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The Albanese and Minns Labor Governments have committed $3 million in combined funding to progress flood resilience planning across the Richmond River catchment in NSW following the release of a major CSIRO report.

The final report under the Northern Rivers Resilience Initiative (NRRI) was released today. The Initiative was established following the unprecedented, devastating floods that struck the Northern Rivers region in early 2022.

Funded by the Albanese Government through the $11.4 million NRRI, the report identifies options to help reduce flood impacts across the Richmond River catchment and support future resilience planning in the region.

Prepared by Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, the report combines community consultation with high-resolution hydrodynamic modelling and historical data to test how various flood mitigation measures could perform across the catchment.

The Albanese and Minns Governments are providing $3 million to deliver a feasibility study and detailed enabling studies.

The Minns Government is contributing $2 million to progress this important work, with the Albanese Government contributing an additional $1 million.

The study will assess the technical, environmental, economic and social feasibility of potential interventions and help inform future investment decisions. Richmond Valley, Kyogle, Ballina and Lismore councils will play a key role through formal governance arrangements overseeing the study, helping ensure local knowledge and community priorities are reflected throughout the process.

The feasibility study will directly inform the Northern Rivers Disaster Adaptation Plan (DAP), led by the NSW Reconstruction Authority.

It will ensure flood mitigation options are considered alongside a broader suite of measures to reduce disaster risk and build long-term community resilience across the region.

NEMA and CSIRO will hold community drop-in sessions in July to discuss the findings and answer questions.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Kristy McBain:
“The 2022 floods were devastating for many communities across the Northern Rivers and highlighted the need for greater understanding of how to reduce flood impacts in the Richmond River catchment in the future.

“The release of this report is a significant milestone for Northern Rivers communities.

“It gives us a scientific basis for understanding which flood mitigation measures could make the biggest difference.

“This will help inform future resilience planning and decision-making by providing a stronger evidence base for governments to consider future flood resilience investments.

“The Albanese Government is committed to working with the Minns Government on the next steps, ensuring this important work continues to progress.”

Federal Minister for Science, Industry and Innovation Tim Ayres:
“The CSIRO’s Australian science is central to delivering future flood resilience for the Northern Rivers.

“Better planning and engaging with local communities, states and experts to prepare for the challenges ahead are essential to protecting the community and their livelihoods.

“This report is a great example of investing in science to deliver real benefits for regional communities.”

Senator for NSW, Jenny McAllister:
“People in the Northern Rivers have long called for a clear picture about the way the catchment works, so they can consider options together to best protect their communities.

“I thank all those who took the time to give their input into this important work.”

NSW Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin:
“My reading of this report gives us real hope because it shows technically that flood levels can be lowered across all four local government areas in the Richmond River catchment – Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Ballina.

“The NSW Government always had funding available, and this $2 million investment, along with the $1 million commitment from the Australian Government, is the official start of the detailed scoping work and technical analysis required before any onground implementation can begin.

“There is still a way to go, but we are moving forward. I look forward to working closely with the Australian Government, the four councils and our community as these scoping works shape up.”

Emergency response in Sydney’s south is set to be bolstered with a nearly $10 million investment for a brand-new fire station at Engadine.

The Minns Labor Government has allocated $9.9 million in the 2026/27 NSW Budget for the construction of a new Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) station, with land already acquired.

Two adjoining lots – with access to Railway Parade and the Old Princes Highway – have already been secured for the future development of the station.

The new station will replace the existing location on Prestons Avenue, which has served the community since its opening in June 1966.

Planning and design work will now begin in consultation with key stakeholders. The new station will provide firefighters with modern facilities to enhance the safety and efficiency of operations.

This investment is part of the Minns Labor Government’s ongoing commitment to delivering modern emergency services infrastructure across NSW, ensuring firefighters have the resources they need to keep communities safe.

This announcement is part of more than $105 million allocated for FRNSW infrastructure and fleet this financial year. Other major projects include:

• A new $22.2 million fire station, fire truck and 20 additional firefighters for Marsden Park.
• Land for a future fire station at Box Hill to support one of NSW’s fastest-growing communities.
• New and upgraded stations across metropolitan and regional NSW including at Badgerys Creek, Wentworthville and Goonellabah.

Emergency Services Minister, Jihad Dib said:

“A new fit-for-purpose fire station at Engadine will give local crews the space, equipment and facilities they need to continue to protect families and homes across Sydney’s south.

“This funding is about making sure the community has a station that is fit for the future so crews can continue responding quickly and effectively when people need help.

