LOCKOUTS AND LAST DRINKS TO BEGIN IN CBD

• The NSW Government’s new measures to crackdown on drug and alcohol-fuelled violence begin on Monday 24 February.
• From Monday there will be 1.30am lockouts and 3am last drinks in place across the Sydney CBD and Kings Cross precincts, while a ban on takeaway alcohol after 10pm will apply statewide. 
• The changes mean patrons must be inside a licensed venue by 1.30am or they won’t be permitted entry. Alcohol service will cease at 3am, however patrons will be permitted to stay on the premises until closing time as venues can provide non-alcoholic beverages, food and entertainment.
• Police and officers from the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing will be targeting the peak trading periods with compliance and enforcement operations, and significant penalties are in place for any licensee not adhering to the new conditions.

HOUSING CONSTRUCTION IN SYDNEY MOVING AT A RAPID PLACE

• The latest monthly housing report shows there’s been a rapid increase in housing approvals with the housing construction sector heating up in good news for homeowners, tradies and builders, as well as the NSW economy.

• The latest monthly figures for December show 3,720 homes were approved in the Sydney metropolitan area, while 3,469 homes were completed.

• Housing figures for the Sydney Metro Region during 2013 show 33,970 new homes were approved, compared with about 15,000 in 2009, and approvals in the six months to December were 51 per cent higher than in the previous six months.

• More housing stock on the market means downward pressure on the price of new homes and more choice, which helps young families as they enter the housing market.

WORK STARTS ON UPGRADE OF BELLS LINE OF ROAD

• Work has begun on a $48 million upgrade to the Bells Line of Road, reflecting the NSW Government’s commitment to rebuilding infrastructure in regional areas.
• The first project in the Corridor Improvement Program is a one kilometre eastbound overtaking lane on the Bells Line of Road west of Kurrajong Heights.
• Improving this vital road connection over the Great Dividing Range will not only make the road safer, it will also make it easier for farmers in the Central West to get their produce to market in Sydney.

IT STOPS HERE: A NEW APPROACH TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN NSW

• Minister for Women Pru Goward has launched the NSW Government’s It Stops Here: Domestic and Family Violence Framework, supported by $9.8m in funding to drive down rates of domestic violence and better respond to victims when it occurs. 
• On average one woman is killed by her partner or former partner every week in Australia, and domestic violence is the greatest cause of death and disability for women under the age of 40. It is estimated that domestic violence costs the NSW economy more than $4.5 billion every year.
• The NSW Government’s new approach will mean victims have a single contact point - a specialised domestic violence worker - who will organise everything a victim needs.
• In addition, the NSW Government is cutting bureaucratic red tape and establishing a new centralised database.  This will support the delivery of services to victims and reduce response times by making it easier for government agencies and non-government organisations to share relevant information about victims and their needs.

AN ADDITIONAL $1.8 MILLION FOR THE BLUE MOUNTAINS RECOVERY

• The Commonwealth and NSW Governments have announced an additional $1.8 million to support the recovery efforts of the Blue Mountains community following the devastating fires in October 2013.

• This joint package will drive the economic and social growth of the Blue Mountains community over the next 18 months and build community preparedness for the future.
• This additional funding is on top of the $11.4 million that the NSW and Commonwealth Governments provided to support the initial clean-up of the Blue Mountains.
• The additional package includes funding for a new tourism campaign to encourage visitors to the Blue Mountains and promote the area as a top tourist destination. 

$2 MILLION BICENTENNIAL EYE CLINIC OFFICIALLY OPEN

• Minister for Health Jillian Skinner has officially opened the $2 million state-of-the-art Bicentennial Eye Clinic at Australia’s oldest hospital, Sydney Hospital.
• Thousands of retinal and corneal treatments will be delivered each year in the new multi-million dollar facility, benefiting many patients with potentially blinding medical conditions.
• At the new facility patients can have their consultations, tests and treatment all in the one place – making the clinic a one-stop shop for eye care.

