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Families in Worrigee have had a first look at their new public primary school and preschool, with the Minns Labor Government releasing designs as planning progresses.

The new public primary school will ensure families in the rapidly developing suburbs of Worrigee and South Nowra can access a world-class public education close to home.

The primary school will have 24 modern classrooms, three support learning classrooms, a multipurpose hall with a covered outdoor learning area (COLA), library and special programs rooms, a sports field and multipurpose sports court.

The co-located preschool, one of 100 new public preschools the Minns Labor Government is opening in 2027, will have capacity for up to 120 children every week, ensuring the community will have access to high-quality early education.

It is one of four new public preschools being delivered in the Shoalhaven area, with others being built at Bomaderry Public School, Greenwell Point Public School and Sanctuary Point Public School. In contrast the former Liberal and National government did not build a single new public preschool during 12 years in office.

The new Worrigee public preschool is scheduled to open in 2027, while the new primary school is set to welcome students in 2028. The planning application for the public preschool is currently open via the NSW Planning Portal.

The new school and preschool will cater for local families amid significant growth in South Nowra, which has seen a 150 per cent increase in new dwellings over the past decade.

The new public school at Worrigee will alleviate pressure on Nowra Public School and Nowra East Public School while also easing traffic in the broader area by reducing the number of students and parents having to travel across suburbs.

The Minns Labor Government has committed $2.9 billion to upgrade and build new schools in regional areas as part of its commitment to rebuild public education across the state.

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

“The Minns Labor Government is dedicated to enhancing educational opportunities and building a brighter future for our children. This new school and public preschool will play a vital role in supporting the educational needs of families in the Worrigee and South Nowra areas.

“The new Worrigee public school and public preschool has been long time coming for the families across South Nowra, who were neglected by the former Liberal National Government.

“We are committed to providing students with a high-quality, state-of-the-art learning environment that meets the demands of a growing population, such as South Nowra and Worrigee.”

Member for South Coast Liza Butler said:

“I’m thrilled the artist impressions have now been shared with the community to see an indication of how the new primary and public preschool in Worrigee might look.

“The Nowra community continues to grow, and it is vital we continue to invest in these areas so every child can access high-quality public schools close to home.

“Investing in our public schools is essential to ensure all students across NSW can access the best possible education.”

More than 50,000 Australians each year will gain the benefits of industry-led digital training with a new TAFE Centre of Excellence opening at the Institute of Applied Technology – Digital at TAFE NSW Meadowbank. 

In a joint initiative, the Albanese and Minns Labor Governments are investing $11 million into the Centre to strengthen Australia’s digital and technology capability, providing practical digital skills training to students shaped by industry needs and helping employers access a pipeline of digitally skilled workers. 

Building on the success of TAFE NSW’s Institute of Applied Technology – Digital pilot, the Centre will:

• upskill and reskill students and workers in cybersecurity, AI, big data, cloud computing, and software;
• expand the skills pipeline by supporting priority cohorts including women, culturally and linguistically diverse learners and First Nations students;
• offer flexible delivery including on-site and online training to support regional and remote cohorts across the state and the country;
• work with industry, universities and small and medium-sized businesses to deliver applied research and practical solutions to real world digital workforce challenges; and
• deliver microskills, microcredentials, vendor certifications, and accredited qualifications across the digital skills domain. 

This investment is part of the Albanese Government’s $325 million in funding to establish a national network of up to 20 TAFE Centres of Excellence under the National Skills Agreement with states and territories. 

This builds on the Minns Labor Government’s record $3.4 billion investment in TAFE and skills, ensuring the state’s training system continues to deliver modern, industry-aligned training in critical skills areas.  

More information on TAFE Centres of Excellence is available on the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations website.  

Federal Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles: 

“TAFE Centres of Excellence are designed to ensure Australians can get the skills they need for good secure work into the future. 

“Australia’s vocational education and training system must remain agile and keep pace with technological change and evolving job roles – work that our Government is doing with industry, training providers and others in the sector. 

“By working closely with the Minns Government in backing this project, our new TAFE Centre of Excellence here at Meadowbank will strengthen Australia’s digital capability and boost pathways into skilled digital jobs.” 

NSW Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan: 

“This investment reinforces the role of TAFE NSW as a leader in delivering innovative, industry-focused training, in high-demand skills areas. 

“The Institute of Applied Technology Digital – National Centre of Excellence builds on a proven skills delivery model, providing opportunities for students and workers to gain the digital skills that work for communities and industries.  

