Month: October 2023

The NSW Government is delivering on a major election commitment, launching the first phase of the $59 million NSW Landcare Enabling Program. 

The first phase of the program will activate $33 million in funding to employ up to 83 full-time equivalent local and regional Landcare coordinators and support staff across NSW.

Local and regional coordinators play a key role in the program including:

• supporting and facilitating the delivery of on-ground projects that care for the local natural environment and agricultural systems
• strengthening the capacity of Landcarers by further developing their knowledge and skills
• ensuring effective collaboration and partnerships between Landcare groups, Local Land Services, other government agencies and Landcare NSW
• leveraging funding opportunities to maximise socio-environmental outcomes 

This funding also includes up to $5000 for each local and regional coordinator role to undertake professional development over the course of the 4-year program. 

For the first time, support staff roles have also been included in the program to provide additional support with administrative tasks, allowing coordinators to focus on the delivery of on-ground projects.

Coordinator and support roles will be available in all 11 Local Land Services regions and can be subject to part time or job-sharing arrangements, where the need is demonstrated. 

Funding to host coordinators and support roles will be awarded through a targeted competitive grant process administered by Local Land Services.

Funding will be available to incorporated Landcare NSW groups and regions to host a coordinator, or coordinators and newly created support roles. 

Applications will open on Monday 9 October and close on Friday 3 November at 11:59pm. 

Visit the NSW Landcare Enabling Program 2023-2027: Local and Regional Coordinators for program guidelines, including detailed role descriptions.  

Landcare NSW and Local Land Services have worked closely with land carers to ensure this program meets the needs of Landcare and regional communities.

Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said:

“As a government, we understand the importance and the positive impact Landcare has across the country and throughout NSW.    

“Our record investment in the program has paved the way for 83 full-time equivalent local and regional Landcare coordinator and support staff positions, which under the former program were only part-time roles. 

“This boost will give coordinators more time to focus on what matters most and will result in improved facilitation and delivery of on-ground projects that care for our environment and improve agricultural productivity. 

“We have also heard that regions need additional support with administrative tasks to ensure coordinators can focus on the delivery of on-ground projects, which is why we’ve created a support role for each region in this program.

“This new workforce will enable improved facilitation and delivery of on-ground projects and meet the growing needs of local and regional communities across NSW.

“Importantly, we recognise the challenges of recruiting in regional areas, so we have built flexibility into these roles allowing for part-time positions and job sharing where the need is demonstrated.” 

Landcare NSW Chair Stephanie Cameron said:

“Landcare is needed now more than ever. The Landcare movement across NSW provides essential support services and harnesses the efforts of our dedicated volunteers to ensure our environment and communities are more resilient to extreme climate events and to protect our precious biodiversity while supporting sustainable agriculture.

“A supported Landcare community returns at least $4 for every $1 invested. This funding will go to local jobs that support rural and regional communities. 

“The investment will include supporting leadership development heading into the next generation and the employment of 83 community leaders to help combat the increasing skills gap expected to occur over the coming decade in rural and regional NSW.”

The NSW Government is urging people to Think Safe to Drink Safe this summer as part of its commitment to supporting a safe and vibrant hospitality industry across NSW.

The Think Safe to Drink Safe campaign aims to educate both patrons and venue staff on positive drinking behaviours, as well as provide tips to mitigate potential risks to personal safety.

Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris said he was particularly concerned by data from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research which found NSW Police recorded 220 food or drink spiking incidents between July 2022 and June 2023 – an increase of 20% on the previous year.

“This campaign is crucial for raising awareness of drink spiking, which is at its highest rate in NSW for 5 years,” Mr Harris said.

“Drink spiking is a serious criminal offence and I encourage anyone who experiences or witnesses this behaviour to report it to NSW Police.

“The NSW Government is committed to supporting efforts that help venues keep their patrons safe, as well as educate patrons themselves on what to be alert for.”

The education campaign features information and tips for both venues and patrons across posters, a fact sheet, coasters, social media tiles and key messages.

“I invite all venues to roll out the Think Safe to Drink Safe creative assets and content to help educate their staff and patrons about how to protect themselves and their friends,” Mr Harris added.

“I am pleased to see the campaign receiving tremendous support from industry representatives and police at yesterday’s Liquor Accord Forum held in Darling Harbour.

“By working together, we can ensure everyone has an enjoyable and safe summer season in our great venues across NSW.”

Liquor Accords are made up of liquor licensees, community members, businesses, local councils, police, government departments and other community groups. These groups work together to develop strategies tackling alcohol-related issues, anti-social behaviour, and violence in local areas.

