No images? Click here
COVID CHECK-IN MANDATE EXPANDED
Use of the Service NSW QR code will be mandatory at all workplaces and retail businesses from Monday 12 July.
Minister for Digital and Customer Service Victor Dominello said expanding the mandate would give NSW Health contact tracers real-time access to QR code data from a greater number of venues including supermarkets, retail stores, gyms and offices.
Businesses such as hospitality and hairdressers already using the Service NSW QR code will also need to ensure staff and visitors, such as maintenance workers and delivery drivers check-in, when they resume services after the lockdown period.
Hospitality businesses will now need to extend the use of the Service NSW COVID-safe check-in to all customers including takeaway orders.
“This is about keeping customers and staff safe and getting all businesses open again as soon as possible,” Mr Dominello said.
“We know the Delta variant of COVID-19 moves quickly and we must do everything we can to get it under control.
“While many retail businesses, including large supermarkets and hardware chains, have voluntarily adopted the Service NSW QR code, this measure will ensure check-in rates are high across the board and contact tracers have access to reliable records.”
From 12 July, these businesses will need to display the Service NSW QR code and take reasonable steps to ensure people entering their premises check-in using the Service NSW QR codes or digital sign-in sheet:
- Retail businesses and supermarkets
- Individual shops within shopping centres
- Shopping centres will also be asked to display QR codes at entry points where practicable
- Gyms
- Offices, including call centres
- Manufacturing and warehousing
- Universities and TAFE
- Schools including teachers and visitors (such as parents and contractors) but excluding students.
Businesses that fail to comply with the new health order requirements may be subject to fines and in case of flagrant breaches, temporary closure orders.
The data captured by the Service NSW COVID-safe check-in is used only for the purposes of contact tracing by NSW Health. It is deleted after 28 days.
To access a NSW Government QR code, businesses must be registered as COVID-safe. For visitors without a digital device, other check-in forms must be available.
Businesses which need to register for the NSW Government QR code can find the application form and more information at NSW.gov.au.
HAVE YOUR SAY ON THE SNOWY MOUNTAINS SPECIAL ACTIVATION PRECINCT
The NSW Government has released a draft Master Plan for the Snowy Mountains Special Activation Precinct, outlining a range of ideas for people who live, visit and work in the region to cater for a growing population and enable long-term economic prosperity.
Deputy Premier and Member for Monaro John Barilaro said the draft Master Plan marked an important milestone for the community.
“This is a 40-year road map for the Snowy Mountains with a focus on year-round adventure and eco-tourism, improved community and education facilities, and increased transport solutions,” Mr Barilaro said.
“This draft Master Plan is a tailored plan for the unique and world-class town of Jindy, with 21 areas identified for potential growth and development.”
“We’ve been working with the community for a while now, and this feedback remains crucial to the vision. I encourage everyone to provide their thoughts on this draft plan – this is truly your chance to help shape the future of the Snowy Mountains."
The draft Master Plan includes the new Southern Connector Road, park and ride facilities, more parking at ski resorts and smarter electronic transport signage. Other key recommendations include an aged care facility, an Alpine Heritage Centre and a precinct-wide focus on environmental sustainability.
The draft Master Plan is open for feedback until 12 August 2021. Full details are available at www.planning.nsw.gov.au/snowymountainssap. For further information, email activationprecincts@regional.nsw.gov.au or call 1300 73 44 66.
Special Activation Precincts are funded by the $4.2 billion Snowy Hydro Legacy Fund, dedicated to transformational infrastructure investment in regional NSW.
CONSTRUCTION BEGINS ON AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST BIKE HUB
Construction has started on Australia’s largest combined BMX and mountain biking hub in Western Sydney Parklands, which will host national competitions and become a major sporting hub in Western Sydney.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the $13.5 million, 86-hectare Wylde BMX and Mountain Bike Facility would be delivered by the NSW Government and Liverpool City Council, and led by the new Greater Sydney Parklands agency.
“Mountain bikers and BMX riders will soon be enjoying the biggest pump track in the Southern Hemisphere, which has a looped sequence of rollers and swoopy turns designed to maximise momentum,” Mr Stokes said.
