Category: NSW News

Wearing a seatbelt will be enforced by existing mobile phone detection cameras from July 1 as the NSW Government bolsters efforts to counter the rising number of road fatalities across the state.

The simple act of correctly wearing a seatbelt while in a moving vehicle has been a legal requirement in NSW for more than 50 years, but data shows 150 people died while not wearing one in the five years between 2019 and 2023.

On average, 15 per cent of deaths on NSW roads every year still involve seatbelt non-usage, with 36 people tragically lost last year.

The enhancement of the state’s world-first mobile phone detection camera network will allow for a July 1 start date to the cameras also enforcing the seatbelt laws for the first time, the NSW Government confirms today.

Unlike when other new enforcement technologies have come into effect, there will be no grace period of warning letters after the NSW Parliament voted against starting seatbelt detection cameras in warning mode when enabling legislation was passed last year.

Photos released from testing of the cameras show a small but persistent percentage of drivers and some passengers continue to flout the law and wear their seatbelt incorrectly, including with the sash below the arm.

Every dollar raised by seatbelt cameras will go back into road safety.

As of midnight Thursday 2 May 2024, 124 have been lost on NSW roads, which is 16 more than the same time last in 2023.

The NSW Labor Government has introduced a number of measures to counter the rising number of road fatalities, including:

• The demerit point trial to encourage motorists who maintain a spotless record over 12 months to have a demerit point removed from their record.
• Hosting the state’s first Road Safety Forum of international and local experts.
• Last month we signed the National Road Safety Data Sharing Agreement to help support analysis of driver behaviour, and help the various state and federal governments work together to understand where the funding needs to go.
• Removing a loophole to force all motorists driving on a foreign licence to convert to a NSW licence within six months.
• Doubling roadside enforcement sites used for mobile speed cameras, with the addition of 2700 new locations where a camera can be deployed. Enforcement hours will remain the same.

Today marks the start of National Road Safety Week, an annual initiative of the Safer Australian Roads and Highways (SARAH) Group, which aims to highlight the impact of road trauma and ways to reduce it.

The theme for 2024 is All road safety is local – Drive So Others Survive.

For more information on National Road Safety Week.

Minister for Roads John Graham said:

“Seatbelts save lives, it’s as simple as that. Wearing a seatbelt doubles a person’s chance of survival in a car crash and the NSW Government is doing everything we can to make sure the simplest safety feature in a car is being used by everyone.

“It has been a legal requirement to wear a seatbelt in NSW since 1971 and it is frankly disturbing that a small minority of people are still not heeding the message. If camera enforcement can convince those people to buckle up we can reduce the 15 per cent of deaths that involve a belt not being worn.

“Camera enforcement will be a significant step to reducing needless trauma on the roads that comes at the cost of families, loved ones and the first responders who routinely deal with unimaginable tragedy.

“I am glad to announce the July 1 start date to seatbelt camera enforcement as we remember road trauma victims during National Road Safety Week.”

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“Despite five decades of enforcement and public awareness campaigns, on average more than 10,000 people a year are still fined by the NSW Police for not wearing a seatbelt. This has to change and we hope camera enforcement can be the catalyst.

“In the last five years, about 85 per cent of the deaths and 76 per cent of the serious injuries that occurred in crashes where someone wasn’t wearing a seatbelt happened in country NSW.

“Driving in the country brings with it different challenges to city driving – longer distances are often covered on higher speed roads and we know that although country residents make up about a third of the NSW population they sadly make up around two thirds of deaths on NSW roads.

“The start of enforcement of seatbelt non-compliance by our mobile phone detection camera program will also reach regional roads – nobody is above the law and we want to see every single person wear a seatbelt and wear it correctly every single trip.  We cannot overestimate how important wearing a seatbelt is to saving your life if the worst happens and you’re in a crash.

“This National Road Safety Week I’m urging all regional road users to make safer choices.”

The NSW Government will provide $230 million over four years as part of an emergency package to enhance support for domestic, family and sexual violence (DFSV) victim-survivors and expand programs that reduce the rate of violence against women and children.

Nearly 1 in 4 women and 1 in 8 men in Australia have experienced violence by an intimate partner or family member since the age of 15.  

The NSW Labor Government is taking urgent action to address the unacceptable rate of violence against women and children, including implementation of NSW’s first dedicated Primary Prevention Strategy – a new step in NSW’s approach to preventing DFSV.

The Government will also undertake further long-term reform to prevent domestic, sexual and family violence in NSW.

