Category: NSW News

The Albanese and Minns Governments have extended disaster recovery support for communities in the Blacktown, Cessnock, Dungog, Hawkesbury, Lake Macquarie, Mid Coast, Northern Beaches, Singleton, and Upper Hunter (LGAs) following severe thunderstorms and intense rainfall that impacted the regions from 15 January 2025.

These new disaster measures are in addition to the support for Maitland, Port Stephens, and Snowy Valleys LGAs announced on 18 January.

As more councils submit assessment forms outlining damage from this event, there will be further opportunity to expand the Natural Disaster Declaration.

Assistance measures that may be provided to communities through the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) include:

• Support for eligible residents to help meet immediate needs like emergency accommodation.
• Grants for low income, uninsured residents to replace lost essential household items to maintain a basic standard of living.
• Grants for low income, uninsured residents to undertake essential structural repairs to restore their homes to a safe and habitable condition.
• Support for affected local councils and other agencies to help with the costs of cleaning up, keeping the community safe and restoring damaged essential public assets.
• Concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers, and non-profit organisations and grants to sporting and recreation clubs to repair or replace damaged or destroyed property.
• Freight subsidies for primary producers to help transport livestock and fodder.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Jenny McAllister said this expanded support underscores the Albanese and Minns Governments’ commitment to helping local councils recover swiftly from the recent storms.

“This assistance will ensure more communities can access essential supplies and accommodation and ensure more councils can clean up and restore assets as soon as possible.

“I would like to acknowledge the efforts of first responders and the local councils who have done a fantastic job in difficult circumstances.

“The Australian and NSW governments are working hard to ensure communities get the support they need to recover.”

NSW Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said disaster declarations like these are crucial in unlocking assistance for communities so they can begin cleaning up as quickly as possible.

“We rely on councils submitting impact assessment forms to extend this relief and I thank them for continuing to work constructively with the NSW Reconstruction Authority,” Mr Dib said.

“The NSW Government continues to assist people and businesses to clean up debris and remain safe after the severe thunderstorms and intense rainfall.

“There have been a high number of calls to the NSW SES, and I would like to thank our incredible volunteers and emergency responders who responded to these incidents and provided vital support for the community.”

More information on disaster assistance can be found on the www.disasterassist.gov.au.   

New laws regarding ATMs and EFTPOS machines near gaming machines will be enforced from next month, as part of the Minns Labor Government’s gambling harm minimisation reforms.

Under new rules, machines that allow cash withdrawals must be placed at least 5m from the entry to a gaming room and not be visible from any machine or entry to a gaming room.

Having ATMs and EFTPOS facilities further away from gaming machines encourages a break in play for vulnerable customers, who may benefit from taking a step away to consider how much they are spending.

The new rules came into place on 1 January, with a one-month grace period to comply. From this Saturday, 1 February Liquor and Gaming NSW will take a zero-tolerance approach, with venues in breach liable to fines, statutory directions and/or prosecution.

The new measures are the latest in a suite of reforms introduced by the NSW Government since 1 June 2023 to reduce gambling harm, including:

• banning the placement of any signage or advertising relating to gaming machines either on, or visible from an ATM or EFTPOS terminal with cash withdrawal facilities
• reducing the statewide gaming machine entitlement cap by more than 3000
• banning political donations from clubs with electronic gaming machines
• reducing the cash input limit on new gaming machines from $5,000 to $500
• banning all external gambling signage in venues
• introducing Responsible Gambling Officers for venues with more than 20 machine entitlements
• establishing an Independent Panel to conduct a trial of cashless gaming in pubs and clubs throughout 2024
• committing $100 million to harm minimisation – investing in research, prevention, services and reform.

Liquor and Gaming NSW is conducting a compliance campaign throughout January and February to work with venues to ensure they are meeting the new requirements.

More than 225 venues across 17 Local Government Areas have been inspected and while most have been found to be doing the right thing, 30 of the venues were yet to comply with the requirements.

Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris said:

“The Minns Labor Government is committed to reforms to reduce gambling harm in clubs and hotels and we have achieved more in 22 months of office than the Liberal Coalition did in 12 years.

