16 News

The State’s renewable energy network will receive a welcome boost with the Minns Labor Government approving a major large-scale battery valued over $1 billion.

The new battery to be located near Lithgow will play a key role in keeping the lights on during peak demand periods.

The Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is among the biggest in Australia and will store excess energy from the electricity grid during non-peak periods. The battery will then ramp up quickly when households need power, during the busy morning and evening times.

The $1 billion Mt Piper BESS will utilise EnergyAustralia’s existing electricity infrastructure near Lithgow and will store up to 500MW / 2,000 MWh to power over 200,000 homes when needed.

The project will create 177 jobs during construction, with developer EnergyAustralia to invest up to $2 million into the Lithgow City LGA through a Voluntary Planning Agreement.

The Mt Piper battery adds to the State’s growing network of large-scale batteries to support the energy transition as coal-fired power retires.

Large-scale batteries are playing an increasingly important role to support solar and wind energy generation. They are steadily improving the strength and reliability of the energy network.

Under the Minns Government, there have been 30 renewable projects approved, including 14 large scale batteries.

Find out more information about Mount Piper BESS.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“With a $1 billion price tag, this battery is among the biggest in Australia.

“It stands ready to inject major capital investment, create jobs and provide Lithgow Council with $2 million to invest in local community projects.

“Large-scale batteries are crucial for our state’s energy future. They help store renewable energy, making sure that we have a reliable power supply even when the sun isn’t shining, or the wind isn’t blowing.

“This project not only supports our transition to cleaner energy but it also strengthens our energy security and resilience. Investing in these batteries means a more sustainable and dependable energy system for everyone.”

The NSW Government has stepped up to help men’s mental health charity The Man Walk Australia, by contributing $100,000 to help them deliver their unique program to more men across the state.

The Man Walk Australia seeks to address the risks of mental health issues and suicide by fostering supportive relationships and improving men’s physical and mental health through regularly organised physical activity and social interaction.

Participants are encouraged to attend the activities when it suits to be with like-minded men, feel part of a community, and reduce any feelings of isolation and loneliness they may be experiencing.

The charity organises walks across Australia, including at 40 locations in NSW. Many of these locations are regional, stretching from Albury in the south to Tenterfield in the north.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a personal crisis or distress, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14, 13YARN on 13 92 76, Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.

The NSW Mental Health Line 1800 011 511 is available 24/7 for advice and connection to local specialist mental health services for you or a loved one. You can also call the Transcultural Mental Health Line on 1800 648 911 9am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday.

For more information on The Man Walk Australia, including to find a walk near you or start one of your own, visit themanwalk.com.au.

Minister for Health Ryan Park:

“The Man Walk Australia creates a welcoming environment for men to get together, feel a part of a community and get active.

“This has a positive effect on mental health, so I’m delighted to be able to provide The Man Walk with this additional funding that will help the charity reach even more men in NSW.

“We know men tend to seek help for their mental health at a lower rate than women, especially in traditional settings, so it is important we strengthen community-based supports, such as those offered by The Man Walk.

“By breaking down barriers and creating a positive environment free from stigma or pressure, The Man Walk helps men feel comfortable in accessing support. 

“I know The Man Walk offer a walk in my electorate in Bellambi, but they have a range of locations spanning the whole of the state and are looking to add more.”

Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson:

“Suicide is the leading cause of death for men aged 15-44 and we know that loneliness and social isolation are major contributors to mental health distress.  

“Community organisations like The Man Walk can offer an essential lifeline for men who are struggling and may not feel confident to reach out for support.

“These organisations provide a positive space for men to spend time together, have regular and healthy conversations and feel less alone.”

Founder and CEO of The Man Walk Australia Mark Burns:

“The Man Walk charity is extremely grateful for this $100k grant and the long term support from Minister Park and NSW Government.

“The Man Walk has 40 active weekly walk locations across NSW.

“We have thousands of men walking regularly who have taken more 2.3 billion steps towards better mental and physical health while on The Man Walk.

