More than 800 people have their say on the Albury Wodonga Regional Hospital redevelopment concept design

More than 800 people have provided valuable feedback on the concept design for the $558 million redevelopment of the Albury Wodonga Regional Hospital, according to the latest stakeholder engagement summary released today.

Following the release of the concept design in August of this year, stakeholders, health staff and the community had their say on the latest designs via the project website, as well as at in-person and online information sessions.

The significant community response follows a series of information sessions and project briefings, held over a four-week period during which the community was able to view the designs and speak with project staff. These information sessions were attended by more than 370 community members, almost 400 Albury Wodonga Health staff, as well as stakeholders.

Feedback from the sessions highlighted support for the new designs, and the increase in healthcare services and contemporary facilities. There was also support for consolidating complex care on a single site and expanding mental health facilities.

There was strong interest in the additional parking to be delivered as part of the redevelopment, as well as new or improved transport links to the hospital. This work continues to progress as part of the planning process.

Additionally, there were more than 150 responses to the community survey, which showed interest in easy-to-follow wayfinding, sheltered drop off and pick up areas, improved lighting across campus, comfortable seating for visitors, access to gardens and green spaces to promote wellbeing for staff, patients and visitors and areas for large groups to gather.

Briefings were also held with a range of stakeholder and interest groups immediately following the concept design release. This included key clinician and senior medical staff council groups, the Albury Wodonga Health Board, Albury City and Wodonga councils, onsite stakeholders, local Aboriginal representatives, local health advocacy groups and NSW government agencies.

The Albury Wodonga Regional Hospital project includes a new seven-storey Clinical Services Building and a two-storey Northeast building, addressing the evolving needs of the border communities with cutting-edge medical technology and infrastructure.

The project will deliver a mix of new and refurbished facilities and is expected to include:

  • More than 80 additional beds for medical and surgical care across three new inpatient units, with 60 per cent single rooms and the remainder double rooms.
  • New and enhanced Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
  • Enhanced maternity and birthing services, including a special care nursery
  • A 32-bed Mental Health Inpatient Unit to replace and expand the existing Nolan House 24-bed service
  • New surgical and operating theatres, including a hybrid theatre plus procedure room
  • New Cardiac Catheter Lab
  • New central sterile supply department adjacent to theatres
  • Expanded ambulatory care, cardiac diagnostics and allied health therapies
  • New hospital main entrance and public drop-off zone from Keene Street, Aboriginal Family Lounge, Multi-faith Centre and retail opportunities
  • Additional car parking.

Numbers will be finalised as planning and design progresses.

The full stakeholder engagement summary for the release of the concept design for the Albury Wodonga Regional Hospital project can be viewed here: hinfra.health.nsw.gov.au/awrh

The responses provided will feed into the next stage of the project, schematic design, to further improve the hospital experience for visitors and patients.

The project team will continue to provide updates to staff, community and stakeholders as the project progresses.

Early works on the Northeast building are expected to commence in 2025.

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park:

“I am pleased so many members of the community and local health staff took the time to view the concept designs, talk to the project team, and are enthusiastic about the transformation of Albury Wodonga Regional Hospital.

“This exciting project will deliver more beds, more points of care, more parking spaces, and enhanced intensive care, maternity, birthing and mental health services.

“It will consolidate complex care onto one single site, which will improve safety for patients.

“Ongoing engagement with a broad range of stakeholders and the community is essential to the hospital planning, design and delivery process and will continue throughout the remainder of the project.”

Victorian Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas:

“We’re delivering one of the most significant regional health infrastructure investments ever for border communities, alongside the NSW and Commonwealth governments – so it is fantastic to see more than 800 Albury Wodonga locals have had their say on the concept designs.

“This project will be critical to ensuring locals have the world-class health services they deserve – and will deliver safer and more efficient care by reducing duplication for the border communities.

