Month: May 2025

Remote residents of the Far West Local Health District are set to benefit from better access to the Magistrates Early Referral into Treatment (MERIT) program thanks to virtual care.

MERIT is a voluntary pre-plea Local Court diversion program that provides access to a range of alcohol and other drug treatment services for 12 weeks while court matters are adjourned. The virtual Program is in the initial implementation stage for people attending Broken Hill, Wilcannia and Wentworth Local Courts.

The virtual care technology adds an important new care option, helping to meet the unique needs of remote and rural communities in Far West NSW by increasing the reach and flexibility of service delivery.

The technology will support these communities with greater access to drug and alcohol treatment programs to ensure individuals receive support tailored to their needs.

MERIT provides access to a wide range of alcohol and other drug treatment services, such as care co-ordination, psychosocial support and individual counselling. It can also assist with referrals to addiction medicine specialists and NSW residential rehabilitation services.

The program has been shown to have positive outcomes for participants. Some of these benefits include decreased drug use and associated harms, decreased offending behaviour, improved health and wellbeing and the possibility of a better sentencing outcome.

In Far West NSW, referrals to the MERIT team can be made by calling the Broken Hill Mental Health Prevention and Rehabilitation Centre on 08 8080 1142 and through several sources, including magistrates, legal representatives, NSW Police, service providers working with the defendant or the defendant themselves.

MERIT is an inter-agency initiative of the Department of Communities and Justice, NSW Health, the Chief Magistrate’s Office and NSW Police Force.

The expansion of the MERIT program is part of the NSW Government’s response to the Special Commission of Inquiry into the Drug ‘Ice’.

Minister for Health, Ryan Park:

“Programs like this can be life changing for an individual as it can direct them out of custody and into health programs tailored to their needs, supporting them to get back on track.

“I am pleased people in Far West NSW will have better access to this important program thanks to the innovative virtual care options.”

Acting Attorney General, Ron Hoenig:

“We know programs like MERIT are helping to tackle substance abuse and reduce reoffending.

“The addition of virtual drug and alcohol treatment options will make it easier for those in regional and remote areas to access this support.”

Member for Barwon, Roy Butler:

“This virtual care technology means people in Far West NSW now have better access to essential alcohol and other drug treatment services, as part of the MERIT Program.

“Since starting in 2000, MERIT has helped over 27,000 people in NSW, supporting them to improve their health and wellbeing and reduce contact with the criminal justice system. I am pleased the Program is now more accessible to people in Far West NSW as a result of this technology.”

Over 105,000 homes are set to be fast-tracked following a major investment in regional planning and housing initiatives.

Round three of the Regional Housing Strategic Planning Fund will deliver 24 councils nearly $4.4 million to unlock housing supply through strategic planning initiatives.

Grants of up to $250,000 will support councils to develop and update housing strategies, plan for infrastructure and essential services, and amend local environmental plans to bring forward the construction of more diverse and affordable housing.

Successful projects in Newcastle and the Central Coast support the NSW Government’s Transport Oriented Development reforms aimed at boosting housing supply around train stations, as well as the Low and Mid-Rise Policy which promotes more diverse housing.

Other successful projects include the South Orange Sewer Servicing Strategy, the Singleton planning control review and the Narrabri Development Control Plan update.

In 2024, the Minns Government set new housing targets to rebalance housing delivery across the state, regional NSW received a single target of 55,000 homes over five years. The projects funded under this program will support the delivery of this five-year target.

More people are choosing to live in regional NSW, but homes have become more expensive and harder to find, so delivering more regional housing supply is vital.

By funding local housing, planning and infrastructure projects we will build better communities across regional NSW.

Funding for the first two rounds of the Regional Housing Strategic Planning Fund allocated $6.88 million to 36 projects.

Key projects delivered so far include the Laffing Waters Master Plan Precinct Contributions Plan in Bathurst, West Dapto Town Centres Master Planning in Wollongong, and the Tamworth Regional Housing Strategy, which will help advance more homes in the pipeline.

This is all part of the Minns Government’s plan to build a better NSW with more homes and services, so young people, families and key local workers have somewhere to live and in the communities they choose.

For more information on the successful councils and their projects, visit Regional Housing Strategic Planning Fund | Planning

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“By investing in planning today, we’re helping councils deliver the homes, parks, transport connections, and infrastructure communities need, and making sure young people and families can continue to build their futures in the regions.”

“Good planning unlocks opportunity. Through this fund, we’re giving councils the tools to deliver better-designed, more liveable communities across regional NSW, close to transport, jobs, and essential services.”

Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said:

“We’re making real progress unlocking more homes across regional NSW by giving councils the support they need to plan for growth.

This $4.4 million investment will fast-track over 105,000 homes and help ensure our growing regional communities have access to the housing, infrastructure, and services they deserve.”

