Culture of misconduct in the NSW Police

The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) has recommended disciplinary action against three officers in their report following Operation Pamir finding that a vulnerable First Nations person had their rights violated in May 2020. Police officers forced the victim to participate in police interviews against the fundamental right to silence and put false information to that person during an interview.

This report follows the report on Operation Mantus last year, which found systemic failures to protect young people and their right to silence. The investigation and report occurred after Police prosecution of the person was halted in court due to the evidence given being inadmissible.

Greens MP and spokesperson for justice Sue Higginson said “This report has once again lifted the lid on a horrid and sordid culture within the NSW Police. Despite two separate Lawyers, including one Aboriginal Legal Service lawyer, advising police that the victim exercised their right to silence, the officers forced two separate interviews with the victim, therefore engaging in serious misconduct.”

“We can’t know how often this is happening, but the impunity shown in this case and by the fact that this was done in collusion between numerous officers would suggest that it is not uncommon,”

“We have seen endless accounts from people that have survived abuse by the police, including current and former police officers, as well as members of the community who are targeted and vilified based on racist policing practices. Everytime the LECC makes findings of wrongdoing and misconduct against the police, the Minister and the Premier try and excuse the issue by saying that the system is working, this is a political failure and it has to stop,”

“Arresting officers, custody managers and bail officers all have a significant responsibility for maintaining a person’s welfare and for protecting the legal rights of the community. The culture of cover up and abuse within the police system in NSW is putting people in danger and violating the community at every turn,”

“The right to silence is one of the most fundamental rights when it comes to freedom from oppressive state prosecution,”

“The Government should direct the Police to make compensation available to the victim of this police misconduct, and the LECC should be resourced according to the number of reports made to them from the community,”

“As long as the LECC does not have enough resources to properly police the police, there is no hope for a genuine clearing of the decks from the toxicity in the NSW Police that is causing harm and violating people’s rights,”

“The three officers should have their employment terminated immediately, to clear these bad apples from the barrel, and the systemic shift that is so badly needed should begin today,” Ms Higginson said.

Coalition to Boost Home Building Across Australia

Under the Albanese Government, Australia is facing a housing crisis. The great Australian dream of home ownership has never felt further out of reach.

We need to get our country Back on Track, and restore the Australian dream of home ownership.

Today, the Coalition is announcing new policies to boost housing supply.

Over the past two years, the Coalition has consulted with hundreds of local councils across the nation to discuss new housing supply constraints and practical ways to overcome these challenges. This consultation has made clear that one of the major impediments to new housing projects is the lack of funding for critical enabling infrastructure.

Whilst it is not the usual role of the Federal Government to fund enabling infrastructure like water, power, sewerage, and access roads, the scale of Labor’s national housing crisis means the Coalition will, on a time-limited basis, unlock necessary new housing supply and keep the Australian dream alive.

We will invest in shovel-ready infrastructure, the lack of which is hindering the development of new housing, through a new Housing Infrastructure Programme (HIP).

An elected Coalition Government will commit $5 billion to get these projects moving, unlocking up to 500,000 homes to be delivered more quickly through a mixture of grants and concessional loans.

We know there are hundreds of greenfield sites across the country ready for development, but progress has been stalled due to a lack of funding for essential enabling infrastructure. Our approach is focussed on investing in enabling infrastructure to unlock the supply of shovel-ready new housing developments.

The cheapest form of housing for first home buyers is detached housing with backyards and our Housing Infrastructure Programme will be a catalyst for exactly this – new greenfield housing developments.

This funding will be offered on a ‘use it or lose it’ basis. This means if there is no progress on successful projects within 12 months of contracting, then the funding will be terminated.

The Government’s housing crisis is failing Australians. Labor’s promise to build 1.2 million homes over five years has already failed, with industry leaders confirming a likely shortfall of more than 400,000 homes.

Under this Government, building approvals have fallen to their lowest level in over a decade, dropping 8.8 per cent to just 158,690 new starts in 2023-24. Simultaneously, the Government has brought in more than one million migrants in their first two years in office, while only 350,000 homes have been constructed in that time.

That’s why the Coalition’s Housing Infrastructure Programme is essential to getting Australia Back on Track. It will have a significant impact in unlocking new projects or bringing forward projects that might otherwise be delayed for years.

Further, to address supply constraints, the Coalition is announcing today that we will freeze any further changes to the National Construction Code (NCC) for 10 years.