“Once complete, the massive $558 million redevelopment will deliver a new state-of-the-art intensive care unit, maternity ward, neonatal care and paediatric services, more medical and surgical beds, new operating theatres and a new 32-bed mental health unit.”

Play Her Way – the next wave in women’s sport

The Minns Labor Government today announced its plan for the next wave in women’s sport with the release of its new women’s sport strategy – Play Her Way.

Play Her Way is a four-year plan that aims to get more NSW women and girls playing, and staying involved in, sport.

The strategy builds on the groundswell of support for women’s sport, which has seen a massive increase in participation and viewership at both grassroots and professional levels.

Play Her Way will support the next wave of young females on their journey to the top of sport as well as ensure more women and girls can participate in fun, safe and inclusive sporting environments.

Key themes of the strategy include participation, leadership, culture, partnerships and investment with a particular focus on addressing the low rates of participation among adolescent girls.

To achieve this, the NSW Government will partner with the sports sector to break down barriers preventing adolescent girls participating in sport and identify new opportunities to increase participation.

The strategy was launched at URBNSRF Sydney Olympic Park where a group of the next generation of female athletes caught a wave together to symbolise the next wave in women’s sport.

For further information on the Play Her Way women’s sport strategy visit:  https://www.sport.nsw.gov.au/play-her-way

Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said:
 
“Women’s sport has seen tremendous growth and success in recent years through the performances of the Matildas at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, the success of NRLW as well as the Australian women’s cricket team and the recent Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“But there is still work to do to maintain this momentum and capitalise on the next wave of women’s sport.

“Crucial to achieving this is addressing the low rates of participation among adolescent girls and working with the sector to develop new and innovative opportunities for teenage girls to play sport their way.”

Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said:

“The NSW Government is committed to providing safe, inclusive and supportive environments for all women and girls to participate in sport.

“We want more women playing sport. We want them in coaching and leadership roles as well, so that sport is truly being played ‘her’ way.

“Play Her Way is our plan to achieve this so that more women and girls can play, and stay involved in, sport.”

20 months of the Minns Labor government and little to show for it

As the final sitting week of the year begins, it’s time to reflect on 20 months of the Minns Labor Government. 

The result is that New South Wales is worse off, and this government has very little to show for its time in office.

Labor has delivered at least 52 announcements of taskforces, inquiries and reviews, but no meaningful outcomes for the people of NSW. 

Housing approvals have collapsed to their lowest levels in 12 years, rents have skyrocketed, and families are being priced out of their communities.

Hospitals are going backwards, and cost-of-living pressures continue to get worse. Chris Minns promised stability, but instead his government has delivered paralysis.

This is a low vision, low energy government that tries to make itself a small target and hides behind empty announcements, while families and businesses pay the price. 

We’ve seen this before. Between 1998 and 2011, NSW Labor promised at least five major rail projects – and none of them were delivered. 

Chris Minns is Bob Carr 2.0 – big talk, no action, and endless disappointment.

The final sitting week will be a sobering reminder of a government too weak to lead, too afraid to make decisions, and too paralysed to act. After 20 months of the Minns Labor Government, families are not better off – they’re worse off.

Shadow cabinet meets in Miranda electorate – putting the community first

The NSW Shadow Cabinet is meeting in the Miranda electorate today for a Shadow Community Cabinet, bringing the Opposition’s leadership team to the heart of the Sutherland Shire. This important visit provides an opportunity to connect directly with local businesses, families and community organisations, demonstrating the NSW Opposition’s commitment to listening to concerns and working towards solutions.

The Miranda electorate is part of a vibrant Shire community with a strong heritage, a thriving small business sector, and a proud tradition of sporting and cultural excellence. 

Residents of the Miranda electorate deserve better than what the Minns Labor Government is providing them. Today’s Shadow Community Cabinet is about strengthening our connection with the people who make the area great and showing them that we’re listening.

NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said the Shadow Cabinet is here in the Miranda electorate to hear from families, businesses and community leaders about the challenges they face every day. 

