Month: April 2024

Disaster assistance has now been extended to the Blacktown, Byron Bay, Central Coast, Clarence Valley, Dungog, Gwydir, Hornsby, Lake Macquarie, Lithgow, Maitland, Mid-Coast, Oberon, The Hills and Yass Valley local government areas (LGAs), following heavy rainfall and flooding across NSW from 1 April 2024.

The assistance measures are being provided by the Albanese and Minns Governments through the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Support includes:

• Assistance for eligible residents to help meet immediate needs like emergency accommodation or small cash payments to purchase essential items generally provided from evacuation or recovery centres.
• Grants for eligible residents to replace lost essential household items to maintain basic standard of living.
• Grants for eligible residents to undertake essential structural repairs to restore their homes to a safe and habitable condition.
• Support for affected local councils to help with the costs of cleaning up and restoring damaged essential public assets.
• Concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers, and non-profit organisations and grants to sporting and recreation clubs to repair or replace damaged or destroyed property.
• Freight subsidies for primary producers to help transport livestock and fodder.

Acting Federal Minister for Emergency Management Catherine King said the extent of the flooding impact is still being assessed as the waters recede.

“This flood event has caused damage across communities, impacting homes, farms, businesses and volunteer groups,” Minister King said.

“Many Government agencies and community groups are still out on the ground to assess the damage and continue the mammoth clean-up effort.

“I know the Minns Government is continuing to assess the situation and is adapting as we gain a clearer picture of the impact of this disaster, and the Albanese Government stands ready to support.”

Acting NSW Minister for Emergency Services Penny Sharpe said the extension of this Natural Disaster Declaration demonstrates the NSW Government’s commitment to adapt as the full extent of the impacts are known.

“We moved quickly to ensure support became available to communities affected by this natural disaster, as the flood waters recede and storm impacts are reported we are continuing to assess the damage and ensuring support is in place to help communities recover,” Minister Sharpe said.

“NSW Government agencies like the State Emergency Service, Environmental Protection Authority and Reconstruction Authority are out on the ground working closely with Local Government and community groups to commence the mammoth clean-up effort.”

“This was a storm event that has affected each area differently, but it was widespread and work to assess the impact is continuing. The extension of this disaster declaration unlocks assistance for additional communities in need.”

For information relating to financial assistance, replacing lost documents, location of your nearest recovery centre and more, please contact Service NSW on 13 77 88 or visit the nsw.gov.au website

Apply for a concessional loan or primary producer grant on the NSW Rural Assistance Authority website or call 1800 678 593

Further information on disaster assistance can be found on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website

The Canowindra HealthOne Redevelopment has reached a significant milestone with early works and demolition beginning this week, bringing the community one step closer to better integrated, coordinated healthcare services.

The demolition of the existing nurse’s quarters and adjacent cottage will help prepare the site for the next phase of the $8.3 million HealthOne facility’s construction.

Access to Canowindra Soldiers Memorial Hospital will not be impacted during the demolition, which is expected to take around eight weeks to complete. WNSWLHD has a comprehensive traffic management plan in place to ensure there is no impact to people who need to access the hospital.

An important aspect of the demolition phase will be the creation of a historical record to ensure the impact and history of the demolished buildings is not lost.

Following a thorough tender process, main works construction of the HealthOne is on track to begin in the third quarter of 2024, and is expected to take around 14 months to complete.

Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park:

“This new HealthOne will improve coordination and continuity of care for patients in Canowindra – with GPs and community services located on the hospital site, it will create a more seamless transition as they move between different healthcare settings.

“Crucially, the HealthOne will help to maintain high-quality, sustainable healthcare services in the community by creating opportunities for new or existing healthcare providers, like GPs, to establish themselves as part of an integrated team.”

WNSWLHD Director of Corporate Services Jeff Morrissey:

“Our project team has been working hard with staff, key stakeholders and community groups to ensure the HealthOne’s design will meet the needs of the community.

“The nurse’s quarters have played a monumental role over the years and while it is necessary for these buildings to be demolished, we recognise their importance in the community and the need to recognise history by creating a photographic record and preserving any furnishings we can.”

Member for Orange Phil Donato:

“It’s exciting to see such great progress on this important project, which will make a huge difference to our community living here in Canowindra.

“This exciting project will bring a range of healthcare providers together in the same place and improve access to health services for the community and surrounding areas.”

The NSW Labor Government is continuing to invest in vital safety upgrades to the Monaro Highway with work set to begin on the next stage of a $20 million program to improve the road in key locations between the ACT and the Victorian border.

