Category: NSW News

The NSW Government is delivering on its ongoing commitment to revitalise Aboriginal Languages, with the announcement of more than $4 million in grants to fund 74 Aboriginal Language projects across the state.

This new funding builds on the $3.9 million delivered in 2023, double the Coalition Government’s spend in 2022.

The Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris announced the funding while visiting one of the grant recipients, First Linguists, in the town of Brewarrina on Thursday.

First Linguists, supported by Brewarrina Local Aboriginal Land Council, will receive a $15,000 grant to develop workshops to revitalise and preserve the Ngemba, Ualarai, Murrawarri and Kimilaroi Languages.

The NSW Government investment, via the Aboriginal Languages Trust (ALT), will empower Aboriginal people and organisations across the state deliver events, initiatives and projects tailored to the needs of their communities.

Aboriginal languages are central to Aboriginal culture and vital to sustaining traditional knowledge.

The growth and strengthening of Aboriginal Languages and Culture is also a key outcome for Closing the Gap, a national commitment to improve outcomes for Aboriginal people. 

NSW remains the only jurisdiction in Australia to enact legislation that recognises the importance of Aboriginal Languages and establishes mechanisms for a focused investment in their revitalisation. 

In 2023/24 the Aboriginal Languages Trust offered six grant programs, including a new Educational Scholarship Program, which aims to contribute to the growth of Aboriginal Languages by supporting individuals to pursue languages training and education.

Among the many projects the grants will support, include:

• Warren Performing Arts and Language Place Incorporated will record four original songs in the Wayilwan Language and deliver Community Language workshops at Warren in central-west NSW
• Walhallow Local Aboriginal Land Council near Tamworth will create an animation to tell the Dreamtime story of Yurrandaali, the main totem for Aboriginal people of the Liverpool Plains 
• Elders will deliver on country language workshops for Aboriginal young people on Bundjalung Land in northern NSW
• Leeton and District Local Aboriginal Land Council will create four 360-degree interactive videos filmed on country and digitally animated to explore a world using Wiradyuri/Wiradjuri Language in 3D
• Newara Aboriginal Corporation will employ an Anaiwan Language Project Officer and Facilitator, a role vital to supporting Newara as the primary Language organisation and hub for the Anaiwan community in Armidale
• Winangakirri Aboriginal Corporation will employ two Language support workers, a contract Linguist and Archivist, to develop Language learning materials for Community use 
• Blake Cusack will be one of six recipients of the Aboriginal Languages Education Scholarship Program. Blake currently works full time as a Gumbaynggirr language teacher at Gumbaynggirr Giigana Freedom School in Coffs Harbour.

Apply for a NSW Aboriginal Languages Week 2024 grant

Aboriginal organisations and groups in NSW are now invited to apply for grants to hold events and activities celebrating NSW Aboriginal Languages Week 2024 from 20 to 27 October.

Grants of between $1,000 and $5,000 are available for initiatives to celebrate Aboriginal Languages across NSW, including community events, exhibitions, language classes and language workshops.

In its second year, NSW Aboriginal Languages Week aims to celebrate and promote languages with a broad range of stakeholders and audiences through a series of events, programs and promotional activities.

NSW Aboriginal Languages week also recognises the passing of the Aboriginal Languages legislation, which came into law on 24 October 2017.

Applications are open until 6 September 2024. For more information, visit the ALT website, www.alt.nsw.gov.au

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said: 

“Aboriginal communities and organisations are delivering critical work to ensure the first languages of New South Wales are strengthened today, for generations to come.

“Aboriginal languages  are a core aspect of our state’s cultural heritage that must be protected and celebrated.

“It’s pleasing to see the diverse activity happening in this space and to be able to support Aboriginal organisations and people to be change makers.” 

Executive Director, Aboriginal Languages Trust Clare McHugh said:

“Increased engagement by new and returning community organisations demonstrates that funding is leading to a proliferation of activities and programs across NSW that are strengthening Aboriginal languages.

“Each community has their own Language needs and priorities, and their own timeline.

