Category: NSW News

The Minns Labor Government is reforming licensing loopholes and strengthening foreign licence conversion arrangements to help keep NSW roads safe.

As part of its commitment to pull every lever to improve road safety, the Minns Government is tightening licence conversion rules to ensure drivers and riders on NSW roads meet our high safety standards.

From today, Sunday, 1 February 2026, a further group of overseas drivers and riders aged 25 years and over from a broader selection of countries will now be required to pass a knowledge test and a driving test before converting their overseas licence to a NSW licence.

The changes close long-standing inconsistencies that allowed drivers from ‘List B’ countries and jurisdictions to obtain a NSW licence without this testing.

Drivers under 25 from ‘List B’ countries are already required to pass knowledge and driving tests, and that requirement will remain unchanged.

The reform builds on earlier Minns Government action requiring long-term residents to convert overseas licences within six months of moving to NSW and brings NSW in line with other states and territories, ensuring consistent national standards.

To support the changes, Service NSW is boosting testing capacity, temporarily increasing availability with up to 320 extra driving test slots every Saturday, which has become effective from 31 January, with additional capacity delivered through February across metropolitan service centres.

Online bookings are updated weekly, and customers are encouraged to plan ahead and regularly check availability online.

The list of impacted countries and testing requirements can be found here.

Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison said:

“Road safety is not negotiable, and we are pulling every lever to keep people safe on NSW roads.

“This reform lifts standards and ensures everyone driving in NSW understands our road rules and can drive safely in local conditions.

“Fairness on our roads means the same safety bar applies to everyone – and that is exactly what this reform delivers.”

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government, Jihad Dib said:

“We know getting a licence to drive on our roads safely is an important step for all road users.

“To help drivers get their licence we have increased the number of driver testers and introduced Super Saturdays to add about 300 extra testing slots every weekend through February.

“We would encourage overseas drivers to plan ahead, information is available online to help customers understand what they need to do and what tests may be required and as always, Service NSW staff will continue to support customers and help them access the services they need.”

In a rare last look underground, the tunnel boring machines that will excavate Sydney’s next harbour crossing are being seen for the final time before tunnelling begins.

Deep beneath Birchgrove Oval, the mega machines are in the final stages of assembly inside the cathedral-like launch chambers, ahead of disappearing beneath Sydney Harbour to tunnel the final section of the Western Harbour Tunnel.

The Minns Labor Government is delivering Sydney’s first road harbour crossing in three decades – on time and on budget – and keeping it in public hands.

Once tunnelling starts later this year, the machines will operate continuously beneath the harbour – making today the final opportunity to see them before excavation begins.

The two TBMs, the largest in the Southern Hemisphere, are in the final stages of being meticulously reassembled using 500-tonne cranes – an engineering feat never before undertaken at this scale in Australia.

Named Patyegarang and Barangaroo, the TBMs are tasked with excavating 1.5 kilometres of twin motorway tunnels between Birchgrove and Waverton, up to 50 metres below sea level.

Assembly of Patyegarang is now 45 per cent complete, with its 15.7-metre-diameter cutterhead – weighing 462 tonnes – lifted into position last week. Around 70 per cent of the machine’s components have now been transported into the launch chamber.

Patyegarang is expected to begin tunnelling under the harbour mid-year.

Assembly of Barangaroo is now 20 per cent complete, with tunnelling expected to commence later in 2026.

Once excavation begins, the TBMs will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with up to 40 workers on each machine at any one time. The tunnels will be lined with around 13,000 precast concrete segments manufactured at a specialist facility in Western Sydney – showcasing the Minns Government’s commitment to domestic manufacturing and procurement.

Overall excavation across the Western Harbour Tunnel project is now 76 per cent complete.

The 6.5-kilometre Western Harbour Tunnel is scheduled to open to traffic in 2028, and under the Minns Labor Government, will remain in public ownership.

Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison said:

“This is a major milestone for one of the most complex infrastructure projects ever undertaken in Australia.

“These machines are almost ready to disappear underground and do some of the hardest work on this mammoth project, carving a new harbour crossing that will serve Sydney for generations.

“The Minns Labor Government is proud to be delivering the Western Harbour Tunnel and keeping it in public hands.

“This is a once-in-a-generation piece of infrastructure, and it should remain an asset for the people of New South Wales – not a privatised road sold off to the highest bidder.

“With excavation now more than three-quarters complete, this project is moving forward.

