NSW PUBLIC SERVICE TO LEAD OFFICE RETURN
NSW GOVERNMENT FINALISES KOALA SEPP
OUTDOOR DINING COMING SOON
NEW RECRUITS HIT THE BEAT ACROSS THE STATE
NO BRIDGE TOO FAR FOR LIGHT RAIL PROJECT
$341 MILLION CONCORD HOSPITAL BOOSTS CAPACITY
MARITIME CASH SPLASH CREATES HUNDREDS OF JOBS
NEW LAWS TO EMPOWER LANDOWNERS AND NSW RFS TO MANAGE BUSHFIRE RISK
- Public Servants across the NSW Government will begin returning to work in the office in coming weeks as part of a COVID Safe transition.
- Flexible working arrangements, including staggered start and finish times, will be in place to allow as many workers to return to their offices in a COVID Safe manner, providing a major boost for the Sydney economy.
- Department managers will be tasked with ensuring staff follow a COVID-19 Safety Plan and utilise flexible rostering where possible to allow travel on public transport outside of peak hours.
- NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet tonight welcomed the Federal Government’s job-creating budget which provides significant tax relief for hard working Australians, supports businesses, and boosts investment in key infrastructure projects across NSW.
- Mr Perrottet commended federal counterpart Josh Frydenberg and Prime Minister Scott Morrison for delivering a budget which provides “support and hope” for Australians in the midst of the most challenging economic environment in a generation.
- The NSW State Budget will be delivered on November 17.
- The $750 million redevelopment of Royal Prince Alfred Hospital has been brought forward by one year, after the NSW Government accelerated the project.
- Premier Gladys Berejiklian said early and enabling works are expected to begin in the next six months on the major redevelopment which will be a game-changer for staff and patients.
- The new hospital building is expected to open to patients in 2026-27.
NSW GOVERNMENT FINALISES KOALA SEPP
- The NSW Government has agreed on the details of the koala protection policy, which strikes a balance between safeguarding the future of our national icon while ensuring certainty for farmers.
- Amendments to the State Environmental Planning Policy (Koala Habitat Protection) 2019 (Koala SEPP) and the Local Land Service Act 2013 were agreed to by ministers.
- Acting Deputy Premier Paul Toole said the agreement is a balanced outcome that will protect koalas, protect their habitat and protect farmers’ property rights.
OUTDOOR DINING COMING SOON
- Summer is coming and outdoor spaces are being opened up for alfresco drinking and dining just in time for the warmer weather with the NSW Government slashing red tape to allow quicker approval times for venues.
- Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said government agencies are getting the “Alfresco Job” done, allowing the new measures to be rolled out first in The Rocks from 16 October and in the city from November 1 for a 12-month pilot.
- Consultation is now open for feedback on the proposed changes to the codes SEPP to allow pubs, small bars and cultural venue with a food or drink outlet to participate in the outdoor dining trial in the City of Sydney.
NEW RECRUITS HIT THE BEAT ACROSS THE STATE
- Police Commands and Districts across NSW will be boosted with the addition of 192 police recruits after they were sworn in as probationary constables in Goulburn.
- The Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott joined NSW Police Force Commissioner Mick Fuller APM to welcome the newest recruits to the Force at a private Attestation ceremony.
- After completing eight months of training, the new probationary constables will start at Police Area Commands and Police Districts across the state from next Monday 12 October 2020.
NO BRIDGE TOO FAR FOR LIGHT RAIL PROJECT
- Six new bridges will be built and another five bridges modified in the Greater Parramatta area, as part of the Parramatta Light Rail works.
- Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said the bridges at Westmead, Parramatta, Camellia, Rosehill and Dundas will support dual-track light rail as well as an active transport link.
- The Parramatta Light Rail will connect Westmead to Carlingford via the Parramatta CBD and Camellia, and is expected to open in 2023.
$341 MILLION CONCORD HOSPITAL BOOSTS CAPACITY
- Concord Hospital’s $341 million redevelopment is on track for completion, with the eight-storey Clinical Services Building set to transform healthcare in the inner west.
- Health Minister Brad Hazzard and Member for Drummoyne John Sidoti visited the site for a traditional topping out ceremony to mark the building reaching its highest point.
- Mr Hazzard said the Clinical Services Building will have more than 200 inpatient beds, with just over 550 beds across the campus, an increase of more than 100 from previously.
MARITIME CASH SPLASH CREATES HUNDREDS OF JOBS
- A $205 million investment in maritime infrastructure and safety upgrade projects will create nearly 1300 jobs across the state.
- Minister for Transport Andrew Constance said the stimulus funding to improve access and amenities was particularly important with boating activity at an all-time high.
- The funding will go to priority areas, including:
- Regional maritime infrastructure
- Regional dredging
- Ferry wharf upgrades
- Maritime property improvements.
NEW LAWS TO EMPOWER LANDOWNERS AND NSW RFS TO MANAGE BUSHFIRE RISK
- The NSW Government has announced that it will introduce laws to simplify rules for landowners seeking to mitigate bushfire risks on their properties and give the NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner sweeping new powers to direct hazard reduction activities.
- Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said the Rural Fires Act 1997 would be amended to allow rural landowners to clear up to 25 metres on their property from the boundary without onerous approvals.
- , which resides on the site for the future Museum, will be moved to a new site in North Parramatta, providing the community with better access while restoring it to its former glory.