NSW GOVERNMENT WEEKLY UPDATE - 5 MARCH 2021

NSW PREPARES FOR VACCINE ROLLOUT ACROSS THE STATE
 

• Five major vaccination hubs and 99 regional satellite sites will open progressively across NSW starting from Monday, 15 March, as the COVID-19 vaccination rollout stretches across the State. 
• The five major hubs and their linked satellite sites will open progressively from 15 March through to April and will be located at:

Newcastle Hospital
Wollongong Hospital
Wagga Wagga Base Hospital
Coffs Harbour Hospital
Dubbo Hospital

• The vaccine will be dispatched from the hubs to the satellite sites.

 
4 MILLION CITIZENS USING SERVICE NSW APP
 

• The State Government’s Service NSW app has been downloaded more than four million times, approximately 75 per cent of NSW’s adult population.
• The app has been used by patrons across the State for more than 117 million COVID Safe check-ins.
• Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the technology has been a game changer for businesses and customers during the pandemic, while keeping the community safe.
• Further information on Service NSW is available at www.service.nsw.gov.au

 
DIGGING DEEP AT CENTRAL STATION
 

• A major milestone has been reached in the construction of Sydney Metro under Australia’s busiest railway station.  
• Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance today visited Central Station where excavation has reached the bottom of the new Sydney Metro station box which is 27 metres below ground level.
• The work at Central Station is being delivered as part of the Sydney Metro City & Southwest project, which will see Metro rail services extend from Chatswood, through the city and beyond to Bankstown in 2024.

 
COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS TO EASE AT SCHOOLS
 

• Restrictions in NSW schools will be eased to allow parents back on to school grounds, dancing activities to proceed and singing groups to recommence in a COVID-safe way, the NSW Government announced today. 
• Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell announced the following restrictions will be eased on Monday, 8 March 2021:
• Detailed guidance for schools has been updated to reflect these changes and principals are pleased to welcome parents and carers back to school.
• Schools will continue to have COVID-19 Safety Plans and record keeping procedures in place. Visitors to NSW public schools must still use of the Service NSW QR Code system at the school’s reception.

 
PFAS FIREFIGHTING FOAM BANNED IN NSW
 

• PFAS firefighting foam has been banned for use in NSW except in catastrophic circumstances or where there are special circumstances.
•  Environment Minister Matt Kean said that firefighting foam containing per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) will be banned for all training and demonstration purposes in NSW from next month. 
• Exemptions will be available if a business has valid cause to continue the use of certain PFAS foams, and some exceptions apply. More information is available at www.epa.nsw.gov.au/pfasregulation

 
CHANGES IN COVID-19 RESIDENTIAL TENANCY SUPPORT
 

• With the NSW economy on a path to recovery, the NSW Government has announced new plans to help the residential tenancy market transition back to pre COVID-19 conditions.
• In April 2020, the NSW Government introduced temporary measures to support landlords and tenants adversely impacted by the pandemic, stabilise the housing market and limit unnecessary social movement. 
• Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation, Kevin Anderson, said the NSW Government will now make changes to these measures to allow the rental market to adjust to new circumstances and the current economic climate.
• To find out more about the transitional residential tenancy measures, visit Fair Trading.

 
 
NEW PROGRAM TO SUPPORT PEOPLE LIVING WITH MENTAL ILLNESS AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS
 

• In a NSW first, people who no longer require acute mental health services but have no home to return to can access temporary accommodation and intervention-based support thanks to the ‘Stepping Stones’ program at Macquarie Hospital.
• Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor met with some of the program’s first residents to benefit from the initiative which aims to support participants’ wellbeing and to help them transition to community living.

 
 
MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR BOOST FOR RSPCA NSW SHELTERS
 

• RSPCA shelters across the State are set to receive $10.5 million in upgrades thanks to a much needed capital injection from the NSW Government.
• Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock joined RSPCA NSW CEO Steve Coleman, Member for East Hills Wendy Lindsay and Member for Holsworthy Melanie Gibbons to announce the funding boost to improve facilities and conditions for animals, staff and volunteers. 

 
STUDENTS BENEFIT FROM TUTORING PROGRAM
 

• NSW public school students are already benefitting from the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government’s history-making $337 million tuition program.
• Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said more than 3960 educators were already on the ground at 1755 schools. The vast majority are retired or casual teachers, supplemented by university education students and university tutors.
• Registrations are still open to educators interested in taking part at https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/curriculum/covid-learning-support-program
• Existing Department of Education staff should register interest through ClassCover.