Category: NSW News

The Minns Labor Government has reached a significant milestone in delivering one of the largest social housing renewal projects in Australian history, with the announcement of delivery partners for Waterloo South.

Following a tender process, the NSW Government has selected Stockland, Link Wentworth Housing, City West Housing, and Birribee as the preferred partners to build homes and lead the Waterloo renewal. 

Waterloo Estate is one of the largest social housing estates in the country, it will be renewed in stages, starting with Waterloo South where 750 older public housing properties with be replaced with new, well-designed and fit-for-purpose homes. 

The delivery team is tasked with delivering a substantial increase in social and affordable housing in inner-city Sydney, with 50 percent of all new homes in Waterloo South dedicated to social and affordable housing. This adds 500 homes beyond what the previous government committed.

This is significant increase in social and affordable homes compared to the former government’s plans.

Committed to building better communities, the mixed-tenure Waterloo South project will deliver approximately 3,000 new social, affordable, and private homes, along with new facilities, retail precincts, and public open spaces. 

Homes NSW will now start negotiating contracts with the building partners to plan, design, deliver and fund the development over the next 10-15 years, as well as ongoing operations. The negotiations are expected to take six months, and are the final step in the competitive, multi-stage procurement process.  

This will ensure Homes NSW and the building partners are aligned on roles and responsibilities, a program for renewal and how the partnership will work with the community to deliver better outcomes for the people of Waterloo.

Residents of Waterloo remain the priority throughout this process, Homes NSW will work with the local community through the staged relocation process. All impacted residents will be given at least six months’ notice before having to move and provided with dedicated support every step of the way. All residents will be given the right to return when the renewal is complete. 

Homes NSW and the delivery partners will work together to support residents through change and create a vibrant and mixed inner-city community with a genuine sense of place.

For more information visit: nsw.gov.au/homes-nsw/waterloo

Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said:

“We are proud to be building Australia’s largest ever social housing project – modern, accessible and better homes to confront the housing crisis head on.

“This is another step forward in addressing the state’s housing crisis, the announcement of our delivery partners for Waterloo South means we are closer to building 1500, new and sustainable social and affordable homes.

“This has been a hugely competitive process and we look forward to continuing to partner with the sector to deliver our vision for a stronger and vibrant community for the people who need it most.

“We are especially proud to be working Birribee to deliver dedicated homes for our Aboriginal community.

“Tenants deserve to be with us every step of the journey, which is why we will continue  
our efforts to be out and about in the community, and I want to thank people for their patience.”

Member for Heffron, Ron Hoenig said:

“I have been fighting to improve the conditions of my constituents living in Waterloo Estate for more than a decade. The most important thing for me has always been ensuring the more vulnerable members of our community can live in safe and healthy homes.

“This announcement brings us a step closer to vastly improving the quality of life for these residents, many of whom have lived in their homes for many years and have built a community with their neighbours.

“Importantly, we are making sure these residents are given every right to return to their new homes once the renewal is complete so they can maintain these community ties.

“We desperately need more social housing in NSW and I am proud we are delivering the country’s largest social housing renewal project in my electorate.”

The Minns Labor Government has ensured Central Coast Council has a clearer, simpler and less costly regularity framework for its water supply and sewerage services, and protects against privatisation.

Until now, Central Coast Council was the only local body in NSW providing water services under two legislative Acts.

The passing of a Bill through Parliament yesterday ends that anomaly by removing the regulatory double-up and complexity, paving the way for better governance.

The legislative changes provide a streamlined regulatory framework for incoming Councillors following next month’s local government elections, while reducing costs and freeing Council up to perform its core role of providing essential services for the Central Coast.

Additionally, it will help resolve some of the complexity that contributed to Central Coast Council being placed in administration in October 2020.

Central Coast is the third largest water utility in the state after Sydney Water and Hunter Water. and This will bring Council’s provision and regulation of water supply and sewerage services in-line with all other local governments across regional NSW.

