NSW Government Weekly Update - 6 August 2021

6 August 2021
For the latest COVID-19 advice & information please visit www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19
 
FLEXIBLE SCHOOL MODEL FOR HSC STUDENTS
 
  • A flexible operating model for schools across Greater Sydney has been announced, providing the opportunity for HSC students to access their schools safely from August 16.
  • Under the model, secondary schools will operate under an updated COVID safety plan, jointly developed by NSW Health and Education, to provide opportunities for essential curriculum delivery, wellbeing support and check-ins for HSC students as they complete their final year.
  • School assessments and trial exams will be completed at home across all schools in Greater Sydney.
  • Individual school plans will leverage their physical spaces and timetables to minimise mixing between students and support physical distancing and will only involve small groups of students at any one time. Clear guidelines will be provided to schools so they can create their plans.
  • HSC students living or learning in the eight LGAs of concern (Blacktown, Campbelltown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Georges River, Liverpool and Parramatta) will not return to school yet. HSC students from the LGAs of concern will also not return to school if they go to school outside those LGAs. Schools in the areas of concern will be asked to prepare for HSC students’ return in the coming weeks, allowing time for their vaccinations to be given and take effect.
  • Qudos Bank Arena will be available from 9 August as a vaccination hub for Year 12 students in the eight local government areas of concern.
 
ENERGY BILL SUPPORT FOR THOSE DOING IT TOUGH DURING COVID
 
  • Households across NSW who need help paying their energy bills will be able to access up to $1,600 per year in financial support during the current COVID lockdown.
  • The NSW Government is increasing the caps under the Energy Accounts Payments Assistance (EAPA) scheme to ease some of the cost-of-living pressures borne by households during this COVID Delta strain outbreak.
  • The EAPA assessment threshold has been temporarily increased from $300 to $400 per assessment, meaning the annual maximum limit of vouchers per household has increased from $1,200 to $1,600. The duration of the increased limits will be reviewed on an ongoing basis in light of lockdown circumstances.
  • EAPA representatives can also help customers to contact their energy retailers to get customers onto hardship plans, further protecting customers during this difficult time.
  • Residential energy customers can easily apply for EAPA vouchers directly through Service NSW to schedule an assessment without having to leave their house.
  • The NSW Government also offers six other rebates to help with energy bills. Residents looking to save on their energy bills are encouraged to visit the Energy Saver website via www.energysaver.nsw.gov.au/households/rebates-and-discounts/energy-rebates.
 
150 ORGANISATIONS SHARE IN $750,000 MULTICULTURAL SUPPORT PACKAGE
 
  • More than 150 multicultural community organisations will share in almost $750,000 in emergency funding for grassroots projects to support vulnerable members of the community impacted by the current COVID-19 outbreak.
  • The Stronger Together Grants Program supports urgent relief projects by providing assistance for food, transport, mental health support and communicating public health information in languages other than English.
  • Examples of funded projects include:
  • The purchase and delivery of food packages and other essential household items including face masks and hand sanitiser for disadvantaged members of the community;
  • Expanded mental health services and information in languages other than English, providing culturally appropriate psychological support and wellness checks over the phone;
  • Transport for vulnerable people with limited mobility to access services such as medical appointments, including vaccination appointments, and shopping for essentials.
 
FREE COVID RAPID RESPONSE COURSES TO BUILD SKILLS DURING PANDEMIC
 
  • A suite of ten fee-free TAFE NSW courses are now available for NSW residents to build their skills during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Mental health, digital security, business administration and construction industry skill sets are just some of the COVID rapid response courses on offer to people throughout the pandemic.
  • If you are an Australian citizen, permanent resident, aged 15 years or older, no longer at school and living or working in NSW you may be eligible for the COVID rapid response courses.
  • For more information and to see if you are eligible, visit https://www.tafensw.edu.au/fee-free-short-courses or call 131 601.
 
SYDNEY’S FIRST FREIGHT COVID TESTING SITE TO OPEN
 
  • A dedicated freight-friendly COVID-19 testing site is opening in Wetherill Park on Saturday 7 August, making it easier for heavy vehicle drivers to get tested in the Greater Sydney area.
  • The Sydney pop-up site is in addition to the five sites already open along key freight routes across the state to keep freight moving and freight workers COVID-Safe.
  • The new Wetherill Park site will allow truck drivers safe and efficient access to COVID-19 tests which will help them remain safe as they move across the state.
  • The site at 250 Victoria Street is open from 7am Saturday, 7 August and will be supported by pathology staff 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
  • To find out more, visit: https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/operations/freight-hub/transport-for-nsw-response-to-covid-19-for-freight-industry.
 
