Category: NSW News

The Parramatta Light Rail has reached a major new milestone with the arrival of the first vehicle in the new fleet and construction on the light rail stops nearly complete.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the Government was continuing to deliver world-class transport to support the growing communities of Western Sydney.

“Western Sydney is one of the fastest growing regions in our country, with the population of Greater Parramatta alone set to climb by 50 per cent by 2041. That is why we are investing billions of dollars in transport and infrastructure now, to support this projected growth and ensure the region and its residents continue to thrive,” Mr Perrottet said.

“Once complete, the new Parramatta Light Rail will provide frequent, reliable transport services between Westmead and Carlingford via the Parramatta CBD, supporting residents, local businesses and the nearly 14,000 students who attend the nearby university.”

The new light rail vehicles will be fully accessible with low floors; air-conditioned; dual electric and battery-powered with roof-mounted rechargeable batteries to operate in two ‘wire free’ zones; bicycle racks; and real-time passenger count information.

Minister for Transport, Veterans and Western Sydney David Elliott said the majority of the main infrastructure work was now complete, with 100 per cent of track installed and construction of the light rail stops nearly complete.

“The Perrottet Government continues to deliver major transport infrastructure to our Western Sydney commuters with a transformation taking place in Greater Parramatta as the Light Rail rapidly takes shape,” Mr Elliott said. 

“The new 45-metre-long vehicle will be able to hold up to 400 passengers – the equivalent of six standard buses – taking cars off local roads and reducing traffic, giving people more time back in their day for the things they enjoy.

“It’s great to see overhead canopies for weather protection installed at 14 of the stops, with canopies to be in place at all 16 stops by the end of the year.

“Importantly, this project is providing a major boost to the local economy, supporting 5,000 local jobs and using around 4,000 tonnes of Australian steel. Silverwater-based manufacturing company Icon Metal has also been engaged to manufacture and install the prefabricated light rail stop components.”

Member for Parramatta Geoff Lee said delivery of the light rail project will connect places and help locals and visitors move around and explore what Greater Parramatta has to offer.

“We’re launching a new Summer in Parramatta activation with a range of family-friendly events, including interactive street art, activities for kids of all ages and entertainment, providing a much needed economic and visitor boost for businesses,” Mr Lee said.

“This is a great opportunity for families to head outdoors and enjoy the vibrant activations revitalising the Parramatta CBD this Summer.”

The Parramatta Light Rail will provide high-frequency ‘turn-up-and-go’ light rail services seven days a week, every 7.5 minutes during peak periods (7am to 7pm) on weekdays.

On-track testing of the vehicles is expected to commence in mid-2023, with passenger services expected to commence in 2024.

For more information about the project, visit parramattalightrail.nsw.gov.au.

A new and colourful NSW Government initiative will see Sydney join global cities London, Stockholm and Auckland in flying the purple flag for safety across night-time destinations. 
 
Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade Alister Henskens said a pilot of the internationally successful Purple Flag Program is underway in the Sydney CBD, Parramatta, Marrickville and Lakemba.
 
“The NSW Government’s Purple Flag Program will build on Sydney’s thriving 24-hour economy and provide the community with even more ways to enjoy a safe night out across Greater Sydney,” Mr Henskens said. 
 
“This program will help further position Sydney as a global night-life destination, joining cities like London and Stockholm, to create safe and fun after-dark destinations.
 
“The accreditation will allow people to easily identify precincts that have met high standards of safety, vibrancy, and diversity of entertainment and activities.”
 
The program will assess destinations against a set of criteria to achieve a Purple Flag status including public transport access, adequate street lighting and entertainment.
 
24-Hour Economy Commissioner Michael Rodrigues said Purple Flag will become a recognisable tick of approval for going-out districts. 
 
“We have so many great night-time districts in Sydney and Purple Flag will promote many of the fantastic things they offer,” Mr Rodrigues said. 
 
“The pilot program is a key deliverable from our 24-Hour Economy strategy and will further enhance the revitalisation of Sydney’s nightlife.”
 
The pilot’s four locations are the YCK (York, Clarence and Kent) precinct in the Sydney CBD; Church Street in Parramatta; Haldon Street in Lakemba and Marrickville and Illawarra Road in Marrickville. 
 
