Category: NSW News

Fresh surveys reveal the known population of one of Australia’s rarest birds has expanded to new areas, offering fresh hope for its survival.

The Mukarrthippi Grasswren is the Australian bird most likely to go extinct, with a significant 60 per cent risk by 2041. The Critically Endangered bird was previously spotted at two locations in and near Yathong Nature Reserve in central-west NSW, and in 2021, the total population was estimated to be between four and 20 birds.

However, recent surveys have discovered the Mukarrthippi Grasswren at three new locations within Yathong Nature Reserve, more than six kilometres away from the previously known habitat. These new sites feature the bird’s preferred spinifex and mallee habitat.

At least six birds have been observed in these new locations, expanding its known range.

To protect and restore the Mukarrthippi Grasswren, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service is declaring core habitat as an asset of intergenerational significance, providing stronger legislative protection under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974.

Special fire management plans are being developed, and the habitat will be included in a large feral predator-free area to prevent the rare bird being killed by cats. Research and monitoring efforts, including remote-sensing surveys to map key habitat, are ongoing.

“Mukarrthippi” [mook-wah-tippy] translates to “small bird of the spinifex” in the language of the Ngiyampaa people. The Mukarrthippi Grasswren is a subspecies of the striated grasswren.

They measure 14.5 to 19 cm long and weigh 15-23 grams, approximately the same as two AA batteries. Their slender bill, long blackish-brown tail, soft reddish-brown upperparts with white streaks, and buff underparts with heavy white streaking on the breast make them distinctive.

The survey and conservation efforts have been undertaken in collaboration with BirdLife Australia and have received funding from Saving our Species.

Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe said:

“The Mukarrthippi Grasswren is one of Australia’s rarest birds so finding more of them in new locations is a huge boost to our efforts to prevent its extinction.

“This discovery is thanks to dedicated field scientists who have been searching for the little bird in one of our most remote national parks.

“NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service is working to protect and restore this very elusive bird through fire management and feral animal control strategies.

“I hope the discovery will inspire many citizen scientists to take part in the 10th annual Aussie Bird Count this weekend, as National Bird Week draws to a close.”

The NSW Government has today announced plans to transform part of Moore Park Golf Course into a new thriving public park.

Moore Park Golf Course currently sits on 45 hectares of public land. The land has been operated as a golf course under successive service agreements with the NSW Government.

The current operating agreement expires in June 2026.

From that time, the NSW Government intends to repurpose up to 20 hectares of the golf course into a new central park in the heart of Sydney with more green space, grassroots sports and recreation.

It’s time this green space in the heart of the city shifts from being used only as a public golf course accessible only to paying golfers into parkland that supports our growing city.

The Government will commence public consultations with the City of Sydney, the local community, and stakeholders on how best to revitalise this public asset including for the use of community sport.

A discussion paper will be released in early 2024 to guide this consultation, including consultation with the current operator of Moore Park Golf Course on the future of the remaining holes and the operation of the clubhouse and driving range.

The Government’s preferred option is the western boundary and part of the section north of Dacey Avenue which will maximise accessibility to this much needed new park for residents of Green Square, Zetland and Waterloo.

Green Square urban renewal area presently has 33,000 people living within it.  It needs more open space as it is expected to become one of the most densely populated areas in Australia with the City of Sydney estimating that by 2040 80,000 residents will live within 2 km of Moore Park.

Visitors will also be the beneficiaries of access to this new park with over 30 million visits to the neighbouring Centennial Parklands every single year. The NSW Government will also commence discussions with the City of Sydney on a memorandum of understanding on ongoing maintenance of the new park.

Premier Chris Minns said:

“Over the past century, Sydney has changed significantly. When the golf course was first established, the surrounding areas were largely industrial lands.

“Significant urban regeneration has seen housing density around Green Square and Zetland transform industrial land into a vibrant community.

“As we work to tackle the housing crisis facing NSW by building up, we know that delivering public infrastructure including parks is more important than ever before.