“This year we’re really seeing the positive impact of sustained support for communities, with languages going from strength to strength in numerous regions.

“Other communities seeing that progress have been encouraged to seek funding for the first time, expanding the Trust’s impact.”

First Linguists Director Melissa Kirby said:

“We are very grateful for the NSW Government’s support to allow the Brewarrina community to finally govern their traditional language space.

“The funding enables First Linguists employees to recognise and build the talent in a traditional language speech Pod with the aim to grow more speakers of Ngemba.”

The NSW Government is accelerating the delivery of reliable renewable energy to the Upper Hunter Region following the approval of a large solar farm that will generate enough electricity to power about 191,000 homes each year.

The $880 million project, 28 kilometres south-west of Merriwa, will reduce greenhouse gases across NSW, eliminating about 733,000 tonnes per annum of carbon dioxide helping NSW move towards its net zero emission targets.

With a capacity of 450 megawatts (MW), the Goulburn River Solar Farm includes a battery energy storage system (BESS) that will store solar energy for dispatch to the grid outside of daylight hours and during peak demand, increasing grid stability and energy security to local communities.

The project is located between the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) and the Hunter-Central Coast REZ, and will have direct access to the existing electricity transmission network.

The project will generate 350 construction jobs and support the local regional economy by preferencing local workers and businesses in the construction and operation of the project.

In response to community feedback the applicant amended the project to include additional road upgrade works and construction of a workers accommodation facility onsite and revised the project area to further avoid potential biodiversity impacts.

The Goulburn River Solar Farm is the ninth solar farm and twenty-fifth renewable energy project approved under the Minns Labor Government.

For more information see link here.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“Under our Government, we have a planning system that is supporting the renewable energy transition, approving projects that will support our communities, energy security and emissions reductions.

“With 350 jobs generated during construction and operation, this project will benefit the local economy, local communities and provide indirect benefits to local services throughout the life of project.

“This project is one of many that is part of the state’s growing renewable energy infrastructure that plays a vital role in powering our economy for generations to come.”

Minister for Hunter Yasmin Catley said:

“The $880 million project injects a major capital investment within the Upper Hunter region, bringing a major boost to local jobs.

“Today’s announcement further shores up our region as a renewable energy powerhouse, that will power communities for decades to come.”

Labor is running a protection racket for the CFMEU/Cbus cartel in the Senate.

In an unprecedented move, Labor has reneged on an agreement to refer a Bill designed to protect taxpayer funds from union corruption to an Inquiry.

This highly unusual development reveals Labor wants to wish the CFMEU issues away.

Labor’s move to renege was made known to Senators within two minutes of a vote.

Overnight, Labor decided it would prevent any scrutiny into the CFMEU/Cbus cartel.

They will do anything to protect the cartel. Labor has no interest in probity and no interest in transparency.

While there is CFMEU exposure to the Housing Australia Future Fund, there is a strong public interest.

The Senate’s job is to inquire. These issues must be interrogated at the next sitting where I hope the Senate will stand for integrity.

In three weeks, Labor’s new Housing Minister, Clare O’Neil has done the unthinkable – she has further reduced Labor’s credibility on housing.

An innovative new project to improve responses to families in Dubbo and Wellington has been funded under the Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence National Partnership Agreement 2023-25 (NPA).

The Family Safety Collaboration is a grassroots program that works to strengthen relationships between child protection and domestic and family violence providers and other local agencies.

The project aims to drive positive change in the community, by delivering more coordinated services.

Agencies involved in the collaboration include local government, local Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, Non-Government Organisations, domestic and family violence service providers and child protection and family support services.

The Association of Children’s Welfare Agencies (ACWA) received over $817,000 in funding to lead the project after extensive consultation with the community which included listening to people with lived experience of family and domestic violence.

The project will also support sector development and help to improve responses to families where there are domestic and family violence and child protection concerns.

The NSW Government is receiving a total of $180 million in Commonwealth funding under the 2021-2027 NPA to support domestic, family and sexual violence initiatives. Projects funded by the NPA include those that prevent domestic and family violence, support victim-survivors, enable systems to be more effective and responsive and trial novel approaches and interventions.

