Month: July 2024

After four successful pilots across Sydney, the internationally recognised Purple Flag program will now be rolled out state-wide.

Just as beachgoers look for red and yellow flags to know where it is safest to swim, and the Purple Flag program provides similar guidance when it comes to going out after the sun goes down.

Marrickville is the fourth precinct, alongside YCK laneways in the CBD, Parramatta Eat Street precinct, and Lakemba’s Haldon Street, to achieve a Purple Flag accreditation in a pilot program.

Marrickville’s accreditation as a go-to night-time destination is another example of international recognition for the Inner-west suburb previously ranked third coolest suburb in the world in 2022. The suburb’s Purple Flag precinct features iconic Vietnamese and Greek restaurants alongside popular live music venues like Lazy Bones and Gasoline Pony.

The internationally recognised Purple Flag program assesses areas against a set of criteria, including ready transport access, security, adequate street lighting and diversity of offerings, before declaring them excellent night-time experiences.

The program also provides a standard against which businesses and councils looking to develop their night-time economies can measure themselves against, making it a powerful organisational tool for precinct coordination.

Accredited Purple Flag areas allow members of the public to quickly identify them as districts that offer a safe, vibrant and well-managed night scene with a diversity of offerings across retail and dining for a great night out.

For more information, visit: nsw.gov.au/business-and-economy/24-hour-economy/purple-flag

Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy John Graham said:

“The purple flag program gives locals and visitors alike good guidelines of where to go when it comes to going out after the sun goes down. We’ve seen good results in four very different precincts across the city and now we’re going to extend this program across the state.

“Marrickville is fast becoming a nightlife hotspot for people seeking out great experiences including live music.

“Marrickville is truly one of Sydney’s most exciting precincts and we are excited to see more Purple Flag precincts pop up across the state.”

“This globally recognisable symbol shows visitors and locals that they are visiting a safe, well-lit night-time destination with plenty of great offerings to choose from.

“This is about supporting the growth of vibrant, diverse night-time precincts right across the state with public safety at the forefront.”

24-Hour Economy Commissioner Michael Rodrigues said:

“I am excited to welcome the Illawarra and Marrickville Road precinct to the Purple Flag family. This is the fourth district now accredited in Sydney and marks the conclusion of our pilot program which highlight’s the diversity of Sydney’s going out offering.

“From Parramatta’s Eat Street and YCK Laneways’ small bars to Haldon St Lakemba made famous through the celebration of Ramadan, and now Marrickville’s live music precinct.

“I look forward to more Purple Flag districts in the coming year as we expand the program and help thousands of people across the state identify safe, diverse and vibrant precincts to eat, dine or dance the night away.”

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne said:

“Everyone knows that Marrickville is going gangbusters. It is a precinct that is already making waves with its night-time offerings, and the Purple Flag accreditation for Illawarra and Marrickville Roads is yet another feather in its cap.

“The Purple Flag accreditation cements Marrickville as not only a great place to visit, but a safe place to visit as well.”

Marrickville Purple Flag representative and Lazy Bones Lounge co-owner Craig Pietersen said:

“We have been operating on the corner of Illawarra and Marrickville Roads for 11 years. We’ve watched this precinct change and grow overtime into a place that people love coming to visit.

“From our multicultural dining destinations to our live music hotspots, we are excited to have achieved Purple Flag status and look forward to showing visitors and locals alike what makes Illawarra and Marrickville Roads a great place to be at night.”

Background

• Purple Flag is an internationally recognised initiative that has been rolled out in more than 90 locations in the UK, Ireland, Sweden, New Zealand and now Australia.
• Accredited Purple Flag areas allow members of the public to quickly identify districts that offer a diverse and well-managed night scene with a range of dining and entertainment options. The program also provides a clear pathway for districts to improve their offering for consumers, but also provides a powerful motivator and organising tool for councils and businesses looking to coordinate and reinvigorate their night-time economy.
• The YCK Laneways small bar scene, Lakemba’s multi-cultural nightlife precinct, Parramatta’s Church Street district and Marrickville’s live music hub have now been labelled as safe, vibrant going-out precincts under the program. 
• Marrickville is home to some of the vital venues identified in Sound NSW’s State of the Scene: Live Music Report which demonstrated the critical role that the live music industry plays in the NSW economy; the liveability of the state; and attractiveness of NSW as a destination to domestic and international tourists.
• The value of the Purple Flag is to point people in the right direction by demonstrating that certain criteria have been met.
• This criteria includes ready public transport access, adequate street lighting, safety and entertainment. Safety is a key priority in the NSW Government’s Vibrancy agenda. Identifying safe and exciting nightlife destinations is key to unlocking the potential of nightlife precincts across the state and providing the community with even more options for a great night out.

As the Minns Government’s focus on boosting housing supply continues, Landcom is implementing a $30 million election commitment to develop a build-to-rent pilot in the Northern Rivers.

