Taskforce to drive high tech communications for first responders

Joint Media Release from the Hon Michelle Rowland MP, Minister for Communications and Senator The Hon Murray Watt MP, Minister for Emergency Management

MEDIA RELEASE | Monday 25 September 2023

Australia’s first responders are now one step closer to improved communications during an emergency, following the establishment of the Public Safety Mobile Broadband (PSMB) Taskforce. The announcement of the Taskforce comes ahead of the National Bushfire Summit, being held in Canberra today (Monday).
 
The PSMB Taskforce will be responsible for laying the groundwork for the long-term public safety communications infrastructure, prioritising the partnerships with state and territory governments to ensure they have a voice in its design.
 
It will also create the framework that drives the delivery of the PSMB to Public Safety Agencies nationally.
 
Currently, public safety agencies rely on land mobile radio networks for their communication needs.
These have limited data services, and in many instances, are not enabled for cross-border or cross-organisational communications. The PSMB Taskforce will provide fast and secure voice, video and data communications specifically for emergency services, such as fire, ambulance and police.
 
Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt said the taskforce would mean improved communications across the different services and geographic boundaries, and therefore a more coordinated response.
 
“In the May budget the Albanese Government committed $10.1 million from the 2023-24 Federal Budget to establish and fund the operations of the Taskforce over the next two years,” Minister Watt said. “The Taskforce’s establishment is a landmark step towards making the PSMB a reality, something that emergency services have been requesting for a long time.
 
“This is a project that has been recommended for years, but has only progressed since the election of the Albanese Government. The Taskforce will establish working groups with representatives from all states and territories, whose ideas and contributions will be critical to the design of the PSMB. This milestone also ticks off one of the Australian Government’s commitments to supporting the recommendations from the Royal Commission into Natural Disaster Arrangements, as well as numerous other Royal Commissions calling for the delivery of a PSMB capability.”
 
Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland said the Government’s investments in emergency and public safety communications will help save lives.
 
“Ensuring our heroic first responders have access to reliable communications services during emergencies is critical to keeping Australians safe,” Minister Rowland said. “A PSMB capability will enhance Australia’s ability to manage emergencies, hazards and threats by giving emergency services agencies access to data-rich, reliable and modern communications technologies. The establishment of the Taskforce means we’re a step closer to developing the critical public safety communications infrastructure our first responders need to more effectively respond to emergencies”.
 
The Taskforce is led by the Australian Government through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and will be supported by other Australian Government bodies, including the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, as well as state and territory government agencies.
 
More information is available on the National Emergency Management Agency’s website.

Regional Emergency Road Repair Fund (RERRF)

The Regional Emergency Road Repair Fund (RERRF) is supporting regional councils to continue vital repair and maintenance work needed following the devastating effects of severe weather and natural disasters. The RERRF will help regional councils to fix the damage and keep communities and industry connected and able to move to, from and through regional towns and centres across NSW.

Communities across NSW have been hard hit by the devastating effects of severe weather and natural disasters and the NSW road network has not yet fully recovered. Regional councils are still completing repairs to restore their Regional and Local road network.

The RERRF  supports councils across regional NSW to fix damaged roads and ensure the road network our regional communities rely on every day is dependable, smooth and safe. This fund will provide an additional $390 million to regional councils to continue vital repair and maintenance work and builds on the $280 million allocated to regional NSW councils through the Regional and Local Roads Repair Program (RLRRP).

Together these initiatives are providing $670 million in much needed funding for regional areas of NSW to recover from natural disasters and maintain an efficient, safe and reliable road network. 95 regional Local Government Areas (LGAs) are eligible to receive funding under this initiative with allocations based on the kilometres of Regional and Local roads managed in their LGA ($/km). 

The RERRF provides councils in regional NSW with the funds necessary to carry out priority repair and maintenance activities and immediate repair of potholes on their Local and Regional roads. Maintenance work may include heavy road patching, reshaping and smoothing unsealed roads, carrying out work to improve drainage from the road surface, rehabilitating sections of road and resurfacing work. 

Transport for NSW would like to invite regional councils to attend an online information session to learn more about the fund, guidelines and eligibility, payment details and reporting requirements.  Eligible councils are encouraged to register to attend one of the sessions. A recording will be distributed, for those who are unable to attend. 

