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The Minns Labor Government has today announced virtual stock fencing will be legalised across the state providing landholders with a new effective way of controlling cattle.

This is part of the Minns Government’s plan to boost the agriculture industry, reduce costs and better manage agricultural land and primary industries.

The NSW Member of Parliament for Orange, Phil Donato, has been championing the benefits of virtual fencing for primary producers to the NSW Government for the past three years.

The Government has listened to Phil Donato MP and the recommendations of the Legislative Assembly Committee Inquiry into the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment (Virtual Stock Fencing) Bill 2024, plus the NSW Farmers, and animal welfare organisations, and is now moving to legalise virtual fencing.

Virtual fencing is used to contain cattle without the need for physical internal fencing, instead using devices such as neck bands or collars that use GPS technology and sensory cues to manage their movement. These devices can also monitor the activity, health and welfare of cattle.

Using GPS coordinates, farmers will be able to use this technology as internal fencing, rather than having to construct new or maintain existing fencing. Plus, gain insights on the health and movement of their herds.

This assists farmers to reconfigure paddocks and reduce costs on fence repair, plus address other issues shown through data analysis more efficiently and effectively.

This reform brings NSW into line with Queensland, the Northern Territory, Western Australia and Tasmania where virtual fencing is currently used.

The Inquiry Report recommended the development of a code of practise to specify animal welfare requirements.

The NSW Government will ensure necessary safeguards for animal welfare, biosecurity and public safety are in place for the introduction of virtual fencing.

Consultation will be undertaken on the proposed approach to allow virtual fencing in NSW before regulatory changes are made under Prevention of Cruelty to Animals legislation.

NSW Minister for Agriculture, Tara Moriarty:

“The NSW Government has listened to Phil Donato the MP for Orange and to the farming industry and will work with both industry and animal welfare groups to ensure we get the right balance for delivering virtual fencing on farms.

“These changes seek to reduce costs for farming and to enable agile paddock formation across land holdings to meet the needs of farmers while also protecting the welfare of cattle.

“The Government will now consider amendments to the POCTA Regulation and undertake consultation with key stakeholders including industry and animal welfare organisations.”

Member for Orange, Phil Donato:

“The platform upon which I was first elected included representing the interests and needs of farmers, and I have maintained that commitment having vigorously advocated on behalf of our state’s farmers ever since.

“I am pleased the Minns Government and the Minister for Agriculture, Tara Moriarty, have listened, worked through the issues and agreed to legalise virtual fencing in NSW through regulation.

“I congratulate the Government for their support, and I now look forward to advising Government to ensure we get the regulatory settings right so our farmers can reap the many benefits virtual fencing can deliver.

“It is imperative that government support scientific research-supported technological advancements in agriculture, so that our farmers have access to innovative tools which benefit the environment, animal management, their ag business and remain competitive in the marketplace.

“The benefits of virtual fencing cannot be overstated; in fact, a multi-generational Tasmanian dairy farmer recently told me that virtual fencing has been life altering for him and his family, and that if virtual fencing had not been made available to the business he manages he would have walked away from the industry years ago – completely burnt out.

“For the past three-plus years I have been lobbying the NSW Government non-stop to legalise this innovative livestock management technology, culminating in my introduction of a bill to legalise virtual fencing.”

Hundreds of families in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven are a step closer to accessing new public preschools with the award of contracts for the construction of the new facilities, co-located with public schools across the region.

The nine new preschools being delivered by the Minns Labor Government will provide places for up to 800 children per week, offering high-quality early learning to support families and give local children the best start to their education.

The public preschools will be fee-free, providing cost-of-living relief for local families.

This milestone marks a new step in a historic building boom, with 100 new public preschools set to open across New South Wales by early 2027, including 49 in regional areas.

As part of the biggest expansion of public preschools in NSW history, the first new public preschool opened at Gulyangarri Public Preschool in Liverpool in October 2024. A contract was also recently awarded to build 40 public preschools co-located with existing public schools across Western Sydney.

The latest tranche of preschools for the Illawarra will be built at Barrack Heights, Berkeley West, Bomaderry, Greenwell Point, Hayes Park, Lake Heights, Lake Illawarra South, Sanctuary Point and Cringila public schools.

Construction is set to begin this year on most of the nine preschools, and the community will be kept updated on progress, including site locations, construction and delivery timelines for each project. 

By delivering 100 new public preschools by 2027, the Minns Labor Government will create places in high quality early education for up to an additional 9,000 children for the year before they begin their schooling.

