Category: NSW News

The NSW Government will today introduce a bill to parliament to ban LGBTQ+ conversion practices, fulfilling a key election commitment.

Conversion practices, which can include so-called “conversion therapy” and suppression practices, are formal or informal practices based on the false ideology that LGBTQ+ people have a ‘disorder’ or require treatment. Evidence shows that conversion practices are dangerous and damaging.

The legislative reform has been carefully considered and developed to protect LGBTQ+ people, while acknowledging and respecting longstanding religious and cultural beliefs and practices.

The Department of Communities and Justice and NSW Ministry of Health were tasked with jointly leading a working group who consulted extensively with a range of stakeholders.

These stakeholders included members of the health, education, legal and government sectors, faith and multicultural organisations, LGBTQ+ community advocates and victim-survivors, academics, and researchers, as well as others nominated by these stakeholders as having relevant views or expertise.

The Government has also considered legislation in other jurisdictions where conversion practices are outlawed, including in Victoria, Queensland, the Australian Capital Territory, New Zealand and Canada.

The proposed reform integrates feedback received through this process, while also reflecting the government’s continued commitment to supporting religious freedom.

Expressing a belief through sermon, taking offence at religious teachings, and seeking guidance through prayer will not be included in the ban.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

“Every person in NSW deserves to be respected for who they are and that’s exactly what these new laws will do.

“It is intolerable that we have a situation in NSW where children can be told something is wrong with them and that they need to be fixed.

“I’ve personally met with survivors of conversion practices and know how important it is that we put an end to this.”

Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council Penny Sharpe said:

“LGBTQ+ people are fine just the way they are.

“There is no place in NSW for harmful conversion and suppression practices.

“Thank you to advocates from the LGBTQ+ community, in particular victim survivors who have told their stories so that others will no longer be harmed.”

Minister for Health Ryan Park said:

“Conversion practices are incredibly harmful and have severely damaging health impacts. I am proud to be part of a government that is delivering on its commitment to stop them.

“These landmark reforms are the result of diligent and extensive work and consultation across a wide range of stakeholders to ensure the model is tailored to NSW. We want them to function effectively and as we intend.

“We have worked closely with a wide range of health experts to ensure that this Bill is fit for purpose and provides clarity around obligations for practitioners.”

Attorney General Michael Daley said:

“Conversion practices are known to cause significant ongoing trauma because they try to force LGBTQ+ people to change or suppress their sexual orientation or gender identity.

“We have carefully considered this legislation, developing it thoughtfully following extensive consultation to ensure that it strikes the right balance between protecting vulnerable communities as well as legitimate religious and cultural practices.

“The Government does not intend to ban the teachings of a religious leader or expression of a religious belief through sermon.

“We have been guided by a core principle – that all people across NSW should be able to live free of practices that cause harm and be protected by evidence-based protections which the community expect, deserve and can rely upon.”

The NSW Government has launched a new Vehicle Emissions Star Rating website to help drivers consider sustainability when making their next vehicle purchase.

A simple six-star rating system will allow consumers to compare the carbon dioxide emissions of new and second-hand cars, utes and vans. The more stars a vehicle has, the lower the vehicle’s CO2 emissions.

The rating applies to vehicles across Australia and was developed in collaboration with Commonwealth, state and territory governments.

The Vehicle Emissions Star Rating website has launched with ratings for light vehicles dating back to 2004. Consumers can compare more than 16,000 different models and variants.

The website has fully customisable calculators that allow consumers to input the actual price they pay for fuel or electricity, and consider annual costs based on the distances they drive, rather than just being offered information based on averages that can vary widely.

The information on emissions and efficiency is provided in a simple, visual format to help consumers make choices.

It is supported by useful articles and information on vehicle emissions, how different vehicles are powered, and how driving style and maintenance may reduce emissions.

The Vehicle Emissions Star Rating website also provides information on electric vehicles, including locations of charging infrastructure, battery recycling and the differences between electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles and internal combustion engine vehicles.

Consumers are encouraged to visit www.vesr.gov.au

Minister for Climate Change and Energy Penny Sharpe said:

“The Vehicle Emissions Star Rating website offers information on emissions and efficiency in a simple format so consumers can choose a new or used car which reduces their emissions.

“This is both good for their hip pocket, and good for the environment.

“Battery EVs are the cleanest light vehicles, receiving a six-star rating because they do not produce any tailpipe emissions. The NSW Government is supporting their uptake by growing the network of EV chargers across the state.”

