Category: NSW News

The Minns Labor Government has taken action to deliver better bus services in Region 10 after U-Go Mobility, the private operator and holder of the Region 10 contract, has failed to deliver the expected level of service for the community.

The contract for Region 10 was signed weeks before the election by the former Liberal government.  

The winning bid for the contract was determined by the operator that could deliver the contract for the lowest price, instead of whether they could deliver an improved level of service for passengers. 

Transport Minister Jo Haylen has directed Transport for NSW to step in to manage day to day operations in Region 10 alongside U-Go Mobility. 

Since Transport for NSW’s intervention, service cancellations have declined from 28% to 13%, but this number is still too high and there is still more to do to get bus services in Region 10 back on the road. 

Transport for NSW has also taken responsibility for other bus service operations including; 

• Scheduling and implementing a more reliable timetable for customers from Monday 31 July. 
• Re-working current turn-around times for routes to ensure an adequate pre-trip brief is given to drivers. This will help to eliminate stops being missed or drivers taking the wrong route. 
• Meeting with U-Go Mobility management and executives several times a week to ensure resourcing is adequate and the operator is making progress in improving performance.  

Minister Haylen has also directed Transport for NSW to give some school service routes to another operator to run in the short term to ensure that these key community services are prioritised. 

Under this arrangement the U-Go Mobility Managing Director will no longer be working for the operator.

Minister Haylen and Transport for NSW also reserves the right to further exercise the step in rights and fully take over the contract if further improvements are not made.  

U-Go Mobility has also adopted a range of measures to address the driver shortage, to retain staff and to attract drivers, including $5000 retention and sign on bonuses.  

Transport for NSW has already put in place a number of other day-to-day measures to support bus operations in Region 10 including:  

• Dedicated Transport staff monitoring region 10 bus services in real time to identify and report issues directly to the operator and Transport Management Centre. 
• Dedicated Transport staff are responding to customer enquiries and liaising with key stakeholders including schools, local councils and local members.  
• Transport commanders deployed to key interchanges to help customers on the ground 
• A Dedicated timetable team to ensure the adjusted timetable is prioritising dedicated schools services and regular route services that carry a large cohort of school students. 

Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said:

“Everything we are doing is about making sure bus services are more reliable for the community and that we are supporting our bus drivers.” 

“I’ve directed Transport for NSW to step in to improve bus services in Region 10 to fix up the former governments failures. There have been some improvements to services but there is still more to do to improve performance.” 

“I want to make this arrangement work but services in Region 10 must improve. All options remain on the table if we don’t see further improvements to services from the operator.” 

In light of troubling new allegations, the NSW Government has appointed the Hon Peter McClellan AM KC to lead a special ministerial inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the offences committed by former NSW correctional officer Wayne Astill.

Mr Astill was charged in 2016 and convicted in 2023 for serious offences against inmates in his care.

Since his conviction, new allegations have been made against Mr Astill and the institutional response to his offending.

The inquiry has been established under section 82 of the Government Sector Employment Act 2013, which will give Mr McClellan’s inquiry the coercive powers of a Royal Commission to compel witnesses and seek evidence.

The inquiry’s terms of reference will include:

• whether any other employee of Corrective Services NSW had knowledge or suspicion of the offending, and what steps they took;
• the systems of supervision and oversight that applied in relation to Wayne Astill at Dillwynia Women’s Correctional Centre, their adequacy and how they should be improved;
• whether any matters arising from the inquiry should be referred to law enforcement or other agencies, and
• whether the circumstances related to Astill’s offending and the review’s findings require further consideration of broader site or case specific or Corrective Services NSW wide investigations.

The inquiry will report to government by 15 December 2023, or earlier if possible, and a report must be tabled in each House of Parliament within 30 sitting days of that House.

See the Terms of Reference herelaunch

Minister for Corrections Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“Learning of Mr Astill’s crimes and the allegations made in the wake of his conviction has been deeply disturbing.

“I want to pay tribute to the bravery of Mr Astill’s victims in coming forward.

“Mr McClellan is the right person to lead this inquiry and I’m confident he has the powers he needs.

“We can’t afford to let anything risk other ongoing investigations, so we’ve been careful in designing the scope and format of this inquiry.

“We owe it to the overwhelming majority of Corrective Services officers doing the right thing to ask ourselves the hard questions, and that’s exactly what we’re doing.”

