Category: NSW News

The Rozelle Interchange will open to traffic in the early hours of Sunday morning, marking the final completion of WestConnex.

After four years of construction in which 20,000 skilled workers built one of the world’s most complicated underground interchanges, the project was officially opened on Saturday ahead of first vehicles expected by 6am on Sunday morning.

The Rozelle Interchange solves one of Sydney’s enduring traffic bottlenecks, connecting motorists to the M4 and M8 tunnel extensions, Anzac Bridge, the City West Link, the Western Distributor, a toll-free underground bypass of Victoria Road and the future Western Harbour Tunnel.

The interchange will provide faster access to the CBD and the inner-west for millions of people from west and south-west Sydney, as well as those heading out of the city to the west and south-west.

Around 100,000 vehicles a day are expected to use the Rozelle Interchange, completing the WestConnex project that began in 2015 with the new M4 tunnel.

The Rozelle Interchange is part of the $16.8 billion WestConnex Project which was jointly funded, with $1.5 billion from the Australian Government, and a $2 billion concessional loan, and with NSW Government contributing $1.8 billion.

Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said:

“The opening of the Rozelle Interchange is fantastic for the residents of Sydney, who will enjoy faster access to the CBD, and reduced traffic around notorious bottlenecks.

“Infrastructure such as this is vital for our cities, improving access for residents right across the city and cutting down on time spent waiting in traffic.”

NSW Roads Minister John Graham said:

“On behalf of the many millions of motorists who will use this impressive piece of Australian engineering, I want to thank the 20,000 workers who built the Rozelle Interchange, moving 6.5 million tonnes of earth in the process to create these 16.6 kilometres of road tunnels that complete WestConnex.

“There has been a total of 65,000 people who have worked on WestConnex over its life which has created a highly-skilled, highly-experienced workforce that will go on to other infrastructure and construction projects as the Minns Labor Government delivers the state’s biggest ever infrastructure spend through Budget 2023-24.

“The Rozelle Interchange is a game-changer for motorists in Sydney’s west and south-west, providing access to the CBD and inner-west without the traffic lights.

“We are warning motorists that there is expected to be some impacts on surface roads around the interchange post-opening which Transport for NSW will monitor and seek to alleviate over the coming weeks and months.”

Assistant Minister for Trade and Manufacturing Senator Tim Ayres said:

“Today’s opening is fantastic news for the people of Sydney, better connecting residents across Western Sydney with our CBD and inner suburbs.

“Not only will the Rozelle Interchange bust traffic for millions of residents in our city, it represents the final culmination of the long-awaited WestConnex project.”

In 2024, it will be easier for people suffering from certain skin conditions to access prescription medicines, as part of the NSW Government’s pharmacy prescribing trial.

It marks the next phase of the trial which sees participating pharmacists authorised to supply certain medicines without a prescription, after having a consultation with a pharmacist.

The trial is designed to safely expand the capacity of pharmacists in order to relieve pressure on general practitioners and other primary care settings.

From late March next year, pending ethics approval, the trial will include treatments for impetigo (school sores) and shingles.

Impetigo is a relatively minor condition but one that disproportionately impacts First Nations and Pasifika children. Recurrent infections of it can lead to increased risk of Acute Rheumatic Fever (ARF) and Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD).

One in three people will develop shingles in their lifetime. Pharmacists will be able to provide first line medicines for the management of straightforward herpes zoster (shingles) in patients over the age of 18.

Under the trial, additional topical treatments for dermatitis and mild plaque psoriasis will also be included.

In May, the Minister for Health Ryan Park announced the commencement of stage one of the initiative, which trialled the prescribing of treatment for uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI) at 100 participating pharmacies.

In September, it expanded to more than 900 pharmacies and extended the trial to the prescribing of the resupply of the oral contraceptive pill (OCP).

The trial has now expanded to over 1,100 community pharmacies – or around 60 per cent of pharmacies around the state.

More than 6,000 women have benefited from this trial so far with improved access to essential health care and improving timely access to care.

The skin condition treatment component of the trial will run for 12 months.

