16 News

In a historic development, Netball NSW is today proud to officially launch the Netball NSW Foundation – a social impact initiative dedicated to amplifying the reach of the No.1 sport for women and girls across the state for generations to come.Netball is present in every metro and regional community, and the primary aim of the Netball NSW Foundation is to harness the spirit of the game to empower the communities it serves, and to further cement it as a place to belong, a place to thrive and a place to unite.In partnership with the Australian Sports Foundation, funds raised by the Foundation will deliver six impact programs aimed at ensuring the health and societal benefits of netball reach more people than ever before.The programs will range from financial support to keep people involved in the game, to inclusive formats and cultural connection focusing on First Nations and Multicultural communities.Programs will also be delivered to empower young people to find their voice and develop leadership skills.The Foundation will support, educate and empower communities to navigate and overcome social issues impacting our everyday lives.In 2026, the first areas of focus will be Mental Health, Body Image and the Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence.  As well as the Australian Sports Foundation, Netball NSW is delighted to welcome Tackle Your Feelings on board as a Strategic Impact Partner of the Foundation. This partnership will enable Netball NSW to bring free-of-charge mental health awareness and education workshops to participants all over the state.In another exciting development, former GIANTS Netball captain and current NSW Swifts Specialist Shooting Coach Jo Harten BEM will come on board as a Foundation Ambassador.Netball NSW CEO Tracey Scott said the launch of the Foundation was a momentous day in the organisation’s near 100-year history.“In 2025 over 120,000 participants across all ages, genders and backgrounds registered to be involved in netball,” she said.“No other sport in NSW delivers the same scale of impact when it comes to social connection, leadership and wellbeing.“The Netball NSW Foundation represents our commitment to netball’s future and is grounded in the belief that netball is more than a game: it is a powerful force for good.“Through donations and philanthropic investment, we will be able to create powerful, positive social outcomes for communities in every part of NSW.”“By removing barriers, we are empowering the leaders of a more productive tomorrow, and this Foundation will enable netball to be fully part of a shared and prosperous future.”Netball NSW Head of Foundation Janyne Hogan said she was excited to see what 2026 would bring.“We know the netball community pulls together when hard times hit and we saw an example of this last year when we raised over $22,000 to help Associations affected by flooding in northern NSW.“The Netball NSW Foundation will be driven by three guiding pillars which aim to help participants belong, unite and thrive in our game.“It will elevate netball as a place that fosters belonging, life-long learning and collective unity.“We are honoured to partner with the Australian Sports Foundation and Tackle Your Feelings who have been instrumental in the delivery of our first impact programs.“Now we are ready to demonstrate the powerful difference that netball can make and why investment in it changes the lives of people from all walks of life for the better.” To learn more about the Netball NSW Foundation, see how you can get involved or make a donation please visit nsw.netball.com.au/foundation: https://netballnsw.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a61fdddc7216e646211550b26&id=0fad62f03c&e=5dd905e812 

The Minns Government is cracking down on the illegal abalone and seafood trade in restaurants and other outlets, completing a three-day compliance blitz across Sydney.

Joint covert and overt operations were undertaken over 14-16 February to disrupt the black-market seafood trade, when restaurants and other seafood outlets purchase abalone, fish and other seafood outside the legal supply chain.

Fisheries officers and food inspectors from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) inspected 15 restaurants across the city, from the CBD and inner west to the north shore, western suburbs and southern Sydney.

The inspections were carried out to ensure all seafood for sale in each premises was purchased from legitimate sources, such as commercial fishers, co-ops and fish markets, or other licenced fish receivers, with premise owners required to provide purchase records.

The sale of illegal seafood undermines legitimate operators and commercial fishers who work hard to provide consumers with safe and premium quality seafood.

