16 News

They first hit the tracks 11 months after Neil Armstrong made the lunar landing — and in the 55 years since have travelled enough kilometres to reach the moon 17 times each.

Friday marks the end of the line for the Sydney Trains V-sets that have worked the Sydney to Central Coast line every day since June 1970, and then to Newcastle from 1984, covering an estimated 140 million kilometres during their time in service.

The retirement of the 21 stainless steel, double-deck trains allows the full implementation of the 10-carriage Mariyung trains providing a more spacious cabin, more comfortable seating, accessible toilets, charging ports and many more security and safety features.

The final ever V-set service to Newcastle departs Central Station at 9:20pm Friday and will arrive shortly after midnight Saturday.

Based on 21 V-sets in the fleet, doing a combined 140 million kilometres, is the equivalent of each train travelling:

• 17 times to the moon (a journey of 384,400 kms)
• 1,733 times between Sydney and Perth (a journey of 3,846 kms)
• 41,928 times from Sydney to Newcastle (a journey of 159 kms).

The V-sets were built in Granville by Commonwealth Engineering – known as Comeng – between 1970 and 1989 and were described as ‘the most luxurious commuter stock in the world’ when they hit the tracks.

That claim no longer holds water and they have gradually been phased out as the new Mariyungs have entered service. From 30 June, 19 Mariyung trains will have entered service and be fully deployed on the Central Coast and Newcastle Line, with all 38 local stations able to accommodate a longer 10-car configuration.

The Mariyung has extra leg room, high seat backs, tray tables for laptops and charging ports for mobile devices.

The Minns Labor Government is committed to returning rail manufacturing, recently launching industry engagement for the Future Fleet Program, which is seeking to revive domestic manufacturing, create thousands of jobs and boost the economy.

The Government has committed to start procuring the replacement of the ageing Tangara fleet of suburban passenger trains by 2027, with a 50% local content target for designing, building, and maintaining the new fleet.

V-sets will continue to run on the Blue Mountains line before they are replaced by Mariyungs. The South Coast line will get Mariyungs following their introduction to the Blue Mountains.

Minister for Transport John Graham said:

“They were space age for their time and it’s almost unfathomable that they have made it to the moon 17 times each in equivalent kilometres during more than five decades on the tracks.

“Today is a moment to say thank you to the workers who built these trains in Sydney that lasted so long in work, with some upgrades along the way. In farewelling the V-sets we reaffirm our commitment as a government to rebuilding a local rail manufacturing industry here in NSW.”

Minister for Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said:

“Millions of train passengers use the Central Coast and Newcastle line every year and now they can regularly enjoy a more comfortable, safe and accessible service.

“While I understand many train buffs will be sad to see the old V-set carriages go, our community has waited patiently for the new Mariyung fleet and all the comforts they provide.”

Chief Executive of Sydney Trains Matt Longland said:

“Today we honour the legacy of the old V-set trains which have carried generations of passengers up and down the line, as we step into a new era with our Mariyung fleet.

“It’s the end of a proud chapter in our transport history, and the beginning of a new one — one that will deliver a more comfortable travelling experience for passengers.”

Legislation passed overnight will allow the Minns Labor Government to step in and bring an end to the Liberals’ privatisation disaster at the Northern Beaches Hospital.

The passage of this bill draws a line under the Liberals’ failed privatisation experiment at the expense of acute public hospital care.

The bill, introduced by the Independent Member for Wakehurst Michael Regan, allows the Government to terminate the failed PPP contract as if a hospital operator default had occurred, if a negotiated outcome with Healthscope and its receivers cannot be reached.

It remains the preference of the NSW Government that a negotiated agreement on the future control and operation of the Northern Beaches Hospital can be achieved.

In the absence of agreement, the government now has the authority to intervene and avoid a prolonged dispute for members of the community, hospital staff and NSW taxpayers.

The legislation gives the Health Minister the power to issue a statutory termination notice to Healthscope, ensuring there are no windfall gains to the company or its receivers.

The Minns Labor Government has been clear in its opposition to the Liberals’ privatisation model when it comes to delivering acute public health services.

Earlier this month, the government banned any repeat of the Liberals’ failed PPP public health model in the future.

This second piece of legislation gives the government stronger powers to clean up the Liberals’ mess and reset the operating model for the Northern Beaches Hospital.

Discussions between the Northern Beaches Hospital Taskforce, Healthscope and its receivers remain ongoing, and the NSW Government is hopeful of a productive outcome.

NSW Health will continue to work closely with Healthscope to ensure that patient safety and continuity of services at the Northern Beaches Hospital will not be compromised as negotiations continue.

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:

“This equips the government with the ability to step in and end the Liberals’ privatisation disaster once and for all.

“We have banned any repeat of the Liberals’ failed privatisation model into the future.

“We don’t take this lightly.

“We remain hopeful of reaching an agreed exit from the failed PPP contract. But now we have the ability to step in and protect the Northern Beaches community from this dragging on.”

