Category: NSW News

Recovery services have begun setting up in Northern NSW ahead of community outreach as the NSW Government appoints a Recovery Coordinator in the wake of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

The NSW State Emergency Service supported by other emergency services are continuing to deal with the impacts of the extreme weather and will be completing damage assessments as it becomes safe to enter flooded areas.

As the water recedes, the NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) is getting ready to support communities and begin recovery operations as quickly as possible.

As a pre-emptive step to boost recovery efforts for impacted communities, the NSW Government has appointed NSW Police Superintendent Scott Tanner as Recovery Coordinator for the region following Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Mr Tanner will retain his role as Richmond Police District Superintendent, allowing him to deploy the full resources of the NSW Police Force while effectively marshalling all other Government resources.

Mr Tanner played a critical role in the 2022 Northern Rivers floods, serving as the local emergency operations controller and assisting the coordination of recovery efforts across the region. In June 2024 Mr Tanner was awarded the Australian Police Medal for his role during the 2022 floods.

As the focus turns towards recovery, critical information about recovery support will be available at nsw.gov.au/cyclonealfredrecovery

Information will also be shared through local radio stations, social media and online, with posters and flyers to be distributed across impacted areas.

From early next week, community outreach will begin with RA and our partners checking in on communities in key locations. On Thursday, Recovery Assistance Points will open in Lismore, Tweed South, Ballina and Coffs Harbour.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“This is an anxious time for residents and communities across NSW, which is why we have taken the pre-emptive step and appointed Superintendent Tanner as Recovery Coordinator for Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, so that when the weather has passed, we can immediately move to recovery.

“We stand with everyone in the storm’s path and will continue to provide as much support as needed to help individuals and communities get back on their feet.”

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

“While we are still assessing the impacts of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, we are preparing for the recovery phase so that every community and person impacted by this event receives support as soon as possible.

“We have taken what we have learnt from previous natural disasters to improve the way we prepare. Appointing Superintendent Scott Tanner to help lead the recovery means he can apply his experience from the 2022 floods to assist communities as they deal with the aftermath of this major weather event.”

Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery and Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said:

“While I’m sorry we’re in this position again, I welcome the announcement that Superintendent Scott Tanner will be helping lead the recovery post Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

“I know Mr Tanner extremely well, we worked very closely in the 2022 floods, and locally as he’s the Superintendent in my electorate, and he is the right person to work with community to help us recover as soon as possible.”

NSW Reconstruction Authority CEO Mal Lanyon said:

“I want to reassure the community that the NSW Reconstruction Authority is on the ground in Northern NSW working alongside our response agencies to understand impacts and resolve issues as we prepare for recovery.

“There will be no daylight between response and recovery, but in the meantime, I encourage everyone to continue visiting the NSW SES website for the latest information about flooding. We are focused on ensuring recovery progresses quickly and seamlessly from response.

“I worked closely with Superintendent Tanner when I served as Recovery Coordinator myself after the 2022 floods and I can think of no one better placed to begin recovery in the region. Appointing Superintendent Tanner provides a dedicated focus on the ground to ensure recovery progresses quickly.”

Latest data from the Minns Labor Government’s Rental Taskforce has revealed solicited rent bidding via listing platforms has been virtually stamped out.

In the NSW Government’s first ever Bidding in the NSW Rental Market report, the impact of the Government’s strong rental reform agenda is showcased, revealing insights into rent bidding, underbidding, and pricing variations.

The analysis, conducted by NSW Fair Trading and the Department of Customer Service’s Data Analytics Centre, found the rent bidding ban is working on listing platforms and shows a rising trend of renters now securing rental properties for less than the advertised price.

Solicited rent bidding occurs when agents, landlords, or platforms invite or pressure prospective tenants to offer more than the advertised rent, increasing housing and cost of living pressure on renters in an already competitive market.

Before December 2022 non-fixed price listings made up 17 per cent of the market.

In a win for renters, the report found systemic law changes introduced by the Minns Labor Government in 2023, which included expanding a ban on solicited rent bidding from only real estate agents to landlords and rental platforms, have led to the widespread removal of illegal rental listing practices, including price ranges and ‘offers over’ terminology on major listing platforms.