Round Three – Regional Housing Strategic Planning Fund
Council	Project	Funding	Homes
Central Coast Council	Central Coast Council residential zone review program	$250,000	2558
Griffith City Council	Griffith urban Crown land affordable housing activation business case	$190,000	120
Goulburn Mulwaree Council	Technical studies to inform Goulburn’s CBD and Surrounds Transformation Project	$122,378	4226
Murray River Council	Murray River Infrastructure Strategy for Moama	$99,025	3890
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council	Port Macquarie planning control review to unlock housing	$200,000	1817
Bega Valley Shire Council	Bega Valley Local Infrastructure Contribution Plan for Wolumla	$50,380	1096
Eurobodalla Shire Council	Eurobodalla planning proposal for Batemans Bay Urban Renewal Project	$200,000	8000
Singleton Council	Singleton planning control review to accelerate and unlock housing	$120,671	8860
Lake Macquarie City Council	Supporting works for the Lake Macquarie Housing Strategy	$250,000	2849
Port Stephens Council	Port Stephens infrastructure needs analysis	$249,490	11,100
Shoalhaven City Council	Shoalhaven Estate Renewal Strategy and Delivery Plan for Nowra (joint project with Homes NSW and Southern Cross Housing)	$250,000	500
Uralla Shire Council	Uralla Growth Management Strategy, LEP review and developer servicing plans for water and sewer	$250,000	208
Inverell Shire Council	Inverell detailed drainage assessment and plans for new residential areas	$220,000	1002
Cobar Shire Council	Cobar Local Housing Strategy	$166,840	TBA
Central Darling Shire Council	Central Darling Shire Local Housing Strategy	$156,335	35
Narrabri Shire Council	Narrabri Development Control Plan update	$47,000	5960
Coonamble Shire Council	Coonamble Shire Urban Housing Strategy	$69,916	60
Gilgandra Shire Council	Gilgandra residential master planning project > Towards 5000	$226,930	481
Orange City Council	South Orange Sewer Servicing Strategy	$164,772	2740
Mid-Western Regional Council	Mid-Western Regional Council housing strategy implementation	$210,000	240
Parkes Shire Council	East Parkes Masterplan and Servicing Strategy	$185,799	980
Dubbo Regional Council	Dubbo Master Plan and Servicing Strategy for Montefiores, Wellington	$250,000	1400
Albury City Council	Albury LEP amendment and toolkit for Thurgoona Growth Precinct	$192,000	23,421
City of Newcastle	Accelerate the place-based master planning for City of Newcastle’s Transport Oriented Development precincts	$250,000	23,591

The Minns Labor Government is reminding consumers to behave respectfully, as new figures reveal more than 100 people have been charged under tough laws to help protect retail workers.

The reminder to all customers that ‘violence and aggression against the retail workforce is never okay’ follows the Minns Labor government implementing the Crimes Legislation Amendment in June 2023.

Since its implementation, 136 individuals have been charged with offences under the act with 64 individuals convicted of an offence and 25 individuals receiving a custodial imprisonment sentence.

The new laws make it an offence to:

• assault, throw a missile at, stalk, harass or intimidate a retail worker in the course of the worker’s duty, even if no actual bodily harm is caused to the worker, with a maximum penalty of four years’ imprisonment

• assault a retail worker in the course of the worker’s duty and cause actual bodily harm to the worker, with a maximum penalty of six years’ imprisonment

• wound or cause grievous bodily harm to a retail worker in the course of the worker’s duty, being reckless as to causing actual bodily harm to the worker or another person, with a maximum penalty of 11 years’ imprisonment.

Workplace violence has significant impacts on a person’s physical and psychological health, and includes any incident where a person is abused, threatened or assaulted at work, including physical assault, sexual assault, harassment or aggressive behaviour.

The Retail trade sector is the second largest employment industry in NSW, representing nine percent of the total workforce or almost one in 10 workers.

Anyone can anonymously report an incident of violence in the workplace by calling SafeWork NSW on 13 10 50 or through the Speak Up Save Lives app.

For more information on safety in the retail sector, visit the SafeWork website.

Minister for Work Health and Safety, Sophie Cotsis said:

“As a former retail worker myself, I want people to take a moment to remember that the people who serve you deserve respect.

“If you do the wrong thing, if you threaten or assault a retail worker, you can and will be charged.

“The NSW Government is taking a zero-tolerance approach. Retail workers have the right to feel and be safe when they go to work and these strong laws will continue to protect them.”

Secretary of SDA NSW, Bernie Smith said:

“Everybody deserves to feel and be safe in Australian shopping centres. Sadly, retail workers do not with 88 percent of workers being subjected to abuse including physical violence, with 1 in 10 reporting being spat on. Enough is enough, this must change. Everyone has a right to feel safe at work.

“There are now serious consequences for offenders who abuse retail workers including increased jail time. Don’t ruin our members’ day with bad behaviour in shops – don’t ruin your life with a bad decision.

“We ask customers to stop, reflect and do the right thing in shops.  Be kind to retail workers, it’s the best present you can give them.”

Chief Industry Affairs Officer Australian Retailers Association Fleur Brown said:

“It’s encouraging to see the progress being made in NSW following the introduction of targeted penalties to help keep retail communities and spaces safe and we commend the work of the government and police to enforce this.

“No one deserves to be spat on, threatened with weapons, intimidated or harassed for simply doing their job. Let’s work together to keep our retail teams safe.”

Coles General Manager Grant Shelton said:

“We are deeply committed to providing a safe working environment for our team members, and we have invested heavily in advanced safety technologies and training programs. 

“Our record-level investments in safety measures, such as body-worn cameras and de-escalation training, underscore our dedication to protecting our team members and customers.” 

Kmart and Target CEO John Gualtieri said:

“Keeping our team members and customers safe is our number one priority at the almost 450 Kmart and Target stores right around Australia and New Zealand.

“The concerning increase in customer threatening situations that is affecting Australian retail is not acceptable and is something that we need to take decisive action to stop.

“As a community we need to say enough is enough and support active measures that we know will increase safety for not only retail workers but for the community.”  

Acting Deputy Secretary SafeWork NSW, Trent Curtin said:

“Workers’ compensation data over the last three years shows us most claims in the retail sector are made by sales assistants at fuel retailers, supermarkets and retail department stores – and around 60 per cent are made by female workers.

“We are asking customers to maintain appropriate behaviour when interacting with retail workers, and to have a little patience and understanding.

“Every worker has a right to go to work and come home safely, and we need to remember this and keep a cool head during peak periods.”