Category: NSW News

The Minns Labor Government will begin the work of setting up an internal medical locum agency to address the growing cost of attracting medical locums to regional areas.

Locums are medical officers engaged to fill a temporary vacancy – most commonly used to address worker shortages in the regions and engaged through staff hire agencies.

In 2022-23, agency commissions for locum doctors represented around $37 million, up from $20 million in 2020-21.

COVID-19 was a major factor in driving up costs. As staff availability tightened, so too did the need to source additional staff through agencies.

But the NSW Government is committed to bringing and keeping down the cost of external commission fees.

$6.3 million in the 2024-25 NSW Budget, will examine the feasibility of a NSW Health Locum Agency, including how it would work and how much money could be saved as a result.

This announcement builds on the work of the NSW Government to improve access to care in regional, rural and remote communities, including:

• doubling rural health incentives for critical vacancies in hardest to fill roles
• boosting doctors in regional GP surgeries as well as hospitals through the Single Employer Model
• rolling out key worker accommodation, and
• delivering an extra 500 regional paramedics.

NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey:

“This is a must-have investment in the health of regional and remote communities.

“Building an in-house agency means we can drive down rising external fees and put more money back into the health workforce.

“This $6.3 million investment marks another step in the Minns Labor Government’s pledge to build a better health system for everyone in NSW.

“We can afford this policy. Because we cut the state’s debt, we have cut the state’s interest bill.  And we can use that money to make a difference to the health outcomes of people in regional and remote NSW.”

Minister for Health Ryan Park:

“Locums and other contingent workforce are important features of our health system to enable it to remain agile, and to scale up and down as needed.

“But I’ve always said that I am determined to see more of our health spending flow directly to our clinicians, and I think that’s a very reasonable community expectation.

“The Government is focusing on strategies to address the growing cost of this service, and the proposed internal agency will help to lower external fees across the state. It will also allow medical locums to trust us to place them in our hospitals.

“Our rural and regional health staff have strong connections to the communities they live in. We acknowledge and greatly appreciate their commitment to delivering exceptional care to the people they serve.”

The Minns Labor Government will invest $3.4 billion in 2024-25 to upgrade hospitals and health facilities across the state as part of the 2024-25 NSW Budget ensuring patients continue to receive high-quality care in their local community.
 

Of this, nearly $1 billion will be allocated towards rural and regional health capital works projects, and over half a billion towards Western Sydney hospitals in 2024-25 alone.

The NSW Government will also invest a further $47.8 million in the upgraded Ryde Hospital, bringing the total investment in the Ryde Hospital redevelopment to $526.8 million.

This investment will deliver expanded and upgraded health services for Ryde and surrounding communities, which will include a new emergency department, inpatient wards and cutting-edge imaging and diagnostic services.

Key new investments in the 2024-25 NSW Budget include:

• hundreds of millions of dollars in additional funding to deliver ongoing hospital redevelopments at Eurobodalla, Temora, Liverpool, Integrated Mental Health Complex at Westmead, Moree, Nepean, Cessnock and Shellharbour Hospitals
• $265 million for the upgrade of Port Macquarie Hospital to provide a greater range of clinical services, including emergency and maternity services for the communities of the Mid North Coast
• $250 million in a critical maintenance program at hospitals and health facilities across NSW.

This funding boost will improve access to high-quality health care, by delivering much-needed upgraded health infrastructure and technology, in particular, focusing on the parts of the state that need it most.

NSW needs a coordinated and sustainable roadmap for future growth, with the necessary infrastructure built alongside housing, to enable and support healthier and well-serviced communities.

The budget will prioritise building better communities for NSW – ensuring we have the right level of health infrastructure and health service to improve the lives and wellbeing all communities across NSW.

The NSW Government is committed to continuing to build on our previous investments in important infrastructure projects for the state, including upgrading and maintaining essential health services, to provide residents with the safest and high-quality health care service they deserve to improve their wellbeing.

Health Minister Ryan Park said:

“Our health system faces significant challenges after 12 years of neglect by the Liberal and National government, but we are making the diligent decision to invest in critical health infrastructure to ensure we have the essential health services the people of NSW rely on.

“By investing in critical health infrastructure, we will deliver on our promise to provide better healthcare in NSW by expanding health services in these growing communities, so patients can access the best medical treatments close to home.

