Month: April 2024

The NSW Labor Government is pressing ahead with major improvements to heavy vehicle access, freight connectivity and road safety in western NSW by investing in construction of a new concrete bridge at Rawsonville, 21 kilometres west of Dubbo.

The existing timber bridge at Rawsonville was built in 1916. It no longer meets modern design standards and is unable to be used by heavy vehicles with higher mass limit loads.

By investing in the replacement of the ageing timber bridge over the Macquarie River, the NSW Labor Government will unlock more opportunities for economic growth in the Dubbo region while improving the safety of all road users and reducing travel times.

Early work for the Rawsonville Bridge replacement project will start on Monday 8 April, with preliminary earthworks to construct new approach embankments for the future new bridge.

The work will take about 10 weeks to complete, weather permitting.

The next stage of the project, inviting bridge construction tenders, is expected to take place around the end of 2024.

The preliminary earthworks will mean some changed traffic conditions for motorists in the area.

Work hours will be 7am to 6pm Monday to Saturday, weather permitting.

Traffic control and a reduced speed limit of 80 km/h will be in place during work hours on the Mitchell Highway at the intersection with Rawsonville Bridge Road.

The speed limit on Rawsonville Bridge Road will be reduced to 40 km/h during work hours and 80 km/h outside of work hours.

Intermittent single lane closures may be required on Rawsonville Bridge Road throughout the earthworks.

In addition, traffic control and a reduced speed limit of 80 km/h will be in place on the Mitchell Highway at the intersection with Burrabadine Road during haulage of material from the stockpile at this site that will be used in the work.

All motorists are reminded to keep to the reduced speed limits, follow the direction of traffic controllers and signs throughout this work and allow up to five minutes of extra travel time.

Transport for NSW will continue to update the community as the Rawsonville Bridge replacement project progresses. More information is available on the Transport for NSW website.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“I’m proud the NSW Labor Government is investing an extra $6.4 million needed to get this job done.

“I recognise the importance of the project and all the hard work put in by the project team to get this estimated $18.9 million project shovel ready.

“Once completed, the new Rawsonville Bridge will deliver safer and smoother journeys for road users through wider lanes and better road approaches, increased load capacity for heavy vehicles, improved access for wide vehicles and reduced road closures.”

Dubbo Duty MLC Stephen Lawrence said:

“Used by local traffic, tourists and vital regional freight operators, Rawsonville Bridge is an important crossing of the Macquarie River that links the Mitchell Highway to the Dubbo-Burraway Road and the Newell Highway between the towns of Dubbo and Narromine.

“When the existing bridge is closed for maintenance, motorists are faced with a 45-kilometre detour to travel from one side of the river to the other. A new bridge will put an end to that frustrating inconvenience.

“We appreciate the patience of all motorists as preliminary work gets underway on this important addition to western NSW’s roads infrastructure.”

The NSW Government is set to turbocharge housing-related infrastructure in key growth areas across the state with a $62.5 million funding boost.

The State Voluntary Planning Agreement (SVPA) program, established in 2010 under the then NSW Labor Government, uses developer contributions to deliver state and regional infrastructure in growing areas.

The latest round of the program will support projects in 12 local government areas across the Lower Hunter, Illawarra, North West and South West Growth Areas, Wollondilly and the Central Coast.

This important infrastructure will support up to 135,000 new homes forecast to be built across these areas over the coming decade.

The $62.5 million in grants to councils and state agencies will go towards building and repairing roads, improving stormwater drainage, building new parks and improving local environments in growing communities.

Councils and state agencies from each area can now nominate projects for the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) to consider. Shortlisted projects will be assessed by an independent technical expert and reviewed by an internal DPHI review panel, with investment recommendations submitted to the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces for approval.

Since the program’s launch, over $220 million in contributions have been collected from developers and invested in 30 state and regional infrastructure projects supporting more than 70,000 new homes.

