16 News

The NSW Police has today executed 11 search warrants and three firearm prohibition orders resulting in the arrests of 14 people in relation to recent hate-filled, antisemitic attacks on our city.

We have said from the beginning – police will work around the clock to get to the bottom of these crimes and today those investigations have had a major resolution.

These arrests are the culmination of dogged, round the clock police work and we congratulate the Strike Force Pearl detectives who for months have worked tirelessly to investigate these crimes and identify those allegedly responsible to put them before the courts.

A huge amount of resources have been thrown at these investigations – the NSW Police Force stood up Strike Force Pearl to investigate hate crimes involving criminal activity and in January, police doubled the number of detectives attached to it.

There is no mistake that these acts have wrought fear and anxiety in our Jewish community and we will not tolerate this, not now, not ever.

Police will allege that those arrested today for the most serious of these crimes had criminal and financial motives. But nobody should be in any doubt, we have endured a summer of hateful, vicious incidents such as vile antisemitic graffiti attacks and many of these appear to have been motivated simply by nasty, racist hatred. We can never accept that. The NSW Government and NSW Police Force will remain vigilant and act swiftly to bring perpetrators to justice so as to eradicate this atrocious behaviour whenever it occurs.

The Minns Labor Government is continuing work to build better connected regional communities, with the proposed design of a major Queanbeyan intersection at Ellerton Drive, Yass and Bungendore roads unveiled today.

When completed, the intersection upgrade will reduce congestion, improve safety and provide better pedestrian and cyclist connectivity.

Under the proposed design, traffic lights will replace the existing roundabout to improve safety by better controlling traffic flow and reducing the likelihood of crashes.

The design includes:

• two through lanes in all directions
• dedicated left and right turn lanes on all legs
• signalised pedestrian crossings on all roads at the intersection
• on-road cycle lanes from Ellerton Drive to Yass Road
• relocation of the bus stop on Bungendore Road
• installation of a new bus stop on Ellerton Drive and
• upgraded footpaths.

Community members can provide their feedback on the designs by completing a survey available at www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/yass-bungendore-ellerton-intersection   or by writing to the project team at southprojects@transport.nsw.gov.au before April 13.

Feedback from consultation will be used to inform and refine the design before construction progresses.

Utility investigations will be carried out by Transport for NSW over the coming weeks to further inform the design. Workers will be in the area borehole drilling to locate existing utilities underground.

Work will be carried out from Monday 17 March for up to four weeks between 7am and 6pm Monday to Friday with occasional work on Saturday between 8am and 1pm. To reduce impacts to motorists and local businesses, some work will be carried out at night between 8pm and 5am from Sunday to Thursday.

Single lane closures and a reduced speed limit of 40 km/h will be in place during work hours.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Jenny Aitchison said:

“The Minns Labor Government has committed $19 million from the Regional Roads Fund towards the future major upgrade of this intersection.

“We know that after 12 years of neglect from the Nationals we need to make investments like this to improve travel times for local families and make Monaro roads safer.

“This intersection of particular concern to people and that’s why along with the major upgrade work, we’ve already provided short term relief by installing the pedestrian refuge and additional right-turn lane earlier this year.”

Member for Monaro, Steve Whan MP said:

“The upgrade of the Ellerton Drive Bungendore Road intersection (often known as the Spotlight roundabout) was a key election promise I made in 2023.  It is a complex intersection, and planning has taken some time, the release of these plans is a very important step forward. 

“This is currently a bottleneck for people commuting to Canberra for work, another problem ignored by the Nationals but tackled by the Minns Labor Government.

“We are honouring our election commitment to invest more in Monaro roads, and I encourage everyone in the community to check out the proposed upgrade designs and provide feedback.”

From next Monday, 17 March, free immunisation from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) will be available to all newborn babies.

It will mean all newborn babies in NSW can be protected against serious illness from this virus, with an estimated 1,150 babies under six months of age avoiding hospitalisation for RSV in NSW each year.  

The NSW Government is expanding eligibility for infant immunisation from a more targeted vulnerable cohort.

