Indonesian-speaking Darwin MP Luke Gosling will lead a special Regional Trade Taskforce of the Caucus to assist in the development of trade policies that will boost economic growth and create jobs for Australians.
The Taskforce will focus on trade links with the Asia-Pacific Region. It will consult with businesses, hold industry forums and report to me and Shadow Trade Minister Madeleine King on what our nation needs to do to increase our trade engagement right across the region.
My appointment of Mr Gosling to lead this Taskforce recognises the particular importance of boosting trade between businesses in Northern Australia and the nations to our immediate north, including Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and Timor-Leste.
Despite their proximity to Australia, Indonesia and Malaysia sit outside the list of our top ten trading partners at numbers 13 and 11 respectively.
There is great scope to build our trade engagement across the region, and Mr Gosling’s capacity for hard work makes him the perfect choice to advise Labor on how our nation can capitalise on these opportunities.
This is about jobs for Australians.
Mr Gosling, the Member for Solomon, had a distinguished military career and has worked in Timor-Leste as a Presidential adviser and also established a not-for-profit charity to benefit the fledgling nation.
Since becoming Leader of the Australian Labor Party I have emphasised my intention to consult widely so our Party can develop a set of policies worthy of support at the 2022 election.
Author: admin
NSW BUDGET: WESTERN SYDNEY IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT
The NSW Government is getting on with the job of transforming the Western Sydney road network with over 40 projects worth in total more than $1 billion currently in progress or planning across the region.
Throughout Western Sydney an army of workers are building, widening, extending, and duplicating roads to future proof one of the state’s fastest growing regions.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said currently more than 845,000 journeys to work start and end in Western Sydney and 64 per cent of those are by car.
“Western Sydney is one of the fastest-growing regions in NSW and the NSW Government is building roads to cater for future generations and address the expected increase in congestion,” Mr Perrottet said.
“More than 2 million people are living in Western Sydney with the population expected to grow to 3 million over the next 20 years, which is why the NSW Government is planning now.”
The NSW Budget 2019-20 has secured more than $1 billion in funding for critical road projects across Western Sydney to help the region get ahead of the game including:
• $631 million for the NSW Government and Federal Government funded road upgrades to support new Western Sydney Airport.
• $107.4 million on the M4 Smart Motorway between Parramatta and Penrith to increase trip reliability and improve road safety.
“The Budget is not only delivering the roads people need to move around Western Sydney faster but is also creating jobs with more than 2000 people currently working on road projects across the region and will only grow as more work is carried out,” Mr Perrottet said.
Minister for Roads Andrew Constance said much of the work was supporting the new Western Sydney Aerotropolis, which is estimated to provide around 200,000 new jobs alone.
“We have more than 40 projects in planning across Western Sydney, which will feature new and upgraded roads providing safer and more reliable journeys for the thousands of drivers,” Mr Constance said.
“Work is in full swing on the Windsor Bridge replacement project and shovels are in the ground along Mulgoa and Castlereagh road. We’re also seeing great progress on the upgrade between Union Road and Museum Drive.”
NSW BUDGET: WARATAH INSPIRES HERBARIUM DESIGN
The public had its first glimpse of the State’s new Herbarium today, with the NSW Government unveiling concept designs for the building which will house more than 1.4 million plant specimens.
The precinct where the Herbarium will be built at the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan will be known as the Australian Institute of Botanic Science, bringing a world-class science hub to South-West Sydney.
Inspiration for the Herbarium has been drawn from the seed pod of NSW’s floral emblem, the iconic waratah.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the Government had allocated $27 million in the 2019-20 NSW Budget, to allow work to begin on the $60 million project early in 2020.
“The Herbarium houses one of the most important and significant collections of plant specimens in the world, and this purpose-built facility will ensure Australia is at the forefront of conservation and management for generations to come,” he said.
“This is a lot more than just seed funding for this project, we are ensuring the NSW Government delivers a world class facility for Western Sydney.”
Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes said the Herbarium, which is being relocated from its current home at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, includes specimens include those collected by Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander on Captain Cook’s first voyage to the Pacific in 1770.
“The Australian Institute of Botanic Science will include the new National Herbarium of NSW, to be built next to the award-winning Australian Plantbank,” Mr Stokes said.
