Author: admin

New overtaking lanes open as part of the Newell Highway upgrade

Three new overtaking lanes south of Moree are now open thanks to a $261.1 million investment between the Australian and New South Wales governments, providing safer and more efficient road journeys.

For drivers of the Newell Highway the upgrades are a welcome improvement, with new northbound and southbound overtaking lanes south of Moree, and a new northbound lane now open at Bellata.

The works are part of the Newell Highway Heavy Duty Pavement Upgrades, which are being delivered in four sections. Remaining activities include:

  • the installation of a pedestrian refuge and turning lane, as well as switching on the remaining streetlights at Bellata
  • construction of north-west NSW’s largest heavy vehicle rest area north of Narrabri
  • improved pavement, culverts and two new overtaking lanes south of Edgeroi.

The project will also upgrade 20 kilometres of the Newell Highway between Narrabri and Moree, delivering new heavy-duty road pavement, intersection improvements and wider road shoulders.

North of Narrabri, traffic has switched over to a recently finished section of new highway, providing a safer and more comfortable drive for motorists.

The Newell Highway Heavy Duty Pavement Upgrades not only improves safety, it reduces future maintenance requirements and costs, improves the highway’s flood resilience and improves freight productivity and access to the Moree Special Activation Precinct.

Construction on these essential upgrades began in mid-2022, and has already created job opportunities for more than 940 people.

The Australian Government is contributing $205.7 million to these works, as part of an $1.5 billion total investment in future-proofing the Newell Highway.

Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:

“The Australian Government is proud to be working with our state counterparts by investing in the future of regional NSW.

“The $1.5 billion we’re investing in the Newell Highway will pay dividends for decades, ensuring this essential transport corridor will serve local motorists and the road freight industry alike.”

NSW Regional Transport and Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison:

“The Newell Highway is a major inland regional route that connects Queensland and Victoria and is travelled by thousands of locals, tourists and key freight operators every day.

“The opening of three new overtaking lanes is an important milestone for this highway upgrade project which will greatly improve the way people move around the state’s north-west.

“The Albanese and Minns Labor Governments are pleased to be working together to improve road safety and reduce travel times for motorists who travel on this critical national highway.”

Senator for NSW Deborah O’Neill:

“The Australian Government is investing in the road infrastructure which keeps freight moving and travellers safe.

“We’re partnering with the NSW Government to deliver projects that local communities need and deserve.”

NSW Independent Member for Barwon Roy Butler said:

“The mix of road users travelling on the Newell Highway means it’s not uncommon for faster moving vehicles to come up behind slower moving heavy vehicles or holidaying caravanners.

“The provision of extra overtaking lanes is a vital safety initiative that helps to keep traffic flowing smoothly and reduces some of the frustration that can come from not being able to safely pass.”

NSW Labor’s spokesperson for Northern Tablelands Peter Primrose MLC said:

“These new overtaking lanes will improve regional travel, especially during the end of year school holiday period, lead to improved efficiency for freight operators who use the Newell Highway, and safer road travel for holiday makers and regular Newell Highway users on the western side of the Northern Tablelands.

“The whole project is a great example of the Australian and NSW Governments collaborating to prioritise investment in regional communities.”

Work progressing for new palliative care units in Western Sydney

Work to deliver enhanced palliative care facilities for communities in western Sydney is progressing, with planning and design for new, purpose-built palliative care units at Westmead and Nepean hospitals now completed.

The completion of the design phase for the palliative care units at both Westmead and Nepean hospitals paves the way for the tender process to appoint a building contractor to commence next year.  

The NSW Government is investing $93 million as part of the World Class End of Life Care Program to deliver new or redeveloped palliative care facilities across the state, including at Nepean, Westmead, Wyong, Tamworth, and Orange hospitals. 

The new purpose-built palliative care units, offer more privacy, comfort, and dignity to support people in their final stages of life and ensure they receive the highest standard of care. 

Extensive consultation with staff and the local community has played an important role in the design development for each unit at Westmead and Nepean Hospitals, and ensures the palliative care space meets the needs of the local community.

At Westmead Hospital, the new unit will include bedrooms with ensuites, communal spaces, a multi-faith room, and direct access to a shared outdoor area. This facility will be located within an extension to the Clinical Acute Services Building and has been designed to offer privacy and access to complementary health services within Westmead Hospital. 

At Nepean Hospital, the new unit which is on the top floor of the new Stage 2 Redevelopment building, will feature bedrooms with ensuites and include a rooftop courtyard, as well as family-orientated, shared spaces aimed at creating a supportive, inclusive setting for patients and their loved ones. 

