Category: NSW News

Expressions of Interest (EOI) are now open for major investment projects designed to strengthen fuel security and resilience.

The Investment Delivery Authority (IDA) is calling for proposals from industry to deliver commercial-scale projects that improve the state’s fuel supply, reduce reliance on imports, and help protect households, businesses and essential services from future global disruptions.

The targeted IDA round is focused on projects valued at $100 million or more that can directly improve fuel security, including:

• fuel storage and distribution infrastructure
• domestic, import-independent liquid fuel production
• heavy electric vehicle charging hubs and fleets to reduce reliance on diesel over time.

While these three priority areas are a focus of the round, the IDA welcomes EOIs for any projects that improve fuel security in NSW that meet relevant criteria.

The EOI will run alongside a Market Sounding process for three weeks, giving proponents the opportunity to put forward both investment-ready projects and earlier-stage proposals that may not yet meet IDA criteria.

The Market Sounding process will capture insights from industry on emerging projects, helping the NSW Government better understand barriers to investment and opportunities to strengthen the fuel supply chain.

The IDA will use its existing model to coordinate delivery support across government, helping endorsed projects navigate planning and regulatory processes and accelerate delivery.

This forms part of the Minns Labor Government’s plan to improve fuel security and transparency across the industry, including:

• Passing the Fair Trading (FuelCheck) Amendment Bill 2026 to extend the NSW Fair Trading’s powers, making it illegal for a service station or fuel retailer to fail to report a price for fuel or fail to notify if a type of fuel becomes unavailable.
• Investing $2.2 million to upgrade FuelCheck.
• Conducting a record number of fuel compliance inspections and re-inspections, with more than $300,000 worth of fines issued for non-compliance.

Expressions of Interest will remain open till 11:59am Monday 22 June 2026 and projects can be submitted at https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/investment-nsw/investment-delivery-authority.

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:

“We’re inviting industry to bring forward the next generation of fuel security projects.

“This isn’t only an energy issue, it’s a cost-of-living issue for families and businesses across NSW.

“This is about partnering with investors to strengthen supply, support jobs and reduce our exposure to global fuel disruptions.

“By opening both an EOI and Market Sounding process, we are making sure we capture projects that are ready to proceed, as well as those that can shape future investment.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“NSW has the infrastructure, industrial capacity and strategic locations needed to support large-scale fuel and fuel alternative projects.

“This targeted IDA round is designed to help proponents navigate approval pathways and get critical projects moving faster to support NSW’s long term fuel security.

“We want to see high-quality proposals that make the most of existing infrastructure to build resilient fuel systems we need into the future.”

Minister for Industry and Trade Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“Opening the EOI process sends a clear signal that NSW is open for business and committed to delivering major fuel security investments.

“The Market Sounding process will give us valuable insight into emerging opportunities, and the barriers holding worthwhile projects back.

“This is about building a stronger pipeline of investment, supporting regional industry and positioning NSW as a leader in next-generation fuel production.”

Stronger laws to protect the LGBTQIA+ community from hate crimes are being held hostage by the Opposition and Greens who have rejected multiple attempts to pass these laws including a bid to fast track the reforms.

The Minns Labor Government in March introduced reforms to expand ‘post and boast’ offences to assault and robbery following a string of horrific attacks against members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

These laws are in limbo after the Opposition and Greens teamed up with Mark Latham on Tuesday to vote against a Government motion to have the bill urgently debated in the Legislative Council.

In attempting to score a political point against the Government, the Opposition, Greens and Mark Latham have delayed greater protections for LGBTQIA+ against hate crimes.

Today, Greens Member of the Upper House, Abigail Boyd went so far as to say most of the Bills the Government was trying to pass, including these reforms, are “not very important”. Greens MP Sue Higginson also demanded that the motion to pass this reform to protect LGBTQIA+ people be withdrawn, further delaying these important reforms.

As well as expanding ‘post and boast’ laws, our reforms create new offences directed at offenders who lure victims on false pretences only to offend against them, including via dating apps.

