Month: May 2026

The Finley community is a step closer to an improved local health facility with Stage 2 of the Finley Health Service Redevelopment now complete and the project’s final phase of construction to get underway.

The Minns Government is investing $25 million in the Finley Health Service Redevelopment, which will deliver modern, fit-for-purpose health facilities that better support the health needs of Finley and surrounding communities.

Once complete, the redevelopment will provide new and refurbished clinical and public spaces, including:

• a new Medical Imaging Unit
• upgrades to the Emergency Department
• an expanded inpatient unit
• a new main hospital entry with a larger reception space

Stage 2 included a refurbishment of the eastern part of the existing hospital, including the roof, central corridor and staff room, as well as internal works in preparation the next stage of work. 

Stage 3 includes construction of three, 2-bed inpatient rooms with ensuites, a new main entry, reception and administration area, upgrades to the Emergency Department (ED), and a new Medical Imaging Unit.

Works will also continue on the replacement of the hospital building roof, along with internal refurbishments in the hospital’s western wing, to improve functionality and patient experiences.

All hospital services including the ED continue to operate during construction. All the Hospital’s redevelopment activities are being carried out to minimise disruption to patients, staff, and visitors.

To maintain safe access during construction, some health services will be temporarily relocated, including the hospital’s main entry and ED, reception and administration, and inpatient unit.

From 8.00 am Wednesday 27 May, access to the temporary main entry and ED is via the eastern end of the hospital.

Signage is in place to support patients, visitors, and staff accessing the hospital while work is carried out.

Car parking along Dawe Street remains unchanged and is the closest parking option for hospital access. A drop-off and pick-up zone and new accessible parking spaces are available near the temporary main entry to support patients and visitors with limited mobility.

The Finley Health Service Redevelopment is expected to be completed in 2027.

For information about the project visit: nsw.gov.au/finley-health-service-redevelopment

Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park:

“The Minns Government is continuing to invest in regional health infrastructure so communities like Finley can access high-quality healthcare close to home.

“With Stage 2 now complete and the final stage about to get underway, this redevelopment is one step closer to delivering modern clinical spaces that will support local health services well into the future.”

Member for Murray Helen Dalton:

“This redevelopment represents an important milestone for Finley and surrounding communities.

“The new and upgraded facilities will improve patient experience and support staff to deliver the best possible care, and I thank the community for their patience while construction continues.”

Labor Spokesperson for Murray Bob Nanva:

“It’s great to have Stage 2 of the Finley Health Service Redevelopment finished, and we’re all looking forward to now getting the entire redevelopment completed next year.

“The upgraded facilities will serve the healthcare needs of the people of Finley and the surrounding region for many years to come.”

More renewable energy flowing into the system is helping place downward pressure on electricity prices, with the Default Market Offer in NSW set to fall from July.

The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has determined the cap on default electricity prices for NSW households will drop by between 3.4 and 7.7 per cent from July, reflecting lower wholesale electricity costs as more renewable generation and storage enters the market.

The determination comes as the Minns Labor Government has accelerated the renewable energy rollout with utility scale wind and solar capacity increasing by 80 per cent in the last three years and today’s determination from the AER shows the Government’s rollout is beginning to place downward pressure on energy costs.

According to the AER, the 7 per cent of households on the default plan will see between $66 and $211 off annual bills, as more renewable energy flows into the grid and lowers underlying wholesale electricity prices.

The 14 per cent of small businesses on the default electricity offer can expect savings of between $432 and $1,303 a year.

Lower wholesale prices help put downward pressure on retail prices across the market.

We recognise that power bills are still high, and families and businesses continue to face cost-of-living pressures.

But this is a welcome sign that NSW households and businesses will soon see the benefits of more renewable energy and storage in the system.

The job is not done but the direction is clear. Reversing course now would cost tens of billions of dollars more and only make power bills worse.

The Liberals and Nationals need to be honest about whether they support the renewable energy and storage NSW needs to replace ageing coal-fired power stations, or whether they would put that investment at risk.

Blocking renewable energy and storage means higher bills, less reliability and more exposure to ageing coal-fired power stations.

The Minns Labor Government will continue to support the effective and consistent implementation of the NSW Benefit-Sharing Guideline, ensuring councils and communities hosting projects receive associated benefits.

More than $180 million in benefits have been committed to communities since the guideline’s introduction in November 2024. This is in addition to the Renewable Energy Zone community and employment benefit funds coordinated by EnergyCo.

Households and businesses can check they’re on the best deal available to them, on the independent Energy Made Easy website: www.energymadeeasy.gov.au.

Premier Chris Minns said:

“We know families and small businesses are doing it tough, so any relief on power bills is welcome news.

“This is the first encouraging sign in a long time that electricity prices are starting to head in the right direction.

“After years of rising prices and pressure on households, people want to know there is a plan to keep the lights on and help bring costs down over time.

“We can’t afford to go backwards now. Walking away from more renewables would only drive prices higher and put more pressure on families and businesses.”

