BIGGEST TRANSPORT PROJECT IN AUSTRALIA TO BEGIN
- The NSW Government has hit go on the biggest transport project in Australia after the business case for the 33 kilometre WestConnex motorway confirmed $20 billion in economic benefit for NSW.
- WestConnex will link Sydney’s West and South West with the city and Sydney’s international gateways of the airport and Port Botany.
It will help motorists avoid up to 52 sets of traffic lights, creating a saving of 40 minutes on a trip from Parramatta to Sydney Airport and halving the travel time from Parramatta to the CBD to 25 minutes.
- The NSW Government will build the $11.5 billion project in three stages with the M4 widening to start first and be completed in 2017 – the initial planning application has already been lodged.
- For full details visit http://www.westconnex.com.au/
URBAN REVITALISATION FOR PARRAMATTA ROAD
- The NSW Government has announced a $200 million urban revitalisation package to transform Parramatta Road into a more attractive place to live and work, as part of the WestConnex project.
- Parramatta Road is currently so congested it has become a barrier for pedestrians, buses and cars, making it one of Sydney’s most disliked roads.
The plan places improvements to urban amenity at the centre of the project, including planting new trees, removal of unsightly power poles and wires, greater use of underground cabling and footpath widening.
- WestConnex will do for Parramatta Road what the Eastern Distributor did for Surry Hills and parts of Redfern by taking heavy traffic off inner-city streets and allowing those suburbs to come alive with new investment, housing, cafes, restaurants and businesses.
MORE THAN 1000 EXTRA WEEKLY SERVICES IN NEW TRAIN TIMETABLE
- Train customers will benefit from more than 1,000 additional weekly services under the new train timetable starting 20 October.
There will also be 600 more express services each week compared with the current timetable, by making services faster.
There are 230 extra peak services to and from the city each week and more than 20,000 extra seats to the city every weekday morning.
The new timetable makes the best possible use of our infrastructure and rolling stock and will deliver more services, new express services, and shorter travel times for many customers travelling longer distances. A message from the Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian and more details are available at http://www.nsw.gov.au/news/more-1000-extra-weekly-services-new-train-timetable
TOUGH NEW SEARCH POWERS FOR POLICE
- The NSW Government is taking further steps to crack down on gun crime by giving police wide ranging new powers to search for firearms and target criminal hang outs.
Under our changes, police will not need a warrant to detain and search a person for guns if they are the subject of a firearm ban.
We will also increase the penalty from 10 to 14 years in jail for the possession and/or supply of a firearm or pistol for a person who is subject to a firearm ban.
The new laws will also give police more powers to search for guns without a warrant in criminal hang outs, officially known as disorderly houses.
WORK STARTS ON NORTH WEST RAIL LINK’S TUNNEL BORING MACHINES
- Work has started on building the four huge tunnel boring machines that will deliver the $8.3 billion North West Rail Link’s 15 kilometres of twin tunnels.
The first tunnel boring machine will be in the ground next year and the three others will follow soon after.
This is an important development in this exciting project and it will give the community confidence the North West Rail Link will be delivered by the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government.
The North West Rail Link forms a key part of our record infrastructure commitment, which also includes the South West Rail Link, WestConnex, the Pacific Highway and the redevelopment of Blacktown and Campbelltown hospitals.
IMPROVED SAFETY MEASURES FOR KINGS CROSS PRECINCT
High risk licensed venues in Kings Cross will have to operate identification scanners for most of their operating hours as well as public holidays, special days and the 24 hours preceding those days, which will allow precinct wide bans for trouble makers.
The ID scanners are expected to operational by the peak summer trading period and stringent privacy safeguards will be put in place.
In addition to this tough new measure to crack down on alcohol-fuelled violence, the NSW Government has introduced the ‘Three Strikes’ policy, recruited an additional 420 police officers, given police additional ‘move on’ powers, introduced a new offence of intoxicated and disorderly offence, and launched a trial of sobering up centres.
Since the first phase of measures came into effect in December 2012, there has been a 33 per cent reduction in violent incidents in licensed premises on the previous year.
