Parramatta

Cybersecurity centre for Parramatt a

THE Federal Government has announced $745,920 in funding for Western Sydney University to establish the Cybersecurity Aid Centre to train and support small business with Cyber Incident Response.

Funded through the Cyber Security Business Connect and Protect Grants Program, the Centre will be located at Parramatt a and led by Western Sydney University in partnership with four leading New South Wales cybersecurity businesses: Emergence, Gridware, DCEncompass and Secolve.

Th e Training Centre will provide Cyber Incident Response support for small businesses experiencing data breach, ransomware or email business compromise, and will host training seminars around NSW.

Th e project will enhance cybersecurity resources through the development of a Cyber Suite and Toolkit for Small Businesses — a hotline for assistance with cybersecurity incidents and will integrate applied support with learning and skills development for Western Sydney University students.

Liberal Senator for Western Sydney, Senator Marise Payne, commended Western Sydney University on its collaborative approach to supporting businesses to recognise cyber risks and opportunities.

“Th e ‘Cybersecurity Aid Centre’ will enhance business’ security and cyber capabilities which will help ensure Western Sydney’s strong economic prosperity and development continues as we come back from the COVID-19 pandemic,” Senator Payne said.

“Th is latest investment is part of the Australian Government’s Cyber Security Strategy 2020 and complements our $1.2B Digital Economy Strategy, which will be part of this year’s Federal Budget 2021-22.”

Project lead Professor Alana Maurushat, from the University’s School of Social Sciences and School of Computer, Data and Mathematical Sciences, said the Centre will deliver new programs to upskill small and medium enterprises and students with the latest skills in the technology and psychology of cybercrime.

“Tackling cybercrime is a high priority. Businesses need a resource centre that will help them when a cybersecurity crisis arises, as well as help to build resilience and awareness around cybercrime and the kinds of behaviours, technologies and change management practices they need to adopt to protect themselves,” Professor Maurushat said.

“Th e Centre will enhance cybersecurity knowledge and capacity across Western Sydney,and will provide a robust hub for industry and students to connect and learn from each other.”

Cyber security expert and Secolve CEO Laith Shahin said the initiative was an example of industry successfully partnering with the education sector to support local businesses.

Senator Marise Payne with Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

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Focus on stimulating the economy

INNER West Council will build on last year’s infrastructure budget with a continued focus on stimulating the local economy, upgrading local infrastructure and greening the Inner West.

Mayor Darcy Byrne said this year’s budget refl ects the key priorities of Inner West.

“Th is is another responsible budget. One that is literally all about roads, rates and rubbish. It’s a budget that refl ects the times and gets the basics right,” said Mayor Byrne.

“Last year was all about accelerating and fast-tracking projects such as installing new shade sails at Council’s aquatic centres, traffi c calming works, new bike paths, increased tree planting, solar installations and water sensitive design works.

“We did this in two ways – by pooling our developer contributions reserves and, for the fi rst time, sett ing aside and ring-fencing funds purely for renewing Council assets at the appropriate time in their life-cycle.

“I’m pleased to say that we are continuing that focus, as well as delivering projects such as new roads, footpath and stormwater works.

“I am especially proud of the minimum $2M investment in tree plantings that will occur each year for the next term of Council. Th is follows on from our record breaking $5M investment in new tree plantings in 2020/21. Th is is far by the biggest investment in green infrastructure in the history of the Inner West,” Mayor Byrne said.

Inner West will also be harmonising rates as required by the State Government. Th ese changes will be phased in over an eight-year period. While Council is not increasing its overall rates income from rates, harmonisation has meant that some individual ratepayers’ rates may change over time.

“We opposed the State Government’s harmonisation process and won the ability for a phased approach,” Mayor Byrne said.

Council will off set some of the eff ects of rates harmonisation by reducing the Domestic Waste Charge (DWC) to most residents.

Key highlights from the budget include: • A minimum $2M investment in tree planting each year for the next term of Council. This follows on

from our record breaking $5M investment in new tree plantings in 2020/21. This is far by the biggest investment in green infrastructure in the history of the Inner West • Reducing Council’s infrastructure backlog by segregating funds to ensure footpaths, roads, stormwater and other key assets are renewed at the appropriate time in their life-cycle • Town centre upgrades including

Dulwich Hill Station and Marrickville Road (east) public domain masterplan implementation and

Darling Street, Balmain streetscape renewal and upgrade ($7.5M). • Upgrading Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre and Annette Kellerman

Aquatic Centre ($4.7M). • Delivering Tempe Reserve upgrade. • Town hall and community centre upgrades ($6.8 million) including

Marrickville, St Peters and Balmain town halls and Tom Foster Community Centre for relocation of

Newtown Neighbourhood Centre. • Commencing construction of the

GreenWay central links ($6.9M) and delivering the Urban Amenity

Improvement Program Parramatta

Road and surrounds ($7.5M). • Expanding solar and food organics recycling throughout the community.

Above: tree planting ranks high on Council’s budget and right, Mayor Darcy Byrne.