16 News

Work to restore the flood damaged drainage network at Cornwallis and rebuild the missing section of Cornwallis Road is now complete. 

Led by Hawkesbury City Council, in partnership with NSW Public Works, the restoration of the drainage network and levee delivers robust and resilient protection for landowners along this low-lying and flood-prone section of the Hawkesbury River. 

The $11 million project was jointly funded by the Federal and NSW governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

The initial damage at Cornwallis was caused by the March 2021 flood in the Hawkesbury River, with the 1970s drainage system failing because of the severe flooding event. 

As repair works to the drain were about to start, subsequent flooding in 2022 caused further erosion and the breaching of the riverbank, resulting in a small bay forming. An 180-metre section of Cornwallis Road was also lost, necessitating a full redesign and significant expansion of repair plans.

The NSW Reconstruction Authority, Transport for NSW, NSW Public Works, and the EPA have worked alongside Hawkesbury City Council and local landholders to design a resilient and effective drain repair and road restoration. 

Even as works were underway, the site has been inundated by minor floodwaters on five occasions, including in the May 2025 flooding event. 

To rebuild the damaged network it took: 

• 232 precast 2.4m x 2.4m concrete stormwater box culverts
• 2,880 tonnes of concrete
• 25 kilometres of steel reinforcing bar
• 15,000 tonnes of sandstone foundation boulders and
• 28,000m³ of backfill
• 2 tonne steel floodgates. 

Two hundred and fifty metres of Cornwallis Road was also reconstructed to return the road to its original state.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Kristy McBain:

“This project is a great example of how we can all work together to address long-term issues for communities at risk of the impacts of severe weather.

“I’d like to congratulate everyone involved with this project on this incredible milestone.”

NSW Minister for Roads and Regional Transport, Jenny Aitchison:

“The Minns and Albanese Labor Governments are proud to have delivered this project for the people of the Hawkesbury. 

“For far too long, residents have been forced to take lengthy detours, sometimes adding half an hour or more to their daily journeys. Completing this project restores a safer, faster and more reliable connection for Hawkesbury communities. 

“Reconnecting a critical road link that families, workers and local businesses depend on.”

NSW Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin:

“After enduring repeated and destructive floods, the people of the Hawkesbury deserve solutions that strengthen their resilience for the long term. This project is a testament to what collaboration across government can achieve when we put communities at the heart of our work. 

“Even with minor flooding occurring during construction, the teams pushed through to deliver a solution the community can rely on – one that will better protect them and offer peace of mind for years to come.” 

the Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman:

“This damage had a profound impact on local turf growers and farmers more than anyone else, and I advocated from the start for them to have full access restored. 

“Finally, they’ll be able to travel to and between their properties without a detour and I celebrate that outcome with them.”

Hawkesbury City Council Mayor Les Sheather:

“Reconstructing the Cornwallis drain network and road has been a challenging and technically complex project, made all the more difficult with repeated flooding over the past five years.

“What has been achieved though is a resilient safeguard against future flooding.

“I thank local residents and businesses for their patience during what has been an unimaginably challenging five years; as well as NSW Reconstruction Authority, Transport for NSW, NSW Public Works and the NSW EPA for their collaboration in making this important project happen.” 

The Armidale community is a step closer to receiving new key health worker accommodation with a site close to Armidale Hospital selected for new housing, as part of the Minns Labor Government’s $200.1 million program.

Rusden House, an ageing dorm-style staff accommodation block located a short 200-metre walk from the hospital, will be repurposed into contemporary, self-contained units, and will help attract and retain more healthcare workers to the region.

The designs for the new building are expected to be completed in the coming months and will include accessible accommodation and improved energy efficiency initiatives.

Armidale is one of more than 20 key health worker accommodation projects being delivered in rural, regional and remote NSW, as part of the $200.1 million program.

The Minns Government’s investment will support the building of new accommodation, refurbishment of existing living quarters, and the purchase of suitable properties such as residential units.       

The Key Health Worker Accommodation Program will deliver fit-for-purpose, comfortable and convenient accommodation for healthcare workers across nine local health districts, including the Hunter New England.

This investment builds on the $27.9 million in accommodation for key healthcare workers in the Hunter New England and Western NSW Local Health Districts (as part of the $35 million Regional Housing Package), which is now complete with all new accommodation delivered and fully operational.    

Construction of the new Armidale accommodation will begin following the appointment of a main works contractor.

Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park: 

“Providing affordable, safe and convenient accommodation for essential health workers is critical to attracting and retaining skilled staff in regional and rural areas.       

“This is why the Minns Government has invested $200.1 million to deliver more Key Health Worker Accommodation in Armidale and across NSW.

