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Dozens of new and upgraded public school and preschool facilities will be built under an innovative new program that employs modern methods of construction to deliver high quality, sustainable schools in a shorter timeframe while saving taxpayers millions of dollars.

The Manufacturing for Schools program incorporates a range of cutting-edge construction techniques including digital technologies, off-site manufacturing and on-site assembly of prefabricated elements to deliver high quality school buildings faster and at a lower cost than with traditional construction methods.

The program brings together industry professionals via a Manufacturing Partner responsible for connecting the supply chain to deliver the ‘kit of parts’ for new and upgraded schools across the state’s growth areas. A contract has been awarded to The APP Group for the manufacturing partnership.

The Manufacturing for Schools program is expected to deliver cost savings of up to 20 per cent and slash construction time by up to 30 per cent.

At Oran Park Public School, a Stage 2 upgrade that opened for students to use on Day 1, Term 1, 2024, was installed on site in eight weeks. From design to completion, the project took a total of 13 months.

The construction approach prioritises students and growing school communities, especially in high growth areas such as North-Western and South-Western Sydney.

There are plans currently under way to deliver more than 30 new and upgraded schools under the Manufacturing for Schools program, including new primary schools at Sydney Olympic Park and Box Hill/The Gables, and high schools at Jordan Springs, Gregory Hills/Gledswood Hills, Schofields/Tallawong, Leppington and Medowie.

The program is also being deployed to rebuild schools on the North Coast that were devastated by floods, and deliver the majority of 100 public preschools across NSW at locations recently announced.

In addition to faster build times and reduced costs, the new program will reduce carbon emissions, material waste and water waste on sites in comparison with traditional construction methods.

Manufacturing in a controlled factory environment, combined with the shorter build times, also ensures less noise and overall disruption to student learning for projects on existing school sites.

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

“The Manufacturing for Schools program represents the future – a major shift in our approach to designing, building, and delivering new schools and facilities for students and families in NSW.

“This is an economical, sustainable, and speedy solution that will deliver school facilities meeting the needs of our growing population, while getting better bang for taxpayers’ buck.

“In challenging times like natural disasters, the program’s speed and efficiency will ensure a swift rebuilding process, allowing us to reinstate the schooling routine for affected students and families promptly.

“I am proud we are leading the way with industry partners to deliver a new era of school building through this innovative program.

“This future-focused strategy for sustainable and modern school building will ensure we can support teachers and students to achieve outstanding learning outcomes.”

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Fourteen couples will tie the knot today on a date that comes around just once every 4 years, in special Leap Year ceremonies offered by the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.

Another couple will also take the opportunity to renew their vows on their ‘first’ wedding anniversary, after tying the knot with the Registry exactly 4 years ago.

Since 2004, more than 900 couples have chosen to get married in NSW on a leap day, with more than 450 couples celebrating their ‘first’ anniversary this year despite being married for 4 years.

To make the occasion even more memorable, the couples will be among the first to enjoy the Registry’s new Pyrmont venue, which offers water views and a convenient location close to Sydney’s CBD for those celebrating a wedding.

The new venue is bigger and more accessible than its predecessor in Chippendale, with 2 wedding rooms couples can choose from – or merge to accommodate up to 70 guests.  

Ceremonies at the Pyrmont Registry start from $477 and include a celebrant, marriage certificate and private room with up to 30 guests. 

For those who prefer simplicity, Legal-Only ceremonies are available with just 2 witnesses and a celebrant in a small room.

Get more information on getting married at the new Pyrmont Registry.

Bookings must be made at least 1 month prior to the wedding date.

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib said:

“What is more memorable than getting married on February 29, the rarest date on the calendar?”

“Couples not only get to enjoy their special day with 30 of their nearest and dearest, but also the novelty of a leap year wedding – with only one anniversary every 4 years to remember and exchange gifts for!”

“A Registry wedding is also incredibly affordable, starting at just $477, making it a great option at the moment when cost of living pressures are impacting people across NSW.”

NSW Births, Deaths and Marriages Registrar Theresa Fairman said:

“The new Pyrmont Registry is where affordability meets elegance, offering couples the opportunity to celebrate their love without compromising on quality.”

“We extend our warmest congratulations to all the couples who chose to marry on this special leap year day and hope your union is filled with joy, laughter, and countless memories as you journey through life together.”

The ten-year plan to rebuild the music sector in NSW takes another important step forward as Sound NSW holds its first advisory board meeting of representatives from a cross-section of the industry.

Sound NSW is delivering a ten-year Contemporary Music Strategy, as well as policies and funding programs, including soundproofing of live music venues to counter some of the noise complaint issues that have dogged the sector in recent years.

To inform the strategy, Sound NSW is conducting research into NSW’s live music ecosystem with insights due by the middle of the year.

