Category: NSW News

Critical eye assessments can now be provided to patients living in regional and remote areas as a result of new technology which has been installed at Sydney Eye Hospital.

The new retinal cameras enable specialists at the newly opened Gadigal Eye Clinic to conduct eye checks at Moree without the need of an on-site specialist, potentially benefitting thousands of people. Work to expand the network to Tamworth is underway.

The Clinic, based at Sydney Eye Hospital, has already made a significant difference to the eye health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people all over NSW.

More than 90,000 patients have already been seen for corneal, retinal and general eye treatment since the clinic, originally known as the Bicentennial Eye Clinic, was set up in 2014.

The retinal cameras will be easily used by GPs and nurses in the outreach centres, making it possible for the team based at the Sydney clinic to diagnose and provide a treatment plan for eye issues detected in a rural or regionally based patient.

Access to this service will support Aboriginal people, no matter where they live, to have the same access to services, without needing to leave their community. They can have peace of mind knowing their ongoing care is provided in partnership with local healthcare providers. This virtual service will begin in 2025.

Patients treated in person at the Macquarie Street clinic will have a welcoming, culturally safe space that includes artwork by Aboriginal artist and Yuin man, Billy Reynolds. The hospital grounds have also been transformed with guardian stones and Australian native plants.

Fundraising by the Sydney Eye Hospital Foundation has helped raise $200,000 towards creating this welcoming and safe environment.

Minister for Health, Ryan Park:

“We know that Aboriginal people are three times more likely to suffer from visual impairments than non-Aboriginal Australians. They are also four times more likely to have diabetic eye disease and 12 times more likely to have a blinding cataract.

“This clinic will address these statistics, acting as a hub for in-person as well as virtual care services for eye patients throughout rural and regional NSW.

“The Gadigal clinic will provide world-class care in an environment that prioritises the needs and comfort of the clients – by doing so, we can provide the best patient-centred and holistic healthcare.

“I’m really proud Sydney Eye Hospital are embracing virtual care, as it goes a long way to ensuring all communities have the very best standards of healthcare, whether they are in rural, regional, remote or large metropolitan areas.”

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty, David Harris:

“It’s estimated 35 per cent of Aboriginal adults have never had an eye examination and when a condition or disease is diagnosed, they are waiting longer for surgery accounting for 11 per cent of the health gap.

“According to National Eye Health report, 94 per cent of vision impairment or blindness experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is preventable or treatable.

“Closing the gap to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal people and to do so in a culturally safe and appropriate way is a top priority of the Minns Labor Government and the Gadigal Eye Clinic is a perfect example of this.”

Member for Sydney, Alex Greenwich:

“People in the city can take for granted how lucky we are to have so many medical specialists so accessible compared to remote and regional areas. The Gadigal Eye Clinic not only bridges that gap through technology allowing teams based at the Sydney clinic to diagnose and provide a treatment plan for eye issues, it also helps to close the gap of the poor eye health, impairment and blindness currently disproportionately experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”

Jennie Barry, General Manager, Sydney/Sydney Eye Hospital:

“The clinic will help us Close The Gap by reducing barriers to accessing eye care – particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients in rural and remote locations – and improving coordination of care between different providers.

“The new technology will enable local teams based in regional and rural NSW to be able to call on the specialist expertise of both Sydney/Sydney Eye and Prince of Wales Hospital.”

Women who experience severe or complex menopause symptoms will benefit from enhanced support, with the opening of Central Coast Local Health District’s (CCLHD) new Menopause Service.

The CCLHD Menopause Service is part of NSW Health’s extensive menopause network, which includes four menopause hubs and multiple referral sites throughout the State.

As a part of this network, the Central Coast-based service is designed to assist women whose menopause symptoms have not responded to previous treatments, or who face additional complications from other medical conditions.

CCLHD’s Menopause Service is linked to Northern Sydney Local Health District’s Menopause Hub based at Royal North Shore Hospital, which means women can access a comprehensive approach to managing severe menopausal symptoms through a multi-disciplinary team of medical specialists, nursing and allied health professionals, physiotherapy, dietetics, social work and clinical psychologists.

