Month: September 2025

NSW is another step closer to building a reliable, affordable energy system, following planning approval for the Hunter-Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone project.

The NSW Government is fast tracking the state’s first Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) that upgrades existing grid infrastructure such as distribution poles and wires. This approach will reduce the impact on communities and the environment.

The network upgrades, which will enable 1 gigawatt (GW) of network transfer capacity, include upgrades to existing distribution lines and the construction of two new substations.

Projects like the Hunter-Central Coast REZ are key to the Minns Labor Government’s energy plan. Right now, around 36% of NSW’s electricity comes from renewable sources. The projects we’ve backed already will move us over two-thirds of the way to our 2030 renewable energy generation goal, and about 40% of the way to our 2030 long-duration storage target.

Full planning approval was achieved following the exhibition of the Review of Environmental Factors and a review of submissions by councils, state authorities, businesses and individuals.

The Hunter-Central Coast REZ network infrastructure has been assessed as having a relatively low environmental impact, as most of the works are taking place on existing easements.

Ausgrid has committed to addressing the Review of Environmental Factors feedback, which included priorities such as jobs, support for local businesses and procurement, protection of visual amenity and environment, community benefits, effective traffic management and ongoing community engagement.

The REZ is forecast to create an average of approximately 590 direct jobs per year in the local area during construction, including roles for engineers, electricians and labourers. Ausgrid is committed to prioritising jobs and skills training, local procurement and Aboriginal business participation.

The project is now subject to final approvals from the Australian Energy Regulator.

The Review of Environmental Factors is available for download, at Ausgrid.com.au/HCCREZ.

This project is separate to the Hunter Transmission Project Environmental Impact Statement currently on public exhibition.

Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Penny Sharpe:

“Planning approval for the Hunter-Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone project is further evidence of progress on a key upgrade that will help keep the lights on as coal-fired power plants retire.

“Upgrading existing distribution poles and wires allows us to minimise the impact on communities and the environment, and speeds up the delivery of this critical infrastructure.”

Minister for the Hunter, Yasmin Catley:

“The Hunter-Central Coast region has always been a powerhouse for industry and innovation and now it’s taking a bold step forward into the clean energy future.

“Fast-tracking the Hunter-Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone is about more than just new poles and substations, it’s about delivering affordable, long-lasting energy while creating good jobs, supporting local businesses and protecting our communities and environment.

“By upgrading existing infrastructure, we’re minimising disruption, maximising benefits and ensuring our local communities are at the heart of the state’s renewable transformation.”

Minister for the Central Coast, David Harris:

“This important milestone in the development of the Hunter-Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone project is good news for communities in the Central Coast and Hunter.

“The REZ will help ensure a reliable and sustainable energy future for our regions.”

EnergyCo chief executive Hannah McCaughey:

“Fast tracking the Hunter-Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone project is part of EnergyCo’s plan to keep the lights on for everyone in New South Wales, while providing tangible benefits to Hunter communities and their economies.

Ausgrid CEO, Marc England:

“Finalising the Review of Environmental Factors marks a significant milestone toward delivering upgraded network infrastructure that supports clean, reliable energy for the Hunter–Central Coast region.

“Ausgrid is committed to working closely with landowners and local stakeholders as we enable a lower cost transition that reduces the impact on our communities.”

Additional information for media:

What is a Renewable Energy Zone?

REZs will group new wind and solar power generation into locations where it can be efficiently stored and transmitted across NSW.

Five zones have been identified and will keep NSW electricity reliable as coal-fired power stations retire, delivering large amounts of new energy to power our regions and cities.

REZs will help deliver lower wholesale electricity costs and place downward pressure on customer bills through increased competition, while supporting local jobs and business opportunities during construction and operation.

What is the Hunter-Central Coast REZ?

The Hunter-Central Coast REZ will be the first renewable energy zone in Australia to upgrade existing distribution poles and wires.

The REZ has an intended network capacity of 1 gigawatt (GW) and stretches from the Upper Hunter in the north to the Central Coast in the south and includes the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Port Stephens regions.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attended the 54th Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders’ Meeting in Solomon Islands from 10 to 11 September.

Prime Minister Albanese joined Pacific Leaders in signing the Pacific Resilience Facility Treaty, establishing the first Pacific-led regional climate financing mechanism. 

The Facility will provide small-scale grants to local communities to help them better prepare for and withstand the impacts of climate change. Australia is the largest capital contributor, having committed $100 million. The first call for grant proposals will go out to communities in 2026.

