Category: NSW News

The community is being encouraged to share their feedback on the proposed design to revitalise the much-loved and iconic Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo.

On exhibition until Thursday 30 May 2024, the new design honours the heritage of the buildings by retaining the Wran building, and transforms the heritage listed Boiler House, Turbine Hall, Switch House and Ultimo Post Office buildings to create four flexible, dynamic exhibition spaces.

The NSW’s Government’s $250 million investment in a heritage renewal will reorient the museum’s main entrance and create a new public square and entry via The Goods Line to enable better connection with surrounding precincts and public transport.

Audiences and community will benefit from improved exhibition and programming spaces and allow the Powerhouse Museum to accommodate international exhibitions and increase the community’s access to the renowned Powerhouse Collection of more than 500,000 objects.

The visitor experience will be improved through easier visitor circulation, expanded programming, and increase its use for the community.

Key features of the Powerhouse Museum Ultimo design include:          

• Four flexible, dynamic exhibition spaces that allow the museum to create and present high quality, internationally leading museum exhibitions across the applied arts and applied sciences and featuring the Powerhouse Collection.
• New public domain spaces including a 2000sqm square at the northern end of The Goods Line, the Post Office Courtyard on Harris Street and an internal courtyard accessible from Macarthur Street.
• Establishing one central, intuitive, and accessible visitor circulation system to access exhibition, program, and education spaces to support a high-quality visitor experience.
• Reorienting the museum’s entrance to the Goods Line, improving access from the light rail and Darling Square. A newly activated façade housing creative industries along Harris Street, which will improve the museum’s contribution to the Ultimo streetscape.
• Separating front-of-house and back-of-house operations from exhibition and circulation spaces.
• Dedicated spaces designed for the Powerhouse learning programs, enabling the museum to create immersive educational experiences, workshops and programs catered to students and learners of all ages.
• Conservation of the heritage-listed original Power Station buildings for their ongoing adaptive reuse by the Powerhouse.

Get more information on the State Significant Development Application (SSDA) and supporting Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and make a submission by Thursday 30 May 2024.

Infrastructure NSW is available to support the community to understand the detailed and technical information through community information sessions held throughout the Public Exhibition period. 

Get more information or book a session on the Powerhouse Ultimo.

The NSW Government will carefully consider all submissions on the revitalised designs to ensure the community’s voice is actively incorporated into the future of the Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo.

Five formal consultation periods for the project have been held between 2020 and 2024, with the 6thnow underway. Each has included engagement with the local community, neighbours, stakeholders, government authorities and agencies. The feedback received has been considered during the evolution of the project. Engagement with the community will continue during upcoming phases of the project, including detailed design, construction and operation. All feedback has been used to help inform the current EIS, as part of the SSDA.

Minister for the Arts John Graham said:

“The Powerhouse is one of Australia’s oldest and most important cultural institutions. This heritage revitalisation will transform the museum and ensure future generations can continue to enjoy an exceptional experience when they visit the museum.

“The new and improved plans bring the museum into the 21st Century and make good on our commitment to retain and improve the focus of the museum on applied arts and sciences.

“Importantly, in this modest revitalisation we are honouring the history of the museum by revealing the heritage elements of the original Ultimo Power Station buildings and refurbishing the Wran building to achieve greater museum functionality.”

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said:

“Releasing the design for revitalisation of the Powerhouse Museum Ultimo is a major milestone for the project and for the future of the museum.

“The design demonstrates how the museum will be revitalised, whilst maintaining the heritage and character of the buildings.

“We are confident we are providing what the community wants for the future of the museum and we are encouraging anyone interested to have their say.”

Powerhouse Museum Ultimo Chief Executive Lisa Havilah said:

“The design addresses specific community and stakeholder feedback through extending the lifespan of the built form, acknowledging and celebrating the social significance of the Wran Building, addressing circulation and legibility and improving sustainability.

“The revitalised Powerhouse Museum Ultimo will reopen with more and increased quality exhibition spaces. This will be achieved by decluttering the spaces, removing mezzanines allows full use of the spaces. This will restore and reveal the original heritage in the buildings and create high-quality flexible exhibition spaces.

