Month: February 2024

The NSW Government is increasing support for students with disability through an expansion of support classes in mainstream schools. This is part of the NSW Government’s plan to improve equity and ensure every student has access to a high-quality public education.

An extra 243 support classes have been approved to open in 2024, bringing the total to almost 4,500 support classes across all public education settings.

It means more than 1,500 students with a disability will have a place in a NSW public school support class this year.

The majority of these classes will be established in mainstream public schools while 12 additional classes will open in Schools for Specific Purposes (SSPs).

The expansion comes as the NSW Government is tackling a shortage of teachers that has impacted support classes. The NSW Government is deploying a multi-pronged approach to address the challenge, from scholarships and professional learning opportunities to admin reduction and the biggest payrise for NSW teachers in 30 years.  

Support classes in mainstream public schools are available for students with moderate to high learning and support needs, such as intellectual and/or physical disability, mental health issues, autism, sensory impairment and behaviour disorders.

There are 206,000 students with disability in NSW public schools, with the majority (86 per cent) learning in a mainstream classroom in a mainstream public school.

Eleven per cent of students with disability attend support classes in mainstream schools and three per cent are enrolled in schools for specific purposes.

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

“We’re committed to building a more inclusive public education system, providing all students with an education that best meets their individual learning and development needs.

“This additional support for students with disability provides an opportunity for more specialised, intense support for students with disability and those with higher support needs.

“Our new Plan for NSW Public Education has equity as its centrepiece to ensure that every student receives a high-quality education.

“Support classes can only help students if they are adequately staffed by qualified teachers – that’s why we are so focussed on tackling the statewide teacher shortage and doing so is key to the success of these classes.”

Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Inclusion, Kate Washington said:

“The NSW Labor Government is committed to improving inclusion and accessibility across all mainstream services, including in our wonderful public schools.

“We’re working hard to remove barriers that students with disability face in accessing safe, quality and inclusive education in public schools.

“We want young people with disability to have the support they need to achieve their full potential – increasing support classes is an important step.”

The Government is asking travellers, arriving in NSW from Europe or Asia, to check their luggage for brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys.

The smelly pest was recently detected in a NSW home, after a traveller who had arrived from Asia put the stink bug in a jar and froze it, before calling the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI).

Confirmed as a brown marmorated stink bug by DPI scientists, further investigations detected another stink bug hidden in the pocket of a pair of pants from the luggage.

DPI is undertaking ongoing surveillance to ensure no stink bugs have escaped or established outside the house.

Brown marmorated stink bugs are known to stow away in cargo from the northern hemisphere from September to April.

The pest hibernates in winter and detection now in summer is crucial.

Feeding on more than 300 plant species, it would be extremely difficult and expensive to manage if allowed to establish in Australia as it is not easily controlled with pesticides.

An adult brown marmorated stink bug is approximately 12 to 17 mm long and 7 to 10 mm wide, about the size of a five-cent coin, and emits a pungent odour when disturbed.

Brown marmorated stink bugs vary in colour, but generally have mottled brown bodies with white bands on antennae, legs and the sides of their abdomen.

This stink bug feeds on fruiting plants, including ornamentals and vegetables. Its preferred plants include apples, peaches, raspberries, sweet corn, green beans, capsicums and tomatoes.

In August 2018, brown marmorated stink bug was successfully eradicated in NSW following the detection of the pest in western Sydney warehouses in the 2017-18 summer.

Importation rules for cargo arriving from high-risk locations have been strengthened and increased seasonal surveillance from September to April has been in place since the 2017 detection.

Find out more about the brown marmorated stink bug

Minister for Agriculture, Regional and Western NSW, Tara Moriarty said: 

“Look for brown marmorated stink bug in your luggage, including clothes and shoes, around the home and in yards and call the NSW Exotic Plant Pest Hotline, 1800 084 881 if you find any – dead or alive.

“Not only does this stink bug release a disgusting odour, it’s a serious threat to households and horticultural industries as it damages plants, including vegetable and fruit crops and ornamental trees.

“Sheltering in large numbers in buildings and equipment during the winter months, it’s a nuisance pest for businesses and households.

“This exotic pest is not present in Australia and infrequent detections associated with imports and international travel have been managed through diligent surveillance by national and state biosecurity authorities.”

Thousands of families across NSW will benefit from expanded access to early childhood education as the NSW Government unveils the locations for 100 new public preschools.

This is the biggest expansion of public preschools in NSW history.

Co-located at public primary school sites, the new public preschools will be built over the next 3 years in areas of greatest need across NSW.

After more than a decade of decline in education outcomes, the NSW Government will prioritise quality education in the early years, giving every child the best start for success.

The NSW Government is investing a record $769 million to deliver 100 new public preschools by 2027, including delivering preschools at new public primary schools.