For information about the clinical trial and for a list of community pharmacies participating in the triallaunch.

Minister for Health Ryan Park said:

“Everyone knows it is sometimes difficult to get in to see our very busy GPs.

“And people know where to find a pharmacy and this trial offers patients who can’t see their GP another treatment pathway.’

“Through this trial, we are making it easier and more convenient for people to access the medications they need but working hard to ensure their care is not fragmented.

“By bolstering the capacity of pharmacies, we can take pressure off other parts of our primary care system, so that those who need them can access them.

“Where we can do things better, we should, and these are the kind of innovative initiatives that I am keen for our health system to embrace.”

The Albanese and Minns governments today announced a further 147,400 fee-free TAFE places will be available in NSW over the next 3 years, giving more people the opportunity to study for future jobs in areas where the economy needs them most.

The places are made possible through Commonwealth Government funding of $130 million, as the governments partner-up to address persistent skills shortages.

The investment also builds on the success of Fee-Free TAFE in 2023, which attracted record enrolments in NSW. As at 30 June 2023, there were:

• over 20,700 enrolments in the care sector  
• over 6400 enrolments in the technology and digital sector
• over 5800 enrolments in the construction sector, and
• over 5200 enrolments in agriculture.

Fee-Free TAFE has resulted in considerable savings for students in NSW. 

Students studying a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care or a Certificate III in School Based Education Support could save up to $1600, and those looking to build a career pathway through a Certificate III in Individual Support could save up to $1450.  

The investment comes less than a month after a national agreement between the Albanese and Minns governments was reached that will unlock billions of dollars to build the skills and prosperity of NSW.

The landmark 5-year National Skills Agreement (NSA) – which will take effect from January next year – was developed under principles agreed by National Cabinet and will embed national cooperation and strategic investment in NSW vocational education and training sector.

The Albanese government is prepared to invest $3.8 billion, to support the Minns government to expand and transform access to the VET sector, support quality training and implement reforms to address critical skills needs.

Minister for Skills and Training Brendan O’Connor said:

“Fee-Free TAFE and VET has been such a success that the Albanese Government is committing to a further 300,000 places starting next year, with 147,400 of those places in NSW.

“This is a $128.9 million Commonwealth investment in skills and training in NSW and comes in addition to the National Skills Agreement which will see $3.8 billion invested into the state VET sector by the Federal Government.

“This is what genuine collaboration and partnership can achieve – real results for everyday Australians – and we couldn’t deliver it without the support of the Minns government.”

NSW Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan MP said:

“This is great news for anyone who’s been thinking of trying vocational education and training in NSW – they now have the opportunity to upskill for free in industries aligned to priority skill areas.

“And if you’re studying the Certificate III in Civil Construction, you could save up to $2100 in fees. Thousands of NSW students will have more money for essentials because of this initiative.

“Businesses across the state will also find it easier to find the skilled workers they need to fill vacancies – this program supports our state’s economy, our students and our businesses.”

A transport milestone for the record books has been achieved, with a metro train completing the 3-minute railway crossing under Sydney Harbour, from North Sydney’s new Victoria Cross Station into the Sydney CBD.

The milestone journey was realised as part of a rigorous testing program underway on the Sydney Metro City and Southwest line, which has recently accelerated into the next testing phase involving multiple trains being tested at higher speeds.

Next year, turn-up-and-go metro trains will take passengers from Victoria Cross Station to Barangaroo Station in just 3 minutes and reach speeds of up to 100km/h in the Sydney Harbour metro tunnel.

Victoria Cross Station is 1 of 6 new city stations that will open in 2024 and will provide commuters with unrivalled connectivity when travelling between the bustling North Sydney business district and the Sydney CBD.

Progress to construct Victoria Cross Station is powering ahead, with the station more than 85% complete.

Work to deliver the station’s platform level built inside Australia’s largest railway cavern, 31m below ground, is now finished.

All 14 new lifts and 19 new escalators to take commuters down to the platform are installed with final commissioning being progressively completed. All 22 of the Opal gates across the 2 entrances are installed, ready for passengers.

