Category: NSW News

The Minns Labor Government has launched engagement to understand community views on future passenger rail services for Orange, with a forum to be held on 31 October 2024.

The forum, hosted by Transport for NSW, will hear from the Orange and Central West community about transport connections in the region.

The forum, to be held in the Greenhouse function room at Orange Ex-Services Club, will bring together around 80 key stakeholders including local government, rail groups, Aboriginal bodies and representatives from the education, business and health sectors.

The forum will be followed by a drop-in session in the afternoon that will be open to members of the community.

Details will be announced closer to the date.

Feedback will also be sought from the wider community with around 130 other stakeholders from Orange and the Central West asked to complete a survey about passenger rail services.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“We are aware there is broad community support for improved rail services to Orange. The NSW Government has listened and is now responding with the next step.

“Through this targeted consultation process, including a forum at the end of October, we want to gather specific information on community needs, expectations and potential viability of options, to help inform decision making.

“We know the existing Bathurst Bullet train service provides an important and popular daily return train connection and we are considering all the possible options for Orange and the wider Central West.

“We are committed to safe and affordable public transport that allows regional people access work, education, health appointments and connect with other transport modes and networks.”

Independent Member for Orange Phil Donato said:

“More than 10,000 people signed Orange Rail Action Group’s petition, seeking to improve passenger rail services between the Central West and Sydney.

“Minister Aitchison has taken active interest in the proposal to initiate a daily return passenger rail service between Orange and Sydney, to meet transport needs of our growing community.

“I am pleased to see further consideration of the proposal, including vital community consultation to ensure future transport plans and services meet the needs and expectations of the community.

“I encourage all stakeholders and interested residents to participate in Transport for New South Wales’ consultation event at Orange Ex-Services Club on October 31.”

Fast facts:

• Sydney Trains operates a twice daily Intercity service between Sydney and Bathurst on the Blue Mountains Line, which is commonly referred to as the Bathurst Bullet.
• Sydney Trains Intercity train services are part of the Opal network, where customers can turn up and go and tap on and off to travel. Since 1 July 2024 the Bathurst Intercity train service has been operated by Sydney Trains.
• NSW TrainLink operates a daily XPT train service between Sydney and Dubbo via Orange and a weekly Xplorer train service between Sydney and Broken Hill via Orange.
• There are daily NSW TrainLink coach connections to and from Orange to Bathurst that provide connections with Bathurst Intercity services. There are also several coach connections from Orange to Lithgow daily, where passengers join Intercity train services to Sydney.
• NSW TrainLink operates all regional train and coach services, including those that serve Orange. Advance booking is required on all NSW TrainLink services, including those that connect with Bathurst Intercity services.

Aboriginal communities in  Condobolin are celebrating completion of $2.8 million in essential infrastructure upgrades funded by the NSW Government to support social, economic and employment benefits for the area.

The Roads to Home program in the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) has funded Condobolin Local Aboriginal Land Council to upgrade infrastructure at the Willow Bend village in Condobolin.

Infrastructure improvements have included upgraded roads and guttering, footpaths, an amenities block, stormwater drainage and sewerage infrastructure, new streetlighting, new house fencing, upgrades to the community basketball and tennis courts and public gardens, landscaping, a community yarning circle, and a new village entrance sign.

Upgrades have also occurred to a levee bank at the village which has been reinforced in sections and new flood gates and drainage flaps installed to help control flooding from the nearby Lachlan River.

The delivery of infrastructure upgrades to normal standards enhances quality of life for residents and improves access to services, including household waste collection, postal delivery, emergency vehicles and community transport.

A key feature of Roads to Home projects is ensuring there are employment and training opportunities for local Aboriginal communities. The Condobolin project provided training for 10 residents and work for 8.

The Minns Labor Government has so far committed a total of $173.8 million through the Roads to Home program to enable upgrades in 34 discrete Aboriginal communities.

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said:

“It’s fantastic to see these upgrades delivered to bring infrastructure up to acceptable standards to benefit the residents of the Willow Bend village in Condobolin.

“Infrastructure upgrades such as these are very important for Aboriginal communities as they improve quality of life and empower residents by supporting better health and safety and facilitating improved access to community services.”

