16 News

The Minns Labor Government is one step closer in delivering the $30 million Marshalls Creek Bridge replacement, with construction of the new bridge foundations to kick off on in late November.

The milestone marks a major step forward in delivering a stronger, safer crossing for the 20,000 vehicles that use the Sturt Highway through Wagga Wagga every day.

Partial demolition on the northern side of the bridge is now complete, paving the way for piling work that will form the new bridge’s deep foundations, which has been designed to withstand floods, winds and heavy traffic for many decades to come.

Temporary retaining walls will also be installed this month to protect the road embankment before work begins to dig the bridge supports, known as abutments, at each end of the bridge.

Piling on the northern side of the bridge is expected to be completed by the end of the year, with construction of the first bridge deck to follow. Once that section is complete, traffic will be detoured onto the new structure while the remainder of the existing bridge is demolished.

The Sturt Highway is a vital freight and commuter link between Sydney, Victoria and South Australia, providing local and regional access for businesses, residents and visitors across Wagga Wagga.

During the project, Transport for NSW will maintain traffic flow through the work zone wherever possible to minimise disruption to the local network. For safety, right-hand turns in the work zone will be restricted. Motorists visiting nearby businesses are encouraged to use the Kooringal Road and Norton and Mason Street roundabouts to safely turn and access the businesses in the area.

To stay up to date with project stages and upcoming closures, visit nswroads.work/marshallscreek to subscribe for email and SMS updates.

Minister for Roads and Minister for Regional Transport, Jenny Aitchison said:

“Wagga Wagga is an important regional centre and it’s exciting to see this important project powering ahead since we turned the first sod just a few months ago.

“The installation of the temporary pedestrian bridge and new  traffic signals has kept the community moving safely while allowing work  to progress.

“Once complete, this project will remove a key bottleneck, improve traffic flow, and make it safer for pedestrians and cyclists with new paths on both sides of the bridge.”

Member for Wagga Wagga, Dr Joe McGirr said:

“This is a really important project for Wagga Wagga, and it’s great to see progress continuing despite the challenges of working on such a busy corridor.”

“We know how vital the Sturt Highway is for local businesses, freight operators and families, and I want to thank the community for their patience as this work continues.”

“Once complete, the new bridge will make a real difference to safety and connectivity right across the city.”

The Minns Labor Government is delighted to announce a new round of the Stronger Together Local Council Major Festival Grants program for councils to deliver large-scale multicultural festivals that bring communities together and celebrate the state’s diversity.

Councils across NSW are invited to share in $3 million of funding, which illustrates the Minns Labor Government’s unwavering commitment to promoting, celebrating and reinforcing the state’s vibrant multiculturalism.

With grants between $100,000 to $250,000 available, the program helps councils deliver inclusive events that foster cross-cultural understanding and celebrate the traditions, stories, and contributions that make our communities so diverse and vibrant.

Previous recipients have delivered festivals that left a lasting impact on their communities.

In October, Wagga Wagga City Council brought the city to life with the FUSION BOTANICAL Multicultural Festival – a vibrant mix of music, food, art, and culture. Locals and visitors enjoyed performances, art installations, storytelling, and even a Latin silent disco walking tour that filled gardens with energy.

Looking ahead, the City of Parramatta will use a grant to double the scale of its 2026 Lunar New Year Festival. The Year of the Horse program will feature traditional workshops, mouthwatering street food, and cultural activities, expanding beyond Parramatta to include new events in Epping, bringing even more communities together in celebration.

Administered by Multicultural NSW, applications for the Stronger Together Local Council Major Festival Grants close Friday, 19 December 2025.

NSW Local Government Councils are encouraged to apply at https://multicultural.nsw.gov.au/stronger-together-major-festival-local-council-grants/

Minister Multiculturalism Steve Kamper said:

“The Minns Labor Government is proud to once again be supporting our state’s multicultural communities, with this new round of grant funding ensuring that local councils have the support they need to deliver vibrant events that bring people together.

“Multicultural festivals showcase the traditions, stories, and shared values that connect communities and strengthen the sense of belonging across cultures.

“Important events like these empower our diverse communities and ensure that they can share their amazing cultures, traditions and stories with our entire state.”

Central Coast communities in and around Wyong are set to benefit from new key health worker accommodation with Wyong Hospital campus selected as the site for the units, which will help attract and retain more healthcare workers to the region.

