Category: NSW News

The Minns Labor Government is investing $52 million to supercharge NSW’s renewable manufacturing sectors, unlocking more than 100 construction jobs and 67 ongoing positions.

The investment is part of the NSW Government’s Net Zero Manufacturing Initiative, a $480 million push to help fast-track emissions reductions and build the technologies that we need to further our renewable transition.

The program is supporting over 1100 jobs across NSW in 40 different projects. 

This grant supports innovative businesses that will serve as the building blocks to a sustainable low carbon manufacturing industry in NSW. 

The successful businesses and projects announced:

• Optimal Renewable Gas in Griffith will receive $20 million to convert agricultural organic waste from farms into a gas fuel. The gas can be used for gas heating and power generation.
• Hiringa Energy near Moree will receive $9.4 million to expand the production of their low carbon ammonia fertiliser, to be used on cotton farms. This will help produce sustainable cotton and decarbonise farming operations.
• Hiringa Refuelling Australia will receive $778,000 to help create hydrogen refuelling stations which aim to replace diesel in heavy vehicles – an important step towards building a green freight corridor between Sydney and Southeast Queensland.
• Tyree Transformers will receive $22 million to build their transformers, which stop us from losing energy while its being transported from our solar and wind farms.

The Minister visited the Tyree Transformers facility in Braemar to launch the four grant recipients. Tyree will be expanding its facility’s operational capacity, helping us get the most out of the renewable energy we are already creating.

Find out more about the Net Zero Manufacturing Initiative: https://www.energy.nsw.gov.au/business-and-industry/programs-grants-and-schemes/net-zero-manufacturing

NSW Minister for Energy Penny Sharpe said:

“This is part of a $480 million investment to help NSW industries lead the clean energy transition and create skilled manufacturing jobs in our regions.

“We should be building the technology that will power our future right here in NSW.

“These projects will unlock 67 permanent jobs and support growth in communities across the Southern Highlands, Riverina and the state’s northwest.

“They show the power of partnering with industry to create jobs, cut emissions and build the clean technologies of tomorrow right here in NSW.” 

The Minns Labor Government’s latest rushed policy on e-bikes to impose age limits raises serious questions about enforcement, consistency and whether the reforms will actually change rider behaviour.
 
Media reports today show that the Government isn’t even sure what its own age limit policy is going to be, with the Government intending to ban children under 12, while Transport for NSW will look at banning children under 16, and a massive admission that the Government has no idea how it will be enforced.
 
Speaking on Sydney’s 2GB Radio in January 2026, Minister for Transport, John Graham, said of the NSW Liberals and Nationals’ proposal for an e-bike licence plate registration that it would be too hard to work out whether a 17-year-old rider was just saying they were 18-years-old to avoid needing a licence plate.
 
Now, under pressure, the Minister wants the NSW Police Force to read up on Puberty Blues.
 
The only feasible way to enforce the proposed age limit requires all legal riders, including those between the ages of 12 and 16 to carry a form of mandatory government-issued identification to prove basic identity information such as name, age and address.
 
Communities across NSW are not raising concerns about technical definitions; they want clear action that enforces behaviour to stop the reckless riding, the intimidation of pedestrians and a lack of visible enforcement.
 
Today’s “announcement” shows that the Minns Labor Government will do everything they possibly can to not adopt the NSW Liberals and Nationals’ sensible licence plate registration scheme for those under 18, delivery rider and shared service schemes.
 
The NSW Liberals and Nationals maintain that reforms must prioritise enforcement mechanisms that police can realistically apply on the ground and that parents can rely on when setting boundaries for their children.
 
Shadow Minister for Transport Natalie Ward said that the announcement seemed designed for media attention and continues the tin-ear approach of the Government when it comes to e-bikes.
 
“Labor’s announcement still doesn’t answer the most basic question: how behaviour will be enforced,” Ms Ward said.
 
“Until you enforce the rules and have accountability, nothing will change.”
 
“Police need a clear tool for enforcement of rider behaviour, and the NSW Liberals and Nationals’ policy will give them one.”
 