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said:

“The Roads to Home program is correcting an historic injustice where Aboriginal communities on former missions and reserves across NSW were left to fend for themselves without the types of infrastructure and services that communities in the rest of the state take for granted.

“It is a unique program that takes a partnership approach to empower Aboriginal landowners to make decisions about essential infrastructure upgrades in their communities to improve social outcomes while providing training and employment opportunities.

“We know there are better Closing the Gap outcomes when local Aboriginal communities and people drive shared decision-making and self-determination.”

Member for Barwon Roy Butler said:

“Its always great to see investment in Barwon communities.

“Things like reinforcing the levee to prevent inundation from the Lachlan river, along with upgrading the roads and building an amenities block, are not luxury items but they bring residents some much needed improvements that make Willow Bend a much better place to live.

“It has a net benefit to peoples wellbeing when they see investment and improvement in their community”

Condobolin Local Aboriginal Land Council CEO Louise Davis said:

“The infrastructure upgrades have made a big difference. The village looks a lot better than it did before and the improvements have given residents ownership and pride in the community.

“As part of the project, local residents got work and training with machinery including excavators and backhoes, and in fencing. and concreting.”

The NSW Government is delivering on its election commitment to consult with Aboriginal people about their desire for a treaty process, with the appointment of three commissioners to lead a process with Aboriginal people and communities across NSW.

The commissioners will lead a 12-month consultation to hear from Aboriginal people. This will include asking whether Aboriginal communities want an agreement-making process with government, and if so, what form that process could take.

NSW is home to the largest Aboriginal population in Australia. The commissioners will engage with Aboriginal communities across metropolitan, rural, regional and remote parts of NSW, before delivering a report on their findings to the Government.

The appointees bring with them experience, expertise and connections to Aboriginal people and communities.

The Government has appointed former senator Aden Ridgeway, academic Todd Fernando and Koori Mail newspaper CEO Naomi Moran to the roles.

The commissioners have been appointed for a fixed term of two years following an open, competitive process led by an independent Aboriginal advisory panel.

Consultation about agreement making aligns directly with NSW’s bipartisan commitment to the 2020 Closing the Gap National Agreement signed by then prime minister Scott Morrison and then premier Gladys Berejiklian.

The Closing the Gap Agreement includes a commitment to formal partnerships and shared decision-making with Aboriginal people to help close the gap faster in areas such as life expectancy, health and education.

Aboriginal people and communities hold answers to issues they face. When Aboriginal people have a direct say in these issues, the whole community gets better outcomes.

Over coming months, the commissioners will develop a detailed consultation plan, with consultations to commence in 2025.

Interstate treaty and agreement-making processes have not been simple nor fast. This is the first step in work that could drive improved outcomes for Aboriginal people, and all NSW taxpayers, so the NSW Government will not be rushing.

The NSW Government allocated $5 million for this work in the September 2023 budget.

Find out more about the consultation

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said:

“The appointment of the treaty commissioners is central to the process of listening to Aboriginal people on treaty and agreement-making.

“The commissioners have been appointed following a rigorous process that attracted strong candidates.

“We get better outcomes when we listen to the needs of Aboriginal people and communities. We must ensure Aboriginal people have a direct say on matters that affect them.”

The Minns Labor Government has today announced funding of $1.8 million for grants to improve recreational fishing as part of the 2024/2025 Recreational Fishing Trust grants program.

The NSW Government is committed to supporting recreational fishing and making it more accessible to everyone across the state.

This is demonstrated in funding for 21 projects that will contribute to the delivery of the Government’s election commitment to make fishing more welcoming to people with disabilities.

Some of the newly funded projects enabling better access include:

• $375,000 in the Shoalhaven to repair, refurbish and upgrade five fishing platforms with improved accessibility
• $98,300 in Hay to allow better and safer access to a local fishing platform and boat ramp
• $11,035 in Davistown to replace ageing platform and build a pedestrian bridge with disabled access
• $26,210 in Tumbulgum to provide local fiish cleaning facilities next to the jetty with disabled access
• $79,500 in Port Macquarie/Hastings for multiple fish cleaning facilities
• $10,000 for Fishing4All to introduce people with intellectual impairment to fishing 

In total, 24 projects from external applicants will receive $1.8 million in funding, as recommended by the Recreational Fishing

NSW Advisory Council. The areas receiving funding cover the following:

• $717,612 – fishing access and facilities
• $85,000 – recreational fishing enhancement
• $552,000 – recreational fishing education
• $444,000 – aquatic habitat protection and rehabilitation

The next funding round for Recreational Fishing Trust Grants will open on 6 November and will open up for applications the Government’s new $2 million recreational fishing small infrastructure grant program.

