Category: NSW News

Repairs to the flood-damaged Wardell Wharf have been completed and this important community asset has now officially reopened to the public.

The Wharf suffered significant damage during the 2022 flood events. Thanks to Ballina Shire Council’s project team and support from the Albanese and Minns Governments, the Wardell Wharf has been restored and is ready for the community to enjoy once again.

The $1.50 million project received joint funding of $1.03 million from the Australian and NSW Governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, with Council providing $470,000. The funding is administered by NSW Public Works Advisory and the NSW Reconstruction Authority.

The works included repairing the damaged wharf and boardwalk piles and installing new armouring along the riverbank near Wardell Wharf.

This reopening marks the successful conclusion of a significant rejuvenation project aimed at restoring a cherished landmark.

Restoring such an iconic piece of infrastructure is a sign the region is getting back on track after the 2022 floods.

For more information visit Ballina Shire Council’s website ballina.nsw.gov.au

Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Jenny McAllister:

“We know how important Wardell wharf is to the community as a historical landmark and a recreational one that allows residents to enjoy the Richmond River.

“I’m pleased that we could help restore this community asset and improve its resilience with new armouring which will help the community’s ongoing efforts to recover.”

Member for Richmond, Justine Elliot: 

“I’m so pleased to see that the repairs to Wardell Wharf from the 2022 floods are now complete. 
 
“Wardell Wharf is treasured by our community and is a great place for locals and visitors alike to fish and enjoy the Richmond River.  

“This is an important day for the community. The Australian and NSW Governments are proud to have provided funding to complete the repairs.” 

NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully:

“Wardell Wharf is as famous in the town as the Wardell bridge, so I’m pleased that it has been returned to working order.

“This funding has helped to maintain its significant heritage.”

NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery, Janelle Saffin:

“The completion of the Wardell Wharf is an important milestone for the Northern Rivers community, and it’s one of many infrastructure projects completed or underway in the area to get communities back on track.”

Ballina Mayor, Sharon Cadwallader:

“The historical timber wharf is synonymous with the Wardell village, and I am so pleased to see it returned to its former glory.”

“The wharf holds a special place in the hearts of our residents, connecting the local community with the Richmond River and serving as a great spot to wet the fishing line or enjoy a magical sunset.”

“The Wardell Wharf is an important historical and recreational asset for our shire. By investing in its repair, we have ensured its preservation of this cherished landmark for both current residents and for future generations.”

The Albanese Labor Government, working with the Minns Labor Government, is smashing Fee-Free TAFE targets, with over 224,000 New South Wales residents benefitting from Fee-Free TAFE courses.

More than 42,000 people have taken up Fee-Free TAFE courses in NSW in the first three months of 2024 alone, saving students thousands and responding to skills shortages across the state. 

New figures released today as part of National Skills Week 2024 show the state smashing targets, with more than 47,000 people enrolled in care courses and over 16,000 in technology and digital courses. 

Over 11,000 people have enrolled in early childhood courses, with a student doing a Certificate III in NSW saving up to $1,600. 

Fee-Free TAFE is empowering people from all backgrounds to get ahead, helping to ease cost of living pressures. Across NSW there have been: 

• Over 146,000 enrolments by women. 
• Over 62,000 by young Australians (under 24) and people who speak a language other than English at home.
• Just under 10,000 by people with a disability. 
• Over 15,000 by First Nations Australians. 

The success of Fee-Free TAFE is only possible because of the Albanese Government’s approach to working together with state and territory governments.

Working with states and territories we’ve established a national agreement on skills, something the former Liberal National Government failed to deliver.  

The Albanese Government will continue to roll out Fee-Free TAFE across the nation, investing over $502.9 million for an additional 300,000 Fee-Free TAFE and VET places nationwide over the next three years, with a further 20,000 places in construction and housing, including 5,000 pre-apprenticeship places, creating secure, well-paid jobs. 

Federal Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles said:

“Fee-Free TAFE is a win-win for NSW – for students and for businesses. 

“More than 224,000 Australians across the state are benefitting from the opportunity to get ahead and helping to ease cost of living pressures. 

