Month: September 2024

The NSW Government is seeking community and industry feedback on new proposals to tackle problematic plastic waste, promote more reusable and recyclable alternatives, and help NSW drive down plastic litter by 30% by 2025.

TheNSW Plastics: The Way Forward action planoutlines possible steps to further reduce the impact of plastic litter and create a cleaner, safer and more sustainable environment.

Most of the proposals bring NSW into line with other jurisdictions which have moved ahead of NSW.

An eight-week consultation is being launched to seek feedback from community members, businesses, industry, environmental groups, scientific and regulatory organisations and others.

In 2022-23, NSW generated around 891,000 tonnes of plastic waste – almost 110 kilos per person – but only 14% of that was recycled.

Globally, around 8 million tonnes of plastic leak into our oceans every year. That pollution severely impacts marine wildlife, and it’s estimated almost half of all seabirds and sea turtles are likely to have ingested plastic.

The NSW Government consulted on the NSW Plastics: Next Steps discussion paper, attracting more than 5,000 responses up to February 2024. They showed overwhelming public support for stronger action on plastic waste. Government has also been speaking directly to industry and other stakeholders.

The NSW Plastics: The Way Forward action plan builds on this collaboration and proposes new initiatives including:

• Phasing out items where non-plastic alternatives already exist, like plastic lollipop sticks, pizza savers and plastic food tags for bread, bakery and pantry items.
• Introducing design standards for single-use plastic cups, food containers and their lids to ensure they are easily recyclable.
• Phasing out the supply of unnecessary plastic barrier bags.
• Bringing NSW into line with other states and phasing out the release of helium balloons as well as plastic balloon sticks, clips and ties.
• Requiring food service venues to accept reusable cups for hot and cold takeaway beverages.
• Phasing out food packaging made of foamed plastic, as in Western Australia, including food trays, loose-fill packaging, and moulded or cut packaging.

This feedback will inform further action to tackle problematic plastic items, which could include legislative change.

Find NSW Plastics: The Way Forward and provide feedback online.

Minster for the Environment Penny Sharpe:

“Unless we take action, by 2050 there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish.

“We all want a healthier environment for humans and animals, with fewer problematic plastics.

“The phase-out of certain single-use plastics in NSW in 2019 has resulted in a 77% reduction in the number of banned single-use plastic items found in litter, but there are still too many takeaway food containers and plastic drink bottle lids strewn across our environment.

“We’ve listened to the concerns of businesses and industry, as well as environment and community groups. And now we’d like their feedback on the specific initiatives proposed in NSW Plastics: The Way Forward so we can take further action.”

Work to deliver the Moree Hospital Redevelopment is a step closer with a main works construction tender recently released to deliver the project.

The NSW Government is investing $105 million in the redevelopment to improve health outcomes for Moree and the surrounding community.

The redevelopment will deliver a new clinical services building, providing enhanced healthcare facilities on the existing hospital site to support Moree and surrounding communities now and into the future.

The project is expected to include an emergency department, operating theatres, medical imaging, birthing and inpatient unit, and pathology, and a new main entry.

The new building has been designed around the existing buildings on the hospital campus ensuring all services remain connected and integrated onsite.

Planning for the hospital redevelopment is nearing completion. The detailed design for the redevelopment has been completed by early works contractor, BESIX Watpac, and soon to be on exhibition as part of the statutory planning process.

The redevelopment plans are on exhibition and feedback can be provided via Health Infrastructure’s website at: https://www.hinfra.health.nsw.gov.au/projects/on-exhibition until 11.59pm on Tuesday, 1 October 2024.

Following the completion of the competitive tender process, a builder will be engaged, and the project scope and a construction timeline will be confirmed.

Construction is anticipated to commence in 2025 and the community will continue to be updated as the project progresses.

Further information on the redevelopment is available by visiting the project website: https://hneinfra.health.nsw.gov.au/projects/moree  

Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park:

“The Moree Hospital Redevelopment will provide patients, families and carers with a modern healthcare facility to meet the health needs of the community now and into the future.”

“The release of the construction tender is a significant milestone for the project.”