This new program will make it easier for fishing clubs, community groups and other organisations to apply for funding for grassroots projects.

As part of the next round, the Government will boost communications with all fishers and clubs so that they know when and how to apply for grants to improve their local areas.

Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty said:

“Fishing licence fees have been put to work to improve the state’s recreational fishing facilities, fishing habitats and opening up fishing to more people.

“I am pleased to see some significant new facilities being funded to welcome people with a disability into fishing around our state, both inland or along the coast.

“There are some big and small projects that will benefit many people, including Morisset High School receiving funding for students with disabilities to engage with fishing, to a fly-fishing day for people who have experienced breast cancer in the New England region.

“The NSW Government is committed to supporting the recreational fishing community and seeing it contribute to regional tourism where it is creating jobs and generating income.”

Thousands of women across NSW will have easier, more affordable access to the oral contraceptive pill as a 12-month trial is made permanent by the Minns Labor Government.

Since the oral contraceptive pill trial began in September 2023, more than 500 pharmacies have delivered over 2,000 consultations to women in NSW.

From Saturday 28 September 2024, NSW pharmacists who have completed the required training and work in pharmacies with suitable facilities will be able to offer this service as part of their usual business.

Women who have been using these contraceptive options continuously for the last two years, as prescribed by a doctor (GP) or nurse practitioner, and require a refill of their script, will be able to access extended supply for up to 12 months without having to visit their doctor for a prescription.

The NSW Government will make the existing service more accessible by expanding patient age eligibility criteria from 18-35 years to 18-49 years. Women aged 40-49 will now be able to access extended supply for up to three months without having to visit their doctor for a prescription, subject to meeting eligibility criteria.

The announcement follows the successful implementation of the first phase of the NSW Pharmacy Trial in May 2024, which saw more than 3,300 NSW pharmacists provide more than 18,000 consultations to women aged 18 to 65 with symptoms of uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI).  The UTI service transitioned to usual pharmacy care from 1 June 2024.

The third and final phase of the trial allowing pharmacists to manage common minor skin conditions is underway and will be running until early 2025.

A detailed evaluation of all three phases of the NSW Pharmacy Trial will be provided to NSW Health in 2025 and will inform future expansion of services.

The NSW Government is committed to expanding the role of community pharmacists outside the trial framework, and is working with NSW universities to develop formal training courses for pharmacists to manage a range of common conditions where clinically appropriate. 

Premier Chris Minns:

“We know that people across NSW are doing it tough right now, even cutting back on essential healthcare because of affordability.

“This trial has been a huge success, and now we’ll make it permanent – women who are eligible will be able to go to their pharmacist to renew an existing script.

“At a time when seeing a GP can be difficult, we hope that this service will make it a little bit easier for women to access affordable healthcare, where and when they need it.”

Minister for Health Ryan Park:

“I am excited to announce that women in NSW will now have easier ongoing access to continue their chosen contraceptive option as a result of the oral contraceptive pill trial service becoming usual business for community pharmacies in NSW.

“It has been amazing to see over a thousand pharmacists across the state sign up to take part in each of the trial’s three phases so far, and this has prompted us to look at more ways they can help our communities.

“Earlier this month, the NSW Government announced thousands of people across NSW will in the near future be able to access treatment for ear infections, wound management, gastro, acne, muscle and joint pain at their local pharmacy, boosting access to fast, convenient healthcare across NSW.

“By empowering pharmacists to undertake consultations for these common conditions and medications, we can help improve access to primary care services which will relieve the pressure on the state’s busy GPs and our hospital system.

“We are working with the Pharmacy Guild of Australia and Pharmaceutical Society of Australia to ensure pharmacists have the support they need to continue delivering best practice and connected primary care.”