“There is huge demand from residents in the city for a variety of community sporting facilities in the city’s inner south, and with further density planned this will only grow.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“We’ve always said were focused on increasing housing with supporting infrastructure – today’s announcement is a great start, that’s why we have committed $2.2 billion in enabling infrastructure in the Budget.

“This land is part of Sydney’s backyard. We can repurpose this area as public open space while retaining a golf course and driving range.

“We know that getting more people into homes closer to the city through increased density, needs to be supported with more open space.

“The communities of Redfern, Waterloo, Green Square and Zetland are crying out for more green space and this change will go a long way to satisfying their needs.”

Member for Sydney Alex Greenwich said:

“This announcement respects the growing need of the expanding inner city for new open green space and I thank the government for returning this precious parkland back to public use.”

The 50th anniversary of the opening of the Sydney Opera House is a moment to celebrate a cultural landmark and recommit to its place as the ultimate stage for our young artists and creatives in NSW.

Since its opening on this day in 1973, the Opera House has hosted a roll call of the biggest international stars, many of who describe it as a “once in a lifetime” in their careers.

It is the same thrill for the 345,000 children and families a year who attend the House, creating lifelong memories and connection.

More than 12,000 school children from NSW participate annually in events ranging from instrumental and choir performances to graduations, eisteddfods and speech days. Three-quarters of those children will be from public schools, and most from Western Sydney.

On Saturday, the NSW Government will host an “open House” event in which 37,000 people from Sydney and across the state who entered a ticket ballot will get a look behind the scenes and back-of-house before normal service resumes.

Minister for Arts and Music John Graham said:

“The Sydney Opera House is a reminder that we take chances in NSW. Of course, there was intense debate over cost, project mismanagement, waste and government dithering but who can now imagine Sydney Harbour without these sails? It has repaid the debt 100-fold.

“This was a piece of cultural infrastructure that was given momentum by a Labor Premier and opened by a Liberal one, because, like the Opera House, culture in this state is broadly bipartisan and worth fighting for.

“This weekend we pay tribute to Danish designer Jorn Utzon for his genius while we honour how much his building means to millions of us in NSW and remember that we must always keep artistic endeavours relevant to a diverse community.

“We are committed to ensure there is affordable access to Sydney Opera House from our outer suburbs and regions into the future. Under the Minns Labor Government it will remain ‘The People’s House’. 

The Minns Labor Government is investing in the future of the state’s firefighters with a 4.5% pay rise for more than 6800 Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) staff.

The NSW Government has reached an agreement with the Fire Brigade Employees’ Union (FBEU) to finalise the pay increase for permanent and on-call firefighters.

It follows similar pay rises for other NSW frontline workers, including nurses and police, which are the highest in a decade.

The agreement has also given rise to a new non-station based allowance designed to incentivise more training opportunities and clearer promotional pathways, which will benefit community safety.

After 12 years, the NSW Government is committed to growing the FRNSW frontline and has set the target of appointing 600 new permanent firefighters over the next 8 years.

The total number of FRNSW staff has declined over the past decade despite the state growing by almost a million people.

The NSW Government’s investment in these personnel is long overdue and is recognition of the critical role they play in keeping the NSW community safe.

It comes on top of what the Minns Labor Government has already delivered:

• the end of the former government’s unfair public sector wages cap, and
• a 2-year salary freeze for senior executives and Members of Parliament which will save around $250 million over 4 years.

We are a government with a clear focus – managing our finances responsibly so we can provide support when you need it most and improve the essential services that we all rely on, now and into the future.

Minister for Industrial Relations Sophie Cotsis said:

“I welcome the agreement for better pay and conditions for NSW firefighters, it’s a win for the industry and I thank the firies for their advocacy, patience and support.

“It’s been 12 years since we saw meaningful negotiation for our firies.

“We appreciate their commitment and service to the people of NSW.”

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

“Whether it is responding to fires or accidents, FRNSW employees do a lot for the community, and a pay rise is an important way of recognising and rewarding this work.

“I am very pleased to have seen a negotiated agreement between FRNSW and the FBEU that, in addition to a significant pay rise, also heralds a renewed commitment to work together in order to achieve the best possible outcomes.