Minister for Energy Penny Sharpe said:

“More renewable energy coming online is starting to drive down wholesale prices, and that’s flowing through to lower bills for households and small businesses.

“The Liberals and Nationals need to declare where they stand. Blocking renewable energy and storage means higher bills, less reliability and more exposure to ageing coal-fired power stations.”

Construction has begun on $31 million infrastructure upgrades at the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute (EMAI) as part of the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to protecting the state’s agriculture sector, supporting research and innovation and strengthening our biosecurity capabilities.

The world-class facility in Menangle plays a critical role with a team of renowned scientists working to find new ways to reduce threats to agriculture, the environment, and our community.

The Minns Government is helping build-up and protect the state’s primary industries with $100 million invested over the last year in agricultural research and more than $1 billion in biosecurity systems and programs.

The latest upgrades at EMAI include:

• a $15 million high-containment insectary that will strengthen NSW’s capacity to protect agriculture and the environment from damaging insect and mite pests.

The facility will enable rapid, secure research to respond to exotic incursions, and improve biosecurity preparedness for industries such as grains, horticulture, livestock, forestry and cotton, as well as the environment, by increasing the likelihood of a successful response.

This facility was funded by the NSW Government with a $2 million contribution from the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC).

• $6.5 million to renovate the existing greenhouse complex to support plant biosecurity research and diagnostics. This includes the host diversity of new and emerging pathogens, developing new surveillance methods, and improved control options.

Plant industries depend on pathogen-tested propagation stock, so upgraded greenhouse facilities will strengthen early detection of exotic and emerging pathogens.

• $4.8 million to extend the animal house facility to support priority biosecurity research.
• $4.7 million to other critical laboratory and infrastructure upgrades across the EMAI campus.

The greenhouse research complex, animal house research facility extension and critical laboratory and infrastructure upgrades are funded under the Minns Government’s $60 million Critical Infrastructure Uplift Program.

Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said:

“The Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute is one of the world’s leading primary industries research centres and the Minns Government is committed to making it even better.

“The work undertaken by the dedicated scientists has aided biosecurity response capacity for red imported fire ant, Xylella, khapra beetle, Japanese encephalitis virus and white spot syndrome virus, protecting the State’s multibillion dollar primary industries sector.

“The Minns Government recognises how crucial biosecurity research is with this $31 million investment in labs, greenhouses, and research facilities at the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute.

“NSW Government scientists continue to deliver world-first breakthroughs which have long-lasting benefits to agriculture, the environment and our community. This funding recognises the critical role our scientists continue to play in preventing biosecurity incursions and improving our preparedness.

“Collaboration is a key component for EMAI scientists who have been able to deliver world-firsts, such as developing a vaccine for foot-and-mouth disease this year. Investing in these facilities gives our researchers the opportunity to continue their studies and work with international counterparts to protect our industries.”

“Our scientists and researchers are delivering world-first and Australia-first discoveries that are helping protect our industries, strengthen our biosecurity, improve productivity and support farmers right across the state.

“From cutting-edge science to practical innovations that directly benefit regional communities, EMAI is where some of the brightest minds are pushing the boundaries of research and development right here in NSW.

“This work often happens quietly behind the scenes, but it is absolutely critical to the future of our primary industries and reinforces NSW as a national leader in agricultural innovation.”

Case studies:

FMD Vaccine World First

• Researchers at EMAI played a critical role in developing the world-first vaccine.
• This is a once-in-a-generation development that puts Australia at the forefront of the development of these types of vaccines.
• Protecting our livestock from devastating animal diseases, including foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and lumpy skin disease (LSD), is a vitally important initiative for Australia.
• An outbreak of FMD could cost the Australian economy up to $80 billion through trade disruption and response to the disease.

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) response

• The Virology Laboratory at EMAI was the first lab in Australia to identify the presence of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) in foetal pig samples.
• The lab’s virologists and veterinary pathologists were unable to resolve what was causing illnesses in pigs, so the team ran a broader virus diagnostic to detect the group of viruses that includes JEV.
• The detection of JEV in Central NSW and south to the Murray River was an unexpected and significant finding.
• After the diagnosis, health authorities were able to confirm JEV in human cases of encephalitis which up until then had an undiagnosed cause.

Varroa and suspect Polyphagous shothole borer (PSHB) samples

• Collaboration between the molecular entomology and biotechnology teams at EMAI, using Advanced Gene Technology Centre (AGTC) facilities, led to successful barcode sequencing to confirm or deny the presence of serious exotic pests in less than 24 hours.
• In the case of varroa in 2022, the team confirmed varroa the morning after samples were received at EMAI.
• For two suspect Polyphagous shothole borer samples, the team followed up on suspect protein fingerprint profiles that indicated the material could be PSHB, with barcode sequencing undertaken overnight to confirm NSW was still free of PSHB.

Today is National Sorry Day, a time when we acknowledge the lasting impacts caused by the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families.  

Survivors and their descendants continue to demonstrate incredible strength and resilience, ensuring their stories and truths are shared.  