Minister for Women Jodie Harrison

“Women’s timely access to quality health services, their health needs and sexual and reproductive health is a priority for the NSW Government.

“Making the trial permanent is a real win for women in NSW, who, if eligible, can now access the contraceptive pill at their local pharmacy. It not only increases accessibility, it saves time and GP costs, for busy women in our state.”

Catherine Bronger, Senior Vice of President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, NSW Branch:

“With our GPs stretched, community pharmacists have provided thousands of women with repeat prescriptions of the oral contraceptive pill under the NSW Government’s trial.

“Making the availability of the pill at community pharmacies is the right thing for women and our communities.”

Pharmaceutical Society of Australia New South Wales President Luke Kelly:

“Pharmacists across New South Wales continue to show that we can do more to support our patients. Giving our patients the option to access contraception through skilled community pharmacists is an important step in making reproductive care more accessible to women across the state.

“I congratulate the Minister on solidifying the role of pharmacists in the continuous supply of oral contraceptives as a permanent part of the New South Wales health care system.”

The Minns Labor Government is today announcing a further 10 government-owned properties have been confirmed to deliver almost 1100 new homes as part of the government’s land audit.

The NSW Government is identifying surplus land no longer required by government in both metropolitan and regional areas that will now be made available for much needed housing.

This is part of the NSW Government’s commitment in the recent budget to deliver up to 30,000 well-located homes, close to infrastructure and transport including through a historic $5.1 billion investment in new public housing.

The latest sites identified as suitable for housing include 9 sites across Sydney and one site in Newcastle.

Three sites across Woolloomooloo, Sydney Olympic Park, and Hurstville will be transferred to Homes NSW and will deliver nearly 600 homes with more than 50 per cent anticipated to be social homes.

Sites at Marsfield, Seaforth, Minto, Newcastle and three sites at Arncliffe, will be developed into housing by either Landcom or in partnership with the private sector.

The final mix and quantity of housing on these sites, as well as the development partner, will be confirmed following further due diligence and market sounding, which will take place over the coming months.

Housing is the single largest cost of living issue faced by the people of NSW and a recent Productivity Commission report found between 2016 and 2021, Sydney lost twice as many people aged 30 to 40 as it gained.

The release of these sites is in addition to action already taken by the government to build more homes for families who need them, including the largest ever investments in social and affordable housing, as well as the largest rezoning in our state’s history.

Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:

“Getting more homes built for families in well located areas is top priority for our government and releasing surplus land for housing is a key part of our plan to make this a reality.”

“Housing costs are the single largest cost of living pressure faced by people across NSW and we are committed to confronting this head on.

“Young people will continue to up and leave our state because they can’t afford to buy or even rent a home here, if we don’t take action.”

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said:

“The Minns Labor Government is pulling every lever to unlock the delivery of housing because we understand we need to increase supply. Through the property audit, we are undertaking a process that has never been done before by the state government.

“The property audit is working across departments and agencies to activate surplus government land to deliver the homes our communities need.”

Minister for Housing and Minister for Homelessness Rose Jackson said:

“Unlocking government-owned land for housing is a crucial step in tackling the housing crisis head-on. We’re making sure these homes are built in areas with the infrastructure people need—near transport, schools, and essential services.

“For too long, finding affordable homes in well-located areas has been out of reach for many. This land release is a clear sign that we are committed to delivering real housing solutions for families across NSW.”

The Minns Labor Government is continuing to invest in on-ground activities to improve fish habitat and recreational fishing in NSW, with more than $750,000 in grants awarded to five innovative coastal projects.

The Flagship Fish Habitat Rehabilitation Grant program provides funding for large-scale projects that significantly enhance fish habitat, water quality and fish passage opportunities within the coastal catchments of NSW.

This includes projects to significantly rehabilitate river banks and coastal wetlands, remove or modify barriers to fish passage and construct fishways, re-snag waterways and undertake remediation works including riverbank stabilisation.

