April 2025 – Page 11

Broken Hill Hospital’s new Key Worker Accommodation complete and ready to move into

Healthcare workers in Broken Hill will benefit from new health worker accommodation, with 20 new units at the Broken Hill Health Service now ready to move into.

Broken Hill is the final rural and regional site to be completed under the $45.3 million Key Worker Accommodation Program, marking a significant milestone in the NSW Government’s investment in housing for healthcare workers.

The two-storey accommodation complex houses 10 units on each floor. Each new unit is fully furnished and self-contained featuring a light-filled living and dining area, modern kitchen, bedroom with ensuite, an internal laundry, and a screened veranda.

The new units will assist with the recruitment and retention of health workers to the region, which will be critical, as the Broken Hill Health Service expands with the current upgrade of the Emergency Department and construction of a new Acute Mental Health Inpatient Unit on the hospital campus.

Finishing touches are now being made in readiness for the first residents to move in shortly. The connection of utility services, furnishing, fencing, and landscaping has now been completed to ensure the new units will be fit-for-purpose, comfortable and welcoming for healthcare workers.

The modern accommodation units were manufactured off site and transported to Broken Hill and installed on Morgan Street. FWLHD is one of three regional Local Health Districts to benefit from the NSW Government’s $45.3 million investment to deliver accommodation for health workers under the Key Worker Accommodation (KWA) Program.

Due to the success of the Program, the Minns Labor Government has invested an additional $200.1 million into Key Health Worker Accommodation across NSW. As part of this $200.1 million Minns Labor Government program an additional $5.13 million has been invested in accommodation in FWLHD and will deliver more housing for health workers in Broken Hill, Tibooburra, Wentworth, Buronga and Dareton.

Locations for this $200.1 million investment were selected based on greatest need across NSW.

This program will also benefit CCLHD, HNELHD, ISLHD, MNCLHD, MLHD, NNSWLHD, SNSWLHD, WNSWLHD, Albury Wodonga and select NSW Ambulance sites.

Regional Health Minister Ryan Park:

“We face a no more critical issue than staffing our healthcare facilities across the state, and that challenge is exacerbated in regional, rural and remote communities.

“I’m proud this government has played a part in delivering accommodation for healthcare workers in Broken Hill, and I look forward to keeping the community updated on the additional $5.13 million the Minns Labor Government has invested in health worker housing for Far West Local Health District.

“Working in regional, rural and remote communities is an incredibly rewarding experience, and the provision of accommodation, which is clean, new and close to work is an attractive prospect for people who are thinking about taking up a job in the bush.”

Member for Barwon, Roy Butler:

“Broken Hill’s new key worker accommodation units are fantastic. They are well designed and include everything a health worker establishing themselves in the local community would need.

“With the current upgrade of the Emergency Department and the construction of a new Acute Mental Health Inpatient Unit, having new key worker accommodation on-site will help attract new, and retain experienced, health workers. This will ensure the local health workforce can continue to provide high-quality health care to Broken Hill and its surrounding communities.

“As we welcome the first workers into the new Broken Hill units, we encourage other clinicians to make the move to the far west to live and work. Broken Hill is a unique city, with a welcoming local community and having more health workers will certainly help to make the city an even better place.”

New Wyong Safe Haven offers mental health support

The Minns Labor Government officially opened a new Safe Haven at Wyong, providing additional free support for people who are experiencing mental health distress in the Central Coast.

The Wyong Safe Haven will offer immediate support for people seeking support for suicidal thoughts or distress, offering a safe and welcoming alternative to emergency departments.

The new service is the second Safe Haven available in the region and will provide support closer to home for people living in the northern part of the Central Coast.

The service will have a strong focus on providing culturally safe care delivered by Aboriginal suicide prevention peer workers, to support the region’s Aboriginal community.

There is no need for an appointment or a medical referral to attend Wyong Safe Haven – everyone is free to drop in. Carers can also access the service for support in helping their loved ones.

Wyong Safe Haven features a peaceful outdoor area and yarning circle, along with a calming space featuring local Aboriginal artwork, creating a sense of connection and belonging for local Aboriginal residents visiting the haven.

