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An expanded refuge in Armidale will from today provide women and children escaping domestic violence with access to safe accommodation and support services.

Victim-survivors of domestic and family violence in regional NSW face different challenges accessing services to those in metro area. The NSW Government is working hard to close those gaps by funding refuges and appropriate supports in the regions.

This modern facility is part of the Core and Cluster Pilot program which is funded by the NSW Government to the tune of $6.8 million across four sites in regional NSW.

The four new self-contained units and enhancements to the existing women’s refuge at this site, are critical additions to the domestic and family violence response in the Armidale region. The new units promote independent living and privacy to support families as they heal from abusive experiences.

Women’s Shelter Armidale will continue to deliver specialist homelessness and domestic violence services, such as counselling, legal advice and therapeutic programs, in a new administration hub at the ‘core’ of the site.

A new yarning circle within the gardens will also allow Aboriginal residents to engage in storytelling, learn from one another, build respect, and share knowledge.

Under the broader Core and Cluster program, the NSW Government is investing $426.6 million over four years to provide new crisis accommodation across NSW for people fleeing domestic and family violence. Some 26 of the 39 Core and Cluster sites are in regional NSW.

Once all Core and Cluster refuges are operational, they will support an additional 2,900 women and children escaping domestic and family violence each year.

The NSW Government is acting to reduce domestic and family violence in the state with a $245.6 million package that focuses on crisis response, early intervention and prevention, so women and children can feel safe at home and in the community.  

In addition, the 2024-25 NSW Budget has committed $5.1 billion to new social housing, with 50 per cent prioritised for victim-survivors of family and domestic violence.

Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said:

“We know that family and domestic violence is one of the main reasons women and children leave their homes and seek help from homelessness services.

“That’s why the NSW Government is continuing to prioritise and invest in building safe homes for victim-survivors of domestic and family violence.

“The expansion of this refuge will mean more women and children fleeing abusive relationships can feel safe in their own communities and supported to heal and rebuild their lives.”

Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said:

“We have seen too many lives lost and families broken because of domestic and family violence.

“The NSW Government is taking important steps to prevent and reduce domestic violence. This includes supporting victim-survivors and ensuring that anyone leaving an abusive relationship has a pathway to safety and recovery.

“The expansion of the Armidale refuge delivers more accommodation for women and children fleeing domestic violence and addresses a crucial need in the region to provide a safe space and much-needed specialist wraparound support for its residents.”

Womens Shelter Armidale CEO Penny Lamaro said:

“The Armidale Pilot Project enhances the work we are already doing to provide much-needed crisis accommodation for women and children fleeing domestic violence in Armidale.

“The Core and Cluster model means that families will now also have the privacy and space they need to heal while accessing the supports they need and staying connected to their local community.

“Once a family enters the Armidale refuge, we support them to rebuild their lives and eventually to find safe, affordable long-term accommodation.”

Residents of the Hills, and surrounding communities are invited to learn more about the design for the new Rouse Hill Hospital Development at a series of information sessions taking place from this month.

Residents of the Hills, and surrounding communities are invited to learn more about the design for the new Rouse Hill Hospital Development at a series of information sessions taking place from this month.

Planning for the new hospital is progressing as part of the NSW Government’s $700 million investment to improve health outcomes for the Hills, and the surrounding community.

Community information sessions are being held across Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) in the coming weeks. Everyone is welcome to attend to learn about plans for the new hospital, ask the project team questions and provide feedback.  

Community information sessions will be held at the following locations:

• Saturday, 24 August , 11.00am – 1.00pm at Galungara Reserve – Farmland Drive, Schofields
• Wednesday, 28 August,12 midday -2.00pm at Westmead Hospital, Entrance 4
• Wednesday, 28 August,4.00pm -6.00pm at Vinegar Hill Memorial Library, Rouse Hill, Nina Perry room
• Tuesday, 3 September,10.00am-2.00pm Castle Towers, near Coles
• Sunday, 8 September,10.00am–4.00pm at Sydney Boutique Markets, Rouse Hill Town Centre
• Thursday, 12 September, 1.00pm -3.00pm at Blacktown Hospital, Hospital Street, outside of Gloria Jeans

Rouse Hill Hospital is expected to include:  

• An emergency department and urgent care centre;
• Inpatient beds and a day surgery unit;
• Short stay medical assessment services;
• Pathology, pharmacy, and medical imaging services;
• Outpatient and ambulatory care services including paediatrics, renal dialysis and antenatal and postnatal services;
• Virtual care and hospital in the home services
• Prehabilitation, rehabilitation and lifestyle medicine.