After assessing applications for the 2023-24 grants round, a total of $756,947 is being awarded to five projects:

• $109,222 to Nambucca Valley Landcare to improve fish habitat and reduce risks to water quality in the Nambucca River by restoring an eroding riverbank;
• $169,150 to OzFish Unlimited to rehabilitate an area of critical fish habitat in the Bellinger River catchment together with recreational fishers;
• $158,000 to Rous County Council to restore 1,600m2 of complex fish habitat and a popular bass fishing destination on Bungawalbyn Creek;
• $261,275 to Port Macquarie Hastings Council to stabilize an eroded area, improve shoreline vegetation and enable access for recreational fishers on the Hastings River estuary;
• $59,300 to Shoalhaven City Council to complete design and plans for a living shoreline including accessible and resilient foreshore, and oyster reef restoration on the Crookhaven River.

The grants are part of the Government’s ongoing work to grow recreational fishing opportunities by enhancing the habitats that fish need to thrive.

Since the inception of the Flagship Grant Program in 2016, almost $3 million from the Recreational Fishing Trust has been invested in coastal aquatic habitat rehabilitation, water quality improvement and fish passage opportunities.

Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said:

“These Flagship grants allow fishing clubs, non-Government organisations and other agencies to tackle large, complex projects that will safeguard and enhance local fish habitats and recreational fisheries.

“Improved habitat means better opportunities for fish and therefore better opportunities for recreational fishers.

“This program is yet another excellent example of how recreational fishing fees are helping to support and improve sustainable fisheries in NSW.”

More information on Flagship Habitat Rehabilitation Grants is available here.

The next generation of Sydney’s iconic Freshwater ferries will be locally-made as the Government develops an eight-year pipeline to maintain and upgrade its ferry fleet.

Transport for NSW has begun market sounding to gather proposals for the next generation Freshwater Class vessels, and how that fleet can incorporate zero-emissions technology. Transport are working with a number of locally based businesses for further development.

The next-generation Freshwaters will pay homage to their iconic forebears and will be designed and built locally.  The new vessels will need to replicate the existing Freshwater’s performance in big swells and will utilise dual-level boarding to quickly load and unload big summer crowds.

The length of the new ferries will be subject to ongoing discussions and detailed design. The Freshwaters rely solely on available slots at the Australian Navy’s Captain Cook Graving Dock for major maintenance, smaller vessels are able to utilise alternative dry-docks like the NSW Government-owned Balmain Shipyard. 

The NSW Government has also set a requirement that the new ferries be zero-emission, continuing the evolution of ferries on the Manly run. From paddle steamers in the 1850s, to diesel in the 1980s and soon, zero-emission electric propulsion.

The NSW Government will be able to outline an anticipated timeline for the vessels entering service on the harbour at the conclusion of the market sounding process.

This is a marked difference to the previous Government’s approach where three overseas-made vessels were purchased for the Manly run, but couldn’t handle the swell and struggle to maintain the required capacity needed on the popular route. 

The Government’s commitment to extend the service life of the Freshwater class with a $71m investment will be continued with the return of the Narrabeen, expected back on the F1 route after a period of dry-docking at Garden Island in early 2025. 

Two Freshwater class vessels are currently serving the F1 Manly Ferry route, with Queenscliff’s survey remaining current until November 2027, and Freshwater due to have its survey renewed in mid-2025, allowing it to operate until July 2030. 

However, it’s become clear that maintaining MV Collaroy, which was removed from active service on the F1 route last September, for passenger service has become prohibitively expensive. This is due to the Collaroy’s one-of-a-kind build, which made the Collaroy the first and only ferry capable of sailing the open ocean.

Despite looking almost identical from the outside, the Collaroy’s internal and technical design – from the wheelhouse control system to the gearbox and propellors – is significantly different to the other three Freshwater Class vessels, which are virtually identical and use interchangeable parts.

This difference in design requires a different maintenance process for the Collaroy, as well as additional bespoke parts to be fabricated and an entirely separate store of spare parts kept for one vessel.

Transport will open an EOI process next month, so the Northern Beaches community and other maritime stakeholders can put forward proposals for utilising this historic vessel for years to come.

Commuters across the Harbour set to benefit from pipeline of new vessels.

The NSW Government is planning the phased replacement of all diesel-powered craft with modern vessels powered by green energy alternatives by 2035. The new vessels will be built locally, supporting the NSW Government’s commitment to local procurement.

The nine First Fleet vessels, which entered service in the mid-1980s, are set to retire by the end of the decade. Designs for their replacements are due to commence this year, in tandem with the development of charging infrastructure and necessary modifications to shipyards to accommodate electric vessels.

