The Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park was the recipient of 3 significant objects today thanks to RSL NSW and the Redfern RSL sub-branch.

The Henry Bull Honour Board, donated by RSL NSW, lists the names and enlistment dates for the First World War and is the first example of this type of board to be donated to the Anzac Memorial’s collection. It is made of an arched timber frame, with metal header lettering and gold script with carved pillars that frame the sides of the board.

It is a unique example of the large ornate honour boards that companies made to honour their staff who had served and died during the Great War.

Also donated by RSL NSW was the HMAS Anzac Ship Model. HMAS Anzac was launched as a Royal Navy destroyer in 1917 serving in the North Sea and English Channel, before being transferred to the Royal Australian Navy in 1919 and was named in honour of Australians and New Zealanders who had fought at Gallipoli.

This large ship model was built in about 1970 by Royal Australian Navy veteran, Vince Fazio, who had served during the Korean War on HMAS Condamine.

Redfern RSL sub-branch donated the Captain Alfred Shout VC Memorial Tablet. The tables is one of the earliest memorials in NSW that was unveiled to a soldier killed during the Great War. Alfred Shout was 1 of 9 soldiers awarded the Victoria Cross at Gallipoli, where he was also awarded a Military Cross. The tablet was originally unveiled Darlington Town Hall in November 1915, prior to the evacuation of Gallipoli.

Minister for Veterans David Harris accepted the objects on behalf of the Trustees of the Anzac Memorial at a small event. The event also acknowledged Ray James OAM outgoing RSL NSW President for his outstanding service to veterans in NSW and for the donations to the Anzac Memorial.

Minister for Veterans David Harris said:

“I would like to personally acknowledge and thank Ray James for his outstanding service, first as a veteran of the Vietnam War and then as RSL President and Trustee of the Anzac Memorial.

“It’s fitting that one of Ray’s last acts is to oversee such prized items being added to the Anzac Memorial collection. It’s an appropriate tribute to his enormous contribution.

“Thanks to RSL NSW and the Redfern RSL sub-Branch, the people of NSW will get to view these unique items when visiting the state’s premier war memorial.”

Local councils, community groups and government agencies are invited to apply for the latest round of the Flagship Grants program worth up to $400,000 per project to see local coastal waterways flourish. 

Applications open on 4 October and have previously been used to fund rehabilitation of coastal wetlands, among other vital projects.

Community organisations, local councils and natural resource managers across the state have until 15 November 2023 to apply for funding for their projects to improve habitat for native fish.

The Flagship Grants program builds on the existing Habitat Action Grants program and seeks to target much larger scale projects that require higher levels of funding assistance.

These grants offer a rare opportunity for regional fishing clubs or organisations to significantly improve fish habitats and fishing opportunities within their local creek, river or estuary.

Previous Flagship Grants have also included funding for:  

• rehabilitation of significant riparian lands / coastal wetlands (river banks, mangrove forests, saltmarsh), including addressing poor water quality from the disturbance of acid sulfate soils;
• removal or modification of barriers to fish passage including addressing floodgates, road-crossings and construction of fishways;
• re-snagging of waterways with timber structures; and
• environmentally sensitive bank stabilisation works, including riparian restoration where these works are identified and part of a large-scale remediation program.

Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said:

“I am excited to support funding that enables long-term benefits to local fish habitats and recreational fisheries. I want to see as many submissions as possible.

“The Flagship Grants are supported with funds from the NSW Recreational Fishing Trusts and are a great example of how recreational fishing licence fee funds are reinvested to improve recreational fishing.

“Ultimately, these Flagship Grants are about making sure we have functional fish habitats and happy native fish here in NSW.

Visit the Department of Primary Industrieslaunch for more information and to apply for this round.
 

More people in NSW will have access to their own home with a $6.2 million redevelopment of residential dwellings in Riverwood – the first project in the state announced under the Federal Government’s Social Housing Accelerator payment.

The NSW Land and Housing Corporation is delivering 11 homes for seniors at Methuen Parade, Riverwood, configured as 5 x 1-bedroom and 6 x 2-bedroom units.

The development is replacing 3 existing dwellings, is close to Narwee shops and local transport. Construction is set to begin this month, with completion expected by September 2024. The project will be wholly funded by the Social Housing Accelerator.

The Federal Government announced its $2 billion Social Housing Accelerator in June, including $610 million for NSW, which will increase Australia’s housing supply by creating thousands of social homes across Australia.

This project is the first of many that will boost social housing supply and get more people into homes sooner in NSW, with around 1500 social homes to be added to the state’s existing social housing portfolio through the Federal Government’s Social Housing Accelerator.

The NSW Government is committed to working alongside the Federal Government to deliver an ambitious housing reform agenda by investing heavily in critical new social and affordable housing supply through various reforms including the Social Housing Accelerator.

Today’s announcement builds on agreement by National Cabinet to the most significant housing reforms in a generation, including a new national target to build 1.2 million new well-located homes, the National Planning Reform Blueprint, and A Better Deal for Renters.

