Category: NSW News

The NSW Opposition supports measures, including increased density, to deliver the state’s ambitious housing targets – but they must be done right and in partnership with local communities.
 
We know that a one-size-fits-all all approach isn’t the right approach. It’s lazy and ill-thought-through policy that shows the Minns Labor Government aren’t interested in putting in the hard work in to deliver on their housing targets.
 
Despite their offer of bipartisanship to help address the housing crisis, the Government has shown they’re more willing to tell local communities to “get out of the way” than in working constructively with the Opposition or with local councils.
 
The Government has failed to:

• release new housing targets for local councils,
• allow local councils the opportunity to amend local planning laws to meet and exceed new targets, and
• address demand-side pressures on housing.

Chris Minns says that he’s willing to work constructively on this issue – but has failed to do so.
 
The Opposition is ready and willing to work with the Government, having presenting policy options including incentivising local councils to meet and exceed their housing targets and addressing immigration and population growth to take the pressure off rents and house prices.
 
The Opposition will stand with local communities as we work to address demand and supply constraints on housing – and meet our state’s housing targets.
 
The Government must require councils to meet local housing targets and may ultimately have to impose planning controls on local communities to get this done. However, in the first instance the Government should give communities a chance to formulate local controls, but it hasn’t bothered to do so. Communities shouldn’t pay the price for Chris Minns and Labor’s lazy policy-making.

A new cross government taskforce will meet for the first time today to provide expert industry advice to the NSW Government to explore the use of modular housing to deliver much needed social homes for people in NSW.

Modular housing has been successfully used in NSW, other states and around the world to provide quick and easy housing solutions.

Additionally, the cost of building modular housing is expected to decrease as we scale up and achieve efficiencies of scale in manufacturing.

The NSW Government is committed to looking at how we can use these innovative new ways to build more social housing and help strengthen the safety net for those experiencing housing insecurity.

At the recent state budget, an initial investment of $10 million was set aside at part of a $224 million Essential Housing Package to address the historic neglect of new social housing supply and trial innovative solutions to get people off the social housing waitlist.

That process begins today with the cross-industry taskforce of representatives from peak bodies including PreFab Aus, Shelter NSW, Community Housing Industry Association Local Government NSW, Property Council of Australia, Government Architects, Industry suppliers and union representatives. alongside people with lived experience of social housing.

The taskforce will among other things:

• investigate innovative modern methods of construction (MMC), including modular housing
• advise on the role MMC could play in delivering new housing sooner
• examine the highest standard designs in line with the NSW Land and Housing Corporation’s (LAHC) best-practice guidelines
• investigate a wide range of innovative, high-quality, high-durability and eco-friendly modern construction products.

Modular housing is especially suitable to regional areas as planning regulations are already in place and the offsite construction of modular housing can reduce costs and increase speed of construction.

The taskforce will also actively work with local councils to determine sites for the modular housing.

Exact locations are yet to be settled but there are several local councils who have expressed interest to be a part of this exciting project.

There is also the potential to use surplus public land identified as part of a statewide audit, identifying land that be rezoned for housing and associated uses.

The advisory task force will operate for up to 2 years and be managed by Homes NSW, and forms part of its ongoing work to deliver more homes and better homes for people in need.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

“Everyone deserves access to safe and secure shelter.

“The NSW Government is committed to exploring new ways we can better support people in some of the most vulnerable situations.

“With a growing population and an already extended waitlist for housing, we need to get moving.

“Whether its social or affordable housing, or creating more supply, we are working across the government to address the housing challenge we have in the state.”

NSW Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said:

“We need to deliver more and better homes for people in need that are fit for purpose, in line with current demand needs and in the right location.

“Addressing the state’s housing crisis is our top priority and we need to explore new ways to boost housing as quickly as possible and I’m confident that modular housing will be a vital tool to achieve this.

“This taskforce aims to foster innovation and partnerships across government, industry, and community housing providers (CHPs) to leverage expertise across the sector and explore new and MMC to deliver new homes.

“Collaboration across government and the MMC sector is crucial to further develop the housing sector, boost economic growth, and create more jobs in NSW.”

Travel to the Barangaroo precinct will soon be even easier, with the new metro station making strides ahead of fast and reliable metro services starting on the Sydney Metro City and Southwest line next year. 

Construction of the station platforms and concourse area are nearing completion, with the platform screen doors and terrazzo flooring on both levels now installed. Station signage is being fitted on both levels and Opal gates are in place and being commissioned.