The Bill retains Council’s control of water services and infrastructure, and the changes will not have any impact on customers, other than positive benefits that should flow from a better governed water and sewerage utility.

The changes are also specific to Central Coast Council and do not affect other councils or local water utilities across the state.

The Bill comes off the back of a 2022 Public Inquiry into Central Coast Council which included widespread public consultation, and a Departmental review into the Council’s water utility legislative and regulatory framework in 2023.

These changes align with stakeholder feedback, as well as the review’s findings and recommendations to simplify the framework and make it more efficient.

Specifically, the Bill:

• Removes Council as a water supply authority under the Water Management Act
• Aligns the regulation of Council’s water supply and sewerage services more closely with the regulatory framework which applies to all other councils
• Retains IPART as the regulator of Council’s water supply and sewerage service prices to ensure adequate oversight of Council’s pricing and ensure fees stay fair for local residents
• Exempts Council from unnecessary and inefficient restrictions on money transfers between the water supply fund and the sewerage fund, to improve effective management of cash flow and debt funding.

Importantly, the Bill also further commits to protect our water utility on the Central Coast from privatisation, by repealing the Central Coast Water Corporation Act and Central Coast Water Corporation Regulation.

This will ensure Central Coast water remains in the hands of our community.

Minister for Water, Rose Jackson said:

“I am thrilled this Bill has passed parliament to finally give residents greater confidence that their water services are being properly managed.

“It comes after a Public Inquiry and a thorough review into Council’s administrative operations, and after listening to feedback from the entire community.

“This Bill is a great outcome and fantastic news for people across the Central Coast.”

Minister for the Central Coast and Member for Wyong, David Harris said:

“The passing of this Bill will give Central Coast Council more clarity to efficiently go about its job to best serve residents, businesses and customers.

“Importantly, the Bill protects our water utility on the Central Coast from privatisation to ensure water and sewerage remains in the hands of our Council and our community, which is great news for everyone.”

Minister for the Hunter and Member for Swansea, Yasmin Catley said:

“The NSW Government has fulfilled its commitment to listen to and address the concerns of locals.

“Eliminating unnecessary obstacles will pave the way for more time to deliver the things that matter most to the people of the Central Coast.

“Locals can now enjoy peace of mind, knowing that their water bills are being managed with care and transparency.”

Member for The Entrance, David Mehan said:

“The great thing about our Bill is that it ensures our water service will remain locally owned and controlled.

“The simplification of regulation and IPART price oversight will make sure we are paying no more than we should for our water and sewer service.”

Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch said:

“With the passing of this Bill, the NSW Government has simplified the legislation controlling Central Coast water and sewerage services, taking the complexity out of Council governance and decision making.

“I welcome the passing of this Bill, which streamlines Council’s regulatory structure and allows Council to get back to their core function, providing essential services to our community.”

Expressions of Interest are being sought for suitable sites to build new ambulance stations as part of the NSW Government’s $615.5 million NSW Ambulance Infrastructure Program.

The NSW Government is delivering 30 additional ambulance stations and more than 2,500 additional staff across the state as part of its commitment to boost frontline emergency care for communities.

As part of this program, Health Infrastructure is working with NSW Ambulance and other key stakeholders across government to identify potential sites for additional ambulance stations and prioritise delivery.

This includes conducting a thorough land search to identify potential locations that best meet the needs of the community for ambulance operations.

To progress this planning, an Expressions of Interest process for land will be undertaken at 10 locations including: Cherrybrook, Kincumber, Raby, Edgeworth, Glenmore Park, Dee Why, Sutherland, Bargo, Berkeley Vale and Doonside.

Locations for new stations are determined by NSW Ambulance following a comprehensive service planning process using best practice modelling software which maps Triple Zero calls.

The exact locations of the new stations will be confirmed once the land search and acquisition process is finalised. Construction and operational timeframes will be determined as the project planning progresses.

The infrastructure rollout for the $615.5 million NSW Ambulance Infrastructure Program is progressing with land purchased for new ambulance stations at North Sydney, South Windsor, Oran Park and Berowra.