General practitioners, specialists, and nurse practitioners can refer eligible women for advanced care. Women are also able to self-refer for an initial appointment. GP referral is required for subsequent appointments and referral to the specialised Royal North Shore Menopause Hub. Referrals to the service can be made by emailing CCLHD-Menopause-Service@health.nsw.gov.au

For more information about the CCLHD Menopause Service and referral criteria, contact 4356 9300.

More information about NSW Health’s menopause services can be found here: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/women/Pages/menopause.aspx

Minister for Regional Health, Ryan Park:

“Up to one in four women experience severe and debilitating menopause symptoms, which is why services like this one are so important.

“The opening of the CCLHD menopause service will improve access to care for women needing support for severe or complex menopause symptoms on the Central Coast.”

Minister for the Central Coast, David Harris:

“I’m pleased to see this service is now available on the Central Coast for local women experiencing severe or complex menopause symptoms.

“To have access to this specialised care right here on the Coast has the potential to be life-changing for many women in our community and is a welcome addition to the Central Coast Local Health District’s service offer.”

Minister for Women, Jodie Harrison:

“Women have identified menopause as a top health issue and managing it can be complex.

“The opening of a new Menopause Service in the Central Coast ensures regional women experiencing menopause symptoms who need specialised care and support can get it when they need it, including referrals to a Menopause Hub.”

Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch:

“Where was this service when I needed it three years ago!? I know I was unprepared to deal with the symptoms of menopause when they arrived and it would have been great to be able to access a team of experts in our own community.

“It’s great to know that women on the Coast can now access these very important comprehensive services and we can self-refer for an initial appointment.”

Member for the Entrance, David Mehan:

“The opening of the CCLHD Menopause Service is an important step in advancing women’s health on the Central Coast.

“Offering specialised services for menopause ensures that women in our community receive the necessary support, education, treatment and care should they require it.”

CCLHD Menopause Coordinator Kelly Armstrong:

“Our nurse and physiotherapist-led service will work in partnership with the patient’s GP, to improve their quality of life and symptom management through menopause.

“We know for many women symptoms can range in severity and type. Women with severe and complex menopause symptoms often need specialised care from a multi-disciplinary team.  With the support of the Royal North Shore Menopause Hub, I’m thrilled we can now provide this life-changing service for women.”

Live music venues in NSW will gain extra protection against threats to their survival under new measures introduced by the Minns Labor Government.

As part of the second tranche of Vibrancy Reforms, which passed Parliament on Thursday, the Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy is empowered to intervene if a significant music venue is at risk of closing its doors.

These are world-first legislative protections designed to ensure the health of the NSW live music scene and prevent closures that took away venues like the Annandale Hotel and The Basement and threatened the survival of venues like the Eltham Hotel.

The first ever census of live music in NSW, the State of the Scene report issued by Sound NSW in June, found there were 795 live venues across the state, with 55 considered “dedicated live music venues”.

A framework will allow venues to opt-in to a range of supports that can be deployed if a significant venue’s survival is under threat for reasons that can include noise complaints, vexatious neighbours or hostile landlords.

A significant live music venue is defined as one which hosts live, predominantly original, music as the key function of its business and is essential to the touring and live, local music scene in NSW.

The Minister will be able to deploy co-ordinated support from Sound NSW, the 24 Hour Commissioner, the Hospitality Concierge and the Business Bureau as a response to threatened venues that require assistance. 

The Vibrancy Reforms legislation also provides for the Minister to request mediation between a venue and another party to resolve a matter before it progresses further. At that point, a venue may agree that the public and its music fans be alerted that it is under threat.

The first tranche of the Minns Labor Government’s made it impossible for a single neighbour noise complaint to shut down a pub or licensed venue.

It also increased incentives for live music and live performance, with two hours extended trading and an 80% reduction in liquor licence fees for licensed venues offering live music.

The second tranche of reforms, which passed Parliament with unanimous support, has torn up baffling restrictions on licensed venues that include “no entertainment” clauses or dictate what genre of music or even how many musicians can play.

Property buyers will in future be notified they are moving into an existing entertainment zone to protect the intent of Special Entertainment Precincts and reduce the friction between venues and their neighbours.

Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy John Graham said:

“The music-loving community has been forced to say Rest In Peace too many times to the foundational live venues that were the incubators of Australian music. We are not going to sit by and watch another Annandale Hotel unplug the music and dismantle the stage.

