Category: NSW News

Families affected by the ongoing closure of the Great Western Highway at Victoria Pass will receive additional support through a temporary amendment of the School Drive Subsidy Scheme, alongside further improvements to school bus services which have been in place since the start of Term 3.

While Transport for NSW has worked to improve public transport connections, for some impacted families, current detours and extended journey times mean driving children to school is the preferred or only option for parents.

The School Drive Subsidy Scheme is in place to help families cover some of the costs of driving children to school when public transport isn’t available. Payments are calculated based on the approved distance between home and school or public transport drop-off, the number of days the student attends school, and the applicable subsidy rate.

The NSW Government will provide a targeted, temporary amendment to the Scheme to assist families whose school journeys have been significantly disrupted by the closure and who are facing increased travel times and costs.

The assistance will be back dated to the start of the closure, from 8 March 2026, until the road reopens. This means eligible families will be able to apply retrospectively, with payments covering the period since the closure began.

Students who travel to and from school by private vehicle may be eligible if they:

• Live in Hartley, Little Hartley, Hartley Vale, Kanimbla or Oberon.
• Attend Mount Victoria Public School, Blackheath Public School, Mountains Christian College, Katoomba High School, Katoomba Public School or Blue Mountains Grammar School.
• Obtain confirmation from their school principal that the Victoria Pass closure has increased their travel and that they are travelling by private vehicle.
• Continue to meet all existing School Drive Subsidy eligibility requirements, including age, NSW residency and minimum distance criteria.

This measure recognises the significant and unique impact the Victoria Pass closure has had on a number of families and is aimed at reducing transport disadvantage for students whose journeys to and from school have been substantially affected.

For general information about the School Drive Subsidy, please visit: https://transportnsw.info/tickets-fares/eligibility-concessions/school-student-travel/guide-to-school-drive-subsidy-payments.

Deputy Premier of New South Wales and Minister for Education, Prue Car said:

“Families have been doing an incredible job navigating this disruption, and we want to support them to ensure their children continue to access their education.

“Alongside the improved school bus services this financial support will help ease pressure on families in the area.”

Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison said:

“We understand how challenging this closure has been, particularly for families and students facing longer journeys to and from school. For these families, it has meant a complete change in routine, with earlier mornings, longer drives and extra costs that add up.

“The temporary amendment to the School Drive Subsidy Scheme will help ease that financial pressure, and it applies retrospectively so families aren’t out of pocket.

“With a clear timeline in place and works underway, parents and students can plan ahead knowing this support will be there for the remainder of the closure.”

Member for Blue Mountains, Trish Doyle said:

“Parents, carers and particularly our students have struggled while dealing with the impacts of the Victoria Pass closure. It’s been a genuine challenge for these families and their schools, so this amended subsidy will be a welcome bit of relief.”

Today, on Vietnam Veterans’ Day, we honour the courage, service and sacrifice of Australians who served during the Vietnam War and commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, one of the most significant engagements in Australia’s military history.

On 18 August 1966, soldiers from D Company, 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, faced overwhelming odds and engaged a much larger Viet Cong and North Vietnamese force in a rubber plantation near Long Tan, in Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam.

After three hours of intense fighting in difficult conditions, 18 Australians were killed and 24 were wounded.

The Battle of Long Tan has become an enduring part of Australia’s military history and remains a defining moment for those who served in the Vietnam War.

Sixty years later, the legacy of Long Tan continues to resonate across generations. Vietnam Veterans’ Day provides an opportunity to recognise not only those who served on the battlefield, but also the families, loved ones and communities who supported them during and after the conflict.

Today we also pay respect to the more than 60,000 Australian service men and women who served in the Vietnam War. Of those, 523 made the ultimate sacrifice and nearly 2,400 were wounded.

Many Vietnam veterans returned home to a nation deeply divided over the war. In the decades since, Australians have come to better understand and appreciate the challenges faced by those who served.

Today, we acknowledge their contribution and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring their stories are remembered.

A commemoration service will commence at 11am at the Martin Place Cenotaph.

