Category: NSW News

The Finley community is a step closer to an improved local health facility with Stage 2 of the Finley Health Service Redevelopment now complete and the project’s final phase of construction to get underway.

The Minns Government is investing $25 million in the Finley Health Service Redevelopment, which will deliver modern, fit-for-purpose health facilities that better support the health needs of Finley and surrounding communities.

Once complete, the redevelopment will provide new and refurbished clinical and public spaces, including:

• a new Medical Imaging Unit
• upgrades to the Emergency Department
• an expanded inpatient unit
• a new main hospital entry with a larger reception space

Stage 2 included a refurbishment of the eastern part of the existing hospital, including the roof, central corridor and staff room, as well as internal works in preparation the next stage of work. 

Stage 3 includes construction of three, 2-bed inpatient rooms with ensuites, a new main entry, reception and administration area, upgrades to the Emergency Department (ED), and a new Medical Imaging Unit.

Works will also continue on the replacement of the hospital building roof, along with internal refurbishments in the hospital’s western wing, to improve functionality and patient experiences.

All hospital services including the ED continue to operate during construction. All the Hospital’s redevelopment activities are being carried out to minimise disruption to patients, staff, and visitors.

To maintain safe access during construction, some health services will be temporarily relocated, including the hospital’s main entry and ED, reception and administration, and inpatient unit.

From 8.00 am Wednesday 27 May, access to the temporary main entry and ED is via the eastern end of the hospital.

Signage is in place to support patients, visitors, and staff accessing the hospital while work is carried out.

Car parking along Dawe Street remains unchanged and is the closest parking option for hospital access. A drop-off and pick-up zone and new accessible parking spaces are available near the temporary main entry to support patients and visitors with limited mobility.

The Finley Health Service Redevelopment is expected to be completed in 2027.

For information about the project visit: nsw.gov.au/finley-health-service-redevelopment

Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park:

“The Minns Government is continuing to invest in regional health infrastructure so communities like Finley can access high-quality healthcare close to home.

“With Stage 2 now complete and the final stage about to get underway, this redevelopment is one step closer to delivering modern clinical spaces that will support local health services well into the future.”

Member for Murray Helen Dalton:

“This redevelopment represents an important milestone for Finley and surrounding communities.

“The new and upgraded facilities will improve patient experience and support staff to deliver the best possible care, and I thank the community for their patience while construction continues.”

Labor Spokesperson for Murray Bob Nanva:

“It’s great to have Stage 2 of the Finley Health Service Redevelopment finished, and we’re all looking forward to now getting the entire redevelopment completed next year.

“The upgraded facilities will serve the healthcare needs of the people of Finley and the surrounding region for many years to come.”

More renewable energy flowing into the system is helping place downward pressure on electricity prices, with the Default Market Offer in NSW set to fall from July.

The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has determined the cap on default electricity prices for NSW households will drop by between 3.4 and 7.7 per cent from July, reflecting lower wholesale electricity costs as more renewable generation and storage enters the market.

The determination comes as the Minns Labor Government has accelerated the renewable energy rollout with utility scale wind and solar capacity increasing by 80 per cent in the last three years and today’s determination from the AER shows the Government’s rollout is beginning to place downward pressure on energy costs.

According to the AER, the 7 per cent of households on the default plan will see between $66 and $211 off annual bills, as more renewable energy flows into the grid and lowers underlying wholesale electricity prices.

The 14 per cent of small businesses on the default electricity offer can expect savings of between $432 and $1,303 a year.

Lower wholesale prices help put downward pressure on retail prices across the market.

We recognise that power bills are still high, and families and businesses continue to face cost-of-living pressures.

But this is a welcome sign that NSW households and businesses will soon see the benefits of more renewable energy and storage in the system.

The job is not done but the direction is clear. Reversing course now would cost tens of billions of dollars more and only make power bills worse.

The Liberals and Nationals need to be honest about whether they support the renewable energy and storage NSW needs to replace ageing coal-fired power stations, or whether they would put that investment at risk.

Blocking renewable energy and storage means higher bills, less reliability and more exposure to ageing coal-fired power stations.

