Category: NSW News

The NSW Government has today announced the new ministerial appointments to the State’s 11 Local Land Services regional boards.

Of the 24 appointments, some have been re-appointed for a further and final term while others will be joining LLS for the first time.  

During an extensive statewide recruitment process, 157 applications were received to join LLS regional boards across NSW.

This is in line with the 161 applications received in 2022 and clearly indicates local people continue to maintain enthusiasm to be part of LLS activities.

LLS boards are a made up of a mix of Ministerially appointed and elected board members who bring a wealth of skills, experience and commitment to the organisation.

LLS board members work closely with landholders and local communities to identify and help shape the services offered by LLS, such as providing best practice advice on pest animal management, agricultural production and natural resource management.

The Government also today released the review of Local Land Services (LLS) boards and committees.

The review, requested by Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty, recognised LLS as a high performing organisation which is regionally relevant, provides tailored services to meet local needs, attracts a high level of trust and can achieve on ground outcomes without coercion.

The review provided several options for reform ranging from maintaining the status quo to a major overhaul of the LLS board and governance structure.

Minister Moriarty carefully considered the findings and opted for refinements that involve minimal disruption to the Local Land Services structure, while strengthening agency governance.

Options for reform being actioned include:

• Retaining the LLS Board comprising of regional representatives and an independent chair as the agency’s primary governance
• Remunerating board members in line with similar groups and boards across government, resulting in $1.4 million in savings that will be reinvested into LLS
• Creating one governance structure where local boards become subcommittees of the LLS Board, simplifying compliance and reducing costs
• Retaining the existing LLS election process to ensure ratepayers have a say on who represents their region.

Other options outlined in the review that were not supported included reducing the number of LLS regions and replacing all regional boards with a single representative.

Read the full review of Local Land Services (LLS) boards and committees

Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said:

“Local Land Services regional boards play a key role in connecting the organisation to landholders and communities across NSW.

As the agency reaches its 10th year of operation, this was a timely review to understand whether the existing structure of its boards and committees are appropriate for the functions they perform.

While there were a wide range of options outlined in this review, I have opted for practical and common-sense refinements to ensure LLS is set up for success.

Importantly, we are already actioning the supported recommendations that will improve the way LLS operates so it can continue to deliver its valued services for farmers and landholders.

I will be writing to the new LLS Chair, once they’re appointed, to ensure these recommendations continue to progress and be implemented.

Local Land Services board members appointed by the Minister are:

• Donna Rygate – Central Tablelands local board chair
• Rachel Nicoll – Central Tablelands local board member
• Hunter White – Central Tablelands local board member
• Paul (Midnight) Brydon- Central West local board chair
• Lisa Schiff – Central West local board member
• Polly Bennett – Greater Sydney local board chair
• James Kellaway – Greater Sydney local board member
• Allison Mudford – Hunter local board chair
• Dr Elizabeth McEntyre – Hunter local board member
• Brynnie Goodwill – Hunter local board member
• Derek Schoen- Murray local board chair
• Jolyon Bennett – North Coast local board chair
• Danielle Mulholland – North Coast local board member
• Dr Alex Ball – Northern Tablelands local board chair
• Martha Saw – Northern Tablelands local board member
• Stephanie Cameron – North West local board chair
• Tim White – North West local board member
• Lisa Anderson – Riverina local board chair
• Sarah Roche – Riverina local board member
• Michael Friend – Riverina local board member
• Ian Johnsson – South East local board member
• Magnus Aitken – Western local board chair
• Hugh McLean – Western local board member
• Lawrence Clarke – Western local board member

In a boost for female participation in sport, the NSW Labor Government is today delivering on it’s election commitment to ensure our State Sporting Organisations are better funded to provide for our grassroots sporting communities.

A key component of the election promise was to drive outcomes for women in sport, in governance, as coaches, or building the next generation of female leaders.

As part of the Organisational Support Program a new project to deliver the next generation of female sporting leaders was launched today following an agreement between the NSW Government and peak body Sport NSW.

The NSW Government will provide $250,000 to Sport NSW to deliver the Female Leadership and Fair Play Project which will expand on Sport NSW’s female leadership and Fast Track for Female Coaches program to increase the number of female leaders and coaches in NSW sport.

The project will also support the implementation of the NSW Sport Fair Play network which will support and advise on initiative to make community sport environments more welcoming and supportive for participants at a grass root level.

The aim of this initiative is to build a pipeline of board ready female leaders to support gender equity on boards and close the gender gap amongst coaches in pathway and elite coaching roles.

