Category: NSW News

The NSW Government has appointed experienced public administrator Christine Howlett as a new Commissioner of the NSW Independent Casino Commission (NICC) for a four-year term following a competitive recruitment process.

Ms Howlett fills the vacancy created by the departure of Craig Sahlin who served as a NICC Commissioner since 2022 and was a Board Member of the NSW Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority (ILGA) between 2016 and 2022.

The NICC is the independent statutory regulator of NSW’s two casinos, set up in 2022 to provide increased regulatory oversight of casino operations.

Ms Howlett joins the NICC with substantial executive leadership experience in public administration, corporate governance, regulation and stakeholder engagement.

From 2021 she served as Deputy Special Manager, independently overseeing Crown Melbourne’s remediation program following the findings of the Finkelstein Royal Commission, including reforms to prevent gambling harm and money laundering.

Ms Howlett has also held senior roles with Victoria’s Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission, the NSW Department of Family and Community Services, Victoria’s Royal Commission into the Management of Police Informants and the National Crime Authority. 

Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris said:

“An exhaustive selection process was undertaken to fill the NICC Commissioner role in accordance with legislative requirements, including the establishment of a selection panel and engagement of an independent probity adviser.

“Christine Howlett brings a wide range of skills and expertise to the NICC, with highly relevant experience in independently overseeing Crown Melbourne’s remediation program.

“She joins the NICC at a critical time with the regulator currently monitoring The Star casino’s ongoing remediation work following the Bell Two Inquiry.

“I would like to thank Craig Sahlin for his outstanding contribution to both the NICC and ILGA over the past eight years.

“His demonstrated expertise has significantly contributed to strengthening the government’s regulatory framework and public confidence and trust in the work of both the NICC and ILGA.”

NICC Chief Commissioner Philip Crawford said:

“The NICC is pleased to welcome Christine Howlett to the role and is looking forward to utilising her experience to advance the NICC’s strategic priorities.

“Christine’s skills will be valuable to help the NICC expand its surveillance and data collection abilities to better monitor financial crime risks and compliance.

“Christine’s expertise in building internal capacity will assist the NICC to maintain effective regulatory supervision past the remediation and suitability phases, and into longer-term sustainability.

“We thank Craig Sahlin for his exceptional work with the NICC and ILGA over the past eight years. His dedication was instrumental in advancing the NICC’s mission and his efforts have contributed to the achievement of significant milestones.”

The Minns Labor Government is removing unnecessary roadblocks to the delivery of more affordable homes in NSW with changes to the threshold for Infill Affordable Housing projects being sent to the Independent Planning Commission.

The Infill Affordable Housing Bonus scheme was introduced in December 2023 and offers developers additional building height and floor space, if 10 per cent of the building is retained as affordable housing for at least 15 years.

The scheme has received strong interest with 70 Secretary Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs) having been issued already.

If all of these proposals were approved, they would produce over 20,000 homes, of which 4,600 would be affordable.

As the scheme falls under a State Significant Development pathway, one objection from a local council automatically sends the project to the IPC, a re-assessment process that can add up to nearly 130 days.

The IPC was established to make decisions on large and contentious development applications, not to reassess a proposal for a residential development.

As the state works towards the ambitious targets under the National Housing Accord and to boost affordable housing, we cannot afford to potentially add more than four months to the planning assessment timeframes.

Delivering more well-located and affordable homes close to transport, jobs and community amenity has been a priority for the Minns Government, so young people, families and workers have somewhere to live.

Following the changes, projects will still be placed on public exhibition, communities and councils will have their say and they will be thoroughly assessed through a merit-based process.

Infill Affordable Housing projects that are deemed highly contentious and those with a declared political donation will still be referred to the IPC and other existing thresholds still apply.

The projects that are already sitting with the IPC will continue through that process, however from today, no further infill affordable housing project will be referred to the IPC following an objection from a council.

For more information on the Infill Affordable Housing Bonus Scheme visit In-fill affordable housing | Planning

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“Housing should not be controversial– it should be the bread and butter of our planning system.

“Almost a year later to the day, since we introduced the Infill Affordable Housing Scheme, we’re going a step further to make sure that the planning system is working as quickly as it should be.

“In an environment where we need to get more market homes and more affordable homes into our housing mix, I don’t believe these projects warrant referral and I don’t believe that the public is better served by having them referred.”