Successful projects to receive funding include an upgrade of Richmond Road in Marsden Park and acquisition of land for a new fire station in Cessnock.

This is another way the NSW Government is supporting the creation of more housing to address the crisis facing our state. If we don’t do something about supply, we are at risk of being a city with no young people.

To nominate a project, visit SVPA Funding Nominations, or visit NSW Planning for more information.

Projects nominations are open between Thursday, 4 April from 9am and Wednesday, 29 May 2024.

The 12 eligible local government areas and funding contributions are summarised below: 

Eligible collection area	Funding contribution
Central Coast Council	$4.04 million
Shellharbour City CouncilWollongong City Council	$6.3 million
City of NewcastleCessnock City CouncilLake Macquarie City CouncilMaitland City CouncilPort Stephens City Council	$21.2 million
Blacktown City CouncilThe Hills Shire Council	$4.45 million
Camden Council	$4.8 million
Wollondilly Shire Council	$21.64 million
Total	$62.5 million

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“When new homes are built, it is important that the infrastructure to support those new homes is also delivered.

“Under the previous government, the gap between homes and infrastructure, in too many cases, was far too long. That’s why the Minns Government has reformed infrastructure contributions and is using the $62.5 million in State Voluntary Planning Agreement grants to close the infrastructure gap.

“This program is helping us maintain a rolling pipeline of infrastructure that supports new homes and jobs where these funds are collected.

“It builds on our $2.2 billion NSW Budget Housing and Infrastructure Plan announced in the last Budget and on key planning reforms introduced to accelerate the delivery of much needed housing in places where people want to live.

“I look forward to the projects funded under this program helping to make a real difference in our growing communities.”

The NSW Government is continuing strong investment in the NSW Women in Construction Program, supporting work needed to progress a significant shift in the construction industry.

As part of this initiative, a number of projects are piloting increased targets for women in trades and non-traditional construction roles across the state.

Currently underway, the Women in Construction Infrastructure Skills Legacy Program has strategically funded 16 project officers on 19 government infrastructure projects across the state, including:

• Powerhouse Parramatta, Parramatta 
• Wentworth Point New High School, Wentworth Point 
• M7/M12 Integration Project, Cecil Park 
• Sydney Childrens Hospital, Randwick
• Newell Highway Upgrade – New Dubbo Bridge, Dubbo.

The Project Officers directly support contractors and sub-contractors to achieve these targets, and will identify and report on progress, lessons learnt, issues, barriers, and develop strategies to achieve these targets. They also link workers with available training opportunities and resources, and connect with local schools and universities to work towards building a pipeline of workers.

Early reports indicate positive progress, with an increase in women’s participation on the pilot project sites. With a significant government investment of $117 billion into the infrastructure pipeline over the next 4 years, the need to diversity the construction workforce is not just a priority, but a necessity.

The NSW Government plans to leverage data from these pilot projects to assess the viability of implementing mandatory women in construction targets for all future government infrastructure projects. 

For more information on this transformative program visit the Women in Construction website. 

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

“This latest proposal was developed using the success of the Infrastructure Skills Legacy Program which has demonstrated that all targets can be achieved and in a number of cases over-achieved.

“The current Infrastructure Skills Legacy target for women in trades is 2%.  We are looking to increase this to 4% as part of this initiative.

“Recent data from Training Services NSW indicates that women in construction trade apprenticeships has already increased from 1% to 2.5%

“This is just one of many NSW Government-led initiatives aimed at delivering an increased take-up of trade apprenticeships and occupations in the construction sector by women across NSW.”

Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said:

“We are committed to reducing gender segregation and attracting more women to male-dominated industries – and construction is one of them.

“The Infrastructure Skills Legacy Program is a key program to make sure we boost the number of women in the sector in a targeted way, by supporting their employment, upskilling and retention. Project officers embedded in NSW government projects will support this, as well as helping to improve the culture within industry to make it more inclusive.

“Lifting women’s participation in construction is not only the right thing to do for diversity in the industry but it plays an important role in addressing the current skills shortages.”