Session 1 details 
Date: Thursday 28 September 2023 | Time: 11am (1 hour duration) 
Register:  register online 

Session 2 details 
Date: Tuesday 3 October 2023 | Time: 4pm (1 hour duration) 
Register:  register online

Supporting communities outside of our big cities to thrive

Joint Media Release from the Hon Kristy McBain MP, Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories and the Hon Emma McBride MP, Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Assistant Minister for Rural and Regional Health

MEDIA RELEASE | Friday 22 September 2023

The Albanese Labor Government continues to invest in regional, rural and remote communities to make them more resilient, sustainable and liveable.

In partnership with Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR), 58 locally led groups across the country will share in over $900,000 in grants.

The funding will support the continued recovery from COVID-19 in our regions, strengthen community resilience and preparedness for hotter, drier and higher risk weather in spring and summer, and help businesses reduce their operating costs.

Fourteen regional community groups will benefit from large grants of up to $50,000, including:

• In Wilcannia, New South Wales, where $50,000 will address educational disadvantage through an innovative program to upskill adults in the community, empowering them to help teach early language and literacy skills.

• In Portland, Victoria, where nearly $39,000 will create a safe drop-in space for vulnerable people to receive support and resources to help them reconnect with their community.

Forty-four regional community groups will benefit from smaller grants of up to $10,000 including:

• In Pegarah, Tasmania, where $10,000 will strengthen mental health and wellbeing after the COVID-19 pandemic in the remote island community by delivering in-person mental health and suicide prevention outreach services.

• In Dundee Beach, Northern Territory, where $10,000 will purchase age-appropriate play-based learning resources and equipment for a preschool playgroup to tackle educational and social disadvantages caused by isolation.

The funding is part of the Albanese Government’s $5 million investment from 2022 to 2024 in the Rebuilding Regional Communities stream of FRRR’s Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) program.

For the full list of funded projects and more information about other grants awarded through FRRR’s SRC program, visit: https://frrr.org.au/news

Nominations open for NSW Women of the Year Awards 2024

Media Release from the NSW Minister for Women

Media Release | 31 August 2023

Nominations for the 2024 NSW Women of the Year Awards open today.

Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said the NSW Government was looking for the most empowering and inspiring women and girls in the state.

“These awards recognise the invaluable contribution to community, industry and society that women in NSW have made through their hard work, dedication and passion. The awards honour our inspirational women with the recognition they truly deserve,” Minister Harrison said.

“We want to continue to empower the next generation of young women to be limitless in delivering positive changes through fortitude in their fields of expertise. We can only achieve this by shining a light on the contributions and achievements of women in our communities.”

The annual awards will put the spotlight on women and girls whose determination, bravery, skill and passion should be celebrated and shared, inspiring others to achieve great things. They celebrate the role models who challenge inequality, innovate and inspire.

The 2024 award categories are:

• Premier’s NSW Woman of Excellence

• NSW Community Hero

• NSW Young Woman of the Year

• NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year.

Nominations are also open to recognise and honour young girls in the Ones to Watch Showcase. It will put the spotlight on the rising stars of our community, showcasing 10 exemplary young girls between the ages of 7 to 15 years old.

Minister Harrison said: “The Ones to Watch showcase will spotlight the next generation of inspiring young women by recognising the potential, resilience and determination of girls who are shaping the future.”

The winners of the awards will be announced at the NSW Women of the Year Awards ceremony on 7 March 2024 as part of NSW Women’s Week 2024. Nominate someone now.

Nominations close 11:59pm, Sunday 8 October.

Delivering better healthcare, closer to home, for people living in rural, regional and remote parts of NSW

Media Release from the NSW Minister for Health, NSW Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast, and the NSW Minister for Regional Health

Media Release | 19 September 2023

The Minns Labor Government is delivering on its election commitment to begin the long-term repair and structural reform of the delivery of health care services across NSW, by rebuilding our essential health services, reinvesting in frontline health workers and improving access to care.

People living in rural, regional and remote parts of NSW will have better access to high-quality healthcare as part of the 2023-24 NSW Budget.

Rebuilding our essential workforce in regional NSW:

• $438.6 million will be invested in recruiting an extra 500 rural and regional paramedics to address the shortage of first responders and improve ambulance response times.

• Doubling the incentive payment for healthcare workers moving to regional and remote areas from $10,000 to $20,000.

