14/11/2024
NSW businesses set to shine at world-leading expo in China
The NSW Government is backing 29 businesses in the food, beverage, and health supplement industries to showcase their products at the China International Import Expo (CIIE), a leading six-day trade show focused on imports. China has been NSW's largest trading partner for nearly two decades, importing more agricultural products from NSW than any other nation, valued at $3.6 billion in 2023/2024. Significant opportunities exist to further expand exports, especially in the food and beverage sector, where NSW's premium products are highly regarded. The CIIE will take place in Shanghai from November 5-10, 2024.
https://app.wordtune.com/editor/write/0d7af27b-b1b6-4d59-b7d5-50c87090aef1
20 october,2024
NSW sets target to boost screen industries
The NSW government's new three-year screen and digital games strategy focuses on supporting Australian storytelling, developing creative talent, and growing the digital games sector. Key elements include a $1 million pilot program to address skills shortages, a $200,000 IP option fund to turn local content into screen and gaming, a $200,000 Community Film Festival Opening Night Fund, and plans to address filming infrastructure and establish a new creative hub. The strategy also aims to increase NSW's digital games revenue to $406.39 million by 2027-28 through new incentives.
https://www.echo.net.au/2024/10/nsw-sets-target-to-boost-screen-industries/
NSW to introduce critical minerals royalties scheme
The NSW Government has unveiled a $250 million royalty deferral scheme to position the state as a key critical minerals player. The NSW Critical Minerals and High-Tech Metals Strategy will provide a framework for the industry, comprising five key pillars. NSW currently has 21 of the 31 minerals considered critical in Australia, with 12 critical minerals projects across the state that are investment ready, requiring $7.6 billion in capital. The $250 million in royalty relief will allow critical minerals projects in NSW rely less on other streams of investment.
https://www.australianmining.com.au/nsw-to-introduce-critical-minerals-royalties-scheme/
29 September, 2024
Sydney requires an annual investment of $4 billion for upcoming metro projects.
The Sydney Metro line extension opened in August, attracting significant passenger traffic, marking a major transport transformation comparable to the Sydney Harbour Bridge. However, the T3 line between Sydenham and Bankstown will close for a year for upgrades, affecting 60,000 daily commuters who will face longer bus journeys. Replacement shuttle services are expected to start by mid-October. In the long term, the conversion will enhance public transport in south-western Sydney, with future projects planned, including the Metro West by 2032. A review suggests investing up to $4 billion annually in rail development to support housing and economic growth. Immediate action is crucial to avoid stagnation.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/why-sydney-needs-4-billion-a-year-for-future-metro-projects-20240926-p5kdub.html
Collaborative Investment in Adult Literacy and Numeracy Programs in NSW
The NSW Government has launched its Adult and Community Education (ACE) Strategy to enhance training in language, literacy, numeracy, and digital skills for disadvantaged learners. Supported by a $22.8 million Federal investment over five years, the strategy aims to build foundational skills and improve work readiness among these learners, complementing the NSW Government's annual $24.2 million investment in adult education. Key initiatives include strengthening educator capabilities, enhancing flexible learning pathways, and providing outreach support to connect disadvantaged individuals with educational opportunities. The Department of Education will evaluate the strategy's progress annually.Ministers from both the Federal and NSW Governments emphasized the importance of these skills for career potential and community empowerment, highlighting the strategy's role in facilitating access to further training and employment opportunities.
https://www.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/joint-investment-nsw-adult-literacy-and-numeracy
15 September, 2024
The NSW Government supported for the proposed ban on importing engineered stone
The NSW Government has welcomed the Federal Government's proposed ban on the importation of engineered stone benchtops, slabs and panels with a silica content of more than one percent from 1 January 2025. This follows the world-first domestic ban on the use, supply and manufacture of such products in Australia that started on 1 July this year. The proposed importation ban aims to reduce the availability of banned engineered stone products to help prevent silicosis, a lung disease caused by breathing in small particles of silica dust. New work health safety requirements for the processing of crystalline silica substances also began on 1 September 2024. Employers can face penalties up to $40,000 for non-compliance.