“The Australian Botanic Garden in Mount Annan was once a cow paddock, but has gradually been transformed into one of Sydney’s most-loved public spaces.”
Key to the City for proud Novocastrian Naval Officer
HMAS Newcastle Commander Anita Sellick has been honoured with the Key to the City at a ceremony today to farewell the ship before it’s decommissioned later this month.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes presented the born-and-bred Novocastrian the ceremonial honour following HMAS Newcastle’s Freedom of Entry March, which gave the public a chance to farewell the vessel and her company for the final time.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes honouring HMAS Newcastle Commander Anita Sellick with Federal Senator Arthur Sinodinis
The Lord Mayor said the gesture was a tribute to commander Sellick’s Newcastle roots and her formidable achievement, as a woman, rising through the ranks of one of Australia’s most respected, traditionally male-dominated institutions.
“It’s an honour to present the Key to the City to Commander Sellick in recognition of her services to Newcastle and the Royal Australian Navy,” the Lord Mayor said.
“Commander Sellick assumed command of HMAS Newcastle in January last year and will embark on her final voyage in control of the ship when she sails out of the heads for the final time on Tuesday.
“We’re proud of our history with the vessel and we’re even prouder that Commander Sellick is at the helm.”
Commander Sellick leading her company as they Exercised their Right of Freedom of Entry to the City.
Commander Anita Sellick joined the Royal Australian Navy in January 1994 after graduating from the Australian Defence Force Academy with a Bachelor of Science.
For meritorious service, she was awarded a Conspicuous Medal in the 2013 Queen’s Birthday Honours; and holds a Chief of Joint Operations Group Commendation for a past command.
She also holds a Baceholor of Science (Oceanography/Computer Science) from the University of NSW and is studying her Master of Business Administration.
Since it was commissioned in 1993, the ship has maintained close links with Newcastle through active support of her adopted charity organisation, Newcastle Senior School, formerly known as the Hunter Orthopaedic School.
The ship’s company at today’s march.
The ship’s company has raised substantial funds over the years, providing the school with a bus, undertaking working bees and joining in sporting activities.
The final fundraising campaign, ‘The Great Race’, aims to raise $20,000 and is still live at gofundme.com/thegreatrace.
Both Commander Sellick and the ship’s departure on Tuesday will be marked by a seven-gun salute from the historic guns at Fort Scratchley followed by return volley from the ship.
After more than 25 years of service, she will finally be decommissioned at the Garden Island Naval base in Sydney.
For more ore details, visit newcastle.nsw.gov.au/Explore/Things-to-do/What-s-On/Events/HMAS-Newcastle.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes presented the born-and-bred Novocastrian the ceremonial honour following HMAS Newcastle’s Freedom of Entry March, which gave the public a chance to farewell the vessel and her company for the final time.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes honouring HMAS Newcastle Commander Anita Sellick with Federal Senator Arthur SinodinisThe Lord Mayor said the gesture was a tribute to commander Sellick’s Newcastle roots and her formidable achievement, as a woman, rising through the ranks of one of Australia’s most respected, traditionally male-dominated institutions.
“It’s an honour to present the Key to the City to Commander Sellick in recognition of her services to Newcastle and the Royal Australian Navy,” the Lord Mayor said.
“Commander Sellick assumed command of HMAS Newcastle in January last year and will embark on her final voyage in control of the ship when she sails out of the heads for the final time on Tuesday.
“We’re proud of our history with the vessel and we’re even prouder that Commander Sellick is at the helm.”
Commander Sellick leading her company as they Exercised their Right of Freedom of Entry to the City.Commander Anita Sellick joined the Royal Australian Navy in January 1994 after graduating from the Australian Defence Force Academy with a Bachelor of Science.
For meritorious service, she was awarded a Conspicuous Medal in the 2013 Queen’s Birthday Honours; and holds a Chief of Joint Operations Group Commendation for a past command.
She also holds a Baceholor of Science (Oceanography/Computer Science) from the University of NSW and is studying her Master of Business Administration.
Since it was commissioned in 1993, the ship has maintained close links with Newcastle through active support of her adopted charity organisation, Newcastle Senior School, formerly known as the Hunter Orthopaedic School.
The ship’s company at today’s march.The ship’s company has raised substantial funds over the years, providing the school with a bus, undertaking working bees and joining in sporting activities.