“These infrastructure projects and the range of health services that will be provided from them by our committed and caring health staff will also help attract more healthcare workers to work in these modern and purpose-built health care facilities across NSW.

“In addition, the jobs that are generated as a result of the opportunities available to builders, tradies and apprentices during the construction phase of all these major health infrastructure projects, is also a valuable economic driver in many of our local communities across the state.”

Hundreds of public schools across metropolitan and regional NSW will benefit from improved facilities following a billion-dollar boost for maintenance and minor upgrades.

The investment in our schools is part of the NSW Labor Government’s long-term plan to rebuild the state’s education system.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car, and Treasurer Daniel Mookhey, are today visiting Bonnyrigg High School, one of the schools to benefit from the funding injection.

As part of the 2024 to 2025 NSW Budget, following years of campaigning, the school will receive an upgrade to its bathrooms. Planning for the improvements will start in coming weeks, in consultation with the school.

A record $1.08 billion pipeline of investment for minor works in the coming financial year alone will support the delivery of $600 million for school maintenance work, alongside $150 million in essential works to boost disability access and safety, and $200 million for small upgrades and refurbishments.

Projects will focus on lifting standards of important facilities, particularly school bathrooms, as well as improving classrooms, science labs, workshops, performance and arts spaces and vocational education and training (VET) facilities.

Maintenance work in schools includes:

• painting 
• repairs and replacements of roofs, fences, windows, doors, ceilings, and carpeting
• electrical repairs and upgrades
• floor coverings
• continuing to support urgent repairs in schools when needed.

The Department of Education will work with principals and school leadership over coming months to prioritise projects.

The boost in investment comes as 62,000 longer-term school maintenance tasks have been carried out by the Department of Education in 2023 to 2024 so far, including maintenance works for close to 2 thirds of the state’s public schools, or 1492 schools in 6882 individual buildings.

This includes:

• more than 837,800sqm of painting, or the equivalent to painting the Sydney Harbour Bridge twice
• 332,579sqm of new roofing, or the equivalent to installing roofing on 37 Bunnings Warehouse stores
• installing 271,213sqm of new flooring – or the equivalent to covering the Penrith Panthers’ stadium field 37 times
• laying 233,537sqm of playground pavement – enough paving to cover a dual carriageway road between Sydney CBD and Parramatta.

Over the same period, the department responded to more than 155,000 callouts from public schools, with workers able to resolve issues in under 5 days on average. This includes responding to:

• 27,994 blocked toilets, leaking taps or sinks
• 32,649 electrical faults
• 10,017 air conditioning or HVAC systems.

Our plan to build a better NSW

Since being elected the Minns Labor Government has been working on a comprehensive plan to invest in and rebuild public education in NSW.

We are making the responsible decisions to ensure every family in NSW has access to free, quality public education.

This includes building new schools and upgrading existing facilities in rapidly-growing communities like those in Western Sydney, where this year’s budget delivers $3.6 billion for a pipeline of more than 60 new and upgraded schools. This includes an overdue new public and high school for Box Hill in Sydney’s North West – with a temporary public school to take enrolments from next year.

Building, maintaining and improving essential services like public schools is key to building better communities and addressing the cost of living as families find it increasingly difficult to make ends meet. It is part of our plan to build a better NSW.

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

“This year’s budget will strengthen our commitment to keeping our schools and equipment in the good condition that our communities deserve.

“Our public schools are the lifeblood of our communities, and we want teachers and students to feel proud to study and work in them – central to that is ensuring that they are maintained to a high standard and have the most up-to-date facilities.

“I visited Bonnyrigg High School in November last year, to see first-hand concerns about some of the school facilities. I am pleased to be here today to announce that the school will benefit from this month’s back-to-basics Budget.

“This investment will also give local economies a boost, supporting jobs and opportunities for local trades and businesses.

“We are continuing our record investment in Western Sydney schools, whether it is to build the new and upgraded schools that these communities need or upgrading our existing schools for our teachers and students.”

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:

“Improving the conditions of NSW schools is a must-have to ensure that students and teachers have the best environment possible to learn and teach.

“This Government is continuing to deliver on its promise to rebuild the state’s public education system.

“When I visited Bonnyrigg High School earlier this year, I heard from the staff and students about their concerns.

“This billion-dollar investment will make a material difference for 1,400 public schools and their communities.

