Category: NSW News

The NSW Government is revolutionising the way surgery is delivered to reduce the overdue wait list, by embracing short stay and same day surgeries.

The Same day and Short stay Joint Replacement Program allows patients to return home the day after their surgery when clinically appropriate.

This program provides an alternative care pathway for orthopaedic surgery patients.

It is based on research which shows that with the right pre and post-operative care, patients can be supported to recover at home, without the need for lengthy hospital stays.

All patients involved in the pilot receive comprehensive prehabilitation or ‘pre-hab’, which provides support prior to surgery, as well as post-operative in-home care.

Eligibility for this type of surgery is determined via a thorough screening process completed by a multidisciplinary team.        

It’s hoped the pilot will result in a better patient experience and faster recovery times, whilst also boosting capacity in our busy hospitals.

The pilot was one of the key programs overseen by the Surgical Care Taskforce established in the early days of the NSW Labor Government to take pressure off our hospitals.

Joan Reid underwent same day procedures for her knee surgeries.

She had her first surgery on 23rd August 2023 (Left Total Knee Replacement) and her second surgery on 20th February 2024 (Right Total Knee Replacement) at the Sutherland Hospital.

On both occasions Joan was able to return and recover from the comfort of her home that very same day.

She continued to receive support from clinicians and health workers as an outpatient, instead of spending weeks in the hospital.

While this joint surgery pilot program is promising, we are already starting to see promising increases in short stay surgeries for other procedures.

Between May and October last year, the proportion of sinus surgeries conducted as same day increased from 41% to 46%, to 363.

Meanwhile, same day septoplasties increased from 52% to 62%, to 669, and same day tonsillectomies increased from 23% to 36%, to 623.

This is just one of a range of measures the NSW Government has implemented to improve access to quality care and reduce wait times, including through:

• boosting staff and infrastructure
• creating more pathways to care outside our busy hospitals via HealthDirect and urgent care services
• reducing overdue surgeries by safely increasing short stay surgeries
• empowering pharmacies to prescribe low complex medications, relieving pressure on our GPs.

Minister for Health Ryan Park:

“People waiting for surgeries longer than clinically recommended are often waiting in pain and discomfort.

“We want to reduce overdue surgeries so that people can receive the lifechanging treatment they need and enjoy life.

“We want patients to be able to safely recover from the comfort of home, where it is appropriate and safe to do so.

“By doing this, we are boosting the capacity in our busy hospitals, improving patient flow and reducing wait times for others.”

Joan Reid:

“You know, when they first asked me about day surgery, obviously I went oh gee, I don’t know. How do you go with that? And it just turned out really well.          

“Being in my own home for recovery was great because I’ve got everything that’s familiar with me my own bed. I know the layout of everything here.

“Rather than sitting in a hospital bed and trying to get round a ward. It was more comfortable, I was more relaxed. Therefore I felt the recovery would be quicker. And it was and being in my own home just made it so much more easier and comfortable.

“My recovery was really well smooth and I had the support of the hospital staff and the doctors and of course the physiotherapy even though I did it as an outpatient.”

The NSW Government and councils will together invest a further $201.9 million to fast-track infrastructure in growing regional communities, supporting the delivery of tens of thousands of new homes from Tweed Heads to Wagga Wagga.

As regional NSW plans for and delivers more homes to its growing communities, the NSW Government and councils are supporting that growth by funding and upgrading critical local services and infrastructure.

The funds will accelerate 9 key projects, including wastewater and road upgrades to unlock development and bring more high-quality neighbourhoods to life faster.

Of the total investment made, $137.19 million has been allocated through the NSW Government’s Accelerated Infrastructure Fund, with co-contributions of $64.7 million from 5 regional councils.

Unless we support the delivery of more homes, we will continue to lock young people out of housing or lose them to other states.

Successful projects include new sports fields in the Tweed Shire and road upgrades for Port Macquarie-Hastings to support thousands of new residents.

Funding has been allocated to the following projects:

• Bathurst – Laffing Waters critical development infrastructure, supporting 2270 new homes.
• Port Macquarie-Hastings – Kew Sewerage Treatment Plant upgrade and Beechwood Road/ Yippin Creek bridge upgrade, supporting 1600 new homes.
• Shoalhaven – Culburra wastewater treatment plant upgrades, supporting 1012 new homes.
• Tweed Shire – Tweed Coast Road upgrade and Depot Road sports fields, supporting 5516 new homes.
• Wagga Wagga – Northern Growth Area sewer upgrades and Plumpton Road North and South Road upgrades, supporting 14,500 new homes.

