Category: NSW News

Sydney motorists and visitors to the city are being warned to plan ahead as vital roadworks, including on the Warringah Freeway Upgrade, and annual traditions like extra traffic around the Sydney Fish Markets, Sydney Airport and Christmas shopping precincts will add challenges to getting around.

Transport for NSW is taking advantage of the quieter summer holiday period to work around the clock on a number of important construction tasks on the Warringah Freeway Upgrade, including building new overpass bridge piers, installing a new bus on ramp and demolishing old retaining wall and drainage structures.

The work is be carried out between Boxing Day, Tuesday 26 December and Friday 26 January 2024 – but lanes will be opened up and works shut down to facilitate traffic on New Year’s Eve.

The price of the focused roadworks campaign will be multiple temporary lane closures in the freeway corridor between Cammeray, Neutral Bay and North Sydney.

The works will save the equivalent of 70 standard night shifts throughout the year and an additional six weekend shutdowns when work goes 56 hours straight.

While the summer holiday period is the quietest on Sydney roads, the Warringah Freeway is expected to have journey times that compare with normal peak times due to the lane closure impacts.

Motorists are urged to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journey. Those catching a flight should leave enough time to get to Sydney Airport and take note of recent changed traffic conditions around Sydney Gateway.

Meanwhile, the usual 36-hour seafood marathon will run at Sydney Fish Market in Pyrmont from 5am 23 December until 5pm Christmas Eve, attracting more than 100,000 people and resulting in extremely heavy traffic around the markets and on approaches, including Anzac Bridge.

Motorists are reminded that double demerit points will be in force from Friday 22 December to Monday 1 January for all speeding, seatbelt, mobile phone and motorcycle helmet offences.

You can find more details on the Warringah Freeway Upgrade portallaunch.

Minister for Roads, John Graham said:

“Construction works on the Warringah Freeway are necessary and specifically timed to take advantage of the time of year that delivers the lowest traffic volumes on the Sydney Harbour Bridge approach.

“But we need to be very clear that this will mean delays. In fact, travel times are expected to resemble peak times on the Warringah Freeway at certain times based on the forecasts of Transport for NSW.

“We want all Sydney motorists to be aware of this so they can plan trips and leave enough time to get to destinations like the Sydney Airport without being surprised that this 24/7 work effort is happening at a time when people may not expect to see heavy traffic.

“We ask for people’s patience as we take advantage of this time to jump forward with the project milestones and thank them for their understanding.

“We want everyone travelling on roads this festive season to reach their destination safely – please plan your trip, follow the signs and drive carefully.

“There will be a range of road closures in place for NYE festivities this year, so if you are coming into the CBD for celebrations consider getting public transport and leaving the car at home.

Coordinator General Transport for NSW, Howard Collins said:

“Heavy traffic and delays are expected entering and leaving Sydney over the holiday period, including on NorthConnex to the north, around Sydney Airport as well as slower journey times near major works precincts such as the Warringah Freeway.

“Make sure you’re well rested before you head out, stick to the speed limit, wear your seatbelt or helmet, put down the phone and never, ever drive if you’re affected by drugs or alcohol.

“If you’re heading to sporting matches, concerts and other big crowd events over summer, we’ll have extra public transport services running to make your journey even easier.”

The Minns Labor government has launched a new option to renew Working with Children Checks (WWCCs) online, the first of its kind in Australia and a step towards more digital identification solutions.

About 1000 WWCCs are renewed each day, and nurses, teachers and childcare workers are among the 1.9 million people in NSW who will save valuable time with the online renewal option.

The online WWCC renewal is the first major product being rolled out under the NSW Digital ID program and is a significant step in the NSW Government’s journey towards a convenient and secure digital identity for residents.

Online renewals remove the need to share copies of physical documents to prove an identity, using photo verification technology to securely verify a person’s identity and a liveness check to determine if a person is present in front of a mobile phone.

Service NSW will confirm the identity of a person by matching their live facial scan with the reference image associated with them, such as the photo that was taken when a driver licence was issued.

To preserve privacy and safeguard against fraud, photos used for verification are immediately and permanently destroyed after the real-time check is completed.

More than a million residents, or roughly 14 per cent of the state, do not hold a NSW driver licence but are holders of government issued photo cards. To make transacting with NSW Government even more inclusive for the community, those with a photo card will also be able to renew their WWCC online.

Renewing a WWCC using digital proof of identity is optional and people can still apply in-person at Service NSW. 

