Month: February 2024

As part of the NSW Government’s focus on road safety, all motorists driving on a foreign licence will now have a maximum of six months to convert to a NSW licence if they want to reside in the state and remain on the road.

The tightening of overseas licence usage removes a loophole left behind by the previous government that only required new arrivals to NSW from 1 July 2023 to convert their licence within six months of residing here.

Under Regulation changes announced today, anyone who has been driving on an overseas licence – regardless of when they arrived in NSW – will also be required to switch to a NSW licence. Existing residents will have 12 months from tomorrow to undertake this process.

The loophole led to thousands of drivers racking up demerit points but remaining beyond the reach of NSW authorities.

In one case, a driver accrued more than 35 demerit points, an outcome unthinkable to the nearly seven million other drivers in NSW.

Many drivers – some of whom have spent years on a foreign licence – will need to pass a practical driving test to remain behind the wheel. Others, whose licenses are from countries which have road systems more compatible with NSW, will need to simply convert their licence.

In the five-year period between 2018-2022 there were 23 fatal crashes and 468 serious injury crashes involving a driver or rider on an overseas licence in NSW.

According to preliminary data from 2023, a further five fatal crashes involved drivers or riders not on an overseas licence.

Drivers who have been using a foreign licence before July 1 last year and want to remain on the road must now obtain a NSW licence by 1 March 2025.

This timeframe will allow Service NSW sufficient time to process tests and licences while still handling the normal flow of learner and provisional licence tests.

To absorb the increased demand, Service NSW has opened a Driver Testing Centre in Macquarie Fields, a second dedicated driver testing centre along with one in St. Marys.

Minister for Roads John Graham said:

“The changes announced today are squarely aimed at ensuring the safety of all seven million drivers on our roads. More drivers on a NSW licence sooner will improve the standard of driving in NSW and therefore safety overall.

“The former government talked tough in this area but what they left behind was a work-lite, safety left in the backseat, compromise that squibbed the challenge in this space.

“This Regulation change means no one will be able to drive around for years and years on NSW roads without coming under the NSW licence system. The Government is not going to cop people running up demerit points with impunity.

“When everyone comes under the same set of rules then safety is enhanced, but for belligerent rule breakers who have had a place to hide behind overseas licences, they will now face the full force of NSW law.”

Minister for Customer Service, Jihad Dib said:

“Settling into a new country can be challenging enough, which is why Service NSW is making driver testing as quick and easy as possible by opening another centre dedicated to helping new arrivals, as well as local residents, get on the road sooner.”

“The new Macquarie Fields Driver Testing Centre will guide temporary visa holders through every step of the process to get them on the road as quickly, and more importantly, as safely as possible.”

Related information

• Driver and rider licences

Residents in the Northern Rivers can meet with experts this week to learn more about the invasive pests’ potential impact on NSW communities, environment, and economy.
 

The National Fire Ant Eradication Program will be touring the local area over the course of the week commencing 26 February, allowing Northern Rivers community and businesses a chance to learn about what fire ants look like, what to do if they’re spotted and how to prevent any further fire ant spread.

Residents can drop in and chat with fire ant experts at the following locations:

Following the destruction of detected nests within 24 hours of being called in, the NSW Government continues to actively work to eradicate fire ants following 2 recent isolated detections of the pest in South Murwillumbah and Wardell.

The response works in partnership with the National Fire Ant Eradication Program, who are responsible for the ongoing treatment and surveillance of fire ant movement control areas.

In South Murwillumbah, the program will be strategically baiting around the infested premises, whether fire ants are visible or not, ensures that no undetected fire ants exist.

Residents and businesses in the area are encouraged to authorise fire ant teams to enter the outdoor areas of their property by completing a consent form online at www.fireants.org.au

Treatment is safe for people and animals and is approved by the Australian Pesticide and Veterinary Medicines Authority, containing the same active ingredients commonly found in household and agricultural pest control products, but at a much lower concentration.

In Wardell, surveillance continues to focus on the initial 500m zone as well as strategic surveillance at targeted sites.

The Northern Rivers community is continuing their vigilance in looking out for fire ants, with 561 calls to the NSW Biosecurity Hotline on 1800 680 244 or reporting online, as well as more than 1500 visits to drop-in centres and community meetings over the last few months.

The National Fire Ant Eradication Program’s fire ant display of sterile female ants is transported in a completely sealed box with a permit under the Biosecurity Act 2015.

Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said:

“The NSW Government is continually reminding our communities to keep on the look-out for fire ants.