“We have the cut state’s debt, so that we are paying less on the state’s interest bill. We are now using those savings to make a difference for schools across NSW.”

Member for Cabramatta Tri Vo said:

“It is fantastic to see Bonnyrigg High School will benefit from an upgrade to their school facilities, which has been one of a number of campaigns by the school community.

“I am proud to be part of the NSW Labor Government, who are committed to improving school buildings across NSW, so every public school student can reach their full potential.”

Member for Liverpool Charishma Kaliyanda said:

“Bonnyrigg High School has played a huge role in educating our community for generations, and it’s wonderful to see the school facilities getting an upgrade to ensure it can continue to deliver quality public education.

“Education is the great enabler for families in Western Sydney, so I’m very proud to be part of a NSW Labor Government that is delivering on its promise to ensure our young people have access to quality public education.”

The NSW Opposition is calling on the Minns Labor Government to come clean on its cuts to maintenance spending at public schools across the state. 
 
Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said the Minns Labor Government’s so-called ‘infrastructure blitz’ is providing less funding than had been allocated by the former Liberal and Nationals Government.
 
“This is just more smoke and mirrors from Labor on school infrastructure,” Mr Speakman said.

“The Treasurer’s claim of a ‘record’ $1.08 billion pipeline for maintenance and minor capital works does not stand up to scrutiny as the Coalition allocated $1.3 billion on the same types of projects in the 2022-23 Budget.
 
“This $220 million cut is a result of Premier Chris Minns losing control of the Budget, and our public schools will be worse off as a result.”
 
Shadow Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said families deserve to know what the true impact of Labor’s lies will be.  
 
“The detail of this announcement is where the shocking truth becomes apparent,” Ms Mitchell said.
 
“Labor is allocating less money for school maintenance this financial year than the former Liberal and Nationals Government because it handed the keys to the NSW Budget to the unions and is cutting expenditure across the board as a result.
 
“That means schools will have less money to spend on facilities for your kids. That’s
things like classroom and toilet upgrades, painting, carpets, fences and new windows and doors.”
 
Today’s announcement follows Labor’s decision to rip $150m out of public school budgets mid-way through the year, forcing school principals to consider cutting staff and programs to find savings.

The NSW Government has passed new laws which will tackle knife crime by giving police extra powers to keep knives off our streets and bring in new restrictions relating to the sale of knives to children.

Under the powers, modelled on Queensland’s Jack’s Law, police will be able to use handheld scanners – or electronic metal-detecting ‘wands’ – to stop and scan individuals without a warrant at designated areas. These will include shopping precincts, sporting venues and public transport stations.

These powers will be made available in circumstances where a relevant offence involving weapons, knives, or violence has occurred within the past 12 months.

A declaration can then be made by a senior police officer, enabling police to scan people for a period of 12 hours (with an option to extend as required, as long as the same criteria are met).

The NSW Government thanks Brett and Belinda Beasley and the Queensland Government for sharing their experiences and their knowledge in regard to Jack’s Law.

The Act also increases the maximum penalty for selling a knife to a child under the age of 16 and introduces a new offence prohibiting selling a knife to a child aged 16 or 17 without a reasonable excuse.

The Act amends the Summary Offences Act 1988 (Summary Offences Act) to double the maximum financial penalty for selling a knife to a child under the age of 16 and to introduce a custodial penalty. The maximum penalty is now $11,000, imprisonment for 12 months, or both.

The Act also introduces a new offence into section 11F of the Summary Offences Act that prohibits selling a knife to a child aged 16 or 17 without a reasonable excuse, with provisions for young people needing knives for work or study, such as hospitality students and apprentices in some trades.

The reforms build upon responsible action taken by the NSW Government including:

• Doubling of the maximum penalties for various knife related offences in 2023.
• Ongoing high impact NSW Police operations such as “Operation Foil” – an ongoing, targeted operation which last ran from 11–13 April 2024. It targets knife crime and anti-social behaviour with 51 knives/weapons seized and 145 people charged with weapon-related offences.  In the last year alone almost 4000 knives were seized in public places.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

“I want to genuinely thank Belinda and Brett Beasley whose advocacy has helped change the law, making NSW a safer place.

“Our state is still shaken following the devastating spate of knife related violence.

“We have taken action to send a clear message that NSW will simply not accept these kinds of crimes.

