Category: NSW News

Firefighters, NRL stars and other top athletes are urging households across the state to make sure they have working smoke alarms fitted in their homes, as Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) launches its annual Winter Fire Safety Campaign. 

New figures reveal that last winter, nearly half (49%) of the 1080 homes that were impacted by fire did not have a working smoke alarm, or any alarm, in place.

The most residential fires last winter occurred in Canterbury-Bankstown (243), closely followed by the inner city (Sydney – 241), the Central Coast (235) and Blacktown (228), with kitchen fires the most common.

Winter in 2022 was particularly deadly for house fires, with a record 17 deaths – more than 4 times the total of the previous winter – and 87 people injured.

During that season, exactly half of the 959 houses that caught alight did not have a working smoke alarm.

FRNSW is amping up its efforts to warn people about the dangers of smoke alarm complacency, enlisting the help of sports stars in a social media campaign to better connect with communities and establishing its own awareness day, Smoke Alarm Action Day.

Sports stars including netball star Maddy Turner (NSW Swifts/Australian Diamonds) and a range of NRL players including Tom Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Jaydn Su’A (St George Illawarra Dragons), Stephen Crichton and Georgia Ravics (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), and Suia Wong and Keeley Davis (Sydney Roosters), will feature in social media video messages encouraging households to fit a smoke alarm in their home or have their existing alarm checked.

FRNSW will hold its inaugural Smoke Alarm Action Day on 1 June to kick off the agency’s Winter Fire Safety Campaign and mark the commencement of a dangerous period for house fires.

FRNSW also conducts community outreach programs to engage culturally and linguistically diverse communities in smoke alarm and fire safety messaging.

Residents can book a home fire safety visit when firefighters can install smoke alarms free of charge and find further advice on the FRNSW website.

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:
“Having at least 1 working smoke alarm installed in your home will help safeguard your loved ones and provide peace of mind.

“But the alarms must be in working order to be effective, and we are finding this isn’t the case a lot of the time. In their home safety visits, firefighters have been finding outdated and broken smoke alarms, with some even hanging from ceilings by wires.

“I encourage residents to book a fire safety visit from a firefighter, who can install an alarm for free or make sure your alarm is functioning properly.”

FRNSW Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell said: 
“We understand that people are busy these days but making sure you have a functioning smoke alarm in your home should be a priority, especially as we enter winter.

“We’re particularly concerned about the number of fires occurring in the kitchen, which was 44% of cases last winter.

“You’ve got to keep looking while you’re cooking – don’t get distracted and if a fire breaks out, whatever you do, don’t throw water onto it, the flames will flare up dramatically.

“Keep a fire blanket near the kitchen to smother flames if they occur.”

NSW Rural Fire Service Assistant Commissioner Stuart Midgley said: 
“It is important that people in rural and regional areas have a working smoke alarm and know what to do if there is a fire in their home.

“In rural areas, emergency services often have to travel considerable distances to respond to house fires.

“Smoke alarms and a home escape plan can give you valuable seconds to make it out alive.

The latest Bureau of Health Information (BHI) quarterly results show NSW hospitals are under unprecedented pressure.

The BHI report reveals 810,201 emergency department presentations in the January to March quarter – up 5.2% from the same quarter last year – the highest on record.

There were 6,677 triage 1 (resuscitation), 123,935 triage 2 (emergency) and 297,456 triage 3 (urgent) presentations to NSW EDs – all the highest on record.

Ambulance activity was also the highest of any quarter since BHI began reporting in 2010, with 383,341 responses. Of these, more than 17,000 were priority 1A or life-threatening cases, another record level of activity.

Despite the record demand for ambulance services, the median response time for life-threatening cases in NSW was 8 minutes, which is within the 10-minute benchmark and a testament to the professionalism of our hard-working paramedics.

Just days after being sworn in, Health Minister Ryan Park established the NSW Surgical Care Taskforce dedicated to improving the delivery of surgical services and reducing the state’s planned surgery wait list.