$7.5 MILLION BOOST FOR FLUORIDE FUNDING
- Health Minister Jillian Skinner has announced a $7.5 million commitment to ensure councils are supported to build the vital infrastructure needed to fluoridate their water supplies.
- The evidence about fluoridation is clear – its role in ensuring good oral health and the wider health of the community is absolutely essential and councils play an important role in delivering this service.
- The NSW Government is committing $5 million to ensure the 15 councils who have chosen not to fluoridate are able to provide this vital service to their communities.
A further $2.5 million will be invested for the implementation of technological advancements for smaller communities with current approval for fluoridation.
GOVERNMENT LISTENS TO COMMUNITY AND COUNCILS ON PLANNING BILL
The NSW Government has listened to the community and local councils and a number of changes to the Planning Bill 2013 are now being drafted.
The changes include allowing councils to modify the statewide codes to better reflect their local area, and requiring councils to prepare Neighbourhood Impact Statements if they intend to implement code assessable development in expected high growth areas such as sites adjacent to the North West Rail Link, the South West Rail Link or WestConnex.
- This legislation, when passed, will be the backbone of the planning system in NSW for the next 30 or more years so it is critical that we get it right.
We want to make sure the new planning system reflects community needs for protecting the environment and heritage.
NEW PLAN TO HELP EATING DISORDER SUFFERERS
- The NSW Service Plan for People with Eating Disorders has been launched to improve access to care for people suffering illnesses such as anorexia and bulimia nervosa.
The NSW Government will commit more than $15 million until 2018 to fund enhancements to community-based care and inpatient care. This is in addition to the Government’s existing investment in eating disorder services across the state.
As part of the plan, access to inpatient and community-based services will be increased, the capacity of clinicians to treat those with eating disorders will be improved, and more support will be provided to help sufferers in regional communities’ access earlier and more effective treatment.
To read the plan visit www.health.nsw.gov.au
SUTHERLAND COMMUTER CAR PARK – HAVE YOUR SAY
- The community is invited to comment on plans for a multi-storey commuter car park near Sutherland Station, which will provide around 340 un-timed and free commuter car spaces.
- This project will make it easier for transport customers to park their cars and catch the train and will feature a range of safety and accessibility features including stair and lift access between floors, security lighting and CCTV security camera surveillance.
The car park follows the completion of the new bus interchange on East Parade by the NSW Government, and works to install a lift to platform one at Sutherland Station and pedestrian improvements that are currently underway.
The plans will be on display until Thursday 17 October on the Transport for NSW website and at Sutherland Shire Council and at Sutherland Library.
$70 MILLION NORTHERN BEACHES WASTEWATER PROJECT
A new $70 million facility has opened on Sydney’s Northern Beaches which will further protect local beaches, lagoons and creeks.
The Northern Beaches Storage Project, together with local sewer improvements, will reduce the frequency of wastewater overflows by 65 per cent over 10 years.
The NSW Government is committed to expanding and improving Sydney Water infrastructure – we are investing $400 million over four years to upgrade the 24,000 kilometre wastewater network.
CENTRAL COAST TOURISM BENEFITS FROM FUNDING BOOST
The NSW Government’s commitment to support regional tourism has been further bolstered with a $100,000 grant to Central Coast Tourism to promote the region.
Called the ‘Need a Getaway Plan?’, the campaign will run from 8 October to 30 November, 2013 and will promote travel to the Central Coast in the summer months.
The campaign will focus on the Central Coast’s leading tourism experiences and aims to differentiate the Central Coast from other coastal destinations.
INDIGENOUS FESTIVAL LAUNCHES 2013 PROGRAM
The official program for Corroboree Sydney, Australia’s newest annual national Indigenous festival, has been announced.
The event runs from 14 to 24 November and includes a range of free and ticketed events held around the Sydney Harbour foreshore, arts precinct and parks showcasing Indigenous literature, visual arts, performing arts, live music, films, crafts and design.
Program highlights include a parade of 1,000 school children through Sydney’s city streets in celebration of local Aboriginal culture, a special firelight ceremony and a range of activities taking place at Corroboree Central based at Walsh Bay’s historic Pier 2/3.
For more information visit www.corroboreesydney.com.au
