Category: NSW News

A man has died, and another man is undergoing surgery following a physical altercation in the Hunter region overnight.
About 3.30am today (Friday 8 March 2019), officers from Newcastle City Police District were called to Donald Street, Hamilton, following reports two men were fighting in the street.
On arrival, police were told the men left the area in a vehicle, which was possibly being driven by a third man.
A short time later, officers attended a home unit on Cody Street, Hamilton South, where they located the body of a 51-year-old man.
They also located a 23-year-old man with serious head injuries.
He was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics, before being taken to John Hunter Hospital, where he is undergoing surgery.
Crime scenes have been established at the home and on Donald Street, which are being examined by specialist forensic officers.
Local detectives are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government will invest a record $500 million over the next four years into non-government schools to help them build more classrooms and cater for growing enrolments.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian today announced the additional capital funding will be used by non-government schools in NSW so they can build, extend or upgrade their school facilities to provide more student places in growing communities.
“We have provided record funding for the public school system, and we are providing record support for the Catholic and independent school sectors as well,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“This additional funding is only possible thanks to the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government’s strong economic management.
“Parents can always rely on a NSW Liberals & Nationals Government to support them – whether they choose to send their children to the local public school, or a Catholic or independent school.”
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said NSW’s Catholic and independent schools will share in $500 million from the NSW Government, which is more than double the amount Labor invested in non-government school infrastructure in their last four years.
“The Liberals & Nationals take strong financial management and turn it into better schools for your kids – that’s the difference. No empty slogans – we secure the funding and get then job done,” Mr Perrottet said.
Education Minister Rob Stokes said the increased investment will be delivered through grants under the Building Grants Assistance Scheme, which directs funding towards areas of greatest need. The scheme takes into account fees, demographics and socio-economic characteristics of the school.
“The NSW Liberals & Nationals recognise that funding for school infrastructure should be consistent with a needs-based sector-blind approach to support the schools who need it the most,” Mr Stokes said.
“This record funding announcement will continue to ensure that every student in NSW continues to receive the best possible education, in the best facilities – no matter where they go to school.”
This year’s funding for Catholic and independent schools includes St Francis Catholic College in Edmondson Park ($3.6 million); Australian Christian College – Marsden Park in Riverstone ($950,000); Nowra Christian School in Nowra ($800,000) and St Peter’s Anglican College in Broulee on the NSW South Coast ($300,000).
The increased funding for non-government schools is in addition to the NSW Government’s $6 billion investment over the next four years to deliver more than 170 new and upgraded public schools across the State. This is the largest investment in public school infrastructure by any state government in Australian history.
As part of the “Gonski” schools funding agreement, NSW was also the only State to provide an extra $712 million to public schools to complement the Commonwealth’s $1.2 billion Choice and Affordability Fund.

Children needing specialist care will benefit from an extra $619 million for further upgrades to The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, bringing the total investment in the world-class health precinct to $1.6 billion.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the additional investment will fund Stage 2 of the hospital’s redevelopment and comes on top of the $1 billion transformation of Westmead, the State’s flagship health, education and research precinct.
“This significant expansion to paediatric health services in Western Sydney will ensure The Children’s Hospital at Westmead continues to be a world leader in providing care for sick children right across the state,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“This is a massive expansion to paediatric health services for NSW, made possible due to the Liberals & Nationals’ strong economic management of this state.”
This additional $619 million investment is estimated to create 6190 direct and indirect jobs during construction, further growing our economy.
Today’s announcement follows a commitment by the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government to recruit an additional 8300 frontline hospital staff, including 5000 nurses and midwives.
The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government is also building a $608 million Comprehensive Children’s Cancer Centre at Sydney Children’s Hospital at Randwick as part of a rebuild of the hospital, which will include a new emergency department.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the further investment for Stage 2 will greatly increase capacity at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.
“This significant additional funding will deliver both new and expanded health services for our state’s sickest children, including intensive care, cancer services and mental health care services,” Mr Hazzard said.
“The NSW Government is transforming hospitals and health facilities right across the State in a record building boom, to ensure patients continue to receive world-class care.
“The Liberals & Nationals have invested nearly $10 billion in health infrastructure since 2011 and have committed more than $8 billion in the next term.”
The Stage 2 redevelopment will include a new Paediatric Services Building (PSB) and refurbishment of the existing facilities, including:

• Operating Theatres
• Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
• Paediatric Intensive Care Unit
• Cancer Services
• Pharmacy Department
• Expansion of Pathology services
• Mental Health inpatient and ambulatory care
• Car parking

The Westmead precinct includes Westmead Hospital, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Cumberland Hospital and Westmead Private Hospital, together with a number of world-leading medical research institutes, two university campuses and the largest research-intensive pathology service in NSW.
This investment follows the NSW Government’s funding of $95 million for Stage 1 of the redevelopment of the Children’s Hospital at Westmead currently underway.
Stage 1 includes a new children’s Emergency Department and paediatric short stay units, and additional pharmacy and medical imaging facilities within the Westmead Precinct Central Acute Services Building.
“As the population of Western Sydney continues to grow, the NSW State Government will ensure the health needs of this growing community are met both now and into the future,” Mr Hazzard said.
Early construction works on Stage 2 are expected to commence in 2020.

