Month: April 2024

New and current bus drivers right across Sydney will be receiving their staff Opal cards from today.

Delivering Opal cards to drivers across Sydney was a measure recommended by the Bus Industry Taskforce to encourage driver retention to help with the bus driver shortage.

Staff Opal cards were also part of the NSW Labor Government’s election commitments in order to help drivers with cost-of-living pressures and to give them the respect they deserve.

The Government and Transport for NSW have been working with the Bus Industry Taskforce, operators, and unions on other measures to alleviate the driver shortage and to deliver improvements to reliability and equity for bus across the state.

The Government continues to make it quicker, easier, and cheaper for drivers to get their bus driver authority, by waiving the $70 application fee for a further 12 months, in a bid to better support the industry and encourage more people into the drivers seat.

Transport for NSW is also working to improve the quality of facilities for bus drivers across Greater Sydney.

All 62 layover and interchange locations identified by drivers, unions and operators have been audited with some quick repairs already underway.

As part of our package to support bus drivers, $3.4 million is being invested into assessing and upgrading vital driver facilities such as meal rooms and bathrooms for drivers.

Bus drivers will also soon have access to new navigation technology, which will further improve service efficiency and make it easier for drivers to learn new routes.

Development for this new tool is currently underway, following recommendations in the first Bus Industry Taskforce report, handed down last year.

From Friday April 19, contracted bus operators will be able to download an application, to both iOS and Android tablets, which will allow drivers to navigate new or changed routes, with visual and voice guided instructions.

This means new drivers will be better supported as they learn their routes, it will also improve the reliability of the timetables and ensure passengers have fewer disruptions to services.

The driver assistance system will also:

• Allow drivers to choose a specific route.
• Select a trip start time.
• Offer visual and voice direction to a bus stop.
• Provide visual and time progress updates as the bus moves through the route.

This is all a part of the NSW Government’s promise to deliver better bus services across the state and to ensure that those services meet community expectations.

The Taskforce, established in May 2023 and chaired by John Lee, has focused on key areas in need of improvement, including the quality of bus services in relation to on-time running and reliability, as well as improving driver facilities, driver recruitment and retention.

The Taskforce will provide the NSW Government with its Final Report and recommendations in May.

Find out more about a career as a bus driver

Transport Minister Jo Haylen said:

“This is about showing appreciation and respect for our bus drivers. Drivers work long hours in difficult conditions, and they’ve had to deal with the fallout from privatization.

“We’re keeping our promise to bus drivers and letting them know that we deeply value the work that they do.

“When we jump in a car, most of us will put an address into our GPS, it’s second nature. Bus drivers should have the similar technology.

“Our bus drivers are navigating some of the busiest roads across the country and we want to arm them with any and all technology and knowledge we can.

“This new tool will help drivers get to know their route or step in and learn a new one easily, whilst also making trips more reliable and efficient for passengers, catching buses everyday.”

The Premier of NSW Chris Minns will be on leave from 13 April to 24 April (inclusive) 2024.

The Deputy Premier of NSW Prue Car will be on leave from 13 April to 24 April (inclusive) 2024.

The Premier will be taking leave with his family and will be overseas.

During this time, the Hon Penny Sharpe will be Acting Premier of NSW.

These acting arrangements are in accordance with the Constitution Act 1902 (NSW) and Premier’s Memorandum M2014-02 Ministerial Arrangements During Absences.

The NSW Government has committed a further $1.4 million to support eligible saleyards in their preparations for Sheep & Goat electronic identification (eID).

The NSW Government previously announced a $38 million support package for producers, agents, saleyards and processors. This package supported the industry-wide transition and implementation of NSW’s robust biosecurity measures.

Round 1 of the NSW Sheep and Goat eID Infrastructure Rebate saw 30 applications received, and $5 million approved for saleyards, out of the Saleyards funding stream. This has supported the delivery of vital eID infrastructure that is right now being rolled out in saleyards across the state.

