The Minns Labor Government is calling on the best and brightest in developing Artificial Intelligence (AI) and technology tools to improve the NSW Planning Portal and speed up assessment timeframes to deliver more homes, jobs and infrastructure.
The NSW Planning Portal processes all the state’s Development Applications (DA) as well as Complying Development Certificates (CDC) and Concurrence and Referrals (C&R) for DAs that require state agency advice.
The NSW Government has launched two Requests for Proposals (RFP) seeking innovative technology and AI solutions to integrate into the Planning Portal as a feature of the Next Generation NSW Planning Portal Ecosystem. The first RFP asks for:
Products to improve DA quality and assessment times that can be integrated into the existing Portal
Products or services that use AI to provide data analytics and spatial insights
Products to strengthen cybersecurity and improve user privacy including document security and certificate forgery
A second tender seeking a range of technology enhancements to upgrade the core platform functionality of the NSW Planning Portal which include:
Making this legacy platform more efficient through upgrades to assessment and implementation planning
Seeking products that improve security through data processing and document migration and validation
Enhancements to the core platform, making it more reliable and improving the user experience
These two RFPs follow the NSW Government’s $5.6 million investment to introduce AI into the planning system with 16 councils currently trialling AI solutions through the AI Early Adopter Grant.
To provide a Request for Proposal for the NSW Planning Portal, applicants should respond by 3pm on Friday 1 November: NSW Planning Portal – Pega Upgrade – SR00252 | buy.nsw
To provide a Request for Proposal for the Next Generation NSW Planning Portal ecosystem applicants should respond by 3pm on Monday 4 November: Next Generation NSW Planning Portal Ecosystem – SR00132 | buy.nsw
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:
“The NSW Planning Portal services millions of people, it should be utilising the best technological platforms available to us.
“AI can assist planners to determine DAs much faster and that means faster assessments for housing across NSW.
“We are also looking for solutions to improve the core technology of the Planning Portal to improve user experience.
“The Minns Labor Government is bringing the planning system into the 21st century.
“Our Early Adopter AI grant Program has already seen 16 councils commence technology trials to help their planners free up valuable time and energy to improve assessment times. This next round of technology enhancements will bring us even closer to the future of digital assessment in the planning system.”
The Liverpool community is a step closer to having a new purpose-built ambulance station at Prestons following the purchase of a site on Enterprise Circuit.
The new Prestons Ambulance Station is being delivered as part of the NSW Government’s $615.5 million NSW Ambulance Infrastructure Program.
Health Infrastructure and NSW Ambulance carried out a thorough evaluation of the site to ensure the location best meets the needs of our emergency ambulance operations and paramedic staff.
New ambulance stations are located at places which optimise ambulance response performance and meet the needs of local community. NSW Ambulance identified Prestons as a high priority location following a comprehensive service planning process using best practice modelling software to map Triple Zero (000) calls.
The next steps for the project include design development and seeking planning approval for the new ambulance station. Construction and operational timeframes will be determined as the project progresses.
The NSW Ambulance Infrastructure Program will deliver 30 additional ambulance stations and supporting infrastructure across Sydney, the Central Coast, Newcastle and Wollongong over the coming years, boosting frontline emergency ambulance care.
Health Infrastructure is working with NSW Ambulance and other Government stakeholders to identify potential sites for new ambulance stations.
Sites are confirmed for North Sydney, South Windsor, Oran Park, Berowra and now Prestons.
New stations across south-western Sydney are also planned to service the communities of Raby, Prairiewood, Doonside, Glenmore Park, the Aerotropolis and Bargo.
Minister for Health Ryan Park:
“I’m delighted our paramedics will have a purpose-built ambulance station to support them while they deliver world-class emergency mobile medical care to our communities well into the future.
“The purchase of the site marks a significant milestone in delivering a vital health service for the local community and surrounding areas.
“The new ambulance station at Prestons will bolster the ambulance station network across the growing communities of south-western Sydney and support existing ambulance stations including at Liverpool and Macquarie Fields.”
Member for Macquarie Fields Anoulack Chanthivong:
“I welcome this investment in urgent medical care services for our rapidly-growing region.
