Category: NSW News

Two tunnel boring machines (TBMs) are halfway to St Marys after each building 2.4 kilometres of tunnel for the game-changing Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport project.

TBMs Catherine and Marlene reached the milestone when they broke through at the Claremont Meadows services facility shaft, after launching at the Orchard Hills Station site in July and August 2023 respectively.

Tunnelling at an average speed of 120 metres a week, the TBMs are carving out the twin 4.3-kilometre tunnels to the new St Marys Metro Station site.

They have removed 600,000 tonnes of spoil so far, enough to fill about 95 Olympic swimming pools, and installed 17,820 precast concrete segments as they tunnelled under the M4 Motorway to the 21-metre-deep services shaft.

The TBMs will now traverse the 16-metre-diameter services shaft, which is used to supply materials like concrete and steel, before being relaunched to complete their journey. They are expected to reach St Marys in mid-2024.

A further two TBMs, Eileen and Peggy, are building the two 5.5-kilometre southern tunnels from Airport Business Park to the Aerotropolis. Both are respectively about 3 kilometres into their journeys and are due to arrive at the Aerotropolis in late 2024.

The Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport line will be operational when the new international airport opens for passenger services, with the end-to-end journey time between the St Marys Metro Station and Aerotropolis Station to take around 20 minutes.

Find out more about the Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport project

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

“We are one step closer to seeing transformative public transport delivered for Greater Western Sydney.

“When the new metro line opens, passengers will have a world-class transport option directly to the new Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport and major job hubs, including the new Aerotropolis.”

NSW Transport Minister Jo Haylen said:

“Our fleet of tunnel boring machines is making big strides as they carve out the key pieces of this 23-kilometre mega project.

“Once completed, this new city-shaping metro line will service travellers and airport workers with major population centres like Penrith, Parramatta and the Sydney CBD via St Marys.

Senator for NSW Tony Sheldon said:

“New suburbs will be able to grow around this brand-new metro line, giving Western Sydney the opportunity to attract new jobs and housing opportunities.

“I thank residents for their patience while we build this vital airport link.”

This week, Sydneysiders will be given the opportunity to visit one of the city’s most historic landmarks reimagined, the White Bay Power Station, with 2024 Biennale opening this Saturday.

Following extensive remediation works and investment from the NSW Government of $100 million, the restored heritage site has been transformed into a unique art, cultural and creative industries hub.

As one of the few power stations in the world that has retained its machinery and equipment dating back to the 1950s, the site serves as a reminder of Sydney’s electrical industry and the many skilled workers who kept Sydney’s extensive rail network going.

Visitors and history-buffs alike will be able to explore White Bay Power Station’s historic Turbine Hall and Boiler Room, the two main spaces of the building, while exploring the 2024 Biennale of Sydney.

The NSW Government is developing a long-term strategy for the building to ensure that it is a cultural venue for current and future generations.

The international art exhibition is the first free public event at the site and opens this weekend, Saturday 9 March until 10 June 2024.

The restoration of the former power station is the first big move in the urban renewal of Bays West.

Encompassing Rozelle Bay, White Bay and Glebe Island, the Bays West precinct is set to become an area of innovation and sustainability for living, working and recreation.

For more information, visit https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/white-bay-power-station

Premier of NSW Chris Minns said:

“A piece of Sydney’s industrial past and the very building that produced energy to power the tram and train network will soon give energy to cultural and community activities.

“One of our oldest historic sites is now one our newest cultural venues.

“It was first imagined as the power station for our trams and trains, and now, some 40 years after it closed its doors as a power station, it will once again play an important role.

“This is just the beginning of a new lease of life for the Bays West precinct.

Minister for the Arts John Graham said:

“Over its 100-year life White Bay Power Station has played a critical role in connecting Sydneysiders.  In its new era, it will connect us to bold creative ideas and to our best cultural and artistic talent.

“This weekend we not only celebrate the 24th Biennale of Sydney, we also celebrate the reimagining of this important new creative and community space.

“This is the first step in the redevelopment of this site to deliver a new world-class cultural hub, connecting more of our community to diverse arts and entertainment offerings and ideas, growing our cultural economy.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“White Bay Power Station has dominated Sydney’s historic harbour skyline long before the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House captured our attention.

“The creative reuse for a cultural event is indicative of the innovative thinking which is setting the bar for bigger and better reuse of our dormant public spaces.

