NSW GOVERNMENT WEEKLY UPDATE - 24 JULY 2020

24 July 2020

COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS TAKE EFFECT

NSW businesses are on notice to comply with the State’s public health orders, or risk a fine or closure, with restrictions around “higher risk” activities coming into effect.
From Friday, 24 July 2020 the following rules are in force:
- Compliance measures introduced to pubs will be extended to restaurants, bars cafés and clubs. This includes:
  - Limiting group bookings to a maximum of 10 people;
  - Mandatory COVID-Safe plans and registration as a COVID-Safe business;
  - A digital record must be created within 24 hours.
- Weddings and corporate events are limited to 150 people subject to the four square metre rule and registration of the venue as a COVID-Safe business. Strict COVID-Safe plans must be in place and high-risk activities including choirs and dancing must not occur; and
- Funerals and places of worship are limited to 100 people, subject to the four square metre rule and a COVID-Safe business registration for the venue.
The rules on gatherings remain the same: 20 guests inside the home and 20 for gatherings in a public place. However, as the home is a high transmission area, the NSW Chief Health Officer strongly recommends a COVID-Safe precautionary approach of limiting visitors to the home to 10 people as a general principle.
The Public Health Order can be found here: https://gazette.legislation.nsw.gov.au/so/download.w3p?id=Gazette_2020_2020-160.pdf.

REZONINGS AND RAIL LINES TOP NEXT TRANCHE OF PLANNING PROJECTS TO BE ACCELERATED

The first stage of Sydney’s Tech Precinct at Central Station and improved rail networks across the State are part of the latest tranche of projects in the NSW Government’s Planning System Acceleration Program.
13 new projects that will be determined within the next four weeks. If approved, the projects could inject $4.3 billion into the NSW economy and create opportunities for more than 8,400 new jobs.
The same stringent checks, balances and community consultation that ensures transparency, public benefit and merit-based assessment of projects remain in place.
Decisions will be made on the projects by 14 August 2020. For more information visit http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/fast-tracked-assessments.

2020 A RECORD YEAR FOR BUILDING SCHOOLS

The NSW government has built a record-equalling 42 new and upgraded schools this year, and is poised to break the record in Term 3.
More than $1.3 billion has been invested in the record breaking 2020 building program benefitting thousands of students and providing thousands of construction jobs
In 2019, the NSW Government opened 42 new and upgraded schools with more than $1 billion invested.

NSW GOVERNMENT EXTENDS GIVIT PARTNERSHIP TO DIRECT DONATIONS INTO RECOVERING COMMUNITIES

The NSW Government is extending its partnership with charity organisation GIVIT to ensure donated goods and services reach people who need them most in regional cities and towns recovering from the impacts of drought and bushfire.
$407,000 in funding to enable the national not-for-profit organisation to continue to facilitate requests for essential items through its online donation platform for a further 12 months.
To pledge cash and item donations, or to learn more, visit www.givit.org.au.

GUARANTEED QUALITY IN TEACHER DEVELOPMENT

The quality of externally run professional development courses for teachers in NSW is under the microscope.
From 2021 each individual course will need to demonstrate a genuine focus on improving teaching in the classroom through best practice to receive NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) accreditation.
The review will be completed by the end of 2020 with the new standards to apply from 2021.

RECORD RECRUITMENT DRIVE FOR NEW APPRENTICES

Sydney Trains is looking to hire a record number of new apprentices, with 90 positions on offer.
Sydney Trains apprenticeships will be available across seven disciplines - Telecommunications, Signal Fitting, Signal Electrical, Substations, Rail Traction, Plant Mechanic and High Voltage Cables, with all apprentices receiving nationally recognised trade qualifications.
There are more than 200 apprentices currently working across Sydney Trains, with 60 joining the rail agency earlier this year. Previous apprenticeship intakes have included people who have chosen a career change from jobs and professions like teaching, or returning to the workforce for the first time after parenthood.
Applications can be made through the I Work for NSW website and close on 2 August 2020.

88 NEW SCHOOL CROSSING SUPERVISORS TO KEEP KIDS SAFE

The safety of NSW’s youngest road users will be strengthened with the NSW Government set to appoint 88 new school crossing supervisors at 80 schools across the state.
This is part of the Government’s fast-tracked $18.5 million plan to appoint 300 new school crossing supervisors within three years.
Over the coming months these new school crossing supervisors will join more than 1200 others across the state helping to keep primary school students safe.

$4 MILLION FOR OUR SURF LIFE SAVING HEROES

$4 million in funding will improve the facilities of Surf Life Saving Clubs across NSW with clubs in bushfire and drought affected areas prioritised for assistance.
26 clubs have secured funds for upgrades, restoration or construction as part of the NSW Government’s Surf Club Facility Program.
For a full list of funding recipients visit: https://sport.nsw.gov.au/clubs/grants/SCFP.

NEVER SEEN BEFORE VIEW AS METRO DIGS DEEPER

Sydney Metro construction work deep under the city has revealed a view of Sydney never seen before.
Workers have finished digging a 19 metre long escalator tunnel to create one of the entrances to the new Martin Place metro station.
It took about seven weeks to excavate the 19 metre deep tunnel, which will house four escalators as customers travel to the new underground metro station.
The tunnel is now being waterproofed and lined with concrete.