“An ambulance service at Prestons means more local jobs for south-west Sydney, and better response times in emergencies. It’s a win-win for our fast-growing communities.”
Member for Liverpool Charishma Kaliyanda:
“As Liverpool grows, it is important that we invest in health infrastructure to meet the needs of the community.
“The new station is a testament to the NSW Government’s dedication to providing first-class emergency services in the fast growing communities of south west Sydney.
“We know health services like Liverpool Hospital are under a lot of pressure, and this announcement demonstrates that the NSW Government is actively working to ensure Liverpool has what we need to meet the demand, now and into the future.”
Member for Leppington Nathan Hagarty:
“This new ambulance station in Prestons will provide better care for families across the region.
“South-western Sydney is growing rapidly, and it’s crucial that our frontline services grow with us.
“This new station will strengthen the entire network and ensure our local paramedics have the resources and facilities they need to respond quickly and effectively in emergencies.”
Essential workers will receive significantly more support to move and settle into the Northern Rivers thanks to a successful Minns Labor Government initiative, The Welcome Experience, being extended into the region making it easier for local organisations to attract workers to making the move.
Originally piloted during 2023 in Broken Hill, Muswellbrook, Bega, Walgett, Coffs Harbour, Corowa, Griffith and Goulburn, The Welcome Experience has been such a success it is now being rolled out to additional locations since September this year and is now operating in 55 Local Government Areas.
The Welcome Experience will now provide workforce support to the additional town locations of Tweed, Lismore, Ballina, Byron and Richmond Valley thanks to a successful tender application from new host agency, Regional Development Australia (RDA) Northern Rivers.
As part of The Welcome Experience, host agencies help essential workers make the regions their home, forge social connections, access childcare and schooling options, join sporting clubs and even assist with finding job opportunities for partners.
Launched in June last year, The Welcome Experience has helped 665 essential workers and their families to move to regional New South Wales, including 346 health workers, 110 educators and 42 police staff.
The Northern Rivers can look forward to similar type success stories that have emerged after the program was rolled out to other regions over the last few months.
Host Agencies in new delivery locations such as Dubbo, Port Macquarie, Kiama and Inverell are now onboarding Local Connectors, plus engaging their local communities and gathering feedback to assist them to tailor the delivery of The Welcome Experience to meet specific needs of communities.
Among the new host agencies is RDA Murray, which has reported a positive stream of enquiries since September from essential workers considering the move to the Albury area.
RDA Program Manager for Albury Karin Willcox is already assisting two registered nurses and their children move to the region from New Zealand.
Karin has organised arrangements for the family ahead of their arrival, including airport pickup, car rental, childcare, schooling options, and even securing furniture for their new home.
Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty said:
“Our Government is focusing on ensuring regional NSW receives the services it needs and attracting essential workers is critical to making that happen.
“If people get to hear first-hand info about schools or childcare, and that there is a good bunch of people in the local netball team, plus insights on cafes and places to fish, you are making them feel welcome.
“Recognising the area’s needs, the Government is pleased the procurement process has been completed to engage RDA Northern Rivers to set up services in five towns that will boost the attraction of essential workers.
“The Welcome Experience has a strong track record of warmly welcoming workers to regional NSW and encouraging them to build lasting connections in their new communities, and I look forward to seeing RDA continue this valuable work in the Northern Rivers region.”
NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery and State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said:
“I congratulate Regional Development Australia (RDA) Northern Rivers on successfully tendering to be host agency for The Welcome Experience in towns across our region as this organisation has a track record of building capacity through strengthening networks.
“We need to attract and retain more essential workers as our population grows, and providing workforce support with relocations and settling into a new community for workers and their families is a no-brainer.
“Some councils provide new residents with a welcome pack to help them navigate their new surroundings, and this Minns Labor Government initiative is that concept writ large, offering a wraparound set of services specific to our region.
“The Welcome Experience’s pilot sites have been successful in helping hundreds of health workers, educators and police move to the regions, and I look forward to more success in Lismore, Tweed, Byron, Ballina and Richmond Valley.”