https://www.manmonthly.com.au/nsw-govt-welcomes-proposed-ban-on-importing-engineered-stone/
3/09/2024
NSW startups get a new home away from home in Southeast Asia
Startups and innovators in NSW have new opportunities to grow and expand into lucrative Southeast Asian markets with the NSW Government inking new agreements with International Landing Pads in Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia.Landing Pads give startups access to workspace, networks and services that help them scale up innovative ideas and get them into the market.
https://www.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/nsw-startups-get-a-new-home-away-from-home-southeast-asia
27/08/2024
Singapore to be Western Sydney’s first international carrier
Western Sydney International Airport (WSI) has announced its first international carrier as it prepares to open in two years’ time.Singapore Airlines (SIA) has confirmed it will fly from the 24-hour Greenfield Airport when it opens in 2026, connecting WSI non-stop to Singapore Changi Airport. The announcement follows a memorandum of understanding signed between WSI and SIA in 2023.
https://australianaviation.com.au/2024/08/singapore-to-be-western-sydneys-first-international-carrier/
NSW Government delivers new era for rice industry
The NSW Government passed legislation to deregulate the state's rice industry, with a transition period from 1 September to 1 July 2025. This move aims to increase competition and enhance the long-term viability of the industry. It is a crucial part of the NSW Government's commitment to providing new opportunities to the agriculture sector and ensuring that regulations do not impede industry growth.
https://www.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/minns-government-delivers-new-era-for-rice-industry
Investing to secure the future of industries in regional NSW.
The NSW Government is committed to securing the future of New South Wales’s regional communities and agriculture sector. They have allocated over $60 million to upgrade seven research facilities and five emergency response sites across regional New South Wales.
https://www.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/investment-to-safeguard-future-of-regional-nsw-industries
23/08/2024
Hunter Joint Organisation has been awarded a $349,000 grant from the Waste Solutions Fund.
The Hunter Joint Organisation of Councils and its partners are collaborating to gain a better understanding of the barriers to using circular products and solutions in councils. The project aims to assist councils in reducing the environmental impact of the materials they consume by working with suppliers and exploring lower impact alternatives. The 10 member councils of the Hunter JO are committed to minimizing the need for new materials and instead focusing on innovative ways to reuse and reduce their environmental footprint.
https://www.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/hunter-joint-organisation-awarded-349000-waste-solutions-fund-grant
Splend secures $20 million in clean energy funding to enhance the electric vehicle fleet for Uber drivers.
Fintech Splend has received $20 million in funding from the Federal government's green bank. The vehicle-subscription service aims to build a portfolio of 2000 electric vehicles by the end of 2024. This Sydney-based start-up, established in 2015, has secured a total of $40 million from the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) since June of last year for its subscription service, which provides rental vehicles to rideshare and delivery drivers.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/technology/splend-scores-20m-clean-energy-funding-to-boost-ev-fleet-for-uber-drivers/news-story/b9dd3fb77a0e01efe5b2a2b76fa4ec16
The NSW Government has provided funding for the establishment of the commercial fishing industry's first single peak body.
The NSW Government has fulfilled another election promise by allocating $1,050,000 to establish a peak body for the commercial fishing industry. This will enable an effective advocate to collaborate with the government in promoting a sustainable and thriving commercial fishing sector.
https://www.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/nsw-government-funds-commercial-fishing-industrys-first-single-peak-body
29/07/2024
Eraring battery powering ahead
The second stage development of the large-scale battery at Eraring Power Station has received approval, along with a $450 million investment from Origin Energy. This second stage will involve the addition of a 240MW/1030MWh four-hour duration grid-forming battery to the existing 460MW/1073MWh two-hour duration first stage battery development, which is currently under construction and expected to be operational by the end of the 2025 calendar year. The combined energy storage capacity of the stage one and stage two batteries will exceed 2GWh, enabling Origin to contribute to grid stability and accommodate the increasing influx of variable renewable energy into the system.
https://www.energymagazine.com.au/eraring-battery-powering-ahead/
16/07/2024
NSW Government progresses towards Future Jobs & Investment Authorities in coal-producing regions.