Final touches to North Sydney’s newest transport hub will be made in coming months, including to station entrances and adjoining retail and public domain areas. All station works are expected to be completed by early 2024.

The construction of Victoria Cross Station has been nothing short of a logistical triumph requiring ingenuity from Sydney Metro delivery partners Lendlease. Workers built the station by manoeuvring all materials, supplies and equipment through the site’s only access point – an area of just 2.5m², or the size of a standard garage door.

More than 5000 people have worked on the delivery, design and construction of the station, with more than 50,000 employment opportunities created throughout the life of the City and Southwest project.

About 15,150 passengers are expected to pass through Victoria Cross Station during the morning peak when it opens to the public. The station will take pressure off the existing North Sydney Station and provide fast and reliable transport service for passengers in the North Sydney business, education and residential areas. Once open, passengers will have fast metro travel times into the city from Victoria Cross, including to Barangaroo in 3 minutes, Martin Place in 5 minutes and Gadigal in 7 minutes.

Learn more about Sydney Metro Victoria Cross Station.

Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said: 

“Seeing this incredible station today and experiencing the 3-minute metro ride under the harbour brings home how truly incredible this city-shaping metro will be when it starts into the Sydney CBD next year.

“World-class metro services will be the fastest express lane in town when travelling across the harbour from the city’s north.

“When Sydney Metro City and Southwest opens in 2024, metro services will move more people across the Harbour in the busiest hour of the peak than the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Harbour Tunnel combined.

“Sydney Metro will extend the CBD, with the bustling North Sydney business district only a quick few minutes on the metro away from the city centre.

“Extensive testing has been underway on the City and Southwest metro line since April 2023 and so far more than 2500 hours and 12,500 kilometres of testing has been completed as we countdown to the opening of the next exciting stage of metro.”

Members of the community are being encouraged to sign up for the free GoodSAM app which could potentially save lives.

Minister for Health Ryan Park said NSW Ambulance bringing the GoodSAM program to the community will give people who are in cardiac arrest a better chance of survival by alerting nearby registered community members who are willing to perform chest compression – also called cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) – until paramedics arrive.

“This is an internationally recognised program which has improved survival rates for people who have a cardiac arrest outside of hospital,” Mr Park said.

“As we all know, every minute counts when someone is in cardiac arrest.

“By integrating with the Triple Zero (000) dispatch system, the GoodSAM app alerts registered volunteers that someone nearby needs CPR.

“The NSW Ambulance Emergency Medical Call Taker will step the volunteer through providing CPR, while paramedics are on the way.

“I am really impressed to hear that since the 6-week pilot began involving 1600 NSW Ambulance clinical and corporate staff 4 lives have been saved.”

NSW Ambulance Acting Commissioner David Dutton said research shows the first minutes after someone suffers a cardiac arrest are the most crucial to survival, and everyone can help.

“When someone goes into cardiac arrest outside of hospital, they only have an 11% chance of surviving, but the survival rate improves significantly if chest compressions begin in the first few minutes,” Mr Dutton said.

“For every minute that a patient is in cardiac arrest and does not receive CPR, their chance of survival drops by 7% to 20%.

“Anyone who feels able to provide chest compressions can join, and the more people who register to be a GoodSAM responder the better because it increases the odds that someone nearby can provide immediate CPR and save a life if someone is in cardiac arrest.

“I’d like to thank the NSW Ambulance workforce for getting behind this program and extend my appreciation to community members, staff and volunteers from our various partners, including other emergency services, NSW Government departments, volunteer organisations and NSW Health stakeholders, who have signed up in the lead up to today.”

In 2022, the NSW Government announced a $2.5 million partnership between NSW Ambulance and the GoodSAM responder app.

The GoodSAM app works by alerting registered responders when someone near them goes into cardiac arrest and a Triple Zero (000) call has been received. Responders can opt whether or not to accept the alert and respond, while at the same time, an ambulance is dispatched.