The three-day compliance operation primarily focused on black market abalone illegally poached from fisheries on the NSW South Coast and sold to restaurants wanting to bypass the legal supply chain because of monetary gain. During the operation:

• 15 premises were inspected by NSW Fisheries Officers and Food Authority Compliance Officers in locations where abalone is sold in restaurants, including the CBD, Marrickville, Burwood, Hurstville and Eastwood.
• Seven of those premises were found to be selling abalone that was not labelled in accordance with the NSW abalone labelling regulations. The offences will be dealt with by way of formal written caution, and penalty infringement notice.
• A total of 106 abalone were seized from four separate premises, including frozen black lip abalone and a quantity of dried abalone.
• The total weight of abalone seized was approximately 15kg. The average price these abalone were being sold for was $120/kg for frozen black lip, while dried abalone can retail more than $1000/kg.

The estimated total illegal, unreported and unregulated catch for abalone in 2025/26 was 30 tonnes.

Due to the impact of illegal poaching of abalone this year the Government had to reduce the total allowable catch for commercial fishers by 12%, based on scientific advice that was concerned by the depletion occurring.

The Government is progressing the introduction of new regulation that will strengthen the requirement of restaurants to only buy from the legal commercial supply chain.

The penalties for involvement in the black-market seafood trade are severe, with fines and possible imprisonment for both sellers and buyers.

In NSW, legally harvested abalone is labelled to show it meets regulatory requirements, while Eastern Rock Lobsters are tagged to prove they have been legally caught.

The public are urged to report illegal or suspected illegal fishing activities to the Fishers Watch Phoneline on 1800 043 536 or via the online report form.

Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty said:

“I have instructed Fisheries Compliance officers to undertake this major seafood crackdown so that we are able to guarantee the sustainability of our seafood industry now and into the future.

“We are working hard to undermine the black market for abalone and lobster by going after the restaurants and markets that think they will be able to get away with buying illegal product.

“These compliance activities are going to continue, and restaurants and illegal sellers are on notice that NSW fisheries officers could soon be walking through their doors.

“The NSW commercial fishing and aquaculture industries are a cornerstone of our regional economy, supporting thousands of jobs and delivering premium produce to tables across the state.

“I have moved to introduce new regulation to close a loophole, so that restaurants and buyers of abalone can only buy from the legal commercial supply chain. We are moving to sideline the black-market supply chain and close it down.”

The NSW Government has released a new guide to support councils in undertaking their own land audits to identify vacant operational council land that could be used to deliver affordable housing projects. 

The Council Led Affordable Housing on Operational Land Guide released by the Office of Local Government provides step-by-step guidance for councils on identifying and managing affordable housing sites utilising operational land – from planning through to construction and delivery.

A major barrier to building more affordable housing is the high cost of acquiring well-located land. Council owned sites such as former depots or unused facilities that are well serviced and close to public transport can be ideal locations for affordable housing to support low-income households.

The guide provides detail on delivery options available to councils to release and manage operational land for affordable housing and how councils can form partnerships with entities such as government agencies and housing providers to maximise the impact of affordable housing.

It also includes case studies showcasing successful affordable housing projects led by councils to meet the needs of their communities. For example, Shoalhaven City Council transformed surplus council land in Bomaderry into 39 affordable housing units, while Lismore City Council is partnering with Landcom, Homes NSW and a community housing provider to construct 56 new affordable housing units.

The NSW Government has set five-year housing completion targets for 43 local government areas in Sydney, the Illawarra-Shoalhaven, the Lower Hunter and Central Coast, and a single housing target for Regional NSW. In the draft Sydney Plan, out on exhibition at the moment, local affordable housing contribution schemes have been mandated for all councils in Sydney to increase the delivery of affordable homes within their communities.

This guide also supports the objectives of the National Housing Accord by encouraging councils to increase housing supply and affordability at the local level.

By harnessing under-utilised operational land in partnership with the NSW Government and community housing providers, councils can make a substantial impact in addressing the state’s housing crisis and deliver access to homes for people in need.

The guide is available here: https://www.olg.nsw.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Guide-for-Council-Led-Affordable-Housing-on-Operational-Land.pdf

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“All levels of government need to play their part to help address the housing shortage.

“The Minns Labor Government’s land audit has identified several sites that are no longer being used that can deliver thousands of new homes, with the support of this new guide, we’re asking councils to do the same.

“This builds on the work of our successful Infill Affordable Housing Scheme, the delivery of 400 build-to-rent homes for essential workers on land audit sites in Annandale and Chatswood and mandated minimum affordable housing inclusions for new developments in Transport Oriented Development areas.”

Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig said:

“Former council depot sites and other surplus buildings often sit on valuable land that could be better utilised for much-needed housing.

“This new guide provides councils as key partners in delivering housing, with the information and tools to address housing affordability in their area.

“Affordable housing is critical for fostering community diversity, boosting local economies and promoting long-term sustainable housing, and councils can help free up unused land to create homes for our key workers and future generations.”

Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said:

“This is what solving the housing crisis looks like – it means looking at it from every angle, pulling down barriers at every turn.

“We’re working constructively with many councils who want to build more affordable housing for their communities, but sometimes it can be hard to know where to start.

“That’s where this guide comes in. We’re providing the tools to help councils get more projects off the ground, doing their bit to build a future for young Australians.”

A campaign to boost the number of on-call firefighters across NSW is set to commence as the Minns Labor Government today announced it will continue to build on a record recruitment of 648 firefighters.

The record intake graduating through the Fire and Rescue NSW training academy last year follows increases in recruitment since 2023 as part of ongoing efforts to restore essential services.

Investment to rebuild Fire and Rescue’s training resources has led to 219 permanent firefighters commencing in 2025, almost double the 112 recruited in 2022, along with 429 on-call fire fighters.

The boost in new recruits shows the Minns Labor Government’s efforts to attract frontline workers and end 12 years of wage suppression under the former Liberal and Nationals government is working.

The Government has also provided ongoing funding for 286 firefighters – 1 in 12 of the permanent firefighting force – whose jobs were left unfunded by the Liberals and Nationals.

Fire and Rescue’s ranks are made up of permanent and on-call firefighters, depending on the firefighting needs of the community they serve.

A recruitment campaign will begin this weekend to further boost on-call firefighters, targeting areas across the state including the regional areas of Dungog, Bingara, Walgett, Balranald, Barham, Batlow, Berrigan, Boggabri, Bombala and Warren.

The “Become an On-Call Firefighter” drive urges people to join FRNSW to help their communities and learn new skills while being paid an hourly rate to supplement their income.

Minister Dib and Commissioner Fewtrell launched the recruitment drive while inspecting the newly renovated Blacktown Fire Station, one of three stations across the state that have undergone upgrades.

These upgrades are part of our $98.5 million statewide investment in fire stations and fleet this financial year, including the recently completed $4.2 million Dungog fire station.

Work has just been completed on fire station upgrades at Blacktown ($2 million), Gladesville ($1 million) and Glenbrook on-call station ($1.36 million), delivering improved amenities, bathrooms, equipment and personal protection clothing rooms. 

Emergency Services Minister, Jihad Dib:

“We are boosting firefighter numbers to record levels and investing in modern fire stations and firefighting fleet. Our investment in Fire and Rescue NSW not only protects communities, it also makes a worthwhile profession even more attractive.

“We’ve scrapped the former government’s unfair wages cap to pay essential workers properly. A record number of graduates shows we’re attracting more firefighters who will be in place to protect growing communities.

“In some small communities it can be challenging to attract new fire station recruits, which is why we are launching a campaign to encourage even more people to join Fire and Rescue NSW as an on-call firefighter.

“We have had to rebuild training services and secure the roles of 286 firefighters that were not funded by the former government. We will continue to invest in the emergency services to ensure communities have the protection they need and to rebuild firefighting services.”

the Member for Blacktown, Stephen Bali:

“The $2 million upgrade to Blacktown fire station and new graduates enhance firefighting services in our area, something that will improve the working environment for future firefighters so they can continue to serve and protect our community.

“The upgrade includes new bathrooms, an improved layout, better engine bay extraction fans and improved amenities for breathing apparatus. On top of the station upgrade, Blacktown has also received a new Class 3 Rescue fire truck to assist in firefighting response, showing the Government’s commitment to improving essential services in Western Sydney.”

the Member for the Blue Mountains, Trish Doyle:

“The $1.36 million upgrade to Glenbrook fire station will support firefighters well into the future, providing new bathrooms, improved protective clothing and laundry facilities, as well as general work to improve an important community facility.

