Category: NSW News

The NSW Opposition has welcomed the record $1.1 million fine issued to an illicit tobacco retailer in Hornsby, as the result of new laws first proposed by the Liberals and Nationals.
 
Leader of the Opposition Kellie Sloane said the record penalty was a direct result of the crackdown on illicit tobacco proposed by the opposition and adopted by the government last year.
 
A number of tobacconists have also been closed as part of Operation Sloane established by NSW Police in October 2025 under the NSW Illicit Tobacco Taskforce.
 
“This record fine shows why the NSW Liberals and Nationals proposed new laws targeting illicit tobacco and the criminals who were establishing themselves on high streets across Sydney,” Ms Sloane said.
 
“Labor backed the Opposition’s crackdown because it was clear their approach wasn’t working and these shopfronts for organised crime were being allowed to flourish.”
 
“Our laws must also be accompanied by more action from the Commonwealth, including stronger border enforcement and action on the tobacco excise which clearly isn’t working.”
 
Shadow Minister for Health Sarah Mitchell said this fine cannot be the end of the story.
 
“These stores trade in addiction and sell unregulated products with no regard for the health of their customers,” Mrs Mitchell said.
 
“Anthony Albanese and Mark Butler are on a smoko break and missing in action when it comes to illegal tobacco with NSW left paying the crime and health costs.”

More hospital beds are coming to western Sydney as work to deliver 30 additional beds for Blacktown Hospital is progressing well and on track to be completed later this year, 12 months ahead of schedule.

In addition to providing more beds for Blacktown Hospital, two additional operating theatres will also be built as part of the project, which will increase surgical capacity and help ease pressure on existing services. The delivery of the new theatres is expected to be completed in 2027.

The Liberals failed to build enough beds for Blacktown and Mount Druitt hospitals, compounded by their failure to build Rouse Hill, leaving Western Sydney Local Health District missing an entire hospital.

The Minns Labor Government is increasing access to healthcare in western Sydney through this $120 million investment to upgrade Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospitals for a total of 60 additional beds across both hospitals.

Construction to deliver the additional 30 beds at Mount Druitt Hospital is also set to begin in the coming months, with builder FDC Construction (NSW) Pty Ltd appointed to deliver the works, expected to be completed late 2027.

These works will relieve pressure across Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospitals by improving patient flow, supporting emergency care, and strengthening staff capacity to deliver high-quality care.

After the former Coalition government failed to deliver or properly fund major hospital projects around the state, the Minns Labor Government is making record investments to deliver more hospitals, more beds and save the health services the Coalition jeopardised.

The Minns Labor Government is delivering 2,500 more hospital beds or treatment spaces across the state, including:

• $120 million for an additional 60 beds for Blacktown and Mount Druitt hospitals;
• $38 million for 18 additional beds in specialty areas at Westmead Hospital, boosting the medical capacity in high demand areas of respiratory, cardiology and the ED Short Stay Unit

This is part of the Minns Labor Government’s $11.9 billion investment over four years delivering 32 new or upgraded hospitals, including:

• $910 million for the new Rouse Hill Hospital including $120 million contribution from the Commonwealth Government – which the Liberals promised and failed to deliver at three elections – and which will include an emergency department as well as birthing services;
• $2 billion for the new Bankstown Hospital – which the Liberals promised in 2019 and failed to deliver;
• $630 million for the Fairfield Hospital Redevelopment, including an $80 million contribution from the Commonwealth Government; and
• $400 million for the Canterbury Hospital Redevelopment.

More details on the Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospital Additional Beds here: www.nsw.gov.au/health-and-wellbeing/health-infrastructure-projects/blacktown-and-mount-druitt-hospitals-additional-beds

Deputy Premier and Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car:

“The former Liberal-National government left Western Sydney families in the lurch, expecting them to make do with a health system that simply didn’t keep pace with our growing communities.