The final fundraising campaign, ‘The Great Race’, aims to raise $20,000 and is still live at gofundme.com/thegreatrace.
Both Commander Sellick and the ship’s departure on Tuesday will be marked by a seven-gun salute from the historic guns at Fort Scratchley followed by return volley from the ship.
After more than 25 years of service, she will finally be decommissioned at the Garden Island Naval base in Sydney.
For more ore details, visit newcastle.nsw.gov.au/Explore/Things-to-do/What-s-On/Events/HMAS-Newcastle.
SERVICE NSW HITS A CENTURY WITH NYNGAN OPENING
The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government is turbocharging the customer experience, with the 100th Service NSW Centre officially opening in Nyngan today.
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello joined staff and stakeholders at the Centre to announce the milestone.
“Service NSW has transformed how the customer interacts with Government, by creating a one-stop shop for registrations, licences and cost of living savings,” Mr Dominello said.
“Gone are the bad old days of waiting in long queues and rushing all over town to get things done. The customer is now front and centre of service delivery and we have more to do. Watch this space.
“Today we’ve hit a century, and there are more centres on the way across NSW.”
Hundreds of government services are accessible through Service NSW, including driver’s licences, NSW Seniors Cards and birth certificates.
Customers can also make an appointment with a Cost of Living specialist and potentially save hundreds of dollars. Two Service NSW buses (with two more to come) also service remote areas that don’t have access to a centre.
Since the first centre opened in 2013, Service NSW has assisted more than 174 million customers in store, by phone and online and there have been 4.3 million MyServiceNSW Accounts created. The following table highlights how Service NSW is making life easier for people.
| Before | After |
| 900+ websites | One website |
| 180 Motor Registry transactions | Hundreds of transactions under the one roof in partnership with almost 40 NSW Government agencies, 70+ per cent of which can be accessed online |
| Customer satisfaction was 69 per cent | Customer satisfaction is 97 per cent |
Further information on Service NSW is available at www.service.nsw.gov.au
Building demo makes way for West End cycling link
A long-envisioned pathway connecting King and Hunter Streets is set to be revealed when City of Newcastle demolishes two vacant buildings on Monday.
The cycling and pedestrian link requires demolition of two vacant properties at 679A and 681 Hunter Street with developers of the Verve apartments on King Street to deliver the first stage of the shared pathway along Cottage Creek, which will eventually connect The Junction to the Harbour.
Below: An artist’s impression of how Cottage Creek could look
“Newcastle’s West End is quickly emerging as the City’s new CBD with integrated transport, new residential development on King Street and at Honeysuckle and the upcoming relocation of government agencies to the under-construction Store redevelopment,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
“These are all signs of the exciting times ahead for this part of the city and, and our plans to improve cycling and pedestrian connections are integral to helping people enjoy living, working and shopping in the West End and elsewhere across the city.
“As the Verve Residences on King Street near completion, we’re about to proceed with this vision via a planning agreement with the developer to build the first stage of the shared pathway.
“Ultimately, a corridor linking King Street and Hunter Street through to Honeysuckle and potentially through to The Junction will be of great benefit for the West End by linking key precincts and creating a vibrant public space.”
Council purchased the buildings from Hunter Water for $550,000 in 2017 as part of its strategic plans.
Approval for demolition was obtained in April 2018 following a development application process that included a heritage assessment which identified low levels of significance of the buildings, which are not listed heritage items.
Demolition is scheduled to commence on Monday 17 June 2019 and is expected to take seven weeks to complete.
City opens new grandstand at Merewether
A stunning new grandstand pavilion for Merewether sporting clubs to celebrate victories past and present has been unveiled at Mitchell Park Oval.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes was joined by representatives of Merewether Carlton Rugby Club, South Newcastle Rugby League Club and Merewether District Cricket Club to celebrate the completion of the new $2 million Clarke Grandstand ahead of its official opening tomorrow.
City staff Lynn Duffy and Tony Ayling, John Davis, Greens rugby player Eddie Clifton, Nuatali Nelmes, and Merewether
District Cricket Club reps Nick Stanebridge, Daryl Daniels and Bec Lawrence
Eddie Clifton and Nick Stanebridge overlooking Mitchell Park from inside the new Green Room
The impressive glass-pavilion that opens to the sea breeze sits above a new gym and refurbished change rooms in the existing Clarke Grandstand following a joint delivery project between City of Newcastle and Local sporting clubs and a community gardening project.
