2425 REVISE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY 2019-20 FIRST SESSION OF THE FIFTY-SEVENTH PARLIAMENT _____________ QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS No. 66 TUESDAY 16 JUNE 2020 _____________ The Questions and Answers Paper is published at the end of each sitting day and will contain, by number and title, all unanswered questions, together with questions to which answers have been received on that sitting day and any new questions. Consequently the full text of any question will be printed only twice: when notice is given; and, when answered. During any adjournment of two weeks or more a Questions and Answers Paper will be published from time to time containing answers received. 2426 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Tuesday 16 June 2020 Publication of Questions Answer to be lodged by Q & A No. 56 (Including Question Nos 2745 to 2949) 16 June 2020 Q & A No. 57 (Including Question Nos 2950 to 3022) 23 June 2020 Q & A No. 58 (Including Question Nos 3023 to 3051) 24 June 2020 Q & A No. 59 (Including Question Nos 3052 to 3099) 25 June 2020 Q & A No. 60 (Including Question Nos 3100 to 3150) 30 June 2020 Q & A No. 61 (Including Question Nos 3151 to 3161) 01 July 2020 Q & A No. 62 (Including Question Nos 3162 to 3245) 02 July 2020 Q & A No. 63 (Including Question Nos 3246 to 3282) 07 July 2020 Q & A No. 64 (Including Question Nos 3283 to 3299) 08 July 2020 Q & A No. 65 (Including Question Nos 3300 to 3396) 09 July 2020 Q & A No. 66 (Including Question Nos 3397 to 3486) 21 July 2020 2427 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Tuesday 16 June 2020 12 MAY 2020 (Paper No. 56) *2745 COUNCIL RATES—Ms Sonia Hornery asked the Minister for Local Government— Is the Government considering allowing local government councils the ability to waive rates for individuals and businesses who are experiencing financial hardship? Answer— To assist individuals and businesses who are experiencing financial hardship the Government has made a number of regulatory changes to assist ratepayers and businesses during COVID-19. Under the suite of regulatory changes made by the Government councils can: • delay sending out the first quarterly rates notice for 2020-21 and extend the payment deadline by one month • give ratepayers more time to pay their rates notices and allow councils to provide financial support to businesses suffering from reduced cashflows or forced closures • apply the rate peg more flexibly to allow councils to respond to changing economic conditions such as COVID-19, bushfires and drought • waive accrued interest on overdue rates for people unable to pay the accrued interest for reasons beyond their control or if the payment would cause them hardship, and • immediately waive or reduce fees for services such as food premise inspections and footpath usage for COVID-19 affected businesses, without the need to provide 28 days public notice. The changes implemented also prevent councils from taking legal action for outstanding rates for six months for ratepayers experiencing financial hardship. With these measures ratepayers will have more time to pay their rates notices and councils will be able to provide financial support to businesses suffering from reduced cashflows or forced closures. *2746 BRUXNER HIGHWAY REALIGNMENT—Ms Janelle Saffin asked the Minister for Regional Transport and Roads— (1) Will the Government expedite a major realignment of the Bruxner Highway between Goonellabah and Wollongbar hill to bypass the dangerous Alphadale crossroads black spot? (2) Will the Government invest some of the unspent $1.75 billion of Restart NSW funding towards this urgently needed priority road infrastructure project? Answer— I am advised: (1) Transport for NSW is in the early sages of investigating potential upgrade options between Goonellabah and Wollongbar, which would include the Alphadale section. This assessment will include consideration of all options, including a potential highway realignment. (2) There is no Restart NSW funding reservation for this section of the Bruxner Highway. *2747 BRUXNER HIGHWAY AND SUNRISE CRESCENT INTERSECTION REALIGNMENT—Ms Janelle Saffin asked the Minister for Regional Transport and Roads— (1) Will the Minister request Transport for NSW to urgently investigate realignment of a bend on the intersection of the Bruxner Highway and Sunrise Crescent, Goonellabah, the scene of several recent truck rollovers? (2) Will Transport for NSW's investigation take into account an existing road reserve to the east of the highway which would allow plenty of room for this bend to be straightened? Answer— I am advised: (1) The curve near the Bruxner Highway and Sunrise Crescent intersection, Goonellabah is included in the current strategic investigations by Transport for NSW for the area between Wollongbar and Goonellabah. (2) The existing road reserve will be