Lizzie Cox, Project Director at the Sydney Children’s Hospital Stage 1 and Minderoo Children’s Comprehensive Cancer Centre, John Holland said:

“With the help of the Infrastructure Skills Legacy Program, John Holland Group, has achieved the target for women in non-traditional roles – which is currently sitting at 8% and is tracking well towards achieving the women in trades target.

“We are extremely proud that the project has also achieved the Infrastructure Skills Legacy Program targets for the workforce participation of Aboriginal People, people under 25 and for local community employment.”

Western Sydney is the epicentre of toll relief under the NSW Government’s $60 toll cap, with 350,000 e-tag account holders entitled to a rebate after the first three months of the scheme.

Eligible accounts will receive an average $134 cash rebate per quarter with the majority flowing to Western Sydney. 

Data shows the Government is getting cost-of-living assistance to where it is needed most, with Kellyville, Baulkham Hills, Greystanes, Marsden Park and Moorebank making up the top five suburbs for e-tag account holders eligible to claim toll relief.
 

Suburb	Accounts entitled	Average rebate
Kellyville	7,406	$145
Baulkham Hills	6,604	$168
Greystanes	5,952	$195
Marsden Park	5,491	$195
Moorebank	5,220	$147

Some suburbs have fewer eligible claims but a higher average rebate per account. They include Lakemba ($309), Auburn ($266), Bankstown ($235), Rosehill ($232) and Villawood ($227).

A total of $46.8 million is available to be claimed after the first quarterly period. 

Drivers who spend on average $200 per week on tolls will receive approximately $7280 in rebates each year. 

A fair use provision will ensure the integrity of the scheme, with motorists able to claim up to $400 in tolls for a maximum rebate of $340 a week for each tag or licence plate on a toll account.

To be eligible, a motorist must:  

• Be a NSW resident;  
• Hold a personal toll account with a NSW toll service provider, taking private trips on a NSW toll road, excluding those on the M5 South-West for customers registered for the M5 South-West Cashback Scheme at the same time, and  
• Spend more than $60 a week from their individual tag or licence plate on tolls on eligible, personal trips.

From Tuesday 9 April, eligible customers can visit the Service NSW website and link their toll account with Service NSW to make a claim.

For more information about the rebate, visit the Service NSW website.

Premier Chris Minns said:

“We know the toll burden is hitting families who can least afford it most, particularly parts of western Sydney that have fewer public transport alternatives to getting in the car and paying tolls. 

“The $60 toll cap is a key part of the NSW Government’s commitment to provide cost-of-living relief to families at a time when they are doing it tough.

“We promised to deliver this toll cap ahead of the election and I am glad to see it is drivers in Sydney’s west who will benefit from toll relief the most – proof that our policy is reaching those who need it most.”

Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car said:

“For too long the former Government imposed an unfair tax on the families of Western Sydney.

“Delivering toll relief for the West will significantly ease the financial burden for working families.”

Minister for Roads John Graham said: 

“The toll cap is designed and operating as a cost-of-living relief measure that provides support for those people who do not have the choice to avoid toll bills in getting around Sydney.

“An average $134 cash rebate will be welcome to families doing it tough and I encourage people to make their claims if they are a regular toll road user.

“The cap is part of a multilayered approach by the NSW Government, providing immediate relief as we look at ways to make the toll network more equitable for all with the assistance of the independent Toll Review being led by Professor Allan Fels.”

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib said: 

“When applications open next Tuesday, we want motorists to hit the pedal to the metal and lodge their claim with Service NSW. 

“We have made the application process simple to use – you can link your toll account to your MyServiceNSW account, view your Toll Tracker and then if eligible, submit your claim. It will be even quicker if you have your details like your toll account number and bank account information ready to go. 

“Anyone who needs Service NSW assistance linking their toll account and making claims can call 13 77 88 for help or visit their nearest Service NSW Centre.”