“All pubs and clubs in NSW with gaming machines must comply with gambling harm minimisation requirements and do the right thing by their patrons.

“It’s pleasing to hear the majority of venues inspected have complied with the new rules regarding placement of cash dispensing machines.

“I urge any licensees still to make the necessary changes to do so as quickly as possible or they can expect a strong enforcement response.”

Sixteen emergency services personnel from NSW have been recognised on the Australia Day 2025 Honours List for their service to the community during times of crisis.

The Australian Fire Service Medal was awarded to eleven recipients representing Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) and the NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS).

The Emergency Services Medal was awarded to five recipients representing the NSW State Emergency Service (NSW SES), Surf Life Saving NSW (SLS NSW), and VRA Rescue NSW.

Medal recipients are announced twice a year as part of the Australia Day and the Kings Birthday Honours Lists, recognising the dedication, bravery, and leadership of emergency services personnel to keeping our communities safe. 

Australian Fire Service Medal recipients

• Mr Gregory Reuben Houston, FRNSW
• Mr Samuel James Parkhouse, FRNSW
• Mr Garry James Reardon, FRNSW
• Mr Samuel Stuart Clark AM, NSW RFS
• Ms Robyn Leslie Reynolds, NSW RFS
• Ms Jennifer Ann Farrell, NSW RFS
• Mr Scott Alexander Campbell, NSW RFS
• Mr Wayne Robert Keel, NSW RFS
• Mr Anthony Clough, NSW RFS
• Mr John Duncan Hedley, NSW RFS
• Mr Robert James Conroy, NSW RFS

Emergency Services Medal recipients

• Mrs Christine Speer, NSW SES
• Mr Anthony Gerard Battam, NSW SES
• Mr Michael Anthony Wasley, SLS NSW
• Mrs Julie Wilcox, SLS NSW
• Mr Daniel John van Keimpema, VRA Rescue NSW

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

“I’m thrilled to see so many of our outstanding emergency services personnel recognised on the Australia Day Honours List. Their service is a testament to the very best of our state and we’re proud to honour their achievements.

“From bushfires to floods, surf rescues and storms – our emergency services workers go above and beyond to protect the people of NSW and demonstrate exceptional bravery, compassion, and commitment.

“The Australian Fire Service Medal and the Emergency Service Medal is a well-deserved recognition of their tireless efforts to keeping our communities safe.”

The Minns Government has moved to ban gambling advertising on public transport in NSW.

The prohibition applies to Transport owned and controlled assets, including internal and external advertising on trains, metro, buses, light rail, train stations, and ferry terminals.

Transport operates one of the largest portfolios of advertising assets across Australia. This includes 798 advertising boards at Sydney train stations, 49 road facing digital billboards, adverts on up to 3,711 urban buses, 76 trams and across the Tangara train fleet.

The ban extends to all casino, lottery, and online betting advertising

The NSW Government will now work with multiple advertising contract holders to implement the required changes over the next 12 months.

Transport’s advertising suppliers must ensure that all advertising material complies with all applicable laws, accepted industry standards and codes of conduct established by the advertising industry for example, the Australian Association of National Advertisers (AANA) Advertiser Code of Ethics and AANA Code of Ethics Practice Note.

There are also additional rules that apply to Transport’s contract holders. These include a ban on political advertising on all assets, which applies equally to all political parties. 

Where assets are not owned by Transport (e.g. bus stops, retail outlets or nearby private property), the NSW Government will work with the relevant entitles to see how their advertising can align with the gambling advertising ban.