The NSW Government will offer nirsevimab, a type of monoclonal antibody immunisation to:

• Infants at birth not protected by maternal RSV vaccination;
• Infants at birth with certain medical conditions that place them at highest risk of serious RSV disease, irrespective of whether their birth mother was vaccinated; and
• Children up to 24 months of age with certain medical conditions.

Nirsevimab will be given to eligible newborns before hospital discharge. 

Since February, pregnant women have been eligible for a free RSV vaccination (Abrysvo) which passes protection to their babies for the first fives months of life.

Maternal vaccination for RSV is recommended for women between 28 and 36 weeks of pregnancy.

It is provided through the National Immunisation Program.

With the combined coverage of free maternal vaccination and free infant immunisation, all newborn babies in NSW can be protected.

RSV is a common cause of respiratory illness infecting up to 90 per cent of children within the first two years of life.

It can affect anyone, but the infection is more severe in children under one year of age, who may develop bronchiolitis or pneumonia requiring hospitalisation.

In NSW between 2016 and 2023, there were more than 52,000 hospitalisations with an RSV diagnosis, of which approximately 41 per cent were in children aged less than 1 year.

Further information on how to protect yourself and others from RSV can be found on the NSW Health website here.

NSW Minister for Health Ryan Park:

“RSV can be very serious, and I know how stressful and anxiety-inducing such a condition can be for parents.

“Today, we can announce that from next week, all newborns can access protection from RSV for free.

“It doubles the options for protection of newborns, either through maternal vaccination or infant immunisation.

“This will keep babies out of hospital, and at home with their family.”

NSW Chief Paediatrician Dr Helen Goodwin:

“RSV can be a serious illness in babies and young children, and I want to encourage parents to make sure their babies are protected, either through maternal vaccination or immunisation at birth with nirsevimab.

“Nirsevimab is safe and effective. It provides antibodies directly to the infant, so they have immediate protection against RSV that lasts for five months.”

New technology trials to improve the road safety of motorists and reduce the number wildlife vehicle strikes, particularly of koalas, kangaroos and wombats, will be rolled out in coming weeks, delivering on an election commitment by the Minns Labor Government.

Road engineers and safety experts are working with wildlife experts on two key trials:

• A trial of light-coloured pavement marking will test whether lighter pavement surfaces make it easier for drivers to avoid wildlife. This work will begin in April at the Future Mobility Testing and Research Centre in Cudal and will focus on a driver’s ability to see animals on existing and lighter road surfaces at varying vehicle speeds.
• Artificial Intelligence assisted animal detection systems linked to ‘smart’ roadside signage. A trial at a Transport for NSW facility at Yennora in Western Sydney will ‘train’ AI cameras to identify common wildlife including kangaroos, koalas and wombats and link that to smart road signage to warn drivers of the presence of animals on the road and roadside in real time.

These trials are made possible by a $500,000 election commitment to investigate the use of emerging technologies as measures to reduce wildlife vehicle strike.

These initiatives complement existing measures being deployed to protect native wildlife and improve motorist safety travelling along some of the state’s busiest roads.

Additional wildlife road safety initiatives include:

• New road markings to increase awareness of known koala hotspots.  Motorists along Appin Road in Sydney’s southwest will soon notice new road markings in known koala zones between Rosemeadow in Campbelltown south to Appin township. The design will feature the outline of a koala and the word “slow” to increase driver awareness of active koala colonies.
   
• One-way koala escape doors. Koalas frequently attempt to cross roads in search of mates or new habitat. The one-way doors allow koalas to escape the road corridor where fencing is in place, but do not allow them to pass back through into traffic. Escape doors have been installed on koala fencing along the Hume Highway near Wilton, at the Nepean Bridge and Moolgun Creek Bridge, and will be installed on Appin Road near Gilead. Escape doors complement the existing timber pole escape structures and will be installed in several locations in south-west Sydney in the next year.

Minister for Roads John Graham said:

“Wildlife vehicle strike is a serious road safety issue, as well as impacting badly on our native fauna.

“Protecting our native wildlife along busy transport corridors and areas with growing communities is a real challenge for the NSW Government and Transport for NSW.

