Category: NSW News

The Minns Labor government has welcomed the ban on the importation of engineered stone products from 1 January 2025, to protect the future health and safety of workers.

The national import ban covers engineered stone benchtops, slabs and panels with silica content of more than one percent.

This follows the world-first domestic ban on the use, supply and manufacture of engineered stone products in Australia that started on 1 July this year.

This prohibits the manufacture, supply, processing and installation of engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs containing at least 1% silica.

The Minns Labor Government led the campaign for the national ban, vowing it was prepared to act unilaterally, ahead of an agreement being reached across the Commonwealth.

The NSW government is funding a team of dedicated silica safety inspectors to ensure businesses are complying with the strengthened laws.

Since September, our Silica Compliance Team has conducted 140 inspections, handing out three fines totalling almost $10,000 for non-compliance. More than 125 improvement notices have been issued and seven prohibition notices in workplaces.

The moves aim to safeguard workers from silicosis, a lung disease caused by respirable crystalline silica, which tragically has led to several deaths.

Silicosis is caused by items with a high silica content such as engineered stone. The stone has been linked to the incurable illness since 2015. Engineered stone is a common item used in kitchen benchtops.

Uncontrolled cutting, drilling, polishing and grinding of Crystaline Silica Substance (CSS) materials such as granite, tiles, bricks and sandstone can also lead to serious illnesses such as silicosis, lung disease, lung cancer, and kidney disease.

The Minns Labor government has pledged $5 million in critical funding for silicosis research and a patient support program for individuals and their families navigating the health risks associated with exposure to silica dust.

The grant funding, administered collaboratively by icare and the Dust Diseases Board, will be provided over three years to the Asbestos and Dust Diseases Research Institute (ADDRI).

In addition, the icare Lung clinic provides specialised lung health assessments to current and retired workers who are at risk of developing a workplace dust disease, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis or silicosis.

In 2025, the Lung Bus will travel right around the state, including stops in Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, Gosford, Dubbo, Bathurst, Broken Hill, Griffith, Wagga Wagga, Tamworth and Newcastle.

Find more information on the full list of Lung Bus destinations.

Find more information on crystalline silica and the new safety requirements.

Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis said:

“The NSW Government is committed to reducing the unacceptably high rates of silicosis being developed by workers and we welcome the ban on the importation of engineered stone benchtops, slabs and panels from 1 January 2025, to protect the future health and safety of workers.

“It is illegal to use, supply and manufacture these products within Australia, so this importation ban is an all-important next step.

“We don’t need these dangerous products entering the country, and I congratulate the Commonwealth for implementing the ban.

“The engineered stone importation ban will go a long way in bringing silicosis numbers down and create safer workplaces.”

SafeWork NSW Deputy Secretary Trent Curtin said:

“No one deserves to have their health compromised due to their working environment. 

“In NSW, as the SafeWork NSW campaign goes, It’s the Safe Way or No Way.”

The NSW Government is issuing a call to the 6.9 million drivers across the state to make the safest decisions on the road in 2025 and help reduce the annual road toll.

NSW recorded a total of 340 road deaths in 2024 – the same number of people lost in 2023.

Data suggests there was a slight moderation in the second half of the year as the Minns Labor Government introduced a string of measures to tighten road safety, including the July 1 introduction of seatbelt cameras.

However, the number of people lost on our roads remains too high and the Government is focused on building on those measures to increase safety and reduce the trauma impacting our community.

Overall, fatalities remain below the pre-COVID era.

Speed remains the biggest killer on NSW roads. In 2024, 136 people died in crashes where speed was a factor.

The NSW Government is doubling the number of locations where mobile speed cameras can be positioned on state roads and has also announced the upcoming trial of average speed cameras for private vehicles in two regional areas.

Similar to recent years, far too many deaths are happening in regional NSW. In 2024, 234 people died on regional roads which was down 2% on the previous year.

Fatigue remains a stubborn problem, with 77 fatalities attributed to driver tiredness last year.

Alcohol and drugs are also preventable issues that factor in too many deaths. However, in the first nine months of last year, the preliminary figures show a decrease from 2023 of 12% for alcohol and 20% for drugs.

As the NSW Government continues to invest in life saving initiatives for all road users and the number of licence holders on the road continues to grow, there have been a number of areas of improvement in road trauma this year.