The Minns Labor Government will continue to support the effective and consistent implementation of the NSW Benefit-Sharing Guideline, ensuring councils and communities hosting projects receive associated benefits.

More than $180 million in benefits have been committed to communities since the guideline’s introduction in November 2024. This is in addition to the Renewable Energy Zone community and employment benefit funds coordinated by EnergyCo.

Households and businesses can check they’re on the best deal available to them, on the independent Energy Made Easy website: www.energymadeeasy.gov.au.

Premier Chris Minns said:

“We know families and small businesses are doing it tough, so any relief on power bills is welcome news.

“This is the first encouraging sign in a long time that electricity prices are starting to head in the right direction.

“After years of rising prices and pressure on households, people want to know there is a plan to keep the lights on and help bring costs down over time.

“We can’t afford to go backwards now. Walking away from more renewables would only drive prices higher and put more pressure on families and businesses.”

Minister for Energy Penny Sharpe said:

“More renewable energy coming online is starting to drive down wholesale prices, and that’s flowing through to lower bills for households and small businesses.

“The Liberals and Nationals need to declare where they stand. Blocking renewable energy and storage means higher bills, less reliability and more exposure to ageing coal-fired power stations.”

Construction has begun on $31 million infrastructure upgrades at the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute (EMAI) as part of the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to protecting the state’s agriculture sector, supporting research and innovation and strengthening our biosecurity capabilities.

The world-class facility in Menangle plays a critical role with a team of renowned scientists working to find new ways to reduce threats to agriculture, the environment, and our community.

The Minns Government is helping build-up and protect the state’s primary industries with $100 million invested over the last year in agricultural research and more than $1 billion in biosecurity systems and programs.

The latest upgrades at EMAI include:

• a $15 million high-containment insectary that will strengthen NSW’s capacity to protect agriculture and the environment from damaging insect and mite pests.

The facility will enable rapid, secure research to respond to exotic incursions, and improve biosecurity preparedness for industries such as grains, horticulture, livestock, forestry and cotton, as well as the environment, by increasing the likelihood of a successful response.

This facility was funded by the NSW Government with a $2 million contribution from the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC).

• $6.5 million to renovate the existing greenhouse complex to support plant biosecurity research and diagnostics. This includes the host diversity of new and emerging pathogens, developing new surveillance methods, and improved control options.

Plant industries depend on pathogen-tested propagation stock, so upgraded greenhouse facilities will strengthen early detection of exotic and emerging pathogens.

• $4.8 million to extend the animal house facility to support priority biosecurity research.
• $4.7 million to other critical laboratory and infrastructure upgrades across the EMAI campus.

The greenhouse research complex, animal house research facility extension and critical laboratory and infrastructure upgrades are funded under the Minns Government’s $60 million Critical Infrastructure Uplift Program.

Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said:

“The Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute is one of the world’s leading primary industries research centres and the Minns Government is committed to making it even better.

“The work undertaken by the dedicated scientists has aided biosecurity response capacity for red imported fire ant, Xylella, khapra beetle, Japanese encephalitis virus and white spot syndrome virus, protecting the State’s multibillion dollar primary industries sector.

“The Minns Government recognises how crucial biosecurity research is with this $31 million investment in labs, greenhouses, and research facilities at the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute.

“NSW Government scientists continue to deliver world-first breakthroughs which have long-lasting benefits to agriculture, the environment and our community. This funding recognises the critical role our scientists continue to play in preventing biosecurity incursions and improving our preparedness.

“Collaboration is a key component for EMAI scientists who have been able to deliver world-firsts, such as developing a vaccine for foot-and-mouth disease this year. Investing in these facilities gives our researchers the opportunity to continue their studies and work with international counterparts to protect our industries.”

“Our scientists and researchers are delivering world-first and Australia-first discoveries that are helping protect our industries, strengthen our biosecurity, improve productivity and support farmers right across the state.

“From cutting-edge science to practical innovations that directly benefit regional communities, EMAI is where some of the brightest minds are pushing the boundaries of research and development right here in NSW.