“This government is committed to supporting the state’s frontline workers who provide critical services to the people of NSW, and I am proud to be part of the government introducing the first significant pay rise for our incredible firefighters in more than a decade.”

From today, public transport passengers will enjoy savings when traveling on Fridays, with prices now matching the discounted weekend fares.

As part of the Opal changes that came into effect this week, Friday fares are now slashed by 30% on all metro, train, bus and light rail services across the entire network.

This means a Friday train ride from Parramatta to Central drops from $5.72 to $4.

The Friday travel cap will also be halved, meaning passengers can have unlimited travel on Friday for no more than $8.90, and $4.45 for child/youth and concession passengers. Seniors can still access their $2.50 maximum daily fare.

The new discount is being applauded by Sydney’s business community, with hopes it will encourage people to visit the CBD on Fridays for work, food and drink, shopping, and socialising.

The latest Opal data shows last month there was an average of 480,000 trips into Sydney’s CBD on Fridays across all modes, down 25% compared with September 2019.

Cheaper Fridays are available to all Opal passengers across the network. Daily fare caps will automatically be applied. Passengers using a contactless card or device to pay their fare are reminded to always tap on and tap off with the same card or device for each trip to ensure they unlock the $8.90 all-day travel cap as well as other Opal benefits like transfer discounts.

On Monday 16 October, the annual Opal fare update came into effect, with an average increase of 3.7%, which will see an out-of-pocket difference of around $1 per week.

Visit Transport NSW for more information about Opal fareslaunch and fare estimates for multimodal tripslaunch.

Transport Minister Jo Haylen said: 

“Fairer fare Fridays start today, meaning every weekend will be a long weekend for passengers on the Opal network.”

“Last month there was an average of half a million trips into Sydney’s CBD on Fridays, down 25% on pre-pandemic patronage. We want to see that number grow to enliven our city and deliver a bump to businesses that have been calling for help.

“This this will benefit the 1.9 million commuters who travel across our network on Fridays. With this discount, we hope to see even more passengers tapping into cheaper fares and making public transport their mode of choice.

“No matter where you’re coming from or going to, from Newcastle to the South Coast or Blue Mountains, your travel on the Opal network will be capped at $8.90.”

Minister for Small Business Steve Kamper said:

“This is a great initiative which will provide a much-needed boost for businesses, by encouraging more people to work from the office and kick their weekend off in the CBD.

“We want to see Sydney at it’s vibrant best, and to do that we need to have the customer base to support our fantastic hospitality, retail and tourism businesses.”

Business Sydney Executive Director Paul Nicolaou said:

“Anything that encourages people to come into the city for work, entertainment and retail is a fantastic initiative.

“The many CBD businesses desperate for the return of foot traffic will be among the first to applaud the Friday fare savings. It will certainly help restore Sydney’s mojo.

“We have endured a situation where Sydney has become a 3 days a week city with Mondays and Fridays agonisingly quiet.

“It was always going to take an incentive to encourage workers to come back to the office and the Friday Opal card saving is a great step in that direction.”

Table – Opal fares caps

Card type	Mon to Thu daily fare cap	Fri to Sun daily fare cap	Weekly fare cap
Adult	$17.80	$8.90	$50.00
Child/Youth	$8.90	$4.45	$25.00
Concession	$8.90	$4.45	$25.00
Senior	$2.50	$2.50	$25.00

Aboriginal people living in the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) will be better supported to find a job or grow a business, under updated First Nations Guidelines announced today by the NSW Government.

The update streamlines the engagement process for renewable energy generators seeking to consult with First Nations stakeholders on NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap projects.

The Central-West Orana guidelines are the first of five region-specific guidelines for each REZ in NSW. They have been co-designed with a working group consisting of local Aboriginal community representatives to reflect the economic aspirations of the region. They provide detailed socio-demographic information about the REZ, outlines approaches to engaging with the local Aboriginal communities, and identify priority areas of employment and income opportunities.

