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This National Homelessness Week, the Minns Labor Government is continuing work to build a safer New South Wales for women and children fleeing domestic and family violence.

This week, a new modular build refuge in Revesby was assembled onsite.

By adopting this innovative construction method, the new refuge is set to be completed before the end of the year and will be one of the first Core and Cluster refuges to use modular construction. This method of building homes is much faster and more cost-efficient than traditional construction projects.

The NSW Government has invested $2.29 million in this Core and Cluster refuge to be delivered by Women’s Community Shelters. It will comprise four self-contained studio units, a refurbished house containing a two-bedroom unit and a central hub where domestic and family violence support services will be delivered.

The four studio units have been built offsite in a controlled environment, and will be progressively assembled onsite to complete the cluster of accommodation.

Modular construction can improve build quality through factory controlled settings and eliminate delays caused by unexpected events such as extreme weather. It also reduces disruption for neighbours and the community.

The NSW Government has invested $426.6 million over four years in the Core and Cluster program, which provides victim-survivors with safe and secure accommodation and easy access to counselling, legal assistance, education, and employment support. Once completed, a total of 49 refuges will house and support more than an additional 2,900 women and children across the state each year.

Additionally, the NSW Government will deliver an historic $5.1 billion investment in social and affordable housing, with at least half of the new homes prioritised for victim-survivors of family and domestic violence.

Providing safe housing for victim-survivors continues to be a critical part of the work the NSW Government is doing to address domestic and family violence in the state. It is also part of a wider effort that includes boosting and supporting our frontline services, strengthening bail laws, earlier intervention, and primary prevention.

Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said:

“It’s so exciting that construction is underway for one of the first modular projects as part of the Core and Cluster program.

“The NSW Government supports innovative solutions to building more homes faster for people who need it the most.

“Because of the efficiency of modular construction, women and children escaping domestic and family violence in Revesby will very soon have a safe place to stay, and get the support they need to heal and rebuild their lives after experiencing trauma.”

Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said:

“The NSW Government understands the urgent need for emergency housing for women and children fleeing violent homes and abusive relationships across the state.

“We want to get families into safe and secure housing as soon as possible so they can begin healing and recovering from the trauma of violence and abuse.

“I’m excited that, for the first time, a Core and Cluster refuge is going to be built using modular construction, which has proven to be far more efficient than traditional building methods. This will allow Women’s Community Shelters to begin delivering crucial support to women and children much sooner.”

Member for East Hills Kylie Wilkinson MP said:

“Having been involved in the early establishment of Biyani House, I’ve seen firsthand how vital this kind of support is. I’m thankful for this Core and Cluster expansion in our local area. It means more women and families in our community will have access to the support and secure accommodation they need to rebuild their lives.

“Too often, women escaping domestic violence are left with nowhere to go, facing the choice between staying in danger or becoming homeless.

“The NSW Government’s increased focus on domestic violence has brought vital attention and resources to this issue. Building on recent Core and Cluster announcements in our community, this innovative modular construction is another significant step forward.”

Annabelle Daniel OAM CEO of Women’s Community Shelters said:

“At Women’s Community Shelters we see an ever-increasing number of women seeking safety every night in Sydney as the impacts of the dual crises of homelessness and domestic violence pushes demand for safe beds way beyond capacity.

“The theme of Homelessness Week 2025 is ‘action now’ and that is exactly what we are witnessing today as modular units are lifted by crane into our existing Biyani House crisis shelter to become urgently needed safe havens for women and children.

“Modular units are time-efficient to build, mobilise and make into homes. We applaud the NSW Government for funding this smart and innovative solution, and thank our dedicated community partners Housing All Australians, Shape Builders, DAS Studio, DT Infrastructure and Revesby Workers Club who have gone above and beyond to make this possible.”

Support:

If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, call the Police on Triple Zero / 000.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence, call the NSW Domestic Violence Line on 1800 65 64 63 for free counselling and referrals, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For confidential advice, support, and referrals, contact 1800 RESPECT or 13 YARN.

After a decade of neglect, the Minns and Albanese Labor Governments are building better communities in Western Sydney with design work set to begin on the now funded $1 billion upgrade of Fifteenth Avenue in Sydney’s growing south-west.

The Government has awarded a contract for concept design to WSP, a major step forward in this precinct shaping project, which will be an essential link to the Western Sydney International Airport precinct.

The Government can also share with the community for the first time the proposed scope of the long-awaited upgrade. Key features of the design will be:

• A four-lane carriageway, with two traffic lanes in each direction
• New active transport connections and pedestrian paths
• New signalised intersections, including one at Second Avenue, with dedicated turning lanes making it safer for locals
• A land reservation for future expansion, including for a dedicated bus transitway to support future rapid bus services from Liverpool to the Bradfield City Centre and new airport

Concept images, a fly-through video and renders can be viewed here.

The land reservation and future rezoning will ensure that new buildings can no longer be built in the future corridor of this arterial route, after the previous Liberal State and Federal Governments failed to protect the corridor needed for this upgrade, nor allocate any funding for its design and delivery.

