Innovative technology installed in Menindee to restore native fish passages

The Minns Labor Government is trialling Fishheart; a state-of-the-art temporary fish passage technology in the Lower Darling-Baaka River near Menindee, western NSW.

The goal of this initiative is to test options to connect the Northern and Southern Basin and reduce the accumulation of fish, as part of the Government’s response to the Office of the NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer (OCSE) independent review into the March 2023 mass fish kill.

The NSW Government continues to make good progress in addressing the recommendations identified in the OSCE report, with 10 of the 26 actions we’ve committed to now complete and the remaining 16 underway funded under the $25 million Restoring the Darling-Baaka River Program.

One of the key actions the NSW Government has committed to is a $6.52 million trial of new temporary fish passage technology at Menindee.

Australian native fish need to migrate to feed, breed and seek new habitat but due to the introduction of barriers to fish passage, like dams and weirs, fish migration pathways have been impacted.

Currently in the Lower Darling-Baaka, fish can only migrate upstream as far as Lake Wetherell and Menindee Main Weir. The Fishheart unit is a floating hydraulic fishway system designed to assist fish moving over existing barriers. Construction commenced to install the Fishheart unit to the Lake Wetherell outlet regulator in December 2024.

Work continued over the summer, with the technology being lowered into the Lower Darling-Baaka River in late January 2025. Calibration and testing of the Fishheart is currently underway. 

The Fishheart unit works by attracting fish into the fishway and then using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to detect and collect fish in the chambers, counting fish, gathering data before moving fish up and over barriers like the Lake Wetherell outlet regulator.

This is the first time that this innovative technology will be trialled at this scale on Australian inland freshwater fish and builds on Fishheart’s work in Europe and the USA that has shown plenty of promise.

The aim of the project is to test options to connect sections of the river, thereby helping move some fish out of the Menindee town weir pool to complete their life cycle and reducing the biomass and associated risks for water quality and fish kills.

Fisheries Scientists from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) Fisheries will conduct the monitoring program, using underwater sonar and video capture technology, plus trapping activities under appropriate permits.

For more information about the project visit the Menindee Lower Darling-Baaka Temporary Tube Fishway Trial webpage.

To read the NSW Government’s six-month Darling-Baaka progress report, visit the Restoring the Darling-Baaka program webpage.

Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty said:

“This is the first time that this fishway technology will be trialled under Australian conditions at this scale and on native inland freshwater fish and it demonstrates the commitment of the Minns Labor Government to address environmental issues using innovative approaches, especially in western NSW.

“While there is no one size fits all solution to restore fish passage in the Lower Darling-Baaka River or the Menindee Lakes system, this project aims to use innovative science, data and infrastructure as we promised to do.

“Construction has been progressing through very hot days out at Menindee and we are grateful to all the personnel for their efforts in ensuring the fishway can get operational as soon as possible.

“The Fishheart will be trialled for three breeding seasons, to measure its effectiveness in Menindee. But overseas experiences provide strong indicators for success, for moving fish through the fishway safely and hopefully reduce the risks of future fish kills in the Lower Darling-Baaka.”

Minister for Water Rose Jackson said:

“It’s fantastic to see the fish passage being trialled in Menindee which is one of the innovative infrastructure solutions proposed to prevent future fish deaths.

“We pledged to take decisive action on water quality in the Darling-Baaka to improve fish health and we are delivering on this promise, with a six-month progress report now available to show the community where we are up to.

“So far, we have developed new water quality triggers, overhauled our emergency response plans, continued to upgrade monitoring and added additional resources while also exploring state-of-the-art infrastructure solutions such as the tube fishway and microbubble technology.

“I’m encouraged by the progress in a short space of time, which the Chief Scientist himself has acknowledged publicly, but there is still a lot of work to be done.

“The reality is this is an incredibly complex river system with significant challenges that won’t go away overnight, but we are in a much stronger position to respond to changing conditions than ever before, and we are undoubtedly moving in the right direction.”

Boost for health services on the South Coast

The Minns Labor Government has today announced Nowra will benefit from a $21 million investment in health worker housing, as the site of the $438 million Shoalhaven Hospital Redevelopment reached a major milestone.