“I would encourage anyone who wants to join FRNSW to apply as an on-call firefighter to join a great team and make a difference to our Blue Mountains community. Our focus on improving essential services extends across the Blue Mountains and beyond to protect communities across NSW.”

Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner, Jeremy Fewtrell:

“This is a terrific opportunity for people across the state to consider a part-time role with Fire and Rescue NSW. We will work around your availability and welcome you into a close-knit team.

“Please visit the FRNSW website for more information. We would love to have you on our team, helping to protect regional communities.”

Fire and Rescue NSW Dungog Captain, Cassandra Sermon:

“I wanted to be part of a team again, to have that camaraderie but also help the community. That’s what I’ve grown to love, helping Dungog and its surrounding areas.

“I like educating people about home fire safety.  Also to be there with the crew, to help, lead and support during incidents as well. It’s also a lot of fun. We’d love to have you join us.”

The Minns Government will restore controlled one-lane access to Waterfall Way within six weeks, following extensive engineering assessment of the Gordonville Cutting landslip.

More than 250 tonnes of rock and debris have fallen at the site since the initial failure, with a 26-metre-high slope continuing to shift in the days that followed. The scale and ongoing movement made the site unsafe and required complex geotechnical investigation, 24-hour monitoring and specialist stabilisation work before any reopening could be considered.

After weeks of expert assessment by specialist engineers from Transport for NSW, working alongside local council crews, protective shipping container barriers will be installed to shield motorists from potential rockfalls.

Independent geotechnical advice confirms the road can operate under strict controls while permanent remediation is designed.

Under the interim traffic arrangement:

• One lane will reopen on the northern side of the road.
• Temporary traffic lights will manage alternating traffic flow.
• A 40 km/h speed limit will apply.
• Vehicles wider than three metres will not be permitted.

The site remains active and will operate under strict monitoring. The road may close without notice in response to rainfall or further slope movement. These precautions are based on expert risk assessment and are necessary to protect motorists and crews.

Restoring controlled access will reconnect communities between Bellingen and Dorrigo – but reopening the road does not mean the job is done.

Engineers will continue planning the permanent stabilisation design and risk mitigation work at the Gordonville Cutting site, with options being considered similar to those proposed for Myers Bluff.

The Government will continue to progress a full corridor assessment of Waterfall Way and surrounding routes to identify alternative access improvements and long-term resilience measures.

More than $100 million has already been invested in Waterfall Way, including over $50 million between Bellingen and Dorrigo.

Nothing is off the table as the Minns Government considers how to strengthen this regional lifeline and improve reliability during extreme weather events.

Transport for NSW continues to work closely with Bellingen Shire Council, Coffs Harbour City Council, NSW Farmers, freight operators, local producers and schools – including operating dedicated minibus services via Summervilles Road to support students during the closure.

Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison said:

“This wasn’t a minor slip; it was a significant geotechnical failure – more than 250 tonnes of material came down and the slope continued moving.

“Safety had to come first. We could not reopen this road until expert engineers were satisfied it could operate safely under controlled conditions.

“I appreciate how disruptive this closure has been for families, farmers, freight operators and local businesses. Having owned a small business myself, no one underestimates the impact.

“But reopening prematurely would have put motorists and workers at risk – and that was and never will be an option.

“We’ve worked closely with Bellingen Shire Council on this solution which will restore access in a controlled way while permanent stabilisation works are properly designed and delivered.

“I also want to thank everyone who has worked with us constructively throughout this process – including residents, community and industry groups like NSW Farmers.

“We are not just responding to an emergency. We are making sure this corridor is stronger and more resilient for the long term.

“I will keep the community updated on the status of our review of Mid-North Coast roads – nothing is off the table.”

Minister for the North Coast, Janelle Saffin said:

“North Coast communities, and none more so than Bellingen and Dorrigo locals, know just how serious this landslip was. When you see more than 250 tonnes of rock come down, you understand why this road could not simply reopen overnight.

“This closure has affected school runs, freight deliveries, farm operations and small businesses. People have felt it every single day.

“That’s why restoring access safely matters – but doing it properly matters even more.