The next stage of the Monaro Highway upgrade program will include the installation of new signage, improved road markings and lane upgrades at nine town entry points:

• north and south of Bredbo
• north, south and west of Cooma
• north and south of Nimmitabel
• and north and south of Bombala.

Upgrade works are due to begin around 650 metres north of Thurrung Street at Cooma, from Monday 15 April, weather permitting.

Work in other locations will follow over the next four weeks, taking place between 7am to 5pm on weekdays, weather permitting.

Temporary single lane closures, a reduced speed zone of 40 km/h and traffic control to be put in place as needed for the safety of workers and motorists.

To further improve safety for motorists from late April, the speed limit is due to be reduced at two locations.

These changes will reduce crash risk and are being made due to the high rate of reported near misses and crashes on the highway.

In Bombala, the speed limit will drop from 60 km/h to 50 km/h for a 1.1-kilometre stretch along the Monaro Highway from Young Street to 280 metres south of Cemetery Road. This new limit will be consistent with other speed zone lengths in similar villages such as Nimmitabel and Cooma.

At Dairymans Plains, west of Cooma, the speed limit will be reduced from 100 km/h to 80 km/h for a 4.7-kilometre stretch along the Snowy Mountains Highway, from 140 metres east of Montague Street, Cooma, to 520 metres west of Harlowe Road.

Message boards will be on site one week before and one week following the speed zone reductions, to notify motorists of the changed speed limits.

For the latest traffic updates download the Live Traffic NSW app, visit livetraffic.com or call 132 701.

Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education and Member for Monaro Steve Whan said:

“The NSW Government is committed to provider safer journeys for locals, the tourist industry and everyone who uses this 205-kilometre stretch of road.

“The investments we are making on the Monaro Highway will reduce crash risk, protect motorists and make all of our communities safer.”

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“The Monaro Highway forms part of the key freight, commuter and recreational route between the Snowy Mountains region and the ACT through to Sydney and surrounds.

“The upgrade work the NSW Government is carrying out is all about helping to save lives and keep communities safe in the Monaro region.”

The NSW Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis and NSW Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty will be joined by the Member for Murray Helen Dalton in Griffith on Thursday as SafeWork NSW hosts an industry roundtable to discuss the prevention of workplace fatalities and serious injuries in the agriculture sector.

The roundtable gives government and industry leaders an opportunity to listen to agriculture sector representatives with lived experience on matters of safety and discuss effective solutions to challenges the industry faces in reducing deaths and serious incidents.  

Farm work has unique hazards, especially those involving machinery and equipment, including tractors, motorbikes, and quad bikes. But there are many other risks including handling chemicals like pesticides and fertilisers, as well as handling of animals.

Attendees will include members from SafeWork NSW’s Family and Injured Workers Support and Advisory Group, as well as representatives from local agricultural companies and employers, relevant government agencies, unions, NSW Farmers, leading academics, and the Country Women’s Association.

The roundtable will also feature discussions around post-incident support for workers, workplaces, and communities, and will examine effective safety behaviour on farms around the most common hazards seen by SafeWork NSW inspectors.

Find out more about farm safety

Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis said:

“It is a fundamental right for every worker to go to their job and come home safely.

“There are more than 81,000 workers in NSW employed in agricultural industries, including farming, fishing, and forestry. Workers employed in agriculture are at greater risk of being killed or injured at work than most.

“In 2013 there were 149 safety incidents in the NSW agriculture industry which has more than doubled to 358 incidents by 2022. Fatalities are also consistent, with 16 farm related deaths in 2022, 13 in 2023 and four so far in 2024.

“Plant, machinery, vehicles and animals are the biggest dangers in agricultural workplace settings, and businesses and managers should ensure everyone who works in their business is provided with safe equipment and procedures as well as the right skills and supervision, to carry out their work safely.”

Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said:

“Farm safety is extremely important, there are many hazards unique to agricultural work and it is paramount that workers have the correct protections in place to ensure they are safe at work.

“This roundtable is a great opportunity for agricultural industry members and workers to discuss hazard reduction and safety behaviour they have found to reduce workplace injury and death, and how these lessons can be applied across the industry.”

Member for Murray Helen Dalton said:

“I am excited by the visit of both Ministers to Griffith. Farm and rural business accidents are a major concern to our community. We want to work towards reducing and minimizing injuries and fatalities.

“As the local member I am looking forward to discussing practical solutions to minimise the bureaucratic burden placed on businesses without ever compromising on safety.”

