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The Liberals & Nationals Government will invest $78 million for water initiatives to help drought-affected communities in NSW.
In Dubbo today, Minister for Water, Property and Housing Melinda Pavey, alongside Member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders announced the investment would go to communities facing water shortages and water restrictions in the Macquarie valley.
“NSW is experiencing the worst drought on record, and the NSW Government is continuing to work with communities to safeguard town water by investing in critical water initiatives, including new infrastructure,” Ms Pavey said.
“In June, I wrote to every Mayor in the state about the drought situation and how the NSW Government can support them as the water utility provider. This package is part of our support for our rural communities.
The package in the Macquarie Valley includes:

• $10.89 million for the staged delivery of four critical projects that extend limited available supplies for Dubbo, Wellington, Nyngan and Cobar
• $270,000 for Gilgandra Shire Council’s Tooraweenah New Bore project
• Up to $5.5 million to partner with Orange City Council to plan for and deliver critical drought initiatives for their community such as pumping stations to enable the use of the Cowra to Orange pipeline
• Up to $2 million to partner with Bathurst Regional Council plan for alternate water supplies
• Further funding to partner with Councils in the region, such as Parkes Shire Council, to review drought management plans and assist Councils with water efficiency projects and other initiatives required to help their community
• $30 million already allocated to Dubbo Regional Council to enhance their access to groundwater
• $2 million to already allocated to Narromine Shire Council improve Narromine’s access to deeper groundwater
• $2 million already allocated to Bogan Shire Council for critical maintenance of the Albert Priest Channel, and,
• $8.24 million to Bogan Shire Council from the Safe and Secure Water Program to design and construct a second water storage in Nyngan.

“More than 40,000 people rely on the town water supply in Dubbo, with seven bores currently providing about 30 per cent of the town’s water,” Mrs Pavey said.
“The new initiatives come on top of the $30 million already allocated over two years for an expansion of the South Dubbo bore field that will improve groundwater supply to supplement town water and alleviate the impact of drought.
“Another town doing it tough is Narromine whose 3,500 residents are currently on level 3 water restrictions. Due to the drought, the yield of Council bores has decreased. We’ve allocated $2 million to improve Narromine’s access to deeper groundwater in the area.”
This announcement is part of the $78 million critical drought initiatives that will see WaterNSW immediately build critical drought projects in the Macquarie, Upper Namoi, Peel and Border Rivers valleys. Funding will also go to partnership programs with local Councils in Tenterfield, Parkes, Gilgandra, Orange, Walcha and Bathurst.
“These communities, with a combined population of more than 180,000, are doing it the hardest. This infrastructure provide immediate benefit to the community,” Ms Pavey said.
Mr Saunders said the impact of the drought is being felt beyond farms and into local communities.
“Over $7 million will be invested to extend water availability in Macquarie River to Dubbo for over 4 months, with benefits being felt downstream of Burrendong and supporting major tourist attractions like the Taronga Western Plains Zoo,” Mr Saunders said.
“Dubbo is one of NSW biggest regional hubs; water security is vital to the town’s economy, local businesses and jobs.”
WaterNSW is investing in critical projects to extend water supplies in places like Dubbo, Cobar, Nyngan, Wellington and major employers, including the Western Plains Zoo, by at least another 10 months.
The work will involve:

• Temporarily raising the Warren weir and building temporary structures in downstream creeks,
• Planning for temporary pumping infrastructure that would be installed at Burrendong Dam to extract the water below the outlet valve, as a last resort,
• Funding will also be made available to partner with Councils and plan for and deliver critical drought initiatives for towns like Orange, Bathurst, Tooraweenah and Parkes.