Health Minister Ryan Park said:

“We don’t want to have to use this power.

“But the extent of the mess the Liberals left us to clean up leaves us with few options.

“I still believe we can resolve this through negotiation, but we have to put the community, the patients and the taxpayers first – no windfalls, and no delays.”

NSW Ambulance has welcomed 127 new paramedic interns and 28 trainee emergency medical call takers, after they were officially inducted into the service in a ceremony at the State Operations Centre, Sydney Olympic Park. 

Following this latest induction, there are now more than 500 new paramedics and more than 80 emergency medical call takers who have joined the service since the beginning of the year, further boosting frontline health services across the state.  

The new recruits come from a range of backgrounds, including paramedic intern Rowena Meredith, a former Tokyo Olympics 2021 bronze medallist, and trainee emergency medical call taker Taylah Ferguson, the daughter of a former paramedic who joins us from London Ambulance Service.  

The paramedic interns will be posted across NSW to complete the on-road portion of their 12-month internships, before taking permanent positions in metropolitan and regional areas.   

The emergency medical call takers will be posted to the Sydney and Northern control centres.

Minister for Health, Ryan Park:

“I want to extend a warm welcome to these new starters and thank them for choosing a rewarding career with NSW Ambulance. Their journey is just beginning but these new staff continue a legacy of care and commitment.

“The induction of these new health staff reflects the continued growth and evolution of NSW Ambulance.

“Each new officer has already demonstrated the core values of integrity, compassion, and service which remains central to NSW Ambulance.”

NSW Ambulance Chief Executive Dr Dominic Morgan:

“Welcoming new staff into the service is both a privilege and a reminder of the enduring commitment required, serving the community in times of need.

“The contribution of additional workforce will further enhance the capacity of the service to deliver timely, professional and patient-centred care.

“The integration of new practitioners strengthens our foundations, ensuring delivery of consistent and high-quality care into the future.”

Rowena Meredith:

“Being involved in a high-performance team sport such as rowing, allows me to bring many transferable skills to my new career.

“I’m excited to be forging a new path and bringing to fruition a long-held career plan of paramedicine after the highs and lows of professional sport.”

Taylah Ferguson:

“My father was a paramedic for many years, and I always felt inspired to pursue a path with NSW Ambulance.

“Providing that vital first contact and initial support to a person in need, is incredibly rewarding.”

The Minns Labor Government is continuing work to build a safer New South Wales by implementing Pathways to Prevention – the state’s first dedicated domestic family and sexual violence primary prevention strategy.

As part of this $38.3 million program, more than $1 million will be invested in Local Government NSW to support councils and communities across the state in preventing domestic and family violence.

This partnership builds on the recent launch of the Multi-Sport Coalition for primary prevention, bringing together professional sports clubs, state sporting organisations, industry stakeholders and the government to use their influence to address the drivers of domestic, family and sexual violence and progress gender equality through sport.

The Government is taking a whole-of-community approach to primary prevention, to help change attitudes that condone violence against women and children.

Local councils are key connectors in their community, often working with local organisations and linking into domestic and family violence support services, so they present a unique opportunity to lead a coordinated best practice approach to primary prevention of gendered violence.

The funding allows Local Government NSW to:

• employ a Domestic and Family Violence Primary Prevention Officer who will coordinate primary prevention activities with local councils, communities and non-government organisations to improve community awareness and understanding
• develop a guide to help councils deliver localised primary prevention initiatives including action planning templates and prioritisation tools
• provide unconscious bias training, gender equality initiatives, and resources to boost awareness and understanding of primary prevention across all local councils in NSW.

This work forms part of a wider NSW Government effort to stop the violence before it starts.

The implementation of the $38.3 million Primary Prevention Strategy goes hand-in-hand with the Minns Labor Government’s ongoing work to eliminate of domestic, family and sexual violence through early intervention, crisis response and recovery. This includes:

• $48 million to expand the Staying Home Leaving Violence Program statewide, and the Integrated Domestic Family and Violence Service
• legislative reforms to make it harder than ever for alleged domestic violence offenders to get bail
• introducing electronic monitoring for alleged serious domestic violence offenders
• strengthening laws to protect against repeated breaches of apprehended domestic violence orders.

Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig said:

“Eliminating domestic and family violence is a complex challenge that requires the whole of government and the whole of community to work together to achieve this goal.

“As the closest level of government to communities, councils can play an important role in preventing gendered violence and help build a society that promotes gender equality, healthy relationships and is free from violence.”

Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said:

“We know that domestic, family and sexual violence is preventable – and primary prevention is about stopping it before it starts.

“We want to work with local communities on the ground to change the underlying beliefs and cultures across our society that have tolerated – and even condoned – violence against women and children.

“We can’t do this alone. We need councils – and the communities they represent – to help.

“Our investment in primary prevention complements our ongoing work to support victim-survivors of domestic and family violence and ensure perpetrators are held to account.”

NSW Women’s Safety Commissioner Dr Hannah Tonkin said:

“Local councils are in a unique position to increase awareness and understanding of domestic, family and sexual violence and drive lasting change in their communities.