“This work often happens quietly behind the scenes, but it is absolutely critical to the future of our primary industries and reinforces NSW as a national leader in agricultural innovation.”

Case studies:

FMD Vaccine World First

• Researchers at EMAI played a critical role in developing the world-first vaccine.
• This is a once-in-a-generation development that puts Australia at the forefront of the development of these types of vaccines.
• Protecting our livestock from devastating animal diseases, including foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and lumpy skin disease (LSD), is a vitally important initiative for Australia.
• An outbreak of FMD could cost the Australian economy up to $80 billion through trade disruption and response to the disease.

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) response

• The Virology Laboratory at EMAI was the first lab in Australia to identify the presence of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) in foetal pig samples.
• The lab’s virologists and veterinary pathologists were unable to resolve what was causing illnesses in pigs, so the team ran a broader virus diagnostic to detect the group of viruses that includes JEV.
• The detection of JEV in Central NSW and south to the Murray River was an unexpected and significant finding.
• After the diagnosis, health authorities were able to confirm JEV in human cases of encephalitis which up until then had an undiagnosed cause.

Varroa and suspect Polyphagous shothole borer (PSHB) samples

• Collaboration between the molecular entomology and biotechnology teams at EMAI, using Advanced Gene Technology Centre (AGTC) facilities, led to successful barcode sequencing to confirm or deny the presence of serious exotic pests in less than 24 hours.
• In the case of varroa in 2022, the team confirmed varroa the morning after samples were received at EMAI.
• For two suspect Polyphagous shothole borer samples, the team followed up on suspect protein fingerprint profiles that indicated the material could be PSHB, with barcode sequencing undertaken overnight to confirm NSW was still free of PSHB.

Today is National Sorry Day, a time when we acknowledge the lasting impacts caused by the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families.  

Survivors and their descendants continue to demonstrate incredible strength and resilience, ensuring their stories and truths are shared.  

National Reconciliation Week, which starts tomorrow, is a reminder of the role we can all play in strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Reconciliation Week (27 May to 3 June) begins each year on the anniversary of the successful 1967 referendum and ends on the anniversary of the historic 1992 High Court Mabo decision recognising Native Title.

This year’s Reconciliation Week theme, ‘All In’, is a call for all Australians to commit wholeheartedly to reconciliation; not just today, but every day.  

The NSW Government is committed to work in partnership with Aboriginal organisations, communities, and people to Close the Gap.

We know that when Closing the Gap solutions are designed, led, and implemented by Aboriginal people and communities, in partnership with Government, we get better outcomes.

Our focus is on shared decision-making.

Going ‘All In’ can mean taking practical action in your workplace, school, sporting club or community. It can mean attending or holding a reconciliation event, supporting Aboriginal businesses and artists, learning about the history of your local area, listening to Aboriginal voices, or starting a conversation about reconciliation with family and friends.  

Communities across NSW will mark the week with walks, cultural events, language workshops, exhibitions, performances and community gathering. There are dozens of events to get involved in.

Visit the https://www.reconciliation.org.au/ website to find an event near you. 

Wentworth and surrounding communities are benefitting from improved and enhanced healthcare services, with the official opening of the new $30 million Wentworth Health Service.

The new purpose-built health service includes a 19-bed Inpatient Unit, palliative care suite, dining room, family gathering room, patient gym, a reception area and waiting room, courtyards and community health rooms.

The new facility has been built on the existing hospital site, which overlooks the Darling River and features high ceilings, natural light and colours that reflect the natural surroundings of the site. Local art brings the health service to life, and the unique history of the old hospital is reflected in a heritage display and framed photographs along the Inpatient Unit corridor.

A strong sense of Connecting with Country is also evident within the new Health Service, with a scar tree sculpture and canoe-shaped oculus at the entry. Signs in Barkindji language will welcome consumers and visitors, and local native plants, with descriptions about their traditional uses, will be incorporated in the landscaping for the new health facility.

The facility includes a new ambulance access bay which links through to a new Urgent Care Centre, located within the new health services building.

