Category: NSW News

The Barton Highway upgrade will hit its biggest milestone to date this month as the first vehicles travel on the final alignment for the first time.

The Australian and NSW governments have together committed $200 million towards the upgrade of the Barton Highway, with $150 million provided by the Australian Government and $50 million by the NSW Government.

All northbound Barton Highway traffic will switch onto the new lanes, while work is carried out to prepare the existing highway for southbound-only traffic.

When the reconfiguration of the existing highway is complete, the 7km length of duplication from just north of the NSW-ACT border to just south of Kaveneys Road intersection, will be open to 4 lanes, signalling the completion of the first stage of the Barton Highway upgrade.

Planning is now well underway for the second stage of duplication, which will start at the northern end of the first stage, near Kaveneys Road, and extend north towards Gooda Creek Road.

The Barton Highway project team will be at the upcoming Murrumbateman Field Days on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 October at Murrumbateman Recreation Grounds at site Y35 where the community can find out the latest updates on the project. Transport for NSW will also be promoting road safety and its Be Truck Aware campaign at sites Y36 and Y37.

More information will be shared with the community about the traffic switch, completion of the first stage of duplication, and next steps for the southern tie-in and second stage of duplication when available.

Get more information on the Barton Highway.launch

Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said:

“It is great to see strong progress on this project, which has battled the poor conditions of La Nina weather conditions resulting in higher-than-average rainfall.

“Despite this, work has carried on, with an impressive 254,000 cubic metres of earthwork completed and 60,000 tonnes of road surface rolled out.”

Federal Regional Development, Local Government and Territories Minister and Member for Eden-Monaro Kristy McBain said:

“The Barton Highway is a strategically important rural highway linking the southern and western areas of NSW to the ACT, and this duplication will help improve safety for all motorists making this journey.

“The ultimate goal will be a fully duplicated Barton Highway between the ACT and the Hume Highway, providing motorists with consistent, separated 2-lane driving conditions in each direction and constant overtaking opportunities without the need to merge.”

NSW Regional Transport and Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison said:

“We’re improving safety by separating traffic with a central median, improving travel time and increasing capacity of this major highway to better meet the needs of the future population.

“We’re also listening to the community and have another opportunity for the community to find out more about the overall project at the upcoming Murrumbateman Field Days on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 October at Murrumbateman Recreation Grounds.”

Assistant Minster for Competition, Charities and Treasury, Assistant Minister for Employment, Member for Fenner Andrew Leigh said:

“The safety of the Barton Highway has been a serious problem for many years. This is a project that will save lives and improve the commute of the thousands of Canberrans who use the Barton Highway every day.

Many Canberrans have campaigned for years for the duplication of the Barton Highway. It’s great to see state and federal governments working together to deliver for the community.”

The NSW Government today expressed its deepest sympathies to the family of a NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) volunteer firefighter who lost his life in the Northern Rivers.

The RFS has confirmed the firefighter died after experiencing a medical episode while working on a fire at Bean Creek in the Kyogle region.

Fellow RFS members came to the volunteer’s assistance until ambulance officers arrived.

Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib said the impact of the tragedy would also be felt by RFS colleagues and across the local community. 

“My heart goes out to the family of the brave volunteer who lost his life today defending the people of NSW on the frontline of this fire,” Mr Dib said.

“Our emergency services volunteers give so much to help keep others safe, and we are devastated that today this firefighter gave his life in service to our community. 

“I would also like to pay tribute to the brigade members who came to his assistance today, and who are also in our thoughts as they mourn the loss of a valued colleague.

“Days like this are extremely tough and we thank volunteers for everything they do to keep us safe.”

The RFS is providing support to the volunteer’s family, friends and firefighting colleagues.

Support is also available through:

• Lifelinelaunch – 13 11 14
• Beyond Bluelaunch – 1300 22 4636
• NSW RFS members can contact the Critical Incident Support Services Team or the Member Assistance Program for free assistance.

Mobile phone detection cameras will begin enforcing seatbelt compliance in a new safety push aimed at reducing needless deaths on NSW roads each year.

The NSW Government will add seatbelt compliance to the work of the existing mobile phone detection camera network after a public awareness campaign and a nine-month period in which warning letters rather than fines will be issued.

In the five years to 2022, 142 lives were lost on NSW roads in fatal crashes in which victims were travelling in a vehicle but not wearing a seatbelt.

