Category: NSW News

The NSW Government is committed to the ongoing management of biosecurity threats in the state. Management of pest animals and weeds while maintaining crop productivity is a core focus for Local Land Services board members.

This May, Local Land Services will hold an election in each of the 11 NSW regions to fill 34 paid local board member roles across the state.

This is an opportunity for Local Land Services ratepayers to put their hand up and participate so their local board reflects the needs of their unique region.

Local board members work closely with their communities to help identify and shape the wide range of services offered by the Local Land Services teams such as:

• Providing best practice advice to manage pest animals and coordinating wide scale pest control activities, such as the Feral Pig Program 2023-24.
• A network of district veterinarians who offer advice and services on livestock disease surveillance, animal emergency management and biosecurity.
• Offering the latest information and guidance to improve agricultural productivity and support landholders through times of drought.
• Managing and improving natural resources on-farm for a healthy environment.

Each local board has 3 positions available, except for Western where there are 4 available positions.

To nominate yourself or someone else as a candidate, read the Candidate Election Pack and submit a nomination on the Local Land Services website.

Candidate nominations close Sunday 14 April 2024.

To be eligible, you must be an individual who is 18+ years old and an occupier of a rateable holding under the Local Land Services Act 2013. The holding may consist of wholly or partly rateable land.

Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty said:

“Local Land Services board members play a crucial role influencing the key services provided by the organisation so they best meet local needs.

“Local board members are a voice for their communities, helping shape local priorities and developing strong relationships with landholders and partners.

“It’s important to have a diverse range of members, views and perspectives on these boards so they can drive positive change.

“For Local Land Services ratepayers across NSW, this is a great opportunity to get involved and work with others from your community to ensure your local board truly reflects your needs.

Musicians and artists are set to receive a boost under the NSW Labor Government with the opening of grants focused on rebuilding the NSW touring circuit.

Sound NSW’s new Touring and Travel Fund and Recording and Promotion Grants will inject $3 million into the local contemporary music sector to deliver more new and original music, enable touring opportunities, and open doors for career-defining professional development.

With a focus on fostering growth and sustainability for the contemporary music industry, the programs support NSW artists to be globally competitive, develop industry networks and connect with new audiences locally and internationally.

Touring and Travel Fund

Designed to address the time-sensitive nature of venue availability and performance opportunities, Sound NSW’s $2 million Touring and Travel Fund offers quick response grants of up to $2500 per person for domestic activity and up to $7500 per person for international activity.

Applications for Sound NSW’s Touring and Travel Fund will be assessed on a quick-response basis against eligibility criteria.

Applications open on 20 March via nsw.gov.au/sound-nsw and close 20 May 2024.

Recording and Promotion Grants

Sound NSW’s $1 million Recording and Promotion Grants program will support NSW contemporary musicians to record and release new, original creative projects. NSW artists can apply for grants of:

• up to $25,000 for short-form releases, such as a single or EP
• up to $50,000 for long-form releases, such as an album
• up to $25,000 matched funding for artists signed to a major label. 

Applications open 20 March and close 17 April 2024 at nsw.gov.au/sound-nsw

Minister for the Arts John Graham said:

“We are determined to rebuild the touring circuit, up and down the NSW coast, through our inland tours and suburbs. This fund will do just that.

“We’re delivering on our commitment to bring music back in NSW with this much-needed investment. These fast-response grants will support more new and original music from our musicians, enable tours across Australia and the world, and move NSW a step closer to being a global powerhouse for contemporary music.”

Head of Sound NSW Emily Collins said:

“Recording, releasing and performing new music is essential to the contemporary music industry and the growth and sustainability of artists’ careers, but the upfront costs are often greater than the income generated for many musicians.

“Sound NSW is excited to help bridge this gap by providing this vital funding, removing these prohibitive barriers and supporting NSW artists to do what they do best – making great music.”

The NSW Government continues to support our state’s primary producers through long-term and ongoing initiatives such as the development of the Weed Control in Winter Crops guide.

The latest information for growers is now available, supporting decision making for a profitable cropping season, in the free 2024 Weed Control in Winter Crops management guide published by the NSW Department of Primary Industries.

The guide has been published early to support growers planning for sowing their winter crops and the supporting herbicide program.

