Category: NSW News

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.”

Motorists are being asked to drive safely over the Anzac Day period so that everyone can get home safely to their families and loved ones.

Roads across the state are expected to be busy from today as people move around to Anzac Day events or take Wednesday and Friday off to make the most of an extended long weekend.

The break also coincides with the end of school holidays, creating extra traffic around major centres like Sydney.

NSW Police will be out in force and double demerits apply from today until 11:59pm on Sunday 28 April.

The NSW Government is asking motorists to slow down and drive to the conditions so everyone can make it home safely.

As of midnight Tuesday, 111 lives have been lost on NSW roads in 2024 – 11 higher than at the same time in 2023.

The NSW Government has introduced a number of measures to counter the rising number of fatalities on our roads, including:

• 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
• removing a loophole to force all motorists driving on a foreign licence to convert to a NSW licence within 6 months
• the introduction of seatbelt enforcement by existing mobile phone detection cameras from Monday 1 July
• the demerit point trial to encourage motorists to 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.

Acting Minister for Roads Jo Haylen said:

“Road safety is a shared responsibility, and we are asking everyone to have that front of mind over the Anzac Day period.

“There are simple steps to help keep all road users safe: Make sure you are well rested before heading out, stick to the speed limit, wear a seatbelt or helmet, put the phone away and never get behind the wheel if affected by drugs or alcohol.”

Minister for Police Yasmin Catley said: 

“Police will be out on the roads across the state in a high-visibility operation that will target high-risk behaviours such as excessive speed, alcohol and drug driving, illegal use of mobile phones and not wearing seatbelts.

“During the double demerit period for Anzac Day last year, which also fell over 5 days, we tragically lost 4 people on NSW roads. That is 4 too many and I don’t want to see a repeat of this again in 2024.”

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“Regional NSW represents a third of the state’s population and two-thirds of the state’s road fatalities. For this reason, it is even more important that motorists in regional areas comply with the speed limit and drive to the conditions.

“If you’re a local please don’t be complacent – even if you drive these roads every day and think you know them like the back of your hand – mistakes can happen, and tragedy can result.

“Make sure you’re sticking to the speed limit, and if you start to notice signs of fatigue, pull over and have a rest. It’s better to arrive late than to risk the alternative of a serious crash or worse.”

Elderly residents across south-western Sydney have access to more tailored, timely healthcare in the comfort of their own homes via the Community Older Persons Intervention and Liaison Outreach Team (COPILOT).

This community-based integrated geriatric urgent care service eases pressure on emergency departments by responding urgently to the medical and physical health needs of older people in the community for non-life threatening conditions.

Care is provided in the patient’s own home by a multidisciplinary team of geriatricians, nurses, social workers, physiotherapists, pharmacists, dietitians and occupational therapists.

Patients are referred to the geriatric urgent care service through a number of channels including local GPs, NSW Ambulance, and emergency department aged care teams.

The service has been in operation in Liverpool and Campbelltown since late 2023 and was officially launched today at Fairfield Hospital as part of the NSW government’s commitment to delivery of 25 Urgent Care Services by June 2025.

It operates 8am-4.30pm seven days a week, with phone consultations between 4.30pm-8pm.

Minister for Health Ryan Park said:

“Our government is rolling out Urgent Care Services like this one across the state, to increase access to healthcare within the community, and reduce the immense pressure on our hospital system.

“Data has shown thousands of patients have been treated by Urgent Care Service and Clinics, allowing people to receive the care they need quicker, without the stress of visiting ED”.

“Improving access to healthcare is a ministerial priority of mine, and I am really pleased with the results we have seen with other Urgent Care Services across NSW.

Member for Prospect, Hugh McDermott said:

“As our population grows, our community will get older. COPILOT will become even more essential, and important service to ensuring their success in an ever-changing society.

“Our community is growing, and by 2031 there will be more than 155,000 Fairfield residents over the age of 70. It’s important we invest in their success early.”

Member for Fairfield, David Saliba said:

“It’s essential as the number of older residents in our community grows, we have the right services in place to meet their needs. COPILOT is an important part of ensuring we achieve this.

“The COPILOT team – which consists of geriatricians, nurses, allied health staff as well as administrative support – is designed to help meet this growing local need.”

Member for Cabramatta, Tri Vo said:

“Delighted to be part of this important announcement which will make a huge difference to everyone in our community, delivering care to older people while easing pressure on wait times in ED.

“COPILOT is one of many exciting new initiatives the NSW Government is investing in to benefit communities all over southwestern Sydney.”

South Western Sydney Local Health District Chief Executive, Sonia Marshall said:

“We all have times in our lives when we need care quickly, but don’t need the full suite of care available at a hospital.

“COPILOT ensures older people have access to multidisciplinary teams that can provide expert care wherever they are.”

The NSW Government is delivering on its election commitment by supporting a peak body for the commercial fishing sector.

Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty announced the NSW Commercial Fishing Industry Association (CFIA) at the Sydney Fish Market Seafood Excellence Awards on Tuesday evening (23 April 2024) and the CFIA appointed inaugural chair, Mr John Wilson.

The newly formed CFIA will provide an opportunity for the NSW commercial fishing industry to be represented to Government, key stakeholders and the wider community, through a united voice.

Mr Wilson, from the Southern Tablelands of NSW, comes to the position with a diverse background including as the Company Secretary of the Seafood Co-operative Centre Company, Director at the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation, General Manger Business and Chief Financial Officer at the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC).

The CFIA has been developed through an industry-facilitated process involving stakeholder-wide consultation to establish an allied peak industry body to provide advocacy to Government.

The annual total value of NSW wild harvest commercial fisheries is in the order of $90 million at first point of sale, and contributes $170 million to the states production each year, employing more than 1,661 people directly.

The NSW commercial fisheries are carefully managed as the resource is shared amongst over 1,000 commercial fishers who catch fish for the whole community to enjoy.

The NSW Government also continues to push ahead with establishing a peak body to represent the NSW recreational fishing sector.

Minister for Agriculture Minister Moriarty said:

“The CFIA will help ensure commercial NSW seafood continues to be viable, profitable, and sustainable.

“This peak body for commercial fishing will focus on industry representation, advocacy, building the industry’s capacity to participate in shared decision-making as well as consultation and communication with commercial fishers.

“The NSW Government recognises the challenges in making commercial fisheries sustainable and has worked closely with the industry to lead many of the changes to improve environmental performance.

“I also congratulate the winners at last night’s Sydney Fish Market Seafood Excellence Awards. NSW has some of the best seafood in the world and all entrants are great examples of the excellence happening across the industry.”

Sydney Fish Market Seafood Excellence Awards winners & highly commended 2024:

Primary Producer Award (NSW)

• Winner: Troy Billin (Yamba Fisheries)
• Highly Commended: The Byrnes Family

Primary Producer Award (Interstate/Overseas)

• Winner: 4 Seas

Seafood Business Award

• Winner: Coffs Harbour Fishermen’s Cooperative
• Highly Commended: Fish in the Family

Restaurant Award

• Winner: The Poyer’s Restaurant
• Highly Commended: Besuto Omakase

Promotion Award

• Winner: Narooma Oyster Festival
• Highly Commended: Professional Fishers Association (Taste of Seafood Festivals)

People Development Award

• Winner: Professional Fishers Association (Fishers Business Skills Program)

Safety Award

• Winner: Tuna Australia (Research to improve worker safety and reduce bycatch)

Environment Award

• Winner: OceanWatch Australia
• Highly Commended: Mitch Sanders

Research Development and Extension Award

• Winner: OceanWatch Australia (East Coast Whale Entanglement Program)

Motorists using the Snowy Mountains Highway at Pine Valley will benefit from a series of upgrades, as part of the Albanese and NSW Labor Governments’ commitment to improving the safety and reliability of regional road networks across the state.

With $400,000 from the Australian Government’s Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program, and $900,000 from the NSW Government’s Network Efficiency Program, the safety works will involve widening multiple sections of the Highway to provide more space for light and heavy vehicles to co-exist.

This includes widening the left-turn lane eastbound at Kosciuszko Road and installing safety barriers as part of the jointly funded works.

As an access route for the Snowy 2.0, there has been a noticeable increase in traffic along this section of the Snowy Mountains Highway, including frequent heavy vehicle movements.

Work is already underway to widen and seal one kilometre of southbound shoulders, which is expected to take around six weeks.

Work on the intersection upgrade is due to commence soon and is expected to be completed by the end of May, weather permitting.

All works will be carried out weekdays between 7am and 6pm and Saturdays between 8am and 1pm.

Federal Member for Eden-Monaro Kristy McBain said:

“The Snowy Mountains Highway is busier than ever, as more people flock to enjoy everything we have to offer across this part of the mighty Eden-Monaro.

“That’s why I’ve worked hard to secure $400,000 in federal funding towards these important safety upgrades, which we’ll deliver in partnership with the Minns Labor Government.

“We know during our peak snow seasons the highway really is bumper to bumper – which is why widening multiple sections of the road will make it safer for motorists to pass turning vehicles.”

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

“As the gateway to the Snowy Mountains Region, this Highway is the key arterial route between Cooma and Jindabyne or Tumut, servicing high volumes of tourist and visitor traffic during winter, providing access to the Selwyn Snowy Resort from the southeast.

“These upgrades will go a long way to providing a much safer journey for all motorists and improving the travel experience for everyone in our beautiful region.”

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“The NSW and Australian Labor Governments are working together and getting on with the job of improving road safety in our regional communities.

“The investments we are making will reduce the likelihood of rear end crashes and reduce congestion on this busy Highway.

“I thank Ministers McBain and Whan for their ongoing advocacy and efforts on behalf of their communities, to secure vital road safety investments like this.”