This means more than 99 per cent of advertisements now comply with the rules.

The results linked rental bond data with CoreLogic rental listings and deployed advanced data-matching techniques, informing and validating the ongoing compliance work of the new $8.4 million Rental Taskforce within NSW Fair Trading.

Underbidding – where tenants pay less than the advertised rent – surged from seven per cent to 36 per cent of tenancies between March and August 2024, reflecting a broader market cooling, as listed rents exceeded what the market would bear.

NSW Fair Trading has come down hard on real estate agents caught doing the wrong thing – issuing 145 penalty infringement notices totalling more than $157,000 between May and December last year to those who breached their obligations under the Residential Tenancies Act 2010 (NSW) and associated laws.

Sydney property hotspots including the Randwick, Waverley, and Canada Bay LGA’s showed the highest rates of overbidding for a property, while Byron, Woollahra, and Ku-ring-gai demonstrated the highest rates of underbidding.

Historic reforms passed in 2024 are further transforming the rental market by banning no-grounds evictions, limiting rent increases to once per year, making it easier to have pets, as well as improving laws governing fee-free rent payment options, and prohibiting fees for background checks.

The Bidding in the NSW Rental Market reportalongside NSW Fair Trading’s Rent Check website provide important market information to support renters and landlords in the NSW rental market.

The Bidding in the NSW Rental Market report can be read on the Rent Bidding in NSW Insights Report webpage.

Information on the NSW Fair Trading Rent Check can be found on this webpage. 

Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong:

“This report shows how the Minns Labor Government’s rental reforms, coupled with targeted action by NSW Fair Trading, are working to better protect tenants and foster a more transparent and sustainable rental market.

“The Minns Labor Government understands that more people than ever are renting and that they are renting for longer.

“That’s why the Government is committed to supporting the rental market, so tenants see it as one that offers security, and quality, while providers view it as one they can invest in with certainty and viability.

“The suite of rental reforms that the Minns Labor Government is implementing will give renters greater stability and security when renting a home, while providing certainty for landlords and agents.”

NSW Rental Commissioner Trina Jones:

“This report highlights the NSW Government’s commitment to data-driven regulation and the importance of effective enforcement when responding to wilful non-compliance in the rental market.

“NSW Fair Trading’s regulatory measures have effectively eliminated solicited rent bidding through rental listings, with compliance rates now reaching above 99 percent.

“Importantly, our analysis reveals that broader rent bidding practices, while present during periods of market pressure, have not been a significant driver of rental price inflation.”

Core Logic’s Head of Research Eliza Owen:

“Our research indicates that transparent and fair rental practices contribute significantly to market stability, benefiting both tenants and property owners.

“As we continue to gather and analyse data, it’s clear that targeted reforms and effective enforcement are key to fostering a rental environment where all stakeholders can thrive, especially in the context of affordability barriers to home ownership.

“There are signs of demand cooling in the rental market, which has likely helped reduce the practice of rent bidding, but NSW Fair Trading’s regulatory measures are a positive step, protecting fairness and transparency in the event of future market upswings.”

Residents in Northern NSW are being warned they could be without electricity for multiple days, as Tropical Cyclone Alfred delivers hazardous winds and rain, damaging the electricity network.

As of 4pm today, more than 38,000 homes and businesses are without power in the Northern Rivers and Far North Coast, mostly due to damage caused by falling trees and branches. The worst hit areas are between Tweed Heads and Yamba.

Essential Energy, the electricity distributor for the region, is warning residents that due to severe weather, it is currently unsafe to access and repair damaged power infrastructure. However, they will resume repairs as soon as conditions allow.

This means households and businesses need to preparefor the possibility of extensive and extended power interruptions over the coming days.