New content and resources include:

• supporting data on adoption of optical spray technology, which has seen an increase in adoption over time
• herbicide advice for weeds specifically to faba bean, lentil and vetch crops, with each crop becoming more popular in a winter cropping regime
• a list of new products available to the industry is listed at the front of the guide, with their use patterns included in the relevant tables in the book.

The Weed Control in Winter Crops guide can be found online, from DPI offices or from the upcoming GRDC Grower Updates across the state.

Minister for Agriculture, Tara Moriarty said:

“The regular and reliable support provided by the Weed Control in Winter Crops management guide is available again, such as weed control methods, using herbicides successfully and reducing herbicide spray drift.

“Our growers expect publications such as this every year, which I am happy to support because more informed farmers mean more profitable farmers, and that’s great for our economy.”

NSW DPI Project Officer and Weed Control in Winter Crops author, Penny Heuston said:

“The Weed Control in Winter Crops guide is a vital resource that supports farmers to keep on top of weeds.

“Whilst a significant proportion of NSW is still experiencing drought conditions, many areas have seen widespread rainfall, helping start to set up a promising growing season.

“Planning ahead, including reviewing farm management plans using a range of information sources is critical for the cropping season this year.”

Work will soon begin to repair the largest of 9 landslip sites on the Snowy Mountains Highway at Brown Mountain.

Work will be carried out from Monday 8 April 2024 about 800 metres west of the Brown Mountain Power Station, to repair significant damage caused by severe weather events in 2022.

The Albanese and Minns Governments are funding this $2.6 million project through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Transport for NSW has appointed specialist ground engineering contractors, Piling & Concreting Australia (PCA), to repair the landslip damage and fully restore the road at this location.

PCA will drill and install more than three kilometres of seven-metre-long steel rods, known as soil nails, to anchor the section of failed slope before applying a layer of spray-on concrete to prevent further erosion.

The work, which will take about 20 weeks to complete, has been planned to keep traffic moving as an important link between the ACT and South Coast while also ensuring the safety of motorists and workers.

The repair work will be carried out with large machinery and workers operating in an area about as wide as a standard single car garage to repair a site about the size of a suburban house block, which creates some unique challenges and risks.

For this reason, a 200-metre section of the highway will be reduced to a single lane, with temporary barriers and traffic lights in place 24 hours for the duration of the work.

In addition to this latest work, contracts are expected to be finalised soon for more repairs to be carried out this year at another 3 landslips on Brown Mountain.

Tenders are also being assessed for a site about 1-and-a-half kilometres east of the Fred Piper Memorial Lookout that has been limited to a single lane due to the extensive damage on the road.

Transport for NSW has made significant progress on its natural disaster recovery work, with repairs completed on more than half of the 100 landslip sites it is managing on several key state roads across the Illawarra and South Coast.

During the repair work, motorists are advised to allow an extra 5 minutes to travel times and drive to conditions and Transport for NSW thanks the community for their patience while these important repairs are carried out.

Federal Member for Eden-Monaro, Kristy McBain:

“The ongoing closures associated with landslips and rockfalls on Brown Mountain are frustrating for all of us who use the highway, which is why the Albanese and Minns Labor Governments are working together to kickstart this crucial repair work.

“This is one of Brown Mountain’s biggest ever repair jobs and will be fantastic for locals and tourists – with this new infrastructure to go a long way to preventing further erosion and to improving road safety on the busy Snowy Mountains Highway.

“I’ll continue to advocate for longer-term planning for Brown Mountain, because it’s important that frequent and intense weather events don’t impact the reliability of this key road network.”

NSW Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education and Member for Monaro Steve Whan:

“As the major arterial road connecting the NSW Sapphire Coast with Canberra, Brown Mountain is used not only by tourists during the Winter and Summer seasons, but by ambulances and transport services each-and-every day.

“The closures over the last couple of years due to landslips caused by unprecedented rain, have greatly impacted the electorates of Monaro and Bega, and I welcome the commitment from the Minns and Albanese Governments to complete remediation work to ensure the road is safe and reliable for all those who use it.

“I will continue working with my colleagues in both state and federal government to advocate for a long term solution to the Brown Mountain section of the Snowy Mountains Highway.”

NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison:

“This latest repair work on the Snowy Mountains Highway at Brown Mountain marks a significant step towards restoring the region’s vital transport infrastructure — Dr Holland, Minister McBain and Minister Whan have been fantastic advocates for their communities on progressing these repairs.