Transport for NSW will also begin the process of engaging with property owners about land needed for the upgrade and future expansion.

Whilst there is still some way to go on the design, these discussions are starting early to help provide a level of certainty for affected property owners and ensure the project can be delivered as rapidly as possible.

To ensure construction can commence as soon as possible, the Fifteenth Avenue Upgrade will be delivered in a number of stages. Stage one will be completed in three sections, the first involving duplication between Second Avenue and Cowpasture Road, ahead of works moving onto the second section between Second Avenue and Fourth Avenue.

The third section of stage one will involve duplication between Fourth Avenue and Devonshire Road, while future stages will include the full connection through to the Bradfield City Centre and Aerotropolis precinct, and delivery of the dedicated bus transitway.

This staged approach will help to ensure the fastest and most cost effective delivery of this long overdue upgrade.

The Albanese and Minns Labor Governments announced a $1 billion injection to expedite this project earlier this year. The NSW Government has expedited the design and planning processes so the project can go to construction tender in 2026, ahead of major construction commencing in 2027.

Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“This is an important announcement that indicates the path forward for this essential project.

“We know the local community is experiencing congestion and delays along Fifteenth Avenue and the surrounding roads, with typical average speeds in the peak times around 30 kilometres per hour. This is why we are starting works early and phasing our delivery to focus on the worst pinch points first.

“Traffic counts in 2023 show around 22,000 vehicles use this section of road every day. That number is projected to almost double to 42,000 vehicles by 2036 especially as Bradfield and Western Sydney International (Nancy Bird Walton) Airport develop.

“I am pleased that a land reservation included for public transport so that as our area grows, the transport facilities are planned for within the corridor. This is good planning unlike the previous government that failed to protect the corridor to enable road widening.”

Federal Member for Werriwa Anne Stanley said:

“The Albanese Government recognises the importance of investing in South West Sydney. Projects like Fifteenth Avenue, Westlink M7, and the Western Sydney International Airport, will support growth and jobs in Western Sydney.

“These early works mark the beginning of the upgrade. We expect to see major construction work begin in 2027.

“Over the coming months, consultation with the community will inform planning and design before exhibition in 2026.”

State Member for Leppington Nathan Hagarty said:

“This is welcome news for our community.

“Fifteenth Avenue is a vital corridor for South West Sydney—especially with the new airport and Bradfield City Centre on the way. This announcement gives locals much-needed certainty about what’s next.

“Once complete, the upgrade will ease congestion, improve travel times and reliability for cars, trucks and buses, and make it safer for people walking or using public transport.

“Once complete the upgrade will reduce congestion for cars, trucks and buses, improve journey times and journey time reliability, as well as improving safety for people walking, catching public transport and riding bikes.”

The Minns Labor Government is continuing its work to deliver more connected communities, with the opening of the Falcon Street shared user bridge over the Warringah Freeway.

Built as part of the Warringah Freeway Upgrade, the new Falcon Street shared user bridge replaces an older crossing and improves user experience with a wider deck, a shade canopy decorated with Indigenous artwork and improved sight lines.

The 4.8 metre-wide, 187 metre-long bridge gives users more room, reducing conflicts between those on foot and those cycling across the bridge.

The bridge will connect 800 users every single day, crossing over the Warringah Freeway from Falcon Street at North Sydney to Merlin Street at Neutral Bay, providing continuous east-west connectivity across the Warringah Freeway, separated from traffic.

Construction was timed to take advantage of school holidays and to reduce night work closures on the freeway, reducing traffic impacts and night-time noise for the community.

While sections of the old bridge can still be seen, these will be progressively removed over the coming months, which can now be done without impacting users of the new bridge.

For more information about the Warringah Freeway Upgrade project, visit the Warringah Freeway Upgrade website.

Jenny Aitchison, Minister for Roads, said:

“This is the latest milestone on the Warringah Freeway Upgrade on which we see real progress happening from week to week.

“The new bridge will be wider and safer for the hundreds of cyclists and pedestrians expected to use it each day, with better sight lines and a wider deck. It helps to get Sydneysiders moving and active while giving them a safe passage across the freeway.

“It’s exciting to see elements of this critical infrastructure project open up as we motor towards Sydney’s future, and to see cyclists and pedestrians making use of this wonderful new asset.”

Labor Duty MLC for Willoughby, Courtney Houssos said:

“The new Falcon Street Shared user bridge is a fantastic addition for this community, making it safer and easier for locals to walk or cycle between Cammeray, Neutral Bay and North Sydney.

“Projects like this show how investment in infrastructure can deliver real benefits for people every day, improving safety, connectivity and the overall liveability of the local area.”

Parliamentary Secretary for Transport, Dr. Marjorie O’Neill said:

“The Minns Labor Government is committed to investing in active transport infrastructure like this new shared user bridge.

“By creating safer, more accessible connections for walkers and cyclists, we’re helping people choose healthier, more sustainable ways to get around while easing congestion on our roads.”