Throughout the first quarter of 2024, more than 51,000 planned surgeries were performed, with 86.2% of all planned surgeries performed on time – an improvement of 11.2 percentage points when compared with the same quarter in 2023 (75%).

Of these surgeries, almost all urgent planned surgeries (98.7%) were performed on time.

Additionally, the NSW Government has delivered 16 Urgent Care Services since July 2023 to ensure that patients have fast access to the urgent care they need without having to turn to a busy emergency department.

The NSW Government remains committed to alleviating pressure on the state’s busy hospitals through:

• Boosting staff and treatment spaces;
• Creating more pathways to care outside our busy hospitals via HealthDirect and urgent care services;
• Reducing overdue surgeries by safely increasing short stay procedures;
• Empowering pharmacies to prescribe low complex medications, relieving pressure on our GPs; the Emergency Department and Surgical Care taskforces.

Minister for Health Ryan Park said:

“Our hospitals are confronted with unprecedented pressure.

“And everyone knows that it is becoming more difficult to access a GP.

“But we are undertaking the structural reforms to our health system to ensure our community receives the care they need and deserve – by delivering the single largest boost to our workforce in the history of our health system, and creating more pathways to treatment and care outside the hospital.

“I want to extend my sincere gratitude to our dedicated frontline staff who continued to perform exceptionally well throughout this extremely busy period.”

The NSW Opposition has slammed the Minns Labor Government’s cuts to health funding for putting major pressure on the state’s hospital system and creating an emergency department crisis.
 
Shadow Minister for Health Matt Kean said that the health system is falling apart because of Labor’s cruel cuts. 
 
“Data released by the Bureau of Health Information (BHI) today show a hospital system under immense strain. People are waiting longer to be seen and their health is at risk,” Mr Kean said.
 
“The number of people treated at emergency departments within four hours is in freefall, with the January to March quarter producing a record low.”
 
“This is a consequence of Labor’s budget mismanagement. They have lost control of the Budget and as a result have embarked on a rampage of health cuts hitting palliative care, frontline services and emergency departments.”
 
Shadow Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said the latest BHI data shows waiting times are up and the elective surgeries backlog is growing.
“While the Government are focused on cutting ribbons on health facilities that were delivered and funded by the former Liberal and Nationals Government, patients are left waiting in emergency departments around the state,” Mrs Taylor said.
“Across our regions our dedicated frontline workers are holding together a healthcare system in rapid decline under the Minns Labor Government.
“AMA (NSW) President Dr Kathryn Austin described this as a catastrophe waiting to happen. I urge Chris Minns to immediately reinstate critical health funding and stop putting politics and photo opportunities before the health of our state.”
 
The Opposition has also criticised Ryan Park for failing to acknowledge the impact of Labor’s cuts including:
 

• An increase in the number of people leaving emergency departments without treatment
• Record high emergency department overcrowding numbers
• An increase in the average length of stay in hospitals
• An increase in mental health admissions
• An increase to the backlog of elective surgery and
• Stagnant ambulance response times

 
“The Minns Labor Government has no plan to address this health crisis, which is of their own making. Shamefully the Minister failed to even acknowledge the emergency department crisis today in a pathetic attempt to sweep it under the rug,” Mr Kean said.
 
“Chris Minns and Ryan Park must reverse these cuts and restore hospital funding in next month’s Budget otherwise this crisis will only deepen.”

City of Newcastle is investing almost $450,000 to triple the number of public electric vehicle (EV) charger ports across the city. 

Thirty-two ports across 11 new locations will be installed to cater for the growing number of EV owners who live in or visit Newcastle.

The roll-out has been supported through a $270,000 grant from the NSW Government as part of its Electric Vehicle Strategy.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said a city-wide transition to net zero emissions was a key priority for City of Newcastle under its Newcastle Environment Strategy.

“City of Newcastle has a well earnt reputation when it comes to protecting our precious natural environment, while also investing in progressive actions to ensure our city is more sustainable,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Delivering the public infrastructure necessary to support our community’s uptake of electric vehicles is an essential step in our vision for a city-wide net zero transition.