Today marks the 100-year anniversary of work starting on building the Sydney Harbour Bridge, a city-defining landmark that remains essential to the road and transport system.

On 28 July, 1923, thousands of people gathered at the site of what is now North Sydney train station to witness Richard Thomas Ball, NSW Minister for Public Works and Railways, sink a shovel into the dirt to signify the start of work on the northern approach to the Bridge.

The project became known as the “iron lung” for providing essential jobs during the Depression; it also created Granite Town near the south coast town of Moruya. the quarry that supplied all the granite to build the Bridge pylons.

It was anticipated the building of the Bridge would take ten years, but it was built and opened in less than nine on 19 March, 1932.

A century on, the critical work continues, and a dedicated team spends more than 19,000 labour hours each month carrying out maintenance work on the Bridge and in the Domain tunnel.

The team of about 120 people, including engineers, electricians, painters, carpenters and riggers work days, nights and weekends.

Some of the elements involved in maintaining the Bridge include:

• Painting a total steel surface of 485,000m²
• Maintaining over six million hand driven rivets
• Paint replacement which requires four coats of paint. The final coat is Heritage-listed “Sydney Harbour Bridge grey”

Premier of NSW Chris Minns said:

“The Sydney Harbour Bridge is an iconic landmark.

“Its construction created jobs at a time when work was scarce.

“It also forged a vital connection across the harbour that has made Sydney the great city that it is today.

“The sod-turning ceremony made global news in 1923.

“This event showed our state’s commitment to build what became the world’s largest steel arch bridge.

“The Bridge build project brought employment through the Depression, not only to Sydney but across NSW.

“It boosted the steelmaking industry of Newcastle, while Moruya played a pivotal role in the construction through the supply of granite for the pylons.”

NSW Minister for Roads John Graham said:

“The sod turn event for the Harbour Bridge was a pivotal moment for Sydney and the nation. What would Sydney be without our Bridge?

“Like all major projects, construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge came at a cost. It cost 14 lives of workers on site and two at Granite Town in Moruya, and it came at the cost of many homes that made way for the build.

“One hundred years on from this event, we appreciate the Bridge as a Sydney icon, a place at the heart of many celebrations – but also a vitally important piece of road and transport infrastructure that the system cannot do without.

“This anniversary is a chance to pay tribute to those workers who are ensuring the Bridge will be getting Sydney across the Harbour for another 100 years.”  

Scrapping Sydney’s Metro West would not only be a betrayal of the people of western Sydney, but a betrayal of the environment, according to Shadow Minister for Environment Kellie Sloane.

“We know from experience with previous Labor Governments in NSW that when they ‘delay’ a project, it never happens,” says Ms Sloane.”

“This is more of the same from a party whose modus operandi is to let NSW grind to a halt.”

Metro West is expected to move 40,000 people an hour – doubling the capacity of the current rail network and reducing commute time from the CBD to Parramatta to just 20 minutes.

Not only would this project support new housing, boost business and improve quality of life for people in Western Sydney, but it will create significant environmental benefits.

Expanding access to high quality public transport is a proven way to reduce car use and its associated emissions. People who live in communities with accessible public transport tend to own fewer vehicles, drive less, and rely more on public transport than other areas. (Litman 2010)

“The former Coalition Government was committed to addressing this, hence our record spend on public transport. By cancelling major public transport infrastructure, NSW Labor is committing to a future of greater congestion and poorer air quality.”

“Once again, NSW Labor shows it can’t be trusted.”

• Cars are one the biggest emitters of greenhouse gas. Australia’s per capita transport emissions are 45% higher than the OECD average (IEA 2016).
• Heavy rail based transport – such as Metro West – has the greatest impact on reducing car dependence (McIntosh et al 2014).
• Rail based transport is known to have the greatest impact on reducing car use (McIntosh et al 2014).
• An international scorecard comparing 23 of the largest energy-using countries, ranked Australia second worst for transport energy efficiency due to: High emitting cars, low use of public transport (12% of trips), and low ratio of spending on public transport compared to roads (ACEEE 2016).

The NSW Government is beginning formal consultations with the coal industry to navigate a future beyond the state’s temporary coal cap, which is set to expire on 1 July 2024.

In the lead up to the 2023–2024 State Budget, the government is writing to relevant parties inviting feedback on the future of the cap.

