Category: NSW News

The state’s most popular events like the Deni Ute Muster and Bluesfest will now become even more accessible and affordable for everyone, with the Minns Labor Government supporting councils to add free vibrant street parties to foundation events in NSW. 

This weekend the Tamworth Country Music Festival embraced the Open Streets program by expanding their offering with four days of free Fringe Zone programming, including line-dancing lessons, whip-cracking demonstrations and live entertainment – all free to attend. 

The NRL Grand Finals, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, the Sydney Marathon and the Bathurst 1000 will also benefit through this round of funding. 

The latest $4 million grant from the Open Streets Program help major festivals and sporting events expand beyond ticketed models, recognising the cultural and economic impact these drawcard events, known as Foundation Events, have on NSW.  

The Open Streets program is designed to open public spaces for events that bring communities together without having to break the bank. Previous Council-run Open Streets events recorded local business revenue increasing by 60 percent, and almost all visitors said they would revisit the area as a direct result of the grants. 

In combination with supporting the free street events, the NSW Government’s Permit/Plug/Play program is supporting over 35 local councils to reduce the costs of activating their streets for community events. Local councils were reporting costs of around $100,000 per day for hosting street events. 

The results from the 2024 program showed councils were reducing those costs by 40% on average by installing permanent event

infrastructure including retractable bollards, and power and water facilities, as well as streamlining development applications and transport management plans. 

Upcoming Open Streets (Foundation Events)  

March 2026  

• 28th – 29th Streets Alive Brunswick presented by Byron Bay Bluesfest  

June 2026  

• 12th Closing Night at the 25th Biennale of Sydney  

August 2026   

• 15th – 17th Mundi Mundi Lightfest by the Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash
• 27th – 30th Garra (working title) by TCS Sydney Marathon
• 29th – Official Opening Party at the Sydney Fringe Festival  

September 2026  

• 29th – 30th Spirit of the Muster Street Festival by Deni Ute Muster  

October 2026   

• 1st – 2nd NRL Fan Fest for the NRL Men’s & Women’s Grand Final
• 6th – 11th Brock Heritage Festival by Bathurst 1000  

January 2027  

• 6th – 10th Parkes Elvis Festival expansion
• 20th – 23rd Fringe Zone Year 2 at Tamworth Country Music Festival  

February 2027  

• 20th The Rainbow Mile Block Party at the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras   

For more information, visit the Open Streets Program website.  

Minister for Transport John Graham said:

“By supporting free street parties at these iconic events, we’re making sure everyone can join in the fun, no matter their budget.  

“We’ve scrapped the lockout laws, cut red tape and boosted local street events to bring back fun to NSW in a way that supports local businesses and helps families face the cost-of-living challenge.   

“These street parties where everyone feels welcome, have proven that they increase revenue for local business, they also harness one of our most important public spaces – our streets.  

“If you were on the fence about coming to one of these events, cost will no longer be an excuse! Come on down!”  

A line-up of six comedians will deliver a barrel of laughs as the New South Wales Seniors Festival Comedy Show returns to Sydney in 2026.

The free show, which is an annual feature of the NSW Seniors Festival, will commence at 11am on Tuesday 3 March, at Sydney Town Hall, in partnership with City of Sydney.

Master of Ceremonies Cam Knight will join Jake Howie, Anisa Nandaula, Fiona Cox, Mick Meredith, Chris Wainhouse, and Peter Berner to headline entertainment for hundreds of New South Wales seniors.

For the first time, Shoalhaven City Council will also be hosting a Seniors Festival Comedy Show at Ulladulla Civic Centre at 11am and 1.30pm on Thursday 5 March. The line-up for the Ulladulla comedy show will feature Mat Wakefield alongside Jake Howie, Anisa Nandaula, Fiona Cox, Chris Wainhouse and Peter Berner.

Tickets will be available from 10am, Tuesday 3 February 2026 via the NSW Seniors Festival website: NSW Seniors Festival Comedy Show | NSW Government

Seniors are encouraged to get in early to secure a ticket before they run out.

Seniors Festival Comedy Show

• Sydney Town Hall, in partnership with City of Sydney at 11am, Tuesday 3 March
• Ulladulla Civic Centre, in partnership with Shoalhaven City Council at 11am and 1.30pm, on Thursday 5 March.

The NSW Seniors Festival runs from 2-15 March and showcases a variety of events, from entertainment to educational activities.

Highlights of the festival include the popular Premier’s Gala Concerts and NSW Seniors Festival Expo, held at Darling Harbour on Wednesday 11 March and Thursday 12 March.