Emily Collins has been appointed as Head of Sound NSW following a competitive recruitment process by the Department of Enterprise, Investment and Trade to drive and deliver this music agenda. Collins and her team will be supported by an artist and industry Advisory Board.

The 12-strong Advisory Board is now complete following the final appointments of three new members – Jane Slingo, Kristy Peters (KLP), and Tanya Ali.

The board will consider initiatives to support the contemporary music sector and encourage collaboration and innovation, and identify investment opportunities.

The full Sound NSW Advisory Board is:

• Vyvienne Abla, Director, 4E Hip Hop Festival
• Tanya Ali, Managing Director, FBi Radio
• Tyla Dombroski, Director, Crowbar Sydney 
• Jessica Ducrou (Chair), co-CEO, Secret Sounds
• Annabelle Herd, CEO ARIA and PPCA 
• Matthew Jeffrey, Delegate, Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance
• Lucy Joseph, Live and Local Program Manager, Live Music Office 
• Tim Leha, Independent Indigenous media specialist
• Dean Ormston, CEO, APRA AMCOS
• Kristy Lee Peters, Musician/DJ, KLP
• Jane Slingo, Executive Producer, Electronic Music Conference
• John Watson (Deputy Chair), founder and president of John Watson Management and Eleven: A Music Company

See the full list of members and biographies

Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy, John Graham said: 

“Through Sound NSW, the music industry has a dedicated Government office committed to the development and promotion of contemporary music in NSW.

“Working together with industry, Sound NSW will help the government to move the dial on our commitment to support the venues that sustain and grow our music industry.

“With a board full of nationally significant leaders from across the music industry and Emily Collins heading up the team at Sound NSW, work is underway to deliver on our election commitment to double live music venues and support contemporary music in NSW.

“Sound NSW has been given the direction to champion and invest in the contemporary music sector to deliver positive outcomes for artists and audiences alike through targeted programs and advocacy.”

Head of Sound NSW, Emily Collins, said: 

“It is an exciting time for Sound NSW as we really start to break our stride and deliver on our 
priorities to nurture creative careers, encourage innovation, enhance export opportunities, and 
create positive outcomes for artists, industry professionals, music businesses, and audiences.

“With a new Sound NSW team in place, an Advisory Board of music experts and the support of 
Government, NSW is on track to become a global music powerhouse and a thriving heartland for our national industry.”

As part of the NSW Government’s focus on road safety, all motorists driving on a foreign licence will now have a maximum of six months to convert to a NSW licence if they want to reside in the state and remain on the road.

The tightening of overseas licence usage removes a loophole left behind by the previous government that only required new arrivals to NSW from 1 July 2023 to convert their licence within six months of residing here.

Under Regulation changes announced today, anyone who has been driving on an overseas licence – regardless of when they arrived in NSW – will also be required to switch to a NSW licence. Existing residents will have 12 months from tomorrow to undertake this process.

The loophole led to thousands of drivers racking up demerit points but remaining beyond the reach of NSW authorities.

In one case, a driver accrued more than 35 demerit points, an outcome unthinkable to the nearly seven million other drivers in NSW.

Many drivers – some of whom have spent years on a foreign licence – will need to pass a practical driving test to remain behind the wheel. Others, whose licenses are from countries which have road systems more compatible with NSW, will need to simply convert their licence.

In the five-year period between 2018-2022 there were 23 fatal crashes and 468 serious injury crashes involving a driver or rider on an overseas licence in NSW.

According to preliminary data from 2023, a further five fatal crashes involved drivers or riders not on an overseas licence.

Drivers who have been using a foreign licence before July 1 last year and want to remain on the road must now obtain a NSW licence by 1 March 2025.

This timeframe will allow Service NSW sufficient time to process tests and licences while still handling the normal flow of learner and provisional licence tests.

To absorb the increased demand, Service NSW has opened a Driver Testing Centre in Macquarie Fields, a second dedicated driver testing centre along with one in St. Marys.

Minister for Roads John Graham said:

“The changes announced today are squarely aimed at ensuring the safety of all seven million drivers on our roads. More drivers on a NSW licence sooner will improve the standard of driving in NSW and therefore safety overall.

“The former government talked tough in this area but what they left behind was a work-lite, safety left in the backseat, compromise that squibbed the challenge in this space.

“This Regulation change means no one will be able to drive around for years and years on NSW roads without coming under the NSW licence system. The Government is not going to cop people running up demerit points with impunity.

“When everyone comes under the same set of rules then safety is enhanced, but for belligerent rule breakers who have had a place to hide behind overseas licences, they will now face the full force of NSW law.”

Minister for Customer Service, Jihad Dib said:

“Settling into a new country can be challenging enough, which is why Service NSW is making driver testing as quick and easy as possible by opening another centre dedicated to helping new arrivals, as well as local residents, get on the road sooner.”