“While the Coalition made promises they couldn’t keep, the Minns Labor Government is investing in the healthcare our region needs – from expanding services at Blacktown and Mt Druitt to delivering new hospitals in Rouse Hill and Bankstown.”

“We’re getting on with the job of delivering better hospital infrastructure so local families can continue accessing the care they need, close to home.”

Minister for Health, Ryan Park:

“The former Coalition government’s failure to deliver on major hospital projects left parts of the state without whole hospitals, health systems under pressure, and jeopardised health services for local communities.

“These new beds, combined with our broader investments, will relieve pressure by helping patients move through the system more efficiently.

“More beds, more services, more staff in our hospitals. That’s exactly what Western Sydney needs and exactly what we’re delivering.”

Member for Blacktown, Stephen Bali:

“Construction is well underway to deliver 30 additional beds at Blacktown Hospital marking another positive step forward for patients and our hardworking staff and clinicians.

“The past three years has been a focus in Blacktown Hospital was to employ more staff, improve health programs that all contributed to improving the patient experience.”

Member for Mount Druitt, Edmond Atalla:

“It’s great news that construction will soon commence at Mount Druitt Hospital, delivering on the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to improve healthcare across Western Sydney.

“The delivery of 60 additional beds across both Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospitals is a big win for our local community which will help improve patient and staff experiences.”

NSW Mental Health Commissioner Jennifer Black will conclude her tenure in September 2026 after nearly two years leading efforts to improve mental health and suicide prevention outcomes across the state.

Jennifer Black will leave her role as Mental Health Commissioner of New South Wales as she relocates to Victoria for personal reasons.  

Ms Black has led the NSW Mental Health Commission in its efforts to improve mental health outcomes in the state since September 2024.

In that time, she has played a pivotal role in the Suicide Prevention Bill 2025, one of the most significant reforms ever undertaken in NSW to support mental health, which places suicide prevention at the centre of government decision making and embeds accountability across agencies.

Ms Black also supported the establishment and appointment of members to the world-leading Suicide Prevention Council and Aboriginal Suicide Prevention Council, which are now leading the development of a new statewide suicide prevention plan.

Ms Black will officially finish in the role on 11 September 2026.

Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson said:

“I want to thank Ms Black for her meaningful contribution to mental health and suicide prevention in New South Wales.  

“With more than three decades of experience in mental health advocacy, policy development, and service reform, Ms Black will bring a wealth of expertise to her next role.

“We wish Ms Black well with future endeavours.” 

Schools in some of NSW’s fastest-growing suburbs are receiving brand-new school infrastructure to begin Term 3, as the Minns Labor Government delivers on its promise to build the classrooms and facilities these communities deserve.

In Western Sydney, a major upgrade at Kingswood Public School is officially opening today, six months ahead of schedule, with permanent, modern classrooms replacing temporary, demountable classrooms.

Upgrading Kingswood Public School was a key election commitment by the Minns Labor Government and the Member for Penrith, Karen McKeown, with the school’s brand-new building featuring eight modern, permanent classrooms along with the refurbishment of 13 classrooms.

The new classrooms replace all of the demountables on site placed by the former Liberal-National Government, some of which are almost a decade old. Their removal returns valuable open play space to students.

Other work that has been delivered across NSW for the beginning of Term 3 includes new sports courts and walkways at Concord High School, completing the Minns Labor Government’s major redevelopment of the school, a new sports court at Wollumbin High School, a new support unit at Moruya High School, and a new toilet block and refurbished sick bay at Northbridge Public School.

The work to build permanent, modern classrooms and upgrade schools delivers on the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to ensure every family has access to a world-class public education, close to home, and to end the Liberals and Nationals’ overreliance on demountable classrooms.

Students across NSW now have more room to learn and play, after the removal of more than 650 temporary, demountable classrooms from school sites since the election of the Minns Labor Government.