“Over 42,000 people have enrolled in Fee Free TAFE in the first three months of 2024 alone – that’s almost one SCG or Allianz Stadium worth of skilled future workers for NSW. 

“We’re continuing to turn around a decade of decay by the former Liberal National Government who failed to work together with the states to deliver a national agreement on skills.”     

NSW Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan said:

“The NSW Government is proud to partner with the Albanese Government to deliver Fee-free TAFE. This program is easing cost-of-living pressures for students while also ensuring a steady supply of workers for high-demand industries.

“It’s great to see so many NSW residents taking up the opportunity to gain the skills that will drive the future success of our businesses and economy. It’s particularly encouraging to see Fee-Free TAFE providing those facing disadvantage an opportunity to upskill, that they might not have had before.

“Fee-Free TAFE underscores the dedication of the Albanese and NSW Governments to strengthen the vocational education and training sector and ensure more Australians have access to the quality education and skills they need.”

The Minns Labor Government is continuing work to safeguard the future of New South Wales’s regional communities and agriculture sector, with a historic boost to the state’s primary industries research program.

More than $60 million will be invested to deliver vital upgrades to seven research facilities, and five emergency response sites across regional New South Wales.

Research facility upgrades will support the 1,600 staff undertaking research across the state in vital areas such as, animal nutrition, climate change, aquaculture breeding as well as biosecurity surveillance and responses.

Emergency response sites are regularly utilised as operation centres during times of emergency, including floods, bushfires and biosecurity outbreaks. Upgrades to these centres will improve the states capacity during these times of crisis.

Research and development are vital to the future of agriculture and primary industries in New South Wales, laying an evidence-based foundation which informs future planning for climate resilience, food security and growth opportunities.

Upgrades to be delivered include:

Improving the states resilience and response to climate change:

• Tamworth Agricultural Institute, Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute and Glenn Innes Agricultural Research & Advisory station will receive upgrades to glass houses which support climate impact research in crop and pasture species.
• Solar batteries will be installed at Tamworth, Orange and Narrandera, supporting the NSW Government’s work towards Net Zero, and reducing the centres operating costs.

Strengthening the states biosecurity resilience and responses:

• This funding will allow Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute and Orange Agricultural Institute to expand their insect storage and diagnostic testing facilities, to enable rapid detection of agriculturally important insects that impact the domestic and export trade of food and fibre products.
• Negative-air pressure systems will be installed at the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute to enable research and analysis of highly virulent pathogens that pose a risk to agricultural trade of livestock including beef, pork and lamb.

Enhanced animal welfare and research:

• Tocal Agricultural Institute, in the Hunter Valley, will benefit from a state-of-the-art dairy facility that enables the highest animal welfare standard through an efficient and modern system using robotics.
• Port Stephens Fisheries Institute will receive upgrades to enhance breeding facilities for oysters and finfish which allows research to support innovation in commercial fisheries.
• Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute’s small and large animal houses will be upgraded to increase their studies of animal nutrition and methane emissions research of sheep and cattle.

The New South Wales Government has also initiated a renewal of the sates Primary Industries Research Strategy to ensure it reflects the needs and priorities of regional New South Wales.

The existing strategy has not been updated in over ten years. In that time regional communities have endured drought, floods and bushfires, with climate change projected to have an increasing impact on the states primary industries.

Former NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer, Professor Mary O’Kane will Chair a panel of independent experts tasked with developing a renewed strategy which ensures New South Wales continues to deliver world class research now and into the future.

The panel will consult with stakeholders, experts and the community with a particular focus on developing a strategy which ensures research undertaken:

• Reflects industry, community and Government priorities, including climate change, food security and cost of living.
• Promotes economic growth and community development in the regions.
• Improves outcomes for industry, the environment and the community.

An initial report to Government on the panels work is expected by the end of 2024.

Chris Minns, Premier of New South Wales said:

“In this job I’ve been lucky to visit regional towns all across the state, from Lismore to Walgett what has stuck me is the incredible resilience of these communities.

“One of the best investments we can make as a government is into the vital research which ensures this resilience can continue.