For further information on NSW Government’s drought support measures, visit www.droughthub.nsw.gov.a

NSW Environment Minister Matt Kean has today announced the launch of a new app and the release of the first Annual Report for the Koala Strategy, during a visit to mark construction for a new koala hospital and accommodation in Port Stephens.
The new Koala Sanctuary, funded with $3 million from the NSW Koala Strategy, is just one of the many on-ground actions being delivered under the $45 million NSW Koala Strategy.
The success of the strategy is highlighted with stories like Eila and her koala joey Patu. Eila spent 108 days in intensive care, with serious burns, from the Mambo wetland fires in December 2018. Eila’s continuous recovery and the birth of Patu, is nothing short of a miracle and testament of the tremendous care from Port Stephens Koalas wildlife carers.
“Little koala joey Patu is living proof of how important the work of those treating and rehabilitating koalas in the region is,” Mr Kean said.
The Minister also announced the launch of the “I Spy Koala” App, created as part of the NSW Koala Strategy to get NSW communities involved in mapping where they have seen koalas.
“Spotting a koala in the wild is an incredible feeling and we all have the opportunity to make sure we see more of them. By using the app, you are a key part of helping us protect koalas. With better knowledge of koala populations across NSW, we can make better conservation decisions.”
“I encourage everyone in the community – koala rehabilitators, vets, ecologists, researchers, wildlife enthusiasts – to download ‘I Spy Koala’ to record their NSW koala sightings.
“Remember if you see sick or injured wildlife, please contact your local wildlife rehabilitation group directly to ensure care can be provided as soon as possible,” said Mr Kean.
Key achievements under the NSW Koala Strategy include:

• $1.93 million funding allocated to 10 new koala research projects, including new and improved chlamydial treatments.
• More than $1 million on local koala conservation projects.
• Construction of over 9km of fencing along Picton Road, near Wollondilly, to channel koalas and other wildlife to existing crossings under the road.
• The protection of about 7,000 hectares of koala habitat.

Mr Kean said that while there is still lots of work ahead, these milestones are an important step to safeguard the welfare of koalas in NSW.
“We all have a role in saving the koala – and the NSW Koala Strategy is creating opportunities for all of us in the community to get involved in koala conservation, whether you want to protect koala habitat on your land or report a koala sighting”, said Mr Kean.
The NSW Koala Strategy Annual Report:
https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/research-and-publications/publications-search/nsw-koala-strategy-2018-19-annual-report
The data captured through the app will be available to the public through the Sharing and Enabling Environmental Data (SEED) portal.

Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott welcomed 269 new recruits to the NSW Police Force today during a graduation ceremony for Class 338 in Goulburn.
Nineteen of the new recruits are from an Indigenous background, including five who have come through the Indigenous Police Recruitment Our Way Delivery (IPROWD) Program to boost Aboriginal Australians in the NSW Police Force.
Mr Elliott said the State would be a safer place with the new recruits assigned to local Police Commands across NSW.
“I want to welcome each and every attesting recruit to the police family, and pay particular mention to the nineteen Indigenous new recruits who will become strong leaders in their communities,” Mr Elliott said.
“The NSW Liberals & Nationals have invested $583 million to introduce 1500 extra police over the next four years to enhance community safety across NSW.
“This is the biggest investment in police for more than 30 years.”
NSW Police Force Commissioner Mick Fuller said the attestation was an important milestone for recruits.
“Today is a day to celebrate. Our newest recruits have worked extremely hard to be standing on the parade ground,” Commissioner Fuller said.
“Next week they will discover the great sense of pride and responsibility that comes from donning the blue uniform. I welcome them to the NSW Police Force and thank them for their commitment to preventing and disrupting crime.”
Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman also attended the graduation that included 177 men and 92 women. Twenty-nine recruits were born overseas in countries including Iraq, Croatia and Wales.
Following the event, Mr Elliott and Ms Tuckerman joined local SES volunteers in Goulburn to present them with grant for a sand storage bunker to improve their operational response during flood and storm operations.