Despite five decades of enforcement and public awareness campaigns, more than 10,000 people a year are still fined for not wearing a seatbelt.

Independent modelling provided to the NSW Government suggests camera-based enforcement could save between 17 and 26 lives over five years and reduce serious, life-changing injuries by up to 62.

Legislative changes will be introduced to NSW Parliament next week ahead of a thorough public awareness campaign and a nine-month period in which drivers will receive a warning letter rather than fine. It is expected that fines from cameras will be issued in the first quarter of 2025.

Every dollar raised by seatbelt cameras will go back into road safety – as is currently the case with all fine revenue from speed, red light and mobile phone detection cameras.

Minister for Roads John Graham said:

“It has been a legal requirement to wear a seatbelt in NSW for more than 50 years, yet sadly we continue to see lives lost each and every year in crashes in which someone did not wear a seatbelt and paid the ultimate price.

“The simple act of wearing a seatbelt halves the risk of death and serious injury and we must convince the small minority of people who still refuse to put a seatbelt on to change their behaviour. 

“This is a straightforward and cost-effective way to improve road safety at a time when the road toll is on the rise.

“We know our mobile phone detection cameras, which were introduced by the former government in 2020, have been effective in changing that dangerous behaviour over time, and we expect the same result as we expand their use to seatbelt enforcement.

“There will be a warning period before fines are issued to drivers to give motorists the chance to change their behaviour and that is a sensible way to proceed.

“I urge drivers to buckle up each time they are in a vehicle and make sure your passengers are also using their seatbelts. It’s a simple action but it just may save your life.”

Minister for Regional Roads and Transport Jenny Aitchison said:

“The NSW Government takes road safety seriously and the introduction of camera enforcement for seatbelt offences will ensure people buckle up on every trip.

“Over 84 per cent of fatalities and two-thirds of serious injuries where people are not wearing seatbelts occur on country roads.

“We want to see everyone using a seatbelt for every trip, it’s a simple action that has been proven to save lives.

“Fifty years ago, at the urging of the CWA, amongst others, the former Member for Maitland and this state’s longest serving Transport Minister the late Hon Milton Morris made wearing a seatbelt the law in NSW.

“We must continue this bipartisan legacy of putting safety first, and in the 21st Century, camera detection technology is vital to this task.

“We will continue community education and awareness campaigns and provide a warning period as we roll out cameras, but in the end, we must act to save lives.

“The grief, the trauma and regret of those who lose loved ones lasts a lifetime.

“We should all wear a seatbelt, every single time.”

Today we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Australian Constitution and enshrine a Voice to advise Government.

Recognising Australia’s First Peoples and the thousands of years of continuous culture and history they hold in our nation’s founding document is a chance we cannot miss.

Establishing a Voice will enshrine this recognition giving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples a seat at the table to better inform and improve policies affecting the life of Aboriginal people.

This body will give independent advice to decision-makers, on the issues affecting Indigenous communities.

This referendum is an opportunity to enshrine recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our Constitution and create a body merging Indigenous wisdom with our democratic traditions.

First Nations people are dying younger, getting sicker more often and are more likely to enter the criminal justice system.

By any objective measure, what we are doing is not working. So we must give this change a chance.

New South Wales has an important responsibility, as the most populous state in the country with the largest Aboriginal population. More of our citizens stand to benefit from better policy outcomes than anywhere else in Australia.

It is important to emphasise that Constitutional change will make no difference to our successful representative parliamentary democracy. It will not infringe on the House of Representatives or the Senate. The democratic institutions that have been built up over generations will remain in place. These are cherished institutions, and we need them in this country.

Adding the Voice to Parliament will mean that for the first time there will be a direct opportunity for the Australian Parliament to engage with the people whose lives, in many respects, depend on government support, government policy and changes in directions.

For the vast majority of Australians this will not be a big change, but for First Nations Australians it is a massive change.

In the last sitting of the NSW Parliament before the referendum date, the NSW Government held a vote to reiterate its strong support for a Yes vote. This vote garnered support from Members across the aisle showing the unity of Parliament’s message to NSW today.

To those who have not made up their mind, the NSW Government says this is a positive vote for change that will make a meaningful difference to the First Nations people of this country.

Premier Chris Minns said:

“Today we’re asking people to take a once-in-a-generation chance to recognise and hear the Voice of Australia’s First Peoples.

“For many Australians this will not be a big change, but it will be a massive change for indigenous communities.