The full scope of health services provided by the new hospital will be confirmed when planning and design is finalised, and extensive consultation with the community, consumers, staff and stakeholders is being carried out to help inform this planning.

Further information about the new Rouse Hill Hospital is available on the project website: www.rousehillhospital.health.nsw.gov.au

Construction of the hospital will support an estimated 1,200 direct jobs and thousands of indirect jobs throughout the life of the project.

Construction timeframes for the new development will be confirmed as planning progresses and following the appointment of a building contractor.

The new Rouse Hill Hospital is part of the NSW Government’s $3 billion investment for new and upgraded hospitals and health services across greater western Sydney, one of the largest investments in the region’s health infrastructure in recent years, including:  

• $1.3 billion to build the Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital on a new site;
• $550 million for the Fairfield Hospital Redevelopment;
• $540 million to build an Integrated Mental Health Complex at Westmead Hospital;
• $350 million for the Canterbury Hospital Redevelopment; and
• $120 million to expand bed capacity at Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospitals.

Minister for Health Ryan Park:

“This project will ensure the thousands of people moving into this growth area every year continue to have access to world-class healthcare now and well into the future.

“This government is working to deliver this $700 million hospital investment for north-west Sydney.

“Consultation with consumers, the local community, staff and stakeholders, will help guide the planning and design process for the hospital to ensure it meets the community health needs of the future.

“Rouse Hill Hospital will become part of a leading network of health services which provide comprehensive integrated care and community-based services.”

Member for Riverstone Warren Kirby:

“This is a chance for our local community to get involved and learn more about planning and design for the future of healthcare right on our doorstep.

“Rouse Hill Hospital was promised repeatedly by the former government yet there was no money allocated to make that promise a reality.

“Our government is finally getting on with the job of delivering this crucial healthcare facility for the people living in Sydney’s North West.”

WSLHD A/Chief Executive Alison Derrett:

“Our new hospital will meet the evolving needs of the community. It will provide patient-centered care, integrating hospital services with urgent care, early intervention and prevention strategies, along with initiatives to provide care to patients in their own homes.

“In parallel with the planning and design of the new Rouse Hill Hospital, Western Sydney Local Health District is working towards building a more supported health workforce, and we look forward to providing more information about recruitment opportunities as the project progresses.”

The NSW Government is establishing Corrective Services NSW as a standalone public service agency as part of work to lift standards and improve outcomes following the Astill Special Commission of Inquiry.

This reform will deliver a more accountable and transparent system that keeps people in NSW safe.

Currently, the Commissioner of Corrective Services is appointed by the Secretary of the Department of Communities and Justice but subject to the direction of the Minister for Corrections.

Under the changes, the Commissioner of Corrective Services will be the head of the agency. The Commissioner will be appointed directly by the Minister for Corrections and will report directly to the Minister. 

This brings the Commissioner of Corrective Services role into line with other frontline Commissioner roles in the NSW Government, such as Fire and Rescue NSW, the NSW Rural Fire Service and the NSW State Emergency Services.

This is appropriate for an agency with about 10,000 staff and around 13,000 inmates.

It also reflects the seriousness with which the Government is taking the response to the Astill Special Commission of Inquiry.

Led by the Honourable Peter McClellan AM KC, the Astill Inquiry highlighted the systemic workplace culture, leadership, and other organisational issues in Corrective Services NSW which have been left unaddressed over the past decade.

The changes announced today will set up Corrective Services NSW to implement overdue reforms in an effective and efficient manner.

The changes are a part of the Government’s plan to rebuild public confidence and trust in the NSW correctional system.

While Corrective Services NSW will no longer be wrapped into to the Department of Communities and Justice, the department will continue to play a role providing some executive and administrative services, and overseeing professional conduct, investigation and disciplinary process.

Corrective Services NSW will become a standalone public service agency on 1 October.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

“Today’s announcement improves accountability and sets up Corrective Services NSW to deliver essential reforms.

“Having the agency accountable directly to the Minister for Corrections makes sense and brings it into line with other frontline commissioner roles.”

Minister for Corrections Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“The Astill Inquiry found that our corrections system had not met the expectations of the community, the NSW Government, or the majority of its 10,000 staff.

“Today’s changes will help deliver clearer reporting lines and greater certainty for staff, the community and inmates.

“Crucially, these changes will make the Department of Communities and Justice better able to oversee misconduct investigations.

“Once appointed, the Commissioner will need to progress the reform plan we’ve put in place and with these changes they’ll have the authority and mandate to do it.”

NSW Health is asking the community to be aware of symptoms of mpox following a recent increase in infections, mostly impacting men who have sex with men.

