Category: NSW News

Orange and communities across the Central West are expected to benefit from a range of health investments in the 2024-25 NSW Budget recently announced by the Minns Labor Government aimed at creating more pathways for people needing health services and reducing hospital emergency department (ED) wait times.

Regional Health Minister Ryan Park toured local health facilities and met with staff in the central west this week alongside Member for Orange Phil Donato, to talk about what the NSW health budget means for them and the local community.

The latest Bureau of Health Information data for the March 2024 quarter shows attendances to the ED at Orange Health Service increased by 4.1 per cent from the same period last year, to almost 8,000.

Hospitals across the state including in Orange are facing enormous pressure.

The 2024-25 NSW Budget includes funding boosts to connect more people with high quality, accessible and timely care, by expanding alternatives to the ED through investments in urgent care services, expanding services accessed via Healthdirect through the Single Front Door, and a Bulk Billing Support Initiative for GPs.

Urgent care services across NSW will receive $100 million in funding to continue supporting the community for a further two years, providing a pathway to care outside of hospitals. The Orange Urgent Care Service has already seen around a thousand visits since opening in March this year, helping many avoid a trip ED.

A $171.4 million investment will expand the ‘Single Front Door’, introducing additional virtual care services to the Healthdirect service accessible on 1800 022 222 – meaning that the community in Orange and the Central West can access the same quality care that they do around the state. Access to mental health services will now also be available through Healthdirect for the first time.

The Single Front Door is a single point of advice, assessment, triage and referral for people in NSW with urgent non-life threatening conditions, helping thousands avoid a trip to the ED.

The Minns Labor Government is also supporting GPs with an estimated $188.8 million investment as part of the Bulk-Billing Support Initiative, ensuring that primary health care services remain accessible to families and households.

This will protect the cost of seeing a GP for families and households, reduce the strain on emergency departments and save hundreds of clinics from closure.

The bulk billing rate across the Western NSW Public Health Network is currently 82.2%, well above 70% threshold for clinics with contractor GPs to receive the new, ongoing rebate.

The investments in the 2024-25 NSW Budget build on the NSW Government’s work to deliver the long-term repair and structural reform of healthcare across NSW, including:

• making 1,112 temporary nurses permanent including hundreds in rural and regional NSW;
• delivering an extra 500 regional paramedics. Of the first 125 rolled out this year, 15 are based in Parkes;
• abolishing the wages cap and delivering the highest wage increases for health workers in over a decade;
• doubling rural health incentives for our hardest to fill and most critical roles; and
• boosting doctors in our regional GP surgeries as well as hospitals through the single employer model.

Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park said:

“No matter where you live in across the state you should have access to essential healthcare.

“Our emergency departments across NSW including here in Orange face significant challenges, so we are making the necessary investments to relieve that pressure and provide more alternatives for the community.

“Whether it be through our urgent care services, expanding virtual care through the Single Front Door or protecting access to bulk billing GP services, the NSW budget’s investment into health will be acutely felt in Orange and the Central West region.

“I want to thank Phil for welcoming me in his electorate and acknowledge his strong advocacy on behalf of his community.”

Member for Orange Phil Donato said:

“The Orange Urgent Care Service provides an excellent alternative for people in my community with health issues that are urgent, especially if means they can avoid attending a busy ED.

“I’m also really pleased the expansion of virtual care from the NSW Government will especially benefit those in Orange and the communities of the Central West receive the care they need.”

NSW Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan has visited the impressive WesTrac Institute, a leading training provider offering comprehensive trade and post-trade training to support the construction and mining industries.

Funded under the NSW Smart and Skilled program, the collaboration between the NSW Government and WesTrac Institute is benefiting hundreds of apprentices and trainees in the Hunter region.

The collaboration underscores the NSW Government’s steadfast dedication to revitalising and empowering regional communities – the powerhouses of our state.

At WesTrac Instutite, up to 300 students annually hone their skills within state-of-the-art facilities, boasting 14 classrooms, 2 laboratories, and a spacious 5-bay workshop. Currently, the Institute hosts 99 WesTrac apprentices, 59 post-trade students, and over 140 external students and customers.

Offering qualifications such as Certificate III in Automative Electrical Technology, and Certificate III in Mobile Plant Technology, alongside specialised courses such as Certificate II in Automative Air Conditioning, the Institute plays a pivotal role in upskilling the workforce.