• $572.3 million to save the jobs of 1112 nurses and midwives that were left unfunded by the former government.

• The largest pay increase in more than a decade for NSW health workers to recruit and retain more workers and help improve the services we rely on.

• $419.1 million to deliver the first steps towards Safe Staffing Levels in NSW hospitals to recruit an extra 1200 nurses and midwives and help address the shortage of nurses.

• $170.8 million which will see more than 50,000 healthcare workers increase their take-home aftertax pay through better salary packaging.

• $121.9 million over 5 years will go towards study subsidies for health workers to ensure we continue attracting graduates to the profession.

Investing in regional health infrastructure:

The 2023-24 Budget includes a significant investment for new and upgraded hospitals across the state, including $3.8 billion for new and upgraded facilities in regional NSW, including:

• $538 million for Albury Wodonga Regional Hospital to provide safe and contemporary facilities and improve care for the cross-border community.

• $260 million for a new Eurobodalla Hospital to deliver a sustainable, modern and purpose-built facility to support the needs of the Eurobodalla Shire.

• $200 million for the redevelopment of Bathurst Hospital to ensure the local community and wider Central West region have access to high quality care.

• $80 million to deliver the Moree Hospital redevelopment to support best practice models of care and provide modern facilities for patients, families, and carers.

• $50 million investment in the Glen Innes Hospital upgrade for new contemporary facilities to meet the needs of the community into the future.

The Minns Labor Government is also delivering free parking at rural and regional hospitals at a cost of $19 million.

The Minns Labor Government is committed to supporting people living across all parts of NSW and has delivered a budget which builds the foundation for better, more reliable healthcare services in rural and regional NSW.

The Minns Labor Government’s first budget begins a new era of responsible long-term investment to rebuild our essential services and support NSW families.

Securing regional jobs and encouraging investment in Minns Government’s first budget

Media Release from the NSW Minister for Finance, and NSW Minister for Natural Resources

Media Release | 19 September 2023

The NSW Government today released the 2023-24 NSW Budget which improves essential services, delivers cost-of-living relief and lays a foundation for a better and more secure future for NSW.

Delivering on an election commitment, included in the budget is $5.2 million to establish Future Jobs and Investment Authorities. The regional authorities will assist coal-producing regions to develop new industries and economic opportunities as NSW builds its renewable energy capability.

In August, the NSW Government began consultations with workers, industry and community leaders in the Hunter to set up the authorities. Once established they will support workers, industries and communities to harness the opportunities of a clean energy future. The investment reflects the government’s broader commitment to the sector.

The Minns Labor Government has also announced it will develop a new and updated Critical Minerals and High-Tech Metals Strategy. NSW has 17 of the 26 nationally identified critical minerals, including significant deposits of copper, silver and scandium.

The strategy will map how NSW can leverage its natural competitive advantage to create more local jobs by encouraging domestic processing and manufacturing of products with significant critical minerals inputs. It will also investigate ways to develop skills and training opportunities in the workforce.

The budget also contains $27.5 million for geological survey work to encourage exploration of critical minerals in NSW. By using a range of cutting-edge techniques, the data can help define areas of mineral or energy resource potential and provide focus for mining and exploration companies.

In the 2023-24 NSW Budget, the Minns Labor Government will invest a total of $142.5 million across the Natural Resources portfolio. This includes $113 million over 4 years for mine work health and safety and $48.5 million over 4 years to reduce risks from legacy mines.

In making better choices in its first budget, the Minns Labor Government begins a new era of responsible long-term investment to support NSW families and rebuild essential services.

Higher quality homes and better protections for NSW consumers

Media Release from the NSW Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading, NSW Minister for Building, NSW Minister for Industry and Trade

Media Release | 19 September 2023

The Minns Labor Government has delivered a budget to build more high-quality homes, and to ensure consumers are protected in a tough cost-of-living environment.

A down-payment of $24 million will establish the NSW Building Commission and let it hit the ground running.

An initial team of more than 400 dedicated staff will work with Commissioner David Chandler to drive dodgy builders out of the market and ensure buyers get the quality homes they deserve.

The NSW Government recognises the pressing need for more homes – to ease pressure in the housing market and keep young people in NSW.

The Minns Government is committed to ensuring the tens of thousands of new homes that NSW needs are quality homes.

The creation of a standalone Building Commission won’t just deliver better quality homes, it will also let NSW Fair Trading focus on its core business – protecting consumers.

