The Minns Labor Government is continuing to deliver safer, smoother journeys, with work set to start on a $25 million transformation of the Hume Highway at Table Top in early 2026.
The critical safety upgrades, which will be completed in three stages, include improving the road surface, upgrading drainage and installing safety barriers on a three kilometre stretch of the Hume, about fourteen kilometres north of Albury.
Work on the first stage will commence in February 2026, with the upgrade of two temporary crossovers at both ends to allow for two-way traffic flow in one direction, before major work starts on 1.65 kilometres of the southern half of the northbound lanes.
The second stage will upgrade a 1.65-kilometre section of the northern half of the northbound lanes, and the third stage will upgrade the full 3.15-kilometre length of the southbound lanes.
The project is expected to be completed by mid-2028, weather permitting.
All work will be carried out under traffic control, with at least one lane open in each direction at all times.
Following calls from the community, Transport for NSW is also carrying out a comprehensive investigation of the Hume Highway intersections with Tynan Road and Burma Road to help plan for future road upgrades.
An update on the potential upgrades at these intersections will be made available to the community in early 2026. Transport for NSW will keep the community updated on the timeline and traffic impacts for each stage as the project progresses.
Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison said:
“The Minns Labor Government is continuing our work to deliver the infrastructure regional communities need and deserve.
“We are committed to improving safety across the network. While each piece of work is not a silver bullet, we are listening to communities and progress is being made on other hotspots along the Hume.
“The Hume Highway is one of Australia’s most significant highways, linking the nation’s two largest state capitals, Sydney and Melbourne, making it an important route for passenger and freight transport.
“I want to be clear with locals: this is a case of short-term pain for long-term gain. We appreciate their patience as we deliver safer roads.
“On average, about 14,000 vehicles travel along this section of the highway each day, which includes about 5000 heavy vehicles and 9000 light vehicles.
“These upgrades will increase efficiency and traffic flow, reduce ongoing maintenance costs and provide motorists with a smoother and safer journey.”
Minister for Regional New South Wales, Tara Moriarty said:
“People in regional communities rely on the Hume every single day, whether they are heading to work, moving freight or getting their kids where they need to go. This upgrade will make those journeys safer and smoother.”
“This section of the Hume is a vital link for families, truckies and local businesses across the border region. Investing in stronger, more resilient roads supports the people who keep our regions moving.
One of six ultra-large Tatra firefighting trucks to be delivered across NSW now has a new home in the Illawarra.
The Gerringong Rural Fire Brigade has taken delivery of the truck, the first of its kind for NSW, to take part in a trial to test next-generation firefighting vehicles for the Rural Fire Service (RFS).
The arrival of the $800,000 truck is part of the NSW Government’s commitment to ensuring local volunteers have the right tools to keep their community safe, especially in a region that knows all too well the impacts of bush fire.
The new truck is one of six Tatra vehicles to be trialled across the state as part of the RFS Next Generation Fleet Project, which aims to test and develop the next wave of modern firefighting appliances.
The high-performance 4×4 Tatra truck offers a combination of performance, water capacity and pumping power as well as advanced safety like the halo water protection system for the cabin.
Building on the NSW Bushfire Inquiry and other inquiry recommendations to modernise the RFS fleet, the trucks are equipped with Mobile Data Terminals (MDTs) to improve crews’ communication, connectivity and safety in remote and disaster-impacted areas.
Since the inquiry, the NSW Government has overhauled bushfire policy, preparedness and response, and is acting on all of the resulting 76 recommendations, including implementing night-time waterbombing.
Residents can get information about preparing their properties and bush fire survival plan on the RFS website at www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/prepare
Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib:
“The delivery of this new Tatra truck is about making sure our hard-working RFS crews have the tools they need to protect the community.
“Communities like those in the Illawarra, who have seen the devastating impacts of bushfire firsthand, can be assured that their local crews are backed by the strongest truck capabilities we’ve ever had in the RFS.
“We listened to the experts and have acted on every recommendation from the NSW Bushfire Inquiry. Some long-term initiatives will take some time to complete but are already well underway.”
Member for Kiama Katelin McInerney:
“The Illawarra has seen its fair share of fires over the years, and our volunteers have always stood up when it matters most.
“RFS members are the heart of our regional communities, and it’s vital they have the latest and safest equipment to do their job and it’s fantastic to see Gerringong leading the way in this trial.
