Category: NSW News

The NSW Opposition acknowledges and respects the decision of Australian Turf Club (ATC) members to vote against the sale of Rosehill Gardens Racecourse. Their democratic voice has been heard – and while the racecourse will remain, the housing crisis facing young people, families and future generations continues to grow.

The parliamentary inquiry last year into the Rosehill proposal exposed serious failings in the way the Minns Labor Government managed this process. The inquiry found:

• The Premier’s office misleadingly described a key meeting as a “meet and greet” despite it involving a long-time associate and discussion of the proposal.
• The Premier and Government breached the Unsolicited Proposals guidelines by championing and announcing the proposal before it had even cleared the first stage of the unsolicited proposals process.
• Communication with stakeholders, including ATC members and the public, was poorly handled.
• There remains uncertainty about the financial viability of the proposal.

So far the Government’s housing delivery record is poor, hitting long term lows for approvals and commencements of new homes.

We know the only way to address the housing crisis is through scale, ambition and follow-through. We remain absolutely committed to housing supply, housing choice, and housing opportunity – but we won’t support chaos, secrecy or spin dressed up as policy.

Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said we respect the decision of the ATC members – but the real issue remains. 

“The housing crisis hasn’t been solved,” Mr Speakman said. 

Shadow Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Scott Farlow said the inquiry showed what happens when process is ignored, and transparency is tossed aside. 

“The Government had a plan finished for Camellia / Rosehill that they iced for 18 months while they chased this mirage,” Mr Farlow said.

The NSW Opposition stands ready to work constructively on solutions that deliver more homes, backed by infrastructure and public trust – because fixing the housing crisis means everyone has to be at the table.

The Opposition has today offered its support for the Government’s changes to the way people with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can access treatment in NSW.

These changes will enable GPs to provide ongoing ADHD prescriptions for children and adults who are on stables doses of medication, without the need of a formal arrangement. A smaller number of GPs will be enabled to diagnose and initiate medication where appropriate. 

Under the Minns Labor Government our mental health system is in crisis and families know it has never been harder or more expensive to access mental health support. 

These changes recognise the expense and length of time it can take for children and adults to receive a diagnosis as well as prescription medication for ADHD, particularly in regional NSW. 

A timely ADHD diagnosis for a child can mean the world of difference to their development and mental health. 

Given the nature of these changes and the prescribed medications involved, the Opposition will be seeking assurances around what professional training and what evaluations and ongoing clinical oversight will be undertaken to ensure the changes are meeting their intended outcomes.

Significant reforms to the state’s victims registers passed the NSW Parliament last night, ensuring victim-survivors of serious crimes receive a mandatory notification about their right to sign up as a registered victim, to receive critical information about an offender.

The three NSW victims registers include the Corrective Services NSW Victims Register, Youth Justice Victims Register, and Specialist Victims Register for victims of forensic patients.

Those who opt-in will receive timely, accurate and trauma-informed updates regarding the perpetrator’s progress through the custodial system. 

This may include details about the offender’s location, sentence, parole eligibility, and any changes that may affect the victim’s safety and well-being. 

Registered victims also have the right to make a submission about an offender’s parole where relevant.

Over several months, Corrective Services NSW has hosted consultation meetings with victim-survivors, victim advocates, and victim support services to ensure these changes reflect the views of the people the registers serve.

Eligible victims of serious offenders will receive a mandatory notification letting them know about the relevant register and their eligibility to opt-in.

If victim-survivors do not want to make a decision at the time, they will have the option to be contacted at a later date to discuss the benefits of registration and decide whether they would like to be registered.

Generally, the serious offenders that will cause a mandatory notification about the Victims Register to be sent to a victim-survivor or family member will be:

• An offender who has committed murder
• An offender who is serving a sentence of life imprisonment
• An offender who is serving one or more sentences, totalling a minimum of 12 years in custody, for offences such as attempted murder, serious sexual assault, abduction, and aggravated robbery.

Ensuring victim-survivors continue to have the choice to register is considered to strike the appropriate balance between ensuring that victim-survivors are aware of their right to be on the register, while importantly maintaining victims’ choice and avoiding re-traumatisation.

Work will also be done to make the sign-up process simpler, with fewer technological or communication barriers for non-English speakers.

The Minns Labor Government acknowledges the severe impacts for people directly or indirectly exposed to crime.

