16 News

The Minns Labor Government is fast-tracking the delivery of new homes and infrastructure with temporary groundwater license exemptions now in place to speed up construction, slashing red tape and costs for developers.

The exemptions are estimated to support the delivery of 377,000 new homes by 2029, making it easier for eligible projects to access the water they need while maintaining essential environmental safeguards.

Previously, developers required a license to remove more than 3 megalitres of water during excavation and construction activities – a process known as infrastructure dewatering.

Short-term dewatering is common, especially in coastal areas where groundwater tables can be higher, causing water to funnel into work sites, tunnels and foundations. This water must be extracted so projects can proceed safely and efficiently.

The licence exemptions apply to:

• coastal construction projects until June 2029
• essential infrastructure projects including road, rail, utility and other works delivered by public authorities across NSW
• water infrastructure projects delivered by private bodies with approved schemes under the Water Industry Competition Act 2006.

Eligible works are automatically exempt from needing a water licence; however, developers will still need to comply with the relevant water management rules and regulatory requirements throughout the course of construction.

These requirements may include gaining a water supply work approval through WaterNSW and recording and reporting water take to the Natural Resources Access Regulator.

The reforms involve changes to the Water Management (General) Regulation 2018 and are part of the commitments made in the Housing Approvals Reform Action Plan announced in February.

For more information, visit the Groundwater access licence exemptions web page.

Minister for Water Rose Jackson:

“This is about removing pointless delays and getting homes built. We’re making it easier to start building the homes and infrastructure our communities need, while keeping strong environmental protections in place. Tackling the housing crisis means backing practical solutions that get homes built across NSW.

“We’re using every lever at our disposal to supercharge housing and infrastructure for New South Wales, by slashing unnecessary red tape and streamlining approvals to allow builders to get shovels in the ground sooner.

“We asked NSW Government agencies to work together to find smarter solutions to fast-track the housing and infrastructure we desperately need.

“Importantly, there are no changes to the existing approvals processes, which thoroughly assess all projects and can place appropriate caps on dewatering on a case-by-case basis.

“These exemptions are a great step forward, addressing industry concerns and getting homes and critical infrastructure built faster.”

New independent health data shows waiting times for surgery continues to skyrocket under the Minns Labor Government. 

At the end of the March quarter – 

• 8,587 patients were waiting longer than clinically recommended – up 151.3% compared with the end of March 2024. 
• 100,678 patients were on the waiting list – up 7.34% and close to the record peak during the COVID-19 pandemic (101,024) when elective surgeries were paused.  

Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said Chris Minns and Ryan Park are great at spin, but their quotes don’t clear EDs, cut surgery waitlists or get ambulances to emergencies.

Chris Minns had driven surgery wait times back to their pandemic peak. 

Chris Minns has cut the health budget two years in a row after inflation, he’s picked fights with doctors, nurses and midwives and he’s let surgery wait times skyrocket,” Mr Speakman said. 

Shadow Health Minister Kellie Sloane said this data confirms what clinicians already know – the system is overstretched, under-resourced, and patients are paying the price. 

“The spike in urgent elective surgery wait-times in the last year by more than 5000, is deeply concerning and should be a wakeup call for the Minister.

“This isn’t just a blowout in wait times – it’s a breakdown in patient care. Behind every one of those patients waiting longer than clinically recommend is someone in pain, waiting for a diagnosis or trying to restore some quality of life,” Ms Sloane said. 

 Shadow Minister for Regional Health Gurmesh Singh said NSW now has the longest median wait in Australia for elective surgery across all urgency categories combined. 

“The latest data shows 2,092 patients in rural hospitals waited longer than clinically recommend for surgery in the March quarter – a whopping 1,479 increase compared to June last year. 

Patients are waiting too long for important surgery in regional NSW and it was time Chris Minns offered up solutions instead of his usual spin,” Mr Singh said. 

Background

• In the 2022-23 Budget, the Coalition invested $408 million over two years to tackle planned surgeries delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing the former Government’s total investment to reduce wait time to almost $1 billion.
• That $408 million investment saw the COVID-19 surgery backlog fall from September 2022 to December 2023 when NSW Health officials confirmed the funding ended.
• Prior to COVID-19, the number of patients waiting for overdue surgeries never rose above 1,144. 
• 8,587 patients on the waiting list had waited longer than clinically recommended – up 151.3% compared with the end of March 2024.  
• There were 100,678 patients on the waiting list – up 7.3% and close to the record peak during the COVID-19 pandemic (101,024).  
• The median waiting time for patients who received semi-urgent surgery was 65 days – up 9 days. 
• The median waiting time for patients who received non urgent surgery was 322 days – up 32 days from the same quarter a year earlier. 
• 2,092 patients waited longer than clinically recommended for surgery in rural hospitals – (613 patients in June 2024)

Sydney’s new 24-hour airport is one step closer to welcoming its first passengers, with major construction works across Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI) now complete and the state-of-the-art terminal formally unveiled today.