“It is a good reminder of the importance of the community to also get ready for the bush fire season, by preparing their homes and discussing their bush fire survival plan.”
RFS Illawarra/Sutherland District Manager, Superintendent Martin Surrey:
“The Gerringong Brigade have been quick to put their new truck to work and it has already been on a few callouts, including one where the front-mounted water cannon was used to great effect.
“The region has experienced some challenging fire seasons, and our brigades know how quickly conditions can change.
“Every new piece of equipment, every training opportunity and every innovation is an investment in the safety of our volunteers and the towns and communities they protect.”
The $12 million upgrade of Broken Hill Hospital’s emergency department (ED) is now complete, delivering a modern facility to help meet the healthcare needs of local communities now and into the future.
Completed in stages, the ED has expanded with a full internal refurbishment and reconfiguration, providing expanded and upgraded treatment spaces and improved patient flow.
Stage 3 is the final stage of the ED upgrade and includes a new main entry, reception area, waiting room and triage space, a new interview/consult room and two treatment bays. This stage also marks the completion of the broader Broken Hill Health Services redevelopment works.
The ED extension, reconfiguration of existing treatment bays, new staff areas and clinical back-of-house areas opened in stages earlier this year.
Artwork created by local artists has been installed in the paediatric bay, interview room and two new consult rooms to help create a supportive and healing environment for patients, visitors and staff.
ED patients and visitors are advised that permanent access is now in place, with signs installed. Access changes include:
A new 24/7 dedicated external entry, accessed from the left of the footpath as you enter from the rear carpark.
If accessing the ED from the Thomas Street entry to the hospital, please walk to the back doors in the main corridor, exit main door and enter the ED doors on the right.
The Broken Hill Health Service redevelopment works includes the $12 million ED upgrade and the new Acute Mental Health Inpatient Unit delivered as part of the NSW Government’s $700m Statewide Mental Health Infrastructure Program.
The Health and the Arts Framework 2024-2032 highlights the role of the arts in providing patients, staff and communities with positive experiences within healthcare settings. The Framework recognises and provides guidance for integrating the arts into our facilities and healthcare.
The community of Broken Hill will also benefit from new Key Health Worker Accommodation, the first to be delivered in the Far West Local Health District as part of the Minns Labor Government’s $200.1 million program.
This is in addition to the 20 new health worker units at Broken Hill Health Service completed earlier this year.
The new accommodation will help attract and retain essential healthcare workers to the region.
Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park:
“We are committed to ensuring regional communities in NSW can access the care they need, when they need, closer to home.
“The upgrade will not only help ED staff deliver high-quality-care but also ensures Broken Hill and surrounding communities have access to a first-class and modern health facility.
“It’s a fantastic achievement after almost 18 months of construction. I thank all staff, patients and visitors for their patience and understanding during the delivery of this important upgrade.”
Member for Barwon Roy Butler:
“The ED upgrade is an important project and it’s wonderful to see it completed, ensuring patients and visitors receive high-quality care in a modern and functional space.
“The completion of the ED upgrade and the recent completion of the new Acute Mental Health Inpatient Unit will improve patient experiences and support physical and psychological recovery.
“The Broken Hill Health Service Redevelopment, boosted by the delivery and investment of new key health worker accommodation, is also putting Broken Hill on the map to help attract and retain clinicians further improving the local community’s access to the best possible care.”
The Minns Labor Government is supporting prawn fishers and farmers in the Clarence, Evans and Richmond Rivers affected by the detection of white spot in wild prawns with an additional financial assistance package of $4.5 million.
The package will assist impacted fishers to exit the industry and includes funding for voluntary share and business buyouts and business training to support those fishers in the region who decide to exit.
Over the last two years, the Minns Government has invested $21.4 million to respond to the outbreak, enhance biosecurity controls and support affected prawn fishers in the Clarence, Evans and Richmond Rivers, with act-of-grace payments, business share buyouts, fee waivers, Crown Land rent waivers and mental health support services.
White spot is now considered established in wild prawn populations within the existing areas of detection in northern NSW and that has led to a new biosecurity control order enlarging the impacted area being declared and dated till 2030.
Prawn fishers in the control zone have restrictions on how they can move uncooked or unprocessed prawns outside the zone, and this will have considerable impact on their businesses.
