information gaps in decision making.

As a result, patients may have to recall and repeat complex medical information when they’re feeling unwell.

Often this is when patients are receiving care at different locations or from separate treatment teams and impacts the experience of care they receive.

Benefits to patients

The new system will improve patient experience through better continuity of care.

The SDPR will reduce the need for patients or their carers to recall and repeat health information.

It will provide patients with secure access to relevant medical data to help them make informed care choices and self-manage their own health and wellbeing.

And it will also facilitate more informed consultations.

Benefits to clinicians

The SDPR will provide clinicians with access to full patient clinical information in any location, supporting better continuity of care for patients.

The new system will promote clinical safety and quality, reducing unnecessary duplication of care.

It will also reduce the amount of manual administration, streamline record keeping and give clinicians more time at the bedside.

Minister for Health Ryan Park said:

“The NSW Government’s new single digital patient record, will deliver healthcare workers and their patients with consistent, timely and secure health information.

“A consolidated and centralised record keeping system will provide a holistic and integrated view of the care a patient receives right across the NSW public health system.

“As Health Minister, one of my priorities is to embrace innovative solutions to find efficiencies in the way we deliver care.”

NSW Health Secretary Susan Pearce AM said:

“We can now move into the next exciting phase of this project, which is to work together across all of NSW Health on the design, build and testing of the Single Digital Patient Record, so we can create a world-class digital platform that meets the diverse needs of our clinicians, staff, patients and carers.

“The Single Digital Patient Record will support NSW Health’s ongoing commitment to delivering safe, timely, high quality, equitable and patient-centred healthcare for the people of NSW.”