NSW Minister for Veterans David Harris said:

“Today, on this 60th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, is an opportunity for Australians to pause, remember and acknowledge the service and sacrifice of a generation of Australians who served, and their families.

“The Battle of Long Tan stands as a powerful reminder of the service and sacrifice of diggers during the Vietnam War – a conflict that spanned more than a decade and saw Australians serve on land, in the air and at sea.

“On this 60th anniversary, we honour all who served, remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice, and acknowledge the lasting impact of their service. We will remember them.”

The Minns Labor Government is scrambling to catch up, finally releasing a policy framework for data centres at a time when there are already billions of dollars in projects in the pipeline.
 
Shadow Minister for AI, Digital and Investment James Griffin said Labor had been far too slow to plan for the infrastructure demands created by one of the fastest-growing sectors of the economy.
 
“With more than 60 data centres already operating or being built and $50 billion in the pipeline, this framework is far too long overdue,” Mr Griffin said.
 
“Labor has been happy to point to data centre investment as one of the very few bright spots propping up the state’s finances but has done very little to manage that growth so far.”
 
“We support requiring proponents to pay their fair share of the infrastructure they need, rather than leaving households and small businesses to pick up the bill.”
 
“The bigger test for Labor is whether it can actually deliver the reliable and affordable energy, grid capacity and water infrastructure needed to support this investment.”
 
Mr Griffin said the NSW Liberals and Nationals recently announced plans for a dedicated Minister for AI, and Labor was right to adopt that policy.
 
“The NSW Liberals and Nationals believe NSW should be leading in the AI space, attracting investment and creating jobs while also ensuring a benefit for the community and that’s what our recently announced policy will achieve.”
 
“Investors need certainty that projects can connect to power and water and communities need confidence their bills and services will be protected.”

The Minns Labor Government must urgently address legitimate concerns about its firearms buyback before the scheme begins on 2 November.
 
Following the Bondi terrorist attack, the NSW Liberals supported reforms to strengthen community safety. We also made clear that Labor needed to consult in good faith and ensure its rushed laws did not create serious unintended consequences.
 
Labor failed to do that. It rushed complex legislation through Parliament without proper consultation and has repeatedly ignored the concerns of licensed firearm owners, farmers, sporting shooters, collectors and firearms businesses.
 
Labor’s laws target law-abiding citizens while failing to confront the real threats to public safety exposed by the Bondi terrorist attack and ongoing criminal gang warfare. Chris Minns and NSW Labor must focus its efforts on terrorists, organised criminal networks and illegal firearms, instead of punishing licensed firearm owners who follow the law.
 
Chris Minns and Anthony Albanese have now announced a buyback that raises more questions than it answers.
 
Despite being promoted as a national scheme, NSW is the only state identified as having reached an implementation agreement with the Commonwealth, while four other jurisdictions have reportedly refused to participate.
 
The fixed payments announced for most firearms do not reflect their individual market value. While the Commonwealth and NSW have agreed to share the acquisition costs, the Government has not disclosed the scheme’s total anticipated cost or identified the NSW Budget allocation that will fund it.
 
The Government says it will provide a flat payment for associated ammunition but has failed to disclose the amount, eligibility criteria or whether affected accessories and other property rendered unusable by its laws will be compensated.
 
The Government must urgently explain:
 

• What is the total anticipated cost of the buyback, and what NSW Budget allocation will fund the State’s share?
• How was the fixed-price schedule determined, and why will most firearms not be assessed at fair market value?
• What compensation will apply to ammunition, accessories and other property rendered unusable by the reforms?
• How many firearms the Government expects will be surrendered?
• Why NSW is proceeding before a genuinely national agreement has been secured?
• What safeguards will protect licensed owners and businesses from financial loss?
• Whether NSW Police has the resources and systems required to administer the scheme safely?

 
The NSW Liberals have consistently supported practical reforms that improve public safety. We will also continue to hold Labor accountable and ensure its laws are workable, properly funded and do not unfairly punish law-abiding citizens.
 
The Government must correct course, engage genuinely with affected stakeholders and resolve these concerns before the buyback begins.
 
