NSW Government Weekly Update - 4 June 2021

4 June 2021
SERVICE NSW TO ASSIST IN VACCINE PUSH
 
  • The Service NSW app is the latest tool to be used in the NSW Government’s push to rollout the COVID-19 vaccine as quickly and as safely as possible.
  • People aged 40-49 can now register their interest for the vaccine directly on the Service NSW app, with other age groups to follow when it is their turn.
  • People who register will be contacted to book via email when appointments become available.
  • These invitations can be targeted by location depending on booking availability and supply of the vaccine in their local area.
  • Those aged 50 and over should visit www.nsw.gov.au to book their AstraZeneca vaccine now.
 
FREE TRAINING FOR VETERANS
 
  • Veterans and their partners will have access to free training to broaden their career opportunities and help transition to civilian life after service.
  • As part of the landmark Veterans Skills Program, eligible learners can study any course offered under the Government’s Smart and Skilled program from a Certificate II to Advanced Diplomas, including all apprenticeships and selected traineeships.
  • Veterans and their partners can choose between more than 450 Registered Training Organisations including NSW TAFE.
  • For more information on Veteran Skills, visit: https://education.nsw.gov.au/skills-nsw/veterans.
 
$24 MILLION TO FUND INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FROM NSW SMALL BUSINESSES
 
  • The NSW Government has launched a new initiative for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), which will receive $24 million in funding over its first two years. 
  • The establishment of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program was the first Priority Action recommended in the Turning Ideas into Jobs – Accelerating Research & Development in NSW Action Plan, launched on 25 January 2021.
  • The SBIR program will provide competitive grants for SMEs to find and commercialise innovative solutions to NSW Government agencies for five well-defined problems.
  • Further information including the guidelines and how to apply can be found here.
 
100 NEW PUBLIC SPACE PROJECTS PLANNED FOR NSW
 
  • Communities across the state will share in $250 million worth of funding to create a legacy of green and accessible public spaces as part of a program that is the first of its kind in NSW.
  • The funding supported 60 successful council proposals for more than 100 projects as part of the NSW Government’s inaugural Public Spaces Legacy Program.
  • 28 councils in Greater Sydney and 32 councils in regional NSW took part in the program.
  • Councils will be provided with funding for project planning and design and will have until 30 June 2021 to demonstrate they have met DA assessment performance improvements to lock in their full allocation of funding ahead of construction starting from August.
  • For more information, visit: https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/Policy-and-Legislation/Planning-reforms/NSW-Public-Spaces-Legacy-Program.
 
STAMPING OUT MICE PLAGUES WITH BREAKTHROUGH BIOCONTROL
 
  • Breakthrough genetic biocontrol research under the NSW Government’s $50 million mouse control package could transform pest management Australia wide.
  • The NSW Government is providing $1.8 million towards the project to fast-track the delivery of next generation ‘gene drive’ technology to control the plagues of the future.
  • The research will test two strategies for population control and recommend at least one for future suppression of invasive mice, including:
    • the ‘X-shredder’ approach which eliminates sperm carrying the X chromosome, producing more male than female offspring; and
    • the ‘female infertility’ approach which initially spreads through the population. Once the population is saturated with the genetic modification, all the females that are generated will be infertile.
  • For more information, visit www.nsw.gov.au/mice.
 
SUPPORTING PEOPLE WITH COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT
 
  • People with a cognitive impairment will receive greater support across the criminal justice system following the NSW Government’s $28 million investment in the statewide Justice Advocacy Service (JAS) and a nation-leading court-based diversion program.
  • This commitment follows a positive independent evaluation of JAS, which has provided critical support in over 4,500 cases for victims, witnesses, suspects and defendants since July 2019.
  • The new court-based diversion services will build on the supports offered by JAS by providing more targeted assistance to people accused of low-level offences to get the treatment they need to help break the cycle of re-offending and boost community safety.
  • JAS’s network of volunteers and advocates helps people with a cognitive impairment understand and participate in their criminal matter by providing a support person to accompany them to the police station, court and legal appointments.
 
KEEP SAFE FROM FIRE THIS WINTER
 
  • As we head into winter and the temperatures drop, residents of NSW are being encouraged to stay out of harm from house fires.
  • Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) typically observe a 10 per cent increase in the number of residential fires during the cooler months due to heaters, electric blankets and overloaded power boards. Last winter firefighters attended more than 1,000 house fires across the state.
  • FRNSW remind the community to:
    • Keep looking when cooking
    • Don’t overload power boards
    • Keep everything a metre from the heater
    • Never use wheat bags to warm your bed
    • Check electric blankets for frayed cords and other damage
    • Don’t use outdoor heating and cooking equipment inside the home as it can be fatal
    • Have a Home Escape Plan
  • Most importantly, if a fire does occur, get out, stay out and call Triple Zero (000). For more information about home fire safety, visit www.fire.nsw.gov.au/winter.
 
NEW LIGHT RAIL BRIDGE LIFTED INTO PLACE
 
  • The state’s second longest steel arch bridge has been lifted into place over a busy Sydney road, in a major milestone for the Parramatta Light Rail project.
  • The bridge will connect light rail users, pedestrians and cyclists across James Ruse Drive in Rosehill, which has 65,000 vehicle movements each day.
  • The Parramatta Light Rail project is committed to using Australian resources and manufacturing - the steel was fabricated in a workshop at Rooty Hill and the bridge then assembled in Rosehill.
  • The 12-kilometre Parramatta Light Rail will connect Westmead to Carlingford via the Parramatta CBD and Camellia, and is expected to commence services in 2023.
 
AMBULANCE SUPERSTATION OPENS IN THE EAST
 
  • The first NSW Ambulance Superstation in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs has been officially opened at Randwick as part of a $184 million ambulance infrastructure boost.
  • The new Randwick Superstation includes:
    • rapid roller door, which allows for faster response times (Randwick is the first ambulance station to have one)
    • parking bays for up to 20 ambulance vehicles – doubling previous capacity
    • on site staff parking
    • an internal wash bay
  • The NSW Government’s Sydney Ambulance Metropolitan Infrastructure Strategy (SAMIS) is the single biggest investment in Sydney’s ambulance infrastructure in the organisation’s 126-year history.
  • In addition to this, the State Government has invested $232 million to deliver the Rural Ambulance Infrastructure Reconfiguration (RAIR) Stages 1 and 2.

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

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