At a time of high inflation, the Government’s changes to the NCC have added red tape and increased the compliance burden for new housing projects, driving up costs for purchasers. Stakeholders estimate the Government’s recent changes to the NCC (including changes to energy efficiency standards) have added up to $60,000 to the price of a new home.

The Coalition’s freeze will provide certainty to the industry and let builders get on with the job of building homes for Australians. We further commit to working with industry to review the Government’s changes to the NCC and identify options to further reduce red tape and bring down costs for consumers.

Today’s announcement sits alongside the Coalition’s already-announced commitments to bring down demand and free up supply by reducing migration, our two-year ban on foreign investors and temporary residents purchasing existing homes in Australia, and capping the number of overseas students. These changes will free up over 100,000 homes for Australians over five years.

At the same time, the Coalition will work with the building and construction industry to ensure there are enough skilled and temporary skilled visas for those with essential skills to support our local tradies to build the homes we need.

The Coalition will also bring down the costs of housing by tackling union corruption that has contributed to driving up the costs of building by 30 per cent. The Coalition will deregister the CFMEU, restore the ABCC, and ensure tough judicial scrutiny for union officials who do the wrong thing.

A Dutton Coalition Government will restore the great Australian dream of home ownership.

NSW Government commits $75 million to deliver much-needed infrastructure for Western Sydney homes

The Minns Labor Government is investing $75 million to build roads, parks, infrastructure and improved town centre access for more than 42,000 new homes across Western Sydney.

Special Infrastructure Contributions fund critical supporting infrastructure for homes such as state and regional roads, primary and secondary schools and emergency, health and bus services.

For more than a decade, fast-growing communities in Western Sydney have not received their fair share of infrastructure. Delivering on its commitment to support essential infrastructure for the communities taking the most housing, the Minns Labor Government is delivering new grant funding to help build better communities.

The $75 million in round 6 of the Special Infrastructure Contribution grant funding targets councils in specific local government areas in the Western Sydney Growth Centres such as Blacktown, Camden, Campbelltown, Hawkesbury, The Hills and Liverpool.

The grant funding aligns with the National Housing Accord target of 377,000 new, well-located homes across NSW by 2029.

Previous grant rounds have supported long-awaited projects for growing communities, including:

  • More than $34 million toward the Memorial Avenue Road Upgrade at Kellyville in North West Sydney, which is currently underway.
  • More than $20 million toward the new Edmondson Park primary and high schools. Approvals have now been received for the high school, with construction set to get underway in the near future.

The key driver of these projects has been the significant population growth experienced by Western Sydney, which has not been matched by the infrastructure these communities need.

The Minns Labor Government is committed to building a better NSW with more homes, paired with vital infrastructure, as we take action to address the housing crisis.

This grant is also open to state agencies including Communities and Justice, Education, Transport for NSW, NSW Health, NSW Police, Fire and Rescue NSW and the Planning Ministerial Corporation.

The grant funding for the Special Infrastructure Contributions $75 million Round 6 will open for nominations at 9am on Friday 18 October and close midnight on Monday 16 December 2024.

The Special Infrastructure Contributions will continue to apply until 30 June 2026 when the Housing and Productivity Contribution will apply to the current area of the Western Sydney Aerotropolis.

For more information visit: https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/plans-for-your-area/infrastructure-funding/special-infrastructure-contributions/western-sydney-growth-area-sic

Deputy Premier and Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car said:

“Western Sydney is one of the largest growth areas in our state but is lacking the infrastructure to support vibrant and well-connected communities.

“New roads, open spaces, active transport and town centre access will make housing across these six LGAs possible, especially in Blacktown and The Hills.

“Western Sydney was left behind by the previous government, we are not only building new homes but we are building the infrastructure to support better communities.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“The Minns Government is committed to delivering new, well-located homes where they are needed most.

“In order to build a community, residents need access to a local school, connecting roads and critical services.

“This funding means supporting infrastructure is being delivered alongside new homes.”

NSW Government response to power outage in Far West NSW

The Far West region of NSW is experiencing a widespread electricity outage after severe thunderstorms on Thursday, 17 October.

This storm has had a devastating impact on power supplies to Broken Hill and towns throughout the Far West of NSW, including White Cliffs, Wilcannia and Menindee.

10,000 homes and businesses were initially left without electricity after transmission towers supplying electricity to the region were damaged.

A large-scale back-up generator has restored power to approximately 9,000 homes and businesses with an estimated 1,400 customers around Wilcannia, Menindee and White Cliffs still without power.

It’s expected that constructing temporary towers to restore the transmission line will take a number of weeks.