Deaths of bicycle riders have hit the equal lowest level in the state’s history since detailed records began in 1960, with five cyclists dying in 2024, and pedestrian deaths are lower than in previous years.

Sadly, there has been a concerning rise in deaths of motorcyclists with 67 deaths, an increase of 34% when compared to 2023 figures.

In response, the NSW Government is changing the Graduated Licensing Scheme for motorcyclists to improve novice rider training, testing standards, and licence requirements. 

Also, legislation will be introduced in 2025 to enable mandatory drug and alcohol testing for drivers involved in a crash which results in grievous bodily harm.

The NSW Government will also continue to roll out around $1 billion in lifesaving infrastructure upgrades on regional and metropolitan roads through its Towards Zero Safer Roads Program and the joint federal/ state funded Road Safety Program.

The NSW Government introduced a number of measures in 2024 which will continue or expand in 2025. They include:

• The trial of average speed cameras for light vehicles in 2025
• Doubling roadside enforcement sites used for mobile speed cameras, with an additional 2,700 new sites where a camera can be deployed. Total enforcement hours will remain the same
• Seatbelt enforcement via the state’s existing mobile phone cameras
• The demerit point return trial that encourages safe driving
• Releasing more ratings for bicycle helmets as part of its star rating system
• Removing a loophole to force all motorists driving on a foreign licence to convert to a NSW licence within six months
• Implementing recommendations from the Demerit Point Integrity Taskforce to stamp out rorting of the system by mainly visiting foreign nationals
• Signing the National Road Safety Data Agreement with the Commonwealth

Find further details on road death data.

Minister for Roads John Graham said:

“Too many lives were lost on NSW roads in 2024.

“We should never become desensitised to the annual figure or accept that it should be as high as 340 as it has been for the last two years running. Every one of these 340 represents a family and network of loved ones and friends who will never be the same for having lost someone.

“If there is a bright spot in the data in 2024 it is that the sharply higher trend of fatalities recorded in 2023 has not continued and we did not see another increase in the total.

“The NSW Government is committed to building on measures already introduced like switching mobile phone detection cameras on to seatbelt detection, conducting a trial of average speed cameras for light vehicles and a range of measures to ensure drivers on foreign licences or visiting visas are playing by the same rules as everyone else.

“I want to urge all drivers who qualify, to remain offence-free from January 16 to receive a demerit point removed from their licence. The more people who succeed, the more overall road safety is enhanced.”

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“Today we remember the 340 people who we have lost in road crashes in 2024.

“More than two thirds of those people died on regional roads, despite only a third of our population living in the regional areas of NSW.

“As we remember the people who died this year as well as those who suffered serious injuries and trauma on our regional roads during 2024, the NSW Government is investing the majority of nearly $1 billion in road infrastructure through the Towards Zero Safer Roads Program and the jointly funded Australian-NSW Road Safety Program on regional roads. These initiatives are improving road safety, particularly in high-risk areas, and help reduce fatal crashes across the state.

“Speeding remains the number one issue in NSW when it comes to road trauma and the NSW Government is doing everything it can to educate and enforce the rules around speeding. We are rolling out more sites for camera enforcement, trialling the use of average speed cameras for light vehicles, reviewing speed zones, delivering public education campaigns and working with NSW Police.

“Again, I urge everyone to obey the speed limits – they are there for a reason and could save your life.

“Fatigue related crashes have increased significantly this year with 77 fatalities (up by 24 compared with 2023).  There is also a significant increase in fatalities where drivers are travelling on their own in fatigue related crashes (up from 18 to 29).

“This highlights the need for people driving on their own to ensure they don’t drive when they are tired.

“It’s heartening to see preliminary information showing a reduction in the involvement of drugs and alcohol in fatal crashes and I continue to remind all road users it is vital they take personal responsibility when behind the wheel—whether it’s obeying speed limits and driving to the conditions, taking regular breaks, never driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, not being distracted by mobile phones and always, always wearing a seat belt.”

Tom Daher, Founding Member of the Road Trauma Support Group NSW said:

“Road trauma leaves a lasting scar on families and communities. Losing my father, Tannous, to a preventable crash caused by a driver on drugs was a heartbreak that will stay with me forever.