NSW Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said:

“The NSW Government is committed to supporting pathways for female coaches and officials in sport.

“Participants in this project will become role models for future female coaches and athletes, increasing the depth of knowledge and expertise among female coaches in this state.

“Importantly, it will also create a pipeline of board-ready female leaders, resulting in increased gender equity on boards in the future.”

Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said:

“The NSW Government is committed to improving gender equality and one of the ways it is doing this is the Female Leadership and Fair Play Project to increase the number of female leaders and coaches.

“Research shows that organisations with women in leadership positions leads to a decline in their gender pay gap.

“Therefore, it is vital that we provide women and girls pathways to leadership so we can continue to address gender quality and the pay gap in sport.

“It’s not only good for women, it’s good for sport.”

Sport NSW Chair Chris Hall said:

“The Female Leadership and Fair Play Project aims to increase knowledge and capability among female coaches, match officials and leaders at NSW sporting organisations.

“This funding will allow us to develop more female leaders across the sport sector.

“Sport NSW looks forward to partnering with sporting organisations so even more women have the opportunity to become coaches, senior administrators and board directors.”

Paralympic Gold Medallist and NSW Institute of Sport Coach and program presenter Louise Sauvage OAM said:

“It is vital that we provide programs that support the pathway development of female coaches, match officials and leaders.

“Importantly, this project also aims to improve inclusiveness in sport by providing guidance and education to leaders on inclusive participation opportunities.”

For too long residents in the Bayside local council area have had to put up with noisy vehicles interrupting their peace. The NSW Government is taking action to end that.

The NSW Labor Government committed in the election to trialling noise cameras and cracking down on cars that disturb the peace.  

Residents are now being invited to provide input into the noise camera trial, which is due to start in the coming months.

The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) will trial noise cameras in Bayside and Wollongong in response to community concerns about the impact of noisy vehicles.

Residents can make suggestions on where the noise cameras should be trialled, via the EPA’s website. The EPA plans to test the moveable cameras at several locations.

Vehicle noise cameras are an emerging technology currently being tested in various formats in major cities around the world, including in London, Paris and New York.  

In NSW, the EPA works in partnership with local government, NSW Police and NSW Roads and Maritime Services to enforce noise control regulations.

Give input on the noise camera trial

Report noisy vehicle pollution

Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe said:

“Car hoons are on notice. The NSW Government has heard the community’s concerns about noisy vehicles and is committed to sourcing and testing the most effective methods to deter anti-social behaviour on our roads.

“Work is underway to test noise cameras in communities fed up with noisy vehicles, and we invite all residents to have their say and play a key role in the trials.”

Member for Rockdale Steve Kamper said:

“The local Rockdale community has been calling for action against disruptive noisy vehicles for years.

“In the first 12 months of Government, we have already delivered three new fixed speed cameras along The Grand Parade to address the reckless behaviour endangering our local community.

“The Noise Camera Trial is the next step in addressing the antisocial behaviour. I encourage all interested residents in the Rockdale and Bayside Council area to have their say.”

Disaster assistance will be extended to the Armidale, Campbelltown, Lismore, Moree Plains, Northern Beaches and Port Stephens Local Government Areas (LGAs), following heavy rainfall and flooding across NSW from 1 April 2024.

The assistance measures are being provided by the Albanese and Minns Governments through the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Support includes:

• assistance for eligible residents to help meet immediate needs like emergency accommodation or small cash payments to purchase essential items generally provided from evacuation or recovery centres
• grants for eligible residents to replace lost essential household items to maintain basic standard of living
• grants for eligible residents to undertake essential structural repairs to restore their homes to a safe and habitable condition
• support for affected local councils to help with the costs of cleaning up and restoring damaged essential public assets
• concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers, and non-profit organisations and grants to sporting and recreation clubs to repair or replace damaged or destroyed property
• freight subsidies for primary producers to help transport livestock and fodder.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt said the extent of the flooding impact is still being assessed.

“This flood event has caused damage across communities, impacting homes, farms, businesses and volunteer groups,” Minister Watt said.

“Many Government agencies and community groups are still out on the ground to assess the damage and continue the mammoth clean-up effort.

“I know the Minns Government is continuing to assess the situation and is adapting as we gain a clearer picture of the impact of this disaster, and our Government stands ready to support as needed.”

NSW Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said the extension of the Natural Disaster Declaration is part of the NSW Government’s ongoing response to the flooding and storm events earlier this month.