Public safety requires properly designed laws and competent implementation, not rushed announcements and unanswered questions.

The Albanese Government and Minns Government have reached an agreement to deliver a NSW Gun Buyback Scheme to reduce the number of firearms and make communities safer.

New South Wales will be the first state to commence the Commonwealth Government’s National Gun Buyback Scheme, with both governments agreeing to share the costs of the buyback 50:50.

Following the deadly antisemitic terrorist attack at Bondi Beach on 14 December 2025, National Cabinet stood in solidarity and agreed to action to eradicate antisemitism and to strengthen gun laws across the nation. 

In the days that followed, the NSW Government acted to significantly tighten the state’s gun laws, including introducing new limits on the number of firearms a person can own, reclassifying some types of firearms, introducing stronger background and eligibility checks, and reducing firearms licence periods from five years to two.

The NSW Gun Buyback is the next step in those reforms and will commence on 2 November 2026, administered by NSW Police. It will provide compensation to individuals for firearms above the new ownership limits and newly reclassified firearms, plus a flat fee for associated ammunition.

The scheme will also provide financial assistance for businesses and industry to adjust to the reforms.

In addition, the Commonwealth will contribute 50 per cent for administration costs and fully fund the destruction costs for surrendered firearms and administration. 

Importantly, the scheme will be administered in in two phases:

Phase 1 of the NSW Buyback Scheme will include a fixed price schedule for individual licence holders, who are above the new legal limit for their licence, to return their firearms in exchange for fair compensation.
  

Firearms Type	Firearms Sub-type	Compensation
Handgun	Revolver	$1,000
	Semi-auto	$850
Shotgun	Double barrel	$850
	Single barrel	$650
Rifle	Rimfire	$600
	Centrefire	$1,000
	Air rifle	$450

 
It will also include an initial industry support package to help eligible local businesses and dealers adjust to the new laws, available from 2 November 2026.

This package will include: 

• Up to $25,000 in grants  available to eligible businesses and dealers 
• one-off licence fee relief for eligible gun dealers in NSW, worth $500 over two years per dealer. 

 
Phase 2 of the NSW Buyback Scheme, commencing in early 2027, will provide a pathway to compensation, for a fee, for eligible higher-value firearms with an indicative market value above $3,000, capped at $10,000 per firearm. 

It will also involve further support for affected industry. More details on Phase 2 will be announced in due course.  

The New South Wales Government estimates up to 274,000 registered firearms – approximately 24 per cent of the total number of registered firearms in New South Wales – and approximately 50,000 licence holders are affected by the new limits on gun ownership and reclassification of some types of firearms. 

This Scheme is informed by the Interim Report of the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion’s Recommendations to prioritise efforts to finalise and implement an updated and nationally consistent National Firearms Agreement (Recommendation 13) and the proposed Buyback Scheme (Recommendation 14). 

These reforms build on the Commonwealth Government’s Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill 2026 and the New South Wales Government’s Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2025, which together include the toughest firearm reforms in a generation. 

More information is available at http://nsw.gov.au/gunbuyback.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“We must do everything we can to make sure the antisemitic terrorist attack in Bondi doesn’t happen again. That includes meaningful nationwide gun reform.

“I thank the New South Wales Government for their collaboration as we work to take guns off our streets in order to better protect Australians.”

Premier Chris Minns:

“After Bondi, we promised the people of New South Wales we would introduce the toughest gun laws in the country, and that’s exactly what we did.”

“The next step is getting the guns that are no longer permitted under those laws out of circulation and permanently off our streets.”
“There are potentially hundreds of thousands of firearms affected by these changes. We want those guns handed in, compensated for and safely destroyed.”

“This is a big undertaking, but the principle behind it is simple: fewer dangerous guns in our community means a safer New South Wales.”

Minister for Home Affairs Tony Burke:

“After the tragedy at Bondi we committed to dealing with the motive and the method.

“Since then, we have strengthened our hate crimes and hate speech laws, which are now the strongest in our country’s history.