“Every day, families in NSW face the unimaginable pain of losing a loved one on our roads—almost one life lost daily. These are parents, children, siblings, and friends whose absence is felt every moment. Over 1.5 million adults in NSW have been affected by road trauma, leaving emotional and psychological wounds that never fully heal.

“No one should have to bury a loved one because of an avoidable fatal crash. We hope 2025 will bring a significant reduction in the in the number of people killed and injured on our roads, but it requires all of us to commit to safer choices, stronger accountability, and greater awareness of the lifelong impacts of road trauma.”

The Minns Labor Government’s mission to bring Sydney back to life will allow Walsh Bay to show its true potential as one of the Southern Hemisphere’s leading performing arts hotspots during the next three weeks of the Sydney Festival.

This year’s Sydney Festival will be the first event since the opening of the Barangaroo Sydney Metro station, and the second tranche of the vibrancy reforms that have cut red tape that restricted operating hours and trading conditions for venues and events.

Last year the Walsh Bay Arts Precinct became the home of the Sydney Festival, but the event was restricted due to planning conditions that meant patrons were forced inside after 10pm, just as many shows were finishing and patrons were arriving for a post-show drink.

Under new planning conditions the main festival bar will get an extension until 2am for both indoor and outdoor areas.

The new planning conditions will allow ‘Sunrise Yoga’ at 6:30am, more outdoor furniture, food trucks to operate during the day and evening for preshow and post-show dining, and a floating boat installation to be lit until 2am. This will significantly improve the vibrancy and experience of patrons of the world class Sydney Festival and demonstrate what could be achieved in Walsh Bay all year round.

The Walsh Bay Arts Precinct has enormous potential given its scenic harbour views, central location, proximity to the Sydney Metro and the high concentration of Australia’s premier performing arts companies.

In addition to the extended trading hours for Sydney Festival, tranche two of the government vibrancy reforms (legislated in October 2024) has also introduced the following measures which will create more powers to activate Walsh Bay and other precincts all year round:

• Enabling the creation of Special Entertainment Precincts (SEPs) on state owned land so places like White Bay Power Station and Walsh Bay can benefit from extended trading hours and relaxed rules.
• Amendments to the Major Events Act 2009 which make it faster and easier for the government to manage transport, street closures and other key planning measures for large scale events.
• Remove even more barriers for hospitality venues, like the antiquated ‘5km Rule’ for clubs.
• Create greater opportunities for live music through turning off development consent conditions that limit a venue’s ability to host live music.
• Removed restrictions on outdoor areas in licensed venues that restricted patrons to sitting only.

John Graham Minister for the Arts said:

“Walsh Bay could be like the West End in London, but with harbour views. For one month of the year during Sydney Festival, our city will now start to see the full potential of Walsh Bay.”

“At this year’s Sydney Festival Walsh Bay will trade two hours later. That will make it a lot more vibrant on those hot summer nights.

“Walsh Bay could be one of the most exciting performance hubs in the Southern Hemisphere. It’s home to Australia’s best theatre, music and dance companies, and now has a metro station around the corner.

“The Minns government’s vibrancy reforms have cut the red tape that has held our city back.

Sydney Festival Director Chris Tooher said:

“Sydney Festival is thrilled to return to the Walsh Bay Arts Precinct in January 2025, bringing “The Thirsty Mile” to life with a vibrant mix of ticketed and free performances and installations.

“Thanks to new planning provisions championed by the NSW Government, visitors can enjoy the precinct’s indoor and outdoor spaces late into the summer evenings.

“Streamlined licensing regulations will also enhance the experience with exceptional food and drink offerings, including the Moonshine Bar pop-up on Pier 2/3.

“With the new Barangaroo metro station providing seamless access, Walsh Bay is set to be the must-visit destination this January.”

Background on Walsh Bay

• Walsh Bay Arts Precinct is a modern arts and cultural hub that is home to nine of Australia’s leading performing arts companies: Australian Chamber Orchestra, Australian Theatre for Young People, Bangarra Dance Theatre, Bell Shakespeare, Gondwana Choirs, Sydney Dance Company, Sydney Philharmonia Choirs, Sydney Theatre Company, and The Song Company
• In 2024, Sydney Festival activated the entire precinct for the first time with a whole of site festival takeover, with the festival returning in January 2025, delivering over 40 events, music and installations to Walsh Bay Arts Precinct between January 4 and 26
• Responding to the cost-of-living crisis, 50 out of 150 shows and events at Sydney Festival are free entry and early bird ticket buyers were able to access all ticketed events for only $49 

People from around the world can now access digital records of more than one million plants with the launch of the first searchable image archive from the National Herbarium of New South Wales. 