The NSW Government immediately activated an emergency response and is coordinating assistance across a number of emergency services and government agencies, as well as electricity companies, who are responding to this event:

  • Multiple agencies are involved in transporting supplies including generators, fuel pods, cool rooms, lighting towers and Starlinks (satellite connections) to the area.
  • The NSW Government is working with Transgrid and Essential Energy to safely manage impacts on communities.
  • NSW Police is leading the coordination of support by government agencies and will manage the distribution of fuel supplies.
  • RFS is establishing community hubs at RFS Brigade Stations in Menindee, Wilcannia and White Cliffs.
  • SES units at Menindee and Wilcannia are open for community members to drop in and charge their devices and are deploying generators to local organisations.
  • NSW Health is contacting vulnerable patients in areas impacted. Essential Energy is also making contact with registered Life Support customers who remain without power.
  • NSW Telco Authority has deployed a Cell On Wheels and mobile radio assets to Menindee.
  • NSW Department of Education has mobilised an Emergency Response Unit that is coordinating the delivery of generators from Sydney to schools in the Far West, with a priority for schools with students sitting the HSC and students with special needs.
  • Transgrid and Essential Energy crews have completed their assessment of the damage and are now engineering the repair works and deploying small mobile generators in multiple locations.
  • Customers, including Life Support customers, can contact Essential Energy on its outage line on 13 20 80 for support.

Community meetings will continue to take place over the coming days to keep everyone updated on progress and address any concerns.

The NSW Government encourages community members to follow the guidance of emergency service crews and asks travellers to the Far West of NSW avoid this area surrounding Broken Hill, Wilcannia, Menindee and White Cliffs unless absolutely necessary.

For the latest updates from Essential Energy visit: https://www.essentialenergy.com.au/outages-and-faults/Outage-Information-17-Oct-24.

Premier Chris Minns said:

“A serious thunderstorm has impacted thousands of properties across the Far West of NSW.

“While power has been restored to around 9,000 properties, there is still a significant amount of people who do not have electricity. 

“The NSW Government has activated an emergency response team working across all emergency services agencies to ensure the community gets access to the essentials they need.

“Contractors are also downing tools on other jobs to respond to this incident and energy providers and government teams are working around the clock to restore power to the region.”

Minister for Energy Penny Sharpe said:

“The NSW Government is working closely with Transgrid and Essential Energy to restore power to homes and businesses in the far west.

“While generators have kicked in for many properties, I encourage those in the affected area to minimise their electricity usage specifically during the evening peak period (5:30pm to 10:30pm Australian Central Daylight Time).

“I encourage you to check in with your friends, family and neighbours and stay up to date with the latest information from NSW emergency services and Essential Energy.”

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

“I want to thank volunteers and emergency responders who have moved quickly to supply generators and satellite communications where they are most needed and providing support for community members to drop in and charge devices.”

Community invited to tour new Liverpool Hospital Integrated Services Building

The south western Sydney community is being invited to tour the brand new Liverpool Hospital Integrated Services Building, as part of the Welcome All Cultures Community Open Day on tomorrow Saturday 19 October.

The purpose-built five-storey building, which will open to patients in just over a week on 28 October 2024, is the centrepiece of Phase 1 of the $830 million Liverpool Health and Academic Precinct redevelopment.

The new integrated services building features a new hospital public entrance on Goulburn Street, a new and expanded Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, 10 new birthing suites and a new centralised pathology department.

The open day, from 9.00am to 1.00pm, will celebrate Liverpool’s culturally diverse community and its involvement in the hospital’s redevelopment with First Nations and multicultural performances throughout the day.

There will also be community health stalls and children’s activities as well as the tours of the new hospital building.

The Community Open Day is a free event.

Bookings are essential for the tours of the new hospital building. Community members can book a tour online via the LHAP website at www.lhap.health.nsw.gov.au.

People can also call the LHAP office on 8738 6670 during office hours to book their place on a tour.

Minister for Health Ryan Park:

“Earlier this month, I joined the Premier and Member for Liverpool to tour this state of the art hospital building and I am delighted the Liverpool community will also have the chance to see the impressive new hospital building before it opens to the public.

“The open day is offering tours of the new hospital building so the community has the chance to see its new features, before it opens to the public in the coming weeks.

“This is one of many exciting hospital projects we have underway and this $830 million redevelopment will transform the delivery of health care in Liverpool and surrounding communities like Fairfield, Cabramatta and Leppington.”