The Lord Mayor said the new pavilion-style structure was the result of a great partnership that hopefully will inspire other sporting clubs and community groups to follow.
“The City worked together with the Clubs to help them achieve their vision for the stand, through a combination of design, planning and approval factors that led to the speedy delivery of this wonderful community asset,” the Lord Mayor said.
“This a fantastic asset for both Souths Rugby league, Merewether Carlton, cricket and cycling groups who use Mitchell Park or Townson Oval.
“This project also provides a good example for other sporting clubs to explore similar ideas for future projects, collaborating to share both facilities that realises their vision that also meet a wider community interest.”
Seeing Green: Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and Eddie Clifton
Past and present: Eddie Clifton with John Davis
Daryl Daniels with Nick Stanebridge
Lift access is also part of the upgrade set to draw more players and spectators.
Timber, signage and other paraphernalia from the old recently demolished Green Room, on the eastern side of the ground, have been recycled and repurposed in the new spiritual home high in the Clarke Grandstand.
Timber supports, honors boards and the Merewether Municipal Pavilion sign on the front of 1927 weatherboard structure were all salvaged from the demolition and relocated to the new facility.
Merewether Carlton Rugby Club Green Room Project Manager John Davis said the new Green Room and stand will be a wonderful asset to the club and wider community.
“This project not only delivers a new home for our Club but also rejuvenates a 50-year-old Council asset to provide first rate for facilities for other users and the wider community,” Mr Davis said.
“In some respects, it is a return home for us as the Clarke Stand is named after two of the founding fathers of our Club, Ted and Roy Clarke.”
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes was joined by representatives of Merewether Carlton Rugby Club, South Newcastle Rugby League Club and Merewether District Cricket Club to celebrate the completion of the new $2 million Clarke Grandstand ahead of its official opening tomorrow.
City staff Lynn Duffy and Tony Ayling, John Davis, Greens rugby player Eddie Clifton, Nuatali Nelmes, and MerewetherDistrict Cricket Club reps Nick Stanebridge, Daryl Daniels and Bec Lawrence
Eddie Clifton and Nick Stanebridge overlooking Mitchell Park from inside the new Green RoomThe impressive glass-pavilion that opens to the sea breeze sits above a new gym and refurbished change rooms in the existing Clarke Grandstand following a joint delivery project between City of Newcastle and Local sporting clubs and a community gardening project.
The Lord Mayor said the new pavilion-style structure was the result of a great partnership that hopefully will inspire other sporting clubs and community groups to follow.
“The City worked together with the Clubs to help them achieve their vision for the stand, through a combination of design, planning and approval factors that led to the speedy delivery of this wonderful community asset,” the Lord Mayor said.
“This a fantastic asset for both Souths Rugby league, Merewether Carlton, cricket and cycling groups who use Mitchell Park or Townson Oval.
“This project also provides a good example for other sporting clubs to explore similar ideas for future projects, collaborating to share both facilities that realises their vision that also meet a wider community interest.”
Seeing Green: Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and Eddie CliftonPast and present: Eddie Clifton with John Davis Daryl Daniels with Nick StanebridgeLift access is also part of the upgrade set to draw more players and spectators.
Timber, signage and other paraphernalia from the old recently demolished Green Room, on the eastern side of the ground, have been recycled and repurposed in the new spiritual home high in the Clarke Grandstand.
Timber supports, honors boards and the Merewether Municipal Pavilion sign on the front of 1927 weatherboard structure were all salvaged from the demolition and relocated to the new facility.
Merewether Carlton Rugby Club Green Room Project Manager John Davis said the new Green Room and stand will be a wonderful asset to the club and wider community.
“This project not only delivers a new home for our Club but also rejuvenates a 50-year-old Council asset to provide first rate for facilities for other users and the wider community,” Mr Davis said.
“In some respects, it is a return home for us as the Clarke Stand is named after two of the founding fathers of our Club, Ted and Roy Clarke.”
Greens Speech to Rally on Press Freedom
Thanks for coming together this morning to stand up for democracy, to uphold truth and to protect public interest.