The new accommodation is planned to include eight single bed and two double bed self-contained units, located on the Wyong Hospital campus.

Wyong is one of more than 20 key health worker accommodation projects being delivered in rural, regional and remote NSW, as part of the Minns Labor Government’s $200.1 million program.

The Minns Labor Government’s investment will support the building of new accommodation, refurbishment of existing living quarters, and the purchase of suitable properties such as residential units.

The Key Health Worker Accommodation Program will deliver fit-for-purpose, comfortable and convenient accommodation for healthcare workers across nine local health districts, including the Central Coast.

This investment builds on the $45.3 million in accommodation for key healthcare workers in the Murrumbidgee, Southern NSW, and Far West Local Health Districts, which is now complete with all new accommodation delivered and fully operational.

Construction of the new Wyong accommodation is expected to begin in 2026, following the appointment of a main works contractor.

Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park said:

“Providing affordable, safe and convenient accommodation for essential health workers is critical to attracting and retaining skilled staff, especially in regional and rural areas.

“By investing in high-quality and modern accommodation, close to workplaces, we’re helping to remove barriers to working in a regional setting and supporting a stronger workforce.

“It’s exciting to see the rollout of the Key Health Worker Accommodation Program in the Central Coast, with Wyong being one of the health services to benefit. “

Minister for the Central Coast and Member for Wyong David Harris said:

“It is great news that the Minns Labor Government is delivering dedicated accommodation at Wyong Hospital to provide our region’s health staff with more certainty and flexibility.

“In order to strengthen our regional, rural and remote health workforce, we need to invest in housing.

“Investing in suitable, local housing is not only a practical step for essential workers but it also strengthens continuity of care, trust and the overall health and wellbeing of our communities.”

Central Coast Local Health District Chief Executive Scott Mclachlan said:

“We are pleased that Wyong Hospital is part of the Key Healthcare Worker Accommodation program.  

“Ensuring we have a dedicated and skilled workforce here on the Central Coast is important in supporting our community to live healthy and fulfilling lives.  

“The ability to offer affordable accommodation solutions will help us address a key challenge healthcare workers face when moving into our region.”

The finish line for tunnelling on the eastern end of the Sydney Metro West project is in sight after two tunnel boring machines passed the deepest part of Darling Harbour on their way to Hunter Street.

The tunnel from Pyrmont has reached 35 metres below the water’s surface, passing under the Australian Maritime Museum and now heading towards King Street Wharf on the eastern shore of Darling Harbour.

The 1,100-tonne tunnel boring machines Jessie and Ruby each have less than 700 metres left to finish their job at rate of advance of 90 metres a week.

The machines are designed to dig in the high-pressure conditions beneath Sydney Harbour. They move at a slower pace than traditional tunnel boring machines due to the wetter conditions and geological environment they are navigating.

The next section of tunnel will be under some of Sydney’s busiest and best-known streets, including York, George and Pitt streets and pass closely underneath Wynyard Station to reach the Hunter Street cavern.

When Sydney Metro West opens in 2032, passengers will have fast, high-frequency and reliable metro services connecting the Sydney CBD with Parramatta in a 20-minute trip – doubling the rail capacity between those two centres.

Sydney Metro West will transform journeys west from the Sydney CBD, with travel times of:

• Hunter Street to Parramatta in 20 minutes
• Hunter Street to Sydney Olympic Park in 15 minutes
• Five Dock to Parramatta in 12 minutes
• Pyrmont to Hunter Street in 2 minutes

More than 5.87 million tonnes of earth will be excavated to build the Sydney Metro West tunnels, equivalent to filling the entire volume of the Sydney Opera House 2.6 times over.

In total, tunnelling is now 97% complete on the project. The first tunnel boring machine finished its work on the western end at Westmead in September.

Track laying and station construction will follow tunnelling, bringing Sydney another step closer to the opening of the new line.

Premier of NSW Chris Minns said:

“We are well on the way, and real, substantial progress is being made on this project underneath the city.

“This is one of the biggest public transport projects in the country, and it will have a major impact on how people get in and out of the city – to Westmead, Parramatta and Olympic Park.”

Minister for Transport John Graham said:

“This section of tunnel will provide a two-minute connection between Hunter Street and Pyrmont in future, with Sydney Olympic Park just another 13 minutes from there – a quantum leap for east – west public transport.