Applications are now open for funding to help four Central West councils rebuild their transport infrastructure to better withstand the challenges posed by future severe weather events.

The $32 million Regional Transport Resilience Fund (RTRF) is jointly funded by the Albanese and NSW Governments to assist betterment work in the worst hit local government areas (LGAs) of the Central West:

• Cabonne
• Forbes
• Lachlan, and
• Parkes

Transport for NSW and the NSW Reconstruction Authority started working with eligible Councils earlier this year to identify opportunities for betterment projects and support councils to make submissions which are due by 31 May.

The RTRF package is part of the recently announced joint Commonwealth and State Government $100 million Central West Recovery and Resilience Package.

The RTRF will see vital transport infrastructure like bridges and flood crossings replaced and roads improved.

Importantly, this program focuses on building back better to ensure communities across the Central West are better prepared in the face of future disasters.

Special Envoy for Disaster Recovery, Senator Tony Sheldon said:

“The Albanese Government is committed to working with the Minns Government to make sure communities in New South Wales are more prepared for increasingly intense and frequent severe weather events in the future, so they can respond effectively and recover quicker.

“Betterment work ensures that assets like roads and bridges are built back to an improved standard, helping Central West communities to bounce back faster after severe weather events.

“By investing now to improve the quality and durability of transport infrastructure, we reduce the need to close roads and important access routes, as well as the time it takes to clear debris and rebuild for communities, each time severe weather hits.”

NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“The 2022 floods in the Central West had a catastrophic impact on local government transport infrastructure, impacting a geographical area of about 11,000 kilometres, severing critical emergency access and community service connections, and causing extensive damage.

“These works will help reduce future costs of repairs to road and transport assets damaged by natural disasters, as well as improving safety, asset utility and connectivity during, and after natural disasters.

“Research shows that for every dollar invested in risk mitigation and betterment, up to $10 is saved in recovery.”

Further information:

The $32 million Regional Transport Resilience Fund (RTRF) is jointly funded by the Australian and NSW Governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Eligible councils will need to submit detailed project estimates by 31 May 2024 which will be assessed, and successful funding announced from June 2024. Successful councils must start work on their betterment work within 12 months from executing their funding instrument.

Projects will be prioritised based on their ability to:

• Strengthen the regional transport network’s capability to withstand natural disasters
• Improve the reliability of the regional transport network for regional communities during and after disaster events
• Enhance the adaptability of the regional transport network during and after disaster events
• Improve the regional transport network’s ability to respond and recover when disasters occur
• Improve community safety through enabling a safer regional transport network readiness and ability to deliver the nominated program.

Transport infrastructure, including roads and bridges, was significantly impacted in these LGAs during the 2022 floods. These floods affected a geographical area about 11,000 kilometres across the Central West.

Sydney Trains’ Rail Repair Plan has reached a key milestone three months ahead of schedule with more than 1,916 high-priority defects and over 29,000 defects in total repaired since the NSW Government launched the work.

The $97 million program kicked off in June 2023 to improve reliability and resilience of the transport network. From September 2023 to March 2024 the seven-month average for peak on-time-running is the best it’s been since 2021.

When the Rail Repair Plan was launched, the target was to remove 75 per cent of high-priority defects (1,916) to get the maintenance backlog under control to “acceptable levels” within 12 months.

Due to the rapid progress of the Rail Repair Plan, Sydney Trains has committed to a revised target to remove 2,116 high-priority defects before the end of June.

Regular trackwork is critical for the safety, reliability, and efficiency for the millions of people across NSW who use the rail network to get around.

Trackwork, maintenance, and reliability upgrades are crucial across the ageing network, with some parts over 100 years old.

The Rail Repair Plan has greatly improved the ways trackwork and maintenance are delivered, including utilising additional resources within existing rail shutdown periods. Trackwork will continue after the Rail Repair Plan is complete, over weekends and during school holidays when patronage is reduced.

South Coast line repair work update:

Last week’s torrential rain led to significant disruption on the South Coast line, with damage occurring at Coalcliff and between Kiama and Bomaderry.

250 Sydney Trains crew worked continuously over a 90 hour period to repair 200km of track and restore services north of Kiama by Tuesday morning.

Services are running between Wollongong and Waterfall at a reduced timetable due to a significant landslip at Bald Hill. Workers will return to the line this weekend as work continues to enable the restoration of a full timetable.

Work between Kiama and Bomaderry is still underway, with truckloads of ballast being delivered to Berry station to restabilise rail lines.