The Herbarium is located at the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan and holds specimens from across the Pacific region for critical biodiversity, ecological, and evolutionary research studies.

Over the past five years, scientists from the Botanic Gardens of Sydney have archived and digitised the entire collection, including more than 800 specimens collected by botanists Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander on Captain Cook’s first voyage to the Pacific in 1770.

The new platform is the most comprehensive searchable image archive in Australia, and the first and largest mass digitisation of a natural history collection undertaken in the southern hemisphere. Around 4,000 images were taken daily to transform the plant specimens into a high-resolution image. 

The digitisation process has already revealed new discoveries of Australia’s botanical science history, including specimens collected by celebrated Indigenous painter Albert Namatjira and illustrations by renowned botanical illustrator Margaret Flockton. 

The collection of high-resolution images has been uploaded to Amazon Web Services (AWS), who are providing free storage as part of the AWS Open Data Sponsorship Program. The program covers the cost of storage for publicly available datasets, supporting community access to the records for the first time. 

People can visit the Botanic Gardens of Sydney Herbarium search portal and search for plants using scientific name, collection date, collector and other criteria. The search result will reveal the images of the plants and collection data associated with the specimen.

Acting Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“The National Herbarium of New South Wales located in Western Sydney is one of the most significant botanical resources in the southern hemisphere.

“For the first time, scientists and plant enthusiasts can now access hundreds of years of botanical history to learn about Australia’s unique biodiversity.”

Chief Executive, Botanic Gardens of Sydney Simon Duffy said:

“To see the transformation from an 18^th century specimen library to a cutting-edge digital collection for public use is quite extraordinary.

“Technological advancements such as this also help foster better collaboration with educators and students, decision-makers, private land holders and managers, and community groups to help save plants from extinction in this rapidly changing world.”

Chief Technologist Public Sector, Amazon Web Services, Simon Elisha, said:

“AWS is proud enable the digitisation of over one million priceless plant specimens by the Botanic Gardens of Sydney.”

“Leveraging our scalable cloud and AWS Open Data Sponsorship Program, the Botanic Gardens of Sydney has created a globally accessible digital treasure trove that can revolutionise botanical research and conservation.”

Two years ago, Anthony Albanese grabbed Chris Minns by the hand, parading him as his mate and welcoming him as the new NSW Premier. Fast forward to today, and Chris Minns and his ministers now avoid being seen with the Prime Minister, knowing full well their policies mirror Canberra’s failures.
 
New South Wales is hurtling towards an economic dead end, shackled by the same small target policies and failed priorities that are crippling households under the Albanese Labor Government in Canberra. The similarities between the two governments have proven disastrous for families and businesses alike.
 
Under Labor, New South Wales is enduring its slowest economic growth in more than three decades. The state’s economy is projected to expand by a pitiful 0.75 per cent this financial year, a dramatic downgrade from the already bleak 2 per cent forecast just six months ago. These numbers are not just statistics—they are the grim reality faced by families struggling to keep their heads above water amidst skyrocketing living costs, stagnating private sector wages, and soaring housing prices.
 
Shadow Treasurer Damien Tudehope said Labor’s mismanagement has left New South Wales households exposed to economic pain, echoing the same failures unfolding under the Albanese Government.
 
“The Treasurer waited until days before Christmas to try and hide the dire truth about the state of our economy, hoping no one would notice. But let’s be clear—there is no hiding from the facts. Labor has no plan to turn this state around, and the only spark they can find is in spin and excuses,” Mr Tudehope said.
 
We have two Labor governments, federally and in New South Wales, united in failure. Both promised hope and delivered despair. Families are hurting, businesses are folding, and economic growth has stalled. Meanwhile, Labor’s only response is to keep pretending there is nothing to see here.
 
Economists are painting a bleak picture of what lies ahead. Westpac warns that NSW’s economic engine is “running low on fuel”. Despite this, the Minns Labor Government continues to ignore the warning signs, just like their mates in Canberra, who have buried projections showing Australians face almost a decade of lost living standard.
 