This is the latest in a suite of reforms introduced by the Minns Labor Government to reduce gambling harm. The reforms include:

• reducing the statewide gaming machine entitlement cap in June 2023
• banning political donations from clubs with electronic gaming machines on 1 July 2023
• reducing the cash input limit on new gaming machines from $5,000 to $500 on 1 July 2023
• banning all external gambling signage in venues on 1 September 2023
• banning the placement of any signage or advertising relating to gaming machines either on, or visible from an ATM or EFTPOS terminal with cash withdrawal facilities and introduced Responsible Gambling Officers for venues with more than 20 machine entitlements, on 1 July 2024
• requiring Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) or EFTPOS terminals that allow cash withdrawals to be  placed at least 5m from the entry to a gaming room and not be visible from any machine or entry to a gaming room, from 1 January 2025
• established an Independent Panel to conduct a trial of cashless gaming in pubs and clubs throughout 2024
• committing $100 million to harm minimisation – investing in research, treatment, services and reform.

Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said:

“Gambling advertising has been a common sight on our public transport for a couple of years now, and I’m pleased our Government is taking action to remove it.  Parents are rightly worried about the impact it has on their kids, so its not something that we think that needs to be on our transport network.”

“With over 3,500 buses, close to 800 advertising assets at train stations, as well as advertising on light rail and trains, Transport’s advertising contracts are vast. Because of the scale it will take some time to implement this change, but we will be working closely with our contract partners over the next 12 months to get this done.”

Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris said:

“Removing gambling advertising from public transport is another demonstration of the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to reducing gambling harm in NSW.

“This move will reduce the public’s exposure to gambling advertising and builds on the suite of reforms the government has introduced over the past 20 months to reduce harmful impacts of gambling.”

Fifteen organisations across New South Wales have received a share of more than $430,000 to host events that highlight women’s creativity, diversity and empowerment during this year’s Women’s Week.

The NSW Government is building better communities where women and girls can achieve their potential and thrive.

Women’s Week Grants have been running since 2018 to fund innovative events that empower women and girls to participate in our communities, to advance gender equality in the longer term.

The 15 successful recipients of the 2025 Women’s Week Grants include:

1. Interrelate Ltd – Empowerment through education: addressing the need for menstrual education to support young women in need (Coonamble LGA)
2. Kiama Municipal Council - Paint the Town Femme (Kiama LGA) 
3. Powerhouse Youth Theatre Inc. - Khair (خير): A Woman’s Tale (Fairfield LGA)
4. NSW Tonga Netball Association Inc - Her Journey (Queanbeyan-Palerang LGA)
5. Mudgee Local Aboriginal Land Council - Yinaagirbang Maywang (Women Together) (Mid-Western LGA)
6. Accessible Arts - Wellbeing Through Art (City of Sydney LGA)
7. African Sub-Sahara International Development Agency (ASSIDA) - African Women Celebration Week (Liverpool LGA)
8. SSI – Settlement Service International – Celebrating the diversity of regional women (Coffs Harbour LGA)
9. Walhallow Local Aboriginal Land Council - Rise & Shine: Gamilaroi Women’s Week Celebration (Liverpool Plains LGA)
10. Lane Cove Council – Resilience and Radiance (Lane Cove LGA)
11. Diversity Arts Australia - Empowering Diversity: Women in Arts and Creativity Symposium (Parramatta LGA)
12. Northern Beaches Council - NSW Women’s Week Writing and Poetry Workshop Series – Celebrating Female Authors living with a Disability (Northern Beaches LGA)
13. Nourish Nation Foundation Inc – Nourishing Women: A Path to Health Empowerment (Wagga Wagga LGA)
14. Randwick City Council – Women’s Work art show and live music performance (Randwick LGA)
15. Maari Ma Health Aboriginal Organisation –Because of Her, We Can: Health and Wellbeing in Far West NSW (Broken Hill, Central Darling Shire and Balranald LGAs)

NSW Women’s Week, which runs from Sunday 2 to Saturday 8 March, is an annual showcase of the stories and remarkable achievements of women in our state.

The NSW Government’s Women of the Year Awards at the International Convention Centre is the culmination the week-long celebrations and will be held in Sydney on Thursday 6 March.

To find out more about Women’s Week 2025 events, visit NSW Women’s Week 2025 | NSW Government.

Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said:

“The NSW Government is thrilled to fund one of the most diverse range of Women’s Week events this year.

“Alongside some great activities that focus on women’s health, art and stories, we have funded events we hope will engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, the LGBTIQA+ community, women with a disability and women from rural, regional and remote NSW.