The NSW Government’s Reclaim the Game initiative continues to score goals, with NSW Swifts and GIANTS Netball the latest teams, and first for netball in NSW, to let their extensive fan base enjoy the sport free from sports betting advertising.

Under the initiative, both clubs have pledged to turn down sports betting sponsorship for the next two years, as well as commit to educating their fans, players and staff about gambling harm in the community through messaging at their games and on their social media.

The new partnerships broaden Reclaim the Game to a brand new fan base, and brings the total partners to 13 across 18 teams in six codes, including netball, AFL, A-League, cricket, NBL and NRL.

Since its launch in 2020, the initiative has reached millions of sports fans through more than 260 games, both on TV and in stadiums.

Find out more about Reclaim the Game

For gambling support call GambleAware on 1800 858 858 for free and confidential help 24/7.

Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris said:

“It is fantastic to see more NSW teams join Reclaim the Game and raise community awareness of harms linked to sports betting and gambling. These partnerships are a strong reminder that you don’t need to have a bet to show support for your team.

“Netball ranks among Australia’s top sports, boasting more than 1.2 million players nationwide and is also the top choice for female athletes.

“The new partnerships with netball come at the perfect time as community interest in women’s sport soars with record nationwide participation in the sport and the Diamonds reclaiming the World Cup in South Africa.

“Elite players are role models for young athletes and fans. The Reclaim the Game partnerships with NSW Swifts and GIANTS Netball will engage a vast young fan base, ensuring they are protected from betting ads and can develop positive associations with sport.

Netball NSW CEO Tracey Scott said:

“On behalf of Netball NSW, I am delighted to welcome Reclaim the Game to our family across the NSW Swifts and the GIANTS Netball.

“Alongside some of NSW’s other cherished sporting teams and codes, we are proud to join Reclaim the Game which looks to reconnect fans with their love of the games they follow.

“As the most popular community sport in the state, and the leading elite female code, we are committed to playing a role in educating our fans, participants and the broader community about the risks associated with gambling and the harm it can cause.

“The joy of our game is its theatre, especially at Super Netball level when the NSW Swifts and GIANTS Netball go head-to-head with the world’s best, and we always look to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone to immerse themselves into the excitement of our game.”

Since Reclaim the Game’s launch in 2020, 18 teams from six codes have joined the program:

Rugby League:
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
South Sydney Rabbitohs

Basketball:
Illawarra Hawks
Sydney Kings
Sydney Flames

Football (Soccer):
Macarthur FC
Western Sydney Wanderers (A-League)
Western Sydney Wanderers (A-League women’s)

Cricket:
Sydney Sixers (BBL)
Sydney Sixers (WBBL)
Sydney Thunder (BBL)
Sydney Thunder (WBBL)
NSW Blues
NSW Breakers

Australian Football League (AFL):
Sydney Swans (AFL)
Sydney Swans (AFLW)

Netball:
NSW Swifts
GIANTS Netball

NSW Ambulance has welcomed 149 new trainee paramedics and emergency call takers after they were officially inducted into the service at a ceremony today.

Minister for Health Ryan Park congratulated the 133 graduate paramedics and 16 trainee emergency medical call takers, who will start in their new roles from tomorrow.

“This is the second class of NSW Ambulance graduates this year and I’m proud to see them graduate to serve their communities,” Mr Park said.

“Our paramedics are on the frontline of healthcare in NSW, caring for people when they are at their sickest and most vulnerable.

“I congratulate these paramedics and call takers for reaching this significant milestone in their careers and thank them for their dedication to serving their community.”

NSW Ambulance Chief Executive Dr Dominic Morgan welcomed the new starters, who were honoured at a ceremony at Sydney Olympic Park, attended by family and friends.

Dr Morgan said the new recruits would provide welcome reinforcements during a busy time for emergency health care.

“I know all who are graduating today have worked incredibly hard throughout their training,” Dr Morgan said.