“Today we continue the proud Australian tradition of sensible gun reform designed to protect our community from weapons which have no utility other than to cause harm.”

Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley:

“Today, we’re announcing details of the biggest gun buyback in NSW in three decades.

“I want to thank the Commonwealth for its support in delivering and co-funding this reform.

“Community safety is our top priority which is why we’re reducing the number of firearms in the community, along with strengthening checks and increasing oversight.

“The NSW Police Force are overseeing a significant logistics exercise in public safety. We ask affected firearms licence holders to be patient. Everyone affected by the new laws in NSW will have the opportunity to participate in the Buyback Scheme.”

New expectations for NSW data centres to invest in renewable power sends the right signal to help protect households and businesses against the risk of rising power bills and climate pollution posed by a poorly managed data centre boom.

With the NSW Government saying in media reports today it will require data centre investment to be matched with increased investment in renewable energy, the Climate Council is calling for mandatory standards so data centre proposals that fall short don’t go ahead.

The state’s new guidelines are another step forward, in line with the Albanese Government’s commitment to legislate national standards – despite resistance from Queensland and the Northern Territory.

The standards are expected to require data centres to supply their own additional renewable power, no matter where they are built around Australia.

Climate Council Senior Advisor Ben McLeod said:

Australians are rightly asking: Where is the power for the data centre boom going to come from? Guidelines like these set us on the path to making sure the answer won’t push up household bills, or climate pollution. The NSW Government should be decisive in shielding its citizens and make these expectations mandatory.

All states and territories should get on board with similar rules under the proposed national guidelines. Governments must set the bar higher, and require data centres to be powered by new wind, solar and storage, otherwise Australians will pay the price of higher power bills and more climate pollution.”

The Minns Government is building safer communities in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven, with a new $6.2 million refuge opening to provide safety and specialist support for women and children experiencing domestic and family violence.

Named ‘Gunya’, the refuge has been delivered by local organisation SASSI, under Tranche 3 of the NSW Government’s Core and Cluster program. SASSI will also provide specialist domestic and family violence support services to women and children on site.

Gunya features eight fully self-contained crisis accommodation units, alongside a central “core” facility where residents can access tailored support services in a safe and welcoming environment.

The mix of studio and two-bedroom units will meet the diverse needs of families. The studio unit is fully wheelchair accessible, while the core facility has also been designed to support residents with restricted mobility.

There is also a children’s play area and a dedicated outdoor area for pets, helping residents maintain independence and stability during their stay.

Gunya is part of the NSW Government’s $426.6 million Core and Cluster program to expand crisis accommodation and provide on-site specialist support for women and children fleeing violence.

All 10 Tranche 3 projects are in regional New South Wales, bringing the total to 36 of the 49 Core and Cluster refuges based in regional, remote and rural areas – ensuring women and children can access the support they need no matter their postcode.  

Once all 49 new refuges are complete, the program will support more than 2,900 additional women and children escaping domestic and family violence each year.  

This program is part of the NSW Government’s broader response to domestic and family violence, including investing an historic $5.1 billion investment in social and affordable housing, with at least half the new homes prioritised for victim-survivors and an additional $130 million for new crisis beds.

The Minns Labor Government’s June Budget committed a landmark $184.1 million to provide a 50 per cent across-the-board uplift to six core specialist domestic and family violence programs, to make sure people experiencing domestic and family violence can receive timely life-saving support to recover and heal.  

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

“Safe accommodation can be a lifeline for women and children experiencing domestic violence, this service will greatly improve the way we support families in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven.  

“The Minns Government understands that investing in women and children is an investment into the safety of our entire community, this refuge will be a legacy to those who have fiercely advocated for it.”

Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said:  

“For women and children escaping violence, having a safe place to go can make all the difference. Gunya isn’t just four walls and a roof, it will give people stability, privacy and specialist support they need to start rebuilding their lives.

“We’re investing in more crisis accommodation because no one should be left without a safe option when they make the brave decision to leave a violent situation.  

“Gunya is another example of the Minns Government putting our commitment into action – creating safe, purpose-built accommodation alongside specialist services that help victim-survivors recover and move forward.”