In addition, it can cater for up to 4,000 students annually in post-trade courses, ensuring continuous upskilling of the workforce.

Since its inception in 2012, WesTrac Institute has invested in vocational education, achieving a high completion rate amongst its apprentices – a testament to its unwavering commitment to excellence and fostering a resilient, skilled workforce crucial for regional prosperity.

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

“It was great to visit the WesTrac Institute and see firsthand how a collaboration between government and industry can improve vocational education and drive industry excellence and regional growth.

“The Institute’s dedication to training not only its own apprentices and trade workers but also supporting the broader mining and construction industry is truly commendable.

“Its high completion rates and extensive post-trade training programs underscore Its dedication to excellence in education and workforce development.”

Member for Port Stephens, Kate Washington said:

“The impressive Westrac Institute is an incredible asset to Port Stephens. They set a very high standard for vocational training in NSW, not only training their own apprentices but also supporting the wider mining and construction industry.

“The high completion rates at the WesTrac Institute and their extensive post-trade training programs are a testament to their commitment to excellence. This ensures a well-trained, resilient workforce that is crucial for the prosperity of our region.”

WesTrac Institute NSW/ACT chief executive Adrian Howard said:

“WesTrac continues to invest in our facilities, the institute, and our trainers to provide the best possible training in an innovative learning environment for the students attending the institute.”

“As part of our Employee Value Proposition, ‘made for more than just today’, we are training and upskilling our people to be experts in the field today, and skilled for tomorrow, to meet the needs of our customers.”

Australia’s largest disaster adaptation project on the Northern Rivers has moved into its next phase, with tailored home assessments available to make homes more resilient against flooding.

Under the Home Raising and Home Retrofit stream of the $790 million Resilient Homes Program approximately 370 homeowners have been identified as eligible for home raising or retrofit.

A key recommendation of the NSW Flood Inquiry, home raising reduces risk by raising homes to reduce the frequency of potential flood related damage, while home retrofits reduce risk by refurbishing homes to better withstand flooding.

The NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) is working with leading architect for flood resilient design, James Davidson from JDA Co, to establish the program and develop guidance for home raising and retrofit work. After receiving their free in-home assessment report, homeowners can appoint their builder of choice to deliver works suitable to their home to make it more resilient to future flooding.

Eligible homeowners will be granted up to $50,000 for a home retrofit and $100,000 for a home raise with a dollar-for dollar co-contribution between the RA and homeowners, up to a maximum of $100,000 for retrofits and $200,000 for home raising.

In addition to this program, the highly anticipated North Lismore development has been announced as the latest site to be released through the $100 million Resilient Lands Program and will deliver around 85 home sites.

This follows previous announcements at East Lismore, Goonellabah, Brunswick Heads, Casino and Lennox Head, with more than 2,800 housing sites now in the planning pipeline across the Northern Rivers.

North Lismore will be master planned and developed in consultation with the community, taking into consideration the site’s environmental, biodiversity and cultural significance.

As part of the supporting infrastructure program, to assist primary producers, up to 100 drains that support agricultural properties across the Northern Rivers are being repaired and cleaned out through the $5 million Northern Rivers Agricultural Drainage Reset Program.

Vegetation build-up presents a serious problem with large drains unable to channel water away from the land.

The program will drive long-term resilience and ensure farmers and communities are better equipped to withstand and recover from future floods. It is being delivered by the RA in partnership with Soil Conservation Service and in cooperation with local councils.

The recovery program is being informed by feedback from the community and the Northern Rivers Community Leaders Forum which was established 12 months ago.

Between August 2023 and January 2024, the RA doorknocked more than 4880 homes across seven LGAs. Pop-up information offices continue to be an important conduit between the RA and the community, with more than 4,339 visitors as of late June.

These changes are expected to lead to better outcomes as the region moves into medium to long-term recovery phase from the 2022 floods.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“What we’re doing in the Northern Rivers is not a simple rebuilding exercise – we’re making significant long-term changes to where people live, how we plan for climate change and how we mitigate future disasters.

“As part of our commitment to disaster mitigation, there’s already been significant progress with the Resilient Homes Program, but there is still more to do.

“As of June 28, 788 buyback offers had been approved and 656 offers accepted, which represents an 83 per cent take-up rate.

“Today we’re announcing that North Lismore is the sixth site for more homes through the Resilient Lands Program and there are more to come.”

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

“During our many visits to the area we have seen the community working together to maintain the unique identity of the region and the strong desire to build back better.