“I thank them for their commitment and warmly welcome them into NSW Ambulance.

“As demand for our services continues to grow, we remain committed to providing world-class care to our patients,” Dr Morgan said.

Member for Parramatta Donna Davis thanked the incoming trainee paramedics and emergency call takers for their commitment to providing the community with care.

“It takes someone special to join the ambulance service and I’m really pleased so many are graduating today at Sydney Olympic Park,” Ms Davis said.

“Their dedication to care is highly commendable and I wish them well in their career with NSW Ambulance.”

The graduate paramedics will be posted across NSW to complete the on-road portion of their 12-month internships before taking permanent positions in metropolitan and regional areas.

The emergency medical call takers will all be posted to the Triple Zero (000) control centre in Sydney.

The NSW Government is continuing to invest in the future of regional communities, with nearly $200 million set to deliver 7 priority projects at the Snowy Mountain and Jindabyne Precinct.

The NSW Government is continuing to invest in the future of regional communities, with nearly $200 million set to deliver 7 priority projects at the Snowy Mountain and Jindabyne Precinct.

These projects align with both the NSW Government’s and communities priorities to generate job opportunities, enhance infrastructure for housing supply, essential services and sustainable tourism.

Special Activation Precincts are strategic and sustainable business hubs designed to create jobs and fuel economic development across regional NSW. The Government’s investment of $196.3 million has been allocated in consultation with the community and will boost future opportunities in the area while also improving services for current residents.

Set to commence within the next year, these projects include:

• A new water treatment plant to ensure the current and future Jindabyne community and visitors enjoy safe drinking water.
• Upgrade to the Jindabyne sewage treatment plant to protect public health and the environment for future generations.
• Enhance the electrical, water and sewer networks to future-proof services to foster a growing Jindabyne community and support environmental sustainability.
• Enable land acquisition for future housing development, including affordable housing projects, and to preserve the corridor for the Southern Connector Road.
• Invest in and activate a Jindabyne Mountain Bike and Adventure Park to attract year-round tourism and enhance recreation amenities in the region.
• Build the capabilities of Aboriginal tourism businesses across the region to attract year-round tourism and enhance the region’s experiences for visitors.
• Plan and design enhancements for the Lake Jindabyne Foreshore to improve amenity, community facilities and access for visitors.
• The NSW Government will continue to work closely with Snowy Monaro Regional Council to deliver these priorities and explore future opportunities.

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

“The NSW Government is delivering 7 priority projects for the Snowy Mountains precinct, and we will break ground to get them going as soon as possible.

“We want to generate new job opportunities, provide upgrades for ageing utilities, and sustainably enhance year-round tourism, community amenities and housing supply.

“These are all practical and sustainable improvements that will make Jindabyne an even better place for residents, workers and visitors.

“I look forward to the positive changes this work will deliver for Jindabyne’s community.”

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

“I’m delighted that our Government is starting work on a new water treatment plant to provide year-round safe drinking water for Jindabyne residents, businesses and tourists, which will put an end to the town’s boil water alerts.

“The Snowy Mountains are an environmentally sensitive area, so the investment in sewerage treatment and infrastructure is critical and urgent. It will ensure Jindabyne is equipped with the modern facilities it needs to continue to grow and thrive.

“These 7 priority projects in the Special Activation Precinct are an exciting development that will set our community up for the future.”

Snowy Monaro Regional Council Mayor Chris Hanna said:

“Snowy Monaro Regional Council would like to thank the state government for this investment and its commitment to make the Special Activation Precinct a reality for our community, to drive tourism, jobs and economic growth.

“The critical infrastructure will not only improve amenity and services but improve Jindabyne’s standing as a year-round tourist destination.

“The Snowy Mountains are renowned for sports tourism but we’re delighted with the Jindabyne Mountain Bike and Adventure Park investment, which will put Jindabyne on the map as a must visit location for mountain bikers and families seeking excellent downhill trails and modern facilities.”