These investments will provide a significant boost to healthcare on the South Coast of NSW, a rapidly growing region which deserves the best access to world class healthcare.

$21 million Key Health Worker Investment

Nowra will receive new key health worker accommodation which will support staff and the community across the broader Shoalhaven region.

The Minns Labor Government will invest $21 million as part of the broader $200.1 million Key Health Worker Accommodation program.

Now funding has been allocated, planning for the health worker accommodation works is underway.

This planning will determine the best delivery model for Nowra and how many healthcare workers will be accommodated. This will include consultation with health workers and other local stakeholders.

$438 million Shoalhaven Hospital Redevelopment

The $438 million Shoalhaven Hospital Redevelopment has reached its highest point, with a topping out of the new seven-storey acute services building.

As part of the traditional ceremony, a tree was lifted onto the roof, with messages tied to its branches from staff, construction workers, and project team members, sharing their excitement and well wishes for the future redeveloped hospital.

The new acute services building is a key feature of the redevelopment and will enable the delivery of contemporary health services and facilities for the local community. The Shoalhaven Hospital Redevelopment will become a health hub for the region, providing the majority of emergency, critical care, acute, sub-acute and non-admitted health services locally, reducing the need to transfer patients to Wollongong and Sydney.

The new acute services building will deliver a range of new and expanded health services including:

  • a new emergency department and emergency short-stay unit
  • new intensive care unit
  • medical wards
  • dedicated acute mental health unit
  • double the number of operating theatres, endoscopy and procedure rooms
  • a dedicated cardiology inpatient unit, coronary care unit and cardiac catheterisation laboratory
  • a new rooftop helipad.

Consultation with staff, patients and the community has been a key part of planning and design for the redevelopment, ensuring the new hospital meets the unique health needs of the Shoalhaven region.

The new hospital building is on track for completion in 2026.

Minister for Regional Health, Ryan Park:

“Today’s topping out ceremony marks a major achievement for the $438 million Shoalhaven Hospital Redevelopment project.

“The redevelopment will transform healthcare delivery for local residents, and ensure they continue to have access to quality care closer to home without needing to travel to Wollongong or Sydney.

“Our government is committed to investing in modern, sustainable accommodation options for key health workers who are the backbone of our regional, rural and remote communities.

“Strengthening our regional health workforce is a key priority for our government and this $21 million investment in accommodation will support attraction of key healthcare workers to Nowra.”

Member for the South Coast, Liza Butler:

“Funding for Key Health Worker Accommodation in Nowra will enhance the Local Health District’s ability to attract and retain essential healthcare professionals to Shoalhaven Hospital.

“As work continues on the $438 million Shoalhaven Hospital Redevelopment this will be particularly important, with the project set to transform healthcare services across the region, delivering modern health facilities and expanded health services for communities across the South Coast.

“Not only is this redevelopment great for healthcare in the region, but it has also been great for local jobs and I am really proud that more than 70 per cent of the construction workforce is based locally.”

Disaster support for fifteen Northern NSW LGAs ahead of TC Alfred

The Albanese and Minns Governments have activated disaster assistance to communities in 15 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Northern NSW in anticipation of the impacts of Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

The NSW Government’s Natural Disaster Declaration applies to the LGAs of: Ballina, Bellingen, Byron, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Dungog, Kempsey, Kyogle, Lismore, Lord Howe Island, MidCoast, Nambucca Valley, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Richmond Valley and Tweed.

Support has been made available under the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Assistance measures that may be provided to communities include:

  • Assistance for eligible residents to help meet immediate needs like emergency accommodation and essential items generally provided from evacuation or recovery centres.
  • Grants for eligible low-income residents to replace lost essential household items to maintain basic standard of living.
  • Grants for eligible low-income residents to undertake essential structural repairs to restore their homes to a basic, safe and habitable condition.
  • Support for affected local councils to help with the costs of cleaning up and restoring damaged essential public assets.
  • Concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers, and non-profit organisations and grants to sporting and recreation clubs to repair or replace damaged or destroyed property.
  • Freight subsidies for primary producers to help transport livestock and fodder.
  • Financial support towards counter disaster activity undertaken by emergency service organisations to keep communities safe

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Jenny McAllister said it’s a challenging time as communities are already experiencing the impacts of Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

“We are activating a range of support to assist flood impacted residents begin their recovery as soon as possible,” Minister McAllister said.