“We’ve proven that when fire ants are detected in NSW, we will respond quickly to stamp them out as soon as possible, and it’s thanks to the thousands of sets of eyes that report in suspected sightings.

“Fire ants don’t march into NSW they are carried, due to the movement of fire ant carrier materials such as soil, mulch, hay and turf.

“Biosecurity is everyone’s responsibility, so it’s critical that businesses moving these types of materials comply with the Biosecurity (Fire Ant) Emergency Order.”

Ashley Bacon, National Fire Ant Eradication Program said:

“Protecting Australia from the devastating impacts of fire ants is a national priority.

“Fire ants can have devastating consequences on our environment, economy, human health and way of life.

“If your property is in our planned treatment area, our teams, authorised under the Biosecurity Act 2015 (NSW), need your consent to access your property.

“To eradicate fire ants, we must treat 100% of all properties in our target area, whether fire ants are visible or not.”

Seniors across the state will have more opportunities to socialise and learn new skills thanks to $600,000 in grants from the NSW Government.

The Connecting Seniors grant program has awarded funding to 21 organisations across NSW for initiatives that will help older people stay connected.

The recipients include 16 not-for-profit organisations and five local councils, with initiatives ranging from choirs and intergenerational learning projects to social events for LGBTQ+ seniors and cultural programs for Aboriginal Elders.

For example, one recipient Touched by Olivia has received $30,000 to fund a paid ‘Connector’ who works with the Council, local businesses and community groups to connect those needing support with services and activities in their area. Its Community Circles bring seniors together for social activities, helping beat social isolation and loneliness.

More than half of the projects will support seniors living in regional NSW and about one-third will assist Aboriginal people over 50 and seniors with disability.

The Connecting Seniors grant program builds on previous grants, which have been proven to reduce social isolation for thousands of seniors in NSW.

It delivers on the Ageing Well in NSW: Seniors Strategy 2021-2031, with the Government committed to creating a more inclusive community and addressing isolation and loneliness.

For more information about the grants program and the full list of recipients.

Minister for Seniors Jodie Harrison said:

“These grants support activities which can provide a social lifeline for seniors, especially those who live alone.

“As our population ages, we want to make sure we provide our seniors with opportunities to socialise while enjoying engaging experiences.

“Congratulations to all the grant recipients; I’m looking forward to seeing your activities in action!”

Touched by Olivia Founding Director John Perkins said:

“Our Community Circles program helps connect isolated or lonely seniors with social opportunities, support and services in their area and it’s been a huge success where we trialled it in the Southern Highlands.

“This funding will allow us to expand the program in Canada Bay LGA so we can assist more seniors in need. Whether that’s by running social board game sessions at Concord Library, connecting locals from different cultural backgrounds or simply getting groceries for elderly residents who don’t have support.”

More NSW children will have access to important wellbeing support at school as a result of the NSW Government committing $60 million over 4 years to continue the successful Wellbeing and Health In-reach Nurse (WHIN) Coordinator program.

Since the program started in 2018, more than 10,000 students have been supported by wellbeing nurses.

Around 100 wellbeing nurses are spread across metro, rural and regional areas of NSW working in about 400 public schools, potentially giving 150,000 students access to their important service. 

The WHIN Coordinator program is a joint initiative of NSW Health and the NSW Department of Education, and establishes wellbeing nurses in public primary and secondary schools to coordinate appropriate early intervention, assessments and referral to health and social services.

This is just part of the NSW Labor Government’s commitment to improving student and teacher wellbeing in schools, which includes a commitment to increase the number of counsellors in schools, ensuring an additional 250 counsellors are recruited.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

“Wellbeing nurses are providing important care and support by connecting students and their families to health and community services. 

“This has a positive flow on effect by delivering improved health outcomes and better education engagement for students across NSW, and I am pleased to announce this service will continue for another 4 years under the NSW Labor Government.”

Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:

“I am delighted to see this successful program will continue, providing students in around 400 public schools with ongoing access to support through a wellbeing nurse.

“This program facilitates connections for our students and families to access high quality wellbeing support with local health care services.”

Minister for Health Ryan Park said:

“These wellbeing nurses play a vital role in our schools, helping students and their families to access mental health support and high quality, compassionate healthcare.

“We know wellbeing nurses are effective in assisting students and their families to access care for health and wellbeing needs they otherwise would not receive, so I’m proud thousands of children and young people across NSW will continue to benefit from this important service.”

Member for Heathcote Maryanne Stuart said:

“I’m really pleased the NSW Government is continuing our investment into this incredibly successful wellbeing program.

“Giving students the support they need directly within schools to connect with local health services is better for them, their families and our health system overall.”