A person who has experienced personal violence can suffer long-lasting trauma and the feeling that their safety and security are under threat.

It is for this reason the Minns Labor Government has passed these important reforms to the three victims registers to bolster support for victim-survivors of serious crimes.

Minister for Corrections Anoulack Chanthivong:

“Community safety is the top priority of the Minns Labor Government.

“Now that these significant reforms have passed the NSW Parliament, they will ensure victim-survivors of serious crimes know about the victims registers, and have a clear opportunity to sign up and benefit from being registered.

“We have listened to the voices of victim-survivors, and we are responding to their call to improve the system, whilst balancing the critical need to avoid re-traumatising those victim-survivors who do not wish to be re-exposed to the heinous crimes of their offenders.

“Signing up to the victims registers allows victim-survivors or their family members to receive vital information and a choice to engage in fundamental legal processes that will directly impact their lives – things like opposing the perpetrator’s parole and being informed if they are going to be released from prison.

“No-one chooses to become the victim of a violent crime, and that is why the NSW Government is doing everything within our power to support and empower victim-survivors.

“Eligible victims of serious offenders deserve the choice to be on the victims registers and be given the knowledge and agency to engage with the justice system, ensuring no-one is left behind.”

Attorney General Michael Daley:

“Community safety is at the heart of this reform allowing victim-survivors to opt-in to the relevant register and receive important updates about an offender’s location, sentencing and parole.

“This is an important step to help victim-survivors engage in the legal process in a way that is empowering, trauma-informed, and promotes recovery.”

Corrective Services NSW Commissioner Gary McCahon PSM:

“Corrective Services NSW works tirelessly to support victim-survivors through the CSNSW Victims Register. 

“Our highly trained, trauma-informed staff have seen first-hand the impact that good communication can have on the healing process.

“From the moment an offender enters custody, we keep registered victims up-to-date on all significant information about the perpetrator’s progress through the custodial system.

“We can also assist victim-survivors to have their voices heard and make submissions when important decisions are being made regarding an offender’s release.

“Our aim is to give victim-survivors back some of the power they lose when they are directly or indirectly exposed to crime.

“A person who has experienced personal violence can suffer long-lasting trauma and the feeling that their security is under threat.

“Knowing that information will be made available at key milestones, particularly around the timing of release to the community, can provide reassurance to those victim-survivors who choose to receive such information and help them to better plan for their safety.”

Victims Advocate Howard Brown OAM:

“These reforms will ensure that victim-survivors of serious crimes have knowledge and information about the victims registers, and the opportunity to sign up to them if they choose to.

“The victims registers provide the kind of timely, accurate and trauma-sensitive information that victim-survivors may feel that they need to be able to take back control of their lives and well-being, sometimes many years after a serious crime has been committed against them.

“Maximising free and full access to such a vital resource like the victims registers is a major step toward healing for victim-survivors of violent crimes.”

The Minns Labor government is continuing to build a safer New South Wales for women and children escaping domestic and family violence, with two new refuges in south-west Sydney opening their doors this month.

Muslim Women Australia will operate two new Core and Cluster refuges in the Canterbury-Bankstown area, providing secure, self-contained crisis accommodation that caters for larger families with children, including multi-generational households.

The NSW Government recognises the unique needs of migrant and refugee women who face multiple challenges that increase the impact and severity of violence and add barriers to seeking support and securing safety.

With that in mind, the government has invested $5.1 million into these two sites to ensure the design and support services provided are sensitive to families from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

The new refuges are designed to enhance privacy, flexibility and support, while ensuring culturally safe environments for clients with diverse needs, including women and children with disability.

Both sites have access to a nearby service hub, where residents will receive culturally appropriate, trauma-informed support that prioritises their safety and recovery.

Other services will include immigration advice and spiritual support alongside counselling, legal assistance, education, and employment assistance.

The NSW Government has invested $426.6 million over four years in the Core and Cluster program to ensure support for more than an additional 2,900 women and children fleeing domestic and family violence across the state each year. The program will see 49 new refuges built across NSW.

The NSW Government is addressing domestic and family violence from all angles, with last year’s budget of $245.6 million invested in boosting crisis and frontline response, justice reforms, earlier intervention and primary prevention.

Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said:

“It’s our absolute priority that women and children who take the significant step of leaving violence and abuse can find the support they need in a community they feel safe and familiar with.

“Victim-survivors of domestic and family violence should never have to choose between homelessness or staying in an abusive relationship.

“These latest refuges will mean more women and children in south-west Sydney can access safe, emergency accommodation and support to heal from trauma and rebuild their lives.”

Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said:

“People from multicultural backgrounds, including migrant and refugee women’s, experience of domestic and family violence can be overlaid and compounded by many factors, and they are less likely to seek help.

“This new refuge in the Canterbury-Bankstown LGA will ensure that women and children who flee violence will have a safe place to sleep at night, and support to rebuild their lives in their communities.

“It’s vital that women and children from all diverse backgrounds have access to safe spaces that encourage recovery and healing, and culturally appropriate support.”

Maha Abdo CEO of Muslim Women Australia said:

“Informed by client voices and frontline experience, this significant expansion of MWA’s crisis accommodation services ensures privacy without isolation, cultural and faith-informed care, and flexible, dignified support for recovery and healing.”

Member for East Hills Kylie Wilkinson said:

“This is an important initiative for women and children escaping domestic and family violence in my electorate of East Hills.

“MWA are empowering survivors to rebuild their lives and create better futures by providing secure accommodation alongside comprehensive support services. This crucial work and funding will save lives and make a difference in our community for generations.”

Support:

If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, call the Police on Triple Zero / 000.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence, call the NSW Domestic Violence Line on 1800 65 64 63 for free counselling and referrals, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For confidential advice, support, and referrals, contact 1800 RESPECT or 13 YARN.

The Minns Labor Government is supporting more Aboriginal carers in rural and remote communities in Western NSW with a $300,000 funding boost Carers Investment Grant Program 2025-27.

The funding for the Regional Enterprise Development Institute’s Yadama Yoorayga project will drive greater awareness of support services available to Aboriginal people who care for family and friends.

Many Aboriginal people in New South Wales provide unpaid care to a person with a disability, health condition or due to old age, and account for 3.6 per cent of all carers in New South Wales. While they experience many of the same challenges as other carers, they say they felt less recognised as carers by service providers. In a 2024 National Carer Survey, 30.4% said they sometimes or never feel services are culturally safe.

The Regional Enterprise Development Institute is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation which has served Western NSW for more than 25 years.

This funding will ensure that culturally safe services, which recognise Aboriginal carers’ history and needs are provided. The project includes ongoing education and training to service providers to better equip them to meet the needs of Aboriginal carers in Western NSW. 

Key focus areas of the two-year project include:

• Training service providers to understand the needs of Aboriginal carers.
• Partnering with organisations in Western NSW to connect with Aboriginal carers.
• Creating culturally appropriate programs with community input.
• Setting up systems for ongoing training and education for service providers beyond the project.

The Yadama Yoorayga project is one of seven projects funded under the NSW Government’s
$3.1 million Carers Investment Grant Program 2025-27 to support carers across the state.

For more information about the grants and recipients, including a Carers NSW program to help Aboriginal Health workers better identify and support Aboriginal carers, go to https://dcj.nsw.gov.au/community-inclusion/carers/carers-investment-grant-program.html

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said:

“Aboriginal carers often integrate cultural practices and values into their caregiving but they can sometimes face limited access to culturally appropriate services.

“The Yadama Yoorayga project will help to deliver culturally appropriate services to Aboriginal communities in remote and rural parts of Western NSW as well as drive advocacy for Aboriginal carers.

“This is another example of how we’re turning our Closing the Gap commitments into action, by caring for our carers.”

Minister with responsibility for Carers Jodie Harrison said:

“Carers are the backbone of their communities, selflessly providing unpaid support to family members and friends.

“Many take on caring duties out of love or friendship so often don’t identify as carers. This means they can miss out on vital assistance.

“This grant funding will raise awareness about all the help available to Aboriginal carers in Western NSW as well as educating local service providers on how to better meet the needs of the community.”

Labor member for Western NSW Stephen Lawrence said:

“The NSW Minns Government is delivering a strong mix of carer support measures for Aboriginal communities across Western NSW, particularly for carers who diligently support their families and communities in so many valuable and meaningful ways.”