In just 78 days, the Premier will stand up alongside his Treasurer and try to convince New South Wales that in two years, Labor has achieved something substantial. The reality? Small targets and ribbon-cutting ceremonies for infrastructure projects inherited from the Liberals and Nationals.
 
The Premier’s Department is already scrambling to create Excel spreadsheets, spin documents, and talking points to dress up their failures as successes so they can issue a media release saying look at what we have achieved and separately create window dressing answers for the government for budget estimates next month. But the truth is clear—they have delivered little, while wages are blowing out, and there’s no real infrastructure pipeline on the horizon.
 
We know that a fiscal cliff is coming as wage blowouts spiral out of control, yet this government has failed to deliver any new infrastructure projects of its own.
 
The Treasurer and his Labor colleagues want us to believe they have things under control, but the reality couldn’t be more different. The Minns Labor is following the Albanese Labor Government down the same destructive path—and it’s the people of New South Wales who are paying the price.
 
Housing affordability, cost-of-living pressures, and sluggish economic growth are set to plague New South Wales for years to come, mirroring the crisis facing Australians nationwide under the Albanese Government.
 
NSW is worse off under the Minns Labor Government.

The NSW Opposition called for a bipartisan roundtable to modernise New South Wales’ planning laws and address the state’s housing challenges. There is no time like the present to deliver practical solutions to get homes built faster and more affordably.
 
Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said the people of New South Wales expect leaders to work together on solutions that make a difference.
 
“We proposed a bipartisan roundtable to bring key players together and to deliver reforms that streamline approvals and unlock new housing opportunities. While we await the Government’s formal response to our written offer, we welcome the Premier’s positive comments and hope to work constructively to deliver outcomes that benefit families and communities across the state,” Mr Speakman said.
 
Leader of the NSW Nationals Dugald Saunders said a roundtable will provide an opportunity to address housing pressures right across the state.
 
“Housing challenges aren’t limited to Sydney—regional NSW is feeling the strain too. This roundtable would be a chance to develop reforms that support growth and opportunity for all communities. Regional families need certainty, and we’re ready to make that happen,” Mr Saunders said.
 
Shadow Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Scott Farlow said bipartisan collaboration offers the best opportunity to deliver meaningful reform.
 
“Planning laws must be modernised to support faster approvals without compromising the infrastructure and green spaces our communities value. We see a roundtable as a positive step towards achieving reforms that work for families and businesses across New South Wales,” Mr Farlow said.
 
The Opposition proposes holding the roundtable at Parliament House in early February, bringing together housing industry leaders, local councils and other key stakeholders to identify barriers and deliver a plan for reform.
 
The focus is on delivering practical outcomes. Families need homes they can afford, and businesses need certainty to invest and grow. A roundtable is about achieving results and delivering reforms that balance growth with sustainability.
 
Regional voices must also be central to the discussion. Reforms need to reflect the unique challenges and opportunities in both city and regional communities, ensuring no part of New South Wales is left behind.
 
We need to deliver reforms that prioritise affordability, sustainability and liveability. A roundtable is about working together to make sure families have access to housing supported by the infrastructure and services they need to thrive.

More than a million revellers are expected to ring in the new year watching Sydney’s incredible fireworks at vantage points around the harbour – and public transport will provide the smoothest start to 2025.

With the Sydney Metro open from Tallawong to Sydenham for the first time for the new year’s celebrations, thousands of extra high-frequency train, bus and light rail services will be laid across the whole transport network to bring hundreds of thousands of Sydneysiders and visitors into the city and home again as the new year ticks over. 

Sydney’s transport network will run continuously for almost 48 hours in what is its biggest operation of the year to make sure revellers have multiple safe and secure travel options, said Transport for NSW Coordinator-General Howard Collins. 

“The extra services will spring into action from early afternoon on New Year’s Eve, and with widespread road closures and parking restrictions in place from early in the day, public transport will absolutely be the key to a stress-free celebration,” Mr Collins said. 

“But it’s essential to plan ahead, work out your options and be aware that the city is different on New Year’s Eve, with very large crowds, road closures and entry cut-off times at some vantage points to watch the fireworks.”

Most of the ever-popular vantage points around the harbour will not be ticketed this year and will open at various points during the day – meaning people can secure spots on a ‘first in, best dressed’ basis and spectators are encouraged to arrive early to avoid missing out.

