Category: NSW News

The Minns Labor Government is fast-tracking safety and congestion improvements for Port Macquarie communities by adopting a staged delivery approach for upgrades to the Oxley Highway between the Pacific Highway at Thrumster and Hastings River Drive.

The approach allows work on sections of the corridor to begin sooner, reducing delays while planning continues for future stages of the project.

The nine-kilometre corridor will undergo upgrades to improve safety, reliability and access to Port Macquarie, the Base Hospital and the Health and Education Precinct.

Transport for NSW has completed a business case identifying the preferred staged approach, allowing improvements to begin sooner while planning continues for future upgrades across the corridor.

Stage 1 and Stage 1A

Stage 1 will upgrade the Pacific Highway and Oxley Highway interchange towards Wauchope, one of the region’s busiest traffic pinch points, used by around 30,000 vehicles every day.

This work will begin with Stage 1A thanks to a $20 million investment by the NSW Government, which will deliver additional lanes between the interchange and Billabong Drive, extend the northbound off ramp, install new traffic signals and improve street lighting.

Detailed design is underway for Stage 1A, with feedback received from community helping inform the project’s final design. Early work including utility relocations for Stage 1A is expected to commence in 2027 followed by start of construction.

While Stage 1 moves towards construction, planning is continuing for the remaining stages which include proposed upgrades to Wrights Road, Lake Road and local road connections to the Hospital and the Health and Education Precinct to increase capacity and improve safety.

Transport for NSW is undertaking longer-term planning for potential upgrades at:

• Oxley Highway and John Oxley Drive interchange near Philip Charley Drive
• Oxley Highway and Carlie Jane Drive interchange
• Widderson Street intersection.

The NSW Government will continue to keep the community informed as planning and delivery progress for the staged upgrades.

Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison:

“More and more families are moving to Port Macquarie each year, and that means more cars on this corridor.

“These upgrades will tackle those pain points locals are facing by keeping traffic moving and cutting down on bottlenecks.

“A staged approach allows us to get on with the job of delivering the highest priority upgrades now while planning continues on the remaining stages.

“I’m pleased we can now roll out this staged approach, so locals reap the benefits sooner and know what’s ahead.”

Labor spokesperson for Port Macquarie, Cameron Murphy:

“This area of Port Macquarie is busier than ever, particularly around the Pacific Highway interchange and the Hospital precinct. It is an area where traffic absolutely needs to move freely, not grind to a halt.

“By getting started on the highest priority upgrades first, we’ll see improvements where they’re needed most while planning continues for the rest of the corridor.

“People here have wanted to see change on this road for a long time, and a staged approach means they’ll get it a lot sooner.”

The Minns Labor Government continues to deliver on its commitment boost the resources of the IRC and help the Commission manage the projected increase in caseload proceedings appointing Commissioner Tony Howell as Deputy President (non-judicial) of the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) of NSW.

Commissioner Howell will commence in the role on 10 August 2026. His appointment will support the IRC as it responds to a broader remit, including new jurisdictions for bullying and sexual harassment and workers compensation matters.  

Following the commencement of the Government’s largest workers compensation reforms in a generation, the IRC now has an expanded jurisdiction that includes new workers compensation functions including determining if the conduct said to give rise to the injuries was bullying and harassment. 

The boost to the commission strengthens the state’s independent workplace umpire and ensures it is well equipped to deliver timely, fair and effective justice for workers and employers.  

The Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) of NSW is the longest continuing industrial tribunal in the world. Its principal role is to hear and resolve industrial and work, health and safety disputes, settle employment conditions and remuneration for employees primarily in the NSW public sector and local government as well as regulating the terms and conditions of engagement for owner-drivers.  

Commissioner Howell was appointed as a Commissioner of the IRC on 2 June 2025 and has since heard a diverse and complex range of matters, including sitting on the Full Bench of the IRC in the Superannuation Case 2025.  

