Category: NSW News

A new BreastScreen NSW campaign is urging women to book in for a lifesaving mammogram before it’s too late, with more than 50% of NSW women aged 50 to 74 behind on their breast cancer screening.

Voiced by Australian entertainers Kat Stewart and Amanda Keller, the new campaign warns women that while you’re living life, ‘Breast Cancer Doesn’t Wait’.

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said while a record number of women have returned to the BreastScreen NSW service over the past few months, there are still more than 625,000 women who haven’t booked in for their breast screen.

“We know life gets busy and reminder letters to get a breast screen often get lost under a mountain of paperwork and endless to do lists,” Mr Park said.

“The message is simple, breast screening needs to be a priority – an appointment only takes 20 minutes every 2 years and could save your life.”

Minister for Women, Jodie Harrison, urged women to book in for their mammogram as soon as possible.

“Putting off something like a mammogram can seem all too easy, but you shouldn’t,” Ms Harrison said.

“It’s 20 minutes out of your day that could save your life.

“The message of this new campaign is clear – put yourself, and your health, first.”

NSW Chief Cancer Officer and Cancer Institute NSW CEO, Professor Tracey O’Brien, said the campaign aims to encourage women to put themselves first and was developed after research found many women were not having regular breast screens because they were too busy.

“For women aged 50 to 74, a breast screen every 2 years is still the best way to detect and treat breast cancer early – before it can be seen or felt,” Professor O’Brien said.

“Unfortunately, breast cancer is expected to take the lives of close to 1000 women in NSW this year and we need to do everything we can to detect and treat breast cancer as early as possible.

“As a working mum and professional, I know how hard it can be to block out time for yourself.

“A breast screen is quick and easy and if the cancer is detected early, it can significantly increase your chance of survival.”

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, with 1 in 7 women set to be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.

Age and being female are the biggest risk factors – not family history. 

BreastScreen NSW services are recommended for women aged 50 to 74 years, with no breast symptoms.

The service is available for women from 40 years. Any woman who has noticed a change in their breasts, like a lump, should see their doctor without delay.

Get more information and to make an appointment, call 13 20 50launch from anywhere in Australia or book online at BreastScreenlaunch.

If you need help from a translator to book a screening appointment, call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 13 14 50launch.

To watch the new campaign commercial and for more information, visit BreastScreenlaunch.

The Minns Labor Government has slashed in half the planned and fully funded $500M redevelopment of the Powerhouse Museum at Ultimo.

Shadow Treasurer Damien Tudehope said the Minns Government is prioritising its deal with union bosses over funding for infrastructure and transport projects, supporting the arts and helping people across the community.

“Before the election Chris Minns promised to roll over Active Kids, deliver Metro West, and continue to deliver important community projects – now with funding for Powerhouse Utlimo slashed in half, just like with Active Kids, Labor cannot be trusted to deliver for the people of NSW.”

Shadow Minister for Arts Kevin Anderson said the former Coalition government had backed this project and the arts sector, committing to a $500m refurbishment after extensive planning and community consultation.

“This is huge blow for the Arts sector who will now have to settle for less. The Government is walking away from an opportunity to build a new purpose-built museum on the site,” Mr Anderson said. “This will be a blow not only to the arts and tourism sectors, but also to the education and training sector that was anticipating subsidised studios and workspaces, including more than 5000 dedicated design and fashion study spots for regional and remote NSW students.”

“Many new features could end up in the dust bin, including a more user-friendly Haymarket street entrance, 30 percent more exhibition space and a promised four-story building with street level access. I’m calling on the Minns Labor Government not to waste this opportunity, and guarantee that the main entrance will be from the Haymarket side to remove the longstanding problems with the Harris Street entrance that create a barrier to entry.”

“The Liberals and Nationals left a proud legacy in the arts – the greatest investment since the Opera House – delivering investment of more than $1B for world class institutions, including the Parramatta Powerhouse, Castle Hill world class storage facility and the planned redevelopment of the Powerhouse at Ultimo.”

Damien Tudehope said the former Coalition Government was able to deliver record investment in health and education, as well as funding new transport and infrastructure and projects like the Powerhouse redevelopment, because of its strong Budget management.

