One of the Hunter’s most popular community assets will remain open to the public during vital maintenance work that will improve the safety, longevity and functionality of the Fernleigh Track tunnel.
Originally part of the railway line that transported coal from mines in Lake Macquarie to the port of Newcastle from 1892 to 1991, the tunnel became the highlight of the much-loved cycling and pedestrian path when it opened in 2003.
As part of annual engineering inspections, City of Newcastle identified the need for maintenance to ensure the safety of users and extend the life of the 181-metre-long curved tunnel.
The renewal work will begin later this week and is expected to be finished by the end of June, weather permitting.
Steel mesh will be installed in parts of the tunnel while damaged mortar will be repaired to maintain the stability of the bricks. Weep holes will also be installed in the tunnel to allow for improved drainage.
City of Newcastle’s Acting Executive Director City Infrastructure Robert Dudgeon said the needs of the community have been at the forefront of planning for this project.
“We know how popular the Fernleigh Track and tunnel are with local cyclists, runners and pedestrians,” Mr Dudgeon said.
“The project will provide maintenance for the existing elements of the tunnel and help to reduce future renewal costs, however the biggest priority is to ensure the safety and longevity of the historic site for everyone to enjoy.
“The maintenance will take place between 6pm and 2am, Monday to Friday, to minimise disruptions to daytime users. Additional lighting and temporary fencing will be added to the work area and clear signage will be in place at both tunnel entrances.
“In order to minimise the disturbance to users and residents, access to the tunnel will be maintained, but the usual two-lane pathway will be reduced to a single shared lane within the work zone.
“Pedestrian pathways will be clearly marked 60 metres from the tunnel entrances in both directions and traffic controllers will be on site to safely manage pedestrian and cyclist movements.
“While some noise may be noticeable during work hours because of the use of machinery and equipment, we will make every effort to minimise disturbance throughout the project.”
Other features of the works include the removal of existing graffiti and the application of a new anti-graffiti coating.
For more information on the planned upgrades please visit newcastle.nsw.gov.au/works
The NSW Government shares community concerns about coastal erosion to parts of the Central Coast, especially with the impacted householders.
In response to a letter received from Central Coast Council, the NSW Government has agreed to meet with Council about the issue in the coming week.
Up to this point the Government has acted on the advice of the Local Emergency Management Committee about the situation, including Central Coast Council, as is required by law.
Today (Sunday 11 May) marks the beginning of National Road Safety Week (NRSW).
Sadly, every year on Australian roads approximately 1,300 people are killed and another 44,000 are seriously injured. In 2024, 334 people were killed on the state’s roads, with almost 70 per cent of those in regional NSW and around 40 per cent related to speeding.
The overarching of theme of National Road Safety Week this year is ‘Drive so others Survive’, with road users encouraged to make a road safety pledge. So far, more than 73,000 pledges have already been taken online.
The Minns Labor Government is proud to support National Road Safety Week, an annual initiative of the Safer Australian Roads and Highways (SARAH) Group, which was launched by Peter Frazer OAM, following the tragic loss of his daughter Sarah at a road crash.
On 15 February 2012, Sarah, then aged 23, was driving to Wagga Wagga to begin her university degree when her car broke down on the Hume Highway near Mittagong. She pulled into the emergency breakdown lane and called for assistance before another vehicle collided into her and the tow truck driver, killing them both.
From Sunday evening the Sydney Harbour Bridge will be illuminated yellow to mark the start of National Road Safety Week. There will also be landmarks illuminated across regional NSW including the Forbes Town Hall, Wollongong Lighthouse and the Parkes War Memorial.
New South Wales is the lead jurisdiction this year and will host the launch at the Sydney Opera House on Monday night, bringing together road safety partners, experts and advocates from around Australia. The week aims to amplify the impact of road trauma by campaigning to reduce the number of crashes, so everybody makes it home safely.
To coincide with the launch of NRSW, the NSW Government has today launched a powerful new website to shine a light on those affected by crashes on the state’s road network.