“It’s often unsung work, but the research being done in these centres is what allows New South Wales to have a thriving agricultural sector, without which our state cannot succeed.”

Tara Moriarty, Minister for Agriculture said:

“For more than 130 years, NSW Government research has helped the sustainable growth of our agriculture farming, fisheries and forestry industries.

“We have invested in research infrastructure and activities to drive industry growth, the sustainable development of our natural resources, and to support innovation so that industry can manage the risks and take advantage of opportunities for the next century.”

Professor Mary O’Kane said:

“This is an exciting opportunity to hear from researchers, stakeholders and industry on the future of primary industries research in New South Wales.

“Research and development is vital to the future of our primary industries sector and it’s critical that we have a vibrant and modern sector that can help industry an community adapt to change and take advantage of the new generation of innovation and idea.”

RESEARCH FACILITY SITES TO BE UPGRADED

• Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute [EMAI]
• Orange Agricultural Institute
• Port Stephens Fisheries Institute
• Tamworth Agricultural Institute
• Tocal Agricultural College
• Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute
• Wollongbar Primary Industries Institute

EMERGENCY RESPONSE SITES TO BE UPGRADED

• Grafton Primary Industries Institute
• Glen Innes Agricultural Research & Advisory Station
• Trangie Agricultural Research Centre
• Narrandera Fisheries Centre
• Dareton Primary Industries Institute

PRIMARY INDUSTRIES RESEARCH STRATEGY PANEL MEMBERS:

• Professor Mary O’Kane AC (Chair) former NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer,
• Daryl Quinlivan AO former Secretary of the Cth Department of Agriculture,
• Dr James Findlay, former Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Fisheries Management Authority, and
• Dr Nick Austin, President of Australia’s Policy Advisory Council for International Agricultural Research.

While passengers are making the most of their fast and efficient new metro service beneath the city, around-the-clock construction is powering ahead to deliver the 24-kilometre new Sydney Metro West railway to Westmead.

The mega project has recently achieved a slew of tunnelling milestones, including overseeing the arrival of two mega tunnel boring machines (TBMs) at Sydney Olympic Park to complete the first two tunnel entries for the future station.

TBM Betty, named after Olympic champion Betty Cuthbert, was first to arrive at Sydney Olympic Park in June and was followed by TBM Dorothy, named after human rights activist Dorothy Buckland-Fuller, on 29 July.

The TBMs have spent 10 months completing the 4.6-kilometre tunnels from Clyde, where the future Sydney Metro West stabling and maintenance facility will be located, to reach Sydney Olympic Park.

TBMs Betty and Dorothy have excavated approximately 857,500 tonnes of material, equivalent to nearly 156 Olympic-sized swimming pools, to complete the first leg in the journey and have installed more than 32,600 concrete precast segments along the way to line the new tunnel walls. 

Having reached the finish line at the future Olympic Park station, 170 metre long TBM Betty has been disassembled, lifted out of the station box and transported on trucks back to Clyde, where she will be relaunched in the opposite direction towards Westmead.

TBM Dorothy’s disassembly at Olympic Park is ongoing, but is expected to join Betty on their journey to Westmead a month later. Both TBMs are expected to arrive at Westmead in mid-2025.

The focus at Sydney Olympic Park will now shift to the opposite end of the 200-metre-long, 37-metre-wide, and 27-metre-deep station box, where TBMs Beatrice and Daphne are due to break through later this year.

TBMs Beatrice and Daphne are building a 11-kilometre section of the line between The Bays and Sydney Olympic Park and have recently relaunched from North Strathfield. The TBMs have two more kilometres of tunnel to build before completing the final leg in the journey to Sydney Olympic Park.

The project’s newest addition, TBM Jessie is tunnelling from The Bays towards the Sydney CBD at a slow and steady pace, inching its way underground alongside the Anzac Bridge. The huge machine has excavated 230-metres of tunnel since its launch in May. The final TBM for the project is expected to begin the second of two new harbour tunnels later this year.

