Category: NSW News

A new Central West control centre designed to deliver better transport outcomes during major events and emergencies is getting its first live test during the Bathurst SuperFest celebration.

The Parkes Customer Coordination Centre (CCC) is a dedicated space for Transport for NSW experts and those from partner organisations to gather — at short notice, if needed — and deliver fast, evidence-based and efficient decision-making to benefit users of the regional transport network.

During planned major events, the CCC will help make journeys smoother and safer for motorists and commuters, while during emergencies it could be where life-saving decisions are made about how to ensure people are moving safely around the region.

The Central West CCC is the first of five regional centres to be rolled out across regional NSW and it will be operational this weekend for the Bathurst 500 Supercars event.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“The Parkes CCC will help improve the Transport response to Central West events and emergencies, leading to better journeys for motorists in times of great stress and need.

“Previously CCCs were only in the big cities but we know when we have local experts driving decision-making we get better results on the ground locally and more broadly so that’s why the NSW Labor Government is proud to be investing in the creation of CCCs like the one in Parkes.

“During major events, we know it is important to have a single source of decision-making and oversight of traffic and transport management issues.

“This is especially important during sudden and rapidly evolving emergencies such as fires or flood, when decisions around traffic management can be of critical significance.

“During planned events such as Bathurst SuperFest, the CCC will ensure LiveTraffic NSW has the most up-to-date information for motorists, seek to minimise traffic disruptions for people not attending the event, and support event organisers, local councils and other stakeholders to help them deliver a successful event.

“During emergencies the CCC will better support efforts to ensure motorists and members of the public are kept a safe distance from hazards. It will help allow easier establishment of alternative transport routes and services where needed, while helping to support a seamless transition from response to recovery once the threat has passed.”

A new Information Commissioner has been appointed to lead the Information and Privacy Commission NSW (IPC).

Rachel McCallum will commence a three-year term as Information Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the IPC on 4 March 2024. The appointment follows a recruitment process undertaken by the Public Service Commission.

The IPC is an independent statutory authority that administers NSW legislation dealing with privacy and access to government information.

As Information Commissioner, Ms McCallum’s statutory role will include promoting public awareness and understanding of the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA Act) providing information, advice, assistance, and training to agencies and the public; dealing with complaints about agencies; investigating agencies’ systems, policies, and practices; and reporting on compliance with the GIPA Act.

Ms McCallum brings to the position thirty years in legal practice and policy development, including in the reform of information access rights, privacy, electoral regulation, local government, and integrity agencies.

Her extensive experience in legal, regulatory and governance positions spans the private and public sector, including her most recent role as Executive Director and General Counsel at the NSW Electoral Commission. She has previously served in senior positions at Transport for NSW and the Department of Premier and Cabinet.

Find out more about the Information and Privacy Commission NSW

Attorney General Michael Daley said:

“I welcome Ms McCallum to the role and look forward to working with her.

“I also wish to thank Elizabeth Tydd who held the role for 10 years and departed the Information and Privacy Commission NSW on 2 February this year.

“During her time as Information Commissioner, there was a significant shift in the information access landscape in NSW. Ms Tydd oversaw a significant maturing of agencies’ practices, and I am confident Ms McCallum will continue this vital work.”

Minister for Digital and Customer Service Jihad Dib said:

“Building trust and transparency is a key focus of this important statutory role, giving the people of NSW confidence about the way access to government information is managed.

“By empowering people to understand their rights to access information, and guiding government agencies to implement good practice, the work of the Information Commissioner supports accountability in government and our democratic systems.

“I look forward to working with Commissioner McCallum and congratulate her on the appointment.”

Information Commissioner Rachel McCallum said:

“The Information and Privacy Commission serves a critical integrity role for public administration in NSW. It is a privilege to be appointed as Information Commissioner and CEO of the IPC and to lead this work over the next few years.

“Information access and privacy issues are central to the fair and effective adoption of new technologies to deliver public services.”

A new permanent home of Sydney’s first Centre for LGBTQIA+ History and Culture will be officially open to the public from today at the site of the former Darlinghurst Police Station.

A new permanent home of Sydney’s first Centre for LGBTQIA+ History and Culture will be officially open to the public from today at the site of the former Darlinghurst Police Station.

This opening of the centre creates a new heart for LGBTQIA+ history, art and culture in the Oxford Street Precinct.