Pacific Leaders also reaffirmed their shared commitment to Australia’s bid to host a Pacific COP31. This will bring global attention to the Pacific’s climate leadership and our region’s unique challenges, and drive tangible action.

Australia stood with Pacific Leaders in declaring the Blue Pacific an Ocean of Peace, calling on the international community to respect Pacific-led approaches to peace and security.

Prime Minister Albanese met Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele to congratulate him on Solomon Islands’ successful hosting of PIF, which Australia was proud to support. Prime Ministers also discussed the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force expansion partnership and announced the start of the design process for an Australian-funded police academy in Honiara.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

“The Pacific Islands Forum unites our region and makes us stronger – it is key to realising the vision of Pacific leaders for a peaceful, stable and prosperous region.

“Australia is a partner the region can count on. It is in our interests to foster a safe and resilient region that enables all our economies to grow and prosper together.

“The Pacific Resilience Facility is more than a fund, it is a promise to Pacific communities that they will not face climate threats alone.

“Our region is on the frontline of the climate crisis — this is the single largest threat to the livelihoods, culture and security of Pacific communities.

“The Ocean of Peace Declaration is a powerful statement of Pacific resolve, building on Prime Minister Rabuka’s vision for a region of stability, prosperity and security.”

The Albanese Government is investing $1.7 billion to acquire a new fleet of Australian­‑designed and built extra-large autonomous undersea vehicles – known as the Ghost Shark – for the Royal Australian Navy.                       

Defence has signed a contract with Anduril Australia for the delivery, maintenance and continued development of the Ghost Shark over the next five years. 

The cutting edge platform is designed to conduct intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and strike operations, stealthily and at long range. It will deliver a significant boost to Australia’s undersea warfare capabilities – complementing Navy’s future surface combatant fleet and conventionally‑armed, nuclear‑powered submarines. 

This announcement builds on the approximately $140 million the Australian Government has already invested in the development of the Ghost Shark platform, payloads and production facilities since entering into a collaborative contract with Anduril in 2022. 

Working alongside Defence personnel, Australia’s defence industry and workforce is crucial to delivering this capability. 

This five-year contract will support around 120 existing jobs and create more than 150 new highly-skilled, long-term jobs at Anduril Australia. 

There are now more than 40 Australian companies working as part of the Ghost Shark supply chain, which are expected to add a further 600 jobs as a result of this investment.

Delivery of uncrewed undersea and surface vessels will provide Australia’s Defence Force an asymmetric capability advantage – a key priority outlined in the 2024 National Defence Strategy. 

Continued investment in this capability presents a unique opportunity for Australia to design, engineer, and manufacture sovereign uncrewed maritime warfare capabilities, with strong prospects for export opportunities. 

Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles: 

“The Ghost Shark is a world-leading platform made right here in Australia. 

“The Albanese Government’s investments in the Ghost Shark are fast-charging the development of long‑range, undersea autonomous vehicles for our Navy while also backing Australian businesses. 

“Over the next five years and beyond the Ghost Shark will equip Navy with the intelligence, surveillance and strike capabilities it needs in an increasingly complex strategic environment.”

Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy:

“This is a critical capability that the Albanese Government is delivering at pace – with all three prototypes delivered on budget and ahead of schedule.

“Our investment backs in 120 existing workers and creates more than 150 new high-skilled, local jobs.

“This reflects the Albanese Government’s unwavering commitment to supporting Australian innovation, backing Australian workers and building a defence future made in Australia.”

Today, the Albanese Government is launching a new online safety hub as part of our efforts to help protect young Australians travelling overseas.

The Partying Safely Hub, on the Smartraveller website, hosts resources to support parents and educators to have conversations about how to party safely while away from home, and what to do if something goes wrong. 

The Partying Safely Hub provides practical information for parents, universities and schools on key topics involving alcohol safety, methanol poisoning, drink spiking, drug safety and travel insurance.

Resources are available to download and include posters, factsheets and videos, developed with partners and subject matter experts including Red Frogs, CHOICE and Médecins sans Frontières.

Since March 2025, the Albanese Government has:

• provided targeted advice and alerts on alcohol-related risks to travellers through text messages and messaging at Australia’s international airports;
• partnered with industry, non-government organisations and youth media outlets to deliver messaging to young Australians through a range of channels;
• worked closely with universities to promote messaging to students in the lead up to key travelling periods; and
• dedicated communications on Smartraveller social media channels to raise methanol poisoning awareness.

Partying safely awareness activities will continue to increase ahead of schoolies in November.