At National Cabinet, the Federal Government also committed $3 billion to the New Homes Bonus to incentivise states and territories to undertake the reforms necessary to reach the 1.2 million well-located homes target, and $500 million for the Housing Support Program to help local and state governments deliver new housing supply in well-located areas.

The NSW Government has also committed to establish Homes NSW to deliver better outcomes for public and social housing tenants, deliver more affordable and social housing and reduce the number of homeless people in NSW.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“Everyone deserves the security of a roof over their head – the Social Housing Accelerator is real dollars, driving real change and building more homes for Australians.

“This is the second Social Housing Accelerator project we’ve seen kickstarted into action in just weeks across the nation, and we will continue working with the Minns Government to get on with the job of delivering more social housing.

“We have an ambitious housing agenda which includes the delivery of 30,000 social and affordable homes through our Housing Australia Future Fund.”

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

“Every person across NSW should have access to a safe and secure place to call home.”

“Housing affordability and availability is the biggest single pressure facing the people of NSW, with mortgage payments or rent the largest expense for most households.”

“This is just the beginning. Through dedicated funding from the Federal Government, the new Housing Australia Future Fund, and funding allocated through the NSW state budget, this state is ready to make meaningful change to the social housing sector while getting roofs over the heads of those who desperately need it.”

Federal Housing Minister Julie Collins said:

“We know Australia’s housing challenges are serious which is why we’re taking immediate action with our $2 billion Social Housing Accelerator.

“This new funding, and the homes we are announcing today, will mean more Australians have a safe and affordable place to call home.

“This will make a real difference – here in NSW and right across the country.”

Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said:

“Our priority is to continue to deliver more social and affordable housing across NSW.

“There are 55,880 people across this state on the social housing waitlist and this funding is about getting more people into homes sooner.”

The NSW Opposition has criticised the Labor Government for demonstrating its wrong priorities regarding road safety policy following the Government’s first budget.

With the road toll on year-to-date figures up 26% compared to the previous year, analysis by the Opposition has revealed a 34% decrease in the allocation for road safety initiatives in this financial year.

Road Safety Expenditure¹

Financial Year	2020/2021	2021/2022	2022/2023	2023/2024
Road Safety Allocation (’000)	$ 331,076	$ 331,515	$ 421,521	$ 280,294
Change on previous year		0%	27%	-34%
Percentage change over four years	-15%

Road Fatality Rate²:

	2020	2021	2022	2023
Road Fatalities (Year to end of September)	221	195	214	270
Percentage Change compared to previous year(Year to end of September)		–12%	+10%	+26%
Change over four years YTD	+22%

Shadow Minister for Roads Natalie Ward commented “We will support the Government when it comes to road safety policy, but I question if the Government’s eye is on the ball right now.”

“Working towards the ambitious target of zero fatalities or serious injuries on NSW roads by 2050 requires sustained effort across successive Governments and I think It is fair question the priorities of this Government when it appears funding has been cut.”

“The measure of any Roads Minister is what steps they take to keep people safe, and I question where this important area is on the priority list for the new Government.”

The NSW Government has today taken an important step towards achieving net zero by 2050, with the release of a new net zero emissions policy for heavy road and rail freight.

The Towards Net Zero Emissions Freight Policy focuses on reducing the carbon footprint created by heavy road vehicles and rail freight. Freight accounts for 25% of total transport greenhouse gases in NSW, and with demand projected to rise by 34% by 2061 the time to act is now.

The new policy will see the NSW Government work together with industry to support the transition to low and zero emission technologies, and to ensure our transport network is ready to adapt as technology and solutions evolve.

The first step will see a 2-year trial to give extra mass zero emission heavy vehicles, which weigh more due to their batteries, access to the state road network. This means the industry can invest in the technology without sacrificing the payloads that underpin the freight business.

An online comparison tool has also been developed to support the transition, providing a free resource for the freight industry to source accurate information on the cost and environmental benefits of low and zero emission vehicles.

The Towards Net Zero Emissions Freight Policy is a significant step towards reducing emissions in the transport sector, with the NSW Government working to remove barriers to accelerate uptake, while balancing the freight sector’s challenging operating environment.

Premier Chris Minns said:

“This is an important step towards achieving net zero, while working constructively with industries.

“Reducing freight emissions requires a genuine partnership between government and industry. We’re always going to need a freight sector to get the essentials from A to B, so we need to make sure our freight industry is sustainable over the long term.”

Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said:

“Many freight operators are natural innovators and are already investing in low emission technologies.

“This policy means that the government is able to support industry to continue to invest in new and emerging technologies and reflects our joint commitment to reduce freight emissions.

“This isn’t just about cutting emissions and protecting our environment, it’s also about strengthening our economy through driving innovation, creating jobs and increasing competitiveness.”

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“The NSW Government recognises the unique challenges for regional, rural and remote freight operators in achieving net zero. By working directly with industry we will be able to support them in accessing this innovative technology and ensure regional operators can access the benefits of the transition.”