‘Beyond the crash: Real life stories’ highlights the people behind the road crash statistics, reinforcing that every death on our roads isn’t just a number, it represents a real person, and a ripple effect felt by families, friends, and communities.
The site features a story wall and interactive map, allowing users to explore crash stories by location. Through these stories, the platform aims to encourage safer driving attitudes and behaviour.
People across the state are encouraged to submit their own stories, which are reviewed by the Centre for Road Safety at Transport for NSW to ensure they reflect the site’s purpose and meet community guidelines.
As National Road Safety Week reminds us of the importance of road safety, the Minns Labor Government is committed to making NSW roads safer for all road users, with $2.8 billion allocated in the budget over the next four years to deliver road safety initiatives.
These include:
Delivering more road safety infrastructure across NSW
The demerit point return trial that encourages safe driving
Releasing more ratings for bicycle helmets as part of its star rating system
Doubling the number of roadside enforcement sites used for mobile speed cameras, introducing an additional 2,700 new sites.
Using mobile phone detection cameras to catch seatbelt offences
Removing a loophole to force those driving on a foreign license to switch to a NSW licence within six months
Tightening the rules for international license holders to switch to NSW licenses
Introducing a trial of average speed cameras for light vehicles
Signing the National Road Safety Data Agreement with the Commonwealth Government
“National Road Safety Week is an important annual event to raise awareness about road safety and things we can all do to make our roads safer.
“Road crashes affect more than just the people directly involved. They ripple through families, communities, and lives in ways that are often felt long after the crash. Tragically so far this year (as of midnight 8 May) 131 people have lost their lives on NSW roads.
“I’m calling on everyone to make safe decisions on NSW roads, whether driving a car or a truck, riding a bike, or out and about as a pedestrian. Road safety is everyone’s responsibility.
“I’m proud to see our iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge illuminated in yellow to raise awareness of this important week – the Bridge is a key centrepiece in our city and I know that hundreds of thousands of people will see the yellow lights, the projection of the yellow ribbon and NSW’s road safety goal of Towards Zero on the pylons.
“The week is also about reflection, considering the devastating effects that dangerous driving can have on communities. Every death on our roads isn’t just a number – it’s someone’s mum or dad, brother or sister, child or friend.
“The NSW Government is committed to lowering trauma on our roads and we’ve already rolled out a number of road safety actions including the enforcement of seatbelt offences by mobile phone detection cameras, tightening the requirements for international licence holders to convert to NSW licences, awarding a contract for the scoping of 2700 additional mobile speed camera sites and introducing average speed camera trials for light vehicles.”
Transport for NSW Secretary, Josh Murray said:
“Transport for NSW strives every day to put road safety at the forefront and improve safety for everyone.
“The choices we make every day when we get behind the wheel are extremely important and I urge everyone this National Road Safety Week and every week to make safe decisions on the road – please buckle up, ensure your passengers are buckled up and drive so others survive – the life you save could be your own or one of your loved ones.
“The Beyond the Crash website is a place where people who have experienced road trauma can share their experiences and encourage others to have an open conversation about road safety.
“It’s also a sobering reminder how one mistake or wrong decision on the road can take a life – whether it’s your own, someone you care about, or someone else’s loved one whose world is about to be turned upside down.
“We thank everyone who has had the courage to share their loss publicly. The deaths of their loved ones in road crashes caused unimaginable grief which is felt every single day.
“Their stories are powerful and highlight the impact of road trauma. Every time you get behind the wheel you need to drive so others survive.”
President of SARAH Group, and Founder of NRSW, Peter Frazer OAM said:
“National Road Safety Week asks every Australian to reflect on how we actively look after those who are vulnerable on our roads and highways.
“We urge all drivers, passengers, pedestrians and other road users to pledge their commitment to road safety, so that we can ensure that everyone gets home safe to their loved ones, every day with no exceptions.
“I don’t want any other family, friend or professional network, or community to experience the loss we went through when we lost our darling Sarah. She never leaves our hearts or minds for a minute and this Week we are asking people to be aware of their own behaviour on the roads to make it safer for everyone.