During their 12 years in office, the Liberals and Nationals oversaw a 35 per cent increase in the number of demountables on school sites.

In Western Sydney permanent, modern classrooms have replaced long-standing demountable classrooms at schools including Birrong Girls High School, Carlingford West Public School, Cumberland High School, Darcy Road Public School, Dundas Public School, Girraween Public School, Kingswood Public School, Newington Public School, Northmead Public School, and Schofields Public School.

Over the next four years the Minns Labor Government will deliver a record $9.2 billion investment in school infrastructure, including $4.1 billion for new and upgraded schools in Western Sydney.

This historic investment is a $600 million increase on the education infrastructure budget left behind by the Liberals and Nationals, as the Minns Labor Government works to deliver the schools our fastest-growing communities need.

School infrastructure investment is focussed on growth areas including Austral, Bella Vista, East Cobbitty, Oran Park, Orchard Hills, Marsden Park, Menangle Park, and Spring Farm.

In addition to ensuring students have modern classrooms and schools, the Minns Labor Government has transitioned more than 25,000 teachers and school support staff from uncertain temporary contracts to permanent employment.

This follows the Minns Labor Government’s move to abolish the Liberals and Nationals’ wages cap, delivering NSW teachers the biggest pay rise in a generation.

This reform is attracting teachers into public schools and helping retain those already there, with teacher vacancies at a 12-year low and the number of merged and cancelled classes in NSW halving since the election of the Minns Labor Government.

Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:

“Giving kids the best start in life begins with a quality education. We said we’d remove the demountables at Kingswood Public School and today we’re delivering on that promise.

“Every child deserves to learn in a modern classroom with a permanent, well-paid teacher. Over the past three years that’s what we’ve been working hard to deliver and we’re starting to see the results.

“Investing in public education in areas like Western Sydney where it’s needed most isn’t just a line item in the budget. It’s an investment in a brighter future for the next generation.”

Deputy Premier of New South Wales and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:

“The Minns Labor Government is reversing 12 years of neglect by the Liberals and Nationals, delivering the classrooms and schools that families and students across Western Sydney deserve.

“This transformation at Kingswood Public School shows the difference between a Labor Government investing in permanent school infrastructure and the Liberals using demountables as a band-aid solution.

“By delivering our historic infrastructure investment alongside permanent, secure jobs for teachers, we’re establishing the settled, productive classrooms required to lift student outcomes.”

Member for Penrith Karen McKeown said:

“The Kingswood community asked for better school facilities, and we listened. These world-class facilities will support generations of students and ensure Kingswood Public School continues to deliver excellence.

“We promised to replace every ageing demountable that the Liberals put on the school site and I’m proud the Minns Labor Government has delivered.”

Principal of Kingswood Public School Norma Petrocco said:

“We want to thank the families and community members who advocated for this project and helped make it possible. Students will benefit from these improvements for years to come.

“This completed upgrade is a boost for our students and dedicated teachers who work tirelessly to inspire and nurture them through their schooling.”

Community infrastructure projects across the Illawarra will receive more than $5 million in funding to upgrade public spaces, sporting facilities and town centre precincts.

New green space in Picton, a revitalised Wollongong CBD, and upgraded sports fields in Shellharbour are on the way, with Wollondilly, Wollongong and Shellharbour councils set to share more than $5 million in Minns Labor Government funding to get these projects moving.

Wollongong City Council will receive $2 million for the Crown Street West Precinct upgrade, which will improve footpaths, lighting, and public spaces in the CBD to support increased residential development and activity.

Shellharbour City Council will receive $1 million for the Jock Brown sports field redevelopment, upgrading the sports field with new amenities, lighting, and infrastructure to create two high-quality community sports fields. 

Wollondilly Shire Council will receive $2 million to deliver the Wollondilly cultural precinct village green, a new multipurpose public green spaces as part of the Picton town centre cultural precinct. 

