NSW GOVERNMENT WEEKLY UPDATE - 21 MAY 2021

21 May 2021

NSW HEALTH BEGINS TO VACCINATE 40-49 YEAR OLDS

Members of the public in the 40 to 49-year-old category have begun to receive the Pfizer vaccine after they were invited to book an appointment.
More than 16,000 people aged 40 to 49 have been contacted to make an appointment at Sydney Olympic Park after they registered their interest to receive the Pfizer vaccine.
People aged 40-49 can register for the Pfizer vaccine here: www.nsw.gov.au. People will be contacted when a booking is available.
People aged over 50 can book their AstraZeneca jab at the mass vaccination centre at Sydney Olympic Park, if they are unable to obtain the vaccination from their GP. Bookings are available here: www.covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility.

EXPANSION OF PFIZER HUBS FOR VACCINE ROLLOUT

The NSW Government is accelerating the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine with 25 Pfizer sites across the state now taking bookings for people aged 40 to 49. 17 of these are in rural and regional NSW.
These sites are spread across both Greater Sydney and rural and regional NSW ensuring as many people as possible have access to the vaccine.
Around 23,500 people aged between 40 and 49 had already been invited to book a vaccine at a NSW Health clinic, with 12,000 people already booked for the Pfizer jab.
People aged 40-49 can register for the Pfizer vaccine here: www.nsw.gov.au. People will be contacted when a booking is available.

200,000 BUNDLES OF JOY DELIVERED

Parents of more than 200,000 newborns across NSW have benefited from a Baby Bundle of essential items given to them on the birth of their child over the last two years.
The Baby Bubble is valued at more than $300 and is filled with baby products and information to support the health, development and well-being of babies in NSW.
The Baby Bundle includes a number of items including a sleeping bag, play and change mats, muslin wrap, bath thermometer and a first aid kit, along with a selection of NSW Health printed resources that complement the Blue Book.
Parents receive the Baby Bundle before being discharged from hospital, or, after registering their child with NSW Births, Deaths and Marriages.

NUMBER OF GRAIN TREATMENT SITES DOUBLED TO COMBAT MICE IN THE BUSH

The NSW Government will roll out 20 grain treatment sites across the rural NSW areas most affected by the mice plague, pending Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) approval for the use of bromadiolone around crops.
Confirmed site locations include Condobolin, Coonabarabran, Coonamble, Dubbo, Forbes, Gunnedah, Holbrook, Inverell, Jerilderie, Merriwa, Moree, Mudgee, Narrabri, Narrandera, Nyngan, Scone, Tamworth, Wagga Wagga, Walgett and Warialda.
Farmers can register for grain treatment online at www.lls.nsw.gov.au/mice or by calling their nearest Local Land Services office. Sites will operate in rotation and by appointment to ensure safe chemical handling and access for staff and customers.

NSW STUDENTS BENEFIT FROM TUTORING PROGRAM

Students in NSW schools are benefitting from the NSW Government’s history-making $337 million COVID catch up program.
5417 tutors have been employed in NSW public schools, with almost 99 per cent of schools already offering tutoring support to their students.
Registrations are still open to educators interested in taking part at https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/curriculum/covid-learning-support-program.
Existing Department of Education staff should register interest through ClassCover.

$75M RESOURCES FOR REGIONS FUND ROUND EIGHT DELIVERING MORE FUNDING FOR MINING TOWNS

Mining communities across regional NSW are set to receive a greater share of mining royalties with Resources for Regions Round Eight applications now open for projects that will improve local amenities and infrastructure.
Round Eight has been boosted to $75 million, which will help deliver even more projects that make a difference to 24 Local Government Areas across regional NSW.
Under Round Eight, 24 councils are allocated a base amount of $1 million, with a further $51 million weighted to those communities that need it most.
Since its inception in 2012, the Resources for Regions program has delivered 149 projects worth $345 million to the state’s mining communities.
Applications for Resources for Regions Round Eight are now open and will close at 12pm 12 July, 2021.

TREASURER CONFIRMS 2021-22 BUDGET DATE

Treasurer Dominic Perrottet has announced the 2021-22 NSW Budget will be handed down on Tuesday, 22 June 2021.
The Budget will return to its traditional timing of mid-June after last year’s Budget was deferred until November due to COVID-19.
Unemployment in NSW is currently at 5.4 per cent, down from a high of 7.2 last year as more than 270,000 thousand people returned to work.
At the same time consumer confidence is at the highest level in 10 years while the recent NAB business survey recorded its highest business confidence reading ever in NSW.

NEW TOOLKIT DRIVING ROAD SAFETY IN NSW WORKPLACES

The NSW Government has launched a new online tool kit to help drive a road safe culture in workplaces across the state.
The Road Safety in Your Workplace program, announced during National Road Safety Week, will give workplaces access to a 30-minute online learning tool to help educate workers travelling for work every day.
The program features easy to understand case studies from employers such as Essential Energy, who are leading the way in embedding road safety practices within the workplace.
Employers can access the online tool kit at www.towardszero.nsw.gov.au/workplace.

CELEBRATING THE STATE’S VALUABLE VOLUNTEERS

The state’s best and brightest volunteers will be recognised for their dedication and countless hours of community service as part of the 2021 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards, with nominations now open.
The opening of nominations for the awards coincides with the start of National Volunteer Week – this year’s theme is Recognise. Reconnect. Reimagine.
Nominations close on Friday, 9 July 2021. For more information, visit the website.