Specific initiatives to meet Target 13 of Closing the Gap were also provided funding to reduce the rate of family violence and abuse against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children by 50 per cent by 2031.

Federal Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth said:

“Violence against women is a national shame.

“Community-led projects that bring together expertise is how we will create change, embrace new ways of working and improve co-ordination between services.

“We need to listen and learn from the different experiences of people working in this field. Ending family, domestic and sexual violence will take everyone in society all working actively together to see significant, lasting change.”

NSW Minister for Families and Communities Kate Washington said:

“Every child deserves a safe, stable and nurturing home.

“This important program joins up local services in Dubbo and Wellington to give effective, coordinated support to families who need it.

“Domestic and family violence has a significant impact on children and young people. Innovative responses like the Family Safety Collaboration are essential to address it.”

NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said:

“This project is an example of collaboration across all levels of government, service providers and agencies to make lives safer for families in the Central West.

“It is particularly pleasing that local Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations are a key component of this coordinated effort.

“We know there are better outcomes when Aboriginal organisations are involved with the design, and implementation of Closing the Gap initiatives that change peoples’ lives for the better, such as this program.”

NSW Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said:

“The NSW Government is working with local communities to address domestic and family violence in regional NSW.

“The Family Safety Collaboration is the first project of its kind for NSW and it will bring together the combined expertise of services in the region to benefit families in Dubbo and Wellington.

“We know support services work most effectively when they are joined-up so no one falls through the cracks.

“This innovative project will harness the strengths of the community to address domestic and family violence and help keep children safe in their homes.”

Labor spokesperson for Dubbo Stephen Lawrence said:

“As a Dubbo resident, I am acutely aware of the great need for this service in both Dubbo and Wellington.

“This is a particularly important initiative that aligns with the Closing the Gap framework, and will make a real difference in the lives of victim-survivors.”

ACWA’s Director of Family Safety and Preservation Carolyn Thompson said:

“This investment in the communities of Dubbo and Wellington is extremely welcome. It will ensure that services in Dubbo and Wellington can continue their collaboration to make sure support for families is early and seamless.

“It is vital for rural and regional families, who can face challenges to accessing services.

“We particularly thank the women who’ve shared their lived experience. They have inspired services to identify ways to further strengthen this network of support.”

Frontline emergency care across the Northern Rivers is set to receive a significant boost with the official opening of the new KingscliffAmbulance Station.

Labor Spokesperson for Tweed Emily Suvaal, MLC today joined NSW Ambulance paramedics, local families, and community members to celebrate the milestone.

Co-located on the new Tweed Valley Hospital campus, the new two-level ambulance station replaces the 65-year-old station on Marine Parade in Kingscliff. It features eight internal parking bays including an internal wash bay, administration and office areas, staff rest facilities, gym, logistics and storage areas and on-site parking.

The station is being delivered as part of the NSW Government’s $232 million Rural Ambulance Infrastructure Reconfiguration (RAIR) program. 

The RAIR program is delivering 54 new or upgraded ambulance stations and is the single largest infrastructure investment in regional NSW Ambulance’s almost 130-year history.

The new station, along with the new $723.3 million Tweed Valley Hospital, is part of a massive expansion of health services for the Tweed-Byron region’s growing and ageing population.

The community of Tweed are also now supported by the Tweed Urgent Care Service which is currently available five days a week, from 8am – 4pm, through scheduled visits to residential aged care facilities, but will expand to offer care to people of all ages seven days a week in the coming months.

Extended Care Paramedics are part of the multidisciplinary urgent care team in the Tweed region, providing support to residents for urgent but non-life-threatening medical conditions in the comfort of their own homes.

Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park:

“Kingscliff’s new ambulance station will provide local paramedics with a high-quality base and the latest facilities and equipment to meet the current and future emergency care needs of local community.” 

“The NSW Government is committed to investing in health infrastructure to support better health outcomes for rural and regional communities.”