The four locations will be assessed as part of the program, ahead of a wider rollout next year. For more information, visit www.investment.nsw.gov.au/PurpleFlag. 

The Fairy Meadow community is a step closer to a new ambulance station with the facility to be located on the University of Wollongong’s Innovation Campus. 
 
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said today’s announcement marks a significant milestone in delivering this vital service to the growing Fairy Meadow community.
 
“The new Fairy Meadow Ambulance Station is being delivered as part of the NSW Government’s $232 million Rural Ambulance Infrastructure Reconfiguration (RAIR) program and will support local paramedics to provide the best emergency medical care now and into the future,” Mr Hazzard said.
 
“The NSW Government is committed to significantly increasing the capacity of NSW Ambulance. Under the RAIR program, 54 new or upgraded stations are being delivered, with 39 already completed.
 
“In total, the Liberal & Nationals Government is investing more than $1 billion across three major NSW Ambulance infrastructure programs, with more than 100 projects announced since 2014.”
 
Parliamentary Secretary for Wollongong and the Illawarra Peter Poulos said the new Fairy Meadow station will bolster emergency care in the Illawarra and provide a first-class workplace for local paramedics.
 
“Our paramedics will have a purpose-built station with modern facilities, including internal parking for six emergency ambulance vehicles, an internal wash bay, relief accommodation for paramedics and a meeting and training room,” Mr Poulos said.
 
“This amazing new facility will support the existing station in Wollongong, along with the recently announced station in Warilla, and is only possible thanks to the NSW Government’s record investment in ambulance infrastructure across the state.”
 
NSW Ambulance identified the University campus location following a comprehensive service planning process using best practice modelling software that maps Triple Zero calls.
 
UOW Vice-Chancellor Professor Patricia Davidson welcomed the decision to base the new ambulance station on the UOW’s Innovation Campus. 
 
“The co-location of this ambulance station on the Innovation Campus, where the University has plans to build and deliver a world-class Health and Wellbeing Precinct, aligns with our mission to support better health outcomes for our region,” Professor Davidson said. 
 
Construction of the ambulance station is expected to commence early next year and be complete by late 2023.
 
As part of the NSW Government’s 2022-23 Budget, NSW Ambulance received a record $1.76 billion boost to frontline emergency care, with which it will recruit 2,128 new staff and build 30 more stations as part of the NSW Ambulance Infrastructure Program. 
 
The NSW Government’s $1 billion investment in NSW Ambulance infrastructure includes:
 

• Sydney Ambulance Metropolitan Infrastructure Strategy ($184 million) – 19 projects (18 projects completed to date with one due for completion late 2023). Program began 2014
• Ambulance Infrastructure Program ($615.5 million) 30 projects (8 in early planning). Announced in 2022-23 State Budget.
• RAIR program Stage 1 & 2 ($232 million) – 54 projects, 39 complete, 15 underway. Program began 2015.

The NSW Government is urging all internet shoppers to stay alert and follow the steps required to keep their personal information safe this festive season.

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said the holiday period was a popular time for cybercriminals to target busy online shoppers, as more and more people search the web for a Christmas bargain.

“Digital thieves are increasingly malicious and devious and will set up legitimate-looking websites or social media stores to trick shoppers into handing over money and personal details, or they may install malicious software on a person’s computer or phone,” Mr Dominello said.

“Cybercriminals rely on people letting their guard down when buying online, so it is vital to stay alert as fake sellers will often copy the designs and logos from real businesses to appear genuine.

“If users think a site could be fake, they should do a search for other web pages or profiles by that seller and compare logos, business names, URL addresses and contact details to ensure they match.”

The NSW Government established ID Support NSW to assist customers who have had their government-issued proof of identity stolen and make it easier for them to access the help they need, as well as tips for keeping yourself safe online.

“ID Support NSW provides a single point-of-contact for customers who have had their identity compromised with options for additional support, counselling services and help replacing identification documents if required,” Mr Dominello said.

Steps to stay safe online this festive season include:
 

• Buy from trusted sellers. If it sounds too good to be true, it normally is
• Make sure the URL contains a padlock symbol and begins with https://
• Use secure payment methods only as these may be able to recover funds should an order not be received
• Don’t click directly on links, particularly from unsolicited texts and emails
• Search for and read reviews of sellers and consider if they seem genuine
• Check if sellers have an address and contact details which can be verified and check they have a fair refund/return policy
• Only share what information is absolutely necessary
• Avoid saving credit card details to websites.