“Western Sydney Parklands is fast becoming Sydney’s most-loved cycling and biking hub with its incredible 60km network of tracks and trails. And with this stunning facility as an addition, I have no doubt it will attract people from all over Sydney and the whole of Australia.”
Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said the new Wylde facility would be an improvement on the original facility, which attracts more than 30,000 visitors annually.
“When plans for the M12 were drawn up it created an opportunity to build a bigger and better Wylde facility and a new adventure precinct within the parklands,” Mr Constance said.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said: “This facility is a welcome addition to the mix of sporting and outdoor activities in Western Sydney and yet another example of our region getting its fair share of investment upgrades to important community facilities."
Liverpool City Council Mayor Wendy Waller said: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with Greater Sydney Parklands on this wonderful new community asset, which will allow the return of BMX racing to Liverpool following the closure of the Powell Park track in 2016."
The new Wylde BMX and Mountain Bike Facility is expected to be open by December 2021. The first five new mountain bike trails will be open to ride from tomorrow, weather permitting. For more information visit the Western Sydney Parklands website.
BUSINESSES ENCOURAGED TO SHARE STORIES WITH DESTINATION NSW
Destination NSW is actively supporting businesses in a variety of ways at this challenging time and is working to keep NSW top of mind for future visitors through ongoing daily media outreach.
Businesses are encouraged to provide updates or news, specific to tourism offerings, deals or incentives to the team via email: media@dnsw.com.au.
$283 MILLION FOR NSW BUSHFIRE RECOVERY PROJECTS
Communities across the State impacted by the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires will benefit from $283 million in funding from the Australian and NSW Governments for 195 projects through Stage Two of the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund.
Commonwealth Minister for Emergency Management David Littleproud said the $283 million announced this week would continue the bushfire recovery efforts.
“The Australian Government has invested $2.3 billion in the recovery of communities, businesses and industries impacted by the devastating Black Summer bushfires,” Mr Littleproud said.
“We are injecting $103 million into tourism support and economic development and almost $100 million into community and social recovery.
“More than $13 million will provide opportunities for Indigenous employment and support Indigenous initiatives such as cultural burning programs.”
NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Disaster Recovery John Barilaro said applications were from 47 Local Government Areas impacted by the bushfires.
“Due to the high demand and quality of applications in this round, the Australian and NSW Governments agreed to bring forward an additional $33 million from Stage Three to fund more projects," Mr Barilaro said.
“The funded projects are community-led initiatives, meeting a diverse range of local needs – such as the Youth Beyond the Flame program in Lithgow and a community recovery and regeneration centre for South East NSW.”
A range of projects have been funded to support the recovery of the visitor economy including the Great Northern Rail Trail, various mountain bike and Aboriginal tourism projects, several local tourism marketing activities and significant support for the Blue Mountains and Snowy Mountains regions. View full the list of NSW funded bushfire recovery projects here.
For more information on the Fund in NSW, visit: www.recovery.gov.au/our-community/local-bushfire-recovery-projects or www.nsw.gov.au/blerfund.
EMERGING ARTISTS SHORTLISTED FOR THE INCUBATOR NSW THEATRE FELLOWSHIP
Five talented artists have been shortlisted for the Incubator NSW Theatre (Emerging) Fellowship offered through a partnership between Create NSW and Griffin Theatre Company.
Happy Feraren, Tait de Lorenzo, Charlotte Salusinszky, Eliza Jean Scott and Dalara Williams will receive professional mentorship from Griffin Theatre Company as they work on the creative development of new works, with one successful Fellow to be selected to receive $30,000 from Create NSW for a self-directed program of professional development.
Minister for the Arts Don Harwin said the Fellowship, now in its second year, provided an important career pathway for NSW theatre practitioners in the early stages of their career.
“The Incubator NSW Theatre (Emerging) Fellowship offers a valuable opportunity to nurture the careers and skills of the successful Fellows and will provide them with a fast-track learning curve as they develop their capabilities in the theatre,” Mr Harwin said.
“Griffin Theatre Company has long been a vital incubator for talent and for the development of artists, creativity, ambition and education in NSW, and I know our shortlisted Fellows will quickly gain new skills and experience for the stage.”