“We are grateful for the valuable time and input provided by staff and stakeholders into the planning design process for the redevelopment and look forward to seeing a builder appointed.”

“This is also a great opportunity for the community to provide their final feedback on the plans while they are on exhibition.”

Labor Spokesperson for Northern Tablelands Peter Primrose, MLC:

“I’m really pleased that priority health services are delivered for the Moree community as part of the redevelopment.”

“It’s really important that our regional communities have high quality healthcare facilities available to them, so I welcome these milestones in the delivery of the Moree Hospital Redevelopment.”

During Foster and Kinship Care Week, the NSW Government is celebrating the remarkable difference foster carers make in the lives of vulnerable children.

Foster carers provide safe and loving homes for some of the state’s 14,000 children currently in the out-of-home care (OOHC) system across the state.

The NSW Government recognises and supports the important work that these outstanding members of the community do through their dedication to children who cannot live safely with their parents. We acknowledge that the only way we can continue to support children in the system is to better support their foster carers as well.

Foster care numbers plummeted under the former government and the system desperately needs another 1,000 foster carers to stop children ending up in emergency accommodation.

Anyone can be a foster carer. It doesn’t matter if you rent or own your home, or are single, a couple or a family. Emergency foster care can be for one night, a few days, or up to 12 weeks. This is a great way to get started and see if being a foster carer is right for you.

The NSW Government has worked to recruit 200 emergency foster carers since July 2022, with 239 others currently on the path to authorisation. This recruitment is a key part of the government’s $224 million investment in the OOHC system, which involves:

• Re-entering the market as a foster care provider
• Introducing government-run intensive and professional foster care models

This week, the NSW Government announced it will ban the use of unaccredited Alternative Care Arrangements (ACAs) where vulnerable children are often placed in hotels and motels and looked after by rotating shift workers instead of foster carers. These placements can cost upwards of $2 million per child per year. This announcement would not have been possible without the dedication of emergency foster carers.

From August, we have also made paid parental leave available to NSW Government employees who are providing ongoing foster placements for children in OOHC.

We thank foster and kinship carers for their dedication, compassion and care, and the huge difference they have made in the lives of the children.

Inquire about becoming a foster carer.

Foster and Kinship Care Week runs from September 8 to September 14.

Minister for Families and Communities Kate Washington said:

“Foster and kinship carers have one of the most important roles in our community – providing a safe place for kids who have nowhere else to go.

“These carers make a real difference, every day, in the lives of children and young people. I sincerely thank all our wonderful carers for everything they do.

“Foster and Kinship Care Week also provides an important opportunity to highlight the desperate need for more foster carers across the state. If you have ever thought about being a foster carer, we want to hear from you.

“We are committed to building a better child protection system where foster carers feel more supported in the critical role they play in caring for vulnerable children.”

NSW will trial average speed cameras to assess the road safety benefits of expanding their use from heavy vehicles to all vehicles.

All other mainland Australian states and the ACT already use average speed cameras for light vehicles as part of their speed enforcement programs.

The NSW Government will now explore their merits in protecting lives and addressing speeding as part of a multi-pronged approach to tackling the rising road toll which today stands at 227 – two more than at the same date in 2023.

Speeding is the biggest killer on NSW roads, contributing to 41 per cent of all fatalities over the past decade.

That is 136 families and friend networks every year whose lives are never the same again after losing someone in a road crash where speeding was a contributing factor.

Regional NSW is home to a third of the population but is where two-thirds of all road deaths happen.

Two trials will be conducted on limited stretches of highway in regional NSW to assess whether these measures reduce speeding at these locations, improving safety and preventing injuries and fatalities. The trial areas are:

• Pacific Highway between Kew and Lake Innes (Port Macquarie) – 15kms between cameras
• Hume Highway between Coolac and Gundagai – 16kms between cameras

These two stretches have been chosen based on a number of factors, including known crash history. There were a combined total of six fatalities and 33 serious injuries between 2018 and 2022 at these locations.

Road safety experts called for the use of average speed cameras at the NSW Road Safety Forum held earlier this year and the Government undertook to investigate their use.