Member for Liverpool Charishma Kaliyanda:

“Completion of this state of the art new facility is an exciting milestone for the hospital and community.

“Staff are excited to be moving into their new areas to provide care, after months of careful preparation and anticipation.

“I encourage community members to join in the tours on the open day so they can see how impressive this new hospital building is – it is such an incredible asset to Liverpool and our surrounding communities.”

Update on NSW Government response to power outage in Far West NSW

Power supplies have been restored to communities in the Far West region of NSW using a large-scale back-up generator, but households and businesses are being urged to reduce their usage this evening to minimise demand.

The Far West region is relying on the generator while Transgrid constructs temporary towers to replace those damaged by a serious storm. This could take a number of weeks.

The large-scale back-up generator is not adequate to meet consumer demand at all times of the day, in particular during the evening peak from 5:30pm to 10:30pm (Australian Central Daylight time).

During this time, Essential Energy may need to rotate power between different areas for around two hours at a time. Essential Energy will prioritise Life Support Customers and priority loads such as Broken Hill Base Hospital.

The community in the impacted area can help by taking simple steps to minimise power use between 5:30pm and 10:30pm (Australian Central Daylight Time):

  • Turn off any non-essential appliances.
  • Use lights only in occupied rooms.
  • If you are using air conditioning, consider raising the set point temperature to about 26 degrees and close all blinds, windows and doors.

Outside these times, the community should continue to use electricity as they normally would.

The impacted area incudes Broken Hill, Tibooburra, Wilcannia, Menindee, White Cliffs and several other surrounding communities.

The NSW Government has activated an emergency response and is coordinating assistance across a number of emergency services and government agencies, and is working with Transgrid and Essential Energy.

A NSW Rural Fire Service b-double truck which set off from Sydney loaded with supplies has now arrived in the Far West. The supplies include generators, fuel pods, cool rooms, lighting towers and Starlinks (satellite connections).

The NSW Government encourages community members to follow the guidance of emergency service crews and asks travellers to the Far West of NSW avoid the area surrounding Broken Hill, Wilcannia, Menindee and White Cliffs unless absolutely necessary.

For the latest updates from Essential Energy visit: https://www.essentialenergy.com.au/outages-and-faults/power-outages

Customers, including Life Support customers, can contact Essential Energy on its outage line on
13 20 80 for support.

For more information on ways to reduce your energy during this peak demand event visit https://www.energy.nsw.gov.au/households/guides-and-helpful-advice-households/electricity-supply-disruptions

Minister for Energy Penny Sharpe said:

“It’s positive news that power supplies have been restored to Broken Hill and nearby communities via a large-scale back-up generator. However, there is still a lot of work to be done to replace the transmission towers and repair the electricity network.

“I want to thank the Essential Energy and Transgrid workers who have worked tirelessly over the past two days to restore power.

“I also want to thank Perilya Mine for supplying load to the large-scale backup generator, which in turn, has provided security and stability to the Broken Hill grid and helped restore power to communities across the Far West.”

Member for Barwon Roy Butler said:

“We are focused on restoring power to all homes and businesses in Broken Hill and towns across the region.

“We welcome the arrival of supplies including generators to support those on the ground.

“I encourage everyone in our community to please check in on your neighbours and relatives, especially those who are vulnerable, as we work through this situation.”

Harden Murrumburrah Rural Women’s Gathering passes flame to Lismore for 2025

Lismore has been named host of the 2025 Rural Women’s Gathering at a candle lighting ceremony as part of the 2024 event in Harden Murrumburrah.

Tina Irish and Karen Hirst from Lismore City Council joined Minister for Women Jodie Harrison and the Harden Murrumburrah 2024 organising committee for the ceremony, accepting carriage of the 2025 event.

The NSW Government provides $30,000 for the Gathering as part of its commitment to empowering women and girls across regional, rural and remote NSW, including helping them build new connections and learn new skills to ensure they can reach their full potential and thrive.

The NSW Rural Women’s Gathering is an annual event held in a different location each year. 2024’s event in Harden Murrumburrah was themed “Sowing the Seeds of Success – Creating Your Own Work Life Balance”. The program – prepared by a organising committee made up of local volunteers – featured a range of enriching workshops, networking opportunities and cultural experiences.

Attendees heard from inspiring female leaders, including former Australian Olympian and two-time Athletics World Champion Jana Pittman; Founder of Womn-Kind and AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award 2024 NSW/ACT Finalist Ruby Reithmuller; and AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award 2022 VIC Winner Kimberley Furness, who is also a magazine publisher and podcaster.