“We established the community leaders forum to guide decision-making and local engagement is informing projects supporting flood recovery efforts and making communities more resilient.

“Across the region a wide range of projects are underway including improvements to evacuation routes which will provide better access for emergency workers and supplies during disasters.”

Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery Janelle Saffin said:

“As chair of the Community Leaders forum I am enormously pleased to see input from that group included in announcements like today.

“Feedback from the community has helped the NSW Reconstruction Authority to develop a more people-friendly, place-based approach to determine eligibility for key programs like the Resilient Homes Program. That is a good thing.

“Repeat visits by my parliamentary colleagues show the reset is progressing in the Northern Rivers and the NSW Government is in this recovery for the long haul.”

Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg said:

“I am pleased that the NSW Government agreed to Council’s call for a ‘reset’ a year or so ago and developed a more community centric approach that has seen the pace of our recovery pick up, although as we all know. We still have some way to go.

“I welcome the announcement on North Lismore that will allow disaster-affected families to build new houses or relocate their existing timber home. The commencement of the Raise and Retrofit program will also be very welcomed by the community.”

The State’s most promising and up-and-coming netballers will descend on the Penrith District and Baulkham Hills Shire Netball Associations this weekend for the 2024 HART Junior State Titles.

A flagship event on the Netball NSW calendar, the three-day tournament showcases the strength of grassroots netball with young players from all over the state coming together to play the game they love.

In total 2,344 players from 234 teams and 900 officials will hit the court with over 2,087 games to be played before State Champions are crowned.

In 2024, Penrith will host the following Divisions:

14U Divisions 1 & 2
13U Divisions 1 & 2
12U Divisions 1 & 2
14U Male Division 1
Meanwhile Baulkham Hills will welcome:
14U Divisions 3 & 4
13U Divisions 3 & 4
12U Divisions 3 & 4
The winners of Division 1 in each category will be named State Champions at the end of play.

“It is hard to express in words how much planning and effort goes into running an event of this scale across two venues, but netball has always been a leader in this space,” Netball NSW Chair Sallianne Faulkner said.

“It is the game’s huge volunteer workforce that merits special mention here, not just in Penrith and Baulkham Hills but at each Association represented at this year’s event.

“Many will travel huge distances to be here. They will do so with players, coaches, volunteers and supporters in hand. Of course, the weekend is just the culmination of many months of training and teamwork bonding they have been doing back home.

“And while there can only be one set of State Champions crowned in each category and age group, that shouldn’t detract from anyone’s enjoyment of this celebration of our game.

“I know some of the players we’ll see out on court will go on to become future stars of the NSW Swifts and GIANTS, perhaps even the Australian Diamonds or Aussie Kelpies. However, what is most important for now is that everyone enjoys the game.”

Netball NSW would like to thank HART Sport – Naming Rights Partners of the Junior State Titles – for their continued support of the game across the State.

Further thanks go to Penrith City Council who have partnered with Netball NSW for the delivery of the event at Penrith District Netball Association.

The NSW Government has declared six renewable energy projects Critical State Significant Infrastructure (CSSI) given their potential significance to the NSW economy.

The new projects, if approved, will help maintain the state’s critical energy security and continue the essential energy supply to homes and businesses during peak-demand periods as coal-fire sources close.

A CSSI declaration means a project is deemed essential to NSW for economic, social and environmental reasons with the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces being the consent authority.

A comprehensive all-of-government assessment will still need to be undertaken on the projects including exhibition and an opportunity for submissions from the public.

The three proposed transmission projects will connect additional renewable energy generators into the National Energy Market to attract further investment in NSW, while the three proposed pumped hydro projects will provide reliable energy generation, capacity and dispatchable power when solar or wind resources are unavailable.

The six CSSI projects are:

• New England Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) Transmission:  Electricity transmission infrastructure to connect renewable energy generation and storage projects within the New England REZ to the existing electricity network.
• Victoria NSW Interconnector:  Electricity transmission infrastructure to connect the HumeLink Project in NSW with the Western Victoria Transmission Network Project.
• Mount Piper to Wallerawang Transmission: Electricity transmission infrastructure to strengthen connections between areas of renewable energy generation in the Central West Orana REZ and major electricity demand centres.
• Stratford Pumped Hydro and Solar:  Pumped hydro and solar power facility which will take advantage of existing mine voids and infrastructure associated with Stratford Mining Complex due for closure in 2024.
• Muswellbrook Pumped Hydro: Pumped hydro facility to use an existing mine void at the closed Muswellbrook Coal Mine site as the lower reservoir and a proposal to use an upper reservoir at Bells Mountain.
• Lake Lyell Pumped Hydro:  Pumped hydro facility which will take advantage of existing infrastructure associated with the Mount Piper Power Station due for decommissioning in 2040.