Community assets in 4 severely flood impacted Central West Local Government Areas will be repaired and upgraded to protect from future disasters through the Albanese and NSW Governments’ Community Assets Program.

The $25 million program will enable the Cabonne Shire Council, Forbes Shire Council, Lachlan Shire Council and Parkes Shire Council to repair, restore and improve the resilience of community infrastructure directly damaged by storms and floods in August and September 2022.

Councils can apply for up to $4 million for individual projects to repair assets and bring them to a standard that is more resilient and better able to withstand future natural disasters.

The types of damaged community infrastructure eligible for funding include parks, walkways, community buildings, and tourism and recreational facilities.

The program is jointly funded under the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), with project funding to be administered by the Department of Regional NSW.

Find out more about the community assets program.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt said:

“This significant investment by both the Albanese and Minns Governments will provide support for the ongoing reconstruction in these communities, which have withstood several years of consecutive flooding events.

“This program will help to rebuild playgrounds, walkways and community facilities to a more resilient standard so they are able to withstand future disasters.

“This is another example of both levels of government working together to change the way we recover from and prepare for disasters, so that communities are less exposed in the future, as disasters become increasingly frequent and intense.

“We continue to work with the Minns Government in supporting long-term recovery needs in the Central West.”

Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said:

“In recent years, severe weather and flooding events have caused significant damage to local community infrastructure across our regions, including in Central West NSW.

“Regional communities need this support to repair damaged local community infrastructure.

“The Australian and NSW Governments are helping disaster impacted communities work towards rebuilding their communities and spirits while ensuring that their community assets are more resilient than ever.”

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

“The NSW Government is deeply committed to the wellbeing of local communities and is pleased to be joining the Commonwealth in providing funds to build more resilient local infrastructure.

“These facilities can be a focal point bringing community together and this investment is one way we can assist. We urge Councils to get their applications in so the assessment process can begin and residents can see their vitally needed community facilities back in place and built to withstand future events.”

NSW hospitals have seen modest but promising progress in emergency department (ED) wait times, with the Health Minister Ryan Park saying there’s more room for improvement.

The latest Bureau of Health Information Healthcare Quarterly report shows the majority of patients (68.3 per cent) started their ED treatment on time and almost 80 per cent (79.9 per cent) of patients who arrived by ambulance had their care transferred to ED staff within 30 minutes, both measures reflecting small improvements compared with the same quarter in 2022.

ED activity continued to remain higher than pre-pandemic levels, with 798,813 ED attendances including a record 6,649 triage 1 (resuscitation) and 119,389 triage 2 (emergency) presentations during the last quarter of 2023.

NSW hospitals have also significantly reduced the number of people whose planned surgery is overdue, reducing the overdue planned surgical waitlist by almost 90 per cent in one year.

Public hospitals performed 59,422 planned surgeries in the October to December quarter in 2023, 5,099 more procedures than in the October to December 2022 quarter.

Overall, 83.6 per cent of all planned surgeries were performed on time in NSW public hospitals during the October to December quarter in 2023, an increase of seven percentage points compared with the same quarter in 2022. Almost every urgent planned procedure (99.5 per cent) was performed on time.

The NSW Government’s Surgical Care Governance Taskforce has helped to drastically reduce the number of patients exceeding the clinically recommended timeframe for planned surgery by 87.5 per cent, from 17,070 in December 2022 to 2,133 in December 2023.

The NSW Government is working to improve access to care and reducing wait times, including through:

• establishing an emergency department taskforce – to safely find innovative strategies to treat patients more effectively;
• boosting staff – making 1,112 temporary nurses permanent and recruiting an additional 1,200 nurses and midwives;
• boosting infrastructure – working to deliver 600 more treatment spaces in Western Sydney;
• embracing Healthdirect and the single patient front door – connecting more patients to care options outside the hospital; and
• rolling out 25 urgent care services across the state relieving pressure on our EDs.

Minister for Health Ryan Park said:

“Everyone should be able to access quality health care when they need it, where they need it. Patients shouldn’t have to wait hours longer than necessary in our hospitals or emergency departments. Having people and their loved ones waiting around in our hospitals for lengthy periods of time is not good for them, our staff, or other patients.

“I want to make it very clear – we are far from mission accomplished. While this is a promising improvement, too many people are still waiting too long in our EDs.

“We are throwing everything in our rucksack at improving access and reducing wait times in our hospitals.

“This includes boosting staff and infrastructure; but also rolling out urgent care and providing those alternate pathways to care, to treat people outside the hospital; and establishing an ED taskforce to drive improvements in wait times and access to care.