National Reconciliation Week, which starts tomorrow, is a reminder of the role we can all play in strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Reconciliation Week (27 May to 3 June) begins each year on the anniversary of the successful 1967 referendum and ends on the anniversary of the historic 1992 High Court Mabo decision recognising Native Title.

This year’s Reconciliation Week theme, ‘All In’, is a call for all Australians to commit wholeheartedly to reconciliation; not just today, but every day.  

The NSW Government is committed to work in partnership with Aboriginal organisations, communities, and people to Close the Gap.

We know that when Closing the Gap solutions are designed, led, and implemented by Aboriginal people and communities, in partnership with Government, we get better outcomes.

Our focus is on shared decision-making.

Going ‘All In’ can mean taking practical action in your workplace, school, sporting club or community. It can mean attending or holding a reconciliation event, supporting Aboriginal businesses and artists, learning about the history of your local area, listening to Aboriginal voices, or starting a conversation about reconciliation with family and friends.  

Communities across NSW will mark the week with walks, cultural events, language workshops, exhibitions, performances and community gathering. There are dozens of events to get involved in.

Visit the https://www.reconciliation.org.au/ website to find an event near you. 

Wentworth and surrounding communities are benefitting from improved and enhanced healthcare services, with the official opening of the new $30 million Wentworth Health Service.

The new purpose-built health service includes a 19-bed Inpatient Unit, palliative care suite, dining room, family gathering room, patient gym, a reception area and waiting room, courtyards and community health rooms.

The new facility has been built on the existing hospital site, which overlooks the Darling River and features high ceilings, natural light and colours that reflect the natural surroundings of the site. Local art brings the health service to life, and the unique history of the old hospital is reflected in a heritage display and framed photographs along the Inpatient Unit corridor.

A strong sense of Connecting with Country is also evident within the new Health Service, with a scar tree sculpture and canoe-shaped oculus at the entry. Signs in Barkindji language will welcome consumers and visitors, and local native plants, with descriptions about their traditional uses, will be incorporated in the landscaping for the new health facility.

The facility includes a new ambulance access bay which links through to a new Urgent Care Centre, located within the new health services building.

The Urgent Care Centre is open 24/7 and is a dedicated space for people to be seen and treated for a range of non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries.

The Wentworth Health Service facility was delivered by Health Infrastructure in partnership with Far West Local Health District and HPAC Pty Ltd as the contractor. Final works including landscaping is expected to be completed in mid-2026.

The Minns Labor Government is committed to delivering world-class health care across the state and has invested $3.4 billion to deliver new and upgraded health services in regional NSW.

More information about the redevelopment is available at Wentworth Health Service Redevelopment.

Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park:

“The official opening of the new $30 million Wentworth Health Service marks a significant milestone for the local community and ensures staff, patients and the local community have access to improved services, modern health facilities and care closer to home.

“It’s a unique facility which has been designed to help meet the healthcare needs of Wentworth and surrounding communities now and into the future.

“The new purpose-built health service will provide enhanced health services, including a 19-bed Inpatient Unit, palliative care suite, community health rooms, and much more.”

Member for Murray Helen Dalton MP:

“The new Wentworth Health Service is a great reflection of the local environment and people, who were integral in the planning and design of the new health facility.

“We are also proud that Wentworth is one of the first 100 per cent fully electrified hospitals in NSW, with sustainability a key feature in the design.”

Labor Spokesperson for Murray Bob Nanva:

“It’s important that our health facilities are not just functional, but are pleasant spaces that help people to feel at ease and to heal.

“The design of the new facility reflects the culture, colours, landscape and history of the local area.”

NSW Shadow Transport Minister Natalie Ward today called out the Minns Government’s embarrassing backflip on e-bike number plates and warned that after months of talk and tinkering nothing on the ground has changed.
 
Earlier this year, Transport Minister John Graham went on 2GB to rubbish the idea of number plates on e-bikes, declaring they “won’t help with enforcement.” Now his own government’s draft regulations are proposing exactly that for shared e-bikes.
 
“Call it a number plate, call it a ‘fleet identification number’, it’s the same thing, and the Minister said it wouldn’t work. Now, he is implementing it.” Ms Ward said.
 
Ms Ward slammed the Government’s half-measure approach, pointing out the regulations only target shared bikes, completely ignoring the dropkicks on private e-bike terrorising parks, footpaths and people across the city.
 
“The ratbags causing chaos aren’t on shared e-bikes. They’re on private e-bikes, and Labor has done absolutely nothing about the reckless behaviour,” she said.
 
To make matters worse, the new laws for shared bikes passed Parliament six months ago, and the Government still hasn’t brought them into force.
 
“Six months. Not a single regulation in effect. It’s all consultation and talk meanwhile, innocent Sydneysiders are dodging e-bikes left stranded across the footpath.” Ms Ward said.
 
The Liberals and Nationals have called on Labor to support amendments giving police the power to immediately seize private e-bikes based on behaviour, not specifications.
 
“We’ve got renamed number plates for some e-bikes but still no accountability for ratbags.”
  
“NSW deserves a government that moves at the speed of the problem. This one is still stuck in first gear.”