Trials are proposed to begin with a 60-day period in which speeding drivers will receive a warning letter rather than a fine before normal enforcement, including fines and demerit points, begin.

Legislation is needed to facilitate a trial phase, or any future decision to use them permanently.

The NRMA will be part of the assessment process to ensure drivers have a voice in the review of the trial led by Transport for NSW and other road safety experts.

A comprehensive communications campaign will be implemented to inform motorists about the trial.

Road signs will alert all drivers that their speed is being monitored by average speed cameras on the trial stretches, giving them the opportunity to adjust their speed as needed.

The average speed camera trial will build on other road safety initiatives introduced by the Minns Labor Government, including:

• Seatbelt enforcement by the existing mobile phone camera detection network
• Removing a loophole to force all motorists driving on a foreign licence to convert to a NSW licence within six months
• The demerit return trial that rewarded more than 1.2 million drivers for maintaining a demerit-offence-free driving record during the initial 12-month period up to 16 January 2024
• Doubling roadside enforcement sites used for mobile speed cameras, with the addition of 2,700 new locations where a camera can be deployed. Enforcement hours will remain the same
• Hosting the state’s first Road Safety Forum of international and local experts
• Signed National Road Safety Data Agreement with the Commonwealth

Minister for Roads John Graham said:

“NSW is the only jurisdiction in the world to use average speed cameras but restrict their use to heavy vehicles only.

“In the context of a rising road toll, now is the time to trial these cameras for light vehicles and understand if we can keep more people safe on the road more of the time.

“All other mainland Australian states and countries like the UK, Norway, Italy and the Netherlands have found average speed cameras to be effective and we aim to be as rigorous as possible to be sure they will also reduce road trauma in NSW.

“Before any trial begins, the NSW Government will conduct a comprehensive awareness campaign to inform the public about average speed cameras and a 60-day warning letter period will give motorists time to adjust to their use in these limited locations.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“The trial of the average speed cameras for light vehicles is about encouraging all drivers – regardless of the size of their vehicle – to rethink their attitudes to speeding on our roads and change their behaviour.

“In 2023, speeding contributed to 44 per cent of road deaths in NSW, three-quarters of which were in regional NSW. What’s more upsetting is that this behaviour is within drivers’ control.

“Our goal is to assess how effective the cameras can be in changing speeding habits and potential trauma benefits.

“Road safety is a shared responsibility – let’s all help each other get to our destinations safely.”

Safer Roads and Highways (SARAH), President, Peter Frazer said:

“These cameras promote safer driving habits by encouraging drivers and riders to stick to the speed limit. This not only lowers their risk of being involved in a serious crash, but also protects the lives and wellbeing of everyone on the road.

“At SARAH we have been lobbying for the introduction of Point to Point (average speed camera) systems to apply to all vehicles in NSW for more than a decade. We therefore congratulate the NSW Government on announcing this life-saving trial.”

Construction has kicked off on a world-leading RNA research and pilot manufacturing facility at Macquarie University, which will change the way the state tackles its future health challenges.

Delivered with a $96 million investment by the NSW Government, the facility will be the first of its type in Australia and one of only a handful of its kind in the world.

It will deliver new capabilities to develop world leading vaccines and medical therapies for humans and animals based on cutting edge RNA technology.

Co-located at Macquarie University’s Wallumattagal campus, it will feed into the Connect Macquarie Park Innovation District, home to a host of medical and health-related organisations and industrial and technology startups.

The site will allow a wide range of RNA vaccines, therapeutics and delivery technologies to be independently designed and tested, providing NSW with sovereign capability. The facility will also have the capacity to manufacture RNA-based therapeutics for the three main phases of clinical trials.

Support for the state’s burgeoning health and life sciences sector is a priority with NSW already the national leader as global demand for new health technology explodes.

Around 90,000 people are already employed in the sector in NSW, which represents 40 per cent of the national total.

RNA technology came to global prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic, when it supported the rapid development and deployment of vaccines to combat the unprecedented health crisis.

The technology offers the prospect of preventing and treating an even broader spectrum of health conditions, including cancers, genetic diseases and other viruses.