“In a cost of living crisis, we need a strong local music scene where people can enjoy live music without shelling out the hundreds of dollars it can cost to see the big touring international acts.

“Protecting our time-honoured venues is also about supporting the night-time economy. The NSW music census found live music provides 25,000 jobs and contributes $5.5 billion in economic output to NSW. We want to amplify that contribution to the economy.

“A state significant music venues framework is part of the rebalance, and it’s long overdue.”

The Minns Labor Government has today established the inaugural LGBTIQ+ Advisory Council, fulfilling an election commitment.

The council’s first priority will be to work with the Government to develop NSW’s first LGBTIQ+ Inclusion Strategy.

Members of the council will work closely with the NSW Government to provide insights and recommendations on issues affecting LGBTIQ+ communities.

The 16 inaugural members range from national trailblazers to local champions, and bring with them the expertise needed to establish the council.

Members were selected based on their experiences, expertise and dedication to advocating for LGBTIQ+ communities and will serve a two-year term.

Robyn Kennedy and Dr Justin Koonin have been appointed as the inaugural Co-Chairs of the council.

Robyn is a 78er, having protested in the first Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, and is highly regarded in the community for her decades of service to advancing equality and inclusion, including through roles with InterPride, Sydney WorldPride, Qtopia Sydney, and First Mardi Gras 78ers.

Justin has been the President at ACON since 2015 and is recognised in LGBTIQ+ communities for his leadership, expertise and advocacy as a long-serving Convenor of the NSW Gay and Lesbians Rights Lobby.

Also joining the council is Ian Roberts, the first openly gay professional rugby league player.

We congratulate all members who have been appointed to the council:

• Robyn Kennedy
• Dr Justin Koonin
• Anna Brown OAM
• Dr Morgan Carpenter
• Danny Dalton
• Brad Farrugia
• Will Lawrence
• Veronica Mason
• Benjamin Oh
• Dr Chris Pepin-Neff
• Dr Victoria Rawlings
• Ian Roberts
• Nicholas Stewart
• Dr Cris Townley
• Kelly Young
• Charlie Zada

This follows ongoing work by the NSW Government to progress reforms that ensure all members of our community feel valued, respected and equal.

The Minns Labor Government has already fulfilled our election commitment to ban ‘LGBTQ+ conversion practices’ through the Conversion Practices Ban Act 2024, which passed the NSW Parliament in March.

The Premier also issued a formal apology in June to people convicted under discriminatory laws that criminalised homosexual acts, and this year passed legislation that meant more of these offences were able to be extinguished.

In September, the NSW Government supported all 19 recommendations delivered by the Special Commission of Inquiry into LGBTIQ hate crimes, which examined the unsolved deaths of LGBTIQ people and found shortfalls in historical responses by the NSW Government.

Earlier this month, the Government supported the amended Equality Bill which passed NSW Parliament after being introduced by the Independent Member for Sydney Alex Greenwich.

Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council, Penny Sharpe said:

“Establishing the LGBTIQ+ Advisory Council is another step forward for LGBTIQ+ people in our state who deserve to be visible and heard. It will drive a more inclusive and equitable NSW.

“The council is testament to our Government’s commitment to ensuring that every person in NSW can live a life free from discrimination and prejudice.

“The diversity of expertise and experiences being brought together in this council is exceptional.”

Co-Chair of the council, Robyn Kennedy said:

“As a lesbian and 78er, I am honoured to serve as Co-Chair of this council. Our work will focus on ensuring that all LGBTIQ+ individuals in NSW are supported, respected, and have their rights upheld.

“This is what our community has always stood for through our decades of advocacy and resilience”

Co-Chair of the council, Dr Justin Koonin said:

“There are legal, social and health issues that continue to impact the human rights, safety and wellbeing of LGBTIQ+ people in NSW.

“As Co-Chair of the council I am looking forward to working with members to ensure the NSW Government has direct access to the communities’ experiences, ideas and solutions.

“I am proud to be part of a council that will work towards equality for all.”

SafeWork NSW inspectors are out in force, targeting scaffold safety on construction sites across the state as part of their Scaff Safe 2024 campaign​.

Falls from heights remains the leading cause of fatalities on NSW construction sites, with falls from unsafe scaffolds a significant contributor.

