NSW GOVERNMENT WEEKLY UPDATE - 29 JANUARY 2021

29 January 2021

FUTURE OF EDUCATION IN REGIONAL NSW OPENS IN ARMIDALE

Students are beginning the 2021 school year in the upgraded Armidale Secondary College which opened today, the largest investment in education for regional NSW.
The $121 million upgrade means there are now 104 classrooms, including specialised spaces for science, industrial arts and hospitality, improved performing arts and sports facilities and connections between indoor and outdoor learning, as well as a new agricultural facility.
The NSW Government is investing $7 billion over the next four years, continuing its program to deliver more than 200 new and upgraded schools to support communities across NSW. This is the largest investment in public education infrastructure in the history of NSW.

NSW ACTION PLAN TO TURN IDEAS INTO JOBS

Research and development will become a key jobs creator in NSW as the Government launches a bold new plan to make the State an R&D world leader.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian today launched the Turning Ideas into Jobs – Accelerating Research & Development in NSW Action Plan.
Given the size of Australia’s agricultural sector, the opportunities for applying cutting edge technologies to increase productivity are huge.
To read more on the report and the five-point Action Plan, click here: https://www.dpc.nsw.gov.au/accelerating-r&d

$242 MILLION LOGISTICAL DREAM FOR WESTERN SYDNEY

Western Sydney will secure up to 1,650 new jobs and $242 million in economic investment following NSW Government approval of a new warehouse and distribution hub in Kemps Creek.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the approved new Kemps Creek Warehouse, Logistics and Industrial Facilities Hub will help combat the economic impacts of COVID-19 by delivering investment and new job opportunities for Western Sydney.
Construction is expected to begin this year and will be undertaken in stages with the first building to be completed within 12 months.

MAKING TRACKS ON PARRAMATTA’S ‘EAT STREET’

The revitalisation of Parramatta’s ‘Eat Street’ is well underway with the first tracks laid for Parramatta Light Rail in the dining precinct.
Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said major light rail construction on Church Street, from Lennox Bridge to George Street, is being fast-tracked for completion in mid-2021.
The Parramatta Light Rail is expected to open in 2023. For more information, visit www.parramattalightrail.nsw.gov.au.

ONLINE COURSES ADDED TO SUMMER SKILLS PROGRAM

An expansion of fee-free Summer Skills training courses is now available for school leavers with new online courses on offer, as part of the JobTrainer initiative.
Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee said the Summer Skills program, launched in November 2020, has expanded to include seven TAFE NSW online short courses targeting school leavers from last year.
Full details on all available fee-free courses on offer and their eligibility as part of the NSW Summer Skills program is here, and more information on the JobTrainer initiative is here.

$16 MILLION UPGRADE FOR TARONGA ZOO

The $16 million revamp of one of Taronga Zoo’s most popular native animal enclosures is one step closer with the NSW Government giving the project the green light, paving the way for a conservation and visitation boost.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said significant upgrade works to the Australia Precinct would include; a canopy walk from which to view koalas, extensions to the kangaroo and wallaby “walkthrough experience”, underwater viewing of platypus and improvements to the nocturnal exhibition.
Works on the precinct upgrade are set to kick-off in the coming months, with the project expected to be completed by 2023.

The youngest learners in NSW will benefit from additional educators, thanks to 40 scholarships awarded today to early childhood educators.
The 40 scholarships are worth up to $20,000 each, awarded under the 2020-21 Early Childhood Education Scholarships Program, making it easier for more people to commence or upgrade their qualifications to a bachelor degree in early childhood teaching.
Further details about the scholarships are available on the department’s website https://education.nsw.gov.au/early-childhood-education/working-in-early-childhood-education/professional-development-and-scholarships

NSW GOVERNMENT WELCOMES RELEASE OF CYBER STANDARDS REPORT

The NSW Government has welcomed the final report from the NSW Standards Harmonisation Taskforce, whose findings will help strengthen the State’s cyber capabilities.
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said the Australian-first collaboration between the NSW Government, AustCyber and Standards Australia would not only accelerate the adoption of industry standards for cyber security but position NSW as an international leader.
It collaborates with NSW agencies, emergency management, law enforcement, the private sector and other jurisdictions to enhance whole-of-government cyber capability.