Tuesday’s Liquor Accord Forum allowed opportunities for collaboration ahead of the summer party season and showcased a range of initiatives including the Think Safe to Drink Safe campaign.

The free Think Safe to Drink Safe toolkit is available at Liquor and Gaming NSWlaunch.

Think Safe to Drink Safe tips include:

• Don’t accept drinks from others. Always buy your own and watch it get made. Never leave your drink unattended and avoid batch drinks like punches that may have unknown ingredients and alcohol content.
• Pace yourself. Count your drinks, try a low-alcohol alternative, or have a ‘spacer’ of water between alcoholic drinks. Don’t let people continually top up your drink, as it’s hard to keep track of your alcohol consumption and be aware that different drinks have different strengths. Set a timer on your phone to help you pace your drinks.
• Avoid shouts, drinking games or shots. Drink at your own pace, you don’t have to join in every round and consider buying a non-alcoholic drink when it’s your turn. Don’t be pressured into drinking more than you want or intend to.
• Eat before or while you are drinking. If you have a full stomach, alcohol will be absorbed more slowly. Avoid salty snacks, as these make you drink more.
• Stay busy. If you have something to do, you tend to drink less, so have a game of pool or hit the dance floor.
• Trust your feelings and instincts. If you feel unsafe, uncomfortable, or worried for any reason, try to get somewhere safe and find someone you trust who can help you, like a friend, bar staff, security or police. You won’t get in trouble.
• Have a ‘plan B’. Plans change quickly, ensure you have multiple options to get home safely. Remember you may still be over the limit the next morning.
• Always tell your mates where you’re going. Let someone know which venue you’re drinking at. If you go to another location, particularly with someone you don’t know well, send the address to a trusted friend. If you decide to go home early, leave the group or even just go to the bathroom, let your mates know.
• Keep an eye on your mates! If you are going out in a group, plan to arrive together and leave together. Never leave a friend who’s been drinking on their own. If you’re at a party, check in with them during the night to see how they’re doing. If something doesn’t look right, let a friend know you are uncomfortable or worried about their safety.
• Sometimes sticking together isn’t enough, you need to recognise when you might need to call for help.
• Consent and boundaries. Alcohol can lower your inhibitions. Be aware of this and set boundaries for yourself before going out. Remember if someone seems drunk, they probably can’t consent. Instead, trade numbers.
• Drink spiking. Many drugs and alcohol used to spike drinks are tasteless. If there’s a change in your drink’s flavour or if it tastes or smells stronger than what you were expecting, get rid of it and let a trusted person know. Know the signs and symptoms of drink spiking: feeling dizzy, faint, ill, sleepy, incoherent, confused or drunk even though you’ve consumed a small amount of alcohol. If you experience these, let someone know. If you see a friend experiencing these symptoms, check in and stay with them until they recover. Call TripleZero (000) in an emergency.

Close to 70,000 HSC students are putting pen to paper as the start of the 2023 HSC written exams officially kicks off with English Paper 1.

Having completed 50% of their course mark throughout the year, the next 18 days of HSC exams are the opportunity for students to demonstrate all they have learned, bringing together their 13 years of schooling.

When the exams come to an end on Friday 3 November, some 68,689 Year 12 HSC students will have sat more than 400,000 unique exam sessions.

 Some 124 exams are scheduled over the next 3 and a half weeks, with papers written by more than 300 exam developers, concluding with the Food Technology course exam.

All students will receive their HSC results and ATAR on Thursday 14 December.

The Minns Labor Government has made a record investment in the state’s education system at the NSW Budget, including investing to give the state’s 95,000 teachers a historic pay rise.

$3.5 billion will also go to building and upgrading Western Sydney schools, and $1.4 billion will go to building and upgrading schools in the state’s regions.

$45 million will also be spent on boosting the NSW Education Standards Authority’s cyber, information security and technology program, enhancing the agency’s security.

The Premier, Deputy Premier and Member for Heffron will wish students well at a media event in the Heffron electorate on Wednesday.

Students can visit the Stay Healthy HSC hublaunch for advice and resources on taking care of their wellbeing during exams.

The written exam timetable can be found on the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) website, along with the 2023 HSC Enrolment Snapshotlaunch.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

“Today is an important day for our HSC students.

“To everyone sitting their exams, I wish you all the very best.

“All of NSW is behind you as you enter this exam period.

“Do your best – that is all anyone can ask of you.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:

“This is a big moment for our senior school students and one they have spent months, even years, preparing for.

“My message to the HSC Class of 2023 is to trust in your abilities, reflect on all that you have learnt, and enter every exam room with confidence and determination.

“Balance your exam and study schedule with regular downtime, connect with friends and loved ones and get plenty of sleep.