We are outside the office of Paul Fletcher. The Communications Minister who has shamefully remained largely silent through this chilling saga.
The AFP raids we have seen on the home of Annika Smethurst and the ABC offices last week are a blatant, brazen attack on democracy, press freedom and the community.
We should all be very concerned by this. The AFP – the Government’s law enforcement arm – is getting extremely broad warrants to disrupt the vital work of journalists. They rifled through a reporter’s home and personal belongings and scoured through emails of the national broadcaster – our ABC. And once they’ve seized emails and documents, national security laws mean they are able to alter them – completely legally.
If these unprecedented raids don’t ring alarm bells for us, nothing will. These are dangerous and scary tactics on so many levels. Whether or not they were designed to do so, their result is the intimidation of whistleblowers, journalists and news organisations. For whistleblowers in particular, these raids are a clear and chilling message that if you dare to speak to a journalist in public interest — if you dare to reveal information the public has a right to know – the AFP is going to come after you.
This will stop citizens from divulging what they know, this will stop ordinary people from coming forward with information they know should be in the public domain. This intimidation fits neatly into the Government’s efforts to hide themselves from public scrutiny. I can’t tell you how many times my Freedom of Information requests have been fobbed off, delayed, and complicated by demands for additional and often meaningless details. They are needlessly costly, time-consuming and a confusing process that hampers the release of information that should already have been in the public domain.
The only avenue left for transparency is through information provided by the good citizens of our country. Now this is in real jeopardy. I know that journalists have become fearful of being raided and arrested for stories that they might be chasing and thinking of writing.
We know the AFP has not ruled out arresting journalists and the Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton has no qualms about journalists going to jail for revealing secrets in the public interest.. Let’s not forget that this is the same Peter Dutton who lashed out at his critics in the media last year, declaring the ABC and The Guardian are “dead to me” over their reporting of his views on South African refugees. Let’s also not forget the selective dropping of the investigation of the ‘medevac’ leak which served the political interests of the government. This should raise serious questions about the politicization of law enforcement in our country.
Even if they didn’t order them directly, the government is responsible for these raids. It is the minister who sets the direction of the agencies and it is the government that have vastly expanded the reach of the AFP and intelligence agencies. This is a government that wants to do its dirty work without any scrutiny whatsoever. This is a government so emboldened and uninhibited by their recent election victory that they reject any form of accountability and transparency.
The Greens have always stood strong on freedom of speech and press freedom. We have refused to support laws that expanded the powers of intelligence agencies and created new offences for journalists and whistleblowers for disclosing information about their operations. We have warned of the consequences of opening the door to building a surveillance state. And we will continue to stand up for a democratic state where freedom of speech and freedom of the press debates are not hijacked by those who only want the freedom to be a bigot or the community’s right to know is not curtailed under the guise of national security.
Journalism is not a crime. We will not stand by while journalists are attacked for doing their job. We cannot allow them or their sources to be silenced by undemocratic laws, threats and intimidation. We must speak up with outrage and without fear. We must fight for legislative protections for journalists and whistleblowers.
We are outside the office of Paul Fletcher. The Communications Minister who has shamefully remained largely silent through this chilling saga.
The AFP raids we have seen on the home of Annika Smethurst and the ABC offices last week are a blatant, brazen attack on democracy, press freedom and the community.
We should all be very concerned by this. The AFP – the Government’s law enforcement arm – is getting extremely broad warrants to disrupt the vital work of journalists. They rifled through a reporter’s home and personal belongings and scoured through emails of the national broadcaster – our ABC. And once they’ve seized emails and documents, national security laws mean they are able to alter them – completely legally.
If these unprecedented raids don’t ring alarm bells for us, nothing will. These are dangerous and scary tactics on so many levels. Whether or not they were designed to do so, their result is the intimidation of whistleblowers, journalists and news organisations. For whistleblowers in particular, these raids are a clear and chilling message that if you dare to speak to a journalist in public interest — if you dare to reveal information the public has a right to know – the AFP is going to come after you.
This will stop citizens from divulging what they know, this will stop ordinary people from coming forward with information they know should be in the public domain. This intimidation fits neatly into the Government’s efforts to hide themselves from public scrutiny. I can’t tell you how many times my Freedom of Information requests have been fobbed off, delayed, and complicated by demands for additional and often meaningless details. They are needlessly costly, time-consuming and a confusing process that hampers the release of information that should already have been in the public domain.