“As we understand the full extent of damage from this event, we will move quickly to activate appropriate support for these communities.”

“We are working closely with Premier Minns and his government as we prepare and respond to this event.”

“Our message to community is clear. Know your local risk, have a plan and prepare your home now.”

NSW Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said natural disaster declarations are a vital step in unlocking joint assistance so communities can begin the clean-up, rebuilding and recovery process.

“We are rolling out support measures for communities we know are likely to be impacted by Tropical Cyclone Alfred. As the event unfolds and impacts are known, further measures will be considered in response to community need,” Minister Dib said.

“The NSW State Emergency Service and other emergency services along with the NSW Reconstruction Authority are on the ground in Northern NSW, preparing for the impact of the cyclone and working to keep the community safe.

“For a region already in recovery from the devastating 2022 floods, we understand this latest disaster will be difficult for many people, and we are committed to continuing to support this resilient community through these challenges.

“We are thankful for the dedication of our emergency services – including the incredible volunteers from the local area and across the state – who are already working around the clock to support communities in Northern NSW.”

More information on disaster assistance can be found at NSW Government and Disaster Assist websites.

Organised Crime Squad charge two after firearms stolen in Port Stephens

Organised Crime Squad detectives have charged two men for alleged firearm theft in Port Stephens.

About 7pm on Monday 10 February 2025, officers attached to Port Stephens Hunter Police District attended an address on Salamander Way in Salamander Bay where four firearms had reportedly been stolen.

Local police commenced initial inquiries and the next day (Tuesday 11 February 2025), officers attached to Newcastle Police District attempted to stop a black Toyota Hilux in Hillsborough, before a pursuit was initiated.

A short time later, the vehicle was located abandoned at a school in Hillsborough.

During a search of the surrounding area, police located three of the four stolen firearms.

The matter was then referred to State Crime Command’s Organised Crime Squad under Strike Force Blaine.

Following further inquiries, about 3.40am on Monday 3 March 2025, strike force detectives executed a boat inspection on a boat in Shoal Bay, where they arrested two men – both aged 23.

The men were taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station, where the men were charged with the break and enter in which the firearms were stolen, as well as the police pursuit.

Both men were refused bail and appeared in Raymond Terrace Local Court the same day.

Hunter community frustrated at lack of funding for Local Energy Hubs

Community groups have labelled the Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy’s decision not to announce funding for Local Energy Hubs at last night’s Hunter Community Alliance (HCA) Assembly as a missed opportunity.

An extensive listening process before the Assembly found residents wanting access to more information and opportunities about large scale renewable energy projects slated for the region, and how renewable energy and energy efficiency can lower energy bills at a household and business level.

Which is why they called on Minister Chris Bowen to address the information gap with Local Energy Hubs.

The Renewable Energy Alliance (RE-Alliance), alongside partners Community Power Agency and Yes2Renewables, has been calling on the Federal Government to fund Local Energy Hubs in renewable energy regions like the Hunter.

Local Energy Hubs would be physical centres with a strong outreach program staffed by independent local experts to help build trust and provide accurate information about what’s happening in renewable energy regions.

Hunter Jobs Alliance Coordinator Justin Page said:

“We’re disappointed. Our community needs access to clear information and resources to leverage renewable energy investment into local opportunities. Local Energy Hubs would provide this.”

RE-Alliance National Director Andrew Bray said:

“The Government is rightly focussed on progressing Australia’s shift to renewables to lower emissions as quickly as possible.

“But the rollout is at serious risk if governments continue to sideline the needs of regional and rural communities in the process.

“Without access to information, it is much harder for communities to realise the long-term benefits that this generational change can bring.

“It is disappointing that when presented with this ask from such a broad range of community organisations – from churches to community groups to unions – that the Minister still hasn’t made a commitment to funding Local Energy Hubs for regions like the Hunter.”

