Category: NSW News

A $34.6 million project to boost safety on a 17-kilometre stretch of the Kamilaroi Highway in north-west NSW has been completed, providing smoother, safer journeys for local residents, tourists and freight operators.

Work on an upgrade of the Kamilaroi Highway between Baan Baa and Turrawan started in December 2019 on the section of road between Narrabri and Gunnedah due to its crash history.

The final safety barriers have been installed to provide protection for motorists leaving the road as well as wide centre lines, audio tactile line marking (rumble strips), widened clear zones and other safety measures to help prevent run-off road and head-on crashes and their severity.

The work was funded by the NSW Government through the Safer Roads Program after a 2014 review by the Centre for Road Safety identified speeding and driver fatigue as the major hazards on this section of the highway.

Community consultation after the review identified the need for new overtaking lanes to provide safe passing opportunities for motorists stuck behind slower moving vehicles, easing frustration for all drivers and improving safety. A pull-over bay was constructed for Over Size Over Mass (OSOM) vehicles about 7.5 kilometres north of Baan Baa.

Other safety measures incorporated into the project include:

• Designated school bus stopping and turning bay near the Turrawan Road intersection
• 2.5-metre wide sealed shoulders providing more room for vehicles
• Widened roadside clear zones
• Raised retroflective pavement markers
• Flatter roadside batters (or slopes)

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“Safety is our number one priority on all NSW roads and the work completed between Baan Baa and Turrawan reflects our commitment to making much-needed improvements wherever they are needed.

“Between July 2012 and October 2019 there were 18 crashes recorded in this area, including four fatal crashes, seven serious injury crashes and four moderate injury crashes.

“A high proportion of these crashes were the result of vehicles crossing the centre lines and safety improvements such as these can increase the distance between oncoming traffic and alert drivers when they leave their lane.

“Evidence shows that wire rope barriers can significantly reduce the risk of death and serious injury in crashes because they dissipate the energy of a crash away from people in cars, and because the rope deflects and contains the vehicle from hitting other objects, such as trees and other vehicles.”

Barwon Duty MLC Stephen Lawrence said:

“The Baan Baa to Turrawan safety upgrade has delivered a significant suite of changes that will not only improve safety for all motorists in the area but has also delivered a significant boost to the local economy.

“Each of the four sections of work supported about 160 local jobs, including staff from an average of 22 different contractors/suppliers who assisted with resources and skills per section.

“In all, 52 different contractors and suppliers conducted work on the project and they should all be very proud of the job they’ve delivered, despite several delays due to heavy rain in the area and the relocation of crews to other emergency patching jobs across the NSW roads network.”

Independent Member for Barwon Roy Butler MP said:

“This stretch of road sees a lot of heavy vehicles working on the mines, along with a lot of tourists and everyday traffic, any upgrade that improves safety is more than welcome.

“Work crews have laid 422,589 tonnes of locally-sourced crushed gravel and aggregate to build and seal the full length of highway and installed, laid audio tactile line marking (rumble strips) and installed other safety measures to help prevent run-off road and head-on crashes.

“I welcome any improvements to the road that make it safer and better to drive on.”

The New South Wales Government today pays its deepest respects to those who have died from work-related incidents or illness and their loved ones.

I will today join Unions NSW at a service at Reflection Park at Sydney’s Darling Harbour to honour the memory of those who have lost their lives, with the family, friends, and co-workers of victims.

The NSW Government believes every worker deserves a safe workplace and any workplace death is a tragedy.

While today we remember those who didn’t come home to their loved ones, the best tribute the NSW Government can offer is a safer future for others.

The NSW Government is acting to transform SafeWork NSW into a standalone regulator with a heightened role for families of injured workers.

We are enacting an industrial manslaughter offence – the last mainland state to introduce this offence – to hold to account those responsible for the death of a worker due to negligent or reckless behaviour.