“We applaud the NSW Government’s commitment to making NSW the easiest and most affordable place to buy and use an EV in Australia and thank them for their support in driving our sustainability initiatives forward in Newcastle.”

NSW Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe said the NSW Government is delivering on its election commitment to increase the take up of EVs by investing $4.1 million to install 671 EV charging ports at 391 sites across the state.

“This investment will significantly increase the availability of public charging options and give people confidence their next vehicle purchase can be an EV,” Minister Sharpe said. 

“Almost 30 per cent of NSW drivers do not have access to private, off-street parking to charge an EV. 

“We will continue to roll out EV charging grants to further support the NSW goal of being the easiest place in Australia to own and drive an electric vehicle.”

City of Newcastle will install new chargers in Beresfield, Georgetown, Stockton, Adamstown, Mayfield, Hamilton, New Lambton, Newcastle, Newcastle East, Wallsend and Wickham, including to complement its popular Local Centres upgrade program. 

They will join City of Newcastle’s existing public EV charging network at Wharf Road, No. 2 Sportsground, Laman Street and Perkins Street in the Newcastle CBD. The chargers will be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy from City of Newcastle’s Summerhill Solar Farm and existing power purchase agreement.

Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said Novocastrians are known for embracing sustainability.

“As part of our Newcastle Environment Strategy we are supporting the uptake and availability of electric and low emissions vehicles,” Cr Clausen said. 

“Increasing the number of EV public chargers across the city is an important step towards achieving this goal. 

“Since 2019, we have provided enough renewable electricity through our existing EV chargers to allow drivers to travel a total of 2.66 million kilometres, which is enough to circle the globe 66 times.

“With three times the number of places to charge, we will make it even easier for locals to make the switch to electric vehicles.

“The roll-out will also make Newcastle more attractive for the growing number of tourists looking for electric vehicle-friendly destinations.”

The $270,000 funding was secured through the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water under its electric vehicle kerbside charging grant program. 

The EV chargers will begin rolling out in coming months, with the project expected to be completed by February next year.

Motorists will benefit from safer and smoother journeys along the Central Coast Highway, with plans progressing well to upgrade the intersection at Tumbi Road.

The Australian and NSW governments are investing $65.5 million to upgrade the notorious bottleneck as part of plans to improve traffic flow and safety on the Central Coast Highway between Wamberal and Bateau Bay.

The Australian Government has committed $52.4 million towards the project. This includes an additional $1.2 million committed in the 2024-25 Budget to ensure the project is fully funded.

Key features of the upgrade include replacement of the existing intersection roundabout with traffic lights and widening the highway north of the intersection to 2 lanes in each direction to the project boundary near Forresters Beach Garden Centre.

For the next stage of the project, Transport for NSW is inviting Expressions of Interests (EOI) from pre-qualified contractors to build the upgrade of the Highway with Tumbi Road.

Transport for NSW has carried out extensive community consultation, with the Review of Environmental Factors on display for feedback in October 2021 and the subsequent submissions report addressing matters raised by the community, published online in June 2022.

Last year, Transport carried out early works to prepare for the intersection upgrade including vegetation clearing, surveying, minor earthworks, geotechnical testing, demolition of Transport-owned property, and installation of utilities pits, conduits and cables.

Timing on the next stage of construction is yet to be confirmed but is expected in early 2025. The project will take about 2 years to complete, weather permitting.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said:

“The Australian and NSW governments are committed to upgrading one of the most congested intersections on the Central Coast Highway and ensure the best possible outcome for motorists travelling to, from and around the region.

“This upgrade will reduce delays, queuing and improve traffic flow at the intersection as well as increased safety and reliability for all road users.

“Once completed, this project will make a real-life difference to the 26,000 motorists, including 1000 heavy vehicles, that use this section of road each day.”

Federal Member for Dobell Emma McBride said:

“The Central Coast is a busy and growing region, and locals deserve a strong road network that they can rely on.

“Once completed, this upgrade will improve safety and ease congestion for locals and visitors.”