RDA Northern Rivers Director of Regional Development Anthony Schreenan said:
“The Welcome Experience will support new essential workers through every step of the relocation process, from when they first consider the move, to when they decide to make their home in the Northern Rivers and build connections in the community,” Mr Schreenan said.
“We are so happy to be able to benefit from The Welcome Experience, the pilot showed that the key to retaining workers is welcoming them into the community, and that’s more than finding a house to live in and school for the kids.
“It’s becoming part of the local sports club, getting to know fellow parents, connecting with the people at your local and building networks of friendship.
“Our Local Connector will provide a concierge service, connecting with essential workers who are considering relocating to our region and providing information about the region, finding a place to live, access to schools and amenities, and services available.
Locations delivering The Welcome Experience:
Region
Location Government Areas
Successful Host Agency
Northern NSW
Glen Innes Severn and Inverell
Attract Connect Stay Glenn Innes
North Coast & Rivers
Tweed, Lismore, Ballina, Byron and Richmond Valley
RDA Northern Rivers
Mid North Coast
Kempsey, Nambucca and Port Macquarie Hastings
RDA Mid North Coast
Mid North Coast
Coffs Harbour and Bellingen
Boambee East Community Centre
Hunter
Muswellbrook, Singleton and Upper Hunter
Muswellbrook Shire Council
New England
Armidale, Tamworth and Uralla
RDA Northern Inland
Moree Plains
Moree Plains
Moree Plains Shire Council
Orana region
Bourke, Dubbo (incl Wellington) and Walgett
RDA Orana
Central West
Bathurst, Cowra, Lachlan, Lithgow, Oberon, Orange, Parkes and Weddin
Skillset
Western NSW
Balranald, Broken Hill, Central Darling,
Regional Solutions Community Development
Far West NSW
Unincorporated Far West and Wentworth
Regional Solutions Community Development
Murray
Albury, Federation and Greater Hume
RDA Murray
Eastern Riverina
Temora, Tumut, Wagga Wagga
RDA Riverina
Western Riverina
Griffith, Leeton,
RDA Riverina
Southern NSW
Goulburn Mulwaree, Hilltops, Queanbeyan-Palerang, Snowy-Monaro, Upper Lachlan, Wingecarribee and Yass Valley
Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla have concluded an historic visit to Australia.
The Royal visit was The King’s first visit to Australia as Sovereign.
It showcased the very best of modern Australia, including our strong communities, scientific innovation and rich cultural diversity.
In Canberra, Their Majesties honoured fallen Australians at the Australian War Memorial, visited Parliament House and learned more about Australia’s unique environment and the impact of climate change on our ecosystems at the National Botanic Gardens.
The spectacular Fleet Review of the Royal Australian Navy, the visit to the Sydney Opera House and the community barbecue in Western Sydney were highlights of Their Majesties’ Sydney visit, and gave them the opportunity to meet a wide range of Australians.
The King and Queen’s visit focused attention on important work being done in our community to improve the lives of everyday Australians.
The King met the Australians of the Year at the ground-breaking Melanoma Institute, and met Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community representatives to hear about a range of community projects at the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence. The King also visited a sustainable NSW Homes community housing project which will soon provide 75 affordable homes to people in Sydney’s inner-west.
The Queen assisted volunteers at OzHarvest to prepare meals and spent time hearing from women’s safety advocates about their vital work at Government House.
To mark the Royal visit, the Australian Government made a $10,000 national contribution to Greening Australia on behalf of all Australians. Greening Australia is a national not-for-profit committed to restoring Australia’s diverse landscapes and protecting biodiversity in ways that benefit communities, economies, and nature.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
“It was an honour to welcome The King and Queen to Australia for this historic visit, the first by a Sovereign since Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 2011.
“Their Majesties met a range of extraordinary Australians who demonstrated the best of our great country.
“I look forward to meeting The King again in Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will travel to Samoa from 24 to 26 October for the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
This will be his first visit to Samoa as Prime Minister.
Encompassing around a third of the world’s population, the Commonwealth has a strong record of multilateral cooperation to promote human rights and shared values.