The NSW Government is progressing a world-leading ban on engineered stone from July 1 to stem the rise in deadly silicosis.

This is a sombre day of grief and remembrance, but it must also be a day on which we recommit to action.

The NSW Government has today announced the new ministerial appointments to the State’s 11 Local Land Services regional boards.

Of the 24 appointments, some have been re-appointed for a further and final term while others will be joining LLS for the first time.  

During an extensive statewide recruitment process, 157 applications were received to join LLS regional boards across NSW.

This is in line with the 161 applications received in 2022 and clearly indicates local people continue to maintain enthusiasm to be part of LLS activities.

LLS boards are a made up of a mix of Ministerially appointed and elected board members who bring a wealth of skills, experience and commitment to the organisation.

LLS board members work closely with landholders and local communities to identify and help shape the services offered by LLS, such as providing best practice advice on pest animal management, agricultural production and natural resource management.

The Government also today released the review of Local Land Services (LLS) boards and committees.

The review, requested by Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty, recognised LLS as a high performing organisation which is regionally relevant, provides tailored services to meet local needs, attracts a high level of trust and can achieve on ground outcomes without coercion.

The review provided several options for reform ranging from maintaining the status quo to a major overhaul of the LLS board and governance structure.

Minister Moriarty carefully considered the findings and opted for refinements that involve minimal disruption to the Local Land Services structure, while strengthening agency governance.

Options for reform being actioned include:

• Retaining the LLS Board comprising of regional representatives and an independent chair as the agency’s primary governance
• Remunerating board members in line with similar groups and boards across government, resulting in $1.4 million in savings that will be reinvested into LLS
• Creating one governance structure where local boards become subcommittees of the LLS Board, simplifying compliance and reducing costs
• Retaining the existing LLS election process to ensure ratepayers have a say on who represents their region.

Other options outlined in the review that were not supported included reducing the number of LLS regions and replacing all regional boards with a single representative.

Read the full review of Local Land Services (LLS) boards and committees

Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said:

“Local Land Services regional boards play a key role in connecting the organisation to landholders and communities across NSW.

As the agency reaches its 10th year of operation, this was a timely review to understand whether the existing structure of its boards and committees are appropriate for the functions they perform.

While there were a wide range of options outlined in this review, I have opted for practical and common-sense refinements to ensure LLS is set up for success.

Importantly, we are already actioning the supported recommendations that will improve the way LLS operates so it can continue to deliver its valued services for farmers and landholders.

I will be writing to the new LLS Chair, once they’re appointed, to ensure these recommendations continue to progress and be implemented.

Local Land Services board members appointed by the Minister are:

• Donna Rygate – Central Tablelands local board chair
• Rachel Nicoll – Central Tablelands local board member
• Hunter White – Central Tablelands local board member
• Paul (Midnight) Brydon- Central West local board chair
• Lisa Schiff – Central West local board member
• Polly Bennett – Greater Sydney local board chair
• James Kellaway – Greater Sydney local board member
• Allison Mudford – Hunter local board chair
• Dr Elizabeth McEntyre – Hunter local board member
• Brynnie Goodwill – Hunter local board member
• Derek Schoen- Murray local board chair
• Jolyon Bennett – North Coast local board chair
• Danielle Mulholland – North Coast local board member
• Dr Alex Ball – Northern Tablelands local board chair
• Martha Saw – Northern Tablelands local board member
• Stephanie Cameron – North West local board chair
• Tim White – North West local board member
• Lisa Anderson – Riverina local board chair
• Sarah Roche – Riverina local board member
• Michael Friend – Riverina local board member
• Ian Johnsson – South East local board member
• Magnus Aitken – Western local board chair
• Hugh McLean – Western local board member
• Lawrence Clarke – Western local board member

In a boost for female participation in sport, the NSW Labor Government is today delivering on it’s election commitment to ensure our State Sporting Organisations are better funded to provide for our grassroots sporting communities.