The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government will invest another $960 million upgrading more of the Princes Highway – making the road safer and bringing new jobs and investment to the South Coast.
In the next term of government, the NSW Liberals & Nationals will:

• Duplicate sections of the Princes Highway from Jervis Bay Road to Sussex Inlet Road;
• Build the Moruya Bypass; and
• Start detailed planning work for the Milton and Ulladulla Bypass and upgrades for the Princes Highway from Burrill Lake to Batemans Bay.

The NSW Government already has $1.5 billion of work underway on the Princes Highway and today’s announcement will increase that total to more than $2.4 billion.
“Only the NSW Liberals & Nationals can deliver this type of major investment for the South Coast, thanks to our careful handling of the economy and the budget,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Upgrading the Princes Highway will improve safety, improve journey times and more efficient freighting will further boost our already strong state economy.”
The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government has already made massive investments in upgrading the Princes Highway between Wollongong and Nowra.
Upgrades have been completed at Gerringong, and the Foxground and Berry Bypass has recently opened – both projects Labor promised in government, and failed to deliver.
A further $1.5 billion of work is proceeding now, including the Albion Park Rail Bypass, the Berry to Bomaderry Upgrade and Nowra Bridge project.
As well as improving safety for ordinary motorists, Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance said the upgrade work will improve freight times.
“Upgrading the Princes Highway will be a major driver of economic development,” Mr Constance said.
“We are already delivering major road upgrades for the South Coast and our work in the next term of Government will continue those major investments.”
Minister for Roads Melinda Pavey said the program of works will also generate tens of thousands of jobs, primarily in construction and engineering but also will boost local economies by providing opportunities for suppliers and services that will be required to support such an enormous enterprise.
“The successful training hub program in place as part of the Berry to Bomaderry Princes Highway upgrade will be replicated right along the NSW South Coast, providing locals with priceless jobs and training opportunities that will transform communities for generations to come,” Ms Pavey said.
Ultimately, the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government is committed to duplicating the entire Princes Highway between Nowra and the Victorian border.
It is expected the investment will be more than $15 billion across the next 20 years to upgrade the Princes Highway.
Between July 2012 and June 2017 there were 1494 crashes on the Princes Highway from Jervis Bay Road to the Victorian Border, resulting in 30 fatalities and 350 serious injuries.
Between December 2017 and June 2018, eight more people lost their lives on the Princes Highway south of Nowra.
The steady reduction in deaths on the Pacific Highway in the 20 years since the full duplication project started provided a strong case for similar work on the Princes Highway.
“This commitment is the result of the strong advocacy and persistence of South Coast MP Shelley Hancock, Kiama MP Gareth Ward and Bega MP Andrew Constance,” Mrs Pavey added.
“This program is on top of our record investment in highways across the state including the Pacific Motorway, the Newell Highway, the Kings Highway – we’re building them all.”

The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government will invest $750 million in the redevelopment of Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, the largest investment in its 137-year history.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the significant investment is only possible due to the strong economic management of the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government.
“RPA is a shining jewel in our health crown, and it is about to get the biggest investment in its 137-year history. This $750 million commitment for the Stage 1 redevelopment of RPA is a game changer for medical staff and patients,” Mr Hazzard said.
“The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government is committed to ensuring RPA continues to deliver world-class patient and family-centred health care. The new facilities at RPA will build on the hospital’s strength of integrating treatment with research and innovation.”
The Stage 1 redevelopment will include expansion of the Emergency and Imaging departments, reconfiguration and expansion of operating theatres and integration of ambulatory care services.
Mr Hazzard said the Liberals & Nationals Government is investing more than $8 billion in health infrastructure over the next four years, and has invested nearly $10 billion since 2011.
“The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government has already built or upgraded more than 100 hospitals and other health facilities across the State and now RPA is getting its turn,” Mr Hazzard said.
“This investment will ensure that RPA continues to function as a fully integrated research and education precinct leading Australia with world-class clinical research facilities.
“This huge investment by the NSW Liberals & Nationals in the future of RPA Hospital will ease pressure on staff and enable them to continue delivering world-class care in the future,” Mr Hazzard said.
The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government commenced the transformation of this site with the Professor Marie Bashir Centre opened in 2014, and the $34.6 million staff car park opened in 2018, in addition to its ongoing support of Chris O’Brien Lifehouse.