Biosecurity control orders have been operating in the Northern Rivers of NSW since 2022. The objective of potentially being able to stand the control orders down has dissipated due to repeated positive testing for white spot within the coastal sea off those rivers.
The NSW Government has been undertaking testing, assisting industry, and advocating to the Commonwealth Government to determine if the national biosecurity approach could be modified when considering the need for a biosecurity control order for northern NSW region.
However, the impacts on national trade and standing within international trade led to a retaining of the existing requirement to maintain the restrictions within the control order.
Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty said:
“The Minns Government has provided significant financial support of more than $21 million to the prawn farming and fishing industry in northern NSW during the last few challenging years and this $4.5 million financial transition package demonstrates our continuing commitment.
“With white spot now confirmed as established in wild prawn populations in the affected areas, the NSW Government has developed this funding package to help fishing businesses transition out with financial buybacks, business retraining and other support measures.
“The NSW Government acknowledges this has been a challenging time for workers and businesses in the industry and I encourage them to utilise the available mental health and financial counselling.
“Consumers are assured that white spot does not pose a threat to human health or food safety.”
The Minns Labor Government is today launching an unprecedented intensive support program for women leaving prison that will bolster rehabilitation and reduce reoffending by providing support with accommodation and employment in the Hunter.
Generously funded with a donation from the Ian & Shirley Norman Foundation, the new residential facility will provide wrap-around support for women leaving custody, helping them rebuild their lives to prevent crime.
The program will provide six months of pre-release support to eligible women with a focus on identifying and addressing their post-release needs and provide practical supports.
This includes securing stable housing, navigating full-time employment, as well as obtaining identity documents and accessing vital services such as the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Support in these areas can strongly promote reintegration into the community and prevent entrenchment in the criminal justice system.
Education and skills training play an important role in reducing recidivism, with BOCSAR data from 2021 revealing that 12 months after inmate trainees were released from custody, there was a 45 per cent reduction in property offending among all groups of trainees.
Following release, the program offers support for up to two years with a focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. It acknowledges their disproportionate representation in custody and unique barriers to reintegration.
The service will be delivered through a partnership between Corrective Services NSW (CSNSW) and not-for-profit Embrace People & Place (Embrace).
Work has already begun to prepare eligible women for the program, with the first cohort to be housed at the facility in 2026.
This site was a former Periodic Detention Centre aimed at re-skilling minimum-security inmates before being refurbished by Corrective Services NSW into an accommodation facility. The program is largely funded by a donation from the Ian & Shirley Norman Foundation that has committed to providing $5.7 million over three years for its operation.
This collaborative initiative delivers on the Government’s commitment to exploring new pathways for rehabilitation and reintegration for women in custody, taking into account their unique experiences and needs.
Minister for Corrections Anoulack Chanthivong said:
“This innovative collaboration demonstrates the Government’s commitment to keeping our communities safe by enhancing rehabilitative outcomes and reducing reoffending.
“We need to offer initiatives that acknowledge and respond to the unique experiences of women who enter custody.
“We know that women’s pathways to criminal behaviour are often a result of abuse, disadvantage and trauma – and this project will support community safety in an effective and meaningful way.
“I welcome the Ian & Shirley Foundation’s contribution, and I wholeheartedly thank them for their ongoing support in this important project.”
Member for Port Stephens Kate Washington MP said:
“Women in prison are already disproportionately impacted by intergenerational trauma, poverty and domestic, family and sexual violence. When women leave prison it’s very difficult for them to find a positive path without the right support.
“This is an important pilot program which will give women in the Hunter, a second chance to build a better future. Our government is proudly partnering and investing to break the cycle of recidivism, improve outcomes and create stronger, safer communities.”
Corrective Services NSW Commissioner Gary McCahon PSM said:
“Improving outcomes for women in custody is one of my key priorities as Commissioner, and this program represents a significant opportunity for collaboration between CSNSW and Embrace to support vulnerable woman and aid their rehabilitation.”
Embrace People & Place Founder and Chair Tracy Norman said:
“At Embrace People & Place, our values centre on dignity, connection and possibility for every person in our region. We have built the Women in Community program because it reflects exactly what we stand for — creating pathways for people to rebuild, reconnect and belong.
“Supporting women as they return to community life isn’t just the right thing to do, it strengthens the whole region and embodies the kind of compassionate, empowered Hunter we believe in.”