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib said:

“Being able to renew a Working with Children Check online will save a lot of time for our essential workers and remove the manual process of presenting documents in-person to prove their identity.”

“The new online option will particularly benefit the many hard-working social workers, teachers and health and childcare workers who live and work in remote areas who can’t conveniently get to a Service NSW Centre.”

“This is the first significant step towards a digital ID and sets the foundation for renewing other credentials online, helping residents access services faster, easier, and with confidence their personal information is protected.”

Minister of Families and Communities Kate Washington said:

“The Digital Working with Children Check Renewal makes it easier for essential workers to keep their essential clearances up to date.”

“Our government wants to make life easier for the 1.9 million people with Working with Children Checks who are helping create a safer state for our kids.”

The Minns Labor government is urging all motorists to renew their commitment to safe driving as we head into the Christmas and the summer holidays.

The government can reveal 1.3 million NSW drivers remain eligible to have a demerit point removed from their licence within 5 weeks if they remain infringement free.

The 1-year demerit point scheme trial to encourage safe driving comes to a close on 17 January 2024 – meaning those who have maintained an offence-free record since 17 January this year will have 1 demerit point scrubbed from their licence.

The NSW Government announced in June that the trial would come into effect 6 months earlier than first flagged, allowing drivers who maintain a spotless record the chance to shed a demerit point sooner.

At that time there were 1.7 million motorists eligible, with almost 400,000 having since committed an offence that carried at least one demerit point.

The trial has been embraced by the public and the demerit offer will remain in place in 2024.

The government is urging motorists to use the demerit return as an incentive to drive safely as the road toll has risen significantly in 2023 across Australia.

In NSW in the 12 months to 14 December, 337 people have died on the roads – an increase of 61 compared to the same 12-month period last year.

Minister for Roads John Graham said:

“The demerit point trial is all about reducing the road toll and this comes at such a critical time as we urge all drivers to be as safe as possible heading into the end of the year and the summer holiday season when lots of us drive long distances.

“Our message is crystal clear: drive safely and you’ll get a point scrubbed from your licence. The more people who qualify for a point, the safer our roads will be.

“I am deeply concerned by the number of lives lost on NSW roads. The road toll is rising in other states so this is a shared problem across the nation, but we must do all we can here in NSW to make sure everyone gets home safely to their family.

“The NSW Government is investing almost $2.6 billion road safety programs like seatbelt compliance via our mobile phone detection cameras, as well improved infrastructure, education and fund police operations.”

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“Drivers across NSW are used to the stick approach, so the demerit trial is an important carrot for them to maintain a clean record over this last 5 weeks of the trial period.

“If all 1.3 million motorists drive safely and within the speed limit then we will see fewer deaths at a time when we must focus on turning the road toll around.

“Road deaths are particularly hard for regional communities where people may have life-long ties to their area.

“Sadly, the fatality rate per head of population for country residents of NSW is almost 5 times that of metropolitan residents.

“Simple acts such as wearing your seatbelt and putting your phone away could just save yours or another road user’s life.

“As you embark on holiday journeys and festive adventures, be the driving force behind safer roads. Prioritise rest by taking regular breaks, obey speed limits, and follow the advisory signs. If you’re planning to drink, have a plan B.

“Be especially cautious near curves and bends, where more than half of all rural road fatalities occur.”

---

Related ministerial media releases

Ministerial media release14 December 2023

Road safety funding boost for community groups across NSW

Grassroots groups across NSW are set to share in more than $400,000 worth of new funding thanks to Community Road Safety Grants delivered by the Minns Labor government.Ministerial media release13 December 2023

Phone power to the people – Liverpool Station leads the charge

The NSW Government is delivering on a key election promise, charging ahead with a new program delivering free, convenient phone chargers at Sydney train stations, with the first stand now switched on at Liverpool.Ministerial media release12 December 2023

Get set for a safe summer on NSW roads

Holiday makers are reminded to plan ahead and avoid peak travel times, for road trips with minimum stress and optimum cheer this summer festive season.

Children and families at Bear Cottage will be treated to a Christmas surprise today, with an early visit from Santa Claus.

With Rudolph and the reindeer in final preparations for Christmas Day, Santa enlisted the help of his friends at Toll Helicopter and NSW Ambulance to make the trip from the North Pole onboard the Toll Ambulance Rescue Helicopter.