“This revitalisation will celebrate the best of the museum’s past while adding new and enhanced exhibition and programming spaces, along with educational spaces for future generations to engage with the applied arts and sciences.”

The NSW Government is seeking applications for a new advisory council designed to improve understanding of issues affecting LGBTIQ+ people across the state.

Fulfilling an election commitment, the LGBTIQ+ Advisory Council will provide a mechanism for ongoing community consultation and contribute to the development of a NSW Government LGBTIQ+ Inclusion Strategy.

The Advisory Council will provide ongoing advice to the NSW Government as it delivers on a range of initiatives and commitments designed to promote equality and inclusion for LGBTIQ+ communities.

These initiatives include:

• implementing new legislation to ban LGBTQ+ conversion practices
• supporting Qtopia, the permanent home for the LGBTQIA+ museum at the former Darlinghurst police station, through a $6.7m commitment
• completing a legislative review to improve equality and inclusion for LGBTIQ+ people, and
• referring a review of the Anti-Discrimination Act to the NSW Law Reform Commission.

The 16-person Advisory Council will reflect the diversity of LGBTIQ+ communities in NSW.

Applications are being sought from people over 18 years of age with respect, influence and status within LGBTIQ+ communities and a demonstrated commitment to cooperation, inclusion and diversity.

People from First Nations, and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Applications can be submitted at the LGBTIQ+ Advisory Council webpage.

The Minns Government is also establishing a Cross-Portfolio Committee on LGBTIQ+ Issues, bringing together senior government officials with community representatives, that will coordinate efforts across government and enhance collaboration and partnerships.

This Committee will work with the Advisory Council to develop a whole of government LGBTIQ+ Inclusion Strategy.

Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council, Penny Sharpe said:

“There has been incredible progress to advance the equality and inclusivity of LGBTQIA+ communities in NSW but there is more to do.”

“The advisory Council is an election commitment that will help us do that work.”

Today, the NSW Government and the Government Architect NSW, is launching an interactive map to showcase some of the best there is to offer in well-designed low and mid-rise homes.

The people of NSW have been living and enjoying the beauty and character that these homes bring to a neighbourhood for over a century.

This map not only highlights why good design is important, but it also showcases examples of these homes that are already in our backyard. Showing that these homes add to the value of a neighbourhood and complement the existing heritage and surroundings.

The NSW Government’s planning reforms will drive the delivery of dual occupancies, townhouses, terraces, manor houses and smaller apartment buildings. Over the last decade we have seen a decline in these types of homes being built, creating what is commonly referred to as the “missing middle.”

As we increase the delivery of new homes, we want to maintain design standards so that generations to come also have the opportunity to enjoy communities and suburbs which have been built with a sense of personality.

As the Government prepares for the Pattern Book process to begin, it invites communities and industry to use this map to inform their understanding of good design and the examples of low and mid-rise housing that are already part and parcel of NSW towns and cities.

The Government Architect NSW has collated a wide range of designs, typologies, styles and layouts from a diverse range of architects.

Suburbs like Glebe, Surry Hills, Redfern, Waverton and many more were historically built using this type of density – and they are still standing more than one hundred years later, supporting vibrant communities with diverse housing types.

Greater density is better for the environment and ultimately costs the taxpayer less.

A recent NSW Productivity Commission report found that between 2016 and 2021, Sydney lost twice as many people aged 30 to 40 as it gained. 35,000 came to Sydney, but 70,000 left.

That means we lost young talent and young families; the workers and innovators that we need to support our community and economy.

This map will shine a light on what the NSW Government’s planning reforms aim to achieve, while allowing the community to see that these types of homes are already a part of our city and our neighbourhoods.

To use the map, visit the NSW Government Architect website, and for more information on the proposed housing reforms, including low and mid-rise, visit the NSW Planning Portal.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“Terraces, townhouses and smaller apartments have a significant role to play in creating housing options for families as we confront the housing crisis.

“Good examples of low and mid-rise housing are already part of Sydney’s past and can be part of Sydney’s future.

“A mix of housing types are needed so that there are housing options available for all stages of life.

“This interactive website and map shows the community what is already in their backyard and what we want more of.

“We’re focussed on getting the balance right between building new homes and protecting the character of communities.