There have been 93 notifications of mpox in NSW since 1 June 2024. Before 1 June, only one case had been detected in NSW in 2024. In 2022, 56 mpox notifications were reported in NSW, and in 2023 there were 12.

Since 2022, there has been a global outbreak of mpox, with over 97,000 reported cases in many countries outside Africa, including Australia.

NSW Health Executive Director of Health Protection, Dr Jeremy McAnulty said there have been over 15,000 cases of mpox reported in central Africa this year, many of which are due to a new strain (clade 1b) of the virus. However, this strain has not been detected in Australia.

“With the recent increase in cases, NSW Health is asking people who may be at risk of mpox to stay on the lookout for symptoms,” Dr McAnulty said.

“Mpox spreads through close skin-to-skin contact, including sexual contact, and often starts with small pimple-like skin lesions particularly in areas that are hard to see such as the genitals, anus or buttock.

“Some people experience mild fever, headache, fatigue, or swollen lymph nodes and mouth ulcers or rectal pain. Mpox can spread to others until the lesions resolve.

“People who have any symptoms of mpox, even if they have had the mpox vaccine and even if mild, should immediately contact their GP or sexual health service for an appointment.”

Mpox vaccination is recommended for those considered to be at higher risk of developing mpox, including sexually active gay and bisexual men (cis and trans) and their sexual partners, as well as sex workers and their sexual partners.

The mpox vaccine is free for those considered to be at higher risk of developing mpox, and you do not need a Medicare card to receive it. To find clinics offering the vaccination, refer to Mpox vaccination clinics.

It is important to note two doses of vaccine are required, so anyone who has only received one dose should get a second dose at least 28 days after the first.

While no vaccine is completely effective in preventing mpox, two doses of the vaccine can provide vital protection against severe illness caused by the virus.

For further support, you can also call:

• The Sexual Health Infolink: 1800 451 624 for vaccine booking support.
• The Translating and Interpreting Service: 13 14 50 for free help in your language.

More information on mpox can be found on the NSW Health website here.

NSW Ambulance has welcomed 10 new paramedic interns and 27 emergency medical call takers today after they were officially inducted into the service at a ceremony in Sydney.

This is the sixth class of paramedic interns to join NSW Ambulance this year. These new recruits will further boost frontline health services across the state, when they start their new roles from tomorrow.

The paramedics interns will be posted across NSW to complete the on-road portion of their 12-month program before taking permanent positions in metropolitan and regional areas.

The emergency medical call takers will be posted to Triple Zero (000) control centres in Sydney and Charlestown.

One of the new paramedic recruits, Timothy, who is set to complete his internship at Evans Head station on the mid-north coast, decided to become a mature age student to pursue his dream of joining NSW Ambulance.

Minister for Health, Ryan Park:

“I’m proud to welcome our latest paramedic interns to NSW Ambulance where I know they will provide the people of NSW with the best care possible when they are unwell and at their most vulnerable.

“I congratulate these paramedics and emergency medical call takers for reaching this significant milestone in their careers and thank them for their dedication to serving their community.

“I applaud every one of you who have committed to a mission of excellence in care and are boosting the frontline of healthcare across NSW.”

NSW Ambulance Chief Executive Dr Dominic Morgan:

“I know all who are graduating today have worked incredibly hard throughout their training. I thank them for their commitment and warmly welcome them into NSW Ambulance.

“As demand for our services continues to grow, we remain committed to providing world class mobile and emergency health care to our patients.”

Paramedic Intern Timothy Cumming:

“Changing careers was difficult and took a lot of dedication, but I don’t regret it for a second because after completing my first on-road placement as a paramedic student, I knew this was the job I was meant to do.

“As a young child I moved from South Africa to Australia, giving me a wonderful education, work opportunities and safety.

“I hope to give back to my country and community in my new career as a paramedic with NSW Ambulance.”

110 new Probationary Constables will be sworn into the NSW Police Force (NSWPF) today before starting at their new home stations across NSW next week.

Class 363 attested at the Goulburn Police Academy following eight months of training in the Constable Education Program (CEP) – four months by distance, four months training at the Academy.

They now undertake 12 months of on-the-job training as a Probationary Constable.

The new recruits will be on the beat across metropolitan and regional communities from Monday:

• Central Metropolitan Region – 32
• Northwest Metropolitan Region – 23
• Northern Region – 19
• Southwest Metropolitan Region – 19
• Southern Region – 8
• Western Region – 9

Today’s attesting cohort were paid by the NSW Government to train at the Goulburn Police Academy – the second class to receive the full study allowance.