“This looks like another headline designed to sound tough and look like something is happening, while questions on practical enforcement remain unanswered.”

Shadow Minister for Digital, Artificial Intelligence and Investment, James Griffin, has today warned that NSW is losing ground in the global race for data centres and artificial intelligence infrastructure because the Minns Labor Government has no coordinated strategy across energy, planning or investment.
 
“This is not about one Minister or one department getting it wrong,” Mr Griffin said.
 
“This is about three critical failures, in energy, in planning, and in strategic coordination, that are feeding off each other and creating a toxic environment for investment.”
 
“Individually, each failure is a serious problem, but collectively they are handing NSW’s economic opportunity to Victoria on a silver platter,” Mr Griffin said.
 
Failure 1: An energy system that cannot guarantee scale or certainty
The energy transition in NSW is failing, with energy prices remaining high, significant transmission delays, and the government failing to listen to concerns about renewable energy projects.
 
At this rate, households will have to turn off their air-conditioning in summer, and that’s before having the state ready to power data centres.
 
Data centre demand is growing.
 
Transgrid reports more than 10GW of data centre connection enquiries, with electricity demand projected to grow from 307 GWh to 6,723 GWh by 2035, representing more than a twenty-fold increase.
 
Without firm, reliable and timely grid capacity, data centre projects will go elsewhere.
 
“Right now, NSW cannot guarantee the scale, speed or certainty that global and domestic investors require, and because of that, we are losing out to Victoria,” Mr Griffin said.
 
Failure 2: No critical digital infrastructure planning strategy
NSW still lacks a coherent planning and precinct strategy for digital infrastructure
 
There is:
No statewide data centre action plan
No identified digital infrastructure precinct strategy
No integrated land-use and energy coordination model

Industry feedback highlights inconsistent agency advice and uncertainty around zoning, grid access and water allocation.

In contrast, Victoria has funded a dedicated Sustainable Data Centre Action Plan and released a 2026 Artificial Intelligence Mission Statement, sending a clear signal it intends to lead.
 
“In NSW, there is no coordinated approach to zoning land, aligning utilities, or fast-tracking strategic AI infrastructure; we risk repeating mistakes of the past by not coordinating the placement of data centres.” Mr Griffin said.
 
 
Failure 3: No whole-of-government AI strategy
Most concerning is the absence of strategic coordination.
 
NSW has:
No AI mission statement with funding attached
No AI infrastructure roadmap
No cross-portfolio coordination linking Energy, Planning, Treasury and Investment NSW

“No one in the Minns Government is clearly responsible for ensuring NSW wins the AI and data centre investment race,” Mr Griffin said.
 
“Like in many other areas, the Minns Labor Government has packed up and gone home.”
 
The global data centre market is projected to reach US$4 trillion by 2030.
 
NSW should be the natural home for Asia-Pacific AI and data centre investment.
 
But without reliable energy delivery, coordinated planning and a clear AI strategy, capital will lock in elsewhere
 
“These three failures are not separate problems; they are one problem with one cause: a complacent government in the face of a global AI economy scaling at speed,” Mr Griffin said.
 
The upcoming Parliamentary Inquiry into data centres will test whether the Minns Labor Government intends to lead, or continue to drift while other states secure the jobs, investment and productivity gains of the AI era.

Consumers have been warned not to deal with clothing and accessories website Bondi United which has falsely claimed to support victims of the Bondi Beach terror attack.

Following an investigation, NSW Fair Trading has issued a public warning about the trader after determining that assertions made by Bondi United’s trader Mr Marvaldeep Singh linking himself to the terrorist attack were false. 

Bondi United sold its clothing and accessories through the websites www.bondiunited.com and www.bondiproject.com, both of which have now been taken down.

After interventions by NSW Fair Trading, Bondi United has also indicated it will be paying refunds to consumers who contact the business requesting a refund.

This joins a separate public warning issued in January about misleading claims made by the Isla & James website, which has also been taken down following NSW Fair Trading’s investigations.