Sydney Metro West will double rail capacity between Greater Parramatta and the Sydney CBD. Fast and reliable metro services will make it easier to travel around western Sydney, link new communities to rail services and support employment growth and housing supply.   

This is all part of the Minns Labor Government’s plan to build better communities for NSW. To ensure we’re creating and building on well-connected, well-serviced neighbourhoods.

For more information about Sydney Metro West, visit sydneymetro.info/west/project-overview

Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said:

“We have welcomed the world’s fastest athletes and biggest rockstars to Sydney Olympic Park, and now it is time Metro West’s superstar TBMs to headline here in Sydney’s west.

“Sydney’s brand new rail line will give sports and entertainment fans unrivalled access to this part of town and significantly enhance transport options during major events.”

“Sydney loves its new Metro, and teams are working around the clock to bring Metro west.

“Metro West’s TBMs are digging dual tunnels as part of our Government’s $19 billion investment in extending Metro across Sydney and continuing the state’s infrastructure pipeline.”

Member for Parramatta Donna Davis said:

“It’s been great to welcome TBMs Betty and Dorothy to Sydney Olympic Park, and Daphne and Beatrice have been hard at work so they can join us here too.

“By 2032, Sydney Olympic Park won’t just be linked to the rest of Sydney by rail, but also by this new Metro and Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2.

“This will give the people who work, live or play in Sydney Olympic Park many ways to travel in and out.”

The NSW Government has released updated Climate Change projections to help governments, agencies, businesses, landholders and communities plan and adapt to the future climate.

Statewide and regional NARCliM projections are available online: https://www.climatechange.environment.nsw.gov.au/news/new-climate-projections-for-nsw

They illustrate the need for further action to reduce emissions and for informed planning to improve the resilience of households, communities and businesses to the impacts of climate change, such as extreme weather patterns.

The third version of the NSW and Australian Regional Climate Modelling (NARCliM) forecasts climate outcomes for NSW, based on global emissions scenarios. Earlier versions were released in 2014 (NARCliM 1.0) and 2021 (NARCliM 1.5).

Available at fine (4km) scale for south-east Australia and coarser (20km) scale over Australasia, the updated set of climate projections are among the most detailed available in the country.

NARCliM 2.0 projects that by the year 2100, NSW can expect:

• increased average temperatures in all parts of NSW, with the greatest rises inland,
• more hot days of 35°C and above for all regions across the state,
• fewer cold nights below 2°C, particularly along the Great Dividing Range, and
• more extreme weather events including severe fire weather days for all of NSW by 2050.

The updated data models two greenhouse gas emissions scenarios and what the climate in NSW is projected to look like under each. It is the first time NARCliM has provided low emissions scenario projections that show the benefits to NSW of achieving the Paris targets.

By 2090, under a low emissions scenario, temperatures are projected to increase by a further 1.3°C and there would be up to an additional 15 days above 35°C each year.

Under a high emissions scenario, temperatures are projected to rise by a further 4°C and there would be up to 45 days above 35°C.

This shows why further action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is crucial to reducing the impacts of climate change that are damaging to health, the environment and the economy.

The NARCliM projections provide robust and trusted information about our future climate which will be used to inform risk assessments, planning and research into the threats facing NSW and how we can improve climate resilience.

The data reinforces the Minns Labor Government’s decision to make action on climate change a whole of government priority, enshrine emissions reduction targets in law, and legislate an adaptation objective for NSW to be more resilient to a changing climate.

NARCliM climate projections are led by the NSW Government with the support of the ACT, South Australian, Victorian, and Western Australian governments, National Computational Infrastructure, Murdoch University and the University of NSW.

The update is a commitment of the NSW Government under the NSW Climate Change Adaptation Strategy.

Minister for Climate Change and the Environment Penny Sharpe:

“The data shows two clear options – we can do nothing which will lock in more extreme weather events in the future, or we can reduce emissions now to play our part in limiting the damage.

“We can’t plan for the future without the best data. That’s what NARCliM provides. Government agencies, businesses, farmers and local decision makers can now access updated climate projections to make informed decisions about the steps they should take to prepare for the changing climate.