“We have to recognise the vast majority of these crashes occur in circumstances that are completely avoidable. It’s imperative that we unite to make our roads safer, as every death or serious injury is one too many.”
“Along with safety measures undertaken by the Federal, State and Local Governments and emergency services, every one of us using the road needs to check our own behaviour and be a better driver, rider, cyclist, passenger or pedestrian every time we are on the road.”
“We can choose to stop being distracted by phones, to stop speeding, and not drive or ride under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
“Choose to Drive So Others Survive! Make your pledge at roadsafetyweek.com.au.”
Cutting edge scientific processes have found 28 current and historic mine sites which could have critical minerals and high-tech metals deposits hidden inside their old waste.
For mines that have closed, these results could mean new opportunities for production, bringing more jobs and investment opportunities to those communities across regional NSW.
The Geological Survey of NSW’s Mine Reuse Project collected more than 1,200 samples.
These specimens were then run through the latest sampling techniques and underwent high precision chemical analysis to identify critical minerals.
This uncovered elevated concentrations of 11 critical minerals and high-tech metals, including copper, cobalt, silver and antimony. Historic mines where sampling occurred include CSA in the Central West, Queen Bee, Great Cobar and Nymagee in the Far West, Endeavour Elura and Endeavour McKinnons in the Central West, and Hillgrove in the Northern Tablelands.
Current mines where researchers were looking for additional materials include Peak Gold Mine and Tritton near Cobar, RASP and Southern Operations near Broken Hill, and Stratford in the Upper Hunter.
The Mine Reuse Project also identified existing discoveries from the reprocessing of waste and tailings. This includes gold from historic tailings at the Mineral Hill mine in the Central West, and tin from Ardlethan mine site in the Riverina.
Results from the survey are being released this week as part of NSW Minerals Week, further highlighting NSW’s status as a global leader in exploration and mining of critical minerals.
Critical minerals and high-tech metals are crucial for clean energy technologies, such as electric vehicles, solar panels, wind turbines, along with aerospace applications. The International Energy Agency estimates that, over the next 20 years, the global economy requires six times the current amount of critical minerals to reach net-zero carbon emissions.
NSW Minerals Week provides an opportunity for government, industry and regional communities to celebrate the contribution that mining makes to the state.
Data from Geological Survey projects are used extensively by the industry to guide explorers and miners and assist them in identifying new opportunities for critical minerals mines. Providing free, pre-competitive data helps de-risk projects and draws investment to NSW.
The release of data from projects like this helps focus explorers and miners on the best opportunities for development and could see an increase on the 190 critical minerals exploration titles already being pursued across NSW.
This latest data release is part of the Government’s continued focus on delivering the NSW Critical Minerals and High-Tech Metals Strategy 2024-35. It builds on the extensive investments made by the Government to date, including:
a $2.5 million co-investment fund for critical minerals explorers;
a $250 million royalty deferral initiative for new critical minerals projects;
the provision of world-class and targeted precompetitive geoscientific data including the recent commencement of the Central Lachlan Seismic Survey around Euabalong to Bathurst and Nyngan to Gilgandra.
The work for the Mine Reuse Project was undertaken in collaboration between the Geological Survey of NSW with the Sustainable Minerals Institute at The University of Queensland and Geoscience Australia.
“The release of this data reinforces that NSW really is the state to be for explorers looking to find the next big critical minerals project.
“As key ingredients in our solar panels, wind turbines, EVs and batteries, critical minerals and high-tech metals are integral to our economic future.
“This release of data is an important part of our critical minerals strategy. This pre-competitive data helps to minimise investment risk in exploration and identify new opportunities.
“We know how important mining is to communities across the state. More exploration means more jobs and more investment in regional NSW.
“It’s also a good reminder of the important work done by the Geological Survey of NSW as we celebrate its 150th year. The agency has made a remarkable contribution to the mining, exploration and geology sectors in NSW.”
NSW Minerals Council CEO Stephen Galilee:
“This initiative recognises the ongoing growth in global demand for many of the valuable mineral commodities we have here in NSW.