This includes in Western Sydney, South West Sydney and North West Sydney, as well as throughout regional NSW, in the South Coast, the Hunter, Illawarra, Mid North Coast, New England, Southern NSW, Northern Rivers, Far West, Riverina, South-West Slopes and Central West regions.

The public preschools will improve access for families across NSW, with sites selected by a NSW Department of Education Panel, overseen by an independent chair and probity advisor, based on rigorous assessment criteria which considered educational need, child development and socioeconomic data, preschool demand, infrastructure feasibility and insights gained through consultation.

Co-locating public preschools with existing schools will ensure children are ready for kindergarten and will assist busy working families with cost-of-living pressures, help avoid the double drop off, and make the transition to school as seamless as possible.

The NSW Government’s election commitment to deliver 100 public preschools is in sharp contrast to the Liberals and Nationals’ unrealistic claim it would build 500 preschools– a last minute announcement made on the eve of an election, with zero consultation and no proper planning.

The announcement of the complete list of preschool locations comes after the locations of the 49 regional public preschools were announced on Saturday. Late last year, the NSW Government announced the initial 10 public preschool sites.

This is part of the NSW Government’s historic investment in early childhood education, which includes a $60 million commitment to build and upgrade 50 preschools on non-government school sites in areas of greatest educational need. The NSW Government has also committed up to $29.4 million to expand the number of early childhood workers in NSW through a scholarship program, which has seen a record number of applications. The NSW Government has also provided $17 million to support capital works for early childhood services in areas of need.

Premier of NSW Chris Minns said:

“Children who receive high quality early childhood education can benefit throughout their life, and it is so important families are able to access good quality services wherever they live.

“This investment is an important step towards delivering expanded preschool access for all families across NSW.”

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

“I am delighted the NSW Labor Government will deliver 100 new public preschools over the next 3 years, a key election commitment made to the people of NSW.

“This investment in public preschools is the largest made by any Government in NSW’s history.

“This significant investment reflects the NSW Labor Government’s commitment to high quality public education, and our belief that access to early childhood education before school should not be defined by your postcode.”

NSW Department of Education Secretary Murat Dizdar said:

“This major step towards delivering 100 public preschools has involved work and consultation with our educators, teachers and local communities.

“We are committed to working hard to deliver high quality education and closing equity gaps, so more families and children in NSW can access early childhood public education.”

Locations for 100 new public preschools

• Albury Thurgoona – new primary school
• Barrack Heights Public School
• Beelbangera Public School
• Berkeley West Public School
• Birrong Public School
• Blackett Public School
• Blacktown North Public School
• Blairmount Public School
• Blaxcell Street Public School
• Bomaderry Public School
• Booragul Public School
• Boorowa Central School
• Bourke Public School
• Bowraville Central School
• Bradbury Public School
• Cabramatta West Public School
• Carramar Public School
• Carter Street Precinct near Sydney Olympic Park – new primary school
• Cartwright Public School
• Cecil Hills Public School
• Cessnock Public School
• Chullora Public School
• Crawford Public School
• Cringila Public School
• Curran Public School
• Deniliquin South Public School
• Edensor Park Public School
• Ellalong Public School
• Emerton Public School
• Eschol Park Public School
• Fairfield West Public School
• Gables in North West Sydney – new primary school
• Gillieston Public School
• Governor Philip King Public School
• Granville East Public School
• Granville South Public School
• Greenway Park Public School
• Greenwell Point Public School
• Guildford Public School
• Guildford West Public School
• Gulyangarri Public School
• Hanwood Public School
• Harcourt Public School
• Hayes Park Public School
• Hebersham Public School
• Heckenberg Public School
• Hillvue Public School
• Jindabyne Public School
• Kearns Public School
• Kearsley Public School
• Kingsgrove Public School
• Kurri Kurri Public School
• Lake Heights Public School
• Lake Illawarra South Public School
• Lansvale East Public School
• Leeton Public School
• Lennox Head Public School
• Leppington Public School
• Leumeah Public School
• Lynwood Park Public School
• Maryland Public School
• Melonba Public School
• Melrose Park Public School
• Menindee Central School
• Miller Public School
• Moorland Public School
• Morgan Street Public School
• Moss Vale Public School
• Mount Pritchard Public School
• Nirimba Fields Public School
• Nowra – new public school
• Nulkaba Public School
• Parkes East Public School
• Parkview Public School
• Prairievale Public School
• Queanbeyan East Public School
• Queanbeyan South Public School
• Robert Townson Public School
• Ruse Public School
• Sackville Street Public School
• Sanctuary Point Public School
• Shalvey Public School
• Sherwood Grange Public School
• Shortland Public School
• Tacking Point Public School
• Taree Public School
• Tenambit Public School
• Teralba Public School
• Thomas Acres Public School
• Toomelah Public School
• Tuggerawong Public School
• Umina Beach Public School
• Villawood North Public School
• Warialda Public School
• Weston Public School
• William Stimson Public School
• Wilton Junction – new primary school
• Wollongbar Public School
• Woodland Road Public School
• Yagoona Public School.