“Through the joint efforts of the Australian and NSW Governments, we are investing $2.6 million in this project to repair the largest landslip site.

“This funding underscores our commitment to supporting the communities affected by natural disasters and reinforces our dedication to infrastructure resilience.”

NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Regional Health and Member for Bega Dr Michael Holland:

“It’s great to see work progressing on Brown Mountain.

“The Australian and NSW Governments are making steady progress in our natural disaster recovery efforts along several key state roads.

“The completion of repairs on over half of the 100 landslip sites managed by Transport for NSW in the Illawarra and South Coast regions is a testament to their dedication to restoring connectivity and resilience in our communities.”

Transport for NSW is investing in design and investigation work for accessibility upgrades at 9 railway stations across regional NSW to make it easier for passengers to move around the state.

The NSW Government has provided funding under the $800 million Safe Accessible Transport (SAT) program to begin preliminary investigations and design development at each of the sites.

The funding recognises the importance of access to safe and reliable public transport options for all users across the state but particularly in regional areas where social isolation can be a concern for people living hundreds of kilometres away from close family and friends.

Stations funded for development include:

• Canberra (operated by TfNSW)
• Kempsey
• Kendall
• Macksville
• Nambucca Heads
• Sawtell
• Urunga
• Wingham
• Yass.

These upgrades aim to make public transport safe, inclusive and easy to use for all passengers but especially for people with disabilities, seniors, people with prams or luggage and others who may be experiencing mobility problems.

Each upgrade is tailored to meet each community and station’s needs and to include accessible ramp access, upgraded facilities including accessible toilet, and tactile ground surface indicators to improve safety for people who are vision impaired.

Improved lighting, CCTV and Wayfinding signage to enhance passenger safety, platform levelling and accessible ‘kiss and ride’ areas for easy pick-ups, and drop-offs for people with mobility issues or using prams and luggage are also being considered.

Planning work at each of these locations will take about 9 to 12 months to complete and will see the development of a distinct design focused on each site’s needs.

Early engagement with key stakeholders at each location will start later this year, and more information will be provided to the community at each stage of the process.

Transport for NSW is planning to kick off early engagement through location-specific workshops with local people with disability and their carers to inform development of the concept design, followed by pop-up sessions in each location with the wider community who will be invited to have their say on the proposed works.

The community is invited to sign up to a project distribution list to ensure they’re kept informed about engagement opportunities and as the projects progress.

Transport for NSW determines the priority of upgrades using evidence-based criteria, including:

• the needs and demographics of passengers who use the location
• whether important services such as hospitals or educational facilities are nearby
• current and future patronage
• cumulative impacts of other construction projects
• the accessibility of other nearby transport interchanges and facilities.

More information on the Safe Accessible Transport program is available on the Transport for NSW website.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“Accessibility upgrades are being rolled out at train stations right across the state to make public transport safer, more inclusive and easier to use for all passengers.

“This stage of design development will see our teams carrying out survey and geotechnical work to better understand each of the sites and inform development of concept designs.

“Transport for NSW will also be engaging with key stakeholders, including people with disability, to seek local insights and feedback on indicative designs.

“Public transport is a significant driver of social and economic activity, and accessible transport gives all people the opportunity to participate fully in their community and the economy.

“This is particularly the case in regional NSW where the tyranny of long distances can be terribly isolating for people with mobility issues and families without a car of their own.

“A safe, equitable and integrated transport network means people across the state can travel safely and confidently to work, appointments, holidays, events, and to visit friends and family.”

The endangered Booroolong Frog may be on the road to recovery after an army of NSW Government scientists teamed up to save it with a targeted conservation program and cutting-edge Environmental DNA (eDNA) science.

It’s a major win for the native amphibian whose northern populations were all but wiped out in the 2017-2020 drought.

In 2019, quick-thinking scientists led by the NSW Government’s Saving our Species program jumped into action, collecting 60 frogs to establish a breeding program at Taronga Zoo in Sydney. Last month, 656 juvenile Booroolong Frogs were released into the Cockburn River catchment near Tamworth to help boost numbers in the NSW Northern Slopes and Tablelands.

