NSW GOVERNMENT WEEKLY UPDATE - 22 JANUARY 2021

22 January 2021

BUSINESS REGISTRATIONS OPEN FOR DINE & DISCOVER

Eligible businesses across the state can now register to take part in the NSW Government’s major economic stimulus program, Dine & Discover NSW.
The program will create an economic boost for dining, arts and tourism businesses, which have been impacted by COVID-19, and encourage customers to get out and about safely.
Every NSW resident aged 18 and over will be eligible for four $25 vouchers worth $100 in total, to spend in participating businesses. The vouchers will be divided into two categories:
- Two $25 vouchers to be used for eating in at restaurants, cafes, bars, pubs and clubs from Monday to Thursday, excluding public holidays.
- Two $25 vouchers to be used for entertainment and recreation, including cultural institutions, live music, and arts venues, available 7 days a week, excluding public holidays.
For more information on Dine & Discover NSW business registration and eligibility, visitwww.nsw.gov.au.

BIGGEST INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT IN HISTORY OF NSW NATIONAL PARKS

More than 750km of new and upgraded walking tracks, 33 campground upgrades and 61 new and improved picnic areas are set to be delivered, as part of a record investment in community infrastructure in NSW national parks.
The NSW Government is investing $257 million to deliver 170 new and improved community infrastructure projects across the national parks estate.
Visitors to all NSW national parks are reminded to check the NPWS Alerts for up to date information on any track or precinct closures as well as current COVID-safe requirements.

NEW COVID-SAFE SCHOOL GUIDELINES RELEASED

NSW public schools have been provided with updated guidelines to help them manage the 2021 return to school in a COVID-safe way.
The main update to the guidelines is that parents and carers of children in Kindergarten, and Years 1, 2 and 7 will be able to enter school grounds on the first day to drop off their children in a COVID-safe way.
Materials and support for planning are available to schools. https://education.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/advice-for-families.

SMALL AND REGIONAL BUSINESSES WIN BIG IN NSW

Small, medium and regional businesses are reaping the benefits of the NSW Government’s Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) and Regional Procurement Policy, with the NSW Government spending more money with SMEs and regional businesses.
In the 12 months since the policy commenced on 1 February 2019, spend with regional suppliers increased by 19.6 per cent or $255 million, while spend with SMEs increased by 3.8 per cent or $337 million from the previous year.
The SME and Regional Procurement Policy was helping family businesses and entrepreneurs to supply goods and services to the NSW Government, often for the first time.
For more information on the SME and Regional Procurement Policy, go tohttps://buy.nsw.gov.au/policy-library/policies/sme-and-regional-procurement-policy.

REGIONAL WOMEN’S SPORT A WINNER WITH $50 MILLION FUNDING BOOST

Sports facilities across regional NSW will benefit from new and improved women’s change rooms and amenities thanks to $50 million in funding from the NSW Government’s $2 billion Regional Growth Fund.
Round Four of the $100 million Stronger Country Communities Fund will have a regional sports focus, with up to $50 million to be made available for the delivery and enhancement of women’s sporting facilities, including change rooms.
The remaining $50 million of the Stronger Country Communities Fund Round Four will be made available for further high quality community amenity and sports-related infrastructure projects to meet strong demand.
Applications for Round Four of the program will be open from 1 May. Guidelines and information about eligible applicants will be available on the Regional Growth Fund website

PLANNING APPROVAL FOR WESTERN HARBOUR TUNNEL

The Western Harbour Tunnel and Warringah Freeway Upgrade has received planning approval from the NSW Government, in a major step towards delivering the third road crossing of Sydney Harbour.
The mega-project includes a 6.5 kilometre tunnel, with three lanes in each direction, which will help slash travel times from North Sydney to Sydney Olympic Park by up to 20 minutes.
This city-shaping piece of infrastructure will deliver a vital boost to the NSW economy, with the tunnel and freeway upgrade, along with Beaches Link, expected to support around 15,000 full time equivalent jobs.
Following the procurement process and contract awards, construction is expected to start in the first quarter of 2021.

TWEED VALLEY HOSPITAL A STEP CLOSER FOR THE COMMUNITY

Major construction works have commenced at the site of the $673 million Tweed Valley Hospital, delivering up to 650 construction jobs for the local community in addition to a world-class health facility.
Tweed Valley Hospital is the largest regional capital health investment by a NSW Government and would be a game-changer for the region.
The Tweed Valley Hospital Development is scheduled to open in 2023.

NSW CROWN LAND GETS $51 MILLION FUNDING BOOST

The NSW Government will provide a record $51.7 million from its Crown Reserves Improvement Fund (CRIF) to maintain and upgrade Crown reserves and community facilities across the State.
This year’s fund has received a $40 million stimulus boost to support communities impacted by bushfires and COVID with infrastructure improvements to support jobs and local economies.
Last year the Crown Reserves Improvement Fund supported about 345 projects across NSW and this year’s stimulus boost will more than double the number of projects to 705.
For more information visit: https://reservemanager.crownland.nsw.gov.au/funding/crif.

COMMUNITY CRICKET SCORES FROM T20 WORLD CUP LEGACY FUND

Community cricket clubs and facilities across NSW will receive a funding boost, with the announcement of 77 successful projects in the final round of NSW ICC T20 World Cup Cricket Legacy Fund.
T20 cricket has given new life to the game, keeping kids interested and attracting new fans. It is fantastic to see the final round of the T20 World Cup Cricket Legacy Fund deliver projects to regional communities, giving country towns the same quality facilities as those in the city and improving participation rates in the sport.
For more information visit: https://www.sport.nsw.gov.au/t20worldcupfund.