Construction timeframes for the new palliative care units at Westmead and Nepean hospitals will be confirmed following the appointment of a building contractor.  

Minister for Health Ryan Park: 

“The NSW Government’s investment to enhance palliative care facilities is focused on delivering respectful and purpose-built spaces which provide dignity and comfort for people in their final stages of life. 

“These units at Nepean and Westmead hospitals will ensure patients and their families have both privacy and comfort, as well as enhanced access to palliative care services and facilities.” 

Member for Penrith, Karen McKeown: 

“It is important that the design for these new palliative care facilities included input from health staff and the community. It will provide our Nepean hospital patients and their families with the comfort, ease, and solace they deserve during these difficult times.

“Our Government’s $93 million commitment is part of the World Class End of Life Care Program highlighting our dedication to expanding access to quality and compassionate care for communities throughout NSW.” 

Member for Parramatta, Donna Davis

“The new unit at Westmead Hospital will provide quality end-of-life and supportive care in a calm, homely environment, supporting local patients and their families during a difficult time.” 

Hospital performance worsens under Labor

Independent health data released today by the Bureau of Health Information (BHI) reveal the human cost of the Minns Labor Government’s industrial chaos and cuts to the health budget. 

Hospitals in NSW are continuing to face unprecedented pressure with record presentations to emergency departments and only 61.3% of patients starting their treatment on time – the worst result on record. 

Elective surgery waitlists have also grown to 98,608 – up 7.7% on the same quarter last year. 

Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said Labor’s real cuts to the health budget two years in a row have led to poorer patient outcomes and increasing pressure on hospital staff.

“67,737 patients left an ED without treatment in the September quarter – a whopping 9.8% increase on the same quarter last year. 

“Behind every one of those numbers is a patient trying to get better. They don’t want Labor’s buck passing; they want access to quality healthcare when they need it,” Mr Speakman said. 

Shadow Health Minister Kellie Sloane said NSW Labor has today tried to shift the blame to Federal Labor, blaming GP shortages for the Minns Government hospital failures. 

“Chris Minns and the Health Minister have decided to throw a weak Prime Minister Anthony Albanese under the bus to distract from their failure to adequately invest in our health system and their months of industrial chaos.”

“This is an appalling attempt by the Minister to shift focus and blame, ignoring the most alarming statistics which show potentially life-threatening presentations to EDs are the highest on record,” Ms Sloane said.

Shadow Minister for Regional Health Gurmesh Singh said patients starting Emergency Room treatment on time is the worst since reporting began in 2010. 

“In Regional NSW, patients are having to travel further for care while beds remain closed under this government. These statistics show in black and white what our communities are telling us – that Labor is failing to run the Health system,” Mr Singh said. 

Key Stats:

  • 61.3% of patients started their treatment on time – the lowest of any quarter since BHI started reporting in 2010. 
  • Fewer than half of triage 2 patients, which are defined as potentially life-threatening presentations, are being treated on time. 
  • Over 67,000 patients left emergency departments without treatment, a 9.8% increase on the same quarter last year.
  • 1 in 10 patients spent longer than 11 hours and 29 minutes in the ED.
  • There were 98,608 patients on the elective surgery waiting list at the end of September– a 7.7% increase in a year – yet the number of elective surgeries was down 3.9% from the same quarter last year. 
  • Ambulance responses were slower – the median response time for emergency (“P1”) was up 0.8 minutes; and the percentages of emergency (“P1”) responses with a call to ambulance arrival within 15 and 30 minutes were down 2.8 and 3.0 percentage points respectively, compared with the same quarter last year

Deepening Australia-Papua New Guinea ties through rugby league

The Australian and Papua New Guinea (PNG) Governments are partnering with the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) to deepen our connections through rugby league.

Australia will support a PNG team to enter the National Rugby League (NRL) competition no later than 2028.

As PNG prepares to mark its 50th anniversary of independence in 2025, this partnership celebrates our countries’ shared history and future, reflects our strategic trust and opens new people-to-people and economic opportunities.

The establishment of a PNG team in the NRL is an important symbol of our contemporary partnership.

It will deliver significant economic benefits to both countries through investment in new infrastructure and by boosting PNG and Australia’s sports and tourism sectors.

The Australian Government will also partner with the ARLC on a Pacific Rugby League Partnership for girls and boys, and women and men to play rugby league from the grassroots to the elite level across PNG, Fiji, Samoa and Tonga.

This Partnership will use rugby league to help increase school retention, promote positive health and nutrition, build gender equality and foster youth leadership.