The Minns Labor Government is rebuilding public education with a record $8.9 billion funding in the 2024-25 Budget for new and upgraded public schools and public preschools.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:

“This investment is part of the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to rebuilding public education and ensuring local families have access to high-quality early education close to home.

“I’m pleased to announce that the contracts have now been awarded, and construction will soon begin on our new public preschools in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven.

“This commitment shows the Minns Labor Government is serious about providing our youngest learners the best start in life, after the former Liberal National government failed to build a single public preschool in 12 years.”

Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast Ryan Park said:

“The first 2000 days of a child’s life are a critically important period in their learning and development, and the development of social, emotional and cognitive skills in preschool is crucial to this.

“A lot of people are doing it tough at the moment, and our government’s investment in fee-free public preschools will make the world of difference to a lot of families on the South Coast.”

Member for Wollongong Paul Scully said:

“This investment will be life changing for so many children in Wollongong and the broader Illawarra-Shoalhaven region.

“These new public preschools will give hundreds of local children now and long into the future the best possible start to their education while providing much-needed cost-of-living relief for families.”

Member for Shellharbour Anna Watson said:

“It is wonderful that these new preschools are being built in fast-growing areas where local families need them most.

“These fee-free public preschools will make a huge difference for young families right across the Illawarra and Shoalhaven.”

Member for South Coast Liza Butler said:

“This is a huge win for families across the Shoalhaven. By delivering these new public preschools, we’re giving local children the best start in life while easing the financial burden on parents.

“For too long, families have struggled to find accessible and affordable early childhood education. This investment will change that, ensuring every child – no matter their background – has the opportunity to thrive.

“I look forward to seeing construction begin next year and keeping our community updated as we deliver these much-needed preschools for the Illawarra and Shoalhaven.”

Labor spokesperson for Kiama Sarah Kaine MLC said:

“I am pleased that the contract for the construction of the Bomaderry public preschool has been awarded. This public preschools will provide long term benefits for children and families in the Kiama community.”

Students and staff at Forbes Public School are celebrating as they return to their upgraded school two and a half years on from the destructive 2022 Central West floods, with school improvements making way for the return of play space and the removal of demountables.

Forbes Public School’s flood rebuild project, delivered by the Minns Labor Government, features 14 refurbished classrooms, library upgrades, an upgraded school canteen, 12 new air conditioning units and two new bubbler stations.

The school’s toilet facilities have also been upgraded with new water-saving toilets and taps, handbasins, and partitions.

The project also included updating 11 school buildings with new doors, fresh paint, new carpet and laminate flooring, and essential electrical infrastructure upgrades. These improvements involved repainting and refurbishment of the shade structure, resurfacing the main sports court, landscaping of outdoor play areas, and the installation of new seating.

Overall, 1,050 litres of fresh paint was applied across interior and exterior walls and surfaces, and 1,080 square metres of new flooring was installed.

25 demountable classrooms used temporarily to support the school during the works will begin to be removed next month, including those on the school oval, with works on track for completion by Term 3.

Once cleared, the oval will be topsoiled and turfed, returning outdoor space for students and the school community to enjoy.

The Minns Labor Government is investing a record $8.9 billion investment to build and upgrade schools across NSW, including a historic $1.4 billion for school infrastructure projects in regional NSW.

Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:

“After the devastation of the 2022 floods, it is fantastic that we are now welcoming students and teachers back to permanent, upgraded facilities at Forbes Public School.

“The floods have been particularly impactful for our regional communities, and the Minns Labor Government has worked hard to restore these important schools.

“The Minns Labor Government is committed to upgrading vital infrastructure like schools to communities in the Central West, so all young people and families have the high-quality facilities they need in their local area.”

Member for Orange Phil Donato said:

“I am pleased to see this important local school upgraded and returned to the Forbes community.

“This has been a difficult time for Forbes and the wider Central West community as we chart the long road to recovery from the 2022 floods.”

Duty MLC for Orange Stephen Lawrence said:

“The return of this school to the Forbes community will give local students, families and teachers a welcome boost as we continue the long recovery from the floods.

“I am proud to be part of the Minns Labor Government that is focused on returning vital infrastructure to local communities and rebuilding public education across the state.”

Megan Staples, Forbes Public School Principal said:

“The devastating floods of November 2022 had a significant impact on our school and the wider community, forcing us to relocate to temporary facilities.

“The time since has been an incredible testament to the dedication of our staff, the resilience of our students and the wonderful support from our wider school community.