Following the CSSI declaration, the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) will issue Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements to the proponent so they can prepare an Environment Impact Statement (EIS) for community feedback.

Since 2023, the Minns Government has approved 24 renewable energy State Significant Development assessments with a combined energy capacity to power 1.5 million homes.

There are currently up to 30 renewable energy projects under assessment. If approved, these projects could produce up to 12.1 GW of energy to power about 5.6 million homes.

A further 87 projects, including solar, wind, battery storage and pumped hydro projects are at various stages in the planning pipeline.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“I have declared these six important projects as Critical State Significant Infrastructure as they are significant to the NSW economy, society and the environment.

“The substantive increase in renewable energy proposals signals trust from the wider industry in our Government’s capacity to move projects through the planning system.

“These projects will be subject to a comprehensive assessment which will include a period of public exhibition seeking submissions from the community.”

The NSW Government has invested $5.3 million in The Orchard Dubbo, a new Core and Cluster refuge for women and children escaping domestic and family violence.

Under the Core and Cluster program, the NSW Government is investing $426.6 million over four years to provide new crisis accommodation across NSW for victim-survivors of domestic and family violence.

In addition, the 2024-25 NSW Budget has committed $5.1 billion to new social housing, with 50 per cent prioritised for domestic violence victim-survivors.

The Orchard Dubbo comprises 4 self-contained homes that promote secure independent living around a ‘core’ of on-site support services, such as safety planning, legal advice and ADVO support, parenting programs and referrals to local services.

Aboriginal residents will also have access to an Aboriginal domestic and family violence specialist worker.

Community Housing Provider Housing Plus has delivered the refuge, with specialist support services to be provided by Plus Community and the Western Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service.

The Orchard Dubbo is one of 26 Core and Cluster refuges in regional NSW.

Once all Core and Cluster refuges come online, they will support an additional 2,900 women and children escaping domestic and family violence each year.

The NSW Government is acting to reduce domestic and family violence in the state with a $245.6 million package that focuses on crisis response, early intervention and prevention, so women and children can feel safe at home and in the community.

Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said:

“Family and domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness. No woman should have to choose between staying in a violent relationship or becoming homeless.

“Experiencing violence can significantly impact a woman’s financial security and access to stable housing.

“This refuge will help victim-survivors feel safe and supported as they leave abusive relationships, and provide a secure place to heal before moving into stable accommodation.”

Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said:

“The NSW Government is supporting women and children leaving domestic and family violence and making sure they have access to the services they need, particularly in regional and rural areas.

“Refuges like The Orchard are crucial in helping women and children take their first step towards escaping violence.

“The innovative Core and Cluster model will help women and children feel safe and supported while they rebuild their lives in their community.”

The Orchard’s Manager Rebecca Bohun said:

“The Orchard provides an important option for victim survivors to stay in their community, where they have established support networks including family, friends, and services, ensuring they can continue existing employment and education.

“Once a family is safely accommodated at The Orchard, they remain with us until they are supported to access safe, affordable long-term accommodation.”

The NSW Government will provide $14.578 million in grants to maintain and upgrade Crown land reserves and community facilities to support the cultural, sporting and recreational life of NSW communities.

The Crown Reserves Improvement Fund (CRIF) grants will fund more than 140 community projects across the state.

These upgrades will improve community facilities, including sporting clubs, recreation areas, walking tracks, cycleways, public halls, museums, childcare centres, swimming pools, showgrounds, cultural institutions, camp sites, and racecourses.

The 2023-2024 grants, from Crown Lands in the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI), will support projects in the Sydney region, from the Northern Beaches in the east to the Blue Mountains in the west and north to the Hawkesbury.

Crown reserves support communities by providing land for recreation, such as parks, ovals and walking tracks. They provide land for organisations and facilities such as public halls, showgrounds, campgrounds, racecourses, surf life saving clubs, PCYC clubs, and Scouts and Girl Guide groups.

