Author Archives: wendytuckerman

The 2019-20 NSW Budget will put technology front and centre with drivers able to opt-in to use a NSW Digital Driver Licence (DDL) in the coming months, as the technology is rolled out state-wide.

More than 14,000 drivers are already using the technology, available via the Service NSW app, with successful trials underway in Dubbo, Albury and Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs.

Participants who opt-in can use their DDL, accessible on a mobile phone, for proof of identity and proof of age to gain entry into pubs and clubs as well for roadside Police checks in the trial areas.

Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said this was just another example of the NSW Government’s willingness to embrace technology.

“Innovation is at the heart of this Budget and nothing shows this more than the rollout of the Digital Driver Licence,” Mr Perrottet said.

Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said the Government is delivering on a promise, with the trials helping to inform the state-wide rollout of the technology.

“Smartphones have become de facto wallets and we’re using cutting edge technology so that drivers can use a digital licence in everyday scenarios,” Mr Dominello said.

“The DDL is hosted securely on the new Service NSW app, locks with a PIN and can be accessed offline.

It will provide additional levels of security and protection against identity fraud, compared to the plastic driver licence.”

To participate in the trials and a subsequent state-wide rollout, eligible licence holders will need to create a MyServiceNSW Account at http://www.service.nsw.gov.au, download the Service NSW mobile app on their smartphone and opt-in for the DDL.

However, during the trials, drivers who opt-in will still need to carry their plastic driver licence with them. The DDL will always be opt-in only. Further information is available at http://www.service.nsw.gov.au/digital-driver-licence.

The NSW Government is providing another big financial boost for families across the State with a $40 million injection to expand the popular Active Kids program to include two $100 vouchers per child from 1 July.

NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet made the announcement as part of the Government’s $486 million commitment to sports in the 2019-20 NSW Budget, which includes record-level investments in new and existing infrastructure for grassroots sports, alongside the voucher boost for the Active Kids program.

“We know NSW families love Active Kids, with more than one million vouchers redeemed and $100 million saved in sport registration costs in the first 18 months of the program,” Mr Perrottet said.

“These household savings have contributed to a spike in registrations across NSW, and it’s girls that have had the biggest increase in Active Kids voucher downloads in 2019.”

“The Liberals & Nationals Government is doing everything we can to help ease the cost of living for families, and by adding a second $100 voucher we hope to see parents being able to keep their kids active all year-round.”

Minster for Sport John Sidoti said the expanded Active Kids program demonstrated the NSW Government’s commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of children, through increased physical activity.

“Another voucher for kids is another win for families in NSW. We know that regular physical activity and exercise plays an important role in a child’s development, and we want all kids to be healthy and happy,” Mr Sidoti said.

“Just as the second Active Kids voucher provides even greater opportunity for children to participate in sport and active recreation, it reduces costs for hard working families.”

The NSW Government’s 2019-20 sport budget includes $83 million for new and improved sports facilities across metropolitan and regional NSW.

The 2019-20 NSW Budget includes:

• $40 million additional funding in 2019-20 ($291 million over the next four years) to deliver the Active Kids program – increasing the number of vouchers per child to two $100 vouchers.
• $46 million in 2019-20 ($98 million over the next three years) for the Greater Sydney Sport Facility Fund to increase the number and quality of sporting facilities in densely populated areas.
• $37 million in 2019-20 ($131 million over four years) to increase the number and quality of sporting facilities, improve the utilisation of existing facilities and meet the needs of female participants.
• $24 million in 2019-20 ($56 million over the next two years) for the NSW Centres of Excellence program to increase community engagement, meet facility needs of female participants and support talent development pathways.
• $25 million in 2019-20 ($49 million over the next two years) for the National Rugby League Centres of Excellence program to support investment in the community and high-performance training facilities.

The 2019-20 NSW Budget highlights the NSW Government’s commitment to support and strengthen local councils so they can better serve their communities.

Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock said this Budget builds on the NSW Government’s past commitments to ensure local councils have the capacity to deliver for their residents.

“Since 2011 this Government has provided more than $9 billion in financial support to NSW councils to deliver and improve local infrastructure, services and facilities for their communities.

“This Budget will ensure local councils can continue to deliver effective leadership, provide good governance and improve services and infrastructure local communities need and deserve.”

Budget highlights include:

• $79 million to help local councils provide pensioner discounts on rates and charges
• $54 million for councils to manage the NSW coastline and mitigate future coastal risks and hazards as part of the Coastal and Estuary Grants Program
• $31 million over 8 years to provide low interest loans to councils to invest in infrastructure to address housing affordability
• $14 million to support councils through the Local Infrastructure Renewal Scheme
• $57 million over four years to deliver a range of projects to support and strengthen regional communities through grants to local councils supporting tourism and economies across New South Wales.