“It also highlights the need for more mine approvals in NSW so we can play our role in meeting this global demand while also delivering economic benefits to regional communities.”
Chief Geoscientist and head of the Geological Survey of NSW, Dr Phil Blevin:
“The Mine Reuse Project is a direct outcome of the government’s commitment to a Critical Mineral and High-Tech Metals Strategy that drives investment and innovation in the exploration and mining sector through the provision of world-class and targeted precompetitive geoscience.
“There is a significant multiplier effect in the provision of this data, and it helps drive exploration and innovation. The results of the Mine Reuse Project is just another example of this.”
Full list of mines where sampling occurred:
Mine
Region
Elevated critical minerals and strategic materials
This International Nurses Day, the vital contributions of nurses across NSW are being recognised as they continue to be at the heart of healthcare in every community.
Minister for Health Ryan Park thanked nurses for the important role they play in providing compassionate care and clinical expertise in a range of clinical, outpatient, and community settings.
International Nurses Day is an opportunity to shine a light on the incredible dedication NSW nurses show every day in delivering high-quality, patient-centred care to thousands of people across the state.
If you know a nurse or midwife going above and beyond, International Nurses Day is the perfect time to nominate them for the Healing Heart Award, as part of the 2025 Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards.
The Healing Heart Award recognises a nurse or midwife whose compassion, kindness, professionalism, or other attributes stood out.
Nominations for the Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards are open until 12 June. People can nominate on the NSW Health website.
The Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards consist of nine awards, including seven local health district and specialty network nominated awards, one consumer-nominated Healing Heart award and one colleague-nominated Healing Heart award.
Minister for Health Ryan Park:
“Nurses are the backbone of our healthcare system, and I want to thank each and every one of them for the vital role they play in our health system.
“Their contributions are critical to ensuring safe, effective, and compassionate healthcare, and their commitment is essential to the resilience of the entire health system.
“The care and expertise provided by nurses supports thousands of people across our state every single day, and International Nurses Day is a chance to shine a light on the incredible work they do.”
“Nurses are everywhere all the time, contributing to health outcomes for the people and communities of NSW. They are in community settings and in acute and complex care environments, and everywhere in between.
“I am incredibly proud of my nursing colleagues, and would like to thank them for their compassion, professionalism, and round-the-clock commitment to caring for patients in the public health system.
“As the single largest workforce group in NSW Health, nurses are there at every turn, making a real difference to the care and experience of patients and their families and carers.”
This International Nurses’ Day, we celebrate the dedicated nurses who are at the heart of our healthcare system, providing quality care and keeping our communities thriving.
As demand for skilled workers continues to rise, TAFE NSW continues to step up by delivering hands-on training and industry placements to equip a steady pipeline of job-ready workers.
TAFE NSW Diploma of Nursing and Health Services Assistance students can gain invaluable real-world experience through work placements across more than 250 healthcare organisations, including hospitals, aged care homes, and disability care providers, on their pathway to employment as enrolled nurses and assistants in nursing.
TAFE NSW supports school-based trainees completing their Certificate III in Health Services Assistance with 80 hours of placement, while Diploma of Nursing students gain 400 hours of hands-on clinical experience, ensuring they are job-ready from day one.
Ben Verco, a 51-year-old former Army officer from West Wyalong, is one of the many nursing students benefitting from TAFE NSW’s skills-based approach to education and training.
After an incredible 31 years serving in the Australian Army, Ben took a leap of faith – encouraged by his wife – to follow his passion for healthcare. Enrolling in the Diploma of Nursing at TAFE NSW Wagga Wagga in March 2024, he says this was the best decision of his life.
Through completing hands-on placements at Carramar Aged Care, Leeton, Wagga Wagga Base Hospital’s emergency department and Albury Hospital’s surgical ward alongside his studies, Ben is refining his skills, gaining confidence, and embracing the challenges of a new career.
Ben’s advice for prospective nursing students is that neither age nor location should hold anyone back.
This International Nurses’ Day let’s acknowledge the impact of our healthcare professionals and the role of TAFE NSW in shaping the future of our workforce – one student at a time.
