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The NSW Government has completed its first comprehensive statewide koala survey, providing the most accurate picture to date of where koalas live and how populations are distributed across the state.

Using new tools such as heat-detecting drones and acoustic recorders, scientists surveyed more than 1,000 locations across national parks, state forests and private land.

The updated estimate of 274,000 koalas reflects improved technology and more extensive survey work.

Koalas in NSW remain endangered and there are many places in NSW where koalas no longer exist in the wild. Populations in NSW continue to face significant risks, including habitat loss and fragmentation, climate impacts, disease and vehicle strikes.

These threats are expected to intensify over coming decades, underscoring the importance of protecting key habitat and wildlife corridors.

This new baseline data comes as the Minns Government continues to prioritise koala conservation, including progressing the Great Koala National Park, which will protect habitat for more than 12,000 koalas, along with Greater Gliders and other threatened species.

Other koala conservation achievements include establishing the Warranmadhaa National Park along the Georges River in South-west Sydney. The NSW Government has also invested $8.5 million to support koala care and wildlife rehabilitators and establish a new koala care centre in the Macarthur region.

The NSW population estimate is in line with the recently released National Koala Monitoring Program, led by the Australian Government in partnership with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). The results will contribute to the Australian Government’s National Koala Monitoring Program and help strengthen long-term monitoring across the country.

The monitoring of koalas in NSW and across Australia will continue to evolve as more comprehensive surveys and analyses are conducted by state and federal agencies.

Previous estimates of NSW’s koala populations were conducted through more traditional survey methods such as visual sightings and scat analysis.

The sheer scale of this survey and use of advanced techniques helped scientists detect more koalas, faster, and with greater accuracy than ever before.

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

“This survey gives us a clearer understanding of where koalas remain in NSW. It is an important tool to guide conservation decisions.

“The Minns Labor Government has a strong record on koala conservation, and this survey shows we have been making the right decisions to ensure their survival.

“Koalas are still endangered, and the threats they face are real. This work helps ensure we are targeting the right areas so that future generations can continue to see koalas in the wild.”

Businesses and community sector providers will be spared significant increases to workers compensation premiums after agreement was reached on reforms to the state’s workers compensation scheme.

The agreement builds on the breakthrough compromise put forward by crossbench members in the Lower House.

The compromise agreed to includes:

• A legislated 18-month restriction on average premium increases.
• Retaining the Whole Person Impairment (WPI) thresholds moved by Lower House crossbenchers.
• A new “Return to Work” intensive program that provides an additional year of medical benefits and income replacement.
• New powers enabling the Treasurer to lower the WPI threshold, if in the public interest.
• A replacement program to Business Connect.
• Changes to terminology surrounding the reasonable management action defence.

Without these reforms, premiums for employers facing no claims against them were expected to rise by at least 36 per cent over three years.

The most significant reform to workers compensation in a generation will prioritise prevention and improve return to work. This work over the past year includes:

• Giving essential public-sector workers the right to seek court orders and damages to stop workplace bullying and sexual harassment.
• Agreeing to a definition for psychological injury
• Establishing a $344 million workplace mental health package.
• Funding to appoint 50 new SafeWork inspectors, including 20 new psychosocial focused inspectors and five psychosocial investigators.
• Commissioning the Chief Psychiatrist to devise a better system for psychiatric assessment in workers compensation claims.
• Clarifying and strengthening the Industrial Relation Commission’s powers to resolve industrial disputes and facilitate return to work for injured employees in the public sector.
• $15 million funding focused on delivering wraparound psychological services to provide earlier, more tailored support for injured workers to return injured workers back to work.

The announcement follows extensive consultation with business and unions, as well as the community and not-for-profit sector over the past year.

Charities, community organisations and business groups who have supported the reform include:

• The St Vincent de Paul Society
• The Mental Health Coordinating Council
• The NSW Council of Social Services
• National Disability Services
• Royal Australian College of GPs
• The Pharmacy Guild of Australia
• Business NSW and the Business Council of Australia
• Australian Hotels Association
• Clubs NSW

The agreement will allow the Workers Compensation Legislation Amendment (Reform and Modernisation) Bill 2025 to pass the Upper House in February.

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:

“This compromise position allows us to stabilise the workers compensation system and return it to a secure footing.

“The scheme has been in dire need of modernisation. It has been failing injured workers, employers, the non-profit sector and taxpayers for too long. Continuing to do nothing was not an option.

“I want to thank all those members of parliament who have worked collaboratively with the Government to help solve this diabolically complex problem. Especially Alex Greenwich and the other independent members of the Lower House crossbench.

“I also want to acknowledge Business NSW, and all of the state’s major business organisations, as well as NCOSS and the state’s leading charities and not-for profits for their strong and relentless advocacy.

“Finally, I acknowledge the massive role the Labor caucus has played in delivering this reform. As well as the state’s union movement for its professionalism and engagement through many difficult conversations we had during 2025.“

Minister for Industrial Relations Sophie Cotsis said:

“This agreement ensures early support to injured workers, a road to recovery and return to work.