NSW Minister for the Central Coast David Harris said:

“We know the intersection between the Central Coast Highway and Tumbi Road is a notorious bottleneck. The Albanese and Minns Labor Governments are moving forward with our blueprint to fix it.

“Once the upgrade is delivered the existing roundabout will be replaced with traffic lights and the highway north of the intersection will be widened to 2 lanes in each direction.

“This upgrade will cut congestion, improve road safety and make travelling around the Central Coast much easier for all motorists.”

NSW Regional Roads and Transport Minister Jenny Aitchison said:

“Central Coast road users have been calling for this upgrade for a long time and together the Albanese and Minns Labor governments will deliver it.

“The EOI process is an important step forward and will help Transport for NSW identify a short list of applicants who will be invited to put in a tender for the critical construction component of this project.

“In a boost for the local economy, we expect that when construction work ramps up around 125 jobs will be supported.”

State Member for The Entrance David Mehan said:

“The Central Coast Highway provides an important connection between the M1 Pacific Motorway at Kariong and the Pacific Highway at Doyalson through Gosford, Erina and The Entrance.

“This is a great step forward in progressing the Tumbi Road intersection upgrade which will help ensure local communities enjoy improved reliability and connectivity on this important route.”

Sydney has a new train station for the first time in five years, as Waterloo Metro becomes the first to cross the construction finish line for the transformative City & Southwest Metro project, set to welcome passengers this year.

It comes as the NSW Government takes another step forward in addressing the state’s housing crisis, with the topping out of a nine-storey building with 70 social homes as part of the Waterloo Metro Quarter development above the new station. The topping out marks construction of this building reaching its highest point.

Nearly 19,000 passengers are expected to use the state-of-the-art Waterloo Station each day when it opens.

Waterloo Station is the first of six new world-class stations on the City Metro line to be complete, and the remaining five are following close behind.

When City Metro services begin in coming months, Waterloo will provide fast, safe and reliable journeys to Central in two minutes, Barangaroo in eight minutes and to Victoria Cross in North Sydney in 11 minutes.

There are several further steps before the official opening of the Sydney Metro City & Southwest later this year. These include approval from the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator, the handover of the line and all stations to the operator, and a period of full trial running. These milestones are all on schedule.

The Waterloo Renewal Project is a major redevelopment that will transform the estate into a modern, sustainable and vibrant community with a mix of social, affordable and private housing, as well as retail, community facilities and public open spaces.

The NSW Labor Government last year increased the number of new social and affordable homes being delivered as part of the renewal of Waterloo South estate from 34 per cent to 50 per cent, resulting in an uplift of up to 500 homes.

Construction of the social housing building in the Waterloo Metro Quarter started in mid-2023 and is due to be completed next year. It will feature 70 social housing units, community room, roof top garden and internal bike storage.

Existing Waterloo South social housing tenants will be given an opportunity to relocate here, allowing residents to stay in their local area while the renewal development is underway.

The Waterloo Metro Quarter development above the new Sydney Metro station will include 220 social, affordable and private residential homes. It will also feature student accommodation, retail outlets and commercial space across four buildings, along with public open space and a car park.

The Waterloo Metro Quarter development will provide well-located apartments near well-connected transport infrastructure, giving people a place to call home where they can move around our city easier.

For more information about Waterloo Station: sydneymetro.info/station/waterloo-station.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

“This is an important milestone for Sydney Metro, with construction now complete for the first new station on this line.

“This is a good example of what happens when we link the provision of housing and public transport. Everybody wins.

“More homes close to our train stations means we’ll have better connected communities.

“This is a great example of revitalising an inner-city community and incorporating housing and public transport.”

Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said:

“We’re taking a huge step towards opening the next stage of Metro, which is just around the corner and will see tens of thousands of people using these new stations and enjoying faster connections.

“This mega station will be a game-changer for Waterloo, Redfern and Alexandria and significantly reduce traffic on our inner-city roads, while alleviating pressure at nearby Redfern and Green Square stations.  

“It took more than 5,000 people five million work hours – more than four years – to complete the new station, including excavation of 330,000 tonnes of material.