“We made deliberate changes to the construction methodology to ensure this tunnel is built safely, properly and to deliver new public parkland at Berrys Bay.

“The Western Harbour Tunnel is on time and on budget, with overall excavation now at 76% complete.”

The NSW Liberals and Nationals will introduce two Bills to the NSW Parliament aimed at protecting children from violent extremist grooming and taking a clear, unequivocal stand against antisemitism in NSW.
 
The Countering Violent Extremism Bill 2026 responds to growing concern about radicalisation, both online and in the community, and the targeting of children and vulnerable people by extremist actors, conduct that currently falls outside existing terrorism laws.
 
This Bill would create new criminal offences of grooming, recruiting, coercing, threatening or deceiving a person to participate in violent extremism, with higher penalties if the offence is targeted at a child.
 
It would also add the offences involving children to the existing mandatory reporting scheme, so that children at risk of being groomed for participation in violent extremism are identified and protected in the same way as children being groomed for sexual abuse.
 
The Prevention of Antisemitism Bill 2026 provides long-overdue legal clarity by explicitly defining and addressing antisemitism, ensuring it is recognised, understood and acted upon consistently across government and public institutions, including universities and local government authorities.
 
The Bill would specifically prohibit government grants to or the procurement of goods and services from people or organisations engaging in antisemitic activities.
 
The definition of antisemitism would also guide the interpretation of the hate speech offences in sections 93Z and 93ZAA of the Crimes Act 1900.
 
Leader of the Opposition, Kellie Sloane, said the new laws represent the NSW Liberals and Nationals detailed and considered response to combatting violent extremism and antisemitism, particularly in the wake of the Bondi Terror Attack.
 
“Our proposed laws ensure that extremist actors who seek to target children and vulnerable people online or in the community can be held accountable for their attempts to radicalise people to further their twisted agenda,” Ms Sloane said.
 
“Every parent, teacher, and reasonable member of our community wants to see our young people protected.”
 
“Creating a new offence provides law enforcement agencies with more tools to combat and prevent violent extremism.”
 
“There should be no ambiguity when it comes to confronting antisemitism.”
 
“Enshrining a definition of antisemitism in NSW law, as recommended by the Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism, makes it clear that antisemitism has no place in our public institutions, our universities or our community, and that government funding should never support it.”
 
“In March 2022, all Labor members voted for a motion supporting the IHRA definition moved by the then Liberal Nationals Government in the Legislative Council, so we are calling on Chris Minns and Labor to maintain their position and support our new laws.”
 
“The people of NSW expect the Parliament to take every step possible to stamp out antisemitism and all forms of extremism across our State.”
 
Shadow Attorney General, Damien Tudehope, said these proposed laws create clear offences for conduct that is already occurring but is not adequately captured by current law.
 
“Grooming, recruiting or coercing someone into violent extremism is profoundly serious conduct, particularly when the target is a child,” Mr Tudehope said.
 
“These offences send a clear message: if you are radicalising people towards violence, you will face serious criminal consequences.”
 
“By adopting the IHRA definition and its explanatory examples, this Bill gives clarity to courts, public institutions and the community about what antisemitism looks like in practice today.”
 
“This is about ensuring antisemitism is recognised, addressed and not excused by ambiguity or double standards.”
 
The NSW Liberals and Nationals will introduce both Bills in the Legislative Council this week and seek to debate them over the coming Parliamentary sittings.

The NSW Government’s Rural Generalist Single Employer Pathway is continuing to boost the regional health workforce, with another 24 doctors joining the program this week as part of the 2026 intake.

These doctors will work across smaller regional hospitals, regional and rural GP practices and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, and some regional centres.

Seventy-four rural generalist trainees, including this year’s intake, have been employed across eight regional Local Health Districts since the program began in 2024.

Rural generalists are General Practitioners who have an extended skill in a specialty area such as anaesthetics, obstetrics, paediatrics, emergency medicine, mental health or palliative care.

The program is an employment pathway for doctors seeking a career as a rural generalist who work across both primary care and hospital settings.

The program offers a length-of-training contract with a Local Health District in regional NSW, allowing trainees to retain and use their NSW Health Award entitlements during GP training.

Rural generalist trainees also receive the same pay and conditions as their hospital-trained counterparts.

The Minns Labor Government is building an engaged, capable and supported workforce, by:

• Abolishing the wages cap and delivering the largest wage increase to healthcare workers in a decade;
• Implementing ratios in our emergency departments;
• Saving 1,112 nurses which the Liberal Government planned to sack;
• Supporting our future health workforce through providing them with study subsidies; and
• Investing $274 million to deliver an additional 250 healthcare workers at upgraded hospitals left with inadequate staff by the previous government.