The heritage-listed site, previously associated with the jailing of Sydney’s LGBTQIA+ community including some 78ers, has been remediated to host exhibitions, educational programs and evening performances that explore, celebrate and educate people on LGBTQIA+ history and culture.

In a key election promise delivered, the NSW Government handed over the site and committed $6.7 million towards supporting the establishment of Qtopia Sydney at the former police station.

Qtopia, a not-for-profit organisation committed to the empowerment and inclusion of the LGBTQIA+ community will be responsible for the operation of the facility, supported by a governing board and an expert advisory panel.

The idea to create this centre came from Professor David Cooper who treated David Polson a founder of Qtopia and one of the first 400 people diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in Australia and one of only 32 still alive.

Launching in Sydney in time for Mardi Gras 2024, the exhibits will feature historical and archival objects, imagery, video and audio, to tell some of the stories of this significant period within Australia’s history.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

“This new centre turns the page on the history of the Old Darlinghurst Police Station and writes a new chapter that celebrates and recognises the proud LGBTQIA+ history and culture of our state.

“We couldn’t be prouder to support the establishment of Qtopia Sydney as a testament to the inclusivity and diversity that have come to define our vibrant city and state.

“Qtopia will stand as more than just a testament to any one particular person or government, this centre will stand as a marker for us all as to how far we’ve come in addressing inequality in NSW.

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

“Qtopia turns the history of discrimination, violence and shame, to one of celebration, visibility and resilience of our diverse queer community.

“Happy Mardi Gras.”

Minister for the Arts John Graham said:

“Qtopia’s new and permanent home in the former Darlinghurst Police Station is a significant space for Sydney LGBTQIA+ community. It will be an important place for education, engagement, and artistic expression.

“This heritage-listed building holds a lot of history for members of the LGBTQIA+ community. It will provide a place for exploring ideas and foster a deeper understanding of history and current events. I am pleased to see it’s reimagining as a much-needed cultural space in the centre of Sydney.”

The NSW Government is today releasing the nation’s first State Disaster Mitigation Plan (SDMP), developed by the NSW Reconstruction Authority.

The plan reveals the cost of building and infrastructure damage from natural disasters could hit $9.1 billion per year by 2060 if mitigation steps are not taken, as more frequent and severe events take an increased toll on homes, businesses and government infrastructure.

This is up from an estimated average annual cost of damage at $3.1 billion per year in NSW.

The NSW Reconstruction Authority was established following the 2022 NSW Independent Flood Inquiry, led by Professor Mary O’Kane and Mick Fuller.

The State Disaster Mitigation Plan was issued pursuant to the NSW Reconstruction Authority Act 2022, which requires the NSW Reconstruction Authority to prepare and implement a state disaster mitigation plan to provide guidance about the mitigation of disasters across NSW.

The Plan outlines how the rising costs of disasters can be addressed by refocusing government policy towards risk-reducing actions, and details how government agencies can work together to help communities prepare for worsening bushfires, heatwaves, floods, storms and coastal erosion.

The NSW Reconstruction Authority will help coordinate delivery of the actions to improve community resilience and mitigate against disasters.

Since 2019, NSW residents have endured over 65 declared disasters, costing taxpayers more than $6 billion, with more than 20,000 homes damaged in 2022 alone.

Climate change is expected to increase the severity and frequency of natural disasters.

The SDMP includes a toolkit of measures to reduce communities’ exposure and vulnerability to disasters through awareness and preparedness campaigns, evacuation infrastructure and warning systems.

The actions include:

• Boosting the State’s “Get Ready” preparedness campaigns to ensure communities are better equipped.
• Building a new local government toolkit to guide councils in preparing for disasters and the impacts of climate change.
• Developing local Disaster Adaptation Plans that will help communities become more aware and prepared and will inform future planning processes and rebuilding and reconstruction efforts after a disaster occurs.
• Developing early warning systems so communities are better prepared when disaster strikes.
• Identifying mitigation infrastructure strategies and approaches to funding.
• Working with industry to review building codes to factor in greater building resilience through materials and design.
• Reviewing insurance levy arrangements and working with the insurance sector to factor in affordability in adaption planning.

The first 3 local Disaster Adaptation Plans are currently being developed for the Northern Rivers and Hawkesbury Nepean, while work will commence soon for a Central West plan.

In developing the SDMP, detailed analysis was undertaken to determine the biggest threats to NSW. The results showed that storms and floods present the highest risk to homes, businesses and infrastructure, while heatwaves and bushfires present the greatest risk to life.