The Urgent Care Centre is open 24/7 and is a dedicated space for people to be seen and treated for a range of non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries.

The Wentworth Health Service facility was delivered by Health Infrastructure in partnership with Far West Local Health District and HPAC Pty Ltd as the contractor. Final works including landscaping is expected to be completed in mid-2026.

The Minns Labor Government is committed to delivering world-class health care across the state and has invested $3.4 billion to deliver new and upgraded health services in regional NSW.

More information about the redevelopment is available at Wentworth Health Service Redevelopment.

Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park:

“The official opening of the new $30 million Wentworth Health Service marks a significant milestone for the local community and ensures staff, patients and the local community have access to improved services, modern health facilities and care closer to home.

“It’s a unique facility which has been designed to help meet the healthcare needs of Wentworth and surrounding communities now and into the future.

“The new purpose-built health service will provide enhanced health services, including a 19-bed Inpatient Unit, palliative care suite, community health rooms, and much more.”

Member for Murray Helen Dalton MP:

“The new Wentworth Health Service is a great reflection of the local environment and people, who were integral in the planning and design of the new health facility.

“We are also proud that Wentworth is one of the first 100 per cent fully electrified hospitals in NSW, with sustainability a key feature in the design.”

Labor Spokesperson for Murray Bob Nanva:

“It’s important that our health facilities are not just functional, but are pleasant spaces that help people to feel at ease and to heal.

“The design of the new facility reflects the culture, colours, landscape and history of the local area.”

NSW Shadow Transport Minister Natalie Ward today called out the Minns Government’s embarrassing backflip on e-bike number plates and warned that after months of talk and tinkering nothing on the ground has changed.
 
Earlier this year, Transport Minister John Graham went on 2GB to rubbish the idea of number plates on e-bikes, declaring they “won’t help with enforcement.” Now his own government’s draft regulations are proposing exactly that for shared e-bikes.
 
“Call it a number plate, call it a ‘fleet identification number’, it’s the same thing, and the Minister said it wouldn’t work. Now, he is implementing it.” Ms Ward said.
 
Ms Ward slammed the Government’s half-measure approach, pointing out the regulations only target shared bikes, completely ignoring the dropkicks on private e-bike terrorising parks, footpaths and people across the city.
 
“The ratbags causing chaos aren’t on shared e-bikes. They’re on private e-bikes, and Labor has done absolutely nothing about the reckless behaviour,” she said.
 
To make matters worse, the new laws for shared bikes passed Parliament six months ago, and the Government still hasn’t brought them into force.
 
“Six months. Not a single regulation in effect. It’s all consultation and talk meanwhile, innocent Sydneysiders are dodging e-bikes left stranded across the footpath.” Ms Ward said.
 
The Liberals and Nationals have called on Labor to support amendments giving police the power to immediately seize private e-bikes based on behaviour, not specifications.
 
“We’ve got renamed number plates for some e-bikes but still no accountability for ratbags.”
  
“NSW deserves a government that moves at the speed of the problem. This one is still stuck in first gear.”

The Minns Labor Government is delivering Australia’s most extensive drone show program as part of Vivid Sydney 2026, with the majority of activities free for friends and families to enjoy.

The spectacular new show, titled Star-Bound, will feature 1,000 drones transforming Cockle Bay every Sunday to Wednesday night across 22 shows and 11 nights. The biggest drone show program in the festival’s history.

World-leading UK company Sky Magic will deliver the cutting-edge displays, renowned for producing some of the world’s largest and most complex drone shows.

With shows running across multiple nights, the expanded program is expected to drive increased visitation, encourage people to stay out later and return to the harbour, and deliver strong benefits for hospitality businesses, local operators and Sydney’s night-time economy.

Vivid Sydney has also commissioned one of Australia’s leading composers to create the score for the shows, with commercial and marine vessels able to tune in via an FM frequency to experience the soundtrack live.

Star-Bound will be held every Sunday to Wednesday night at 7.30pm and 9.30pm, except for Sunday 7 June. 