Regional Health Minister Ryan Park:

“I’m excited to welcome our 24 new trainees to the program, all with a commitment and passion for regional healthcare and communities.

“This program is a game-changer. It supports rural generalist trainees throughout their training, helping to prepare them for a career providing our regional, rural and remote communities with the essential care they need.

“The Minns Labor Government is improving the access, quality and sustainability of health care in our rural and remote communities through a dedicated medical workforce.

“NSW Health is supporting these doctors through their training and it is great to see them setting down roots in our regional communities and experiencing firsthand how rewarding a career in rural medicine can be.”

Rural Generalist Trainee Dr Jack Grentell:

“Living and working in a regional area gives me the perfect balance, a 10-minute commute, space to enjoy the outdoors, and a strong sense of community. It’s the kind of life I want to build for the future, and I can’t imagine doing anything else.

“This rural generalist pathway has been the perfect fit. It offers security, flexibility, and the ability to plan ahead. Being able to train and work where I want has allowed us to buy a house and settle down, which is rare in medical training.

“With a supportive team behind you and the ability to tailor placements to your interests, you can focus on becoming the kind of doctor you want to be. Every step of the way, I’ve met inspiring people who’ve reaffirmed my decision to stay in regional medicine.

“Being a rural generalist means doing it all, and that diversity is both challenging and incredibly rewarding. You feel truly integrated into the community, and the gratitude from patients reminds you why this work matters.

“Programs like this are essential to ensuring people can get the care they need, close to home. If you’re from a rural background and thinking about entering the program, just give it a crack. We need more people like you out here.”

The Government’s OneFund strategy is delivering strong results, with a balance of $70.4 billion at the end of calendar 2025 and having returned $8.8 billion from its inception at the end of August 2024.

Following the implementation of Phase 2 in 2025, OneFund is now expected to deliver around $2.2 billion more than the previous government’s approach would have delivered by 2028-29.

This will be achieved while also taking on $16.3 billion less debt than the previous government’s approach.

OneFund pools the State’s investment funds together, with all funds sharing a common risk appetite and investment strategy. This structure means that funds can be invested more efficiently and flexibly, with a focus on the longer term.

OneFund has an investment return objective of CPI + 4.5 per cent per annum over rolling 10-year periods, similar to the Australian Government’s Future Fund.

In the 16 months since inception OneFund has returned 11.3 per cent p.a.

TCorp manages OneFund, which initially incorporated $47 billion in investments.  In April 2025, three additional state investment funds worth $11 billion were added.

The State continues to manage market volatility by investing in a diverse portfolio including a number of defensive tools – meaning OneFund is less susceptible to equity market volatility than if it were invested in equities alone.

The Minns Labor Government announced the creation of OneFund in its second Budget as part of an ongoing commitment to budget repair, including turning around a record level of inherited debt.

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:

“The OneFund strategy continues to deliver returns to the NSW taxpayer demonstrating value, not just for today – but decades to come.”

“OneFund has allowed the State to grow its assets base without signing future generations up to the mountain of debt the former government wanted us to take on.”

“Our OneFund strategy allows us to generate strong investment returns over time while reducing the amount of debt the State expects to hold.”

The NSW Government will today introduce legislation into Parliament to strengthen councils’ enforcement powers to shut down unlawful places of worship.

The legislation is a crackdown on ‘factories of hate’ which are unlawfully promoting hate, intimidation and dividing our community.

It will seek to bolster existing powers by increasing fines for illegal places of public worship and give councils the power to cut off their water and power if they breach planning laws and ignore orders to cease.

The Local Government and Other Legislation Amendment (Places of Public Worship) Bill 2026 will support the implementation of measures announced last month in response to the antisemitic terror attack in Bondi on 14 December by amending the Local Government Act 1993 and Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021.

The proposed legislation will:

• Allow councils to issue development control orders to stop activities on premises that breach planning laws or pose a risk to public health and safety.
• Double existing penalty notice fines from $3,000 to $6,000 for individuals and from $6,000 to $12,000 for corporations.
• Enable councils to apply to the Land and Environment Court for orders directing utility providers of water, electricity and gas to cut off services to hate preaching venues if they fail to comply with an order.
• Increase the maximum existing failure to comply penalties from $11,000 to $110,000 for individuals and from $22,000 to $220,000 for corporations.