NSW Fair Trading does not tolerate misleading conduct and is actively monitoring for scammers targeting people in the aftermath of the events at Bondi.

Consumers can lodge complaints against companies with NSW Fair Trading via the NSW Fair Trading website, at any ServiceNSW centre, or by calling 13 32 20.

To view the public warning against Bondi United, please visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/fair-trading/news/public-warning-bondi-united

Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“Attempting to profit off this horrific incident is just plain wrong – and it is a breach of Australian Consumer Law. 

“The NSW Government strongly condemns any attempts to mislead consumers in the aftermath of this terror event, and we will continue to do everything we can to protect consumers from this behaviour. 

“I encourage people to buy from reputable sellers, be cautious when dealing with unfamiliar online sellers, and get in contact with NSW Fair Trading if they believe they have been adversely affected by this business.”

NSW Fair Trading Commissioner Natasha Mann said:

“These misleading websites are deeply concerning, and we have taken strong regulatory action to ensure that they do not continue to spread misinformation in the community.

“NSW Fair Trading monitors for scammers or fundraisers who target people following major events, including environmental disasters, and has powers to investigate businesses and prevent consumer harm.

“In these situations, take steps to verify that the trader is legitimate and is not misrepresenting a connection to the victims of the attack or that proceeds of sales will go to the support of victims of the attack.”

The Northern Rivers is entering its most critical home rebuilding phase, as the NSW Government issues a region-wide call for licensed builders and trades to help homeowners upgrade, raise, rebuild or relocate homes impacted by the 2022 floods.

With a 2027 program deadline looming, the focus has shifted from administrative assessments to active construction sites.

Builders, designers, engineers, architects, project managers and house relocation specialists are urgently needed to support communities to meet this deadline.

With a multi-year pipeline of work now confirmed, there has never been a better time for builders and contractors to get involved in the Northern Rivers recovery. To ensure the industry is briefed on these significant opportunities and the technical requirements for resilient construction, the NSW Reconstruction Authority is hosting a series of regional engagement sessions.

Local trades are encouraged to attend an upcoming ‘Builder Brekkie’ or information workshop to connect with the program team and learn how to access this work. The full list is below or more detail can also be found at https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/nsw-reconstruction-authority/our-work/events

Following the devastating 2022 floods, the Australian and NSW Governments established the Northern Rivers Resilient Homes Program (RHP) to reduce long-term flood risk across seven local government areas. The program supports voluntary home buybacks and resilience measures including house raising, retrofitting, rebuilding and relocation.

In addition, the NSW Reconstruction Authority is working with delivery partners to unlock land for hundreds of homes across the region in 2026, with thousands more in future years, driving demand for builders and skilled workers to construct housing options ranging from small one and two-bed homes and terraces to larger three and four- bed family homes. Coupled with private developments taking off across the Northern Rivers, there is a clear pipeline of work for many years to come.

These efforts will sit alongside the NSW Reconstruction Authority’s work with councils and communities planning for the future use of vacant buyback land, with consultation to occur throughout 2026 for all areas with buyback land, particularly in Lismore, South Murwillumbah, Kyogle, and Richmond Valley.

FAST FACTS: Northern Rivers Resilient Homes Program

• Total Program Funding: $880 million co-funded by the NSW and Australian Governments.
• The Deadline: All building and renovation works must be completed by 31 March 2027.
• Pipeline of Work: Approximately 600 homes are slated for Resilient Measures (raising, retrofitting, or rebuilding) in this final phase.
• Grants available for homeowners:
  • Home Raising / Rebuild / Relocation: Grants up to $100,000.
  • Home Retrofit: Grants up to $50,000 for flood-resilient materials and modifications.
  • Co-Contribution Bonus: The program will match homeowner contributions dollar-for-dollar, potentially doubling total project value (up to $200,000 for raising/rebuilds or $100,000 for retrofits).
• Design Support: Homeowners can access an additional $20,000 grant specifically for planning, design, and development application (DA) costs.
• Priority Areas: Recovery efforts are concentrated across the seven Local Government Areas of Lismore, Ballina, Byron, Clarence Valley, Kyogle, Richmond Valley, and Tweed.