An expansion of the Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) model in Southern NSW is providing more women and their families with access to midwifery continuity of care.

​Women in Goulburn now have access to a new MGP service at Goulburn Base Hospital, supporting increased access to continuity of care with a known midwife.

Under the MGP model, women receive care from a known midwife throughout their pregnancy, labour, birth and in the early weeks at home with their new baby. A secondary or ‘backup’ midwife supports the primary midwife. Collaborative care is provided with obstetricians if required. 

This is an exciting achievement for the midwives and staff in the Goulburn Maternity Service and follows on from the successful implementation of MGP in Moruya and Bega.

Contact details and online booking forms for Goulburn Maternity and each Maternity Service across SNSWLHD are available on our Pregnancy Birth and Baby webpage at nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/snswlhd/our-services/pregnancy-birth-and-baby

Minister of Regional Health Ryan Park:

“We are a government committed to ensuring women across NSW have access to respectful, evidence-based maternity care. I am proud of the work Southern NSW Local Health District is doing to expand its midwifery continuity of care models into Goulburn.

“We have a wonderful team of midwives in Goulburn who provide professional and compassionate woman-centred care to the community.

“With the introduction of the new MGP model in Goulburn, we are increasing the number of women who will be able to access midwifery continuity of care.  The model provides midwives with renewed opportunities to use their clinical practice skills to achieve better outcomes for women and their families.”

Minister for Women Jodie Harrison:

“Women’s health and wellbeing are a key focus for this government.

“Midwives put women and the family at the centre of care and at the heart of every decision, empowering women to be genuine partners in their care and improving their care experience.

“With the expansion of the Midwifery Group Practice model to Southern NSW, we are increasing the number of women who will be able to access midwifery continuity of care.”

Labor Spokesperson for Goulburn, Bob Nanva, MLC:

“I am so pleased the Goulburn community is set to benefit from the Midwifery Group Practice model of care, which is offering more choice to pregnant women and their families. I thank the many staff who have worked to deliver these positive changes.”

The Minns Labor Government has granted an Aboriginal land claim that will see a large parcel of land in Port Stephens returned to the local Aboriginal community.

The Worimi Aboriginal Land Council will take ownership of the 10.69 hectare plot of land at Lemon Tree Passage. The site is predominately bushland on the corner of Oyster Farm Road and Lemon Tree Passage Road near picturesque Tilligerry Creek.

The land will be returned as freehold land to Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council, who will work with the local Aboriginal community and Port Stephens Council to determine future use of the site.

Under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983, the Act recognises the impact of past government decisions which resulted in the amount of land set aside for Aboriginal people progressively reduced without compensation.

The Act aims to provide a system by which some unused Crown land could be returned to Aboriginal ownership provided it is not being used, occupied, or likely to be needed for an essential public purpose.

Member for Port Stephens Kate Washington said:  

“The Aboriginal Land Rights Act is important legislation that recognises the rights of Aboriginal people in NSW, that land was traditionally owned and occupied by Aboriginal people, and is of spiritual, social, cultural and economic importance to Aboriginal people.

“The transfer of this large parcel of land to Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council will allow our local Aboriginal community to maintain spiritual and cultural connections to the land for generations to come.” 

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said:  

“I am pleased to see this large plot of land in idyllic Port Stephens returned to the ownership and stewardship of the local Aboriginal community.

“The NSW Government is focused on building better communities across NSW and this is great outcome for the local community and another example of how we can deliver positive outcomes in the spirit of the Act.”

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, David Harris said:  

“For more than 40 years the Aboriginal Land Rights Act has granted the NSW Aboriginal Land Council and Local Aboriginal Land Councils the right to lodge land claims on Crown land. 

“The granting of this land to the Worimi Aboriginal Land Council will help enable the support of economic, social, cultural and environmental outcomes for this community, which are key outcomes for closing the gap.”

Australian Border Force will assist the NSW Government to end a loophole in which a small minority of overseas licence holders have been fraudulently nominating other drivers for offences in a bid to stay on the road, avoid paying fines and remain a step ahead of the demerit point system.

The French Consulate in Sydney has also agreed to assist a new, stricter verification process for applying for a NSW licence after evidence of fake documentation being used by visiting French nationals.