More information on the Local Energy Hubs model can be found at: localenergyhubs.org.au.

Valentine resident recognised as Swansea Local Woman of the Year 2025

Katrina Pastourmoglou from Valentine is the Swansea Local Woman of the Year 2025 for her efforts supporting the surf life saving community and Mark Hughes Foundation.  

The Local Women of the Year Awards recognise and celebrate progressive thinkers, everyday heroes, social advocates and innovative role models.  

This year, 93 women have been nominated by their local MPs to be acknowledged during NSW Women’s Week (2-8 March); an annual week-long celebration of women in NSW through a program of activities that empower women and promote gender equality. 

Award recipient Katrina Pastourmoglou was nominated by Yasmin Catley MP – Member for Swansea for her outstanding work in the community as a volunteer with Swansea – Belmont Surf Life Saving Club and the Mark Hughes Foundation.  

For more than a decade Katrina has served as the Secretary and Director of the Swansea – Belmont Surf Life Saving Club. Volunteering her time to support the club to host community events and surf life saving carnivals. In 2023, Katrina’s service to surf life saving was acknowledged by the Hunter Branch of Surf Life Saving when she was named Administrator of the Year.  

Katrina has also served as a volunteer with the mark Hughes Foundation, giving up her time to work in the office on administrative tasks and supporting fund raising efforts.  

Each Local Woman of the Year award recipient will receive their certificates at the 2025 NSW Women of the Year Awards ceremony at the International Convention Centre in Sydney on Thursday 6 March. 

Recipients who volunteer and live in regional, rural and remote areas of NSW will also be added to the 2024 Hidden Treasures Honour Roll; a public tribute to recognise the vast number of women who volunteer their time and energy to help others. 

To learn more about the Women of the Year Awards program and view the livestream, click here.  For more about Hidden Treasures click here. 

Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said: 

“The Local Woman of the Year 2025 recognises, celebrates, and honours the contributions of women and girls across NSW. Local MPs across the state have nominated stellar women in their communities whose contributions are an inspiration to everyone. Congratulations and thank you to all the Local Women of the Year – this is recognition you deserve.”  

The Hon. Yasmin Catley MP – Member for Swansea said: 

“I’m so proud to have Katrina Pastourmoglou as an exceptional role model in our community, dedicating her efforts to making Swansea a better place for all women and inspiring others to work towards a brighter future.” 

Investing in Asian-Australian representation

Today I am pleased to announce a pilot program that will harness the knowledge and experience of Asian Australians to deepen our understanding of our region and make Australia stronger and more influential in the world.

Australia’s diversity is one of our strengths – it gives us broader perspectives, deeper connections and a better ability to engage with our region on issues that matter to all Australians.

The Asian Australian Voices pilot program will equip professionals with the training and skills to contribute to public life.

The program will help to ensure Australians with deep expertise and personal experience of our region are part of the national conversation on the economic, security and diplomatic challenges and opportunities shaping our future.

It will also ensure we are using our strengths to Australia’s advantage, building Australia’s Asia literacy and creating a pipeline of senior Asian-Australian representation in civic life.

In partnership with Asia Society Australia, this initiative is a collaboration between DFAT’s National Foundation for Australia-China Relations, Centre for Australia-India Relations, and ASEAN-Australia Centre.

It reflects the Albanese Government’s commitment to ensuring all Australians can contribute to our engagement with the world.

Details about the pilot program can be found here: Asian Australian Voices.

Greens welcome national conversation on disadvantage in schools

The Greens have welcomed comments by former secretary of the federal Department of Education, Dr Michele Bruniges, examining disadvantage in Australian schools.

Greens spokesperson on Primary and Secondary Education, Senator Penny Allman-Payne:

“Dr Bruniges’ work on disadvantage in schools confirms that public schools are doing more and more of the heavy lifting in terms of educating disadvantaged students.

“Our current system of schooling is hollowing out many of our public schools, particularly in growth areas, and forcing parents to make tough decisions for their kids.

“It’s not a real choice for parents when both the local private and public school receive taxpayer money, but only one is expected to cater to disadvantaged kids.