Before joining the IRC, Commissioner Howell worked as a solicitor, in-house counsel and barrister across industrial relations, employment and work health and safety law. He appeared before the Full Bench of both the IRC and the Fair Work Commission, as well as NSW and federal courts, including the High Court of Australia.  

Earlier in his career, he worked with senior IRC members, including the Honourable Justice Leonne Glynn, the Honourable Justice Michael Walton and the Honourable Justice Lance Wright KC. 

This appointment follows the announcement last month of Deputy President (non-judicial) Janet McDonald, four additional commissioners, and Deputy President and Judicial Member Lloyd Babb SC. 

Minister for Industrial Relations Sophie Cotsis said:  

“Commissioner Howell has built a distinguished career in industrial relations and employment law, with deep experience before the Commission and Australia’s courts.  

“He brings a practical understanding of the issues that matter to workers, employers and their representatives, and I congratulate him on his appointment.  

“A strong IRC helps ensure workplace disputes are dealt with fairly, efficiently and with the confidence of the people who rely on it.”

The Minns Labor Government is helping community sporting organisations improve safety at local sports grounds and facilities, with $500,000 now available under the 2026 Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program.  

Eligible sporting organisations can apply for grants of up to $3,000 to purchase, install and maintain Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), as well as provide training.  

Cardiac arrest can happen to anyone at any time, and every minute without defibrillation reduces a person’s chance of survival.  

Sporting clubs often face financial barriers to purchasing and maintaining an AED and this Program helps more organisations access this essential equipment, with priority given to clubs in disadvantaged communities and those experiencing financial hardship.  

Since the Program began in 2017, more than 2,500 AEDs have been installed at community sport and recreation facilities across NSW, a track record the Minns Government is committed to building on as part of its broader investment in grassroots sport and community safety.  

All devices funded under this year’s program will also be listed on the GoodSAM AED Registry, meaning that in an emergency, members of the public nearby, not just club members, can quickly locate and access the nearest defibrillator.  

The Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program forms part of the NSW Government’s ongoing commitment to grassroots sport, sitting alongside other initiatives supporting participation, facilities and safety for clubs across the state.  

Applications for the Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program close 7 October 2026 or earlier if available funding is exhausted.  

For further information and to apply, visit Grants and funding.

Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said:  

“We know every minute counts when someone suffers a cardiac arrest, and having a defibrillator close by can save lives.  

“That’s why we’re helping more community sporting organisations install this vital equipment and be better prepared if an emergency happens.  

“I encourage eligible organisations to apply for funding.”  

Professor Jamie Vandenberg, Co-deputy Director of the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, said:  

“Being able to access a defibrillator quickly and easily could be the difference between life and death for someone suffering a sudden cardiac arrest.  

“Survival rates can more than double if a defibrillator is used in the first few minutes of a cardiac arrest.  

“Currently less than one in 10 people who have a sudden cardiac arrest outside of hospital will survive.  

“This is a sobering statistic but it’s one we can change for the better by installing more of these lifesaving devices in sports clubs across the State.”  

The Minns Labor Government will invest $4 million in research grants as part of our plan to cement the state’s status as a global leader in critical minerals. The research grants will help encourage further global investment and deliver much needed jobs to regional NSW.

The NSW Critical Minerals Processing and Advanced Materials Innovation Program will provide grants to research organisations including universities and is a key part of the NSW Government’s Critical Minerals and High-Tech Metals Strategy.

We know that global demand for rare earth elements, silver, copper and antimony is increasing due to global investment in renewable energy, electric vehicles and other advanced technologies.

With world-class deposits of critical minerals in NSW, supporting local innovation and research means more jobs in our regions and global investment across the state. The NSW Critical Minerals Processing and Advanced Materials Innovation Program will strengthen NSW’s position as a leader in critical minerals processing and material technologies.

The program will deliver grants to research organisations including universities, private non-profit research institutes, NSW and Federal governmental research organisations, labs or groups.

The program aims to:

• advance the development and commercialisation of critical minerals and high-tech metals in NSW
• deliver focused research to capture even greater value from our critical minerals and high-tech metal resources
• create a pipeline of locally developed technologies ready for up-scaling, investment and market adoption.