Reserves support tourism and local jobs, businesses and economies through activities such as hiking, camping, fishing and wildlife watching.  They also protect sensitive areas of environment for native plants and animals, and areas of cultural and heritage significance to local and Aboriginal communities.

For more information, please click here

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said:

“The Crown Reserves Improvement Fund (CRIF) will provide grants to Crown land managers right across our state to maintain and improve public reserves for the benefit of hundreds of local communities and many thousands of residents.

“This year more than $14.6 million in grants will support 144 projects to maintain and upgrade reserves and community facilities, enhancing the cultural, sporting and recreational life of NSW residents.

“Maintaining and enhancing our Crown reserves is vital for community health and well-being to allow residents to enjoy quality open spaces, access community and recreation facilities, and immerse themselves in nature.”

Communities in Sydney’s south west are being invited to learn more about the new Bankstown Hospital, with community information sessions taking place this week.

The Minns Labor Government has committed $1.3 billion for the new Bankstown Hospital to help meet the future health needs of one of Sydney’s fastest growing regions.

Master planning is underway for the new hospital, which will be built on Chapel Road at Bankstown, located close to the city centre, public transport networks and the future Sydney Metro.

Information sessions will be taking place at Bankstown Central Shopping Centre outside Kmart on:

• Friday 5 July 2024 from 10.00am – 2.00pm
• Saturday 6 July 2024 from 10.00am – 2.00pm

Members of the community are encouraged to drop in any time to meet the project team and ask about the new hospital.

The community is also being invited to provide feedback via an online survey until 31 July 2024, which can be found here:  bit.ly/newbankstownhospital-survey

The scope of the New Bankstown Hospital will be determined through the ongoing planning process, and is expected to include:

• Emergency services
• Intensive care
• Surgery and interventional procedures
• Women’s and Children’s Health
• Aged health
• Mental health
• Ambulatory care services. 

The new hospital will integrate with the existing Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital site, which will remain as a health facility, to deliver contemporary healthcare and a better healthcare experience across a broad range of community and hospital-based services.

The site offers precinct opportunities for health, education, research partners, including TAFE NSW and universities, to meet the learning needs of the local community, improve educational outcomes and support the state’s priority skills need.

The project is being delivered by South Western Sydney Local Health District and Health Infrastructure. The scope of the project and indicative timing of the works will be finalised during planning and design of the new hospital.  Staff, stakeholders, and the community will be kept informed and consulted as the project progresses.  

The new Bankstown Hospital is possible as the Minns Labor Government is investing in essential services that communities rely on, and is part of $3 billion investment in new and upgraded hospitals across greater Western Sydney.

This includes:  

• An additional $400 million to build the $700 million Rouse Hill Hospital 
• $550 million for Fairfield Hospital, in its first major redevelopment since it opened in 1989.  
• $120 million investment by the NSW Government to expand capacity at Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospitals
• $350 million to expand Canterbury Hospital and upgrade existing infrastructure.

For more information about the project visit the website: www.newbankstownhospital.health.nsw.gov.au

Minister for Health Ryan Park

“We’re delivering health infrastructure for communities, across NSW, in particular focusing on parts of the state that need it.”

“The new hospital will transform healthcare for the Bankstown and surrounding communities and is the first major investment in the Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital since the hospitals merged in 1997.

The Hon. Jihad Dib MP, Member for Bankstown

“This new hospital is a great outcome for the local community and we want to make sure they have their say on delivering a new health facility that meets their needs.”

Quotes attributable to Kylie Wilkinson, Member for East Hills

“With planning and consultation underway, we encourage anyone who lives and works in the local area to attend an information session and share their views or complete the online survey.”

“This feedback can help ensure that the hospital delivers what our community needs.”

Lynda Voltz, Member for Auburn

“This is a great opportunity for the community to have their say about how healthcare is going to be delivered to the growing region.”

In an Australian-first, bicycle riders in NSW will be able to pick a helmet based on a simple safety rating from one to five stars.

Modelled on ANCAP safety ratings for motor vehicles, the Helmet STAR (Safety Testing and Assessment Ratings) will provide an easy-to-understand safety rating for new helmets based on comprehensive testing.

The first set of ratings proves helmet safety is not determined by price alone, with a $22 Bluey helmet for toddlers deemed the safest on the market in its category.  

Each helmet is impact tested at the NSW Crashlab where Transport for NSW technicians conduct examinations including vertical drops, a strap strength test, and drop tests with moving platforms. The helmet’s ability to protect the user’s head in each scenario is tested and a star rating assigned.