To find out more, or lodge an Expression of Interest visit: www.hinfra.health.nsw.gov.au/ambulance-infrastructure-program

Each year, NSW Ambulance receives more than 1.1 million Triple Zero (000) calls for assistance and our vehicles travel more than 46 million kilometres to keep the community safe.

NSW Ambulance provides high quality clinical care, compassion, relief of pain and suffering and rescue and retrieval services to the more than 8.1 million people of NSW.

Minister for Health Ryan Park:

“We are progressing with planning to identify suitable sites to deliver new, modern and purpose-built ambulance stations which will support local paramedics to provide the best emergency medical care now and into the future.”

“This new infrastructure will improve network coverage and support the existing stations in the ambulance network in NSW.”

“These new ambulance stations will bolster emergency care for growing communities across the state and provide a first-class purpose-built workplace for our hardworking paramedics.”

The NSW Government is inviting members of the community to share their experiences, concerns, and suggestions regarding social media use ahead of the Social Media Summit, at which Frances Haugen, meta whistleblower and advocate for accountability and transparency in social media, will be a keynote speaker.

The two-day summit, a joint initiative between the NSW Government and Government of South Australia, will take place in Sydney on October 10 and in Adelaide on October 11.

The “Have Your Say” survey invites all NSW residents to offer insights and feedback which will directly inform the discussions at the summit and help the government formulate practical solutions to address the issues posed by social media, particularly for young people.

By engaging with the community through this consultation, the NSW Government is committed to making informed decisions that reflect the needs and concerns of its citizens.

The Social Media Summit will bring together a diverse group of experts, policymakers, academics, young people, and the wider community to explore key areas including the impacts of social media on children, online safety, social media’s role in disinformation and misinformation, addressing online hate and extremism, and how social media is changing the way government delivers services.

It comes in response to increasing concerns about the harmful effects of social media on young people, including exposure to inappropriate and illegal content, cyberbullying, and negative impacts on their mental health and development.

Day one of the summit in Sydney will explore key themes including:

• Formulating a public health response to social media harm minimisation
• Opportunities to address social media harms within educational settings
• Understanding the role of social media in identity, belonging and worldviews
• Unpacking links between extremism, misogyny and social media
• Reclaiming the digital town square – creating positive digital communities

Frances Haugen, prominent whistleblower and advocate for transparency in social media, will be a keynote speaker on day one.

Ms Haugen is internationally recognised for her courageous efforts to expose the inner workings of social media companies and her advocacy for accountability and ethical practices by the digital giants.

Further information about additional speakers, panellists and detailed event schedules will be made available later in the year.

The “Have Your Say” online consultation survey is now live and accessible at https://www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/social-media-usage-and-impacts

For more information about the Social Media Summit, please visit www.nsw.gov.au/socialmediasummit

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

“Social media presents serious risks. We need to ensure that our policies keep pace with the rapid changes in technology.

“We are committed to listening to particularly young people about their experiences online and creating a safer and more positive online environment for everyone.

“The insights gathered from the ‘Have Your Say’ survey will help us shape effective policies and programs to support the community.

“I’m pleased that Frances Haugen has accepted our invitation to deliver an address at the summit.

“I enjoyed meeting with her recently to discuss the critical issues surrounding social media’s impact on our society. Her insights and expertise will be invaluable at the summit.”

Frances Haugen said:

“We have stood by, for more than a decade, as unaccountable American social media companies have experimented on Australian children. The time has come for us to demand more from our online public squares for children and ourselves.

“We can have social media that brings out the best in us – but only if we fight for it.”

More than 30 emergency services personnel and youth volunteers have been recognised for their commitment and outstanding efforts over the past year at the 10^th NSW Rotary Emergency Services Community Awards (RESCA).

Minister for Health Ryan Park and Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib congratulated all 28 finalists across the emergency services agencies and the four finalists of the Dorothy Hennessy OAM Emergency Services Youth Scholarship, for volunteers between 18 and 25 years of age, in a ceremony at Bankstown Sports Club last night.