This work will be informed by the lived experience of victim-survivors and expert advice to government, including from leaders in the domestic family and sexual violence sector who engaged directly with the NSW Cabinet last week.

The package includes:

Crisis response

• $48m to roll out the Staying Home Leaving Violence (SHLV) program state-wide and to expand the Integrated Domestic and Family Violence Service (IDFVS).
  • The Staying Home Leaving Violence program helps women and their children to remain safe in their homes after leaving a violent relationship. In 2022, a formal evaluation from the Gendered Violence Research Network at the University of NSW found this program effectively contributes to the long-term safety and housing stability of women and children who have left a violent and abusive relationship.
  • The Integrated Domestic and Family Violence Service provides important case management helping people to navigate the services of government agencies and non-government organisations. This can include coordinating across police, courts, healthcare, child protection workers, housing providers and women’s refuges. The program works with both victim-survivors who have left a relationship and those who remain, focusing on maximising safety for this group of women and their children.

Improving the justice system for victims

• $45 million has been set aside to improve bail laws and justice system responses to domestic violence with measures to be announced in coming weeks.
• Nearly $24 million for specialist DV support workers within the justice system.
• $2 million over four years to support the Domestic Violence Death Review Team and its work to deliver robust research around risks factors, trends and impact of service delivery.
• $2.1 million over two years to improve and continue the Corrective Services program EQUIPS Domestic and Family Violence, delivered to offenders in custody and under supervision in the community to prevent reoffending.

Early intervention

• $48 million to secure and increase funding for workers who support children accompanying their mothers to refuges. These specialist workers support them, including with education and mental health measures.
• Support of $700,000 for the NSW Domestic Violence Line (DV line).

Primary prevention

• $38 million for the implementation of NSW’s first dedicated Primary Prevention Strategy. The Pathways to Prevention: NSW Strategy for the Prevention of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence 2024-2027 will develop a range of initiatives to address the drivers of domestic, family and sexual violence.
• $8.1 million over four years for the ‘All in’ early childhood pilot, to prevent domestic violence by teaching young children about healthy relationships.

Strengthening the sector

• $5 million for workforce training on the implementation of a newly developed risk assessment framework, and quality standards.
• $3.6 million to expand Domestic Violence NSW (DVNSW), which is the peak body for specialist services in New South Wales.

Research

• $5m in funding for research into perpetrators and effective interventions.

This package supports NSW’s commitments, alongside the Prime Minister and First Ministers across the country, at National Cabinet last week. First Ministers committed to sustained focus on stopping the homicides and achieving our shared goal of ending violence against women and children in a generation.

If you or someone you know is affected by domestic, family or sexual violence, please call the toll-free number 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for support on 1800RESPECT or visit 1800respect.org.au

Premier Chris Minns said:

“Too many lives have been lost and too many families have been broken because of domestic and family violence. It is a blight in our communities, and it is a problem that deserves our government’s concerted attention and response.

“We are listening to leaders, organisations, victim-survivors, and communities from across NSW to drive solutions. Domestic, family, and sexual violence is preventable; we cannot accept the status quo.

“This funding announcement is an important step to doing better, to recognising that domestic violence supports need to be applied not just from a crisis response perspective, but with an eye to disrupting the cycle of domestic and family violence early and permanently.

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

“Our government is committed to seeing dramatic improvements in the rates of domestic, family, and sexual violence through a preventative approach, as outlined in NSW’s first dedicated whole-of-government domestic, family and sexual violence Pathways to Prevention strategy.

“There is no shying away from the horrendous statistics, and the tragic stories behind each one of those statistics.

“What we need to focus on, and what we are committed to achieving, is appropriate, ongoing, and all-encompassing wraparound support for victim-survivors, as well as ensuring we learn from their experiences and do better for communities across NSW.”

Attorney General Michael Daley said:

“In the coming weeks we will confirm and announce the details of $45 million to improve bail laws and justice system responses, ensuring we are reviewing domestic violence supports and systems from every angle.

“NSW needs a coordinated approach across multiple fronts to disrupt domestic violence – that is what this suite of funding initiatives is designed to achieve.”

Minister for Corrections Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“This is important funding to expand and improve programs that stop cycles of violence, including by reducing reoffending.

“There isn’t any excuse for family and domestic violence. We’re ensuring offenders can access the specialised programs they need to help change their behaviour.”

The NSW Government welcomes the $1.9 billion federal investment boost recognising the significance of Western Sydney as the fastest growing region in Australia.

Continued federal investment in the region will improve quality of life for Western Sydney families and expand access to new jobs growing out of development opportunities around the Western Sydney Airport Precinct.