“The new Macquarie Fields Driver Testing Centre will guide temporary visa holders through every step of the process to get them on the road as quickly, and more importantly, as safely as possible.”

Related information

• Driver and rider licences

Residents in the Northern Rivers can meet with experts this week to learn more about the invasive pests’ potential impact on NSW communities, environment, and economy.
 

The National Fire Ant Eradication Program will be touring the local area over the course of the week commencing 26 February, allowing Northern Rivers community and businesses a chance to learn about what fire ants look like, what to do if they’re spotted and how to prevent any further fire ant spread.

Residents can drop in and chat with fire ant experts at the following locations:

Following the destruction of detected nests within 24 hours of being called in, the NSW Government continues to actively work to eradicate fire ants following 2 recent isolated detections of the pest in South Murwillumbah and Wardell.

The response works in partnership with the National Fire Ant Eradication Program, who are responsible for the ongoing treatment and surveillance of fire ant movement control areas.

In South Murwillumbah, the program will be strategically baiting around the infested premises, whether fire ants are visible or not, ensures that no undetected fire ants exist.

Residents and businesses in the area are encouraged to authorise fire ant teams to enter the outdoor areas of their property by completing a consent form online at www.fireants.org.au

Treatment is safe for people and animals and is approved by the Australian Pesticide and Veterinary Medicines Authority, containing the same active ingredients commonly found in household and agricultural pest control products, but at a much lower concentration.

In Wardell, surveillance continues to focus on the initial 500m zone as well as strategic surveillance at targeted sites.

The Northern Rivers community is continuing their vigilance in looking out for fire ants, with 561 calls to the NSW Biosecurity Hotline on 1800 680 244 or reporting online, as well as more than 1500 visits to drop-in centres and community meetings over the last few months.

The National Fire Ant Eradication Program’s fire ant display of sterile female ants is transported in a completely sealed box with a permit under the Biosecurity Act 2015.

Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said:

“The NSW Government is continually reminding our communities to keep on the look-out for fire ants.

“We’ve proven that when fire ants are detected in NSW, we will respond quickly to stamp them out as soon as possible, and it’s thanks to the thousands of sets of eyes that report in suspected sightings.

“Fire ants don’t march into NSW they are carried, due to the movement of fire ant carrier materials such as soil, mulch, hay and turf.

“Biosecurity is everyone’s responsibility, so it’s critical that businesses moving these types of materials comply with the Biosecurity (Fire Ant) Emergency Order.”

Ashley Bacon, National Fire Ant Eradication Program said:

“Protecting Australia from the devastating impacts of fire ants is a national priority.

“Fire ants can have devastating consequences on our environment, economy, human health and way of life.

“If your property is in our planned treatment area, our teams, authorised under the Biosecurity Act 2015 (NSW), need your consent to access your property.

“To eradicate fire ants, we must treat 100% of all properties in our target area, whether fire ants are visible or not.”

Seniors across the state will have more opportunities to socialise and learn new skills thanks to $600,000 in grants from the NSW Government.

The Connecting Seniors grant program has awarded funding to 21 organisations across NSW for initiatives that will help older people stay connected.

The recipients include 16 not-for-profit organisations and five local councils, with initiatives ranging from choirs and intergenerational learning projects to social events for LGBTQ+ seniors and cultural programs for Aboriginal Elders.

For example, one recipient Touched by Olivia has received $30,000 to fund a paid ‘Connector’ who works with the Council, local businesses and community groups to connect those needing support with services and activities in their area. Its Community Circles bring seniors together for social activities, helping beat social isolation and loneliness.

More than half of the projects will support seniors living in regional NSW and about one-third will assist Aboriginal people over 50 and seniors with disability.

The Connecting Seniors grant program builds on previous grants, which have been proven to reduce social isolation for thousands of seniors in NSW.

It delivers on the Ageing Well in NSW: Seniors Strategy 2021-2031, with the Government committed to creating a more inclusive community and addressing isolation and loneliness.

For more information about the grants program and the full list of recipients.

Minister for Seniors Jodie Harrison said:

“These grants support activities which can provide a social lifeline for seniors, especially those who live alone.

“As our population ages, we want to make sure we provide our seniors with opportunities to socialise while enjoying engaging experiences.

“Congratulations to all the grant recipients; I’m looking forward to seeing your activities in action!”

Touched by Olivia Founding Director John Perkins said:

“Our Community Circles program helps connect isolated or lonely seniors with social opportunities, support and services in their area and it’s been a huge success where we trialled it in the Southern Highlands.

“This funding will allow us to expand the program in Canada Bay LGA so we can assist more seniors in need. Whether that’s by running social board game sessions at Concord Library, connecting locals from different cultural backgrounds or simply getting groceries for elderly residents who don’t have support.”