“It forms part of the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to strengthen emergency services across NSW, so our communities can rely on a capable and effective response when it matters most.”

Member for Heathcote, Maryanne Stuart said:

“We’re backing Fire and Rescue NSW, whose firefighters put themselves in harm’s way every day to protect the community

“The current Engadine Fire Station was built back in 1966. With the population growth, the Minns Labor Government is planning infrastructure to meet future demands.

“I thank the local firies for their commitment to public safety and the Minister and the Commissioner for their support to the firies and our electorate.”

Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell said:

“We know our firefighters need modern facilities that support the work they do every day to keep communities safe.

“With funding secured for Engadine, we can begin the next stage of planning and consultation with local crews to deliver a station that will serve the community well into the future.

“We are delivering a modern operational base for firefighters responding to road crashes on the highway, local fires or rescues in the nearby national park.”  

The Minns Labor Government is investing over $148,000 in a local program to empower Aboriginal women to establish businesses and lead environmental and cultural heritage protection on Country in the state’s North Coast.

Currie Country Social Change’s ‘Empowering Women for Country: Building Skills in Cultural and Heritage Protection’ pilot program will help equip 16 Aboriginal women with skills in leadership, and business and communications, as well as gain certifications in cultural heritage, drone operation, first aid and 4WD safety.

Through the pilot, these women will also receive training and guidance to establish micro-businesses delivering environmental management and cultural heritage services grounded in Aboriginal knowledge.

The women will receive wraparound support such as ongoing mentoring, cultural connection and intergenerational knowledge transfer to help them confidently launch and sustain their businesses.

The objective is to create culturally grounded businesses that protect Country, preserve cultural heritage, and build long-term community resilience through expanding employment opportunities for women.

The Minns Government is supporting women entrepreneurs and business owners, especially those from priority cohorts such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, women living in regional, rural and remote areas, women with disability, carers and women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

It is part of our wider work to boost women’s participation and advancement that includes Supporting Women in Business grants, Investing in Women grants and the Women-Owned Enterprises Australia Supplier Network.

To learn more about our women’s programs, go to: nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/women-nsw/women-nsw-grants-and-funding

Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said:

“Currie Country Social Change’s pilot is an innovative, culturally grounded initiative that draws on intergenerational Aboriginal knowledge to equip women with additional skills to protect Country and cultural heritage.

“The NSW Government is proud to fund this initiative that will create real, sustainable employment for women and girls who face barriers to entering or re-entering the workforce.

“With skills in cultural heritage, environmental protection and disaster management in high demand across the state, the knowledge and leadership these women will bring to Country is invaluable and essential.

“The Minns Government is building a stronger future for women, by supporting their dreams to start their own businesses, or creating pathways for them to lead or embark on a new career.”

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said:

“The Minns Labor Government is committed to closing the gap by continuing to support culture and Aboriginal led businesses across NSW.

“NSW is unique in having a specific Closing the Gap Priority Reform – reform number 5 – focused on bolstering Aboriginal business growth and economic prosperity.

“Programs like this will help equip Aboriginal women with the tools they need to boost their local economies and preserve their culture now and into the future.”

Minister for Small Business and Minister for the North Coast, Janelle Saffin said:

“Empowering Aboriginal women to launch micro-businesses in high-demand sectors like environmental management is a win-win for the North Coast.

“Through this pilot, Currie Country Social Change is building a strong, culturally grounded foundation for new enterprises to grow and thrive.

“We are proud to back these future business leaders as part of our broader commitment to boosting diverse participation in the NSW small business sector.”

CEO Currie Country Social Change Arabella Douglas said:

“The NSW Government’s funding is helping build a First Nations women-led ecosystem of environmental, cultural and community enterprises that support one another to grow, lead and respond to the long-term challenges of climate, community resilience and caring for Country.

“The program recognises that women are already leading in environmental management, regeneration, community care and cultural education — and it simply backs their leadership and creates pathways for long-term economic independence and impact.

“It is also creating regional women leaders who are building opportunities for other women around them — strengthening local economies, skills and leadership across regional New South Wales.”

E-bikes blocking the path of pedestrians will be substantially cleaned up under rules to establish marked parking bays on the streets and at the kerbside.

The explosion in the number of shared e-bikes cluttering footpaths in the Sydney CBD and surrounding suburbs has frustrated many in our community.

A $6.6 million funding program announced today will grant up to $200,000 per application to local councils and other public authorities to deliver e-bike parking and improve rider behaviour.