The NSW Government is reminding everyone to ‘Be Bus Aware’ as Bus Safety Week for 2024 kicks off on Monday 19 February.

Focussing on bus safety across the entire road network, this crucial initiative aims to highlight a culture of safety among all road users when walking, riding or driving around, or travelling on buses.

Sadly 41 people have died in crashes involving buses (including mini-buses) in NSW in the 5-year period between 2019 and 2023. This includes the tragic crash in the Hunter Valley last year, where 10 people died and 11 more were seriously injured.

As part of the safety initiative, Transport for NSW will be sharing a series of bus safety videos to different audiences across social media. A series of live radio reads in metropolitan and regional areas of NSW will help reach motorists at the point of behaviour.

The extension to the original Rural and Regional Bus Seatbelt Program, to ensure buses travelling on outer metropolitan roads with higher crash risk ratings are fitted with seatbelts, is almost complete. Seventy-nine out of 82 dedicated school buses have now been fitted with seatbelts in the Hunter. The program is due to be completed in late March 2024.

Road safety stakeholders and partners, including bus operators and schools, will be provided with a communications toolkit to share with their networks and communities to further extend the reach of these important messages.

Buses are large, heavy vehicles and can take a longer time to stop. All road users are reminded to give buses space and to be visible, follow road rules and exercise caution around buses’ blind spots.

Bus Safety Week will run from Monday 19 to Sunday 25 February 2024. For more information, please visit the Be Bus Aware website.

Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said:

“Bus drivers have a big job, moving thousands of people across our city and our regions safely every day.

“The road conditions outside their office window change minute by minute, day by day. It’s vital everyone shares the road safely and courteously so our drivers and everyone who’s caught the bus can get home safely.

“Buses are big and don’t stop as quickly as cars, so they’re not worth taking risks around. It’s better to be a little late, and to take your time, than not arrive at your destination at all.”

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“Bus Safety Week is a chance to reflect and act to save lives and reduce road trauma. Let’s make safety a priority both on and off the bus and ensure that everyone arrives at their destination safely.

“We must all commit to wear a seat belt every time we get on a bus and teach our children to do the same.

“To help keep our most vulnerable road users – our children – safe, the NSW Government is continuing to install seatbelts on dedicated school buses, with a roll out of upgrades to a further 82 buses in the Hunter Valley now almost complete.

“Older passengers or those with mobility issues should always use the handrail and use the front door when getting on or off the bus, as the entry is lower or has ramps and is closer to the kerb. Use the accessible and courtesy seating at the front of the bus.

“Drivers must remember to slow down and be alert for students and families around buses and school zones, particularly on country roads and in our regional communities.

“Give buses more space when driving near them, remembering they take longer to stop than lighter vehicles, and that visibility may not be as clear around the bus.”

Families across the Hunter region are set to benefit as the NSW Labor Government reveals the biggest expansion in childhood education in NSW history.

The NSW Labor Government is investing a record $769 million investment to build 100 new public preschools across NSW, including 12 in the Hunter region.

New public preschools to be built in the Hunter:

• Booragul Public School
• Cessnock Public School
• Ellalong Public School
• Gillieston Public School
• Kearsley Public School
• Kurri Kurri Public School
• Maryland Public School
• Nulkaba Public School
• Shortland Public School
• Tenambit Public School
• Teralba Public School
• Weston Public School

Co-located at public primary school sites, the new public preschools will be built over the next three years in areas of greatest need across NSW.

After more than a decade of decline in education outcomes, the NSW Government will prioritise quality education in the early years, giving every child the best start for success.

The public preschools will improve access for families across NSW, with sites selected by a NSW Department of Education Panel, overseen by an independent chair and probity advisor, based on rigorous assessment criteria which considered educational need, child development and socioeconomic data, preschool demand, infrastructure feasibility and insights gained through consultation.

Co-locating public preschools with existing schools will ensure children are ready for kindergarten and will assist busy working families with cost of living pressures, help avoid the double drop off, make the transition to school as seamless as possible.

The NSW Government’s election commitment to deliver 100 public preschools is in sharp contrast to the Liberal and Nationals’ unrealistic claim it would build 500 preschools– a last minute announcement made on the eve of an election, with zero consultation and no proper planning.

This is part of the NSW Labor Government’s historic investment in early childhood education, which includes a $60 million commitment to build and upgrade 50 preschools on non-government school sites in areas of greatest educational need. The NSW Government has also committed up to $29.4 million to expand the number of early childhood workers in NSW through a scholarship program, which has seen a record number of applications. The Government has also provided $17 million to support capital works for early childhood services in areas of need.