“After 20 months of the Minns Labor Government, the cost of living is worse, housing affordability is worse, infrastructure delivery is drying up, and the Shire community has been left behind. We are here to listen, learn and lead,” Mr Speakman said.

Member for Miranda Eleni Petinos said as the local member her focus has always been on fighting for the people of Miranda. 

“Having the Shadow Cabinet meet here today sends a clear message – we are united in our determination to ensure the Miranda electorate’s priorities are heard and acted upon,” Ms Petinos said.

The Shadow Community Cabinet will engage with local stakeholders to discuss critical issues such as cost-of-living pressures, small business challenges, housing affordability, and the neglect of infrastructure investment for the Shire under the Minns Labor Government.

Prue Car must act immediately on classroom porn and sex chat

Children as young as 12 in Year 6 at Illawong Public School were subjected to a graphic and highly inappropriate discussion led by a senior staff member, which included references to anal sex and an adult streaming website. 

Parents are understandably upset and demanding answers after discovering the content of the discussion, which has no place in any school environment.

The incident occurred following a program on sexual health called “Amazing Me,” which had received parental consent. However, the unapproved follow-up discussion went far beyond any reasonable boundaries. 

Students were asked to write questions anonymously, and these questions were read aloud and answered in a way which led to discussions about an adult streaming website and sex acts.

The Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said parents trusted Illawong Public School to provide a safe and age-appropriate education for their children. 

“Instead, they were exposed to a discussion relating to pornography and explicit sexual acts. This isn’t education—this is recklessness,” Mr Speakman said. 

Member for Miranda Eleni Petinos, who raised the matter in Parliament on Friday, said parents are furious—and they have every right to be. This isn’t just inappropriate; it’s indefensible.

“Instead of stepping up and facing these parents the Minister for Education Prue Car has gone silent. Where is her leadership? Where is her accountability? These families deserve answers, not excuses. The Minister for Education hasn’t even contacted me as the local member—her absence in this matter speaks volumes,” Ms Petinos said.

The Opposition is demanding immediate action from the Education Minister, including:

  • A truly independent and transparent investigation, with no conflicts of interest, to uncover how this was allowed to happen.
  • An apology and direct engagement with Illawong families to rebuild trust and demonstrate accountability.
  • An assurance from the Minister that these classroom discussions are not occurring elsewhere in NSW and what measures will be taken to prevent this from happening again

An inappropriate discussion is concerning enough, but it is even more troubling when the government’s response leaves parents feeling ignored and unsupported.

SOCIAL MEDIA COMMITTEE TABLES FINAL REPORT

The Joint Select Committee on Social Media and Australian Society has tabled its final report.

The committee, chaired by Federal Member for Newcastle, Sharon Claydon MP, has examined the decision of Meta to abandon deals under the News Media Bargaining Code, the important role of Australian news and public interest journalism in countering mis- and disinformation on digital platforms, the algorithms, recommender systems and corporate decision making of digital platforms, and the influence and impact of social media on Australian society at large.  

Over the course of the inquiry, the committee heard a range of perspectives from stakeholders including social media platforms, media organisations, youth organisations, parents with lived experience of the harms of social media, academics and other experts.

This is the third and final report of the Committee and focuses on the impacts of social media and Australian society. It examines the influence of social media on users’ health and wellbeing, particularly on vulnerable cohorts of people, but also how social media can provide users with a positive connection, a sense of community, a place for expression, and instant access to information and entertainment.

The final report has made twelve considered recommendations, which aim to address concerns raised during the course of the inquiry, including:

  • greater enforceability of laws to bring digital platforms under Australian jurisdiction
  • support for a single and overarching statutory duty of care for digital platforms to ensure Australian users, particularly children, are safe online
  • effective, mandatory data access for independent researchers and public interest organisations, coupled with a rigorous auditing process by appropriate regulators
  • measures to enable users greater control over the content they see by having the ability to alter, reset, or turn off their personal algorithms and recommender systems
  • greater protections for users’ personal information
  • inclusion of young Australians in the co-design processes for the regulation of social media
  • research and data collection provisions to enable evidence-based policy development
  • ongoing education to improve digital competency and online safety skills
  • built in safety-by-design principles for current and future platform technology
  • a transparent complaints mechanism that incorporates a right of appeal process, and
  • adequate resourcing for the Office of the eSafety Commissioner to discharge its evolving functions.