Class 363 includes 80 men and 30 women aged from 18 to 44.

Seven recruits received awards for outstanding academic or physical performance.

Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley welcomed Class 363 to the NSW Police Force and reaffirmed the Government’s ongoing commitment to support our police and boost the number of officers across NSW.

Since the Government announced recruits would be paid to study, the NSWPF has received 1,853 applications to become a police officer, a 50% increase on the same period last year.

Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said:

“Congratulations to Class 363 for your hard work and commitment that’s culminated in being sworn into the NSW Police Force today.

“You have shown a steadfast commitment to serve and protect our community and we thank you for it.

“A career in policing is like no other and I wish you all a long and rich career with the NSW Police Force.

“Our police work tirelessly to keep us safe, and this Government is committed to ensuring they have what they need to continue this important work. The decision to pay recruits has seen an outstanding uptick in the number of applications to join the NSWPF.” 

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb APM said:

“Those attesting today have worked hard over the past eight months and I am proud to welcome them all into our world-class police force.

“They will have an integral role to play in serving their local communities and in keeping NSW safe.

“I encourage all the attesting probationary constables to seize every opportunity, never stop learning, and to take pride in the uniform you wear every day.

“The work you will do throughout your career will make a difference to countless lives.”

Sydney Metro City is set to open its doors to passengers on Monday 19 August, after final approval was granted by the national independent safety regulator.

Based on its independent assessment, the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator (ONRSR) has reviewed and signed off on the transport mega project.

The City Section of the M1 Line includes an additional 15.5-kilometres of city-shaping metro rail extending the Metro North West line from Chatswood, below the harbour and through the Sydney CBD, to Sydenham.

The M1 Line will commence services at 4:38am at Tallawong Station and 4:54am at Sydenham Station seven days a week for the first four weeks of operation.

After this, services will commence at Tallawong Station at 4:08am and at Sydenham Station at 4:54am seven days a week.

Information on services will be clearly signposted at stations and available at www.transportnsw.info prior to opening.

A game-changing 2,645 new metro services will travel through the heart of the city each week, moving 17,000 people each way per hour in the AM peak.

Once open, passengers will have fast metro travel times including from Victoria Cross in North Sydney, under the harbour to Barangaroo in 3 minutes, between Martin Place and Central in 4 minutes and from Sydenham to Chatswood in 22 minutes.

An updated bus timetable is in place to support the line’s opening, which has been running smoothly since it was introduced on 4 August, ready to support M1 passengers.

Sydney’s new M1 line includes:

• 445 new metro services each weekday, with a train every four minutes in the peak, seven minutes during weekdays between morning and afternoon peak services (increasing after the first month to a train every five minutes) and every 10 minutes during off peak and on weekends;
• Six fully accessible new stations at Crows Nest, Victoria Cross, Barangaroo, Martin Place, Gadigal and Waterloo, along with new platforms at Central and Sydenham;
• Simple interchanges with buses at all stations, ferries at Barangaroo, light rail at Central and with train services at Martin Place, Central and Sydenham;
• Uninterrupted network mobile coverage; 
• Safe journeys monitored by a state-of-the-art control centre, with approximately 100 CCTV cameras at every station and 38 cameras inside each train; 
• Over 600 secure bike parking spaces at Crows Nest, Victoria Cross, Waterloo and Sydenham, as part of 900 new bike parking spaces across all eight stations;
• Platform screen door technology to keep people and objects safely away from tracks.

Later this year when Sydney Metro City is fully integrated and providing reliable services from Sydenham to the CBD, the T3 Bankstown Line will close for up to 12 months for the final conversion works to support what will be known as the M1 Northwest & Bankstown Line. These upgrades mean by 2025, south-west Sydney communities will have turn-up-and-go metro services every four minutes in the peak directly into Sydney CBD.

A temporary transport plan will be in place, including Southwest Link – dedicated, high-frequency bus services between Sydenham and Bankstown train stations.

Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said:

“We look forward to welcoming passengers on board Sydney’s amazing new railway from Monday 19 August.

“This is the biggest change to Sydney’s public transport system since the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It’s going to double rail capacity across our harbour, take pressure off our heavy rail network and deliver a fantastic new transport service for passengers right across our city.”

“The M1 Line will see 45 state-of-the-art metro trains, that can carry around 1,150 passengers, moving through six new stations across our city.”

“So if you’re looking for a great way to start the week, jump on the new metro and see what this transformational new public transport service looks like for yourself.”

Transport for NSW Secretary Josh Murray said:

“It’s all systems go for Metro City and everyone at Transport for NSW is getting ready to support passengers as we integrate this new railway into our existing network.