“It puts the scheme on the path to sustainability so that it can continue to care for injured workers and be affordable for business to fund.

“The reforms will help small businesses and not for profits, especially in regional areas, retain staff and create jobs.

“They are supported by a $344 million investment in injury prevention and a more person-centred claims management process.

“The hard work of implementation has already begun, and we will work in collaboration with all stakeholders to ensure the reforms are delivered effectively for workers and businesses.”

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib said:

“We are providing certainty to ensure workers have the cover they need and through this sensible reform they can now get on with the job knowing that a secure safety net is in place.

“We welcome support to enable us to protect the scheme for generations to come. We can now get on with reform, as we scale up prevention efforts and wraparound support services for people navigating the claims process.

“It’s important that we continue to support injured workers and help them recover. To achieve this goal we are delivering a sustainable workers compensation scheme and we will continue to work with all stakeholders to deliver exactly that.”

The Minns Labor Government has today announced that faith-based organisations can share in $5m of funding to enhance the safety and security of religious communities across the state. 

Illustrating the government’s continued commitment to support NSW’s diverse communities, the funding helps ensure that every faith community can practice their religion safely.

This is the third and final round of the $15m Safe Places for Faith Communities Grants program. The first two rounds delivered $10m in funding to 258 religious organisations, with applications now open for this latest round of grants.  

Successful applicants could put the funding toward increased security measures – like CCTV and secure fencing, for example – the development of risk plans, or support services to build resilience, among others.

The funding is open to non-profit sharing organisations and could be put toward measures around places of worship, but also religious educational institutions, places of religious significance and faith-based community centres, among others.

Grant funding will support faith communities to:

• upgrade security and surveillance systems
• train staff and religious leaders to improve preparedness and risk mitigation
• build the resilience of faith groups.

The Safe Places for Faith Communities Grants program is administered by Multicultural NSW and this latest round of funding is open for applications until 4pm, Friday, 30 January 2026.

For more information visit https://multicultural.nsw.gov.au/safe-places-for-faith-communities-program/

Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper said:

“Everyone deserves the right to come together to practise their faith. No one in NSW should ever feel unsafe when attending their place of worship or engaging with their religion – a central part of so many people’s lives.

“The Minns Labor Government is committed to supporting our diverse faith communities and this further round of funding illustrates that ongoing commitment.”

Multicultural NSW Chief Executive Officer Joseph La Posta said: 

“The program supports faith communities in taking proactive steps to safeguard their spaces and strengthen their resilience.  

“By investing in prevention, preparedness, response and recovery, we’re helping religious organisations to build their own capacity to protect their people, their values, and their right to gather in peace.”

The Minns Labor Government is investing $3.38 million in a key project in the Hunter to improve disability care for people with cerebral palsy under the Regional Development Trust.

This investment will see the Cerebral Palsy Alliance transform an existing warehouse in Beresfield into a customised, fully accessible centre with multi-disciplinary therapy rooms, multi-use spaces for group programs, and an early diagnosis clinic.

The Minns Government’s Regional Development Trust will provide funding of $3.38 million, in addition to the recipient’s investment of $4.38 million to deliver a total investment of $7.76 million into disability care in the area.

The project will help meet the growing demand for services and programs for people with disability of all ages and support them in meeting their goals for independence and inclusion.

The new Centre will provide access to evidence-based therapies, services and programs, and innovative technologies and equipment to enhance the lives of regional babies, children and adults with disability and their families.

It will also provide a dedicated training space for more than 300 disability sector workers from across the region.

The Cerebral Palsy Alliance has a 42-year presence in the Hunter, with existing facilities in East Maitland and Croudace Bay.

The Alliance operates 16 group homes in the Newcastle region housing more than 80 adults with complex disabilities and supports an additional 80 independent living clients.

This funding is part of the Minns Government’s approach to delivering sustainable and strategic investment with a focus on priorities that make a difference to regional communities.

The Regional Development Trust has delivered a total investment of $60.9 million to 28 projects via its Regional Economic Development and Community Investment Program passing the initial funding allocation of $50 million because of the large number of projects demonstrating merit and need.

For more information on successful projects from the Regional Economic Development and Community Investment Program, go to: nsw.gov.au/regionaldevelopmenttrust

Minister for Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty said:

“This funding backs the Minns Government’s plan to invest in projects in our regional and rural communities that create jobs, boost local businesses and improve community services.

“This investment in the Hunter Disability Centre reflects our government’s commitment to ensuring that people living with disability in regional communities have access to world-class support services and this new centre will be a game-changer for families across the Hunter region.

“By supporting the Cerebral Palsy Alliance, we’re not just building infrastructure—we’re building futures.”

Minister for the Hunter, Yasmin Catley said:

“People living with cerebral palsy in our region haven’t always had easy access to the services they need, being forced to travel long distances that are costly and add pressure to an already demanding situation.

“Everyone deserves support close to home. This investment gives families the services and learning opportunities they need to fully participate in everything our region offers, delivering the essential services we committed to when we came into Government.

“The Hunter is fast becoming one of the most liveable regions in the state. A place where families can build their futures with confidence and today’s announcement is yet another reason why.”