“This is just the beginning of a new lease of life for the Bays West precinct. The White Bay Power Station clearly demonstrates the enormous benefit of investing in our public spaces, and it will power further regeneration across the precinct.”

The NSW Government is today announcing that the Government and the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) have reached agreement to host the 2024 NRL and NRLW Grand Finals in Sydney on Sunday, 6 October.

The NSW Government and ARLC has provided certainty to rugby league fans across the nation the Grand Final will remain in NSW, the birthplace of the NRL, and will once again fill Australia’s home of sport, Accor Stadium at Olympic Park.

After an electric start to the season in Las Vegas, the 2024 NRL season is expected to deliver more excitement and entertainment with the Penrith Panthers vying for the first four-peat in the NRL era, and the first since the legendary St. George Dragons team of the 1950’s and 60’s.

With the NRL growing its audience to international markets both in the US and the Asia-Pacific, a new audience of fans are engaging with our code, and with Sydney as the home of the Grand Final.

In securing the NRL Grand Final, Sydney is further cementing its status as the premier destination and major events capital of the Asia-Pacific. In the past year Sydney has hosted the UFC, FIFA Women’s World Cup, Harry Styles, Foo Fighters, Elton John, Paul McCartney, P!NK and of course Taylor Swift.

Premier of NSW Chris Minns said:

“NSW is the home of the NRL and there is no better city in the world to host another incredible Grand Final show down.

“The NRL Grand Final is one of our countries greatest annual sporting events and I can’t wait for a whole new generation of footy fans to get to experience it right here in NSW.

Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham said:

“The NRL Grand Final is a cornerstone event in Australia’s sporting calendar.

“Each year tens of thousands of fans from across the country converge on Sydney to support their teams and community. The NSW Government’s vibrancy reforms support extended trading hours around major events like this.”

Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said:

“The NRL has done a fantastic job in promoting and expanding the game to new markets across the US and Asia-Pacific. As such, we need to make sure we cement Sydney’s legacy as the birthplace and home of rugby league.

“Given the drama of last year’s Grand Final, I am sure we can expect another full house of 82,500 on Grand Final day.”

ARLC Commission Chair Peter V’landys said:

“Confirming the 2024 Grand Final will be held in Sydney provides certainty to NRL clubs, sponsors and broadcasters — but most importantly of all, it’s exciting news for NRL fans.

“The NRL and NRLW premiership seasons will culminate at Accor Stadium on 6 October — and we can’t wait to watch it unfold.”

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib will lead an expert roundtable looking at how more lives can be saved on NSW beaches after more than a dozen coastal drownings this summer.

The Coastal Water Safety Roundtable will bring together rescue organisations, researchers and government agencies following a rise in water-related fatalities in recent years, with surf lifesavers also called on to make an increasing number of rescues.

Tragically, there were 14 coastal drownings this summer, and 36 in total since 1 July 2023. This follows 48 drownings in 2022-23 – a 12 per cent increase on the 10-year average – and 52 in 2021-2022.

Surf life savers carried out a total of 3,077 rescues over the busy swimming season and more than 3,750 since 1 July.

The roundtable on 4 March is an opportunity to take stock of the summer and promote greater collaboration as experts and government agencies share knowledge and ideas.

Discussions will explore what occurred over the season, the actions that were taken, and how participants can work together to improve outcomes in the future.

In recognition of the important work Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW) carries out to help keep beachgoers safe, the NSW Government made a record funding uplift of $23 million over four years for Surf Life Saving NSW in the 2023-24 state budget.

The 2023-24 NSW Budget also committed nearly $5.8 million to Surf Life Saving Australia for the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter, which conducts important rescue and reconnaissance work along NSW beaches.

A range of peak water safety bodies have been invited to participate in the roundtable, along with local and state government representatives.

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

“Our SLSNSW volunteers and paid lifesavers do an excellent job protecting our beaches, performing more than 3,750 rescues since 1 July. Water safety is a shared responsibility that requires a united effort, and we want to identify opportunities to further reduce the number of lives lost along our coast.”

“It’s not just about better emergency response, it is also about building awareness in communities and finding those preventative actions that might save lives down the road.”

“We want every person in NSW to be able to enjoy our stunning coastline and waterways safely, and this roundtable is all about finding ways to do that as more people visit the beach every year.”

Chief Executive of Surf Life Saving NSW Steve Pearce said:

“All of the 14 coastal drownings over summer occurred at unpatrolled locations.”

“It is important we focus on education, early alerting to incidents and equipping our lifesavers with the tools they need to respond quickly.”