 
To contact ID Support NSW or for more information visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/id-support-nsw

The Illawarra is a step closer to a state-of-the-art sporting centre of excellence to house the Dragons and foster a love of sport in children, as the first concept images of the new facility are revealed.
 
St George Illawarra Dragons has submitted the development application for its new Community and High Performance Centre (CHPC) at the University of Wollongong’s (UOW) Innovation Campus.
 
Treasurer Matt Kean said the NSW Government is investing $40 million in the project, which will set a new benchmark for community, education and sporting excellence.
 
“This facility will be a fantastic community asset, bridging the gap between elite sport and the girls and boys who love getting together for a kick around, swim or gym session,” Mr Kean said.
 
“Athletes will benefit from two full-sized fields with floodlights, NRL and NRLW change rooms, a large state-of-the-art gym, a hot-and-cold aquatic recovery centre, a physio and strapping room, a lecture theatre and a player lounge area.
 
“This centre will also house a merchandise zone as well as the club’s administration offices, bringing the Dragons’ entire operations into one location.”
 
Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said the project is expected to create 229 new jobs during construction and support more than 60 new full-time jobs once operational.
 
“The Illawarra is a traditional rugby league stronghold, and this new facility will foster the next generation of talent from across the region,” Mr Henskens said.
 
“Opportunities for those attending University of Wollongong will be extensive, with student access to the CHPC expected to reach 30-45 hours per week in the name of improved education, research, data sharing and partnership outcomes.”
 
Dragons Chairman Andrew Lancaster said the club had worked hard to develop a proposal that will deliver for the community, UOW, rugby league and the region.
 
“The CHPC will provide exciting opportunities to further the club’s community partnership activities that stretch from the St George region to the Illawarra, South Coast and beyond,” Mr Lancaster said.
 
“It will build on the 20 different programs and more than 114,000 community members currently engaging with St George Illawarra each year, and be a catalyst for increased female participation in sport.”
 
The project is being funded by the NSW Government, which has committed more than $1 billion to community sports infrastructure since 2017.

The NSW Government has welcomed the 4.5 billionth tap-on to the Opal network at Parramatta Train Station today as the revolutionary electronic ticketing system turns ten.
 
Minister for Transport, Veterans and Western Sydney David Elliott said commuters had clocked up billions of Opal card trips since the network launched ten years ago.
 
“We’ve seen 4.5 billion trips taken on the Opal network in the decade since it was introduced – that’s an average of 1 million trips on our public transport system each day,” Mr Elliott said.
 
“The sheer volume of trips taken on the Opal network shows how much Sydneysiders and visitors love using the technology and see it as a part of their everyday lives.”
 
“The Perrottet Government is building on the Opal success with the investment of $568 million over the next five years to deliver a new state-of-the-art Opal system, Opal NextGen.”
 
“This will give commuters even more choice and convenience when booking and paying for public transport, helping them seamlessly travel across NSW like never before.”
 
The first tap-on was made on the Neutral Bay to Circular Quay ferry route on 7 December 2012 and since then the Opal network has expanded to operate on the Metro, rail, bus, ferry and light rail networks across Greater Sydney.
 
Transport for NSW Chief Operations Officer Howard Collins said the introduction of the Opal network a decade ago has revolutionised the way commuters travel across all modes of public transport.
 
“It’s amazing when you remember that only six years ago in August 2016, paper tickets were fully retired and now, many commuters travel on the network without a physical Opal card,” Mr Collins said.
 
“More than 56 million Opal cards have been issued giving commuters easy access to our public transport network, whether they’re local, from interstate or overseas.
 
“We look forward to rolling out Opal NextGen that will see travel from A to B on public transport and other transport services become even more seamless.”
 
To plan your trip on public transport download the Opal Travel app or visit transportnsw.info

Construction of the new Budawang School for Specific Purposes (SSP) is well underway, with the concrete slabs for Block A and C poured and framing for Block C complete as the $30 million redevelopment is taking shape.
 
Member for South Coast, Shelley Hancock and Liberal Candidate for South Coast Luke Sikora today visited the site that will soon be able to deliver purpose-built learning spaces and a hydrotherapy aquatic facility to cater for students with moderate and severe intellectual disabilities from years K-12.
 