What to do before a power outage:

• Keep battery-powered torches charged and easy-to-find.
• Ensure your car has petrol or if you have an EV, make sure it is charged.
• Have backup methods to safely prepare food and boil water, such as a camp stove or gas BBQ.
• Know how to turn off power to your home.
• Have manual overrides for garage doors and gates so you can enter and exit.
• If you rely on an electric pump for your household water supply, store enough water for your needs while the power is off.
• Have a list of emergency and important phone numbers, in case your mobile phone battery runs out.
• What to do during a power outage:
• Stay 8 metres away from damaged wires and fallen powerlines. Call Essential Energy on 13 20 80 to report the damage.
• Never enter flood waters, as damaged electricity infrastructure can cause electric shock.
• Limit mobile phone use. Save your battery for important calls and updates.
• Switch off appliances that can be damaged during power surges, including TVs, computers and Wi-Fi routers.
• Do not attempt to repair electrical issues yourself or try to use any external power generation sources indoors, such as an external or portable generator.
• Petrol or diesel-powered generators can produce carbon monoxide gas and must only be operated in a well-ventilated outdoor area away from open windows and vents.
• If you must run your vehicle to charge devices, do it outside with good ventilation.
• Follow the NSW Food Authority’s advice on food safety and try to limit the number of times you open the fridge and freezer.
• In a life-threatening situation, always call Triple Zero (000).

Energy retailers are supporting residents who rely on medical equipment. If you have registered your medical equipment, you should be contacted by Essential Energy or your energy retailer (the company that delivers your electricity bill).

The NSW Government is working with partners in the energy industry to coordinate preparation for the Tropical Cyclone and ensure all resources are ready to respond.

Essential Energy has moved additional crews, generators, fuel pods and mobile communication systems into the region. It has also established support arrangements with Ausgrid and Energy Queensland in case they are required. Endeavour Energy has also offered support if needed.

Ampol and BP are publishing on their websites the locations of service stations that will be open throughout the duration of Tropical Cyclone Alfred. These are mainly self-service stations and are intended mainly for use by emergency services. For further fuel station impacts and closures use the FuelCheck App.

NSW authorities are working with the Commonwealth to secure additional generator capacity.

More information about what to do before, during and after a storm is available online on the webpage What is a power outage and what to do.

Live updates on outages are available on the Essential Energy website.

Minister for Energy, Penny Sharpe:

“Households and businesses need to prepare for the real possibility that they will be without power for an extended period of time.

“We know this is distressing. Energy companies are working to restore power as soon as it is safe to do so. However, dangerous conditions will likely prevent crews accessing and repairing damage to the network for some time.

“Energy and water do not mix, and pose a threat to residents and energy workers. It is crucial residents stay well away from fallen power lines and damaged electrical equipment.”

A $30,000 NSW Government grant will fund cancer screening and prevention education to improve cancer outcomes for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities in the Illawarra.

The Multicultural Community Screening Education and Healthy Living Illawarra project will deliver community education sessions on bowel, breast and cervical cancer screening as well as smoking cessation to the local Arabic, Italian, Macedonian and Burmese (Karenni and Karen speaking) community. A wellbeing expo with light physical activities and walking groups will also be delivered as part of the project.

Multicultural communities face significant barriers accessing cancer screening services and care, often due to language barriers, poor health literacy, trauma, and cultural stigma and beliefs.

The Cancer Institute NSW Multicultural Community Grants are awarded regularly to help support local community groups and health services to roll out targeted initiatives that will support people with multilingual information to reduce their cancer risk, in a way that is aligned with their cultural beliefs.

The grants are one of the ways the NSW Government through the Cancer Institute NSW is supporting CALD communities to improve cancer outcomes. Other initiatives include targeted cancer prevention campaigns, multilingual resources to build health literacy, training of bilingual community educators to deliver cancer education and provision of social support for people who have been diagnosed with cancer and carers affected by cancer.

For more info visit the Cancer Screening and Prevention and Cancer Control (Multicultural) Grants webpage.

Health Minister, Ryan Park:

“In NSW, around 30 per cent of people were born overseas, with one in four people speaking a language other than English at home – higher than any other state or territory.

“Unfortunately, these communities have some of the lowest participation rates in cancer screening and can experience inequitable access to health care.”

Member for Wollongong, Paul Scully:

“Language should not be a barrier to understanding your cancer risks or getting the best possible cancer care if you need it and this funding will help to change that.

“I have heard from and worked with too many families who had trouble negotiating the health system or understanding their health needs because of language barriers and this will help to break those barriers down.

“By supporting community-led education and wellbeing initiatives, we are supporting people from diverse backgrounds to take charge of their health and improve cancer outcomes across the Illawarra Shoalhaven.”