Minister for Seniors Jodie Harrison said:

“The NSW Seniors Festival Comedy Show has a proud history of bringing together some of the nation’s best comedians to spread laughter and joy.

“The NSW Government is building more inclusive communities for older people through recreational, cultural and social participation, a key priority of the government’s Ageing Well in NSW Strategy.

“That’s why we are proud to support this popular event each year and urge our seniors to get together with friends and families to ‘live life in colour’.”

Member for Sydney Alex Greenwich said:

“The NSW Seniors Festival Comedy Show is an annual highlight for so many in our community as it’s a great way for people to come together, share a laugh and meet some friendly new faces.

“Not only is this a wonderful event for seniors, but it is another opportunity for them to stay socially connected. Sharing a laugh is a great way for everyone to boost their wellbeing and to bring people together.

“Laughter really is the best medicine, and a great way to brighten someone’s day. Not only are events like this fun, they help to keep people feeling connected to their community.”

Comedy show Master of Ceremonies Cam Knight said:

“I’m absolutely excited to be hosting this event for the NSW Seniors Festival.

“There’s something special about making people happy, and I can’t wait to share some laughs with our seniors.

“It’s going to be a fantastic time and I’m sure everyone will leave with a big smile on their faces.”

Comedian Jake Howie said:

“I am thrilled to part of this year’s Comedy Show, sharing the stage with some of the country’s funniest people.

“We’ve got some hilarious material lined up which is sure to have the audience in stitches.”

The Singleton Bypass is on track to open to traffic later this year, with construction teams back from the break and hard at work, delivering an extraordinary project for the Hunter.

The project is being delivered with a $560 million investment from the Albanese Labor Government and a $140 million investment from the Minns Labor Government.

This region-changing project will take 15,000 vehicles a day off Singleton’s main street, improving travel times, freight efficiency and safety for local and interstate motorists, allowing them to avoid five sets of traffic lights.

The eight kilometre bypass starts near Newington Lane in the south and rejoins the highway just past Magpie Street in the North. The project features a full interchange at Putty Road and connections to the New England Highway at the Southern and Northern ends and at Gowrie.

A host of major milestones were achieved in 2025, with crews opening two bridges which allowed trucks to shift material within the project corridor, without going through the CBD, helping to reduce the impact of construction traffic.

Construction of all six bridges is now nearing completion, including the largest on the Hunter Floodplain, which is 1.6km long. 

The bridge construction has involved the installation of 435 girders and 207 bridge piles and pouring of 161 concrete columns and 78 concrete bridge decks. Only the finishing works remain, including the installation of safety rails, deck joints, placement of asphalt, noise walls and safety screens.

Road pavement construction has recently commenced across the corridor.

To date, a total of 500,000m³ of earthwork material has been placed across the project alignment, equivalent to 200 Olympic sized swimming pools of material.

Construction activities continuing in early 2026 include:

• drainage and earth works
• continued pavement construction including asphalting and line marking
• the relocation and connection of water, electrical and sewer services
• the construction of interchanges, and
• the start of landscaping.

The bypass is expected to be open to traffic in late 2026, weather permitting.

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

“The 1,300 workers on this project are making some incredible progress, and I know Hunter motorists, and anyone regularly passing through Singleton, can’t wait to enjoy smoother, safer and more reliable journeys when the bypass opens later this year.

It’s one of the many projects across NSW being delivered by the Albanese and Minns Labor Governments together that will be a real game-changer for the community.”

NSW Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison:

“I am delighted to be able to say for the first time that Singleton Bypass will be open to traffic this year!

“The bypass is going to make a massive difference for road users across the Hunter.

“We are ensuring mums and dads spend less time in traffic and more time with their family.

“We are cutting five sets of traffic lights, and ensuring Singleton locals can reclaim their CBD – with 15,000 fewer vehicles passing through it each day.

“This is a win-win outcome for Singleton residents, visitors and freight operators.”

Member for Hunter Dan Repacholi:

“The bypass will ease congestion and improve safety for the more than 25,000 vehicles that use this section of the New England Highway every day.

“The town is already enjoying a taste of the benefits the Singleton Bypass will bring, with project haulage trucks using two new bridges enabling them to avoid CBD streets.

“The completion of this project will absolutely transform the town centre, improving amenity and safety for Singleton while delivering enhanced journey reliability and travel time for vehicles using the New England Highway.”

The Minns and Albanese Labor governments, in partnership with Singleton Council, have today cut the ribbon on a major upgrade to Brunners Bridge at Mitchells Flat – strengthening freight access, and improving safety in the Upper Hunter.

