New accessible playground at Box Hill
with Ray Williams MP
100 million Rapid Antigen Tests secured
The second 50 million of the 100 million Rapid Antigen Tests ( RATs ) procured by the NSW Government , is scheduled for delivery from now into March . These tests will support the NSW public sector workforce , support our return to school plan and provide support to those most in need .
The boost to NSW ’ s RAT supply will help alleviate the pressure on the NSW Health system – as well as provide protection for our most vulnerable . Planning is underway for the rollout of additional tranches of Rapid Antigen Tests in the coming months . Rent relief for small businesses Small businesses that are continuing to face challenges due to COVID-19 will benefit from an additional two months of rent relief , with the NSW Government extending its rent relief regulation until March 13 . For more information visit :
Commercial leases and COVID-19 FAQs | Small Business Commissioner ( nsw . gov . au ).
A new accessible playground at Box Hill
It was a great honour to join Michelle Byrne , former Mayor for The Hills Shire and The Hon . Alex Hawke MP Federal Member for Mitchell , to open brand new Equinox Drive Reserve , in Box Hill .
With the support of the state and Australian governments , The Hills Shire Council could deliver this wonderful new facility just before Christmas . The new reserve features an accessible nature themed playground , park furniture and a basketball shooting circle .
It also includes a 2.5 metre shared pathway for cyclists and pedestrians , as well as footpaths that are located throughout the site and connect to the broader Box Hill path network .
I am thrilled to see this new facility come to fruition for the residents of the Box Hill area . It ’ s another great example of how local , state and federal governments can work together to achieve great outcomes for our community .
Equinox Drive Reserve , Box Hill .
Event organisers not left high and dry
|
The State Government has set up an Event Saver Fund to support organisers of major events and festivals that have been cancelled or disrupted by COVID-19 Public Health Orders .
The fund covers major events scheduled to be held between Wednesday 15 December 2021 and Saturday 31 December 2022 .
Major event organisers will now be able to pay suppliers , staff and recover other costs where an event is cancelled or significantly disrupted because
|
of public health orders imposed as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Premier Dominic Perrottet said the funding was a critical lifeline for major event organisers who have had to cancel , postpone or vary their events , providing them the financial security and certainty to plan and deliver them in the future .
He said major events are a key economic driver that create thousands of jobs across the state and that the government is here to support business through the latest phase of
|
the pandemic .
Treasurer Matt Kean added festivals and major events are “ huge drawcards and they have been significantly disrupted by the latest Omicron wave of COVID-19 .”
Stage One Expressions of Interest are now open and close 30 September 2022 .
Event organisers are encouraged to submit their expression of interest as soon as possible .
See create . nsw . gov . au / funding for applications and details .
|
|
Saving our festivals one at a time . Picture : Joey Thompson . Unsplash . |
STAY IN TOUCH the heart of your LOCAL
NEWS theindependentmagazine . com . au
THE HILLS INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine . com . au ISSUE 80 // FEBRUARY 2022 21