A key component of the election promise was to drive outcomes for women in sport, in governance, as coaches, or building the next generation of female leaders.

As part of the Organisational Support Program a new project to deliver the next generation of female sporting leaders was launched today following an agreement between the NSW Government and peak body Sport NSW.

The NSW Government will provide $250,000 to Sport NSW to deliver the Female Leadership and Fair Play Project which will expand on Sport NSW’s female leadership and Fast Track for Female Coaches program to increase the number of female leaders and coaches in NSW sport.

The project will also support the implementation of the NSW Sport Fair Play network which will support and advise on initiative to make community sport environments more welcoming and supportive for participants at a grass root level.

The aim of this initiative is to build a pipeline of board ready female leaders to support gender equity on boards and close the gender gap amongst coaches in pathway and elite coaching roles.

NSW Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said:

“The NSW Government is committed to supporting pathways for female coaches and officials in sport.

“Participants in this project will become role models for future female coaches and athletes, increasing the depth of knowledge and expertise among female coaches in this state.

“Importantly, it will also create a pipeline of board-ready female leaders, resulting in increased gender equity on boards in the future.”

Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said:

“The NSW Government is committed to improving gender equality and one of the ways it is doing this is the Female Leadership and Fair Play Project to increase the number of female leaders and coaches.

“Research shows that organisations with women in leadership positions leads to a decline in their gender pay gap.

“Therefore, it is vital that we provide women and girls pathways to leadership so we can continue to address gender quality and the pay gap in sport.

“It’s not only good for women, it’s good for sport.”

Sport NSW Chair Chris Hall said:

“The Female Leadership and Fair Play Project aims to increase knowledge and capability among female coaches, match officials and leaders at NSW sporting organisations.

“This funding will allow us to develop more female leaders across the sport sector.

“Sport NSW looks forward to partnering with sporting organisations so even more women have the opportunity to become coaches, senior administrators and board directors.”

Paralympic Gold Medallist and NSW Institute of Sport Coach and program presenter Louise Sauvage OAM said:

“It is vital that we provide programs that support the pathway development of female coaches, match officials and leaders.

“Importantly, this project also aims to improve inclusiveness in sport by providing guidance and education to leaders on inclusive participation opportunities.”

For too long residents in the Bayside local council area have had to put up with noisy vehicles interrupting their peace. The NSW Government is taking action to end that.

The NSW Labor Government committed in the election to trialling noise cameras and cracking down on cars that disturb the peace.  

Residents are now being invited to provide input into the noise camera trial, which is due to start in the coming months.

The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) will trial noise cameras in Bayside and Wollongong in response to community concerns about the impact of noisy vehicles.

Residents can make suggestions on where the noise cameras should be trialled, via the EPA’s website. The EPA plans to test the moveable cameras at several locations.

Vehicle noise cameras are an emerging technology currently being tested in various formats in major cities around the world, including in London, Paris and New York.  

In NSW, the EPA works in partnership with local government, NSW Police and NSW Roads and Maritime Services to enforce noise control regulations.

Give input on the noise camera trial

Report noisy vehicle pollution

Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe said:

“Car hoons are on notice. The NSW Government has heard the community’s concerns about noisy vehicles and is committed to sourcing and testing the most effective methods to deter anti-social behaviour on our roads.

“Work is underway to test noise cameras in communities fed up with noisy vehicles, and we invite all residents to have their say and play a key role in the trials.”

Member for Rockdale Steve Kamper said:

“The local Rockdale community has been calling for action against disruptive noisy vehicles for years.

“In the first 12 months of Government, we have already delivered three new fixed speed cameras along The Grand Parade to address the reckless behaviour endangering our local community.

“The Noise Camera Trial is the next step in addressing the antisocial behaviour. I encourage all interested residents in the Rockdale and Bayside Council area to have their say.”

Disaster assistance will be extended to the Armidale, Campbelltown, Lismore, Moree Plains, Northern Beaches and Port Stephens Local Government Areas (LGAs), following heavy rainfall and flooding across NSW from 1 April 2024.