The Hon. Chris Minns MP, NSW Premier and Dr Dominic Morgan, Chief Executive of NSW Ambulance, will officially welcome the jolly man in red before helping him hand out presents to children with life-limiting illness and their families. The NSW Ambulance quintet will also be helping to spread the Christmas cheer, playing carols for guests.

Part of Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network, Bear Cottage is the only children’s hospice in NSW, supporting 250 families a year and providing respite and end-of-life care in a home-like environment. The facility offers families an opportunity to take a break from the medical aspects of their child’s care and focus on creating lifelong memories.

This is the seventh consecutive year Santa has teamed up with the Toll Ambulance Rescue Helicopter to make his special visit.

Premier Chris Minns said:

“Bear Cottage is a special place for the children and their families who call it home.

“It is my privilege to be here with the children and families at Bear Cottage this festive season.

“I am so pleased Santa Claus is helping to delivering some festive spirit to these kids and their families.

“Thank you to Santa and the Toll Ambulance Rescue Helicopter team for continuing their traditional Christmas visit from the North Pole to Bear Cottage.

“I also want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the team at Bear Cottage for supporting these families during 2023 at their home away from home.”

Dr Dominic Morgan, Chief Executive of NSW Ambulance, said:

“NSW Ambulance takes great pride in helping others in need, and that’s why our critical care doctors and paramedics, along with the Toll/Ambulance Rescue Helicopter pilot and staff, are here today to join Santa in bringing a smile to the faces of children who are being cared for by Bear Cottage.”

“For our NSW Ambulance crews who work in the Toll/Ambulance Rescue helicopters, this mission is by far their favourite each year.”

“We are honoured to be a part of this very special visit and thank the staff from Bear Cottage for creating events like this that bring so much joy to these special families.”

Cathryn Cox, Chief Executive of Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network, said:

“We are incredibly fortunate across both Bear Cottage and our children’s hospitals to have so many people in the community supporting our patients and their families at this festive time of year.”

“Being away from home can be really challenging, especially around the holiday season, but events like this go a long way to ensuring those special memories can be made no matter where our families are.”

Narelle Martin, Nursing Manager at Bear Cottage, said:

“Santa’s visit is one of the most highly anticipated events of the year at Bear Cottage, all our children and families look forward to it.”

“The ongoing support from the Toll Ambulance Rescue Helicopter, NSW Ambulance and so many others in the community really showcases what the festive season is all about.”

An incredibly rare Loggerhead turtle came ashore on the NSW Mid North Coast to lay her precious egg cargo, which has now been moved to safety by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service’s marine wildlife team.

Long sandy tracks led NSW National Park and Wildlife Service (NPWS) staff and NSW Turtle Watch volunteers to the nest that had been laid in a precarious position in the open last week. It’s the first known turtle nesting of the season in NSW.

With forecast king tides peaking at 1.95m on Friday and above 2m after Christmas, it looked more likely than not the eggs could be inundated or washed away.

The nest, carrying 139 eggs, was carefully excavated and the eggs were transported to a new nest site that perfectly replicated the original, well outside the king tide mark.

A group of dedicated volunteers and NPWS staff will monitor the site and protect it from predation and accidental disturbance.

If all goes well, the hatchlings should emerge at the end of summer. In NSW, Loggerhead turtle eggs typically take 75 to 90 days to hatch, depending on the temperature of the nest. 

Loggerhead turtles are listed as an endangered species in NSW and in the last 10 years, only 19 have been recorded nesting on our beaches.

Relocating eggs from a turtle nest is a tricky business and is only done when the original nest location is deemed non-viable or under threat. Marine turtle nests aren’t common and survival of the nest is never guaranteed, so these actions to intervene early will continue to give this nest a fighting chance.

Nesting marine turtles are known to lay more than 1 clutch each season, so beachgoers should lookout for distinctive tracks and immediately report sightings to NPWS 1300-0-PARKSlaunch or NSW Turtle Watchlaunch.

Minister for Climate Change and the Environment Penny Sharpe said:

“It’s wonderful to see endangered Loggerhead turtles return to NSW beaches to lay their eggs.

“As an endangered species, every single egg is precious and represents hope for this species.

“The decision to move the nest to save it from forecast king tides demonstrates the commitment of volunteers and staff from the National Parks and Wildlife Service to giving this endangered species the best possible chance of survival.”

Families with young children in Sydney’s North West are set to benefit from significant upgrades that will see more than 100 demountables replaced with permanent facilities at Castle Hill Public School, Matthew Pearce Public School, Carlingford West Public School and Cumberland High School.