Meanwhile, the NSW Government has also partnered with the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA), Sydney Youth Orchestra and Hayes Theatre Company, to drive the personal, creative and career advancement of five NSW artists:
- The New Dimensions: NSW Visual Arts (Established) Fellowship will support Julie Rrap to focus on a self-directed professional development program, and to also undertake an additional project or acquisition commission from the MCA
- The inaugural Conductor (Early Career) Fellow, Leonard Weiss, will receive financial, mentoring and professional development support through the Sydney Youth Orchestra
- The NSW Musical Theatre (Established) Fellowship group of Vidya Makan, Tasnim Hossain and Jonathan Ware, will write a new work for musical theatre. The team will be mentored by industry professionals from Hayes Theatre Co. to work towards bringing their production, Light, to the stage.
BANGALAY DINING ON TRACK FOR A HAT
In a welcome boost for the Shoalhaven region, Bangalay Dining has received a glowing endorsement from Good Food Guide critic, Terry Durack, receiving a score of 15 out of 20.
In the review published in The Sydney Morning Herald this week, Mr Durack said: “It’s a polished performance from a hard-working kitchen, amplified by a good young team of South Coast locals on the floor. What's especially good is that the experience ends up being a truly Australian one, without them shoving that sort of credo down your throat. It's so much more powerful, after all, when you want to shove it down your throat yourself.”
Bangalay General Manager Michelle Bishop said: “The best thing about this review has been the timing. The past week has been extremely stressful for not only our team at Bangalay but the entire industry here on the South Coast.
“Greater Sydney is the majority of our market, then with the ACT having warnings about non-essential travel and Victoria closing borders, most of us have been left without bookings. The review has lifted the mood, not only in our business but across the local tourism and hospitality industry.
“So many other business owners have been in touch to say congratulations and how excited they are for our entire area.
“We are in terrific company here on the South Coast with so many other terrific restaurants, wineries, breweries and distillers. If the review encourages people to travel to the South Coast, we all benefit.”
Read the full review online, and for more information about Bangalay Dining, go to Bangalay Villas.
Although restaurants are re-visited for the prestigous Good Food Guide published in November, a score of 15 would be enough to secure Bangalay Dining a much-revered chefs hat.
MASS VACCINATION ROLLOUT BOOST
The NSW Government will establish two new mass vaccination centres, plus a large clinic in the heart of the city in preparation for a larger supply of Pfizer vaccines, boosting the NSW contribution to the Federal Government’s vaccine rollout.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the NSW Government was ready and willing to support getting vaccine doses out as quickly and as safely as possible.
“In NSW we have a sense of urgency about getting jabs in arms, because once the vast majority of our population is vaccinated, we can start a conversation about reaching a ‘covid-normal’ state," Ms Berejiklian said.
One of the new mass vaccination centres will be established in South West Sydney while the other will be in the Illawarra in Wollongong, together delivering tens of thousands of additional jabs each week. They are in addition to Sydney Olympic Park, plus a second mass vaccination centre in the Hunter Region, due to open within weeks.
In addition, a Sydney City vaccination hub site has been secured close to light and heavy rail lines that will serve city workers and residents through extended opening hours.
Each NSW Health mass vaccination centre will follow ATAGI advice and administer AstraZeneca to people 60 years and over, as well as Pfizer to people 40 years and over (in addition to those in categories directed by the Federal Government as priorities).
Meanwhile 22 pharmacies across regional and rural NSW will begin administering the AstraZeneca jab as part of a pilot program, in another boost to the vaccine rollout.
The first pharmacies to administer the COVID-19 vaccine in NSW will be available from mid-July for people 60 and over and are located where access to a GP or vaccine clinics is more limited due to geography. See the full list of participating pharmacies at NSW.gov.au.