The Partying Safely Hub is available at: Partying safely hub | Smartraveller

Foreign Minister Penny Wong:

“The tragic deaths of Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles as a result of methanol poisoning in Laos are a heartbreaking reminder of the dangers young people face when travelling abroad.

“We want young Australians to explore the world with confidence, but above all we want them to have the knowledge and resources to come home safely.”

Assistant Foreign Minister Matt Thistlethwaite:

“Travelling overseas is a rite of passage for many young Australians.

“This Hub is part of the Albanese Government’s work to help protect young Australians travelling overseas.”

Overnight, Israel has attacked Qatar in an apparent attempt to kill hostage negotiators working to secure a negotiated end to the genocide in Gaza. 

The attack comes just hours after an aerial attack on the Sumud Flotilla and after Israel ordered 1 million Palestinians to evacuate Gaza City in the latest escalation of its ethnic cleansing operations in Gaza. 

Greens Senator and Foreign Affairs Spokesperson David Shoebridge said: 

“Israel’s attack on Qatar violates international law and targets hostage negotiators, proving they’re not serious about returning hostages or a negotiated resolution to the genocide they’re committing. 

“The US had invited the negotiators to Qatar for peace talks and the US military had advance notice of Israel’s attack. The US also arms Israel. The US is clearly complicit in this latest Israeli war crime. 

“This latest gross breach of international law proves Israel does not want a negotiated ceasefire and that the US will continue to enable their lawless violence. Global coordinated action is needed to force them both to the table. 

“Trump says he ‘feels very badly’ about Israel’s attack but keeps sending weapons and weapons parts to fuel the genocide. So does Australia under the Albanese Labor government. 

“Before the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister issue their latest statements they should know that, when they fail to act to stop a genocide, it’s not a defence to say they had ‘serious concerns.’ 

“Australia must join as much of the world as is willing to act and impose comprehensive sanctions on Israel, including an immediate and total two-way weapons embargo,” Senator Shoebridge said. 

Greens Deputy Leader and Higher Education spokesperson, Senator Mehreen Faruqi, has responded to reports that ANU Vice-Chancellor Genevieve Bell has tendered her resignation. Senator Faruqi has for weeks been calling on VC Bell, as well as Chancellor Julie Bishop, to resign in light of the scandals, mass job cuts, toxic workplace culture and lack of accountability and loss of trust that has defined their tenures.

Senator Faruqi, Deputy Leader of the Greens and spokesperson for Higher Education:

“Professor Bell’s resignation is the culmination of months of scandal, plummeting staff and student morale, and a governance system that is completely broken.

“Let’s not forget that Chancellor Bishop’s leadership has also been fraught, and she too must be held accountable for the crisis at ANU.

“The fact that almost every respondent to ANU’s staff-led governance project said the system is not fit for purpose speaks volumes. This is not just about one Vice-Chancellor. The entire model of top-down, corporate-style governance is failing.

“Across the sector, mass redundancies, threats to schools and courses, and widespread reports of psychosocial harm show a workplace and community in crisis. Staff should never have to choose between their wellbeing and their profession.

“Universities are public institutions and must serve the public good. That means transparency, accountability and genuine consultation with the people who make them what they are — the staff and students.

“VC Bell stepping down cannot be the end of the story. We need a halt to forced redundancies, real protection of staff wellbeing, a commitment to safeguard disciplines under threat and an end to opaque decision-making and networks of privilege.

“This moment is a chance to rebuild ANU into a democratic, accountable and thriving institution that has the trust and confidence of its community once again. It must not be wasted.”

Novocastrians looking for a new career path still have time to apply for one of 14 roles as part of City of Newcastle’s annual intake of apprentices and trainees.

Applications close on Sunday 13 September for a range of positions, with roles available across various sectors including environment, horticulture, civil construction, heavy vehicle mechanics, business services, and customer experience.

Funding from the first two rounds of the NSW Government’s Fresh Start program has already enabled nine people to begin their training at City of Newcastle in 2025, with the next 14 recruits set to start in January 2026.

This will bring the total number of apprentices, trainees, graduates and undergraduates currently employed with City of Newcastle to 65.

CEO Jeremy Bath said City of Newcastle has become one of the largest employers of apprentices and trainees in the Hunter, helping to ensure our region possesses the necessary skills for the future.

“Since 2021, we have recruited more than 90 early career roles across the organisation, delivering successful applicants with on-the-job training and mentoring from highly skilled professionals while they obtain nationally accredited qualifications,” Mr Bath said.

“This has provided pathways into employment across a range of sectors from greenkeeping, civil construction, carpentry and heavy vehicle mechanics to information technology, customer service, planning and digital marketing.