Embrace People & Place Chief Executive Officer Coralie Nichols said:
“The Women in Community program is about giving women leaving prison the support they need to return to community life with dignity and confidence.
“By providing safe accommodation, employment pathways and wraparound support, we’re helping women make positive choices and build the lives they want for themselves.”
The Minns Labor Government is today announcing permanent toll relief in the form of the $60 weekly toll cap so hundreds of thousands of motorists, especially in the car-reliant areas of Western Sydney and the Central Coast, can keep more money in their pockets every week.
A decade of privatisation by the former Liberal-National Government handed control of Sydney’s roads to private interests and sent toll bills skyrocketing.
Sydney became the most-tolled city on earth and the Liberals left motorists with a $195 billion toll bill out to 2060. That is why we committed to toll reform that puts the motorist first and no more privatisation.
$60 weekly toll cap
Since it was introduced in January 2024, $211.4 million has been returned to drivers, including in the western, north-western and south-western Sydney suburbs of Blacktown, Baulkham Hills, Auburn, Bankstown, Merrylands, Marsden Park, Castle Hill, Quakers Hill and Kellyville and Lakemba.
More than 680,000 claims have been made under the $60 cap. In Blacktown alone, over $3.5 million has been paid out to 9,400 drivers, closely followed by Baulkham Hills where $3.2 million has been paid out.
The cap is delivering real, targeted relief for commuters with the highest toll burden and the least access to viable public transport options.
Two-way tolling
To ensure the toll cap is sustainable and fairer for the long term, the NSW Government will proceed with the introduction of two-way tolling on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and
Tunnel when the Western Harbour Tunnel, which will be tolled in both directions, opens in late 2028 – continuing the direction set under the former Liberal government.
We know tolls put a huge financial burden on people who can least afford them. The Minns Labor Government will put net revenue from two-way tolling into funding the weekly toll cap to ensure no one pays more than $60 a week on tolls regardless of where they live.
This corrects long-standing inequity: Western Sydney motorists pay rising tolls in both directions on all their motorways year after year, while tolls on the Harbour Bridge and Tunnel are one-way and did not increase once between 2009 and 2023.
Toll Administration Fees and Direct Deal Update
Today, the Minns Labor Government can update on significant progress on toll reform out of ongoing Direct Deal negotiations with private toll road concessionaires.
Negotiations have cleared the way for administration fees on toll notices to be scrapped from mid-2026 as part of an overhaul of the enforcement process of unpaid tolls.
Getting a cluster of toll notices in the post with multiple admin fees has been one of the big frustrations of drivers over decades.
In the 2024-25 financial year, 46 million toll notices with administration fees totalling $618 million were issued in relation to unpaid tolls on the Sydney toll road network.
The private toll road concessionaires have also agreed to return to the NSW Government any additional toll revenue generated by toll relief rather than benefiting from increased traffic volumes as a result of the toll cap.
Negotiations are also ongoing on some motorway pricing changes.
Concessionaires have indicated a willingness to agree to the Government’s positions and commitments on both these initiatives. Negotiations will complete in early to mid-2026, and while they progress well, a deal will not be struck unless the NSW drivers and taxpayers are the winners.
With the establishment of NSW Motorways, the NSW Government is already reorienting the toll system to being customer-first. From Monday, registered motorists will receive the first digital reminders when a toll goes unpaid, giving them the chance to pay even before a toll notice is sent out in the post.
A Fairer Tolling System for NSW
The toll cap means no driver will pay more than $60 a week (up to the fair-use limit of $400 per tag/licence plate). To ensure no misuse of the toll cap, a $5000 annual limit is also being introduced.
Drivers who have spent more than $60 a week on toll trips are encouraged to visit the Service NSW website, link your toll account to your MyServiceNSW Account and claim if eligible.
Minister for Transport John Graham said:
“Eradicating toll admin fees will save motorists significant money. This is part of reorienting the entire system to put motorists first.
“Two-way tolling on the harbour crossings was made necessary when the Liberals decided the Western Harbour Tunnel would be tolled in both directions. The difference is we are committing the extra revenue to ongoing toll relief, which is most needed in Western Sydney.
“This all comes back to fairness. If you live in Western Sydney, you have been paying tolls in both directions and seeing them rise with frustrating regularity. If you only use the Harbour Bridge or Tunnel you have paid in one direction and the toll has almost never gone up.
Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib said:
“Making the $60 toll cap permanent, provides certainty and fairness for those who rely on toll roads for travel. Extending the cap also comes with the New Year, when a new round of toll relief is ready to be claimed to help people when they need it the most.
“This new round of funding is waiting to be returned to you by visiting the Service NSW website and claiming your rebate.
The $60 toll cap continues to benefit regular toll road users across the state and in particular, western Sydney by ensuring there is relief for those who are hit hardest by tolls.”
“If you are regularly travelling on toll roads, I encourage you to visit the Service NSW website to see if you’re eligible and make a claim.”
Acting Chief Executive of NSW Motorways, Camilla Drover said:
“NSW Motorways is working to simplify a complex tolling system and we are pleased to lock in the certainty of ongoing toll relief for motorists.”
“We are working closely with concessionaires to drive a better deal for motorists across Sydney and have secured toll road concessionaires agreement on reforms to rebuild and restore the public’s confidence in the system.”
The top 20 suburbs by the claims paid amount, as at 8 December 2025
Suburb
Claims Paid
Claims Paid Amount
Average Paid Amount
Blacktown
9,438
$3,537,818
$375
Baulkham Hills
9,315
$3,298,520
$354
Auburn
4,980
$3,168,322
$636
Merrylands
6,226
$2,974,565
$478
Marsden Park
6,501
$2,750,040
$423
Castle Hill
7,754
$2,680,449
$346
Quakers Hill
6,423
$2,258,281
$352
Lakemba
3,313
$2,144,030
$647
Kellyville
6,398
$2,019,277
$316
Bankstown
4,063
$1,921,795
$473
Greystanes
5,512
$1,810,331
$328
West Pennant Hills
4,326
$1,738,658
$402
Punchbowl
3,412
$1,672,701
$490
Carlingford
3,912
$1,491,325
$381
Glenwood
4,264
$1,459,732
$342
Schofields
4,012
$1,453,976
$362
Maroubra
5,129
$1,415,520
$276
Wiley Park
2,444
$1,371,553
$561
Cherrybrook
3,438
$1,366,263
$397
Seven Hills
3,777
$1,362,829
$361
The top 20 LGAs by the claims paid amount, as at 8 December 2025
The Minns Labor Government has exceeded its target of selling 42 flood buyback houses before Christmas after 60 people attended the last auction in Lismore overnight, with sale prices ranging from $7000 to $25,500.
One hundred and thirty buyback properties have now been offered for sale in the Northern Rivers since December last year, capturing nationwide attention. In October a Christmas target of offering 42 houses up for sale was set and then exceeded by three houses at the 11th auction for the year.
PRD Lismore auctioned off 10 homes at the Lismore Workers Sports Club at Goonellabah on Tuesday night, attracting 30 registered bidders, including four phone bidders. All 10 properties sold for a total value of $140,300. The highlights included:
20 Rhodes Street, South Lismore: $25,500
30 Newbridge Street, South Lismore: $16,100
95 Crown Street, South Lismore: $12,000
85 Elliott Street, South Lismore: $7000
61 Newbridge Street, South Lismore: $8500
51 Newbridge Street, South Lismore: $16,000
49 Newbridge Street, South Lismore: $11,000
34 Elliott Road, South Lismore: $6200
25 Crown Street, South Lismore: $22,500
12 Crown Street, South Lismore: $15,500.
Eleven buyback auctions have been held with the first Casino sale last weekend where two houses were sold for $500 and $8605 respectively.
It’s been a year of firsts with the auction program with high interest in the bargains sales, including one house for $1, and the most expensive house going for $200,000. It wasn’t just the prices, making it one of the most accessible housing opportunities in Australia, generating nationwide attention.
All homes earmarked for relocation have been purchased by the NSW Reconstruction Authority through the buyback stream of the $880 million Resilient Homes Program, jointly funded by the NSW and Australian governments.
All house owners will now have until the end of 2026 to relocate their property to flood-free land. Every property is unique, with homeowners expecting relocation costs upwards of $100,000 depending on the property.
The auction program will pause over Christmas and resume in early 2026.
All NSW proceeds from the home sales (after costs) are reinvested into the Resilient Homes Program to support more flood-affected residents.
Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin said: “I asked the NSW Reconstruction Authority to supercharge these flood buyback auctions as they have proved extremely popular.