Under the reforms, publicly threatening or inciting violence on the grounds of a protected attribute such as sexual orientation or gender identity will rise from three to five years’ imprisonment.

A higher penalty of up to seven years will apply if violence results from threats or incitement.

We are also seeking to amend the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 to make it easier for prosecutors to prove an offence was motivated by prejudice or hatred.

This will strengthen the ability of police and prosecutors to pursue hate crime charges and ensure that prejudice-motivated offending is properly recognised and punished by the courts.

Attorney General Michael Daley said:

“These laws provide much-needed protections for LGBTQIA+ people who have been attacked and robbed simply because of who they are. We are determined to hold perpetrators of this appalling violence to account.

“But instead of working with the Government to pass greater protections for LGBTQIA+ people, the Opposition and Greens have decided to play politics. This must end.”

Community health services in Maitland will have a new home, with a location for the facility confirmed in the heart of Maitland’s town centre.

The Maitland Community Health facility will help deliver improved access to community health services for the Maitland region in a central location following a $22 million investment from the NSW Government.

The NSW Government has purchased a site at 525 High Street, Maitland marking a significant milestone in delivering an enhanced community health service for the region.

The existing two storey building will be refurbished to support best-practice models of care and provide a safe, welcoming environment for staff, consumers and the community.

When complete, community health services including adult, older person, child and adolescent community mental health services, sexual assault services, and palliative care services will be relocated from the former Maitland Hospital site, into the new facility.

The new Maitland Community Health facility will offer health services for all ages in a modern, collaborative and culturally safe environment.

On-site car parking will be available to staff and the community, with the building also conveniently located close to local shops and transport routes.

Planning and design are under way, with a builder for the Maitland Community Health facility expected to be appointed later this year. The timeframe of the refurbishment will be confirmed once a builder is appointed.

While refurbishment is underway, the community health and community mental health services will continue to operate from the former Maitland Hospital.

For more information, please visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/maitland-community-health-project

East Maitland Community Health Centre will not be relocated as part of this project.

Across the state, the Minns Labor Government is delivering 32 new or upgraded hospitals, helping to ensure people can access the care they need, when they need it, closer to home.

Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park:

“This milestone means we are one step closer to delivering centralised and more accessible health care to the Maitland community.

“The new location will be refurbished into a contemporary facility that will support world-class care and provide a safe, welcoming environment for all.

“The Minns Government is making the investments in health care that regional NSW needs, ensuring communities can access care closer to home.”

Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley:

“We know health care only works when people can actually get to it, and that’s why bringing services together in one place matters so much for the Hunter community.

“When services are closer to home, it takes the pressure off people having to travel long distances or juggle appointments across multiple locations – it makes getting care far more realistic for busy lives.

“This is about making sure communities in the Hunter aren’t an afterthought in the health system and that reflects the Minns Labor Government’s focus on building services around people’s lives, not the other way around.”

Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson:

“This project is exactly the kind of investment we need more of in mental health care — local, community-based services that meet people where they are and provide support before people reach crisis point.

“We know too many people can fall into the gap between hospital care and independent living. That’s why investing in strong community mental health services matters — because people deserve access to care and support close to home, in environments that are safe, welcoming and connected to their community.

“This is another example of the NSW Labor Government putting community-based care at the centre of our mental health system.”

Member for Maitland Jenny Aitchison MP:

“I’m delighted to see community health services in Maitland will soon be delivered from an easily accessible and modern health facility.

“Importantly, community health services will continue at the former Maitland Hospital until the new building is completed, ensuring people can access the services and care they need.

“This is another example of how the Minns Labor Government is making healthcare accessible for everyone, right across the state.”

The Minns Labor Government is investing a further $225 million to create more local jobs in domestic manufacturing and help NSW businesses build the products and materials needed for the low-carbon industries of the future.

The funding will support projects that are part of the growing low-carbon manufacturing industry in NSW. It will help businesses expand local production, attract private investment and make more of the equipment, materials and technologies needed for a low-carbon economy.