“The extension of this disaster declaration unlocks assistance for additional communities in need, as the full extent of the damage becomes known,” Minister Dib said.

More information and support

For information relating to financial assistance, replacing lost documents, location of your nearest recovery centre and more, please contact Service NSW on 13 77 88 or visit www.nsw.gov.au/floods

To apply for a concessional loan or primary producer grant, contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 or visit www.raa.nsw.gov.au

Further information on disaster assistance can be found on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website at www.disasterassist.gov.au

The Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig has requested the Office of Local Government to undertake an investigation into Liverpool City Council.

The Section 430 Investigation will look at whether there has been a breakdown in the council’s operations amid ongoing reports about dysfunction and staff matters within council.

Under Section 430, the Deputy Secretary Local Government has the power to carry out investigations into council operations either independently or at the request of the Minister for Local Government.

The Terms of Reference for the Inquiry will be finalised in the coming days and will be available on the Office of Local Government website.

A report into the investigation will be provided to the Minister for Local Government and Liverpool City Council.

Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig said:

“I’ve been concerned about the operations of Liverpool Council for some time and it’s clear there’s a fractured relationship between councillors and staff.

“I’ve asked the Office of Local Government to undertake an investigation into the Council because the local community needs reassurance that their council is operating properly.

“Elected officials have a responsibility to their communities to operate effectively and efficiently, and I’m concerned about the level of dysfunction within Liverpool Council that is playing out publicly.

“A robust investigation undertaken by the OLG will shore up public confidence and ensure council is focused on delivering for its community.”

Today on Anzac Day, communities across NSW are coming together to honour the service and sacrifice of our veterans and current serving members of the Australian Defence Force.

The NSW Dawn Service at the Cenotaph in Martin Place commenced this morning at 4:30am, the approximate time it is believed the first Anzacs waded ashore at Gallipoli.

The Service was attended by representatives of the Commonwealth and NSW Government, Ex-Service Organisations, veterans’ groups and over 5000 spectators.

NSW Premier Chris Minns recited the poem Salute by Elliott Napier and laid a wreath to acknowledge the service of our veterans and servicemen and servicewomen from NSW.

Minister for Veterans David Harris participated in a special Anzac Day service atop the Sydney Harbour Bridge shortly after sunrise.

The service, organised by RSL Lifecare Veterans Services in partnership with BridgeClimb, was attended by a number of veterans and members of the community.

The Anzac Day March commences at 9am on Elizabeth Street with over 8000 current serving members and veterans expected to march past the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park and concludes at Liverpool Street.

Marching in Sydney again this year are a number of veterans from the Second World War who will be honoured by thousands of spectators along Elizabeth Street. The March will culminate with the Commemoration Service at the Anzac Memorial commencing at 12:30pm.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service personnel will be recognised at the Coloured Digger March this afternoon in Redfern.

Now in its 18th year, the event will begin at 1pm at the Redfern Community Centre.

Official events in the Sydney CBD will come to a close with the solemn sunset service at the Cenotaph in Martin Place from 5pm.

With thousands of people expected to attend commemorations in the CBD, it is recommended to use public transport for all Anzac Day travel.

Additionally, there will be a highly visible police presence throughout the city and the community is asked to honour our veterans in a safe and respectful manner.

Free travel is available for current and former Australian Defence Force members and their families on Anzac Day, with additional early morning services running into the city.

The Community War Memorials Fund, managed by the NSW Office for Veterans Affairs, also opens today. Grants of up to $10,000 are available to help conserve, repair and protect war memorials across NSW.

For more information on how to apply please visit the Veterans Affairs website.

Minister for Veterans David Harris said:

“Anzac Day is a time to come together and pay tribute to the Anzacs who served in World War One, and all the brave servicemen and servicewomen who have since followed in their footsteps.

“Anzac Day gives the community an opportunity to pay their respects to those who have served our country.

“I attended an Anzac Day Service on the Harbour Bridge this morning for the first time and it was a special location to pause and remember all who have served our nation, allowing us the freedoms we afford today.

“If you cannot make it into the Sydney CBD, you can watch the march on ABC TV or attend one of the many local services and events in your community.

“I encourage all of NSW to attend a commemorative service, dawn service or march and to pause and pay respects to our veterans and current serving members, and their families.”

The NSW Government acknowledges the sacrifice and bravery of all that have fought for our country. Soldiers have enlisted across the state and regional and rural NSW monuments can be found honouring the sacrifice made by residents, often from communities where the population was smaller than the average present day city neighbourhood.