The awards are an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the community service of personnel from agencies including NSW Ambulance, Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Rural Fire Service, NSW State Emergency Service, Marine Rescue NSW, Surf Life Saving NSW, and VRA Rescue NSW.

The Rotary awards are community nominated, with seven winners across the agencies, two overall winners, and one recipient of the youth scholarship.

The winners by emergency service agency are:

• NSW Ambulance: David Press – Clinical Volunteer – Community Emergency Response Team, Manildra
• Fire and Rescue NSW: Jen Sullivan – Wellbeing Officer – Mental Health East
• Marine Rescue NSW: Nancy Weatherman – Deputy Unit Commander, Eden
• Surf Life Saving NSW: Mollie Murphy – Club Director of Lifesaving, Umina Beach
• VRA Rescue NSW: Malcolm Barry – Captain, Narooma Rescue Squad, Narooma
• NSW Rural Fire Service: Michael Carey – Group Captain 3, Southern Tablelands Zone, Wee Jasper
• NSW State Emergency Service: Benjamin Power – Land Search Operations Instructor, Ku-ring-gai

The officer named overall winner in a volunteer capacity was Michael Carey, Group Captain 3 of the Southern Tablelands Zone with the NSW Rural Fire Service based at Wee Jasper. The officer named overall winner in a paid capacity was David Press, Clinical Volunteer Community Emergency Response Team with NSW Ambulance based at Manildra.

The overall winners go on to represent NSW at the AusRESCA (Australian RESCA) ceremony in Canberra in October.

The recipient of the $1,000 Dorothy Hennessy OAM Emergency Services Youth Scholarship winner was Kayla McKenzie, Patrol Captain with Surf Lifesaving NSW based in Wollongong.

Minister for Health Ryan Park said:

“I’m immensely proud of the endless dedication and efforts to go above and beyond from all our paramedics and emergency services individuals who make it their life’s work to provide us with care in some of our darkest moments.

“These awards are an opportunity to celebrate the tremendous contributions these special individuals give to our health system, and to communities all over NSW.”

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

“It is a privilege to be the Minister for Emergency Services and to meet the incredible people on the frontline who keep our communities safe, often in the face of personal risk.”

“It’s the sense of volunteerism and the eagerness to lend a hand that make emergency services personnel so worthy of celebration, and that’s what these awards are about – recognising the vast community contributions these individuals make.”

The Minns Labor Government has today made a winning play by delivering on its election commitment to invest $500,000 in NSW Rugby League to carry out community competitions in Far West NSW.

Confirmation of the funding was announced at the Outback v Ocean games at Lightning Ridge on Saturday, 10 August.

This funding will support the delivery and growth of rugby league and league tag in the Outback and Barwon Darling Rugby League competitions.

This funding will support associations and clubs with the costs of registration, insurance, junior transport, referees and referee travel.

Additionally, the funding supports the engagement of staff dedicated to junior and social competition support and capacity building, as well as community development programs.

Rugby league competitions play a critical role in many rural and remote communities, providing young people with the opportunity to play competitive team sport with their peers while opening up the door to future sporting opportunities.

Importantly, this funding will provide targeted relief to many young people hoping to participate in rugby league competitions at a time when cost of living is a significant concern.

Premier of NSW Chris Minns said:

“We are incredibly proud to be making this practical investment that will go straight to helping players and clubs across the Far West of NSW.

“Sport, especially in our regions, is a fantastic vehicle for bringing people together and providing people with an opportunity to get out and get active.

“With the cost of living going through the roof, particularly in rural and regional NSW – supporting these players and clubs financially will help more people play the sport they love.”

Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said:

“In regional communities, sport is the glue that holds them together. Sport offers many benefits, including physical, mental and social.

“The NSW Government’s funding of community competitions in Far West NSW will enable more people in the region to enjoy the all-around benefits of rugby league.”