People attending will be greeted by a peer worker and can use the space in a way that is most helpful to them at the time. This might be having a cuppa and a yarn or having a quiet moment in the outdoor space.

Wyong Safe Haven is located on the grounds of Wyong Hospital, near Wyong Mental Health Centre.

The Safe Haven is currently open from 9 am to 3:30 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with hours to increase in the coming months. The service is expected to be open five days per week by mid-year.

The Mental Health Line is also available 24/7 on 1800 011 511 to connect people to other mental health services. In an emergency, please call Triple Zero (000) immediately.

Wyong Safe Haven is part of the NSW Government’s Towards Zero Suicides initiative.

Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson said:

“We are committed to increasing suicide prevention supports for regional communities, including those in the Central Coast, as part of our aim to reduce the suicide rate across NSW.

“This will be the 22^nd Safe Haven located on or near hospital grounds across NSW, providing a refuge for anyone struggling with mental health challenges to come and seek help in a quiet, welcoming and non-judgemental space.

“Central Coast residents who are feeling distressed are encouraged to access help at Wyong or Gosford Safe Havens, where they will be able to talk to peer workers who have a lived experience with suicide and recovery.”

Minister for the Central Coast and Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said:

“In the last year there have been 1,600 presentations to the Safe Haven at Gosford Hospital. This reinforces how important these services are.

“It is great to see the Safe Haven service now available and more easily accessible for everyone living in the northern parts of the Central Coast.

“With Aboriginal identified peer workers among the staff it will help us close the gap by supporting a cultural social-emotional and wellbeing perspective approach to a suicide crisis.”

Barangaroo’s ‘beating heart’ reaches major milestone

The next piece of the Barangaroo puzzle is taking shape, with the bespoke fitout transforming the Cutaway at Barangaroo into a premier cultural destination reaching the halfway mark.

With the metro open, and Central Barangaroo given the green light, the new and improved Cutaway is set to be the beating heart of the Barangaroo precinct, providing an iconic space capable of hosting a diverse range of events

The Cutaway will continue to solidify Sydney’s reputation as a world-class destination, attracting visitors to Barangaroo and ensuring our city’s vibrancy for years to come.

This follows the Minns Labor Government renewed focus on bringing the fun back to Sydney, through relaxing restrictions on nighttime trading and outdoor dining, lifting the concert caps at our major venues and investing in attractions that will boost the state’s visitor economy.

The Cutaway first opened in 2015 as a raw concrete shell and is now undergoing an upgrade to become a more usable space. The new design addresses key needs and improve functionality, including an enclosed space, enhanced acoustic capabilities, flexible event spaces and new amenities.

Delivered by FDC Construction & Fitout and designed by FJC Studio, this ambitious project is reshaping the iconic space into an outstanding venue for events, exhibitions, festivals and installations.

Aligned with Barangaroo’s sustainability principles, the project has achieved several remarkable environmental milestones including diverting over 90% of construction waste from landfill, and reduction of carbon emissions by more than 50% as compared with standard benchmarks.

Construction is expected to be completed in late 2025, with event programming to commence in 2026.

The Cutaway’s transformation will strengthen Barangaroo’s reputation as a cultural hub and a must-visit destination for locals and tourists alike.

For more information, visit: NSW Government | The Cutaway

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said:

“There is no doubt that once completed the Cutaway will be the beating heart of the Barangaroo entertainment precinct.

“The new spaces and improved functionality will make the Cutaway a centrepiece for our community, enhancing Barangaroo’s status as a must-visit destination for cultural and event experiences.

“The new and improved Cutaway will continue to solidify Sydney’s reputation as a world-class destination, attracting visitors from across the globe, and ensuring our city’s vibrancy for years to come.”

Minister for the Arts John Graham said:

“The transformation of the Cutaway represents the next chapter in Sydney’s cultural evolution. This ambitious project not only delivers world-class event spaces but also honours the deep cultural heritage of the site and its enduring connection to Country.

“The completion of this fitout will cement the Cutaway as a dynamic hub for creativity, community, and cultural celebration.”

Project Director FDC Construction & Fitout Emma Thomy said:

“At FDC, we are honoured to be part of the reimagination of the Cutaway into an iconic cultural destination and are excited to continue our longstanding collaboration with the New South Wales Government to create new spaces for Sydney’s thriving arts and culture sector.