More information is available on the Accelerated Infrastructure Fund website.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“These areas are growing fast and this funding will mean people will have functioning and well-serviced new homes to live in.

“A new home is no good if you cannot flush the toilet or drive down the road to the park.

“Accelerated delivery of infrastructure like sewage treatment plants and adequate roads will allow more new homes to be approved sooner in these growing regional areas.

“Housing affordability and availability is the biggest single pressure facing the people of NSW, and that’s why we are focusing investment in these key infrastructure projects to clear the way for new and thriving communities to take shape.”

The NSW Government has unveiled a plan to boost wine exports and create new jobs and opportunities for people in NSW.  

From July Investment NSW will kick off a targeted 12 month program of initiatives to bring international buyers to NSW and make it easier for local wine makers to take their products to markets around the world.

The program will be available to producers of NSW’s $420 million wine exports looking to re-enter the newly reopened Chinese market but will also support exporters in key emerging markets including India, Japan and Vietnam. 

The NSW Government is focusing its efforts on the markets with the highest value and highest potential for growth.

The 2024/25 export program includes:

• A NSW Wine Promotional Roadshow in China reintroducing the NSW wine industry to importers and distributors across Shanghai and Shenzhen
• Going Global Export Programs focused on beverages to China, UK, Korea, Japan and Vietnam
• Export Capability Building workshops in the Central West, Hunter & New England and Riverina regions
• Cellar Door to China in One Click – ‘How to‘ program
• China and South East Asia Inbound Buyer Missions to NSW
• Supporting export ready NSW wineries through trade missions that culminate in ProWine Mumbai 2024 and Expo 2025 Osaka
• An e-commerce campaign to support existing distributors of NSW wine in the Japan market

The value of goods and services exported from NSW to the world topped $150 billion, contributing 19 per cent to NSW’s $777 billion Gross State Product last year.

With renewed focus and a better targeted trade program, NSW is on track to reach trade worth more than $200 billion by 2031.

To find out more about exporting from NSW and the support available, visit https://www.investment.nsw.gov.au/export/

Minister for Industry and Trade Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“Our state has the best products in the world, and global markets are willing to pay a premium that flows back to NSW in new and better jobs and higher incomes.

“We’re delivering smarter trade policy that focusses on key markets and sectors that can deliver for people in NSW.

“The state’s wine industry helps employ around 50,000 people and we believe they can do even more with help accessing expanding markets.

“I recently sat down with NSW Wine and wine makers in Orange to listen to their challenges and discuss how we can work together to grow exports.

“We know that visibility of export programs and initiatives over a longer term horizon is important for wineries to plan and target international markets.”

NSW Wine President Mark Bourne said:

“The NSW wine industry, particularly our exporters, have been facing significant challenges recently. The NSW Government and NSW Wine’s collaboration on a long-term export development support program will provide crucial assistance to the sector.

“The tailored approach of this program will allow wineries to select initiatives that address their specific business needs, optimising resources and maximising the potential for success in international markets.”

Batlow Fruit Company – the largest grower and packer of apples in NSW – is now able to package more apples than ever at its Snowy Valleys location, thanks to the Australian and NSW Governments.

A project to modernise the company’s Batlow packhouse received more than $2.7 million in joint funding under the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund, with an additional $274,000 from Batlow Fruit Company.

The upgrade was officially opened by the NSW Minister for Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty, while in Batlow today.

The grant is part of the Commonwealth and NSW government’s continuing commitment to focus of the economic and social development of regional and rural NSW.

The upgrades are now complete, with new grading and sizing technology bringing the facility in line with modern fruit processing standards and replacing technology which had been in place for over 40 years.

Batlow Fruit Company’s packing facility is one of the few in NSW able to meet the specifications of Australia’s major supermarkets.

Greater automation will ensure the packhouse can continue to process local apples and will provide Batlow Fruit Company with the flexibility needed to provide the highest quality product in response to changes in market demand.

On average Batlow Fruit Company distributes more than one million cartons of apples a year.       

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt said:

“I spent time in Batlow after the Black Summer bushfires and spoke with growers who’d been impacted.

“Backing economic recovery after a disaster is critical, especially for regional communities like Batlow, which relies so much on the orchards that were extensively damaged and destroyed.

“It’s great to see that with support from the Australian and New South Wales Governments, the Batlow Fruit Company has modernised its operations to stay in business, supporting workers and the local community through the economic hardship off the back of the fires.”

Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said:

“Assisting companies like the Batlow Fruit Company is an important part of the Government’s support for regional and rural NSW

“By modernising its processing capabilities, the Batlow Fruit Company has ensured Batlow remains a financially competitive location for growers to get their apples packaged.

“This certainty will help it maintain its existing workforce and remain the largest employer for the Batlow region.

“Batlow Fruit Company has been growing and packaging apples out of Batlow for more than 100 years and these upgrades ensure they can continue to do so for many years to come.

Batlow Fruit Company Director Matt Palise said:

“The upgrade of the packing shed will improve our efficiency, reduce downtime and lower water and power usage.”

“The new equipment makes us a much more sustainable operation, ensuring we can continue to deliver high quality packaging services to Batlow growers.”

“The greater efficiency will help future proof our operations and make us better able to withstand disruptions to our supply chain caused by natural disasters. It will also provide better service for our growers, helping increase their returns.”

“I want to thank the Australian and New South Wales Governments for their support for this project.”

Federal Member for Eden-Monaro Kristy McBain said:

“The Dunns Road fire had a devastating impact on the Batlow community in 2020, with extensive damage to orchards and infrastructure taking a hit on our local fruit production.”

“That’s why it’s fantastic to see these upgraded and modern facilities at the Batlow Fruit Company in action – a real testament to the strong advocacy from the operators and Batlow community who made this happen.

“This new equipment will boost their operation, unlock new economic opportunities for Batlow, and secure the next 100 years of world-class produce from the Mighty Eden-Monaro.”

Dr Joe McGirr, State Member for Wagga Wagga said:

“This modernisation program comes at a time when Batlow is rebuilding from the disaster of the Black Summer fires and the success of the Batlow Fruit Company will be integral to driving that growth.

“The works will enhance the pipeline from Batlow’s orchards to consumers around the country and that’s great news, not only for the company and its employees but also growers and the wider community whose future depends on a strong and vibrant apple industry.

“I’d like to congratulate the company on driving this important project and thank the state and federal governments for their investment in the community’s future.”

Western Sydney will be required to face faster population growth than other parts of Sydney under the Minns Labor Government’s new housing targets, according to analysis undertaken by the NSW Opposition.
 
Visiting the Hills Shire, which will see a proposed 35% increase on existing dwellings in just five years, Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said that despite the Premier Chris Minns’ talk about re-balancing growth, the truth is that the Hills, Wollondilly, Camden, Liverpool and Ryde will be seeing the largest percentage increases in their populations under the Labor’s targets.
 
“Under the Labor Government’s housing targets, the Hills Shire is called upon to increase its number of dwellings by 35% from 66,450 to 89,750 dwellings in just five years,” Mr Speakman said.
 
“This is while the Hills has the most stretched schools in the State, with almost half over its cap by over 100 students each, including 11 primary schools and two high schools.”
 
Shadow Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Scott Farlow highlighted that the Hills Shire was not alone, with Wollondilly required to add 28% more homes in just five years, Camden 25% more homes, and Liverpool and Ryde 21% each.
 
“This compares with a Sydney-wide average of 14% growth on existing dwellings. The growth is largest in the West with ‘Central’ council areas comprising Blacktown, Cumberland, Georges River, the Hills Shire, Parramatta and Liverpool collectively growing by 17%, while Sydney councils further west will grow collectively by 14% and eastern councils by 11%,” Mr Farlow said.
 
“It’s no wonder that the Inner West Labor Mayor embraced its target when they are only required to produce 9% growth in homes in their council area over the next five years.”
 
“Despite Chris Minns beating his chest about bringing housing closer to the CBD, the reality is that the communities which will see the biggest impact in growth are in Western Sydney.”
 
The Hills Shire Council Mayor Peter Gangemi said the Minns Labor Government had more than doubled the Hills’ housing completion target for the next five years. 
 
“We now have the highest housing targets in NSW; we could deliver more homes than any other council in NSW yet not receive a cent from the Minns Labor Government’s $200 million infrastructure fund,” Cr Gangemi said.
 
“We are a Council that is assisting greatly with the housing crisis and are not opposed to doing more. However, the target imposed on us is unachievable logistically and financially for the construction industry.”
 
Mr Speakman concluded, “we’re in this position because Chris Minns signed up Canberra’s housing targets that he could never meet, without any advice from his own Planning Department. All the while he’s still refused to call on Anthony Albanese to reduce immigration to ease the affordability and supply pressures on our housing market.”