“This is a massive change for Sydney that will transform the way we move around, so we’re asking people to please plan ahead at transportnsw.info and using the Opal app, as well as third party apps, or speak to our friendly staff for information about your journey.”

Sydney Metro Chief Executive Peter Regan said:

“We are so excited to welcome passengers on board the new M1 City Line. More than 50,000 people have worked on this project and I know they are as proud as I am to show Sydney what we have been working on.

“This comes after a year of testing and commissioning, including more than 200 simulated exercises that have included disruption, emergency scenarios and security drills to ensure the trains and stations are ready for passengers to enjoy.

“We thank everyone for their patience. We have always said safety is the number one priority, and we’ve worked with the relevant authorities throughout construction and commissioning to ensure everything is safe and secure.”

The Minns Labor Government is continuing work to ensure taxpayer money is used responsibly with the release today of reforms that give greater clarity for non-government schools on the appropriate use of government funds.

In 2023 the NSW Government commenced a review of the operation 83C of the NSW Education Act, which governs the funding of non-government schools across the state, to ensure its function aligned with community expectations.

Released today, the review has provided recommendations which provide a path to greater transparency and accountability.

While the report noted the current implementation approach is effective in ensuring the integrity of non-government school financial practices, there are reforms available that will improve regulation and efficiency of the system while maintaining and strengthening the oversight of school financial practices.

In line with key recommendations of the report, the NSW Government will:

• Transfer regulatory oversight of public funding for non-government schools from the Department of Education to NESA. This will align funding regulation with broader regulation of non-government schools.
• Develop regulations to clarify services and functions that do not constitute a breach of a school’s not-for-profit requirements.
• Improve guidelines to make the regulator’s role clear and transparent in assuring that school expenditure arises from the operation of the school.
• Develop more timely and less costly remedies to address as they arise, such as compliance or show cause notices, to avoid unnecessary litigation.
• Strengthen the oversight role of the Not-for-Profit Advisory Committee.

The Review was chaired by Professor Tom Alegounarias, former president of the NSW Board of Studies and Chief Executive of the NSW Institute of Teachers who consulted closely with stakeholders, on this report.

Professor Alegounarias will oversee the implementation of these changes, which will be implemented by mid-2025.

See the review report and submissions received. 

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

“I want to thank Professor Alegounarias for his tireless commitment to consultation throughout the review and to all those who made a submission.

“It is important that the public have confidence that taxpayer funds are being used appropriately for the education of students.

“It is in everybody’s interests for the rules to be clear.”

Work to deliver the new Shellharbour Hospital is on track following the appointment of the main works contractor.

Minister for Health Ryan Park said BESIX Watpac has been engaged following a competitive tender process to build the new hospital, which is being delivered as part of the more than $780 million new Shellharbour Hospital and Integrated Services project.

The project, which is jointly funded by the NSW and Australian Governments, includes:

• An expanded emergency department 
• Increased surgical capacity 
• Rehabilitation and aged care services 
• Acute medical services 
• Mental health services
• Renal dialysis 
• Outpatients care services 
• Car parking and improved public transport links   

The new hospital is being designed to enable construction of a future rooftop helipad. 

The new Shellharbour Hospital and Integrated Services Project also includes:

• Expanded sub-acute services at Bulli Hospital 
• New rehabilitation and palliative care beds at Wollongong Hospital  

A new community health centre in Warrawong which will also be built on the old Port Kembla Hospital site.

The appointment of the builder, which follows the recent approval of the State Significant Development Application (SSDA), paves the way for main works construction to start shortly, as they will begin to establish the site, and finalise the design of the new hospital.

Construction of the new hospital is expected to be complete in 2027.

Regional Health Minister Ryan Park:

“I’m delighted that we have reached another milestone in this important project, which will deliver a suite of enhanced health care facilities for the residents of the Illawarra as well as hundreds of local jobs.

“The new Shellharbour Hospital will ensure the local community has first class healthcare at their doorstep in state-of-the-art facilities.”

Planning and Public Spaces Minister Paul Scully: 

“With the builder appointed, the new Shellharbour hospital will come to life soon, with main works construction to start shortly.

“This approval is an important step for the local health services and local job creation.”

Member for Shellharbour Anna Watson:

“The new Shellharbour Hospital and Integrated Services Project will cater for local population growth into the future and relieve pressure on other parts of the Illawarra Shoalhaven health network, including Wollongong Hospital.

“The works will also help drive education and job opportunities for the Illawarra region, supporting around 800 direct jobs during construction, with the potential to support thousands of indirect jobs over the life of the project.”