Australia is proud to support Samoa as host of a uniquely Pacific CHOGM — the first to be hosted by a Pacific island country.
Australia is pleased to have provided support for Samoa’s preparations for the meeting, including on security, logistics and policy development.
Australia’s priorities for CHOGM are closely aligned with Samoa’s, with a focus on our collective efforts to address climate change and the sustainable management of our oceans.
As well as investing in the resilience of Pacific partners, Australia is working with the international community to pursue security and economic opportunity in a net zero future.
Prime Minister Albanese will join representatives from more than 50 countries to work with Commonwealth members to address global challenges.
The Prime Minister will be joined by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:
“I am pleased to attend the first Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting hosted by a Pacific island country.
“It is a particularly special occasion to be in Samoa, together with so many Commonwealth counterparts and His Majesty The King, in the 75th year of the Commonwealth.
“Australia values the significant role Samoa plays in our region, and the close partnership between our two countries.
“I thank Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa for hosting this year’s meeting and welcome her leadership to elevate Pacific priorities and voices on the international stage.”
Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Deputy Greens Leader and spokesperson for the Republic, has commented on the arrival of the British monarchy to Australia, ahead of the Prime Minister’s parliamentary reception scheduled today.
Senator Faruqi:
‘It will come as no surprise that I will not be participating in any pomp and ceremony celebrating the monarchy, but I’d be happy to go to the airport to wish them a final goodbye in the hope that this is the last time the crown visits this country as rulers.
“Anthony Albanese and Labor may have given up on Australia becoming a Republic, like they have given up on tackling the climate crisis, the housing and rental crisis and justice for First Nations, but the Greens will keep fighting.
“The truth is, racism and colonialism are intertwined; and the monarchy symbolises an era that should be left behind for good, not celebrated.
“Preserving the British monarchy is to preserve white supremacy and the systemic racist structures that were built by the Empire and persist today.
“It’s time for Australia to embrace a Republic rooted in decolonisation and sovereignty for First Nations—a crucial step towards racial justice, truth telling and treaty.”
The NSW Government should be strongly advocating for Australia’s drinking water guidelines to reflect global best practice after draft new guidelines released today still have Australia lagging behind the US on acceptable levels for some ‘forever chemicals’ says Cate Faehrmann, Greens NSW MP and chair of the newly established Upper House Inquiry into PFAS.
“Why should Australians accept a new drinking water standard that has levels of one forever chemical, PFOA, at 50 times what the US is prepared to accept? PFOA has recently been declared carcinogenic by the World Health Organisation, so surely the only acceptable level is close, or at, zero,” Cate Faehrmann said.
“Australia is behind many other jurisdictions that have acted on the growing body of evidence about just how dangerous these chemicals are much sooner. It shouldn’t have taken a media investigation and negative headlines to get action here.
“Australia must now seize this opportunity and adopt the world’s best practice when it comes to identifying and removing PFAS from our water supplies. The NSW Government needs to be strongly advocating for this at the federal level.
“It makes no sense that new guidelines will set acceptable levels for some ‘forever chemicals’ higher than what the US allows. Why should we be prepared to accept higher levels of chemicals than people in the US?
“The public deserves to know on what evidence all decisions around supposedly safe levels are being made,” said Cate Faehrmann.
Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Deputy Greens Leader and spokesperson for Higher Education, has commented on the slashing of hundreds of jobs in the university sector with the latest announcement today by the University of Canberra, following recent job cut announcements at Macquarie University and the ANU.
Senator Faruqi:
“There is something deeply wrong with universities if hundreds of jobs are being cut while VCs walk away with million-dollar plus pay packets.
“Rampant casualisation, wage theft and enormous workloads were already crushing staff, and now hundreds will be without a job. It should be VC salaries that should be cut, not staff jobs.
“For too long, the corporatisation of universities has continued unabated, with disastrous consequences for staff and students. Staff and students are not expendable cogs in the wheels of a corporate campus.
“Universities are in strife, and the Labor government is going to make it even worse with their international student caps. Instead, they should be providing a big boost of funding to universities and overhauling university governance to put staff and students back at the centre of decision making.”