“But to those who have not made up their mind, I say this is a positive vote for change that will make a meaningful difference to the First Nations people of this country.”

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, David Harris said:

“We know that when Aboriginal people have a direct say on issues that affect them, we get better outcomes.

“This is a chance for all of us to help achieve better outcomes for Aboriginal people in NSW.

“Aboriginal people have advocated for constitutional recognition through a Voice to Parliament for some time.

“It is time to say Yes to recognition and a Voice to Parliament.”

More than 850,000. unpaid carers around the state are being recognised this week as the NSW Government, service providers and the community celebrates National Carers Week.

Minister with responsibility for Carers Jodie Harrison said this year’s theme – ‘Millions of Reasons to Care’ – acknowledges the important role carers play helping others.

“Caring for a loved one takes enormous dedication and strength, and this is a week to highlight the vital work carers do,” Minister Harrison said.

“There is no job description for a carer. They do whatever needs to be done. This can include helping people perform their daily routines, cooking, cleaning or driving them to medical appointments.

“These selfless individuals in our community don’t look for public thanks and praise but their incredible efforts need to be recognised and celebrated.”

In NSW, carers support people for a range of reasons, including disability, mental health conditions, chronic illness, age, dementia or drug and alcohol dependency. Caring is nearly twice as prevalent in Aboriginal communities and almost 80,000 carers are young people 25 years or younger.

Carers NSW CEO Elena Katrakis said it is important carers look after their own health and wellbeing and for people to know there is support available if they need it.

“Many people don’t think of themselves as ‘carers’. They simply see themselves as a husband, wife, father, mother, son, daughter or friend looking after someone they love,” Ms Katrakis said.

“It can be incredibly rewarding work, but tough. So, taking time to look after yourself is the best way to be able to take care of others.”

As part of the 2023-24 Budget, the NSW Government is investing $5.1 million in targeted programs and supports for carers, including funding for programs under the NSW Carers Strategy 2020-2030 and funding for initiatives operated by Carers NSW, such as the Young Carers Program.

If you are a carer, there is a range of resources and supports available for you. Find out more at www.carergateway.gov.au or call 1800 422 737.

National Carers Week runs from Sunday 15 to Saturday 21 October 2023 and there are plenty of activities across NSW to celebrate carerslaunch.

Sydney has today become the first-ever host city of an annual South by Southwest (SXSW) event outside of Austin, Texas with the inaugural Asia Pacific edition of the iconic creative industries festival kicking off today.

From Sunday 15 October until Sunday 22 October, SXSW Sydney will feature more than 1,200 events and sessions, including a line-up of luminary speakers including Academy Award-winning actress Nicole Kidman, Grammy-winning artist Chance the Rapper, creator of Black Mirror Charlie Brooker, filmmaker and director Baz Luhrmann, Australian actress Naomi Watts and many.

Secured by the NSW Government through Destination NSW in partnership with TEG, SXSW has a remarkable track record of being the launchpad of what is next, famously providing a pitch platform for Uber and X (formerly known as Twitter), and the first global stage to a young Billie Eilish.

Now the event will take centre stage in our state, showcasing Sydney as a hub for the creative industries in the Asia Pacific, bringing together creatives, tech pioneers, musicians and culture enthusiasts from across the region and beyond.

SXSW Sydney is a city-wide music festival, futurist think tank, a showcase of the latest games, alongside film and TV world premieres and next-gen technology expo. This one-of-a-kind event will take place at various locations in Sydney’s CBD, including Chippendale, Ultimo, Darling Quarter, Darling Harbour and Haymarket, activating a large number of venues throughout the city and supporting the entire ecosystem of Sydney’s visitor and night-time economy.

This event couldn’t have come at a better time. SXSW combines the best of games, screen, music and ideas just as the NSW Government develops the state’s first arts, cultural and creative industries policy, underpinned by the belief that our definition of the arts sector needs to broaden – that we think about creativity in NSW the exact way it will manifest at SXSW.

More information about SXSW Sydneylaunch and plan your Sydney visitlaunch.

Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham said:

“Straight from Austin, Texas to Sydney, our city will be the centre of the music, screen, gaming and tech world this week as we welcome locals and visitors to enjoy the inaugural SXSW Sydney. I’m very pleased that people attending SXSW will have the chance to see Sydney at its best after dark, soaking up music, ideas, and culture.  It’s the first time this event is being held outside of its Texas origins.