Vivid Sydney will take place from 22 May until 13 June, powering NSW’s visitor and night-time economies and cementing Sydney’s status as a global leader in immersive cultural experiences across Light, Music, Minds and Food. 

The Vivid Sydney Drone Show, Star‑Bound, is proudly sponsored by IREN, a Vivid Sydney Major Partner.

For more information, go to www.vividsydney.com

Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper said:

“This year, we are delivering a bigger and bolder Vivid Sydney with the majority of activities free, this is a festival that friends and families can enjoy together without breaking the bank.

“This is the biggest drone show program in Vivid Sydney’s history – 22 shows delivered by world-leading company Sky Magic, which has produced some of the most complex and awe-inspiring drone displays ever seen on the planet.

“Sydney Harbour will become a living canvas of light, movement and storytelling, and whether you’re bringing the kids for the first time or enjoying a night out with friends, Star-Bound will offer a unique and memorable experience for all.

Vivid Sydney Festival Director Brett Sheehy AO said:

“With Star‑Bound, we’re evolving the Vivid Sydney drone shows from a sequence of singular images into a larger, poetic story – one that celebrates life, creation, hope and renewal.

“The journey begins with the smallest building blocks of life and gradually expands outward, moving through nature and into the cosmos, until an entirely new universe is born. It’s a show that is both intimate and epic, inviting audiences to experience something emotional, immersive and awe‑inspiring.”

The Minns Labor Government is delivering on its promises and saving renters money by returning illegal fees to renters and cracking down on compliance with accurate bond lodgements.

One year on from the Government’s landmark rental reforms, the NSW Rental Taskforce has returned almost $180,000 to renters stung by illegal rent payment and background check fees.

Through a robust compliance crackdown, the Taskforce discovered more than 3,000 renters were charged illegal fees for dishonoured payments and illegal background checks.

One agency alone was found to have issued 2,071 illegal dishonour charges to 795 tenants between July 2020 and April 2025, despite such penalties issued by landlords or real estate agents for late payments being illegal in NSW.

The investigation resulted in the agency entering a voluntary enforceable undertaking, with NSW Fair Trading ordering tenants be refunded more than $124,000 – with 371 tenants charged multiple charges amounting to a refund of $2,400 in one case.  The agency also agreed to make $10,000 contribution to the NSW Consumer Law Fund for the purpose of providing education to the sector on rental legislation and compliance obligations. 

Another investigation found nearly 2,400 applicants were illegally charged $19.95 each for background checks through an online rental platform. The company refunded tenants the more than $48,000 in charges and disabled the background check function on its website.

Over the past year, the Taskforce has also used Rental Bonds Online data to identify landlords or agents charging more than four weeks of rent as a bond. A compliance program is now underway to issue penalties for serious and multiple breaches.

Backed by $8.4 million, the Taskforce has investigated almost 8,000 rental matters in its first year.

These results are part of the Government’s reforms to make renting fairer. The Government has: 

• Banned no-grounds evictions.
• Limited rent increases to once a year.
• Ensured renters have fee-free ways to pay rent.
• Banned fees for background checks.
• Made it easier to have pets in rentals.
• Invested $6.6 million to build Smart Rental Bonds an initiative due to be launched in mid-2026 and will help renters save thousands of dollars when moving home.  

Any rental applicants who have been charged for a background check should lodge a complaint with NSW Fair Trading by visiting: https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/fair-trading/complaints-and-enquiries/housing-and-property

Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“After one year of the Minns Labor Government’s game-changing rental reforms, we are seeing outstanding results.

“As a dedicated compliance and enforcement team, the NSW Rental Taskforce has recovered almost $180,000 worth of renters hard-earned money and cracked down on irresponsible actors trying to take them for a ride.

“And we’re not done yet. The Government is also rolling out Smart Rental Bonds later this year, so renters can transfer their bond between properties, saving about $4,000 each time they move.

“The Government is delivering on its promises to save renters money and help alleviate the cost-of-living pressures so many people are feeling.

“Renters can’t afford a Liberal government. Only a Labor Government delivers for renters.”