“Lifesavers and lifeguards do an incredible job, so our focus needs to turn to how to prevent people drowning when we can’t be there to prevent these tragedies.”

After almost 12 months since being elected, the Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology, Anoulack Chanthivong is continuing to demonstrate that the Minns Labor Government has no direction or vision for New South Wales.
 
During the Minister’s Budget Estimates hearing, he refuted the notion that more investment into the innovation sector would drive growth and productivity and was unable to offer up any significant policy option to the contrary.
 
Minister Chanthivong has revealed that they are only just now opening up his Innovation Blueprint for stakeholder feedback. 
 
Shadow Minister for Jobs, Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology, Mark Coure said that since Labor came to power, the industry and innovation sectors have stalled under a Minister who still has his training wheels on.
 
“The Minister is still undertaking reviews with no results for sectors which have been laden with uncertainty and stress thanks to his inaction.” Mr Coure said. 
 
“We do not need more reviews. Entrepreneurs are demonstrating their frustration with their feet as they move interstate to jurisdictions who are offering real direction and vision, backed in with significant investment by government.”
 
“Under the former Liberal and Nationals Government, we saw a 325% increase of innovators setting up shop in NSW. Now our state’s proud track record as an industry leader in this space, is at risk.”
 
Jacqui Munro MLC said, “the Minister must be upfront with entrepreneurs who require a reliable partner in government. Whether it’s the time taken to determine grant applications or when any industry strategy will be delivered, we have all been left in the dark. It’s simply not good enough for NSW to be put in this position.”
 
“Developing a productive and prosperous modern economy requires leadership and vision. Under the Minns Labor Government, we have neither,” Ms Munro said.

The Albanese Labor Government has failed to deliver its promised twelve-month review of its much-hyped National Cultural Policy, which was due on 1 March 2024.

“Labor massively hyped the National Cultural Policy, claiming it would ‘transform’ the arts,” Mr Fletcher said.

“But twelve months in, the reality falls a long way short which is doubtless why the government is delaying the promised review.”

The Coalition delivered record new arts funding commitments during the 2019-2022 term totalling $1.153 billion, including:

• $400 million for the Location Incentive.
• $220 million for RISE.
• $187.1 million for our National Collecting Institutions (in October 2020, May 2021 and December 2021).
• $90 million for Showstarter Loans.

“Labor will have to do a lot better than the National Cultural Policy to deliver similar levels of funding,” Mr Fletcher said.

Five nurses from Western NSW will now be able to deliver a range of x-ray services in regional and remote communities where immediate access to a radiographer may not be possible.

Minister for Regional Health, Ryan Park said this is providing better care closer to home for those living in rural and regional areas.

“The nurses working in Lightning Ridge, Walgett, Warren and Coolah have gained their licence through the training course, after completing the NSW Limited Licence Radiography Course,” Mr Park said.

“The course gives rural and remote practitioners essential radiography skills to undertake a limited range of x-rays, improving access to care for people in our rural and regional communities.

“This is another example of the terrific opportunities available to rural nurses to add to their high-level skills and improve health access and outcomes for their local communities.”

Western NSW Local Health District Clinical Services Division Director James Harvey said the 5 new licence holders join 15 nurses across the district who currently hold this licence.

“The 5 new participants have returned to their communities where they will help increase the availability of x-ray services offered in those towns,” Mr Harvey said.

The course enables rural and remote general practitioners, registered nurses, and physiotherapists to obtain a limited radiography licence from the NSW Environment Protection Authority. Diagnostic radiographers from across the LHD, provide ongoing supported to new license holders.

Cowra based Chief Radiographer Victoria Young, is one of those supporting radiographers, who conducts twice-yearly educational road trips to remote areas to ensure licence holders are continually developing their new skills.

“This program is providing great benefits to our communities by improving access to important x-ray services,” Ms Young said.

Member for Barwon Roy Butler welcomed the expansion of services and access to the local communities.  

“This training is great because it gives the talented clinicians who live and work in the communities of Lightning Ridge, Walgett, Warren and Coolah an opportunity to expand their skills, this means less requirement for people who are unwell to travel,” Mr Butler said.

“Having these services available locally helps to make our communities better places to live.”

In collaboration with WNSWLHD, Health Education and Training is looking to regularly run the course to ensure remote communities have key clinical staff trained to support the delivery of acute x-ray services in their communities.

