Category: NSW News

The NSW Government has pledged $9.84 million for alcohol and other drug treatment services in the Murrumbidgee region as the Drug Summit begins in Griffith, including:

• $3.6 million for new post-custodial support programs to be provided by Directions Health and RivMed (Riverina Medical & Dental Aboriginal Corporation);
• $2 million to deliver a community-based withdrawal management, case management and counselling service for vulnerable populations through Directions Health; and
• $4.24 million to rollout a new youth day program and counselling service through Karralika.

Post-custodial support

Post-custodial support is designed to help promote reintegration into the community and reduce the risk of drug dependency and reincarceration for vulnerable community members.

Support starts before they leave custody and continuing for 12 months, providing improved long-term health and social outcomes.

Withdrawal & case management, counselling

Community-based withdrawal management, case management and counselling for priority groups will be provided through Directions Health.

Directions Health provides a range of free, integrated services and programs for individuals, family members and friends, impacted by alcohol and other drugs.

Services will be offered in person, and through virtual care.

Counselling for young people

This will be used to roll out a new youth day program and counselling service that includes group and individual support, and in-person and virtual care.

Young people aged 12-17 years and young adults aged 18-24 years will be eligible.

It is expected the program will support up to 100 young people each year.

Drug Summit begins in Griffith

The 2024 Drug Summit is officially underway in NSW, with the first regional forum taking place in Griffith today.

Minister for Health and Regional Health Ryan Park is attending the forum in Griffith, which will build on the NSW Government’s commitment to improving the prevention, minimisation and treatment of alcohol and drug related harm.

The Drug Summit will include two more forums, which will be held in Lismore on 4 November and in Sydney on 4 and 5 December, bringing together health experts, police, people with lived and living experiences, drug user organisations, families and other stakeholders to provide a range of perspectives.

Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park:

“The Drug Summit will reflect the experiences and expertise from a diverse range of perspectives – we will all contribute, we will all listen and then we will all act.

“I am so pleased to be able to announce this important investment into these life changing services which will mean so much to so many people in this region.

“Substance use can be a confronting and challenging issue, which is why it’s so important we continue to support community organisations such as Karralika and Directions Health in the essential work they do.

“These organisations work hand-in-hand with Murrumbidgee Local Health District’s drug and alcohol services, to provide non-judgemental support, advice and treatment options for all members of our community.

“The summit will cover a range of matters from prevention, to harm minimisation, but treatment is equally as important, and I’m so glad that we’re able to expand access to it in this part of the world.”

Member for Murray Helen Dalton:

“I’m so pleased residents in the Murrumbidgee region are set to benefit from this major funding boost, which will provide more specialist, personalised and holistic care to individuals and families impacted by alcohol and other drug use.

“I look forward to today’s forum in Griffith which will help us better understand how drug use impacts our communities and provide insight into how we can improve drug related health and community outcomes.”

The Minns Labor Government in conjunction with NSW’s workplace health and safety regulator has held the first ever SafeWork NSW event on preventing workplace sexual harassment.

Protecting workers from sexual harassment at work is a SafeWork NSW regulatory priority.

The event, ‘Awareness to Action: Preventing workplace sexual harassment’ held on Thursday in Sydney brought together a diverse group of workers, unions, business leaders and experts to encourage practical action from NSW employers.

The keynote address was delivered by federal Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Dr Anna Cody, following the Australian Human Rights Commission’s landmark 2020 Respect@Work Report, which found that 1 in 3 Australian workers had experienced sexual harassment.

Key issues explored at the event included strategies for effective work design to prevent sexual harassment in male-dominant industries, safety at work for new and younger workers and the importance of workplace culture, leadership and governance in stamping out sexual harassment.

Other speakers included Unions NSW Secretary, Mark Morey, CEO of Our Watch, Patty Kinnersly and CEO of Business NSW, Dan Hunter.

The event has been spearheaded by the NSW Respect at Work Advisory Group; a 17-member body chaired by SafeWork NSW.

The event also marked one year since the Advisory Group’s establishment, which has brought together worker, business, community, expert, local, state and federal government representatives to share knowledge and improve cross-sector collaboration.

NSW was one of the first states to adopt the Code of Practice: Sexual and gender-based harassment and launched a four-year Respect at Work Strategy last year.

The SafeWork NSW Respect at Work Taskforce has developed practical easy-to-use resources to support businesses to fulfil their WHS responsibilities to manage workplace sexual harassment risks. The Taskforce website has resources and tools to assist businesses.

