Category: NSW News

The Wollongong community will soon have access to enhanced emergency health care, with construction of Fairy Meadow’s new ambulance station now complete.

Keys to the new ambulance station have been handed over to NSW Ambulance paramedics and the new Ambulance station will become operational in the coming weeks.

The modern, purpose-built Ambulance station, which is co-located at the University of Wollongong’s Innovation Campus, features internal parking bays including an internal wash bay, administration and office areas, staff rest facilities, gym, logistics and storage areas, and on-site parking.

An additional 25 paramedics have been recruited for the new Ambulance station and are already on the road, temporarily operating from other nearby stations.

The new Ambulance station is being delivered as part of the NSW Government’s $232 million Rural Ambulance Infrastructure Reconfiguration (RAIR) program. The RAIR program is delivering 54 new or upgraded ambulance stations and is the single largest infrastructure investment in regional NSW Ambulance’s almost 130-year history.

The NSW Government is recruiting 2,500 additional NSW Ambulance staff as part of the Strategic Workforce and Infrastructure Team (SWIFT) program, including 500 paramedics to rural and regional areas, to boost emergency and mobile healthcare for our metropolitan and regional communities.

The $1.76 billion SWIFT program is also delivering 30 additional ambulance stations to help save lives and provide critical emergency care across NSW.

New Ambulance stations are also planned at Warilla and Unanderra to bolster the network of stations across the Illawarra as part of the NSW Government’s $615.5 million NSW Ambulance Infrastructure Program.

Minister for Health Ryan Park:

“Once operational the new Fairy Meadow Ambulance station on Innovation Way will significantly enhance access to mobile emergency health care for the growing community across the Illawarra.

“The new Ambulance station will also provide paramedics with a high-quality base with the latest facilities and equipment to meet the current and future emergency care needs of the local community.

“The NSW Government is committed to investing in rural and regional health infrastructure to support better health outcomes for local communities.”

Member for Wollongong Paul Scully:

“I’m pleased Fairy Meadow’s first ambulance station is nearly complete and look forward to the day when paramedics move into this state-of-the-art facility and add to the local ambulance network.

“As Wollongong grows, it is important that we invest in health infrastructure to meet the needs of the local community.”

The Minns Labor Government has cemented its place as the government of taskforces, round tables and inquiries, with Premier Chris Minns once again choosing to dodge real action by announcing yet another taskforce, as exclusively revealed by the NSW Opposition on radio yesterday. No work, no outcomes—just endless committees and hollow promises.

This is at least the 51st time Chris Minns has promised “action” through a taskforce, round table or inquiry, yet all we’ve seen is a government that has become an expert in the blame game. 

It’s been almost 20 months since Chris Minns came to office, but the tally of real results sits at zero. What has Labor achieved in all this time?

Even the latest “secret” housing taskforce, reportedly set up in September under the former Infrastructure NSW CEO Janine Lonergan, hasn’t delivered anything beyond rhetoric. 

With housing approvals down 14.8% in September, if this taskforce had actually m

Minns Labor Government ends unfair ticketless parking fine system

The changes bring to an end the ticketless system introduced by the previous Liberal-National Government in 2020. Under the ticketless system, instead of having the infringement notice left on the vehicle, the fine was sent by post, sometimes not being received until weeks after the incident. 

Soon after the introduction of the previous government’s ticketless system, the NRMA and other stakeholders raised issues with the scheme, identifying that it removed transparency and make it more difficult for motorists to contest their fine.

In 2023/24, local councils issued 822,310 ticketless parking fines, a 49% increase over the 551,441 issued in 2022/23.

The Fines Amendment (Parking Fines) Bill 2024 restores fairness and transparency to the parking fine system by:

• Requiring councils to attach an on-the-spot notification to the vehicle.
• Requiring councils to take photos of offences and make them available for Revenue NSW to provide to drivers.
• Providing limited exceptions where an on-the-spot notification is not required, for example where it may be unsafe or hazardous for a ranger to do so.
• Invalidating ‘repeat’ ticketless parking fines, where drivers can be fined multiple times for the same offence before they even become aware of the first infringement.
• Introducing data reporting rules to evaluate if further reforms are necessary.