Premier Chris Minns said:

“Months ahead of schedule, over 29,000 defects on our rail system including 1,916 high-priority defects have been repaired as result of the NSW Government’s Rail Repair Plan.

“This critical work to repair our train network will make it safer and more resilient for millions of people who catch a train in our city with peak on-time-running the best it’s been since 2021.

“For too long, governments have prioritised flashy announcements over the basic running of our trains so I’m very pleased at the progress this government has made in getting our trains back on track.

“To the staff that have been working around the clock to repair our train network and minimise disruptions for commuters, thank you.”

Transport Minister Jo Haylen said:

“I am very proud of everyone at Sydney Trains who has jumped on board the Rail Repair Plan and exceeded all expectations with the results.

“While we have made exceptional progress, there is still much work to be done and I will not stop until we have the most reliable and resilient network possible for the passengers of New South Wales.

“When I first launched the Rail Repair Plan in June last year, it was evident we had a lot of work to do, and getting on top of the maintenance backlog was the first step.

“I’d like to thank our passengers for their patience and understanding, and our hardworking staff for striving to deliver a rail network the people of NSW deserve.”

Sydney Trains Chief Executive Matt Longland said:

“We’re now on top of the maintenance backlog on the rail network, which will provide more reliable trips for passengers and less incident with infrastructure.

“I’m so proud of our teams who have worked really hard to exceed all targets months ahead of schedule.

“Our trackwork teams will still be out there working hard each weekend to keep on top of the maintenance task and maintain reliability, but we won’t see as many impacts for customers when buses replace trains during trackwork. And that’s a good outcome for everyone.” 

A landmark opportunity to partner with the NSW Government to deliver new homes and jobs at Bradfield City Centre has today been announced by Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully.

A landmark opportunity to partner with the NSW Government to deliver new homes and jobs at Bradfield City Centre has today been announced by Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully.

The first ‘superlot’ land release in Bradfield City Centre is a groundbreaking prospect for the private sector to set the benchmark and shape the future of Australia’s newest city.  

This is a true mixed-use site that includes provision for 1000 new homes, as well as commercial childcare, hotel, retail, medical spaces and public domain. Set across 4.8 hectares, there are over 200,000m² of gross floor area development potential.

On the doorstep of Bradfield Metro Station and early NSW Government-led developments, Superlot 1 has the potential to be a vibrant precinct providing much needed housing and employment opportunities in Western Sydney.

The Expression of Interest (EOI) builds on extensive engagement and feedback from industry about the exciting opportunity to partner with the NSW Government on the flagship precinct development in Sydney’s newest city.

The release of the first land for private development is a major milestone, in addition to the recent exhibition of the Bradfield City Centre Master Plan earlier this year.

The future city will support the creation of more than 20,000 jobs, 10,000 new homes, and unlock new economic opportunities closer to home for the people of Western Sydney.

Superlot 1 EOI submissions are encouraged from all developers with the capability to deliver this exciting project by Friday 24 May 2024.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully said:

“The NSW Government has committed over $1.2 billion to kickstart development of the state’s newest city.

“Bradfield City Centre will deliver new jobs and homes for the people of Western Sydney and support our local industries to operate on a global stage.

“Creating smart jobs close to home for the next generation is what this airport was intended to do to. And today, we’re another step closer to delivering that.

“This is the first opportunity for the private sector to get involved as a flagship partner in the development of the new city.

“It is a huge opportunity to become a major player in the Western Sydney Aerotropolis.”

Integrity in government and public confidence in the decisions of government are of the utmost importance.
 
Following the Independent Commission Against Corruption’s decision to terminate its investigation into Mr Crakanthorp, unanswered questions about his conduct as a Minister remain.
 
It is overwhelmingly in the public interest for Premier Chris Minns to release the ICAC report.
 
Since the Premier’s decision to remove Mr Crackanthorp from the Ministry over his alleged failure to declare conflicts of interest, the NSW Opposition has sought information regarding the decisions that he may have taken. The Premier has to date refused to release this information citing the ICAC investigation – this is no longer a valid reason to withhold this information. 
 
It is clear from that the ICAC has prepared a detailed written report in relation to its investigation concerning Mr Crakanthorp which contains the ICAC’s “factual and other findings concerning Mr Crakanthorp’s conduct” (in relation to his obligations under the Ministerial Code of Conduct).
 
The NSW Opposition calls upon the Premier, who has received the report, and the ICAC to take all reasonable steps to release the report to the public as soon as possible.