Minister for Recovery and Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said:

“We have reached a critical juncture in the Northern Rivers rebuild. Plans are being finalised, funding is in place and now we need boots on the ground to turn these designs into resilient homes.”

“This is a massive call to arms for our local construction industry. We have a clear window between now and March 2027 to complete these vital works.

“By stepping up now, our builders and trades aren’t just completing a job—they are laying the foundations for a stronger, more connected Northern Rivers, bringing our neighbors home and building a legacy that will define our towns for decades to come.”

NSW Reconstruction Authority Northern Rivers Adaptation Executive Director Kristie Clarke said:

“The scale of work now underway across the Northern Rivers is unprecedented, and we need skilled builders and construction specialists to help us deliver it.

“This is about working alongside communities to rebuild homes that are safer, stronger and more resilient, while meeting ambitious timeframes and supporting the long-term recovery of the region.”

Resilient Measures information sessions for homeowners and the construction industry:

5 March – Tweed LGA – Murwillumbah Community Centre.

11 March – Byron LGA – Mullumbimby Civic Hall.

17 March – Clarence Valley LGA – Maclean Bowling Club.

18 March – Richmond Valley LGA – Woodburn Community Building

RHP Expos:

29 April – Lismore Workers Club

13 May – Murwillumbah Civic Centre

Builder brekkies:

23 April, 14 May and 4 June – Lismore – The Bank Café.

26 February, 7 May – Murwillumbah – Keith Cafe.

4 March – Mullumbimby – Lulu’s Cafe.

12 March – Casino – Walker Street Café.

18 June – Grafton – Vines at 139

The NSW Government is launching a new initiative to ensure compliance and improve transparency across the NSW building and construction industry.

Led by the NSW Industrial Relations Construction Compliance Unit (CCU), the initiative is designed to support government agencies and contractors to meet existing legislative, policy and contractual obligations across the construction supply chain.

This priority work reflects the Government’s commitment to ensuring that all reasonable steps are taken to uphold lawful and ethical industrial practices throughout the industry, in line with existing legislative requirements. This will support the delivery of new schools, hospitals and public transport for the people of NSW.

Set to commence on 1 March 2026, the initiative will be delivered through three complementary streams of work:

• Prior to Government awarding a contract, the CCU will conduct checks of publicly available records held by relevant regulators. A report of any findings will be provided to the procuring agency to support its due diligence process.
• The CCU will work with client agencies and head contractors to develop and maintain a database of subcontractors operating on NSW Government construction sites, improving transparency and oversight
• The CCU will conduct audits of head contractors and subcontractors to assess compliance with industrial relations obligations, including the payment of wages and superannuation. The CCU will continue to work closely with existing contractors and the broader industry as the initiative is implemented.

The NSW Government will monitor the initiative closely over the next 18 months and look for opportunities to continue to improve compliance.

The announcement is the latest milestone in the NSW Government’s industrial relations and government procurement reform agenda, which includes:

• An ‘If not, why not’ mandate for NSW Government agencies to engage with local NSW suppliers before going to tender for projects worth more than $7.5 million.
• Updated requirements for NSW Government agencies to take stronger action to address modern slavery risks across government supply chains.
• Re-establishing the Industrial Court of New South Wales to provide workers with access to workplace justice and improved workplace safety with specialist judges

Minister for Industrial Relations Sophie Cotsis said:

“I’m proud to announce the latest major milestone in our committed industrial relations reform agenda.

“The Supply Chain Initiative will play a key role in protecting hardworking building and construction workers across our state, and will ensure compliance and ethical standards across the entire supply chain. It will protect and promote businesses who do the right thing by complying with their legal and industrial obligations.

“We will work closely with workers and industry to ensure that the initiative is implemented effectively, makes sense on the ground, and truly delivers over the long-term.”