The new station opened its doors today for a community open day, allowing passengers to have their first look before the station opens in 2024.

In this fully accessible station, all 10 escalators are currently undergoing testing and commissioning. Two of the 5 lifts are working and ready to go, while the remaining 3 are finishing off testing, ready to take customers 25 metres underground to the platform levels.

More than 7700 Sydney sandstone panels have been installed throughout the station, along with the artwork on the cladding by artist Khaled Sabsabi called ‘In time we shall’. The artwork relates to the native tree species used in the Barangaroo headland.

Above ground, upgrades are progressing on nearby Hickson Road and the public domain surrounding the station with new footpaths, landscaping, lighting and bike facilities.

To date, more than 5000 people have worked over 1.3 million hours to build the new station.

This new transport link will provide unrivalled access to the exceptional art, entertainment and cultural offerings of this new precinct.

By 2036, it is anticipated thousands of customers will exit the metro station daily to explore Barangaroo with the surge in visitors supporting job creation and providing an economic boost for businesses in the area.

When metro services start next year, this key part of the city will be unlocked with fast travel times – Barangaroo to Martin Place in 2 minutes and under the harbour to Victoria Cross in the city’s north in just 3 minutes.

Find out more about Barangaroo station.launch

Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said:

“We’re delivering Barangaroo’s first-ever rail connection, linking passengers to Sydney’s growing waterfront precinct and providing high-quality public transport access to Sydney Harbour.

“This station will be a game-changer for workers, visitors and residents, who will benefit from a world-class metro at their doorstep with improved connectivity to wider Sydney.

“From 2024, Barangaroo station will alleviate congestion at Wynyard and Martin Place train stations and improve access to the northern part of the Sydney CBD and The Rocks for locals and tourists alike.

“It’s wonderful to welcome the community into this fantastic new station to see for the first time what it will look like when it opens to passengers in 2024.”

After an early retirement in October 2021, the Queenscliff has made a spectacular return to the Circular Quay to Manly run following months of careful restoration work.

After an early retirement in October 2021, the Queenscliff has made a spectacular return to the Circular Quay to Manly run following months of careful restoration work. 

Returning the Queenscliff to the F1 Manly to Circular Quay route was a key part of the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to return as many Freshwater Ferries to service as possible, to restore capacity on the route during the busy summer months.

The work is being delivered as part of $114 million investment into Sydney’s ferry fleet in the NSW Budget. $71.1 million has been allocated to the extensive refurbishments of the Freshwater fleet.

The extensive refurbishment has involved expert navel engineers, electrical engineers, shipbuilders, painters, plumbers and more all working here in NSW.

The refurbishment included:

• more than 650sqm of new ceiling panels
• more than 7kms of new cabling
• more than 4000L of paint
• more than 750sqm of new flooring
• every interior seat was re-covered, and new seats were installed
• new bathroom facilities.

The works included an engine refit. The main engine is 32 times more powerful than an average car and sits in an engine room bigger than a basketball court.

Two new 2.5 metre-wide propellors were installed on the Queenscliff during it’s time in the Garden Island drydock. The dry-dock’s crane hoisted the 4.5t propellers into place with 6 expert engineers guiding it into place.

Extra services from Saturday 16 December 2023 to Sunday 28 January 2024 to accommodate summer rush:

• F1 Manly –  Queenscliff will serve alongside Freshwater, providing a service every 60 minutes throughout the Summer season. The vessels’ capacity of 1100 passengers will mean passengers can spend less time queuing and more time enjoying the harbour.
• F2 Taronga Zoo – there will be an additional 10 services each weekday, running to a 15-minute frequency throughout summer, getting people from the quay to the zoo.
• F3 Parramatta River – there will be an additional 14 services each weekday and 26 extra services each weekend, increasing the number of ferries between Sydney Olympic Park and Circular Quay by an additional 96 weekly services a week.

Transport Minister Jo Haylen said:

“Today is a hero’s welcome for the Queenscliff, as it returns to our Harbour for the busier summer months, alongside the Freshwater.

“These vessels are beloved and reliable, and it is exciting we are in the final stretch in getting the Queenscliff back on the F1 Manly to Circular Quay route.

“They are not only a great option for everyday commuters and tourists looking for an iconic trip across the harbour but can also carry around 1000 passengers per trip.

“We are standing by our election commitments with passengers to be enjoying the upgraded ferry by the summer holidays.

“We know the Australian-made Freshwaters are steeped in NSW history and we are doing all we can to ensure they remain part of our iconic harbour scenery.”