The highly successful Opal Park and Ride program will be rolled out at 10 more train station commuter car parks giving more public transport customers access to free parking across the rail network.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said planning work to convert 10 carparks to Opal Park and Ride will begin immediately, which will allow commuters travelling with an Opal Card to park for up to 18 hours for free.
“The goal is to make sure commuter carparks are available for those actually using public transport, and not those who might be shopping or working locally,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Opal Park and Ride is already working at 10 locations and today the NSW Government is committing to convert carparks at Kiama, Sutherland, Penrith, Holsworthy, Gosford, Campbelltown, Hornsby, Warwick Farm, Revesby and Jannali.”
Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance said the program is needed because research showed almost half of people who use commuter car parks at train stations do not catch public transport.
“There is a high demand for commuter car parks and Opal Park and Ride is about ensuring car parks are saved for their intended purpose – for people who are using public transport,” Mr Constance said.
“At the same time this Government is delivering more commuter car parking spaces. We have added more than 6000 spaces with another 6000 in planning or under construction.”
Customers who do not catch public transport within 18 hours from the time of entry will be charged at a daily rate in line with the commercial rates for the local area.
Opal Park and Ride has already been rolled out to Ashfield, Brookvale, Dee Why, Gordon, Kogarah, Manly Vale, Mona Vale, Narrabeen, Seven Hills and Warriewood.

Having already secured major deals with aerospace, defence and education institutions, the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government will now turn its attention to attracting agribusiness to the Western Sydney Aerotropolis.
Ten MoUs signed to date will contribute to the creation of 200,000 jobs at the Aerotropolis, with Premier Gladys Berejiklian today announcing that a new agribusiness precinct will contribute 2500 direct jobs and support up to 12,000 more.
“We’ve worked hard to bring unemployment down to a record low of 3.9 per cent and our plans will continue to create more jobs for people across the State. I’m particularly excited about the jobs and opportunities that the airport will create for families and future generations in Western Sydney,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Western Sydney Airport and the precincts we are delivering around the airport will create tens of thousands of jobs over the next decade and support employment across NSW.
“I’m also thrilled that the agribusiness precinct will support farming jobs by enabling even more of our world-class fresh produce to be exported to the world.” The new agribusiness precinct will link directly with the Sydney Markets, which has agreed to have a base at the Western Sydney Aerotropolis. It will see NSW’s worldclass fresh produce be exported to the rest of the world in record time.
The agribusiness precinct will consist of a series of high-tech farming and climate controlled glasshouses that will produce fresh food and handle incoming produce from NSW farms for global export.
For the first time, it will mean that food produced in NSW can be flown from the farm gate to international consumers within 24 hours.
Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said Western Sydney Airport was creating major opportunities for families and businesses.
“The airport is a game changer for Western Sydney and for NSW. If you are a young family living in Western Sydney, the employment opportunities being created through initiatives like the agribusiness precinct are incredibly exciting,” he said.
At the same time the NSW Government is creating the jobs for the future in the Aerotropolis, it is also making a significant investment to upgrade the road network in the area to support the new industries.
Some $3.6 billion is being invested to duplicate The Northern Road and Bringelly Road, with construction on both projects already well underway. Planning is continuing on the new M12 motorway which will link the M7 and The Northern Road to the Western Sydney Airport.
The NSW Government has also announced today that the Western City and Aerotropolis Authority (WCAA) will be located in Penrith. The WCAA is tasked with planning and leading the development of the Western Sydney Aerotropolis.