The assistance measures are being provided by the Albanese and Minns Governments through the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Support includes:

• assistance for eligible residents to help meet immediate needs like emergency accommodation or small cash payments to purchase essential items generally provided from evacuation or recovery centres
• grants for eligible residents to replace lost essential household items to maintain basic standard of living
• grants for eligible residents to undertake essential structural repairs to restore their homes to a 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.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt said the extent of the flooding impact is still being assessed.

“This flood event has caused damage across communities, impacting homes, farms, businesses and volunteer groups,” Minister Watt said.

“Many Government agencies and community groups are still out on the ground to assess the damage and continue the mammoth clean-up effort.

“I know the Minns Government is continuing to assess the situation and is adapting as we gain a clearer picture of the impact of this disaster, and our Government stands ready to support as needed.”

NSW Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said the extension of the Natural Disaster Declaration is part of the NSW Government’s ongoing response to the flooding and storm events earlier this month.

“The extension of this disaster declaration unlocks assistance for additional communities in need, as the full extent of the damage becomes known,” Minister Dib said.

More information and support

For information relating to financial assistance, replacing lost documents, location of your nearest recovery centre and more, please contact Service NSW on 13 77 88 or visit www.nsw.gov.au/floods

To apply for a concessional loan or primary producer grant, contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 or visit www.raa.nsw.gov.au

Further information on disaster assistance can be found on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website at www.disasterassist.gov.au

The Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig has requested the Office of Local Government to undertake an investigation into Liverpool City Council.

The Section 430 Investigation will look at whether there has been a breakdown in the council’s operations amid ongoing reports about dysfunction and staff matters within council.

Under Section 430, the Deputy Secretary Local Government has the power to carry out investigations into council operations either independently or at the request of the Minister for Local Government.

The Terms of Reference for the Inquiry will be finalised in the coming days and will be available on the Office of Local Government website.

A report into the investigation will be provided to the Minister for Local Government and Liverpool City Council.

Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig said:

“I’ve been concerned about the operations of Liverpool Council for some time and it’s clear there’s a fractured relationship between councillors and staff.

“I’ve asked the Office of Local Government to undertake an investigation into the Council because the local community needs reassurance that their council is operating properly.

“Elected officials have a responsibility to their communities to operate effectively and efficiently, and I’m concerned about the level of dysfunction within Liverpool Council that is playing out publicly.

“A robust investigation undertaken by the OLG will shore up public confidence and ensure council is focused on delivering for its community.”

Today on Anzac Day, communities across NSW are coming together to honour the service and sacrifice of our veterans and current serving members of the Australian Defence Force.

The NSW Dawn Service at the Cenotaph in Martin Place commenced this morning at 4:30am, the approximate time it is believed the first Anzacs waded ashore at Gallipoli.

The Service was attended by representatives of the Commonwealth and NSW Government, Ex-Service Organisations, veterans’ groups and over 5000 spectators.

NSW Premier Chris Minns recited the poem Salute by Elliott Napier and laid a wreath to acknowledge the service of our veterans and servicemen and servicewomen from NSW.

Minister for Veterans David Harris participated in a special Anzac Day service atop the Sydney Harbour Bridge shortly after sunrise.

The service, organised by RSL Lifecare Veterans Services in partnership with BridgeClimb, was attended by a number of veterans and members of the community.

The Anzac Day March commences at 9am on Elizabeth Street with over 8000 current serving members and veterans expected to march past the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park and concludes at Liverpool Street.

Marching in Sydney again this year are a number of veterans from the Second World War who will be honoured by thousands of spectators along Elizabeth Street. The March will culminate with the Commemoration Service at the Anzac Memorial commencing at 12:30pm.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service personnel will be recognised at the Coloured Digger March this afternoon in Redfern.

Now in its 18th year, the event will begin at 1pm at the Redfern Community Centre.