“When we reduce the proportion of people who can be treated outside of hospitals entering our EDs, our patients as a whole benefit.”

Labor’s Minister for Planning and Public Spaces continues to show a lack of understanding when it comes to the impact on heritage of his own ‘biggest rezoning in Australia’s history’, attempting to outline the ‘truth about planning reforms and heritage’ the Minister has shown that he either lacks understanding of his own policy or is deliberately misleading people across NSW.

“It’s time for a few home truths for Minister Scully when it comes to the impact of his ‘biggest rezoning in Australia’s history’ on heritage across New South Wales,” Shadow Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Scott Farlow said.

“Minister Scully today claimed that ‘the reforms do not apply to individual heritage items’, which has been roundly rebuked by his own officials.”

“Following questioning in Budget Estimates the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure confirmed that the Labor Government’s one-size-fits-all Low and Mid-Rise Reforms will apply to both Heritage Conservation Areas and heritage listings.”

The following extract is from the Hansard:

MONICA GIBSON: The low- and mid-rise reforms do apply to heritage conservation areas and heritage listings.

The Hon. SCOTT FARLOW: It applies to heritage listings as well?

MONICA GIBSON: It does.

“The Labor Government’s own Heritage Council ‘strongly recommend[s] the government enable local councils to undertake strategic planning within a defined time frame to deliver housing targets before activating the proposed new planning controls over existing heritage conservation areas.’”

“The National Trust is concerned the proposals ‘will have a dramatic and permanent effect on heritage’ and calls ‘the current one-size-fits-all housing reforms put forward by the NSW Government … the biggest threat to the heritage of NSW that have ever been proposed.’”

“Minister Scully seems confused about the impact of Labor’s lazy, one-size-fits-all policies on yet another area – heritage. It’s clear that Chris Minns’ approach simply isn’t working,” Mr Farlow said.

NSW Railway’s historic locomotives and carriages have found a new home in the heart of Western Sydney.

The $9.4 million Chullora Heritage Hub is a centralised storage facility for 50 of the state’s 220 heritage locomotives and carriages.

The historic trains have travelled by road and rail to the former Tank Annex Building at the Chullora Railway Workshops from three separate sites at Eveleigh, Thirlmere and Broadmeadow.

The building has received a thorough upgrade to ensure the protection and preservation of the historic collection with environmental, security and fire safety improvements delivered.

While the new location is not open for public viewing due to its function as a maintenance facility, it will give volunteers from Transport Heritage NSW the space they need to work on these one-of-a-kind engines.

The site at Chullora has been an important location for railway maintenance for more than a century. It was first established in 1913, and many of the buildings within the precinct date from the 1920s, with the Tank Annex building operating as part of the maintenance facility until 1994.

Among the rollingstock moving into the new building are:

• Locomotive 1219, this locomotive and its class dominated express and mail train services in the late 1800s, with many hauling branch line services right up until the 1950s.
• Locomotive 5096 was one of 280 introduced from 1890. This was the largest class of locomotives used anywhere in Australia and hauled goods trains more than two million kilometres until its retirement in 1965.
• Locomotive 2606 was one of 20 tank locomotives manufactured by Scottish company Dubs and Co. Introduced from early 1892, they were supposed to assist engines travel up the mountain from Penrith to Katoomba. Limited water tank capacity and problems negotiating the numerous curves hindered their work, so they were reassigned to hauling coal trains to Waterfall and Newcastle. Before its retirement in 1970, 2606 spent its later years shunting carriages into position at Central Station.

Another 70 locomotives and carriages will remain at the NSW Rail Museum in Thirlmere, including operational assets like the famous 3801. The museum is open to the public 7 days a week, with heritage train rides operating every weekend on the newly refurbished Loop Line.

All historic trains are operated by Transport Heritage NSW.

For more information, visit Transport Heritage NSW.

Transport Minister Jo Haylen:

“For the first time, the majority of our heritage rail collection will be sitting undercover and out of the elements, where they will be lovingly preserved by our dedicated volunteers.

“340 jobs were created in Western Sydney during the renovation of this historic building, which will now house our cherished railway past for the people of NSW to enjoy for generations to come.

“It’s vital we preserve our heritage fleet so the magic of being part of life on our railways isn’t forgotten and continues to inspire.”

Motorists are reminded to be vigilant and patient at level crossings, as Transport for NSW and NSW Police run a level crossing awareness and enforcement campaign in central east Riverina.  