Councils will have the power to decide ‘no-go’ and ‘go-slow’ zones for shared and private e-bikes and will be able to choose which operators can set up in their area.

The Minns Labor Government is the first in Australia to create a comprehensive regulatory framework to ensure e-bikes, pedestrians and businesses can begin sharing public spaces safely and without conflict.

Staged commencement of the new rules will occur in the coming months, giving councils and NSW Government land managers powers to set required parking zones and to penalise shared e-bike operators if they aren’t used.

To support this initiative, Transport for NSW will aim to deliver 250 parking bays for 2,500 shared e-bikes this year.

The new rules build on a series of e-bike safety initiatives by the Minns Labor Government, including:

• Powers for NSW Police to seize and crush illegal, privately-owned e-bikes.
• Reducing the 500-watt e-bike power limit introduced by the Liberals to 250-watts.
• Introducing world-leading Standard to ensure e-bikes are pedalled and legal power output cannot be tampered with.
• Proposing a minimum age limit to ride an e-bike.
• NSW Police Strike Force Puma targeting dangerous e-bike and e-motorbike rideouts.
• Imposing strict new safety standards on the sale of lithium-ion batteries.
• Banning converted e-bikes from trains and Sydney Metro services to reduce the risk of fires.

The new Sharing Scheme Grant Program being launched by the Minns Labor Government will allow authorities to deliver the marked bays on streets and in appropriate zones at the kerbside.

Operators are funding the program through a 60 cent-fee paid to Transport for NSW on each shared e-bike trip.

There are 16 local council areas playing host to shared bike schemes from the City of Sydney, Inner West and North Sydney to Canterbury-Bankstown, Burwood and Parramatta.

Transport for NSW is able to revoke an operator’s approval for failing to meet the minimum standards and issue penalties of up to $55,000 if they do not comply with a removal order, plus $5,500 for each day the offence continues.

The NSW Government has trialled marked parking bays with considerable success in reducing kicked over bikes and blocked footpaths by half.

Minister for Transport John Graham said:

“NSW has embraced e-bikes and shared e-bikes, which is a good thing, but we are not willing to stand around and let the wild west scenes we inherited go on any longer.

“Pedestrians have been crying out for order and for their footpaths back – we’ve heard them and we’re responding with nation-leading rules and backing it with an industry-funded grant program to end the conflict.

“We already know properly marked parking bays reduce kicked over bikes and blocked footpaths by half and now we want the 16 councils to provide them in the areas of most conflict and complaint.

“It is time the Coalition dropped their long-time antipathy to sensible rules on e-bikes and lend their support to this best-practice framework.”

Parliamentary Secretary for Transport Marjorie O’Neill said:

“Shared e-bikes are a great, healthy, affordable way to get around, but the clutter is causing chaos.

“Poorly parked shared e-bikes have been a pain point for too long, causing major safety concerns particularly for parents with prams, people with low or no vision, people with disabilities, and the elderly.

“Funding councils to deliver more parking bays is a practical, evidence-based solution to help give riders and operators a clear place to leave their bikes – in order and out of the way.”

Transport for NSW Secretary Josh Murray said:

“Every day, more and more trips are taken on shared e-bikes across Sydney – they are now a regular and preferred transport choice for thousands of people.

“We know that more needs to be done to ensure that growth is well supported: people want and need better places to park, and communities rightly expect shared e-bikes to be better managed.

“The new grant program is critical to allowing councils and state government land managers to tackle poor behaviours.

“It will make it easier for people using shared e-bikes to identify better places to park and ensuring share bike planning is integrated with our streets and transport services.

“This will be backed with new powers for councils to issue operators with infringements for poorly parked devices.

“Transport is also accelerating the roll out of share bike parking bays around transport hubs and stations. We’re aiming to have 250 bays available by late this year, with 62 already in delivery.”

The NSW Liberals and Nationals are accusing the Minns Labor Government of prioritising spin over substance on shared e-bikes, with its regulatory scheme to be implemented more than seven months after the legislation was passed.
 
In November 2025, the Road Transport and Other Legislation Amendment (Micromobility Vehicles and Smartcards) Bill 2025 passed the Parliament with the support of the Opposition.
 
222 days later the regulatory scheme is still not in effect, and the Minns Labor Government is reannouncing promised action “in the coming months” rather than explaining why the reforms have not already been delivered.
 
The Minns Labor Government also hasn’t clarified when a private e-bike will crushed, how they intend to improve the behaviour of young e-bike riders or when their own regulatory schemes will come into effect.
 