“Our economic management earned the state two Triple A credit ratings and had our budget on the path to surplus in 2024-25, despite having to manage a once-in-a-century crisis in the  COVID pandemic,” Mr Tudehope said. “Chris Minns promised billions of taxpayer funds to his union bosses, and now we’re finding out what has to be cut to pay for them.”

The NSW Government has today confirmed that NSW government owned sites around the Sydney Harbour foreshore will be free for the public this New Year’s Eve, fulfilling an election commitment.

The announcement comes as six thousand front row positions for the world-famous fireworks atop the Cahill Expressway go up for grabs from Tuesday with the launch of a free ticket ballot.

The move will allow more than 60,000 Sydneysiders and visitors to once again access some of the harbour’s best vantage points free of charge.

The Government is making fireworks viewing free again across Barangaroo Reserve, West Circular Quay (including First Fleet Park), Campbells Cove, Hickson Road Reserve and locations in the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney and The Domain, including the renowned Mrs Macquarie’s Point. Tickets at these locations last year ranged in price from $12.50 to $520.

Most of these vantage points will operate on a first-come, first-served basis, with monitored capacity limits in place. Each vantage point will be closed once capacity is reached.

Further NSW Government public domain venues within Sydney Harbour will also be free, with access managed through a ticket system. This includes NSW National Parks and Wildlife’s Bradleys Head, Strickland Estate, and the idyllic Clark Island, Me-Mel (Goat Island) and Shark Island.

Tickets at these NSW National Parks and Wildlife venues last year cost between $24 and $286. Instead, people who secure tickets this year will only pay a modest fee covering their return ferry voyage.

The Transport for NSW ‘NYE on the Cahill Expressway’ will remain the same as 2022, with free access managed through a ticket system. The family-friendly, alcohol and smoke-free celebration boasts live music, entertainment and an amazing view.

People can nominate their preference to attend either the 9pm or midnight session, with a maximum of five tickets available per ballot entry. Around 3,000 can take in the fireworks display at each session, with a dedicated accessibility viewing area available to up to 200 people.

The ballot for tickets to NYE on the Cahill Expressway 2023 opens at 9:00am Tuesday 5 September and will close on Friday 6 October at 11:59pm, with people invited to enter the draw to attend one of two sessions. 

Successful applicants will be informed by email between Monday, 16 October and Friday, 8 December 2023.

Enter the ballotlaunch

The Government has provided limited exemptions to two charities, the Taronga Conservation Society of Australia and the Royal Botanic Gardens Foundation, allowing their annual New Year’s Eve fundraisers to continue. The not-for-profit events underpin the conservation and scientific work of the two important NSW public institutions.

The Royal Botanic Gardens’ limited exemption allows its Foundation and Friends Picnic, established in 1996, to take place once again on the Mare and Foal Lawn. The picnic also serves as the Royal Botanic Gardens’ designated accessible viewing area, with complimentary tickets issued via a public ballot to people with a disability.

Planning in all precincts is now underway. Access arrangements, including free tickets, will be made available over time via the City of Sydney’s website.

City of Sydney will continue to put on the world-famous firework display on December 31, ensuring Sydney maintains its globally recognised reputation as the New Year’s capital of the world.

Sydney Harbour will once again be the focal point with two fireworks shows, the 9pm fireworks followed by the dazzling midnight show.

NSW Government agencies including the NSW Police are already working together to ensure appropriate safety and security measures will be in place across the city to ensure revellers can welcome in 2024 safely.

This Child Protection Week, the NSW Government is recognising and celebrating the unsung heroes of our child protection system – the dedicated caseworkers and frontline staff who keep children safe.

Child Protection Week begins today and serves as an important reminder that safeguarding our children requires collective effort, urging every Australian to recognise their role in nurturing a safe environment for the younger generation.

At the heart of the NSW child safety system are more than 2,300 specialised caseworkers and frontline personnel who respond to the hundreds of child safety reports received by the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) every day.

DCJ’s Child Protection Helpline is the first touch point of the NSW child protection system. Helpline staff assess reports and work swiftly to ensure children are kept safe and families are supported.