“Heritage and new homes can coexist. We want to make sure the future homes and apartments across NSW are made for our climate, allow for natural light and look to include community spaces.”

NSW apprentices facing hardships now have the chance to get the financial help they need to succeed, with applications open for the 2024 Bert Evans Apprentice Scholarships.

The $2.25 million government investment supports apprentices who are experiencing financial difficulties or personal hardship in completing their work and training. 

150 successful applicants will receive a $5000 scholarship annually for 3 years, totalling $15,000. 

Previous recipients from across NSW have included Indigenous apprentices, people with disabilities, women in non-traditional trades, and mature-aged people from regional NSW, highlighting the program’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. 

Currans Hill resident, Felicity Pettiford was awarded a scholarship in 2020, which greatly assisted her through her apprenticeship. She’s now a head carpenter building residential homes across the state and is a keen promoter of women in trades.

The scholarship is named after Bert Evans AO, who was former CEO of the Metal Trades Industry Association, Chair of the NSW Board of Vocational Education and Training and NSW Apprenticeships Ambassador.

Since 2014 the scholarship program has provided support to more than 900 apprentices across NSW.

The Bert Evans Apprentice Scholarship is part of the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Roadmap (2024-2026), which will drive the development of apprenticeships and traineeships in NSW over the next 3 years, taking an inclusive and learner-centred approach.

Eligible first-year apprentices, including school-based apprentices throughout the state are encouraged to apply. Application forms must be submitted before Friday 31 May 2024. 

For more information visit the Skills NSW website.

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

“The continuation of the Bert Evans Apprentice Scholarship shows our commitment to ensuring that all apprentices in NSW, regardless of their circumstances, have the opportunity to succeed in their chosen trades.

“The financial commitment by the NSW Labor Government, totalling $2.25 million over 3 years, is an investment in the future success of these apprentices and the growth of our skilled workforce.

“Through these scholarships, we are not just providing financial support; we are investing in the future of our workforce and our economy.

“These apprentices represent the future of our skilled workforce, breaking barriers and contributing to a more diverse and dynamic industry. 

“The experience of past recipients demonstrates the transformative impact of the scholarships on apprentices’ lives and careers.”

Head Carpenter, All About Carpentry Felicity Pettiford said:

“My Bert Evans Apprentice Scholarship greatly helped me throughout my apprenticeship. 

“With the money, I was able to pay for my tools, toolboxes, and fuel each week and buy a reliable car

“Being awarded a Bert Evans Apprentice Scholarship makes you feel good. It reassures you that you’re doing well and you’re on the right path.

“Good luck to all the 2024 Bert Evans Apprentice Scholarship nominees.”

The NSW Opposition is calling on the NSW Labor Government to consider urgent bail reforms when Cabinet meets today.
 
Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said the Liberals and Nationals are urging immediate action to implement commonsense bail reform.
 
“The Opposition has put forward three measures that will improve safety for women who are victims of family and domestic violence,” Mr Speakman said.

“The Government’s response needs to be holistic and far broader than just bail reform, but this is a good starting point.”
 
“The NSW Labor Government can consider our proposals today, which address violence against women, improve protection for victims and survivors of domestic violence and enhance community safety.”
 
The NSW Opposition has proposed a three-point initial bail reform response:
 
1.      Expanded use of electronic monitoring devices to bail on serious domestic violence charges.
2.      Expanding grounds for staying the granting of bail for serious personal violence charges.
3.      Removal of the power for registrars to determine bail for serious personal violence charges where bail is opposed, given the widespread audio-visual capacity across our courthouses enabling magistrates to make orders from centralised locations if necessary.
 
The Opposition will consult on the initial three-point plan and on any other measures which are suggested to be appropriate.
 
“The NSW Opposition is committed to working constructively across the Parliament to ensure meaningful action is taken to reduce and prevent domestic and family violence across our state,” Mr Speakman concluded.

More than one year on from the election of the Minns Labor Government renters across NSW have been let down by the Government’s failure to implement key rental reforms.
 
“We are in the midst of Labor’s cost of living crisis with renters struggling every day paying sky high rents,” Shadow Minister for Fair Trading Tim James said.
 