The release comes off the back of a release last year of 640 frogs. Results from follow-up surveys in October were very encouraging, with a large number of released frogs surviving and thriving in their new home.

Tracking frogs in the wild can be tricky, so water scientists made a high-tech leap by developing a ground-breaking eDNA test which can spot even the slightest genetic trace of an animal from as little as 100 millilitres of sampled water.

The new technique is a critically important tool in the mission to bring the frog back from the brink, with results helping to shed light on the population’s distribution and return to health in the state’s north.

In December 2023, experts took water samples from several stream locations, which they hope contain Booroolong Frog eDNA. Results are expected in the coming months.

The presence of healthy and diverse wildlife in the river system is just one way the NSW Government can gauge if our water management activities are working effectively.

The work to conserve the Booroolong Frog is thanks to collaboration between scientists at the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water’s Saving our Species program and Water Group, the University of Canberra’s (UC) National eDNA Reference Centre, Taronga Conservation Society Australia, the Australian Museum and local ecologist Phil Spark.

The findings from field monitoring will help to inform and improve water management and policy to better support native wildlife and to deliver a healthier and resilient river system.

Find out more about surface water science

NSW Water Minister Rose Jackson:

“It’s been great to team up with a broad range of agencies and experts who are all passionate advocates for improving our unique ecosystems and environments through science and animal conservation.

“Booroolong Frogs may be small, but they play a big part in helping us keep tabs on the health of the river system. This species relies on stream habitats and water flows, which means they are a great indicator for monitoring water management decisions.

“Knowledge is power and with an El Niño declared it’s never been more important to use science-based methods to measure how we’re doing with our water management.

“The results from the monitoring program will give us a baseline for the current distribution of the species and will help us make more informed decisions to strike the right balance between meeting the needs of the environment and water users.”

NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe:

“We are thrilled to see the initial findings suggesting Booroolong Frogs are starting to recover.

“Many endangered species have seen a decline in numbers due to years of neglect from the previous government. However, wins like this remind us why we shouldn’t give up on our native wildlife.”

The major upgrade of Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospital is moving forward with the project’s lead design team appointed. 

Health Minister Ryan Park said the NSW Government is investing $120 million in the Blacktown and Mt Druitt Hospital Redevelopment to add another 60 beds across the 2 facilities to meet the growing health needs of Sydney’s west.

“From Blacktown to Mount Druitt and Riverstone, this investment will deliver modern health care facilities to serve one of the country’s fastest-growing communities and provide the best possible workplace for our dedicated health staff.

“In the coming months, the design team will work with Health Infrastructure and Western Sydney Local Health District to determine key clinical service priorities and progress the planning for the redevelopment,” said Mr Park.  

Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospital operate as a single hospital, providing health care for approximately 90,000 patients in their emergency departments each year.

Member for Blacktown Stephen Bali said the $120 million investment was critical to allow Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospital to meet the future health needs of its diverse community,

“Consultation with staff and consumers will continue throughout 2024, their valuable feedback will help shape an upgrade that is purpose-built and welcoming to everyone in our communities,” said Mr Bali.

“I’ve stood alongside my community advocating for investment in Blacktown Hospital for a long time and it’s exciting to be one step closer to seeing it become a reality.”

Member for Mt Druitt Edmond Atalla welcomed the progress on the redevelopment and the significant boost to jobs and opportunities it would have.

“Throughout the life of the project, the Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospital Redevelopment is estimated to support approximately 200 direct jobs with the potential for supporting hundreds of indirect jobs,” said Mr Atalla.

“I’m proud to be part of a government prioritising the healthcare needs of Western Sydney through investments like this one.”

The NSW Government is investing $3 billion for new and upgraded hospitals and health services across greater western Sydney, one of the largest investments in the region’s health infrastructure in recent years.    

The 2023-24 NSW State Budget also included:

• an additional $400 million to build the $700 million Rouse Hill Hospital
• $550 million for Fairfield Hospital, in its first major redevelopment since it opened in 1989
• $350 million for Canterbury Hospital, in its first major redevelopment since 1998
• $1.3 billion to build the Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital on a new site, the first major investment since the two hospitals merged in 1997.  

The scope of the project and indicative timing of the works will be finalised during planning and design. Staff, stakeholders, and the community will be kept informed and consulted as the project progresses.