“We’re making excellent progress, with half of the fitout now complete, including the internal mezzanine structure, feature cladding underway to the entrance, skylight install nearing completion and fitout works now commencing. The Cutaway is a once in a lifetime project, a masterclass of innovative and sustainable construction set to become a significant cultural landmark for our city.”

Man charged with firearms and property offences – Hunter Valley PD

A man has been charged with firearms and property breaking offences following an investigation in the state’s Hunter region.

In April 2025, detectives from the Rural Crime Prevention Team – Hunter Valley Police District under Strike Force Lucindale, was formed to investigate a series or break, enter and steal offences into rural properties in the Mount Royal and Rouchel areas between 20 February 2025 and 1 April 2025.

Among the items stolen were motor vehicles, farm utilities, motorbikes, firearms and ammunition.

Following inquiries, about 8.30am yesterday (Thursday 10 April 2025), detectives executed two search warrants at properties at Carrowbrook and Davis Creek.

Among the items seized by police from both properties were eight unregistered firearms, including a bolt action rifle, a .22 calibre long rifle, a Boita rifle, a double barrel shotgun, a pump action shot gun, a 303 bolt action rifle, two antique guns and associated ammunition.

Also located were two Polaris all-terrain vehicles, a Honda XRF motorcycle, a Yamaha peewee 50 motorbike, a red quad bike, a Nissan Patrol 4WD, a Nissan Patrol utility; swords, a box trailer and loading ramps, a surfboard, trail cameras and numerous other items.

Police arrested a 23-yar-old man at the scene.

He was taken to Singleton Police Station where he was charged with 18 offences;

– steal motor vehicle (three counts),

– break, enter and steal (four counts),

– stealing,

– steal trailer,

– steal firearm or imitation firearm,

– possess unregistered firearm (three counts),

– possess more than three unregistered firearms,

– possess ammunition without a permit,

– not keep firearm safely,

– possess prohibited drug,

– supply prohibited drug and goods in custody.

He was refused bail to appear before Singleton Local Court today (Friday 11 April 2025), where bail was formally refused. He will re-appear before the same Court on Thursday 1 May 2025.

Hazard reduction burn in the Hunter Valley’s Werakata National Park and surrounds

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is planning a hazard reduction burn in Werakata National Park and adjacent lands tomorrow on Friday 11 April, weather permitting.

The burn will reduce fuel loads of around 50 hectares and is expected to take two to three days, including mop-up and patrol operations.

NPWS will lead the burn in partnership with NSW Rural Fire Service and Fire and Rescue NSW.

The low-intensity burn aims to reduce fuel loads in the national park and surrounding areas to help protect neighbouring residential areas from potential bushfires.

It will take place in Werakata National Park and on land next to Albury Street and Forbes Street, Abermain, and smoke may impact properties in the local area.

Walking tracks and trails in the area will remain closed until mop-up crews deem them safe. NPWS asks all visitors to obey directions and signage for the safety of themselves and fire fighters.

Hazard reduction burns are essential to reduce bushfire fuel loads to help protect parks, neighbours and communities from future bushfires.

Smoke may be visible in the nature reserve and nearby communities depending on wind direction. People with asthma or who are susceptible to respiratory issues are advised to keep clear of the area or stay indoors.

All burns across NSW will continue to be coordinated with the RFS and FRNSW to ensure the impact on the community is assessed at a regional level. Details on specific burns will be made available in advance on the Rural Fire Service website, Hazards Near Me website and app, and on NPWS Alertswebsite.

For health information relating to smoke from bush fires and hazard reduction burning, visit NSW Health or Asthma Australia. For up-to-date information on these, and other, planned hazard reduction activities, visit the Rural Fire Service.

NPWS hit the water for whale disentanglement training at Port Stephens

This Friday, April 11, National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) teams will hit the water at Port Stephens to practice the critical and complex task of disentangling whales, ahead of the start of the annual humpback migration season.

The on-water training exercise is designed to improve skills and processes needed to safely free whales that become entangled in ropes, nets and other marine debris. Beyond technical training, the exercise also helps staff to develop skills in remaining calm, focused and staying safe when dealing with a panicked, powerful 30-tonne animal.