“Over Labor’s year in power, rents in Greater Sydney have increased by more than 13%. The proportion of rental housing accessible to a median income earner in NSW has fallen from 35% in 2022-23 to 28% in 2023-24. By contrast, the Liberal and Nationals Government achieved a record high of 48% in 2020-21.”
 
“The Minns Government has shown little urgency to ease the pressures on households, and has little to show for renters after a year in power despite all of its rhetoric before the election.”
 
“The Government continues to drag its feet on progressing key planks of agreed rental reform including prohibiting no grounds eviction, establishing a portable rental bond scheme, as well as making it easier to have pets in rentals.”
 
“The only thing it has done so far is abandon its promise to end secret rent bidding in favour of undefined transparency measures.”
 
“We’ve seen no outcomes yet on any of these policies.”
 
“The government appears unable or unwilling to make key decisions about how these schemes will be run.”
 
“The NSW Rental Commissioner was meant to give renters a voice but has so far delivered little real action due to being under-resourced and under-funded.”
 
“With Parliament sitting next week, the Government needs to get on with delivering for renters. Every second the Minns government continues to delay, NSW renters pay the price,” Mr James concluded.

The NSW Government has announced the roll out of more bus services in the Tweed region to cater for an expected increase in demand when the new Tweed Valley Hospital opens.

Starting from Monday 6 May various bus route timetables will be overhauled to better connect the Tweed Valley region to the new hospital. 

Route 609 from Murwillumbah will receive an additional 10 trips each week to the new hospital. These include morning and afternoon services timed to help frontline staff get to and from the hospital as their shifts start and end.

Other improvements include:

• Route 600 (Banora Point to Tweed Mall, via Tweed City and the Tweed Hospital) will be extended to operate between Tweed Heads West and Coolangatta from Banora Central. 
• Route 601 will be amended to operate from Tweed Mall to the new Tweed Valley Hospital to service staff, patients and the community. 
• Route 605 will be extended to operate between Murwillumbah and Tweed Mall via Powell Street and Keith Compton Drive. Murwillumbah residents will be able to stay on the same bus to Tweed Mall where they can connect with Queensland Translink services.
• The 603 service will also stop at the new bus stops on Cudgen Road, outside the hospital entrance.

Before the new hospital opens on 14 May, existing route 600 and 601 buses will continue to deviate via Powell Street to service the existing hospital — however when the new hospital opens services will travel via Wharf Street at Tweed Heads and will no longer deviate via Powell Street.

For detailed timetable information visit Trip Planner.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“The NSW Government understands how important it is for patients, visitors and staff to have easy access to the new Tweed Valley Hospital.

“The new bus services we’re delivering will provide the vital access to healthcare, employment and opportunity critical to people in the Tweed.”

Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery and Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said:

“Many of the people visiting the new hospital are likely to have mobility issues, so providing better bus services that run direct to the facility is going to be an enormous benefit for them.

“I’m pleased to see the new services will start one week before the opening of the hospital in order to help people become familiar with the new arrangements.”

NSW Duty MLC for Tweed Emily Suvaal said:

“The NSW Government is proud to be investing in improvements to public transport in our growing regional communities and I encourage everyone in the Tweed region to take advantage of these new services.

“I also congratulate Transport for NSW and bus operator Kinetic for the work they’ve put in to deliver improvements to public transport that will benefit so many community members in the Tweed region.”

Community sport across NSW has received a $4.4 million injection following the awarding of grants in the NSW Government’s Local Sport Grant Program.

The Program provides up to $20,000 to individual clubs and associations with $50,000 available in each electorate for new equipment, programs and facilities that increase participation in community sport, with 579 projects awarded funding in this year’s program.

Some projects to receive funding include:

• Kurri Kurri Football Club who received $19,938 for their program to improve access and inclusion
• Plumpton Braves Baseball Club who received $14,973 for new equipment
• Broken Hill Soccer Association who received $11,197 for their Bonding over the BBQ Program which aims to build camaraderie in the Association
• Lismore Old Boys Rugby League Football Club who received $20,000 for their program to create pathways and a safe, inclusive culture for women and girls
• Sussex Inlet Golf Club who received $5000 for their Intro to Golf for Women and Children program.