Minister for Domestic Manufacturing and Government Procurement Courtney Houssos said:

“Our procurement reforms allow us to grow the NSW economy and support local jobs, while upholding high standards of integrity and compliance.

“With a multi-billion dollar infrastructure pipeline, we have an opportunity to drive domestic manufacturing, strengthen local supply chains and back businesses that invest in their workers.

“Better leveraging government spending to deliver value for money supports local jobs and the infrastructure and essential services that communities need, all at once, as part of one plan.”

This year’s Mardi Gras will get a big boost with metro and rail services running 24 hours for the first time ever and plans for venues to trade into the early morning, as part of the Minns Labor Government’s ongoing push to rebuild Sydney’s night-time economy.

This year’s event is set to benefit from special event trading hours which would allow eligible hotels, bars, clubs, restaurants, nightclubs and live music venues in the Oxford Street cultural and creative precinct to trade until 6am on Sunday 1 March.

Supporting the parade and the late trade, partygoers can jump on a metro train every 5–10 minutes from 5pm to 2am, then every 20 minutes until regular daytime frequencies resume at 5am.  This builds on two years of successful all night metro services on New Years Eve.

Sydney Trains will operate a 24-hour service with trains running every hour from midnight to the first regular Sunday services on the City Circle, T1 Western Line, T1 North Shore Line, T2 Inner West Line and T9 Northern Line and to Bondi Junction on the T4 Eastern Suburb Line until 3am Sunday.  

Light rail will run a 24-hour service on the L1 Dulwich Hill, L2 Randwick and L3 Kingsford lines with a service every 15 to 20 minutes until normal services resume Sunday morning.

Bus routes 370 and 343 will run 24 hours with added hourly services on Sunday. Around 300 extra bus services will run to the city from Inner West, Eastern Suburbs and North Shore throughout the afternoon, along with additional NightRide buses.

The special Mardi Gras transport services build on a year-round uplift in regular late night bus services which now includes 37 all night services.

With thousands of people attending the parade and major road closures in place from 4pm to 2am on Sunday morning.

For the best views of the parade:

• Northern side viewing in Darlinghurst: Use Town Hall, St James, Martin Place or Kings Cross train stations, or Gadigal Metro station.
• Southern side viewing in Surry Hills: Use Central station. For Parade viewing along Flinders Street, use the Moore Park Light Rail stop.

For more information on public transport for the parade, including extra services and trip planning, visit the event page at transportnsw.info or plan ahead using the Opal Travel app or other transport planning apps.  Motorists can check Live Traffic NSW for the latest information on road closures.

Minister for Transport John Graham said:

“It’s great to be able to give the Mardis Gras a boost after the late cancellation of the official afterparty. We want unofficial afterparties to kick on all around Oxford Street, knowing there’s even more safe and affordable ways to get home.

“A great night out and good transport go hand in hand, and that’s why we’re running metro and rail services 24 hours in line with trading hour extensions for this year’s Mardis Gras.

“We know that public transport is a vital part of a thriving 24-hour economy. We’ve been increasing bus services at night and this is a great chance to see the impact of increased metro, rail and light rail services.”

Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper said:

“Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is the pride of Australia’s major events calendar. Each year, the Parade brings tens of thousands of people to Sydney, which not only celebrates diversity and inclusion, but also makes a significant contribution to the businesses and jobs that rely on our visitor economy.

“We have been clear from the start; we want to bring the entertainment and vibrancy back to Sydney. Extending trading hours will mean locals and visitors alike can make the most of the Mardi Gras.”

Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris said:

“Mardi Gras is a festival of fun and celebration which continues well beyond the parade and the NSW Government wants to ensure venues and patrons can make the most of this hugely popular event.

“These extended trading hours will allow festival-goers to dance the night away and venues to benefit from the thousands of visitors and locals who flock to our city for this special celebration.”

Executive Director of Business Sydney Paul Nicolau said:

“Running Metro, train and light rail services around the clock for Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is a fantastic step forward for our city.