“The new station on Turnock Street compliments the new Tweed Valley Hospital which is greatly enhancing healthcare in the growing region.” 

Labor Spokesperson for Tweed Emily Suvaal, MLC:

“The new station is a testament to the NSW Government’s dedication to providing first-class emergency services in regional NSW.”

“This new facility will ensure our local paramedics are equipped to meet current and future demand for emergency care in this region.”

NSW Ambulance Chief Executive Dr Dominic Morgan:

“Kingscliff Ambulance Station provides state-of-the-art facilities to equip our highly skilled paramedics with the resources they need.”

“The new station will continue to deliver high quality emergency care to the Northern Rivers communities, now and into the future.”

“We’re excited to have this new station up and running for our local crews and the communities it will service in the region.”

The Minns Labor Government has released the final report from the independent VET (Vocational Education and Training) Review Panel, marking a key milestone in its commitment to restoring the VET system in NSW.

The announcement, made at the National Skills Week event, hosted by Business Sydney and SkillsOne, emphasised the importance of skills development and vocational training in shaping the future workforce of the state.

The final report follows an extensive review and consultation process, including regional tours, roundtable sessions, a Skills Symposium, and discussions with more than 1,100 contributors.

The VET Review, a key election commitment, aims to provide a roadmap for rebuilding TAFE NSW, supporting learners, and strengthening the voice of local industry.

The final report contains 21 recommendations designed to transform and better integrate the VET system while supporting its stakeholders.

Key areas of focus include a new needs-based funding model, improved coordination of critical services, and enhanced support for equity cohorts, including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander learners and those in regional areas.

In addition, the final report advocates for stronger ties and collaboration between government and industry, including formal commitments on skills development within priority sectors as well as building links between high school and post school training.

The NSW Government will consider all recommendations from both the interim and final reports and provide a formal response in due course.

In the meantime, work has already begun on progressing recommendations of the VET Review’s interim report, including commencing consultations on a new TAFE NSW Charter, and a revised TAFE NSW operating model.

Access the final report

Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan said:

“The VET Review Panel, led by Chair, Dr. Michele Bruniges AM, Verity Firth AM, and Jason Ardler PSM, worked tirelessly to provide the NSW Government with a report that comprehensively assesses and reimagines the VET system in NSW.

“The Panel has delivered a report which clearly reflects the issues the sector faces. It is now up to the Minns Labor Government to carefully consider the recommendations and deliver reform in this crucial sector.

“This Final Report cements the Minns Labor Government’s election commitment to comprehensively review our VET system.

“We knew that after 12 years of neglect from the former government, we needed to understand the full damages caused to the sector.

“We will take our time to consider how to implement these reforms properly to rebuild a skills system that is delivering in our areas of critical need.”

VET Review Panel Chair, Dr. Michele Bruniges AM said:

“I would like to thank my fellow panellists for their insightful contributions and the many stakeholders whose views have helped shape our recommendations.

“The NSW Vocational Education and Training (VET) system is critical to the future of our communities and our economy. How we develop the skills and capabilities of the NSW workforce for the future will be a key factor in addressing many of the major challenges facing our state.

“I am immensely proud to deliver this final report which sets out the panel’s aspiration for how the NSW VET system will meet this challenge with the NSW Government as its steward working collaboratively with our community and private providers.”

The NSW Government has welcomed a report by the James Martin Institute (JMI) that emphasises the importance of putting families first in reforming and rebuilding the child protection system.

JMI worked with the Centre for Relational Care to develop the report which made 11 policy suggestions outlining the need to shake-up the child protection system in NSW.

The report, Supporting Children and Families to Flourish, highlights the importance of building trust with families and providing support early so they can better support their child’s safety and wellbeing. Significantly, it suggests a redesign of the child protection system to put relationships and people at the centre.

This builds on existing reform work within the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) to support families to stay together, where possible, and to ensure children live in safe, stable and nurturing homes.