In WW1 thousands of young men from regional communities, many who had never even been to Sydney let alone Europe, left their normal lives for war, a sacrifice that was echoed through WW2, Korea, Vietnam and even today in ongoing operations around the world.

NSW recorded the highest enlistment rate in the country during WW1 with 164,030 people (many from regional communities) signing on to join the war, with an estimated 21,000 never to return home, leaving bereft communities across the state.

When WW2 broke out the people of NSW once again answered the call, many the sons, brothers or relatives of those who served in WW1, 276,741 of them answered the call with the still fresh memory of the horrors of war.

Today the reminder of regional NSW’s sacrifice is seen through the war memorials that can be found in nearly every regional and rural town.

These monuments have a sombre history in country towns where they were often used as substitute graves that family and friends of those who died in battle overseas were able to visit to remember their loved ones.

Today these monuments act as a congregating place for the local community to come together and commemorate the bravery and sacrifice so little gave to so many, and the continuing service and sacrifice being made by those serving in our armed forces.

Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said:

“The role of regional NSW communities in contributing to the war effort in WW1, WW2, Korea, Vietnam and even in present day peace-keeping operations cannot be overstated.

“Families in these communities saw their sons, brothers, and fathers go off to war overseas and were left bereft when many never returned home, having made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country.

“Today we honour the contribution of all service men and women throughout the country and throughout our history and I thank them for their service, contribution and sacrifice that they have and continue to make in order to keep our country safe.”

Minister for Veterans David Harris said:

“The Anzac Memorial in Sydney’s Hyde Park, the state’s principal war memorial, commemorates the service of our veterans from across NSW. There are 1,701 samples of soil displayed within the walls of the Hall of Service at the Memorial, this sacred soil representing the names of each of the towns, cities, suburbs and homesteads given as a home address by First World War enlistees.

“The Hall of Service demonstrates the geographical reach of the call to serve, and signals the willingness and enthusiasm of so many from diverse regions who answered the call to join the war. It contains the incalculable loss and grief of communities across the state whose men and women did not return.

“Today on Anzac Day, we come together as a community to remember our veterans and current serving members of our Defence Force, many of whom come from regional areas across our state. We pay tribute to their service, and we thank them for their efforts to allow us the freedoms we afford today.”

Hundreds of thousands of Western Sydney families enjoyed the sandy shores of Penrith Beach this summer, taking full advantage of the first-ever beach season at Penrith.

The beach provided much-needed relief to the community as the temperature frequently soared towards 40 degrees. The overwhelming response from locals resulted in the extension of the season for an additional three weeks until ANZAC Day.

Penrith Beach has hosted more than 210,000 visits since the gates opened on 19 December 2023. Figures show residents from the Penrith and Blacktown LGAs were the most frequent visitors to the site now famously dubbed as ‘Pondi’.

This hasn’t just provided access to a great swimming spot in the heart of Western Sydney but has also acted as a cost free activity for so many families throughout summer.

The NSW Government is now considering future options for Penrith Beach following the conclusion of this trial period.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car said:

“This free swimming spot has been a huge success with families, and I’ve been so thrilled to see it embraced by the local community.

“Western Sydney families deserved this beach after years of waiting and I’m really proud we delivered it last summer.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“Western Sydney’s decades-long dream of having a local beach was achieved within just nine months of Labor coming into Government.

“The trial represents the importance of every community having access to safe and fun places to swim, and I’m keen to explore future options for Pondi’s potential return.”

Transport for NSW and U-Go Mobility have ended the bus driver shortage in Region 10, thanks to dedicated bus driver recruitment campaigns and a focused driver training program.

The boost is in part due to U-Go Mobility’s flagship Women Behind the Wheel recruitment campaign, encouraging women to explore a career as a bus driver.

Through this campaign, U-Go – the area’s operator – has doubled the number of women drivers serving the communities of Sydney’s south and south-west. The program invests in women’s licensing and training to remove barriers and support access to the traditionally male-dominated industry.

These initiatives, along with the measures the NSW Government has put in place across the industry including slashing the cost to get a Bus Driver Authority, launching a bus driver recruitment campaign, and initiating the roll out of free opal cards to drivers, have helped half the amount of driver vacancies across the state since May 2023.

Bus passengers in Sydney’s south and south-west are now experiencing a full timetable after U-Go reinstated suspended services in February.

All trips that were suspended as part of the July 2023 timetable changes were added back into the timetable on 26 February.

This means bus passengers in the area now have 160 more bus trips to get them to where they need to go.