Minister for Western NSW Tara Moriarty said:

“The Government is committed to improving community life for Western NSW and sport plays many roles in making that real. Targeted funding like this makes a big difference.

“Getting juniors and referees out to games across long distances is critical to keeping rugby league going and people playing. The Far West deserves this support.”

Member for Barwon Roy Butler said:

“In Far West NSW, rugby league plays a vital role in community engagement and promoting healthy lifestyles, particularly among Indigenous communities.

“This funding will enable the rugby league’s rich history and legacy across Far West NSW to continue.”

NSW Rugby League CEO Dave Trodden said:

“As the focal point for community spirit in Far West NSW, rugby league has a crucial role to play in community wellbeing, encouraging all participants, players coaches, officials and volunteers, to participate and enjoy our great game.

“I thank the NSW Government for this funding package which will enable the NSWRL to continue our support of Far West clubs and competitions.

“We are proud to be able to be able host the Outback Challenge in Lightning Ridge, rewarding and recognising many of our shining stars from the Far West.”

The NSW Liberals and Nationals have stood up for vulnerable regional residents, questioning the Minns Labor Government over its decision to cut support for long distance coach services.
 
This move impacted routes between Eden and Bomaderry, as well as Lismore and Tweed Heads, meaning passengers paying $2.50 for a Regional Excursion Daily (RED) ticket would be forced to pay up to $65.
 
After sustained pressure by the Coalition, the Government has backflipped on its reckless decision and has decided to reinstate the Transport for NSW (TfNSW) subsidies.
                                     
We have always offered vital support to country communities, including the Regional Seniors Travel Card, because we understand that when you live in the bush it’s harder to travel.
 
We also couldn’t stand the fact Labor chose to rip more money from people’s pockets in the middle of a cost-of-living-crisis.
 
Common sense has prevailed, and our regional residents will finally get the support they need.

Authorised by Richard Shields, Liberal Party of Australia, NSW Division, Level 2, 131 Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000.

Recruitment will shortly get underway for additional nurses as the Minns Labor Government continues delivering on its promise to rollout a major staffing reform.

The next twelve hospitals across metropolitan and regional NSW to introduce Safe Staffing Levels in emergency departments have been announced today, with the implementation of the reform set to improve the experience of patients and boost retention and capability of staff in public hospitals.

The Safe Staffing Levels initiative involves the introduction of minimum staffing levels on every shift, which will result in more nurses employed in hospitals right across the state and better care for patients.

The staffing boost of frontline healthcare workers at these hospitals will enable a one-to-one nursing care ratio for generally occupied emergency department resuscitation beds on all shifts, and one nurse to three generally occupied ED treatment spaces and ED short-stay unit beds on all shifts.

The next hospitals to commence rollout of Safe Staffing Levels in emergency departments in the coming weeks and months include:

• Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital
• Campbelltown Hospital
• The Children’s Hospital at Westmead
• Coffs Harbour Hospital
• Gosford Hospital
• John Hunter Hospital
• Nepean Hospital
• Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
• St George Hospital
• Tamworth Hospital
• Wagga Wagga Hospital
• Wollongong Hospital

The announcement will bring the total number of hospitals commencing the roll-out of Safe Staffing Levels to 16 across the state following the earlier announcement of Liverpool, Royal North Shore, Lismore and Port Macquarie.

The Safe Staffing Levels Taskforce, which includes key leaders from the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA), NSW Health, and local health districts, will continue to work through the preparations to determine the FTE required to deliver Safe Staffing Levels at these sites over coming weeks and months.

Phase one of Safe Staffing Levels is initially commencing in Level 5 and Level 6 EDs, which treat the most critically ill patients, and will then be progressively implemented across other hospitals and departments. The Safe Staffing Levels Taskforce will continue to oversee the rollout of the government’s commitment of 2480 FTE over four years (to June 2027) towards staffing levels.