The NSW Government remains committed to working closely with saleyard operators and owners to facilitate a smooth transition towards eID implementation.

This additional funding will allow saleyards to ensure that their eID infrastructure is fit for purpose before the implementation of mandatory eID on January 1, 2025.

Our farmers’ export price premium is underpinned by our biosecurity standards. The rollout of sheep and goat eID will protect our export markets and our flocks.

The grant will open Monday, 29 April 2024 and closes Monday, 3 June 2024.

Previous saleyard applicants from the recent Sheep and Goat eID Infrastructure Rebate Scheme are encouraged to sign up to the Sheep and Goat eID newsletter to receive further updates.

For more information, visit the DPI website.

Key dates for mandatory eID for sheep and farmed goats in NSW

• 30 June 2024
  • Mandatory processor eID scanning and upload.
• 1 January 2025
  • Mandatory eID for all sheep and farmed goats born from this date, prior to leaving property of birth.
  • Mandatory eID scanning and upload by saleyards and depots.
  • Mandatory eID property-to-property transfers.
• 1 January 2027
  • Mandatory eID for all sheep and farmed goats prior to leaving any property.

Minister for Agriculture, Tara Moriarty said:

“The NSW Government knows sheep and farmed goat saleyards across the State will need to complete some significant improvements to infrastructure to be ready for mandatory eID from 1 January 2025.

“I’m pleased that a further rebate from our $38 million commitment to the sheep and goat industry can be utilised by saleyards to be prepared for this important milestone in NSW’s eID implementation plan.

“This additional program for eligible saleyards reflects how the government is continually collaborating with the industry to transition to mandatory eID in sheep and goats, we will continue to work closely with industry to achieve this supply chain transition.

“The NSW Government is committed to maintaining our strong biosecurity record, demonstrated by our financial support for sheep and farmed goat eID – the largest of any jurisdiction in Australia.”

Following the region’s early-April flooding event, the Australian and NSW Government’s disaster declaration has allowed Illawarra residents access to a range of special assistance measures.

Recovery Assistance Points (RAPs) are now in operation in Thirroul and Warrawong, which are packed with resources to help residents recover. The centres are managed by the NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) which is leading the disaster recovery and has been on the ground this week working with councils and agencies to understand the local impact.

Residents can now attend a RAP to access mental health services, legal aid, community not-for-profits, and government representatives, including:

• Service NSW, including Business Concierges (at Thirroul)
• NSW Reconstruction Authority
• Salvation Army
• Insurance Council of Australia
• Telephone interpreting services

The RA has already seen more than 100 people come through the doors and will assess whether there is a need for operations to be extended beyond this week.

The RAPs are located at: 

• Thirroul District Community Centre & Library, 352-358 Lawrence Hargrave Drive
• Warrawong Community Centre, 7-9 Greene Street.

They will be open during the following hours:

• Friday, 10am to 4pm
• Saturday, 9am to 1pm

Support is also available through Service NSW for those unable to visit in person, with Customer Care specialists available by phone on 13 77 88.

Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast Ryan Park said:

“This is an incredibly challenging time for communities in the Illawarra.

“It’s important we help residents get back on their feet as quickly as possible, and one way we can do that is through in-person support at Recovery Assistance Points.

“This is a time when we need to come together and support those who are doing it tough, so I’d encourage anyone who needs it to get out to one of our RAPs and get help.”

Member for Wollongong Paul Scully said:

“Many in our community would still remember the events of the 1998 floods which is why it’s so devastating to see flooding on this scale occurring today.

“As a government, we’ve worked quickly to get funding to local councils, but we also know face-to-face support is crucial for the community to recover.

“I encourage anyone impacted by the floods to visit our Recovery Assistance Points and I want to assure those affected that we are here to help manage the region’s recovery.”

Member for Heathcote Maryanne Stuart said:

“I encourage residents to attend the Recovery Centre to register any help they need. There are government services available to wrap around people and support them during this time.

“This is the start of the recovery process, for our residents and small businesses. We will be here to provide ongoing support.”