Get more information on the Local Sport Grant Program

NSW Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said:

“The NSW Labor Government is focused on rebuilding our local grassroots sporting communities, on driving participation, and delivering fit-for-purpose facilities for our children.”

“The Local Sport Grant Program provides vital funds directly to grassroots community sports clubs and associations to deliver programs and equipment to support their participants.”

“With the critical role sport plays in keeping people healthy, active and socially connected, this funding is vital to community health, wellbeing and sense of identity.”

The NSW Government is meeting the growing demand for healthcare workers in the Northern Rivers region with an investment of $500,000 for the upgrade and expansion of nursing facilities at TAFE NSW Ballina.

These improvements, which include a state-of-the-art simulated nursing ward and dedicated home care training room, are designed to provide TAFE NSW nursing students with a more immersive and practical learning environment.

The upgrades come as the demand for nurses increases, with a projected shortfall of 123,000 nurses in Australia by 2030.

Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan, visited TAFE NSW Ballina yesterday and said the upgraded facilities would increase student capacity at the campus.

It is anticipated construction will commence at TAFE NSW Ballina in May and the project is expected to reach completion in August 2024.

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

“This investment into the nursing space at TAFE NSW Ballina will greatly enhance training opportunities for students and bring simulation learning experiences in line with best practice.

“We’re increasing our capacity by 32 students per week across Certificates III and IV in Health Services Assistance [Assistants in Nursing] and offering Diploma of Nursing students access to improved facilities to better support their learning outcomes.

“The healthcare and social assistance sector is the Ballina Shire’s largest employer, and the NSW Government is committed to investing in TAFE NSW to provide the facilities, training, and industry standard equipment to meet this workforce demand.

“The investment in equipment and facilities at the TAFE NSW Ballina campus will set up local healthcare students for further success, while supporting the region’s critical skills needs.

“Through our investment into our infrastructure, TAFE NSW is better able to continue to deliver the best standard of education and skills to the next generation of the healthcare workforce in this wonderful region,”

The NSW Government is on track to meet its target of culling 87,000 feral pigs through its $13 million Feral Pig Program.

Since October 2023, 69,343 feral pigs have been culled through the program, with 4,335 properties participating in aerial and ground control programs across NSW.

Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty saw these results firsthand today while visiting farmers near Orange who have been participating in the Feral Pig Program.

The Feral Pig Program is one element of the NSW Government’s comprehensive plan to boost biosecurity across NSW – which also includes:

• working to recruit the state’s first independent Biosecurity Commissioner;
• $95 million to protect against the spread of red imported fire ants;
• $41 million to support the transition to mandatory sheep and goat electronic identification to improve biosecurity traceability;
• a $10 million Good Neighbour Program to clamp down on pests and weeds on public land;
• working with the Natural Resource Commission to develop a baseline report on damage from invasive species so that appropriate action can be taken to better protect NSW farmers; and
• ongoing research and development projects across DPI’s state-wide network of research stations.

Deborah and Sam Kwa have had great success managing feral pigs on their Summer Hill Creek property, working with Local Land Services on trapping and removing significant numbers of feral pigs.

A key part of the program is upskilling farmers and giving them the tools and advice to effectively manage feral pigs now and into the future.

Over the past 7 months, Local Land Services staff have provided farmers with tailored feral pig management advice through 7,394 one on one consultations and delivered 64 skill building events and workshops.

In addition, over 129,600 kg of free bait has been provided to farmers across NSW to ensure multiple control methods are being used as part of best practice pest animal management.

For more information on the Feral Pig Program visit Feral Pig Program 2023-2024 – Local Land Services (nsw.gov.au)

Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty said:

“Our government is taking biosecurity and the feral pig problem seriously, so it’s great to see that our $13 million Feral Pig Program is delivering results.

“While numbers paint a picture of what activities have been carried out through the program, it’s great to hear how this program is having a positive impact at the local and individual farm level.

“Deborah and Sam are great examples of what can be achieved when farmers and government work together to tackle pest animals using an integrated approach to control.

“Here in the Central Tablelands, 3,630 feral pigs have been culled through aerial shoots and trapping programs with 288 properties participating.

“Local Land Services has also delivered 13 local events to upskill farmers and provided best practice advice through 362 one on one consultations.”