The NSW Government today announced new crop breeding technology, which promises to revolutionise crop protection and yield enhancements, has been developed by scientists from NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI).

The innovative new approach enables scientists to pin-point plant defence mechanisms and select superior resistance combinations against pathogens.

This will result in the development of crop varieties that are resistance to fungal diseases and deliver higher yields.

Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty today visited DPI Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute to see trials that have demonstrated the ability of the new breeding technology.

Breeding varieties with resistance has been estimated to contribute $2.6 billion per year in protection to Australian wheat crops alone.

This revolutionary technology will help protect those existing gains and accelerate the discovery of new resistances.

In a significant leap forward for plant pathology across Australia, the technology is in the final step of patenting in Australia, with DPI scientists now calling for expressions of interest to commercialise and conduct further research.

Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said:

“This exciting breakthrough in plant breeding technology highlights the NSW Government’s commitment to undertake research and development that maximises outcomes for NSW agriculture.

“The new technology will enable industry to adopt disease-resistant crop varieties faster and easier, resulting in increased profitability and productivity for our growers.”

New housing targets that rebalance housing across Greater Sydney, the Illawarra, the Hunter and Central Coast and regional NSW have been released today as the Minns Government announces an incentive scheme to encourage councils to meet these new targets.

This builds on the significant steps that the government has already taken to tackle the housing crisis NSW is facing.

Housing Crisis

Housing is the biggest single cost of living pressure people are dealing with right now, with mortgage payments or rent the largest expense for most households.

Without action now, we are at risk of being a city with no young people.

A recent Productivity Commission report found between 2016 and 2021, Sydney lost twice as many people aged 30 to 40 as it gained. These are the people who open businesses, have families, build our communities and contribute to the local economy.

The NSW Government is absolutely committed to confronting the housing crisis head on – and that means building more well-located homes; close to infrastructure and transport links; next to amenities and work opportunities.

Faster Assessments Council Incentives and Grants program

To support this the NSW Government is today announcing the first stage of an incentive program for local governments which meet and beat their housing targets.

The NSW Government’s program will reserve $200 million in grants for councils to fund more green space such as parks, sporting facilities and smaller pocket parks, plus maintenance of local streets and footpaths which Councils maintain.

The infrastructure that builds better communities for NSW.

This is in addition to support already announced including through reforms to developer contributions of $1 billion over the forward estimates, and up to $700 million per year beyond that.

This funding is reserved by the NSW Government to help fund schools, hospitals and roads to support the population growth that comes with new housing.

An additional $1 billion raised through this contribution will also be directed to local councils over 10 years for housing enabling infrastructure.

Fairer Housing Targets

The Minns Labor Government is delivering on its commitment to address the housing crisis by rebalancing housing growth across the state with a focus on well-located homes close to transport, jobs and existing infrastructure.

For a long time, Western Sydney has accepted the overwhelming burden of new housing in our city without proper infrastructure to cope with the increase in population.

This plan ensures we are now building more housing around established infrastructure; in places that are connected to work and transport; in communities that already have schools and hospitals.

These five-year targets ensure that while all areas would see an increase in homes being built to help address the housing crisis, new housing will be more fairly rebalanced from the West of Sydney towards the East and North of Sydney.

These targets do not mean additional housing over and above recently announced planning reforms – instead they will provide guideposts for local governments as well as access to financial support for future housing.

This rebalancing has been developed with consideration of:

• Homes already in the pipeline
• The additional homes to be delivered from new planning reforms including Transport Orientated Developments and low and mid rise reforms.
• Constraints due to environmental risks like floods or bushfires

Over the next five years 82 per cent of the housing targets come from infill areas with 18 per cent to come from greenfield locations.

These targets will be ambitious. Last year NSW delivered 48,393 homes, and the previous record number was 74,683 in 2018/19 but we can’t sit back and do nothing.

This is part of the NSW Government’s plan to build better homes, and better communities for the state. To build a better NSW.

For more information on the housing targets, visit Housing targets.

Premier of NSW Chris Minns said:

“We’re losing too many young people, people who make the city vibrant, essential workers and young families because they can’t afford a place to live in NSW. This has to change.

“I’ve talked a long time about the need to ensure we have a fairer balance of housing across the state – so housing is built close to already established transport links, schools and hospitals.

“While these targets are required to be released, the government has already acknowledged that they will be difficult to meet.

