HISTORIC LEGISLATION TO FAST TRACK WATER INFRASTRUCTURE IN REGIONAL NSW
ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO HELP NSW STUDENTS THRIVE
KEEPING FESTIVAL PATRONS SAFE
NSW TO REMAIN THE HOME OF NRL
EXTRA MORNING PEAK SERVICE FOR POPULAR T5 CUMBERLAND LINE
MOBILE PINK SLIP TRIAL EXPANDED TO REGIONS
NEW PARKING APP A WIN FOR DRIVERS
- The NSW Government has introduced historic legislation to fast track critical water infrastructure to ensure drought-stricken communities will not run out of drinking water.
- The temporary legislation will streamline approvals for water infrastructure projects where there is a critical town water supply need. This new temporary legislation will facilitate declared emergency drought works to ensure the continued supply of drinking water to the people of NSW.
- This new legislation will be in effect for two years and can be extended by up to 12 months by the Minister for Water, where towns continue to experience severe drought.
ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO HELP NSW STUDENTS THRIVE
- The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government is providing more annual funding to schools, with $1.25 billion going to more than 2000 public schools across the State next year – a $60 million increase on 2019.
- The funding is provided on top of a school’s base allocation, and can be used for more teachers, literacy and numeracy programs, and teacher training.
- The funding method, known as the Resource Allocation Model (RAM), recognises the needs of schools across NSW differ and takes into account the socio-economic profile of students, Aboriginal student numbers, disability and English language proficiency.
KEEPING FESTIVAL PATRONS SAFE
- Legislation to reinstate a festival safety system that was overturned by an alliance of Labor, Greens and Shooters’ MPs was introduced to Parliament on Wednesday.
- The legislation will reinstate the requirement to develop safety management plans in consultation with NSW Health, NSW Police and the Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority. This applied to only 11 of more than 90 festivals in NSW.
NSW TO REMAIN THE HOME OF NRL
- The NSW Government has secured NRL Grand Finals until 2046 in a win for fans, tourism and jobs. The NRL Grand Final provides enormous benefit to tourism in NSW, which remains Australia’s number one destination for visitors, both domestic and international, and our premium sporting attractions are a major attraction.
- The NSW Government is investing nearly $1.9 billion in our stadium network which will give the NRL the best stadiums in the country.
EXTRA MORNING PEAK SERVICE FOR POPULAR T5 CUMBERLAND LINE
- From next January, south-west train customers will benefit from a new direct morning peak service from Leppington to Schofields via Parramatta, boosting capacity and making journeys more comfortable on the popular T5 Cumberland Line.
- The new direct all-stops morning peak service departs Leppington at 7.07am, arriving at key stations such as Parramatta at 7.49am, Blacktown at 8.07am and Schofields at 8.17am. The existing 7.21am all stops Leppington to Schofields service will instead depart at 7.37am, arriving at key stations such as Parramatta at 8.19am, Blacktown at 8.37am and Schofields at 8.47am.
- These improvements will take effect from Monday 6 January.
MOBILE PINK SLIP TRIAL EXPANDED TO REGIONS
- Five regions in NSW will benefit from an expanded mobile pink slip trial which will allow people to get a pink slip at a time and place that suits them.
- Wagga Wagga, Tamworth, Port Macquarie, Blue Mountains, and the Southern Highlands will join the trial in December.
- To take advantage of mobile pink slips, customers simply need to make direct contact with a participating authorised pink slip provider, agree on a call-out fee, time and safe location for the inspection.
NEW PARKING APP A WIN FOR DRIVERS
- Drivers in parts of Sydney can now pay for parking and top up using their phones, with the launch of the NSW Government’s Park’nPay app. On Thursday, the new technology went live in The Rocks, Liverpool Council, and parts of Darling Harbour and Pyrmont.
- The app is free and available on iPhone and Android phones. Drivers simply download the Park’nPay app, create an account with their licence plate and payment details.
- The app will help drivers avoid parking fines because they will be notified when their meter is running low or their park is about to turn into a no stopping zone.