“By harnessing local knowledge and networks, primary prevention initiatives can play a critical role in fostering attitudes and behaviours that result in safer communities.

“I’m pleased to see that local primary prevention initiatives will be supported through the partnership announced with Local Government NSW.”

Blue Mountains Mayor Mark Greenhill said:

“Local governments play a key role in advocating for the prevention of domestic violence.

“A collaborative approach is needed to address domestic and family violence, and that must involve working directly with the community.

“This partnership will support us to continue our existing work with local community groups and organisations to provide frontline care and ongoing prevention.”

Support:

If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, call the Police on Triple Zero / 000.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence, call the NSW Domestic Violence Line on 1800 65 64 63 for free counselling and referrals, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For confidential advice, support, and referrals, contact 1800 RESPECT or 13 YARN.

If you are worried about your own behaviour and use of violence, contact the Men’s Referral Service online or by phone on 1300 766 491.

Young people will have a seat at the boardroom tables of the Sydney Opera House, Art Gallery of NSW, Powerhouse Museum, Australian Museum, State Library of NSW and Museums of History NSW.

The Minns Labor Government has legislated to add a director aged 18 – 28 on each of the boards of the six cultural institutions.

A youth seat will develop a new generation of arts and cultural leaders, giving them exposure to the way cultural organisations deal with complex operational, financial and governance issues.

Sector-wide consultation in the development of the state’s 10-year arts, culture and creative industries policy, Creative Communities, identified the need to increase cultural access and opportunities for young people. Bringing the next generation of cultural leaders to decision-making tables is a critical way for their voices to be amplified.

This initiative is one of three key structural changes affirming the NSW Government’s dedication to the next generation of creatives and the value of culture in the lives of young people.

1. Young People on Boards: the Cultural Institutions Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 is intended to come into effect on 1 July and the new members of the board must be appointed by 1 October 2025. A 4–6-week Expression of Interest application process opens today.
2. Creative Youth Network has been established to advise key government Ministers directly on issues impacting young people engaged in the arts, culture and creative industries.
3. Creative Industries strategies. The government is working with sector representatives on targeted strategies for future growth, including in digital games, fashion and literature. In the digital games and creative tech space, the Screen and Digital Games Act2025 explicitly recognises and prioritises the development and support of the NSW digital games sector. The new legislation recognises digital games as a core creative industry and significant economic contributor, and will ensure better cooperation across government agencies, reduce red tape, and increase opportunities for screen and digital games production.

These initiatives follow the passing of the Creative Statement to Parliament Bill 2025, mandating the preparation of a Statement to Parliament every three years on the size, complexity and health of the sector and drive whole-of-government support of arts, culture and creative industries in NSW.

Successful applicants will undertake the Australian Institute of Company Directors Foundations of Directorship™ (Public Sector) course, the costs of which are covered by the Advocate for Children and Young People, to support them through the onboarding process with these important boards. This training and the opportunity to be on key arts boards will feed into the sector and create the next generation of arts and culture leaders with a strong skill set in board governance.

Information about the expression of interest can be found here.

Minister for the Arts, Music, Night-time Economy, Jobs and Tourism John Graham said:

“We are developing the next generation of arts and cultural leaders and lovers.

“One of the key commitments in the Creative Communities policy was to ensure the next generation of cultural leaders are at the decision-making table, including advising Ministers directly.

“That is why we’ve established the Creative Youth Network, and why we’ve introduced legislation to ensure all our Cultural Institutions have a board seat for young creative practitioners. These are key steps to keep our cultural institutions and broader arts and cultural sectors as relevant, dynamic and loved by audiences into the future as they have been in the past. “

About the Cultural Institutions

• The NSW Cultural Institutions play a critical role in supporting the arts and creative industries.
• Collectively, they reach across all disciplines within the creative industries, engaging almost 19 million visitors annually through their doors, and supporting over 2,500 direct jobs.

About the Creative Youth Network

The Creative Youth Network is an advisory, non-statutory network that will meet twice a year. Establishing the Network fulfills an important commitment from the NSW Government’s 10-year arts, culture and creative industries policy, Creative Communities. Members represent many areas of the arts, cultural and creative industries.

The first meeting attended by the Minister of the Arts, Music, Night-time Economy, Jobs and Tourism, John Grahamand the Minister for Youth and Mental Health, Rose Jackson.

The inaugural meeting brought young creatives together to discuss and provide direct advice to the Ministers. This followed on from a Creative Communities consultation roundtable with young creatives with Minister Jackson in 2023 prior to the release of the policy.

Key initiatives raised in the meeting include:

• An undertaking to introduce legislation to ensure all Cultural Institutions have a new, additional role on their board for a younger artists or leading cultural workers.
• Developing a financial literacy toolkit and module to support artists and practitioners as well as small to medium organisations in the sector.
• Further developing pathways to support and mentor emerging artists and practitioners, and make this a condition of NSW Government funding.