Check the Sydney NYE website before heading out and during travel for the latest updates on vantage points. Once vantage points are full, they will be closed, so consider celebrating locally instead.

Mr Collins said customers should be aware of road and station closures that could necessitate a change of plans for their journey, especially those heading towards the Circular Quay precinct.

“There will be limited transport options to Circular Quay from mid-afternoon. From 2pm, buses and light rail services will not run to Circular Quay. Buses will end trips at Martin Place while light rail services will end trips at Town Hall.

“From 3pm, trains will not stop at Circular Quay. The last ferries arrive into Circular Quay around 5.30pm. Event goers heading to the harbour will need to catch transport to nearby Wynyard, Martin Place or Town Hall and continue on foot,” said Mr Collins.

“Also Barangaroo Metro Station will be closed from 5pm and reopen at 11.45pm to allow for the safe movement of people around the inner harbour precinct.” 

On the harbour, some ferry wharves will begin closing from as early as 10am, with all ferries to stop running by around 5.30pm. Limited services will run after the midnight fireworks.

Visitors should prepare to walk further than usual between transport hubs and vantage points and be aware of pedestrian fencing and changed access to major transport interchanges in the city and north sydney. After the 9pm and midnight fireworks, getting back to transport hubs to continue your trip home will be different to the way you arrived. These changes are to safely manage crowd flow and get everyone home as quickly as possible after the fireworks.

“Every year, we help hundreds of thousands of people come into and move around the city for the fireworks, and I promise you that planning your journey and aiming to get to your destination nice and early will be the best investment of your time,” Mr Collins added.

“If you must drive or are catching rideshare and taxis, be aware of road closure locations and timings, plan ahead and expect heavy traffic.

“Part of that is the major roads that will close from as early as 6am on New Year’s Eve, plus widespread parking restrictions in effect – so it’s definitely best to leave the car at home.”

NSW Police Central Metropolitan Region and Operation New Year’s Eve 2024 Commander, Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna, said officers would be patrolling for anti-social and dangerous behaviour.

“We want people to have a good time, to drink responsibly, know their limits and use public transport to avoid driving,” Assistant Commissioner McKenna said.

“New Year’s Eve is Sydney’s premier public event and as always we are expecting high numbers of spectators to come to the city to view the fireworks.

“A high-visibility police operation will be in place, with officers both in uniform and plain clothes out in force patrolling the CBD and foreshore areas.”

Major road closures to be aware of on New Year’s Eve:

•       The Cahill Expressway will be fully closed from 6am.   

•       Road closures in CBD North and The Rocks will start from 6am and continue through the day.   

•       From 2pm roads in Circular Quay and The Rocks will be closed. 

•       From 5pm major roads in Sydney CBD, Millers Point, Walsh Bay, North Sydney, Milsons Point and Kirribilli will be closed.   

•       By 7pm most roads in the Sydney CBD centre and some roads in Pyrmont will be closed. 

•       From 10pm major roads around Wynyard Station will close.  

•       The Sydney Harbour Bridge will be completely closed from 11pm until 1:30am, along with all major roads in the city, there will be no vehicle access after 11pm. The Sydney Harbour Tunnel remains open, as well as the Anzac Bridge. 

Key transport changes:

Transport passengers are reminded road closures on New Year’s Eve will impact buses and light rail services, while harbour fireworks exclusion zones will affect ferries. Trains, metro, buses and light rail will operate close to a 24-hour timetable. 

•       Trains will run additional services across most lines from 2pm, with frequent services after the midnight fireworks through until New Year’s Day. Trains will not stop at Circular Quay from 3pm. Trains from the city to the north will not stop at Milsons Point after 6pm. There is no planned trackwork on New Year’s Eve. Station access points may also change. 

•       Metro services will run every 10 minutes then every 4 to 5 minutes from midday through until 2am on New Year’s Day then resume running every 10 minutes. Barangaroo Station will close from 5pm to 11.45pm for the safety of crowds as surrounding vantage points are expected to reach capacity. Passengers can use Wynyard Station or Martin Place Metro instead. Access to Martin Place, Gadigal and Victoria Cross stations will change. 