Regional Enterprise Development Institute chief executive officer Peter Gibbs said:

“The Regional Enterprise Development Institute has worked with Western NSW communities for decades and is well placed to serve the needs of carers in the area.

“Carers play a huge role in supporting family members and friends with illness or disability, particularly as they grow older. 

“This funding will allow us to deliver a culturally-tailored program in partnership with the community to meet the unique needs of Aboriginal carers.”

More than 4,000 people representing NSW Government agencies are on-the-ground across the Hunter and Mid North Coast completing rapid impact assessments, coordinating a clean-up blitz, repairing roads and undertaking other recovery work.

Workers and volunteers from across the NSW Government, interstate and overseas are on the ground in impacted communities, and teams continue to be deployed to assist with early recovery.

The NSW Government teams include 2,220 State Emergency Service volunteers assisting with recovery efforts, with 350 people supporting from the Rural Fire Service, and around 250 people from Fire and Rescue NSW.

There are also 650 staff and contractors from Transport for NSW, working across the road and transport network to restore access to roads.

Crews have already removed more than 1,500 tonnes of debris from the state road network. So far around 5,500 pothole repairs have been completed including on major roads like the Pacific, Oxley, Gwydir and New England Highways.

More than 20 NSW Maritime staff are also working tirelessly, undertaking 63 urgent taskings ranging from evacuations, transfers and assessment of hazards, and carrying out 420 impact assessments of navigational aids on waterways that have been damaged or displaced on the Manning, Hasting and Camden Haven Rivers.

An additional 24 police have been sent to the region to bolster community confidence, including conducting proactive patrols to deter looting.

In addition to the 4,000-plus NSW Government staff and volunteers, there are also around 2,000 people from councils, electricity companies, telco companies and spontaneous volunteers supporting the recovery effort in impacted areas.

Importantly, the SES is coordinating these teams of community volunteers to ensure the goodwill and hard work makes the maximum impact with clean-up activities.

So far, more than 10,000 cubic metres of waste has been removed from impacted areas.

An additional 76 interstate personnel arrived yesterday from emergency services agencies across the country, bringing the total current interstate support numbers to over 230. In addition, a contingent has arrived from New Zealand.

Around seventy personnel from the Australian Defence Force are in the field, bolstering recovery efforts even further.

So far, at least 8,406 damage assessments have been carried out. Of these, 1,065 buildings have been deemed as currently uninhabitable, including 632 residential buildings. This also includes around 152 commercial and industrial properties and more than 253 outbuildings (sheds etc). Repairs will likely bring a portion of these properties back to an inhabitable state.

At least thirty homes have been assessed as having been destroyed.

While these assessments are progressing, it is important to remember there are around 10,000 properties that need to be assessed for safety, including homes, businesses and other infrastructure.  Seven communities, or around 9000 people, are still isolated, which will delay some assessments.

Residents are asked to remain patient and await advice from NSW SES that it is safe to return before heading home.

Returning home to flood impacted properties can pose a number of health and safety risks.

Floodwater and mud can contain objects and pollutants that are harmful, including garbage, chemicals, debris, sewage, germs such as bacteria, fungi and viruses. NSW Health has important advice about safe household clean up after a flood at: health.nsw.gov.au/emergency_preparedness/weather/Pages/household-cleanup.aspx.

When people return home, they should:

• Take pictures of their properties, before they start cleaning, to assist with insurance claims.
• Leave waste on the kerbside, separating white goods and mattresses from other flood debris.
• Wear protective clothing when cleaning or touching flood-damaged items or material.
• Contact the Environmental Protection Agency on 131 555 for advice if there is any risk that waste contains biological or chemical hazards, or asbestos contamination.

Once items are out for collection, clean-up teams can begin washing out your property.

Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin MP said:

“This is a huge effort from our emergency services and volunteers, from within these communities, across the state and from around Australia.

“Thank you to the local community members who step up in these times, and everyone who is on the ground, in the mud and cleaning up, and thank you to those people helping co-ordinate the early recovery efforts to make sure the hard work is collaborative and effective.

“There are thousands of people on the ground, who have sprung into action to help people in need, and there are more to come.

“We are working on the clean-up as quickly as we can, but we know that is just one step in the recovery journey for these communities, but it’s a step we are committed to working on as swiftly and effectively as possible.”

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

“The response to these floods has been led by our NSW SES volunteers, but all emergency service personnel have been assisting in partnership with local communities.