“Seeing young families and first-home buyers walk away with keys to a safer future is incredibly uplifting.
“These homes are part of our shared history, and the fact they can now be repurposed and relocated to flood-free land gives our community real hope.
“This program has always been about people, not price and giving these houses a second life and delivering safer housing opportunities for our community.”
NSW Reconstruction Authority A/Head, Adaptation, Mitigation & Reconstruction Kristie Clarke said: “We’ve had some great stories, including families who have become first-time homeowners thanks to this initiative.
“One hundred and thirty homes have been offered for sale and eventual relocation. This is an amazing outcome, and we will be back with more homes in the New Year.”
The Minns Labor Government is continuing to support communities affected by recent bushfires, announcing today that recovery hubs will be established and hardship payments made available for individuals and families whose homes were destroyed or damaged or who are facing severe hardship due to the recent fires.
Recovery Hubs will be open in Woy Woy and Buledelah this Friday 12 December with the NSW Reconstruction Authority, Vinnies, Salvation Army, Legal Aid, Red Cross and GIVIT, on hand to provide personal support to impacted communities.
The Minns Labor Government is partnering with local charities to deliver personal hardship payments of $900 to households where their home has been destroyed or severely damaged and up to $180 for households experiencing hardship as a result of the bushfires.
Recovery support is jointly funded by the Commonwealth and the NSW Government under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Natural disaster declarations have been announced for seven Local Government Areas – Central Coast, Mid Coast, Upper Hunter, Muswellbrook, Warrumbungle, Dubbo and Lake Macquarie, with emergency services and local councils working alongside the NSW Reconstruction Authority to confirm the extent of damage and ensure residents can access help as quickly as possible.
Residents, businesses, primary producers and councils in the declared LGAs are now able to access a range of support including:
Emergency accommodation and essential support for people whose homes have been damaged
Clean up assistance for eligible property owners
Grants for low income, uninsured residents to replace essential household items and undertake structural repairs needed to make homes safe and habitable
Freight subsidies to move livestock and fodder and small business and primary producer low interest loans
Assistance for councils and emergency services for counter disaster operations and essential public asset repairs
Information, including how to apply for payments and support for impacted communities, can be found by visiting a Recovery Hub or at nsw.gov.au/firerecoveryupdates.
The Minns Labor Government is continuing to deploy personnel and resources into impacted communities as the full extent of damage and support needs becomes clearer.
Community members wishing to support impacted residents can donate through GIVIT, which is coordinating goods, services and financial donations on behalf of the NSW Government to ensure help reaches communities in need. Visit givit.org.au for more information.
Central Coast Recovery Hub
Location: Peninsula Community Centre, 98 McMasters Rd, Woy Woy
Open: 1pm to 5pm – Friday 12 December
Support services: NSW Reconstruction Authority, Central Coast Council, Service NSW, Vinnies, Legal Aid NSW
Bulahdelah Recovery Assistance Point
Location: Bulahdelah School of Arts, 76 Crawford Street, Bulahdelah
“These communities have faced fast moving and destructive fires, and our focus right now is making sure people have somewhere safe to stay and can access the essential support they need.
“Teams are on the ground working with combat agencies and councils to confirm damage to homes, businesses and public assets and support is already being delivered across all seven LGAs.”
The Minns Labor Government has enabled one of the world’s largest land transformation projects to get underway finalising the rezoning of BlueScope’s Port Kembla site to pave the way for a new high-tech precinct.
The Port Kembla Land Transformation Precinct, which matches the size of Sydney’s CBD, has been rezoned to deliver a future-focused hub that will support up to 20,000 jobs on top of the more than 10,000 jobs supported by the steelworks, and will help to drive Wollongong’s economic growth for decades to come.
This ambitious transformation began with the state’s first Cabinet-endorsed Working Group and has been finalised in just 7 months since being called in as a state-assessed rezoning in April.
The 200-hectare precinct will attract new industries across advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, sustainability-focused technology, education, creative sectors, data and logistics which will help position the Illawarra as a leader in next-generation industry.
The rezoning received an overwhelming positive response when put on public exhibition with 90% of the 209 submissions providing positive comments about the benefits of the project, including increased economic growth, new jobs, and improved public transport links.
The ongoing operations of the steelworks and the port will continue uninterrupted, with existing infrastructure and transport connections at the site to be leveraged to support new development.