“This is a striking station with a design that honours Aboriginal heritage and pays homage to Waterloo’s history. Its 170-metre-long platforms will receive a lightning-fast train every four minutes in the peak.”

Minister for Housing Rose Jackson said:

“Waterloo Estate is one of the state’s largest ever social housing renewals. This is a significant step forward in addressing the injustices of the former government, and ensuring our commitment to providing more homes for those who need them most.

“This construction milestone at Waterloo Metro Quarter is just the start of more social and affordable homes to come in this area.

“As part of the renewal, we have boosted the number of social and affordable housing in Waterloo South to 50 per cent delivering approximately 1,500 to those in need. We know housing plays a critical role in outcomes for Aboriginal communities, so we’re dedicating a minimum of 15 per cent of all new social and affordable homes for Aboriginal people to keep communities connected and work towards closing the housing gap.

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

Construction for the new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital has been given the green light, with the State Significant Development Application (SSDA) approved for the project.

The NSW Government’s $260 million investment in the new hospital will deliver a range of expanded and enhanced healthcare services closer to home for the entire Eurobodalla Shire community from Narooma to Batemans Bay.

The new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital will be established as a Level 4 health facility and include:

• An emergency department with a larger capacity than the current combined emergency services of Moruya and Batemans Bay hospitals.
• An eight bed Intensive Care Unit (ICU) / Close Observation Unit (COU). This will be the first intensive care service available in the Eurobodalla region.
• Increased capacity for chemotherapy treatments and access to renal dialysis
• Surgical and operating theatres and a day stay surgical unit.
• Expanded medical imaging, including a new Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) service.
• Ambulatory care for community outpatient services.
• Paediatric and maternity services, and a special care nursery.
• Mental health beds for short term admissions.
• Enhanced education and training facilities, including a simulation laboratory.

Work to prepare the site for main works will soon get underway, with construction of the new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital expected to start in June 2024.

The Batemans Bay Hospital and Moruya Hospitals will continue to operate and provide healthcare services for the community, while the new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital and $20 million Batemans Bay Community Health facility is being built.

For the latest news and information about the project visit: eurobodallahs.health.nsw.gov.au

Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park:

“I’m thrilled the community is a step closer to accessing a brand-new hospital, which will provide more health services than are currently available at both the Moruya and Batemans Bay hospitals combined. 

“It will reduce the need to travel for care and ultimately improve health outcomes for everyone in the Eurobodalla, no matter where they live.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully:

“This is a major milestone for the project, paving the way for the new hospital to be built, following the appointment of a main works contractor.

“Feedback from staff, clinicians, patients, stakeholders and the community has informed the planning and design of the new hospital, which will deliver world-class and contemporary care for Eurobodalla and surrounding communities.”

Member for Bega Dr Michael Holland:

“As someone who has long advocated for investments in regional health facilities, I know that a regional Level 4 Hospital will save lives and allow more people to receive world-class critical care closer to home.

“I’m very excited we’re getting on with the job, as each step of the process gets us closer to delivering the new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital to provide the health services our community deserves.”

Motorists in NSW will benefit from the largest rollout of public kerbside EV chargers in the country, as the NSW Government awards the first round of electric vehicle kerbside charging grants.

The NSW Government is delivering on its election commitment to increase the take up of EVs by investing $4.1 million to install 671 EV charging ports at 391 sites across the state. This will be matched by $8 million in private investment.

Electric vehicles are not only driving down the cost of transport for NSW households, but they are also helping NSW to meet our net zero emissions targets. Expanding the state’s EV charging infrastructure network gives drivers the confidence to hit the road in an electric vehicle, knowing they have many options to top up the battery.

The new kerbside EV chargers will provide more convenient charging options for drivers without offsite parking, such as those in apartments and busy metro areas.

The kerbside chargers will be installed across 16 Local Government Areas, by 8 grant recipients:

• Waverley Council
• City of Newcastle
• Evie Networks
• EVSE
• EVX
• Jolt Charge
• Plus ES
• ChargePost.