It will invest in girls’ and women’s rugby league across the region, cultivating pathways and new opportunities, and work toward including a PNG Women’s team in one of Australia’s premier state competitions.

This will build on Australia’s existing investments in sports development across the Pacific – which include programs for netball, rugby union, Aussie rules and cricket – and complement Australia’s broader development partnerships in the region.

Australia and PNG are vital to each other’s future. Australia is proud to be PNG’s primary security and development partner.

This new partnership will be underpinned by shared strategic trust and strong people-to-people links and reflects our commitment to delivering peace, prosperity and opportunity for our people and our region.

Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese:

“A Papua New Guinea NRL team is a game-changer for Australia’s relationship with PNG and a unifying force – no two countries have a greater passion for rugby league.

“Australia’s relationship with the Pacific is profoundly important and our sporting ties are unique.

“Partnering on rugby league is a genuine and powerful way of building lasting ties between our peoples, and ensuring long-term development, social and economic outcomes for PNG and the Pacific.

“Our partnership will create new opportunities for girls’ and women’s rugby league across PNG and the Pacific, recognising the power of sports programs in championing inclusion and improving gender equality.”

Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea James Marape:

“This one team will be for one people, one country, one nation, a national unifier.

“We deeply appreciate our relationship with Australia. While government-to-government ties are important, at the heart and soul of this relationship must be people-to-people connections. Sport has the unique power to unite our two peoples, who share an ancient history and even the same DNA, as seen in the bond between Papua New Guineans and Torres Strait Islanders.

“An NRL team for PNG is more than just sports – it is a national unification strategy. With our diverse cultures and people, rugby league can bring us together as one nation. At the same time, it strengthens the shared history and people-to-people links between PNG and Australia. 

“For us, this partnership is not only about rugby league but also about anchoring the deep connection between our two countries. Sport is a powerful tool to solidify and celebrate this relationship, creating a bridge that connects our communities on a personal and cultural level.

“As we look to our 50th anniversary of independence, we envision a future where a PNG NRL team represents not just sporting excellence but the enduring partnership and shared destiny between PNG and Australia. This is more than a game – it is a symbol of unity and mutual respect.” 

Female Officer charged over AVO breach – Northern Region

A police officer – attached to North West Metropolitan region – has been charged following an investigation into alleged domestic violence related offences.

Officers attached to Tuggerah Lakes Police District commenced an investigation after receiving a report of alleged breaches of an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order between Tuesday 3 and Tuesday 10 December 2024.

Following inquiries, police attended a Central Coast home about 6pm yesterday (Tuesday 10 December 2024) and arrested a 39-year-old woman, a senior Constable attached to a command in the North West Metropolitan region.

She was taken to Wyong Police Station where she was charged with two counts of breach AVO.

The woman was granted conditional bail to appear before Wyong Local Court on Thursday 16 January 2025.

New Report: Connectivity of habitat critical for Koalas

A new report from Canines for Wildlife has revealed the critical importance of maintaining habitat connectivity for Koala populations. The report, provided to Jaliigirr Biodiversity Alliance, examined the Koala population in the Bellingen-Coffs Harbour area and demonstrated the genetic health of the Koalas was reliant on a wide geographic range with healthy habitat connections through public and private land, and across barriers created by human infrastructure.

Greens MP and spokesperson for the environment Sue Higginson said “Koalas need a landscape approach to habitat protection that provides healthy pathways between population hubs. This means that a piecemeal approach to protecting forests cannot protect healthy Koala populations from threats like logging and infrastructure,”

“Acoustic monitoring research relied on by the Forestry Corporation and the logging industry to guess Koala numbers has been debunked. This new report goes further and shows just how important it is for the Government to protect habitat across land tenures, and in a way that connects forests across the landscape,”

“The community have been waiting for 18 months for the Minns Labor Government to act on their promise to create a Great Koala National Park in the Bellingen-Coffs Harbour area, while seeing an increase in industrial logging across critical areas of Koala habitat. This new report shows just how dangerous this approach is to the Koala population in the area,”

“The logging lobbyists are working overtime to push the Government to create a Koala Park that is a fraction of what was promised, and want logging to continue in areas within the park. If the Minns Labor Government caves to the logging industry, so much more habitat connectivity will be destroyed, putting this significant Koala population at greater risk of extinction,”

“Rather than walking backwards on their promise to protect Koalas, NSW Labor should be heeding the calls from experts and communities to go further and faster in protecting more habitat at a landscape level. Without a scientific approach to conservation, Koalas will remain as political footballs that will be driven to extinction by compromise and political failure,” Ms Higginson said.