It will do this by:

• Working with the NSW Rental Commissioner to better protect the rights of renters and modernise the system to make it fairer.

• Delivering an additional $1 million in funding for renters’ advocacy organisations.

• Making sure products are safe and holding businesses that break the law accountable.

• Working to resolve strata disputes before they end up in expensive legal battles.

The Minns Budget lays the foundations for a better consumer protections system.

We’ve made the careful decisions needed to reprioritise spending and resources so we can invest in and regulators people in NSW need.

Laying the foundations for a better, more secure future

Media Release from the NSW Premier, and the NSW Treasurer

Media Release | 19 September 2023

Every person across NSW should have access to a safe and secure place to call home.

Housing affordability and availability is the biggest single pressure facing the people of NSW, with mortgage payments or rent the largest expense for most households.

The Minns Labor Government recognises housing as essential infrastructure and the 2023-24 Budget, lays out a plan to rebuild a neglected system through immediate support and critical long-term planning.

Long-term housing supply

A $2.2 billion Housing and Infrastructure Plan is at the centre of this budget, to begin addressing the historic neglect of new housing supply.

The plan includes:

• $300 million reinvested in Landcom to accelerate the construction of thousands of new homes, with 30% of these to be affordable housing.

• $400 million reserved in Restart NSW to deliver the infrastructure that will unlock housing across the state.

• $1.5 billion committed for housing related infrastructure through the Housing and Productivity Contribution.
   

Faster planning program

The budget furthers our long-term reform in housing with the creation of the new $38.7 million Faster Planning Program.

This program delivers:

• $24 million for a NSW Building Commission to protect home buyers from substandard buildings.

• $9.1 million to assess housing supply opportunities across government-owned sites, including for new social housing.

• NSW Budget 2023-24 budget.nsw.gov.au.

• $5.6 million on artificial intelligence to make planning systems more efficient.

• Overhauling and simplifying the planning system by redirecting resources from the Greater Cities Commission and Western Parkland City Authority.
   

Homes NSW backed by the Essential Housing Package

The Minns Labor Government will establish Homes NSW to deliver better outcomes for public and social housing tenants, deliver more affordable and social housing and reduce the number of homeless people in NSW.

An investment of $224 million will support the Government’s Essential Housing Package which includes:

• $70 million debt financing to accelerate the delivery of social, affordable and private homes, primarily in regional NSW.

• $35.3 million to continue to provide housing services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families through Services Our Way.

• $35 million to support critical social housing maintenance.

• $20 million reserved in Restart NSW for dedicated mental health housing.

• $15 million to establish a NSW Housing Fund for urgent priority housing and homelessness measures to confront the housing crisis.

• $11.3 million to extend the Together Home program.

• $11 million urgent funding injection to Temporary Accommodation in 2023-24 to address rising homelessness.

• $10.5 million urgent funding injection to the Community Housing Leasing Program.

• $10 million Modular Housing Trial to deliver faster quality social housing.

• $5.9 million urgent funding in 2023-24 to allow Specialist Homelessness Services to address increasing demand.

In addition, the Commonwealth’s $610 million Social Housing Accelerator program will permanently increase social housing by around 1500 dwellings.

Rental reform

Renters are receiving immediate support with their rights bolstered right across NSW.

Tens of thousands of people renting will receive extra protection from the recent appointment of a state-first NSW Rental Commissioner.

The Commissioner will work with government to make renting fairer, more affordable and more secure.

We are committed to implementing a Portable Rental Bonds Scheme to ease financial pressure.

Renters will also be protected from unfair evictions by creating reasonable grounds for ending a lease. And we’re making it easier for renters to have pets in homes.

And new Build to Rent trials will be supported on the South Coast and in the Northern Rivers with $60 million.

First Home Buyers

From 1 July 2023 our First Home Buyers Assistance Scheme expanded stamp duty exemptions and concessions to help 5 out of every 6 first home buyers pay no stamp duty, or a concessional rate.

Early figures reveal this immediate support has been taken up by more than 1000 first home buyers purchasing in the $650,000 to $800,000 range, who enjoyed a full exemption from stamp duty in July alone.

Preliminary data also shows some 650 first home buyers received a stamp duty concession in the $800,000 to $1 million range in July.