“We want these events to inspire creativity and talent, empower women of all ages and backgrounds and encourage diversity and inclusion. I encourage everyone to get involved in the events that are planned in your communities.

“NSW Women’s Week gives women a platform to honour the many contributions to our families and communities in all aspects of social, cultural, and political life.”

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey will travel to the United States and United Kingdom holding key meetings to ensure NSW keeps borrowing rates low and to explore investment opportunities for the state.

During a nine-day trip beginning today, Treasurer Mookhey will visit Washington, New York and London, accompanied by TCorp’s Chief Executive Officer David Deverall.

Treasurer Mookhey will hold events with a range of bond holders, fund managers and investors including JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, BlackRock, Nasdaq, the Bank of England and Capital Group, as well as meetings with ratings agencies.

The NSW Treasurer will also meet leaders including Australia’s Ambassador to the United States Kevin Rudd, Australian Consul-General in New York Ms Heather Ridout AO and will attend an industry event with former NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet.

This is Treasurer Mookhey’s first international trip since taking office.

Last week the Member for The Entrance, the Member for Gosford, a representative for the Member for Swansea and I met with executives from the Central Coast Local Health District (CCLHD), the NSW Ministry of Health and Minister for Health Ryan Park’s office to express the concerns of the Central Coast community about maternity service provision on the Coast.

The CCLHD is developing a Clinical Services Plan for Women, Children and Families on the Central Coast which addresses both the closure of Gosford Private Hospital’s maternity services and the region’s projected population growth.

It’s important to note there is no reduction in public maternity services on the Central Coast and expectant mothers wishing to have their birth on the Coast will be able to do so.

Gosford Hospital provides 24-hour midwifery, obstetric, anaesthetic, and paediatric support including a Special Care Nursery to support the maternity needs of the Central Coast community.

Wyong Hospital also continues to provide care through the Midwifery Group Practice and Gosford outreach Midwife-led Antenatal Clinic.

In late 2023, the CCLHD introduced a Midwifery Group Practice Homebirth Service to provide local women with more choice about where they give birth.

We were advised the CCLHD is actively recruiting specialist maternity clinician staff.

I look forward to viewing the Clinical Services Plan which is being developed to ensure the maternity needs of the Central Coast community continue to be met.

Penrith Beach remains the coolest place to be this summer with a host of free activities drawing visitors from Western Sydney and beyond for a second successive swimming season.

More than 73,000 people have visited Penrith Beach since it re-opened just over a month ago.

A range of fun and interactive activities have been on show this summer including weekly bootcamps led by rugby league legend Mark Geyer, Sandy Cinema movie screenings and junior lifesaver training.

Beachgoers are continuing to flock to Sydney Zoo’s engaging Wildlife Wednesdays, with this week’s educational session focusing on snakes.

This long weekend, free skin-cancer checks are also available on Saturday, 25 January from the Skin Check Champions’ qualified nurses, with walk-ins welcome.

A six-week beach volleyball tournament will start on Sunday, 2 February and run until Saturday, 9 March. For those looking for something a little different there will also be introduction to dragon boat racing on Sunday, 23 February and Saturday, 8 March.

On-site cultural festivities will see a special Lunar New Year kite festival on Sunday, 9 February followed by a Valentine’s Day fun run on Saturday, 15 February and a Holi Festival inspired colour run on Sunday, 23 March.

Safety continues to be the top priority at Penrith Beach, with trained lifeguards patrolling daily and providing first aid services, alongside regular monitoring of water quality.

On Thursday, 30 January, Royal Life Saving NSW will begin the first of three special water-safety sessions that continue on Thursday, 27 February and finish on Thursday, 20 March, with Surf Life Saving NSW on site to assist.

To sign up for updates or register interest in any of Penrith Beach’s free activities, visit here: https://www.nsw.gov.au/visiting-and-exploring-nsw/penrith-beach

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“Penrith Beach is a wonderful place for a dip, but it is also a space for community connection and outdoor recreation in the heart of Western Sydney.