Workers who experience unsafe practices are urged to report it to their workplace.  If workers are not able to report the WHS issue or are not satisfied with the workplace’s response, they can anonymously report WHS issues to SafeWork via the “Speak Up Save Lives” app.

Workers can also call SafeWork NSW on 13 10 50 or report online using the SafeWork Psychosocial Hazards Report Form.

Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis

“Addressing workplace sexual harassment is a key regulatory priority for SafeWork NSW and businesses need to step up and take action to protect their workers.

“Businesses are required, under NSW’s work, health and safety laws, to address the risk of sexual harassment to their workers.  Compliance with the law is also good for business – with safer and more respectful workplaces contributing to greater staff recruitment, retention and morale.

“We must continue to work together across sectors and the wider community to secure safer and more respectful work environments for NSW workers.”

Minister for Women, Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison

“Workplaces play an important role in preventing and responding to sexual violence. Every worker has a right to a safe and healthy workplace, free from sexual and gender-based harassment.

“The NSW Government is working to prevent sexual harassment and violence in our community. One of the priority areas of our Primary Prevention Strategy is to address the drivers of gender-based violence in NSW workplaces and we’ll be working with employers in rolling out the strategy.

“This event brings together a diverse group of worker representatives, business leaders and experts to showcase the latest insights and ideas and drive much needed action towards ending sexual harassment.”

As part of the Minns Labor Government’s $945 million biosecurity program, the $10.2 million electronic identification device Tag Discount Program is now live and available to support producers with the costs of eID devices for sheep and goats.

The use of eID tags will become mandatory commencing 1 January 2025 for all sheep and goats born from this date.

Under the program, producers will receive a discount of $0.76 (including GST) per eID device purchased between 1 November 2024 and 31 October 2025, or until funds are exhausted.

The discount program will ensure there are eID tags available to producers from $1.00.

To take advantage of this program, sheep and goat producers in NSW must have an active Property Identification Code (PIC) and purchase eligible devices from participating retailers or directly from manufacturers during the specified period.

The structure of this discount program is designed to maximise benefits for producers while minimising administrative responsibilities, with the discount applied directly at the point of sale with participating device manufacturers and retailers.

The move to eID devices will ensure more accurate and timely traceability to help reduce the duration and industry impact of any emergency animal disease or residue incident.

Electronic identification for sheep and goats will mean that NSW producers will continue to lead the world in biosecurity safety and maintain their export premiums.

Eligible white 2025 NLIS-accredited eID devices will have the discount automatically applied at the point of sale, meaning producers will pay $0.76 less (including GST) than the original retail price when purchasing online or in-store.

Producers who require more than 3500 devices under the program will need to request pre-approval via the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (NSW DPIRD) website.

The discount can be applied on one order per PIC. Multiple orders are allowed for orders greater than 3500 devices, with pre-approval.

For more information on the implementation of eID for sheep and goats in NSW please visit the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (NSW DPIRD) website and sign up to the NSW sheep and goat eID newsletter – https://bit.ly/3U7Q3CK

Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty said:

“This program will support farmers prepare for the future of livestock management in NSW.

“By streamlining the purchasing process and providing significant discounts on eID devices, we are reducing the administrative load for producers.

‘This is about protecting the state’s $21.2 billion agriculture sector from biosecurity threats and ensuring our export markets remain secure.

“Together, we can strengthen our agricultural sector and create a more secure future for our livestock industries.”

Tulloch Wine CEO Christina Tulloch has been awarded the prestigious 2023 Graham Gregory Award at the annual NSW Wine Awards held at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Sydney today.

The Graham Gregoy Award is the industry’s highest accolade recognising individuals who are advancing the wine industry both in NSW and further afield and recognises areas such as leadership, research and development, winemaking, education and market development.

Christina Tulloch, now the fourth generation of the family to be involved in the Tulloch Wines business, is a pivotal member of the Australian wine industry and has been selected for significant contributions to the Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism industry, as an inspiring leader and brand ambassador.

While working for Tulloch Wines, Christina has held roles on national and regional bodies, including:

• The Director and now Chair of Destination Sydney Surrounds North;
• The first female President of the Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Association; and.
• Director of Wine Australia (Small Winemakers).

Christina has worked to unite, protect and advance NSW wine and strengthen partnerships, through some of the toughest challenges to industry in recent years.

The Graham Gregory Award is named in honour of the former NSW Agriculture Deputy Director General who was instrumental in the development of the NSW wine industry.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is an ongoing partner of the NSW Wine Industry Association and delivers support through research and development for continual growth.