“We are rebuilding this connection carefully and responsibly, and we are planning beyond this event so our region is better protected when the next severe weather system hits.

“This is about resilience, reliability and making sure communities between Bellingen and Dorrigo aren’t left exposed.”

Member for Oxley, Michael Kemp MP said:

“The willingness of the government to implement a more permanent solution to the repeated land slips at Gordonville cutting is welcomed and supported by the community.

“I look forward to working with Transport to ensure the longer-term fix is put in place as our community cannot continue to be cut off.”

Bellingen Shire Council Mayor, Cr Steve Allan said:

“After weeks of disruption for residents and businesses, the Bellingen Shire welcomes confirmation that works are commencing to enable the reopening of Waterfall Way.

“Our community has been asking for a clear timeframe for the road to reopen, and we understand it has been a long four weeks for the people who rely on Waterfall Way in their everyday lives.

“Safety has to be our first priority, and I appreciate the care that specialist engineers and geotechnical experts have taken in assessing the slip and developing both temporary and permanent solutions under these exceptional circumstances.

“It is likely to be months before a full solution is implemented. I am very aware of the struggles of residents, businesses and support organisations who depend on this road to do their jobs and feed their families.

“We want to assure people that we are working to ensure alternate routes including Summervilles Road are fit for purpose, and that people across the region know the Bellingen Shire is open for business and operating as usual.

“Meanwhile, we will continue to advocate strongly for permanent, fully funded and implemented solutions for this vital connecting road.”

The NSW Liberals and Nationals ongoing call for the Minns Labor Government to provide more support for community preschools has been backed up by the Fair Work Commission’s recommendation to lift the pay and conditions of teachers and educators.
 
Community preschools have been asking the Minns Labor Government for months and months to provide funding for higher wages for early childhood educators who, despite having to undertake similar training, are paid less than teachers.
 
Shadow Minister for Early Education, Felicity Wilson, said that the Minns Labor Government must accept the Fair Work Commission’s recommendation to boost funding for community preschools to enable them to lift the wages of our state’s early childhood educators in line with their colleagues in public preschools.
 
“The Minns Labor Government likes to talk the talk on early learning, but has been missing in action on the workforce crisis facing the more than 700 community preschools providing an incredible service for our children across NSW,” Ms Wilson said.
 
“Entry level primary school teachers are currently on a higher wage than a community preschool director, a widening gap which this Government has failed to address.”
 
“This pay disparity limits the ability of our community preschools to attract and retain highly qualified staff when they can’t offer anywhere near as much pay as their competition.”
 
“It says everything about the Minns Labor Government’s arrogance that early childhood educatorshad to take the Premier and Minister for Education to court to settle the request for fair remuneration.”
 
“The independent umpire has now spoken and the Minns Labor Government need to take this recommendation seriously and properly value our community preschool educators.”
 
“I call on the Premier and Minister for Education to accept the Fair Work Commission’s recommendations and finally value our community preschool educators and the families they serve.”
 
“The NSW Liberals and Nationals have stood alongside our community preschool educators and championed fair funding and fair pay. It’s time for the Government to finally step up and act.”

The people of Sydney are once again being confronted with deeply disturbing incidents of violent crime.
 
In just the past week, a grandfather has been kidnapped from North Ryde, a former rugby league player has been shot in Greenacre, and a man has been killed, with others fighting for life, following a stabbing attack in Merrylands.
 
These are not isolated events.
 
They are the latest signs of a government that is failing to maintain confidence and control over law and order in New South Wales.
 
Community safety is the first responsibility of any government.
 
Yet under Labor, Sydney residents are seeing more violence, more instability, and less reassurance that the system is keeping pace with the threat on our streets.
 
At a time when serious crime is escalating, the Minns Government has offered no clear plan, no meaningful action, and no sense of urgency.
 
Instead, the community is left with media distractions while families across Sydney ask a simple question:
 
Who is in charge of keeping our streets safe?
 
The people of New South Wales deserve a government that is focused on preventing crime, supporting police, and restoring confidence in public safety – not reacting after the fact.
 
Labor must stop the excuses and start delivering the leadership and action that community safety demands.