These buyers would previously have had to pay full stamp duty or opt into an unfair annual property tax.

A foundation for a better and more secure future for NSW

Addressing a chronic housing shortage requires a long-term plan.

After 12 years of neglect, the Minns Labor Government is working to provide relief now while putting in the proper planning to ensure we’re ready for the challenges of the future.

We are a government with a clear focus – managing our finances responsibly so we can provide support when you need it most and improve the essential services that we all rely on, now and into the future.

$1 million in Aboriginal cultural grants to help Close the Gap

Media Release from the NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty

Media Release | 21 September 2023

$1 million in grants is now open for Aboriginal Community Organisations to apply to stage events and activities that celebrate and promote traditional and contemporary expressions of Aboriginal culture. Grants from $500 to $20,000 are on offer over two rounds. 

The grants program is just one of the key initiatives funded in the first Minns Labor Budget with $131.4 million over the next four years to support the continued implementation of the co-developed Closing the Gap initiatives.

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said the program would help deliver a key priority of the Closing the Gap agreement that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people enjoy high levels of social and emotional wellbeing.

“Closing the Gap is a key priority of the Minns Labor Government and confirmed in our first budget. This program is essential in creating in creating a sense of belonging, wellbeing and healing with Aboriginal communities in NSW and I am proud to support it,” Mr Harris said.

“Aboriginal communities will be able to come together to share cultural knowledge and skills between generations and that is something to be supported and celebrated.”

The previous Cultural Grants program in the financial year 2022/23 supported 91 projects across NSW, totalling just over $1.5 million in funding.

“Previous events and activities funded under the Program have been as varied and vibrant as the communities they represent,” Mr Harris said.

“From digital installations showcasing Aboriginal history, to camps connecting young people to culture, to events honouring the achievements of community members – the opportunities to celebrate culture, community and country are endless.”

The Program will be delivered in two rounds of $500,000. Round 1 closes on 9 October 2023 and Round 2 opens from 15 January 2024 to 26 February 2024.

Applicants can apply anytime from 28 August 2023 via the online grants program Smarty Grantslaunch

For more information visit the Aboriginal Affairs websitelaunch or contact the Aboriginal Affairs Cultural Investments team on grants@aboriginalaffairs.nsw.gov.aulaunch

National industries and governments decide to transition the Varroa mite program

Media Release from the NSW Minister for Agriculture

Media Release | 20 September 2023

The National Management Group (NMG), driving the Varroa mite program across Australia met yesterday, and has decided to transition its approach to addressing this biosecurity issue confronting the nation’s beekeepers and pollination industry.

After considering the latest scientific data and advice, governments and industry organisations have unanimously decided to move from an eradication program to a management approach.
 
The NSW Government has agreed with all industry and government partners that the potential to eradicate is no longer possible and that we now need to work collaboratively to manage and minimise the impact of varroa.
 
Despite the comprehensive $101 million spend and effort to eradicate the mite, the transition from an ‘eradication’ program to a ‘management’ program was concluded because of the many factors working against a possible eradication in Australia. 
 
The NSW Government will work with all the national players and reallocate resources to slowing the spread of the pest and providing management options to help minimising its impact. 
 
Communications are being developed by the NSW Department of Primary Industries and industry partners to explain to all stakeholders what this shift in program means and how the government will guide and assist affected stakeholders.
 
The NMG considered the following major factors for why eradication has not reached its desired objectives: 

• Non-compliance by some bee industry actors with the NSW Movement Orders and the mandatory hive testing (alcohol washes), and evidence of illegal movement of bees resulting in further spread of the varroa mite. 

• The recent spike in new detections, have made it clear that the Varroa mite infestation is more widespread and has also been present for longer than first thought.

• The increase in new detections and generation of a control area greater than 16,000 km2, has stretched the eradication team’s responses to their technical limit.

Pipeline of skilled workers secured as $93.5 million invested in hiring 1000 new apprentices and trainees

Media Release from the NSW Premier, Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, and Minister for Transport

Media Release | 21 September 2023

One thousand new apprentices and trainees will soon have jobs as the Minns Labor government commits $93.5 million to building a pipeline of skilled workers for NSW.

This initiative is part of the NSW Government’s plan to tackle skills gaps in the state’s economy in priority industries, including in critical services of transport, electricity, water, IT and cyber security.