Commonwealth, State and Territory Consumer Affairs Ministers met on Friday 24 November 2023 with a renewed commitment to collaboration across borders and to strengthen consumer protections.

Ministers attending the meeting, chaired by New South Wales Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading, the Hon Anoulack Chanthivong, discussed and agreed on priorities for future work, which include:

• consumer guarantees and supplier indemnification provisions
• protecting consumers and small business from unfair trading practices across the economy
• improved collaboration to combat scams and online fraud
• establishing a designated complaints mechanism within the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission for consumer and small business advocacy groups to raise systemic issues under consumer law
• implementation of the unfair contract terms reforms and Australian Consumer Law penalties harmonisation.

“Ministers are committed to ensuring that consumers will benefit from improvements to protections, at a state, territory and national level, as part of a nationally coordinated approach,” Minister Chanthivong said.

“It is important that we remain focused on progressing reforms to the Australian Consumer Law to strengthen protections for consumers and small business and improve consumer confidence.”

“The agreed priorities for 2024 build on the important enhancements to consumer protections that have been delivered in 2023, such as strengthening Unfair Contract Term Protections, increasing penalties for breaches of the competition and consumer laws, and establishing the National Anti-Scam Centre.”

Ministers heard from the Consumers’ Federation Australia, the peak body for consumer organisations in Australia, about key issues impacting consumers and possible areas for policy and law reform.

Ministers welcomed the impending release of the 2023 Australian Consumer Survey, which contains insights from consumers and businesses into existing consumer issues, including lessons to be learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. Results from the survey will be published on the Australian Consumer Law website (https://consumerlaw.gov.au/launch) in coming weeks.

Ministers further welcomed work to develop industry codes outlining the responsibilities of the private sector in relation to scams.

Australian Ministers also committed to improving transparency for consumers by supporting the introduction of country-of-origin labelling requirements for seafood in hospitality settings.

Australian Ministers further agreed to allow tobacco legislation currently administered under the Australian Consumer Law to be consolidated under a more streamlined national tobacco control legislation.

Ministers look forward to continuing to work together closely on progressing these issues.

Attendees to the meeting included:

• Commonwealth Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services, Stephen Jones
• Queensland Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Yvette D’Ath
• South Australian Minister for Consumer and Business Affairs, Andrea Michaels
• Tasmanian Minister for Workplace Safety and Consumer Affairs, Madeleine Ogilvie
• Victorian Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gabrielle Williams
• Western Australian Minister for Commerce, Sue Ellery.

Senior departmental officials from the Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory were also in attendance.

A new ‘beach’ in Penrith, soon to be added to the list of NSW’s most iconic places to swim, will ensure people in Western Sydney have a place to cool off over summer.

In 2020, Penrith earned the title of the hottest place on earth with residents sweltering under a baking 48.9 degrees Celsius and in any heat wave it can be up to 10 degrees hotter than the east.

But access to outdoor swimming spots for Western Sydney residents is limited. It’s 40km to get to Lake Parramatta, 63km to Bondi Beach and 75km to either Cronulla or Manly.

The beach will be open 7 days a week from late December to early March 2024 with the exception of Christmas and New Year’s Day.

The same length as Bondi Beach, Penrith Beach will offer an unmatched waterside experience in the heart of Western Sydney where people of all ages and backgrounds can safely enjoy the water for free.

Lifeguard services and first aid will be available in the designated and patrolled swimming zone.

This is backed by a $1.7 million investment from the NSW Government for vital construction and safety work to get this major new swimming spot at Penrith Lakes ready to swim over the hottest months of the year.

The site will be managed by the Department of Planning and Environment after an agreement signed with Western Sydney Lakes.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car said:

“Penrith Beach is a gamechanger that gives the people of Western Sydney all the benefits of living in the west, with the addition of easy access to their very own beach.

“This is about fairness. For too long Western Sydney locals were neglected as the Liberals and Nationals focused all their energy on investment in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

“The Minns Labor Government made a decision to create this magnificent recreation facility to give Western Sydney residents their fair share with the same access to swimming as Sydney’s east.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“As temperatures rise, access to water near where you live has never been more important –regardless of age, ability, or postcode – everyone should have access to a safe place to cool off.

“Penrith broke records for being the hottest place on earth and another sweltering summer is ahead of us, so a place to swim is important to support public health.

“We’ve always said that communities need infrastructure to support their growth. We took this decision to support the people of Western Sydney.

“This is a location of which the people of Western Sydney can be proud and which will make the rest of Sydney a little bit jealous!”