“This data will help protect critical infrastructure including hospitals, transport networks, dams and energy systems from climate change impacts such as extreme heat, fires and floods.

“The Minns Labor Government is taking strong action on climate change to reduce emissions, make our communities and environment more resilient to extreme weather events, and ensure our economy is strong, robust and built on local, secure jobs.”

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris has announced a $225,000 grant to support an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation to deliver services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in the south of the Central Coast.

Today Minister Harris and Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch visited the recipient, Garawa Aboriginal Corporation at a morning tea hosted by NG Central School in Kariong, to celebrate the NSW Government funding to help address Closing the Gap outcomes.

The grant will support a number of programs, including a weekly homework hub for primary school-aged children, genealogy workshops, a youth life skills program, Elders ‘Know your rights’ workshops, and an on-Country camp for teenagers.

Garawa Aboriginal Corporation was established in 2023 in response to demand for additional support for Aboriginal people living in areas around Empire Bay, Ettalong, Woy Woy and Umina.

Garawa designed the project to address Closing the Gap targets for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the region including education, health, economic and digital inclusion outcomes.

A weekly homework hub for Aboriginal primary school children will be established at Umina Public School to provide a culturally safe place for after-school learning.

A weekly cultural life skills program for high school-age students, will also be established in partnership with Community SOS, a Central Coast-based support and outreach organisation.

The high school student program will conclude with a three-day camp on Darkinjung Country where participants will be immersed in their culture.

Garawa will also invite representatives from agencies such as Legal Aid, Centrelink and Aged Care to support the needs of Elders.

For more information about upcoming NSW Government grant opportunities, visit www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding.

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty and the Central Coast David Harris said:

“The NSW Government is pleased to be delivering this grant for Garawa Aboriginal Corporation in response to the needs identified by the community, particularly in supporting young people and elders.”

“We know that when Closing the Gap solutions are designed, led, and implemented by Aboriginal people and communities, in partnership with the government, we get better outcomes.

“I look forward to seeing how Garawa flourishes over the coming years as a result of its commitment to support community.”

Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch said:

“It is wonderful to see this grant funding delivered to Garawa Aboriginal Corporation, ensuring that Aboriginal people living across the Peninsula and Empire Bay region are able to access support in the areas the region needs most.

“It is clear that in order to address the Closing the Gap outcomes, services such as those provided by Garawa are critical, delivered through a deep partnership between government and Aboriginal people and communities.

“I have no doubt that Garawa will continue to deliver fantastic outcomes for community here on the southern end of the Central Coast and I look forward to continuing this fantastic partnership with Garawa on the Coast.”

Garawa Aboriginal Corporation Executive Officer Wandid Young said:

“The grant application was developed in consultation with our community about gaps in existing services.

“The program will empower young people by teaching them life skills in a culturally safe way.

“Many young people not growing up on their Country may find that they are disconnected from culture. Those who have a strong identity are comfortable with their connection to Country.

“Transport continues to be an issue for Aboriginal people in our region. We will use the grant to purchase an eight-seater vehicle to transport community to events.

“It’s an exciting time and Garawa Aboriginal Corporation is looking forward to working with community to support their needs.”

Five NSW start-ups at the cutting edge of space technology are celebrating following the successful launch of the NSW Government-backed Waratah Seed – Australia’s first ride-share space mission.

The Waratah Seed-1 satellite launched at 4.56am Australian time on Saturday 17 August carrying payloads from NSW startups Euroka Power, Spiral Blue, Extraterrestrial Power, Contactile, and Dandelions to test and prove the functionality of their products in space.

The technology developed by the NSW based teams includes robotics that help repair satellites, silicon solar panel cells, technology that improves the transmission of earth imagery and natural fibres that allow spacecraft to continue to communicate during re-entry to Earth’s atmosphere.

The Waratah Seed-1 satellite was developed by CUAVA, part of the University of Sydney’s space training centre, and was launched on a SpaceX rocket from the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

The NSW payloads started sending back telemetry on day one and will now spend several months in space gathering vital information to transmit back to Earth to help develop further leaps in space technology.