Wollondilly, Wollongong, and Shellharbour Councils were among 35 successful councils to meet or beat the 115-day assessment benchmark set out in the Minister’s Statement of Expectations in FY 2024–25, with the successful councils now turning around assessments in an average of 89 days in metropolitan areas and 82 days in regional NSW.

Eligible councils are now being assessed for Round Two of the program, with $67 million available for councils that meet or exceeded the 105-day benchmark and improved assessment times in FY 2025-26.

For more information about the Faster Assessment Incentive Program, visit NSW Planning. 

Minister for the Illawarra and South Coast, Ryan Park said:

“Whether it is a new green space in Picton, a revitalised CBD in Wollongong, or upgraded sports fields in Shellharbour, this funding delivers real outcomes for the people who call the Illawarra home.

“This is about investing in the community infrastructure people use every day and building vibrant and welcoming spaces for families to live and work. 

“We are delivering the infrastructure the growing Illawarra region needs – more schools, more hospitals, more housing, and revitalised community spaces.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces and Member for Wollongong, Paul Scully said:  

“More people are choosing to live in Wollongong CBD, close to jobs, services and public transport. It is a great place to live but our challenge is to make sure that the streetscape is attractive and supports the dynamic and vibrant life and community being created in the heart of NSW’s third largest city. 

“This upgrade will transform an important part of the city centre, improving accessibility, encouraging more activity, and helping accommodate future residential and visitor growth. 

“By investing in public infrastructure alongside housing delivery, we’re creating a city centre that is more liveable, more walkable and better equipped for the future.”

Member for Shellharbour, Anna Watson said:

“Jock Brown sports fields are the heart of local sport in Shellharbour, and this funding means our clubs and families will finally get the facilities they deserve. 

“Two high quality sports fields will make a real difference for the next generation of local athletes.”

Wollongong City Council Lord Mayor, Tania Brown said:

“Council has been working hard to fast-track development assessments, and it is great to see that work recognised with funding that goes straight back into our community.  

“This upgrade will make a real difference for residents, workers and visitors in the heart of Wollongong.” 

A Liberal and Nationals Government will deliver a $100 registration rebate for NSW drivers as part of a broader plan to ease the cost of living and reduce the cost of driving.
 
Under our plan, individuals will be able to claim a $100 rebate on the registration of a private-use vehicle, with drivers eligible to a rebate on up to two private vehicles. The rebate will be available for 2027 vehicle registrations.
 
Leader of the Opposition Kellie Sloane said families across New South Wales were being squeezed from every direction and deserved practical support.
 
“Families are working harder than ever but too many are going backwards,” Ms Sloane said.
 
“Every bill is going up, every trip to the supermarket costs more, and getting behind the wheel is becoming more expensive under Labor.”
 
“This $100 registration rebate will put money back into the pockets of families and help ease the pressure on household budgets.”
 
“The NSW Liberals and Nationals have a plan to support drivers. We have already announced our Fuel Price Guarantee, which will require fuel retailers to publicly report and lock in their maximum daily fuel prices, giving drivers greater transparency and confidence before they fill up.”
 
“Whether it is the cost of fuel or the cost of registration, we are focused on practical measures that make life easier for families.”
 
Shadow Minister for Roads Mark Coure said drivers had been hit with a stealth tax under the Minns Labor Government.
 
“Since Labor came to office, annual registration charges for the most common private vehicle weight bracket have increased from $400 to $462, an increase of more than 15 per cent,” Mr Coure said.
 
“Motor vehicle tax revenue is forecast to grow from $3 billion to more than $4 billion by 2028-29, an increase of almost 36 per cent.”
 
“On Treasury’s own forecasts, drivers could be paying almost $100 more each year in registration charges by 2028 compared to when Labor came to office.”
 
“Drivers are being treated as a revenue source for this Government. We believe that money should stay in the pockets of the people who earned it.”
 
Ms Sloane said a stronger NSW starts with helping families get ahead and stay ahead.
 