Big tech and social media corporations should pay their fair share back to the communities they profit from, including for public interest journalism, according to the Greens and a Parliamentary Select Committee Report into Social Media.
The Greens are calling on the Government to stand up to tech giants like Meta and protect media diversity and public interest journalism in Australia via comprehensive regulatory reform. In additional comments the Greens are calling for an overhaul of ACMA powers, and the implementation of the News Media Assistance Program.
Senator Sarah Hanson-Young is Greens Spokesperson for Communications:
“A strong, diverse and trusted news media sector is essential for a strong and robust democracy. Australia needs to urgently address the lack of trust and sustainability of quality public interest journalism if we are to protect ourselves from the rampant disinformation and politics of division we are witnessing in the United States.
“Independent public interest journalism is a public good, but more is needed than just short term funding and grant programs.
“It’s clear that comprehensive digital and media reform is well overdue in Australia and we need stronger laws that deal with the toxic business model of these big tech corporations.
“It’s time for the Albanese Government to make these companies pay their fair share back to the communities they are profiting from, and too often, harming. We’ve seen this in countries like France and Canada and it should be part of the solution to fund the public interest journalism that’s been gutted by the tech giants.
“We also need greater transparency over how these companies use their algorithms and the data of everyday users.
“We need to fund quality, public interest journalism in Australia and ensure that a diversity of publishers, especially small, medium, regional and independent media are supported.
“ACMA’s powers are not fit for purpose in a digital age and comprehensive reform in this area is well overdue.
“A Commission of Inquiry into media regulation and diversity including the damaging impact the Murdoch media empire is having on our democracy is also warranted.
“While this is the first report of this inquiry, focused on the news media bargaining code and journalism support, the final report of the inquiry will deal with the harms of social media and the need for regulating the big tech giants.
“Labor & the Liberals should back the Greens’ call for a ban on big tech corporations harvesting the data of young people and targeting them with advertising and dangerous algorithms. The business model of collecting, selling and exploiting young people’s data to make massive profits must stop.”
The community is invited to have their say on a proposal to upgrade Newcastle’s cycling and pedestrian network along the heritage listed Parkway Avenue in Hamilton South.
The proposed improvements, between National Park Street and Smith Street intersections, includes both on-road cycle lanes, sections of off-road shared pathway, amendments to the roundabouts, as well as two combined pedestrian-cycling crossings across Parkway Avenue and the grassed median.
Corner of National Park Street and Parkway Avenue, Hamilton South
The project is being delivered by City of Newcastle, utilising $469,500 from the Australian Government Black Spot Program as administered by Transport for NSW.
Executive Manager Transport and Regulation Ryan Tranter said the cycleway and shared pathways would foster a safer and more accessible thoroughfare for cyclists and pedestrians, whilst linking schools with parks and residential areas.
“This project will provide safe, convenient connections between our shopping centres, favourite places to visit, and homes, inspiring people to walk and ride more often,” Mr Tranter said.
“We want to hear feedback from residents, high school students, commuters, and anyone who has an interest in the proposed improvements to Parkway Avenue.
“Feedback from the community is an important aspect of the process and I encourage everyone to have their say during the public exhibition period to help inform the detailed design.”
The project aims to maintain the heritage and character of Parkway Avenue including its uniform streetscape and retaining the grand median with iconic Norfolk pine trees, whilst providing more space for pedestrians and cyclists.
In alignment with City of Newcastle’s ‘On Our Bikes’ Cycling Plan, the project proposes designated cycle routes and slowing vehicles by adding speed cushions and realigning the kerb to narrow the lanes on approach of the two roundabouts.
New priority crossing points will also improve safety for pedestrians travelling in the area.
The new cycleway and shared path will complement City of Newcastle’s $2 million upgrade which is underway at Maud Street Waratah West, addressing safety and accessibility issues with a signalised crossing, improved alignment, kerb extension and shared paths.
Community feedback on the proposed concept plans is open until 5pm, Monday 18 November 2024 and will be incorporated as part of the detailed design stage.
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Corner of National Park Street and Parkway Avenue, Hamilton South