Schools in the area have been well over capacity for more than a decade as the population in the area soared under the former Liberal National Government, which failed to provide the necessary school infrastructure to the North West growth area during its 12 years in power. 

Construction has now begun on the long-awaited upgrades, which will see the removal of 19 demountables from Castle Hill Public School and another 22 at Matthew Pearce Public School.

There are currently 64 demountables at Carlingford West Public School and 26 demountables at Cumberland High School.

Of the demountables at Castle Hill Public School, 12 have been on site for more than five years and half are 20 years old. The demountables at Matthew Pearce Public School have been on site for at least five years, with some more than 25 years old.

The upgrade at Castle Hill will see the addition of a new three-storey building with 36 modern classrooms, as well as a new hall, canteen, covered outdoor learning area (COLA) and student amenities. It will also provide facilities for specialist support classes, and refurbished administration and staff areas.

The upgrades at Matthew Pearce Public School will deliver three new buildings and 24 new modern classrooms to replace existing demountable buildings. It will also provide facilities for specialist support classes, as well as a new hall, student amenities, and new outside of school hours care (OOSHC) facilities.

The upgrade at Cumberland High School will deliver 77 new and upgraded classrooms including spaces for wood workshops, visual arts, sport and performance, a new hall, library, play courts, canteen, and refurbished staff and administration facilities.

Carlingford West Public School’s upgrade will deliver 56 new classrooms, a new hall, library, play court, canteen, and refurbished staff and administration areas.

The upgrades at the four schools will provide core facilities catering to nearly 6,000 students combined, which will help support the growing population in Sydney’s North West. All four upgrades are expected to be completed by early 2026.

As part of its plan to address the backlog of essential services in the North West growth area, the Minns Labor Government is also fast-tracking new public schools at Tallawong and Nirimba Fields, and a high school for Melonba, all of which will open temporary facilities for students in Term 1 next year. The government will also build a new high school for Schofields/Tallawong to open in 2027.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:

“The Minns Labor Government is committed to ensuring families in Sydney’s growth areas have the essential services they need, like quality local public schools.

“I am thrilled to see construction begin on these important upgrades at Carlingford West Public School, Cumberland High School, Castle Hill Public School and Matthew Pearce Public School, providing high quality permanent facilities to meet growing enrolment demand in Sydney’s north-west suburbs.

“We are delivering on our promise to provide communities with high quality public school facilities to enable students to thrive.”

The NSW Government has announced stronger employment protections are now in place for waste management workers employed by NSW councils and council contractors.

Changes to the Local Government (General) Regulation 2021 have been gazetted to ensure greater protection for the employment of waste workers when council waste management contracts go to tender. 

Currently, potential tenderers are not required to offer employment to employees of the current contractor or to preserve the existing terms and conditions of their employment.

This is also the case if waste management services are provided by council staff.

There are numerous examples in recent history of waste management contracts changing between service providers, and workers are offered an identical role with the new contractor but with lower pay and loss of entitlements.

The regulation changes now in effect mean tenderers for domestic or other waste management services must now offer employment to existing staff on at least the same terms as their current employer and with no loss to their entitlements.

Tenderers must also agree to award annual pay increases based on the applicable industrial instrument or the Local Government (State) Award, if one does not exist.

The Office of Local Government will support councils who have upcoming waste management tenders to comply with the new regulations.

Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig said:

“Most council waste workers have lived and worked in their local government area for years or even decades.

“They deserve to be treated fairly and know that they will not be left worse off if a council makes the decision to enter a new waste contract.

“These changes will prevent waste contractors from undercutting during tenders and winning contracts on the basis of paying workers less if their employer changes.

“This is an important change and will help ensure council waste services can continue to run smoothly and provide certainty to the essential workers who provide this critical service to NSW communities.

“Rubbish collection is an essential council service that keeps our streets clean and safe. It’s one of the three ‘Rs’ of local government.”

Two tunnel boring machines (TBMs) have broken through solid rock to arrive at the Five Dock Metro Station site, putting Sydney Metro West on the map as the first project in the southern hemisphere to achieve a double TBM breakthrough. 

This breakthrough marks an important milestone in the Minns Government’s plan to build an enhanced Sydney Metro West project that also helps drive housing supply.

These are the first two TBM breakthroughs for the project as work powers ahead to build twin 24km metro tunnels that will transform how people live in and move across Sydney’s west. 