The NSW Government is extending the waste levy waiver to another ten areas to further support communities grappling with the aftermath of heavy rainfall and flooding.

Residents in an additional ten Local Government Areas can now dispose of flood-affected items at landfill sites without incurring the waste levy fee.

Lifting the fee aims to expedite the recovery process and ease financial burdens on impacted households and businesses.

The Natural Disaster Waste Levy Exemption has been granted to these additional Local Government Areas:

• Blacktown
• Byron
• Central Coast
• Clarence Valley
• Dungog
• Hornsby
• Lake Macquarie
• Maitland
• Mid-Coast
• The Hills

This extension takes the total number of eligible areas to 22.

The Blue Mountains, Camden, Liverpool, Penrith, Sutherland, Wingecarribee, Wollondilly, Hawkesbury, Wollongong, Shoalhaven, Shellharbour and Kiama have already received waivers.

Residents will not be charged the waste levy fee to get rid of flood-generated waste until 30 June 2024, though local landfill gate fees may apply.

The exemption coves waste on public and private land, including damaged building materials, furniture, carpet, gardening debris and any other flood-related products.

As clean-up efforts continue, the Environment Protection Authority could expand this assistance to help other communities rebuild and recover.

NSW Premier Chris Minns has today announced that industry, innovation, trade and investment functions will return to the centre of government through the transfer of Investment NSW to the Premier’s Department.

This front door of Government will make it easier for industry, investors, and entrepreneurs to participate in major government priorities and ensure seamless co-ordination across government.

It also brings management of unsolicited proposals back to central government.  

In addition, changes will be made to Department of Enterprise, Investment and Trade, to provide a renewed focus on government priorities in the arts, hospitality, tourism and the night-time economy portfolios, as well as driving the implementation of key reforms, including the vibrancy reforms.

These changes will include a new name, the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport.

The changes will come into effect on July 1, 2024, subject to the approval of the Governor-in-Council:

• Venues NSW, NSW Institute of Sport and the Office of Sport will be related agencies of the new Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport 
• Investment NSW and the Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer to join the Premier’s Department
• All remaining functions and entities that are currently part of or related to DEIT will become part of or related to the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:  

“The changes announced today bring structure and better co-ordination to important portfolios which together ensure our trade and investment is at the centre of government.

“This is a government that is focused on opening up Sydney and NSW for business, boosting the economy and creating jobs in these important sectors.”

Minister for the Arts and Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham:  

“This new department structure will support the Government’s commitment to cultivating thriving creative industries and night-time economies across the state.

“The Department will oversee the state’s first arts, culture and creative industries policy. This is a key framework for investment in the creative industries and our vibrant cities agenda – creating more equitable places to work, live and play.

“Empowering our creative industries, unlocking our night-time economies and focusing on experience tourism will bring economic, social, and cultural benefit to communities across the state. This in turn creates greater employment across a range of sectors – and more economic activity across a greater proportion of the day.”

Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said:

“The NSW Labor Government has been clear on our goal to cement Sydney and NSW as the premier destination of the Asia Pacific.

“In bringing these agencies together we can line up sporting and entertainment offerings that drive economic outcomes for our local economy.

“Lifting the Concert Cap is a fantastic example of what is possible. This policy alone is set to deliver over $1 billion in local economic activity and increase Venues NSW revenue by as much as $210 million over the next 10 years, whilst also delivering opportunities for our local artists.”

Minister for Industry and Trade Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“There are significant benefits to bringing Investment NSW and the Chief Scientist into the centre of government. Industry, innovation and trade are critical to driving the creation of quality jobs and a more resilient state economy.

“I am focused on taking a coordinated, whole of government approach to working with industry and delivering on the NSW Government’s priorities.”

The NSW Government’s Transport Orientated Development planning reforms estimated to deliver over 170,000 more well-located, well-designed and well-built homes throughout the Sydney, the Illawarra, Hunter and Central Coast begin this month.