The facility will feature laboratories along with manufacturing production lines and will be able to be used by researchers and industry. It will be operated by Aurora Biosynthetics, a subsidiary of Myeloid Therapeutics, a global leader in RNA technology.

It will be overseen by RNA Australia, a newly formed, NSW-based company, which is a joint venture between the NSW Government and four NSW universities, including Macquarie University, along with ANU.

Construction of the RNA Research and Pilot Manufacturing Facility is expected to be completed in 2026.

Premier Chris Minns said:

“This facility will drive jobs and investment in this sector, along with delivering potentially life-saving solutions.

“This a step forward for healthcare in NSW and an opportunity for us to grow important new high-tech companies.”

Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“This facility helps put us at the front of the queue in the fierce global battle to attract new investment and build new industries.

“Nations around the world are crying out for new health solutions, and our state is well positioned to deliver them.

“The capabilities this facility unlocks are supported by the NSW Government’s commitment to $119 million of investment in RNA research and development over the next decade.”

Minister for Medical Research David Harris said:

“This facility will link NSW’s world-class RNA and delivery technology research with our outstanding clinical trials capability.

“It will build on existing NSW Government investments, including the NSW RNA Production & Research Network, the UNSW RNA Institute and Australia’s first Viral Vector Manufacturing Facility at Westmead Health and Innovation District.”

Macquarie University Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Sakkie Pretorius, said:

“Macquarie University is proud to host this groundbreaking new facility, which is a significant addition to the thriving medical precinct within the Connect Macquarie Park Innovation District.

“RNA research has incredible potential, and we share in RNA Australia’s vision for advancing biomedical science for the benefit of Australia and the world.”

Twelve startup companies across a diverse range of industries from health to sustainable fashion have been selected for a NSW Government-supported accelerator program run by Techstars – the world’s largest pre-seed investor.

The startups – 10 of which have at least one female founder – will go through a 13-week program at Sydney’s startup and innovation hub Tech Central. They’ll receive training and access to a network of mentors to grow their entrepreneurial skills and set their businesses up for future success.

This is the second group to go through a Techstars accelerator after it brought its world-leading program to Sydney in 2023. The program provides funding and fundraising opportunities, workshops and curated resources as well as numerous opportunities for startup founders to learn from their peers.

SeenCulture took part in last year’s Techstars accelerator. The workplace talent management platform helps managers in their decision making around employee issues, including performance, pay reviews and promotions. After completing the accelerator, CEO and Founder Nikki Tugano raised $1 million in capital, with its growing customer base including tech giants Atlassian and Culture Amp.

Startup “Jaimee” is one of the new group selected for this year’s Techstars accelerator. Led by two female founders, the business is developing an AI companion for women to assist with stress management, confidence building and relationships.

Jaimee’s co-founders will join other startups who have started the accelerator today. The program will conclude with a Demo Day on December 5 to celebrate the founders and their progress.

For more information about the accelerator program at Tech Central visit Techstars.

Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“The NSW Government is proud to support Techstars with its world leading accelerator program at Tech Central, which will foster the next generation of entrepreneurs in our innovation system.

“I’m delighted such a diverse group has been selected for this accelerator with 10 female-led startups to go through the program. Fostering greater diversity among founders was one of the issues to emerge during consultation on our Innovation Blueprint.”

Techstars Managing Director Kirstin Hunter said:

“I’m excited to welcome the 2024 founders to the Techstars Tech Central Sydney accelerator. These founders are the most diverse group ever seen in a generalist accelerator in Australia – not just in who they are, but in the type of problem they are solving, and the scale of impact that they will deliver through their businesses.”

SeenCulture Founder and CEO Nikki Tugano said:

“Being a part of the Techstars program was without a doubt the best thing that has happened to SeenCulture and has been instrumental to laying the foundations for our early-stage startup to succeed.

“Techstars helped us build such a strong and credible reputation that lowered our barriers to funding, which was a big contributor to our ability to raise our $1 million in investment.”