Research for the plan shows the top 20 local government areas in NSW currently most at risk from multiple hazards are the Central Coast, Tweed, Clarence Valley, Ballina, Northern Beaches, Penrith, Hawkesbury, Sydney, Lake Macquarie, Blacktown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Sutherland Shire, Newcastle, Bayside, Liverpool, Wollongong, Parramatta, Lismore, Shoalhaven and the Inner West.

The authority will deliver the next State Disaster Mitigation Plan (SDMP) in 2026, which will identify projects for the longer term.

A copy of the plan can be viewed on the NSW Reconstruction Authority website from 9am AEST.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“Historically, the state’s ability to prevent and prepare for disasters hasn’t worked as there has been only 3% of funding spent on prevention and 97% spent after an event.

“But we know that every dollar we invest in better preparing communities reduces future costs and will help make communities more resilient.

“The cost of inaction is too great: we need to better prepare and plan for disasters so we can lessen the burden on our communities. It gives us the tools we need to make better, more informed decisions about planning, so we can deliver more resilient homes away from areas of high risk.

“This is our opportunity to build better so that we can better deal with disasters that come and equip communities with what they need.”

Minister Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

“We’re shifting the dial in how we address disasters as well as making sure we do not inadvertently put people in harm’s way through bad planning decisions. For the first time, NSW finally has a plan to begin turning that around with information on how we can invest in reducing risks before disasters occur to better protect communities.

“Successive years of unprecedented natural disasters have highlighted the need for NSW to meet the challenges of the future by working to reduce both the actual and social costs of natural hazards to our communities. The first-ever State Disaster Mitigation Plan outlines the actions NSW collectively needs to take to reduce the risks our communities face, from bushfires and floods to storms and coastal hazards.

“There is no easy or simple solution to these challenges. The focus of the State Disaster Mitigation Plan is to provide a framework and clear actions for reducing risk where we can, and adapting where we can’t, through improved warning systems and a focus on resilient infrastructure.

“The increasing risk of natural disasters also increases pressure on our emergency services staff and volunteers, who put themselves on the line keeping communities safe. This plan will help to manage that risk by reducing the impact of disasters before they occur.”

Deputy CEO of the NSW Reconstruction Authority Simone Walker said:

“The NSW Reconstruction Authority is the first entity of its kind in NSW with the dual responsibility of proactively reducing the impact of future disasters before they happen, as well as responding after.

“This milestone plan gives NSW communities the first ever roadmap to reduce the risk of future disasters.

“This is critical because every dollar we invest in reducing risks will help people recover faster and reduce the cost of future disasters.”

Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 is moving ahead, with planning approval granted for the game-changing megaproject for Western Sydney.

It comes after the NSW Labor Government invested $200 million in the 2023-24 NSW Budget to expedite the project’s planning processes so construction can begin this term of Parliament.

Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 will connect Parramatta CBD to Sydney Olympic Park via the growing communities of Camellia, Rydalmere, Ermington, Melrose Park and Wentworth Point.

The 10-kilometre extension will include 14 new light rail stops that will provide residents with a long-awaited public transport link and unlock future housing growth.

The approved light rail corridor includes alignment changes around Rydalmere that will make connections to the Rydalmere Ferry Wharf easier and improve travel times.

Passengers will be able to travel from Sydney Olympic Park to Camellia in around 30 minutes, and on to the Parramatta CBD in another 7 minutes.

Construction will be phased, with initial work to begin later this year on a new 320-metre public and active transport bridge over Parramatta River, between Melrose Park and Wentworth Point.

Procurement to deliver the $602.4 million bridge is underway, with the initial contract for enabling works expected to be awarded later this year. This is the first stage in delivering Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2, with main construction work on the bridge expected to start in 2025.

The bridge will connect the growing communities of Melrose Park and Wentworth Point, located north and south of the river. It will be the first significant bridge crossing over Parramatta River since the completion of the southbound Ryde Bridge in 1987 – nearly 40 years ago.

Enabling works on the bridge are subject to approval by the Federal Minister for the Environment and Water, and the NSW Government looks forward to a positive outcome of this process in the coming months.

Find out more about the Parramatta Light Rail project

Find out more about the Determination and Conditions of Approval 

Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 will be part of Parramatta’s first tram network in over 80 years. Tram testing is currently underway on Parramatta Light Rail Stage 1 between Carlingford and Westmead via the Parramatta CBD.