“These free activities offer something for everyone. We have you covered at Penrith Beach this summer with everything from gruelling bootcamp workouts to educational experiences and laid-back family events.”

Member for Penrith Karen McKeown said:

“Despite a rainy summer, we’ve still had over 70,000 people visit the beach in just a month. The $2.5 million investment in Penrith Beach by the Minns Government means our community has free access to a great place to swim in Summer.

“Safety is front and centre for visitors at this iconic location.

“Lifeguards are not only keeping people safe with daily patrols, but are providing expert instruction on lifejacket usage, inland water safety and CPR essentials as part of their

Renters would get the same rights to beach parking permits in council areas that run two-tiered schemes favouring homeowners, under reforms proposed by the NSW Government.

Mosman and Northern Beaches councils issue free parking at local beaches to ratepayers – those people who own their own property – but charge people who rent for the same permit to park at the beach.

For example, on the Northern Beaches, homeowners are issued two free, annual parking permits to 40 local beaches whereas renters need to apply and pay $250 for a parking sticker.

Homeowners are also allowed to purchase two more permits for a total of four per household – twice as many as a rented household can access.

In Mosman, property owners get a free access sticker to four car parks, including Balmoral and the Spit, while resident renters can purchase up to two permits for $61 each. Mosman property owners who reside in their property can also purchase two more on top of a free permit for the same price.

Casual car parking charges at beaches like Manly and Balmoral are up to $10 an hour for those without a permit and Bondi Beach is $10.80 an hour.

A third of people rent their home in NSW and the proportion of those renting is rising.

The NSW Government is alerting councils with parking permit schemes of the proposed changes and inviting their feedback.

Any change would be issued as part of an update to parking Guidelines under the Road Transport (General) Regulation 2021.

The changes are part of a suite of reforms by the Minns Labor Government aimed at ensuring access to Sydney beaches does not depend on someone’s postcode and they remain open and welcoming to all.

An update to the Guidelines in June last year requires that street parking duration is of a minimum one hour when it is combined with permit holder exemptions.

In one case, Woollahra Council had put a time limit of 15 minutes on visitors to Watsons Bay unless you were a resident with an all-day parking permit.

The NSW Government is also considering changes to the Guidelines which will stop councils excluding residents of strata units and multi-dwelling properties from obtaining residential parking permits on the same terms as other residents.

Minister for Roads John Graham said:

“In NSW, the beach belongs to everyone. That same egalitarianism should also extend to the beach car park.

“We do not believe a distinction should be made based on whether someone owns their own home or rents it when it comes to access to the beach. This is a fairness issue, and a cost-of-living issue.

“Similarly, drawing lines based on whether someone lives in a block of apartments or in a house also fails the fairness test.

“In Watsons Bay, we have already put a stop to a parking arrangement that was closer to speed dating than a relaxing visit to the beach and we are asking councils everywhere to consider the equity of their rules. We look forward to their feedback.

We welcome the Albanese Labor Government’s $10,000 incentive payment for apprentices in the construction and clean energy sectors and its focus on apprentice retention.

NSW leads the nation in apprenticeship and traineeship participation, accounting for nearly 30% of Australia’s total, with more than 103,000 apprentices and trainees in training.

These figures highlight the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to building a skilled workforce for the future.

Importantly, completion numbers in NSW are also on the rise, with a 10% increase in the 2024 June quarter compared with 2023.

This includes a 13% jump in apprenticeship completions and 7% growth in traineeships, well above the national average of 3%.

However, we know there is more work to do and finding innovative ways to address skills shortages in the construction sector will be key if we are to meet our NSW commitment to boost housing supply and reach net zero by 2050.

Whenever I meet apprentices, they tell me how difficult it is to keep up with cost-of-living pressures. I know this $10,000 boost will be warmly welcomed by apprentices in NSW.

This incentive payment complements the work under way as part of our newly released NSW Skills Plan, the first in over 15 years, the Apprenticeship & Traineeship Roadmap 2024-26, and the NSW VET Review, which all have a key focus on construction and renewable energy workforces and giving young people opportunities and pathways to fulfilling careers.