Jaimee Co-Founder and CEO Sreyna Rath said:

“Meeting the other founders, I was impressed by the high quality of commercial thinking and the diverse range of ideas, from support for disadvantaged groups to sustainability, and in our case, addressing the gender data gap in AI. We’re honoured and excited to be part of this ecosystem to refine our strategy and launch Jaimee internationally.”

The 12 companies selected for the 2024 Techstars Accelerator Program are:

Canopy – An AI-enabled misconduct and psychosocial safety reporting platform. 

Dispute Buddy – Creates searchable timelines of texts and messages to resolve legal disputes quickly.

Earthletica – Australian-designed activewear utilising cutting edge sustainable materials and practices, co-founded by Paris Olympics gold medallist Bronte Campbell.

Female Startup Club – Connects female entrepreneurs with the training and resources they need to build their businesses.

Gether – An AI-assistant that frees working parents from their mental load.

Heatseeker – An AI-enabled platform to help companies grow through quick and easy market tests.

Jaimee – An AI companion for women to assist with stress management, confidence building and relationships.

NEVAM CX – Empowers brands to perfect their customer experience across every channel.

OD-AI – Supports organisations to implement the policies, processes and training to create best practice compliance.

Shutterspeed – An automatic time/cost tracker and business assistant to make content creation more efficient and profitable.

Understanding Zoe – Supports parents and carers of neurodivergent children to apply therapist recommendations at home, school and beyond.

Visuo – Delivers AI powered personalised video experiences to enable brands to drive better customer acquisition, loyalty and retention.

The Minns Labor Government has reasserted its commitment to strengthening the states resilience against biosecurity threats and welcomed the release of the Natural Resources Commission’s (NRC) final preliminary report into the ongoing biosecurity risks of introduced species.

The preliminary report, ‘Reducing Risk, Securing the Future – NSW Invasive Species Management Review’ delivers on an election commitment and provides a comprehensive overview of the priority risks and impacts of invasive species in NSW, including the effectiveness of management strategies set up by the former Government.

Invasive species are a serious threat to landscapes, with more than 340 weed and 40 pest animal species causing extensive impacts to the NSW economy, environment, and communities.

Concerningly, the report highlights that the former Government dropped the ball when it came to effective management of invasive species, with the cost of invasive species to NSW ballooning from $661.2 million in the 2000s to $1.9 billion in 2022-23.

This year’s Minns Government budget included a record $946 million allocation for biosecurity, with an additional $60 million announced recently to rebuild essential infrastructure across the State’s network of research stations where work is ongoing to address biosecurity and other threats.

The report further projects that without concerted action by 2030 new incursions could cost the state $29.7 billion annually.

This preliminary review will now open for consultation with industry, experts and stakeholders, with a final report to be published before the end of the year, including a framework and recommendations to address the impacts of invasive species moving forward.

The New South Wales Government has made it clear that strengthening the state’s resilience, response and protection against biosecurity threats is a priority, with the NSW’s first Independent Biosecurity Commissioner Dr. Marion Healy appointed this year.

In line with the preliminary report recommendations of the NRC the NSW Government is also:

• Investing $26 million between 2023 and 2025 to deliver the Feral Pig Program and expanded Feral Pig and Pest Program
• Updating regional pest animal management plans and developing annual operations plans to outline how priority pest animal will be targeted though local control programs
• Developing an updated Local Land Services compliance policy to guide the agency’s strategic approach to pest animal and weed compliance
• Rolling out the $10 million Good Neighbour Program to tackle pest and weed infestations on private property neighbouring public land
• Reviewing the regulatory and policy settings for priority pest and weed species

Minister for Agriculture, Tara Moriarty said:

“The Government commissioned this report so we could understand the problems we inherited from the former Nationals/Liberal Government’s management of this critically important area.

“While the NRC was developing this report we haven’t sat still – we’ve got on with the job and started addressing the feral pig problem, fixing the system’s governance by creating the Independent Biosecurity Commissioner role and appointing Dr Marion Healy, plus providing record funding for biosecurity and NSW local land services.

“We are committed to responding to the NRC report comprehensively and we are already reviewing the current compliance settings to make sure they are fit for purpose.