Plans for 50 apartments in East Lismore that are well-designed, climate-resilient and sustainable have been released for community and stakeholder feedback.

Led by Landcom, the development at the corner of Crawford Road at 138-146 Military Road will deliver secure rental housing in a region impacted by rising rents and low housing availability.

Twenty percent of the apartments will be affordable rental housing for those on low and moderate household incomes, such as the essential workers who keep our cities and towns moving.

Set to include a mix of apartment sizes to suit the needs, lifestyles and budgets of different households, future residents will be close to shops, schools, Southern Cross University, open space and other community infrastructure.

Work is underway to finalise the design and planning in preparation for the lodgement of the development application with Lismore City Council in the coming months. Subject to approvals, construction is projected to begin in 2025 with residents expected to move in 2026.

The site for the homes is not flood prone and the design aims to maximise solar access and cross ventilation for the wellbeing of future tenants. The development will also include private off-street parking, as well as outdoor communal spaces, a mix of subtropical plants and views to bushland in the east.

Locals can have their say about the draft design concept by completing Landcom’s online survey by Wednesday 7 August 2024.

Landcom will also hold a community information and feedback session on Thursday 1 August 2024 at East Lismore Bowling Club. Locals can drop-in any time between 5pm and 8pm to learn more, ask the project team questions and share their thoughts. Light refreshments will be provided.

For more information about the project and to complete the online survey, visit Join In, Landcom’s community engagement portal: https://www.joinin.landcom.nsw.gov.au/eastlismorebtr

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully:

“Regional NSW has not been immune from housing pressures. Through this build-to-rent pilot project residents will have access to well-located, well-designed and well-built homes.

“The Government committed to a build-to-rent pilot at the election and this project in East Lismore will help to boost the supply of much-needed rental stock while providing greater housing security and stable rents.

“The build-to-rent project continues the NSW Government’s ongoing efforts to support flood recovery in the Northern Rivers.”

Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin:

“There is an essential need for more homes across regional NSW and locals in Lismore were already doing it tough before the floods in 2022, when around 40% of local rental households were experiencing rental stress.

“I advocated strongly for this build-to-rent project, a welcome investment by the NSW Government to provide secure and affordable rental options for the Lismore community.

“It’s good to see Landcom seeking to help local renters to put a roof over their head as soon as practical, while also planning to deliver housing that is in tune with the local environment.”

Landcom CEO Alex Wendler:

“Beyond helping to boost housing supply and tackle the housing crisis head on, we are aiming for a high-quality and attractive development that is climate-resilient and sustainable so that future residents are proud to call it home.

“Community feedback is a key component of our planning process and I encourage locals to have their say about our plans.”

Heavy vehicle drivers and other motorists will benefit from a $1.75 million upgrade to a rest area between Walgett and Brewarrina in north-west New South Wales, set to begin early in 2025.

The Australian and NSW governments are working together to improve the quantity and quality of heavy vehicle rest stops in consultation with the road freight industry.

The upgrade to the Yambie Lagoon Rest Area, about 60 kilometres east of Brewarrina on the Kamilaroi Highway, will encourage rest breaks for heavy vehicle drivers on long trips.

Currently there are no toilet or rest facilities for more than 120 kilometres, or 75 minutes of travel time, in this remote location.

Heavy vehicle industry representatives were consulted in early 2020 to provide input into the proposed locations of future rest stop opportunities on the Kamilaroi Highway between Walgett and Bourke.

The $1.75 million project is jointly funded by the Australian Government, under the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program, and the NSW Government.

For more information visit https://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/about/local-initiatives or www.transport.nsw.gov.au/hvrsimprovements.

Federal Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Carol Brown:

“Driver fatigue is one of the top three factors leading to fatal crashes on NSW roads, contributing to at least 21 per cent of heavy vehicle fatal crashes in regional NSW in the five years since December 2019.

“The Australian Government’s Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program supported projects that aim to improve access to rest areas for drivers of larger vehicles, providing more opportunities to manage fatigue and their regulatory requirements.

“We have now established the new Safer Local Road and Infrastructure Program – which merges the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program and Bridges Renewal Program with funding increased from $150 million to $200 million per year.”

NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison:

“Rural freight routes such as the Kamilaroi Highway through this region are essential for the movement of produce, livestock and other goods, and we respect that these corridors are the workplace of heavy vehicle drivers.

“This essential upgrade will transform the existing informal rest area on the eastbound shoulder of the Kamilaroi Highway heading towards Walgett and will involve building toilet and shelter facilities as well as picnic tables and extended parking for heavy and light vehicles.”

State Labor Duty MLC Stephen Lawrence:

“This project will also provide similar facilities in a new heavy vehicle rest area on the westbound shoulder of the highway, ensuring there are facilities for traffic in both directions and eliminating the need to turn around to stop and rest.

“By providing opportunities for drivers to stop and have a break we are working towards reducing fatigue-related crashes on our road network in the far west region.”