TBM Daphne broke through first, followed closely by TBM Beatrice, after building the 4.3km section of metro tunnel from The Bays to Five Dock for around 7 months. 

To date, the huge machines have excavated a total of 437,463 tonnes of material each. Combined, this is enough to fill 135 Olympic swimming pools. 

This once-in-a-century infrastructure investment will also double rail capacity between Greater Parramatta and the Sydney CBD, making it easier and faster to travel around western Sydney; link new communities to rail services and support employment growth and housing supply.   

The NSW Government is also reaffirming its commitment to building more housing in the right places, where people want to live – to improve affordability, reduce building and infrastructure costs and create thriving communities. 

This includes a proposal, which was brought to the NSW Government by the ATC, centering around the potential to build more than 25,000 new homes on the Rosehill Racecourse site. This would allow the government to explore the feasibility of a new Metro West Station at Rosehill. 

NSW Premier Chris Minns said: 

“This breakthrough at Five Dock is an important milestone as we progress towards the completion of this project and the creation of thousands of new homes.” 

“We’re building this major public transport project at the same time as we’re turbocharging the creation of new housing in our state. We know more supply is the key to making housing more affordable.” 

“This project won’t just change the way people move around our city; it will now also provide the well-located homes for future generations to live in.” 

Transport Minister Jo Haylen said: 

“Now this is truly ground-breaking – never before has a project in the southern hemisphere achieved what we are seeing right here with this double breakthrough.” 

“Record-breaking milestones like this offer a snapshot at the sheer scale and ambitious nature of Sydney Metro West, that will completely transform this great city.”  

“Sydney Metro West will transform travel in Sydney’s west including right here in Five Dock, a location that will welcome its very first railway connection to put both the Sydney CBD and Western Sydney at its doorstep.”

TBM Beatrice and Daphne fast facts:  

• TBMs are double-shield, hard rock TBMs specifically designed to excavate through the sandstone and shale ground conditions.   
• A team of 15 workers per shift operate the TBM as it excavates an average of 200m per week.  
• The TBMs are 165m long (more than the length of 2x A380’s which are approximately 73m).  
• TBMs are built using refurbished cutterheads, front shields and gripper shields from TBMs used on the Sydney Metro City & Southwest project.  
• Each TBM is approximately 7m in diameter.  
• 34x disc cutters per cutterhead (disc cutters are approx. 48cm in diameter).  
• Heaviest pieces of the TBM are the front shield and gripper shield both approx. 280 tonnes each, the cutterhead is approximately 102 tonnes.
• The two 1,300-tonne machines will spend the next few weeks traversing to the western end of the station box cavern.
• During this time, the machines will undergo maintenance before being relaunched to continue their journey to Sydney Olympic Park.
• The Five Dock station box cavern was excavated with about 286,047 tonnes of material removed to create the box-like structure that is 22m wide and 15m deep. 
• Next stop for the TBMs is the Burwood North Metro Station site about two km away, where they are due to arrive in early 2024. 
• TBMs Beatrice and Daphne are 2 of 6 TBMs building the tunnels for the new Sydney Metro West line connecting Greater Parramatta to the Sydney CBD.  
• A total of 30,732 precast concrete segments have been installed by both TBMs to line the new 7m wide tunnels. 
• Two TBMs are currently tunnelling between Sydney Olympic Park and Westmead, while the final fifth and sixth TBMs will launch in 2024, starting at The Bays, moving under harbour to Pyrmont and onto Hunter Street.

A stunning design has been unveiled for Bank Street Park, transforming land fenced off from the community for decades into a green and accessible waterfront park against the backdrop of the iconic ANZAC Bridge in Pyrmont.

Accessibility to the water and to Sydney CBD is a key feature of Bank Street Park. Plans include a new cycleway and walkways to and from the area, and new and improved access to Blackwattle Bay for recreational water users such as kayakers and other paddle craft.

The park design features a foreshore promenade, the next piece in the puzzle towards completing a 15km continuous harbourside walk between Woolloomooloo and Rozelle Bay, which will be one of Australia’s longest harbourfront walkways and a ‘must see’ attraction in Sydney. 

Providing more than 1ha of open space, the new park was designed by landscape architect OCULUS with Collins + Turner, Greenshoot Consulting and Greenaway Architects and marks a significant step towards the area’s redevelopment.