REX SECURES TWO ADDITIONAL BOEING 737-800NGS
Regional Express has signed a Letter of Intent for the addition of two more Boeing 737-800NGs to its nascent fleet, with the additional aircraft expected to arrive in August for entry into service in September. Rex’s Deputy Chairman, the Hon. John Sharp AM said: “It was only in November last year that we confirmed financing for Rex’s foray into the domestic market and within six months we have already obtained approval for the jet operations on our Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC), recruited and trained crews and engineers, procured six aircraft and started operations on five domestic routes, with the first services commencing on 1 March 2021.” Rex currently operates 737 services from Sydney to Gold Coast, and Melbourne to Sydney among other destinations.
ACCOMMODATION ASSOCIATION GM STEPS DOWN
Carol Giuseppi will step down as General Manager of Operations at the Accommodation Association of Australia after two years in the role. Ms Giuseppi has been a strong advocate for the sector for 10 years in various roles including both the Accommodation Association of Australia and Tourism Accommodation Australia. “As the Accommodation Association has grown in membership and services in recent years, Carol’s unwavering commitment to the industry and all stakeholders will be her legacy,” the Association said. The announcement comes as Accommodation Association prepares to amalgamate with Tourism Accommodation Australia.
OVERSEAS AGRICULTURAL WORKERS HOTEL QUARANTINE SUBSIDY EXTENDED
The NSW Government will extend a subsidy for half the quarantine costs of overseas agricultural workers into the 2021-22 financial year. Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall said workers entering the country under the Pacific Labour Scheme (PLS) or Seasonal Worker Program (SWP) were eligible for a 50 per cent subsidy of the cost of quarantine. Mr Marshall said: “To date, the subsidy has helped bring in more than 1,000 skilled workers who are helping to pick the State’s produce and working in the meat processing sector. While we have seen an increase in applications under the PLS and SWP, we know the COVID-induced labour shortages in the agricultural sector remain at critical levels." Mandatory hotel quarantine remains a critical part of the State’s COVID defence and all international arrivals are required to enter hotel quarantine in accordance with the Public Health Orders.
REGISTRATIONS OPEN FOR THE AUSTRALIAN REGIONAL TOURISM CONVENTION
The Australian Regional Tourism (ART) Convention is a must-attend event for local councils, regional tourism organisations, tourism professionals, business and government personnel who wish to contribute to the future of regional tourism in Australia. This year’s theme is ‘A Robust Visitor Economy - navigating our new future’. Topics will include planning and recovery post pandemic and bushfires, developing premium experiences in regional destinations, the symbiotic relationship between regional tourism and events, regional place branding, and how to best prepare for the future by understanding your evolving audience. The 2021 ART Convention will be held from 11-13 October in Ballarat. For more information and to register, go to ART Convention online.
BYRON BAY’S ICONIC WATERING HOLE SELLS
One of Byron’s most iconic venues, the Great Northern Hotel, has been sold along with its neighbouring Lanteen Lane Hotel, for almost $80 million. Both hotels sold via an invitation-only sale by JLL Hotels and Hospitality Group on behalf of long-time owners, the Mooney family. The family had operated the landmark pub for almost three decades. New owners Scott Didier, founder and CEO of Johns Lyng Group, and Scott Emery, founder of MoneyME said they were delighted to be the new custodians of The Northern. “It’s a privileged opportunity to engage with the local community in the incarnation of this special pub, in a such a special place,” they said. Set on a 200sqm corner positioned on Byron Bay’s main retail thoroughfare Jonson Street, the Great Northern Hotel has 20 accommodation rooms, restaurant, bars a drive-through bottle shop.
COMMUNITY TENNIS BENEFITS FROM ATP CUP LEGACY FUND
NSW grassroots tennis has received a $360,000 boost following the awarding of grants in Round Two of the NSW ATP Cup Tennis Legacy Fund. The NSW Government, in partnership with Tennis NSW, is investing $2.4 million over three years to ensure community tennis benefits from NSW hosting the ATP Cup at Ken Rosewall Arena. Minister for Sport Natalie Ward said 31 projects had received grants from $1,000 - $50,000 to improve tennis facilities and encourage participation. “The ATP Cup Tennis Legacy Fund has served a clean winner today with the awarding of more than $360,000 to grassroots tennis in NSW,” Mrs Ward said. “These funds will support the construction of new tennis facilities and help people of all ages and abilities play tennis.” For further information, visit the Office of Sport website.