Some of the Government’s current work includes:

• Ensuring child protection caseworkers make ‘active efforts’ to prevent children entering out-of-home care and, for children who must be removed, active efforts to restore them to their family
• Shifting children from High-Cost Emergency Arrangements (such as hotels, motels and caravan parks) to more suitable options
• Significant caseworker and foster care recruitment activities

The NSW Government welcomes the report and will consider its suggestions as part of a larger body of reform work of the child protection system to make NSW a place where children and families receive the help they need at the time they need it, and where crisis interventions are rare and a last resort.

Download a full copy of the report 

Minister for Families and Communities and Minister for Disability Inclusion, Kate Washington said:

“This report will be a guiding light as we embark on significant reform of the child protection system.

“For our reforms to succeed we must ensure that vulnerable children know that there’s always someone in their corner who will back them every day.

“To fix the broken child protection system in NSW, we must do things differently. This report confirms that there is another way when it comes to caring for and protecting children.”

The Albury Hospital campus is set to transform following the release of the concept design for the new $558 million Albury Wodonga Regional Hospital project.

The Albury Hospital campus will consolidate complex care on one site, which will improve safety for patients, reducing the duplication of services and the need for urgent travel between the Wodonga and Albury campuses.

It will pave the way for a future transformation of the Wodonga Hospital Campus to a non-emergency care hub whilst supporting the border community now and into the future with these major improvements and upgrades.

The Albury Wodonga Regional Hospital project will support the region’s growing population, providing contemporary models of care and better connectivity across the Albury Hospital Campus.

The Albury Wodonga Regional Hospital project includes a new 7-storey Clinical Services Building, addressing the evolving needs of the Border communities with cutting-edge medical technology and infrastructure.

The project will deliver a mix of new and refurbished facilities and is expected to include:

• More than 80 additional new beds for medical and surgical inpatients across 3 new inpatient units with 60 per cent single rooms and remainder in double rooms.
• New and enhanced Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
• Enhanced Maternity and birthing services, including a special care nursery
• 32 bed Mental Health inpatient unit to replace and expand the existing Nolan House current 24-bed service
• New surgical and operating theatres, including a hybrid theatre plus procedure room
• New Cardiac Catheter Lab
• New central sterile supply department adjacent to theatres
• Expanded ambulatory care, cardiac diagnostics and allied health therapies
• New hospital main entrance and public drop-off zone from Keene Street, Aboriginal Family Lounge, Multi-faith Centre and retail opportunities
• Additional at grade and multi-storey car parking

Numbers will be finalised as planning and design progresses.

The refurbishment of the current ICU space and existing theatres will provide additional points of care for the Emergency Department, a new six-bed Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs Unit, and new and upgraded pharmacy and pathology facilities.

A new multi-storey car park and better designed car parking spaces on ground level will be delivered to increase parking capacity on the Albury site with the number of spaces to be confirmed as planning progresses.  In addition, to facilitate construction of the new clinical services building, a new building to be known as the Northeast building, will be built as part of early works to support the relocation of services, also providing opportunities for future service expansion.

The new clinical services building will offer expansive views across the region and a connection to the local landscape, along with new outdoor areas and spaces to support the healing and wellbeing of patients, staff and visitors.

When the Albury Wodonga Regional Hospital project is complete, the Wodonga Hospital campus will offer a range of non-emergency services to the region, including day procedures, dialysis, subacute care such as rehabilitation, treatment for patients with chronic medical conditions, outpatient appointments and consultations, allied health including physiotherapy and social work.

Planning and design for the Albury Wodonga Regional Hospital has been informed by consultation with key stakeholders including Albury Wodonga Health Service staff, Albury Council, Wodonga Council, NSW and Victoria government agencies, the local Aboriginal community, the Project Community Advisory Group and the broader Albury Wodonga community. 

Through consultation, clinical services have been prioritised to meet the immediate and growing needs of the community and ensure building works can commence sooner.  During this process, patients requiring transport to a more specialised hospital for more urgent and acute care will continue to be safely and effectively managed from the nearby Albury Airport.