Official events in the Sydney CBD will come to a close with the solemn sunset service at the Cenotaph in Martin Place from 5pm.

With thousands of people expected to attend commemorations in the CBD, it is recommended to use public transport for all Anzac Day travel.

Additionally, there will be a highly visible police presence throughout the city and the community is asked to honour our veterans in a safe and respectful manner.

Free travel is available for current and former Australian Defence Force members and their families on Anzac Day, with additional early morning services running into the city.

The Community War Memorials Fund, managed by the NSW Office for Veterans Affairs, also opens today. Grants of up to $10,000 are available to help conserve, repair and protect war memorials across NSW.

For more information on how to apply please visit the Veterans Affairs website.

Minister for Veterans David Harris said:

“Anzac Day is a time to come together and pay tribute to the Anzacs who served in World War One, and all the brave servicemen and servicewomen who have since followed in their footsteps.

“Anzac Day gives the community an opportunity to pay their respects to those who have served our country.

“I attended an Anzac Day Service on the Harbour Bridge this morning for the first time and it was a special location to pause and remember all who have served our nation, allowing us the freedoms we afford today.

“If you cannot make it into the Sydney CBD, you can watch the march on ABC TV or attend one of the many local services and events in your community.

“I encourage all of NSW to attend a commemorative service, dawn service or march and to pause and pay respects to our veterans and current serving members, and their families.”

The NSW Government acknowledges the sacrifice and bravery of all that have fought for our country. Soldiers have enlisted across the state and regional and rural NSW monuments can be found honouring the sacrifice made by residents, often from communities where the population was smaller than the average present day city neighbourhood.

In WW1 thousands of young men from regional communities, many who had never even been to Sydney let alone Europe, left their normal lives for war, a sacrifice that was echoed through WW2, Korea, Vietnam and even today in ongoing operations around the world.

NSW recorded the highest enlistment rate in the country during WW1 with 164,030 people (many from regional communities) signing on to join the war, with an estimated 21,000 never to return home, leaving bereft communities across the state.

When WW2 broke out the people of NSW once again answered the call, many the sons, brothers or relatives of those who served in WW1, 276,741 of them answered the call with the still fresh memory of the horrors of war.

Today the reminder of regional NSW’s sacrifice is seen through the war memorials that can be found in nearly every regional and rural town.

These monuments have a sombre history in country towns where they were often used as substitute graves that family and friends of those who died in battle overseas were able to visit to remember their loved ones.

Today these monuments act as a congregating place for the local community to come together and commemorate the bravery and sacrifice so little gave to so many, and the continuing service and sacrifice being made by those serving in our armed forces.

Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said:

“The role of regional NSW communities in contributing to the war effort in WW1, WW2, Korea, Vietnam and even in present day peace-keeping operations cannot be overstated.

“Families in these communities saw their sons, brothers, and fathers go off to war overseas and were left bereft when many never returned home, having made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country.

“Today we honour the contribution of all service men and women throughout the country and throughout our history and I thank them for their service, contribution and sacrifice that they have and continue to make in order to keep our country safe.”

Minister for Veterans David Harris said:

“The Anzac Memorial in Sydney’s Hyde Park, the state’s principal war memorial, commemorates the service of our veterans from across NSW. There are 1,701 samples of soil displayed within the walls of the Hall of Service at the Memorial, this sacred soil representing the names of each of the towns, cities, suburbs and homesteads given as a home address by First World War enlistees.

“The Hall of Service demonstrates the geographical reach of the call to serve, and signals the willingness and enthusiasm of so many from diverse regions who answered the call to join the war. It contains the incalculable loss and grief of communities across the state whose men and women did not return.

“Today on Anzac Day, we come together as a community to remember our veterans and current serving members of our Defence Force, many of whom come from regional areas across our state. We pay tribute to their service, and we thank them for their efforts to allow us the freedoms we afford today.”