The $7.2 million upgrade replaces an ageing bridge with a modern, heavy-duty crossing designed to carry larger freight vehicles and better connect local communities. 

The project was jointly funded, with $6.5 million from the NSW Government and $700,000 from the Australian Government’s Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program.

For communities in the Upper Hunter, Brunners Bridge is a vital everyday connection – linking Singleton, Elderslie and Gresford and providing access to the Hunter Regional Livestock Exchange. The Bridge also supports families, connecting them to work, schools and local services.

With a heavier load limit of 68.5 tonnes, the upgraded bridge improves reliability, supports local industry and keeps the region connected when it matters most.

The upgrade involved full demolition of the old structure and construction of a new bridge, culvert and approaches. Wider lanes and an improved road surface allow heavier vehicles to cross safely, reducing pressure on surrounding local roads and improving safety for all road users.

This upgrade follows the recent completion of Kilfoyles Bridge in Singleton, a critical project delivered under the jointly funded Australian and NSW Governments Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements in response to the 2022 NSW floods. The project has improved road safety, strengthened connectivity and boosted flood resilience for residents, visitors and freight operators across the Upper Hunter.

Federal Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories, Kristy McBain MP:

“Projects like these are critical to ensuring regional infrastructure can safely accommodate modern freight and vehicles.

“Replacing the previous bridge, which dates back around 80 years, will help keep communities safely and reliably connected.”

NSW Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison MP:

“The completion of this project is great news for locals, visitors and businesses in the Upper Hunter.

“Brunners Bridge isn’t just concrete and steel, it’s a daily link for families, farmers and freight in the Upper Hunter.

“In Regional NSW, roads are not a convenience. They are the lifeblood that connects people to work, school and services, and keeps freight and agriculture moving. That’s why upgrading local bridges like this matters so much.

“The Minns Labor Government is backing regions like the Upper Hunter with tangible investments – building stronger connections and supporting regional economies.”

Federal Member for Hunter, Dan Repacholi MP:

“This is a great example of all levels of government working together to deliver a great outcome for the Upper Hunter.

“This important local project will boost road safety and connectivity for residents, visitors and freight vehicles.

“The local communities, freight and agribusiness industry, transport and the wider economy will all benefit from this significant investment.”

Singleton Mayor, Cr Sue Moore:

“Brunners Bridge has been a longstanding priority in Council’s Infrastructure Advocacy Agenda, and its reopening marks a proud milestone for Singleton. It’s a vital route designed to meet the needs of modern freight and agricultural vehicles.

“Gresford Road, where Brunners Bridge crosses Glendon Brook, is an essential freight corridor for the region’s agricultural producers, linking them to the Hunter Regional Livestock Exchange and beyond.

“The replacement of this bridge means larger trucks carrying heavier freight loads can now cross safely and efficiently. Increasing the bridge’s load capacity not only improves safety and reliability but also supports the growth of local agribusiness and helps reduce heavy vehicle traffic in surrounding areas.

“This project has been years in the making, and I want to sincerely thank the local community for their patience throughout the construction period, especially during the extended road closure.

“It’s a testament to the power of collaboration across all levels of government, and an excellent example of infrastructure investment that delivers long-term benefits for the Singleton community.”

The Minns Labor Government has today released the Sydney to Central West Corridors White Paper, setting a realistic, evidence-based direction for transport and roads planning through the Blue Mountains and the Central West.

The White Paper provides a practical assessment of transport opportunities for the region after more than a decade of hollow promises by the former Liberal-National Government.

This includes years of promising communities in the Blue Mountains a tunnel was coming – even though it was never properly funded, never achievable and never going to be delivered – before the Liberal-National Government finally shelved the project in 2022. 

With the release of this White Paper, the Minns Government is setting a clear plan for the future that puts the needs of communities in the Blue Mountains and Central West region first. 

It prioritises safety, resilience and reliability – including road upgrades, safer speed settings, resilience uplift, improvements to rail services, freight efficiency and investment in active transport.

The White Paper establishes a practical framework for improving nationally significant routes as well as local streets, village centres and rail lines. It reinforces that the Blue Mountains and the Central West are not a single, uniform corridor, and that local communities should be planned for, not treated as thoroughfares.

The White Paper will serve as the foundation for future infrastructure proposals, supporting business cases for funding across all levels of government, and providing a platform for collaboration between Transport for NSW, local councils, and State and Federal agencies.

The initiatives outlined represent a clear pipeline of potential actions to address known challenges and opportunities. Any future investment will be subject to prioritisation and approval processes.

