NSW GOVERNMENT WEEKLY UPDATE - 3 JULY 2020

3 July 2020
STAY COVID-19 SAFE AS RESTRICTIONS EASED
 
  • As NSW relaxes more COVID-19 restrictions, new rules will be put in place to prevent Melbourne residents living in virus hotspots from travelling across the border.
  • Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the NSW Government will impose strict penalties on Melbourne residents in outbreak areas who seek to enter NSW in defiance of the NSW public health orders. These orders will incorporate the same restrictions as those being put in place in Victoria.
  • NSW Health has finalised checklists to allow businesses affected by the easing of restrictions to be prepared for operation. These checklists provide guidance for businesses to develop a COVID safety plan. You can find the checklist here: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/covid-safe-businesses
  • All venues must adhere to their business specific COVID Safety Plan consistent with NSW Health guidelines.
 
BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS URGED TO REMAIN COVID SAFE
 
  • NSW businesses and community organisations are being reminded to comply with the State’s public health orders, with thousands more expected to reopen their doors to customers this weekend.
  • As the state reopens, it is important businesses and their customers remember that a lax approach to COVID safety would risk the community and could lead to severe economic damage if it results in further outbreaks.
  • NSW Government inspection program found that, of the 649 venues visited during the month of June, 95 per cent were complying with the rules. Further information is available at https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/covid-safe-businesses
 
AMAZON BACKS SYDNEY FOR HIGH-TECH EXPANSION
 
  • Amazon is developing a new advanced storage and distribution centre near the Western Sydney Aerotropolis, creating 1,500 jobs in addition to 700 jobs during its construction, while contributing to economic recovery after COVID-19.
  • Premier Gladys Berejiklian said Amazon’s commitment reflected the NSW Government’s focus on innovation and technology to create jobs.
  • The Fulfilment Centre located in the Oakdale West Industrial Estate will aim to be delivering packages to NSW residents and beyond by Christmas 2021.
 
CAPACITY INCREASES ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT
 
  • Capacity on public transport will increase across the network, but customers are being reminded to stay safe and continue to practise physical distancing.
  • Minister for Transport Andrew Constance said while NSW is in a position to allow more customers back on to the network important safety measures are still in place.
 
EXTRA SUPPORT FOR SMALL BUSINESS FROM 1 JULY
 
  • Small businesses will soon have additional cash to reinvest in their operations with the new $3,000 Small Business Recovery Grants and payroll tax changes coming into effect this Wednesday, 1 July.
  • NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the measures were designed to help entrepreneurs and mum and dad owners relaunch and revitalise their businesses, as part of the Government’s more than $13.6 billion COVID-19 stimulus support measures.
  • Small business owners can get advice from more than 110 Business Connect advisors to help them innovate, pivot or take advantage of opportunities in the market. More information is available here.
 
FIRST DRIVE THROUGH NEW M5 TUNNELS
 
  • Drivers in south-west Sydney will soon benefit from major travel time savings with the New M5 tunnels between Beverly Hills and St Peters almost complete.
  • Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Transport Andrew Constance travelled underground in the nine kilometre tunnels for the first time to inspect progress on the $4.3 billion project.
  • When complete, WestConnex will provide drivers with a 33km road network, bypassing up to 52 sets of traffic lights.
 
NEW FLEET OF SHARK-SPOTTING DRONES
 
  • A modern fleet of shark-spotting drones will soon patrol the NSW coastline with the NSW Government announcing a new $8 million strategy to protect beachgoers from sharks.
  • Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall said the new approach to shark management was based on five years of scientific research into shark behaviour and the most effective ways to protect beachgoers. 
  • Full results of the NSW Government’s Shark Management Strategy are available on the SharkSmart website - https://www.sharksmart.nsw.gov.au/
 
SERVICE NSW OFFERS BOOST FOR BUSINESS
 
  • Business owners can now start, grow and manage their business faster and easier, thanks to a new one-stop shop online platform, launched by the NSW Government.
  • Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said the Service NSW Business Profile platform would make it easier for businesses to update their details, complete government transactions and apply for grants.
  • Once customers establish their Business Profile, they will be able to access it through their MyServiceNSW account. For more information on the Business Profile visit mybusiness.service.nsw.gov.au or call 13 77 88.
 
CUTTING RED TAPE TO HELP COMMUNITY GROUPS BE IN THE BLACK
 
  • Charities and community groups can now raise money and conduct community events free of unnecessary red tape and administrative costs, following changes to community gaming laws by the NSW Government.
  • Minister for Better Regulation, Kevin Anderson, said under the changes not-for-profit organisations can now operate social and fundraising events without having to apply for a permit for each and every activity.
  • For more information on the new Community Gaming laws, please visit https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/games-of-chance.
 