“That’s why this government is pulling all levers required to reforming planning and setting targets for housing growth, while providing the infrastructure needed to build better communities.”

Minister for Planning and Public Space Paul Scully said:

“These targets are ambitious but realistic, because they’re based on evidence.

“We all need to be accountable. For too long, housing has been delivered without a plan.

“The new targets make for a fairer distribution across Sydney and NSW, with growth in areas where jobs and transport exist or are planned for.

“The good news is that nearly two thirds of homes are either planned, under assessment or under construction.

“The State has already reformed the planning laws to improve efficiency and speed approvals.  We’re also investing $200 million to support councils with the infrastructure that builds better communities.”

The NSW Government is investing in regional development including the $212 million Wagga Wagga Special Activation Precinct as part of a long-term vision to create sustainable employment opportunities for generations to come.

The Wagga Wagga precinct is supporting businesses and investors through master planning, enabling infrastructure, accelerated planning pathways and business concierge.

These unique offerings are driving down costs for private sector development and transforming the region into a hub of high value agriculture, manufacturing, freight and logistics, renewable energy and recycling industries.

Businesses that set up in the Wagga Wagga Special Activation Precinct have access to new industrial roads, freight rail links, digital connectivity, a streamlined planning process and the certainty of being located in a government precinct.

The private sector has already leveraged the NSW Government’s investment in the Wagga Wagga precinct, with more than $50 million in new investments committed since its inception in 2019.

Fulton Hogan, one of Australia’s leading infrastructure services, construction, roadworks and aggregate supplier company, is capitalising on the unique offerings of the Wagga Wagga precinct through an expansion to its facility.

The expansion will include the creation of a new resource recovery facility specialising in recycling and processing of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) materials.

The expansion will:

• divert up to 12,000 tonnes of asphalt material from landfill annually
• help decrease Fulton Hogan’s carbon footprint by up to 163 tonnes CO2 annually
• create on site storage for 2500 tonnes of RAP materials
• provide asphalt with recycled content for government road projects
• reduce demand for raw construction materials due to reuse and recycling.

Fulton Hogan worked with the Wagga Wagga precinct’s business concierge service to secure their Activation Precinct Certificate earlier this year and utilised the streamlined planning pathway.

The expansion of Fulton Hogan and other high valued investors within the Wagga Wagga precinct is testament to the government’s commitment to job creation, regional prosperity and growth, with substantial investment and strategic planning being dedicated to its realisation.

Special Activation Precincts in Moree, Parkes, Wagga Wagga and the Snowy Mountains are part of the NSW Government’s regional development and major infrastructure program. Get more information.

Minister for Agriculture, Regional NSW and Western NSW Tara Moriarty said:

“Creating jobs and driving investment in regional NSW is a major priority of the NSW Government and the Special Activation Precincts are an important part of our plans.

We want to create sustainable jobs and foster generational change that will benefit the Wagga Wagga community, and the broader region, for years to come.

“Businesses and investors who choose to set up or expand in our Special Activation Precincts will benefit from development-ready infrastructure, technical studies and streamlined planning.

“By removing regulatory barriers for investors, we’re helping them to save time and money, and our concierge service supports them through the entire planning process.

“We’re giving businesses and investors confidence to invest in regional NSW, and I’m pleased to see Fulton Hogan taking advantage of these unique offerings.

“I commend Fulton Hogan on their investment to build a resource recovery facility, and I look forward to seeing the Wagga Wagga precinct continue to grow.”

Independent member for Wagga Wagga, Dr Joe McGirr said:

“Government support and private investment are driving an exciting future for Wagga Wagga’s industrial base at the Special Activation Precinct.

“The Fulton Hogan expansion is one very welcome example of how Wagga can lead the way in developing the unlimited circular economy while government support of the SAP continues to underwrite confidence in the precinct, encouraging further growth towards a target of 6000 new jobs across a range of industries.

“The challenge now will be to continue to develop the transport services and housing options that industry and workers will need to realise the SAP’s full potential and I look forward to working with the government to achieve those aims.”

Fulton Hogan Infrastructure Services CEO Peter Curl said:

“Fulton Hogan are investing further in our facility located in the Wagga Wagga Special Activation Precinct to improve sustainability outcomes for the community.”

“We thank the Minister for Agriculture, Regional NSW and Western NSW for providing this innovative approval process, through streamlined planning pathways.

“Fulton Hogan believes the NSW Government’s Wagga Wagga Special Activation Precinct will support accelerated investment for manufacturing, agribusiness, freight and logistics companies.”