•       Buses will be affected by road closures in the Sydney CBD from 2pm and in North Sydney from 3pm. Some local bus routes in the city and North Sydney as well as various other local council area buses will be affected earlier in the day. Additional services will run to and from the city and North Sydney on key routes. 

o   From 2pm buses that usually run to Circular Quay will relocate to Martin Place. 

o   From 3pm buses that usually run to North Sydney station will relocate to stops on Miller St and Berry St due to the closure of Blue St. 

o   From 5pm Martin Place buses will relocate to Hyde Park. 

o   From 7pm all buses will use stops at Wynyard, Town Hall QVB, or Hyde Park only.  

o   From 11pm to 1.30am buses will not travel across the Harbour Bridge while it’s closed for the midnight fireworks. Change for trains or metro to travel across the harbour during this time. 

o   From 11pm to 4am some buses will terminate at Central 

•      Ferries will not run to or from Circular Quay by 5.30pm. Some wharves will close earlier in the day. Limited ferries will run after the midnight fireworks only.  

•       Light rail services will run from 5am and be extended until 4am on all lines, L1, L2, L3 and L4 (the new Parramatta Light Rail from Carlingford to Westmead). On L2 & L3, from 2pm services will run to and from Town Hall only, from 7pm services will run to and from Central only, change for trains or metro to continue your trip to the northern end of the city. From 8pm to 2.30am L1 services won’t run between Central and Convention.

With many spectators taking to the harbour to enjoy a Sydney New Year’s Eve, boating restrictions will be in place including a 6 knots speed restriction on the harbour from 3pm and exclusion zones/restricted areas from 8pm. Please check Transport Maritime’s dedicated New Year’s Eve page before you hit the harbour. 

Check the Sydney NYE website before heading out and during travel for the latest updates on vantage points. Once vantage points are full they will be closed. 

For New Year’s Eve travel advice, visit transportnsw.info/sydney-nye. For real-time updates on traffic conditions, including road closures, visit livetraffic.com. 

PARRAMATTA LIGHT RAIL OPENS AS THE MINNS LABOR GOVERNMENT CELEBRATES WHAT THEY COULD NEVER DREAM OF DELIVERING

The NSW Opposition has welcomed the opening of the Parramatta Light Rail today—a transformative project that stands as yet another milestone planned, funded, and started by the former Liberals and Nationals Government. While the Minns Labor Government is eager to cut ribbons, they have made an art form out of celebrating infrastructure they never paid for, planned, or accounted for.
 
Connecting Parramatta’s CBD with key destinations like the Westmead Health Precinct, Parramatta River, and Carlingford, the light rail’s 16 stops provide reliable and sustainable transport for Western Sydney. But as Labor takes credit for the hard work of others, the real question looms that come 2027, when these completed projects run dry, what will this government have to show for it?
 
Shadow Minister for Transport and Roads, Natalie Ward said the Parramatta Light Rail is a proud achievement of the Liberals and Nationals Government—a vision we planned, paid for, and kicked off for Western Sydney.
 
“While Labor enjoys the photo ops, they’ve contributed nothing to this project or any meaningful infrastructure in this region,” Ms Ward said.
 
By the time we reach the next election, the Minns Labor Government will have spent four years cutting ribbons for someone else’s work. When these projects run out, what’s their plan? Western Sydney deserves better than a government that clings to borrowed glory.
 
Member for Epping, Monica Tudehope said this new light rail is transformative for my community, offering fast, efficient, and direct access to Parramatta’s CBD.
 
“It’s the kind of infrastructure that drives growth, creates jobs, and makes daily life easier for families and businesses. But the Minns Labor Government didn’t plan it, they didn’t fund it, and they have no credible pipeline of projects to meet the needs of Western Sydney’s growing population,” Ms Tudehope said.
 
The Parramatta Light Rail joins a list of transformational infrastructure delivered by the former Liberals and Nationals Government, including the Sydney Metro West and CommBank Stadium. These projects were the product of forward-thinking leadership and real investment in Western Sydney—not the empty promises and spin that define the current government.
 
NSW is worse off under the Minns Labor Government.

The Minns Labor Government is moving ahead with plans to improve management and maintenance of NSW roads by developing a new system for roads to be recategorised and run by appropriate authorities.

A proposed new system developed by Transport for NSW aims to make it easier for road managers such as councils to access data about road usage and function in a transparent way so it can be used to help make evidence-based decisions about who should have responsibility for roads.