The new rating will provide bicycle riders, and parents buying a helmet for their child, with a clear guide to the safest helmets available in their price range. Helmets tested include models specifically for skaters and foot scooter riders.

One star means the helmet “meets the crash protection required by recognised helmet standards” in Australia, while five stars means the helmet is “exceptional in crash protection and well above the recognised helmet standards.”

The first round of testing has been completed, with ratings for 61 helmets now publicly available in categories including mountain bike, road, recreational/skate, general and children’s helmets.

Helmets with price tags of $17 to $499 have been put under the microscope. The top-rated helmets in each category, with four or five-star ratings, are:

Helmet Type	Make & Model	Price
Mountain Bike	FOX Proframe RS (HFB6)	$550
Road	BELL XR Spherical MIPS	$379
General	MET Veleno	$200
Child	BLUEY Toddler	$22
Wheeled Recreation Device	TRIPLE 8 The Certified (Skate 2 MIPS)	$150

And while all helmets tested have met the Australian standard, these helmets are the lowliest performers, receiving a one-star rating:

Helmet Type	Make & Model	Price
Mountain Bike	BELL Super Air R Spherical	$350
GIRO Fixture	$80
ENTITY MH15	$70
SPECIALIZED Camber	$80
Road	GIRO Agilis MIPS	$170
General	GIRO Register	$85
AZUR (Flite Helmets) MX11_L61	$55
Child	BELL Lil Ripper	$80
BANWOOD Classic	$70
99 Bikes (FLITE) Speedy Fireman	$45
Wheeled Recreation Device	TSG Evolution	$80
PRO-TEC Classic Certified	$110
NUTCASE Street MIPS	$160

The Helmet STAR program fulfills a coronial recommendation out of an inquest into the death of Sydney man James Roberts who suffered head injuries following a bicycle crash and tragically passed away on the 11 February 2019.

Mr Roberts was wearing a bicycle helmet that met the Australian Standard, but the NSW Coroner determined that Standard should be treated as a baseline minimum performance requirement and a new star rating system should be introduced to give people a more informed choice.

During the 10 years from 2013 to 2022, there were an average of 794 crashes each year involving bicycle riders in NSW – or 5% of all crashes.

The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) provides consumers with independent and transparent safety ratings for new light vehicles. These ratings assess the safety of new light vehicles based on the level of protection provided by different vehicle models in most crashes and the presence of safety features, helping consumers make informed decisions about which vehicles to purchase.

The launch of the Helmet STAR program for bicycle helmets joins a number of other rating programs that Transport for NSW already have available to consumers. These programs, include the MotoCAP program which provides ratings on motorcycle gear and the CREP program which provides ratings on children’s car seats. All of these star rated programs test products above and beyond the required legal standards and help consumers make the safest choices for their individual situations.

To view the ratings visit Helmet STAR – Safety Testing and Assessment Ratings.

Minister for Roads John Graham said:

“We’ve had star safety ratings for new cars since 1993 which has given people confidence that they’re purchasing a vehicle that will protect them and their family in a crash. In NSW, we also issue ratings for motorcycle safety gear, including helmets, and children’s car seats.

“It is good news for riders and parents that this new star rating program brings the same simplicity and peace of mind to bicycle helmets.

“By wearing a five-star rated helmet you are two to two and a half times less likely to sustain a serious head injury than if you were wearing a one-star helmet. This puts the power of choice in the hands of consumers.”

Minister for Transport Jo Haylen:

“The price of a new helmet doesn’t always indicate how safe it is. This new safety rating gives bike riders and parents the information they need to make an informed choice on what helmet is safest, and best for them.

“All helmets sold in Australia do meet a minimum standard, and they are safe to use, but some have features and designs that make them even more safe in an incident.

“This new program, launched by the NSW Government gives people that information in an easy to follow way.

“Everyone should check out the Helmet STAR program and pick up the best helmet in their price range.”

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“We want people to have fun while cycling, scootering or skating, and know that their helmet provides the best crash protection they can afford.

“It’s important that safety rating information is available to people looking to purchase helmets, because the price of a helmet doesn’t relate to its safety.”

“This is another way the NSW Government is finding ways to keep people safer on our roads, but we can’t do it alone. When you’re cycling or using a scooter or skateboard, always wear a helmet – it could save your life.”

From today, victim-survivors of domestic, family and sexual violence have stronger protections in New South Wales, with the criminalisation of coercive control and stronger bail laws coming into effect.