The release of the White Paper builds on work already underway on important corridors, including the $100 million investment in the Bells Line of Road, delivering safety upgrades such as wider curves, improved intersections, new safety barriers and additional rest areas.

The Sydney to Central West Corridors White Paper can be found here.

Minister for Roads and Minister for Regional Transport, Jenny Aitchison said:  

“This White Paper sets a clear direction for how we plan and deliver transport across the Blue Mountains and the Central West – honestly, transparently and based on evidence, not politics.

“For years, the Liberals and Nationals told communities in the Blue Mountains that a tunnel was just around the corner. It wasn’t. They knew it wasn’t. And they mothballed it themselves when the truth caught up with them.

“They announced a megaproject they never properly funded, never finished planning and never intended to deliver. Then they walked away, leaving the Blue Mountains and Central West to deal with the consequences.

“You cannot claim to fix the Great Western Highway if your ‘solution’ ends before the worst section, and that’s exactly what the former Government tried to sell – it was a fantasy.

“We are not repeating that failure.

“This White Paper is about honesty and vision – telling people what can be done. That means safer roads, better resilience during fires and floods, and practical improvements that stand up to scrutiny.

“The Minns Labor Government is focused on doing things properly. This is responsible government in action. Sequencing matters if we want results, not cancellations.” 

Minister for Regional NSW and Minister for Western NSW, Tara Moriarty said:

“This White Paper puts evidence ahead of politics and puts people first.

“For communities in the Central West and Blue Mountains, reliable connections are not a nice-to-have – they are essential to daily life, safety, and economic opportunity, and the Minns Government has a blueprint to deliver.”

Member for Blue Mountains, Trish Doyle said: 

“Blue Mountains communities have endured years of political theatre instead of real information.

“The White Paper acknowledges our real pressures – congestion through villages like Medlow Bath and Blackheath, local road constraints including Hawkesbury Road, the frequency of our train services, crash risks, closures and natural hazards – and it outlines future options that respect both our World Heritage environment and our communities.

“These are just some of the issues I will continue to work with the Minister and Transport for NSW on – ensuring local priorities, traffic concerns and transport challenges are heard and considered as decisions are made.

“As people in the Blue Mountains villages know all too well, it was the then-Liberal Premier that shelved the fantasy tunnel. He knew in 2022 that it wasn’t achievable and so did Infrastructure NSW.  

“This is a vision built on evidence, not slogans, and that’s what people in the Mountains deserve.” 

The NSW Liberals and Nationals have established a dedicated Men’s Health portfolio, reinforcing the Opposition’s commitment to improving health outcomes for men and boys across NSW. 

Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane today announced the appointment of Member for Davidson Matt Cross as Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Men’s Health, tasking him with developing a men’s health strategy for NSW. 

Ms Sloane said improving the health of men and boys is a clear priority for the NSW Liberals and Nationals and one that demands renewed focus and leadership. 

“We owe it to the four million boys and men in NSW to do better,” Ms Sloane said. 

“We should not accept the status quo where men continue to die around four years younger than women from largely preventable causes, or where suicide remains the leading cause of death for men aged 15 to 44.” 

“I want NSW to have the best health outcomes for men and boys in Australia, and that means a clear strategy, modern policies and practical support for men at every stage of life.” 

Ms Sloane said a future Liberal and Nationals Government would develop a men’s health strategy, building on existing frameworks but ensuring they are fit for purpose in 2026 and beyond. 

“This will include a stronger focus on prevention and early detection, better engagement with primary care, improved health information tailored to men, and practical support for fathers and families,” Ms Sloane said. 

“The framework developed in 2018 was an important first step, but eight years on it is clear more needs to be done.” 

Mr Cross said his appointment was deeply personal and reinforced by his own experience as a cancer survivor and new father. 

“Too often men delay seeking help, whether it is for their physical health or their mental health,” Mr Cross said. 

“I know first hand how critical prevention and early detection can be. My experience surviving bowel cancer reinforced the importance of men feeling comfortable talking openly about their health.” 

“The birth of my son has given me a new perspective on why this work matters. We need to make it easier for men to look after themselves, not harder.” 

Mr Cross said the Liberals and Nationals approach would be practical, evidence based and focused on measurable improvements in outcomes. 

“This is about saving lives, supporting families and ensuring men and boys across New South Wales have the opportunity to live longer, healthier lives,” Mr Cross said. 

School zones across most of NSW will be back in force from tomorrow, Tuesday 27 January 2026, as teachers and students begin returning for the new school year.  