Member for Penrith Karen McKeown said:

“I have lived in the Penrith community for over 35 years, so I know what a sweltering summer’s day feels like here.

“Since the day I was elected I have been advocating that this gem is open up for our community.

“I know just how much local residents are going to embrace and enjoy this new swimming spot close to home over Christmas and the school holidays.

“It’s an incredible amenity for families and friends to come and cool off, with the backdrop of the beautiful mountains, and I’m so proud to see this project come to life.”

The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) have confirmed the detection of three red imported fire ant nests – with surveillance ongoing – in South Murwillumbah in north-eastern NSW, 13 km south of the Queensland border.

This is the first fire ant detection in Northern NSW and presumed to be the most southern report of fire ants from the Queensland infestation.

The detection in NSW triggers the National Fire Ant Eradication Program response which is part of the $600 million eradication plan developed by the Australian governments.

The NSW Government is working closely with the Commonwealth and the Queensland Governments, plus Tweed Shire Council. Experienced teams are on site chemically eradicating the infestation across a radius of 200m from the found sites.

Following detection of the fire ants the National Plan releases four subsequent actions – eradication, control, tracing and communications.

NSW DPI are leading the control, tracing, and communications by implementing an emergency biosecurity order across a radius of 5km from the site in South Murwillumbah.

All businesses and residents within that radius are restricted in how they can move potential fire ant carrier materials without permission. The following types of materials are restricted: mulch, woodchips, compost, sand, gravel, soil, hay and other baled products.

NSW DPI Officers and detection dogs are working on determining the extent of the infestation, undertaking genetic testing of the fire ants, and searching all properties within the control radius.

To date, NSW DPI fire ant preparedness activities have involved stakeholder engagement and training to 67,000 industry and community stakeholders in the northern border zone of NSW, through face-to-face engagements, electronic direct mail and letterbox drops.

Fire ants are dark reddish-brown with a darker black-brown abdomen and range in size from 2 to 6mm. Their ant nests are distinctive mounds of loose, crumbly or fluffy looking soil with a honeycomb appearance, up to 40cm high, with no obvious entrance holes.

Red imported fire ants can damage electrical and agricultural equipment, sting people, pets and livestock, kill native plants and animals, and damage ecosystems beyond repair.

Those who breach the emergency biosecurity order could face significant penalties with fines for breaches reaching up to $1.1 million for an individual and up to $2.2 million for a corporation.

Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Regional New South Wales and Minister for Western New South Wales, Tara Moriarty said:

“We are prepared for this discovery of fire ants in northern NSW and have immediately implemented our response plan which is part of the $600 million national program.

“I have spoken with my counterpart in Canberra, Senator Watt, and local parliamentary representatives across governments so that we are all aligned and actioning our prepared plans.

“I am in contact with our teams on the ground who are enforcing the emergency control order, tracing where this infestation may have originated from and monitoring the immediate chemical eradication of the fire ants.

“Our teams are focused on limiting further spread, and encouraging reporting and compliance through a targeted communications campaign.

“Red imported fire ants are a terrible invasive pest, which cause serious social, economic, and environmental harm, which is why the Minns Government this year committed $95 million towards the National Fire Ant Eradication Program.

“Biosecurity is a shared responsibility, and as our fire ant response ramps up in northern NSW, I encourage everyone to continue to check their properties for these pests. With the Christmas cross-border travel season approaching, we all must be careful of what we’re moving and where.

“Finding fire ants early and alerting NSW DPI, just like the community member has done in this instance, will increase our chances of a successful eradication effort.

“We will continue to keep the community informed of progress and will continue working closely with industry, the local community and our state and federal counterparts.”

Fire ant information

For more information about red imported fire ants, visit the NSW DPI websitelaunch.

Residents and businesses in northern NSW should report any sign of fire ants to NSW DPIlaunch or call 1800 680 244launch.

Upgrades to Unanderra, Bellambi and Dapto Stations are now complete, providing rail commuters with greater accessibility.

All 3 stations were officially opened by Transport Minister Jo Haylen and Illawarra MPs today.

Three new lifts are part of the Unanderra Station upgrade, finally making it accessible to people with a disability, limited mobility, parents or carers with prams and passengers with bikes or luggage.

In addition to the 3 new lifts, the upgrade includes a new footbridge and stairs with canopies, new kiss and ride zones, accessible parking spaces and bus zones on both sides of Berkeley Road.

The existing station building has been upgraded with new family accessible and ambulant toilets, and new seating has been added with improved accessible paths.