Research projects could include but are not limited to:

• improving recovery from mined ores, including low-grade or complex deposits
• developing mineral processing steps and inputs so critical minerals can be produced in forms and qualities required for advanced materials and downstream manufacturing
• recovering critical minerals from mine tailings, waste rock or residues alongside mine site rehabilitation
• producing high-value advanced materials from critical minerals to support downstream industry development in NSW.

Successful applicants will receive a grant of up to $100,000 each to undertake Phase 1 proof-of-concept activities. Successful applicants can then apply to receive support for demonstration and pre-commercial validation activities as part of a Phase 2 grant, which will commence in late 2027. This phase will be required to partner with industry bodies and secure cash and in-kind contributions to strengthen collaboration and maximise program impact.

This is a significant investment in NSW innovation capability to help build the technologies and expertise needed to strengthen the state’s critical minerals and advanced materials processing sector.

Phase 1 applications open today and will close at 3pm on Friday, 18 September 2026.

To learn more about the program and apply for a grant visit the dedicated website.

Minister for Natural Resources Courtney Houssos said:

“Developing critical minerals processing and advanced manufacturing capability is essential to power our future, foster high value-add industries and build secure domestic supply chains.

“This program connects NSW’s world-class research institutions with industry and government partners to drive innovation, foster collaboration and support the translation of promising technologies.

“NSW has an abundance of critical minerals, and our Critical Minerals and High-Tech Metals Strategy is a blueprint to establish the state as a global leader in the clean energy supply chain.

“We want to see NSW is moving beyond just extracting raw materials to develop more in processing capability and advanced manufacturing technologies.”

Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“From clean energy to advanced manufacturing, critical minerals will underpin the technologies that power the future.

“That’s why we’re investing in NSW researchers and innovators to turn breakthrough ideas into commercial opportunities, new industries and good local jobs.

“The Minns Labor Government is building a stronger innovation economy that keeps NSW at the forefront of global technology and manufacturing.”

The Minns Labor Government has finalised the Cherrybrook Precinct rezoning, enabling the delivery of up to 10,000 new homes and more than 200 new retail jobs in northwest Sydney.

This rezoning is another step in the Government’s plan to address Sydney’s housing supply challenge, creating opportunities to build thousands of new homes close to public transport, jobs and essential services, while delivering vibrant communities where people can live, work and thrive.

The Cherrybrook Precinct rezoning will unlock thousands of new homes strategically located next to Cherrybrook Metro Station and centred around a new town centre featuring a library, community facilities, cafes and shops.

Key features include:

• up to 10,000 new homes, including at least 560 affordable homes,
• 3000 square metre community facility and library,
• approximately five hectares of public open space, including five new parks,
• preservation of the Blue Gum High Forest,
• more than 200 new retail jobs, and
• building heights from four to 27 storeys with the tallest buildings located centrally around the metro station and new town centre.

Following community feedback, several key changes were made, including a provision for a new public primary school beyond 2041, and improving roads, cycling and walking paths throughout the precinct.

The Minns Labor Government’s planning reforms have grown the pipeline of homes for NSW, with the highest number of homes under construction in the country; more than 80,000 homes, and more in the pipeline.

This is part of the Government’s plan to build a better NSW with more homes, jobs, parks and services, so young people, families and key local workers have somewhere to live and work in the communities they choose.

For more information on the finalised rezoning, please visit the Cherrybrook page on the NSW Planning Portal.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully said:

“The Minns Labor Government is getting on with the job of fixing the housing mess we inherited after more than a decade of the former Liberal National Government failing to plan for Sydney’s growth.

“Five new parks and five hectares of open space will give Cherrybrook families room to breathe as this community grows.

“Cherrybrook Precinct is exactly what good planning looks like, homes, jobs, parks and a new town centre, all within walking distance of the Metro station.”

Indigenous Rabbitohs players are reminding Aboriginal young people to focus on the game, not the punt in a social media campaign that encourages conversations around gambling harm.

Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker, David Fifita and Tallis Duncan are fronting the first stage of the awareness campaign after Souths Cares was one of three recipients of the Office of Responsible Gambling’s (ORG) Our Mob, Our Media, Our Message – Gambling Harm Prevention Grants.

Three female Rabbitohs players Nancy Sullivan, Charlize Barrett and Jaminey Weatherall will also feature in social media posts and video interviews in later stages of the campaign.

The first part of the campaign launched in July includes thought-provoking player quotes such as:

• “Sport should be about the game, not the bet.”
• “The house always wins. Don’t let gambling take what matters most.”
• “Protect your future. Don’t let a bet decide it for you.”

The next component of the campaign is being rolled during NRL Indigenous Round which kicked off last night through to 16 August, and will feature statistics about gambling. The final phase to be launched in September will comprise video interviews with the players discussing gambling harm and positive messages to combat it.

The Our Mob, Our Media, Our Message social media campaign is aimed at Aboriginal young people and co-designed by them alongside not-for-profit organisations with experience working with Indigenous communities.

Souths Cares partnered with Aboriginal young people through two youth consultation workshops involving participants from three of its community programs – the Deadly Youth Mentoring Program, Nanga Mai Marri Program and the Liverpool Opportunity Hub.

Their input helped shape the campaign messaging and identify recruitment opportunities for Youth Ambassadors, ensuring the campaign was youth-led and culturally appropriate.

Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation and Ungooroo Aboriginal Corporation also received funding to run co-designed social media campaigns to be launched at a later date.

The grants program was instigated by ORG after a recent survey showed around 10.4 per cent of Aboriginal people in NSW experienced at-risk gambling, compared to 3.8 per cent across the general population.

The program acts on advice from Aboriginal stakeholders and organisations on the importance of raising awareness about gambling harm among Aboriginal youth, as well as partnering with them to create culturally relevant messages using social media as an engagement tool.

Minister for Gaming and Racing and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said:

“The Our Mob, Our Media, Our Message – Gambling Harm Prevention Grants are an important initiative to reach young Aboriginal people to prevent and minimise harm from gambling and challenge attitudes among their peers and families.

“I am excited to see Souths Cares develop such an engaging social media campaign using its star Aboriginal players as ambassadors to get the message out that you don’t need to have a bet to enjoy sport.

“The Office of Responsible Gambling was established to provide support to people experiencing gambling harm through a range of services including counselling and peer support through free face-to-face sessions or via telephone or online.

“The Minns Labor Government is committed to addressing harm and recently boosted GambleAware’s annual funding by $1.3 million to provide people experiencing gambling harm with greater access to support services.”

Rabbitohs Five-Eighth Cody Walker said:

“Gambling is something that can have a bigger impact than people realise, and it’s important that young people have the right conversations around it.

“I hope young Aboriginal people can take something from this campaign, look out for their mates and know that they can enjoy sport without needing to have a bet.”

Rabbitohs Second Rower David Fifita said:

“As players, we know young people look up to us, and being a role model means speaking up about things that aren’t always easy to talk about.

“The people I look up to didn’t get to where they are by gambling; they got there by putting in the work. That’s the message I want young people to take from this campaign.”

About Souths Cares

South Cares isan independent not-for-profit public benevolent institution, delivering transformational education, employment, training and health promotion programs. It was built upon the South Sydney Rabbitohs’ long and proud history of supporting the community, in particular Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Important upgrades to Kalang Road are now complete, improving the resilience and accessibility of a vital road in the Bellingen Shire.

A total of $11.4 million has been invested in upgrading Kalang Road, with just over $5 million provided by the Australian Government.

Over $6 million was invested as part of the NSW Government’s Fixing Country Bridges Program to upgrade seven bridges along Kalang Road between 2021 and 2025.

The project is part of both governments’ commitment to delivering tangible improvements in regional communities by addressing issues on key rural and regional road networks, to help communities remain connected.

