NSW GOVERNMENT WEEKLY UPDATE - 21 AUGUST 2020

21 August 2020
COVID-19 SUPPORT COURSES HIT 115,000 ENROLMENTS
 
  • The NSW Government’s fee-free COVID-19 support short courses passed 115,000 enrolments before closing last month, with medical administration the most popular area.
  • The suite of online courses provided an opportunity for NSW residents to gain new skills at the height of the pandemic, and were fully funded by the NSW Government. 
  • Premier Gladys Berejiklian said people who enrolled in a TAFE NSW short course during the pandemic were putting the skills to good use.
  • The program closed to new enrolments at the end of last month.
 
FREE PRESCHOOL IN NSW CONTINUED FOR TERM 4
 
  • The NSW Government announced an extension of the COVID-19 relief funding for community and mobile preschools to the end of Term 4.
  • Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell said the continued funding recognises the importance of helping families keep children engaged in preschool education. 
  • While the NSW Government provides ongoing funding for preschools, this package provides additional funds to cover parent fees and the impact of falling enrolments.
 
MORE INDUSTRIES TO BENEFIT AS SMALL BUSINESS RECOVERY GRANT EXTENDED
 
  • The NSW Government has extended the deadline for applications to the $3,000 Small Business Recovery Grant and expanded the number of highly impacted industries able to apply.
  • The deadline for grant applications has been extended to 31 August 2020 with 18 additional highly impacted industries soon able to apply for the $3,000 Small Business Recovery Grant.
  • The Small Business Recovery Grant can only be used for expenses from 1 July and where no other Government support is available.
  • More information on the Small Business Recovery Grant is available here. Small business owners can contact Service NSW for more information about eligibility on 13 77 88.
 
TEN PROJECTS FAST-TRACKED IN TRANCHE FIVE
 
  • Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes said the projects in the fifth tranche  of the program will deliver more than $3 billion in economic value and create opportunities for more than 2,700 jobs, if approved.
  • Decisions will be made on tranche five projects by 11 September 2020. For more information visit http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/fast-tracked-assessments.
 
APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN TO FIX COUNTRY BRIDGES
 
  • Applications are now open for a new $500 million program that will replace hundreds of ageing timber bridges and better connect countless regional communities across NSW. 
  • Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro said the NSW Government’s Fixing Country Bridges program recognised that maintenance of ageing timber bridges across regional NSW was a major burden for local councils and rate payers. 
  • Information on Fixing Country Bridges funding criteria, program guidelines and how to submit an application can be found at nswroads.work/fixingcountrybridges
 
PPE MANUFACTURING TO SKYROCKET IN NSW
  • The NSW Government has ramped up its commitment to COVID safety, introducing a $5 million grants scheme to locally manufacture critical Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and create jobs.
  • Deputy Premier John Barilaro launched the program to support domestic manufacturing of PPE in NSW by providing grants to local companies to help fund equipment, raw materials and recruitment of skilled staff.
 
BUSHFIRE SUPPORT CONTINUES AS MORE FAMILIES REGISTER FOR CLEAN-UP
  • Support for bushfire-impacted communities continues across the State with an additional 149 property owners registered for the NSW Government’s clean-up program and crews going above and beyond to clear some of the hardest to reach properties. 
  • Support for clean-up will continue via Public Works Authority as Laing O’Rourke reach the completion of their contract with the NSW Government.  People seeking assistance, including clean-up, are urged to contact Service NSW on 13 77 88.
 
NSW GOVERNMENT BACKS EXPORTERS TO GO GLOBAL
  • Small and medium-sized businesses and regional communities across the State are set to benefit from a coordinated NSW Government push to showcase local products and develop global export sales. 
  • Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW, Industry and Trade John Barilaro launched the NSW Government’s $12 million Going Global Package which includes grants of up to $10,000 for eligible businesses through the Export Assistance Grant scheme.
  • More information is available at: global.nsw.gov.au/nsw-export-assistance-package
 
SHARED SPACES TO TRANSFORM OUR STREETS
  • Streets across NSW will be transformed into vibrant pedestrian-friendly public spaces with the NSW Government announcing the successful funding recipients under the $15 million Streets as Shared Spaces program.
  • Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the funds will help 27 regional councils and 14 councils across Greater Sydney deliver temporary street transformations, such as cycleways, pop-up parklets and improved lighting.
  • For more information and the full list of 48 successful proposals visit: www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/streetsgrants
 
PRIMARY PRODUCER GRANTS PASS $100 MILLION AS SUPPORT FOR BUSHFIRE COMMUNITIES CONTINUES
  • Support for bushfire-affected primary producers has topped $100 million through the Special Disaster Grants program, re-affirming the NSW Government’s commitment to regional communities.
  • Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for Disaster Recovery John Barilaro said the program provides farmers and other primary production businesses in fire-affected areas with a one-off payment of up to $75,000.
  • Applications for the Special Disaster Grant can be made via the NSW Rural Assistance Authority, either by calling 1800 678 593 or online at www.raa.nsw.gov.au.

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

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