“By investing in high-quality and modern accommodation, close to workplaces, we’re helping to remove barriers to working in a regional setting and supporting a stronger workforce.”     

Government Spokesperson for Northern Tablelands Peter Primrose:

“The Minns Government is delivering dedicated accommodation for staff at Armidale Hospital, providing them with more certainty and flexibility.

“This $200.1 million program ensures we are continuing to attract and retain healthcare workers to the region, so that people in Armidale can continue to be supported by a strong local health workforce.” 

The Minns Labor Government has failed to adequately address even in the face of public scrutiny and parental pressure. Today’s release of the Productivity Commission’s report into early childhood education and care has laid bare an alarming increase in serious incidents for children across NSW.
 
The NSW Liberals and Nationals have echoed the concerns of parents as serious incidents continue to rise, with our children at risk of harm.
 
Shadow Minister for Early Education Felicity Wilson said, “as parents, we expect that when we send our kids to preschool, childcare, or out of school hours care that they are safe and cared for, but the data released by the Productivity Commission is beyond startling with the massive increases in serious incidents showing that parents’ concerns are not being met with the urgency required.”
 
Today’s Productivity Commission report shows that in 2024–25, New South Wales recorded 9,430 serious incidents across early childhood education and care services. That equates to a rate of 154 serious incidents per 100 centres and represents an increase of almost 1,000 cases since 2023.
 
A serious incident has profound consequences for a child and can include death, serious injury or trauma, emergency services being called, or children being unaccounted for.
 
The data also show that there were 18,743 breaches of the National Quality Framework recorded – an increase of 859 breaches from 2023 and a decline in staff lacking an ECEC-related qualification with an increase of 3,723, or 35%, since 2021.
 
“Having sat in the emergency room following an early learning centre incident with my own child last year, I know that parents are concerned that NSW is at a crisis point,” Ms Wilson said.
 
“The growing number of breaches should be a wakeup call and demonstrates that more needs to be done to address this crisis, because every breach is a risk to the safety of a child.”
 
“This Government is relying on a waivers culture to avoid meeting required staffing levels. Staffing levels are legislated for a reason – to ensure safety and attention to care.”
    
“While the Minns Labor Government talks about reform, the reality on the ground tells a very different story. You cannot claim success when children are at risk. Every child deserves to be safe, and every parent deserves peace of mind. Right now, this Government is not delivering either.”

From next month, GPs can begin training to diagnose attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as part of the next phase of the Minns Labor Government’s landmark reforms to make it easier, faster and more affordable for families to access care.

Nearly 600 general practitioners have expressed their interest in undertaking training to be able to diagnose and treat ADHD from March.

With a focus on improving access to healthcare in regional, rural and remote areas, GPs working in areas of greatest need will be prioritised for training.

More than 800 GPs have been trained to fill repeat ADHD medication scripts as part of the first phase of reforms. This has enabled ADHD patients to be prescribed essential medication via their GPs saving patients and their families a trip to see a psychiatrist or paediatrician.

Since 1 September 2025, over 5000 patients have benefitted from the new arrangement, with increased access and over 18,000 scripts filled thanks to this important change.

Previously, most people seeking ADHD care had to navigate a costly and overloaded non-GP specialist system, experiencing long wait times and high fees which could delay treatment, particularly for children.

These delays can impact children’s development, such as poorer academic progress, and later impact employment opportunities and mental health.

The Liberals and Nationals originally opposed these groundbreaking reforms, but the Minns Labor Government is making ADHD care more accessible and affordable for people across NSW.

Applications for GPs wishing to enrol in stage two of the reform remain open, however training spots are limited, so those interested are being encouraged to act soon. Training costs will be covered by NSW Health, with a remuneration package available to those who complete the training. A waiting list will also be maintained for future training opportunities.

GPs can also apply to become a continuation prescriber.

GPs will continue to make specialist referrals, and escalate care, as required to ensure patients are receiving the treatment they need, when and where they need it.

More information is available at ADHD care in general practice, and GPs with any questions are encouraged to contact MOH-ADHDreforms@health.nsw.gov.au

Minister for Health Ryan Park:

“With nearly 600 GPs already expressing their interest to receive training to diagnose ADHD, and over 800 already trained to prescribe ongoing medication, these reforms are expanding capacity to support the greater health system.

“Accessing ADHD diagnosis services in regional and rural communities is a challenge. As part of this next step, we’re prioritising training of GPs in the bush so families can get the care they need closer to home.

“We know the impact high quality ADHD care can have on family wellbeing, we are deeply committed to ensuring children in metro and regional NSW are not left behind.