For more information on the NSW Wine Awards and to view all 2024 wine award recipients please visit the NSW Wines website – https://nswwine.com.au/pages/results-wine-awards

Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty said:

“I would like to congratulate Christina on receiving the Graham Gregory Award and thank her for her significant contributions to the NSW wine industry.

“The Graham Gregory Award is the highest honour within the wine industry, recognising those who have made significant contributions to winemaking, education, and market development.

“Christina’s achievements in these areas truly reflect the values of this award, and we are proud to celebrate her impact on both the local and national stages.

President for NSW Wine Industry Association Mark Bourne said:

“Christina is an incredibly well-deserving recipient of this year’s Graham Gregory Award.

“Recognising far-reaching and ongoing contributions to the wine industry, Christina’s leadership in the Hunter Valley and at a state and national level across both wine and tourism has left a positive mark on the NSW wine industry.

“NSW Wine thanks Christina for her service and commitment to the industry.”

Tulloch Wine CEO Christina Tulloch said:

“I am deeply honoured to receive the 2023 Graham Gregory Award.

“This recognition is a testament not only to my work but also to the incredible team at Tulloch Wines and the Wine Industry in the Hunter Valley.

“I’m excited about what lies ahead for our region and the opportunities to showcase our unique wines on the world stage.”

The Minns Labor Government is taking action to ensure Sydney doesn’t run out of landfill space after a decade of inaction by previous governments has left Greater Sydney on the brink of a waste crisis. Without action, landfill space is predicted to run out by 2030.

The state of NSW’s waste and recycling was made public today at the NSW Circular Economy Summit in Sydney, hosted by NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe and NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) CEO Tony Chappel.

The Summit has brought together representatives from industry, environment groups, local government and state government to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the state.

Without new waste and recycling solutions, and some quick decisions and choices, Greater Sydney’s landfill capacity will be exhausted within the next decade. This would significantly drive waste management costs up for households and businesses.

If no action is taken, residents would be paying for their waste to be transported to regional areas or interstate for disposal. This would also significantly slow down industry, as demolition waste costs would rise.

Concerningly, recycling rates in NSW have stagnated at around 65% since 2015-16, so far well short of the 80% target by 2030.

However, the NSW Government is moving swiftly and taking action to address the looming waste management shortfall.

Four key pieces of work are underway to fix the waste challenge:

Plan and develop critical waste infrastructure

• Urgently develop NSW’s first ever Waste Infrastructure Plan, to support the development of the facilities we need
• Consultation with industry and councils has already begun.

Reduce waste going to landfill

• Finalise the waste levy review
• Legislate mandates to phase in source-separated FOGO waste (food organics and garden organics) for businesses and households
• Develop and roll out the first ever NSW Reuse and Repair Strategy to scale up the reuse sector

Grow recycling rates and opportunities

• Finalise the NSW Plastics Plan to take plastics out of circulation

Take action to prevent contamination

• Finalise our Australian-leading work on product stewardship for batteries
• Prevent FOGO contamination by taking action on chemicals in food packaging
• Work with Office of the Chief Scientist to review the settings around asbestos

The NSW Government is also exploring funding opportunities to support the sector and local government. Over the past decade, the NSW EPA has awarded over half a billion dollars through more than 3,300 grants to divert around four million tonnes of waste from landfill.

Summit feedback will help to further tackle the issue and shape government policies to ensure NSW has the capacity to manage waste safely now and into the future.

For more information, visit: https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/sydney-landfill-shortage

Quote attributable to NSW Minister for Environment Penny Sharpe:

“Sydney is running out of landfill space and our recycling rates have stagnated. We are at a point that if we don’t take urgent action, our red bins won’t be able to be collected in a few years.

“Previous Governments were briefed on this issue, and there was no action for over a decade. Industry and councils have been crying out for support and leadership. We’re stepping up to the plate.

“Not all the decisions we need to make will be easy or even popular – but I’d rather make the hard decisions then have bins that can’t be collected.

“We know the public wants to see less waste in landfill, use less plastic and support recycling and we want to help them do their bit. Together we can fix the problem and create a more sustainable future.”

Quotes attributable NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) CEO Tony Chappel:

“Shifting to a circular economy requires a united approach, and that’s exactly what today’s Summit is about – bringing together key stakeholders to explore how we can accelerate this transition.  

“As a state, we’re at a critical juncture. We must act now to ensure our infrastructure keeps pace with growing waste volumes, and to maximise recycling and recovery efforts. Through a mix of innovative projects, strategic investments, and collaboration, we can turn this challenge into an opportunity.

“By working together across government, industry and communities, we’re building a future where waste becomes a resource, not a burden.”