Minister for Health Ryan Park said:
“Skilled healthcare workers are vital to our state’s hospital and allied healthcare settings. Working with hospitals, aged care facilities and disability care providers right across our state, TAFE NSW ensures our healthcare students can gain real-world experience as they complete their training, supporting the next generation of enrolled nurses and assistants in nursing to deliver high-quality care.”
Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steven Whan said:
“TAFE NSW continues to deliver a pipeline of highly skilled healthcare professionals, including nurses, to meet the increasing demand for healthcare workers across our state. Through practical placements providing hands-on training, students are job ready as they enter the workforce, equipped with invaluable real-world experience and training.
“The NSW Skills Plan 2024-2028, the first of its kind since 2008, identifies the care and support economy as a significant contributor to both the NSW workforce and economy. Backed by TAFE NSW nursing courses, students gain the qualifications and practical experience needed to be job-ready for the healthcare sector.”
Ben Verco, Diploma of Nursing student at TAFE NSW said:
“Studying with TAFE NSW has given me the skills and confidence to pursue a career I never expected.
“The hospital wards have been the best classroom for applying hands-on skills like monitoring vital signs, administering medications and assisting in emergency situations. Through my placements, I’ve learned how to adapt to different settings, from emergency departments to aged care, and how important bedside manners are in ensuring patients feel supported and cared for in every interaction.”
This year marks 100 years of the dedication and sacrifice of the NSW Police Force to keep the community safe on our roads and reduce road trauma.
The centennial will be officially marked today with a convoy of more than 50 NSW Police vehicles travelling from Eastern Creek, across the Sydney Harbour Bridge and along Macquarie Street to the Sydney Opera House.
The milestone coincides with the start of National Road Safety Week which raises awareness about road safety, road trauma and highlights that everyone plays a role when it comes to arriving home safely.
In 1925, Inspector General James Mitchell established the Public Safety Bureau, a dedicated unit of police to target speeding drivers and general traffic offences due to the increase of motor vehicles on the roads.
This year also marks 50 years of what is now known as the Traffic & Highway Patrol Command.
In 1975, Police Commissioner Fred Hanson and Police Minister John Lloyd Waddy established the NSWPF Highway Patrol which saw a change in uniform, distinctive, marked vehicles and new lightbars and sirens.
Traffic and Highway Patrol was officially established in 2011 as a statewide model. This brought all Highway Patrol officers under one command structure, while geographically they remained based at more than 50 locations across NSW.
Other key dates include:
1935 – the first road safety campaign sees a billboard encouraging drivers to “drive safely” on the Harbour Bridge;
1937 – speed limits introduced – 48km/h in built up areas and 80km/h in unlit areas;
1968 – breathalysers introduced with 0.08 BAC limit;
1969 – demerits points scheme introduced in NSW;
1971 – wearing of seatbelts becomes compulsory in NSW;
1980 – BAC level reduced to 0.05 due to the higher risk of fatal or serious injury collisions occurring with a reading above 0.05;
1982 – stationary RBTs introduced. Deaths on the road dropped by approximately 300 (or 23%) the first year;
1997 – double demerits introduced over long weekends;
2001 – 40km/h school zones introduced at all schools in NSW;
2005 – automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) – by 2009 technology allowed for reading of 6 number plates per second.
2007 – roadside drug testing introduced to deter people from driving with illicit drugs in their system;
2024 – new roadside drug tests introduced which make results available on the spot, saving more than 55,000 hours of police time.
In 2024, NSW Police conducted more than 3.4 million random breath tests. That’s more than 9,500 tests carried out every day on average.
National Road Safety Week is an annual initiative of the Safer Australian Roads and Highways (SARAH) Group, which was launched by Peter Frazer OAM, following the tragic loss of his daughter Sarah at a road crash.
Tragically in 2024, 338 people were killed on the state’s roads, with 70 per cent of those in regional NSW and around 40 per cent related to speeding.
Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said:
“For a century, what is now the NSW Police Force Traffic & Highway Patrol has stood as a constant presence on our roads saving lives and keeping communities safe with a dedication that often goes unseen but never unappreciated.
“Marking 100 years of road safety in the NSW Police Force is not just about looking back – it’s about recognising the thousands of officers whose grit, discipline, and quiet courage have protected countless lives from tragedy on our roads, with some themselves making the ultimate sacrifice.
“This centenary is a chance to honour a special legacy – 100 years of service, from back streets to highways, with every kilometre patrolled helping to save lives.”
NSW Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison:
“Keeping the people of NSW safe on our roads is one of our highest priorities.
“I want to thank the NSW Police for the critical role in road safety that they have played for 100 years.
“As first responders at crash scenes, in traffic management and in enforcement, the Highway Patrol are there for the NSW community on the frontline saving lives every day.
“The NSW Government strongly supports National Road Safety Week that reminds us everyone has a part to play in safer roads.
“The theme in 2025 is ‘Drive So Others Survive’, with road users encouraged to make a road safety pledge. So far, more than 72,000 pledges have already been taken online.”
A new Urgent Care Service is opening its doors to patients in Quakers Hill today.The Quakers Hill community will now be able to access non-emergency healthcare in a more timely way, and avoid unnecessary trips to the emergency department.
The Quakers Hill Urgent Care Service is now open 365 days a year from 8am to 8pm seven days a week. Healthcare provided at Quakers Hill Urgent Care Service is bulk-billed.
The service is staffed by General Practitioners and nurses with important diagnostic services on-site including radiology and pathology and is well-supported to treat a range of illnesses and injuries that are deemed urgent, but not life-threatening. This includes minor wounds needing stitches, suspected broken bones and skin infections.
Patients should call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222 to access the service. A registered nurse will assess the patient’s condition and then discuss with the patient the best place for their care needs. This may include an appointment at the Quakers Hill Urgent Care Service, a telehealth appointment with the virtualKIDS or virtualGP services, or escalating their care to other services like NSW Ambulance if required.
The Quakers Hill Urgent Care Service is being delivered in partnership with the Western Sydney Primary Health Network.
The Minns Labor Government is working to improve access to care and reduce wait times, through the emergency department relief package which will invest an additional $100 million to fund urgent care services for a further two years, providing a pathway to care outside of our hospitals for an estimated 114,000 patients once fully implemented.
Minister for Health, Ryan Park:
“Families in North-Western Sydney now have more pathways to access timely care for conditions which can be safely and effectively treated outside of the emergency department.
“This new service at Quakers Hill will improve access to care, reduce wait times and take pressure off western Sydney’s hospitals.
“I’m committed to increasing availability of healthcare to communities through urgent care services just like this one, which are aimed at bridging the gap between primary care and emergency care, ensuring patients have fast access to the care they need.”
Member for Riverstone, Warren Kirby:
“I welcome access to an urgent care service for the residents of Riverstone.
“Quakers Hill’s new Urgent Care Service is a win for the community, and for the health system – in that it will provide an alternative pathway to care for patients with urgent conditions and it will take pressure off Blacktown Hospital and the soon to be built Rouse Hill Hospital.”
Western Sydney Primary Health Network spokesperson, Andrew Newton:
“This newest urgent care service in Quakers Hill complements two which are already operating in Auburn and Castle Hill in partnership with Western Sydney PHN.
“Importantly, these services give residents of western Sydney a genuine alternative outside of a busy ED for urgent, but not life-threatening, illnesses and injuries.”
Baulkham Hills students are learning in new and improved school facilities after the Minns Labor Government delivered a $42 million upgrade at Matthew Pearce Public School, near doubling the school’s capacity and making way for the removal of long-term demountables.
The major school upgrade, which began in late 2023, has delivered 24 new classrooms and three support classrooms, increasing the school’s permanent capacity to more than 1,200 students.
The school has also been equipped with a new hall, student bathrooms, and new outside of school hours care (OOSH) facilities.
All 23 demountables have been removed from the school site, making way for the delivery of a new sports field and running track scheduled to be completed later this year.