“In addition, we will be making sure that public land managers are not only compliant but are leading the way in how they manage the public estate for future generations.

“As a government we will continue to provide education and guidance about what is required to assist all land managers comply with their biosecurity responsibilities.”

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• FileReducing Risk, Securing the Future – NSW Invasive Species Management Review (PDF 3.14MB)

Communities in Western Sydney have been given a first look at the new purpose built Supportive and Palliative Care Unit to be delivered at Westmead Hospital.

The new Unit is part of the $93 million allocated for capital investment as part of the NSW Government’s World Class End of Life Care Program and will feature contemporary supportive and palliative care bedrooms with ensuites, communal areas, meeting spaces, outdoor areas and plenty of natural light.

The location, within a rooftop expansion zone on Level 5 of the Clinical Acute Services Building at the Westmead Hospital, was selected following a comprehensive campus-wide site investigation. The location is close to complementary health services within the hospital, while also providing for patient and family privacy, and access to outdoor space.

The planning and design of the new Unit have been informed by extensive consultation with Supportive and Palliative Care health professionals, carers and community members. The new Unit will provide a culturally sensitive and home-like space to provide care, places for gathering and family, a multi-faith room and access to an outdoor veranda area from all rooms.

The NSW Government’s $93 million capital investment in the World Class End of Life Care program will deliver new or redeveloped palliative care facilities across the state. Other locations to benefit from the Government’s funding for enhanced palliative care units include Wyong, Orange, Tamworth and Penrith.

Planning and design for the new Westmead Hospital Unit will continue over the next few months, with a focus on interiors, landscaping, fittings and equipment.

Construction timeframes will be confirmed following the completion of the design process and once a building contractor has been appointed.

For more project information, visit the website:
World Class End of Life Care Program – Health Infrastructure NSW

Minister for Health Ryan Park:

“The new dedicated Unit will provide purpose-built facilities within a home-like setting for palliative care staff to deliver care and support to patients and families during what can be one of the most challenging times in their lives.

“The new Supportive and Palliative Care Unit at Westmead Hospital will provide access to mostly single patient rooms, family and communal spaces, a multi-faith room and access to the outdoors from all rooms. The location will provide a private and sensitive space.”

Member for Parramatta Donna Davis:

“I’m pleased to see this important project progressing which will provide high-quality end-of-life care to further support local patients and their families.”

“Having access to family and communal spaces, the outdoors and a calm, homely space were common themes during recent consultation undertaken as part of the planning for the new Unit. We have listened to families and included these features in the new Supportive and Palliative Care Unit, which will be a suitable space for patients and their loved ones at such a difficult time.”

Hospitals and patients will be hit hard tomorrow because of the Minns Labor Government’s mismanagement of wage negotiations with our hard-working nurses and midwives.

Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said Labor’s failure to negotiate an outcome comes after successive budget cuts and empty promises.

“It’s shocking that a government claiming to care about essential workers can let it get to this point. Nurses and midwives should be in our hospitals caring for patients, not out on the streets striking while the Government can’t get its act together,” Mr Speakman said.

This strike adds to the growing unrest within the public sector, with firefighters and transport workers also taking action. The Minns Government is losing control of essential services, leaving NSW in disarray.

Shadow Health Minister Kellie Sloane said that our nurses have been failed by the government. “Ryan Park and Chris Minns need to front up, take responsibility for the chaos and apologise to the people whose healthcare will be impacted by this strike tomorrow.

Chris Minns promised stability, but all he’s delivered is bungled promises and deliveries.

Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations Damien Tudehope said that Chris Minns and Ryan Park created this mess and it’s their job to fix it.

“This is a direct consequence of the NSW Labor lying to nurses across NSW before the election and making promises that they had no intention of keeping,” Mr Tudehope said.

“They have failed our nurses and midwives, and they are failing the people of NSW. Enough is enough – it’s time for this government to show some leadership and take responsibility for the chaos they’ve caused.”

The Opposition is demanding Chris Minns and Ryan Park return to the negotiating table and resolve the crisis before further damage is done to NSW’s already strained health system.