In Newcastle, where the “Scaff Safe” campaign is being launched, a zero-tolerance approach to workers lives being put at risk has seen the number of penalty notices more than double since 2021, while the number of falls from unsafe scaffolding has halved.

Across the state, the most common injury as a result of a fall from height was ligament, muscle and tendon damage or a traumatic joint injury with more than 5,200 incidents reported since 2021/2022.

Scaffold incidents commonly involve:

• people falling from, or through, scaffolds that are poorly erected, incomplete or have been altered including having components removed by unlicenced workers, such as brickies, builders, painters,
• people falling from scaffolds due to misuse, for example standing on rails or boxes, adding makeshift work platforms,
• scaffold collapse or failure of components due to incorrect assembly, overloading platforms, or incompatible or overly rusted/rotted componentry,
• objects falling off scaffolds and hitting people below,
• scaffolds being struck by mobile plant/vehicles or being snagged by a crane, and
• scaffolders being injured when unsafely erecting, adjusting or dismantling scaffold.

Inspectors will be visiting sites to talk with principal contractors and site supervisors about how to ensure their site is ‘Scaff Safe’, including verifying they have a plan in place to manage scaffold safety for each stage of the build.

Inspectors are taking a zero-tolerance approach to workers lives being placed at risk and can issue on-the-spot fines for not managing the risk of scaffolds, falls from heights and alterations by unlicenced workers. Individuals may be fined up to $900 and businesses up to $4,500.

Further information for workers, employers and licence holders about managing the risks of scaffold can be found at: https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/hazards-a-z/scaffolding

Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis

“It’s important employers understand their duties under work health and safety laws.

“Scaffold requires constant attention and coordination. It can kill workers when not built safely, with the main risks being falls from heights, falling components, scaffold collapse and contact with powerlines.

“SafeWork Inspectors take a zero-tolerance approach to workers lives being placed at risk around scaffolding and will issue on-the-spot fines to enforce compliance.

“All workers have the right to go home to their loved ones at the end of their workday.”

Tim Crakanthorp, State Member for Newcastle

“Scaffolds are a focus for inspectors for good reason. Falls from heights are one of the biggest causes of fatalities and serious injuries on NSW building sites.

“Newcastle is proud to help lead the way in New South Wales when it comes to helping keep workers safe on our construction sites.”

Idyllic Western Sydney swimming spot Lake Parramatta will reopen this weekend for the summer season complete with its own beach, after the Minns Labor Government funded a $1.4 million upgrade.

The works ensure families in Western Sydney now have access to another safe and accessible swimming spot close to home, without needing to travel long distances to a beach.

More than 50,000 annual visitors to Lake Parramatta can now enjoy:

• A sandy beach within the swimming area, supported with a retaining wall;
• Improved water access through footpaths, and other accessibility features such as handrails and traction treatments for steps;
• New seating, sandstone walls, shaded areas, landscaping, bushland regeneration, improved signage, an outdoor shower; and
• The installation of a formal lifeguard viewing platform which will provide improved sightlines over the swimming area for lifeguards.

These changes improve safety and accessibility for visitors, while preserving the natural beauty of the bushland site.

The Lake Parramatta upgrade has been completed thanks to the NSW Government’s Places to Swim program and Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants program.

The upgrade is part of the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to expanding access to swimming sites for communities who live away from the coast, particularly in Western Sydney.

It comes after Labor successfully unlocked Western Sydney Lakes last summer to open Penrith Beach to the public – a major hit with locals that will return again this year following a further $2.5 million investment. 

Lake Parramatta officially opens to the public from 10am Saturday, 26 October and will have lifeguards on duty each weekend from 10am to 6pm until Sunday 24 November 2024.

From Saturday 30 November 2024 to Thursday 30 January 2025, lifeguards will be on duty seven days per week from 10am to 7pm before returning to weekend-only patrols from 10am to 7pm from Saturday 1 February to Sunday 30 March 2025.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car said:

“Lake Parramatta is great spot for the people of Western Sydney to escape the summer heat, now more than ever after this upgrade.

“The revitalisation of this swimming spot is in no small part thanks to the advocacy of Donna Davis, who as Lord Mayor pushed so hard for it to be funded. Now the whole community can benefit from this investment in local amenity here in Parramatta.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully, said:

“The NSW Government’s Places to Swim program is about creating cool spaces for families and friends to gather, relax and enjoy a dip in the water.