“In just the past 3 months, we have had 5000 man walkers and 300 brand new walkers starting the day with a Man Walk.

“This funding will allow us to support and grow our existing walks, start brand new walk locations across NSW and fund the amazing Mental Fitness for Leaders education program that we offer our Manbassadors and Man Walkers every month.

“We will be providing regular feedback to Minister Park and NSW Health about the positive impact this grant will have on men, their families and their communities.

“A goal of our charity is to collaborate with other organisations like Relationships Australia to offer resources and education programs on managing emotions and decreasing gender violence.”

The NSW Government has received the Roadmap for Gaming Reform Report from the Independent Panel on Gaming Reform.

The government thanks the Independent Panel for preparing the report and conducting the cashless gaming trial.

The Independent Panel brought together, for the first time, a mix of industry representatives, harm minimisation representatives, law enforcement authorities, academics, community organisations and a person with lived experience to work on this difficult issue in a coordinated way to make recommendations to government on gaming reform.

I thank the Independent Panel for informing the design of the trial and overseeing its rollout.

Specifically, the Independent Panel examined the feasibility and acceptance of implementing cashless gaming technologies in clubs and hotels in NSW to gain insights from the technology on reducing money laundering and gambling harm.

I am informed the diverse stakeholder group worked constructively throughout the panel process as they designed and guided the approach the panel would take.

Establishing the Independent Panel and undertaking a cashless gaming trial was a response to the NSW Crime Commission inquiry in 2022, which recommended the government introduce a cashless gaming system to minimise instances of money laundering via gaming machines in pubs and clubs.

The scope of gaming reform considered by the Independent Panel has never been done before.

The implementation of cashless gaming could drive improved outcomes in addressing money laundering and reducing gambling harm and could also have major impacts on the NSW hospitality industry.

It is important the next steps are undertaken in a thoroughly considered way to ensure an economically sustainable hospitality industry in NSW.

The government will now consider the three volume, 530-page roadmap report and its 30 recommendations, and will not be rushing its response.

The Minns Labor Government continues with its work to reduce money laundering and gambling harm in clubs and hotels and has delivered more in 20 months than the previous government did in 12 years.

The trial of cashless gaming trial is one part of a suite of reforms to tackle money laundering and reduce gambling harm introduced by the government since it was elected, including:

• reducing the statewide gaming machine entitlement cap in June 2023
• banning political donations from clubs with electronic gaming machines on 1 July 2023
• reducing the cash input limit on new gaming machines from $5,000 to $500 on 1 July 2023
• banning all external gambling signage in venues on 1 September 2023
• banning the placement of any signage or advertising relating to gaming machines either on, or visible from an ATM or EFTPOS terminal with cash withdrawal facilities and introduced Responsible Gambling Officers for venues with more than 20 machine entitlements, on 1 July 2024
• committing $100 million to harm minimisation – investing in research, treatment, services and reform.

The NSW Government also thanks the trial participants:

• the 14 licensed venues in metropolitan and regional locations across NSW that installed cashless gaming technology on 2,388 electronic gaming machines, more than four times the election commitment of 500 machines
• the three technology providers: eBet, IGT, Light and Wonder
• the patrons that signed up for the voluntary trial and those that participated in the research.

The government is now focusing on taking the time to consider the report and its recommendations and we will respond in due course.

NSW Police officers have voted overwhelmingly to accept the Minns Labor Government’s historic four-year pay agreement to recruit and retain police officers with highly competitive salaries.

For the first time in memory, police will be paid to stay, rather than incentivised to leave.

The vote was slated to run for two weeks but The Police Association of NSW (PANSW) this morning called the result with a majority of members having voted yes.

The reform also includes a one-off payment and improvements to allowances and pay-scales.

Voting on the offer opened on Monday November 18. As of yesterday, 70 per cent of PANSW members had voted on the pay offer – the largest turnout on record for such a vote.

The ‘yes vote’ in favour of accepting the offer was 96 per cent– an overwhelming endorsement of the Government’s pay offer by NSW police officers.