The changes will also be complemented by amendments to the Planning System SEPP that introduce a new requirement for local councils to consult with NSW Police on community safety matters before approving a development application for a new place of public worship, including approving changes to the use of an existing place of public worship.

These measures build on previous legislation to combat hate including new offences for inciting racial hatred and displaying Nazi symbols at Jewish places and additional protections for people seeking to attend their place of worship.

Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:

“These reforms give councils another practical tool to stop unlawful premises being used to spread hate and intimidation.

“If a place of worship is operating outside the law and dividing the community, councils will now have real power to shut it down.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“There’s no place for factories of hate in NSW. These changes are a practical step the Minns Labor Government are taking to stop hate preachers in their tracks.

“By strengthening enforcement powers and giving NSW Police visibility of development applications for places of public worship we are taking additional steps to keep our communities safe.”

Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig said:

“All sectors of the NSW government are working together to implement and enforce these changes which will safeguard and protect our communities.

“Freedom of religion is a fundamental right in NSW but that freedom does not extend to operating unlawfully or putting community safety at risk and this legislation will make sure councils have strong powers to shut down unlawful places of public worship manifesting hate.”

All NSW school staff, including principals and school leaders, will be subject to strengthened conduct requirements that explicitly prohibit hate speech, under reforms to be announced today by the Minns Labor Government.

The changes close a clear gap in existing guidance, which does not adequately address the incitement of hate speech, and make unequivocally clear that engaging in hate speech will not be tolerated by any NSW school.

The changes will come into effect immediately and will apply across more than 3,000 government, independent and Catholic schools and will tighten the rules governing the conduct of all school staff, including school leaders.

Hate speech will be explicitly prohibited in the Codes of Conduct set out by all school sectors and will now apply to all members of school staff.

These changes to the rules follow the new hate speech legislation passed by both the state and Commonwealth governments and build on the Minns Labor Government’s recent legislation to strengthen laws against hate speech and hate crimes, making clear that there is no place for extremism or vilification in our classrooms or our state.

A review into the process to assess a fit and proper person – the legal test required for school leadership – is currently underway to investigate if it is fit for purpose and whether the current standards meet community expectations.

Under the new arrangements, expectations around acceptable conduct will be made clearer in the school registration manuals.

NESA is updating its rules in early Term 1, 2026, which will require all schools to prohibit hate speech in their Codes of Conduct for all people employed at the school.

Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:

“Until now, the rules haven’t been clear enough. Schools should be places where young people feel safe, respected and supported, not exposed to hate or extremism.

“These changes make it absolutely clear that hate speech has no place in any NSW classroom, from any staff member, in any school and it gives the regulator clear guidelines to act.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:

“The vast majority of principals and teachers in NSW schools do an incredible job. They are committed to our students and their education.

“These common sense changes are about maintaining this high standard and giving parents peace of mind.

“When parents send their children to school in NSW, they can know they’re learning in a safe and supportive environment.”

“V” is for valedictory today as the last V-set train pulls into Central Station for the final time after five and half decades in service.

The workhorse fleet of V-sets have travelled the equivalent distance of 298 times to the moon since hitting the tracks in 1970, serving millions of Sydney Trains passengers.

Notable for their stainless steel panelled exterior and distinctive ‘bush plum’ coloured seats and interior, the final V-set has been freshly sprayed in the classic ‘Blue Goose’ livery of royal blue and grey for its final run before entering retirement among the heritage fleet.

The final run leaves Lithgow at 5.47am to arrive at Central at 8.32am.

When it pulls into platform two it will mark the full introduction of the modern intercity Mariyung fleet on the Blue Mountains Line.

Mariyungs began taking over from the V-sets on the Central Coast & Newcastle Line in December 2024 and were then introduced on the Blue Mountains Line from October last year. 

The introduction of the modern Mariyungs will improve reliability for passengers on these lines, part of a $458 million push by the Minns Labor Government to bring rail reliability up to scratch.

The former Liberal-National government botched their introduction, spending $1.7 billion more than they estimated in 2014, according to the NSW Auditor-General, and failing to get them on the tracks while they were in office – despite promising they would be in service in 2019.

With extra leg room, high seat backs, tray tables for laptops, charging ports for mobile devices, accessible toilets and designated spaces for wheelchairs, bikes and prams, the Mariyung has been warmly received this year by intercity commuters.