The Helpline:

• operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week
• answers more than 140,000 calls each year
• answered more than 10,000 calls in July this year alone
• completed more than 16,500 assessments in July this year (including assessments in response to e-reports).

The NSW Government is committed to supporting and celebrating the thousands of dedicated frontline staff who keep children safe across NSW.

Child Protection Weeklaunch runs from 3 to 9 September.

Minister for Families and Communities Kate Washington said:

“Child Protection Week is an opportunity to recognise the vital work caseworkers and frontline staff do every day to support children.”

“Caseworkers offer invaluable support to at-risk children and families, work that is often extremely complex and incredibly challenging.”

“Protecting our state’s most vulnerable children is not possible without the efforts of these workers.”

“I’ve been so impressed by the caseworkers I’ve met right across the state, including the team at the Child Protection Helpline in South West Sydney. They approach their difficult work with big hearts, driven by the desire to see children and families receive the support they need.”

“Thank you to our incredible Helpline staff at Liverpool and the tireless efforts of all child protection workers across DCJ and NSW.”

Western Sydney residents are one step closer to catching fast metro rail services, with TBM Peggy smashing through at the future Airport Terminal station in a major milestone for the Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport project.

The 1,066-tonne mega-machine completed the first leg of its 5.5-kilometre journey to the Aerotropolis, following TBM Eileen, who made her historic first breakthrough last month.

Peggy has worked around the clock at an average speed of 120 metres per week to build the fully lined 1.26-kilometre tunnel from the Airport Business Park, excavating around 112,000 tonnes of rock – enough to fill about 18 Olympic swimming pools.

In preparation for Peggy’s arrival, approximately 293,000 tonnes of rock (about 48 Olympic swimming pools) have been excavated from the 25-metre-deep Airport Terminal station box.

The enormous machine will now traverse the station box before being relaunched, to tunnel under the future Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport, with the TBM expected to arrive at the Aerotropolis metro station site in 2024.

TBM Peggy is named after Peggy Kelman OAM, an Australian aviation pioneer and adventurer.

Peggy Kelman was a friend of Nancy-Bird Walton, the namesake of the new international airport.

A total of four TBMs will build the 9.8-kilometre-long twin tunnels for the Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport railway line between St Marys and the Aerotropolis.

TBM Eileen is carving the metro tunnel alongside TBM Peggy from Airport Business Park to the Aerotropolis. TBM Catherine and TBM Marlene have begun their 4.3-kilometre journey from Orchard Hills to St Marys.

A joint venture between CPB Contractors and Ghella was awarded the $1.8 billion Station Boxes and Tunnelling contract in 2021 to deliver 9.8 kilometres of twin metro tunnels, five station boxes and two services facilities shafts for the Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport project.

The line will be operational when Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport opens for passenger services in 2026, with an expected travel time of 15 minutes from St Marys metro station to the Airport Terminal Station and a further five minutes to the Aerotropolis Station.

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

“The spectacular arrival of TBM Peggy marks the fantastic progress underway on this vital 23-kilometre transport link, which will not only benefit Greater Western Sydney residents, but for those visiting from around the globe.

“We are thrilled to be shaping the future of this vibrant and growing region with reliable and fully accessible metro services, ready for when planes start taking off at the new Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport.”

NSW Transport Minister Jo Haylen said:

“This city-shaping project is supporting the local economy with more than 14,000 jobs generated during construction, including 250 new apprentices and at least 20 per cent of the contract workforce coming from Greater Western Sydney.

“This project is making Western Sydney the doorway to the rest of the world, and we can’t wait to see it continue to take shape.”

Member for Werriwa Anne Stanley said:

“The community benefit, as the Western Sydney (Nancy – Bird Walton) International Airport continues toward completion, are immense.

Our residents are looking forward to the opportunities, jobs for the future, as well as the construction jobs which support families and the economy in Western Sydney.”

The NSW Government is delivering on its election commitment to save the Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo and preserve the Wran legacy.

The Government is committing $250 million for a heritage revitalisation to the Powerhouse Museum Ultimo.

The iconic and much-loved 1988 Wran building will be saved.

The Powerhouse Museum was established in 1879 as the Technological, Industrial and Sanitary Museum of New South Wales. In 1978 an investment by the NSW Wran Labor Government investment transformed it into the modern Powerhouse Museum.