Greens preselect award-winning poet Omar Sakr in Blaxland

Dr Mehreen Faruqi, Deputy Greens Leader and Senator for New South Wales, is excited to announce the preselection of Omar Sakr as the Greens candidate for the federal seat of Blaxland currently held by Labor Education Minister Jason Clare.

An award-winning Arab Australian poet who was born and raised in western Sydney to Arab and Turkish Muslim migrants, Sakr will bring a desperately-needed, authentic community voice in parliament.

Senator Mehreen Faruqi:

“I’m so proud and excited to see Omar running for the Greens in Blaxland. Omar will bring the authenticity of western Sydney and its rich multicultural community into the halls of parliament. And that’s exactly what we need.

“It’s never been clearer that the two major parties have lost touch with the community as they prioritise corporate interests while millions struggle to make ends meet in this cost of living crisis. That’s why it’s so important that voices like Omar are in parliament – voices from the community that fight for the community.

“Western Sydney has been taken for granted for far too long. Mortgage and rental stress is high, it’s getting harder to see a GP for free, and public schools are underfunded. 

“The Greens have a plan to make corporations pay their fair share of tax to fund things we all need like affordable homes, fully funded public schools and making sure people can see their GP for free.

“Labor does not care about western Sydney. Labor’s inaction on Israel’s genocide in Gaza has traumatised Arab and Muslim communities in western Sydney, and they teamed up with the Liberals to pass horrific anti-migrant laws. 

“With people like Omar alongside me, we can keep fighting even more strongly for marginalised communities who have been left behind.

“We can’t keep voting for the same two parties and expect different results. There is a better way. If you want change, vote Greens.”

Omar Sakr:

“I’m running for election as a Greens candidate in the seat of Blaxland, where I live with my family, because I’m disgusted and horrified by the Labor government’s refusal to sanction Israel in accordance with international law, as it carries out a genocide in Palestine. This “friend” of the government has killed and maimed hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, to say nothing of the indiscriminate bombing that killed 4,000 in Lebanon, where my mother was born and where some of our relatives still remain.

“Labor and the Liberals are united in their disregard for the rights and lives of Arab and Muslim people, they are united in attaching Australia to the US’s doomed and ruinous forever wars in the Middle East, which we don’t need to have any part in, nor should we. 

“It’s harder and harder to distinguish between Labor and the Liberals these days, but there is a clear difference in the Greens, who have stood on their principles, and who continually champion justice, which is why I’m honoured to have been preselected by my local Greens group and to represent this party. 

“I want a better, fairer society for my children to grow up in, one with a sustainable future, quality education, accessible housing and healthcare that encompasses all of the mind and body, not just the parts deemed cheapest to cover.

“Blaxland has the highest mortgage stress rate in the country and I’m one of the people experiencing that. Most of my family are struggling under extreme rental stress as well. And this is why I’m getting involved, we need serious change and we need it now. 

“Blaxland deserves a federal MP who actually represents them. They won’t get that in a Labor or Liberal MP, but they will get that in me.”

RBA stubbornness hurting Australians

The Reserve Bank’s decision not to reduce interest rates will needlessly hurt mortgage holders and put more Australians out of work, the Greens say

“The RBA’s decision today increases pressure on Treasurer Jim Chalmers to step in and provide relief,” Australian Greens Economic Justice spokesperson Nick McKim said.

“Australian mortgage holders have done nothing to cause inflation yet they are being smashed by high interest rates.”

“There are any number of things Treasurer Jim Chalmers could do, but he is again just wringing his hands and doing his ashen-faced theatrical performance.”

“Labor could put in place a excessive profits tax on corporations, freeze rents and  make price gouging illegal. All of these things would actually put downward pressure on inflation.”

“But Labor’s refusal to act means that the RBA feels compelled to leave interest rates higher for longer.” 

“The Greens saved section 11 in the Reserve Bank Act precisely so the Treasurer of the day could override the RBA when necessary. Now is the time.”

“High interest rates have no impact on international supply chains, climate change or wars on the other side of the world. What they do is harm people who have no responsibility for current rates of inflation.”

Greens push for big banks to offer low-rate discount mortgages could save North Queenslanders thousands

While in Cairns and Townsville Greens Senator for Queensland Larissa Waters demonstrated how the Greens plan to require the big banks to offer a discount mortgage could benefit all Far North and North Queensland homeowners, 

The ‘HomeKeeper’ low rate mortgage would be mandated via legislating requiring the big banks to offer a mortgage rate option of just 1% above the cash rate, protected to save the average mortgage holder $90 each week.  The big banks could still offer other products and there would be no compulsion on anyone to switch to a HomeKeeper mortgage.