The government is considering all options at the conclusion of the cap, including modernising the coal royalty system to ensure it remains fit for purpose.

In particular, the government is inviting input to help it:

• Review the impacts of the Coal Market Price Emergency directions on the coal industry and electricity market.
• Understand the likely impact on domestic coal and electricity prices from 1 July 2024 when the directions are due to expire.
• Consider whether potential alternative policy options are necessary to minimise the impacts on electricity bills once the directions expire.
• Understand the effects of a possible new coal royalty rate system, or adjusting existing royalty rates, to respond to market conditions.

The emergency directions introduced in December 2022 capped the price of coal sold to domestic power stations at $125 a tonne for 18 months.

It was implemented following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine when the price of coal surged beyond $500 a tonne.

The NSW Government is inviting key stakeholders, including in the NSW coal sector, to participate in the consultations. These stakeholders include 16 coal mining companies, 4 power station operators, 2 unions and our key trading partners.

The consultation will include face-to-face meetings as well as written submissions. The information received will be used to help inform the government’s priorities in the second half of the year.

The current system will remain unchanged until the expiration of the coal cap.

NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:

“We have begun the critical work of engaging all stakeholders to navigate a future beyond the temporary coal cap.

“In the lead up to the budget, we are focused on helping families with the cost of living, funding essential services and repairing the budget position.

“The NSW Government will consider all options to keep downward pressure on electricity bills as we approach the end of the coal price cap on 1 July 2024.”

Minister for Finance and Minister for Natural Resources Courtney Houssos said:

“We will be engaging closely with the mining industry as we consider how to best provide relief to families and households from increasing electricity prices.

“We are committed to a clean energy future, but we understand the important role coal plays today in our energy mix and for our state’s economy.

“We will form a considered view on these issues and are committed to ensuring the ongoing stability of the NSW mining sector.”

Minister for Energy Penny Sharpe said:

“The NSW Government understands we need longer-term solutions to support households and small businesses with cost-of-living pressures – particularly electricity prices.

“The coal cap has shielded NSW households and small businesses from the worst flow-on effects of last year’s coal price surge. We are now working to identify the most efficient, equitable way to maintain downward pressure on electricity prices.

“The NSW Government will seek feedback from all stakeholders – coal suppliers, power stations and key trading partners – as we navigate a future beyond the cap.”

People living with hard to treat cancers will soon have better access to new treatment pathways, thanks to a $25 million investment from the NSW Government.

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said PrOSPeCT, or Precision Oncology Screening Platform enabled Clinical Trial, is a joint initiative by the Commonwealth, the NSW Government and industry partners that will strengthen clinical trial capacity and expertise in NSW.

Mr Park said the $25 million funding boost will see more NSW patients connected to the PrOSPeCT program, supporting those living with ovarian and pancreatic cancers, sarcomas, and advanced and metastasic cancers to access new and emerging treatments.

“PrOSPeCT will screen 23,000 people Australia-wide, with 9000 in NSW,” Mr Park said.

“The program will undertake comprehensive genomic sequencing of people with cancer and unmet clinical need, mapping their individual DNA profile to help link them to appropriate clinical trials happening in Australia.

“While 1 in 2 people in NSW will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, every cancer is unique, and precision genomics gives clinicians the ability to match treatments more effectively to the needs of individual patients – this research project promises real progress in how we treat cancers.

“One of my ministerial priorities is to embrace innovative and world-leading treatments and methods.

“I am excited by the opportunities that this initiative presents in tackling difficult to treat cancers.”

Minister for Medical Research David Harris said the NSW Government is committed to investing in medical research that improves health outcomes for the people of NSW.

“We are continuing to build a dynamic health and medical research ecosystem through investments in programs like PrOSPeCT that accelerate innovation for treatments and infrastructure that seek to improve health outcomes,” Mr Harris said.

NSW Health Deputy Secretary Clinical Innovation and Research, Dr Jean-Frederic Levesque, said PrOSPeCT will change clinical trial practice by selecting patients based on the genetic profile of their disease rather than its location in their body – offering new hope to patients.

“This program will open new and personalised treatment paths for Australians with difficult to treat cancers and allow NSW to tap into the global cancer research market,” Dr Levesque said.

“I am so proud that this cutting edge research against difficult to treat cancers is taking place right here in our local community,” said Marjorie O’Neill, Member for Coogee.