At Bellambi, the old station building was removed and replaced with a new building that includes new accessible bathrooms. Wider and safer platforms were made possible by constructing the new building further down the platform.

The upgrades include a new entry ramp, 2 accessible parking spaces, a kiss and drop zone, a new bike shelter and upgraded lighting.

Commuters at Dapto will notice upgraded kerbs and ramps, a formal kiss and ride zone, a wider platform 1, re-levelled surfaces on platform 2 and a new accessible path to both platforms.

The upgrades include more accessible bathrooms, new seating in the waiting room and a water bubbler on the platform.

In a NSW-first, Bellambi Station has had VeloSTRAIL installed at the level crossing, involving hard-wearing rubber panels that fill the gaps between tracks. The product will also be installed at Dapto Station early next year.

For more information about station upgrades, call 1800 684 490launch, email projects@transport.nsw.gov.aulaunch or visit the Transport for NSWlaunch website.

Transport Minister Jo Haylen said:

“The Transport Access Program is transforming stations across our state, ensuring everyone has safe, accessible access to our train stations.

“The transformation of Unanderra and the small, but important, upgrades to Bellambi and Dapto will ensure that commuters with disabilities, parents and passengers with luggage or bikes are able to make the most of our public transport network.

“We’re expanding the benefits of this important program by investing an additional $300 million, to build even more accessible stations across the state.”

Minister Ryan Park MP said:

“These are brilliant new updates to stations across the Illawarra that my colleagues and I have campaigned hard for alongside our community.

“I’m so pleased to see these upgrades officially opened and to be able to see some of the finer details up close.

“The artwork concepts at Bellambi carry on from the work done at Towradgi, reflecting the stories and themes of significance to the local Dharawal people.

“Perforated metal screens along the access ramp depict the ray and Wobbegong shark, which are native to Bellambi Point and an important part of the story of Bellambi Point, which was recognised by Heritage NSW as an official Aboriginal Place in 2012.”

Member for Wollongong Minister Paul Scully MP said:

“The community was ecstatic to see the lifts at Unanderra Station officially opened earlier this year. To join the community in campaigning for this vital upgrade, and then to watch it spring to life, piece by piece, has been fantastic.

“I have had an enormous amount of positive feedback from the community about the lifts and improved access at Unanderra Station since they opened to the public – it’s great to see how happy people are that this station is finally accessible to everyone.

“The upgraded Unanderra Station features intricate design patterns on the lift shafts and footbridge that reflect the faulting and joint work of the sandstone cliffs and escarpment west of the station.  

“The dark strips on the side of the lift shafts mimic local waterfall features, and footpaths at the lift entrances also feature sandblasted artworks resembling Aboriginal meeting places, family and closeness.” 

Member for Shellharbour Anna Watson MP said:

“It’s brilliant to see Dapto Station get the love and attention it needs.

“Making the platforms wider, adding shade and upgrading the footpaths is fantastic. Making it more accessible will ensure everyone can access our local train services.

“I’m excited to see VeloSTRAIL will be installed at the Bong Bong Road crossing in months to come. That will make the path easier to navigate for passengers, but also anyone else using the gap-free footpath to cross the rail line.”

Federal, state and territory governments have met to discuss a national information sharing scheme to better combat child sexual abuse.

Participants at the one-off National Ministerial Forum on Child Safety on Friday reaffirmed commitment to nationally consistent child safety reforms in response to the shocking allegations brought to light in August by Operation Tenterfield.

The Australian Federal Police investigation led to a former childcare worker being charged with 1623 child abuse offences against 91 children. The alleged offences took place in New South Wales, Queensland and overseas.

Following the revelations, the NSW Premier Chris Minns, NSW Minister for Families and Communities Kate Washington and the Queensland Government called for a meeting to discuss ways to strengthen national information sharing arrangements, and to deliver better outcomes for children and young people. 

The National Ministerial Forum on Child Safety was hosted by the Commonwealth Attorney General, Mark Dreyfus.

At the Forum, NSW led discussions seeking jurisdictions’ agreement to improve information sharing across agencies and jurisdictions, as recommended by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

Minister Washington highlighted the need to work towards national reform and consistency to improve child safety across Australia.

The NSW proposals were unanimously supported by all jurisdictions at the Forum.