They also inform procurement targets for project developers, aligned with targets in the NSW Government’s Aboriginal Procurement Policy. These requirements include opportunities for Aboriginal people and businesses to be involved in Roadmap projects, as well as funding for education and community projects.

The guidelines also outline EnergyCo’s new First Nations Outcome team, which will support the Central-West Orana First Nations Working Group to engage with project developers and set out aspirational employment and training goals.

The Central-West Orana guidelineslaunch will be shared with Aboriginal communities, landowners, industry, councils and government agencies and will be reviewed every two years.

Tim Stevenson, Chair of CWO First Nations Working Group said:

“The opportunity for local Aboriginal participation in the renewable energy zone projects has the potential to enhance skills and build capacity for local mob.

“The relationships established through the Aboriginal Participation Plans with project developers and Aboriginal community organisations will deliver great outcomes for First Nations people.”

Minister for Energy Penny Sharpe said:

“I asked for these guidelines to be updated after receiving feedback from a Central West Orana workshop with local Aboriginal stakeholders in June.

“The overall framework and implementation have been strengthened to make the consultation process clearer and support jobs and economic opportunities.

“The NSW Government wants consultation with the Aboriginal community to be genuine, and for Aboriginal people to benefit from the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone.”

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said:

“Closing the Gap is a top priority for the NSW Labor Government.  

“In NSW we have developed our own unique Closing the Gap priority focused on better employment, business growth and economic prosperity outcomes, which these new guidelines help deliver.

“Our government will continue to work in partnership, because we know that Aboriginal people having a say on issues that affect them, delivers better outcomes for all.”

Minister for Energy Penny Sharpe has today announced communities in the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone will receive $128 million over the next four years to deliver community projects and employment opportunities.

The funding is the first downpayment to bring forward community and employment benefits, to ensure benefits flow before construction of new transmission and renewable generation projects commences in late 2024.

Statewide, hundreds of millions of dollars of funding will become available over the next 30 years, leaving a lasting legacy for the communities hosting renewable energy projects in their area.

In the next six months the NSW Government will work closely with local councils, community and First Nations organisations, renewable energy companies and other stakeholders to identify and fund community priorities and long-term legacy programs in the region.

The types of projects that could be funded include:

• public infrastructure upgrades
• housing and accommodation
• training and employment programs
• health and education programs
• support for energy efficiency and local rooftop solar, and
• initiatives for First Nations people.

The Community and Employment benefit fund will be administered by NSW EnergyCo. Upfront funding will come from the Transmission Acceleration Fund, and after 2028 will be funded through access fees paid by renewable energy generators connecting to new transmission lines in the Central-West Orana REZ.

Over time, this program will be expanded to the other four REZs in NSW; New England, South West, Hunter-Central Coast and Illawarra.

The Central-West Orana REZ will become the renewable energy power plant of the future, delivering clean, affordable energy to NSW. The REZ is part of the NSW Government’s Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap to deliver 12GW of renewable energy generation and 2GW of storage.

Minister for Energy Penny Sharpe said:

“The transformation of our electricity system is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to foster long-term prosperity in our regional communities which are central to the Roadmap.

“This funding will ensure the communities hosting the Central-West Orana REZ start receiving benefits well before construction begins.

“The NSW Government will work with local communities and councils to ensure they have a say about how funding is allocated, so projects reflect community priorities.”

The NSW Government has delivered the mechanism to establish the new Regional Development Advisory Council, announced during the State Budget, which is a critical step to mobilising the new $350 million Regional Development Trust Fund investment program for regional communities.

The regulation enabling the establishment of the Advisory Council and its objectives was approved by the State’s Executive Council on Wednesday 18 October 2023.

Under the new regulation up to seven interim members will be appointed for an initial period of 12 months so that work can begin as soon as possible to provide the Trust’s independent evaluation process for funding projects.

Members will be recommended to the Minister based on relevant skills and experience in a range of areas such as: regional and rural economics, regional service delivery, climate adaptation and resilience, finance and public administration, and natural resource management.

The Council will always include at least one Aboriginal representative with knowledge and experience in economic development for Aboriginal communities.