The NSW Government has outlined its strategic vision for Pyrmont and the Western Harbour precinct as a vibrant residential, entertainment and innovation hub on the fringe of Sydney’s CBD.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian today announced the Greater Sydney Commission had been directed to immediately review the area’s planning rules to ensure they are consistent with the Government’s vision for its future.
“I am sending a strong message that Pyrmont is open for business and ready to be taken to the next level,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Sydney is Australia’s only true global city and we have a unique opportunity before us to transform Pyrmont and the Western Harbour precint into an iconic destination.
“With a growing population, we know there will be more development in Pyrmont in the future. With that will come opportunities to build more transport links including a potential Metro station.
“While individual applications will continue to be determined on their merits, this review sends a clear signal that our government believes the Pyrmont area has a bright and exciting future as a key part of the NSW visitor economy.”
Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes said the GSC’s review would also include recommendations to the Government on how to support a greater diversity of development in the precinct.
“We need to ensure planning rules for the area are still relevant, particularly with major projects planned including the new Sydney Fishmarket, the Ultimo Creative Arts Precinct and Bays Precinct,” Mr Stokes said.
“We must ensure that our planning system is clear and effective in supporting the type and scale of development needed in a top quality, vibrant, mixed-use precinct.
“We must also ensure that any major plans to transform the area are supported with the right infrastructure to create a vibrant destination for locals, visitors and businesses alike.”
The Greater Sydney Commission commenced its review last week, with their report due to be completed by the end of next month.

Families who lose loved ones in unexpected or unexplained circumstances will get the answers they need sooner under planned changes to the Coroners Act 2009.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard and Attorney General Mark Speakman will put forward the proposals to NSW Parliament today, which aim to avoid unnecessary post mortem examinations.
“Around 60 per cent of all cases reported to the NSW Coroner each year are the result of a natural death,” Mr Hazzard said.
“This amendment to the Act will remove the requirement to report a death to the Coroner where the deceased had not seen a doctor in the six months prior to death.”
Mr Speakman said the proposed changes would reduce the number of unnecessary referrals to the Coroner and improve timeframes of other coronial investigations.
“These amendments will remove unnecessary red tape enabling families to have their deceased loved ones returned to them sooner, so they can grieve and lay them to rest,” Mr Speakman said.
“Additionally, and importantly, the change will also bring NSW in line with other states.”
A second amendment will allow a forensic pathologist to undertake preliminary examinations of deceased people without the need for a direction from the Coroner.
This change will similarly improve timeframes for families in circumstances where a full medical post-mortem examination on the deceased person is not needed.
The obligation under the Coroners Act 2009 to report unnatural, violent or suspicious deaths and sudden deaths from unknown causes will remain untouched.
Further opportunities for appropriate ways to improve the coronial process are currently being explored by a special Government taskforce.

In a further crackdown on dangerous bushfire bugs, the standard non-parole period for convicted arsonists is set to increase from five years to nine years to help protect lives and property.
Attorney General Mark Speakman and Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said the Government would introduce an amendment to implement the recommendation of the Sentencing Council to help ensure those who commit bushfire offences spend more time behind bars.
“With another hot and dry summer around the corner, it is important there are strong laws in place to protect farmers and communities who are already struggling because of the drought,” Mr Speakman.
“The tougher standard non-parole period builds on the Government’s introduction of a tougher penalty for the bushfire offence, which increased the maximum penalty from 14 to 21 years in November last year.”
In 2018, Mr Speakman asked the Sentencing Council to review the standard non-parole period.
As a result of the review, the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 will be amended to increase the standard non-parole period for the bushfire offence under section 203E of the Crimes Act 1900. The offence applies to the charge of intentionally causing a fire and being reckless about it spreading on public land or someone else’s property.
Minister Elliott said one act of stupidity could bring a community to its knees.
“My message to would-be firebugs is to stop and think about the children and families who could be killed or injured and the huge economic and emotional toll of being homeless and having to rebuild properties and farms from scratch,” he said.
“There is no excuse for starting a bushfire, which is why the longer standard non-parole period, on top of tougher maximum sentences, reflects the seriousness of the crime.”
NSW Rural Fire Service Acting Commissioner Rob Rogers welcomed the latest reforms and called on the community to report suspicious behaviour.
“NSW firefighters already have a difficult and dangerous job responding to emergencies and keeping the community safe, let alone having to put their lives on the line because some reckless person deliberately started a fire,” he said.
“The prolonged drought means there is an increased risk of fires. It is important people remain vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour so offenders are caught.”
As part of its review, the Sentencing Council received submissions from stakeholders including the Law Society of NSW, Legal Aid NSW, NSW Police Force, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Rural Fire Service Association.
The majority of stakeholders agreed the bushfire offence’s standard non-parole period should be increased.