Anyone applying for an NSW licence with a French licence and documents is now having their paperwork checked by the Transport for NSW Licence Integrity & Security team.

Evidence of abuses of the demerit point system by mainly French nationals, who have racked up 1000-plus demerit points in some extreme cases, led to the establishment of the

Demerit Point Taskforce, made up of representatives of Transport for NSW, NSW Police and Revenue NSW.

The Taskforce has identified widespread nominations of other drivers on international licences as a weakness in the system that must be tightened.

In some cases, people who visited Australia but have already left, or even foreigners who have never set foot in the country, are being nominated to take points by a small cohort who are defying road rules.

An individual in one extreme case racked up more than 1500 demerit points, and two others more than 500 demerits, before the system caught up with them.

The Taskforce has asked and received the assistance of Border Force to more quickly establish whether a nominated driver could have even been behind the wheel of a car or riding a motorbike based on their passport record.

In cases where they were not even in Australia, the system will be able to more quickly put the fine and demerit points back to the driver who falsely nominated someone else.

Between May 2022 and January 2024, 125,000 penalties carrying 256,000 demerit points were issued to drivers identified by Revenue NSW as ‘international drivers’.

A review of those found that some drivers nominated to take the penalty were unknown to Australian authorities and may have had their details procured from the dark web. As many as 40,000 fitted this category.

Offences were also nominated to people who hold international licences but were at the same time Australian citizens or permanent residents – some of whom hold a separate

Australian licence unaffected by taking points on their foreign licence.

The Demerit Point Integrity Taskforce has suspended the licences of more than 50 repeat offenders, including French nationals linked to an address in Rosebery used by 30 licence holders, who together accumulated more than 2000 demerit points.

The Taskforce is finalising wider recommendations.

From 1 March 2025, long-term temporary visa holders who arrived in NSW before 1 July 2023 will be required to obtain NSW driver licence.

This new requirement ensures that overseas visitors who wish to drive in NSW meet the state’s road safety standards.

Minister for Roads John Graham said:

“There are more than six million law-abiding licence holders in NSW and on their behalf, we are showing zero tolerance for this tiny minority who have sought to exploit the system that allows the honest nomination of another driver.

“Above all else it is a threat to road safety to allow people to remain on the road who are notching up demerit points like confetti, avoiding paying fines, and in many cases leaving the country just as the system begins to catch up with them.

“I thank Australian Border Force and the French Consulate for their assistance in tightening the net around this small clique of dedicated lawbreakers.

“This is the first step in a wider crackdown by the Demerit Point Integrity Taskforce and we will have more changes to announce ahead.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“In regional areas, driving isn’t just a convenience—it’s a necessity. Reckless driving puts lives at risk, and we cannot afford to let that happen. That’s why it’s crucial to have a demerit points system that works for everyone, whether you live in the city or in a country town.

“To ensure this, we’re committed to implementing stronger checks and cracking down on fraudulent behaviour. No one should be able to exploit loopholes and avoid the consequences of dangerous driving.

“Road safety is a top priority for the Minns Labor Government, and we will leave no stone unturned to reduce road trauma and make our roads safer for everyone.”

The Minns Labor Government is delivering for families in Sydney’s rapidly growing North-West as construction begins on the new Tallawong Public School.

The new Tallawong Public School will feature 24 modern classrooms with additional multipurpose rooms, three support learning classrooms, a multipurpose hall and covered outdoor learning area (COLA), a modern library, canteen, a new sports court and designated play areas, space for parking, and landscaped grounds.

With construction underway, Tallawong Public School’s permanent facilities will open in 2026, catering for up to 600 students. The school is currently operating in purpose-built temporary facilities at Riverstone Public School, after opening in Term 1, 2024.

Sydney’s growing North-West is also set to gain two new public schools, with a new primary school fast-tracked and delivered ahead of schedule by the Minns Labor Government.

Accelerated construction progress means the permanent Melonba Public School will open six months ahead of schedule, on Day 1, Term 1, 2025. The new public school had previously been due to open in temporary facilities, with the transition to permanent facilities to take place in Term 3.

Melonba Public School will cater for up to 1,000 students with 44 classrooms, three specialist support classrooms, a new library, canteen, administration facilities, and a multipurpose hall. There will also be covered outdoor learning areas (COLA) and outdoor play areas, including sports courts and outdoor learning areas.