Master planning will commence this month on the new Bankstown Hospital.

The NSW Government has committed $1.3 billion for the new hospital to meet the healthcare needs of one of South Western Sydney’s fastest growing and most culturally diverse communities.

The new hospital will be located in Bankstown’s CBD, with convenient access to public transport.

The master plan will outline the vision for the site including an ongoing TAFE NSW presence. It will also identify the location of key aspects of the hospital, including clinical services, parking and future expansion zones.

Master planning will also explore how the new facility will integrate with the community and connect with local road and existing and future public transport networks.

The existing Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital provides a wide range of general medical and surgical care and a variety of sub-specialty services to the community.

Speciality areas include emergency medicine, cardiology, intensive care, maternity, women’s and children’s health, rehabilitation, aged care, drug health and mental health.

The scope for the new Bankstown Hospital will be determined through the planning process, and is anticipated to include:

• emergency services
• intensive care
• surgery and interventional procedures
• women’s and children’s Health
• aged health
• mental health
• ambulatory care services.

Community consultation and an Expressions of Interest for the project’s Community Reference Group will be advertised in the coming months.

The site of the new Bankstown Hospital offers precinct opportunities for health, education, research partners, including TAFE NSW and universities, to meet the learning needs of the local community, improve educational outcomes, and support the state’s priority skills need.  

TAFE NSW will consult with its employees and students about relocating TAFE NSW facilities during construction of the new hospital.

Services will continue to be delivered at the existing hospital while construction on the new hospital is underway. When the new facility is completed and services have transferred, the existing site will be considered for repurposing for health uses.

Find out more information about the Bankstown Hospital redevelopment

Health Minister Ryan Park:

“The new Bankstown Hospital master planning will outline a vision for a world class health care facility which makes the most of its location.”

“This master plan will be developed in consultation with the local community, so we can deliver a hospital which will support the needs of this growing community well into the future.”

“Key stakeholders including council, planning agencies, staff and community members can contribute to both clinical and site planning.”

The Hon. Jihad Dib MP, Member for Bankstown:

“The new Bankstown Hospital is going to have a big impact on our community and it’s important that we work with members of the community so we can have the best and most practical hospital possible.”

“We want to know what’s important to patients, carers, visitors, staff and community members so we can plan a hospital which truly reflects our unique multicultural city.”

Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Minister, Steve Whan:

“I am thrilled to be partnering with the Minister for Health on this important and well overdue health and education campus.”

“TAFE NSW is committed to continuing its service delivery in the Bankstown CBD, both during construction of the new hospital and once it is operational.”

Kylie Wilkinson, Member for East Hills:

“We’re really pleased the community and other local stakeholders will get a good opportunity to have their say about how the new and existing hospital will meet their needs.”

“There will be ample opportunity to find out more and have your say, with a series of pop-up information sessions in key locations and opportunities to join community reference groups.”

Lynda Voltz, Member for Auburn:

“This will be a lifechanging infrastructure for the Bankstown community and surrounds.”

“I’m proud to be part of a government that is focused on the health and wellbeing of the people of NSW.”

Dr Matt Smith, Emergency Department Director, Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital:

“I am excited master planning is starting for the new Bankstown Hospital. A new contemporary hospital will offer our community state-of-the-art facilities and I am looking forward to hearing more about the vision for the site.’’

Mr Sanjay Lele, Consumer and Community Participation Member, Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital:

“I was involved in the planning of the hospital’s new Emergency Department which opened in 2021. It was a great experience and I hope to have the opportunity to contribute to community consultation for the new Bankstown Hospital. The involvement of local people in the planning of the new hospital is essential to ensure the new hospital meets the needs of everyone in our community.’’

Two well-known locations in the Byron Bay area now have Aboriginal dual names, following requests from local communities and in a nod to the cultural significance of these sites.

Since June 2001, the NSW Government has supported a dual naming policy for geographical features and cultural sites, with 45 geographical features having been dual named so far. The policy aims to recognise traditional Aboriginal place names alongside existing European names.

Where a geographical feature has a non-Aboriginal name, a traditional Aboriginal name can be assigned. The name will hold equal status to the non-Aboriginal name and can be used individually or combined.

The NSW Geographical Names Board has approved the submission from the National Parks and Wildlife Service to officially dual-name Cape Byron as Walgun and Julian Rocks as Nguthungulli, while a reserve in the suburb of Bangalow has been named Piccabeen Park.