“It means people can celebrate safely, stay longer, and get home easily, while supporting local businesses and boosting the night-time economy.

Night Time Industries Association CEO Mick Gibb:

“This is a big win for Sydneysiders who want to come out and experience one of the best parties of the year.

“Industry has long said that when you give people safe, affordable ways to get home late at night, everyone wins.

“Late night venues can stay open with confidence, punters can enjoy themselves without stressing about the last train or breaking the bank on a taxi, and the city can actually function as the global destination it is. 

Remarks by Senator Pauline Hanson questioning whether there are “good Muslims” are offensive, divisive, and completely inconsistent with Australian values.
 
To single out an entire faith group and question their goodness or legitimacy as Australians is not only wrong, it risks fuelling fear and prejudice along with division in our communities.
 
Muslim Australians are an integral part of the fabric of New South Wales they are our neighbours, our workmates, our doctors and nurses, our teachers, tradies, small business owners, volunteers and emergency service workers.
 
They raise families, run businesses, serve our communities and proudly call Australia home.
 
Their contribution to our state and country is significant and valued.
 
Rhetoric that targets people on the basis of faith undermines decades of work to build a harmonious, inclusive multicultural society.
 
Australia is one of the most successful multicultural nations in the world, we have people from all corners of the globe.
 
When political leaders use language that casts suspicion on entire communities, it does real harm. It makes people feel unwelcome, unsafe and unfairly judged in the country they love.
 
I have had the privilege of working closely with Muslim community leaders, families and organisations across our state, and what I see time and again are communities focused on education, opportunity, service and giving back. Values that reflect the very best of Australia.”
 
At a time when social cohesion has come under strain, everyone in public leadership should be seeking to unite Australians, not tearing them apart for political gain.
 
There is no place for fear-mongering, dog-whistle politics or divisive rhetoric in modern Australia.
 
Our future depends on unity, mutual respect and the shared belief that everyone deserves dignity and fairness.

In a historic development, Netball NSW is today proud to officially launch the Netball NSW Foundation – a social impact initiative dedicated to amplifying the reach of the No.1 sport for women and girls across the state for generations to come.Netball is present in every metro and regional community, and the primary aim of the Netball NSW Foundation is to harness the spirit of the game to empower the communities it serves, and to further cement it as a place to belong, a place to thrive and a place to unite.In partnership with the Australian Sports Foundation, funds raised by the Foundation will deliver six impact programs aimed at ensuring the health and societal benefits of netball reach more people than ever before.The programs will range from financial support to keep people involved in the game, to inclusive formats and cultural connection focusing on First Nations and Multicultural communities.Programs will also be delivered to empower young people to find their voice and develop leadership skills.The Foundation will support, educate and empower communities to navigate and overcome social issues impacting our everyday lives.In 2026, the first areas of focus will be Mental Health, Body Image and the Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence.  As well as the Australian Sports Foundation, Netball NSW is delighted to welcome Tackle Your Feelings on board as a Strategic Impact Partner of the Foundation. This partnership will enable Netball NSW to bring free-of-charge mental health awareness and education workshops to participants all over the state.In another exciting development, former GIANTS Netball captain and current NSW Swifts Specialist Shooting Coach Jo Harten BEM will come on board as a Foundation Ambassador.Netball NSW CEO Tracey Scott said the launch of the Foundation was a momentous day in the organisation’s near 100-year history.“In 2025 over 120,000 participants across all ages, genders and backgrounds registered to be involved in netball,” she said.“No other sport in NSW delivers the same scale of impact when it comes to social connection, leadership and wellbeing.“The Netball NSW Foundation represents our commitment to netball’s future and is grounded in the belief that netball is more than a game: it is a powerful force for good.“Through donations and philanthropic investment, we will be able to create powerful, positive social outcomes for communities in every part of NSW.”“By removing barriers, we are empowering the leaders of a more productive tomorrow, and this Foundation will enable netball to be fully part of a shared and prosperous future.”Netball NSW Head of Foundation Janyne Hogan said she was excited to see what 2026 would bring.“We know the netball community pulls together when hard times hit and we saw an example of this last year when we raised over $22,000 to help Associations affected by flooding in northern NSW.“The Netball NSW Foundation will be driven by three guiding pillars which aim to help participants belong, unite and thrive in our game.“It will elevate netball as a place that fosters belonging, life-long learning and collective unity.“We are honoured to partner with the Australian Sports Foundation and Tackle Your Feelings who have been instrumental in the delivery of our first impact programs.“Now we are ready to demonstrate the powerful difference that netball can make and why investment in it changes the lives of people from all walks of life for the better.” To learn more about the Netball NSW Foundation, see how you can get involved or make a donation please visit nsw.netball.com.au/foundation: https://netballnsw.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a61fdddc7216e646211550b26&id=0fad62f03c&e=5dd905e812 