There has been no significant capital investment into Ultimo Powerhouse Museum since the museum opened in 1988.

The former government allocated $481 million for a Powerhouse renewal project.

NSW families are facing rampant inflation, as well as rising energy and housing costs. The $230 million balance from this decision will support the construction of new school and hospital projects as part of a new era of responsible long-term budget repair.

Independent engineering advice is that there are significant systems that need to be replaced to meet operation and building code requirements.

The NSW Government will undertake further consultation with current staff as well as the arts and culture sector, business and creative industries groups, the education sector, peak bodies, expert advisors, local communities, and the public on the details and timing of this heritage redevelopment.

Minister for Arts John Graham said:

“We promised at the election that we would preserve the Wran legacy and keep the Powerhouse Museum at Ultimo open. We are doing just that.

“The area around the Powerhouse Museum Ultimo has changed extensively since the museum opened in 1988. It is now a major hub for creative industries, technology, innovation, education, and research. This prudent investment allows us to save the Powerhouse Museum at Ultimo and preserve the Wran legacy in a tough fiscal environment.

“We have responded to community calls for a more modest redevelopment, saving the Powerhouse Museum and preserving the Wran legacy with a $250 million heritage redevelopment.”

The NSW Innovation and Productivity Council has outlined a set of recommendations to gain more value from the state’s thriving innovation sector and to better measure the effectiveness of government support.

While the report finds that innovation ecosystems help lower the risks for startups, there’s much more to do when it comes to understanding effective ways to support them.

Accelerating NSW: the impact of coworking spaces, accelerators, incubators, and startup hubs (CAISH entities) finds that NSW is already the centre of the nation’s startup economy.

Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology Anoulack Chanthivong said the report was a welcome contribution.

“We have a thriving community of innovators and their supporters in NSW, with a 325 per cent increase since 2013.

“NSW now has a vibrant ecosystem of innovators.

“Not enough has been done to measure their value or to examine if there are more cost-effective ways to support this part of the economy.

“While the NSW Government wants to support an environment that lets entrepreneurs learn and grow, it’s important that we can be confident that the infrastructure and programs are delivering results.

“We look forward to working with the sector to build an evidence base that measures the effectiveness of public and private interventions in this space.”

The framework can be applied to NSW Government funded programs and CAISH entities and will be integrated into the Council’s NSW Innovation and Productivity Scorecard to provide estimates on the value of CAISH entities to the NSW economy.

Council Chair Charlie Taylor said that despite significant growth in startups and support organisations over the last two decades, there is limited understanding of their impact and value to the economy.

“For the first time ever, we’ve been able to map all of NSW’s CAISH entities, and through the 64 interviews and 27 case studies conducted for the report, paint a comprehensive picture of the state’s CAISH ecosystem,” Mr Taylor said.

“Using the new framework developed by the Council in partnership with experts from the University of Technology Sydney, we can utilise data to measure the impact of these entities and their programs, to effectively measure their success and identify areas for potential improvement.”

The Council report can be viewed online. launch

All bus drivers will be able to travel for free on public transport, as part of a major overhaul by the NSW Government to support the industry and improve services by incentivising more drivers to get behind the wheel.

The NSW Government is moving forward in delivering another of the key recommendations of the Bus Industry Taskforce Interim Report, which called for action to support driver recruitment and retention, including free Opal cards for workers.

Transport for NSW is now consulting with operators, employees and unions on the rollout of these cards, which drivers and other workers will be able to use to travel across the Opal-enabled public transport network and access all staff facilities on the Opal network throughout their shift.

This will ensure bus drivers have public transport travel benefits in line with Sydney Trains and NSW TrainLink employees. Consultation will take place over the coming months.

Last month, the NSW Government kicked off a new recruitment campaign in an effort to address the bus driver shortage to help improve reliability for passengers. 

Since the start of the recruitment drive, around 450 new bus driver authorities have been issued and there have been more than 56,000 visits to the Transport for NSW recruitment webpagelaunch.

The NSW Government has already made it quicker, easier, and cheaper for drivers to get their bus driver authority by waiving the $70 application fee for the next 12 months.