Greens Senate leader Larissa Waters, Senator for Queensland

“We’re in a housing crisis everywhere, but Cairns and Townsville are the hardest hit outside of Southeast Queensland, with the worst levels of housing stress.

“In Townsville, rents have skyrocketed by 35%, and house prices have increased 61% in the last five years.

“Meanwhile, bank profits are also skyrocketing—they raked in $17.6 billion last year alone off people’s home loans. For decades they have been massively profiteering while people are really hurting.

“That’s why the Greens are taking on the big banks. We’ve announced ‘HomeKeeper,’ a plan to legislate low-rate mortgages—just 1% above the cash rate.

“We’ve seen policies like this work in Portugal, France and Chile.

“This could save the average mortgage holder in northern Queensland about $90 a week or $4,000 a year. It’s time to stop big corporations and banks from ripping us off and making the housing crisis worse.

“It is immoral that people are being forced out of their homes to protect the profits of big corporations. In a wealthy country like ours, everyone should have a secure home.

“Big banks pocket an estimated $176 a week—or $200,880 over 30 years—from profits on the average home loan, according to The Australia Institute.

“The Greens are here to fight for you, to take on the big banks, and to deliver a cheaper mortgage.

Community use of coastal buildings in focus to aid future planning

City of Newcastle is leading the way in coastal infrastructure planning by kicking off consultation with the community on its Coastal Buildings Revitalisation Plan, the first of its kind in the state.

The Plan will incorporate a range of structures along the various coastline precincts from Stockton to the Merewether Ocean Baths Pavilion, and include lifeguard facilities, surf club pavilions and clubhouses, beach kiosks, shade shelters and amenities, as well as seawalls. 

It will be guided by Newcastle’s Coastal Management Programs and input from the local community, alongside a comprehensive review of existing facilities, as part of a strategic effort to enhance and maintain the city’s iconic coastal assets.

City of Newcastle Executive Director City Infrastructure Clint Thomson said the community is at the heart of the trailblazing work on the Coastal Buildings Revitalisation Plan.

“We’re leading the way with our work, which will ensure that the maintenance, renewal and upgrade of Newcastle’s coastal buildings is planned and delivered in a sustainable, strategic and considered manner, and benefits the wider community,” Mr Thomson said. 

“If you’ve swam at a local beach or ocean baths, enjoyed coffee and a snack from a beach kiosk, asked a lifeguard in blue for advice, been involved with nippers or other surf lifesaving club activities, then you’ll be no stranger to the importance of the buildings situated along the city’s iconic coastline.

“To inform the development of the Coastal Buildings Revitalisation Plan, we recently hosted a series of focus groups with key stakeholders, and now we want to hear from you to help us understand your needs and aspirations for our coastal buildings.

“Community insight is crucial to help inform the new plan, which will provide clear guidance for the maintenance, renewal and upgrade of coastal buildings and assets over the short, medium and long term.” 

In addition to the user needs analysis currently underway, a review of existing infrastructure is also being undertaken. 

This important feedback will contribute to a considered framework for future planning, management and prioritisation of infrastructure, balancing the views of users, and considering social, environmental and technical constraints. 

The Coastal Buildings Revitalisation Plan will also support City of Newcastle to apply for and secure NSW and Federal Government funding for projects that enhance access to our coastal areas.

Councillor Jenny Barrie said Newcastle’s beaches, baths and coastal areas are spectacular precincts that contribute to the wellbeing of our community and attract visitors to our city, and planning for their future will serve the community and visitors now and into the future. 

“We love our coast, and our beaches are a big part of our local culture, which is why we need to proactively plan for coastal infrastructure that supports the needs of our growing community and visitor economy now, and for generations to come,” Cr Barrie said. 

“Located along arguably one of the most incredible coastlines in the country, these buildings and facilities are essential community spaces that bring people together, while also providing a base for vital surf lifesaving services.”

To find out more and have your say visit https://haveyoursay.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/CBRP

Coastal Management Program

To continue to guide the ongoing management of Newcastle’s coastline and related projects and planning, City of Newcastle is also in the process of developing the Southern Beaches Coastal Management Program, which covers the coastline from Nobbys Headland to Glenrock Lagoon, and the Extended Stockton Coastal Management Program. 

Coastal Management Programs set the long-term strategy for the coordinated management of the coast, to protect coastal environments, manage the risk of coastal hazards, respect Aboriginal values and uses of the coastline, and ensure all use and development of the coastal environmental occurs in an ecologically sustainable way, while balancing the needs of the community.