NSW’s dedicated allied health clinicians have been recognised at the third annual Excellence in Allied Health Awards, held in Sydney last night.

Health Minister Ryan Park congratulated the 35 finalists and winners in each of the 7 categories.

“I want to thank all our hard-working allied health professionals for the significant contribution they make in delivering patient-centred care to the people of NSW every day,” Mr Park said.

“In particular, I would like to congratulate NSW’s Allied Health Professional of the Year, Dr Bernadette Brady, who was recognised for their significant contribution to musculoskeletal and pain physiotherapy, both as a clinician and researcher, with a special interest in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) populations.”

“The NSW Government is committed to building the allied health workforce of the future through initiatives such as the Rural Allied Health Educator Program which will create a pipeline of workers to regional NSW.”

Mental Health Minister Rose Jackson said this was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the achievements and skill of allied health staff in NSW.

“Allied health professionals play a pivotal role in safeguarding the mental wellbeing of individuals across the state and I’m incredibly grateful for their dedication,” Ms Jackson said.

“Psychologists, social workers, exercise physiologists, and occupational therapists are just some of the allied health professionals at the forefront of promoting mental health awareness, reducing stigma, and advocating for accessible and equitable services for our community.

“This awards night is just one small way we can acknowledge the hard work of many allied health professionals and the massive difference they make to the lives of their patients and their families every day.”

NSW Health Secretary Susan Pearce said allied health clinicians play a vital role in the health system, working across 23 unique professions including pharmacists, speech pathology, podiatrists and much more.

“I’d like to congratulate all the recipients of this year’s Excellence in Allied Health Awards, as well as all the nominees and finalists in each category. Each year, the calibre of the nominees is outstanding,” Ms Pearce said.

“One of the special aspects of allied health is that it includes disciplines that engage with a person’s life from birth, right through to aged care and across every area of the health system.”

NSW Health Chief Allied Health Officer Andrew Davison said it was fantastic to see the level of professionalism, clinical excellence, and compassion on display at the Awards.

“These Awards are a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge the expertise of allied health professionals and reflect on the impact they make to improve patient experience and outcomes,” Mr Davison said.

The winners in each of the 7 categories are:

• Allied Health Professional of the Year Dr Bernadette Brady, South Western Sydney Local Health District (LHD)
• Aboriginal Allied Health Professional of the Year Simone Owen, Hunter New England LHD
• Allied Health Assistant / Technician / Support Person of the Year Jodie Keller, Southern NSW LHD
• Allied Health Researcher of the Year Clinical Associate Professor Sharon Carey, Sydney LHD
• Allied Health Educator of the Year Rachelle Robinson, South Eastern Sydney LHD
• Early Career Allied Health Professional of the Year Isabella Shearman, Hunter New England LHD
• Allied Health Leader of the Year Deanne Harris, Hunter New England LHD.

Find out more information about the awards and finalists

The NSW Labor Government is on track to deliver enough renewable energy to power more than 1.5 million NSW homes, following multiple NSW Government approvals of wind and solar projects in 2023.

Throughout 2023, the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) finalised 18 renewable energy State Significant Development (SSD) assessments including three wind farms, six solar farms and nine large-scale batteries.

Of these, 13 were approved by the Department and five were referred to the Independent Planning Commission (IPC) for determination, four of which the Commission has now approved, and one is still in progress.

The recent approvals include the Yanco Delta wind farm in the state’s Riverina region. At 1.5 gigawatts, it is set to be the biggest wind farm in Australia.

The approved projects will generate more than 3,000 jobs during construction and operation, providing a vital economic boost to regional communities.

The projects have the combined capacity to generate and store 7.6 gigawatts of renewable energy. This could save an estimated 8.3 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year and play an essential role in energy security.

A further 29 renewable energy projects are in the planning process. Another 70 new projects are about to be submitted for department approval.

The NSW Government recently completed the exhibition stage on the draft Energy Policy Framework, which includes new guidelines for wind energy development, transmission infrastructure, and benefit sharing, aiming to streamline approvals and provide clarity for both host communities and developers.

The guidelines will be finalised later this year.

For more information, visit NSW Planning.

Minister for Climate Change and Energy Penny Sharpe said:

“These approvals represent the NSW Government’s commitment to accelerate the transition to renewables so households and businesses have reliable access to clean and affordable electricity.

“NSW is now about halfway towards our 2030 renewable generation target, and over a quarter of the way there on our long-duration storage target.