The program involves NSW Government departments, state-owned corporations, and other public service employers looking for opportunities to hire 500 apprentices and 500 trainees. This will include those who already hire apprentices and trainees, as well as those who have not traditionally taken on those workers.

This vital $93.5 million investment through the 2023-2024 NSW Budget marks the delivery of an election commitment and is part of the Minns Labor government’s long-term plan to rebuild the essential services.

The government has a clear focus on responsibly managing finances to provide opportunities where people need them most, to improve the essential services, now and into the future.

Training Services NSW will work alongside TAFE NSW and other quality training providers to ensure apprentices and trainees are highly-qualified and can meet the needs of their employers.

All 1000 apprentices and trainees will join the NSW Government workforce by mid-2026.

Hiring early career, or upskilling mid-career workers, will ensure the government has access to a talented pool of workers in a competitive labour market.

More funding to inspire Australia’s creative kids

Media Release from the Hon Tony Burke MP, Minister for the Arts

MEDIA RELEASE | Wednesday 13 September 2023

More young Australians will be supported to pursue artistic endeavours with the Australian Government announcing a further funding boost for youth arts.

The Albanese Labor Government is investing $450,000 in Creative Australia to support its delivery of programs that increase young people’s participation in arts and theatre.

This will provide more opportunities for young people to realise their creative potential and discover new and exciting avenues for cultural expression.

Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, said young Australians have an important contribution to make to our arts scene.

“Through Revive, our new National Cultural Policy, we’re making sure more Australian stories can be told.

“This funding will help more young people to explore the arts and find their voice.

“I’m pleased that Creative Australia will be driving this investment in our future generation of artists.”

Adrian Collette AM, CEO of Creative Australia said, “This funding augments our capacity to support children and young people to develop their own artistic expression and invest in creative projects and programs made by, with, and for them.

“Creative Australia is actively considering its investments for children and young people through all its existing and future activities in our new incarnation as Creative Australia.”

For more information on Revive, visit https://www.arts.gov.au/what-we-do/new-national-cultural-policy.

Australian Government welcomes new industry code for search engines

Media Release from the Hon Michelle Rowland MP, Minister for Communications

MEDIA RELEASE | Friday 08 September 2023

The Minister for Communications has welcomed the eSafety Commissioner’s registration of a new industry code of practice to tackle seriously harmful online content.

The new Search Engine Services Code includes mandatory requirements to reduce the risk that illegal online content such as terrorism or child abuse material will be returned to Australians via search results. The new Code will apply to search engines including Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo and Yahoo.

Search engines are the ‘gateway to the internet’ for many Australians so this is a significant development in the implementation of the Online Safety Act 2021. The code will come into effect six months following registration and brings the number of completed industry codes governing the digital industry to six.

The new code of practice follows a request from the eSafety Commissioner to the online search engine services industry earlier in the year to revise their draft code to ensure greater protections against risks posed by generative AI.  

Five industry codes were registered in June this year and outline steps the online industry must take to limit access or exposure to, and distribution and storage of, seriously harmful material.

The eSafety Commissioner will continue to progress work on developing industry standards for two codes that did not provide appropriate community safeguards. The registration of industry codes and standards are independent regulatory decisions taken by the eSafety Commissioner.

To learn more about the industry codes, visit www.esafety.gov.au/industry/codes.

Shining a light on our plan for harmonised road safety data this Rural Road Safety Month

Media Release from Senator the Hon Carol Brown, Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport

MEDIA RELEASE | Monday 18 September 2023

The Road Deaths Australia bulletin released by Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics (BITRE) today shows a higher than average number of road deaths for August, compared to August 2022. This is both devastating and disappointing and comes amid Rural Road Safety Month.

September is Rural Road Safety Month, which promotes awareness of the increased risks of travelling on and around our regional roads, such as increased speeds, road conditions, and emergency response and retrieval times. All road users must consider how they can uphold road safety.

Road safety matters are complex and don’t have quick solutions, which is why the Albanese Government is working with states and territories on a number of road safety commitments to halve road deaths by 2030, on the path to zero by 2050.

Inadequate road safety data has long been a topic of discussion in the road safety community. This Government is doing the work to improve national road safety data collection and reporting. 

There are many complexities in producing a nationally consistent road safety data set. Road safety data is owned and recorded by individual states and territories, and road safety is often not the primary reason for data collection. State and territories also have differences in how this data is recorded and reported (from questions through to data presentation).