considered as part of the strategic investigations. *2748 REVIEW OF ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS—Mr Guy Zangari asked the Minister for Transport and Roads— 2428 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Tuesday 16 June 2020 (1) Will the 13 May 2020 deadline for community consultation submissions for the Review of Environmental Factors be extended or will late submissions be accepted, considering COVID-19 restrictions have affected numerous community and business groups' capacity to operate? (a) What is the latest date community consultation submissions may be received by should community members wish to have their views considered as part of this process? Answer— I am advised: The Review of Environmental Factors for Canley Vale Railway station upgrades was on display from 29 April 2020 to 13 May 2020. Due to COVID-19 social distancing measures, community consultation and engagement occurred through online channels during this feedback period. In accordance with Part 2 Division 1 of State Environmental Planning Policy (Infrastructure) 2007, Council and the State Emergency Services have 21 days to provide a submission, meaning until 20 May 2020. Late submissions from the community were accepted until 20 May 2020. *2749 REVIEW OF ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS CANLEY VALE RAILWAY STATION—Mr Guy Zangari asked the Minister for Transport and Roads— (1) How many submissions have Transport for NSW received during the Review of Environmental Factors process for Canley Vale Railway Station upgrades by: (a) Community members; (b) Community organisations; (c) Businesses and business groups; (d) Places of worship; (e) Educational institutions? Answer— I am advised: As at 20 May 2020: (1) (a) 21. (1) (b) to (e) Zero. *2750 MOBILE DATA TERMINALS IN NSW POLICE FORCE VEHICLES—Mr Clayton Barr asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services— (1) How many mobile data terminals (MDTs) are currently installed in NSW Police Force vehicles (as at 12 May 2020)? (2) How many MDTs installed in NSW Police Force vehicles required replacement or repair in the 2018-19 financial year? (3) Will there be an upgrade to MDTs in NSW Police Force vehicles? Answer— I am advised: (1) 1,513 (2) 705 (3) The NSW Police Force has different types of Mobile Data Terminals (MDTs) dependent on the use (e.g. Highway Patrol and General Duties). All MDTs are upgraded regularly with the most contemporary security patches to ensure that police information is provided reliably and securely to officers in the field. *2751 LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHILDCARE CENTRES—Mr Guy Zangari asked the Minister for Local Government— Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, what additional funding has been provided to local governments to support local government operated childcare centres to assist frontline emergency service workers (as at 12 May 2020)? Answer— The Government has allocated an additional $82 million to support 260 council- run childcare centres, ensuring these services can remain open during the COVID-19 pandemic. 2429 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Tuesday 16 June 2020 *2752 WALLSEND HOUSING DEVELOPMENT—Ms Sonia Hornery asked the Minister for Water, Property and Housing— Considering The Samaritans Foundation's Rental Affordability Snapshot 2020 indicates that most rental properties remain too expensive and that 500,000 new social and affordable rental properties will be needed across Australia, what new housing infrastructure is being developed across the Wallsend electorate? Answer— I am advised: The Government is committed to providing more affordable housing in New South Wales. In the Wallsend electorate, there have been 40 new social housing dwellings constructed by the Land and Housing Corporation since 2010. Another 46 dwellings are currently in the design and approval phase. The NSW Aboriginal Housing Office (AHO) is developing eight (8) new homes at 48-50 Bousfield Street, Wallsend. The eight homes will comprise: • 2 x 2-bed adaptable villas • 4 x 3-bed townhouses • 2 x 4-bed townhouses The AHO homes will be completed in June 2021. *2753 INTERNET ACCESS—Mr Alex Greenwich asked the Minister for Customer Service— (1) Considering COVID-19 distancing and isolation requirements, and that more than 2.5 million Australians are not online, what action is the Government taking to improve internet access, affordability and user proficiency in New South Wales? (2) What lobbying of the Commonwealth Government for improved internet and mobile capacity is the Government undertaking? Answer— The Government is investing $11.5 million in the Regional Digital Connectivity project to provide upgraded wholesale internet service availability in regional New South Wales using fixed-wireless technology delivered through communications towers. The Government