Support will be allocated with a view to creating more skilled jobs, new opportunities for local workers and stronger regional economies. Applications open today.

As global demand grows for clean energy and low-carbon products, the Minns Labor Government is backing NSW businesses to seize this global opportunity by manufacturing more of these products here at home, including:

• renewable energy components such as wind towers, solar panels, batteries and transmission cables
• low-carbon products such as blended cement, cross-laminated timber and biofuels
• emerging clean technologies such as new-generation renewables and storage, AI-driven agricultural systems and lithium battery recycling.

This funding builds on the success of the Net Zero Manufacturing Initiative grants which are already backing more than 40 projects creating around 1,000 new jobs.

These include a new solar panel manufacturing facility in the Hunter Valley, a Renewables Manufacturing Hub in Western Sydney, the expansion of manufacturing to include Super High Voltage transformers at the heart of Renewable Energy Zones, expanded production of low-carbon flat-pack housing in Orange, and pioneering battery component technology in the Illawarra.

This investment can also make it cheaper to manufacture in NSW by reducing energy costs for businesses. In Sydney’s Horsley Park, NSW Government funding is supporting a new bioenergy facility that will turn organic waste into renewable gas. That biomethane will be used by a co-located brick plant, cutting the plant’s natural gas use by 50 per cent.

This round of funding will focus on commercial and construction-ready projects that can deliver immediate impact.

Successful projects will attract significant private investment to NSW, with grant recipients required to match or exceed NSW Government funding dollar-for-dollar.

In the first round, every dollar of NSW Government funding has yielded one and a half dollars of co-investment in NSW.

The investment will create jobs, further the transformation of our energy system, and support the state’s legislated targets to cut emissions by 70 per cent by 2035 and reach net zero by 2050.

For more information, visit: www.energy.nsw.gov.au/NetZeroManufacturing

Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Penny Sharpe said:

“Our investment in low-carbon manufacturing has already supported the creation of around 1,000 jobs, and this boost will power the next wave of industry and opportunity across NSW.

“This additional funding will help ensure NSW does not just import technology, but builds more of it locally to benefit communities and workers.”

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:

“By backing local manufacturing, we are helping build the industries that will power the next generation of jobs and growth in NSW.

“We want more of the products, materials and technologies needed for a low-carbon economy to be made right here, using skilled local workers.”

Minister for Domestic Manufacturing and Government Procurement, Courtney Houssos said:

“This investment will support manufacturers to grow, create local jobs and strengthen regional economies.

“The Net Zero Manufacturing grants are a key part of how our Minns Labor Government is backing local manufacturing and backing NSW workers.”

Business NSW Chief Executive Officer, Daniel Hunter said:

“This investment by the NSW Government will back manufacturers to expand, invest and compete for the next generation of industrial opportunities.

“The funding will help businesses scale up, invest with confidence and make more of the products the economy will need in the decades ahead.

“We still have courageous and world-beating businesses making things in NSW – from clothing to modular housing and medical technology.”

Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union NSW/ACT State Secretary, Brad Pidgeon said:

“NSW manufacturing workers have the skills and experience to build the products needed for the future, from renewable energy components to low-carbon building materials.

“This investment is an important step towards creating secure, skilled jobs in the regions that have powered NSW industry for generations.”

Despite today’s claims about strengthening the teacher workforce, the Minns Labor Government’s own reporting shows the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) teachers in NSW public schools has gone backwards since 2023.
 
Shadow Education Minister Mark Speakman criticised the Minns Labor Government for its deceptive portrayal of the state of public education in NSW.
 
“It’s deceptive to trumpet the conversion of temporary roles without acknowledging that the total FTE number of teachers in our classrooms has gone backwards, as shown by comparing the 2023 and 2025 NSW Public Sector Reports,” Mr Speakman said.
 
Mr Speakman also rejected claims that the Government’s school infrastructure program was expanding, pointing to the Government’s own budget papers, which show the education infrastructure budget shrinking.
 