Dozens of students are buzzing with excitement as NSW’s top primary school spellers go to battle hoping to be crowned the winner of the NSW Premier’s Spelling Bee.

Some 60 students have spelled their way into the finals, being held today at Q Theatre in Penrith, with words such as ‘fascinate’, ‘anemometer’, ‘allegory’ and ‘sovereign’.

The 2024 Premier’s Spelling Bee final will be contested by 30 students in Years 3 and 4 (junior) and 30 students in Years 5 and 6 (senior).  Along the way these students have beaten a combined 1,800 students in a series of regional heats to reach the finals.

Finalists include Hunter siblings Anica and Calvin N, from Biddabah Public School, and Anika and Anushka Iyengar, from Maryland Public School.

Anica and Anika, both in Year 3, will go head-to-head in the junior Spelling Bee, and their siblings Calvin, Year 5 and Anushka, Year 6, will compete in the senior Spelling Bee later in the day.

This year’s competition will also see the return of 2023 junior finalists, Year 4 student Bobby (Bogdan) Ivaneza from Annandale Public School and Year 5 Coonabarabran Public School student William Weatherall. Bobby and William will compete in the 2024 senior final.

The 2024 Spelling Bee’s participation has increased by almost 10 per cent on last year, with nearly two-thirds of NSW public primary schools competing.

Regional areas are well-represented with students travelling to Sydney from Temora, Dungowan, Griffith, Yamba and Mullumbimby to compete.

Yamba Public School in northern NSW has had students compete in the finals five times in the past eight years, with this year’s entrant Year 5 student Willow Allen.

More than 1,800 students competed in 60 regional finals over a 10-day period to reach the State finals. Of these, 303 students (200 juniors and 103 seniors) speak a language other than English at home, and 95 students (46 juniors and 49 seniors) identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

“Reading, writing and spelling are foundational skills for young learners, and this spelling bee gives some of our brightest students a chance to show their spelling skills while having a bit of fun.

“Students who are good spellers are often avid readers, and if we can get our children reading more through initiatives such as the Premier’s Reading Challenge, that’s an excellent outcome.”

Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:

“The Spelling Bee shows just how inclusive our public education system is – any student, regardless of where they live, can compete and be a contender for the top honours.

“As Minister for Western Sydney, I am thrilled this year’s competition is being held at Q Theatre in Penrith for the first time.”

The Minns Labor Government has expanded eligibility for the $200 Far West power outage support payment.

The $200 payment will now be made available to all eligible adults who live in Broken Hill, Central Darling Shire and the Unincorporated LGAs.

This expands on the previously announced details of a payment for each residential electricity account holder. The expanded payment will see every adult in a single household or shelter receive support.

Service NSW is urgently working to establish the system to process applications.

Once available, residents over the age of 18 will be able to apply via their MyService Account on the Service NSW website or mobile app, in person at the Recovery Assistance Point in Broken Hill, the Broken Hill Service NSW centre, or other locations to be advised.

Residents will need to provide proof of identity and residential address such as a recent utilities account, council rates notice, tenancy agreement or registration notice.

The NSW Government is working with financial institutions, which are standing by to support fast turnaround of payments into residents’ bank accounts. In most cases, payments should be available in bank accounts within three days of an approved application.

The Minns Labor Government will also be providing a $400 payment for small-to-medium sized businesses.

Businesses with a principal place of operation in the Broken Hill, Central Darling Shire and the Unincorporated LGAs with an active ABN at the time of the outage and fewer than 200 employees as of October 17 will be eligible to apply.

Business applications will be able to be made via the Service NSW Business App, website or in-person assisted by Business Concierges.

More information about the grants is available at www.service.nsw.gov.au

In addition to the support payments:

• 1300 vouchers for food and fuel, worth almost $100,000, have been provided so far to people experiencing financial hardship.
• 1,000 food hampers are being delivered this week to people experiencing hardship. Another 1,000 have been ordered for next week.
• More than 700 community members have visited the Recovery Assistance Point in Broken Hill and the mobile Recovery Assistance Points visiting smaller remote communities. They provide access to support and referral to services including Service NSW, Insurance Council, Vinnies, Legal Aid, Red Cross and the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program.

Jointly-funded assistance for local governments from the Australian and NSW Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements is also available.

The Commonwealth Government has also opened applications for the Disaster Recovery Allowance, which provide up to 13 weeks of income support for eligible workers and sole traders who have experienced loss of income as a result of the storms and outage. More information on the Commonwealth support is available at www.serviceaustralia.gov.au

Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:

“We are getting help to more people in Far West NSW impacted by the outage.