DEMAND ALREADY STRONG FOR NEW CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE 

• Construction work is only just underway yet event organisers are already lining up for the new International Convention Centre Sydney at Darling Harbour.
• Seven international events worthy almost $50 million to the NSW economy have already been secured from late 2016 in a strong vote of confidence in the NSW Government’s plans for the state’s conventions and exhibitions industry.
• The temporary facilities at Glebe Island have now opened its doors in time for the 2014 exhibition season and will provide a home for exhibitions while the new world-class convention, exhibition and entertainment facilities are built at Darling Harbour.
• The impressive 25,000 square metre site has been completed in just six months with the NSW Government delivering on its promise to provide a place for the industry to do business in 2014, 2015 and 2016.

FUNDING FOR CANCER RESEARCH

• The NSW Government has announced funding of $15.5 million to enable 26 researchers to explore new ways to prevent, detect, treat and better manage cancer.
• The Cancer Institute NSW Fellowship Grant Program is one of the largest in the state’s history and will support the 26 researchers to continue their work over the next three to five years.
• The work of the researchers spans the full spectrum of cancer research including how to better treat melanoma with novel therapies, investigate new therapies for leukemia and pancreatic cancer, as well as investigate brain cancer recurrence. 
• The recipients are from NSW’s leading universities and research institutions, including the Centenary Institute, the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, the University of NSW, Macquarie University, University of Newcastle, ANZAC Research Institute, University of Sydney and University of Western Sydney – the full list can be viewed at www.cancerinstitute.org.au

MISSENDEN MENTAL HEALTH UNIT MILESTONE

• A major milestone in the delivery of the $67 million Missenden mental health unit at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital was reached this week with construction reaching its highest point. 
• When completed later this year, the new Missenden Unit will provide greatly increased mental health services for the Sydney community, as well as improved outcomes for patients and their families.
• Through the construction of this facility, the NSW Government is delivering on its commitment to make mental health services more accessible and accountable and ensure help is available to many of the most vulnerable members of our community when they need it most.
• The 53 bed facility includes six new short stay beds and, for the first time in Australia, seven dedicated research beds.

NSW SCHOOLS AWARDED GRANTS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS

• An additional 52 grants totalling $162,000 have been awarded to schools across the State under the Eco Schools and Food Gardens in Schools programs.
• The Eco Schools program supports schools in developing innovative solutions to environmental issues and supporting environmental education. 
• The Food Gardens program promotes healthy, sustainable living through growing and harvesting food.
• The NSW Government received an unprecedented 311 grant applications for these programs last year, so 52 additional projects have been granted funding in addition to the 80 grants announced last November, which totalled $220,000.

NSW GOVT ASSISTANCE TO REDUCE WASTE GOING INTO LANDFILL 

• The NSW Government has launched a new effort to reduce waste going to landfill, announcing the first round of two new grants to support business recycling across NSW.
• Each year close to 1.6 million tonnes of commercial and industrial waste is sent to landfill in Sydney alone. It is estimated that around 70 per cent of that waste including food, paper, wood, and plastics could have been reused or recycled.
• The programs provide practical environmental assistance by promoting recycling.
• More information about grant programs, including how to apply and details of information sessions being held for applicants, is available on the EPA website here: http://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/waste/WasteLess.htm.

PRESERVING ABORIGINAL LANGUAGE AND CULTURE

• A new initiative aims to strengthen Aboriginal students’ sense of identity and pride, to encourage them to become more engaged in education and stay in school.
• Two Aboriginal Language and Culture Nests have been launched in Coffs Harbour and Lismore to preserve Aboriginal languages, which are in danger of dying out.
• The Nests will create partnerships between schools, TAFEs, universities and Aboriginal communities to connect language resources and provide a pathway to learn a traditional language.
• They are part of five being established across the State as part of OCHRE – Opportunity, Choice, Healing, Responsibility, Empowerment – the NSW Government’s Plan for Aboriginal affairs.