NSW Police will be patrolling level crossings in Old Junee, Junee, and Marrar between Monday 11 March and Friday 22 March to help increase safety around level crossings and remind road users of the importance of following the road rules.

The campaign is part of an ongoing series of awareness and enforcement campaigns between Transport for NSW and NSW Police Force.

The NSW Government is committed to reducing the road toll to zero and this includes making level crossings safer.

Between July 2008 and June 2023, there were 99 collisions between trains and vehicles at level crossings throughout NSW. Sadly, these have resulted in the tragic loss of 10 lives, as well as the serious injury of 17 others.

Each year the NSW Government invests $7.3 million through the Level Crossing Improvement Program (LCIP) to upgrade public level crossings and to increase awareness through level crossing safety education and enforcement campaigns such as this operation.  

Minister for Regional Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“We all need to look out for each other to ensure everyone reaches their destination safely, and part of that means everyone must be cautious at level crossings.

“Transport for NSW and NSW Police Force have been regularly collaborating to ensure all motorists and pedestrians are aware of the danger and devastating consequences of unsafe behaviour around level crossings.

“Signs, boom gates, flashing lights and road markings are there for a reason – to keep motorists and pedestrians safe.

“For regional drivers, level crossings are a regular part of our trips, but it’s important not to become complacent when we’re using them.

“Plan your trip and allow enough time to wait and drive safely through level crossings. You might save a few minutes by rushing through a crossing; however, the risk can be devastating – it only takes a few seconds for a fatal collision to happen.

“Any death on a level crossing is a tragedy and one too many.

“I was at the National Level Crossing Safety Roundtable last week where we learned that as few as 1 in 5 (22%) of drivers were stopping at 1 of our regional passive level crossings.

“Motorists who gamble with their safety and the safety of others at level crossings could face three demerit points and a $514 fine, but most tragically they or someone else could lose their life.”

Traffic and Highway Patrol, Region Traffic Operations Coordinator, Sergeant Shannon Pendlebury, said:

“Despite the potentially fatal consequences, people are still ignoring warnings at level crossings.

“Motorists are urged not to be complacent as trains can come from any direction, at any time, and there can be multiple trains on tracks that can travel at speeds of up to 160km/h,” he said.

“Some trains can take more than a kilometre to come to a complete stop, so even if they see you, they can’t stop.

“Disobeying level crossing warning lights and signs can lead to crashes between vehicles and trains where the consequences can be deadly.” 

Construction is about to start on Richmond Valley Council’s $15.8 million Naughtons Gap Road resilience project at Naughton’s Gap, north-east of Casino, providing better access for locals after a series of severe weather events.

The road has been closed since March 2021 due to the level of flood damage and landslips at the time. Landslips were further impacted in February and March 2022 flood events.

Over $3 million of the total Naughtons Gap project cost will go towards betterment works, making the road more resilient.

These betterment works will see catch fencing constructed as a measure to contain future falling debris and absorb its impact, and drainage improvements made on the northern end of the project, to assist in preventing further long road closures during future severe weather events. The project will also involve essential public asset repair works to reconstruct the roadway across three landslip zones.

Betterment works have been funded by the Albanese and Minns Governments through the Regional Roads Transport and Recovery Package, which is investing $312 million to help local councils in northern NSW rebuild road and transport infrastructure projects in disaster-impacted communities.

Importantly, the Package helps communities ‘build-back-better’ by ensuring infrastructure damaged by floods is rebuilt stronger, better, and more able to withstand the challenge posed by future natural disasters.

The project is due to be completed in late 2024.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt:

“The Albanese Government is committed to making sure Australia is more prepared for natural disasters, so communities can respond and recover quicker. That’s why projects like this are so important.

“By investing now to improve the quality and durability of Naughtons Gap Road, we can hopefully help to minimise the damage from future events, reducing the need to close the road each time severe weather hits.

“The Albanese Government is pleased to work with the Minns Government and Richmond Valley Council to deliver this project.

\NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison:

“Research shows that for every dollar invested in risk mitigation or betterment projects, up to $10 is saved in recovery, so the Naughtons Gap Road resilience project is an investment well worth making.

“We can’t stop natural disasters from happening, but we can and should do everything possible to help communities get back on their feet as quickly as possible and reduce the impact during future events.

“Keeping communities connected or helping them to connect again more quickly after an event is vital in disaster recovery.”

\NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery and Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin:

“The betterment policy will change the situation so that roads are built back to better withstand disasters and to improved standards. 

“It never made any sense to build back or repair a road or bridge as it had been instead of making it as durable as it possibly could be.