You can register as a GoodSam responderlaunch if you’re 18 years old or over, and able and willing to perform CPR. Chest compressions are easy and safe to do. You don’t need to have formal first aid or CPR training to sign up. A video is available on the NSW Ambulance website.

The Minns Labor government has made it easier for the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) to close roads in fire emergencies ahead of a dangerous bushfire season, with legislation passing through NSW Parliament this week.

The approval of the Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 removes a requirement for the RFS to seek permission from Transport for NSW to close roads. It will see a return to the previous arrangement when the RFS only needed permission for closures relating to rail corridors.

In a previous amendment to the Rural Fires Act 1997, made under the Transport Administration Amendment (Transport Entities) Act 2017, Transport for NSW was listed as a “rail authority” under the Act. This change widened the requirement for the RFS to seek permission for emergency road closures to roads not associated with the operation of railways, creating operational consequences.

Identifying whether a road was under the control of Transport for NSW was an additional and complicating factor for the RFS to manage in protecting communities from fires.

While the RFS will no longer need to seek permission before closing roads, it will need to notify Transport for NSW in a timely manner after a road is closed.

The change comes as NSW enters what is expected to be the most challenging bushfire season in years, with hot and dry conditions predicted for summer and several bush and grass fires already burning across the state.

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

“This is a sensible move that removes a burdensome requirement for the RFS, which has the very important job of keeping communities safe this summer.

“We have already seen the early signs of a challenging fire season, with serious fires in the north and south of the state which have sadly resulted in the loss of 3 lives.

“This bill removes a requirement that was, in the first place, an unintended consequence of a legislative change. It makes sense to change it back.

“I am very proud of the work the more than 70,000 RFS volunteers do, and we are making sure they won’t be held up by an unnecessary administrative hurdle.”

Nurses, paramedics, police, child protection workers, firefighters, cleaners and many more essential workers are set to benefit from landmark industrial reforms that will be introduced into Parliament today.

The reforms will remove the power to cap wages for good, future proofing the New South Wales industrial system against wage suppression.

The reforms will bring in a “mutual gains” model of negotiation, where agencies and unions will be required to sit down together to find mutually agreed improvements to the working lives of essential workers.

It will be supported by the Treasury’s productivity unit to link pay rises to improvements in public services.

The Industrial Relations Commission will instead be required to take into consideration the Government’s fiscal position and outlook.

The Industrial Relations Commission will also facilitate improvements to conditions while taking into account the fiscal position and outlook of the state.

As part of the reforms, an Industrial Court will have the power to bring unions and government agencies together at the negotiating table to resolve disputes.

Specialised judges will be appointed to hear and resolve workplace health and safety matters and underpayments. As of 18 October, 49 people have already died in workplaces in NSW, more than one death a week.

The reforms will lead to safer and more productive workplaces for every person in New South Wales.

Summary of Industrial Relations Amendment Bill 2023

• Abolish section 146C which provides the government the power to regulate a wages cap.
• Require the Industrial Relations Commission to consider “the fiscal position and outlook of the New South Wales Government”.
• Establish a specialised Industrial Court and Commission, whose jurisdiction will include:
  • Issuing orders to resolve a dispute and issuing fines to ensure parties comply with those orders
  • Workplace health and safety
  • Underpayments
• Establish a cooperative model of negotiation – “Mutual Gains Bargaining”.
• Introduce a new objective for the Commission to consider attraction and retention issues.

What is Mutual Gains Bargaining?

Mutual Gains Bargaining is a new cooperative negotiation model for the government and the unions which represents the state’s workforce. It will be supported by the Treasury’s productivity unit to link pay rises to innovation and productivity in the delivery of essential public services.

Mutual Gains Bargaining is defined under the Act:

• Mutual gains bargaining is to be a collaborative approach to bargaining
• Parties to the bargaining are to identify and communicate their key needs to reach an agreement that maximises common interests and reconciles conflicted interests
• The negotiations as consensus-seeking and the parties work together to solve problems
• The bargaining aims to create, maintain or strengthen good relationships between parties

Minister for Industrial Relations, Sophie Cotsis said:

“Paramedics, nurses, teachers, police, firefighters, cleaners and many more workers are furious after having their pay capped for 12 years under the Liberal-Nationals. This reform stops that from happening again and delivers on Labor’s election promise to scrap the wages cap once and for all.