IDEAS AND INNOVATION FUNDING TO ACCELERATE NSW ECONOMIC BOUNCEBACK
 
  • The commercialisation of innovative ideas that address impacts of COVID-19 are being supporting by the NSW Government with two new funding streams announced.
  • The two programs would be delivered by Investment NSW and are focused on addressing the impacts of the pandemic across the state.
  • The $6 million Research and Development Fund (‘R&D Fund’) targets innovative products that have been developed by NSW businesses. Proposals to scale R&D products will be assessed by a panel of judges with expertise in commercialisation, venture capital, academia, government and industry.
  • R&D Fund competitive grants of between $250,000 to $1 million will open for eligible businesses to apply during August 2021.
  • The COVID-19 edition of TechVouchers, valued up to $25,000 and $50,000 per business, will enable more businesses to innovate by providing access to expertise and equipment in NSW, through publicly funded research organisations such as universities, CSIRO, National Measurement Institute and ANSTO.
  • Two TechVoucher funding streams are available. One stream will target smaller projects up to six months duration and will provide up to $25,000 to eligible businesses. Another stream will target larger projects up to 12 months duration and will provide up to $50,000 to eligible businesses. TechVoucher applications are now open.
  • Additional information on guidelines, eligibility criteria and the application process are available now at https://www.business.nsw.gov.au/support-for-business/innovation-scaleup-fund.
 
NEW SPEED CAMERA WARNING SIGNS INTRODUCED
 
  • Fixed warning signs for mobile speed cameras will start rolling out across NSW this month, to remind drivers they can be caught speeding anywhere, anytime.
  • Around 1,000 permanent static signs will supplement messaging on the existing 360 variable message signs and a comprehensive advertising campaign.
  • Images of the new signs are available to download here: https://bit.ly/3llb3VL.
 
DIGITAL PHOTO CARD TRIAL EXTENDED TO SYDNEY’S WEST
 
  • About 140,000 more customers from Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains who have a plastic NSW photo card ID can now access a digital version through the Service NSW app, thanks to the trial of the technology being expanded this week.
  • The expansion to 60 more postcodes follows a successful trial of the Digital Photo Card in the Penrith and Blacktown areas, which has seen 6,560 people participate, with 98 per cent giving the technology the thumbs up.
  • Plastic photo card holders in the trial areas will be able to use their mobile device with businesses who check ID, such as pharmacies, liquor stores and major retailers. The technology is safe, contactless and easy to use, making life easier for customers during the pandemic.
  • Eligible existing photo card holders can opt-in for the digital version from the Service NSW app, or when a customer is issued with a new Photo Card or updates their details, they can simply refresh the app to update their digital card, without having to wait for a plastic card to arrive in the post.
  • The Digital Photo Card will also remain available offline if the card holder remains logged into the Service NSW app. It is hosted securely on the Service NSW app, which is locked with a PIN.
  • The full list of postcodes on the extended trial is here: https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/nsw-digital-photo-card/participating-postcodes-and-suburbs.
 
GROUND-BREAKING BOND SCHEME AVAILABLE ONLINE
 
  • The NSW Government is creating greater protection for consumers from defective building work by moving the Strata Building Bond and Inspections Scheme (SBBIS) online, simplifying bond management and enhancing transparency.
  • Under the SBBIS, developers are required to pay a bond equal to two percent of the building contract price to NSW Fair Trading for newly constructed multi-story (4 levels and higher) strata developments. The building bond adds another layer of protection for strata owners, providing money to cover the cost of rectifying early defects that are not fixed by the developer.
  • Building inspectors will be able to download a free ‘SBBIS Inspect’ app that will enable them to log defects and add photos or video evidence to their reports in real time during onsite inspections.
  • The SBBIS digitisation is one of the first stages in the development of a new Strata Hub to support strata management in NSW and drive building industry reform as part of the Construct NSW transformation strategy.
  • For more information, visit: https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-property/strata-building-bond-and-inspections-scheme.
 
FUNDING BOOST FOR 2022 SENIORS FESTIVAL
 
  • Applications are now open for organisations to deliver COVID-Safe and entertaining programs for the 2022 Seniors Festival, which is the largest of its kind for seniors in the southern hemisphere.
  • Grants of up to $10,000 will be made available for eligible organisations.
  • COVID-safe activities are in focus, along with programs which are accessible to seniors in regional or remote areas, who are culturally and linguistically diverse, or are Aboriginal.
  • Applications for grants are open until 30 August. For more information, see: seniorsfestival.nsw.gov.au/events/nsw-seniors-festival-grants.

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

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