State Member for Barwon Roy Butler:

“I am no stranger to long drives, so I have personal experience of how inconvenient it can be to have to push through vast distances before you can pull over for a rest.

“Upgrading the Yambie Lagoon rest stop near Brewarrina will improve productivity for drivers of heavy trucks and reduce the likelihood of heavy vehicle crashes due to fatigue, but it will also benefit anyone who has to do the long haul in that part of the world.

“Work is scheduled to begin in early 2025, will ensure drivers ample space for a comfortable stop to rest and to manage fatigue on their trip.”

Senator for New South Wales Deborah O’Neill:

“All Australians have the right to efficient and safe roads. That’s why the Albanese Labor Government is ensuring that drivers in far west NSW have the facilities necessary to take a break.”

“Less fatigue means safer transport and better outcomes for regional Australia.”

One of the state’s longest serving train drivers, a Central Coast resident known affectionately as G.O.D, is marking 55 years on the railways of NSW.

John Szabo, Gosford’s Oldest Train driver, was joined at Gosford Station by colleagues, friends, family, and Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison to celebrate this milestone.

Minister Aitchison met and congratulated Mr. Szabo, who began his railway career in July 1969 shortly after finishing high school, as a trainee engineman on steam trains.

From his early days shunting steam trains in Sydney yards to completing his diesel train driver training in 1976, he has never considered changing careers. Today, Mr. Szabo drives trains between Gosford, Newcastle and Sydney on the Central Coast-Newcastle train line, which has about a million passenger trips each month.

Over the past half-century, Mr. Szabo has worked on all types of trains, including steam, diesel, rail motors, and electric, safely transporting hundreds of thousands of commuters. Mr. Szabo’s teammates gave him the nickname ‘G.O.D’, even painting the letters on a car parking space at the station.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“The commitment of John Szabo and other long serving rail workers have shown to keeping us safe and on track is truly appreciated by the entire community.

“I had the pleasure of meeting John, and it was humbling to hear about his passion for customer service. I listened to many stories of how he’s helped passengers over the decades. On behalf of the community, thank you John for your decades of hard work and dedication.”

Train Driver John Szabo said:

“Most of what I remember from the steam era is being dirty – I’d go to work clean and come home with soot in my ears.

“I love my job. The simple fact that I’ve been doing it so long is proof enough. The job’s been good to me, it’s paid all my bills for more than 50 years! I will keep driving for as long as they’ll have me. Driving is what makes me happy.”

Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch, said:

“Credit to John for his unwavering dedication delivering train services across NSW for 55 years.

“Committed, experienced and long-term railway employees are the backbone of our public transport system, looked up to by so many in the transport sector as mentors and relied on for the amazing expertise they bring. On behalf of the community of Gosford, thank you for 55 years of fantastic service John.”

In a world-first, Australia’s oldest national park, the Royal National Park in Heathcote has received its first health report, with the publication of an EcoHealth Scorecard.

The scorecard program will be the first scheme in the world to systematically integrate ecological health data and financial data into national park decision making.

Covering both the Royal and the adjacent Heathcote and Garawarra reserves, 40 permanent monitoring sites were set up with cameras and acoustic monitoring equipment, capturing more than one million images, 2,500 bird records, and 2,000 plant records.

The first Scorecard reveals:

• For the first time, the Krefft’s glider and yellow-bellied sheath-tailed bat were detected, along with 45 native mammal species.
• The area is a refuge for the threatened eastern pygmy possum and supports over half of all microbat species in NSW, including at least seven threatened species.
• A diverse range of flora was found with 488 native species, across five major vegetation formations. The extent of weed invasion is low outside of disturbed areas.
• 70% of waterways have ‘very good’ or ‘good’ water quality.

The Scorecard also reveals some challenges, with six mammal species likely to have disappeared from the Park since European arrival. The red fox is widespread across the reserves and likely impacting on populations of native species, while feral deer numbers remain high in some areas. 

In response to these results, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has ramped up feral animal control by introducing a park-wide aerial baiting program for foxes, is trialling new measures to address myrtle rust and will adjust deer control and fire management.

These evidence-based management responses will improve the conservation outcomes for the unique plants and animals that are protected by these reserves, including the iconic platypus which was successfully reintroduced to Royal National Park last year.

The next report for Royal will be published in mid-2025 including survey results for koalas, gliders and owls. A scorecard will soon be released will be for Kosciuszko National Park. 

NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe:

“We can’t protect what we don’t know about, and this world-leading initiative puts science and data at the forefront of how we manage our iconic national parks.”

“The Minns Labor Government will be expanding these scorecards to almost third of our state’s national parks so we can have the clearest ecological picture of our parks.”

“By measuring and reporting changes in the health of our parks, this program is already shaping decisions about fire management, feral animal control and weed control.”

“It’s a big investment in science, designed to ensure our national parks are among the best managed parks in the world.”