NSW GOVERNMENT WEEKLY UPDATE - 2 OCTOBER 2020

2 October 2020
‘SLOWDOWN’ AND SAVE LIVES THIS LONG WEEKEND
 
  • Drivers are being urged to slow down on the road and waterways this October long weekend with much of NSW expected to take advantage of the warmer weather and eased COVID-19 restrictions.
  • Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said police will be out in force across the state with high-visibility deployments for Operation Slowdown.
  • Double demerits will be in place from 12.01am on Friday (2 October 2020) to 11.59pm on Monday (5 October 2020).
 
SPRING INTO DAYLIGHT SAVING AND BE COVID SAFE
 
  • Attorney General Mark Speakman has reminded NSW residents that daylight saving commences again on Sunday, 4 October at 2am.
 
IRC DECISION SUPPORTS JOB CREATION PLAN
 
  • The Full Bench of the Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales rejected public service union demands to lock in 2.5 per cent pay increases for NSW public servants each year for the next three years.
  • The Commission instead awarded a reduced one-year pay increase of 0.3 per cent for around 170,000 public sector employees, which it considered more appropriate in the context of a global economic crisis caused by COVID-19, and which has resulted in more than 280,000 people in NSW being out of work.
  • The NSW Government has already committed to a $3 billion Infrastructure and Job Acceleration Fund providing direct stimulus into the economy to support and create jobs with the unemployment rate at historic levels.
 
NSW PAYS TRIBUTE TO FALLEN POLICE OFFICERS
 
  • NSW has paused to honour our fallen police officers this National Police Remembrance Day with a COVID-safe ceremony and lighting of the Sydney Opera House sails in blue and white.
  • This year, Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott, and Police Commissioner Michael Fuller APM joined the family of the late Constable Aaron Vidal to pay tribute to his life and service by adding his name to the Wall of Remembrance.
  • Premier Gladys Berejiklian said although the ceremony is different this year, it is no less meaningful.
 
NSW SMALL BUSINESS MONTH TO ASSIST THOUSANDS OF BUSINESSES
 
  • Thousands of businesses across the state are set to receive a boost after one of the most challenging times in recent history as the NSW Small Business Month launches tomorrow.
  • Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the NSW Government initiative is the fourth annual NSW Small Business Month, which will include hundreds of free and low-cost activities across NSW and provides a chance for businesses to reboot, connect and recover.
  • The launch event at 10am on Thursday, 1 October will be a live webcast with a top line-up of Government and business experts, including Facebook, NAB and ATO executives. For further information, visit businessmonth.nsw.gov.au
 
NEW PIECE OF BARANGAROO FORESHORE NOW OPEN TO PUBLIC
 
  • A significant part of Sydney’s harbour front has been given back to the community as a new pier, cove and foreshore boardwalk at Sydney’s iconic Barangaroo is now open to the public.
  • Premier Gladys Berejiklian said opening up the foreshore and new Watermans Cove is a fundamental part of Barangaroo’s transformation into a world-class, waterfront precinct.
 
PLANS FOR THE NEW $780 MILLION JOHN HUNTER HOSPITAL BUILDING UNVEILED
 
  • The concept design for the new, seven-storey Acute Services Building for John Hunter and John Hunter’s Children’s hospitals has been unveiled, marking a milestone for the NSW Government’s $780 million health precinct.
  • Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the John Hunter Health and Innovation Precinct would drive significant economic growth in the Greater Newcastle region, generating jobs in construction and health.
  • Early works on the new Acute Services Building are expected to commence in 2021 with main works construction scheduled to commence in 2022.
 
GOULBURN HOSPITAL REACHES NEW HEIGHTS
 
  • The $150 million Goulburn Hospital redevelopment is approaching completion, with the new four-storey Clinical Services Building reaching its highest point of construction.
  • Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the redevelopment is boosting jobs and the local economy, a key part of the NSW Government’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan.
  • Community Mental Health will also be expanded and there will be more onsite parking.
  • Construction is due for completion in late 2021 ahead of opening to patients in 2022.
 
EXPANDED ED OPENS AT BANKSTOWN-LIDCOMBE HOSPITAL
 
  • The south-western Sydney community will access world-class healthcare in the $25 million redeveloped Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital Emergency Department, now open to patients.
  • Minister for Health Brad Hazzard and Member for East Hills Wendy Lindsay visited the Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital to see first-hand the expanded emergency department, which will deliver enhanced medical care to residents of south-western Sydney, one of the fastest growing populations in the state.
  • The $25 million Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital Emergency Department redevelopment is a combination of a new build and upgrade of the existing emergency department space.
  • The NSW Government has announced $1.3 billion to build a new Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital on a new greenfield site, with planning and site investigations underway.
 
BEACHES TURN RED AND YELLOW FLAGGING START OF SEASON
 
  • Thousands of volunteer surf lifesavers across NSW will return to the beach for the first patrol of the season.
  • Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott joined lifesavers at Queenscliff Surf Life Saving Club to raise the first iconic red and yellow flags of the new patrol season and highlight the new challenges brought about by COVID-19.
  • The Surf Lifesaving Patrol season runs until Sunday 25 April 2021. For the latest updates on COVID-19 beach safety advice visit the website.
 
$20 MILLION SUMMER LIFELINE FOR CBD ECONOMY
 
  • The NSW Government and City of Sydney Council announced they would provide up to $20 million in joint funding to boost the CBD economy, support businesses and create jobs across the vital summer period.
  • Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the NSW Government will commit up to $15 million and Council would provide a further $5 million towards a range of initiatives to encourage more people to visit, eat, shop and enjoy the CBD.
 
NSW BUSINESSES POWERING CONSTRUCTION OF SYDNEY’S NEW FOOTBALL STADIUM
 
  • Local businesses are driving construction of the Sydney Football Stadium with almost $300 million worth of contracts awarded to 25 NSW based suppliers and contractors so far.
  • Acting Minister for Sport, Geoff Lee said this project has supported many small, medium and large enterprise across NSW and will continue to do so until its completion in 2022.
  • Construction will continue throughout the pandemic, with extended working hours on weekends to enable safe work practices with social distancing, no job losses or reduced hours for employees.
 
SCHOOLS FORMS GO DIGITAL
 
  • Paper forms at NSW public schools are destined for the pages of history books as the NSW Government embarks on a school digitalisation program, saving parents and staff millions of hours.
  • The NSW Government will provide all parents at public primary schools with the option to enrol their child online and is starting a program to digitise other frequently used school forms.
  • Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said after a successful pilot, the rollout of online enrolment would continue to all public primary schools by 2021.

Authorised by Chris Stone, Liberal Party of Australia, NSW Division, Level 2, 131 Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000.

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