Committee Chair Sharon Claydon:

 “The Committee strongly supports the twelve recommendations in this report, and the eleven of the second interim report.

“Each recommendation addresses the complexity of the problem, recognises the value of both social media and public interest journalism in Australia, and is aimed squarely at keeping Australians safe online.

“With this report, big tech is now on notice. Digital platforms are not immune from the need to have a social licence to operate.

“This report comes at a time when the government is already taking strong action to hold big tech to account through protections for young people by limiting their access to social media, and broader reforms to move online safety to a duty of care model announced by the government last week.”

Two charged over alleged fatal stabbing – Hamilton

Two people have been charged over the alleged fatal stabbing of a man in Newcastle at the weekend.

Emergency services had been called to Beaumont Street, Hamilton, about 2.40am Sunday (17 November 2024), and found a 22-year-old man suffering multiple stab wounds. He died in hospital at short time later.

Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District established a crime scene and commenced an investigation under Strike Force Mannum, with the assistance of the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad.

Following inquiries, a 27-year-old man was arrested at Waratah Police Station about 11am yesterday (Monday 18 November 2024).

The man, from North Lambton, has now been charged with murder and has been refused bail to appear in Newcastle Local Court later today.

About 5:10pm yesterday, a 33-year-old woman was arrested at a bus stop at Bankstown.

She was taken to Bankstown Police Station and charged with murder and has been refused bail to appear in Bankstown Local Court today.

Investigations into the incident are ongoing.

Appeal to locate man missing from Muswellbrook

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man missing from the state’s Hunter Region.

Gavin Moresby-White, aged 68, was last seen on Greg Stairs Road, Gungal – 50km west of Muswellbrook – about 10.30am on Tuesday 29 October 2024.

When concerns were raised for his welfare on Friday 15 November 2024, officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

Police and family hold serious concerns for Gavin as his disappearance is out of character.

Gavin is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 170cm tall with medium build, and balding with white hair.

He is known to drive a Toyota Camry with QLD plates 859MHT, which was found by police on Greg Stairs Road, Gungal.

Anyone with information into his whereabouts or dashcam footage is urged to call Hunter Valley police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Greens pledge to fight PFAS & plastics

Plastic production makes up 45% of the petrochemical sector which is expected to drive half the world’s oil demand growth between now and 2050, according to the International Energy Agency.

Action on waste is action on climate, yet the Albanese government is refusing to take this seriously. Australia needs legislation and regulation that tackles plastic waste and Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) at the design stage, instead of waiting for the pollutants to be created, only to then figure out how to manage or repurpose them.

That’s why the Greens have today announced plans to ensure big producers of plastics are forced to clean up the mess they make, and take a design-first approach to waste that bans the most toxic plastics and all PFAS pollutants.

Greens spokesperson for Waste and Recycling, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson:

“Plastic pollution is no longer some faraway problem floating out in a distant ocean. Toxic and dangerous plastics are now found everywhere, and people are increasingly clued into the fact most are cooked up in a lab from oil-based chemicals. Make no mistake, plastics and PFAS are fuelling the climate crisis.

“It’s farcical that big corporate producers and retailers of toxic plastics and plastic packaging currently have no obligation to take responsibility for the products they unleash into the world. Successive federal governments have disgracefully allowed big plastic producers to set their own voluntary plastic waste reduction targets they’ve had no intention of meeting without any penalties or threats of regulation – it’s got to change.