“Most of the school infrastructure the Minns Government is opening was planned and funded by the former Liberals and Nationals Government. Labor is cutting ribbons on projects that were already well underway,” he said.
 
“Despite rhetoric about record investment, the education capital budget in 2025–26 is down 7.7 per cent compared with the previous year’s budget. That means a pipeline of fewer new classrooms and continued pressure on growing communities.”
 
“We all want to see the proper investment in our teachers and school infrastructure, but that starts with acknowledging the facts. You can’t fix problems that you refuse to acknowledge and pretend don’t exist.”
 
Mr Speakman called on the Minns Government to provide a transparent account of staffing levels and infrastructure delivery.
 
“Our education system needs sustained investment, not selective statistics designed to hide the truth.”

he Minns Labor Government is strengthening support of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children escaping abuse in regional and remote New South Wales, with a new culturally safe support program under the Staying in Community Leaving Violence (SiCLV) initiative.

Two Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations will deliver SiCLV in Western NSW and the mid-North Coast:

• Maranguka Ltd in Bourke LGA
• Durri Aboriginal Corporation Medical Service in Kempsey and Nambucca LGA.

Two more SiCLV services will be delivered in Western NSW, with providers to be determined.

SiCLV is part of the broader Staying Home Leaving Violence Program that was expanded with a $25.9 million investment by the NSW Government.

The SiCLV program has been co-designed with Aboriginal communities, recognising the significant barriers many Aboriginal women face when seeking support, including concerns about losing their children, housing and connection to community.

It adopts a whole-of-family approach, working with all family members, including the person using violence, to drive long-term change and improve family safety.

SiCLV brings together services including NSW Police, housing, courts and non-government organisations to deliver coordinated and culturally safe support.

Based on BOCSAR data, Aboriginal women are eight times more likely to be recorded as victims of domestic and family violence. However, it is understood that only approximately 10 per cent of violence against Aboriginal woman and children is reported.

SiCLV is part of the Minns Government’s work to expand specialist domestic and family violence services across the state, particularly to close gaps in support available in regional New South Wales.

Since Labor came to government, the total domestic and family violence program budget has been over 50 per cent higher than budgets leading up to the 2022/23 financial year. In every budget Labor has increased investment to address domestic and family violence. The government has also worked hard to address domestic and family violence by strengthening laws to protect victim-survivors and holding perpetrators to account, as well as invested in earlier intervention and primary prevention to stop violence before it starts.

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said:

“The gap between the high rates of domestic and family violence in Aboriginal communities and non-Aboriginal communities, especially in the bush, is totally unacceptable.

“The roll out of SiCLV programs where they are really needed in Bourke, Kempsey and Nambucca is great news for these communities.

“All the evidence tells us that when Aboriginal community organisations drive change in partnership with Government, better outcomes are achieved and that’s a key focus of this Government.

“We are continuing to turn our Closing the Gap commitments for shared decision making into action, by working with Aboriginal organisations to lead the way in keeping women and children safe.

“SiCLV is a wonderful example of shared decision-making leading to better outcomes.”

Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said:

“Aboriginal women experience domestic and family violence at worryingly high rates, particularly in regional and remote communities.

“Through Staying in Community Leaving Violence, we are building on the strengths of our Staying Home Leaving Violence program while upholding Aboriginal self-determination. We are working closely with local Aboriginal communities, so it truly reflects solutions these communities have helped design and lead.

“By hearing the voices of communities in Bourke, Kempsey and Nambucca, this service will work with those that need support, programs and practical assistance to address domestic and family violence.

“This new program is part of our work to support recovery, so women and children can remain safely in their homes, connected to their families, culture and community.”

Minister for Western NSW Tara Moriarty said:

“Aboriginal women in regional and remote NSW experience domestic and family violence at disproportionately high rates, and communities deserve solutions designed locally and delivered locally.”

“The expansion of Staying in Community Leaving Violence into Bourke, Kempsey and Nambucca will empower Aboriginal organisations to lead culturally appropriate support for women and children.”