Chief Cancer Officer and Chief Executive Cancer Institute NSW, Professor Tracey O’Brien AM:

“Breaking down barriers and supporting multicultural communities can’t be achieved in isolation and we are so grateful to be working together with health services and community organisations to ensure all people across NSW, regardless of who they are or where they come from, have access to timely and culturally appropriate cancer care and support.” 

Chief Executive Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, Margot Mains:

“These projects’ educational sessions will focus on prevention, screening and early detection for bowel, breast and cervical cancer, including demonstrations on self-testing kits and providing translated information. There will also be sessions to support and encourage healthy lifestyles that focus on smoking cessation, physical activity and healthy eating.”

A $15 million Community Recovery Support Fund, jointly funded by the Albanese and Minns Governments, is now available to NSW councils and their communities following the impacts of the Cyclone Alfred weather event.

Activated councils will have up to $1 million in funding made available once impacts are known. This will provide proactive support for communities to undertake essential immediate clean up and restoration activities for important community assets such as pre-schools, senior citizen centres, libraries and community halls.

Support has been made available under the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

The NSW Government is coordinating a multi-agency response to the cyclone, which has been forecast to significantly impact Northern NSW and Southern Queensland.

The currently weather modelling suggests that these 15 NSW Local Government Areas (LGAs) will sustain the most immediate impact of the cyclone,

The Commonwealth Government is working closely with both the New South Wales and Queensland Governments to ensure appropriate support is provided to impacted communities over the coming days.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“Northern NSW residents, and their neighbours to the north, are on high alert watching Tropical Cyclone Alfred approach.

“We are providing assistance now, but also have this future support on standby, ready to roll should recovery and cleanup work be needed in the immediate aftermath.

“Having this support ready to go means, if needed, essential work can begin and people’s lives can begin to return to normal as soon as possible.”

Minister for Emergency Management Jenny McAllister:

“It’s a challenging time for communities in the Northern Rivers, who are experiencing the impacts of Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

“Having grown up in the Northern Rivers, I know these communities well.  I am acutely aware of how worrying this event will be for local people.  

“I’ve been incredibly grateful for the work of the local mayors, Councils and community leaders, supporting their communities.

“We are activating this assistance quickly to ensure councils are supported in their work. 

“We seek to be good partners to Premier Minns and his government, through the immediate event and into the recovery”.

Premier Chris Minns:

“This is a pre-emptive step to help local councils quickly respond to this disaster.

“Councils are helping their communities prepare for the onslaught, and this will help them in the aftermath.

“This is just one early part of the support for the regions that get impacted by this disaster.”

New South Wales Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib:

“The NSW Government with the support of the Commonwealth is continuing to roll out support for the Northern NSW communities facing the impacts of Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

“This funding will be directed to councils in the local communities who need it most, with many of them still recovering after the devastating 2022 floods.

“The NSW Government is committed to providing ongoing support to the communities impacted by Tropical Cyclone Alfred in the days and weeks ahead.”

The National Association of Women in Construction NSW (NAWIC NSW) has awarded a prestigious government sponsored $30,000 scholarship for women in property and construction to engineer Nicole Waterman, Project Leader at Laing O’Rourke.

This NSW Women’s Week, the Minns Labor Government is recommitting to gender equality and boosting women’s empowerment and advancement.

In particular, the government is focussed on increasing opportunities in the construction industry, proudly funding the 2025 NAWIC NSW Executive Women’s Leadership Scholarship.

The game-changing scholarship was created to recognise women who have made a significant impact on the construction industry and demonstrate potential as future leaders. It provides funding for executive level further education to equip senior women in the construction sector with the leadership skills to drive industry change.

The scholarship was awarded to Ms Waterman at the NAWIC NSW International Women’s Day lunch on Thursday 6 March 2025. 

As a talented engineer who has led teams of up to 250 people, Ms Waterman has contributed to the delivery of multi-billion-dollar infrastructure projects and championed women in the industry through mentoring and advocacy.

Ms Waterman is currently leading the TAP3 Footbridge Project at St Marys NSW, was Delivery Partner Lead on the $2 billion Western Tunnelling Package and played a key role in the Central Station upgrade for Sydney Metro.  