Mrs Hancock said when complete, the project will deliver seven new learning spaces, new core facilities, and additional play space provided on an expanded footprint.
  
“The site will provide a unique new school with modern facilities, tailored specifically to the needs of the students and this community,” Mrs Hancock said. “It has also been future proofed to accommodate additional student growth if required in the future.”
 
Liberal Candidate for South Coast Luke Sikora said he was proud the NSW Government is delivering such an important project for South Coast families.
 
“I’m delighted to be here and see this construction work progressing. This is an important project for southern Shoalhaven, delivering a great educational space for local kids,” Mr Sikora said. “The former Shoalhaven Anglican School site has plenty of potential for providing important educational facilities for our growing community. It has been master planned to deliver the new school and has been protected to allow for the expansion of educational facilities in the near future.”
 
“This project is a great example of strong support for the local community by Shelley as our Member of Parliament, and the Perrottet Government’s commitment to delivering new and improved school infrastructure for the South Coast.
 
Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said NSW Government wants to support students across NSW with the best learning environment.
 
“The NSW Government has invested more in public education than any other government in Australia,” Ms Mitchell said. “We are delivering quality education to all students across the state.”
 
The NSW Government is investing $8.6 billion in school infrastructure over the next four years, continuing its program to deliver 160 new and upgraded schools to support communities across NSW. This builds on the more than $9.1 billion invested in projects delivered since 2017, a program of $17.7 billion in public education infrastructure.

An elected Minns Labor Government will build a new public high school for the growing communities of Gledswood Hills and Gregory Hills.
 
The high school would be built within the first term of a Minns Labor Government, with a local site procured to provide the best possible access for local families.
 
Labor will also do a full audit of enrolment growth in South West Sydney to fix the Perrottet Government’s broken schools planning, which has left growing communities without adequate schools.
 
Gregory Hills is now home to more than 9,000 residents, with a further 6,000 residents in Gledswood Hills. Yet, the NSW Liberal Government has refused to build a high school for four years straight.
 
Worse still, the NSW Government failed to procure land that the government’s own Education Department recommended purchasing in 2019 for a future high school in Gledswood Hills.
 
This is despite the Education Department warning of the “need for a new secondary school based on forecast enrolments.”
 
As a result of government inaction, hundreds of parents in Gregory Hills and Gledswood Hills were forced to start a community campaign in 2020 to get local public schools built.
 
For more than two years parents have petitioned the NSW Government, raised their voices in the media and advocated countless times to their current Liberal MP, but still the Perrottet Government has failed to build a high school.
 
This year’s NSW budget showed school building facing huge delays, with the Perrottet Government under-delivering on 113 school infrastructure projects – spending $1.26 billion less than was promised in the 2021-22 budget.
 
Eight out of 10 of the biggest enrolment surges occurred in Western Sydney schools.

Chris Minns, NSW Labor Leader, said:
 
“Growing communities need schools, and in South West Sydney the NSW Liberal Government has failed to deliver enough schools to meet the rapid population growth.
 
“Families in Gregory Hills and Gledswood Hills have been forced to campaign for years to get schools built in their community – they’ve been ignored by the current NSW Government for too long.

I aim to fix this government’s poor planning and build the local public high school this community urgently needs.”

 
Prue Car, NSW Shadow Minister for Education, said:
 
“This community had to fight tooth and nail to finally get the delayed Gregory Hills Public School started, whilst the playground at neighbouring Gledswood Hills Public School filled with demountables.
 
“Now, the Perrottet Liberal Government refuses to even secure a site for a high school, despite their own Education Department admitting the high school is needed.

“Families have seen more and more housing lots approved, all the while their pleas for a local high school have been ignored by the NSW Government.”
 
Sally Quinnell, NSW Labor Candidate for Camden, said:
 
“Parents have been crying out for years to get a local public high school for this community and I’m very pleased to be able to announce this high school commitment today.
 
“As a teacher and parent myself, I understand the frustration this community has experienced under the current NSW Liberal Government as they’ve had to fight for local schools.
 
“I want to be a strong voice for my community, which for too long has been lacking a strong advocate who can get results.”