“Through the funding received from the NSW Government, this idyllic location will now be safer, more accessible and more accommodating to its thousands of visitors each year.”

Member for Parramatta Donna Davis said:

“The City of Parramatta design work and community consultation for these upgrades occurred during my time as Lord Mayor, so it makes me very proud to see the work completed for the benefit of local residents and visitors to Parramatta.

“These upgrades support Parramatta’s fast growing population, ensuring a beautiful, functional place for people of all ages and abilities to relax, recreate and return to again and again.”

City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Martin Zaiter said:

“Lake Parramatta is an iconic swimming spot, and these upgrades really elevate this oasis and provide a safe and comfortable environment to cool off on hot days.

“The eastern suburbs have Bondi, Penrith has Pondi and now more people can safely enjoy this gem in the West – Lake Parramatta.

“We welcome everyone to make memories here this summer and remind people to bring a friend and swim in the designated swimming area when supervised by lifeguards.”

Staff and volunteers across the NSW health system have been celebrated for their dedication, compassion, innovation and outstanding achievements at the 2024 NSW Health Awards, held at the International Convention Centre in Sydney last night.

The awards recognise the people, teams and programs in NSW Health that make such a significant contribution to the health and wellbeing of patients of the communities they care for. It is – most of all – a celebration of the team enriching health in millions of ways every day.

Some of the innovative projects to win awards across the 13 categories included the use of artificial-intelligence to develop a wound app reducing average healing times, research to develop oral insulin as an alternative for injectible insulin expanding treatment options for diabetics and establishing a video interpreting service for multicultural communities.

Awards were presented by Minister for Health Ryan Park, Minister for Medical Research David Harris, Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Regional Health Dr Michael Holland, and NSW Health Secretary Susan Pearce AM.

186 nominations were received across 13 categories, including:

• Staff Member of the Year Award
• Volunteer of the Year Award
• Secretary’s Award
• Environmental Sustainability Award
• Excellence in Aboriginal Healthcare Award
• Excellence in Multicultural Healthcare Award
• Excellence in the Provision of Mental Health Services Award
• Health Innovation Award
• Health Research Award
• Keeping People Healthy Award
• Patient Safety First Award
• People and Culture Award
• Transforming Patient Experience Award

The full list of winners and finalists and their projects is available on the ​​NSW Health website.​​

Minister for Health Ryan Park:

“I want to congratulate the winners and all 42 finalists for their outstanding contributions to our health system. Every day in NSW Health we see fantastic examples of care, dedication and innovation when it comes to improving the health and wellbeing of people across NSW.

“It’s fantastic to see that five of the NSW Health Award winners are from rural and regional areas, highlighting the great care available to communities right across the state.

“I would particularly like to highlight the great work of Dr Nhi Nguyen from Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District, who was named Staff Member of the Year for her leadership across initiatives aimed at bridging the gap between clinicians, policy makers and the community.”

Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson:

“I offer my congratulations to the South Western Sydney Local Health District who took out the Excellence in the Provision of Mental Health Services award for their Aboriginal Mental Health Transfer of Care project.

“This work has had a positive impact on hundreds of people and their communities, with a team of specialists set up to provide culturally responsive care and better discharge planning for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients, nearly halving unplanned re-admissions.

“Across every nomination in this category we see shining examples of a commitment to patient care and safety so I personally want to thank all the finalists for their dedication to providing compassionate mental health services right across the state.”

Minister for Medical Research David Harris:

“Sydney Local Health District were a deserving winner of the Health Research category, for their ground-breaking work to expand treatment options for people with diabetes. The team has created an oral insulin treatment that is preparing for clinical trials early next year.

“It was a pleasure to celebrate the people helping position NSW as a global leader in health and medical research, and the work in Sydney Local Health District reflects many of the amazing initiatives underway in our state.”

NSW Health Secretary Susan Pearce AM:

“NSW Health is very proud to celebrate the people and teams who are enriching health in millions of ways every day – our incredible healthcare staff and volunteers.

“All of the nominees, finalists and winners reflect the incredible work our people do, in a wide variety of roles right across the public health system., and I thank them sincerely for it.”

The Australian Government and New South Wales Government have signed an agreement to support the Commonwealth’s implementation of its Community Safety Order (CSO) Scheme.