Each year, around 40,000 humpback whales migrate along the NSW coast, with a few dozen becoming entangled in fishing gear or marine debris. These entanglements can have devastating impacts on whale health and survival and responding swiftly and safely is critical.

The annual NPWS training refreshes skills for experienced responders while preparing new team members. Friday’s session will involve teams from the Hunter Central Coast and Greater Sydney regions, and is part of a broader program supported through the NSW Marine Estate Management Strategy.

Last year, 11 humpback whales were successfully freed from entanglements off the NSW coast. As most tangled whales keep swimming, sometimes at speeds above 5 knots (about 9kph), being able to relocate the whale quickly is critical. If it is safe to do so, we encourage the community to get photos and detail the exact GPS location.

Funding from the NSW Marine Estate Management Strategy has supported NPWS in training whale disentanglement teams stationed along the coastline. The training is conducted in close collaboration with Marine Rescue NSW, who provide skilled volunteers and vessels to ensure operations are carried out safely and effectively.

NPWS also works in partnership with ORRCA, Sea World Foundation, Gamay Rangers, the fishing industry, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), OceanWatch Australia and the Professional Fishermen’s Association (PFA) to reduce entanglement risks and build response capacity.

If you see a distressed or entangled whale, contact the NPWS on 13000PARKS (1300 072 757) or ORRCA on 02 9415 3333 immediately.

Quotes attributable to NPWS Team Leader Conservation, Doug Beckers

Whale-watching is an increasingly popular activity right along NSW’s Coast, and it’s humbling to know that a few loops of rope can bring down one of these huge, majestic animals.

If you do happen to spot an entangled whale, please report it to NPWS or ORRCA straight away – every minute counts.

National Parks now has the capacity to deploy whale disentanglement teams right along the Coast – but only when conditions permit. We need the right weather, not too much swell, and enough daylight hours to safely find the animal and complete operations.

Humpback whales are awesome creatures which can weigh between 30 and 40 tonne, so for your own safety and theirs, you need to keep your distance. All water craft must keep 100m from a whale, or 300m if a calf is present.

Man charged over alleged armed robbery – Jewells

A man has been charged after an alleged armed robbery in the state’s north.

About 3pm on Friday 28 March 2025, police were called to a licensed premises on Ntaba Road, Jewells, following reports of an armed robbery.

Officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District were told an unknown man forced his entry into the premises with a broken glass bottle before he stole an amount of cash and left the scene.

There were no injuries reported due to the incident.

A crime scene was established and an investigation into the incident commenced.

Following inquiries, about 10am today (Thursday 10 April 2025), detectives attended a home on Doongara Close, Jewells, and arrested a 31-year-old man.

He was taken to Belmont Police Station where he was charged with robbery armed with offensive weapon.

He was refused bail to appear before Belmont Local Court today (Thursday 10 April 2025) where he was formally refused to appear at Newcastle Local Court tomorrow (Friday 11 April 2025).

Greens bring community conversation to ACT Parliament through new housing human right

Today Leader of the ACT Greens, Shane Rattenbury will introduce legislation to the ACT Legislative Assembly which will enshrine housing as a human right following calls for such a move from stakeholders.

“Like education or healthcare, affordable housing is an essential service and key to living a life with dignity. From childhood through to adulthood, housing provides the basis for stability in all aspects of our lives, and should be treated by government accordingly” said Leader of the ACT Greens, Shane Rattenbury.

“For too long, politicians across the nation have treated the government’s role in the housing market as providing for private profit, rather than safeguarding our community from the skyrocketing cost of finding and keeping a home.

“This Bill introduced by the Greens will set the groundwork for a complete rethink of the government’s role in housing, providing a starting point for deeper, more ambitious discussions about how the government can ensure quality, affordable homes for all Canberrans.

“This means that when new laws are introduced in the Assembly, the government will need to think about the fundamental right to housing. This includes considering how it affects things like home security for Canberrans, affordability, access to essential services like water and electricity, as well as location and accessibility. All the components that create a good home.

“For existing renters who live in public housing, this will also mean the government has a clear responsibility to ensure homes are free of mould, free of water damage, have proper ventilation and are warm in the winter.