Transport is also preparing a business case to commission an eighth, electric-powered Parramatta River Class vessel that could be ready for trials by early 2026. This eighth vessel would be Sydney Ferries’ first electric vessel and would provide the road map for the introduction of new electric ferries across the harbour.

Sydney’s new fleet of seven Parramatta River Class ferries are currently mid-way through construction in Tasmania and have been built to support conversion to electric propulsion when shore-side charging infrastructure can be put in place.

Transport Minister Jo Haylen:

“Sydney’s iconic double-ended Manly vessels started as steam ships, became the diesel ferries we know and love today, and will soon evolve into modern electric vessels.”

“While we’ve extended the life of our Freshwater vessels, it’s important that we continue to plan for our future fleet. Manly needs high-capacity, reliable vessels that can load and unload hundreds of commuters and tourists within minutes of a ferry pulling into Manly or the Quay.

“What we found with the overseas built Emerald IIs was that they weren’t built for the conditions, and people were left on wharves in the summer months because the single gangway couldn’t load these ferries fast enough.

“These new ferries will continue the important legacy of the Freshwaters, provide the capacity the community needs and combine it with new zero-emission propulsion to deliver a next generation ferry that’ll be fit for our harbour for years to come.”

Councillor Candy Bingham, Save the Manly Ferry Committee:

“For years, I’ve said we need a long term plan for ferries on the Manly run, and I’m so pleased the Government has listened.

“We’ve called for any Freshwater replacement to be a fully electric ‘look alike’ to the Freshwater Manly Ferries, and I hope this market sounding process delivers us exactly that.

“A ferry that is just a little bit smaller won’t have to go into the Navy’s dry dock to be certified every 5 years. This will keep ferries in service on the Manly run, instead of being tied up at Balmain or Cockatoo Island waiting for maintenance.

“The Manly Ferry has always been iconic to Sydney.  This next generation zero-emissions look-alike ferry will continue that history.”

The Port Macquarie community group, Sailability, is calling for volunteers ahead of this year’s sailing season, as the club prepares to take to the Hastings River again on Wednesday 25 September.

Sailability is a volunteer organisation whose mission is to offer people with varying abilities freedom on the water.

The club uses a fleet of specially designed sailing dinghies with simplified controls and enhanced stability to hold weekly sailing days for people living with physical and mental disability.

The club received $55,920 from the NSW Government to extend its carpark and complete landscaping around its new boat shed and accessible amenities block, as well as to install six accessible picnic tables in McInherney Park.

The not-for-profit club is the only organisation of its kind in the area and its 80 volunteers cater to approximately 60 sailors each week.

The group provides its services at no charge, with sailors coming from disability support units at local schools in Port Macquarie, Wauchope, Laurieton and Kempsey, as well as disability service providers, aged care facilities and private enquiries.

Census statistics for show there are approximately 6,000 people with serious or profound disability in the Port Macquarie area, and the club struggles to meet the demand for its services.

People keen to get involved in volunteering with the club can attend McInherney Park on Wednesdays between September and May to learn more, or go to www.sailabilitypm.com.au and click the Contact Us tab.

Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty said:

“This fantastic community group is really making waves in terms of improving quality of life for people in the Port Macquarie area with disability.

“It’s wonderful to see people experience a sense of achievement and improved self-confidence and self-esteem through their participation in Sailability’s program.”

Parliamentary Secretary for Disability Inclusion, Liesl Tesch* said:

“Sailability is a beacon of hope and inclusion in Port Macquarie. By fostering a sense of belonging on the water, they’re not only enhancing the lives of people with disability but also enriching the entire community.”

“The amazing volunteers at Sailability do such important work helping build confidence and resilience for so many people in the region each week.”

*Liesl Tesch is a seven-time Paralympian including winning two gold medals in sailing

Sailability Port Macquarie volunteer Rick Eller said:

“The club has come a long way from humble beginnings when it launched in December 2012, we were using two borrowed boats at the time, we had a handful of volunteers, and we were borrowing life jackets from the SES or emergency services here in Port Macquarie.

“The best part about working for Sailability is the expressions and the smiles when the people who’ve been sailing come back to the pontoon, that’s what makes it all worthwhile.”