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

“We know that leaving a violent relationship is extremely difficult and often dangerous.  

“Gunya gives women and children a safe place to go to, with specialist support to help them recover and heal.

“The Minns Labor Government continues to work hard to make sure women and children escaping domestic and family violence have the crucial support they need to rebuild their lives free from violence.  

“This includes not only new refuges and specialist supports, but work to strengthen protections, hold perpetrators to account, early intervention and primary prevention to stop the violence before it starts.”  

SASSI CEO Penny Dordoy said:

“Every woman and child deserves to live free from violence and fear.  

“The opening of this new Core and Cluster refuge is an important step towards making that vision a reality for more families in the Illawarra.  

“These eight homes will provide safety, dignity and a place to recover, while our integrated support services help women and children rebuild their lives and create brighter futures.  

“SASSI is proud to work alongside the NSW Government and our community partners to deliver a service that offers not only accommodation, but hope, healing and opportunity.”

Support:

If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, call the Police on Triple Zero / 000.

For confidential advice, support, and referrals, contact 1800 RESPECT or 13 YARN.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence, call the NSW Domestic Violence Line on 1800 65 64 63 for free counselling and referrals, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, call the Sexual Violence Helpline on 1800 424 017 for free counselling and referrals, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For information on Men’s Behaviour Change Programs operating in your local area, contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491.   

The Minns Labor Government continues to cement NSW as Australia’s number one destination for tourism attracting more than one in three domestic caravan and camping visitors.

According to Tourism Research Australia data, NSW was the destination of choice for 5.5 million domestic caravan and camping visitors in 2025.

The year ending December 2025 was the biggest year on record for domestic caravan and camping trips in Australia. Almost one in every seven domestic overnight trips during the period was a caravan and camping trip.

Domestic travellers took 17.3 million caravan and camping trips across Australia in 2025, up 14 per cent year-on-year, with expenditure reaching $12.6 billion, well above pre-pandemic levels of $10.2 billion.

The Caravan Industry Association of Australia’s 2026 State of Industry Report also shows caravan parks generated a record $3.3 billion in revenue in 2025, an increase of 6.3 per cent year-on-year or approximately $207 million.

Domestic caravan and camping visitors stayed 18.2 million nights in NSW during 2025. Their top five destinations were: North Coast (26 per cent), South Coast (17 per cent), The Murray (10 per cent), Hunter region (10 per cent) and Sydney (eight per cent).

Interest in domestic caravan and camping holidays remained strong throughout 2025, peaking at 29 per cent during the December quarter, followed by 26 per cent during the March quarter, 23 per cent in the June quarter and 22 per cent in the September quarter.

Busting the grey nomad stereotype, 43 per cent of domestic caravan and camping visitors to NSW during the period were in full-time employment. They were also high-value travellers, with the largest cohort having an average household income of $100,000-$149,999 (30 per cent).

International caravan and camping visitors to NSW surged by 10.4 per cent in 2025 (86,000 visitors), spending 801,500 nights in the state (up 24.3 per cent year on year). The top three international source markets for caravan and camping visitors were the United Kingdom, Germany and New Zealand, with the most popular regions being the North Coast, Hunter and South Coast.

The caravan and camping industry plays a vital role in achieving the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy’s ambitious goal of $91 billion in annual visitor economy expenditure by 2035.

The NSW Government recently delivered its fifth annual Feel More. Live More marketing campaign in partnership with Caravan and Camping Industry Association (CCIA) NSW. It drove exceptional outcomes for the state’s 400 holiday parks during peak fuel supply challenges, including an estimated $31.21 million in booking revenue generated during the campaign.

The results coincide with the 2026 CCIA NSW Awards of Excellence revealing the state’s top holiday parks, with winners including:

• BIG4 Tweed Billabong Holiday Park — NSW Holiday Park of the Year (Fewer than 100 Sites)
• Discovery Holiday Parks Forster — Joint NSW Holiday Park of the Year (More than 100 Sites)
• Tathra Beach Eco Camp — Joint NSW Holiday Park of the Year (More than 100 Sites)

Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper:

“NSW is Australia’s top destination for domestic caravan and camping trips and it’s exciting to see rising numbers of international visitors enjoying the state’s world-class holiday parks.