PrOSPeCT is a $150 million joint initiative by the Commonwealth, the NSW Government and industry partners aimed at improving cancer research and care Australia-wide.

The project will be led by not-for-profit organisation Omico, which has an established nationwide network of research and treatment centres that facilitate, support and promote genomic cancer medicine.

The organisation focuses on the use of molecular screening for the prevention and treatment of cancer.

Aging members of Sydney’s Antiochian Orthodox faith community have welcomed the opening of a new nursing home thanks to a $8.5 million NSW Government investment.

Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper today opened the St Nicholas Senior Care Centre’s new 80-bed facility at Punchbowl in Sydney’s southwest.

Parishioners and community members also made significant contributions to help pay for the purpose-built, $26 million centre.

It is the first aged-care centre in NSW designed and completed in accordance with the recommendations of the Aged Care Royal Commission.

Census data reveals that more than 10,000 NSW residents identify as followers of the Antiochian Orthodox faith.

Canterbury-Bankstown Local Government Area boasts the greatest number of followers in the Greater Sydney region, with 3,182 parishioners.

NSW Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper said:

“The opening of this centre means that older members of the Antiochian Orthodox faith community can remain close to family and friends.”

“The tailored care they receive is aligned with their cultural traditions and faith, and delivered by those who love and understand them.”

NSW Minister for Seniors Jodie Harrison said:

“Our older residents have spent their lives paving the way for younger generations to reach their aspirations, so it’s only appropriate that we provide them with the care and support they require in their twilight years.”

“By investing in culturally appropriate care we can ensure these trailblazers can age in dignity.”

Member for Bankstown Jihad Dib said:

“It is great to be here for the opening of this facility, I have watched it from the very beginning when the first sod was turned to evolve into the wonderful precinct we have today. It a great addition for the Antiochian Orthodox faith community who contribute to the wonderful diversity we have in our local area.”

His Eminence, Metropolitan Basilios-Archbishop of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines said:

“With support from the NSW Government and Multicultural NSW, and the good will and generosity of our congregations, we are delighted to provide a loving environment for the elderly in our community.”

“St Nicholas Seniors Care Centre will be a place of loving care and support with modern, state of the art facilities designed to make life comfortable and enjoyable for our residents.”

“God’s guiding hand has helped us deliver an important community asset, and we give Him thanks and praise.”

Works on 2 new women’s refuges to offer crisis accommodation are now underway. Construction has already commenced on the Northern Beaches site with plans to deliver the second site in Canterbury-Bankstown in train.

Made possible through a $6 million capital funding grant under Tranche 2 of the NSW Government’s Core and Cluster program, the refuges will be delivered in partnership with Women’s Community Shelters and community housing providers – Link Wentworth Housing and Bridge Housing.

The Northern Beaches and the Canterbury-Bankstown local government areas (LGAs) will house the new refuges and were selected as they both demonstrated significant need for additional crisis support in the domestic violence space which is now being met through this initiative.

Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said securing safe housing remained a critical hurdle to overcoming domestic violence and was a key factor in the ability of victim-survivors to leave violent relationships.

“Ensuring women and children escaping domestic violence have access to a safe and secure home is crucial to creating better outcomes for people in crisis,” Minister Jackson said.

“Domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness across NSW and the country. We must do everything we can to support people in vulnerable situations and getting them into safe accommodation with wrap-around support is where we need to start.

“The Core and Cluster programs, across all 3 tranches, once completed, will enable crisis accommodation and support for an additional 2900 women and their children every year.”

Minister for Women and the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said both the Northern Beaches and Canterbury-Bankstown projects are due to be completed in late 2023 and will provide victim-survivors with not only accommodation but the wrap-around support they need to rebuild their lives.

“We are seeing unprecedented reports of domestic and family violence,” Minister Harrison said.

“The NSW Government has invested hundreds of millions of dollars to counter domestic violence through perpetrator intervention, remand programs, safe rooms, and law reforms.

“The expansion of women’s refuges through the Core and Cluster program is a critical part of the system giving women and children a safe place to go to when they need it. The model provides safety for women and children escaping domestic violence, and the new design means women and their children have greater privacy and independence within self-contained units, and they can even bring their pets with them.”

Women’s Community Shelters CEO Annabelle Daniel OAM said delivering the refuges under the Core and Cluster model ensured victim-survivors had access to all of the support services they would need to get help, stay safe and plan for the future.