The scholarship will provide her career a boost, enabling her to enrol in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Global Executive Academy in the United States. 

Previous scholarship recipients include 2023 winner Talia Keyes, General Manager for Design with Scentre Group and 2024 winner Jua Cilliers, Head of the School of Built Environment at UTS. 

To find out more about the Women in Construction program visit the Women in Construction webpage and the NAWIC NSW Scholarships webpage.

Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan said:

“This scholarship is one of many NSW Government-led initiatives aimed at attracting and retaining women in the construction industry across NSW. Our objective is to cultivate a workforce that is both diverse and representative of the entire community.

“Congratulations to Nicole Waterman on securing this wonderful opportunity to enhance her skills and advance her career. The Minns Labor Government is delighted to support the professional growth of women like her.”

Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said:

“Congratulations to Nicole Waterman for being an inspiring leader.

“The NSW Government is committed to bringing about change in the construction industry by removing barriers and creating opportunities for women to succeed.

“It has the potential to change the career trajectory of the recipient and reflects the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to attracting and retaining women in construction.”

Infrastructure NSW Chief Executive, Tom Gellibrand said:

“We are thrilled to announce Nicole Waterman as the recipient of this year’s NAWIC NSW Executive Women’s Leadership Scholarship.

“Nicole’s dedication to the construction industry and her leadership in advocating for women in STEM make her an outstanding choice. This scholarship will further empower her to drive positive change and inspire future leaders in the industry.

“The NSW Government Women in Construction Program is proud to support this initiative and remains committed to promoting diversity and inclusion within the construction sector.”

NAWIC NSW Co-President, Taleah Stofka said:

“Nicole stood out for her strategic thinking, collaborative leadership and passion for the construction industry. She is a leader with deep technical expertise and site-based experience, a gift for communication, and an ability to inspire teams at scale. 

“The judges look for industry role models – leaders with a clear vision and commitment to giving back. Nicole is exactly that.

“This year’s scholarship saw a record-breaking number of applications, thanks to an expanded reach through our partnership with the NSW Government Women in Construction Program.”

Five of the state’s most exceptional women have been honoured as recipients of the NSW Women of the Year Awards 2025, at the International Convention Centre in Sydney this morning.

The NSW Women of the Year Awards are the centrepiece of NSW Women’s Week, which runs from Sunday 2 March and concludes on International Women’s Day on Saturday 8 March.

The five 2025 Award recipients are:

Dr Jessica Luyue Teoh (Hornsby), NSW Young Woman of the Year

Dr Jessica Luyue Teoh is a domestic violence advocate and 2023 Churchill Fellow – one of only two women under 30 in Australia to receive this honour.

Sandy Rogers (Tweed), NSW Community Hero

Sandy Rogers has dedicated 40 years to improving the lives of children with intellectual and physical disability and their families.

Dr Vanessa Pirotta (Canada Bay), Premier’s NSW Woman of Excellence

Dr Vanessa Pirotta is a wildlife scientist renowned for her impact on marine conservation and science communication.

Kirsty Evans (Orange), NSW Regional Woman of the Year

Kirsty Evans has led efforts to provide pro bono legal advice to the community of Molong, affected by severe flooding in 2022.

Marjorie Anderson (Georges River), NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year

Marjorie Anderson is a dedicated leader who has been pivotal in the success of 13YARN – the first national crisis support service for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people in crisis, since its inception.

The Ones to Watch (girls aged 7-15 years)

• Aish Khurram (The Hills Shire)
• Ashleen Khela (The Hills Shire)
• Aurora Iler (Campbelltown)
• Chloe Croker (Goulburn Mulwaree)
• Emilia Trustum (Richmond Valley)
• Hayley Paterson (Hornsby)
• Jiayi Fang (Ku-ring-gai)
• Kat Mulcair (Yass Valley)
• Lydia Tofaeono (Strathfield)
• Waniya Syed (Camden)

This year, a special In Memoriam was added to the Awards ceremony for Maddy Suy, a vibrant girl whose love for life inspired many. Diagnosed with a brain tumour at age six, Maddy faced the challenge with bravery and positivity. Maddy advocated for those who could not. She wanted to leave a legacy and to inspire others to contribute through the Maddy & Co hubs.