“Families don’t expect government to solve every problem, but they do expect it not to make life harder.”
 
“Our registration rebate is practical cost of living relief. Combined with our Fuel Price Guarantee and the restoration of the Regional Seniors Travel Card, it shows the NSW Liberals and Nationals have a clear plan to support families and ease pressure on household budgets.”

The NSW Liberals and Nationals welcome the Minns Labor Government’s endorsement of key elements of our plan to crack down on organised crime, but today’s announcement falls well short of what is needed to make communities safer. 
 
Just two days ago, the NSW Opposition unveiled a comprehensive package that included tough new offences targeting violence brokers who recruit young people into organised crime, additional funding for the NSW Crime Commission and expanded powers to strip these criminals of their wealth. 
 
There are also questions about how much of today’s announcement is genuinely new funding and how much has already been allocated for technology upgrades announced in previous budgets. 
 
Shadow Minister for Police Anthony Roberts said the Minns Labor Government had delivered only part of the solution. 
 
“The Minns Labor Government has taken elements of our crackdown on gangland violence but delivered less than half the investment,” Mr Roberts said. 
 
“NSW families deserve a government that will stand up to organised crime and back that with the investment required to keep communities safe.” 
 
Mr Roberts said organised crime could not be defeated with IT upgrades alone. 
 
“Organised crime exists to make money, which is why we will properly resource the NSW Crime Commission to strip criminal syndicates of their wealth and dismantle their operations,” Mr Roberts said. 
 
“The Minns Labor Government has also failed to address the decline in police numbers per capita at a time when communities desperately need more officers on the beat, not fewer.” 

A NSW Liberals and Nationals Government will create new offences targeting ‘violence brokers’ and go after the wealth of gangs to address the surge in gangland crime across Sydney.
 
Our Plan will:

• Create new offences of using a violence broker or acting as a violence broker with a maximum penalty of 16 years or 20 years if a child is involved;
• Double the funding to the NSW Crime Commission to allow it to identify more participants in organised crime and confiscate their unexplained wealth;
• Extend unexplained wealth orders so they apply to anyone reasonably suspected of acting as or using a violence broker.
• The Minns Labor Government has failed to curb escalating gangland violence across Sydney. When questioned by the Opposition, the Police Minister was unable to provide key details about the surge in criminal activity, offering only that “too many” incidents had occurred.

The Government’s legislation also failed to strengthen non-parole periods for serious gangland offences, undermining its claims of tougher penalties. The Opposition sought to amend the legislation to close this loophole, but Labor voted with the Greens against the changes, leaving its so-called crackdown without meaningful consequences for the worst offenders.
 
Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane said more must be done to combat the people recruiting young criminals to act on behalf of gangs.
 
“Sydney families are sick of their suburbs being turned into battlegrounds and the Minns Labor Government has not done enough to stay ahead of these criminals and their methods,” Ms Sloane said.
 
“In order to address the surge in gangland violence we need to both target the recruiters and go after what really matters to them, and in many cases that’s their money.”
 
Shadow Attorney-General Damien Tudehope said the additional funding for the NSW Crime Commission would build on the new powers it was given by the former Liberal and Nationals Government.
 
“Under our changes the NSW Crime Commission will be able to expand its expert team and seize the assets and unexplained wealth of more organised criminals,” Mr Tudehope said.
 
“Stripping organised crime groups of their illicit wealth is one of the most effective ways to dismantle their operations.”

Shadow Minister for Police Anthony Roberts said senior police have repeatedly warned the Minns Labor Government that young, inexperienced men were being recruited to carry out gangland crimes.
 
“Organised criminals have laughed at the Minns Labor Government’s new ineffective penalties which they could have toughened up if they had accepted our amendments,” Mr Roberts said.
 
“The public expects governments to stay one step ahead of organised crime, because these gangs are becoming increasingly sophisticated and ruthless and that’s what the Liberals and Nationals are committed to doing.”