School zones across most of NSW will be back in force (PDF, 180.68 KB) from tomorrow, Tuesday 27 January 2026, as teachers and students begin returning for the new school year.  

While the first few days of the term are traditionally school development days for teachers, children may also be returning and that will continue to increase throughout the week. 

Some schools return earlier than others, particularly non-government schools, so to avoid any confusion for motorists and to keep the returning children safe, 40km/h school zone speed limits will be in place from Tuesday. 

There are many locations where multiple schools are close to each other and some of those schools will have different return dates. To keep everyone safe slow down around every school, obey the 40km/h speed limit, and keep your eye out for vulnerable kids embarking on an exciting new year of education.  

School zones generally apply from 8 to 9.30am and from 2.30 to 4pm on weekdays and motorists who don’t obey the rules face heavy fines and demerits.  

For more information on school zones, please visit https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety/community/schools/school-zones

A man has been charged following a protest in Sydney’s inner east today.

About 2.50pm (Monday 26 January 2026), police stopped a 31-year-old man on Bourke Street, Surry Hills, following allegedly inciteful comments he made during a speech at a protest in Moore Park.

The man was taken to Surry Hills Police Station.

He was charged with publicly incite hatred on ground of race causing fear.

The 31-year-old man was refused bail to face Bail Division Court 7 tomorrow (Tuesday 27 January 2026).

The Minns Labor Government has today revealed the vision for a new world-class sports and entertainment precinct in Wollongong, committing $17 million to unlock the next stage of planning to bring the project to life.

The plans include a new WIN Arena with a capacity of 9,500, nearly double its’ existing capacity of 5,300, located just footsteps from Wollongong’s famous beaches and thriving CBD.

Once complete, the redevelopment will include a revamped WIN Stadium, featuring a new northern grandstand and an extended and reconfigured southern grandstand with improved player changerooms to support the growth of men’s and women’s sport in the region and across NSW.

The Wollongong sporting and entertainment precinct will become the place to be, attracting up to 150 events per year, whilst delivering roughly $550 million in additional economic activity to the local community.

The precinct will include a new beach-side complex including a café, kiosk and toilets and multi-purpose spaces for functions and special events to be enjoyed on game day and all-year round

The game day experience for the St George Illawarra Dragons and other major events will be enhanced with modern upgrades to scoreboards, ribbon boards, sports lighting and the stadium sound system.

Both WIN Arena and WIN Stadium will offer improved food, beverage and merchandise outlets, modern corporate areas and function rooms, more toilets, and sitewide accessibility improvements, including new entry gates and wheelchair access to the hill redevelopment.

During construction, more than 600 full-time jobs will be supported and up to 1100 roles during the life of the project.

The Minns Labor Government is investing in the Illawarra region to ensure its housing, services and infrastructure support a growing population, strengthen the local economy and build a more vibrant future.

Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:

“Wollongong is one of Australia’s great regional cities, and this investment recognises its importance to NSW.

“By nearly doubling the capacity of WIN Arena and upgrading WIN Stadium, we’re creating a venue capable of hosting up to 150 events a year. That means more concerts, more sporting events and more reasons for people to visit, stay longer and spend locally.”

Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast Ryan Park said:

“This is a game-changing announcement for the Illawarra region.

“The new world-class precinct will transform Wollongong into global sporting and entertainment destination, attracting more tourism and investment to the already thriving region.

“The Minns Labor Government is putting the Illawarra on the world stage, with a new WIN Arena and redeveloped WIN Stadium right on the foreshore of some of Australia’s most iconic beaches”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces and Member for Wollongong Paul Scully said:

“This is a city-shaping and city growing plan from the Minns Labor Government that will help elevate Wollongong’s events and visitor economy.

“Expanding the capacity of WIN stadium, redeveloping the Entertainment Centre into WIN Arena and adding a new beachside complex turns this important part of Wollongong from a part time venue into a full-time destination for sports, entertainment, functions and fun.

“It’s the redevelopment that I have been determined to get for Wollongong since I was first elected and I am excited for the difference it will make to our city, to jobs and to encourage associated investments.”

Minister for Sport and Tourism Steve Kamper

“This is a landmark moment for the Illawarra. A new world-class WIN Arena and redeveloped WIN Stadium will turn the precinct into an all-year destination.

“A thriving sports and entertainment precinct in Wollongong will see more live events for the region, providing a boon for the local economy, tourism and jobs.

“This will be an iconic live entertainment site, set right on the foot of the beach. It’s time we realised its full potential.”