The Clinical Services Building is designed to enable future expansion, including space for a new paediatrics inpatient unit; operating theatre expansion; additional consulting rooms and education and library spaces. These spaces will be fitted out in stages within the available budget.

The community is encouraged to view and provide feedback on the latest designs via an online survey and at a series of in person and online staff and community information sessions taking place in Albury, Wodonga and surrounds.

Feedback on the concept design will be used to inform the next stage of design and support the development of necessary planning requirements.

For further information about the redevelopment visit: Albury Wodonga Regional Hospital – Health Infrastructure NSW

www.hinfra.health.nsw.gov.au/projects/project-search/albury-wodonga-regional-hospital

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park:

“The release of the concept design is an exciting step forward in the delivery of the new Albury Wodonga Regional Hospital, which will provide enhanced and expanded health care services in a contemporary health facility.

“The transformation of the Albury Hospital site will consolidate complex care on one campus, which will improve safety for patients and ensure better health outcomes for the community.

“Importantly, it will provide our dedicated health staff with a modern and fit-for-purpose working environment, which will help attract more health professionals to the Border communities of Albury and Wodonga to meet future demand.

“Engaging with staff, clinicians, and the broader community is essential to the planning and design of the new hospital, and I encourage everyone to visit the project website and participate at upcoming information sessions, to provide feedback and learn more about this exciting project.”

Victorian Minister for Health Infrastructure Mary-Anne Thomas:

“We are working with NSW and the Commonwealth to deliver our promise of a bigger and better health service for the growing border communities of Albury Wodonga – delivering more health care for locals, closer to home.”

“We have a strong record of investing in regional health services and this project will help strengthen Albury Wodonga’s footing as a health hub for the entire region.”

Repairs to the flood-damaged Wardell Wharf have been completed and this important community asset has now officially reopened to the public.

The Wharf suffered significant damage during the 2022 flood events. Thanks to Ballina Shire Council’s project team and support from the Albanese and Minns Governments, the Wardell Wharf has been restored and is ready for the community to enjoy once again.

The $1.50 million project received joint funding of $1.03 million from the Australian and NSW Governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, with Council providing $470,000. The funding is administered by NSW Public Works Advisory and the NSW Reconstruction Authority.

The works included repairing the damaged wharf and boardwalk piles and installing new armouring along the riverbank near Wardell Wharf.

This reopening marks the successful conclusion of a significant rejuvenation project aimed at restoring a cherished landmark.

Restoring such an iconic piece of infrastructure is a sign the region is getting back on track after the 2022 floods.

For more information visit Ballina Shire Council’s website ballina.nsw.gov.au

Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Jenny McAllister:

“We know how important Wardell wharf is to the community as a historical landmark and a recreational one that allows residents to enjoy the Richmond River.

“I’m pleased that we could help restore this community asset and improve its resilience with new armouring which will help the community’s ongoing efforts to recover.”

Member for Richmond, Justine Elliot: 

“I’m so pleased to see that the repairs to Wardell Wharf from the 2022 floods are now complete. 
 
“Wardell Wharf is treasured by our community and is a great place for locals and visitors alike to fish and enjoy the Richmond River.  

“This is an important day for the community. The Australian and NSW Governments are proud to have provided funding to complete the repairs.” 

NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully:

“Wardell Wharf is as famous in the town as the Wardell bridge, so I’m pleased that it has been returned to working order.

“This funding has helped to maintain its significant heritage.”

NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery, Janelle Saffin:

“The completion of the Wardell Wharf is an important milestone for the Northern Rivers community, and it’s one of many infrastructure projects completed or underway in the area to get communities back on track.”

Ballina Mayor, Sharon Cadwallader:

“The historical timber wharf is synonymous with the Wardell village, and I am so pleased to see it returned to its former glory.”

“The wharf holds a special place in the hearts of our residents, connecting the local community with the Richmond River and serving as a great spot to wet the fishing line or enjoy a magical sunset.”

“The Wardell Wharf is an important historical and recreational asset for our shire. By investing in its repair, we have ensured its preservation of this cherished landmark for both current residents and for future generations.”