NSW GOVERNMENT WEEKLY UPDATE - 25 SEPTEMBER 2020

25 September 2020

THOUSANDS OF JOBS FOR REGIONAL NSW THROUGH $3 BILLION JOBS AND INFRASTRUCTURE FUND

The NSW Government can reveal it has allocated another $400m of its $3 billion Jobs and Infrastructure Acceleration Fund to regional projects.
Last week, the government announced $2.4 billion in funding, which included $1.4 billion in accelerated funding for regional projects. This brings the total spend so far to almost $1.8 billion for regional projects.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said more than 80 infrastructure and local community projects would be funded in the regions over the next two years as part of the NSW Government’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan.

LAUNCH OF COVID SAFE SUMMER PLAN

A new plan will ensure NSW residents can get out and about this summer in a COVID-safe way, while keeping the economy moving.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes, Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello, Member for Manly James Griffin and NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant outlined the NSW Government’s new COVID Safe Summer Plan.
The Plan supports local businesses by encouraging more outdoor dining in the lead up to the Christmas-New Year period and throughout the summer months.
The COVID Safe Summer Plan can be accessed here: https://www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/premiers-priorities/great-public-spaces/covid-safe-summer.

BUSHFIRE RESPONDERS AWARDED FOR HEROISM

The outstanding contribution of volunteers and service personnel during the 2019-2020 bushfires is being recognised with a new NSW Bushfire Emergency Citation.
More than 65,000 people involved across a broad spectrum of the firefight will receive a citation, certificate of recognition, commemorative cap and a letter from the Premier acknowledging their contribution and thanking them for their service.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said NSW faced an unprecedented bushfire season during 2019-2020 and this initiative recognises those who served both on the front line and behind the scenes.

THANKS A MILLION: COVID CLEANERS HIT MILESTONE

More than one million extra cleaning hours have been carried out across the entire public transport network since March to keep customers and staff COVID safe.
Minister for Transport Andrew Constance said more than 1,400 extra cleaners have been employed to support the delivery of a COVID safe public transport system.

SCHOOL, SPORT AND MUSIC RESTRICTIONS RELAXED

More families can attend community sports, music ensembles and school camps can proceed, and a modest increase dancing at weddings is allowed under new COVID-19 safety rules.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard and Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said the latest easing of restrictions around school and community life is due to lower case numbers.
Updated school guidelines are available here and the full health advice is here.

SUPPORT CONTINUES FOR COMMERCIAL TENANTS AND LANDLORDS IMPACTED BY COVID-19

Eligible commercial tenants will have greater certainty through the coming months with the Retail and Other Commercial Leases (COVID-19) Regulation to be extended until 31 December 2020.
Landlords will also be able to receive up to 25 per cent land tax concession where they provide rent relief to commercial and residential tenants in financial distress from October to December.
For more information on the NSW Government’s Recovery Plan, please visit: nsw.gov.au/covid-19-recovery-plan.

GREATER CAPACITY AT THEATRES, CINEMAS AND CORPORATE EVENTS

Entertainment facilities including theatres, cinemas and concert halls across NSW will be able to increase their capacity to 50 per cent and corporate events at function centres will be able to welcome up to 300 attendees from next week.
The Premier’s Major Events Taskforce has agreed theatre, cinema and concert goers can return to entertainment venues in greater numbers and that corporate events at function centres can increase attendance, provided venues have COVID-Safe plans and adhere to public health requirements.

NSW TO CONTINUE SUPPORT FOR COVID-IMPACTED TENANTS AND LANDLORDS

The NSW Government has announced a six-month extension of the measures put in place to help residential tenants and landlords financially disadvantaged by COVID-19.
Minister for Better Regulation, Kevin Anderson said the existing measures have provided much needed support to renters since they were introduced in April this year.
Tenants, landlords and agents can find up to date information and resources at https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/resource-library/publications/coronavirus-covid-19/property/moratorium.

FLEXIBLE REGULATIONS FOR BUSINESSES EXTENDED TO 2021

Supermarkets and pharmacies can continue to trade and receive deliveries 24 hours a day as rules introduced by the NSW Government have been extended until next year.
The Government responded to the COVID-19 pandemic in March by amending the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and the State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008 to allow around-the-clock trading and delivery hours as well as the extension of café and restaurant take away capabilities.
Further information on the Planning Ministerial orders can be found here: https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/Policy-and-Legislation/COVID19-response

‘GET READY’ FOR STORM SEASON

With a wet and wild summer on the cards this year, the NSW Government and NSW State Emergency Service (NSW SES) are encouraging all communities to be ready for a potential increase in storms and floods.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott and NSW SES Commissioner Carlene York today launched ‘Get Ready’ a NSW SES campaign to help communities prepare for the upcoming storm season.
For more storm safety tips and how communities can prepare for storm and flood events, visit www.ses.nsw.gov.au

FROM CAPE YORK TO PHILLIP ISLAND – LIVE TRAFFIC NSW HAS YOU COVERED

Drivers across NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and ACT now have a one-stop shop for road disruption information on Transport for NSW’s www.livetraffic.com website.
Minister for Roads Andrew Constance said from today the Live Traffic NSW website will help drivers avoid congestion by showing the impact of fire, flood, snow, roadworks, crashes and more on roads across five jurisdictions.

MORE COUNSELLORS IN THE PIPELINE FOR NSW SCHOOLS

The NSW Government is building on its commitment to provide additional school counselling staff in public schools over the next three years.
Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said NSW public schools will have a strong pipeline of trained and qualified school counsellors and school psychologists to draw on over the next few years.

CLUBGRANTS FUNDING AVAILABLE TO BOOST LOCAL COMMUNITIES

Community organisations impacted by COVID-19 are encouraged to apply for funding, thanks to the next round of the NSW Government’s Infrastructure Grants program opening.
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said the economic impacts of COVID-19 have meant some communities have struggled to maintain sports, cultural and other social activities.
Since 2015, the NSW Government has funded more than 350 community projects worth $62.8 million under Infrastructure Grants.
To find out more information or to apply, please visit responsiblegambling.nsw.gov.au. Applications close 12 October 2020.