“Caravan and camping holidays offer immersive experiences that deepen connections with nature, culture and local communities, encouraging repeat visitation across the state.

“The NSW Government is proud to be investing in marketing campaigns, scenic driving routes, upgraded rest stops and enhanced wayfinding initiatives that encourage longer stays and boost regional visitor economies.”

Caravan & Camping Industry Association (NSW) CEO Wayne Lange:

“Caravan and camping is at the heart of tourism in NSW and our sector delivers more holiday accommodation across regional areas than any other.

“Caravan and camping visitors support local businesses and connects these visitors with regional communities, creating memorable experiences in every corner of NSW.

“It’s the shared commitment of holiday park operators to continually innovate and deliver exceptional experiences that has made NSW Australia’s leading caravan and camping destination.”

As final preparations get underway for this bush fire season, the NSW Government is bringing together senior leaders from the emergency services, public land managers, industry, academia and community for the NSW Hazard Reduction Roundtable.

Bush Fire Co-ordinating Committee representatives and stakeholders from more than 15 organisations including the NSW Rural Fire Service, Fire & Rescue NSW, NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service, Forestry Corporation of NSW, Crown Lands, and the Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water will take part in the roundtable.  

This roundtable builds on the work of Taskforce Fire Guard, the NSW Government’s multi-agency hazard reduction taskforce led by the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS), which has optimised hazard reduction through stronger coordination between agencies and land managers.  

Emergency services and partner agencies prepare for the fire season year-round through hazard reduction and operational planning, with more than 100 specialists gathering last week.  

Since 1 July 2025, agencies have undertaken hazard reduction on more than 124,000 hectares of both public and private land, helping protect more than 174,000 properties. This is more than 20 per cent higher than last year’s annual total.  

Since Taskforce Fire Guard commenced in April this year agencies have been able to carry out targeted hazard reduction on more than 75,000 hectares between April and July.  

Today’s roundtable will review Taskforce Fire Guard’s performance, consider the latest hazard reduction activities and seasonal outlook, and identify opportunities to strengthen planning, governance and system performance.  

With El Nino conditions established, there is a high potential for a challenging summer with forecasts indicating an increased likelihood of above-average temperatures and below-average rainfall.  

Warmer and drier-than-average conditions during autumn have left many parts of NSW unusually dry, with some regions already experiencing drought. If these conditions persist, fire activity could increase through spring and into the 2026–27 bush fire season.  

Inclement weather and increasingly unpredictable bush fire seasons are reducing the windows available to undertake hazard reduction, highlighting the need to look at new ways to prepare for the start of the bushfire season. During the past five years, the average area treated annually is around 110,000 hectares. 

The official bushfire danger period for most of NSW begins on 1 October, with some northern areas of the state already entering the bush fire danger period. Land agencies have already commenced preparations for hazard burns planned for the busy spring season.  

Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe said:

“The National Parks and Wildlife Service has carried out a significant amount of extensive hazard work over the past year, but we know the coming bush fire season will be challenging with hot and dry conditions.”  

“This roundtable brings together experts and agencies where we can discuss our level of preparedness, share lessons and look at how we can better protect communities and the environment ahead of the bush fire season.”  

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

“We’re bringing the agencies responsible for bush fire management together to ensure NSW makes the most of every opportunity to reduce bush fire risk as we head into a challenging summer.”  

“During spring, planned hazard reduction will continue to take place as our agencies and volunteers get ready for summer – I encourage all landowners to consider what actions they can take to prepare for bush fires.”  

Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said:

“Our Government is ensuring collaboration across agencies and landholdings because it is critical for tackling the risk of bush fires in NSW.”  

“Forestry Corporation has around 500 trained firefighters in its workforce and brings access to specialised forest machinery and heavy plant from forestry operations to complement the Government’s aircraft and other combat techniques.”  