Minister Moriarty has also written to her federal counterpart, Minister McBain seeking a nominee from the Commonwealth to foster a coordinated approach to regional investment between New South Wales and the Commonwealth.

The Regional Development Advisory Council will provide a fresh approach for regional grants decision making by providing independent advice to the Minister for Regional NSW to ensure valid projects and rural communities are at the centre of government decision making.

Minister for Regional NSW and Western NSW Tara Moriarty said:

“After a decade of waste and poor decision making by the former Government, the establishment of the Regional Development Advisory Council is an important step towards the provision of independent and expert advice on what projects and programs should be funded.

“Our intention is to ensure rural, remote and regional communities receive their fair share and money is spent on projects that are actually needed and will be delivered.

“This reform process ensures a transparent allocation of investment across regional NSW as communities face the challenges of workforce attraction, modernising facilities and drought.

“The establishment of the Regional Development Advisory Council ensures that future investment in regional communities is guided by local knowledge and expertise.”

Trade leaders from all States and Territories gathered in Sydney today to discuss pressing issues and deepen Australia’s collaborative approach to trade and investment priorities locally and internationally.

NSW Minister for Industry and Trade Anoulack Chanthivong welcomed Australian Minister for Trade and Tourism and co-host Don Farrell to NSW parliament for the second meeting of the Ministerial Council on Trade and Investment (MCTI).

Minister Chanthivong said hosting the meeting provided the state the unique opportunity to showcase its strengths and capabilities to Commonwealth, State and Territory representatives.

“It was an honour to host the second meeting of the Ministerial Council in NSW and welcome my esteemed colleagues to Sydney,” Mr Chanthivong said.

“NSW continues to be a leading advocate for improving national effectiveness in attracting quality foreign investment and growing Australia’s international trade through government collaboration.

“We welcomed the opportunity to step forward and play our role, and I commend the Australian Government for its commitment to seeking collective solutions on common challenges.”

Minister Farrell said the focus of today’s meeting was on national collaboration and action across priority areas, including the Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2024, the clean energy transition to net zero and First Nations economic uplift.

“I was delighted to co-host Australia’s council of trade and investment ministers here in Sydney, to develop a common plan to boost Australia’s standing as a trusted, reliable trading nation,” Minister Farrell said.

“This meeting of trade ministers is an important opportunity to collectively advance Australia’s trade and investment diversification priorities,”

Following the official meeting, the delegation were given a tour of the University of Sydney’s Southeast Asia Centre, experiencing firsthand the active approach by Sydney University to lead ASEAN research initiatives.

Trade leaders from all States and Territories gathered in Sydney today to discuss pressing issues and deepen Australia’s collaborative approach to trade and investment priorities locally and internationally.

NSW Minister for Industry and Trade Anoulack Chanthivong welcomed Australian Minister for Trade and Tourism and co-host Don Farrell to NSW parliament for the second meeting of the Ministerial Council on Trade and Investment (MCTI).

Minister Chanthivong said hosting the meeting provided the state the unique opportunity to showcase its strengths and capabilities to Commonwealth, State and Territory representatives.

“It was an honour to host the second meeting of the Ministerial Council in NSW and welcome my esteemed colleagues to Sydney,” Mr Chanthivong said.

“NSW continues to be a leading advocate for improving national effectiveness in attracting quality foreign investment and growing Australia’s international trade through government collaboration.

“We welcomed the opportunity to step forward and play our role, and I commend the Australian Government for its commitment to seeking collective solutions on common challenges.”

Minister Farrell said the focus of today’s meeting was on national collaboration and action across priority areas, including the Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2024, the clean energy transition to net zero and First Nations economic uplift.

“I was delighted to co-host Australia’s council of trade and investment ministers here in Sydney, to develop a common plan to boost Australia’s standing as a trusted, reliable trading nation,” Minister Farrell said.

“This meeting of trade ministers is an important opportunity to collectively advance Australia’s trade and investment diversification priorities,”

Following the official meeting, the delegation were given a tour of the University of Sydney’s Southeast Asia Centre, experiencing firsthand the active approach by Sydney University to lead ASEAN research initiatives.