“By partnering directly with regional communities, the program will help women and children remain safely connected to their homes, families, culture and community.”

CEO Durri Aboriginal Corporation Medical Service Paul Morris said:

“Durri Aboriginal Corporation is proud to be selected as the local provider of the Staying in Community Leaving Violence Program across the Kempsey and Nambucca areas.

“As a community-controlled organisation with deep cultural and community connections, Durri is committed to delivering culturally safe, trauma-informed support that keeps Aboriginal women and families strongly connected to Country and live free from violence.

“This program reflects our belief that healing, safety and change are strongest when led by Aboriginal communities, for Aboriginal communities.”

CEO Maranguka Kate Pargeter said:

“Maranguka’s backbone team supports local collaboration across agencies, community stakeholders and emerging working groups focused on improving outcomes for children, young people and families in Bourke. Through this work, Maranguka continues to strengthen coordinated responses and community-led approaches that support safer and more effective service delivery.

“This experience strongly aligns with the development of the Staying in Community, Leaving Violence program, which will be co-designed with community to deliver culturally safe, place-based responses for families experiencing domestic and family violence.

“Maranguka is committed to taking a whole-of-family and whole-of-community approach to keeping families safe, strengthening healing pathways and ensuring responses are grounded in culture, collaboration and local community voice.”

Support:

If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, call the Police on Triple Zero / 000.

For confidential advice, support, and referrals, contact 1800 RESPECT or 13 YARN.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence, call the NSW Domestic Violence Line on 1800 65 64 63 for free counselling and referrals, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For information on Men’s Behaviour Change Programs operating in your local area, contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491.

The Far South Coast is benefiting from a boost to frontline emergency care, with an additional eight paramedics starting work in the community earlier this month.

These additional paramedics are based at Eden Ambulance Station and are helping to deliver emergency and out-of-hospital care along the coast, contributing to NSW Ambulance’s highly mobile workforce.

This increase in clinical staffing forms part of the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to deliver 500 additional paramedics to rural, regional and remote areas through the Regional 500 initiative. These additional paramedics are on top of 17 additional paramedics who commenced at Cooma Ambulance Station on 16 May.

The cohort is part of the third intake of 125 paramedics planned for regional NSW as part of the regional 500 initiative. They join the 125 paramedics who commenced across the state last year, and another 125 who began work in 2024.

Under this initiative, an additional 34 paramedics are already working across the Southern NSW zone.

The Minns Government will continue to roll out the additional 500 paramedics for regional NSW next year, with future locations determined through NSW Ambulance’s evidence-based, best practice service, and workforce planning, as well as consultation with staff and the Health Services Union.

This recruitment boost is part of Labor’s long-term commitment to meaningful investments into our health workforce, relieving pressure on our health system and meeting the needs of our regional communities.

Minister for Regional Health, Ryan Park:

“Our communities in the Far South Coast deserve confidence that emergency care is available when and where it’s needed.

“More paramedics on the road in the Eden area is about improving access to care across a large and often remote region, while continuing to strengthen emergency health services in regional NSW.”

“The Coalition has criticised the Government for hiring too many health workers, but Labor understands that a supported and empowered workforce means better health outcomes for our community.”

Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Health and Member for Bega Dr Michael Holland:

“This investment in our regional paramedic workforce is about ensuring people on the Far South Coast can access high-quality emergency care, no matter where they live. It’s a practical step toward delivering the right care, in the right place, at the right time.”

NSW Ambulance Interim Chief Executive Clare Beech:  

“Strengthening the paramedic workforce in and around Eden enhances our ability to respond across a large and diverse regional area.

“With demand for ambulance services continuing to rise, this additional capacity helps ensure our teams can continue providing safe, timely care for the community.”

The border community of Wentworth is now benefiting from a boost to frontline emergency care, with an additional eight paramedics starting work in the community earlier this month.