“This has been a mammoth effort with help arriving from across the state, across the country, and from across the Tasman.

“Although we can’t control the weather, we have been able to control the way we’ve responded to the impact of the floods.

“The work of teams on the ground, cleaning up and rebuilding lives, is inspiring. These are people who leave their families and put themselves in harm’s way for the good of the community.

“Amidst tragedy our volunteers inspire us. They represent the best of us. They stand with these communities as we will stand with them for the long recovery ahead.”

Minister for Roads and Minister for Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said:

“I’d like to thank the Transport for NSW crews who have been working day and night to get our roads moving again.

“As the recovery continues, I want to remind our community to never drive through flood waters, and comply with directions as work to restore road access takes place.”

The Minns Government is using helicopters to provide isolated farmers with emergency fodder for their stranded livestock, as part of a range of support available to flood-affected farmers across the Mid-North Coast, North Coast and Hunter.

As of midday Saturday, 24 May, there have been 43 helicopter aerial drops of fodder, and nearly 131 emergency fodder drops by other means. There have also been 15 requests for animal assessment and veterinary support.

The NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) with Local Land Services (LLS) teams, with around 80 people available for responding, are working together as the Agricultural and Animal Services Functional Area (AASFA), that is managing the agricultural and animal welfare hotline and its response activities.

The AASFA operation is providing farmers with emergency fodder in cases of immediate animal welfare concern, aerial support for isolated or stranded livestock, and fodder drops to farmers in the Hunter and other areas affected.

Another important element of emergency response and recovery for farmers and communities impacted by natural disasters is the difficult process of deceased animal disposal.

Through the AASFA emergency hotline, farmers and community members can make requests for carcass disposal and report deceased livestock, either on properties or that have been transported by floodwaters off properties and into community spaces.

The correct management of deceased or unwell livestock after a natural disaster is important to minimise the impact on the environment, distress to owners and the public, and to reduce the risks to human and animal health through the spread of disease. 

Impacted farmers can call the AASFA hotline: 1800 814 647 (8am to 6pm, 7x days a week)

NSW Minister for Agriculture, Tara Moriarty said:

“This extreme weather event has ended up being more impactful than thought possible and I want to praise the work of farmers for all their efforts in protecting their livestock as well as they have. Unfortunately, the rain and flooding has caused a lot of damage and taken many animals with it.

“The AASFA team is ready to assist with emergency fodder, stranded animals and veterinary treatment plus the necessary work of carcass removal.

“Farmers and the community can call the hotline and request assistance and the AASFA team will respond and service those in need.

“The NSW Government is providing emergency fodder, veterinary care, management advice and aerial support for isolated stock. Farmers are not alone and can call our hotline for assistance.

“Animal welfare will continue to be a top priority over the coming days as waters recede.”

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Director Emergency Management Dr Leigh Pilkington said:

“I would like to thank all landholders and community members for being proactive in taking steps to prepare for this event and reporting their deceased animals, so our team can make the appropriate disposal arrangements,” Dr Pilkington said.

“We know it is an incredibly difficult time for landholders, and we have teams ready to assist them where we can. I would encourage landholders to reach out to DPIRD for help.

“We have vets from Local Land Services ready to help with animal assessment, treatment and euthanasia on welfare grounds and carcass disposal.”

Assistance available through AASFA includes:

• Animal assessment and veterinary support
• Euthanasia of animals on welfare grounds
• Emergency fodder (where there is an immediate animal welfare concern)
• Emergency stock water (where there is an immediate animal welfare concern)
• Livestock feeding and management advice
• Aerial support for isolated or stranded livestock

A range of immediate support measures have been put in place for individuals and families in flood impacted communities across NSW, with more to come in the following days, as early recovery commences.

Now that the peak of the emergency response has passed, the NSW Government’s focus is on ensuring that impacted people can access food and shelter, medicine and animal welfare support.

Immediate Health and Welfare support

• Individuals and communities that have become isolated and are in need of food or medical supplies should contact the NSW SES on 132 500 for assistance. In life threatening situations, call Triple-Zero (000).
• Food, accommodation, and connections with social services are available at evacuation centres. A list of evacuation centres is available at: ses.nsw.gov.au/during-an-emergency/evacuation-centres.
• People who have lost their prescriptions or prescription medicines, or can’t access their GP, can visit their local community pharmacy for a replacement for most medicines. For more information speak with your local pharmacy, GP or call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222.
• Landholders needing urgent animal welfare assistance should call the Agriculture and Animal Services Functional Area on 1800 814 647. Operating hours have been extended from 8am to 6pm daily.