The precinct will be developed in stages over the next 20 to 30 years. Development applications will be lodged for individual sites as these are progressed.
The Minns Labor Government fast-tracked the rezoning through a State Assessed Rezoning Proposal process, recognising its strategic importance for the region and the state.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:
“This is both one of the world’s largest land transformation and the biggest change to Illawarra’s industrial landscape since steelmaking commenced nearly 100 years ago.
“The finalisation of the rezoning enables the precinct to become a hub of innovation bringing up to 20 000 new jobs, new industries and opportunities to Wollongong, shaping our economy for the coming decades.
“This project will deliver major opportunities for not only Wollongong but the entire state and it’s clear the community recognise the importance as their strong community support has helped it move through the planning system in just 7 months.”
BlueScope Head of Property Development Michael Yiend said:
“The rezoning of Port Kembla’s non-operational land is a game-changer for the Illawarra, unlocking new possibilities for investment and development.
“We would like to thank Minister Scully and the NSW Government for supporting this accelerated pathway to rezoning. The community’s positive feedback has played a vital role in shaping the outcome, and we express our appreciation to the community for their support.
“We were overwhelmed to have received over 200 supportive submissions for the project while on public exhibition, with only 4 opposing. It is rare to have this level of alignment and support across industry, government, business and the community.”
The Minns Labor Government is delivering on its commitments to protect human rights in government supply chains by issuing a Ministerial Direction that will require NSW Government agencies to take stronger action to address modern slavery risks.
Minister for Domestic Manufacturing and Government Procurement Courtney Houssos has directed all NSW Government agencies to include modern slavery tender clauses in procurement categories identified as ‘high risk’. It will come into effect next month with a six month transition period, giving agencies time to adjust their procurement processes.
This means that any supplier bidding for high-risk government contracts will need to clearly demonstrate the steps they are taking to prevent modern slavery in their operations and supply chains.
It demonstrates the NSW Government’s commitment to improving procurement practices to address modern slavery.
Model clauses have been designed by the Office of the NSW Anti-slavery Commissioner as a resource for agencies implementing the NSW Anti-slavery Commissioner’s Guidance on Reasonable Steps. Agencies will have flexibility in how they comply – such as using supplier assessment questionnaires – while ensuring the Direction’s effectiveness.
This reform reflects collaboration between the NSW Procurement Board and the NSW Anti-slavery Commissioner. The Minns Labor Government has already delivered significant reforms to protect human rights in procurement, including:
Strengthening the Supplier Code of Conduct to clarify expectations on modern slavery and human rights.
Rolling out education modules on managing modern slavery risks to more than 4,000 government personnel.
Supporting 20 of 22 recommendations from the Parliamentary Inquiry into procurement, including mandating modern slavery clauses and incorporating modern slavery standards into compliance checks.
Implementing the Guidance on Reasonable Steps and develop practical tools such as the Inherent Risk Identification Tool.
Committing to the establishment of a debarment regime to ban suppliers engaging in serious misconduct from doing business with the NSW Government.
The Ministerial Direction is part of a broader procurement reform agenda that includes increasing the threshold at which government agencies can award contracts to small businesses without going to tender to $250,000 and mandating local market testing for government contracts above $7.5 million.
Minister for Domestic Manufacturing and Government Procurement Courtney Houssos said:
“The NSW Government is committed to addressing modern slavery risks in our supply chains. This Direction is an important outcome of the Government’s ongoing work with the NSW Anti-slavery Commissioner.
“The NSW Government spends around $40 billion on goods and services each year. This buying power gives us a unique opportunity to influence supply chains, demand ethical practices, and dismantle systems of exploitation.
“Job creation should go hand-in-hand with ethical sourcing. We want to see new jobs that are sustainable, and supply chains managing the risk of exploitation.”
NSW Anti-slavery Commissioner Dr James Cockayne said:
“This Direction is an important step towards establishing NSW as a model contracting party on anti-slavery issues. It will help NSW Government entities take reasonable steps to manage modern slavery risks in their supply-chains.
“Mandating the Model Tender Clauses for high-risk procurements means that agencies must, from 1 July next year, assess suppliers against the Guidance on Reasonable Steps I issued two years ago.
“I look forward to continuing to work with NSW Government to further progress implementation of this Guidance, including in contracting, in months ahead.”