Nguthungulli/Julian Rocks is a significant and sacred Aboriginal site associated with several dreaming stories of the Bundjalung of Byron Bay (Arakwal) people and other Bundjalung people. Nguthungulli, said to be the Father of the World, is the traditional name used by the Arakwal people.

Walgun/Cape Byron maintains significance to the Arakwal and other Bundjalung people, with the area being used for important gatherings and ceremonial practices.

Cape Byron is known by the local Aboriginal community as Walgun, which means ‘shoulder’ in the Bundjalung Language.

The dual names are supported by the Bundjalung of Byron Bay Aboriginal Corporation and the Cape Byron Trust.

The GNB and Byron Shire Council have also worked together to formally name a reserve in the suburb of Bangalow as Piccabeen Park, which is located at 27 Deacon Street, Bangalow.

Piccabeen is a Bundjalung word used to describe the Bangalow Palm and/or baskets made from its palm frond. The reserve is home to many Bangalow Palms. The name is supported by the Bundjalung of Byron Bay Aboriginal Corporation.

Minister for Heritage and the Environment Penny Sharpe said:

“The dual naming of Nguthungulli/Julian Rocks and Walgun/Cape Byron acknowledges the traditional custodians and their special connection to these culturally, spiritually and historically significant sites.

“I want to thank the Traditional Owners who have worked to have these places dual named and I look forward to them being used so we can tell more of the stories of the these important areas.”

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib said:

“Place naming gives communities the opportunity to unlock past stories, preserve traditions, reawaken language and provide a sense of belonging and identity.”

“The NSW Government is committed to the preservation and promotion of Aboriginal languages and acknowledging Aboriginal culture through place naming in NSW.”

“All Australians share a relationship to the land and the names we give to places convey their significance, sense of history and identity.

“Dual-naming acknowledges the significance of Aboriginal culture and represents a meaningful step towards the process of unity in NSW.”

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said:

“The Arakwal and other Bundjalung people have had unbroken connections to these places through Story, kinship and Language since the first sunrise.”

“It is only right to honour that history and that connection through names that bring Story and Language to life for all Australians to enjoy.”

An important step has been taken for the biggest upgrade of Canterbury Hospital in 26 years, with the project’s lead design team appointed. 

The NSW Government is investing $350 million in the Canterbury Hospital redevelopment to expand the facility and deliver upgrades to existing infrastructure.  

Health Minister Ryan Park said the expansion of services will ensure the facility is able to respond to the health needs of the growing community in Sydney’s south-west. 

“Canterbury Hospital has been serving the community since 1929 and received its last major upgrade in 1998,” Mr Park said.  

“This investment will help build the healthcare infrastructure to meet the needs of the growing community and enable our dedicated health staff to deliver high-quality care in the latest facilities.

“In the coming months, the lead design team will work with Health Infrastructure and Sydney Local Health District to determine the key clinical service priorities and progress the planning for the redevelopment.” 

The Canterbury-Bankstown Local Government Area is forecast to grow by 13% in the next 12 years, with an estimated population of 443,000 by 2036.   

Member for Canterbury Sophie Cotsis said the $350 million investment will enable Canterbury Hospital to meet the health needs of its diverse community. 

“I am so grateful for the wonderful staff at Canterbury Hospital who, through this redevelopment, will have state of the art facilities to continue providing excellent care to the community,” Ms Cotsis said. 

“Canterbury is a vibrant and hardworking community, and the much-welcomed redevelopment of the hospital will provide local jobs in health, technology and clinical support services.”

The NSW Government is investing $3 billion for new and upgraded hospitals and health services across greater western Sydney, one of the largest investments in the region’s health infrastructure in recent years.    

The 2023-24 NSW State Budget also included:    

• an additional $400 million to build the $700 million Rouse Hill Hospital 
• $550 million for Fairfield Hospital, in its first major redevelopment since it opened in 1989
• $120 million investment to expand capacity at Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospitals
• $1.3 billion to build the Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital on a new site, the first major investment since the two hospitals merged in 1997. 

The scope of the project and indicative timing of the works will be finalised during planning and design. Staff, stakeholders, and the community will be kept informed and consulted as the project progresses.