The Minns Government is cracking down on the illegal abalone and seafood trade in restaurants and other outlets, completing a three-day compliance blitz across Sydney.

Joint covert and overt operations were undertaken over 14-16 February to disrupt the black-market seafood trade, when restaurants and other seafood outlets purchase abalone, fish and other seafood outside the legal supply chain.

Fisheries officers and food inspectors from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) inspected 15 restaurants across the city, from the CBD and inner west to the north shore, western suburbs and southern Sydney.

The inspections were carried out to ensure all seafood for sale in each premises was purchased from legitimate sources, such as commercial fishers, co-ops and fish markets, or other licenced fish receivers, with premise owners required to provide purchase records.

The sale of illegal seafood undermines legitimate operators and commercial fishers who work hard to provide consumers with safe and premium quality seafood.

The three-day compliance operation primarily focused on black market abalone illegally poached from fisheries on the NSW South Coast and sold to restaurants wanting to bypass the legal supply chain because of monetary gain. During the operation:

• 15 premises were inspected by NSW Fisheries Officers and Food Authority Compliance Officers in locations where abalone is sold in restaurants, including the CBD, Marrickville, Burwood, Hurstville and Eastwood.
• Seven of those premises were found to be selling abalone that was not labelled in accordance with the NSW abalone labelling regulations. The offences will be dealt with by way of formal written caution, and penalty infringement notice.
• A total of 106 abalone were seized from four separate premises, including frozen black lip abalone and a quantity of dried abalone.
• The total weight of abalone seized was approximately 15kg. The average price these abalone were being sold for was $120/kg for frozen black lip, while dried abalone can retail more than $1000/kg.

The estimated total illegal, unreported and unregulated catch for abalone in 2025/26 was 30 tonnes.

Due to the impact of illegal poaching of abalone this year the Government had to reduce the total allowable catch for commercial fishers by 12%, based on scientific advice that was concerned by the depletion occurring.

The Government is progressing the introduction of new regulation that will strengthen the requirement of restaurants to only buy from the legal commercial supply chain.

The penalties for involvement in the black-market seafood trade are severe, with fines and possible imprisonment for both sellers and buyers.

In NSW, legally harvested abalone is labelled to show it meets regulatory requirements, while Eastern Rock Lobsters are tagged to prove they have been legally caught.

The public are urged to report illegal or suspected illegal fishing activities to the Fishers Watch Phoneline on 1800 043 536 or via the online report form.

Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty said:

“I have instructed Fisheries Compliance officers to undertake this major seafood crackdown so that we are able to guarantee the sustainability of our seafood industry now and into the future.

“We are working hard to undermine the black market for abalone and lobster by going after the restaurants and markets that think they will be able to get away with buying illegal product.

“These compliance activities are going to continue, and restaurants and illegal sellers are on notice that NSW fisheries officers could soon be walking through their doors.

“The NSW commercial fishing and aquaculture industries are a cornerstone of our regional economy, supporting thousands of jobs and delivering premium produce to tables across the state.

“I have moved to introduce new regulation to close a loophole, so that restaurants and buyers of abalone can only buy from the legal commercial supply chain. We are moving to sideline the black-market supply chain and close it down.”