“Thank you again for your patience, understanding and support.

“We cannot wait for students to resume their learning journeys today and embark on an exciting new chapter for Forbes Public School.”

Following the release of the NSW Innovation Blueprint 2035, innovations that transform industries and tackle some of the state’s most pressing problems will be celebrated today at the 2025 NSW Commercialisation Showcase.

Held at University of Technology Sydney, the day-long event offers an important opportunity for researchers and entrepreneurs to learn from each other and help ensure the ongoing growth of high-tech industries in NSW.

45 companies will have their technology on display, and the audience of 450 government, academic, and industry stakeholders will hear from 20 companies in a three-minute ‘Pitchfest’ and a further 20 via presentations.

Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology Anoulack Chanthivong will deliver the closing address.

The Showcase features innovative technologies tackling challenges in five areas:

• Digital Transformation and Connectivity
• Natural Hazards and Resilience
• Advanced Manufacturing and Net Zero
• Space and Defence
• Medical and Health.

Highlighted NSW Government initiatives include the Medical Devices Fund which has supported the development of 48 devices over 12 years, with a total funding of $92 million, and the Clean Technology Innovation Program which is investing up to $195 million to fast-track emerging solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Programs run by the NSW Research Networks, including the NSW Smart Sensing Network, Defence Innovation Network and Space Research Network are also on show.

The NSW Innovation Blueprint 2035 sets clearly defined goals and priority action areas to guide how the NSW Government designs programs, allocates funding, and works with innovation stakeholders.

Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology Anoulack Chanthivong:

“The 2025 NSW Commercialisation Showcase is an inspiring event which highlights the importance of supporting our state’s most innovative small businesses to tackle our most pressing challenges.

“Today is a day to truly appreciate what can be achieved when our innovative new companies are supported and nurtured.

“The recently released NSW Innovation Blueprint 2035 sets the NSW Labor Government’s vision to achieve more of these success stories in the decades ahead.

“I congratulate the many companies sharing their groundbreaking technologies and look forward to ensuring the NSW Government’s support for high-tech industry only increases moving forward.”

Minister for Recovery, Small Business and the North Coast Janelle Saffin:

“This year’s Showcase of 45 small businesses at the cutting edge of technological innovation will build on the success of last year’s inaugural event.

“I’m interested in all five areas of research and development, but particularly around natural hazards and risk reduction given my Recovery portfolio.

“The NSW Government is investing heavily in a range of initiatives which have the potential to transform industries, and ultimately, benefit consumers.”

Construction of the state’s largest mental health facility has commenced today in Western Sydney as the Minns Labor Government continues work to build a better New South Wales by investing in the essential services people rely on.

$540 million has been invested to deliver the Westmead Integrated Mental Health Complex. Set to be completed in 2027 it will deliver an uplift in beds, addressing the growing demand for mental health services in the area and providing best-practice care for Western Sydney communities.

Designs for the new complex were developed in close concert with key stakeholders including hospital staff, clinicians, community members and those with a lived experience in the New South Wales Mental Health System. This engagement will continue throughout the construction process.

The new Westmead Integrated Mental Health Complex will include:

• acute mental health beds, including beds for youth, adolescents, adults, older persons and people living with eating disorders
• mental health intensive care and high dependency units
• a mental health assessment area
• sub and non-acute mental health beds
• multidisciplinary ambulatory and outpatient mental health support services.

Importantly, the construction of this complex will include a link bridge connection to Westmead Hospital, providing better integration between mental health care and other services including the emergency department and psychiatric emergency care.

As part of this project, existing mental health inpatient and outpatient services at Cumberland Hospital West Campus will be relocated to the new Integrated Mental Health Complex at Westmead Health Precinct.

There will be no disruption or changes to patient care until the Westmead complex is complete, and it is absolutely safe to do so.

Today marks a milestone in the Minns Labor Government’s ongoing work to support community mental health and wellbeing by increasing the essential help available to the people of New South Wales when they need it.

This work has included:

• investing $8.2 million to support lifeline to expand text and webchat services for NSW residents
• investing $17.1 million in Kids Helpline, to provide greater access to free counselling services for children and young people
• hosted a state first forum to shine a spotlight on men’s mental health
• launched a parliamentary inquiry into Loneliness and its impacts
• employing additional school counsellors to support student wellbeing across NSW schools
• launched a new mental health and wellbeing strategy for first responders
• commenced community consultation on landmark whole of government suicide prevention legislation.