A working group, which has representatives from stakeholders including Local Government NSW, has been established by Revenue NSW to inform the drafting of regulations and assist with implementation.

Even before the bill passed, a number of councils began proactively providing on-the-spot notifications to drivers.

Minister for Finance Courtney Houssos:

“The community feedback on this issue has been clear, and dates all the way back to when ticketless parking was first introduced in 2020.

“No one likes getting a parking fine. Finding out about it two weeks later stings even more.

“Bringing back on-the-spot notification for parking fines is a common-sense reform and restores fairness and integrity to the parking fine system.

“I want to thank the councils which have already started issuing on-the-spot notifications again. There is nothing stopping other councils from joining them. It is clearly in the interest of drivers and the community.”

NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury:

“Since some councils began introducing the ticketless parking system four years ago it was clear the system was broken and needed to be fixed – for this reason the NRMA commends the NSW Government on today’s announcement.

Ticketless parking leaves motorists in the dark and robs them of the chance to contest their fine if they believe they have a legitimate case, the NRMA has been against this approach from day one.”

The Minns Labor Government congratulates the 2025 Australians of the Year for NSW, who have been announced at a ceremony at Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Art tonight.

The Government congratulates Kath Koschel, the 2025 NSW Australian of the Year, and NSW’s three other recipients, Dr Karl Kruszelnicki AM, Maddison O’Gradey-Lee and Martha Jabour OAM.

The 18 nominees have made remarkable and diverse contributions to our state.

These inspirational members of our NSW community have overcome unimaginable challenges, demonstrated resilience, and have made a positive difference to our state and nation.

The NSW recipients will join those from other states and territories for the national awards ceremony in Canberra on Saturday, 25 January 2025.

For more information on the Australian of the Year Awards, visit: https://australianoftheyear.org.au/

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

“To all NSW finalists and recipients: thank you for your extraordinary contribution to our state and nation.

“While the ultimate reward for these exceptional Australians isn’t any formal honour or award, this recognition is completely deserved.

“These remarkable people have changed NSW and the nation for the better.

“To our NSW Australian of the Year, Kath Koschel: NSW will be cheering you every step of the way between now and the national awards.

“Kath’s resilience is inspiring, while her campaign for kindness is a message of positivity we need in our world.

“These are people that help others, overcome challenges, aim for excellence, and represent the very best of what it means to be Australian.”

Infants will be able to receive a free immunisation to protect them against serious illness from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), under a new $16.6 million NSW Government RSV prevention program to begin next year.

RSV is a major cause of respiratory illness infecting up to 90 per cent of children within the first two years of life.

It can affect anyone, but the infection is more severe in children under one year of age, who may develop bronchiolitis or pneumonia requiring hospitalisation.

This year there have been about 70,000 cases of RSV detected in people who were tested in NSW to 7 November. More than 10,000, or 15 per cent, of the cases were among children aged under twelve months old. 

The RSV prevention program will see the NSW Government fund nirsevimab, a type of monoclonal antibody immunisation, from mid-March for babies who are not protected through maternal vaccination, and those at increased risk of severe RSV.

From early 2025, pregnant women will be offered a free vaccine, recommended at 28-36 weeks of pregnancy, under the National Immunisation Program, which will in turn protect their newborn infant from RSV.

As at September this year, the existing NSW RSV vulnerable babies program provided nirsevimab to more than 4,500 vulnerable infants, among whom 86 per cent were aged under six months.

Preliminary data shows the program resulted in a 25 per cent reduction in RSV notification rates in all infants less than six months old, compared to children aged 12-18 months, very few of whom received nirsevimab.