“Better public sector workplaces means better public services. If these reforms pass, schools, hospitals and many more public sector workplaces are set to improve. 

“These reforms won’t just benefit the state’s essential workers, they will improve workplace safety for millions in NSW by providing specialised health and safety judges.

The NSW Government has today committed $750,000 to Paralympics Australia to support athletes competing at next year’s Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, matching a commitment made to the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) National Team Appeal in March.

The funding reaffirms NSW’s commitment to backing athletes with disabilities and reflects the state’s unwavering dedication to promoting the Paralympic movement and recognising the outstanding accomplishments of all Australian athletes.

The financial support will contribute to covering the escalating operational costs of helping the Australian Paralympic team achieve its sporting dream, including flights, accommodation, meals, uniforms and medical services.

The Paralympic Games provide an opportunity for people with motor disabilities, sensory disabilities or intellectual disabilities to achieve sporting excellence, entertain crowds of spectators and showcase their skills across a range of sports, from wheelchair tennis and wheelchair basketball to para swimming, para athletics and para equestrian.

The Games will be held in France over 12 days, from 28 August – 8 September 2024 and bring together 4,400 athletes competing across 549 events.

Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said:

“It is a great honour to support our National Paralympic team as it prepares to represent Australia at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. Our fantastic Paralympic team is gearing up to represent Australia in 19 out of the 22 sports.

“The Australian Paralympics team deserve the very same support as any other athlete who represents our nation, and we’re proud to play a small part in helping them to make a mark on the greatest stage of all.

“Our $750,000 commitment matches the grant we provided the AOC and will support athletes, coaches, and staff as they go for gold next August and September.

“The grant will ensure our athletes have the necessary tools and facilities to excel in their respective events in Paris.”

Minister for Disability Inclusion Kate Washington said:

“The Paralympics unites our nation and the world, and our courageous, dedicated, and remarkable athletes are an inspiration to us all.

“We know this funding will help our Paralympic athletes achieve their dreams in Paris and inspire the next generation of sporting heroes.

“Along with this funding, we are sending our best wishes to every single Paralympian as they pursue their dreams.

“Know that all of Australia is behind you and cheering you on from loungerooms across the country, along with those lucky ones in the stands!”

Parliamentary Secretary for Disability Inclusion Liesl Tesch said:

“As a former Paralympian who did years of fundraising to support my athletic career, I know Paralympians across NSW welcome this contribution towards chasing their dreams in Paris.

“I can’t wait to see the Australian Paralympian team at the Opening Ceremony of Paris 2024, knowing the NSW Government is supporting athletes every step of the way, as they go out in the green and gold.

“Best wishes to all our Paralympians and support staff – know that we will be cheering for you from home.”

Paralympics Australia Chief Executive Catherine Clark said:

“On behalf of our elite Para-athletes and Paralympics Australia, I’d like to thank the NSW Government, particularly the Premier Chris Minns, Minister for Sport Steve Kamper and the Minister for Disability Inclusion Kate Washington, for this very generous and vital injection of funds for our Paris Paralympic Games campaign.

“Delivering an Australian Team of some 170 athletes, along with coaches, team managers, carers, medical experts and Paralympics Australia’s outstanding operational staff is an enormous undertaking and there are, of course, substantial costs involved.

“The NSW Government’s contribution, equal to its support for Paris-bound able-bodied athletes, is a strong statement of belief in our Australian Paralympic Team and the power of sport to create meaningful change across society.”

The Minns Labor government is strengthening the law to further protect people from threats and incitement of violence based on their race, religion, or other attributes.

The NSW Government is introducing a bill today to improve the prosecution process for the offence of publicly threatening or inciting violence against a person or group based on their race, religion, or other attributes.