Building the park first means people can start enjoying recreational benefits before new homes and jobs are created in the surrounding area.

Key features of the new design include:

• recreational facilities including a multipurpose court, playground and fitness stations  
• a new community building to house a new community space, café and marina office
• water access and storage for dragon boats and personal paddle craft including a new accessible public pontoon
• harbourside promenade and increased accessibility to the water with new footpaths and cycleways
• public art that honours the park’s unique connection to the ANZAC Bridge and the significant contributions of First Nations servicemen and servicewomen
• adaptive reuse of buildings along Bank Street.

The local community and key stakeholders have been integral in informing the park’s design, and the wider community is now encouraged to have their say. 

Get more information on Blackwattle Baylaunch.

Minister for Lands and Property, Steve Kamper said:

“We are excited to unveil this iconic waterfront park, that will be loved by the community and a space that can be enjoyed by all on Sydney’s stunning harbour.

“I am proud to reveal the design of Bank Street Park today, which involved close collaboration with First Nations representatives, the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, and Black Diggers, which is of special significance given its connection to the ANZAC Bridge.

“Bank Street Park will be the first piece in the wider development of Blackwattle Bay, which will see the current Fish Market site transformed into new homes, retail and public space.” 

“We heard from the community they would like to see some of the buildings retained and we have engaged local architects to assist in the adaptive reuse of one building for public amenities and provide an ‘Interpretation Garden’ using the existing foundations of another building.”

Member for Sydney, Alex Greenwich said:

“The community has been actively involved in shaping the park’s features and activities, and we will continue to bring them on the journey as the park is brought to life.

“Once complete, Bank Street Park will ensure Sydney Harbour is more accessible for leisure activities, including private paddle craft, walking and cycling. The community will be able to kayak or paddleboard right up to the park, where they can enjoy a coffee from the café and walk along the foreshore before visiting the new Sydney Fish Market.”

Two state-of-the-art jet aircraft will soon join the NSW Ambulance fleet, optimising response times for patients in rural and regional areas.

Minister for Health Ryan Park said for the first time, NSW Ambulance will have 2 new Pilatus PC-24 jet aircraft in its fleet, as part of a $54.3 million boost to increase the capability of Aeromedical Operations.

“These 2 new jets are equipped with the latest technology and medical equipment to better serve our patients, flight nurses, doctors and pilots,” Mr Park said.

“These jets can fly faster and further without the need for refuelling and they will be an invaluable resource for communities in regional, rural and remote NSW.

“Whether responding to a motor vehicle accident or transferring a critically ill patient from a regional hospital to a tertiary health facility, these PC-24 aircraft will be a major boost for the health of regional and remote communities throughout NSW.

“NSW Ambulance is the first state government ambulance service in Australia to specifically design the PC-24 interior and patient fit-out for aeromedical operations.”

NSW Ambulance Commissioner Dr Dominic Morgan said flight nurse training has now commenced for the PC-24 jets.

“Our dedicated team of flight nurses, doctors and pilots already provide high-level clinical care for all patients throughout NSW,” Dr Morgan said.

“That level of care will be enhanced thanks to the increased range, speed and optimised internal medical fit-out of these aircraft.

“These two new jets will complement the existing five Beechcraft King Air 350C planes in the NSW Ambulance fleet.”

The new PC-24 aircraft will be operated and maintained by Pel-Air, as part of a 10-year contract with NSW Ambulance.

Pel-Air Chairman, the Hon. John Sharp AM, said these will be the first jet aircraft to join the NSW Ambulance fleet.

“Pel-Air congratulates NSW Ambulance for making this significant visionary investment in aerial emergency medical response,” Mr Sharp said.

“This aircraft is a game changer for aeromedical services in a state as vast as NSW, and will help NSW Ambulance save lives.”

Aerolite, Switzerland and Total Aerospace Solutions in Sydney have been contracted to complete the medical fit out of the Pilatus PC-24s.

Member for Heffron Minister Ron Hoenig joined Minister Park at Sydney airport to take a first look at the new aircraft.

“NSW Ambulance has an incredible aeromedical history and have been operating one of its bases out of Kingsford Smith for more than 55 years,” Mr Hoenig said.

“I am sure these state of the art new planes will make a welcome addition to operations based out of Mascot, when they enter service next year.”

NSW Ambulance Fixed Wing Operations clinicians transport more than 6000 patients every year.

Both PC-24s aircraft will be ready to take to the skies to treat and transport patients by mid-2024.