Everyone can help reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses, including RSV. There are some simple steps people can take to help protect themselves, their loved ones and community including:

• Stay at home if you have cold or flu symptoms and wear a mask if you need to leave home
• Get together outdoors or in large, well-ventilated spaces with open doors and windows
• Avoid crowded places
• Don’t visit people who are at higher risk of severe illness if you have cold or flu symptoms
• Practice good hand hygiene, including regular handwashing.

For further information on how to protect yourself and others from RSV visit the NSW Health website: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/respiratory-syncytial-virus.aspx#

Minister for Health Ryan Park:

“The NSW Government is committed to ensuring all infants are protected against serious illness from RSV through the rollout of this prevention program in 2025.

“There is nothing more stressful than having a sick baby, especially when it is something potentially serious like RSV.

“This program will ensure all infants who are not protected through maternal vaccination will be offered immunisation.

“This program model will help keep babies out of hospital and at home with their family.”

NSW Health Executive Director of Health Protection Dr Jeremy McAnulty:

“This program will protect our youngest and most vulnerable infants in NSW.

“We know RSV can have a significant impact on the health of infants, especially on those aged under one year of age. Every year some children get very sick and need hospital treatment.

“We encourage pregnant women to get an RSV vaccination to protect their baby from RSV next year.”

“We will offer protection to all babies in NSW, either through maternal vaccination or by offering nirsevimab, which significantly reduces an infant’s risk of hospitalisation from RSV.”

The Albanese Labor Government is highlighting the importance of early intervention to end gender-based violence with the commitment of more than $23 million for programs across the country.

The funding will be provided to organisations to support young men and boys aged 12 to 18 years who present with adverse childhood experiences, including family and domestic violence.

Funding of $2.1 million will allow the University of Newcastle to deliver the Name.Narrate.Navigate (NNN) 360 program to help young men and boys in the Newcastle region to heal and recover through services that are culturally safe and responsive, trauma and healing-informed, strengths-based and tailored to their individual needs and circumstances.

Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon said funding the trial in Newcastle will provide individual counselling and therapeutic supports for local young men and boys to help break future cycles of violence.

“I am so pleased that the University of Newcastle is leading the way on early intervention strategies to end gender-based violence. I have watched the NNN.360 program develop over the years and I’m thrilled that the Albanese Labor Government is backing its success with this injection of $2.1 million.

“This trial will allow our young men and boys who are victim-survivors in their own right, to address the impacts of developmental trauma and foster healing and recovery to help them avoid choosing to use family, domestic or sexual violence in their own relationships.”

“We want young men and boys who have experienced family and domestic violence to know they have a place of support here the University of Newcastle”.

Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth highlighted early intervention and prevention as key goals in the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032.

“Early intervention is a key focus for the Commonwealth Government, and successful applicants like the University of Newcastle have demonstrated targeted approaches to working with young men and boys,” Minister Rishworth said.

“This will ultimately assist the Newcastle region, and sites across Australia, to contribute to ending the cycle of violence, starting with the younger generation.”

More information on the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032 is available on the Department of Social Services website.

If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family, or sexual violence, call 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au for online chat and video call services.

If you are concerned about your behaviour or use of violence, you can contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or visit www.ntv.org.au .

Feeling worried or no good? Connect with 13YARN Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporters on 13 92 76, available 24/7 from any mobile or pay phone, or visit www.13yarn.org.au No shame, no judgement, safe place to yarn.

Kids Helpline (1800 551 800) is a free, confidential online and phone counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The Minns Labor Government continues to use innovative methods to solve the housing crisis with construction now underway on the state’s first 3D-printed social housing properties in Dubbo.

The development will transform a vacant block of land into two modern two-bedroom duplexes for Aboriginal social housing tenants. This innovative method of construction will reduce costs and cut construction time in half, delivering more homes sooner for those who need them.  

The success of the project will help determine whether this modern method of construction can deliver much needed social and affordable homes across the state more quickly and sustainably. 

