NSW GOVERNMENT WEEKLY UPDATE - 31 JULY 2020

31 July 2020
COVID-19 RECOVERY PLAN
 
  • The NSW Government’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan will ensure we remain resilient and build a future-proof economy.
  • The six-point plan will create jobs and improve the quality of life for the people of NSW.
Infrastructure pipeline – $100 billion infrastructure pipeline: projects equal jobs
Planning and precincts – growing industries in key hubs across the state
Education and skills – equipping our citizens for the jobs of the future
Digitisation – accelerating recovery
Advanced manufacturing and local supply chains – building a self-sufficient economy and more self-reliance.
Federal-state relations – reduce red tape and duplication 
   
BIG BOOST FOR FIRST HOME BUYERS AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AS STAMP DUTY SLASHED
 
  • First home buyers and the construction industry will be the big winners under a targeted boost, which will eliminate stamp duty on newly-built homes below $800,000 and slash thousands of dollars for properties up to $1 million.
  • Under the changes the threshold above which stamp duty will be charged on new homes for first home buyers will increase from the current $650,000 to $800,000, with the concession reducing on higher values before phasing out at $1 million.
  • The Government forecasts more than 6,000 first home buyers will benefit from the changes, saving eligible first homebuyers thousands of dollars.
  • Under the changes the stamp duty threshold on vacant land will rise from $350,000 to $400,000 and will phase out at $500,000.
  • The change to the thresholds will only apply to newly-built homes and vacant land, not to existing homes, and will last for a 12-month period, commencing on 1 August 2020. Other purchases will continue to benefit from existing schemes.
  • More information on the first home buyer assistance schemes will become available here: revenue.nsw.gov.au/grants-schemes/first-home-buyer/assistance-scheme.
 
NEW COVID-19 COMPLIANCE RULES FOR GYMS
 
  • New rules will be introduced across NSW requiring gyms and fitness centres to register their COVID Safety Plan, and have a dedicated hygiene marshall on duty at all times.
  • These extra measures are necessary to stop the spread of the virus and take effect from 12.01am on Saturday 1 August.
  • For the latest information visit www.nsw.gov.au.
 
LAND TAX CUT TO DRIVE BUILD-TO-RENT REVOLUTION 
 
  • The NSW Government will introduce a land tax discount for new build-to-rent housing projects until 2040 and a new Housing Diversity SEPP to provide more housing options, greater surety for renters, boost construction and support jobs during the COVID-19 recovery.
  • The tax cut would encourage build-to-rent developments by ensuring they were subject to similar overall amounts of State tax as comparable build-to-sell developments.
  • The discount will be equivalent to at least a 50 per cent reduction in land tax, dependent on the unimproved land value. To be eligible for the discount, a build to rent development in metropolitan areas must be at least 50 units, with a different threshold for regional areas to be considered.
  • Construction must have commenced on or after 1 July 2020 and the projects must provide purpose built rental units, be managed under unified ownership, and include options for longer leases.
  • Full eligibility criteria for build-to-rent projects will be set-out in guidelines for the industry in coming weeks.
 
50,000 NEW JOBS FOR PARRAMATTA’S FUTURE CBD
 
  • Thousands of new jobs, great design and high-quality public places are on the horizon for Parramatta as plans for the CBD’s revitalisation reach a major milestone.
  • The NSW Government has worked closely with City of Parramatta Council to progress the plan that will guide a vibrant and strong future for Greater Sydney’s second CBD, part of the NSW Government’s COVID Recovery Plan.
  • The proposal, which will be put on public exhibition for community feedback, includes:
    • Expanding and protecting the Commercial Core of the CBD;
    • A range of building heights across the CBD that consider impacts on public open spaces and heritage conservation areas while allowing heights up to the maximum allowed under flight paths;
    • New Floor Space Ratio controls that provide incentives for development where community benefits can be provided; and
    • Ensuring key public open spaces within the CBD are protected from overshadowing between 12pm and 2pm.  This includes Parramatta Square, the Parramatta River foreshore, Lancer Barracks and Jubilee Park.
 
PYRMONT PERFECTLY POISED FOR VIBRANT FUTURE
 
  • A new 20-year vision for Pyrmont will shape the waterfront peninsula as an innovative, connected and creative around-the-clock destination, providing much-needed jobs, investment and economic growth, part of the NSW Government’s COVID Recovery Plan.
  • Up to 23,000 new jobs and 800,000 square metres of new commercial and office space are forecast in a new draft plan, supported by better transport connectivity to grow a mix of hi-tech, tourism, media and information industries.
  • The NSW Government’s draft Pyrmont Peninsula Place Strategy and Economic Development Strategy would help map the area’s future.
  • To view the strategies and have your say visitwww.planning.nsw.gov.au/pyrmontpeninsula.
 
NEW READING AND NUMERACY ASSESSMENT TOOL EXPANDED
 
  • A new assessment tool designed for NSW public schools to use during the COVID-19 pandemic is expanding to Year 3 students after overwhelmingly positive feedback from the new Year 5 and 9 assessment.
  • NSW public school teachers will be armed with the new reading and numeracy assessment to help schools identify a student’s current abilities as well as what they can do to improve teaching and learning to ensure no student is left behind during the pandemic.
  • The new ‘check-in’ assessment package, which is an optional online reading and numeracy assessment for students in Years 5 and 9, is expanding to Year 3.
  • The check-in assessment is on demand, giving schools the flexibility to schedule the assessment to best suit their school and student’s needs.
 
NEW LANDMARK IN DEVELOPMENT AS CONTRACT AWARDED ON SYDNEY FISH MARKET
 
  • The first major contract has been awarded on what will be one of Sydney’s greatest tourism assets, the new Sydney Fish Market.
  • Work will be underway in a matter of weeks on the $750 million project following the appointment of the Stage One contractor.
  • This project will create 700 construction jobs over four years and support more than 700 ongoing jobs once the new precinct opens in 2024.
  • The Stage One contractor will ensure the site is prepared for a safe handover for the commencement of main works, expected to start by mid-2021. A tender process to appoint a Main Works Contractor for the project is now underway.
  • The current fish market site will remain fully operational for four years while the new site is being built.
 
NATION AGREES TO NSW-LED DEFAMATION REVOLUTION
 
  • Outdated defamation laws that result in crippling damages payouts, chill public interest journalism and clog courts with minor claims will be overhauled after Attorneys-General from across Australia agreed to implement NSW-led reforms.
  • These reforms will bring defamation laws into the modern era, improving the balance between protecting reputations and free speech.
  • The amendments follow wide-ranging consultations with peak legal bodies, media companies, academics, digital platforms and lawyers who represent both plaintiffs and defendants.
 
$50,000 GRANTS TO CREATE MENTALLY HEALTHY WORKPLACES
 
  • Projects and initiatives that help support mental health recovery in the workplace could be eligible for a NSW Government grant worth up to $50,000.
  • Projects must demonstrate that they meet at least one or more of Recovery Boost’s funding principles of being sustainable, innovative and adoptable in the workplace.
  • Australian based organisations, including not- for-profit organisations, social enterprises, government agencies and individuals are eligible to apply.
  • Expressions of interest for the Recovery Boost Grant program are open until 6 August.
  • More information can be found at: https://www.mentalhealthatwork.nsw.gov.au/mentally-healthy-workplaces/recover-at-work/recovery-boost-$50,000-funding-program.

Authorised by Chris Stone, Liberal Party of Australia, NSW Division, Level 2, 131 Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000.

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