Construction on the road upgrade by council began in late 2025, and significant improvements have been delivered to priority sections along the 26 kilometres of Kalang Road, including:

• Rehabilitation of 36 culvert sites
• Rehabilitation and widening of approximately 6.8 kilometres of the existing sealed pavement
• Bitumen sealing and widening of 11.5 kilometres of unsealed road
• Road alignment improvements near Baileys Bridge, Rickerbys Bridge and Cooks Creek Bridge
• Replacement of Rickerbys Culvert with a dual-lane bridge
• Replacement of Knights Bridge, Tysons Bridge, Hopsons Bridge, Duffys Bridge and Youngs Bridge.

These critical infrastructure upgrades will provide safer and more reliable connections for the local community.

With no alternative route, the one-way Kalang Road is now better set to provide residents continuity of access to their homes and essential services during severe weather events.

Stay up to date on upcoming infrastructure projects on the Council website.

Federal Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories, Kristy McBain MP:

“These critical road upgrades will boost community access and address safety risks for those who rely on Kalang Road each day.

“This is a great example of the type of project that benefits communities by addressing deficiencies on key regional and rural roads.

“Improving road networks in rural and regional areas is a key priority for the Albanese Government, to ensure regional communities are safely connected and have equitable access to services including schools and healthcare.”

NSW Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison MP:

“This is a vital connection for regional communities, helping people get to work, keep families connected and provide access to essential services.

“For far too long, regional communities have been left behind, dealing with ageing infrastructure and roads – vulnerable to weather and natural disasters.

“The Minns Labor Government is proud to be investing where it’s needed most – across regional NSW, delivering the infrastructure communities rely on every day.”

Bellingen Shire Council Mayor, Cr Steve Allan:

“Kalang Road is a vital rural road within our Shire, used multiple times each day by residents and local suppliers. Recent upgrade works have significantly improved safety and reliability, making travel along the road safer and easier for our community and visitors to the area.

“A great outcome of this project is that we were able to seal a significant portion of the existing gravel road. This will help to reduce maintenance requirements in the future and prevent damage to the road surface.

“I’d like to thank the residents along Kalang Road who were affected by the closures required for the project. We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused you and appreciate your patience.”

The NSW Liberals and Nationals will restore the voice of local communities in how homes are delivered and targets met under a new Low and Mid Rise (LMR) Alternate Plan Pathway.
 
The announcement comes as the Minns Labor Government’s flagship LMR policy continues to significantly underperform. The Government promised the policy would deliver 112,000 homes over five years, yet as of February 2026 only 4,900 homes had been approved under the scheme; just 22 per cent of where the policy should have been two years into its rollout.
 
Leader of the Opposition Kellie Sloane said the Liberals and Nationals support increasing housing supply, but the current one-size-fits-all approach has failed to deliver the homes NSW needs.
 
“We need to build more homes, but we also need to recognise that good planning isn’t about applying the same template to every community,” Ms Sloane said.
 
“The Minns Government has created an adversarial planning system where councils are effectively told to accept a rigid planning template or resist the State Government. This is in addition to new taxes and charges that are crippling the construction sector and contributing to our state’s lagging housing completions.”
 
“Our policy changes that. If a council can demonstrate it can deliver the same number of homes, or more, through a plan that is best for a community, it should have the opportunity to do so.”
 
Under the proposal, councils would be able to submit an alternate housing delivery plan that meets or exceeds their existing LMR housing allocation. Any proposal would be independently assessed and certified by the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure.
 
If no alternate plan is approved, the existing LMR settings would continue to apply.
 
Shadow Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Chris Rath said the proposal would protect housing supply while encouraging better planning outcomes.
 
“This is not about reducing housing. The target number of homes stays exactly the same. What changes is how those homes are delivered,” Mr Rath said.
 
“Councils understand their communities better than anyone. They know where infrastructure has capacity, where heritage constraints exist and where growth can occur most effectively.”
 
“By giving councils a formal pathway to put forward better solutions, we can reduce unnecessary conflict, improve local infrastructure planning and ultimately deliver more homes.”
 