Since the Mariyung replaced the V-sets on the Central Coast Newcastle Line, there has been a decrease in security and vandalism incidents thanks to the enhanced safety and design features of the newer Mariyung fleet in conjunction with the retirement of the V-sets.

When the V-sets first entered service, between Sydney and Gosford and later to Newcastle and the Blue Mountains, their sturdy double-deck design marked a new era in high-capacity rail travel and were lauded as a smooth ride on the longer intercity routes.

At least four carriages of the ‘Blue Goose’ V-set used for the final service will be retained for heritage purposes, while the future of the remaining 81 retired V-set carriages is still being determined.

Sydney Trains recently completed an Expression of Interest open to the public – including heritage groups and private collectors – to acquire the retired carriages, with applications currently being assessed.

Mariyung trains are currently targeted to be launched on the South Coast Line by the first half of this year.  

Minister for Transport John Graham said:

“These are the trains that for over two generations have carried visiting tourists, weary commuters and train lovers alike.  

“In those more than five decades on the tracks, the distance the fleet has travelled is the equivalent of going to the moon about 298 times.

“We all know these trains, whether that’s by their distinctive stainless-steel exterior with the ‘blue goose’ livery or the ‘bush plum’ coloured seats inside, often referred to as ‘eggplant’.

“Happily, this farewell marks the full introduction of the intercity Mariyungs on the Blue Mountains Line bringing a major step up in comfort and accessibility.

Minister for Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said:

“The V-sets were described as luxurious when they first hit the tracks in the 1970’s, and over the decades they have become a much-loved and iconic part of travel between   Sydney, Newcastle, Lithgow and Wollongong. 

“Now it’s time to say final farewells to the trains affectionately known as the ‘steel rattlers’ and deliver the full complement of Mariyungs to the Blue Mountains Line. 

“The Mariyung trains represent a major upgrade – offering improved comfort, safety and accessibility features.” 

Member for Blue Mountains Trish Doyle said: 

“It’s an honour to be travelling aboard the final Blue Mountains V-set passenger train with many other train lovers. These locally developed and built trains have served our community well for more than 50 years. 

“Honoured to be dubbed ‘The Train Lady’ some years back – for my support of workers, the V-sets and Transport Heritage – I particularly want to applaud the hard work of our drivers, guards, and crews of these workhorses over this long period of service. 

“We are a community that commutes, and I am committed to ensuring our public transport network is the best it can be.”  

Member for Parramatta Donna Davis said:  

“Since 1970 the V-set trains have been the workhorse for the intercity fleet. From the Blue Mountains to Parramatta, these trains have provided commuters with the opportunity to travel across our great state.” 

“While the familiarity of the V-sets will be missed by commuters and train enthusiasts alike, the introduction of the Mariyung fleet will provide a modern, accessible and worthy successor to these iconic trains.” 

Member for Blacktown Stephen Bali said:  

“These final V-set trains are part of the 1977 fleet, a major initiative of the Wran Labor Government to boost service quality and safety. Now the Minns Labor Government is modernising the fleet again with the implementation of the Mariyung fleet for modern commuter standards.  

“The V-sets have served the community well through most of my lifetime and I have fond memories of catching them from Blacktown into the city.” 

Member for Penrith Karen McKeown OAM said: 

“Today we mark the final run of the much-loved V-sets on the Blue Mountains Line — trains that have served our Penrith community for generations. As we farewell these icons of our rail history, we also look ahead with excitement to the Mariyung trains, which deliver a more modern, accessible, and comfortable journey for passengers of our community. 

“While many Penrith residents will feel nostalgic farewelling the V-sets, the new Mariyung trains will deliver a more reliable journey for our community now and into the future.” 

Chief Executive of Sydney Trains Matt Longland said:

“It will be emotional when the Blue Goose heads down the Blue Mountains for the last time, and we will give the V-sets a fitting farewell for their 55 years of service at Central Station.

“While it’s a day for nostalgia, it’s also important we modernise our fleet for the benefit of the millions of train passengers that use the intercity network every year.

“So, it’s exciting to be delivering on the full Mariyung rollout on the Blue Mountains Line, and we look forward to launching these more modern, comfortable and accessible trains on the South Coast Line soon.”

The NSW Government has hit a major milestone in the flood recovery of the Northern Rivers, officially acquiring 18.5 hectares of high-ground land in North Lismore, as part of the $100 million Resilient Lands Program. 

The site will provide 85 land lots to enable construction of social, affordable, and private housing—all located above the 2022 flood line.