Sailability Port Macquarie Vice President Julie Constable said:

“It’s extremely important that people are aware that people with a disability are very able and keen to get out into society so something like this is off great benefit to the community.”

Case study: Vision impaired sailor – Kathryn Stephens

Sailability Port Macquarie

• Kathryn has been sailing with the Port Macquarie group since it began.
• In October, Kathryn will set course for Southport to compete in the Hansa Class Asia Pacific Championships.
• Kathryn has previously competed in the state para championships, coming second behind the world champion in the doubles.
• She has also placed third in the Middle Harbour Yacht Club inclusive classes regatta alongside a sailing partner from another branch of Sailability.

Kathryn Stephens:

“Participating in sailing has opened up a whole new world of opportunities for me.

“I love the whole idea of being out on the water, the sensation and the sound and just the feel of sailing because I can’t see what I’m doing so it’s all by sound and feel, and just the freedom of being out on the water, it’s a great sensation.

“The people come from all sorts of different backgrounds and interests and it’s just wonderful to catch up with them as well as meeting other sailing participants every week and we just have a great time and it’s a really lovely community and it’s got a really great feel about it.”

The Minns Government is continuing work to support Western NSW communities with the announcement today the $2 million subsidy scheme for commercial flights in Western NSW will continue at least until November 2025.

The agreement will allow for the continuation of subsidies on flights from Dubbo to Bourke, Walgett and Lightning Ridge operated by Air Link and from Sydney to Cobar operated by FlyPelican.

The NSW Government and the Far North-West Joint Organisation (FNWJO) subsidy agreement will provide residents, workers and industry in Western NSW with continued access to air services helping to reduce travel times in rural and remote NSW.

Subsidised air travel is vital for the delivery of essential services such as health, childcare, justice, family and community services, with doctors, specialists, nurses and social workers among the frequent fliers travelling to and from Western NSW.

As part of the Government’s continued commitment to Western NSW, work is also underway to deliver the Regional Development Trust $15 million Airstrips Improvement Package.

The package will upgrade rural and remote airstrips to improve access for emergency services, health professionals and other essential services in some of the most remote parts of the state.

An audit of remote and rural airstrips across 19 local government areas and the unincorporated area in Western NSW is underway to prioritise those most in need of upgrades.

Work on the airstrips and related infrastructure is expected to start before the end of the year.

Minister for Agriculture, Regional NSW and Western NSW, Tara Moriarty said:

“For Sydneysiders, air travel is an easily accessible convenience but for people living in Western NSW it is not so easy.

“This funding will help commercial operators offer a two-way service connecting regional NSW with essential workers, trades, and services that they often depend on.

Independent member for Barwon, Roy Butler said:

“Western Air Services flights provide people in remote areas with much-needed access to health services, social engagements, and major economic benefits to our primary industries.

“For many people in my electorate these flights are not a luxury but an absolute necessity, especially given the vast distances people need to cover in the west of the state.

“I want to thank the Minister for her understanding of the importance of this issue when I raised it with her, and for her following through to ensure the continuation of these vital air services.”

Retiring Far North-West Joint Organisation Chairman, Councillor Barry Hollman said:

“This is a very exciting announcement, and I thank the NSW Government and particularly the Minister for Western NSW, the Hon Tara Moriarty, MLC for her responsiveness.

“Just as commuters on the recently opened Metro in Sydney described the new train service as ‘transformational’ and ‘life changing’, the same can be said about the provision of these air services to the remote far North West area of the State.

“The Government has certainly gone the extra mile to assist our remote communities.

Chief Executive Officer, Fly Pelican, Marty Hawley said:

“Today we welcome this announcement from the NSW Government and we look forward to continuing to service these critical flights for the far North West region and its communities.

“Flight services to our remote regions are critical, and we are very pleased with today’s announcement to ensure the far North West region remains connected.”

General Manager, Air Link Airlines, Ron O’Brien said:

“This funding plays a crucial role in maintaining reliable air services that are lifelines for the communities of Bourke, Walgett, and Lightning Ridge.

“Regional air services help to bridge distances and improve quality of life for residents in regional NSW by facilitating economic development and enhanced connectivity for businesses and residents alike.