“I would especially like to thank the parents and teachers who have supported our HSC students to reach this milestone. They have inspired, educated and nurtured a love for learning in their children and students.”

NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) Chief Executive Officer Paul Martin said:

“The HSC is a major operation and one that relies on the support of schools, teachers and exam staff. Over the next 18 days we will have completed 400,000 exams.

“Thank you to the school communities, including NSW principals, teachers and school staff who have supported HSC students throughout the year and today as they commence their written exams.

“Parents, families and caregivers – to think 13 years of primary and high school is coming to an end.

“Congratulations to the families who have supported their young people through their education careers. This is an exciting day for many.”

Major construction work on the next stage of the NSW South Coast’s Princes Highway upgrade is set to begin following the awarding of the major construction contract.

SRG Global Civil will this month begin work on the $164 million Jervis Bay Road intersection upgrade, which is jointly funded by the Australian and NSW governments.

The upgraded intersection will include 2 lanes in each direction of the Princes Highway, longer entry and exit lanes, and free-flow traffic access north and south.

Bus bays, car parking, a kiss-and-ride facility, bicycle racks, bus shelters and shared path connections will also be built as part of a multi-modal facility that will form part of the upgraded intersection.

Early construction work on the new grade-separated intersection, which provides the main link to the coastal villages of Huskisson, Vincentia, Hyams Beach and Jervis Bay, will begin in coming weeks.

Construction is expected to take about 4 years, with completion expected in late 2027, weather permitting.

Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said:

“Enabling works were completed earlier this year, and now, with the contract for major construction work awarded, this allows us to forge ahead with this much-needed safety upgrade for an intersection.

“The intersection has the highest volume of vehicle movements on the Princes Highway between Nowra and the border with Victoria and has been the location of 15 crashes in the past 5 years, resulting in 6 serious and 11 minor injuries.

“The work we’re funding will help save lives and reduce crashes.”

NSW Regional Transport and Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison said:

“This intersection upgrade will be a game-changer for motorists and communities on the South Coast.

“The upgraded intersection includes an overpass bridge for highway traffic to safely cross Jervis Bay Road and it will also allow road users on Jervis Bay Road to turn north on the Princes Highway without being held up by highway traffic.”

Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips said:

“The design of this upgraded intersection will include roundabouts on either side of Jervis Bay Road, reducing the likelihood of crashes and providing safer, reliable and congestion-free connectivity for all road users.

“It’s great to see community feedback has been incorporated into the final design, with western entry and exit lanes and a roundabout connecting the Old Princes Highway a direct result of that feedback.

“The design has also been enhanced to include improved connectivity options for wildlife.”

State Member for South Coast Liza Butler said:

“Along with members of my community, I am very pleased to see work ramping up on this important infrastructure project.

“The awarding of the major construction contract demonstrates the Albanese and Minns Labor governments are getting on with the job of delivering important infrastructure that will set up the South Coast for the future.”

Qualified applicants are invited to help steer the future direction of some of NSW’s most iconic holiday destinations by joining the board of Reflections Holiday Parks.

The NSW Department of Planning and Environment is seeking to fill 3 board positions including a new chair for Reflections, which is a Crown land manager of 37 holiday parks and 45 community reserves across coastal and inland areas of regional NSW.

Candidates will be considered based on their expertise across priority areas including property management, information technology, government relations, tourism, environmental sustainability, community engagement and legal skills. Other desirable skills include governance, audit and risk management, organisational performance and marketing communications.

Reflections Holiday Parks is appointed by the NSW Government as the NSW Crown Holiday Parks Land Manager under the Crown Land Management Act 2016, providing coordinated management of holiday parks on Crown land across regional NSW. 

Its board sets the strategic direction and governance framework for the organisation which manages about 300 staff, generates over $80 million in economic benefits for the state, and hosts holiday stays for an estimated 2 million guests each year.

Applications are open from 11 October to 1 November 2023 with 3 successful candidates to be appointed to the 7-person board by December and beginning 5-year terms from April 2024.

To find out more and how to apply visit I Work for NSWlaunch.

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said:

“Reflections is the state’s largest holiday park group and the only social enterprise holiday park group in Australia, reinvesting all profits back into the parks and 9300 hectares of Crown land it manages for social and environmental good on behalf of the people of NSW.

“Reflections operates in coastal locations from Brunswick Heads to Eden and inland near major dams like Burrinjuck and Copeton, offering cabin, caravan, camping and glamping accommodation on pristine reserves in some of the state’s most beautiful locations.

“I look forward to welcoming qualified and committed people who can assist the board’s critical work to ensure these iconic holiday spots are well-managed and protected for current and future generations to enjoy.”