Bus operators are also working to recruit more drivers, with incentives like referral bonuses of up to $6,000 and reimbursing driver onboarding costs – such as the cost of Driver Authority training and licence upgrades.

Transport Minister Jo Haylen said: 

“We’re giving bus drivers a ticket to ride, with a staff Opal card so they can travel for free on the public transport network.”

“We are doing everything we can to attract new bus drivers and support our current workforce in NSW.”

“This is a no-brainer. We are taking action to address a key recommendation out of the Bus Industry Taskforce’s interim Report and support our hard-working frontline staff.”

“Drivers and operational staff like our mechanics have told us this is what they want, and we’re going to deliver on it.”

“Staff will be able to use these cards to travel across the Opal-enabled public transport network, including to and from work, and to access other facilities like train station bathrooms while they’re out on the road.”

“We want drivers to be able to comfortably take breaks between shifts, before getting back on the road and fulfilling their vital roles connecting the community.”

“The Bus Industry Taskforce will consult with employees, unions and operators over the coming months to help ensure a smooth rollout of the cards.”

“The rollout of these cards will mean every bus and train driver will be able to travel freely on the public transport network they proudly operate every day.”

The NSW Government is delivering on its commitment to get Maitland moving again by investing $15 million into the next stage of the Thornton rail bridge duplication.

After 12 years of a Liberal-National Government prioritising building massive toll roads in Sydney at the expense of regional roads, the Minns Government is determined to get important infrastructure projects back on track.

This funding will kick off initial works and planning to duplicate the rail bridge at Thornton.

When delivered, the project will ease congestion and expand access to Thornton Road which offers a flood-free route for local residents during natural disasters.

Over the next 20 years, it’s expected Maitland will experience an increase of nearly 7000 residents and 3500 jobs, making it the fastest growing regional city in NSW.

The NSW Government is focused on providing a safe and reliable road network to this fast-growing East Maitland area to keep pace with growth.

The NSW Government will begin consultation with community members and key stakeholders over some key issues including tie in points to the north and the south of the bridge, construction over an operational rail line, utility, and property impacts.

The duplication project initially started under the former Labor Government. The former Liberal-National Government gave many commitments that the project would be delivered but it never fully eventuated.

Instead, the former government removed the cap on development north of the bridge, allowing more homes to be built in the Thornton and Chisholm without committing more funding to regional infrastructure.

The NSW Government is determined to end the failed promises of past governments and deliver for regional NSW.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

“The NSW Government is determined to end the previous government’s legacy of letting regional infrastructure fall behind while prioritising toll roads in Sydney.

“The NSW Government is delivering on our commitment to take the Thornton rail bridge duplication to the next stage and finally get the wheels turning on this much-needed project.

“Thornton and the surrounding areas are key to the Maitland region’s success. We must invest in key infrastructure projects to support a growing area of regional significance.

“Over the next 20 years it’s estimated we will see an increase of nearly 7000 residents and 3500 jobs, which is why we need to start work now to ensure traffic flows smoothly.

“I’m pleased to be able to be here in Thornton today, to show locals the Minns Labor government delivers on its promises.”

NSW Regional Transport and Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison said:

“Today’s announcement is the culmination of the hard work we’ve done to ensure Thornton residents will enjoy smooth and safe travel in future.

“NSW Labor committed $15 million during the election towards planning and early works for the duplication of Thornton rail bridge.

“This is just 1 of the many vital road projects that the former government failed to complete in 12 years. In fact, the Liberals and Nationals removed the cap on developments in Thornton North and Chisholm to enable them to avoid this essential work for more than a decade.”

“The precinct is so congested during peak periods and flooding that it may as well double as a bumper-to-bumper car park sometimes.

“This will be a game changer for essential workers who are constantly stuck in traffic and are spending hours in the car to get to work, education and medical appointments.

“As 1 of the flood-free routes connecting the northern parts of Maitland to the M1, Pacific Highway and the Hunter Expressway, the duplication of this bridge is vital for our community.

NSW Regional and Western NSW Minister Tara Moriarty said:

“This announcement is the first step in delivering a crucial infrastructure project to the Thornton region to ensure the area continues to thrive as it grows into the future.