The launch of Waratah Seed comes as the NSW Government and NSW Space Research Network (SRN) announce the successful recipients of $720,000 worth of grants.

The SRN’s $600,000 Pilot Research Program supports cross-disciplinary university collaboration on space technologies that address a space capability or industry challenge.

The five projects funded include the development of a solar cell that generates power in the dark, testing the agricultural potential of plant growth in space and studying new applications for signals obtained from constellations of Low Earth Orbit satellites.

The $120,000 Student Program Fund supports space-related university student projects that provide a pathway and experiences to produce the next generation of space researchers.

In total, the fund will support 196 students in 14 groups across eight universities.

Further information on the NSW Government funded Pilot Research Program and Student Program Fund can be viewed at the SRN website.

For more information on how the NSW Government supports the space industry visit Investment NSW.

Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“Every day NSW based spacetech companies are bringing us closer to the Star Trek era and this launch puts these start-ups at the forefront of this revolution.

“It’s an exciting time for the industry as the Waratah Seed-1 satellite blasts off.

“It’s taken an incredible amount of collaboration between government agencies, universities and space businesses to get to this point, and I want to acknowledge those involved for their pioneering spirit which is taking the space industry in NSW to new and exciting heights.

“Space comes with many risks and technical challenges, so getting to the point of launch is a significant achievement. The startups involved and their research partners can be incredibly proud of the progress they’ve made for the industry.
 

“The NSW Government is also proud to support the next generation with the Pilot Research Program and Student Program Fund – an important part of the NSW Space Research Network’s mission to build and support collaboration to grow our space capabilities.”

The NSW Treasurer and Minister for Finance can announce a series of direct appointments to the boards of Sydney Water, Landcom, and Port Authority of NSW.

The appointments will help drive reform across the publicly owned corporations, and deliver on the Government’s priorities.

Sydney Water

Niall Blair has been appointed as a Director at Sydney Water. The shareholders intend to appoint Mr Blair as Chair when the current Chair’s term expires.

His appointment continues a long career of service to the people of NSW, including as Minister for Primary Industries, Trade, and Industry and Regional Water.

Mr Blair is charged with helping Sydney Water manage the demand for new infrastructure to support housing, while meeting the need to keep water bills low during a cost-of-living crisis.

Landcom

Ashley Mason has been appointed as Chair of Landcom, bringing extensive operations experience across a range of Tier 1 construction companies and in government.

Mr Mason will be joined on the Landcom Board by the Hon Craig Knowles AM, a former Minister for Urban Affairs and Planning, Health, Infrastructure, and Natural Resources.

Mr Mason and Mr Knowles will support the $800 million expansion of Landcom and its focus on developing key worker housing and build-to-rent projects.

Port Authority of NSW

The Shareholder Ministers intend to appoint Kris Neill, former Chair of Women’s Community Shelters, former Macquarie Group Executive Director and former Chief of Staff to Premier Bob Carr, to the Port Authority of NSW Board. Ms Neill was also interim chief of staff to Minister Houssos.

Ms Neill’s extensive governance expertise will help the Port Authority maximise opportunities presented by the Freight Reform Policy Program and the delivery of NSW infrastructure projects.

The NSW Government thanks the outgoing directors for their services. A selection process is underway for other vacancies across the corporations.

The wrecking ball has moved in at the Manly Sea Life site as demolition works begin.

The dilapidated building has become an eye-sore on the Manly foreshore and currently poses an ongoing safety risk as a result of continued unauthorised access.

The Minister asked Transport for NSW to expedite the removal of the building as soon as possible, in response to these safety risks and the ongoing impact on neighbouring businesses. Preparation works began in early May, as water was removed from the old Sea Life tanks.

The building will be demolished to promenade level only, maintaining the circular footprint for future public use. The advantages of retaining the existing structure instead of removing it and building a new boardwalk include:

• More available space for future use on the foreshore
• Reduced demolition time
• Reduced construction costs for taxpayers
• Less environmental impacts

Following demolition, the space will be opened for community use while planning for the site’s revitalisation is completed.