Also opening on Day 1, Term 1, 2025 is the new Melonba High School, where students will be moving to permanent facilities, after the school opened in temporary buildings in Term 1, 2024.

Melonba High School will cater for up to 2,000 students, with 97 classrooms, including specialist classrooms for science, wood and metal workshops, performing arts, textile, hospitality and kitchen spaces, multi-media and visual arts classrooms and three specialist support classrooms.

It will also feature a new library, canteen, administration facilities, multipurpose hall, outdoor activity areas and on-site parking for staff.

Delivery of these three new public schools will provide new school places for up to 3,600 students in Sydney’s growing North-West, which is the number one area for student enrolment growth in the state, according to recent Enrolment Growth Audit. The overall population in the area also tripled between 2016 and 2021.

Providing new schools for Sydney’s growing North-West is part of the Minns Labor Government’s plan to rebuild public education, with the 2024-25 Budget delivering record education funding including $3.6 billion for new and upgraded schools in Western Sydney.

Minister for Education and Early Learning, Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car said:

“Delivering these schools is part of our long-term plan to repair the state’s public education system and provide world class learning facilities for our growing families.

“The Minns Labor Government is building the much-needed new primary school for the Tallawong community, where the population has grown significantly in recent years.

“It is also fantastic news that Melonba Public School and Melonba High School will open in permanent facilities from Day 1, Term 1, next year.

“For too long, families in Sydney’s North-West had their educational needs ignored by the Liberals and Nationals. We are now working harder than ever to rebuild world-class public education in Western Sydney.”

Member for Riverstone Warren Kirby said:

“The communities here in Sydney’s north-west are growing at a rapid rate. As the area continues to expand, it is essential that school infrastructure is delivered at the same rate.

“The new permanent Tallawong Public School and new permanent primary and high schools in Melonba will help meet the demand for the area and I am beyond proud to be part of a government that is delivering for these growing families.

“I know I speak for our North-West families when I say we cannot wait to see the new Tallawong primary school take shape and to see students learning from the two new permanent facilities at Melonba in only a few weeks’ time.”

Tallawong Public School Principal Julie Grennard said:

“I am thrilled to see this milestone achieved and to know that our Tallawong Public School students and staff will soon benefit from these wonderful new permanent facilities.

“To be a part of building this school from the ground up has been a great privilege and I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the Tallawong school community to bring this new school to life.

“The coming months will be an exciting time as we see progress made on our new permanent school and I can’t wait to see it take shape.”

Melonba Public School Principal Larissa Maraga said:

“Our Melonba Public School community is so impressed that we’ll be opening on Day 1 2025 from our permanent site.

“To have these new state-of-the-art facilities ready earlier than expected for our students to start the year in is simply incredible and I’m so grateful to everyone involved for their dedication and commitment which helped make this a reality.

“I can’t wait to welcome our students and families to the permanent site on Day 1 next year and I am really looking forward to providing opportunities for every student to learn, grow and belong at Melonba Public School.”

Melonba High School Principal Leon Weatherstone said:

“I am delighted that our growing community will soon be settling in to our new, permanent school buildings.

“This is an exciting time for our school, and our teachers, students and families have been amazed watching our new school take shape.

“The new, permanent Melonba High School offers the best in contemporary learning, and is setting this community up for the best in academic success.”

After nearly two years in power, Treasurer Daniel Mookhey and Minister for Finance Courtney Houssos have no excuses left. The Auditor-General’s report has exposed alarming breaches of governance, and the government must table all overdue reports by close of business today.
 
The failures include:
 

• The Treasurer has failed to table the audited 2023-24 Total State Sector Accounts (TSSA) in Parliament, as required under the Government Sector Finance Act 2018.
• Responsible Ministers have failed to table annual reports for 16 agencies, leaving Parliament and the public in the dark about agency performance.
• Errors in accounting for assets led to financial statement adjustments totalling $1.4 billion.

 
During the most recent Budget Estimates hearing, Treasurer Mookhey was asked directly: “In what month will the 2023–24 annual reports for each department/agency in your portfolio be published?” Instead of providing a straightforward answer, the Treasurer deflected: “The annual report of a reporting GSF agency is to be prepared, submitted and tabled in accordance with requirements under the Government Sector Finance Act 2018 and Treasurer’s Direction 23-11.”
 
Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said this evasive response shows the Treasurer knew his legal obligations but has now chosen to ignore them. NSW is worse off under the Minns Labor Government, which consistently fails to meet even the most basic standards of transparency.
 
“These reports must be tabled by close of business today—no more delays, no more excuses,” Mr Speakman said.
 
Shadow Minister for Finance Eleni Petinos said the Treasurer’s deflection during Budget Estimates hearings and the Minns Labor Government’s repeated failures to meet their obligations demonstrate a government that is not serious about transparency.
 
“These overdue reports are not just a bureaucratic failure—they represent an inexcusable avoidance scrutiny. The people of NSW deserve better,” Ms Petinos said.
 
While reported misstatements in financial reports have decreased, their gross value remains alarmingly high at $3.9 billion for 2023-24.
 
The Minns Labor Government has had almost two years to get its house in order, yet it continues to fail at every turn. Its inability to deliver key reports and ensure financial transparency shows contempt for the people of NSW. The Treasurer and the Minister must stop hiding and start governing. 
 
The time for excuses is over. The people of NSW deserve transparency, accountability, and results—not a government that hides behind bureaucracy and deflection. Enough is enough.

The Minns Labor Government is speeding up the delivery of new housing using streamlined solutions to planning assessment.

More than 280 new homes at the Telstra Exchange site in St Leonards have been approved in a concurrent rezoning and assessment process.

The State Significant Development proposal worth $209 million will include 272 build-to-rent homes, 10 affordable housing units, 84 serviced apartments and retail stores, all within a 43-storey mixed-use tower.

The streamlined planning process where a site is concurrently rezoned and assessed is the same model that will be offered to proponents who opt-in to the soon-to-be established Housing Delivery Authority.

The site was rezoned under the Crows Nest Transport Oriented Development Accelerated Precinct and the assessment has been approved a short time later.

The proposed development will create 250 construction jobs and a further 40 ongoing jobs, with the existing Telstra Exchange building to be integrated into the new build.

Delivering well-located homes close to transport, jobs and community amenity has been a priority for the Minns Government, as well as finding new and innovative ways to speed up planning processes.

To support the community with more homes, this project will raise up to $9.8 million in development contributions for Lane Cove Council to improve local infrastructure such as parks, community facilities and local roads.

A further $3 million will be provided by NSW Housing and Productivity Contribution for State and regional infrastructure projects such as roads, parks, hospitals and schools.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“This project is a great example of an innovative infill development proposal which will provide nearly 290 new homes plus new short-term accommodation within six kilometres of the Sydney CBD.

“The Telstra Exchange site will retain its operations at this location while enabling redevelopment over its existing building for much needed new homes.

“This rezoning and assessment pathway is similar to what proponents will have access to when working with the Housing Delivery Authority, this will speed up the delivery of good projects.

“This project will be backed with $12.8 million in combined developer contributions to both Lane Cove Council and the NSW Government Housing and Productivity fund. This contribution will help deliver new and improved public infrastructure for the St Leonards community.” 

Three new overtaking lanes south of Moree are now open thanks to a $261.1 million investment between the Australian and New South Wales governments, providing safer and more efficient road journeys.

For drivers of the Newell Highway the upgrades are a welcome improvement, with new northbound and southbound overtaking lanes south of Moree, and a new northbound lane now open at Bellata.

The works are part of the Newell Highway Heavy Duty Pavement Upgrades, which are being delivered in four sections. Remaining activities include:

• the installation of a pedestrian refuge and turning lane, as well as switching on the remaining streetlights at Bellata
• construction of north-west NSW’s largest heavy vehicle rest area north of Narrabri
• improved pavement, culverts and two new overtaking lanes south of Edgeroi.

The project will also upgrade 20 kilometres of the Newell Highway between Narrabri and Moree, delivering new heavy-duty road pavement, intersection improvements and wider road shoulders.

North of Narrabri, traffic has switched over to a recently finished section of new highway, providing a safer and more comfortable drive for motorists.

The Newell Highway Heavy Duty Pavement Upgrades not only improves safety, it reduces future maintenance requirements and costs, improves the highway’s flood resilience and improves freight productivity and access to the Moree Special Activation Precinct.