“People have been hit hard, and this money goes some way to easing the impact.

“This has been a major disruption to people and businesses, and this is an important boost to NSW Government support.”

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib said:

“The community across the Far West have experienced significant impacts from this power outage and this is one way we can help.

“Service NSW is working as quickly as possible to deliver these grants and we have been able to expand the eligibility so even more people can claim and benefit.

“I encourage all impacted residents and business owners to open their Service NSW app or go to the website and submit an application when the program opens.”

Minister for Regional NSW and Western NSW Tara Moriarty said:

“We know that the community of Far West NSW has been struggling with the recent power outages and there has been a lot of uncertainty and hardship.

“The Government understands people are anxious to receive their grant and we are working as quickly as possible to ensure this is a streamlined and simple process.

“We will support the community every step of the way as part of the recovery from this extremely difficult event.”

Member for Barwon Roy Butler said:

“The communities impacted by the power outage continue to face difficult decisions daily.

“I thank the NSW Government for coming to the Far West, speaking to our communities, and responding by expanding this grant.

“I will continue fighting for small businesses and individuals as the recovery continues.”

Today’s announcement from the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) has marked the start of a review that could hit families across Greater Sydney with a 50% increase in water bills. The review will assess Sydney Water’s request for a steep rate hike to fund at least $26 billion in essential infrastructure and operational upgrades by 2030.
 
Shadow Treasurer Damien Tudehope said if approved by IPART and the Minns Labor Government, households would see water bills soar by over 50% within five years. This includes an 18% rise next year alone, followed by annual hikes of 6.8%.
 
“With families already struggling under the weight of rising costs for energy, groceries, and other essentials, they shouldn’t be forced to shoulder the additional burden of funding infrastructure driven by the Albanese Labor Government’s failed immigration policies,” Mr Tudehope said.
 
“Chris Minns should be on the phone to the Prime Minister, demanding a real solution instead of passing the bill onto Sydney households.”
 
Sydney Water’s submission highlights the need for $16.6 billion in new infrastructure, primarily in Sydney’s west, to support the surge in population growth driven by these very immigration policies.
 
Shadow Water Minister Steph Cooke said the Premier, Treasurer Daniel Mookhey, and Water Minister Rose Jackson need to devise a solution that doesn’t involve skyrocketing water bills for everyday families.
 
“This is not a small rise—under Sydney Water’s proposal, the average household could see water bills increase by hundreds of dollars each year,” Ms Cooke said.
 
“Sydney’s infrastructure needs to keep up, but that’s not a job for struggling households. Chris Minns must ask Canberra to cover these costs, not pass them on to Sydney families.”
 
With the IPART decision expected in March 2025, the clock is ticking. Premier Chris Minns, Treasurer Daniel Mookhey, and Water Minister Rose Jackson have just five months to secure federal support for families, instead of squeezing more out of Sydney households in an attempt to balance the budget and meet federal housing targets.

Member for Albury Justin Clancy will this morning host a visit to Corowa by NSW Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman. The visit will reaffirm the strong and positive connections that have long existed in the township and discussed the importance of community safety.

The visit marks the first time a NSW or Federal Government leader has toured Corowa following an upsetting October 12 neo-Nazi demonstration.

The Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said Corowa embodies the best of New South Wales — where unity triumphs over division, and community strength shines above hate.

“I’m committed to ensuring that every town and every member of the community feels safe and valued in our state,” Mr Speakman said.
Mr Clancy invited Mr Speakman, the former NSW Attorney General, to visit the historic Murray River town, home to 6000 people, in a show of unity with the Corowa community.

“Mark and I will be in Corowa today, standing together with the local community against the recent white supremacist activity. What happened last month is not who we are. The Corowa community we all know and enjoy is jam-packed with genuine, kind, and honest people and it’s a privilege for me to represent this community in my role as the Member for Albury.

“This community sticks together when the going gets tough, they’ve experienced natural disasters, COVID border lockdowns, and the recent resurrection of their beloved Corowa-Rutherglen Football Netball Club in the O&M after a few tough years on the paddock.

“I also want to acknowledge the ongoing efforts of the Federation Council and the Corowa Chamber of Commerce in promoting harmony, along with the unity and resilience shown by residents, local businesses, sporting, and community groups. You are all remarkable.

Mr Clancy and Mr Speakman pledged continued support for the Corowa community, reaffirming the NSW Opposition’s commitment to upholding the important values that underpin NSW communities, including trust, respect, collaboration, and inclusivity.