The Australian Government is working with all states and territories to create more reliable, consistent and accessible data, and then will look at what other valuable road safety data could be collected to inform policy and improve safety for all road users.

Through the National Road Safety Action Plan 2023-25, the Australian Government is working towards completing a National Road Safety Data Collection and Reporting Framework and minimum national dataset in 2024.

The Framework will set consistent definitions, structured and standard formats and timely outputs to provide the scaffolds for a minimum national data set.

This work is being undertaken in conjunction with state and territory governments through the Road Safety Data Working Group. The Road Safety Data Working Group consists of senior departmental officials from each jurisdiction.

Have Your Say | DRAFT - Tolland Concept Masterplan

The draft Tolland Concept Masterplan, which outlines a vision for the renewal of the Tolland Estate, is now on public exhibition to allow for the community to provide feedback. The NSW Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC), Argyle Housing, Wagga Wagga City Council and other stakeholders have collaborated on the Masterplan.

The aim of the Draft Tolland Renewal Masterplan is to renew social, affordable and private homes, and deliver enhanced open spaces and community infrastructure.

Wagga Wagga City Council is placing the DRAFT – Tolland Concept Masterplan on public exhibition for a period of 42 days from 11 September to 24 October 2023 and is inviting public submissions until 24 October 2023 on the draft document. To view the draft Tolland Concept Masterplan and make an online submission, go to haveyoursay.wagga.nsw.gov.au/tolland-renewal You can also inspect the draft Masterplan in person at the Wagga Wagga Civic Centre between 8.30am and 5pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).

Join Wagga Wagga City Council at a community drop-in event to find out more information, talk to the project team and provide your feedback on what you think is important for the Tolland renewal. Community drop-in BBQ's   to be held at Tolland Community Centre, 41 Bruce Street, Tolland.

Session #1 | Thursday 21 September 2023 | 10am - 1pm or 4pm - 7pm

Session #2 | Tuesday 10 October 2023 | 10am - 1pm or 4pm - 7pm

$31 million to address Black Spots on New South Wales roads

Joint Media Release from Senator the Hon Carol Brown, Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, and Fiona Phillips MP, Federal Member for Gilmore, Chair of the New South Wales Black Spot Consultative Panel

MEDIA RELEASE | Saturday 16 September 2023

Safety will be enhanced at 66 dangerous sites across New South Wales, with the Australian Government committing $31.9 million in 2023–24 to address known Black Spots.

The Black Spot Program improves safety at locations where crashes are occurring, or are risk of occurring, by funding treatments such as pedestrian crossings, guardrails and roundabouts.

Black Spot treatments help reduce serious injuries and deaths on our roads, and get people home safely.

Anyone can nominate a Black Spot for consideration. Consultative panels in each state and territory are responsible for considering nominations and recommending the highest priority sites for approval. 

The NSW panel includes representatives from Transport for NSW, the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia, the Traffic Management Association of Australia, Local Government NSW, the NRMA, the NSW Police Force, the Centre for Road Safety and the Federation of P&C Associations.

For more information on the Australian Government’s Black Spot Program, including how to nominate a black spot, visit investment.infrastructure.gov.au/funding/blackspots.

Regions need fair housing funding to address record workforce shortages

Media Release from the Regional Australia Institute

Media Release | 11 September 2023

The Regional Australia Institute (RAI) is backing a proposal to see regional, rural and remote Australia assured an equitable distribution of the Federal Government’s $10 billion housing fund, and local governments better supported in new development projects.

Independent Member for Indi, Dr Helen Haines, introduced the ‘Unlocking Regional Housing Bill’ Private Members Bill in Parliament today, which calls for at least 30% of the Housing Australia Future Fund to be directed to rural, regional and remote housing annually and for the regions to be specifically referenced in the objects of the enabling legislation.

The Bill seeks amendments to the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation Act, the enabling legislation for the Housing Australia Future Fund.

RAI CEO Liz Ritchie said rental availability in many regional towns was at, or below 1%.

“A lack of housing is at the centre of the region’s record workforce shortages, in which demand is most acute for GPs, nurses, aged care workers and early childhood educators,” Ms Ritchie said.

“Research by the RAI reveals 1 in 5 capital city Australians aspire to make the move to the regions and in fact, our recently released Big Movers 2023 report revealed millennials, those aged between 29-39, are moving in record numbers.