The Minister for Natural Resources, Courtney Houssos, the Minister for Energy, Penny Sharpe, and the Mayor of Cessnock, Jay Suvaal, hosted a Roundtable on Tuesday to discuss the establishment of Future Jobs & Investment Authorities in coal-producing regions by the NSW Government. New authorities will be set up in the Hunter, Illawarra, Central West, and North West to create jobs, re-skill workers where necessary, and promote economic diversification. This is a key priority for the Minns Labor Government.
https://www.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/nsw-government-takes-next-steps-towards-future-jobs-investment-authorities-coal-producing-regions
$33.9 million allocated for drug and alcohol support, and finalizing Drug Hubs in the summit.
The NSW Labor Government has planned to fund 12 new alcohol and other drug hubs across the state to provide increased access to support and treatment for people at risk of harm from alcohol and drug use. Twelve not-for-profit organizations will receive a share of $33.9 million over four years to deliver comprehensive alcohol and other drug support services in response to the Special Commission of Inquiry into the Drug ‘Ice’ by the NSW Government.
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/news/Pages/20240712_00.aspx
Quad Senior Officials’ Meeting, 3 July, 2024
On 3 July, senior officials from Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, India’s Ministry of External Affairs, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the US Department of State met by videoconference to review progress on initiatives agreed by Quad leaders at the 2023 Summit in Hiroshima.At the meeting, officials discussed the significant, tangible contributions the Quad is delivering in the Indo-Pacific in 2024. The Quad is training the region’s infrastructure experts, enhancing health security, providing vital maritime domain awareness training and data, responding to climate change, countering terrorism and building resilience through undersea cable and telecommunications connectivity.
https://www.dfat.gov.au/news/media-release/quad-senior-officials-meeting-3-july-2024
09/07/2024
NSW state budget showed "restraint" to avoid adding to inflation, says Mr.Chris Minns.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns emphasized the importance of "budget restraint" to avoid contributing to inflation in the economy. The New South Wales Treasurer presented the state budget, revealing a significant allocation towards social housing aimed at supporting those in greatest need. "The primary concerns for households and businesses are interest rates and inflation," stated Mr. Minns in an interview with Sky News Australia. "We have made it clear that we do not intend to further burden the Reserve Bank when they make decisions about interest rates."
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/nsw-state-budget-exercised-restraint-to-not-add-to-inflation-chris-minns/video/b3aeb27d7d8d1c0dad8dd1d9da10ae08
NSW is projected to have a deficit until 2027-28 due to an $11.9 billion GST shortfall.
The NSW budget is projected to experience four more years of consecutive deficits until the 2027-28 financial year due to the GST fallout, resulting in an $11.9 billion impact on the state’s finances. NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey will announce the state budget, stating that the government plans to address the budget shortfall through a deficit, rather than implementing austerity measures such as tax hikes or drastic spending cuts.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/latest-news/nsw-forecast-to-record-a-deficit-until-202728-due-to-119bn-gst-rip-off/news-story/07385df7c4e1a43667935795d0c4e297
The significant increase in international student visa fees is prompting students to consider options outside of Australia.
International students have been surprised by the significant increase in visa fees, which have jumped from $710 to $1,600. According to the government, this adjustment is intended to support crucial higher education reforms.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-07-04/international-students-react-to-hike-in-student-visa-fees/104052728
24/06/2024
Tangara Fleet, unlocking rail manufacturing opportunities
The NSW Government has announced a significant investment to replace the Tangara fleet of suburban passenger trains in Australia's rail manufacturing industry. This initiative includes a 50% domestic manufacturing target and aims to retire the 55 8-car trains currently in operation by 2027. The replacement fleet marks the beginning of a long-term plan for locally built trains, extending to the 2050s. Additionally, in July 2023, the NSW and Federal Government held a roundtable discussion on the future of rail manufacturing.
https://icn.org.au/news/tangara-fleet-unlocking-rail-manufacturing-opportunities/