Implementing Safe Staffing Levels is just one of a range of measures that the NSW Government is embracing to build a more supported health workforce, including:

• saving 1,112 nurse and midwife positions by making the roles permanent;
• abolishing the wages cap and delivering the highest pay increase in over a decade for nurses and other health workers;
• beginning to roll out 500 additional paramedics in regional, rural and remote communities; and
• introducing the health worker study subsidies scheme.

The Minns Labor Government’s introduction of Safe Staffing Levels forms one part of a comprehensive plan to build a better health system across NSW.

After 12 years of neglect and a lack of investment in our health system, the Minns Labor Government is rebuilding this essential service we all rely on.

NSW Minister for Health Ryan Park:

“The Safe Staffing Levels initiative involves the introduction of minimum staffing levels on every shift, which will result in more nurses employed in hospitals right across the state.

“The rollout began earlier this year at Liverpool, Royal North Shore, Port Macquarie Base and Lismore Base Hospitals and I’m thrilled we’re now onto the next twelve sites that will see implementation commence over coming months.

“Importantly, this reform will deliver improved nursing numbers to provide care for patients while supporting our frontline healthcare staff.

“I look forward to working with representatives from the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association and NSW Health as part the Safe Staffing Levels Taskforce as they review the rollout and use these experiences to help inform safe staffing levels implementation at future sites.”

The NSW Government is in the final stages of resolving a contaminated land issue that has plagued a waterfront site in Hunters Hill for more than 100 years.

Property and Development NSW’s (PDNSW) Environmental Management Group has remediated three vacant lots at Nelson Parade, with the final shipments of radiological and chemical waste removed from the site.

More than 3,000 cubic metres of contaminated waste – the equivalent of an Olympic swimming pool – has been transported off site in over 300 shipping containers over the last two years.

The contamination was caused by historic industrial activity when the site operated as a carbolic acid plant between about 1897 and 1909, and then used by the Radium Hill Refinery between 1911 and 1915.

The sites are currently undergoing final validation by an independent contractor and a NSW EPA-accredited auditor.

For more information, visit https://www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-property/our-business/environmental-service-group/hunters-hill-site-remediation.

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said:

“This is a great outcome for the people of Nelson Parade and the local environment. Property and Development NSW and the Waste Asset Management Corporation has worked for many years to find the best solution to clean up the land and safely remove the contaminated waste.

“We will now begin work to make the land available to families to call Hunters Hill home.”

Property and Development NSW Executive Director, Environmental Management Group Peter Graham said:

“This is an important moment for the local residents and a proud moment for the team at Property and Development NSW.

“We’ve undertaken an enormous task to address the longstanding contamination buried on the site. I thank our Project Directors Scott Burrows and William Tai who worked tirelessly to help achieve this outcome for the local community and environment.”

Nelson Parade Action Group President Philippa Clark said:

“The people of Nelson Parade have been looking forward to this moment for many years, and finally, it has arrived.

“We thank the Government and the team at Property and Development NSW for their professionalism and dedication to achieving this outcome.”

The New South Wales Government acknowledges the tabling of the Domestic Violence Death Review Team Report 2021-2023 and thanks the Team for their work on this report.

The New South Wales Government acknowledges the tabling of the Domestic Violence Death Review Team Report 2021-2023 and thanks the Team for their work on this report.

This report, and the data contained in it, is a sobering and sombre read.

More than that, the Government knows that every statistic contained in this report represents someone whose life was unjustly taken too early, someone who was loved, and whose absence is still felt deeply.

These statistics represent family members, friends, valued community members, and their loss continues to be mourned by many.

This report is a stark reminder of the great responsibility borne by the government to take meaningful and continued action to address the scourge of domestic and family violence on the communities of New South Wales.

We do not take this responsibility, or the findings of this report, lightly. We will continue to invest in and work with communities and stakeholders to strengthen our response to domestic and family violence at all stages and at times of crisis, while continuing to prioritise prevention and early intervention.

If you or someone you know is affected by domestic, family or sexual violence, please call the toll-free number 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for support on 1800RESPECT or visit 1800respect.org.au.

Domestic Violence Death Review Team Annual Report