“Over the last few years, we’ve seen people flock from the cities to our regions, with this trend continuing it’s important that we invest in projects like this that support connectivity across regional and rural NSW.

“The NSW Government will continue to invest in projects just like the Thornton rail bridge duplication to ensure that as our regions continue to grow, they have the infrastructure they need to thrive and stay connected.”

The NSW Government is unveiling the Tomaree Coastal Walk, showcasing the magnificent coastline of Tomaree National Park and offering a 27km walking adventure in the heart of Port Stephens.

The $6.7 million project funded by the NSW Government will enhance tourist opportunities in the Port Stephens region beyond the traditional summer season and encourage visitors to experience new sections of Tomaree National Park.

Tomaree Head already attracts over 300,000 visitors per year and this upgrade will significantly improve the visitor experience, allowing more people to enjoy this spectacular area comfortably and safely. 

The Tomaree Coastal Walk will offer these outdoor adventurers a multi-day experience, turning day-trips into overnight stays, and providing a boost to local tourism and hospitality businesses, including cafes, restaurants, and accommodation providers.

The Tomaree Coastal Walk is the latest in a network of national park upgrades being established in NSW national parks, as part of a plan to transform the state into a bushwalking attraction for domestic and international visitors.

The central focus of the Tomaree Coastal Walk project is to create a continuous track linking Tomaree Head to Birubi Point.

The walk has been carefully designed and constructed so a wider range of people can access and enjoy the beauty of the Port Stephens coast. The upgrades allow wheelchair and mobility restriction.

Starting at Tomaree Head, with unparalleled views of idyllic Port Stephens and its coastline, the multi-day walk hugs the coastline of the national park, guiding visitors across rock ledges, along secluded beaches and through angophora forests via boardwalks and easy-to-navigate walking tracks.

Visitors can do self-guided walks of the entire route or tackle shorter sections of track in any direction, supported by expanded parking along the length of the walk.

The Tomaree Coastal Walk traverses the traditional lands of the Worimi people, an ancient volcanic landscape that has unique cultural, natural and historic values.

New lookouts offer panoramic views of the ocean, as well as providing ideal spots for whale watching during the annual migration of Humpback whales along Australia’s east coast.

Upgraded visitor precincts include improved parking, seating, stairs and walkways, as well as signage and artwork celebrating the cultural heritage of Worimi Country.

Premier of NSW Chris Minns said:

“This new Coastal Walk add to the NSW Government’s deep commitment to showcasing our state’s spectacular natural beauty and boost tourism in our regional communities.

“This enhancement of Tomaree National Park adds another breathtaking experience befitting this region’s fantastic landscape and our state’s environmental character.

“The Coastal Walk will entice local and tourists to come and enjoy the natural surrounds while taking the opportunity to stay overnight at local accommodation, dine in local restaurants and stop by local cafes. It’s a win-win for visitors and local businesses.

“We’re excited to see this project boost the region’s tourism economy and for visitors to enjoy this new iconic coastal experience.”

Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe said:

“The new Tomaree Coastal Walk will provide a first-class nature-based tourism attraction for Port Stephens, promote the natural and Aboriginal cultural heritage of Tomaree National Park, and build a valued legacy for future generations.

“This area is steeped in history, with ancient volcanic peaks, deep and on-going connection with Worimi People, rich World War 2 heritage, whales, wildflowers, and wildlife just waiting to be discovered.

“Offering a series of short, half- or multi-day walk options, walkers can choose their own adventure, with a range of accommodation options available in nearby coastal villages.

“As we enter spring, now it’s the perfect time to lace up your walking shoes and hit the trails of the Tomaree Coastal Walk.”

Minister for Families and Communities and Member for Port Stephens Kate Washington said:

“Tomaree National Park is one of the most special places in Port Stephens, and on the planet!

“From the iconic headland to the sensational sand dunes which are part of the culturally significant Worimi Conservation Lands, the Tomaree Coastal Walk transports you somewhere stunning at every turn.

“Locals and visitors alike, will absolutely fall in love with our amazing new Tomaree Coastal Walk.”

Related information

• Tomaree Coastal Walklauncheast
• Walks Near Meeast