Project Highlights:

• Priority Access: 76 land lots to be made available for Resilient Homes Program participants, giving flood-impacted residents the first opportunity to relocate to safer ground.
• Social & Key Worker Housing: Homes NSW will construct 24 social dwellings and provide four land lots for affordable key worker housing.
• Integrated Community: The precinct will sit alongside the new Rivers Secondary College Richmond River High Campus, set to open in 2027.
• Economic Boost: The nearby Lismore Showground is receiving a $4.7 million upgrade to support major regional events like Primex, further anchoring the precinct’s recovery.
• Timeline: Development application approvals are in place and preparatory work has commenced, with land expected to be available for sale in mid-2026, with home relocations beginning in early 2027.

The development is a collaborative effort between the NSW Reconstruction Authority and Homes NSW, ensuring the new neighbourhood is well-connected to schools, transport, and green space while respecting the cultural heritage of the Widjabul Wia-bal people.

For more information go to nsw.gov.au/resilientlandsprogram

Minister for Housing, Rose Jackson said:

“By securing this land, we are delivering on our promise to provide safe, diverse, and affordable housing for the people of Lismore.

“This isn’t just about blocks of land; it’s about providing a fresh start for families on ground they can trust.”

Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin said:

“Acquiring this land is a huge win for the North Lismore community.

“We know how much it means to people to stay connected to their neighbours, their schools, and their community, but with the peace of mind that comes from being on higher ground.

“This is about building a secure, connected future for North Lismore.”

The Minns Labor Government has given the green light to begin construction of the main works on the second stage of Parramatta Light Rail, a project which will eventually connect Sydney’s second CBD with Sydney Olympic Park.  

Fulfilling a Labor election commitment, construction will begin in early 2027 on the new 10-kilometre route that will link Camellia, Rydalmere, Ermington, Melrose Park, Wentworth Point and Olympic Park over 14 light rail stops.  

The project runs through one of the fastest-growing areas of Sydney and will provide the transport infrastructure to support new housing going in, particularly around Wentworth Point which has developed without sufficient public transport links.  

The former Liberal government promised more than a dozen times to proceed with Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 but never managed to get a single shovel into the ground.    

In the coming weeks, the NSW Government will begin procurement for the next phase of construction works – known as Stage 2a - from Camellia to Wentworth Point.

This phase of new work is expected to create more than 2000 construction and other jobs in Western Sydney. 

Main Works will deliver: 

• 4.5kms of track 
• a new bridge linking Camellia and Rydalmere 
• nine new stops 
• an expanded Stabling and Maintenance Facility 
• additional light rail vehicles.

With funding to date of $3 billion, Stage 2 will link to the existing Parramatta Light Rail system which carries up to 90,000 passengers a week.  

Along with the procurement of the Main Works contract, the project will now focus on early works, site investigations, detailed utility designs, and commencement of property acquisitions.  

Major construction is already underway on the first phase – the enabling works for Stage 2, which includes the construction of piles that will hold the first new public and active transport bridge crossing of the Parramatta River in more than three and a half decades.  

Since 2023, the Minns Labor Government has accelerated planning and finalised the business case for Stage 2, which has already secured Federal Environmental and NSW Planning approvals.  

For more information: nsw.gov.au/parramatta-light-rail.   

Minister for Transport John Graham said:  

“Labor committed to delivering the second stage of the Parramatta Light Rail system and today we open the way for construction works to begin via the main works contract, which will shortly go out to tender.  

“Linking Parramatta to Sydney Olympic Park will provide a much-needed public transport link that was so often promised under the former Liberal government but never delivered, despite the rapid population and housing growth that has made this part of Sydney such a fast-growing area.  

“The Minns Labor Government is focused on delivery of transport infrastructure that keeps up with the housing development Sydney needs and gives people – particularly those who have moved into Western Sydney – a viable alternative to sitting in a car in traffic.”   

Member for Parramatta Donna Davis said:  

“Giving the green light to begin construction of Stage 2a Main Works will boost Western Sydney’s economy and support the new housing hubs at Melrose Park, Wentworth Point, Sydney Olympic Park and the Carter Street precinct.

“Expanding the system to Sydney Olympic Park will be another game-changer for jobs, leisure and, importantly, to provide public transport to some areas that have never had it before.  

“Parramatta Light Rail’s first year of operation has improved connectivity in our area, giving local residents and visitors to our city another transport alternative to jumping in the car.”