Local Woman of the Year 2025 recipients, who were nominated by their local MP also attended the Awards ceremony today and received certificates for exemplary service to their communities. The Local Woman Honour Roll will be published on the Women of the Year Awards webpage.

The NSW Women of the Year Awards have been running since 2012, recognising and celebrating the New South Wales’s revolutionary thinkers, everyday heroes, social advocates and innovative role models.

More details about the NSW Women of the Year Awards program and recorded livestream of 2025 ceremony are available on the Women of the Year Awards webpage.

Premier Chris Minns said:

“I’m delighted to congratulate NSW’s most remarkable women and girls, for breaking barriers and achieving the highest success in their respective fields.”

“You are the future of NSW, inspiring everyone right across the state with your dedication, passion and lasting impacts in the community.”

Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said:

“Congratulations to the recipients of the NSW Women of the Year Awards. You are truly deserving of the recognition you received today. The New South Wales Government is proud to celebrate your incredible success and highlight your role in inspiring other women and girls across the state.

“You can’t be what you can’t see, and you all are paving the way forward for women and girls with your strength, resilience and achievements.

“The program also recognises women at the core of communities and families, with our Local Women of the Year recognition.

“I also look forward to following the journeys of our incredible young recipients. You are all already hitting goals and making waves in your communities, so I’m sure you have bright futures ahead.”

NSW Young Woman of the Year 2025 recipient Jessica Teoh said:

“To stand alongside such a diverse and passionate group of women, each making impactful contributions to their communities and fields, is truly inspiring. This recognition highlights the collective strength of women driving change, and I am grateful to be part of this incredible journey.”

NSW Community Hero 2025 recipient Sandy Rogers said:

“I have been fortunate enough to be given great opportunities to help many in our community. Being able to support those needing a ‘little helping hand’ when times and money are tough, make me feel good and I know it means a lot to those we support.”

Premier’s NSW Woman of Excellence 2025 recipient Dr Vanessa Pirotta said:

“This recognition is so powerful and means a lot to me as an early career researcher in science and as a mum. So much of my work is intergenerational and community based, which enables me to ask questions to help equip future generations with important information now about our marine environment. This recognition will help make waves – pardon the pun – across the state to encourage communities to connect with the sea, regardless of whether they live in Bondi, Forbes or where I grew up in Murrumbateman.”

NSW Regional Woman of the Year 2025 recipient Kirsty Evans said:

“It’s a privilege to be acknowledged among such inspiring women who are making a meaningful impact across our state. This recognition is not just a personal milestone but also a reflection of the incredible support I’ve received from my community, my colleagues and family.”

NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year 2025 recipient, Marjorie Anderson said:

“I am passionate about having healthy, sustainable and safe Aboriginal communities. This award reflects my important work in the community and delivery of a world first national crisis line for Indigenous people. Women need to be recognised for the outstanding work they do and supported to continue to achieve greatness.”

As the NSW Government continues to prepare for the impact of Tropical Cyclone Alfred in Northern NSW, we want to thank all the volunteers who are supporting communities.

More than 2,000 NSW State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers are in the field and working with other NSW Government emergency service agencies to prepare and assist communities in the Northern Rivers and on the Mid North Coast. 

NSW Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib has signed a protection order for volunteers involved in responding to Tropical Cyclone Alfred to ensure their employment will not be affected while they assist in the response. 

As this situation continues to unfold, the ongoing support of volunteers will be crucial over the coming days and weeks. 

If you are an individual or part of a group who is planning to or is ready and willing to help, consider partnering with the NSW SES, local authorities and endorsed community groups. 

Your support could be invaluable for urgent tasks such as sandbagging, sharing information, and participating in clean-up activities. 

The NSW Government encourages communities to monitor the NSW SES social media pages for information about volunteering as the situation evolves and community needs are identified. 

People who want to help are urged not to drop off goods or send donations into impacted regions as unrequested donations can disrupt recovery efforts.

If you want to help, please go to GIVIT.org.au to find out exactly what is needed. GIVIT has been contracted by the NSW Government to manage donations of essential goods and services for people impacted by disasters. 

