CONSTRUCTION OF THE WESTERN SYDNEY METRO TO START NEXT YEAR
Construction will soon begin on the Western Sydney Metro, with seven station locations confirmed – a project that will slash travel times between Parramatta and the Sydney CBD down to around 20 minutes.
The locations of seven proposed Metro stations have been confirmed at Westmead, Parramatta, Sydney Olympic Park, North Strathfield, Burwood North, Five Dock and the Bays Precinct.
Western Sydney Metro will more than double the existing rail capacity between Greater Parramatta and the Sydney CBD and slash travel times between Parramatta and the Sydney CBD to around 20 minutes
The project is also anticipated to create approximately 10,000 direct and 70,000 indirect jobs.
BACK TO BASICS: STUDENTS TO FOCUS ON MATHS, ENGLISH AND SCIENCE
The NSW school curriculum is set for its first major shakeup in over a generation, with a renewed focus on maths, English and science, following the release of the interim curriculum review.
“The NSW Government strongly supports a back to basics approach,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Students need to have strong foundations in maths, English and science to be prepared for the jobs of the future and for attaining lifelong skills.”
This is the first review of the curriculum to be done in 30 years. Students need to be equipped with strong literacy and numeracy foundations to succeed in the 21st Century.
MATHS TO BE COMPULSORY FOR STUDENTS
Maths will be compulsory for all students in the revised NSW curriculum to ensure students are prepared for the jobs of the future.
NSW Government is working to make maths compulsory from Kindergarten to Year 12 to ensure students have the numeracy skills required to succeed in today’s society.
Earlier this week the interim report into the NSW Curriculum Review was released signalling the start of the biggest shakeup to the NSW curriculum in over 30 years.
NEW CURRICULUM MAKING IT EASIER FOR STUDENTS TO TAKE UP A TRADE
School leavers will benefit from an accelerated pathway from Year 12 to TAFE NSW with the NSW Government announcing a new program to incentivise study at TAFE. The program will make it more attractive for high school students to take up a trade or apprenticeship by allowing students to receive recognition for what they have already learnt at school.
RAISING THE STANDARDS OF MATHS TEACHING IN NSW
People wanting to teach maths in NSW primary schools will need to have achieved at least a Band 4 or equivalent in Maths for the HSC Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell.
From 2021, students sitting the HSC will need to achieve at least a Band 4 in maths to become a primary school teacher in NSW.
NSW GOVERNMENT PROVIDES CERTAINTY FOR MINING INVESTMENT
The NSW Government will introduce a package of measures to prevent the regulation of overseas, or scope-three, greenhouse gas emissions in local mining approvals.
The proposed legislation will clarify the concerns around the export of coal after a recent decision by the Independent Planning Commission to impose a scope-three emissions condition on its approval of the United Wambo coal project.
The mining sector is a major employer in regional NSW, driving investment opportunities and job creation and the Government’s changes deliver certainty for mining companies and investors across the State.
These changes will help restore NSW law and policy to the situation that existed prior to the Rocky Hill decision and will provide the mining sector with greater certainty
MORE NSW HOUSEHOLDS TO BENEFIT FROM SOLAR
Up to 3,000 low income households in five areas will be offered a free rooftop solar system and installation worth $4,000 in a NSW Government funded trial that will also shave more than $300 a year off their energy bills.
The NSW Government has committed $15 million to reduce the impact of high energy prices, particularly for vulnerable low-income households.
STRONG FOUNDATIONS SET FOR BUILDING REFORM
The NSW Government continues to deliver on its promised suite of reforms to the building and construction industry, with the introduction of the Design and Building Practitioners Bill 2019 to the NSW Parliament.
The Bill outlines key accountabilities of design and building practitioners for the first time, and aims to improve the quality and integrity of vital design documentation, relied upon by construction professionals and directly addresses the key recommendations of the Building Confidence Report.
NEW BUS CONTRACTS TO DRIVE IMPROVED SERVICES
Bus customers will receive additional services and innovative on demand options under new contracts to lift the standard of transport across Sydney.
The NSW Government will invite the world’s leading public transport operators, Australian and international, to bid for contracts for 13 of Sydney’s bus contract regions over the next three years.
The NSW Government will continue to:
- own State Transit buses and all other assets such as depots,
- regulate timetables, safety, and service priorities, and
- set fares as they are today, under the Opal system.
HITACHI: FIRST TO MOVE FROM MOU TO TENANT
One of the world’s largest companies – the Japanese conglomerate Hitachi – has signed up to be the first tenant at the Aerotropolis, with a collaboration and research centre that will generate hi-tech jobs.
The centre, based on Hitachi’s successful Kyoso-no-mori facility in Japan, will promote collaborative creation-style research between business, academics and government.
Ms Berejiklian said the ‘Kyoso’ centre would bring Hitachi’s successful ‘Social Innovation Business’ concept to Western Sydney, and was an important step towards ensuring the new Aerotropolis delivers on its promise to be a hub for innovation, research and development.