“I want to thank the professional team of 210 who are safely guiding these tunnel boring machines through some of the most challenging underground conditions to complete the job.”

The Albanese Labor Government and the Minns Labor Government today attempted to re-sell a project first announced in 2023, fooling no one with a glossy re-announcement of the $100 million safety upgrades to Bells Line of Road.
 
This project was announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and then NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet before the last state election. NSW Labor was sworn in on 5 April 2023. That is 957 days ago. Over two and half years. And Labor has nothing to show for it.
 
Jenny Aitchison likes to say she and Labor is getting on with the job. But what happened here? Is this another example of the Minns Labor Government’s tunnel vision and lack of ambition for infrastructure?
 
NSW is the only state in Australia without a dedicated Infrastructure Minister. Maybe that is her excuse. No minister. No plan. No progress. Just photos and recycled press releases.
 
And now Jenny Aitchison fronts the media in a joint announcement with (ironically) Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King, who fronted up last time this was announced in 2023 hoping that no one notices that nothing has happened in two and half years.
 
While roads remain unsafe, and regional communities wait for real work, Labor is focused on spin instead of delivery.
 
Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said regional families and freight operators have been waiting for promises to turn into projects.
 
“Over two and half years on, all Labor has done is take another photo. This re-announcement sums up just how little they have achieved,” Mr Speakman said.
 
Shadow Minister for Transport and Roads and Shadow Minister for Infrastructure Natalie Ward this should embarrass the local Labor member for the Blue Mountains. 
 
“Announcing the same money twice is not delivery. It is desperation. Our communities deserve more than recycled headlines and excuses,” Ms Ward said.
 
Shadow Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Dave Layzell said Labor leaves regional NSW behind once again.
 
They talk big, then pack up and go home. If they are so busy getting on with it, why has nothing happened since 2023?” Mr Layzell said.
 
Member for Bathurst Paul Toole said today’s stunt is an insult to every commuter stuck on dangerous roads.
 
“Labor can re-announce this as much as they want, but until shovels hit the ground, it is just more talk and another example of the NSW Labor Government getting on with nothing,” Mr Toole said.
 
The Minns Labor Government delivers excuses and reruns. It is clear who is getting on with it, and it is not Jenny Aitchison and or Labor.

Today is the day the Minns Labor Government must finally produce the Moore Park golf course business case and annexures. The deadline is 4pm. This is their final chance to comply with a lawful order of the NSW Legislative Council after months of obfuscation and defying parliamentary orders. Time is up.
 
Chris Minns said that under his government “integrity would be a verb”, but the only action they take is to hide from scrutiny and transparency. NSW deserves better.
 
If Labor cannot meet a simple order to produce documents, how can anyone trust them to build anything or manage billions in taxpayer funds?
 
At 9am, Chris Minns will be talking about Metro West, a project built by the NSW Liberals and Nationals. Instead of spinning theories and dodging scrutiny, perhaps he can explain whether Labor will meet today’s deadline or keep hiding the truth.
 
Shadow Treasurer Damien Tudehope said it’s time for Labor to live up to the standards they preach.
 
“If the Minns Labor Government fails to produce the documents by 4pm, then the Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council, Penny Sharpe will be required to front the Parliament tomorrow and explain why. And if she fails again, the House has the power to suspend her for contempt. It doesn’t get more serious than this,” Mr Tudehope said.
 
In the last Labor Government, Treasurer Michael Egan was suspended for refusing to hand over documents, we are now seeing the same playbook. The difference is that this time it is Penny Sharpe on the line.
 
Today Labor has a choice. Deliver the documents or face the consequences. When issues hit too close to home, their instinct is to ignore the substance, attack the messenger and pretend the problem doesn’t exist.

Workers compensation in NSW needs reform, but the Minns Labor Government is trying to make it even harder for seriously injured workers to get the help they need. While mental health services across the state are stretched thin, Premier Chris Minns and Treasurer Daniel Mookhey are pushing changes that will restrict access to help for serious psychological injury.
 
These changes will not prevent injuries, and they will not support frontline workers. They will simply make it harder for seriously injured people to access the care they need to recover.
 