“Limited housing options threatens to put a handbrake on regional Australia’s population growth at a time when we badly need more people.”

Big Movers found between 2016 and 2021 more than 600,000 metropolitan Australians moved to regional communities – 120,000 more people than between 2011 and 2016. In addition, more than 720,000 people moved in between regional communities in the same time frame.

Ms Ritchie said the ‘Unlocking Regional Housing Bill’ acknowledged the challenges many regional and remote local governments faced when bringing new land to development.

“Unlike metropolitan LGAs, land availability for regional councils is often not the problem, it’s the cost of completing the necessary headworks such as sewerage, water, electricity, transportation, and roads,” Ms Ritchie said.

Importantly the proposed amendments also include a stipulation for regional housing expertise on the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation Board.

“Like many policy areas, the region’s housing challenges are nuanced and complex and a solution that works in metropolitan Australia may not work in the regions. It’s critical the leadership of the NHFIC is equipped with knowledge and experience that can ensure regional Australia’s bespoke housing needed are recognised and fixed,” Ms Ritchie said.

Addressing housing issues is one of the key goals of the Institute’s Regionalisation Ambition – a 10 year, 20 goal framework to better life in regional Australia.

By 2032, the Ambition aims to see rental vacancy rates increase to above 3% and for annual building approvals to keep pace with population growth.

On Wednesday, at the Regions Rising National Summit – Shifting Our Gaze, the RAI released the first progress report into the Regionalisation Ambition 2032, which will highlight how we as a nation have moved the dial on 20 targets set for regional Australia.

Have Your Say - Bus Industry Taskforce

The NSW Government has created a Bus Industry Taskforce to make recommendations to improve the reliability, quality and effectiveness of bus services across NSW. Bus services connect people to jobs, education, family and essential services and play a crucial role in supporting the broader transport network.

The Taskforce will bring together bus operators, industry experts, the workforce, and community representatives to determine how to deliver more efficient and reliable services. The Taskforce will investigate key factors relevant to bus operators’ performance and make recommendations to the Minister on options to address these performance issues.

You can have your say by completing a survey or uploading a submission to the Taskforce by 31 March 2024. Alternatively, you can register your interest to attend an in-person Bus Passenger Forum.

$200,000 Medium Business Support Grant extended to Central West and Southern NSW

Joint Media Release from the Minister for Emergency Services, the Minister for Regional Health, and the Minister for Western New South Wales

Media Release | Friday 1 September 2023

Flood-impacted medium-size businesses across the central west and southern NSW can now apply for up to $200,000 in support through a jointly-funded Albanese and Minns Government grant program, delivered by Service NSW.

The Medium Business Support Grant is available to business and non-profit organisations with more than 20 and less than 200 full-time equivalent employees who were directly impacted by storms and floods from August to September 2022.

Funds can be used to help offset the costs of recovery and re-establishing a business, including for safety inspections, building repairs, cleaning equipment, materials needed to resume trade, disposing of debris and spoiled stock or leasing temporary space.

The Medium Business Support Grant will be available in the local government areas (LGAs) of Balranald, Berrigan, Bogan, Bourke, Brewarrina, Cabonne, Carrathool, Central Darling, Cobar, Cowra, Dubbo Regional, Edward River, Federation, Forbes, Griffith, Gunnedah, Hay, Junee, Lachlan, Leeton, Moree Plains, Murray River, Murrumbidgee, Narrabri, Narrandera, Parkes, Wagga Wagga, Walgett, Warren, Warrumbungle and Wentworth.

The grant is jointly funded by the Australian and NSW Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

For more information and to apply, visit the Service NSWlaunch website or call Service NSW on 13 77 88

RDA Riverina is an Outstanding Community Organisation Finalist

Exciting News ! RDA Riverina is a Finalist in the Outstanding Community Organisation category in the 2023 Business NSW Riverina Murray Regional Business Awards!

The Outstanding Community Organisation Award recognises an organisation that works to improve the social, cultural or environmental well-being of the community. 

Entrants are required to demonstrate their commitment over the past 12 months to being an outstanding community organisation.  This category is open to social enterprises and not-for-profit organisations that have been trading for a period of over 24 months.

The Riverina Murray Business Awards gala will be held on  Friday 13 October 2023.