A major pumped hydro project with the potential to power up to 120,000 homes has been given the green light to transform a former mining site into a renewable energy generator in the Gloucester Valley.

The $1.8 billion Stratford Pumped Hydro and Solar project will boost energy security and bring investment and jobs to the Hunter, with up to 350 construction jobs and 10 ongoing jobs.

This project will bring lasting benefits for the region, including around $18.2 million over the life of the project for community and infrastructure projects through a Voluntary Planning Agreement with Mid Coast Council.

Located, about 100 kilometres north of Newcastle, the project will sit on the Stratford Mining Complex site where coal mining operations ended in 2024, providing a productive and innovative future for the post-mining land.

The project by Gloucester Coal Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of Yancoal Australia Limited, includes a 300 megawatt (MW) pumped hydro power station with 12 hours of energy storage and a 320 MW solar farm.

To generate electricity, water will be transferred between a new upper reservoir and an existing dam via a tunnel, with water for the initial reservoir to be sourced from the existing mine site.

It will provide “firming” energy by storing surplus electricity generated during the day during and releasing it to generate electricity at peak times in the evening. It is forecast to deliver around 13 per cent of the State’s 2034 long duration storage target.

Declared Critical State Significant nfrastructure (CSSI) in June 2024, the project is a crucial component of the NSW Government’s Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap, a 20-year plan to diversify the energy generation mix, and provide energy security as NSW moves away from coal-fired power.

The coal to renewable energy evolution happening in the Hunter is also demonstrated in the Port of Newcastle.

While the Port of Newcastle remains the largest coal export port in the world, it is also now a critical gateway for renewables infrastructure. The port is the entry point for everything from wind turbines, to solar panels and battery energy storage systems to enable energy projects across the Hunter and beyond.

The Minns Labor Government has supported this evolution by declaring part of the Port of Newcastle State Significant Infrastructure, consolidating approvals for updates to the Port which will add flexibility for future operations.

Since March 2023, the Minns Labor Government has approved 52 renewable energy projects that, when built, will generate enough electricity to power 5.1 million homes.

There are currently more than 57 renewable energy, storage, pumped hydro and transmission projects under assessment in NSW. If approved, these 12.9 GW of generation projects could produce enough electricity to power about 6.68 million homes.

A further 107 projects, including solar, wind, battery storage and pumped hydro projects are at various stages in the planning pipeline.

This is another example of the Minns Labor Government backing jobs in the Hunter for decades to come, alongside pilot sites, to rezoning mines into employment land and its commitment to establish a long-term pipeline of passenger train manufacturing in the region.

Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said:

“This is exactly what planning for the future looks like.

“We are taking a former mine site and giving it a new purpose powering up to 120,000 homes across New South Wales.

“This is a major vote of confidence in our region. We have the land, infrastructure, and skilled workforce needed to deliver the next generation of major energy projects.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“This is the first pumped hydro project to secure final planning approval in NSW in 6 years. It’s a sign of our commitment to a clean energy future and the beginnings of an evolution of jobs and energy generation in the Hunter to power homes and businesses.

“Projects like Stratford Pumped Hydro also show how we can make the most of former mining sites and create new jobs and industry which will help to drive the region’s economic growth for decades to come.”

Member for Newcastle Tim Crackanthorp said:

“The Port of Newcastle is the mouth that feeds the state’s transition to renewable energy.”

“This project is a great glimpse into NSW energy future, reusing a former mining site for new and innovative renewable energy technologies.”

The $381 million Muswellbrook Bypass is powering forward with early work well underway and a refined design to deliver safer journeys, faster freight movements and better outcomes for the local community.

Jointly funded by the Albanese and Minns Labor Governments, the Australian Government is investing $304.8 million and the NSW Government $76.2 million to deliver the transformative New England Highway upgrade.