“These are commonsense changes that strike a careful balance between preserving the rights of individuals and ensuring communities stay safe.”

NSW Attorney General Michael Daley said:

“Recently, as a community, we have witnessed tragic events in NSW.

“These shocking incidents have laid bare how devastating knife crime can be and how the lives of innocent people can be snatched away in an instant. I can’t begin to imagine the pain those who have suffered from knife crime feel and I offer my sincerest condolences to those affected by it.

“We want to ensure that people in the community feel safe and are safe. Rightly, they expect the government to do more to achieve that and this new Act will help to keep our streets safer.

“Knife crime is unacceptable. The ability for police to ‘wand’ people will help prevent people being injured and will deter people from carrying them and increase community safety.

“These tougher maximum penalties highlight the seriousness of knife-related crime.”

The NSW Labor Government will ensure all bail decisions are made by magistrates, as part of its domestic violence response package.

This builds on the Government’s commitment last month to ensure magistrates oversee weekend bail hearings, as the Government provides more information around implementation following further detailed work by the Department of Communities and Justice. 

The Government will invest $34 million over four years, including employing up to six additional magistrates, along with additional costs to be incurred by NSW Police and Legal Aid.

It also includes specialist domestic and family violence training for magistrates and court staff, costs associated with evaluation, and capital funding to ensure audio-visual link facilities are available to support remote bail hearings.

The implementation of the legislation will commence on proclamation in coming months and is being funded from the $45 million announced as part of the Government’s $230 million emergency domestic violence response package.

The Government chose to make this change through an amendment in its domestic violence bail legislation, giving certainty to the Parliament and the community.

Overall, the Government’s domestic, family and sexual violence bail reforms will make it more difficult for those accused of serious domestic violence offences to get bail.

This strengthening of bail laws will expand the show cause test to coercive control and serious domestic violence offences committed against intimate partners, and will require electronic monitoring for alleged serious domestic violence offenders granted bail.

The reforms expand the categories of offences for which bail decisions can be ‘stayed’, while also requiring bail decision-makers to consider domestic abuse risk factors, and to consider the views of victims and their family members.

Attorney General Michael Daley said:

“Registrars have an important place in the administration of the courts but there is now a community expectation that our magistrates are best placed to make these decisions in what are often very difficult circumstances.

“This is one part of a multi-faceted response by the Government to improve our response to domestic, family and sexual violence.”

The NSW Government has passed new laws to strengthen community safety by making it harder for alleged domestic violence offenders to get bail, and ensuring all bail decisions are made by magistrates.

Under the new law, people charged with serious domestic violence offences will be required to show cause why they should not be detained until their case is determined – reversing the presumption of bail.

This will apply to those charged with offences, in the context of intimate partner relationships, that carry a maximum penalty of 14 or more years jail.

These offences include sexual assault, kidnapping, and choking to render someone unconscious with intent to commit another indictable offence.

If granted bail, these accused offenders will be subject to electronic monitoring, unless the bail authority is satisfied sufficient reasons exist – in the interests of justice – to justify not imposing the condition.

The show cause provision will apply to coercive control, which will be a criminal offence from 1 July 2024.

The amendments also strengthen the unacceptable risk test in the Bail Act. Under these changes, before granting bail, decision makers must consider:

• ‘red flag’ behaviour that could constitute domestic abuse, such as behaviour that is physically abusive or violent; behaviour that is sexually abusive, coercive or violent; behaviour that is stalking; behaviour that causes death or injury to an animal; behaviour that is verbally abusive; or behaviour that is intimidation.
• the views of victims and their family members, where available, about safety concerns.

The new legislation will also:

• expand the categories of offences for which bail decisions can be ‘stayed’, meaning the accused person remains in custody while prosecutors bring a detention application before the Supreme Court.
• make it easier to prosecute perpetrators who use tracking devices in a domestic violence context.
• ensure magistrates or judges, rather than registrars, make all bail decisions (not just bail decisions related to domestic violence).

Up to 6 additional magistrates will be employed and the Government will provide funding to ensure audio-visual link facilities are available to support remote bail hearings.

This reform comes after the NSW Government announced a $230 million package to improve the response to domestic and family violence through primary prevention, early intervention and crisis response measures.

The Bail and Other Legislation Amendment (Domestic Violence) Act 2024 amends both the Bail Act 2013 and the Surveillance Devices Act 2007.