Community members who want to volunteer with the NSW SES can find more information on the Spontaneous volunteers webpage.

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said: 

“We’re grateful for our dedicated volunteers and emergency services crews as they work to support the communities facing the impacts of Tropical Cyclone Alfred. 

“If it’s safe and you’re willing and able to help, please consider supporting friends, family and neighbours. 

“I’d also encourage people who are able to look for opportunities to partner with local authorities and community groups for tasks like sandbagging and clean-up activities. 

“If you are elsewhere in NSW, please consider donating to help communities in need through GIVIT. They will ensure people get exactly what they need, when they need it. 

“If we all work together, Northern NSW communities will get the right help at the right time.” 

Minister for the North Coast Rose Jackson said: 

“As the North Coast braces for impact, we acknowledge the tireless efforts of SES volunteers, emergency workers and residents stepping up to protect their communities. 
 
“The days ahead will be tough, but you are not alone. The NSW Government is here, working alongside emergency services and community groups to deliver immediate support and recovery assistance. 
 
“If you’re in a safe position to help, please consider volunteering with the SES, partnering with local groups and if you’re not on the ground – donating through GIVIT to make sure aid reaches those who need it most. 
 
“This region is strong and resilient, with a long history of coming together in tough times. Just a few hours of sandbagging, cleaning up or checking in on a neighbour can make a real difference.” 

The Minns Labor Government is trialling Fishheart; a state-of-the-art temporary fish passage technology in the Lower Darling-Baaka River near Menindee, western NSW.

The goal of this initiative is to test options to connect the Northern and Southern Basin and reduce the accumulation of fish, as part of the Government’s response to the Office of the NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer (OCSE) independent review into the March 2023 mass fish kill.

The NSW Government continues to make good progress in addressing the recommendations identified in the OSCE report, with 10 of the 26 actions we’ve committed to now complete and the remaining 16 underway funded under the $25 million Restoring the Darling-Baaka River Program.

One of the key actions the NSW Government has committed to is a $6.52 million trial of new temporary fish passage technology at Menindee.

Australian native fish need to migrate to feed, breed and seek new habitat but due to the introduction of barriers to fish passage, like dams and weirs, fish migration pathways have been impacted.

Currently in the Lower Darling-Baaka, fish can only migrate upstream as far as Lake Wetherell and Menindee Main Weir. The Fishheart unit is a floating hydraulic fishway system designed to assist fish moving over existing barriers. Construction commenced to install the Fishheart unit to the Lake Wetherell outlet regulator in December 2024.

Work continued over the summer, with the technology being lowered into the Lower Darling-Baaka River in late January 2025. Calibration and testing of the Fishheart is currently underway. 

The Fishheart unit works by attracting fish into the fishway and then using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to detect and collect fish in the chambers, counting fish, gathering data before moving fish up and over barriers like the Lake Wetherell outlet regulator.

This is the first time that this innovative technology will be trialled at this scale on Australian inland freshwater fish and builds on Fishheart’s work in Europe and the USA that has shown plenty of promise.

The aim of the project is to test options to connect sections of the river, thereby helping move some fish out of the Menindee town weir pool to complete their life cycle and reducing the biomass and associated risks for water quality and fish kills.

Fisheries Scientists from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) Fisheries will conduct the monitoring program, using underwater sonar and video capture technology, plus trapping activities under appropriate permits.

For more information about the project visit the Menindee Lower Darling-Baaka Temporary Tube Fishway Trial webpage.

To read the NSW Government’s six-month Darling-Baaka progress report, visit the Restoring the Darling-Baaka program webpage.

Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty said:

“This is the first time that this fishway technology will be trialled under Australian conditions at this scale and on native inland freshwater fish and it demonstrates the commitment of the Minns Labor Government to address environmental issues using innovative approaches, especially in western NSW.

“While there is no one size fits all solution to restore fish passage in the Lower Darling-Baaka River or the Menindee Lakes system, this project aims to use innovative science, data and infrastructure as we promised to do.

“Construction has been progressing through very hot days out at Menindee and we are grateful to all the personnel for their efforts in ensuring the fishway can get operational as soon as possible.