Section 93Z of the Crimes Act 1900 makes it an offence for a person to, by a public act, intentionally or recklessly threaten or incite violence towards another person or group of people because of their race, religious belief or affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, intersex status, or because that person is living with HIV/AIDS.

Currently, subsection 93Z(4) of the Crimes Act 1900 provides that a prosecution under section 93Z requires approval from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) before it can proceed.

Concerns have recently been raised in relation to subsection 93Z(4) and the time it takes to refer matters to the DPP and obtain approval to prosecute may act as a disincentive to laying appropriate charges.

The proposed change will enable NSW Police to prosecute people who offend against section 93Z, without the approval of the DPP.

Removing the DPP approval requirement will make this offence consistent with the overwhelming majority of other offences in NSW.

When committed by an individual, the offence is punishable by a fine of up to $11,000, up to 3 years’ imprisonment, or both. In the case of a corporation, the crime is punishable with a fine of up to $55,000.

Premier Chris Minns said:

“NSW is the most successful multicultural state in the world, but our community cannot take that for granted.

“If you’re going to have a law on the books saying threats and incitement of violence are not allowed in NSW, then it needs to have teeth.

“There is no room for threats and incitement of violence in NSW.”

Attorney General Michael Daley said:

“NSW is a diverse, vibrant and successful multicultural and multifaith community. Our values of respect, tolerance and inclusivity enrich us all.

“We are for the most part a harmonious society, and we all want to remain that way.

“Hate speech that incites violence or threatens violence based on a person’s race or religion, or their sexual orientation or gender identity is completely unacceptable in our community. We want to ensure offences of this type can be prosecuted in a timely and efficient manner to ensure community safety.”

Community is at the heart of the Minns Labor Government’s reset of the Digital Restart Fund (DRF), with $100 million now aimed at finding digital solutions to address the state’s biggest challenges including housing supply, frontline service delivery and climate change.

As part of a major shift in how the NSW Government prioritises digital investment, funding will be targeted at 5 new focus areas that better align with the needs of the state’s residents as cost-of-living and environmental pressures rise.

Under the changes, digital investment will focus on housing supply, support for frontline and essential workers, efficient energy use and protections for biodiversity and the natural environment, reducing cyber risk, and the accessibility of government services.

Under the changes, projects prioritised for funding under the DRF will include:

• Projects which make it easier, safer, and simpler for frontline and essential workers to deliver services.
• Projects with outcomes targeted at speeding up the supply of housing and acceleration of the housing planning cycle.
• Projects which increase accessibility of government services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, regional, remote and rural communities, seniors, people with a disability, and people experiencing social issues and disadvantage.
• Projects targeted at driving more efficient energy use and supporting biodiversity and the natural environment.
• Projects aimed at reducing cyber security risk.

NSW Government agencies have been asked to submit applications to the DRF with a focus on the new priority areas.

Major projects delivered through the DRF include a project to uplift the digital literacy of western Sydney residents, and the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to irrigate and cool Sydney Olympic Park and mitigate the ‘Urban Heat Island effect’ in surrounding areas.

A project using AI to help prevent rubbish entering Sydney Harbour has also been funded under the DRF. Smart sensors, which have been rolled out to the Blacktown, Parramatta and Northern Beaches local government areas, detect the types of rubbish entering waterways and inform stormwater managers when rubbish collection points need to be emptied. 

Through the DRF, the NSW Government is working to enhance digital innovation and transform services by streamlining planning, funding, risk mitigation and delivery processes to ensure government agencies meet the needs of NSW residents.

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib said:

“I am setting a new direction for the Digital Restart Fund to help us find innovative answers to some of the biggest challenges people in NSW are facing right now.” 

“It makes sense to shift the focus of the DRF so it can deliver the most value possible to communities right across the state.”

“The NSW Government has a range of programs and resources available to the community but that is only 1 part of the matrix, people need to know this support exists and investing in accessibility, particularly for Indigenous and CALD communities, is critical.”

“We are also targeting investment in projects that will help us speed up housing delivery, drive more efficient energy use, automate services to support our essential and frontline workers, and reduce cyber risk.”