“By working closely with industry and university partners, we are ensuring training keeps pace with technological change delivering job-ready graduates.” 

Member for Bennelong, Jerome Laxale: 

“It’s an exciting day for our local community. Playing host to this new, national TAFE Centre of Excellence will supercharge the work already being done by TAFE NSW Meadowbank to ensure students here and across the state get the skills they need for the future. 

“Over the coming years and decades the global demand for technology skills will skyrocket – the Albanese Labor Government is ensuring that students can remain ahead of the pack by benefitting from the best of digital and AI skills training, right here in our community.” 

The first passenger service of the new intercity Mariyung train on the South Coast Line will depart Kiama Station at 7:56am today, bound for Central Station.

The introduction of the Mariyung in the Illawarra will be followed later in the year by a service uplift that will deliver a train every 15 minutes in the peak between Wollongong and Sydney – up from the current three an hour in the peak – as part of the new 2026 Sydney Trains timetable.

The inaugural journey on Tuesday will mark the beginning of the final phase of the rollout of the Mariyung fleet which entered service on the Central Coast & Newcastle Line in December 2024 and the Blue Mountains Line in October last year. 

Mariyung trains offer more spacious two-by-two seating, a quieter journey with modern air-conditioning, spaces for luggage, prams, bicycles and wheelchairs, enhanced safety and improved accessibility. 

Seating includes tray tables, arm rests, high seat backs and charging ports for mobile devices. On-board digital screens are easier to read, and CCTV throughout the new trains will enhance the safety and security while helping deter anti-social activity. 

The Mariyung trains are the first new intercity fleet in almost 20 years and have an expected service life of 35 years. They will gradually replace the Oscar trains that entered service in 2006.  

Following 12 months of testing and enabling track and station works, the South Coast Line is getting a phased rollout of the Mariyung fleet, starting with seven new train sets this month, increasing to 16 trains by 2027.  

The first phase will involve 4-car and 6-car sets, the second phase will see 8-car sets later this year, followed by 10-car configurations in 2027.

The new train timetable, to be introduced later in the year, will add a fourth service an hour in peak. There will be a service every 30 minutes outside the AM and PM peaks.

As part of the new timetable changes, South Coast Line services will operate to and from Central and will no longer run on the Eastern Suburbs railway to Bondi Junction.

South Coast passengers wanting to access T4 Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra Line stations from Town Hall to Bondi Junction will be able to interchange at Hurstville, Sydenham, Redfern or Central or change to Metro at Sydenham. 

Under the new timetable to be introduced later this year, South Coast Line trains will no longer stop at Wolli Creek Station – affecting about 2% of current passengers. They will need to change at Hurstville or Central to access services to the Domestic and International Airport stations. Trains will continue to stop at Wolli Creek until the new timetable is introduced.

The former Liberal-National government botched the introduction of the Mariyung fleet, spending $1.7 billion more than they estimated in 2014, according to the NSW Auditor-General, and failing to get them on the tracks while they were in office – despite promising they would be in service in 2019.

This included the need to widen tunnels and extend platforms.

When operated in their longer format during the peak, Mariyungs will be difficult to turn back at Bondi Junction.

Today’s first passenger service will stop at the following stations along the South Coast Line: Bombo, Minnamurra, Shellharbour Junction, Oak Flats, Albion Park, Dapto, Unanderra, Coniston, Wollongong, North Wollongong, Thirroul, Helensburgh, Sutherland, Hurstville, Wolli Creek and Redfern on its way to Central Station. 

The introduction of the modern Mariyungs will improve reliability for passengers, part of a $458 million push by the Minns Labor Government to bring rail reliability up to scratch.

Minister for Transport John Graham said: 

“This is a very exciting day for commuters in the Illawarra as these brand-new trains begin to enter service, bringing a new level of comfort, safety and convenience to a region where people often spend long hours on the train as part of their commute.  

“The introduction of the Mariyungs will allow us to increase services from Wollongong to every 15 minutes in the peak and every 30 minutes in the off peak and weekends later this year.

“The people of the Illawarra deserve our best trains and more services and that’s what they’re getting.” 

Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast Ryan Park said: 

“South Coast residents have been very much looking forward to the new Mariyung going into service. 

“We have thousands of people who commute to Sydney regularly and they will now be able to relax and enjoy the scenic trip in extra comfort.  

“The added features such as the tray tables and USB charging ports will be a welcome addition to those commuters who work in Sydney.”

Minister for Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said: 

“The new Mariyung intercity trains will bring improved comfort and accessibility to travellers between Kiama and Central.