The reform was achieved under the Labor Government’s mutual gains bargaining framework, which replaced the former Liberal-National Government’s widely resented wages cap that drove police numbers and incomes backwards. 

The payrise is funded by reforming the Police Blue Ribbon Insurance (PBRI) scheme and bringing it into Government ownership to return money to front-line police and not into the profits of private insurance companies.

The new Enhanced Police Officer Support Scheme better supports injured officers, wraps services around them and is intensively focussed on helping them get back to work wherever possible.

Police Association members voted to accept:

• 19 per cent base pay increase to non-commissioned officers over four years, plus allowances which will enhance this base pay rise;
• Accelerated pay scales – it currently takes 16 years for a Probationary Constable to reach the top level of Senior Constable. It will now take just 10 years;
• Consolidation of pay scales for Senior Constables, Sergeants and Inspectors to remove overlapping pay scales, retain experienced officers much longer and accelerate progression for currently serving officers;
• Updated and improved allowances;
• Moving to a full-time equivalent (FTE) model to allow police to work part-time or job share if they can’t manage a full-time work load but don’t want to leave, a landmark reform;
• A one-off $5,400 Leadership Retention Payment to senior police officers who undertake a leadership and wellbeing training program focused on supporting and rehabilitating injured officers and helping them return to work wherever possible;

Under the new agreement, the starting salary of a Probationary Constable – including loading – will increase from $81,517 to $84,777 and further increase to $97,206 by 2027.

The salary of a Senior Constable Level 1 – including loading – will increase from 101,516 to 105,577 and further increase to $121,054 in 2027.

The Minns Labor Government’s work to support NSW Police officers and address the chronic shortage of police officers presided over by the former Liberal National Government has also included:

• abolishing the wages cap;
• setting up a historic new scheme to pay students to study to become an officer, which has already seen applications surge by 55 per cent over the previous year; and
• two recently announced programs specifically aimed at attracting both experienced officers and regional recruits. This is part of the NSW Government’s long-term plan to rebuild our essential services, including addressing the recruitment and retention crisis of frontline workers.

Thanks to Labor’s recruitment plan we are on track to see more than 1,000 recruits attest in 2025.

The Minns Labor Government was elected with a mandate to rebuild public services and reinvest in our front-line workforce and ensure we provide support when people in NSW need it most.

It’s part of our plan to build a better NSW.

Minister for Industrial Relations Sophie Cotsis said:

“This four-year pay agreement with The Police Association of NSW recognises and rewards the efforts of our officers.

“We were elected on a mandate to fix the recruitment and retention crisis in essential services and that is what we are doing.”

Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said:

“I am proud and delighted to have delivered this historic breakthrough for our police. It’s the result of a lot of hard work over almost a year and tough negotiations.

“I want to pay tribute to the leadership of the Police Association of NSW. They are hard bargainers and go all out to achieve results for their members, NSW cops. Working together, we’ve achieved a monumental result for our cops.

“From day one in this job I’ve said I’m only here to back the police. Officers risk their lives every day to keep us safe and it’s critical we recognise and thank them with a pay rise they deserve.

“This is generational change that will pay police properly for the first time in more than a decade. It will attract a lot of recruits and, crucially, encourage a lot of experienced officers to stay on in a police force that values them, their service and their unique knowledge.

“The Former Liberal Government had no plan for recruitment, no plan for retention and they sent police wages backwards. That ends today under the Minns Labor Government.”

According to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), New South Wales is leading the nation in the worst possible way—513 businesses went under last month, the highest number of insolvencies recorded in any state.

Under the Minns Labor Government, our state’s small businesses are suffocating under rising costs and a government with no ideas.

Websites, website analytics, concierges and media releases are no substitute for economic leadership. NSW businesses are drowning, and the Minns Labor Government offers them nothing but more taskforces, inquiries, and roundtables.

Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said small businesses are the backbone of our economy, but the Minns Labor Government has turned its back on them.