Several options will be put forward for community feedback.

These may include public open space for community use, such as an open piazza or grassed area, commercial food and beverage opportunities and public space to encourage play such as fountains or seating.

For more information about the project, visit www.transport.nsw.gov.au/manlycovewest

Transport Minister Jo Haylen:

“It was my priority to get this building demolished as soon as possible. It’s an eyesore and its dangerous. I’m glad that work has now begun.”

“As we revitalise this corner of the harbour, we’ll work with the community to determine how we can make the best use of this new foreshore space.

“I want to thank the community for their patience during these upcoming works and look forward to their ongoing involvement in the future of the site.”

Thousands of first home buyers are building a future in Western Sydney with help from the Minns Government’s expanded First Home Buyers Assistance program.

In its first year, 33,365 first home buyers in the expanded program have paid no stamp duty, or discounted stamp duty when buying their first home.

More than 12,500 of those first home buyers purchased a home in Western Sydney.

From Camden to Penrith, The Hills, Parramatta, Bankstown and Liverpool, first home buyers across Western Sydney have saved an average of $20,562.

Specifically, in Blacktown, the Blue Mountains, Cumberland, Parramatta and Penrith local government areas (LGAs), first home buyers saved an average of $21,092 on their purchase.

Across The Hills and the Hawkesbury LGAs, first home buyers saved $22,239 on average.

And in Camden, Campbelltown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Fairfield, Liverpool and Wollondilly LGAs, the average saving for a first home buyer under the expanded program was $19,421.

Data by suburb shows Western Sydney suburbs make up eight out of the top ten metro suburbs for first home buyers, including Campbelltown, Liverpool, Parramatta, St Marys and Westmead.

In the middle of a housing crisis, the First Home Buyers Assistance program is one of the Minns Government’s biggest cost of living relief measures, providing meaningful support to help tens of thousands of people to buy their first home.

From 1 July 2023, the Minns Labor Government expanded thresholds to mean that first home buyers purchasing for under $1 million would pay either no, or discounted stamp duty.

The threshold for a full stamp duty exemption was lifted from $650,000 to $800,000.  And the stamp duty concession threshold increased from $800,000 to $1 million.

The higher thresholds allowed for more than 18,000 first home buyers across NSW to receive greater support than they would have under the previous government.

Overall, the average saving for a first home buyer in NSW increased by almost $4,000 under the Minns Government’s expanded program.

Multiple Western Sydney local government areas recorded a major increase in the number of first home buyers receiving support.

That includes the Hawkesbury LGA which has seen a 127 per cent increase and Camden LGA which recorded a 110 per cent increase over the last year.

Premier Chris Minns said:

“We’re delivering real cost of living relief that’s helping tens of thousands of people buy their first home and build a life in Western Sydney and across the state.

“In its first year, our program has helped first home buyers get into the market, without having to leave Sydney or NSW.

“We have helped more singles, couples and families to create a future in our state.”

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:

“Savings of just over $20,000 on average mean that a first home buyer in Western Sydney is in a far better position to compete against investors to buy their home.

“Right across NSW, over two thirds of first home buyers using the expanded program now pay no stamp duty at all.”

LGA	Total^*
Number of first home buyers	Average Saved ($)
Cumberland	1,952	20,414
Blacktown	1,952	20,280
Parramatta	1,700	22,970
Penrith	1,350	20,422
Canterbury-Bankstown	1,330	19,546
Campbelltown	1,144	21,178

LGA	FHBers in2023-24	FHBers in 2022-23	% increase
Camden	366	174	110.34
Fairfield	539	300	79.67
Campbelltown	1,144	643	77.92
Penrith	1,350	765	76.47
Parramatta	1,700	1,103	54.13

Suburb (based on postcode)	Number of first home buyers	Average Saved ($)
Campbelltown	607	21,034
Liverpool	624	18,314
Westmead	546	20,461
Parramatta	450	21,217
St Marys	434	21,687
Homebush Bay	364	24,899
Blacktown	464	19,390
Mount Druitt	403	21,917
Gosford	394	21,485
Homebush	359	23,110