As a result of the High Court’s decision in NZYQ v. Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs & Anor, NZYQ and other similarly affected people were required to be released from immigration detention.

The Department of Home Affairs is responsible for the CSO scheme, which seeks to ensure that individuals who pose an unacceptable risk to the community, who have no real prospect of being removed from Australia in the reasonably foreseeable future, are subject to either a community safety detention order or a community safety supervision order.

New South Wales has agreed to support the Commonwealth’s delivery of services under the CSO Scheme, including the Community Safety Detention Order scheme (CSDO) and the Community Safety Supervision Order (CSSO) scheme.

This will include – where it is ordered by a court – accommodation of CSDO offenders within Corrective Services NSW facilities, and assistance to the Australian Government with CSSO supervision case management.

Corrective Services NSW support for therapeutic case management will be limited to development of case plans, assessments and the referral or provision of therapeutic programs.

The Commonwealth will continue to be responsible for the monitoring of NZYQ affected people, including those on the CSSO scheme, and responding to any breaches of conditions.

This support is in addition to the ongoing support provided to the Commonwealth by the NSW Police Force since the High Court’s decision in November 2023.

Testing will soon begin on cutting-edge technology to improve early warnings about floods and bushfires in NSW.

The NSW Government this week launched a proof-of-concept phase as part of a $3.3 million election commitment to build a natural hazards detection system.

The testing will explore a range of scenarios to enhance the state’s response to natural hazards including innovative technology to detect floods and bushfires that can:

• support early identification of flood water across roads
• monitor rainfall and soil moisture data to predict floods
• identify fire ignitions in remote locations
• monitor soil moisture and fuel loads to support improved fire hazard reduction.

Individual grants of up to $50,000 will be awarded to successful applicants through the program to support the testing of technologies over a six-month period to demonstrate their feasibility and benefits.

The program delivers on an election commitment by the Minns Labor Government and is being led by the Office of the NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer (OCSE) in collaboration with the NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA).

The initiative directly responds to key recommendations from the 2020 Bushfire Inquiry and the 2022 Flood Inquiry, which called for the use of advanced detection systems to provide earlier warnings and give communities more time to respond to natural hazards.

Businesses are encouraged to submit proposals addressing these challenges, with the potential to progress to the next stage of the program which includes scaling up and piloting technologies in real-world settings.

Applications for Phase 1 are open until early December. Grant recipients from Phase 1 will be eligible to apply for Phase 2 through a competitive process.

The outcomes of the pilot will help shape the design of a final product, ready for deployment in hazard-prone areas of NSW. For more information and to apply, visit: www.chiefscientist.nsw.gov.au/nhds.

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

“The Minns Labor Government is delivering on its election commitment to better protect communities living in high-risk areas that are prone to floods and fires through better detection systems.”

“We are helping to develop new detection technologies and testing them in unique Australian conditions.”

We are working to identify solutions that allow people to better anticipate natural disasters and prepare for evacuations.”

“This program is not only important to help reduce the impact of disasters, but ultimately can help save lives.”

Minister for Innovation, Science & Technology, Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“This funding demonstrates the NSW Government’s commitment to innovation and technology to help improve our response to and preparedness for natural hazards.”

“Supporting businesses to field-test their technologies with NSW Government agencies allows them to bring their innovations one step closer to commercialisation.”

Professor Hugh Durrant-Whyte, Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer said:

“NSW is looking to the future and investigating how cutting-edge technology can transform our response to natural hazards.”

“By undertaking trials of groundbreaking technology solutions in real world conditions we will ensure that NSW residents are better prepared for natural hazards now and into the future”.   

The NSW Government will roll out reforms to better protect the community from the harms of illegal tobacco, including tougher penalties, more enforcement officers, and a new tobacco licensing scheme for retailers.

A new licensing scheme

Recent enforcement activities have observed a rise in illicit tobacco retailing including amongst rural communities in NSW, which adversely affects businesses that operate within the law. Illicit retailers undercut legitimate small businesses by selling illicit tobacco at lower prices and some have been found to be located in close proximity to schools.

A new tobacco licensing scheme will also be introduced, to better protect those businesses doing the right thing and ensure greater oversight of the tobacco retail industry in NSW.

Under these changes, retailers and wholesalers of tobacco and non-tobacco smoking products will be required to hold a tobacco licence and pay an annual fee.