These additional paramedics are based at Wentworth Ambulance Station and are delivering emergency and out-of-hospital care across the far southwest of the state, contributing to NSW Ambulance’s highly mobile workforce.

This increase in clinical staffing forms part of the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to deliver 500 additional paramedics to rural, regional and remote areas through the Regional 500 initiative.

The cohort is part of the third intake of 125 paramedics planned for regional NSW as part of the regional 500 initiative. They join the 125 paramedics who commenced across the state last year, and another 125 who began work in 2024.

Under this initiative, an additional 33 paramedics are already working across the Central and Far West Zone zone, including an extra 18 paramedics for Broken Hill started working in the community in 2024.

The Minns Government will continue to roll out the additional 500 paramedics for regional NSW next year, with future locations determined through NSW Ambulance’s evidence-based, best practice service, and workforce planning, as well as consultation with staff and the Health Services Union.

This recruitment boost is part of Labor’s long-term commitment to meaningful investments into our health workforce, relieving pressure on our health system and meeting the needs of our regional communities.

Minister for Regional Health, Ryan Park:

“Communities in far south west NSW deserve confidence that emergency care is available when it’s needed, no matter where they live.

“By increasing paramedic numbers in Wentworth, we’re improving access to care across a vast border region while continuing to strengthen emergency health services in regional and remote NSW.

“The Coalition has criticised the Government for hiring too many health workers, but Labor understands that a supported and empowered workforce means better health outcomes for our community.”

Member for Murray, Helen Dalton:

“For communities like Wentworth, having paramedics ready to respond locally can make a critical difference in a medical emergency.

“These eight additional paramedics will strengthen response capability across the far south west, helping ensure people receive timely care when it matters most.”

Labor Spokesperson for Murray, Bob Nanva:

“Paramedics are true local heroes – it’s great to see another 8 paramedics based in Wentworth and serving the Riverina region.

“I congratulate the local community and the Health Services Union (HSU) for their strong advocacy around the need for additional paramedics in Wentworth.”

NSW Ambulance Interim Chief Executive Clare Beech:

“Adding eight additional paramedics in Wentworth strengthens our ability to respond across a large and remote regional area, supporting communities along the border.

“This additional workforce capacity helps our crews respond from one patient to the next as demand -rises, ensuring timely and reliable emergency care across the community.”

Border communities are now benefiting from enhanced frontline emergency care, with the opening of Moama Ambulance Station and 13 additional paramedics commencing work in the community earlier this month.

These additional paramedics for the Murrumbidgee zone are based at the new Moama Ambulance Station on Wild Avenue and are delivering emergency and out-of-hospital care across the Murray River, contributing to NSW Ambulance’s highly mobile workforce.

NSW Ambulance identified the Moama area as a high priority location for a new ambulance station following a comprehensive service planning process to enhance cross border resilience with Victoria.

New ambulance stations are located in areas which optimise ambulance response performance and meet the emergency and mobile medical care needs of the local community.

Moama Ambulance Station will be rostered to ensure a 24/7 service, with paramedics to be on duty during the day and at night.

This increase in clinical staffing forms part of the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to deliver 500 additional paramedics to rural, regional and remote areas, through the Regional 500 initiative.

The cohort is part of the third intake of 125 paramedics planned for regional NSW as part of the regional 500 initiative. They join the 125 paramedics who commenced across the state last year, and another 125 who began work in 2024.

Under this initiative, an additional 35 paramedics are already working across the Murrumbidgee zone, including an extra 15 paramedics for Deniliquin and 10 paramedics for Albury, started working in the community last year.

The Minns Government will continue to roll out the additional 500 paramedics for regional NSW next year, with future locations determined through NSW Ambulance’s evidence-based, best practice service, and workforce planning, as well as consultation with staff and the Health Services Union.

This recruitment boost is part of Labor’s long-term commitment to meaningful investments into our health workforce, relieving pressure on our health system and meeting the needs of our regional communities.

Minister for Regional Health, Ryan Park:

“The opening of Moama Ambulance Station marks an important step forward for emergency health care along the NSW–Victoria border.