“We have committed to do more and I’m pleased that we’re making progress, implementing new protection measures and starting trials on emerging technologies.”

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“Wildlife vehicle strikes represent a significant road safety issue and pose a threat to our native fauna, which is why the Minns Labor Government is committed to implementing effective mitigation strategies.

“With over 220,000 kilometres of public roads in NSW, our focus is on reducing animal strikes through collaboration with experts and community groups to safeguard both motorists and wildlife.

“The upcoming trial at our Future Mobility Testing and Research Centre at Cudal near Orange will pave the way for safer roads and better outcomes for our wildlife.”

Member for Campbelltown Greg Warren said:

“Appin Road is a key east-west transport corridor with growing communities along it, which creates a real challenge for protecting a healthy and active koala population.

“A variety of measures are being used to redirect animals away from the roadway, including, underpasses, rope crossing, barriers and fences.

“I understand the community concern and expectation around wildlife management. These measures will continue Transport’s work to meet community standards when it comes to wildlife safety but also expectations around effective infrastructure to support these growing areas.”

Emma Hurst MLC said:

“Wildlife vehicle strike is both a major animal welfare issue and a risk for drivers.

“There is a lot to be done in this space to protect both human and animal life, so it’s promising to see the work being done by Transport for NSW in consultation with animal welfare groups, including the trials of AI technology and lighter pavements to improve wildlife visibility.”

Background

• Transport for NSW is working with all levels of government, experts, and community groups and using proven techniques, such as fencing and connectivity structures, as well as exploring emerging technologies to reduce wildlife vehicle strikes and enhance habitat connectivity.
• There are more than 220,000 kilometres of public roads in NSW including over 40,000 kilometres of State and Regional roads and over 180,000 kilometres of local roads.

Impact on wildlife:

• BioNet data between 2013 -2024 shows that kangaroos are the most reported mammal species involved in animal strikes across NSW, followed by wallabies, wombats then possums.
• Koalas have the highest number of reported vehicle strikes of all threatened species.
• Transport is proactively collaborating with the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water NSW Koala Strategy to identify and prioritise koala vehicle hotspots on existing roads around the state that require intervention.

2024 Wildlife Symposium

• A 2024 Wildlife Symposium brought together experts from Australia and around the world, including ecologists, technology specialists, transport agencies, NGOs, industry leaders, and community members. A summary of the symposium can be found here.
• A summary of the recommendations and government response can be found in the Future Directions Paper here.

The Albanese and Minns Governments are today announcing emergency financial assistance to help residents in the State’s north-east severely impacted by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

The jointly funded package will provide emergency financial assistance of $180 for individuals or up to $900 per family to cover essential costs such as food, clothing, medicines and emergency accommodation.

The Personal Hardship Assistance Grant for individuals and families is part of a range of support aimed at helping people recover.

To be eligible for the grant individuals must reside in one of the declared affected Local Government Areas of – Armidale, Ballina, Bellingen, Byron, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Dungog, Glenn Innes Severn, Kempsey, Kyogle, Lismore, Lord Howe Island, MidCoast, Nambucca Valley, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Richmond Valley, Tenterfield and Tweed.

Further, individuals must have:

• Been subject to evacuation orders (Category red emergency warning) or
• Experienced power outages of more than 48 hours.

Applicants must demonstrate they have suffered hardship as result of the disaster, making them unable to meet immediate needs.

Applications will open on Wednesday 12 March and will be open until 8 April 2025.

These payments are part of the Albanese and New South Wales Governments’ ongoing commitment to helping residents rebuild their lives following the severe impacts of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Impacted community members are encouraged to visit New South Wales Government Recovery Assistance Points which will be operating in key locations from the end of this week.

To find out where these will be and about other support available go to www.nsw.gov.au/cyclonealfredrecovery to find out supports and assistance available.

In addition the Albanese Government has activated the Disaster Recovery Allowance for communities directly affected by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

This allowance offers up to 13 weeks of income support for eligible workers and sole traders, depending on their personal circumstances, who have suffered a loss of income as a direct result of the event.