“SXSW Sydney will be a game-changing event for NSW. It is just the beginning of an unrivalled cultural events calendar over the coming months showcasing Sydney’s local talent, creativity, culture and natural beauty that draws people in from across the country and around the world.”

Managing Director of SXSW Sydney Colin Daniels said:

“SXSW coming to Sydney is not just a remarkable milestone for the event, it’s monumental for the global creative community. Leaving Austin for the first time in its history, the launch of SXSW Sydney is a testament to the city’s vibrant ecosystem and its prominence on the global stage. SXSW Sydney promises to be a unique and unforgettable event for all participants, and we can’t wait to see you here.”

Waterways and estuaries including creeks, rivers and wetlands impacted by last year’s floods will be regenerated and protected from future disasters through a Riparian Stabilisation Package.

The $64 million package from the Albanese and Minns governments targets riparian land that pose a significant threat to public safety, assets and the environment due to damage caused by flooding in early 2022 (AGRN 1012).

The package will be delivered at critical sites in the Clarence, Hastings, Hawkesbury Richmond, Macleay, Manning, Nambucca, Tweed and Wilson River systems.

The package will also help landholders and others who manage and use the areas to understand how to more effectively reduce the impacts of future disasters and dedicate resources to monitor water quality in the long-term.

Jointly funded under the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), works will be delivered by the Department of Regional NSW, the NSW Department of Primary Industries, Local Land Services and the NSW Environment Protection Authority.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt said the recovery works were critical to preserve the unique and diverse nature of the waterways.

“Riparian areas and estuaries are often some of the most fertile parts of the landscape, playing a crucial role in habitat viability for plants and animals,” Minister Watt said.

“This joint investment will allow local farmers to water their stock, tourism operators to show travellers the strong cultural heritage and environmental value of these areas, and the local anglers to get back to fishing.”

NSW Minister for Agriculture and Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said healthy riparian areas are critical to maintaining bank stability, supporting clean waterways and reducing the risk of pest and disease movement.

“The flood events in early 2022 caused significant river and estuarine erosion, which has put farmland, cultural sites, estuarine habitats and access roads at risk,” Ms Moriarty said.

“This package will support the restoration of priority riparian and estuarine areas through activities such as improving fish habitats, bank stabilisation works and regeneration activities.”

The package will be delivered through the jointly funded $29 million Estuarine Asset Protection Program, the $30 million Riverbank Rehabilitation Program and the $5 million Water Quality Monitoring Program.

NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said the initiative is reflective of a cross-government commitment to disaster recovery.

“The NSW Government works to make sure assistance through Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements complements and incentivises resilience, so communities are better placed to mitigate future disaster and recover more quickly,” Mr Scully said.

Get more information on riparian support.

NSW Ambulance has today launched a major recruitment drive to boost capacity within the state’s Virtual Clinical Care Centre (VCCC).

Health Minister Ryan Park said the VCCC helps NSW Ambulance respond to Triple Zero (000) calls more effectively, operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and providing expert clinical and medical secondary triage capability.

“A significant number of calls made to Triple Zero (000) do not require a paramedic response, and that’s where our expert clinical staff in the VCCC step in,” Mr Park said.

“The VCCC was created during the pandemic at a time of unprecedented Triple Zero (000) call volumes and showed it was more than capable to manage this extreme demand and keep patients safe.

“During the devastating 2022 floods where some people requiring medical attention were isolated by flood waters, VCCC clinicians were able to provide ongoing clinical care to these patients virtually while they were waiting to be rescued.

“Expanding the VCCC ensures patients right across NSW will continue to receive the care they need regardless of where they live while also reducing demand on our ambulances and hospital emergency departments.

“The VCCC saved more than 12,000 patients from attending the emergency department last year, reducing demand on the hospital system.

“VCCC clinicians had contact with more than 100,000 Triple Zero (000) callers during this period to triage or provide support for 46,000 patients, who didn’t require urgent care by offering secondary health services available within the community.”

NSW Ambulance Commissioner Dr Dominic Morgan said the VCCC has assisted with tens of thousands of Triple Zero (000) calls since it was launched 2 years ago.

“The VCCC started with a small number of specialist clinicians on duty 16 hours a day. Two years on, it’s a 24/7 operation, which will have more than 100 staff over the next 3 years,” Dr Morgan said.