Historically there has been an ad-hoc approach to road recategorisation requests and decision-making in NSW, with no clear framework in place for road managers to understand how their roads are being used and which categories of State, Regional or Local roads they best fit into.

Until now, road managers have also had to wait years or decades for ad-hoc reviews of road category change requests.

The new process proposed by the Government is designed to be managed within existing budget and resourcing parameters, while ensuring roads are categorised appropriately based on evidence.

This involves deploying a clearer, easier and more streamlined system for road managers, mainly councils, to propose recategorisations of roads.

One key benefit of the new system will be the introduction of an online portal which will provide road managers with a one-stop-shop of relevant data such as maps, freight routes and key infrastructure such as hospitals, to help them understand who is best placed to manage relevant roads.

Regardless of who manages a road, the proposed new system has been established to enable managers, such as councils, to evaluate their own networks, put forward robust proposals and have them assessed in a timely manner.

Importantly, there will be an ‘always open’ approach for applications, meaning road managers will be able to submit proposals for road category changes at any time.

Overall, it will be a more straightforward and transparent process for identifying, processing and implementing road category changes.

Transport for NSW is now seeking feedback and collaboration from road managers to ensure that this new approach is sound and provides the transparent solution needed.

New guidance notes to outline the process and other key considerations have now been released to road managers for review and feedback ahead of further consultation in 2025.

For more information, visit NSW Road reviews.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“The Minns Labor Government has heard the concerns of road managers and understands a better system is needed to manage responsibility of roads in NSW.

“The NSW road network is more than 185,000 kilometres long and much of that in regional NSW so the changes proposed aim to deliver better roads management for our regional communities in particular.

“Councils manage over 85 per cent of this network and our government is committed to collaborating with them on an improved new system.

“I encourage councils and all road managers to have their say as we need to make this fit for purpose and their feedback is a key part to ensuring we get this right.

“The former Liberal and National Government made promises to councils it couldn’t deliver.

“Under the former government’s road classification review they promised councils the state government would take responsibility for up to 15,000 kilometres of council roads. That never happened and the final review report was never released to the public.

“By contrast we promised to release a proposed business-as-usual approach to road recategorisation by the end of the year and we’re delivering.

“We’re not promising the world and delivering very little, instead we’re promising a better approach that has evidence at its core and promotes transparent decision making to ensure the right responsibilities are sitting with the right road managers.

“We are now moving forward with plans to develop a fairer, more transparent evidence-based and sustainable business-as-usual approach to road recategorisation that will benefit all road users.

“It’s all about ensuring the NSW road network is fit for purpose and that roads across the state are correctly categorised as State, Regional, or Local, so they are maintained by the appropriate road manager.”

The new Lost City Walking Track is now open in the Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area (SCA), providing visitors with another great option to get out and explore the Lithgow region these summer holidays. The track is part of the $2.3 million Lost City Visitor Precinct project.

The 6km family-friendly walking track takes visitors on a memorable journey through pagoda rock formations and heritage sites, set against a backdrop of panoramic views.

Covering clifftop tracks, intricate creek crossings and diverse landscapes, the Lost City Walking Track is a moderate Grade 3 walk with an optional Grade 4 loop via the Miners Pass Link Track. This historic route features hand-carved steps once used by miners to access a valley mine shaft, offering a unique glimpse into the area’s mining heritage.

The track’s construction took 18 months and carefully balanced natural, cultural and heritage considerations while enhancing visitor access. The track is complemented by the Lost City Lookout, a new picnic and viewing area overlooking the iconic pagoda skyline.

The Lost City Walking Track is the first major visitor project as part of the $49.5 million Gardens of Stone SCA infrastructure establishment package.

The Lost City Visitor Precinct will be opened to the public in stages over the coming months. Works will continue on roads, lookouts and carparks after the school holidays.

Visitors are encouraged to plan ahead and check NPWS visitor alerts before travel.

Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe:

“The Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area is an area of profound beauty which will become more accessible to families and casual bushwalkers over the coming years thanks to the visitor infrastructure program.

“New facilities like the Lost City Walking Track will help showcase iconic landscapes while preserving environmental and heritage values which are unique to the area.

“This is an example of conservation in action and sets the tone for what’s to come in the Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area, including new walking tracks, camping areas and recreational activities to encourage more people to get outdoors and enjoy nature.”