“Instead of tackling soaring costs, labour shortages and red tape, they offer band-aids and empty promises. This government is all about appearances, but appearances don’t pay the bills,” Mr Speakman said.
 
“The Minns Labor Government celebrates digital tools and concierges while ignoring the fundamental challenges businesses face.”
 
Shadow Minister for Small Business Tim James said this is a government with no ideas, no outcomes, and no leadership.
 
“While 513 NSW businesses close their doors in just one month, the Minns Labor Government focuses on spin instead of solutions. Their obsession with bureaucracy and glossy announcements is failing NSW families and small businesses,” Mr James said.
 
In 20 months, the Minns Labor Government has shown it is incapable of delivering the leadership NSW needs. This is not the economic prosperity people were promised. NSW is not better off now than it was before March 2023—it’s worse.

This is not just about economics; it’s about saving livelihoods.

The Minns Labor Government is cutting red tape in the planning system today, announcing significant reform to fast-track the delivery of new and upgraded public schools and health facilities by up to eight months.

For too long, upgrades to essential public infrastructure have been hampered by the current planning process, which can take between 12 and 18 months.

Today, the Minns Labor Government has made changes to the Transport and Infrastructure State Environmental Planning Policy (T&I SEPP), which will allow the Department of Education (DOE) and the NSW Ministry of Health to streamline approvals for essential infrastructure works.

The changes allow NSW Health and the NSW Department of Education to deliver new Government infrastructure projects without needing to lodge a development application with the local council or Department of Planning Housing and Infrastructure.

In some cases, this is expected to cut between six to eight months from a 12 to 18-month planning process, from preparation of the application to determination.

For health infrastructure, NSW Health will be able to assessalterations and additions to existing facilities, such as a new hospital wing or specialised care facility up to a gross floor area of 30,000m2.

The development of new public schools, including preschools, additions to existing public schools and buildings up to four storeys in height will be allowed without a development application.

It also removes the administrative burden placed on local councils associated with managing the lodgement, exhibition, collating of public submissions and assessment of large planning documents.  

Thorough assessments of the environmental impact of projects will still need to be conducted by the Department of Education and NSW Health, along with consultation with communities, councils and other stakeholders before construction can begin.

Non-government schools will be able to access the exempt and complying development pathways, which include additional provisions for the development of teaching facilities within existing or approved schools. For example, under the previous development permitted without consent provisions, non-government schools could only develop a library or classroom that is not more than 2 storeys.

Under the complying development pathway, non-government schools will be able to build such facilities up to a maximum height of 4 storeys, so long as the development complies with certain development standards.

The NSW Government has also made additional development permissible for non-government schools under the complying development pathway, including the development of pre-schools of 50 or more children, demolition of buildings that are not heritage listed and multi-storey car parks.

The reform will make it easier to deliver new schools and school upgrades up to four storeys, or in line with local planning controls, and new and upgraded health facilities. The Minns Labor Government will deliver this essential infrastructure where it is needed most, supporting more homes being delivered across the state.

This is part of the Minns Labor Government’s comprehensive plan to build a better NSW. Our Government is focused on delivering the essential services the people of our state need, to improve the lives of the people now and into the future, and we build a better NSW for all.

Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:

“All children deserve access to high-quality schools in their local area, and the Minns Labor Government is determined to deliver for the families of NSW.

“We are cutting red tape in the planning system so we can continue to deliver for the working families of NSW.

“After making a record investment in public education, we are focused on clearing a backlog of school infrastructure backlog works left after ten years of neglect by the Liberals and Nationals.”

Minister for Health and Regional Health Ryan Park said:

“These reforms go a long way to ensuring that growing communities receive the new health infrastructure that they need and deserve.

“If we can reduce the wait times on these critical projects, that is a great thing for patients and communities.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“These changes to the planning system will significantly speed up the delivery of essential school and health infrastructure in our state.

“As we ramp up the delivery of housing in the state, it’s key that we streamline the delivery of the schools and health facilities our communities rely on.

“Cutting red tape strangling our planning system can only help our community.”