Premier Chris Minns said:

“These laws are long overdue and make it harder for alleged domestic violence offenders to get bail.

“They will help keep women and children safer.

“These changes are important as part of work across Government to improve responses to domestic, family and sexual violence.”

Attorney General Michael Daley said:

“The NSW Government has taken urgent action to address the unacceptable rate of domestic violence in our community.

“People accused of serious domestic violence offences against intimate partners will now have to ‘show cause’ why their detention is not justified, and if they are granted bail, they will be subject to electronic monitoring.

“In an important change, all bail matters will now be heard by magistrates and not registrars. This is not a criticism of registrars, who perform important work for their communities.

“These changes to the bail framework are a critical step in addressing domestic violence in NSW.”

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

“This reform complements the $230 million package the NSW Government recently announced to improve NSW domestic violence prevention and support.

“Domestic, family, and sexual violence is preventable, and we continue to look for ways to better support the safety of women and children.”

Minister for Corrections Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“Any act of domestic violence is abhorrent, and women have a right to feel safe everywhere in our community.

“Corrections has specialists right now electronically monitoring offenders on parole or serving orders in the community. We are ready to deploy our expertise and know-how to help expand electronic monitoring to the bail system.

“Electronic monitoring forms part of the government’s coordinated approach to disrupt domestic violence across multiple fronts.”

The NSW Government is taking an innovative approach to help strengthen housing support for those who need it most by using vacant, underutilised properties for people urgently seeking shelter.

A social housing block set for redevelopment will be temporarily used to provide much needed crisis accommodation. Women and children escaping domestic violence are among the many individuals and families who will be able to access this accommodation in inner-city Sydney.

Homes NSW will partner with community housing provider, Bridge Housing, to utilise the existing 17-unit building to house people needing short-term accommodation. This model will continue to be rolled out across the state where suitable properties are identified to be used for temporary accommodation.

As the state continues to grapple with a housing crisis all options must be on the table to bring more safe and secure homes online sooner. Since July 2023, the number of households accessing temporary accommodation (TA) each night has increased significantly, with this site to provide vital short-term relief.

Temporary Accommodation is available for people experiencing homelessness, who are unable to access any other form of safe and appropriate accommodation. Increasing the supply of alternative accommodation, even in the ‘meanwhile’ reduces pressure for temporary and crisis support.

In direct response to the calls for more support, last year, the NSW Government made changes to Temporary Accommodation to create a better place for people in crisis by increasing the initial period of Temporary Accommodation, from two days to seven days and removing the annual 28-day cap.

In addition, people escaping domestic and family violence have had the cash asset limit assessment removed entirely to help break down unnecessary barriers for vulnerable people.

Homes NSW worked to relocate all previous residents into long-term permanent social housing. Rather than leaving the site vacant in a housing crisis. The NSW Government is ensuring that the building continues to be used for accommodation linked to support services under a ‘meanwhile use’ agreement with Bridge Housing.

The site will be used as short-term accommodation for up to 12 months. After this time, the property will be redeveloped into 43 new social homes, an additional 26 units than is currently available on the site.

During this time Homes NSW to complete detailed site investigations, final design and builder procurement for the new social housing development.

Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said:

“This innovative initiative demonstrates our unwavering commitment to addressing homelessness head-on by providing immediate relief to those in need.

“We know a big part of this housing crisis is homes left vacant that could be used by people in need. This is a common sense, practical approach to help get people back on their feet.

“The surge in demand for temporary accommodation emphasizes the urgent need for comprehensive support services. Securing additional funding is imperative to bolstering these services and delivering sustainable solutions for people experiencing homelessness.

“As we continue to rebuild our housing system, we are looking and what direct and immediate actions we can take to provide wrap around support and housing to vulnerable people.”

Bridge Housing’s Chief Operating Officer Simone Parsons said:

“Bridge Housing is honoured to undertake the tenancy management of this project in inner-city Sydney for Homes NSW.

“Taking properties earmarked for development and repurposing them for interim accommodation changes the lives of people experiencing homelessness and domestic violence. It gives them a stable base to get back on their feet, supported by the Women and Girls Emergency Centre (WAGEC), Weave and YWCA, while we work to find them long-term housing.

“Meanwhile housing helps solve immediate housing needs and is scalable and replicable for sites undergoing the DA process.”