A licence will be able to be refused, or revoked, if the applicant has been convicted of a tobacco or vaping product related offence.

The scheme will support comprehensive and targeted enforcement to identify and penalise those retailers and wholesalers doing the wrong thing.

The proposed legislation includes penalties of up to $220,000 for corporations and $44,000 for individuals for selling tobacco without a licence under the new scheme.

To ensure that applying for a tobacco licence is not burdensome for small businesses, a technical support phoneline will be available to everyone submitting an application.

A tobacco licensing scheme will complement the NSW Government’s broader approach to tobacco compliance and enforcement.

Tougher penalties

The government will double maximum penalties for a range of tobacco retailing offences, including:

• Individuals selling tobacco products to minors will be fined up to $22,000 for a first offence and $110,000 for a subsequent offence, with corporations liable for up to $110,000 for a first offence and $220,000 for subsequent offences;
• Individuals selling tobacco products not in the required packaging or with the mandatory health warnings will be fined up to $22,000, and corporations up to $110,000; and
• People impersonating or obstructing an inspector can be fined up to $1,100, up from $550.

Enforcement & seizures

NSW Health will also recruit an additional 14 enforcement officers to strengthen compliance efforts across the state. This doubles the number of authorised inspectors employed by the Ministry of Health. Ahead of these reforms, NSW Health boosted regional enforcement capacity by supporting the employment of four additional enforcement officers. This compliance workforce complements authorised staff who undertake inspections across local health districts

From 1 July 2024 to 30 September 2024, NSW Health inspectors conducted 565 targeted retail inspections, seizing more than 3.2 million cigarettes and over 600kg of other illicit tobacco products, with an estimated value of over $3.7 million.

NSW Health collaborates with NSW Police and other state and national regulatory agencies on enforcement related to illicit tobacco sales, including sharing intelligence, working on joint targets and joint operations.

Information on NSW tobacco retailing laws can be found on the NSW Health website here: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/

Members of the public are encouraged to report suspected breaches of tobacco and e-cigarette retailing laws on the NSW Health website here: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/tobacco/Pages/let-us-know-reports-complaints.aspx

Minister for Health, Ryan Park MP:

“I am very concerned by the prevalence of illegal tobacco and e-cigarettes in our community, and their proximity to our schools and children.

“These new laws are the most significant tobacco retailing reforms in NSW in the last decade and will help us combat the scourge of illicit tobacco sales across the state.

“We are introducing tougher penalties for retailers doing the wrong thing, and boosting our team of enforcement officers to strengthen our compliance efforts.

“The increased tobacco penalties reflect the seriousness of these offences. Retailers should be put on notice that if they are caught breaking tobacco retailing laws they will be penalised.”

“A tobacco licensing scheme in NSW will also further enhance our state’s strong approach to enforcement of tobacco retailing laws. It will allow us to have better oversight over the tobacco industry and will support our comprehensive approach to help reduce the use, impact and associated costs of tobacco in NSW.”

Member for Wagga Wagga Joe McGirr MP:

“After being made aware of the escalating problem of illegal tobacco in my electorate and across the state, I prepared a Private Members’ Bill to require the licensing of tobacco retailers and increased penalties for offences.

“This Bill was prepared with widespread consultation with industry and the community, with strong support for my proposals to tackle this growing criminal activity which is undermining health messaging and taking an expensive toll on legitimate retailers.

“So, I am delighted that the government has met this challenge by proposing its own Bill, reflecting the content of my Bill, and I look forward to supporting the government in this endeavour when parliament resumes.

“Licensing on its own will not eliminate the black market trade in tobacco but it will provide a valuable structure that will help to reduce the damaging effects of this rapidly-growing problem.

“I congratulate the government for taking this strong proactive stance and I look forward to working together on further steps to tackle the illegal tobacco trade.”

NSW Health Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant:

“NSW Health supports a holistic approach to tobacco control, recognising reducing supply and access to illicit products is one component.

“Operating a tobacco licensing scheme will ensure NSW Health has accurate, up-to-date information on tobacco retailing and wholesaling activities in NSW, facilitating more efficient and effective enforcement activity.

“If you think a tobacco or e-cigarette retailing law has been broken by a retailer in NSW, you can report this via the NSW Health website.”