Labor will deliver more job security and funding certainty for our community services sector, by introducing longer term five year funding arrangements for key community service providers.
 
This will benefit the over 7,800 non-government organisations that operate in the sector; the more than 240,000 workers they employ; and the over one million people they support.
 
These essential frontline workers – predominantly women – have been vital in supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our community, including throughout the pandemic, fires, droughts and floods, as well as homelessness, domestic and family violence, and child protection.
 
Under the Liberals and Nationals
 
One in four community service workers are employed on short term contracts, according to a NSW Council of Social Services report.
 
These organisations are often forced to reapply for their funding every 12, six or even three months.
 
The applications are onerous and often differ among the various government departments.  
 
As a result, one in three organisations reported difficulties recruiting and retaining staff.
 
And organisations are often forced to compete, rather than collaborate, which leads to a race to the bottom on wages and conditions in a sector comprised of predominantly women.
 
Labor’s plan
 
Longer term funding will foster greater job security for many thousands of women workers as well as provide organisations the freedom to plan into the future.  
 
It will also allow these organisations to spend more time on service delivery, rather than on administrative tasks.
 
Labor will also establish a taskforce to engage with the sector on the development of a new funding framework and jobs compact.
 
The taskforce will work to standardise and streamline reporting and contract management.
 
It will also establish a whole-of-government prequalification process so that organisations don’t need to repeat onerous accreditation processes.
 
And it will review funding models to stop the race to the bottom on wages, provide secure jobs and ensure adherence to award conditions.                                                                                                                                                            
 
Chris Minns, NSW Labor Leader said:

Longer term funding will mean better services for frontline organisations because it’s more time spent helping people and less time bogged down in paperwork to get funding.

 “This is a predominately female workforce, and ensuring certainty will also provide economic security for those employed in this sector.”

Kate Washington, NSW Shadow Minister for Families & Communities said:
 
“Under Labor, service providers will have the freedom to plan for the future, workers in the sector will have more secure jobs and the sector can focus on service delivery and supporting vulnerable people in our community.”
 
Jodie Harrison, NSW Shadow Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault said:
 
“These organisations and workers provide essential support to some of the most vulnerable in our community, from those experiencing natural disasters to domestic violence.”
 
Rose Jackson, NSW Shadow Minister for Housing & Homelessness said:
 
“They shouldn’t be forced to jump through hoops every three to 12 months just to do their job.”

Unused wards at Campbelltown Hospital were tendered out to film studios by the NSW Liberals and Nationals, documents obtained by NSW Labor have revealed.

The proposed tender details said, “Campbelltown Hospital has vacant/unused wards that can be used for filming for TV/Ads/Movies and other similar such mediums.”

The revelations come at a time when the state’s hospital system under the Liberals and Nationals grapple with record hospital wait times.

The most recent BHI data revealed that between April and June this year only 42.2 per cent of critical emergency treatment started on time in Campbelltown Hospital.

Over the same period, 10 per cent waited over an hour and 19 minutes, just to be transferred from an ambulance to a bed in the hospital.

Ten per cent spent almost 14 hours in the emergency department.

And over 3,000 patients left the emergency ward without receiving treatment altogether – one in every seven people who turned up for medical help.

NSW Labor is calling on the Premier to provide an explanation about the tender while wards remain unused and patients in need of critical care are going untreated.

Chris Minns, NSW Labor Leader Chris Minns said:

“It says so much about this Premier and this Government that they are more interested in creating fictional treatments, than actually treating patients in need.

This is outrageous. This isn’t Grey‘s Anatomy, it’s a real hospital with sick people.

“Because of chronic mismanagement, these wards are being used as movie sets rather than delivering treatment.  

“Dominic Perrottet should be focused on fixing the hospital not filming it.”

Ryan Park, NSW Shadow Minister for Health said:

“The people of Campbelltown and south west Sydney have every right to be frustrated and angry at a Government more interested in stunts than delivering the health services residents need and deserve.

“Shiny new wards without appropriate staffing will do nothing to solve the health crisis caused by 12 years of understaffing and underfunding our hospitals.

“If you were one of the three thousand patients who left the hospital untreated, or if you’re one of their friends or family, you’d be outraged.

“Despite a hospital crisis across NSW, Dominic Perrottet seems to be more interested in being a director than a Premier.”