“Across government, we will continue to drive the decarbonisation of our energy grid, setting NSW up with clean, reliable energy in the future.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“The Government is prioritising the development of renewable energy projects.

“These projects help deliver clean and affordable energy to NSW residents while injecting millions of dollars into regional economies and creating hundreds of new jobs.

“We will continue to work closely with industry and impacted communities to strike the right balance between supporting renewable energy projects and responsible development.”

Projects:

Project name	Proponent	Technology	Capacity	REZ / Location	Determining authority
Bowmans Creek	Ark Energy	Wind	347 MW	Hunter – Central Coast REZ / Muswellbrook	IPC determined
Hills of Gold	Wind Energy Partners	Wind	282 MW	New England REZ / Nundle	IPC referred (not yet determined)
Yanco Delta	Virya Energy	Wind	1500 MW	South-West REZ / Jerilderie	DPHI
Marulan	Terrain Solar Pty Ltd	Solar	152 MW	Carrick	DPHI
Forest Glen	X-Elio Australia Pty Ltd	Solar	90 MW	Central West Orana REZ / Minore	DPHI
Blind Creek	Blind Creek Solar Farm Pty Ltd	Solar	350 MW	Bungendore	DPHI
Glenellen	Trina Solar	Solar	200 MW	Albury	IPC determined
Glanmire	Elgin Energy	Solar	60 MW	Bathurst	IPC determined
Oxley	Oxley Solar Development	Solar	215 MW	New England REZ / Metz	IPC determined
Waratah	Energy Corporation	Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)	850 MW / 1680 MWh	Munmorah	Minister
Apsley	Acenergy	BESS	120 MW/240 MWh	Central West Orana REZ / Apsley	DPHI
Muswellbrook	Firm Power	BESS	150 MW / 300 MWh	Hunter- Central Coast REZ /Muswellbrook	DPHI
Coleambally	Risen Energy	BESS	100 MW/ 400 MWh	South West REZ / Coleambally	DPHI
Great Western	Neoen	BESS	500 MW/ 1000 MWh	Wallerawang	DPHI
Beresfield	Firm Power	BESS	170 MW / 340 MWh	Beresfield	DPHI
Wellington South	Shell & Empyr Energy JV	BESS	500 MW / 1000 MWh	Central West Orana REZ / Wellington	DPHI
Awaba	Firm Power	BESS	50 MW / 100MWh	Hunter- Central Coast REZ / Toronto	DPHI
Orana	Akaysha Energy	BESS	400 MW / 1600 MWh	Central West Orana REZ / Wellington	DPHI

158 new Probationary Constables will be sworn into the NSW Police Force today and will start at their new home stations across the state next week.

Class 361 attested at the Goulburn Police Academy following eight months of training in the Constable Education Program (CEP). Four months by distance, four months at the Academy.

They will now have 12 months on-the-job-training as a Probationary Constables.

Communities across NSW will see the new boots on the ground on Monday:

• Central Metropolitan Region – 43
• Northwest Metropolitan Region – 36
• Southwest Metropolitan Region – 26
• Northern Region – 20
• Southern Region – 20
• Western Region – 13

Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley will welcome the new officers to the NSW Police Force and reaffirm the Government’s commitment to strengthen our frontline services across Metro and Regional NSW.

Class 361 is the first cohort to make use of three new accommodation blocks opened by Minister Catley and Commissioner Webb in December, providing modern, clean and comfortable facilities for the Student Police Officers.

Last year, the NSW Government made the historic announcement that Student Police Officers will be paid to study at the Goulburn Police Academy.

Class 361 received a one-off payment, the amount of which was pro-rated to the date of the announcement.

Starting with the next cohort, Student Police Officers will receive a total salary of approximately $30,984 over the 16-week study period, including super and award-based allowances.

Apply to be part of the NSW Police Force

NSW Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said:

“Congratulations to all 158 attesting officers for their hard work and commitment. I wish you all a rich and rewarding career with the NSW Police Force.”

“A career in policing is like no other. These new recruits show a steadfast determination to serve and protect communities right across NSW.”

“The NSW Government backs our police 100%. We are committed to getting more boots on the ground and supporting the hardworking officers already on the beat. That’s why we’re paying recruits to study.”

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said:

“All 158 recruits graduating today, are embarking on an extraordinary journey and career.”

“Policing is a job where we all have the chance to make a difference to the community we’ve been entrusted to serve and protect.”

“These probationary constables are joining a strong, honourable and committed police force and I wish them the very best.”