Jurisdictions reaffirmed commitment to a suite of child safety reforms, emphasising the need to ensure national consistency to protect Australia’s children. This included:

• prioritising working with children check harmonisation, ensuring this work complements broader worker screening reforms
• adoption and alignment of reportable conduct schemes
• renewed commitment to embedding the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations in legislation, as NSW has done with amendments to the Children’s Guardian Act 2019
• raising awareness and understanding of child safety issues
• possible legislative and administrative arrangements for an information sharing scheme as recommended by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

It is essential that all jurisdictions partner together to educate, prevent and respond to child protection matters.

The Ministerial Forum provided an opportunity to prioritise and shape future policy discussions. This includes commitment to aligning existing reforms to ensure national consistency, and tasking officials to consider additional reforms.

NSW Minister for Families and Communities, Kate Washington said:

“The NSW Government welcomes the agreement by all ministers to strengthen information sharing across agencies and jurisdictions, as recommended by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.”

“Whilst NSW has some of the strongest laws in Australia to prevent child abuse in organisations, there’s still some confusion and complexities when it comes to sharing information across borders.

“Working together with the Commonwealth, States and Territories, we want to ensure that any loopholes that could be exploited by perpetrators of child abuse are closed for good.”

Christmas shoppers have been warned about the dangers of charging Lithium-ion products and to beware of sub-standard Lithium-ion battery-powered devices as fires surge across the state.

Consumers are advised to shop safely as well as for value, to ensure the gifts under the tree do not ruin the festive season.

The latest Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) statistics show an increase of nine per cent in Lithium-ion battery fires to date, compared with the entire year of 2022. There have been 180 battery related fires so far this year, already outnumbering the 165 Lithium-ion battery-related fires to which FRNSW responded to last year.

The NSW Government is raising awareness of how to prevent these potentially deadly fires and save lives. Households are urged to use, store and dispose of batteries safely to combat the surge in house, garbage truck and waste facility fires.

To help ensure batteries are used safely, FRNSW also advises to:

• not over-charge Lithium-ion batteries or leave them charging overnight unattended
• not charge Lithium-ion batteries on beds, sofas or around highly flammable and insulating materials
• always use compliant and approved charging equipment for Lithium-ion batteries, don’t mix and match components and voltage
• avoid dropping, crushing or piercing the Lithium-ion battery cells
• store Lithium-ion batteries in a cool, dry area away from combustible materials, and larger devices like e-bikes and gardening tools should be stored outside of bedrooms and living spaces
• not charge or use Lithium-ion batteries that show signs of damage

Find out more about battery and charging safetylaunch.

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

“Firefighters are responding to an average of more than three battery fires a week from in-home charging issues or incorrect disposal. Batteries are featuring more prominently in fire statistics, with lithium power packs and charger fires an increasing concern for fire crews.”

“When shopping for gifts this Christmas don’t cut corners when buying Lithium-ion battery-powered products, we don’t want a gift under the tree to ruin the festive season.”

“These batteries are used to power everything from mobile phones and laptops to vacuum cleaners and e-scooters. We would encourage people to choose carefully and consider how they use them in the home.”

“These fires can cause significant damage to a home and we encourage homeowners to take care when charging devices, follow charging instructions and dispose of used battery products safely.”

“If you are unsure about using batteries, our firefighters are part of the local community and I encourage you to ask their advice.” 

Minister for Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“Since March 2023, NSW Fair Trading has conducted inspections of 166 retailers selling electrical articles, including 39 models of e-bikes and e-scooters powered by Lithium-ion batteries. Inspectors found 30 models with non-compliant chargers and the retailers were instructed to remove them from sale.”

“When these products fail, it can come at terrible cost. I’m reminding buyers to store batteries safely and if they have concerns they should reach out to the manufacturer or NSW Fair Trading.”

“NSW Fair Trading is continuing to inspect products and businesses to inform the public of any concerns and to educate consumers about the dangers of Lithium-ion batteries.”

Minister for Climate Change and the Environment Penny Sharpe said:

“Bins are not the place for batteries. When damaged or crushed, such as in a garbage truck, they can start fires that are difficult to put out.”

“More dedicated battery recycling points are popping up in shopping centres and office blocks, and at many council facilities, so do the right thing and take them to a drop off point for safe disposal.”

FRNSW Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell said:

“If a battery is compromised through damage or overheating, it can go into what we call ‘Thermal Runaway. It will pop and crackle, then give off toxic gas before exploding in intense flames that are extremely difficult to extinguish.”

“If you’re buying presents that require Lithium-Ion batteries this Christmas, make sure those batteries are manufactured by a trusted company. You’d want peace of mind…if the price is too good to be true or there’s no recognised brand on the batteries, steer clear and ensure you’re shopping for a quality product.”