Clean up and Returning Home

As flood waters continue to recede, we understand people will be keen to inspect their properties, but we ask that they remain patient and await advice from NSW SES that it is safe to return. Strike teams are on the ground completing rapid impact assessments and coordinating a clean-up blitz.

Following safety assessments, roads will begin to reopen, supporting resupply to communities and returning home. If roads are blocked, please do not drive around barricades even if you cannot see water, as it may not be safe.

• The M1 has now reopened, with one lane in each direction. Please check livetraffic.com for the most up-to-date information on road closures before heading out.
• Returning home to flood impacted properties poses a number of health and safety risks. NSW Health has important advice about safe household clean up after a flood at: health.nsw.gov.au/emergency_preparedness/weather/Pages/household-cleanup.aspx
• A coordinated plan to manage waste is being rolled out. Residents should leave waste at their kerb. Emergency services will be on hand in some areas to help move waste from homes to the kerb. Residents are encouraged to separate white goods and mattresses from other flood debris. Please wear protective clothing when cleaning or touching flood-damaged items or material. If there is any risk that waste contains biological or chemical hazards or asbestos contamination, please contact the NSW Environmental Protection Authority on 131 555 for advice.
• Before people start clean up, they should also take pictures of their properties to assist with insurance claims. Legal Aid NSW is providing free legal assistance to NSW flood victims through the Disaster Response Legal Service and can be contacted on 1800 801 529.

Recovery Assistance, Grants and Donations

• Recovery Assistance Points and Phase 1 of Commonwealth and State Government grants will commence shortly. More information will become available soon.
• If you want to help, the NSW SES partners with communities during a crisis to respond where help is needed most. In large-scale disasters, spontaneous volunteer groups and individuals are an integral part of supporting our communities with the right help at the right time. Find out more at: ses.nsw.gov.au/volunteer/spontaneous-volunteer
• Please donate responsibly to flood impacted communities. Unsolicited donations often end up warehoused or in landfill, making clean-up operations more difficult and costly for communities. GIVIT is working in partnership with the New South Wales Government, local councils and recovery organisations to help people in NSW affected by storms and flooding get the essential goods and services they need. To find out what is needed, visit: https://www.givit.org.au/take-action/ways-to-give/give-against-an-appeal/new-south-wales-flooding.

Mental Health Support

Importantly, take care of your mental health and encourage those around you to do the same. This a challenging time. If you or someone you know needs mental health support, contact:

• Lifeline on 13 11 14 for crisis support any time
• Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36
• 13YARN, run by Aboriginal people, on 13 92 76
• Transcultural Mental Health Line on 1800 648 911
• Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 (if you’re aged under 25)
• NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511 to speak to a specialist mental health service.

Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin MP said:

“We’re working to roll out the support that people need through Evacuation Centres now and Recovery Centres as they open. This is about making sure that people get a helping hand in these challenging times.

“One of the most important steps in early recovery is the initial clean up. That’s why the government is rolling out a plan to manage waste. Public Works, the EPA, and local Councils are working together to collect flood waste from homes and businesses.”

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

“As the severe weather subsides, we urge the community not to become complacent. Please continue to heed warnings from the NSW SES, monitor the Hazards Near Me app and always follow the advice of emergency service personnel.

“The SES is working with emergency services and recovery partners to carry out rapid damage assessments and clean outs as we continue to support NSW communities starting on the road to recovery.”

Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“Transport for NSW is working with local councils and emergency services to restore road access to isolated communities as quickly as possible.

“Communities are reminded to not drive through flood waters, and comply with all roadworks speed limits as we work to restore access.”

Minister for Housing Rose Jackson said:

“The priority right now is that flood impacted people have access to food and shelter. Both can be found at our evacuation centres in addition to connections to social services where required. They will also continue to be available at Recovery Assistance Points.

“The NSW Government is committed to supporting people across the state when disasters hit, we work closely with emergency services and community leaders to understand what locals need and provide help to those impacted.”