Mr Rath also said that the policy builds on planning approaches the Minns Government has already accepted in practice.
 
“In Bondi Junction, Waverley Council was permitted to pursue its own place-based masterplan rather than relying on blanket controls, while Burwood successfully worked with the Government to reshape where higher-density housing would be delivered to better align with local planning priorities.”
 
“What we are announcing today is simply a formal, transparent mechanism so every council has the same opportunity to put forward a better, locally-tailored, way of delivering the same, or a greater, number of homes.”

Communities across the New England region will soon have enhanced access to specialised medical care, following the appointment of 12 senior medical professionals at Armidale and Inverell hospitals.

The incoming doctors bring experience across a broad range of clinical settings, including obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, emergency medicine, general surgery, general medicine and gastroenterology.

These appointments will help expand access to a number of treatments and services across the region, ensuring people can continue to receive safe high‑quality healthcare close to home.

As part of this recruitment, Armidale Hospital has secured 10 permanent full‑time staff specialists, including eight highly skilled international medical officers from the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, and Canada.

Hunter New England Local Health District is currently supporting these clinicians through the recruitment and relocation process, ensuring a smooth transition into both their professional roles and local communities. The staff members are expected to arrive in the region in the coming months.

At Inverell Hospital, two local General Practitioner Visiting Medical Officers will soon commence work in the emergency department, including Dr Anton Wright, who moved to Inverell from the Central Coast with his family in 2024.

This recruitment builds on the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to rebuild essential services in the regions by hiring more staff. The Coalition failed to invest in the health workforce, refusing to hire more staff and subjecting workers to an oppressive wages cap.

The Minns Government is investing in initiatives to ensure regional communities have the health workers they need, including:

• The NSW Rural Health Workforce Incentive Scheme, which provides incentives of up to $20,000 for the hardest to fill and critically vacant positions in rural and regional NSW.
• $200.1 million investment in 2024-25 to deliver more than 20 key health worker accommodation projects across regional and remote areas of NSW.
• Expanded training pathways, such as the Rural Generalist Single Employer Pathway, which has assisted 74 doctors to train as rural generalists across NSW.

Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park:

“Communities in regional NSW deserve the same access to specialist care as those in metropolitan areas. That’s why we are investing in initiatives that help attract more health workers to these communities.

“These new clinicians at Armidale and Inverell will improve access to critical services, ensuring people have access to care closer to home.

“We’re recruiting more staff for regional NSW, so we can deliver more services where they are needed most.

Labor Spokesperson for Northern Tablelands Peter Primrose:

“People from across the Northern Tablelands often face long travel and time away from home to receive critical health care.

“The appointment of 12 new senior medical professionals in Armidale and Inverell hospitals will make a real difference.”

Tracey McCosker PSM, Chief Executive, Hunter New England Local Health District:

“These appointments are great news for patients across the New England region, increasing access to specialist care closer to home and strengthening the services our communities rely on.

“What makes our District unique is that clinicians can enjoy the benefits of living and working in vibrant regional communities like Armidale and Inverell, while being part of one of the largest and most diverse local health districts in Australia.”

Dr Anton Wright, GP Visiting Medical Officer, Inverell Hospital:

“Working across the emergency department, inpatient care and primary care is continually stimulating and incredibly rewarding. There is a genuine sense of gratitude from patients and their families, and the continuity of care you can provide in a regional setting is truly special.

“Outside of work, Inverell is a fantastic place to raise a young family. There’s a strong sense of community, great amenities, and the New England region offers endless opportunities for outdoor adventure and travel.”

Dr Githmi Hapugoda, Armidale Hospital:

“Having worked in Sri Lanka and the UK, I feel fortunate to add Armidale Hospital to my diverse experience as a physician. It has given me a wonderful opportunity to deliver specialist care in regional Australia, and I have found the breadth of medicine we practise here to be both challenging and rewarding.

“I have also come to love Armidale as a place to live. It is a welcoming town with rich cultural diversity and a wide range of activities to enjoy, offering a great balance between work and personal life.”