The Liberals promised an upgrade for Matthew Pearce Public School time and time again, but failed to deliver it.
The Minns Labor Government’s is focused on addressing a chronic lack of school infrastructure delivery in the North West area after 12 years of neglect by the Liberals and Nationals.
The former Government approved new housing developments in the area while failing to deliver the schools that local families needed.
Our work includes delivering seven new schools and major school upgrades, including the recently completed major upgrade at Castle Hill Public School, and delivering the new Box Hill Public School, the new Box Hill High School and the new Gables primary school, along with major upgrades to Rouse Hill High School and Excelsior Public School.
Across all the new and upgraded schools started or delivered by the Minns Labor Government, almost 600 new permanent classrooms across will be built across Sydney’s North-West.
This is part of the Minns Labor Government’s long-term plan to rebuild public education across NSW, with a record $8.9 billion investment to build and upgrade schools in the 2024-25 Budget, including a record $3.6 billion for schools in Western Sydney.
Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:
“We are committed to breaking the backlog of critical school infrastructure needed in North-West Sydney and providing communities with the world-class schools they need.
“Delivering this school upgrade is part of our long-term plan to rebuild the state’s public education system and provide the vital school infrastructure that’s lacking across The Hills District.
“Matthew Pearce Public School is a fantastic local school for our North-West Sydney families and this upgrade, along with the upgrade at Castle Hill Public School, means more students now have access to a world-class public education close to home.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:
“After years of Liberal neglect, the Minns Labor Government is delivering world-class school facilities for families and students in Baulkham Hills, just over a year after we kicked off works.
“The Minns Labor Government is committed to addressing the backlog of school infrastructure works in The Hills that grew over 12 years of neglect under the former NSW Liberal Government, so we can get more demountables off school playgrounds and return valuable play space to students.
“We are committed to delivering high-quality schools across NSW, so every family knows that their child will have access to world-class public education in their local area.”
Matthew Pearce Public School Principal Gae Bromwich said:
“Our entire school community is overjoyed to reach this milestone and have our new flexible and modern classrooms and facilities delivered before the start of Term 2.
“This upgrade has provided the modern learning environment our growing school needs and will help prepare our students for future success.
“Our staff and students alike are making the most of these brand-new facilities that will shape our community’s learning for generations to come.”
Acting Greens Leader Senator McKim offered the following comments about the party’s leadership process and the next term of Parliament:
“Yesterday was a sad and emotional day for everyone in our Party Room, our Party and the broader movement we represent.”
“Our vote held up, but we lost seats on a rise in Labor’s vote that was a result of Australians rejecting Peter Dutton’s Trumpian agenda rather than any kind of endorsement for Labor.”
“Losing Adam on top of losing Stephen and Max is a bitter blow. They are outstanding people who have contributed so much to our movement.”
“However our party is bigger than any of us, and we are ready to get to work on the critical issues facing our country.”
“Our party room will meet on Thursday to decide our next leader and leadership team. There are a number of incredible people who would make great leaders of our party, and I have absolute confidence that whoever is chosen will lead us strongly and well.”
Senator McKim said that the Greens’ strong vote in the Senate looks like it has put the party into sole balance of power.
“The Prime Minister’s instructions that the Senate should get out of his way reek of arrogance and hubris.”
“We have been given a mandate to use our position in the Senate to hold Labor to account and make it act on issues like climate, environment, housing, and social and economic justice. We will be doing exactly that.”
“We were not elected to get out of Labor’s way and the sooner the Prime Minister understands that the better.”
“The Prime Minister needs to recognise that this was a strong result for Labor in terms of seats, not votes.”
“Only around one third of Australians voted for his party, his national primary vote is lower than Mark Latham achieved in 2004, and in many seats Labor only won thanks to Greens preferences.”
“If Labor wants to deliver real change, we’re ready to work constructively.”
“Given the make-up of this Parliament, if positive change on climate, environment, and getting dental into Medicare does not happen, it will be because Labor lacks the ambition and courage to run a strong reform agenda.”