The bypass will reshape travel through the Upper Hunter by diverting around 2,500 heavy vehicles a day away from Muswellbrook’s town centre, creating safer roads, more reliable freight movements and a more connected community.

Every day, around 20,000 vehicles travel through the heart of Muswellbrook.

Once complete, the bypass will provide a free-flowing 100 km/h alternative route for through traffic, cutting congestion, improving travel time reliability for freight operators and reducing conflicts between heavy vehicles, local traffic, pedestrians and cyclists.

The project’s refined design delivers a safer, more resilient and more efficient road network.

Key refinements include:

a safer intersection at Milpera Drive

improved northern and southern connections

better local road access

a dedicated U-turn facility on the New England Highway north of the project.

The updated design also reduces flooding impacts, improves traffic movements and minimises property acquisition.

The project is expected to provide a significant boost to the regional economy, supporting about 720 jobs during construction.

Early works are progressing across the project, with the Aboriginal cultural heritage salvage program, undertaken in consultation with the local Aboriginal community, completed in late 2025. Utility relocation work is underway, and dynamic compaction work is now progressing on a section of the alignment crossing a backfilled open-cut mine ahead of major construction.

Completing this work ahead of the main construction contract will help reduce project risk and minimise potential delays during construction.

The project is also moving closer to major construction, with shortlisted applicants progressed to the Request for Tender stage.

The project has been fast tracked with main construction expected to start in 2027.

For more information visit www.transport.nsw.gov.au/projects/current-projects/muswellbrook-bypass-new-england-highway.

Alongside the bypass, Wybong Road and Bengalla Link Road have now both been officially re-categorised as state roads, recognising their strategic importance to the regional freight network.

The reclassification means the NSW Government will take responsibility for their ongoing maintenance, reducing costs for Muswellbrook Shire Council.

Acting Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Kristy McBain said:

“With early works well underway and a refined design finalised, we are powering forward to deliver this $304.8 million Australian Government investment, ensuring trips across the Upper Hunter will be quicker and safer, sooner.

“By moving heavy vehicles onto an alternate route and removing traffic lights, we will fast-track freight movements and save critical time for motorists and truck drivers traveling through the Upper Hunter.”

NSW Minister for the Hunter, Yasmin Catley said:

“The Minns Labor Government’s $76.2 million investment in this bypass is about delivering the infrastructure the Hunter has been waiting for.

“The Hunter powers our state, and we’re making sure the infrastructure keeps pace with its ambition by backing families, businesses and the jobs that drive this region forward.

”There is nowhere else quite like the Hunter and this project is another important step in securing its future.”

NSW Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison said:

“The Muswellbrook Bypass is one of the most significant road projects underway in the Upper Hunter. It will take 20,000 vehicles out of the town centre, making local streets safer while giving freight operators a faster, more reliable route.

“And it’s not the only win for the region. For years, Muswellbrook Shire Council asked the former Liberal and National Government for help with these roads, and for years they were ignored. That government promised to reclassify 15,000 kilometres of roads across the state and never delivered.

“We’re getting on with the job they walked away from. I’m proud that Wybong Road and Bengalla Link Road are now officially reclassified as state roads, with the NSW Government taking on responsibility for these important freight links.”

Federal Member for Hunter Dan Repacholi said:

“For a long time, the people of Muswellbrook were just told about a bypass, but now they can actually see it happening.

“We are getting closer to having heavy traffic flowing away from the town centre, which will make our local streets safer and quieter, and give locals their community back.”

Labor Spokesperson for the Upper Hunter, Emily Suvaal said:

“I’ve seen firsthand what 20,000 vehicles a day rattling through Muswellbrook does to this town – the noise, the wear on streets, the risk to families crossing the road.

“This bypass finally takes that pressure off. Combined with recategorizing Wybong Road and Bengalla Link Road, we’re backing the freight routes this region relies on.

“I look forward to seeing the project progressing over the coming months.”