“If you’d like to speak to a doctor about ADHD diagnosis, I encourage you to discuss with your regular GP to understand if they will provide this assessment.”

Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson:

“Feedback from everyone involved in these reforms so far has been incredibly positive, with some going as far as saying it’s been life-changing for managing their treatment.

“We’re incredibly excited to move to the next stage where GPs can undertake training to actually diagnose ADHD. It’s the next step in building a system where ADHD care is based on need, not income.

“We have already worked to reduce long waiting lists just to refill scripts – now we’re helping reduce the stress and anxiety many feel while waiting for an ADHD diagnosis.”

RACGP NSW & ACT Chair Dr Rebekah Hoffman:

“The evidence indicates up to 10% of children, and 6% of adults, live with ADHD. This is a common condition that can be diagnosed and managed well by a specialist GP with appropriate training.

“The reforms announced by the NSW Government will make a huge difference to thousands of patients in our state. Access to an ADHD diagnosis and ongoing care is very often lifechanging.

“ADHD affects many aspects of a person’s life and health – their sleep, their education, how they interact with others. GPs are specialists in whole-of-person care, and are well-placed to help patients with ADHD to thrive at school, in university, at work, and at home.”

21-year-old ADHD patient and psychology graduate Lucia Porteus:

“What helped me most to overcome the challenges of ADHD was not just medication, but also the continued access to treatment and support I received from my ADHD coach, my school, my paediatricians, my GPs and my family.

“The support I received helped me to graduate with a Bachelor of Psychological Science from UNSW, and I’m currently looking at completing post-grad or honours to help people with disabilities and mental health issues to succeed, too.

“I know I have been lucky. Many of my peers have struggled to access medication or a diagnosis for ADHD because of costs and long wait lists, but this new policy will remove such barriers for so many people.”

The Minns Labor Government has introduced new reforms to Parliament which will create greener futures for Callan Park, Centennial and Moore Park, Parramatta Park, Western Sydney Parklands and Fernhill Estate.

The legislation will improve services and facilities for park users and support long term financial sustainability of Greater Sydney Parklands, so our city’s green spaces are protected and supported for generations to come.

The Greater Sydney Parklands Trust Amendment (Review) Bill 2026 will update the Greater Sydney Parklands Trust Act 2022 and associated Trusts legislation.

These parks are a shared backyard for their communities, providing beloved open green space where people can play, relax, exercise and gather with family and friends.

Modern communities expect a degree of activation in their public spaces and this legislation will enable that across all our parklands so people can enjoy a flat white and banana bread at the park without packing a thermos or stopping elsewhere for a takeaway coffee.

The Bill will reform four key areas to improve the parklands estate for the millions of people who visit them each year.

• Shoring up financial sustainability so parklands can be properly maintained, improved and expanded for generations to come.
• Modernising and streamlining leasing, licensing and tender processes to improve consistency across all our parklands while maintaining transparency for the public.
• Strengthening and aligning the objectives across the various parklands’ legislation.
• Cementing governance frameworks including further clarifying the role of community trustee boards.

Importantly the legislation protects parklands and prevents the sale of any part of the parklands.

This legislation responds directly to recommendations of the Joint Select Committee set up to review the Act and its objectives.

With the number of people living in apartments increasing year on year it’s more important than ever that we protect, enhance and improve our parklands.

The Bill sets up a clear future for both current and future parks under Greater Sydney Parklands management, so when new green space is added to support increasing populations there are clear guidelines for how to protect, activate and manage the parklands.

Minister for Planning and Public Space Paul Scully said:

“This Bill contains a package of practical and sensible reforms needed to protect, improve and sustain our much-loved parks for future generations.

“We’re protecting our parklands without standing in the way of sensible activations like cafes because people should be able to enjoy a flat white and banana bread at the park without always needing to pack a thermos or stop offsite for a takeaway brew.

“It will improve clarity, reduce inconsistency and make sure legislation for our parklands is fit for purpose into the future, for the countless people that use these iconic parks in their everyday life.

“These changes will allow further funding and investment opportunities, increase efficiencies and mean we can continue to make our parks accessible to the community into the future.”

Greater Sydney Parklands Chief Executive Joshua French said:

“The incredible parklands we manage are treasured places for recreation, culture, nature and community life so this Bill is essential for their ongoing improvement, funding and growth.

“This Bill provides the legislative framework that safeguards these spaces while ensuring they remain financially sustainable and responsive to the needs of a growing city.

“It makes sure that our parklands can continue to support Sydney’s population growth, demographic changes, and liveability, building connectivity and resilience but also retain their unique local character which makes them so special and loved by local residents and visitors.”