The only avenue left for transparency is through information provided by the good citizens of our country. Now this is in real jeopardy. I know that journalists have become fearful of being raided and arrested for stories that they might be chasing and thinking of writing.
We know the AFP has not ruled out arresting journalists and the Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton has no qualms about journalists going to jail for revealing secrets in the public interest.. Let’s not forget that this is the same Peter Dutton who lashed out at his critics in the media last year, declaring the ABC and The Guardian are “dead to me” over their reporting of his views on South African refugees. Let’s also not forget the selective dropping of the investigation of the ‘medevac’ leak which served the political interests of the government. This should raise serious questions about the politicization of law enforcement in our country.
Even if they didn’t order them directly, the government is responsible for these raids. It is the minister who sets the direction of the agencies and it is the government that have vastly expanded the reach of the AFP and intelligence agencies. This is a government that wants to do its dirty work without any scrutiny whatsoever. This is a government so emboldened and uninhibited by their recent election victory that they reject any form of accountability and transparency.
The Greens have always stood strong on freedom of speech and press freedom. We have refused to support laws that expanded the powers of intelligence agencies and created new offences for journalists and whistleblowers for disclosing information about their operations. We have warned of the consequences of opening the door to building a surveillance state. And we will continue to stand up for a democratic state where freedom of speech and freedom of the press debates are not hijacked by those who only want the freedom to be a bigot or the community’s right to know is not curtailed under the guise of national security.
Journalism is not a crime. We will not stand by while journalists are attacked for doing their job. We cannot allow them or their sources to be silenced by undemocratic laws, threats and intimidation. We must speak up with outrage and without fear. We must fight for legislative protections for journalists and whistleblowers.
Police reappeal for information following gravestone damage – Hunter Valley
Police are reappealing for public assistance following a malicious damage incident at a Hunter Valley cemetery.
Police have been told between 7pm and 7.15pm on Friday 31 May 2019, a vehicle was seen parked in Sedgefield cemetery, near Singleton, and unknown persons have damaged a number of gravestones.
In all, 36 gravestones were damaged during the incident; having been pushed over with a number of those being smashed.
Officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District attended and established a crime scene.
Hunter Valley detectives are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident, or who may have noticed any suspicious activity in the area at the time, to contact police.
Hunter Valley Police District Commander, Superintendent Chad Gillies said he hopes people will come forward with the information police need to find those responsible.
“We want to find answers for the families affected by this. They have already experienced immeasurable grief, and this sort of incident stirs up those emotions all over again,
“Someone knows something, and we urge anyone with any information to speak up,” Superintendent Gillies said.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Singleton Police Station on 02 6578 7499 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.
SYDNEY METRO EDGES CLOSER TO THE HARBOUR
Sydney Metro’s third mega tunnel boring machine (TBM) has broken through a wall of rock at the new Crows Nest Station, marking a major milestone in the project which will link the North West Metro to the CBD and onto Bankstown.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Treasurer Dominic Perrottet today joined workers at Crows Nest to welcome the arrival of Wendy, less than five months after the TBM was launched from Chatswood.
“TBM Wendy only started digging in January and has now arrived at Crows Nest after completing three kilometres of tunnelling,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“This is incredible progress on the next stage of Sydney Metro, which will take the recently opened North West Metro from Chatswood, under the Harbour, through the CBD and onto Bankstown.
“Once the next stage of this gamechanging project opens there will be turn-up-and-go Metro train services to 31 stations along a new 66 kilometre railway.”
Mr Perrottet said the NSW Government strong economic management has made mega infrastructure projects like Sydney Metro possible.
“A strong budget allows us to get on with the job and deliver our record infrastructure program, building a better future for everyone in NSW no matter where they live,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Sydney’s North West is already seeing the benefits of a turn-up-and-go Metro service and now we are a step closer to taking the service to more NSW communities and families.”
TBM Wendy will now spend several weeks undergoing maintenance before being re-launched at Crows Nest and tunnelling towards the next future Sydney Metro station at North Sydney.
So far four TBMs are in the ground tunnelling the 15.5 kilometre twin railway tunnels from Chatswood and Marrickville.