NSW GOVERNMENT WEEKLY UPDATE - 17 APRIL 2020

Friday, 24 April 2020

ANZAC DAY 2020: WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

NSW residents will be able to commemorate ANZAC Day from home this year with a broadcast of special services to honour our veterans and serving Defence personnel.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said with traditional marches and local memorial services cancelled this year, ANZAC Day has a renewed meaning.
The NSW service will be broadcast live on ABC TV and streamed on the ANZAC Memorial and RSL Facebook pages. The service will not be open to the public and the community is urged to continue following the latest health advice by commemorating at home.

COVID TESTING TO DOUBLE: ANYONE WITH SYMPTOMS CAN NOW BE TESTED

The NSW Government is urging anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 to be tested in a bid to curb the spread of the virus.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced there is now capacity to double the number of COVID-19 tests from around 4,000 tests per day to 8,000.
If you have COVID-19 symptoms please:
- Contact your GP;
- Call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222;
- Visit a NSW Health COVID-19 clinic.

NSW STUDENTS TO TRANSITION BACK TO THE CLASSROOM IN TERM 2

NSW school students will gradually transition back to the classroom during Term 2 as the Government continues to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Teachers will have an additional day to prepare for Term 2 on Tuesday 28 April making the first day of term for students Wednesday 29 April.

NSW TRANSPORT AND ROADS PROJECTS KEEPING 130,000 PEOPLE IN JOBS

Critical construction and maintenance work across NSW roads and transport networks is being ramped up to keep people in jobs during COVID-19, and protect the livelihoods of more than 130,000 people directly and indirectly employed by Transport for NSW.

$73 MILLION TO SUPPORT MENTAL WELLNESS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

More than 180 mental health workers will be deployed across the state as part of a $73 million package to boost mental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The NSW Government previously announced $800 million for NSW Health to support the health system including significantly increasing capacity in NSW public hospitals, particularly within ICUs.

$140 MILLION TO BOOST CRITICAL INDUSTRIES DAMAGED BY BUSHFIRES

The NSW Government announced a $140 million Bushfire Industry Recovery Package to support forestry, horticulture and agriculture industries impacted by the recent bushfires.
For a full list of all available bushfire support, go to www.service.nsw.gov.au.

$10 MILLION A DAY FLOWS OUT THE DOOR TO SUPPORT NSW SMALL BUSINESSES IMPACTED BY COVID-19

The NSW Government has approved more than $100 million in Small Business Support Fund grants in just 10 days since the program opened.
For more information on eligibility or to submit an application please visit www.service.nsw.gov.au or call 13 77 88.

COVID-19: VIDEO TECH FOR WITNESSING LEGAL DOCUMENTS

Video conferencing technology like Skype, WhatsApp, FaceTime and Zoom can now be used in the witnessing of important legal documents like wills, powers of attorney and statutory declarations under a new regulation made this morning by the Governor.
The Government will continue to consult with stakeholders about options for allowing certain documents to be signed and executed electronically.

BUSHFIRE-HIT NSW FARMERS RECEIVE $70 MILLION IN SUPPORT SO FAR

Primary producers recovering from the devastating impacts of bushfires are still receiving vital support, with around $70 million in Special Disaster Grants approved in the last three months.

Applications can be made via the NSW Rural Assistance Authority, either by calling 1800 678 593 or online at www.raa.nsw.gov.au/disaster-assistance/special-disaster-grant-bushfires

250 ADDITIONAL POLICE SET TO HIT THE BEAT

NSW will be a safer state with 250 additional police to be assigned to local stations and specialist commands over the next 12 months to protect communities and fight crime at a time when many officers are on the frontline in the war against COVID-19.

PLANNING CHANGES TO SUPPORT GROWTH IN RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS

The NSW Government has cut planning red tape to facilitate greater flexibility and innovation in the State’s growing renewable energy sector.
Amendments to the State Environmental Planning Policy (Infrastructure) 2007 will allow larger-scale solar systems to be installed on homes and commercial buildings without council approval, enable utility providers to construct electricity storage as part of improvement works to transmission and distribution networks, and allow for large-scale battery storage systems to be built in permitted zones across NSW.