The Greyhound Welfare & Integrity Commission (GWIC) will review allegations about various matters involving Greyhound Racing NSW’s (GRNSW) Wyee rehoming facility.

The allegations relate to the care of greyhounds at the facility, which was temporarily closed in May as part of changes made by the GRNSW board.

GWIC will review allegations relating to:

• greyhound accommodation at the Wyee facility
• alleged injuries to greyhounds housed at the facility
• the GRNSW management’s response to animal welfare concerns raised by staff at the facility.

The Minister for Gaming and Racing, the Hon David Harris MP, has requested GWIC to review the allegations and provide a report to the Minister in accordance with section 12(e) of the Greyhound Racing Act 2017 by 5 July 2024.

GRNSW was established under the Act. Its statutory functions include registering greyhound racing clubs, developing safety standards for licensed racecourses, and managing greyhound adoption programs, among others.

Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris said:

“The NSW Government and wider community need to have confidence that the industry is being run with the highest standards of animal welfare, integrity and sustainability.

“While GRNSW is not a government organisation, with its CEO and Board responsible for its operation, I’ve received information relating to Wyee and the welfare of greyhounds under its care.

“These allegations require further review, as they have the potential to undermine public trust and integrity in the industry.

“As the industry’s regulator, GWIC is best placed to look into these matters and report back to me to inform my consideration of any appropriate next steps.”

The NSW Government has given planning approval for a major refurbishment of BlueScope’s 60-year-old plate mill to strengthen production, stimulate the state’s economy, and create new local jobs.

The development is a massive endorsement of locally made steel operations in NSW, with an estimated $650 million injection of stimulus to the economy.

The upgrade will improve production capability and capacity at the Port Kembla site, where steel slabs are rolled down the line at 1300 degrees Celsius, to cater to an increased demand in the construction, renewable energy and the defence sector.

The multimillion-dollar project will involve replacing 2 of the existing furnaces with a newer and more energy efficient alternative, upgrading infrastructure and modernising processing plant equipment.

The project includes measures to reduce environmental impacts from its operations such as a large reduction in fuel consumption. It will also result in:

• increased production capacity from an existing 430,000 tonnes per year to 600,000 tonnes
• a direct economic stimulus of $650 million for NSW
• the creation of 95 full-time construction jobs during peak construction periods and an additional 18 operational jobs.

The State Significant Development approval will allow BlueScope to support the emerging renewable energy sector in the Illawarra producing more high-quality steel plates, which will help the state work towards its target of Net Zero by 2050.

In a show of support for the upgrade and the broader industrial land transformation project, the government can also announce the establishment of a ‘whole of government’ Working Group to be chaired by the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces and Member for Wollongong.

The Working Group will coordinate government decision making in the largest industrial land reactivation proposal in the world – the equivalent to transforming land use in Sydney CBD from Circular Quay to Central Station. This project is expected to provide employment land for up to 30,000 people.

Works are expected to commence in July 2024 and will take 3 years to complete.

For more information, visit the NSW Planning Portal.

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

“Port Kembla Steelworks is an important part of Wollongong with a history of steelmaking of nearly 100 years. This major project represents the most comprehensive upgrade of the plate mill since it was built in 1963.

“Much of the original plant is still in use today including the original reheat furnaces, and 6 decades later, this upgrade is needed to modernise operations and increase efficiency.

“The new furnace represents the best available technology which will keep steel plate production local and continue to provide enormous economic benefit to the Illawarra for the future.

“Combined with the reline of the number 6 blast furnace and the approved jetty upgrades these investments signal a strong future for steelmaking in the Illawarra.

“I look forward to this upgrade getting underway and these new highly skilled job opportunities being offered to the local community.

“I am also looking forward to chairing the new ‘whole of government’ Working Group acting as a one stop shop for the coordination of departmental and agency decision making on the world’s largest land reactivations – the equivilent of tranforming land use in Sydney CBD from Circular Quay to Central Station.

“This confirms the strategic importance that the NSW Government places on this land transformation – not only for the Illawarra region but the whole of NSW.”

Chief Executive Australian Steel Products Tania Archibald said:

“The modernisation of the plate mill is an important step in bolstering Australia’s sovereign manufacturing capability, supporting critical industries like renewable energy, defence and major infrastructure.

“This project is a testament to BlueScope’s vision to be a vibrant, modern and sustainable manufacturer in Australia.”