Indigenous company Aboriginal Sustainable Homes is developing the site in partnership with Contour3D and the 3D-printed houses will soon provide Aboriginal Housing Office (AHO) tenants a safe and secure place to call home.

The printed concrete structures for the modern duplexes are due to be completed within 16 days using approximately 70 tonnes of bespoke Contourcrete, a proprietary 3D printable concrete pioneered by Contour3D.

Once the 3D-printed structure is complete, the roof structure will be installed and the internal fit out commences, with the homes expected to be ready for tenants to move in by February 2025.

3D-printing produces significantly less waste, and the concrete mix uses eco-friendly recycled materials to produce a robust and energy efficient home with substantially reduced lifecycle maintenance costs. 

The total construction time for this project is 16 weeks, while using conventional methods for a similar build could take up to 40 weeks. 

With prior experience of working with the AHO, Aboriginal Sustainable Homes (ASH) was contracted to deliver the new, fast and cost-effective development in partnership with Contour3D. 

The project is supported by Dubbo Regional Council, who approved the Development Application (DA) in July 2024.  

Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said: 

“It’s very exciting that construction is now underway on the first 3D printed social housing properties in the state, and I have high hopes that this approach can be replicated at scale.  

“The Minns Labor Government is using out-of-the-box thinking and exploring every option to build more social and affordable homes faster, especially in our regional and remote areas where people are crying out for assistance.

“We can’t solve the housing and homelessness crisis alone, and this project is a fantastic example of what can happen when council, government and private businesses join forces to find new solutions to a growing problem.

“I’d like to thank the Aboriginal Housing Office, Aboriginal Sustainable Homes, Dubbo Regional Council and Contour3D for their dedication to exploring new and efficient ways of building more quality homes for those who need them.”

The Hon Stephen Lawrence MLC said:

“It’s fantastic to see this innovative approach coming to Dubbo in a sensible way. 3D-printed technology can help us build some structures including homes faster and more sustainably. The key is using these sorts of new technologies when appropriate.”

“People are excited to see this project come to life over the coming weeks, and by early next year we will have delivered modern 3D-printed homes to local Aboriginal social tenants.”

The Young community will benefit from a $250,000 funding boost from the NSW Government to upgrade health facilities in the Murrumbidgee Local Health District.

The Minns Labor Government is investing a total of almost $12 million in 61 projects as part of the Regional Health Minor Works Program.

As part of the Program Young Hospital received $250,000 to upgrade its operating theatre equipment. This includes the purchase of an endoscopy reprocessing system to support improved clinical care for lower acuity surgeries.

NSW Health Minister, Ryan Park:

“The NSW Government is committed to investing in upgrading health facilities to support better health outcomes for rural and regional communities.

“The Rural Minor Works Program will allow Murrumbidgee Local Health District to upgrade equipment at Young Hospital to enhance the working environment for health staff and improve patient experiences.

“The program is one of a number of investments our Government is making to strengthen rural and regional health services, so people have access to the best possible care close to home.”

Labor Spokesperson for Cootamundra, Stephen Lawrence MLC:

“This new equipment upgrade at Young Hospital will help to ensure our clinical staff continue to offer the best high quality and timely care to patients.

“Improvements to these important regional facilities will also help to attract medical professionals to these communities.”

The Minns Labor Government will put stronger sanctions in place for irresponsible and disruptive activities that block the passage of trains, endangering the safety of rail workers and disrupting passengers.

New legislation to be introduced this week will put in place a maximum fine of $22,000 for the offence of “obstructing a railway”. Currently, the offence provision under the Crimes Act 1900 does not specify a fine.

The penalties for blocking the passage of trains will align with changes to laws, passed by the NSW Parliament in 2022, making it an offence to block or obstruct major roads, bridges and tunnels and major facilities like ports and railway stations.

Many of the recent protesters causing mayhem in the Hunter Valley were charged with obstructing a railway. This provision also covers people found to have assisted those who directly commit the offence.