Details for the 2025 Rural Women’s Gathering will be shared via the fortnightly Rural Women’s Network e-newsletter. To subscribe, visit nsw.gov.au/women-nsw/rural-womens-network

Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said:

“The NSW Government is committed to empowering women and girls across regional, rural and remote NSW to have full access to opportunities.

“We recognise that women in regional parts of NSW experience unique challenges living in remote locations. We also know women in these communities are doing extraordinary things.

“The Rural Women’s Gathering provides a great opportunity to share their experiences and, in turn, help other women to better support their communities.

“Thank you to our incredible 2024 hosts in Harden Murrumburrah for helping facilitate connection through friendship, mentorship, professional resources and services. I look forward to seeing the tradition continue next year in Lismore.”

Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said:

“Thank you to the fabulous volunteers who coordinated and delivered a hugely successful 2024 Rural Women’s Gathering in Harden Murrumburrah – your local insights are absolutely invaluable, your dedication and commitment make this important annual event possible.

“The Rural Women’s Gathering links women to information and services, create opportunities to build personal and business resilience, allow us to promote action on rural women’s issues, and ultimately strengthen communities across NSW.

“After 31 years, the Gathering continues to be a key event on the NSW Rural Women’s Network calendar, enabling women from regional, rural and remote areas of NSW to connect, learn and celebrate.

“Each year, there’s a range of diverse speakers and workshops, all of whom bring something new and inspiring to share – and I can’t wait to see what’s next for Lismore in 2025.”

Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said:

“I’m excited to have the Rural Women’s Gathering here. I think its fantastic because we have some great women right across our community.

“This is recognition that there’s a whole lot of women’s leadership here, particularly our rural women. They’re in everything, from the CWA, to the SES, to the RFS, to Zonta, we’ve got the lot.

“The Rural Women’s Gathering is a great opportunity to network and having it in Lismore means its easier for local women to take part.”

A million new jobs under Labor

Under the Albanese Government, more Australians are working, earning more and keeping more of what they earn, with today’s ABS Labour Force figures showing well over a million jobs (1,039,300) have now been created since Labor came to office in 2022.

This is the first and only time any government of any political persuasion has overseen the creation of a million new jobs in a single parliamentary term.

This is a remarkable achievement, in the context of a slowing economy and a labour market that is expected to soften.

Today’s result means the Albanese Government continues to oversee the largest increase in employment in a single parliamentary term in Australia’s history.

In September, 64,100 jobs were created – 51,600 of which were full-time positions.

It’s also encouraging to note that the labour force participation rate continued to increase over the month, rising by 0.1 percentage points in September, to stand at a record high of 67.2 per cent.

That equates to an additional 54,900 people entering the labour force over the month.

Importantly, the female participation rate increased to a record high of 63.2 per cent, equating to an additional 23,100 women entering the labour force.

Strong jobs growth was recorded across most Australian states and territories in September with employment now at a record high in five jurisdictions.

Particularly positive results were recorded in New South Wales (with employment up by 23,100 or 0.5 per cent), followed by Victoria (up by 21,700 or 0.6 per cent) and Western Australia (up 8,300 or 0.5 per cent).

Helping all Australians find work and delivering higher wages is one of the best ways we can support households with current cost-of-living pressures.

The average full-time worker is now earning $159 extra per week since the Albanese Government was elected. And the average full-time worker is also receiving a tax cut of $44 per week because of the Government’s cost-of-living tax cuts.

But while the Albanese Labor Government is focused on supporting more well-paid, secure jobs, Peter Dutton and the Coalition have promised to cut wages and working conditions if they’re elected.

Just this week, Shadow Finance Minister Jane Hume told Sky News the Coalition will “definitely consider” a request to allow medium sized businesses to unfairly dismiss their workers, without repercussions.

This is on top of earlier promises from Peter Dutton to cut labour hire workers’ pay and scrap the rights of casual workers and the Right to Disconnect, forcing Australians into more unpaid overtime.

At a time when many Australians are doing it tough, Peter Dutton and the Coalition will make things worse.

We’re all about more people working, earning more and keeping more of what they earn and this shows we’re making good progress.

Peter Dutton and the Coalition want you to work longer for less.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

“Today’s data shows that one million new jobs have been created since our election, and that our Government has helped more Australians than ever into secure, well-paid jobs – earning more and keeping more of what they earn.

“This is the most jobs ever created in a parliamentary term in Australian history.