NSW Rental Commissioner Trina Jones said:

“While the NSW Fair Trading Rental Taskforce’s enforcement shows work is being done to provide a fair and balanced marketplace it also shows renters are becoming more aware of their rights.

“We’ve seen renter awareness jump from 33 to 80 per cent in our recent customer survey, and that’s critical to making sure people know their rights and where to access help when they need it.”

Students and staff at Nirimba Fields Public School are moving out of demountable classrooms and into their brand-new permanent school after the Minns Labor Government delivered the much-needed new facilities two months ahead of schedule.

This new school is one of 230 new and upgraded schools and preschools being delivered across NSW, giving our kids access to the best quality education through the Minns Labor Government’s record $9 billion school building program.

The new Nirimba Fields Public School can accommodate 1,000 students and includes 44 permanent classrooms, three support learning classrooms, a multipurpose hall, library, canteen, staff and administration facilities, and accessibility features including ramps and lifts.

Students have been learning in purpose-built temporary facilities since Day 1, Term 1, 2024 following the Government fast-tracking new schools in Sydney’s growing north-west while permanent facilities were delivered.

The removal of all 32 demountables used for the temporary school will be complete by the middle of the year with the old temporary school site set to be turned into a new public preschool that will accommodate up to 120 children per week.

Sydney’s North West was identified in the NSW Government’s Enrolment Growth Audit as having the fastest student population growth in the state, with local communities growing rapidly while essential school infrastructure failed to keep pace.

Despite this need, the former Liberal Government failed to build this school, leaving behind less schools than when they were first elected – reflecting their approach across Western Sydney, approving new housing without building much needed new schools.

The Minns Labor Government is addressing this and building for the future. In North West Sydney alone, the delivery of new and upgraded schools is adding capacity for an additional 15,000 public school students, replacing more than 160 demountables with more than 700 permanent classrooms.

Major projects recently delivered or on the way in Sydney’s North West include:

• New Tallawong Public School (delivered)
• New Melonba Public School (delivered) and public preschool
• New Melonba High School (delivered)
• New Tallawong High School
• New Jordan Springs High School
• New public primary school and public preschool in Grantham Farm
• New Gables Public School and public preschool
• New Box Hill Public School and public preschool
• New Box Hill High School
• Schofields Public School – upgrade (delivered)
• Riverbank Public School – upgrade (delivered)
• The Ponds High School – upgrade
• Rouse Hill High School – upgrade
• Excelsior Public School – upgrade

The Minns Labor Government has also delivered the biggest pay rise in a generation to attract the best teachers and keep them in the classroom, resulting in teacher vacancies falling to the lowest level in 12 years, halving the number of merged and cancelled classes since being elected.

This is all part of the Minns Labor Government’s plan to deliver better schools and more teachers to give our kids the world class education they deserve, right where they live.

Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:

“Schools for growing communities across Western Sydney like right here in Nirimba Fields aren’t a nice to have, they’re a must have.

“When new housing is built, families need access to new schools, hospitals and local infrastructure – under the former government, this didn’t happen but we are working every day to change that.

“We’re not just building brand new and upgraded schools and preschools to make life easier and cheaper for local families, we’re hiring more teachers to give our kids the best education.”

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

“This is exactly what we promised families across north-west Sydney – access to quality public education right where they live.

“Under the Liberals, local families in North West Sydney saw their communities expand without the essential infrastructure needed to meet the growth.

“The Minns Labor Government is not only getting the job done, but we’re also getting it done ahead of schedule.

“At a time when many families are facing household budget pressures, having the option to access a fee-free, world-class public education has never been more important, and local parents can have the confidence knowing their children can attend high-quality local public school close to home.”

Member for Riverstone Warren Kirby said:

“The Minns Labor Government is committed to ensuring students in Sydney’s high-growth suburbs have access to the world-class facilities they deserve.

“This is a proud moment for our community and proof that when we invest in public education, we invest in the future of every child.”

Nirimba Fields Public School Principal Renai Diamond said:

“It’s been an honour to be a part of our school’s journey from the very start – when we first opened in our temporary facilities in Term 1, 2024.