The 960 and 920 services will continue to operate in place of the previous M92.

Transport for NSW continues to work with U-Go Mobility and other bus operators to deliver a reliable and frequent bus service for passengers.

Transport Minister Jo Haylen said:

“It is great to see such success in getting more drivers back into buses in Sydney’s south and south-west.

“I know how important an integrated and reliable bus network is for these communities, and I want to thank locals for their patience as Transport worked with the operator to stabilise operations.

“It’s exciting to see the number of female drivers double over the past six months. A career in the bus industry has endless opportunities and we want to see more women getting involved.”

Member for Heathcote Maryanne Stuart said:

“Our community really bore the brunt of the bus driver shortage, but we’ve also been able to see first-hand how solutions to the bus driver shortage can be implemented and how they’re starting to pay off.

“It will take a while to encourage passengers back onto our buses, but now that we are seeing a more reliable and regular service, we’ll be able to rebuild trust and see more people tap back on.”

TfNSW Coordinator General Howard Collins said:

“The more we share stories about women within the bus industry, the more we will be able to boost our numbers.

“Inclusion of women on the frontline brings greater diversity of skills and experiences to the bus industry.

“It is great to see more female drivers have helped boost U-Go Mobility’s driver numbers and get them back to a full timetable, to deliver a better service for passengers.”

The final Sydney Trains Review has been released, outlining key challenges and recommendations, including major system upgrades, fleet reliability and workforce gaps.

The findings provide a framework for reform that will shape the future of our railways in New South Wales.

The review found Sydney Trains is facing significant changes over the coming years, such as the new timetable allowing for integration of metro services, as well as critical network upgrades.

It recommends a ‘fleet support strategy’ be prepared to address performance issues, an action the government is currently exploring at pace.

Fleet performance is below target, caused by delays to train technology upgrades and the former government’s problem-plagued procurement and integration of the New Intercity and New Regional Rail fleets.

While the stalwart Tangaras are still within their life cycle, the ageing fleet was the highest contributor to maintenance issues. The government continues to explore options for the next generation of locally built Tangaras which will replace the current fleet in the coming years.

The review also highlights significant challenges in recruiting, training and retaining key skills in specialised positions, recommending a number of measures to address this shortfall.

Sydney Trains was found to have high vacancy rates in critical positions and an ageing workforce, particularly in the critical engineering and maintenance branch, in which around 20 per cent of staff are aged under 34 – and almost 30 per cent over 55.

Other recommendations from the review include:

• Realign accountabilities to improve approaches to safety, asset management, freight and third-party access to the rail corridor;
• Review how assets are owned, managed and assured within Transport​for NSW;
• Explore options for continuous improvement of critical incident response;
• Work collaboratively with freight to determine better ways of prioritising the movement of both people and goods across the state​;
• Invest in critical asset needs and review ways of working to support enhanced maintenance practices.

Sydney Trains and Transport for NSW welcome the 69 findings from the review process and are working through them, with some more complex than others.

All 12 recommendations of the Interim Rail Review have either commenced or been finalised, including the government’s Rail Repair Plan, which exceeded expectations ahead of schedule.

The independent review was launched by the Transport Minister on 31 March 2023 and undertaken by an independent panel comprising Carolyn Walsh, Arthur Smith and Peter Medlock.

Read the full Sydney Trains Review Final Report

Transport Minister Jo Haylen said:

“The Rail Review process has brought to light some of the key factors that have led to delays and disruption for passengers.

“There will never be a quick or easy fix, and these changes won’t happen overnight – but this is a crucial evolution that will gradually modernise our network and ensure we’re a global leader in rail efficiency.

“This final report covers many recommendations which provide a pathway forward, and I look forward to working through them with Sydney Trains and Transport for NSW.

“I want to thank the panel, all stakeholders who provided input, and – most importantly – the thousands of Sydney Trains workers who are contributing to this important work to shape the future of rail in NSW.”

Sydney Trains CEO Matt Longland said:

“Sydney Trains is always looking for ways to improve. We welcome the opportunity to do so through the review process and thank National Transport Commission Chair Carolyn Walsh for her work.

“We constantly strive to provide the best possible service for our passengers and are able to do so thanks to the tireless efforts of our hardworking staff.

“The review process has seen positive collaboration and important recommendations. We’re proud to be delivering results, such as the Rail Repair Plan, and look forward to the next steps.

“Some of these recommendations require considerable investment over the next decade, and we look forward to developing detailed proposals for the government’s consideration.”