The New South Wales Government is working to provide enhanced, ongoing, wraparound support for victim-survivors of domestic, family, and sexual violence, and strengthened laws are an important foundation for this work.

As of today, New South Wales is the first Australian jurisdiction to have a standalone dedicated offence of coercive control.

Significant bail reforms, introduced to Parliament by the Minns Labor Government in May, will also come into effect from today, making it more difficult for those accused of serious domestic violence offences to get bail.

Criminalisation of Coercive Control

Following the passing of the Crimes Legislation Amendment (Coercive Control) Act 2022, if found guilty, perpetrators can face up to seven years in prison.

Coercive control is an insidious form of abuse which can manifest in different ways. It is a pattern of behaviour that may include financial and emotional abuse, violence and intimidation, threats against pets or loved ones, tracking someone’s movements, or isolating them from family and friends.

Coercive control has been strongly linked to intimate partner homicide. The NSW Domestic Violence Death Review Team has found that 97% of intimate partner domestic violence homicides in NSW between 2000 and 2018 were preceded by the perpetrator using emotional and psychological abuse as a form of coercive control towards the victim.

Training has been provided to ensure this law is appropriately implemented and prosecuted, and accompanied by support for victim-survivors:

• NSW Police have undergone, and are continuing, training to recognise and respond to the complex and nuanced signs of coercive control.
• The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Judicial Commission of NSW and Legal Aid have delivered training on coercive control to judicial officers, legal staff and key justice agencies.
• A free training program is being delivered to approximately 1,000 specialist domestic and family violence workers which will cover behavioural indicators, practical interventions, and how coercive control may be experienced in different communities.

Training and implementation have been overseen by the Implementation and Evaluation Taskforce and its reference groups.

Stronger bail laws to protect victim survivors

Under the new laws, people charged with serious domestic violence offences will be required to show cause why they should not be detained until their case is determined.

This will apply to those charged with offences, in the context of intimate partner relationships, that carry a maximum penalty of 14 or more years jail.

These offences include sexual assault, kidnapping, and choking to render someone unconscious with intent to commit another indictable offence.

The show cause test will also apply to the coercive control offence.

The unacceptable risk test in the Bail Act is also strengthened from today. Under these changes, before granting bail, bail decision makers must consider:

• ‘Red flag’ behaviour that could constitute domestic abuse, such as behaviour that is physically abusive or violent; behaviour that is sexually abusive, coercive or violent; behaviour that is stalking; behaviour that causes death or injury to an animal; behaviour that is verbally abusive; or behaviour that is intimidation.
• The views of victims and their family members about safety concerns in domestic violence matters involving intimate partners.

The commencement of this legislation also means that from today:

• The categories of offences for which bail decisions can be ‘stayed’ are expanded to include serious domestic violence offences, the coercive control offence, and serious sexual assault offences. This means that the accused person remains in custody while prosecutors bring a detention application before the Supreme Court.
• It is easier to prosecute perpetrators who use tracking devices in a domestic violence context.

Attorney General Michael Daley said:

“From today, coercive control in current and former intimate partner relationships will be a crime punishable by up to seven years’ imprisonment.

“Abuse against a current or former intimate partner is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

“In terms of the bail laws, we believe in the presumption of innocence, but it is also important to recognise the right of victim survivors to be safe from harassment, intimidation or violence at the hands of a current or former intimate partner.

“The safety of victim-survivors must be a paramount consideration.”

Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said:

“The criminalisation of coercive control in NSW is a significant day for victim/survivors. Not only does it add further legal weight to their experiences but gives the NSW Police Force another mechanism to address domestic and violence.

“NSW is leading the country with these laws. Criminalising coercive control sends a strong message: this vile, criminal behaviour is not tolerated.

“The mandatory training is thorough, it shows how seriously the NSW Police Force are taking this, and it ensures all operational police can identify and take action against coercive control offences in NSW. The feedback I’m getting from the police on the ground is that the training is valuable, comprehensive and officers feel well supported.”

Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said:

“The NSW Government is committed to keeping women and girls safe and reducing the incidents of domestic and family violence.

“Today’s commencement of coercive control and bail laws sends a strong message to perpetrators that abuse is unacceptable.

“We have listened to the lived experience of victim-survivors about reforms that are needed in the system, including implementing a Primary Prevention Strategy to address the drivers of violence and stop it before it starts.”