“This legislation is a direct response to the community’s conversation during the 2024 ACT Election, calling for politicians to recognise housing as a human right, ensuring greater accountability for the quality of housing in Canberra.

“Following our public consultation on the draft Bill, the ACT Human Rights Commission and other organisations like Canberra Community Law have affirmed the importance of incorporating the right to housing into the Human Rights Act.

“Their submissions show that including this right will have a real and significant impact on the lives of thousands of Canberrans in the rental and housing market.”

Submissions from the ACT Human Rights Commission and Canberra Community Law can be accessed online.

Strengthening Medicare: Labor to deliver $1 billion for more free mental health services

A re-elected Albanese Labor Government will make a billion-dollar investment to roll out even more places Australians can go for free, public mental health care backed by Medicare.

The $1 billion commitment continues the Albanese Labor Government’s work to fill the gaps in support with new free mental health services that are better matched to the needs of each Australian.

This election commitment includes an ongoing and sustained uplift in mental health funding.

The $1 billion mental health commitment includes:

$225 million for 31 new and upgraded Medicare Mental Health Centres
More than $200 million for 58 new, upgraded or expanded headspace services
$500 million for 20 Youth Specialist Care Centres for young people with complex needs
$90 million for more than 1,200 training places for mental health professionals and peer workers.

The new network of 20 Youth Specialist Care Centres will close another critical service gap in our mental health system, ensuring young people in what mental health experts call “the missing middle”, get the specialist help they need.

Filling “the missing middle” service gap means young people with complex mental health needs, like personality disorders, eating disorders and early psychosis, can get the ongoing and intensive care they need, outside of hospital.

As we expand the range of free services backed by Medicare, the Medicare Mental Health phone line (1800 595 212) and website (medicarementalhealth.gov.au) will help Australians find the free service that is right for them.

This package builds on the Albanese Labor Government’s existing work to roll out free mental health care:

Establishing the new National Early Intervention Service from 1 January 2026, which anyone can access for free mental health support. Approximately 150,000 Australians are expected to use the service each year, getting free support early, without waiting for a referral or being worried about a gap fee.
Establishing 61 Medicare Mental Health Centres that offer free walk-in mental health care. We are upgrading their clinical capability to ensure every centre provides free access to a psychiatrist and psychologist, either on-site or on-call.
Established 12 Perinatal Mental Health Centres to provide support to new parents.
Expanded the headspace network to more than 175 centres.
Restored the bulk billed telehealth psychiatry Medicare rebates so Australians living outside metropolitan areas get equal access to clinical mental health support.
Expanded the mental health workforce with more than 4,000 psychology scholarships, internships and training places.

Providing more free, public mental health services for Australians with different levels of need will help to relieve pressure on the subsidised services provided by private psychologists.

It will take pressure off the Better Access program, support psychologists to work to their full scope of practice and spend more time treating people with moderate and high needs.

This is in stark contrast to Peter Dutton’s plan to increase demand for private psychologists’ services, which will drive up gap fees and make wait lists longer.

Consistent with past practice, election commitments will be delivered in line with Commonwealth Grants Rules and Principles.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“I want everyone, and especially young people, to be able to access the mental health care they need.

“We will deliver $1 billion to roll out more services and locations Australians can go for free, public mental health care backed by Medicare.

“Whether you need short-term support or ongoing care, young or old, we will ensure that a free, mental health service backed by Medicare will be there for you and your family.

“Only Labor has a plan to strengthen Medicare.”

Health Minister Mark Butler:

“Peter Dutton isn’t ready for government or the hard work of policy development or reform, and nowhere is this clearer than in mental health.

“Peter Dutton is promising to repeat the mistakes of the past, by piling more demand on private psychologists, driving up gap fees and making waitlists longer.

“You can’t double the number of sessions without doubling the number of psychologists, or you create a bottleneck that means tens of thousands of Australians get no help at all.”

Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Emma McBride:

“Labor introduced Medicare, and we are making sure mental health care and free services are at the heart of communities.

“All Australians deserve access to quality care, close to home. That’s why we’re expanding the network of free services right across the country, including in regional and remote Australia, better matched to people’s needs.