“I strongly welcome a national conversation about disadvantage in schools and I thank Dr Bruniges for her work with all sectors on this research.

“We need to start asking all schools that receive public money to cater to the needs of the public. That could mean a serious conversation around common standards or catchment areas for any school that receives taxpayer funding.

“In my view, every proportional increase in private school enrollments is a public policy failure, especially when they are publicly funded schools too.

“I was a public school teacher for over 25 years, and I know that the vast majority of parents and carers would prefer to be able to send their kids to a properly resourced local public school.

“Australia’s future relies on public education. Only the Greens fully support public schools – we’ll fund them, build them, and make them free for all kids.”

LABOR MUST FAST-TRACK RENEWABLES TO BRING DOWN ENERGY PRICES AND HIT EMISSIONS TARGETS

The Victorian Greens say that no one would have to pay more on their bills and we wouldn’t have to risk blowing our emissions targets in a climate crisis if Labor pulls it together and gets renewables online faster.

In recent years we’ve seen significant delays on getting renewable energy online and now a new report from Infrastructure Victoria has warned that these delays will prevent Victoria from hitting its emissions targets and could make energy bills more expensive until 2035 when more renewables come online.

More than a third of what Australians hand over to energy giants like AGL and Origin for electricity is pure profit for the companies and the Greens say that people shouldn’t have to pay more money to greedy energy companies for climate-destroying fossil fuels because Labor are dragging their feet on getting cheaper renewables online.

The Victorian Greens say we can’t risk more emissions that will supercharge climate change which we know creates even more expenses for people, with insurance premiums as one of the first costs to skyrocket.

Victorian Greens spokesperson for coal transition, Dr Tim Read:

“Renewable energy is the cheapest form of energy and if we got them online faster everyone would actually be paying far less on their bills sooner.

“Labor must prioritise getting Victoria off dirty coal and expensive gas and properly support and invest in fast-tracking our clean energy transition.

“We know that climate change is going to cost people. Insurance premiums are already going through the roof. We can’t risk blowing our emissions targets that we know will supercharge climate change and create even more everyday expenses for people.”

GREENS OUTLINE FURTHER REFORMS NEEDED TO PREVENT BARRIERS FROM ACCESSING VOLUNTARY ASSISTED DYING

The Victorian Greens have second read their Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill today to urge the Labor Government to consider further reforms that could be made to improve access to VAD in Victoria.

It follows the Labor Government’s recent announcement that they will amend Victoria’s legislation, including removing the gag clause that prevents doctors from discussing VAD with their patients.

The Victorian Greens have strongly welcomed the announcement but say that these changes will only just bring Victoria into line with other states and still behind some jurisdictions and there is more that can be done to make our laws more compassionate, by removing barriers and improve access.

As the first legislation of its kind in Australia, Victoria’s VAD laws took a very cautious approach and what were initially intended to be safeguards are now barriers preventing people who should be able to access VAD from being able to access it.

The Victorian Greens first introduced their VAD Bill to Parliament last year and have extensively consulted with stakeholders, now following the government’s announcement they’re calling for a full scope of reforms to be considered to improve access.

One key difference in the Greens’ Bill is expansion of the type of practitioners allowed to provide VAD assessments and support by enabling more GPs and nurse practitioners to provide these services. The Greens say that strict requirements to see certain types of specialists is creating barriers, especially for regional Victorians.

The Victorian Greens health spokesperson who is from regional Victoria and a GP herself, Dr Sarah Mansfield, said that the opportunity to update these laws doesn’t come around often and that we want the best possible laws to be passed swiftly.

Victorian Greens health spokesperson, Dr Sarah Mansfield:

“We’ve been really heartened to see the Labor Government’s commitment to update these laws, but the changes they are proposing only go so far, and we could be doing more to make our laws more compassionate and remove barriers to accessing voluntary assisted dying in Victoria.

“The opportunity to amend these laws doesn’t come up often, and we don’t want to just see this as yet another thing on Labor’s to do list. We are ready to work with the government now to make much needed changes to our VAD laws so that people who want to access choice and dignity at the end of their lives can do so.”