The funding is for chargers ranging from 7 kilowatts to 75 kilowatts and will include pole mounted, pedestal and ‘kiosk’ EV chargers. They will be installed on kerbsides or in public council car parks.

All chargers will be installed over the next 12 months and will be open to the public 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

This is part of the NSW Government’s $209 million investment into charging infrastructure. The investment also funds:

• $149 million for EV fast chargers which reduce the time it takes to top up batteries
• $20 million for EV destination charging grants to install ports at regional tourist destinations in NSW
• $10 million in EV ready buildings to retrofit EV infrastructure in apartment buildings.

The NSW Government is committing $260 million to underpin the rollout of an updated NSW EV Strategy which will be released later this year.

Minister for Climate Change and Energy Penny Sharpe said:

“This investment will significantly increase the availability of public charging options and give people confidence their next vehicle purchase can be an EV.

“Almost 30% of NSW drivers do not have access to private, off-street parking to charge an EV. That figure is considerably higher in metro areas.

“We will continue to roll out EV charging grants to further support the NSW goal of being the easiest place in Australia to own and drive an electric vehicle.”

Member for Coogee Dr Marjorie O’Neill said:

“A combined total of $1.2 million will fund 202 charge ports across 138 sites in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

“We have now well surpassed our key election promise to deliver $700,000 to support EV charging infrastructure in Waverley, Randwick and Woollahra councils.

“This is further evidence that the interests of the people of my electorate of Coogee are best served by a Labor Government.”

Electric Vehicle Council Chief Executive Officer Behyad Jafari said:

“We know convenient and visible charging infrastructure in densely populated areas is critical to giving people the confidence to switch to EVs.

“These chargers mean everyone can benefit from EVs, including renters and people who can’t charge at home.

“This investment is important not just for the direct amenity it provides, but also because it serves as a powerful signal to consumers that the NSW Government supports your move to a zero-tailpipe emission vehicle when you’re ready to make the switch.”

---

Round One recipients of the EV kerbside charging grants:

Recipient	Number of sites	Number of charge ports	NSW Government funding
Evie Networks	26	80	$800,000
ChargePost	5	40	$362,032
EVSE	28	68	$680,000
City of Newcastle	10	30	$270,572
Waverley Council	31	51	$286,740
EVX	77	154	$760,452
PLUS ES	149	149	$794,979
JOLT Charge	65	99	$180,000
Total	391	671	$4,134,775

671 chargers will be installed across 16 Local Government Areas:

• Blacktown City Council
• Burwood Council
• Council of the City of Sydney
• Georges River Council
• Inner West Council
• Ku-ring-gai Council
• Lane Cove Municipal Council
• Liverpool City Council
• Mosman Municipal Council
• City of Newcastle
• North Sydney Council
• Northern Beaches Council
• Randwick City Council
• Waverley Council
• Willoughby City Council
• Woollahra Municipal Council

The NSW Government is continuing to raise public awareness and understanding of coercive control, with an in-language campaign to raise awareness and understanding of coercive control among culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities beginning today.

Developed by a specialist multicultural marketing agency, the campaign uses the image of a spider’s web to symbolise the interconnected pattern of behaviours which traps victims of coercive control.

This follows a broad advertising campaign which commenced at the beginning of May, which used the tagline “It’s not love, it’s coercive control”. In August 2023, a website was launched to ensure the NSW public had access to credible information on the subject.

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

NSW is the first Australian jurisdiction to introduce a standalone dedicated offence of coercive control.

The Crimes Legislation Amendment (Coercive Control) Act 2022 will criminalise coercive control in current or former intimate partner relationships in NSW starting from 1 July 2024. If found guilty, perpetrators can face up to a maximum of 7 years in prison.

The need to support community awareness of coercive control, including specific CALD support, was recommended by the Joint Select Committee on Coercive Control.

The NSW Domestic Violence Death Review Team found about 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.

This campaign has been developed in consultation with community members and the CALD Communities Reference Group that provides advice to the Coercive Control Implementation and Evaluation Taskforce.

The advertising campaign is initially tailored for Arabic, Vietnamese, Cantonese and Mandarin speakers. Translated information for additional language groups will be added over the coming months.