“As a former mental health worker, I am determined to make sure that all Australians receive the care they need and deserve.”

Carolyn Nikoloski, CEO, Mental Health Australia:

“This is a landmark investment that recognises the challenges the community is facing.

“Mental Health Australia welcomes this comprehensive package, that will fundamentally increase access to free mental health support across the country.

“It also responds to some of the real pressures the sector is facing, by growing the pipeline of the mental health workforce, so that we can better respond to the community’s mental health needs, both now and into the future.”

Professor Patrick McGorry, Orygen:

“Australians will be relieved and grateful that a re-elected Albanese Government will respond decisively to the youth mental health crisis by strengthening headspace, building a network of strong specialised youth mental health centres to support all primary care providers, and expanding a diverse and skilled mental health workforce.

“All Australians, especially young people and their very worried parents, will deeply appreciate this ground-breaking commitment to build the next stage of our world leading system of youth mental health care and to respond to the dramatic increase in prevalence that is causing widespread suffering and undermining our society.”

Jason Trethowan CEO, headspace

“The commitments respond to the increasing and innovative ways for headspace to provide support to more young people when experiencing a difficult time especially when it comes to their mental health challenges”.

Upgraded Digital Photo Card the green light for digital identity

Digital Photo Card holders will be given access to an upgraded digital identity document from this month in a major step forward in developing the NSW Government’s Digital ID and Wallet.

Commencing as a pilot project, people will have a more secure way to prove their identity and age, with the upgrade to existing NSW Digital Photo Cards allowing users to share only their required information via a digital ‘handshake’.

The pilot will initially operate in three Service NSW Centres at Auburn, Blacktown and Parramatta from today.

Unlike the existing digital ‘copy’ of a customer’s Photo Card stored inside their Service NSW app, the upgraded card will enable people to digitally share information needed for a transaction via QR code without handing over their phone or identity document.

The upgraded card is the first government verifiable photo credential in Australia to be built to these international standards. The new security standards will make it harder for people to misuse the credentials or steal people’s information by keeping information more secure.

It will allow people to share their ID and qualifications for a range of tasks and transactions safely and conveniently, while ensuring personal information and privacy are better protected.

The pilot project is testing the technology platform that will enable digital credentials such as driver licences, trade qualifications and working with children checks, securely stored inside the new digital wallet on the Service NSW app.

These future upgrades will enable people to selectively disclose their information – for example, only providing confirmation that you are over 18 – preventing unnecessary sharing of personal details and avoiding the need to hand over your physical documents or phone.

In the pilot phase, customers completing eligible transactions will present their upgraded Digital Photo Card at the Service NSW counter, where staff will use a device to verify the credential in real-time. This process will test verification of the card and the digital sharing of information with customer’s consent.

Successful testing of the upgraded credential paves the way for ongoing rollout of the Digital ID and Wallet program which could see a range of licences upgraded to the new credential standard.

Further legislation is required to enable wider use of NSW Digital IDs across government and accredited commercial partners, with consultation planned in late 2025.

The pilot builds on the recent success of online Working with Children Check renewals and the First Aid Certificate trial with St John Ambulance.

Customers who have an existing NSW Digital Photo Card can voluntarily participate in the pilot, and upgrading their card will only take a matter of minutes.

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib said:

“This pilot of Australia’s first government-issued digital photo credential is an exciting step towards a digital future for NSW where people have greater control over their digital identity and security.

“It paves the way for more credentials to be rebuilt to the new international security standard, allowing people to only share the information they choose and creating easier access to essential documents, including in an emergency.

“Upgrading this credential means that over time, more than one million NSW residents who have a Photo Card instead of a driver licence can also benefit from these security and privacy enhancements, including people who are vulnerable, elderly, disabled or new migrants.

“The digital photo credential is another way we are building better services for the people of NSW and helping people to better safeguard their identity.”

Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“The NSW Digital Photo Card will follow international ISO standards allowing it to eventually be used across other states, territories and countries while making it harder for someone else to use credentials and pretend to be you.

“The pilot uplifts security of this primary document and enhances the privacy protections to help keep your identity information and credentials more secure.

“Feedback from the pilot will provide the NSW Government with direction in planning for future statewide rollouts.”