Transport Minister Jo Haylen said:

“This is a major step forward for the city-shaping Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 project, meaning our growing communities in Western Sydney will be more connected than ever before.

“With around half of local residents and a third of local employees projected to live and work across the project corridor, this new track will serve a population of close to 280,000 by 2041.

“Stage 2 will directly link residents in Parramatta to the Sydney Olympic Park precinct and give communities like Wentworth Point the public transport they’ve been promised.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully said:

“It’s great news that the Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 project has been given the green light. Density in our cities is only possible if we can provide the supporting infrastructure, and that includes transport.

“The previous government announced and re-announced this project 17 times, we’re getting on with it.

“People bought in growing communities in the centre of our city on the promise of future public transport links. The previous government couldn’t deliver on that promise, we will.

“The NSW Government will continue to work closely with its partners and stakeholders so that the Conditions of Approval are met for the ongoing delivery of this vital megaproject.”

Member for Parramatta Donna Davis MP said:

“I am thrilled the NSW Government has reached this milestone in the planning of Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2.

“I will continue to work with residents, businesses, and local groups to ensure vital transport links this one are delivered for our community.

“Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 will connect communities on both banks of the Parramatta River directly to the Parramatta CBD. This will be a real game changer for the way people move around our city and I can’t wait to see work begin.”

The NSW Opposition welcomes additional protections the Government has announced for our State fish, the blue groper.
 
Since 11 January the Opposition has been calling on the Minns Labor Government to invest in greater education campaigns, to improve signage where spearfishing is occurring and to review penalties to ensure they’re a sufficient deterrent.
 
“We welcome the increased penalties for fishing blue gropers announced by the Government this morning,” Mr Speakman said. “However, the announced measures are incomplete.
 
“Banning line fishing will do nothing to stop the main problem – spearfishers illegally targeting gropers and being slapped with pathetic fines.
 
“While the Government has announced increased maximum penalties, it has failed:
·           to explain why it has not reviewed the inadequate $800 fine imposed on the illegal spearfisher who killed Gus the Groper in Cronulla;
·           to explain what education activities it will carry out; or
·           to commit to improved signage especially around known spearfishing spots.”
 
“My local community in Cronulla was outraged by the illegal spearfishing of the iconic Gus the Groper. They want our waterways to be a safe home for these ‘Labradors of the sea’.”
 
Shadow Minister for Environment Kellie Sloane said there have been numerous blue gropers killed across the NSW coastline in the past few months.
 
“While most fishers do the right thing, there needs to be better measures in place to protect these wonderful animals,” said Ms Sloane.
 
“The Minns Labor Government needs to explain what its proposed education campaign will involve and ensure improved signage so people are properly informed about these iconic fish and the new protections they enjoy.”

As more than 80,000 fans descend on Accor Stadium each night of the Eras Tour, new AI technology will be used to ensure Swifties are safe, calm and moving smoothly for the massive event.

Staff at Sydney Olympic Park and Transport for NSW will be working hard behind the scenes on each of the 4 nights, acting as eyes in the sky to support crowd control at the stadium’s high-tech coordination centre.

The AI program combines features such as de-identified CCTV footage, weather data and social media to accurately predict crowd movements and mood around the stadium.

This allows teams to prevent problems before they occur and implement a range of measures like opening more exits, redirecting people, giving live updates, deploying more staff or playing music to keep the mood up.

This will be the biggest test yet for the trial, which kicked off in 2023 as part of the NSW Government’s $45 million Smart Places Acceleration Program.

The technology has been successfully used for other events including the recent Laneway Festival and Big Bash League cricket.

Signs with QR codes have been placed around the stadium for people keen to learn more about the technology and provide feedback. 

The trial has been rigorously assessed under the NSW Government’s AI Assurance Framework to ensure the use of the new technology is ethical and real benefits are delivered to the community without compromising privacy or data security.

How to get to the concert and home swiftly:

Public transport is not only the most efficient way to get to the event, but we are making it part of the concert experience.

• A total of more than 1200 extra public transport services will run across the 4 nights.
• This includes more than 700 extra buses and 550 extra trains.
• Tay Tay Express Train Services will run from Central to Olympic Park every 8 minutes until 10:30pm then every 5 minutes until 1am.
• Central Station will shimmer as the concourse is decorated and the clock tower will be lit in a lavender haze for the occasion.
• The Eras Tour will continue onboard, with Taylor tracks to be played on the Swift Express runs.

Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said:

“The Taylor Swift Eras Tour will be one of the biggest ever turn-outs at Sydney Olympic Park, with unprecedented crowd levels expected inside and outside the stadium.

“Crowds of this magnitude can be unpredictable, and we want to do everything we can to make sure people are safe and comfortable while moving around.

“The shows will be unforgettable for tens of thousands of Swifties, and this technology will help staff ensure the mood stays positive even when people are stuck in foot traffic leaving the venue after the superstar has belted her final note.

“These kinds of events are a huge test for our public transport network, and I want to thank Swifties in advance for their patience and understanding, and our frontline staff for their massive efforts.

“Embracing world-class technology is essential to making people’s journeys easier, safer and more reliable than ever before.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“This new technology provides real-time insights, to help make every experience at Sydney Olympic Park a great one.

“With large events drawing crowds of more than 10 million visitors to the precinct each year, it’s important we use state-of-the-art tools to inform operations, keep people comfortable and avoid serious incidents.

“The software gives precinct staff an idea of crowd movements and capacities. It cannot be used for surveillance, tracking, or facial recognition, meaning individuals are never identifiable.”

A record amount of slope remediation and stabilisation work will take place this year to improve resilience along major roads through the Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury, starting this month with work on the Bells Line of Road.

Funding for the works is being provided by the Albanese and Minns governments through the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

This major effort to improve road safety will begin with remediation work at Mount Tomah from Monday 26 February, and it will be followed by remediation of 2 slope failures at Kurrajong Heights in March.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt said the works were focused on improving safety at multiple locations and enhancing the overall resilience of major road corridors.

“As most motorists would be aware, some slopes along the corridor were damaged by torrential rainfall between 2021 and 2022 that wrought havoc on the road network,” Minister Watt said.

“These works are about helping to improve the public road network and other critical assets so communities aren’t impacted as severely when more frequent weather events strike

NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said the primary area of focus will be Bells Line of Road, which is an important transport link for communities in the Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury and Central West.

“We have completed emergency work at 3 locations around the Botanic Gardens at Mt Tomah, while work to remediate a fourth site just west of the gardens should take place later this year,” Minister Aitchison said.

“Stabilisation work is also well under way to the slope failure on the Great Western Highway near Fairy Bower Road in Mount Victoria.

“This latest work kicking off will further remediate separate slopes at Mt Tomah and Kurrajong Heights – and with work beginning to address another slope failure at Victoria Pass in mid-2024, we are really improving safety at multiple locations and enhancing the overall resilience of the corridors.

“Other areas we will work on this year include Putty Road, which is another vital transport link for Blue Mountains and Lower Hunter communities, the Great Western Highway and Hawkesbury Road.

Federal Member for Macquarie Susan Templeman said local residents recognised the need for this work to ensure they have a reliable and resilient road.

“We have seen through bushfires, storms and floods just how vital the Bells Line of Road is for locals, including the businesses who rely on customers being able to reach them. And it’s also vital as one of 2 direct links between Sydney and the central west.

“I note that this disaster recovery funding is on top of the $100 million that we have provided to NSW for additional upgrades to Bells Line of Road.

“We need this road to be safe and reliable, and that’s what the Albanese government will continue to work with the NSW Minns government to achieve.”

State Member for Blue Mountains Trish Doyle welcomed the works.

“Road stabilisation and safety improvements to address damage caused by natural disasters in and around the Blue Mountains is essential and welcomed.

“In acknowledging the disruptions this may cause my community at times, I’m pleased to see the NSW and Commonwealth Governments working together and making good on our commitments to road safety.”

Remediation methods such as rock bolting, shotcreting and steel mesh installation will ensure the slopes are less likely to pose a hazard for road users.

While this work is essential for improving resilience and safety and will be coordinated to minimise inconvenience wherever possible, it also unfortunately means localised traffic delays will be unavoidable for much of the year.

Traffic impacts will include up to 3 separate lane closures along Bells Line of Road for much of 2024, and up to 2 lane closures along Putty Road mostly from the second quarter of this year.

Most remediation work will take place between 7am and 6pm Monday to Friday and, less frequently, on Saturday mornings. This will be communicated as necessary.

No work will take place on Sundays or public holidays, unless otherwise communicated. Portable boom gates will be used while work takes place to close lanes. Vehicles will be diverted into a single-lane with stop-start traffic control.