Construction on these essential upgrades began in mid-2022, and has already created job opportunities for more than 940 people.

The Australian Government is contributing $205.7 million to these works, as part of an $1.5 billion total investment in future-proofing the Newell Highway.

Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:

“The Australian Government is proud to be working with our state counterparts by investing in the future of regional NSW.

“The $1.5 billion we’re investing in the Newell Highway will pay dividends for decades, ensuring this essential transport corridor will serve local motorists and the road freight industry alike.”

NSW Regional Transport and Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison:

“The Newell Highway is a major inland regional route that connects Queensland and Victoria and is travelled by thousands of locals, tourists and key freight operators every day.

“The opening of three new overtaking lanes is an important milestone for this highway upgrade project which will greatly improve the way people move around the state’s north-west.

“The Albanese and Minns Labor Governments are pleased to be working together to improve road safety and reduce travel times for motorists who travel on this critical national highway.”

Senator for NSW Deborah O’Neill:

“The Australian Government is investing in the road infrastructure which keeps freight moving and travellers safe.

“We’re partnering with the NSW Government to deliver projects that local communities need and deserve.”

NSW Independent Member for Barwon Roy Butler said:

“The mix of road users travelling on the Newell Highway means it’s not uncommon for faster moving vehicles to come up behind slower moving heavy vehicles or holidaying caravanners.

“The provision of extra overtaking lanes is a vital safety initiative that helps to keep traffic flowing smoothly and reduces some of the frustration that can come from not being able to safely pass.”

NSW Labor’s spokesperson for Northern Tablelands Peter Primrose MLC said:

“These new overtaking lanes will improve regional travel, especially during the end of year school holiday period, lead to improved efficiency for freight operators who use the Newell Highway, and safer road travel for holiday makers and regular Newell Highway users on the western side of the Northern Tablelands.

“The whole project is a great example of the Australian and NSW Governments collaborating to prioritise investment in regional communities.”

Work to deliver enhanced palliative care facilities for communities in western Sydney is progressing, with planning and design for new, purpose-built palliative care units at Westmead and Nepean hospitals now completed.

The completion of the design phase for the palliative care units at both Westmead and Nepean hospitals paves the way for the tender process to appoint a building contractor to commence next year.  

The NSW Government is investing $93 million as part of the World Class End of Life Care Program to deliver new or redeveloped palliative care facilities across the state, including at Nepean, Westmead, Wyong, Tamworth, and Orange hospitals. 

The new purpose-built palliative care units, offer more privacy, comfort, and dignity to support people in their final stages of life and ensure they receive the highest standard of care. 

Extensive consultation with staff and the local community has played an important role in the design development for each unit at Westmead and Nepean Hospitals, and ensures the palliative care space meets the needs of the local community.

At Westmead Hospital, the new unit will include bedrooms with ensuites, communal spaces, a multi-faith room, and direct access to a shared outdoor area. This facility will be located within an extension to the Clinical Acute Services Building and has been designed to offer privacy and access to complementary health services within Westmead Hospital. 

At Nepean Hospital, the new unit which is on the top floor of the new Stage 2 Redevelopment building, will feature bedrooms with ensuites and include a rooftop courtyard, as well as family-orientated, shared spaces aimed at creating a supportive, inclusive setting for patients and their loved ones. 

Construction timeframes for the new palliative care units at Westmead and Nepean hospitals will be confirmed following the appointment of a building contractor.  

Minister for Health Ryan Park: 

“The NSW Government’s investment to enhance palliative care facilities is focused on delivering respectful and purpose-built spaces which provide dignity and comfort for people in their final stages of life. 

“These units at Nepean and Westmead hospitals will ensure patients and their families have both privacy and comfort, as well as enhanced access to palliative care services and facilities.” 

Member for Penrith, Karen McKeown: 

“It is important that the design for these new palliative care facilities included input from health staff and the community. It will provide our Nepean hospital patients and their families with the comfort, ease, and solace they deserve during these difficult times.

“Our Government’s $93 million commitment is part of the World Class End of Life Care Program highlighting our dedication to expanding access to quality and compassionate care for communities throughout NSW.” 

Member for Parramatta, Donna Davis

“The new unit at Westmead Hospital will provide quality end-of-life and supportive care in a calm, homely environment, supporting local patients and their families during a difficult time.” 

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