This funding underlines the importance of supporting growth in Western Sydney and builds on joint investments by NSW and federal governments in road and transport projects across the region.

Key project funding detail includes:

• The new $500 million federal investment in Mamre Road Stage 2 will add to the $253.6 million already allocated by the NSW Government for Stage 1 of the project.
• A $400 million federal investment to deliver priority sections of Elizabeth Drive upgrade. This builds on the NSW Government’s $200 million commitment for Elizabeth Drive safety and enabling works.
• A further $115 million federal government commitment for Mulgoa Road Stage 2 will allow the NSW Government to move ahead with upgrades to the pinch point.
• The new $500 million federal investment for Richmond Road, Garfield Road and Memorial Avenue will support the NSW Government’s existing $385 million commitment.
• A $100 million federal investment to deliver new infrastructure to support bus services to the WSI airport.
• A $20 million federal investment to support the delivery of the final business case for Stage 1 of the Western Sydney Freight Line.

The NSW Government also welcomes federal funding to continue vital projects such as Appin Road, Spring Farm Parkway and bus infrastructure for the future Western Sydney Airport.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car said:

“Today’s announcement is a game changer for Western Sydney. It builds on hundreds of millions of dollars invested by NSW to deliver overdue precinct roads that will meet the existing needs of local residents, while unlocking development and new places for people to work and live.

“We have developers ready to transform the region into modern employment, education and housing zones which are planned to attract 250,000 people.

“Today’s announcement will give investors the confidence they are looking for from government to begin making those plans a reality.”

Minister for Roads John Graham said:

“We have been working closely with the Commonwealth government since the mid-year review to ensure NSW roads and public transport are in place to support Australia’s fastest growing region in our most populous state.

“The Western Sydney Airport Precinct is a once in a generation, city shaping program. Cities aren’t built overnight – they take time and investment. This Commonwealth funding ensures we can stage delivery to keep unlocking opportunities for community and industry in the Western Sydney Airport Precinct.

“This announcement means that what are essentially one lane each-way country roads like Elizabeth Drive and Mamre Road will be upgraded.”

NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:

“I am glad that the Federal Government has listened to the people of Western Sydney and its surrounds and has prioritised the development of the region as a whole.

“Commitments such as today’s are vital to giving industry the confidence to co-invest and get developments moving — which is important for bringing jobs to Western Sydney.

“Importantly, the announcement includes $100 million in infrastructure funding to support new bus services to Western Sydney Airport and the emerging city of Bradfield.

“Funding will also go to continuing the critical planning work for key precinct road and rail connections, which will be crucial to establishing the next round of priority projects.”

Minister for Transport, Jo Haylen said:

“This is a big win for passengers right across Western Sydney. I want to thank the Federal Government who have stepped up to help deliver the future bus services that will connect passengers in the West to the new airport when it opens in 2026.”

“Support for the Western Sydney Freight line isn’t just about growing the Aerotropolis precinct. It’s also about getting freight off our roads and onto our rails so there’s more space for Western Sydney drivers and less traffic.”    

“Cities can’t grow without the transport links that get people and goods from place to place. That is why this is such an important, city shaping commitment from the Federal Government to help deliver the transport links which will help the new city here grow.”

Minister for Industrial Relations Sophie Cotsis has delivered an address to the Industrial Relations Society of NSW annual conference in Wollongong where the theme is ‘A new hope: The next golden era of industrial relations’.

It’s a theme which encapsulates the spirit the NSW Government has taken over the past year delivering on the following:

• Scrapped the wages cap.
• Delivered public sector workers their biggest pay rise in over a decade.
• Tackled the scourge of silicosis by leading a national ban on engineered stone.
• Established a framework for a silica worker register to track and care for workers exposed to silica dust.
• From July 1 the re-established NSW Industrial Court will provide workers with access to workplace justice and improved workplace safety with specialist judges.
• Started the Respect at Work Advisory Council.
• Established a cooperative way of bargaining for the state’s public sector workers.
• Increased penalties for serious WHS breaches.
• Closed loopholes that allow businesses to insure against WHS fines as a cost-of-doing-business.
• Toughened criminal penalties for assaulting retail workers.
• Passed laws to ensure union and business representation on the icare board and put injured workers at the centre of care.
• Making SafeWork NSW into a standalone regulator

The NSW Government has taken enormous strides to fundamentally improve workers’ rights over the past year delivering on key election promises and providing more for employees across the state.

The Minister told the conference unions and public sector employers are already undertaking mutual gains bargaining training to encourage cooperative and constructive bargaining.