Having already secured major deals with aerospace, defence and education institutions, the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government will now turn its attention to attracting agribusiness to the Western Sydney Aerotropolis.
Ten MoUs signed to date will contribute to the creation of 200,000 jobs at the Aerotropolis, with Premier Gladys Berejiklian today announcing that a new agribusiness precinct will contribute 2500 direct jobs and support up to 12,000 more.
“We’ve worked hard to bring unemployment down to a record low of 3.9 per cent and our plans will continue to create more jobs for people across the State. I’m particularly excited about the jobs and opportunities that the airport will create for families and future generations in Western Sydney,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Western Sydney Airport and the precincts we are delivering around the airport will create tens of thousands of jobs over the next decade and support employment across NSW.
“I’m also thrilled that the agribusiness precinct will support farming jobs by enabling even more of our world-class fresh produce to be exported to the world.” The new agribusiness precinct will link directly with the Sydney Markets, which has agreed to have a base at the Western Sydney Aerotropolis. It will see NSW’s worldclass fresh produce be exported to the rest of the world in record time.
The agribusiness precinct will consist of a series of high-tech farming and climate controlled glasshouses that will produce fresh food and handle incoming produce from NSW farms for global export.
For the first time, it will mean that food produced in NSW can be flown from the farm gate to international consumers within 24 hours.
Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said Western Sydney Airport was creating major opportunities for families and businesses.
“The airport is a game changer for Western Sydney and for NSW. If you are a young family living in Western Sydney, the employment opportunities being created through initiatives like the agribusiness precinct are incredibly exciting,” he said.
At the same time the NSW Government is creating the jobs for the future in the Aerotropolis, it is also making a significant investment to upgrade the road network in the area to support the new industries.
Some $3.6 billion is being invested to duplicate The Northern Road and Bringelly Road, with construction on both projects already well underway. Planning is continuing on the new M12 motorway which will link the M7 and The Northern Road to the Western Sydney Airport.
The NSW Government has also announced today that the Western City and Aerotropolis Authority (WCAA) will be located in Penrith. The WCAA is tasked with planning and leading the development of the Western Sydney Aerotropolis.

Construction on the new Metro West rail line will be accelerated to begin next year – slashing travel times between Parramatta and the city to just 20 minutes.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the decision to bring forward construction is only possible because of the strong economic management of the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government.
“We always said we would build Metro West as fast as possible and today’s announcement shows we mean business,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“We have worked our guts out to get the budget in a strong position and now we are able to deliver crucial rail projects like Metro West quicker than anyone thought was possible.
“Metro West will more than double the existing rail capacity between Parramatta and the Sydney CBD and only the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government can be trusted to make it a reality.
“This crucial project will reduce the journey between Parramatta and the city to around 20 minutes, with trains running every two minutes.”
Under the Liberals & Nationals Government there will be stations at Westmead, Parramatta, Sydney Olympic Park, North Strathfield, Burwood North, Five Dock, The Bays Precinct and the City. Investigations are continuing into possible stations between Olympic Park and Parramatta such as Rydalmere, and at Pyrmont.
Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance said Labor can’t be trusted to deliver major infrastructure projects.
“During its time in office Labor promised to build 12 rail lines, but did not deliver a single one in full,” Mr Constance said.
“In fact Labor has promised a Metro to Western Sydney three times since the mid-90s and cancelled it every time. In 2010 they were so incompetent they handed $81 million back to the Federal Government after cancelling it once again.
“We already have the runs on the board. Metro North West will open in May and construction is underway on Sydney Metro City & South West.”
The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government will provide $6.4 billion for Metro West over the four year forward estimates.
“This is more than Labor is providing. Our funding is locked in. Labor is relying on billions of dollars of imaginary federal funding,” Mr Constance said.
Metro West is expected to take around eight years to complete from the start of construction. The final schedule for the project will be confirmed on completion of the final business case.

More than 14,000 extra weekly bus services will be delivered under a NSW Liberals & Nationals Government over the next four years to improve services across Sydney, the Illawarra, Hunter and Central Coast.
Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance said the NSW Liberals & Nationals have worked hard to improve bus services across the State and this commitment would take the total number of services added since we were elected to 50,000.
“We will continue our record investment in public transport by adding thousands of extra weekly bus services to boost service frequency and the hours buses operate,” Mr Constance said.
“More people than ever before are using the bus network. Patronage has risen by almost 55 per cent over the past eight years, from 214 million trips a year to 332 million trips.
“By putting on more bus services we are making it easier for commuters to leave their cars at home easing congestion on our roads.”
Suburbs that will benefit from the extra bus services include Riverstone, Schofields, Leppington, Macquarie Park, The Entrance, Raymond Terrace, and Shellharbour.
Member for Holsworthy Melanie Gibbons said the new bus services will be better aligned to connect with local train stations, including those along the new Sydney Metro line.
“The NSW Liberals & Nationals are building a better public transport network having already added more than 32,000 weekly bus services across the State,” Mr Constance said.
“In contrast, when Labor was last in Government they cancelled 1,500 weekly bus services.”
Liberal Candidate for Liverpool Paul Zadro welcomed the commitment to improve services in Liverpool.
“We have seen substantial growth in Liverpool so I want to see a focus on boosting service frequency and the hours buses operate in our community,” Mr Zadro said.