“Specialist domestic and family violence services are a lifeline for women and children fleeing abuse,” Ms Daniel said.

“Women’s Community Shelters is committed to pursuing innovative opportunities to continuously evolve our service delivery model, informed by the lived expertise of our residents.

“This partnership represents true collaboration between the NSW Government, the domestic violence and housing sectors, amazing local communities and philanthropy.”

Women’s Community Shelters also partners with the NSW Government in the operation of their existing shelters in the LGAs of Mid Coast, Ku-ring-gai, The Hills, Northern Beaches, Penrith, Bayside, Parramatta and Camden.

More than 2 million breakfasts have now been served to schoolchildren in NSW, as part of Foodbank’s Breakfast 4 Health program which the Minns Labor Government is committed to expanding.

The number of public schools participating in the program is set to double from 500 to 1000 over the next 4 years as the government delivers its $8 million funding promise.

Since the March election, another 17 public schools have started serving breakfasts with the program. An additional 100 schools have applied and are being assessed.

Schools interested in participating in the program can apply directly to Foodbank via its website, and are assessed according to need.

The School Breakfast 4 Health program has been shown to improve students’ nutrition and eating habits, their mental and physical health, as well as learning, concentration and school attendance.

The program runs in schools across NSW, including rural and regional areas, and is one way the government is helping to ease cost-of-living pressure on families and ensure all children can have a healthy start to their day.

Foodbank data indicates 80% of schools in the program reported an increase in attendance and 89% saw an increase in class engagement on days the program was run.

Premier Chris Minns and Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car celebrated the milestone on Wednesday with a visit to East Hills Public School, an early adopter of the program in south-west Sydney.

East Hills Public School Principal Donna Casey said up to 80% of students at the school participate in the popular breakfast program.

The school’s eatery was recently refurbished and has reopened this week to serve up healthy breakfasts before classes start.

Premier Chris Minns said:

“Making sure children are getting the most out of their time at school is my number one priority. This starts by ensuring that they are not hungry in the classroom.

“I have always said that as premier I want to address the cost of living crisis and this is an important step to not only help families but also give our students the best start to every school day.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:

“This program is such an effective way to make sure children can have a fresh and healthy meal before they sit down to learn.

“It’s an investment in our children’s education that’s also helping families with cost-of-living pressures, making sure all students are set up for a great day at school.”

East Hills Public School principal Donna Casey said:

“We have noticed an increase in student focus, engagement and emotional regulation throughout the day after the healthy breakfast.

“It’s also another way families can get involved in our school. Parents and younger siblings often join the students for breakfast, which is lovely to see.”

Patients, staff and visitors will be able to  access free parking at hospitals and health facilities across regional NSW from Tuesday 1 August 2023.

NSW Regional Health Minister Ryan Park said the change will make a big difference for patients, their families and carers.

Mr Park made the announcement at the site of the new Tweed Valley Hospital where he was joined by Federal Member for Richmond Justine Elliot and Health Services Union Secretary Gerard Hayes.

Mr Park said free parking was already available for staff in NSW regional hospitals but has been expanded to include patients and visitors.

“As part of our election commitment, free parking has now been extended to regional hospitals, including here at the Tweed, Coffs Harbour, Lismore, Maitland, Belmont and Shoalhaven,” Mr Park said.

“The NSW Government has fulfilled its promise to communities across regional NSW on this issue.

“I’m pleased to be making this announcement here at the new Tweed Valley Hospital, where residents have been vocal about the need for free parking.

“We’re committed to improving access and delivering high-quality healthcare to our rural, regional and remote communities.”

Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin has been a longstanding advocate for free parking at health facilities.

“I’ve been determined to deliver on this for my community in Lismore, and I am really pleased that it will not just be delivered for my community, but at hospitals and health facilities across regional NSW,” Ms Saffin said.

“With the rollout of the free parking initiative across regional health facilities, we’re easing the financial burden on patients and visitors to our hospitals.

“The initiative is designed to make hospital access more seamless for regional, rural and remote communities who are faced with unique geographical challenges when accessing healthcare.”

Federal Member for Richmond Justine Elliot joined Minister Park for the announcement at the site of the new Tweed Valley Hospital.

“We know trips to the hospital can be a challenging time for patients and their families, and this announcement will make a big difference to them,” Ms Elliot said.

“In regional areas driving is often the only option to get home from the hospital for patients, staff and visitors.”