By strengthening the penalty, this aims to deter extremely dangerous conduct that puts train driver, rail worker and passenger safety at risk.

Blocking railway tracks disrupts commuters and commerce and diverts the precious resources of NSW Police.

Hardworking train drivers should not have to work in fear, worrying about whether they will need to apply an emergency brake to avoid striking a trespasser. Everyone across our state should be able to use our rail network safely.

It is critical that we deter people from engaging in this behaviour, which could also see them killed on the tracks.

While recent rail line protest activity has centred on the Hunter region, this change will apply to every railway line in the state. The provision also covers light rail and tramways.

While the Government respects the right of people to lawfully protest, illegal protests on railway tracks or on major facilities, which could cost lives, will not be tolerated.

Those found guilty of obstructing a railway, or damaging or disrupting major facilities, will now all face up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to $22,000 (200 penalty units), or both.

By aligning the penalties for these offences, the NSW Government is sending a message about how seriously it views this kind of illegal conduct.

Premier Chris Minns said:

“Introducing this fine for blocking a railway line sends a strong message: this conduct is not acceptable.

“Recent protests have centred on railway lines, putting everyone’s safety at risk.

“Protests on railway lines are seriously dangerous and disruptive, and they are not tolerated in NSW.

“Train drivers, passengers travelling to work, and companies going about their business should not have to contend with protesters on the tracks – it’s that simple.”

Attorney General Michael Daley said:

“We already have strong laws in place in this state to prevent disruptive and dangerous behaviour.

“By putting in place a $22,000 maximum penalty, we’re balancing the right to protest with keeping the community safe and free from disruption.”

A free dental check for public schools across NSW is celebrating its 1000th public school visit this week, after the Minns Labor Government expanded the program to more school children across NSW.

300,000 public school students have been offered the Primary School Mobile Dental Program since it began in 2019 with three local health districts added to the program in 2023.

New districts added include Far West, Northern NSW and Illawarra Shoalhaven LHDs which have collectively visited 38 schools, providing checks for almost 2,400 kids since being added to the program last year. 

The mobile dental clinics visit participating primary schools across eleven Local Health Districts and provide on-site dental check-ups, cleans, x-rays and other preventive treatments, as well as education on good oral hygiene practices.

This initiative not only addresses immediate dental needs but also equips children with the knowledge to maintain their oral health.

If a child needs follow-up dental care, public dental service staff will contact parents and carers to discuss options for treatment, which may include further treatment at the school or a local dental clinic.

In addition to the Primary School Mobile Dental Program, all children under 18 years of age can access free dental care provided by NSW Health at public dental clinics.

This is part of the Minns Labor Government’s plan to build a better NSW and ensure people have access to the essential services like education and healthcare that they rely on.

For more information, visit: health.nsw.gov.au/oralhealth

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

“It is fantastic to see that the dental van has made 1,000 visits to public schools across NSW, offering free check-ups to many public school students.

“Providing free dental care is a win-win for parents, particularly in a cost-of-living crisis.

“The dental van is a fantastic program, that has given thousands of students access to free dental care, and helped public school students to learn healthy habits from an early age.”

Minister for Health Ryan Park:

“Oral health care is a crucial part of being and staying healthy and these mobile dental clinics make it easier for families to receive essential check-ups.

“Expanding this program to more parts of NSW provides more children with free, school-based dental care, helping families who don’t have easy access to private dental care.

“This is an important and exciting milestone to celebrate, and I want to thank everyone who has been a part of the 1000 school visits and offered free dental care to more than 300,000 children.”

Michelle Wells, Principal, Farmborough Road Public School:

“We were thrilled to have the NSW Dental Vans visit our school.

“For our students, it’s so important to get their teeth checked and learn about how to best look after their gorgeous smiles. For our parents, it was something they could tick off their list without worry, knowing their child’s dental health had been checked at school.

“This is an excellent initiative that makes a genuine difference in the lives of our students and their families.”