Labor promised the world before the election. Labor MPs and MLCs signed a pledge to remove section 39 (the whole personal impairment threshold [WPI] for ongoing support) completely and protect injured workers. The signatories included 19 current ministers and the Minister who would normally have portfolio responsibility for these reforms, the Minister for Industrial Relations Sophie Cotsis. However, as this is about the mismanagement of the budget, Treasurer Daniel Mookhey is in charge. The Labor MPs and MLCs shook hands and smiled for cameras before the election , but that promise was tossed aside in the early hours of this morning.
 
Debate on the Workers Compensation Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 began at 2:35pm yesterday and dragged on until almost 5am today. When it came time to call a division on the WPI clauses, Labor MPs refused. They would not have their names recorded. They knew that their vote betrayed the very frontline workers they claimed to stand up for. They also knew it betrayed the unions who fund their campaigns.
 
Their behaviour exposed what really goes on in this Government, when issues hit too close to home. Their instinct is to ignore the substance, attack the messenger and pretend the problem doesn’t exist.
 
What makes it worse is the Premier’s refusal to face Sydney media today to explain what is going on with his Government in the Legislative Council. Instead of fronting up and explaining why his Government is trying to sell out injured workers, he is running off down the South Coast to prop up a Labor MP who has delivered nothing for her community.
 
Labor’s cowardice sits on top of one of the most shameful parliamentary weeks in years. The Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council Penny Sharpe was formally censured yesterday for failing to comply with multiple orders for papers relating to the Premier’s secret Moore Park deal with Clover Moore and Bob Carr. If the Government refuses to comply, the Legislative Council retains the option of suspending her from the Parliament.
 
This is the transparency standard of the Minns Labor Government. It is a Government that blocks scrutiny, filibusters debate and runs from accountability every chance it gets.
 
The Minns Labor Government has failed the transparency test and now the basic decency test.
 
Shadow Treasurer Damien Tudehope said what we have seen from Labor is a disgrace, breaking their election promise while also hiding from their record.
 
“When the moment came for a division, they refused. If you cannot put your name to a vote that affects injured workers across NSW, you are in the wrong job,” Mr Tudehope said.

Netball NSW’s Beyond the Court Roadshow wrapped up in Goulburn on Saturday after two days of school visits, leadership development, community engagement and workshops designed to strengthen and celebrate the region’s netball community.

Held from 14–15 November, the Roadshow brought GIANTS Netball athletes Amy Sligar and Erin O’Brien to town, joined by senior Netball NSW executives and Board Members, including Chair Sallianne Faulkner.
The program connected directly with local students, coaches, umpires, volunteers and young leaders, delivering education, inspiration, and practical support for those who power the sport in regional NSW.

School students celebrate GIANTS Netball in Goulburn.

On Friday, the GIANTS netball athletes visited Mulwaree High School, leading Q&A sessions with students before heading to the Goulburn Netball Courts for a community meet-and-greet attended by fans of all ages.

The evening concluded with the Youth Ambassador Program at the Goulburn Soldiers Club, where young local leaders took part in leadership activities, discussions, and mentoring with the athletes and the newly elected Chair of the inaugural Netball NSW Youth Advisory Group, Sofia Novak.

Netball NSW Executive General Manager – Community, Trish Crews, said the Roadshow reflected Netball NSW’s commitment to being present, accessible and connected with communities across the state.

Goulburn has embraced the Roadshow with enthusiasm and we’ve been thrilled to see so many young athletes, volunteers and families engage with the program.

Beyond the Court is about supporting every part of the netball ecosystem — not just the players on court, but the coaches, umpires, administrators and emerging leaders who make regional netball strong.

We’re committed to continuing to invest in communities like Goulburn, where the passion for our sport is as vibrant as ever.”

Saturday saw many community members take part in full-day Beyond the Court Workshops at Veolia Arena, featuring sessions for coaches, umpires, administrators and volunteers delivered by Netball NSW facilitators and executives.

Goulburn Mulwaree Council Mayor Nina Dillon welcomed the initiative and praised its impact on local participation.

We are proud to host the Netball NSW Regional Roadshow, showcasing the passion and talent that drives our regional sporting community. Events like this strengthen our local connections and inspire the next generation of athletes.”

The 2025 Roadshow forms part of Netball NSW’s broader commitment to strengthening regional pathways, developing future leaders, and celebrating the volunteers who underpin the sport across NSW.