Premier Chris Minns said:

“Today is a really important step forward in building a more accessible and integrated mental healthcare system for New South Wales.

“Mental health is an important and ongoing conversation. This investment is about ensuring when people need help, they can receive it, in a place that has been designed to provide the best care possible.

“We know that mental health care can not and should not be separated from other forms of healthcare, which is why it’s so important that this project includes a bridge connecting the mental health services to Westmead Hospital.”

Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson said:

“The new Integrated Mental Health Complex will be a game-changer for New South Wales and will ensure people can receive the best possible care in an environment that prioritises their wellbeing.

“By combining acute, non-acute and sub-acute services under the one roof, this will be a space that not only addresses the immediate needs of people in crisis but also fosters long-term recovery.”

Minister for Health Ryan Park said:

“It’s great to see work getting underway for the new state-of-the-art health facility, which will revolutionise mental health care in NSW. 

“The new Complex will further cement the Westmead Health Precinct as one of the largest health, research, education and training precincts in the world, and provide enhanced access to mental health care in a contemporary health care facility.”

Member for Parramatta Donna Davis said:

“I’m very pleased to see progress on this project. As this Complex comes to life it will bring us closer to the delivery of a new 21st-Century mental health facility right in the heart of Western Sydney.

“Turning the sod on this new Complex opens a new chapter in the history of mental health services in Parramatta that has spanned more than 175 years.

“This new build also provides a welcome boost to the local economy, supporting almost 1000 direct jobs with the potential for supporting thousands of indirect jobs throughout the life of the project.”

Residents of south west Sydney will have greater access to renal dialysis services as a result of a $5.2 million funding grant from the Minns Labor Government.

Camden Hospital will soon welcome a new renal dialysis unit servicing the local and broader Macarthur community, reducing the need to travel for this ongoing and frequent treatment.

Campbelltown, Bowral and Liverpool Hospitals will also expand their existing renal dialysis services, allowing more patients to receive critical care close to home.

The funding will purchase the specialist equipment needed to provide the services at all four hospitals and capital works at Camden and Liverpool Hospitals to repurpose existing spaces into state-of-the-art services.

The additional and expanded renal services are expected to be operational in 2026 and will provide for around 120 additional sessions per week.

Renal dialysis is a life sustaining treatment for people who have end stage kidney failure. The treatment filters blood when a patient is experiencing kidney failure, removing excess fluid and waste products.

Patients requiring dialysis usually attend treatment several times per week, for several hours at a time.

Minister for Health Ryan Park:

“This $5.2 million funding boost will offer more people greater access to this life saving and life extending treatment and care closer to home.

“Renal dialysis is a life sustaining treatment and with the expected increase in population across south western Sydney, we are delivering new these new facilities to ensure capacity can meet demand.”

Member for Camden, Sally Quinnell:

“This funding boost to our local Camden hospital is crucial in ensuring our community has access to timely, accessible and quality healthcare.

“Delivering essential healthcare services across the Macarthur region means travel time will be reduced for patients and families, making lives easier.

“I’m proud to be part of a government that is bringing Camden’s healthcare opportunities back into the forefront of planning.”

Member for Liverpool, Charishma Kaliyanda:

“Dialysis is not optional—it’s essential. The expansion of services at Liverpool Hospital means our community can access this lifesaving treatment closer to home.

“This will make a real difference for many renal patients who, at present, are travelling long distances to access care.”

Member for Campbelltown, Greg Warren:

“This funding boost of $5.2 million will allow residents of Campbelltown, and the broader Macarthur region to access this critical treatment and care closer to home.

“As demand for these services continues to rise in Southwest Sydney, it is crucial that we continue to support our hospitals to meet that demand.

“For patients in South West Sydney who have to regularly attend dialysis, giving them options for care close to home can make a major, positive impact.”

Member for Wollondilly, Judy Hannan:

“This is a wonderful funding boost to a historic Hospital that means so much to the Macarthur region.

“I welcome this funding and thank the Government for their investment that matches the growth that our area is facing.

“I hope this funding shows the community the ongoing support for Camden Hospital, I look forward to further investments in future in Wollondilly and the surrounds and continuation of clinical services that are provided there at the moment.”

Sonia Marshall, Chief Executive, South Western Sydney Local Health District:

“Renal dialysis requires frequent and often lengthy treatments, allowing patients in kidney failure to live longer and maintain their quality of life.

“The expansion will mean more people than ever before across our district have access to life saving treatments that deliver for our communities.”