“With 13 additional paramedics based locally, this new station will strengthen response capability across the Murray River region and ensure communities have access to high quality emergency care.

“The Minns Government is delivering more ambulance stations, more paramedics, and better care for communities right across NSW”

Member for Murray, Helen Dalton:

“The opening of Moama Ambulance Station is welcome news for the local community and the broader Murray River region.

“Having additional paramedics based in Moama will improve emergency responses across the border region and provide greater certainty for residents and visitors when urgent care is needed.”

Labor Spokesperson for Murray, Bob Nanva:

“Paramedics are true local heroes – it’s great to see another 13 paramedics based in Moama and serving the border region.

“I congratulate the local community and the Health Services Union (HSU) for their strong advocacy around the need for additional paramedics in Moama.”

NSW Ambulance Interim Chief Executive Clare Beech:

“With Moama Ambulance Station operational and 13 additional paramedics commencing – NSW Ambulance’s position is even further strengthened to respond to emergencies across the region.

“The increase in paramedic numbers enhances our ability to meet demand and deliver timely care across the community.”

Major construction is now underway on stage one of the Hillsborough Road upgrade, marking the beginning of a major overhaul of one of Lake Macquarie’s busiest transport corridors.

The Minns Labor Government is investing $35 million to upgrade the Crockett Street intersection, including installing new traffic lights and duplicating 700 metres of Hillsborough Road.

For the 36,000 motorists who travel this corridor each day, the Hillsborough Road upgrade will transform how people move through Lake Macquarie. The corridor is known for heavy congestion during peak periods, and difficult turning movements making it challenging for motorists to safely merge from side streets.

Start of work on stage one marks an important milestone in the NSW Government’s vision to upgrade the full 1.8 kilometre stretch of road, from the Newcastle Inner City Bypass roundabout to the existing duplication west of Crockett Street.

Construction of stage one is expected to take 18 months to complete, subject to weather.

The project has been shaped by community consultation undertaken in 2022, with further investigations and utility work completed in 2024 ahead of construction.

Daracon Contractors Pty Ltd has been awarded the contract to deliver stage one and has been establishing site since mid-April in preparation for major construction.

Work will be carried out on weekdays from 7am to 6pm on weekdays and 7am to 1pm on Saturdays, as required.

At times work will need to be carried out between 7pm and 5am to minimise impacts to traffic during peak times.

For the latest information on the project, visit nswroads.work/hillsboroughroad

Minister for the Hunter, Yasmin Catley:

“This is a major upgrade for one of Lake Macquarie’s busiest corridors and an important investment that will deliver safer roads for the Hunter.

“Anyone who drives Hillsborough Road knows the challenges of stop-start traffic and hard merges.

“Our $35 million investment means Hunter families will spend less time in traffic and more time with their loved ones.”

Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison:

“From this week, crews will be on the ground to begin construction on the $35 million Hillsborough Road upgrade – a project Lake Macquarie locals have been calling for, and one we are getting on with delivering.

“Hillsborough Road is well known by the community as a difficult stretch of road, with heavy peak-hour congestion and drivers often needing to slow right down to safely merge from side streets.

“This upgrade is about easing that pressure for motorists and making daily trips safer, smoother and less stressful. It’s great to see work now underway, with the community set to benefit from these improvements for years to come.”

Member for Charlestown, Jodie Harrison:

“The start of major work is the first step in easing congestion of a well-known bottleneck for local motorists.

“Once complete, the first stage will improve safety and ease congestion, meaning our community will spend less time stuck in traffic and more time at home with their families.

“I’m excited to see this project progress and start benefiting locals and visitors.”

Independent Member for Lake Macquarie, Greg Piper:

“Hillsborough Road is a critical route for thousands of local motorists every day and this upgrade will make a real difference for the community.

“As our region continues to grow, projects like this are essential to keeping people moving safely and efficiently.

“The start of major construction is an exciting milestone and a sign of continued investment in Lake Macquarie’s future.”