“The big producers of plastics and PFAS have had their chance to clean up their act and they haven’t. Our planet is now sick and our communities are suffering. It’s beyond time for mandated plastic waste reduction schemes and action that tackles the most harmful plastic pollutants at the design stage.”

Greens candidate for Macnamara, Sonya Semmens:
 

“The dolphins in Port Phillip Bay have the highest reported PFAS levels in the world. It’s not surprising when you understand the amount of plastic rubbish and wastewater that washes onto the beach. I know I’m not the only parent wondering what the health risks are for kids
and families swimming in the bay.

“To end this plastic pollution, we need to change the system that creates it. Australia desperately needs legislation and regulation that tackles plastic waste and PFAS at the design stage instead of waiting for the pollutants to be created, only to then figure out how to manage or repurpose them.

“We know that action on waste is action on climate, yet the government is refusing to take this seriously. Other countries started phasing out PFAS years ago and Australia now risks becoming the global dumping ground for products containing these insidious chemicals.

“Labor and the Liberals have both failed to protect communities across the nation from plastic waste and PFAS. We can’t keep voting for these same two tired parties and expecting a different result – Australia needs change now, and we need more Greens in parliament to
make it happen.

“Cleaning up our Bay and waterways won’t happen overnight, but the first step is to vote for someone who is fighting for it.”

The Greens plan for plastics, packaging & recycling:

  • Implement a national ban on the most harmful single-use plastic items to ensure a federally consistent approach across Australian jurisdictions;
  • Deliver a mandated packaging product stewardship scheme (extended producer responsibility scheme) that brings Australia into line with international best practice;
  • Legislate to make adoption of Australasian Recycling Label (ARL) mandatory on all consumer packaging;
  • Invest $500 million over five years into building infrastructure and deploying innovative technologies to increase recycling rates in Australia. This includes investment to build secondary markets for recycled materials.

The Greens plan for PFAS & forever chemicals:

  • Act immediately to ban all types of forever chemicals (PFAS) in all uses. This will include, but not be limited to, bans for PFAS use in consumer packaging, agrichemicals/pesticides and cosmetic products;
  • Take a design-first approach to management of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and PFAS by regulating out harmful chemicals and other contaminants in packaging;
  •  Implement standardised national frameworks for acceptable levels of all POPs and compounds – especially PFAS – in the creation of organic compost;
  • To support food waste recycling and to relieve current pressures on the waste and resource recovery sector to manage PFAS, the Greens will work with industry and stakeholders to develop a timeline to remove contaminants from compostable food packaging.

2024 Lima APEC Leaders’ Summit

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has joined with leaders from across the region in Lima, Peru for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting.

APEC is the leading economic and trade forum for our Asia-Pacific region.

Keeping trade free, fair and open benefits all Australians. One in four Australian jobs are related to trade, and around 75 per cent of Australia’s total trade is with APEC members.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Albanese called for further regional economic cooperation and progress towards digital trade, which will make trade faster, easier and cheaper for businesses and consumers.

Leaders discussed the transition to net zero, with Prime Minister Albanese sharing Australia’s ambition to become a renewable energy superpower and highlighting the economic and job opportunities this will present.

Prime Minister Albanese joined leaders to endorse the 2024 APEC Leaders’ Declaration that advances inclusive and interconnected trade initiatives. The declaration sets out APEC’s work in trade facilitation, services trade, digital trade, agricultural sustainability, and gender equality and inclusion.

In the sidelines of the APEC Leaders’ Summit, the Prime Minister met with Peruvian President Boluarte, Indonesian President Prabowo, and Singaporean Prime Minister Wong.

The Prime Minister will now travel to Brazil for the G20 Leaders’ Summit.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“With one in four Australian jobs connected to trade, forums like APEC are vital to keep trade free and open.

“Australia is committed to working through APEC to achieve strong, sustainable and inclusive growth.

“I congratulate Peru and President Boluarte on a successful APEC and look forward to working closely with the Republic of Korea as host of APEC in 2025.”