NSW GOVERNMENT WEEKLY UPDATE - 28 FEBRUARY 2020

28 February 2020

SUPPORTING THE TRADIES OF THE FUTURE

The NSW Government is making sure we have a world-class TAFE and training system that delivers more qualified tradies for the workplaces of the future.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian has announced a Review of the system to be led by Mr David Gonski AC and Professor Peter Shergold AC.
The Review will report to the NSW Government by July 2020.

THE DROUGHT IS NOT OVER, YET

Regional NSW is still in the grips of the worst drought on record with 99 per cent of the state still drought affected, despite recent rain in coastal areas and some inland regions.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro spoke with farmers, families and business owners in Yass, Boorowa, Cowra and Orange about the drought and reassured them that they have not been forgotten.
For information about NSW Government drought support, go to droughthub.nsw.gov.au

“ICE” SPECIAL COMMISSION OF INQUIRY

The NSW Government welcomes the Report of the Special Commission of Inquiry into the Drug “Ice” and thanks the Commissioner, Professor Dan Howard SC, and his team for their extensive work.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the report’s 109 recommendations are being considered by the Government in consultation with stakeholders, except five recommendations the Government has already indicated it does not support.
Please find the Special Commission of Inquiry Report and the Interim Government Response here: www.dpc.nsw.gov.au/iceinquiry

MORE THAN 1000 LOCAL BUSINESSES ENLISTED FOR BUSHFIRE CLEAN-UP

More than 1,000 local businesses across NSW have registered to deliver their services as part of the NSW and Commonwealth Government funded clean-up of properties destroyed by the recent bushfires.
Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for Disaster Recovery John Barilaro said this is a great boost for regional areas and encouraged all experienced local tradespeople and subcontractors to register their interest to assist in the clean-up.
To register your interest in participating in the program, visit www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/register-your-interest-assist-bushfire-clean

SUPPORTING OUR SURF LIFE SAVING CLUBS

Surf life saving clubs in bushfire and drought affected areas across NSW will be prioritised for assistance, as applications open for $4 million of funding.
Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for Disaster Recovery John Barilaro said surf life saving clubs are vital community hubs.
All NSW Surf Life Saving Clubs are encouraged to apply.
For details visit: www.sport.nsw.gov.au/clubs/grants/SCFP

MORE OPPORTUNITIES THAN EVER BEFORE FOR GIFTED AND TALENTED COUNTRY KIDS

The state’s brightest country students will have access to a world-class gifted and talented program without needing to leave their home town, with the NSW Government expanding its Aurora College program to more than 600 schools in the most remote parts of the State.
The Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro said the new program is a game changer for the regions, given that in the past, some students’ nearest opportunity class could be hundreds of kilometres away.

NATION LEADING CHILD ABUSE REFORMS INTRODUCED TO PARLIAMENT

A significant barrier preventing child sex offenders from being held to account and leading to ‘unwarranted acquittals’ will be removed under landmark reforms introduced into NSW Parliament.
Attorney General Mark Speakman said NSW is the first Australian jurisdiction to introduce agreed legislation enabling greater admissibility of tendency and coincidence evidence, such as evidence about an accused person’s tendency to have a sexual interest in children.
Read more about the Bill via: https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/bills/Pages/bill-details.aspx?pk=3732.

FEWER ROUGH SLEEPERS ON SYDNEY STREETS

The number of people sleeping rough in the City of Sydney continues to decline, new figures from the recent street count reveal.
There has been a 10 per cent reduction in rough sleepers since February 2019, and a 23 per cent reduction since February 2017.
For more information on the City of Sydney street count, visit https://bit.ly/32wCl0a.

BOOSTING BUSINESS LINKS WITH INDIA

NSW Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres visited India this week to build business and tourism ties with one of the world’s most dynamic economies.
Mr Ayres met with Senior leaders between 23 - 27 February and represented NSW at the Australia India Business Exchange (AIB-X), a Commonwealth-led initiative designed to deepen trade and investment with a series of events across India over several months.

WORLD LEADING SPATIAL DIGITAL TWIN LAUNCHED IN NSW

Urban planning and infrastructure across Western Sydney will be transformed, with the NSW Government launching one of the world’s largest Spatial Digital Twins.
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said the NSW Spatial Digital Twin, delivered in partnership with CSIRO’s Data61, will provide 3D and 4D digital spatial data and models of our built and natural environments, that will improve planning and community engagement.
To access the Digital Twin or for more information go to www.spatial.nsw.gov.au/what_we_do/projects/digital_twin

EMPOWERING HOMES FOR A BRIGHTER ENERGY FUTURE

Eligible Hunter residents will be able to access interest-free loans for battery and solar-battery systems which could deliver more than $250 in savings a year, thanks to a NSW Government pilot program launched.
Environment Minister Matt Kean said the pilot is an important first step in the delivery of the NSW Government’s Empowering Homes program which will reduce energy bills for up to 300,000 households while helping the State to transition to a clean energy future.
Homeowners in the Hunter region are encouraged to check the Energy Saver website to see if their postcode is eligible and for details on how to apply. Homeowners across NSW can also register their interest in the broader program, which will be rolled out across the state after the pilot is complete: www.energysaver.nsw.gov.au/solar-battery-loan-offer