Shadow Minister for Transport Natalie Ward said today’s announcement was another example of the Government celebrating legislation while failing to deliver results.
 
“The Minns Labor Government is asking for applause for a regulatory scheme that still isn’t operating.”
 
“Communities have spent months dealing with e-bikes dumped across footpaths, blocking access for parents with prams, people with disability and older residents, yet John Graham refuses to tell people when these laws will actually take effect.”
 
“People don’t need another press conference. They need a government that can deliver what it has already promised.”

The Minns Labor Government must come clean on its plans for TAFE NSW after Budget Papers revealed a significant reduction in the value of TAFE’s property assets while former TAFE sites are being placed on the market.
 
Shadow Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Justin Clancy said the sale of the former St George TAFE site at 16–20 Hogben Street, Kogarah had raised serious questions about the Government’s long-term plans for the TAFE estate.
 
“At a time when New South Wales is crying out for more skilled workers, the Government should be explaining how it is strengthening TAFE, not quietly selling off TAFE land,” Mr Clancy said.
 
“The Budget Papers handed down last week show the value of TAFE NSW’s Property, Plant and Equipment falling from $5.66 billion in the revised 2025-26 estimates to $5.43 billion in 2026-27.”
 
“At the same time, a former TAFE property at Kogarah is being marketed for sale on behalf of the NSW Government.”
 
Member for Oatley Mark Coure said the proposed sale was creating uncertainty for the local community.
 
“People want to know what the Government’s plan is. If TAFE sites are being sold, the community deserves transparency about why they’re being sold, what the proceeds will be used for and how vocational education in our region will be strengthened as a result,” Mr Coure said.
 
“TAFE has served our community for generations. Any decision affecting these sites should be open, transparent and focused on delivering better outcomes for students and local families.”
 
Mr Clancy said the questions raised by the Kogarah site reflected broader concerns about the future of the TAFE estate across New South Wales.
 
“These developments raise obvious questions. Is this an isolated sale, or part of a broader strategy to reduce the TAFE estate? How many other former or current TAFE properties are earmarked for disposal? And will every dollar raised be reinvested back into TAFE?”
 
Mr Clancy said the Government owed students, staff and communities greater transparency.
 
“Communities invest in TAFE over generations. They rightly expect that if a TAFE asset is sold, the proceeds will be reinvested into vocational education and training.”
 
“The Government cannot claim to be backing skills while the TAFE asset base is shrinking, and communities are left wondering what comes next.”
 
Mr Clancy said he would be seeking answers from the Government on the extent of any planned property disposals and the future of the TAFE estate.
 
“New South Wales needs a stronger TAFE network to support the next generation of skilled workers. The Government should be investing in TAFE’s future, not creating uncertainty about its assets.”

The 2026 HART Junior State Titles are just around the corner, and excitement is building one of the biggest weekends on the Netball NSW calendar.

Recognised as one of the largest community sporting events in the Southern Hemisphere, the Junior State Titles welcomes teams, associations, officials and supporters from across New South Wales to compete in three unforgettable days of competition.

Taking place from 4 – 6 July, the HART Junior State Titles remain one of the premier events on the Netball NSW calendar, bringing together the state’s best emerging representative talent in the 12U, 13U and 14U age groups.

Across the weekend, 2,249 games will be played across two venues, supported by 425 umpires and thousands of athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers and supporters.

Campbelltown District Netball Association will host the Championship and Division 2 competitions, while Camden & District Netball Association will welcome Division 3 and 4 teams.

The HART Junior State Titles play a vital role in the Netball NSW pathway, providing young athletes, coaches, umpires and officials with valuable development opportunities while proudly representing their local Associations.

Netball NSW General Manager – Competitions Stacy Harding said the record participation numbers reflected the ongoing strength of netball being played across the state.

“The HART Junior State Titles are one of the highlights of our calendar and an important step in the development pathway for many young athletes,” Harding said.

“To welcome a record 243 teams from 86 Associations is a fantastic achievement and demonstrates the continued growth and enthusiasm for our game across New South Wales.

“These championships provide opportunities for athletes, coaches, umpires and officials to develop their skills, build connections and create lasting memories.”

Campbelltown City Council has played a key role in supporting the delivery of the event, helping ensure a first-class experience for participants and supporters.

With more teams registered than ever and thousands set to descend on south-west Sydney, the 2026 HART Junior State Titles are shaping up to be a landmark celebration of the future of netball in New South Wales.