NSW GOVERNMENT WEEKLY UPDATE - 14 AUGUST 2020

COVID-19 RECOVERY PLAN
 

• The NSW Government’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan will ensure we remain resilient and build a future-proof economy.
• The six-point plan will create jobs and improve the quality of life for the people of NSW.

Infrastructure pipeline – $100 billion infrastructure pipeline: projects equal jobs
Planning and precincts – growing industries in key hubs across the state
Education and skills – equipping our citizens for the jobs of the future
Digitisation – accelerating recovery
Advanced manufacturing and local supply chains – building a self-sufficient economy and more self-reliance.
Federal-state relations – reduce red tape and duplication 

• The COVID-19 Recovery Plan can be viewed at https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19-recovery-plan.

 
 
$200 MILLION WYONG HOSPITAL REACHES HIGH POINT
 

• A new, state-of-the-art hospital on the Central Coast is one step closer to completion with the six-storey clinical services building reaching its highest point.
• The $200 million Wyong Hospital redevelopment would provide first-class healthcare services to the Central Coast.
• The new clinical services building will include:
  • A new emergency department;
  • A new intensive care unit;
  • A new psychiatric emergency care centre;
  • A new ambulatory paediatric unit;
  • A new and expanded medical imaging department;
  • A new and 28-bed medical assessment unit; and
  • Additional 60 inpatient beds with future expansion space.
• The redevelopment also includes a refurbishment of the existing hospital to provide more operating theatre capacity, an expanded medical day unit and an expanded transit lounge.
• The new building will be complete in mid-to-late 2021 and the refurbishment will be finished in early 2022.

 
MORATORIUM ON HOTEL QUARANTINE FEE FOR NSW RESIDENTS RETURNING FROM VICTORIA
 

• NSW residents returning from Victoria will have their hotel quarantine fee waived for the next month to ease the financial burden on returnees.
• The charge will be waived retrospectively and apply to NSW residents already in hotel quarantine after travelling from Victoria.
• The moratorium on the hotel quarantine charge for NSW residents will expire at 12:01am Friday, 11 September.
• For the most up-to-date information, visit the NSW Government website: nsw.gov.au/covid-19.

 
AN INDUSTRIAL RENAISSANCE IN REGIONAL NSW
 

• The NSW Government is building five powerhouse economic precincts across regional NSW that will create up to 18,000 new jobs, attract new investors and strengthen regional economies.
• The ‘Special Activation Precinct’ (SAP) program provides a roadmap for investment across the state and is calling on industries to choose regional NSW.
• Special Activation Precincts, regional NSW’s version of economic development zones, will cut red and green tape with a 30-day target for planning approvals. Each precinct will maintain the local appeal and amenity of the area so economic and job growth don’t compromise the regional lifestyle locals love.

 
NEW TOOLKIT HELPS BUSINESSES GET BACK TO WORK
 

• A new online toolkit is helping businesses as they continue to navigate the challenges of COVID-19.
• Developed by the NSW Government’s business advisory service, Business Connect, the toolkit includes more than 35 webinars on a range of business-related subjects, fact sheets and training videos.
• Webinar topics include Business Disruption: Rural and Regional, presented by Sue Williams, founder of the Great Lakes Food Trail, Organic Facebook Marketing, and Smart Phone Flat Lay Photography.
• To access the Business Connect Online Toolkit click here.

 
NEW POLICE ON THE BEAT KEEPING NSW SAFE
 

• The NSW Police Force welcomes 197 new probationary constables who will join the record numbers of frontline police doing essential work to keep NSW safe.
• Class 342 comprises of 125 men and 72 women. Of the probationary constables attesting, 170 were born in Australia and 27 were born overseas. Their countries of origin include Hong Kong, Nepal, Wales and India.
• The new officers will commence duties in their various commands on Monday 17 August 2020. The NSW Government has committed $583 million over four years to deliver 1500 new police officers – the biggest single increase for the NSW Police Force in more than 30 years.

 
TRANS-TASMAN NRL CLASH COMING TO TAMWORTH 
 

• Grassroots footy in regional NSW will receive a massive boost in 2020 with the NSW Government and the National Rugby League announcing a Premiership game will take place in Tamworth later this month.
• The game, which will be played between the New Zealand Warriors and the Newcastle Knights on 29 August is huge news for rugby league in the regions, where people live and breathe sport.
• The NSW Government will be working hand-in-hand with the NRL and ground staff to ensure all COVIDSafe plans and Public Health Orders are followed. 

 
EXPERT PANEL TO ACCELERATE REMOVAL OF HIGH-RISK CLADDING
 

• The NSW Government has established an expert panel of building and construction specialists to help support the removal of unsafe cladding across the state.
• The Cladding Product Safety Panel has been tasked with assisting the NSW Building Commissioner, building owners, councils and other regulators by identifying, and where necessary testing, the safest ways to remove and replace high-risk cladding.
• The eight-member panel will be chaired by Professor Mark Hoffman, who led the investigation into building failures at Mascot and Opal towers. It consists of members with expertise in building and construction, product testing, building surveying, certification and fire safety engineering.

 
EASIER HOSPITAL ACCESS FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS
 

• Victims of domestic and family violence will now have easier access to NSW public hospitals for the treatment of their injuries, as part of the NSW Government’s COVID-19 response.
• The NSW Government has changed its NSW hospital fees policy so that Medicare ineligible victims of domestic and family violence (DFV) – like those on Temporary Protection Visas – will no longer be required to report the crime to police in order to access public hospitals at no cost.
• It is vital that people facing violence at home feel safe to seek support and care in our public hospitals, without fear of reprisal from perpetrators.
• For more information on services and supports, visit the NSW Government’s ‘Speak Out’ webpage: https://www.speakout.dcj.nsw.gov.au/.

 
FREIGHT RAIL LINE DUPLICATION FAST-TRACKED
 

• New detailed plans for two freight rail projects, that will ease traffic congestion on some of Sydney’s busiest roads, have been approved by the NSW Government.
• The current single freight rail track between Mascot and Botany will be duplicated and a new passing loop will be added to the freight line between Cabramatta and Warwick Farm stations, allowing for freight trains up to 1,300 metres in length.
• The two projects are the latest projects to be determined through the NSW Government’s Planning System Acceleration Program that is keeping people in jobs and the economy moving through the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, the program has created opportunities for more than 41,000 jobs and $18.2 billion in economic benefit.