“I know that local councils will be as pleased as I am to be able to secure betterment funds to do the job well.”

\Richmond Valley Mayor Robert Mustow:

“The Naughtons Gap Road is a vital transport link for the Richmond Valley, serving local agricultural enterprises and a substantial rural/residential area in North Casino.

“Richmond Valley Council has been working to find a long-term solution for stabilising this road, after two major landslips saw it closed to through traffic for an extended period. Our community is delighted a solution to this complex problem is finally at hand.

“This work involves installing more than 120 bored piers into the rockface at depths of up to eight metres to reinforce the roadway following significant flood damage.

“Not only will the road be restored to full service, but the additional betterment funding will help to strengthen the rebuilt section from future flooding events.”

The NSW Government is expanding access to Service NSW Centres for the residents of Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains, with a new Service NSW Centre officially opening at Glenmore Park today.

Close to 50,000 customer visits are expected at Glenmore Park Service Centre in the first year, with communities in Glenmore Park, Jamisontown, Emu Plains, Glenbrook and surrounding areas set to benefit the most from the new Service NSW Centre.

The new centre offers a third option for people living in the foot of the Blue Mountains alongside the Penrith and Springwood Service NSW centres, with team members able to assist customers with a range of transactions such as licence renewals, Working with Children Check renewals and Owner-Builder permits.

It follows the opening of the Macquarie Fields Driver Testing Centre in December, which provides about 300 driving tests a week and supports overseas licence holders converting to a NSW driver licence.

Meanwhile, a new Service NSW Centre set to open in Tallawong this year will provide an additional option for people living in Sydney’s north-west.

Driver testing will also be accommodated at the Glenmore Park Service NSW Centre, with about 80 tests available each week.

The centre is located on Level 1 of HomeCo. Glenmore Park Town Centre at 33 Town Terrace and is open Monday to Friday 8:30am – 5pm and Saturday 8:30am – 12:30pm.

For more information on the Glenmore Park Service Centre. 

Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car said:

“I am pleased to see the people of Glenmore Park and the surrounding communities, including Emu Plains and Glenbrook, will now have a Service NSW Centre right on their doorstop.

“Western Sydney is home to many busy, hardworking families, and it is so important that our mums and dads have the services they need where they live.

“Opening facilities like this in growing communities means families are not spending unnecessary time away from one another while doing things like getting their licence renewed.”

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib said:

“Glenmore Park is one of many fast-growing suburbs in Sydney’s west and this new Service NSW Centre will help ensure locals can easily access government services and transactions.”

“The one-stop-shop Service NSW is about making people and business owners’ lives easier, whether it’s accessing cost-of-living support or applying for a Seniors Card.”

“Customer service is a priority at Service NSW Centres, with visitors greeted by a concierge and guided to the support and assistance they need, so they can complete their transaction more quickly and get on with their day.”

NSW Skills, TAFE, and Tertiary Education Minister, Steve Whan is urging all eligible individuals and organisations to apply for the prestigious 2024 NSW Training Awards.

Applications for the annual awards close on Sunday 17 March 2024 for individuals, and Sunday 31 March 2024 for organisations. They are the first step for successful candidates to be recognised at a national level.

Organised by Training Services NSW, the awards acknowledge exceptional achievements across categories that highlight NSW’s foremost vocational learners, trainers, employers, and training providers.  

Last year women dominated the awards with female entrants taking out every individual student awards.

This included 2023 Apprentice of the Year, Caroline Morris, who was the first woman in more than 20 years to complete a fitter machinist apprenticeship at her Crookwell workplace.

The Vocational Education and Training (VET) industry plays a crucial role in driving NSW’s economy, supporting priority sectors like healthcare, agriculture, and engineering.  

Nominees first compete at a regional level with the winners then being eligible to complete in the NSW State Training Awards ceremony in Sydney on Friday 13 September 2024.

Categories include Apprentice and Trainee of the Year, VET in Schools Student of the Year and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year.

NSW winners then go on to represent the State at the Australian Training Awards in November.

For detailed information about the application process, criteria, and important dates, please visit the NSW Training Awards website.

Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan said:

“The NSW Training Awards are more than just accolades; they are a driving force in fostering a culture of excellence within the VET sector.  

“By acknowledging and celebrating outstanding contributions, these awards play a significant role in the continuous improvement and advancement of vocational education and training standards.

“I encourage everyone to throw their hat in the ring. With NSW’s incredible workforce, we can surely dominate the national stage at the end of the year.”