She added: “Working together we can move to a more cooperative approach to wage negotiations based on trust and good faith.

“This will ensure that the best outcomes are available to the people of NSW.”

In the coming months the NSW Government will fulfill other election promises:

• Legislating an industrial manslaughter offence.
• Reforms to give gig workers rights at work and access to the IRC.
• Ensuring local government workers have greater protections.
• Introduce a portable long service leave scheme for community sector workers.

Minister Cotsis told the conference the Minns government has made the repair of industrial relations and work health and safety a key priority of our policy agenda and it will continue to build a better NSW.downloadDownload as PDFprintPrint this page

Today the NSW Government held a special Cabinet meeting to hear from and draw on the experience of respected advocates for the prevention of domestic and family violence.

This was an important step in the NSW Government’s commitment to make sector informed investments into domestic and family violence, with all departments and portfolios of governments to be engaged in this response.   Cabinet was addressed by:

• Dr Hannah Tonkin the NSW Women’s Safety Commissioner;
• Ms Christine Robinson CEO of the Wirringa Baiya Aboriginal Women’s Legal Centre (Wirringa Baiya) and member of the NSW Domestic Violence Death Review Team (DVDRT)
• The Honourable Marcia Neave AO Commissioner of the Victorian Royal Commission into Family Violence; and
• Rosie Batty 2015 Australian of the Year and founder of The Luke Batty Foundation and the Never Alone Campaign.

Experts shared their experience in relation to the outcomes of the Victorian Royal Commission into Family Violence and their implementation.

The NSW Cabinet reaffirmed its commitment to taking urgent action as well as looking at long term reform to prevent domestic and family violence across our state.

The NSW Government is finalising an emergency package that will look at:

• crisis responses in NSW and frontline services;
• primary prevention; and
• early intervention.

We are also looking at reforms to the justice system to better protect victims.

We will consider all options. Nothing is off the table. We understand there are gaps in the system.

We know that crisis responses will not be enough. That is why we will also work on developing medium and long-term solutions to address domestic and family violence.

The NSW Government extends our sincere thanks to the advocates who addressed Cabinet and generously shared their experiences and expertise today.

We also thank all those across NSW who have lent their voices to this important cause, over recent weeks as well as historically. We know that we can and must do more – we also know we have a responsibility to listen and learn. We are committed to continuing to do both.

If you or someone you know is affected by domestic and family violence, please call the toll-free  number 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for support on 1800RESPECT or visit 1800respect.org.au

The NSW Government will provide $300,000 to a peak community group to research and implement innovative new strategies, aimed at helping older people to transition more quickly from hospital to aged care when they are medically ready to be discharged.

The collaborative regional project, led by the Community Industry Group (CI Group), will support the implementation of a volunteer coordinator program which will assist with transitioning older people into residential aged care facilities (RACFs).

The lack of available local RACF beds has been a major challenge in recent years, particularly in the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, where despite the implementation of a range of strategies around 90 patients on average await residential care placement on any given day.        

Minister for Health Ryan Park has welcomed the collaborative project, which will also fund research to better understand and address the needs of longer stay older patients in hospitals.

“We remain committed to implementing initiatives aimed at reducing any unnecessary lengths of stay in hospital being experienced by older people waiting for RACF placement in the Illawarra region,” Mr Park said.

“Collaborative projects like these are important in addressing delays in discharging older people from hospital which can slow patient admission times.”

CI Group CEO Nicky Sloan said the organisation is uniquely placed to deliver regional collaborative projects to address this critical issue.

“This funding will enable us to work with local stakeholders including aged care providers, the Local Health District, the Primary Health Network, local Councils, Dementia Services Australia as well as the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care to deliver three important initiatives aimed supporting the discharge of older people into an aged care service,” Ms Sloan said.

In a phased approach, three initiatives will be rolled out by the CI Group, as follows:

• RESEARCH: Research into the drivers of discharge delays of older people into residential aged care facilities, as well as a review of the ability of aged care services to meet the needs of these older patients.  This research will be led by Professor Kathy Eagar and well-known aged care expert, Paul Sadler.
• TRANSITION VOLUNTEERS: The creation of a team of discharge support volunteers, to be known as the Supported Transition Assistance Response Scheme (STARS), to assist the process of transfer for each person from hospital to an aged care home or their own home.
• TASKFORCE: Establishment of a multi-agency regional health and aged care taskforce to oversee these projects and develop a regional health and aged care plan to address the ageing demographic needs. 

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.”