“We are committed to working collaboratively with local councils to strengthen their capacity to build strong, healthy and prosperous local communities.”

Regional NSW will benefit from safer and more efficient road, rail and freight networks thanks to unprecedented investment, as part of the NSW Government’s 2019-20 Budget.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the NSW Government was ensuring the regions continued to see the infrastructure projects they need and want delivered. “This Budget builds upon years of regional investment, with even more happening in the bush than ever before,” Mr Toole said.

“We’re getting on with the job of upgrading key routes across the State including the Princes, Pacific, Great Western, Newell, Cobb and Silver City highways, providing major economic benefits, as well as safer and more efficient journeys.

“Public transport services in regional NSW are also receiving a significant boost, with significant investment in the new regional rail fleet, including a new purpose-built maintenance facility in Dubbo, along with new bus services for local communities.”

Mr Toole said some of the highlights from the 2019-20 Budget included:

• $1.5 billion over four years for the Pacific Highway upgrade program towards completion of the Woolgoolga to Ballina upgrade which is on track to progressively open to traffic in 2020, and to progress the Coffs Harbour bypass,
• $1.2 billion over four years to continue work on existing Princes Highway projects, including the Albion Park Rail bypass, the Berry to Bomaderry Upgrade, the new Nowra Bridge, and the Batemans Bay replacement bridge. Additionally, there is a further $322 million over four years, as part of the Government’s commitment to upgrade the Princes Highway between Nowra and the Victorian border.
• Commence work to duplicate the 31-kilometre section of the Great Western Highway between Katoomba and Lithgow, delivering a safer, faster trip over the mountains,
• $44.3 million to continue sealing the most remote highways in NSW, the Silver City and Cobb Highways,
• $145 million for upgrades on the Newell Highway, including overtaking lanes, pavement upgrades,
• $38 million to progress the new Regional Rail Fleet including construction of a rail maintenance facility in Dubbo,
• $373 million to improve road safety including a significant increase in investment through the Road Safety Plan 2021 targeting high risk areas with a regional focus.
• Start of the $250 Seniors Travel Card in January 2020.

“I am excited for those who live in regional and rural NSW as we unlock our capacity by investing in infrastructure that responds to the needs of today and prepares for future growth,” Mr Toole said.

“We will also start rolling out funding to fix local roads and timber bridges as part of a $1 billion investment in improving these key connections for local communities.”

Showgrounds across the state will get a facelift thanks to the 2019-20 NSW Budget, with the Government investing in maintenance and improvements.

Minister for Water, Housing and Property Melinda Pavey today announced that the Budget would also provide funding for public land and coastal infrastructure across the State.

“The NSW Government is committed to the sustainable management of the state’s Crown lands including parks, reserves, roads and cemeteries for the benefit of our communities and the protection of our natural resources,” Mrs Pavey said.

“Crown lands cover about 42 per cent of the State, providing for community, commercial and recreational needs so we need to look after them for both current and future generations.”

Some Budget highlights supporting Crown land improvements in 2019-20 include:

• $30 million for coastal infrastructure improvements including the upgrading of breakwaters and public jetties and dredging of silted sand from waterways to ensure safe navigational access for commercial and recreational vessels.
• $17 million for the Crown Reserves Improvement Fund to provide grants and loans to improve and maintain public reserves including walking trails, recreational infrastructure, and environmental initiatives including pest and weed control.
• $9.2 million for infrastructure maintenance and improvements to community showgrounds.
• $2.3 million for bushfire protection including maintaining fire trails and creating asset protection zones on public lands.
• $2.6 million for the remediation of sites contaminated from historical industrial use.

“Showgrounds are an essential part of all regional communities, being the place where events like fetes, horse shows and markets are held to bring a community together. These events play an important role in bringing together communities,” Mrs Pavey said.

“This year’s Budget ensures local events continue, communities have a place to get together and our farmers continue to enjoy social outings particularly during this time of drought.

Mrs Pavey said improvements will be made to coastal infrastructure in locations from Eden, Ulladulla, Bermagui and Wollongong in the south through to Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, Crowdy Head, Wooli, Camden Haven and Laurieton in the north.

“Protecting and enhancing Crown land is essential for our community well-being and we want to also support business, tourism, recreation and biodiversity as well as recognise the cultural importance of our land to the Aboriginal people of NSW.”