“The 136-year-old South Coast Line is one of most beautiful but challenging rail corridors in NSW due to the terrain, so the project team has made complex infrastructure upgrades to get these new trains operating.

“The Mariyung project has helped to create around 1600 jobs through enabling works and the construction of the maintenance facility at Kangy Angy.

“Passengers can now enjoy the scenery during a very smooth and safe journey, which will particularly enhance the increasingly popular weekday working commute to Sydney’s CBD.” 

Member for Wollongong Paul Scully said:

“This is an exciting day for passengers on the South Coast Line with a new Mariyung train taking its maiden journey on the South Coast Line.

“For years Wollongong commuters have wanted more frequent services on the South Coast Line and the new Mariyung trains mean the Minns Labor Government can make it happen.”

Member for Shellharbour Anna Watson said: 

“Residents in Shellharbour deserve a public transport system that is modern, comfortable and accessible, and the Mariyung fleet will deliver exactly that for communities along the South Coast.

“These new intercity trains will provide a major improvement for local commuters, with more spacious seating, better accessibility, modern technology and enhanced safety features.”

Member for Kiama Katelin McInerney said: 

“It’s great to see the South Coast Line get access to the modern Mariyung Fleet which ensure our local commuters will get to enjoy features like charging ports, luggage and bike storage.

“This investment is long needed crucial part of delivering a modern passenger focused service for our growing region.”

Member for Heathcote Maryanne Stuart said: 

“The Minns Labor government has undertaken major capital investment to make the new Mariyung train fit for purpose for all commuters along the South Coast Line. 

“I thank commuters for their patience whilst the project teams worked to upgrade the rail network, the platforms and rolling stock – including adding a guard’s cabin for additional safety.

“As the daughter of a train driver, I am excited for the much-improved reliability, accessibility and a better commuting experience.”

Chief Executive Sydney Trains Matt Longland: 

“I want to thank the thousands of people who have worked on the Mariyung project.  

“Our station staff and train crew are looking forward to welcoming our South Coast passengers onto these brand-new intercity trains.” 

The Minns Labor Government’s EV strategy is a step backward for New South Wales and does nothing to safeguard the state against future fuel shocks.
 
Labor has put forward a carbon copy of the strategy put forward by the Liberal and Nationals when in Government but has walked away from the previous target of 30,000 chargers and has cut overall investment.
 
Opposition Leader, Kellie Sloane, said the Minns Labor Government has done nothing for the last three years.
 
“This is yet another example of Labor playing catch-up. Without a long-term plan we can’t safeguard against global shocks meaning families, households and businesses pay the price,” Ms Sloane said.
 
“This is not a strategy. It is a smokescreen. A classic Minns Labor Government attempt to distract from three years of missed opportunities on EV infrastructure while families are paying through the nose at the bowser.”
 
“The Liberals and Nationals have put forward a proposal to protect NSW against future shocks by looking at additional fuel storage and domestic fuel production which the Minns Labor Government could back today.”
 
Shadow Minister for Energy and Climate Change, James Griffin, said Labor had recycled Liberals and Nationals initiatives such as transitioning the bus fleet and installing chargers at commuter carparks.
 
“They have taken the Coalition’s world-class framework, committed less funding, and dumped the ambitious targets that would have actually moved the needle for NSW drivers,” Mr Griffin said.  
 
“In 2023, we promised 30,000 chargers by this year. Labor has delivered barely 10 per cent of that figure. This isn’t a strategy; it’s another example of this lazy government being caught out.”
 
“Labor hasn’t had a new idea on electric vehicles in three years.”

Today we pause to remember the six innocent lives taken at Westfield Bondi Junction two years since the senseless tragedy.
 
We continue to remember Jade Young, Dawn Singleton, Ashlee Good, Pikria Darchia, Yixuan Cheng, and Faraz Tahir and extend our love to all those who live with the trauma of that day.
 
With the pain still raw, today will not be easy for many families, survivors, first responders and those that were at the shopping centre that day. It is important they know New South Wales has not forgotten them.
 
We welcome the decision by Governor-General Sam Mostyn to recognise Silas Despréaux, Ashlee Good, Damien Jean Guerot, Detective Inspector Amy Scott, Muhammad Taha, Faraz Tahir, Noel McLaughlin and Catherine Ann Molihan.
 
These eight extraordinary human beings showed us the very best of humanity. Their recognition is deserved and will long be remembered.
 
There is no right way to mark this day. What matters is that as a community, we continue to support one another through it, that is what Bondi showed us two years ago, and it is what carries us forward.