COVID-19: EXPANDED JURIES FOR SHORTER TRIALS
 
  • The Supreme and District Courts can now order up to three additional jurors in criminal trials estimated to run four weeks or longer, under an amended regulation to the Jury Act 1977 to allow trials to continue if a juror falls ill.
  • Attorney General Mark Speakman said the amendment to the Jury Regulation 2015 is necessary to address potential increases in juror absences during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The new regulation will commence on the day it is published on the NSW Legislation website.
LOWER PUBLIC TRANSPORT FARES FOR MORE VETERANS
 
  • An expansion in eligibility for concession travel will see veterans with a disability, widows and dependent children who lost a parent among those saving on public transport fares.
  • Minister for Transport Andrew Constance said it means additional eligible veterans, widows, widowers and dependents of deceased service men and women can benefit from unlimited travel on the Opal network capped at $2.50 per day.
STATE’S SOCIAL HOUSING SET TO SURGE
 
  • More than 1,000 homes have now been completed under the NSW Government’s innovative Social and Affordable Housing Fund.
  • Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Gareth Ward said another 2,500 new homes are in the program’s pipeline, with about half already under construction.
  • The SAHF is a key initiative of Future Directions of Social Housing in NSW building more and better housing that blends-in with local communities.
 
RATE RELIEF EXTENDED FOR BUSHFIRE VICTIMS
 
  • The NSW Government announced it will fund a full year of council rate relief for owners of homes, farms and businesses lost in the bushfire crisis.
  • Deputy Premier and the Minister responsible for Disaster Recovery John Barilaro said the Government is extending council rate relief for eligible property owners affected by the bushfires to help them recover and rebuild their lives and businesses.
  • The NSW Government recently announced its unprecedented bushfire support has hit $2.3 billion in funding, with 2,500 destroyed properties cleared so far, at zero cost to property owners. Bushfire recovery funding from the Government has been distributed through grants, temporary accommodation, clean-up and industry support.
CELEBRATING TWO YEARS OF NDIS SUCCESS
 
  • More than 120,000 people across the state are benefiting from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), including nearly 54,000 people who are receiving supports for the first time.
  • Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Gareth Ward said marks two years since the full rollout of the NDIS in NSW, with the scheme continuing to change lives and unlock opportunities for people, their families and carers.
 
ACCELERATING DROUGHT RECOVERY FOR FARMERS
 
  • The NSW Government is delivering a new $310 million drought assistance package to ensure ongoing support for farmers battling drought while delivering new initiatives to assist those entering the early stages of recovery.
  • Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall announced the commencement of the new drought assistance package which includes key changes to better support primary producers looking to restock or sow.
  • To find out more about the eligibility criteria and how to apply, visit the RAA website https://www.raa.nsw.gov.au/ or call 1800 678 593.
 
NSW GOVERNMENT BUSHFIRE CLEAN-UP MEETS INITIAL JUNE 30 TARGET AS REBUILD BEGINS
 
  • The bushfire clean-up program undertaken by the NSW Government has met the initial 2,800 property clearing target and announced further support for communities through a rebuild and housing strategy.
  • The Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for Disaster Recovery John Barilaro visited Cobargo and met with the Morrison family to view their cleared property and discuss plans to rebuild.
 
SECURING HOUSING FOR THE HOMELESS
 
  • Rough sleepers across NSW are about to benefit from the largest housing response dedicated to rough sleepers in NSW history with a program to secure homes rapidly from the private rental market underway.
  • Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Gareth Ward said the $36 million Together Home project would deliver stable housing and wrap-around support for hundreds of people experiencing homelessness.
 
LARGEST EVER PURCHASE FOR NATIONAL PARK ESTATE
 
  • The 153,415 hectare Narriearra Station in far north west NSW is the largest purchase of private land for national parks in the State’s history.
  • Environment Minister Matt Kean says the purchase will help protect threatened species, important habitat and wetlands.
 
ENHANCED MONITORING OF SERIOUS SEX OFFENDERS
 
  • A new state-of-the-art expanded electronic monitoring facility has opened in Sydney to provide 24/7 GPS tracking and enhanced supervision, after new legislation made it a mandatory requirement for all serious sex offenders on parole.
  • Minister for Counter Terrorism and Corrections Anthony Roberts said the NSW Government had invested $21.8 million to deliver the expanded Electronic and External Monitoring Group with additional staff and equipment.
 
 

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