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

“I am so proud that the NSW Labor Government will deliver these 100 public preschools for the people of NSW, and it is fantastic to see 12 of these preschools will be built across this wonderful region.

“Our government is committed to providing high quality public education to the people of NSW, and having access to early education should be accessible to families all across the Hunter.”

Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said:

“I am delighted to see new public preschools will be delivered in the Hunter.

“Our region is growing and as Minister for the Hunter it’s a priority for me that young working families are supported with equitable access to childcare.

Member for Maitland Jenny Aitchison said:

“This investment in pre-school education in the fast growing area of Maitland is vital to preparing our children for success at school and will be well used by local families in the Tenambit and Gillieston Heights areas.”

“This significant investment will give our local children that vital first step up in their education journey.”

Member for Cessnock Clayton Barr said:

“I am thrilled to see my local community will be gaining expanded access to public preschools.

“This is an incredible boost to the education of our youngest students and is a massive assist to families in the area who need every bit of support they can get especially during this cost-of-living crisis.”

Member for Lake Macquarie Greg Piper said:

“Access to early learning is something we can all support.

“This historic investment will benefit young families across NSW.”

NSW Department of Education Secretary Murat Dizdar said:

“This major step towards delivering 100 public preschools has involved work and consultation with our educators, teachers and local communities.

“We are committed to working hard to deliver high quality education and closing equity gaps, so more families and children in NSW can access early childhood public education.”

Today’s comments from the Minister for Planning attacking Labor-led Waverley Council and misleading the community over Labor’s one-size-fits-all planning policies is further evidence of the ‘get out of the way’ approach to planning, which has become a hallmark of the Government.
 
“Communities from Bondi to the Blue Mountains are working out what the Government’s one-size-fits-all planning approach means for their community and every time they raise legitimate questions, the Government attacks them and tells them to “get out of the way”, Mr Farlow said.
 
“Today we have another Labor-led Council that is questioning the State Labor Government’s ‘biggest re-zoning in Australia’s history’ and rather than engaging with their concerns, the Minister has chosen to mislead, rather than listen to the legitimate concerns of the community.”
 
“Chris Minns said that a fight with councils was “the last thing we want”, yet every time a Council raises legitimate concerns over his planning agenda, his Ministers are deployed to attack the councils and their communities.”
 
“The Minister is either misleading the community or ignorant of his policy when he says, “The Government’s reforms simply require councils to consider these housing types.”
 
“The fact is that the Government’s changes will override Council’s requirements, increase height and bulk, reduce tree canopy and parking requirements and allow apartments, townhouses and dual occupancies in areas where they are currently not permitted.”
 
“The Minister takes exception to Waverley Council’s assessment of Bondi Beach, but let’s take the example of Roscoe Street Bondi Beach, where R3 properties have a height control of 12.5m and Floor Space Ratio of 0.9:1 – under the Government’s proposals and in-fill affordable housing provisions, the building height will more than double to 27.3m and the Floor Space Ratio will more than quadruple to 3.9:1.”
 
“Council’s hands will be tied in assessing these developments because of the non-refusal standards the State Government are implementing that will override local council’s controls.”
 
“From day one in Planning this Government has told communities to ‘get out of the way’. As the wheels start to come off the Government’s plans, it’s time they listened to what the Opposition has said from the beginning and sit down with councils, work with local communities to set housing targets and formulate their local controls to deliver more housing.”

The NSW Government is considering $18 million in fines and lengthy prison sentences for employers responsible for industrial manslaughter.

The Government last year announced it would introduce an industrial manslaughter offence.

The proposed tough measures are contained in a consultation paper as the Government invites feedback on how to best introduce the new laws and which elements will make up the offence.

Industrial manslaughter laws will allow for a business or individual to be held responsible for the death of a person due to negligent or reckless behaviour in the workplace.

Feedback from this survey will be used to inform the government on key elements to include within the NSW Work Health and Safety Act and any other relevant considerations for introducing an industrial manslaughter offence in NSW.

SafeWork NSW has developed the paper, which provides an overview of what industrial manslaughter is, and outlines the offences and penalties already in place in other Australian jurisdictions.

NSW is the last mainland state without an industrial manslaughter offence. 

The NSW Government invites submissions from the community, including work health and safety experts, business groups, unions, legal stakeholders and families of people who have been killed at work.

To have your say, please visit the Have Your Say website launching Monday 19 February 2024.

Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis said:

“We never want to have to use these laws.”

“Any workplace death is a tragedy and in cases where a person with a duty of care has been careless or irresponsible, they must be held accountable.

“It is important the views of members of the community, including business, industry, representative bodies and workers are considered before the introduction of industrial manslaughter laws.”