“These roles are always highly sought after, with nine recently advertised positions attracting more than 314 applications from people eager to begin their careers with City of Newcastle.

“We look forward to welcoming the next 14 new faces early next year as we continue to foster a diverse and multi-generational workforce that will collaboratively shape the city where we work, live, and play.”

A total of 92 apprentices, trainees, cadets, graduates and undergraduates have been employed by City of Newcastle since 2021.

Roles have been recruited into priority areas across the organisation, including 25 positions within civil construction.

This reflects the significant growth in City of Newcastle’s annual capital works program, which has increased in the same period from $90 million in 2021/22 to $159 million in 2025/26.

Since 2021, 26 people have also gone on to secure ongoing employment with City of Newcastle following the completion of their training.

To view the 14 positions available head to the City of Newcastle website.

A bushfire initiative protecting culturally significant First Nations sites, a schools program helping children cope with floods and a cross-sector plan tackling heat hazards are among the NSW winners of the 2025 Resilient Australia Awards.

Every year, Australians face devastating impacts from disasters and emergencies. The NSW category of the Resilient Australia Awards is an opportunity to celebrate initiatives that are making communities safer, more connected and better prepared.

As the state convenor of the awards, the NSW Reconstruction Authority has brought together a judging panel made up of experts in disaster resilience.

Following today’s ceremony, at NSW Parliament, NSW winners will go on to represent the state at the national Resilient Australia Awards in Canberra later this year.

Full list of winners can be found below.

More information on the Resilient Australia Awards can be found at https://www.aidr.org.au/programs/resilient-australia-awards/

Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin said:

“In the wake of recent disasters, we’ve seen Australians rise to the challenge as individuals, communities and organisations working together to rebuild, support one another and strengthen our resilience.

“The Resilient Australia Awards are a chance to celebrate these efforts and ensure they don’t go unnoticed.

“Whether it’s a local council, a school, a research team or a community group, every contribution matters, helping to create more resilient communities for the future.”

NSW Reconstruction Authority CEO Mal Lanyon said:

“These awards bring a spotlight to the remarkable resilience and innovation we see across NSW every day.

“It’s an honour to award and celebrate the individuals and groups whose efforts have helped us recover, adapt and thrive in the face of natural disasters.

“Their stories remind us that resilience is not just about bouncing back – it’s about being innovative and responsive to local needs and communities.”

The winners are:

Resilient Australia Community Award

Winner: Recovery Connect – Social Futures.

A Lismore-based support service delivering a pioneering model of disaster recovery to help people recover from natural disasters by building resilience through empowerment.

Highly commended:

Care2Prepare: inclusive household and community risk reduction – Carers NSW

Better Together – Community Connections – Community Connects South Shoalhaven and Business Milton Ulladulla.

Resilient Australia Business Award

Winner: Flood Defence Fund – Insurance Council of Australia.

A policy initiative that calls for the development of a $30.15 billion Flood Defence Fund to protect communities on the frontline of floods, while moderating insurance premiums and reducing future recovery costs.

Resilient Australia Government Award

Winner: Australian first Aboriginal Cultural Incident Management Exercise – NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Merrimans Local Aboriginal Land Council, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, NSW Crown Lands and NSW Rural Fire Service.

A hands-on exercise connecting First Nations rangers and emergency responders for real-time bushfire planning and response, ensuring cultural sites in southeast NSW are protected during emergencies.

Resilient Australia Local Government Award

Winner: Heat Taskforce: Heat Smart City Plan – Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC).

Sydney’s first multi-sector plan for heat hazard developed by a collaboration of leaders across health, planning, infrastructure, emergency management, community and corporate sectors.

Resilient Australia School Award

Winner: Our River – Richmond Agricultural Centre: Centre of Excellence in Agricultural Education.

A school program delivered in the Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment to teach flood awareness through science, history and creative wellbeing activities and help students positively reconnect with the river and learn mental health coping mechanisms.

Resilient Australia Mental Health and Wellbeing Award

Winner: Resilient Kids: Empowered Young People Can Weather Life’s Biggest Storms – Social Futures.

A program launched in response to the devastating 2022 floods in Northern NSW, focusing on youth-centred mental health and wellbeing program.

Highly commended: The Resilient Kids Program: disaster risk reduction for the next generation – Health North Coast.

Resilient Australia Photography Award

Winner: Social Futures, Strong Mind in the Early Years Program – Catherine Piltz.

The photography category is decided by public vote via social media. This year’s winning image captures resilience through a moment of safety, trust and connection in early childhood disaster recovery.