More than 7,000 Year 1 students across 165 NSW public schools will take part in a new Number Screening Check over the next two weeks, as part of a trial to screen students’ grasp of numbers and provide teachers with the opportunity for early intervention. 

The screening check is part of the Minns Labor Government’s plan to lift numeracy outcomes, and also a key component of the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement signed with the Commonwealth in March, which delivered full funding for NSW public schools.

NSW is leading the nation in developing its own number screening check and will be sharing its resources with other states once the trial is completed.

The teacher-led check takes 10-15 minutes to complete for each student and assesses core foundational learning skills key to later success in maths and numeracy.

Teachers will use the results to provide students with targeted assistance in areas such as counting, ordering numbers, addition and subtraction.

The check tracks student progress and examines their understanding in three main areas:

• numbers – knowledge of whole numbers, for example being shown the numeral 13, recognising it and saying ‘thirteen’
• number relations – knowledge of relations between whole numbers, for example 5 comes before 6, which comes before 7
• number operations – knowledge of how numbers can be taken apart and put back together, for example adding 2 and 4 makes 6.

An earlier pilot tested the content, structure and mechanics of the screener across 19 schools, with initial feedback showing participating schools are already using insights from the number check to plan for targeted teaching.

The expanded trial will help further refine and validate the check ahead of its rollout to all public schools in NSW.

The Year 1 Number Screening Check supports the existing Year 1 Phonics Screening Check, providing teachers with an early view of an individual student’s capabilities.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:

“The Minns Labor Government is determined to lift outcomes for students after the Liberals presided over years of declining results amid a teacher shortage crisis they denied and ignored.

“The Year 1 Number Screening Check will be a key resource for teachers, enabling them to assess essential numeracy skills and intervene early to help lift education outcomes for our young learners.

“By identifying at-risk students early, we can ensure that they receive the necessary support in time to get them back on track and reach their full potential.”

Stanmore Public School principal Ben Heinecke said:

“We know students who develop strong maths and numeracy skills early are better equipped to achieve success throughout school and into later life. 

“These checks are a great way to help us identify students who require support in time for our teachers to make a difference.”

The thoughts of New South Wales are with the people of the Mid North Coast and the Hunter right now, as they deal with the floods that have smashed their communities this week.

While the worst of the weather appears behind us, many towns are still cut off by the waters, with warnings still in place. If you are anywhere near the flood zone, I urge you to download the Hazards Near Me app and follow any emergency broadcasts until directed otherwise.

These are tough communities. Having spent the last few days in Taree, Maitland, Raymond Terrace and Gillieston Heights, I have seen their strength and composure up close. But they are in pain right now, as they count the costs of the damage, while mourning those who have died in terrible circumstances.

These deaths are a shocking tragedy, but it’s important to know that this disaster could have been on a much larger scale. If it wasn’t for the bravery and professionalism of our emergency workers and volunteers, we may have been mourning hundreds of deaths this week.  

We have seen an incredible logistical effort, working in exceptionally difficult circumstances. In the coming days and weeks, we will hear more stories of people being plucked out of impossible, desperate situations. We will learn of volunteers putting themselves in harm’s way to rescue complete strangers.

Emergency workers have performed at least 765 flood rescues. That involved more than 2,600 emergency service personnel, including 2,200 SES workers, 225 from the Rural Fire Service, 75 from Fire and Rescue, along with members of the NSW Police Force and the Australian Defence Force. In this moment of need, many other organisations also jumped in to lend a hand.

We owe each of these heroes a deep gratitude. Unquestionably, they have saved many, many lives.

As we look forward, it’s important that everyone is across the process of emergency response and recovery from here. Our first priority, of course, is to save people in imminent risk of death. The next priority is to supply food and shelter. The last priority is the cleanup effort.

I understand that there will be some frustrations if your possessions have been swept away, or your business has been smashed. You want to start the recovery as quickly as possible. But we’ve got to make sure the third priority doesn’t jump in front of the first one.

As floodwaters recede, we can move into the cleanup phase.

I know this is asking people to be patient, but we will not leave communities alone to deal with this. Assistance will flow soon, including personal hardship payments of $180 per individual or $900 per household, which we have announced with the Commonwealth Government.

Recovery takes time, long after the cameras move on to some other drama in some other place. But the NSW Government will be there, as people get back on their feet, to walk that road with them.