In December last year the government announced the Transport Oriented Development State Environmental Planning Policy (TOD SEPP) which identified 31 stations across 13 local government areas around which new housing is to be located within 400m.

Working with the Department of Planning Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI), 12 of the 13 local government areas have engaged with the DPHI to develop housing plans that deliver greater or equal housing numbers than would be required by the original TOD SEPP.

During discussions it has also become clear that several councils not only welcomed the opportunity to develop housing plans for existing TOD sites, but wanted more TOD sites to be added within their local area.

As a result, the NSW Government is announcing today that in addition to the 31 stations nominated in December last year, a further 6 stations are being added to the list of TOD SEPP locations.

The six new stations are Cardiff, Cockle Creek, Belmore, Lakemba, Punchbowl and Woy Woy. These stations were all suggested by councils for inclusion.

Throughout the consultation process, consideration has been given to existing infrastructure capacity or planned upgrades that will support increased density.

The NSW Government will also work with Wollongong Council to further investigate Coniston and Unanderra as additional stations to be included once further analysis of the water and wastewater capacity is fully understood.

We will also continue to work with Inner West Council on their nominated sites for social housing.

These councils that worked with the department will be permitted to phase the introduction of the TOD SEPP on certain sites to complete master planning and more detailed work on their plan.

A majority of TOD SEPP sites will be finalised from April 2024, with over three quarters of sites finalised by the end of 2024.

Find out more about TOD SEPP locations and finalisation dates

This master planning and detailed work means that local housing plans will be developed with the councils of Bayside, Burwood, Canada Bay, Canterbury-Bankstown, Central Coast, Cumberland, Georges River, Inner West, Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, Penrith, and Wollongong.

We have a housing crisis in NSW. In fact, housing is the largest single cost of living issue facing the people of NSW.

Without action now, we are at risk of being a city with no young people.

A recent Productivity Commission report found between 2016 and 2021, Sydney lost twice as many people aged 30 to 40 as it gained.

One of the NSW Productivity Commission’s latest reports showed between 2016 and 2021, fewer than 20% of new dwellings were built within 10km of the CBD.

These are the people who open businesses, have families, build our communities and contribute to local economy.

That is not a situation that is tolerable. It means we can’t sit back and do nothing.

Find out more about the Transport Oriented Development Program

Premier of NSW Chris Minns said:

“The NSW Government is absolutely committed to confronting the housing crisis head on. For too long housing has been put in the too hard basket.

“If we don’t build more houses, young people will up and leave because they can’t afford a home in NSW. And if we lose our young people, we lose our future.

“I want to thank the Mayors and Councils for working collaboratively with the Government. Ensuring we have homes for young people across our state is a shared responsibility.”

Minister for Planning and Public Space Paul Scully said:

“I applaud the councils that have worked collaboratively with my department which has resulted in a TOD policy that is tailored to each location and community.

“I encourage others to sit down and help us address the housing crisis by working together to find well located housing across the State for young people, essential workers and families who desperately need to access the housing market.

“The principle that underpinned the discussions with councils is that any local plans must go beyond the NSW Government’s housing expectations, not backwards.

“In addition the government’s reforms to State infrastructure contributions, mean that the infrastructure investment needed to support housing growth in these areas will also be made.

“The TOD program is part of the biggest planning reforms this state has ever seen and will be a critical tool in meeting the growing demand for housing and improving affordability, especially for young people and families.”

The ICAC has found that Mr Crackanthorp: 

Knowingly failed to declare a conflict of interest, which constituted a breach of public trust
Participated in meetings as Minister which constituted a further breach of public trust
Breached the NSW Ministerial Code of Conduct (twice)
 
Given these adverse findings, Mr Crackanthorp should resign from Parliament immediately.
 
If he fails to do so, Premier Chris Minns should move to have him expelled from the NSW Parliamentary Labor Party and not rely on his vote on the floor of the Legislative Assembly. 
 
This will be a test of Premier Minns’ commitment to integrity in government.