“Collaboration is occurring with agencies partnering on risk planning for hazard reduction burning priorities, contributing to inter-state and overseas deployments, and are delivering at all times a combined fire response.”  

Commissioner of the RFS Trent Curtin said:  

“This roundtable brings together stakeholders at the forefront of bush fire management to futureproof NSW’s approach to preparation and mitigation, ensuring we are ready for the challenges ahead.”  

“Following several years of above-average rainfall and significant vegetation growth, we need to continue to take every available opportunity to reduce bush fire risk.”  

Footpaths will be cleaned up and shared e-bike operators will be held to higher standards as a result of landmark laws that come into effect today in NSW.

In an Australian first, shared e-bike operators will now need to approval from Transport for NSW and authorisation from councils and authorities before providing their services. Until today, shared scheme operators were able to deploy e-bikes anywhere without approval.

After extensive consultation with local councils, shared scheme operators and the bicycle industry, key elements of the shared scheme laws include:

• Authorisation that ensures operators are held to a consistent state-wide set of minimum standards which include requirements for insurance, helmets, device standards, device identification, the provision of data on trips, incidents and complaints.
• Strict penalties of up to $55,000, plus $5,500 per day for ongoing non-compliance including the failure to remove e-bikes from inappropriate locations.
• Approved operators will need to ensure their devices do not block pathways, pedestrian crossings, bus and light rail stops, taxi zones or fire exits.
• Local councils will be able to issue penalties for non-compliance, while Transport for NSW may suspend or revoke approvals where operators fail to meet their obligations.
• Councils and authorities will also have the power to establish dedicated parking zones and bays as well as “no-go” and “go-slow” zones.
• Fleet caps to ensure the right number of shared devices are available in each area by linking each operator’s fleet size to dynamic factors including demand and performance.
• A per trip levy on shared scheme operators which will fund the $6.6 million Sharing Scheme Grant Program which grants local councils up to $200,000 to deliver e-bike parking in their areas.

Staged commencement of the new rules will occur in the coming months, giving councils and NSW Government land managers powers to set required parking zones and to penalise shared e-bike operators if they aren’t used.

In addition to the shared scheme reforms the NSW Government is also reducing the risk posed by illegal private e-bike use, including the following measures:

• Powers for NSW Police to seize and crush illegal, privately-owned e-bikes.
• Reducing the 500-watt e-bike power limit introduced by the Liberals to 250-watts.
• Introducing world-leading Standard to ensure e-bikes are pedalled and legal power output cannot be tampered with.
• Introducing a minimum age limit to ride an e-bike.
• Imposing strict new safety standards on the sale of lithium-ion batteries.
• Banning converted e-bikes from trains and Sydney Metro services to reduce the risk of fires.

Minister for Transport John Graham said:

“If you’re sick of e-bikes cluttering up your streets, these are the laws you’ve been waiting for. But likewise, if you’re someone who really enjoys using shared e-bikes these laws will make them safer and more reliable.

“Up until now shared bike operators have been able to put their bikes wherever they wanted. That’s changing today. From now they have to be registered with Transport for NSW and have approval from local councils.

“This is a fast-changing space, and we don’t want to miss out on the great transport benefits these bikes provide, but we have to strike the balance on their impact on the rest of the community and these laws do that in a comprehensive way.”

Parliamentary Secretary for Transport Dr Marjorie O’Neill said:

“This is a massive undertaking which will take some time to fully implement, but over the coming months you’ll start to see the improvements take effect on our streets.

“We’re supporting operators to adjust to these higher expectations – from riders, pedestrians, councils and the wider community – as quickly as possible.”

Secretary for Transport for NSW Josh Murray said:

“These reforms are about preserving the benefits of the shared e-bike system while responding to community feedback.

“The program is designed to address safety needs and respond to community concerns about improperly parked devices while supporting the continued growth of shared e‑bikes as one of our fastest growing transport modes.

“We want to continue expanding sustainable and affordable transport options but improve equity of access and provide more suitable infrastructure so that communities experience shared e‑bike use as safe, orderly and easy to find the benefits.”