A campaign tailored for First Nations audiences will launch next week.

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

“Coercive control is an insidious abuse that can manifest in many ways, be hard to recognise, and look different in various communities.

“We also know that people from multicultural backgrounds are less likely to seek help due to cultural and language barriers, which is why we need to make sure our message is reaching them.

“The new coercive control laws will come into effect from 1 July and the government is committed to making sure all people in all communities understand this complex and dangerous abuse.”

Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper said:

“The NSW Government is working hard to ensure all communities across NSW are aware of the new coercive control laws.

“We have acted on the recommendation from the Joint Select Committee to deliver dedicated outreach and tailored communication to our culturally and linguistically diverse communities.  

“We need to make sure everyone from all walks of life gets the message loud and clear. Coercive control is a crime.”  

Support Services

If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, call the Police on Triple Zero / 000.

For confidential advice, support, and referrals, contact 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.

With voters heading to the polls for local government elections in September, the NSW Government is providing support to encourage more women to consider running for their local council.   

The Office of Local Government and Women NSW have jointly committed $160,000 in funding for 2 women’s organisations to host a series of candidate information workshops targeted at underrepresented groups of women.

The Australian Local Government Women’s Association (ALGWA) NSW Branch and Women for Election will deliver workshops covering leadership skills, how to run a successful campaign as well as the roles and responsibilities of elected councillors.

Aimed at empowering women with the knowledge to run as candidates, these workshops will be delivered by women with lived experience as political candidates, as well as facilitators who have served or worked in local government.

They will be held at multiple locations in Sydney and in regional and rural areas to ensure women around NSW have access to these valuable training opportunities.

These will include dedicated workshops run by First Nations trainers to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to run for local government.

Providing funding for these organisations is part of a wider campaign by the Office of Local Government to encourage greater diversity in candidate representation at the upcoming elections.

The most recent Candidate and Councillor Diversity Report shows the number of female councillors rose from 31.2% to 39% at the 2021 Local Government elections.

The report also shows 3.9% of councillors were Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, 10.1% of councillors were linguistically diverse and 4.2% of councillors were aged 18 to 29.

The Office of Local Government’s Candidate and Councillor Diversity Report can be viewed on the Office of Local Government website.

Find information about the Women for Election workshops.

Find information about the Australian Local Government Women’s Association workshops.

Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig said:

“One of the real strengths of our state is the diversity of our communities, and we need to see this diversity better reflected in the make-up of our councils.

“A lack of confidence or information about what it means to be a councillor can hold a lot of people back from putting their hand up, especially women.

“We hope with this support, these workshops can encourage more women and people from diverse backgrounds to take the plunge and represent their communities in the elections this September.”

Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said:

“By increasing the number of women serving in local government, councils will better reflect the communities they represent.

“These workshops provide women with pathways to grow their careers in politics. We want to see more women elected to bring NSW closer to its goal of gender parity on councils and inspire the next generation of women in politics.

“Speaking from experience, being a councillor is an incredibly rewarding job, so I encourage women across NSW to get involved and consider running for election in September.”

CEO, Women for Election Licia Heath said:

“Extensive work was done in 2021 to inspire and equip women of all backgrounds to run in the local government elections, which resulted in an unprecedented lift in the number of women elected to councils in NSW.

“Women for Election are excited to build on that work in 2024. Our events in Western Sydney, Coffs Harbour, Lismore and Tamworth will inspire women to see themselves as future political candidates as we run into the September council elections.

“Importantly, our partnership with the Turnstone Collective will see First Nations women getting access to dedicated training workshops to support their local government ambitions and campaigns.”

President, ALGWA NSW Branch, Cr Penny Pedersen said:

“For too long women have been underrepresented in local government – as mayors, councillors and in senior management.

“Given more women than men live in NSW, we must encourage and support a greater number of women to take their place in local government.

“ALGWA’s forums introduce women, many of them already leaders in our community organisations, to elected women councillors, who can pass on the detail of their election journey and the importance of their role in local government.”