For more details on the Disaster Recovery Allowance go to Services Australia website at: servicesaustralia.gov.au/natural-disaster-support.

Other support available to communities as a result of Tropical Cyclone Alfred can be found www.nsw.gov.au/cyclonealfredrecovery

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

 “We are working with the Minns Government to get this money out the door as quickly as possible.

“My message to those affected is my Government has got your back.”

Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns:

“It has been tough going for the communities impacted by TC Alfred. In particular those families who have been without power for days or required to leave their homes under evacuation orders have faced huge challenges.

“We know these communities are concerned about the cost of re-stocking the fridge, or replacing damaged goods.

“This payment will go a bit of the way to providing some immediate relief for hardship experienced.” 

Minister for Emergency Services Jenny McAllister:

“This payment will help provide some immediate assistance after a very tough week for Northern New South Wales.

“We’re acting quickly to make financial assistance for impacted individuals and families available.

“We know recovery will take some time, but we are here for the long haul.”

New South Wales Minister for Planning Paul Scully:

“Through this financial assistance, we aim to ease the burden of immediate costs like food, clothing, and accommodation, helping individuals and families get back on their feet as quickly as possible.

“Eligible residents in the affected areas can apply for the financial assistance package starting Wednesday, March 13.

“We encourage those in need to apply through Service NSW online or in person, and we are committed to making sure this support reaches those who need it most, as soon as possible.”

New South WalesMinister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib:

“Our hearts go out to the people of this region who have done it particularly tough but continuously shown their resilience and spirit in recent years.

“These payments in partnership with the Albanese Government will help the community by ensuring we get immediate financial relief to where it’s needed.

“We will continue to work alongside our agencies and service partners to provide the community the help and support they need to recover.”

The Minns Labor Government and the Albanese Federal Government have been caught red-handed trying to pull the wool over Western Sydney’s eyes. Their big Fifteenth Avenue ‘upgrade’ announcement was nothing more than another classic Labor trick—lots of fanfare, but when you read the fine print, it is another broken promise kicking real progress decades down the road.
 
On 19 January, the Minns Labor Government sent out a media alert stating that ‘Federal Representatives’ would be joining the Premier for the big Fifteenth Avenue announcement. What they were apparently too embarrassed to say outright—but was later revealed—was that the ‘Federal Representatives’ included none other than Prime Minister Anthony Albanese himself. Standing side by side with Premier Chris Minns, Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car, and Roads Minister John Graham, they made yet another grand promise that won’t be realised for at least 15 years.
 
Media reports last night revealed the shocking truth of Labor’s so-called upgrade that will not be completed until 2040—if ever. And what are they actually delivering? Only a six kilometres stretch of road, covering less than half the distance needed to connect Liverpool to Western Sydney Airport. It is like claiming you’re building a bridge, then only laying the first few planks, and calling it a success.
 
Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said this is Bob Carr politics 1-0-1—make a flashy announcement, take the photo, then push the actual delivery 15 years down the track.
 
“Western Sydney deserves real infrastructure now, not vague promises about what ‘might’ happen in 2040. This is another example of the Minns and Albanese Governments treating the people of Western Sydney like second-class citizens,” Mr Speakman said.
 
Shadow Minister for Transport and Roads Natalie Ward said this Government just makes it up as it goes along.
 
“The people using Fifteenth Avenue every day can’t wait for an extra lane in 2040—they need construction to start as soon as possible. At the last election, the Member for Leppington promised the community an upgraded road by 2027, not in 2040,” Ms Ward said.
 
Last night’s media reports made it clear that Western Sydney is getting a road to nowhere. Labor’s so-called ‘investment’ is a mirage, designed to trick voters into thinking something is being done when the region is being left behind.
 
This is the small-target Minns Labor government at its worst. Premier Chris Minns, Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car and Minister for Roads John Graham all stood together with the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pretending to deliver for Western Sydney, but all they really delivered was another empty promise.
 
Western Sydney is growing fast, and it needs real infrastructure to match—not a dodgy, half-baked road that leaves commuters stuck in traffic for another 15 years.