There will be traffic controllers and a reduced speed limit of 40km/h for the safety of workers and road users. 

More information on the program can be found on the Transport for NSW website.

Attorney General Michael Daley today announced the appointment of two new members to the NSW Sentencing Council, Melissa Burgess and Adam Hennessy.

Ms Burgess is committed to delivering reform to create better outcomes for Aboriginal people in the criminal justice system and brings a strategic, collaborative and results-driven approach to the Sentencing Council.

For the past 17 years she has worked in the criminal justice system as a solicitor with the Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) and Legal Aid NSW, including as Deputy Director of the Criminal Law Division since 2022.

Ms Burgess has been appointed to the statutory position of member with expertise or experience in Aboriginal justice matters.

Throughout his career Mr Hennessy has been dedicated to addressing the unique challenges facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and is committed to promoting fairness in the criminal justice system.

For the past decade he has worked in a range of areas, including state and federal public sectors, mental health and academia. Prior to that, Mr Hennessy worked with NSW Police for thirteen years as a lecturer and program coordinator teaching students and running training courses.

Mr Hennessy has been appointed to the statutory position of member representing the general community.

The Sentencing Council advises the Attorney General on sentencing matters, including undertaking consultation and reporting on issues referred to it by the Attorney General and providing an Annual Report on sentencing trends and practices. It comprises 16 members with diverse experience, including judicial officers, prosecutors, criminal defence lawyers, police, victims’ advocates and members of the community.

The appointments follow a public recruitment process in 2023 and both members will serve for three years.

Find out more about the Sentencing Council

Attorney General Michael Daley said:

“I would like to congratulate Ms Burgess and Mr Hennessy on their appointments to the Sentencing Council.

“The Sentencing Council plays a vital role in delivering justice in NSW and both individuals will bring a rich range of skills and experience to their positions. I would like to thank them for joining the Sentencing Council.”

The NSW Government is delivering on its commitment to provide additional support to wildlife hospitals, koala protection and research with more than $3.5 million in new funding provided to three regional wildlife care facilities.

Koalas in the state’s north will have a more secure future with $1.4 million allocated to complete construction of the Northern Rivers Wildlife Hospital in Wollongbar.

Friends of the Koala, based in Lismore, will receive a $110,000 grant to vaccinate 300 koalas against chlamydia, and develop a koala database.

This funding builds on previous NSW Government commitments to protect koalas in the northern rivers from vehicle strike and degraded habitats.

Grants totalling $460,000 were awarded to Richmond Valley, Ballina, Lismore, Tweed and Clarence Valley councils for signage to alert drivers to slow down and watch for koalas in vehicle strike hotspots.

Koala habitat restoration is also underway in the Northern Rivers region, with $810,000 invested to restore 660 hectares across private land and national park estate.

In addition to grants for Northern Rivers Wildlife Hospital and Friends of the Koala, the NSW Labor Government is providing a $2 million grant to Port Stephens Koala Hospital to increase wildlife veterinary capacity.

The NSW Government is committed to ensuring the long-term survival of koalas in the wild and each partnership with councils, land managers, community organisation and wildlife groups is an important step toward achieving that goal.

Minister for Climate Change and the Environment Penny Sharpe said:

“There are many reasons why a koala may be taken into care, including vehicle strike and disease.

“The NSW Government is taking steps to prevent koalas needing to be in veterinary care, and this funding helps to ensure that native wildlife have the best possible outcome when treated and returned to the wild.

“It is important that koalas have a bright future in NSW.”

Member for Port Stephens Kate Washington said:

“Koalas are a much-loved member of our community, and an iconic part of our region.

“This funding is a welcome announcement for our community which cares deeply for koalas and will greatly assist the amazing army of volunteers at Port Stephens Koala Hospital.

“Together we can help secure the future of koalas and other wildlife in our beautiful part of the world.”

Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said:

“The Northern Rivers Wildlife Hospital is wonderful. We have already turned the first sod but this $1.4 million in funding ensures its place within our network of native wildlife care.

“Our local communities love our iconic koalas and the $110,000 in funding will help protect them against chlamydia, and importantly, keep track of them.

“Friends of the Koala in East Lismore is a fantastic organisation, professional, with compassionate and competent volunteers.

“I am proud to have advocated for and secured funding for these projects and very pleased to join Minister Sharpe to announce them here in the electorate.”