Minister for Disability Inclusion, Kate Washington said:

“We are making this important investment because it will be a game-changer for people with disability, their families and the disability services workforce of the Hunter.

“Our government is proudly partnering with Cerebral Palsy Alliance, a trusted organisation that’s been supporting people with disability and their families for 80 years, to deliver a new Hunter disability hub.”

Cerebral Palsy Alliance Chief Operating Officer Paul Henderson said:

“This project is a key part of the Alliance’s vision to create a world of opportunity for people with disability and their families.

“Support from the NSW Government will allow the Cerebral Palsy Alliance to deliver a world-class, contemporary facility in a regional area, creating a hub of disability support and connection now and for decades to come.”

A large-scale battery near Armidale with the capacity to supply 60,000 homes during peak times has been given the green light for construction.

It’s the latest in the State’s growing network of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) which will be critical to supporting the transition to clean energy as coal-fired power stations retire, and bolstering the strength and reliability of the energy network.

The $209 million Armidale BESS will store excess energy from the electricity grid during non-peak periods.

The 150 megawatt / 437 megawatt-hour battery can then ramp up quickly when households need power, during the busy morning and evening times.

The project will create 100 construction jobs and provide Armidale Regional Council with more than $2.5 million to invest in local community projects.

Under the approval conditions, developer Valent Energy Developments will provide the council a lump sum of $1.275 million through a Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA) as well a further $1.275 million over the life of the project.

Renewable energy developer VPAs with regional councils typically fund community halls, sporting facilities, libraries, parks and playgrounds.

In addition, Valent has committed to annual contributions totalling $400,000 for the upkeep and enhancement of the New England Rail Trail over 20 years.

The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure considers the project, which will connect to a nearby existing substation, has been designed to avoid and minimise environmental, noise and visual impacts, and potential fire safety and road safety issues have been addressed.

Under the Minns Government, there have been 40 renewable projects approved, including 17 large scale batteries.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“Large-scale batteries are key to a stronger, more reliable energy network.

“This is a major capital investment, creating jobs and providing Armidale Regional Council more than $2.5 million to invest in local community projects over the next 20 years.

“Over the next decade regional councils will receive hundreds of millions of dollars to spend on their communities following the Minns Labor Government’s introduction of community benefit sharing requirements for renewable energy projects.

“The approval of the Armidale large-scale battery adds to a long list of approved clean energy projects that will power our renewable energy future.”

Northern Tablelands Duty MLC Peter Primrose said:

“Not only will this project strengthen our energy network, it will deliver real and lasting benefits for the community, supporting local jobs, funding local facilities, and investing in projects people here rely on every day.

“The contributions secured for community infrastructure and the New England Rail Trail show how renewable energy projects can deliver more than clean power, they can deliver for communities.”

An iconic symbol of the Sydney 2000 Summer Olympics, the Discobolus Monument, has been added to the State Heritage Register.

The Minns Labor Government is recognising, protecting, preserving and promoting the people, groups, places and events which have contributed to the state’s rich heritage. Heritage listings on the State Register tell the incredible history of NSW.

Created by artist Robert Owen, the Discobolus Monument Moveable Heritage Group comprises multiple elements, including a distinctive seven-metre-wide disc sculpture, a stone wall, cypress and olive trees, as well as marble plaques linked to the families that supported the initiative before its installation.

The elements were installed at Sydney Olympic Park ahead of the Olympics as a tribute to the Games’ Greek roots.

Made from glass and eight tonnes of stainless steel, the disc symbolises the original discus thrower, Castor, metaphorically hurling a discus from ancient Greece to Sydney’s Olympics. The disc also resembles a CD-ROM – a nod to technology and the culture of the era.

The grove of olive and cypress trees surrounds the disc as a living link between Sydney Olympic Park and the first Olympics and the goddess Artemis.

The work of art joins the Sydney Olympic Cauldron as another monument in Sydney Olympic Park on the State Heritage Register. The listing requires the Discobolus Monument Moveable Heritage Group to be retained and maintained within Sydney Olympic Park.

For information about State Heritage Listings, visit www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/heritage/search-heritage-databases/state-heritage-inventory 

Minister for Heritage, Penny Sharpe, said:

“The 2000 Olympics was one of the great moments in Sydney’s history and 25 years later we are adding the Discobolus Monument and connected elements to the State Heritage Register.

“This eye-catching piece is more than art. It symbolises a connection to the Games and is a tribute to our Greek community.

“The Olympic Games are one of Greece’s greatest gifts to the world, and this monument reflects the pride Sydney’s Greek community takes in that legacy.

“Thank you to everyone who contributed to funding this sculpture and the elements around it more than 25 years ago. You will be forever cherished on the State Heritage Register.”

Member for Parramatta, Donna Davis, said:

“It’s wonderful to add another item from the Parramatta electorate to the State Heritage Register.

“Parramatta is such a vibrant multicultural community and those with Greek heritage and sports enthusiasts alike will be thrilled to know this unique item will be looked after as a place of high significance right across the state.”