Today’s announcement marks a major milestone for the project, signalling a shift in the airport’s progress from construction to operations in the lead up to its opening in 2026.

Completion of the terminal joins the recent completion of the Airside package of works, including the 3.7-kilometre runway, and the Landside package of works, including the carparks, roads, bridges and utilities.

With major construction now finished, WSI will move on with testing the systems and preparing for airport operations to get ready for passengers and freight.

More than 2,000 workers expended around 9 million hours creating the terminal, which will house both domestic and international gates under one roof to enable fast connections.

The entire WSI project has created 11,650 annual full-time equivalent jobs, over half of which have come from the local area.

More than $500 million has also been invested in more than 360 Western Sydney based businesses since the start of WSI’s construction in 2017, including local tradies and construction companies, caterers, and security guards.

The Australian Government is investing $19 billion into infrastructure projects in Western Sydney, including $2.3 billion committed in the 2025-26 Budget.

These investments ensure that the airport, and the businesses in Western Sydney, will have the infrastructure they need on day one of the airport opening, and that the road and rail connections required for the future continue to grow with the airport.

While major construction of the WSI terminal is complete, the fit-out of the terminal’s retail precinct and airline lounges will take place closer to the airport’s opening as commercial tenders and final contracts continue to progress over the months ahead.

WSI is on track to open for domestic, international and air cargo services in late 2026.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

“When we talk about Building Australia’s Future, I think about Western Sydney International Airport.

“I think about the vision, persistence, and cooperation that has led us here to this milestone.

“I think about the jobs and opportunity that this project has delivered, and will deliver for Sydney and for Australia.

“This airport will drive economic growth, and turbocharge productivity.”

Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King

“Today marks a significant step in the history of Western Sydney International with the unveiling of the terminal and completion of major works.

“This project is on time and on budget and gearing up to open in 2026.

“Western Sydney International will shape this region and greater Sydney for decades to come – providing jobs, boosting the productivity of our supply chains, and connecting a greater portion of our population with the rest of the world.”

Federal Member for Werriwa Anne Stanley

“The next milestone in the construction of the Western Sydney Airport brings the promise of better opportunities for residents in the area.

“Jobs, roads, housing and railways are already in progress because of the promise the new airport brings. I am so happy to share this with everyone.”

The thoughts of the entire Government are with our colleague and our friend Prue Car as she begins treatment following her breast cancer diagnosis.

I know Prue well. She is a fighter, and I know she will face this challenge with the same determination and grace that she brings to everything she does.

I fully support her decision to take the time she needs to focus on her health and recovery, and I know she will be supported by expert care and the love of her family, friends, and colleagues.

I also echo her important message about early detection and encourage everyone to stay on top of their health checks.

I have asked Courtney Houssos to act as the Minister for Education and Early Learning and the Minister for Western Sydney until Prue returns.

Prue remains as the Deputy Premier of NSW, as we look forward to welcoming her back when she’s ready.

Over the weekend I informed the Premier that, for health reasons, I will be taking personal leave for an undetermined period of time.

A recent screening has detected breast cancer, and I will now begin immediate treatment.  

Thankfully, because the cancer was caught early, my doctors are optimistic about my recovery — and so am I. I’ve faced this challenge before, and I’m determined to beat it again. Testing has confirmed this is unrelated to my previous diagnosis. 

I look forward to returning to the role I’ve cherished since our government took office in March 2023 — a role I absolutely love. 

While I undergo treatment and recovery, my colleague Courtney Houssos has kindly agreed to act as Minister for Education and Early Learning and the Minister for Western Sydney in my place. The vital work of rebuilding our state’s education system will continue without pause. 

To the wonderful constituents I represent in Londonderry, my office doors are always open to assist you with anything you need.

Breast cancer screenings are vital for early detection and treatment, and I strongly encourage all women to stay up to date with their checks. I am extremely grateful for early detection and to the incredible people who work in the NSW Health system. They are nothing short of extraordinary.  

I want to thank the Premier and all my Parliamentary colleagues for their unwavering support and look forward to being back as soon as possible.