“While our temporary school provided a wonderful start for our students and staff, we are beyond excited to transition into our new permanent home and the opportunities that lie ahead.”

The first delivery of major medical equipment including a 4-tonne advanced MRI, CT and molecular imaging technology has arrived at Nepean Hospital, marking a significant milestone for Stage 2 of the more than $1 billion Nepean Hospital Redevelopment.

The new equipment which will modernise medical imaging services for patients at Nepean Hospital will be housed in new purpose-built medical and molecular imaging departments.

Highly specialised planning and coordination was required to install the large-scale equipment into its home on Level 2 of the new seven-storey clinical building, which has been designed to support contemporary models of care and future growth needs.

The new medical imaging and molecular imaging equipment will strengthen Nepean Hospital’s diagnostic capabilities, providing clinicians with a more complete picture of patients’ health to support earlier diagnosis and more targeted treatment, in medical specialties such as cancer, cardiac and neurological care.

Construction of Stage 2 of the Nepean Hospital Redevelopment is due for completion this year, and will deliver a major expansion of critical hospital services, including:

• A new adult Intensive Care Unit
• additional inpatient beds
• medical and molecular imaging facilities
• incentre renal dialysis
• education and training spaces
• and a new purpose-built palliative care unit. The new building will also feature a welcoming new main entry for the hospital.

The internal fit-out is underway across multiple levels, including installation of building services, joinery, ceilings and clinical infrastructure.

Works are also progressing in key construction areas such as the new Intensive Care Unit and main entry atrium. External works, landscaping and integration activities are continuing to connect the new building with the existing hospital campus, including improved pedestrian, vehicle and parking access.

Once complete, the new clinical building will connect seamlessly to the existing hospital 14-storey tower delivered as part of Stage 1 of the redevelopment.

The Nepean Redevelopment is one of the largest and most significant hospital projects in Greater Western Sydney and will support the region’s growing healthcare needs for decades to come.

It builds on other investments the Minns Labor Government is making to deliver more hospitals and beds in the region, including:

• $2 billion for the new Bankstown Hospital;
• $790 million for the new Rouse Hill Hospital plus $120 million from the Federal Government;
• $550 million for the Fairfield Hospital Redevelopment plus $80 million from the Federal Government;
• $350 million for the Canterbury Hospital Redevelopment; and
• $120 million for additional beds for Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospitals

Construction is expected to be completed in late 2026, which will be followed by a comprehensive operational commissioning period to ensure the new health facilities are ready to safely welcome patients, staff and visitors.

For more information about the project, visit: Nepean Hospital Redevelopment

Deputy Premier and Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car:

“The Minns Labor Government knows how important world-class healthcare is to the people of Penrith and communities across Western Sydney. That’s why we are making a record investment not only in the bricks and mortar of the redeveloped Nepean Hospital, but also in the cutting-edge equipment needed to deliver world-class healthcare.

“Under this Government, families are finally getting the essential infrastructure they deserve – better hospitals, better roads and better schools.”

Minister for Health Ryan Park:

“The Coalition’s failure to deliver more hospitals and more beds in Western Sydney left the region under mounting pressure. We are correcting that, delivering a pipeline of infrastructure to meet the needs of the community.

“The Nepean Hospital Redevelopment is part of the Minns Government’s more than $3.4 billion investment to deliver new and upgraded hospitals for communities across Western Sydney.

“The arrival of major medical equipment is a critical step in transforming this new building from a construction site into a world‑class health facility for the Nepean and Blue Mountains communities.

“This is about delivering modern, purpose‑built spaces and world class facilities to support our hardworking staff and provide patients with the care they need, closer to home, now and into the future.”

Member for Penrith Karen McKeown:

“Watching this advanced medical imaging equipment being craned into the new building is such an exciting moment and a significant milestone for a project that will have a lasting impact on our local community.

“There is a real sense now that we are nearing the end of construction at Nepean Hospital and we have taken a big step closer to opening these world-class health facilities.”

Member for Blue Mountains Trish Doyle:

“This will be of enormous benefit to the entire local health district and I trust that the Blue Mountains community will welcome this investment.”