“As part of the VCCC expansion NSW Ambulance is seeking experienced registered nurse and/or registered paramedic triage clinicians, clinical nurse consultants and specialist physicians to join the fast-growing multidisciplinary team.”

In the 2 years since being established the VCCC has been successfully diverting very low acuity cases away from hospital emergency departments to more appropriate care pathways. VCCC staff also provide call backs to some patients who call Triple Zero (000) to assess them clinically and determine if the response needs to be upgraded.

Crucial reforms to the Motor Dealers and Repairers Act 2013 that improve consumer protection and deter illegal behaviour when selling, repairing or recycling motor vehicles have passed the NSW Parliament.

NSW is the leader in new vehicle purchases in the nation, with 31% of the 1 million purchases nationwide made by consumers of this state.

NSW holds the biggest segment of Australia’s $37 billion automotive industry.

The government’s reforms to this critical sector will:

• Allow for the online end-to-end sale of motor vehicles in NSW.
• Introduce specific consumer protection requirements for online motor dealers, including capping deposits from potential buyers and requiring dealers to display their licence number on all advertising material to enable buyers’ to research the vehicle.
• Provide new protections for consumers when purchasing vehicles at auction by providing access to a vehicle’s inspection report before a purchase.
• Enhance powers to crack down on odometer tampering by banning possession of odometer tampering devices to minimise fraud in the sale of second-hand vehicles.
• Reduce the potential for sale of stolen parts by supporting the introduction of cashless transactions for motor vehicle recyclers by banning licensed recyclers from accepting cash or in-kind payment.

The reforms follow extensive consultation with key stakeholders in the motor industry, including the Motor Traders’ Association of NSW.

Minister for Fair Trading and Better Regulation Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“Whether it’s brand new or second hand, a car is a major investment and consumers should have confidence that what they are buying is exactly as advertised.

“We cannot have cars being sold which have had their odometers wound back, or stolen vehicles or parts unloaded at motor recycling yards in exchange for under the table cash.

“These changes will go a long way to ensuring buyers in NSW have the best possible protection when purchasing a vehicle.”

The Minns Labor government has introduced its landmark Climate Change Bill, to enshrine emissions reduction targets law in NSW and establish an independent Net Zero Commission.

The Climate Change (Net Zero Future) Bill 2023 commits NSW to cutting greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% by 2030 and reaching net zero by 2050.

The Minns Labor government is legislating emissions reduction targets to provide certainty and opportunity to households, industry and clean energy investors as we take firm climate action.

The Bill commits NSW to making its contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and its contribution to keeping global warming to 1.5 degrees.

The legislated 2030 and 2050 targets are essential to NSW seizing the enormous economic benefit of the transition to renewable energy, which will attract tens of billions of dollars in private investment, put downward pressure on power bills for households and businesses and generate thousands of jobs, most of them in regional areas.

To achieve the targets, the NSW Government is already taking strong action by investing $1.8 billion in renewable energy infrastructure, transmission and storage through the Transmission Acceleration Facility and Energy Security Corporation.

The NSW Government is also creating a new stand-alone Department for Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water, and investing in the circular economy to drive down emissions from waste.

In addition to setting robust emissions reduction targets, the Climate Change (Net Zero Future) Bill 2023 will:

• Establish the Net Zero Commission – a strong, independent, expert body to monitor the state’s progress to net zero. It will report annually to ensure parliamentary transparency and accountability.
• Put in place guiding principles for action to address climate change.
• Set an objective to make NSW more resilient to our changing climate.
• The NSW Government and Net Zero Commission will liaise with the state’s diverse regions and communities to ensure climate action is community-led, informed, fair and transparent.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

“The people of NSW expect their government to act on climate change and power bills.

“That’s why we’re delivering on our election promises to legislate emissions reduction targets and set up the independent Net Zero Commission.

“Enshrining targets in law shows the NSW Labor Government is serious about reaping the benefits of driving down emissions and moving to more affordable, renewable energy.

“NSW is driving down emissions while putting downward pressure on power bills.”

Minister for Climate Change, Energy and the Environment Penny Sharpe said:

“These laws are a down payment on securing the future for the people of NSW. Climate change is already costing NSW through more frequent and more extreme weather events, droughts, floods and other disasters.

“Legislating 2030 and 2050 targets and creating an independent Net Zero Commission fulfils a commitment to the people of NSW that the government will take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and continue the renewable transformation of our energy system.”