“The majority of our one million new jobs are full-time, around half are for women and the gender pay gap is at a record low.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers

“More than a million new jobs in one parliamentary term is a pretty remarkable achievement in a slowing economy, and it means more new jobs have been created on our watch than any other government at any time.

“This is the first and only time any government of any political persuasion has overseen the creation of a million new jobs in a single parliamentary term.

“It’s a tribute to Australian workers and employers and it justifies the responsible way we’re managing the economy.”

Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Murray Watt

“This is a great result that is helping more Australians deal with cost of living pressures.

“There’s nothing more important than having a well-paid job, so that you can pay your bills, and that’s what the Albanese Government is delivering. 

“In contrast, Peter Dutton has promised to make life harder for people, by cutting wages and conditions and making it easier to get the sack.”

Albanese Government delivers $6 million to West Australian Telethon

The Albanese Government has committed $6 million to the Channel 7 Telethon Trust to help improve the health and wellbeing of Australian babies and children.

Telethon is an annual televised fundraising appeal in Western Australia and is broadcast live for 26 hours.

Over the past five decades Telethon has raised more than $600 million for sick and disadvantaged children in Western Australia.  

The Government’s contributions to the trust over the past two years have supported 29 research projects which included research into gut health, cancer treatment, improving child and adolescent mental health, as well as seven grants to purchase medical equipment.

One of the fantastic research projects is ORIGINS, which tracks the health of 10,000 children beginning with their mother’s pregnancy.

The project’s researchers are investigating how we can give our children a better start in life and reduce the amount of chronic disease seen later in life.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

“Our children are our future, and we have a responsibility to ensure they have the best start in life.

“We are proud to once again support the Channel 7 Telethon Trust and its efforts to help Australian children to thrive.
  
“This funding is an investment in Australia’s world leading research sector, and will help Australian researchers to develop new techniques and treatments to improve the health and wellbeing of Australian children.

“With chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes continuing to rise, it is more important than ever that we support research into how parental health impacts a child’s life.”

Full steam ahead for the Albury to Illabo section of the Inland Rail project

The NSW Government has approved the Albury to Illabo section of the 1,600-kilometre Inland Rail project between Brisbane and Melbourne.

The Critical State Significant Infrastructure (CSSI) project has now been formally approved by the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully. The approval means the project remains on target for the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) to begin construction in south-western NSW in early 2025.

The work will include upgrades to rail tracks, footbridges and road bridges, overhead structures, signal structures and level crossings on agricultural land and through Albury, Culcairn, Henty, Yerong Creek, The Rock, Uranquinty, Wagga Wagga and Junee.

The project’s approval, includes consent conditions that relate to traffic monitoring, transport infrastructure upgrades and noise and biodiversity management.

Following the completion of the Inland Rail, Australia’s regional freight capacity will be expanded, meaning less trucks on the road and lower freight industry emissions.

With a capital investment of $300.8 million for this section of the rail line, the project is a major economic boost for the region on top of the 770 new jobs provided by the project.

The Albury to Illabo connection is one of seven sections traversing the inland length of NSW and its approval comes weeks after the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces approved the Illabo to Stockinbingal Inland Rail project.

More information is available here: https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/assess-and-regulate/state-significant-projects/inland-rail/albury-to-illabo

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“Improved Inland Rail will enhance our national freight and supply chain capabilities by connecting and improving routes through rail, roads and ports.

“I look forward to seeing this critical state significant infrastructure project come to life over the next few years and the many benefits it will bring to regional NSW.

“This project has gone through a rigorous planning process with extensive consultation completed to minimise impacts and maximise the project’s opportunities.”

Minister for Regional NSW and Western NSW Tara Moriarty said:

“Inland Rail promises to be a game changer for people across rural NSW.

“Regional communities need big developments to keep workers in the bush actively contributing to their communities, with this project providing 770 new jobs.

“We are proud that NSW continues to help Inland Rail’s essential journey through Australia’s three eastern states.”

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“This section of Inland Rail will provide a valuable infrastructure link for the Murray region as it connects with this vital piece of national infrastructure.

“The NSW Government is working with Inland Rail to deliver this project and strengthen its commitment to the regions.

“Consumers right across regional NSW stand to benefit with valuable cost savings once the Inland Rail project is complete as our state will have a more efficient and sustainable freight transport.

“The Albury to Illabo and Stockinbingal to Parkes sections of the Inland Rail project have already injected more than $4.2 million across these local economies with many businesses receiving a timely economic boost during a cost-of-living crisis.”