“The Fishheart will be trialled for three breeding seasons, to measure its effectiveness in Menindee. But overseas experiences provide strong indicators for success, for moving fish through the fishway safely and hopefully reduce the risks of future fish kills in the Lower Darling-Baaka.”

Minister for Water Rose Jackson said:

“It’s fantastic to see the fish passage being trialled in Menindee which is one of the innovative infrastructure solutions proposed to prevent future fish deaths.

“We pledged to take decisive action on water quality in the Darling-Baaka to improve fish health and we are delivering on this promise, with a six-month progress report now available to show the community where we are up to.

“So far, we have developed new water quality triggers, overhauled our emergency response plans, continued to upgrade monitoring and added additional resources while also exploring state-of-the-art infrastructure solutions such as the tube fishway and microbubble technology.

“I’m encouraged by the progress in a short space of time, which the Chief Scientist himself has acknowledged publicly, but there is still a lot of work to be done.

“The reality is this is an incredibly complex river system with significant challenges that won’t go away overnight, but we are in a much stronger position to respond to changing conditions than ever before, and we are undoubtedly moving in the right direction.”

The Minns Labor Government has today announced Nowra will benefit from a $21 million investment in health worker housing, as the site of the $438 million Shoalhaven Hospital Redevelopment reached a major milestone.

These investments will provide a significant boost to healthcare on the South Coast of NSW, a rapidly growing region which deserves the best access to world class healthcare.

$21 million Key Health Worker Investment

Nowra will receive new key health worker accommodation which will support staff and the community across the broader Shoalhaven region.

The Minns Labor Government will invest $21 million as part of the broader $200.1 million Key Health Worker Accommodation program.

Now funding has been allocated, planning for the health worker accommodation works is underway.

This planning will determine the best delivery model for Nowra and how many healthcare workers will be accommodated. This will include consultation with health workers and other local stakeholders.

$438 million Shoalhaven Hospital Redevelopment

The $438 million Shoalhaven Hospital Redevelopment has reached its highest point, with a topping out of the new seven-storey acute services building.

As part of the traditional ceremony, a tree was lifted onto the roof, with messages tied to its branches from staff, construction workers, and project team members, sharing their excitement and well wishes for the future redeveloped hospital.

The new acute services building is a key feature of the redevelopment and will enable the delivery of contemporary health services and facilities for the local community. The Shoalhaven Hospital Redevelopment will become a health hub for the region, providing the majority of emergency, critical care, acute, sub-acute and non-admitted health services locally, reducing the need to transfer patients to Wollongong and Sydney.

The new acute services building will deliver a range of new and expanded health services including:

• a new emergency department and emergency short-stay unit
• new intensive care unit
• medical wards
• dedicated acute mental health unit
• double the number of operating theatres, endoscopy and procedure rooms
• a dedicated cardiology inpatient unit, coronary care unit and cardiac catheterisation laboratory
• a new rooftop helipad.

Consultation with staff, patients and the community has been a key part of planning and design for the redevelopment, ensuring the new hospital meets the unique health needs of the Shoalhaven region.

The new hospital building is on track for completion in 2026.

Minister for Regional Health, Ryan Park:

“Today’s topping out ceremony marks a major achievement for the $438 million Shoalhaven Hospital Redevelopment project.

“The redevelopment will transform healthcare delivery for local residents, and ensure they continue to have access to quality care closer to home without needing to travel to Wollongong or Sydney.

“Our government is committed to investing in modern, sustainable accommodation options for key health workers who are the backbone of our regional, rural and remote communities.

“Strengthening our regional health workforce is a key priority for our government and this $21 million investment in accommodation will support attraction of key healthcare workers to Nowra.”

Member for the South Coast, Liza Butler:

“Funding for Key Health Worker Accommodation in Nowra will enhance the Local Health District’s ability to attract and retain essential healthcare professionals to Shoalhaven Hospital.

“As work continues on the $438 million Shoalhaven Hospital Redevelopment this will be particularly important, with the project set to transform healthcare services across the region, delivering modern health facilities and expanded health services for communities across the South Coast.

“Not only is this redevelopment great for healthcare in the region, but it has also been great for local jobs and I am really proud that more than 70 per cent of the construction workforce is based locally.”