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The Minns Labor Government is boosting the workforce in Western NSW by investing an additional $4.9 million into early childhood education and care services into the high need locations of Carrathool, Hay and Warrumbungle Shires.

The upgrades and expansion work, funded through the Government’s Regional Development Trust, will deliver 176 additional childcare places and 26 new jobs.

Childcare shortages in Western NSW place increasing strain on essential worker employment and reduce opportunities for parents and carers to return to work, education or training.

The childcare availability in these three LGAs are amongst the lowest in NSW. The Minns Government is continuing to support regional communities and families by addressing significant childcare shortages to improve workforce participation and build essential services.

This latest funding builds on the success of the $5.6 million announced in November 2024, which is creating more than 150 additional childcare places in Broken Hill, Bourke and Cobar.

The Regional Development Trust will provide the funding to the following services:

• Hay Children’s Services Incorporated – $1,843,794 to undertake a full renovation and fit-out of its early learning centre to double its capacity, creating 15 new jobs and adding 120 extra childcare places.
• Riverina Children’s Activity Van Inc. – $1,312,548 to provide mobile services in Goolgowi and deliver a purpose-built demountable at Rankins Springs Primary School for Early Childhood Education and Care, creating two new jobs and providing 16 extra places in Goolgowi and Rankins Springs Preschools.
• Dunedoo Pre-school Kindergarten Inc. – $755,450 to expand its storage shed and upgrade play equipment, kitchen and laundry facilities, and will create three new jobs and add 12 extra places.
• Warrumbungle Shire Council – $636,000 to expanding its Connect Five mobile early education service from fortnightly to weekly and upgrade its fleet vehicle and storage facility, creating five new jobs and adding 20 extra places.
• Baradine Preschool Inc. – $388,050 to refurbish its facility to offer an Out of School Hours Care program in the morning and afternoon for children in primary school, creating one new job and adding eight extra places.

The Minns Government’s plan to rebuild the workforce in regional NSW is being addressed through a range of programs such as this Western Workforce Activation Program focusing on making extra childcare spaces available, and The Welcome Experience that’s attracting essential workers to make the move to regional towns.

Deputy Premier, Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:

“Access to quality childcare should not depend on where you live, and this investment will help more families in Western NSW access the early learning services they need close to home.

“These additional childcare places will make a real difference for parents and carers who want to return to work, study or training, while also helping local businesses and essential services attract and keep staff.

“By expanding and upgrading early childhood education services across Carrathool, Hay and Warrumbungle Shires, we are creating jobs, supporting regional communities and helping rebuild the workforce in Western NSW.

“The Minns Labor Government is committed to ensuring regional families have access to the same opportunities and essential services as families anywhere else in the state.”

Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said:

“This Minns Government funding will deliver real improvements for families in Carrathool, Hay and Warrumbungle Shires, helping local early childhood services expand capacity and better meet community demand.

“Access to quality childcare is essential for strong regional communities, and these upgrades will support families where it is needed most, and at the same time help us rebuild essential services with the additional workers we need.

“Childcare shortages limit workforce participation and by investing in expanded facilities, service improvements and workforce development, the Minns Government is helping parents and carers return to work, education or training while supporting local employers that are keen for workers.”

Emily Perkins, General Manager, Hay Children’s Services said:

“Hay Children’s Services is proud to share it has been awarded funding through the Western NSW Workforce Activation Program, a significant investment that will support the expansion of our Early Learning Centre and strengthen the delivery of early childhood education and care across our community.

“This funding will enable us to increase capacity, improve facilities, and create a more engaging and supportive environment for children, while also supporting the attraction and retention of a skilled local workforce.

“We recognise the importance of this initiative in addressing regional workforce challenges and are committed to ensuring more families in Hay and the surrounding region have access to high-quality, accessible early learning services.”

Construction is underway on the new Warrawong Seawall, marking the first major milestone in the revitalisation of Warrawong Parklands and the Lake Illawarra foreshore into a renewed waterfront destination for the Illawarra community.

The Minns Labor Government is investing $5 million to deliver the new seawall at Kully Bay as part of the broader transformation of Warrawong Parklands into a more accessible, vibrant and resilient public space.

The existing seawall along the promenade has significantly deteriorated due to ongoing erosion, forcing sections of the foreshore to close.

The new seawall will replace the ageing structure, restore safe public access to the northern foreshore and help protect the area from future erosion and storm impacts.

Designed with sustainability at its core, the seawall will incorporate environmentally sensitive features to support marine habitat, improve ecological outcomes and strengthen the natural environment along the lake edge.

This work kicks off delivery of the Warrawong Parklands Masterplan, which outlines a long-term vision for the foreshore including new recreation areas, community gathering spaces, walking connections and nature-based play opportunities.

The project is part of the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to delivering better public spaces, improving access to open space and creating healthier, more liveable communities across NSW.

Construction will be undertaken in line with local and state environmental management frameworks, including the Lake Illawarra Coastal Management Program (2019) and the Wollongong Coastal Zone Management Plan: Management Study (2017).

The new seawall is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. For more information visit NSW Planning.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces and Member for Wollongong, Paul Scully said:

“We’re getting on with revitalising Warrawong Parklands, and the construction of the new seawall is the first step in restoring access to this important foreshore and bringing it back to life for the local community.

“This project will restore safe access to the waterfront, help protect the foreshore from future erosion and deliver a more resilient and environmentally sustainable public space.

“Lake Illawarra is one of the region’s great natural assets, and this project will help preserve and enhance the foreshore so it can be enjoyed by local families and visitors for generations to come.”

Moss Vale and surrounding communities are being given a first look at the design for the new Moss Vale Ambulance Station which will boost emergency and mobile medical care across the Southern Highlands.

The new Ambulance Station will be located on Lackey Road, Moss Vale and is part of the NSW Government’s $615.5 million NSW Ambulance Infrastructure Program, to bolster frontline emergency services.

The modern, purpose-built ambulance station will include internal parking for up to eight emergency ambulance vehicles, on-site vehicle wash facilities, administration and logistics areas, multipurpose spaces, staff amenities including a gym, and on-site parking.

Construction is expected to begin later this year, following planning approval and the appointment of a building contractor.

NSW Ambulance identified Moss Vale as a high priority location following a comprehensive service planning process using best practice modelling software to map Triple Zero (000) calls. The new ambulance station will optimise response performance to better meet the emergency and mobile medical care needs of the local community.

The Minns Government is delivering 30 new ambulance stations and supporting infrastructure across Sydney, the Central Coast, Newcastle, the Hunter and Illawarra regions over the coming years.

The Minns Government is recruiting 2,500 additional NSW Ambulance staff including 500 paramedics to rural and regional areas, to boost emergency and mobile healthcare for our metropolitan and regional communities.

For more information visit: www.nsw.gov.au/ambulance-infrastructure-program  

Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park:

“We’re backing our paramedics with the modern infrastructure and resources they need to deliver high-quality emergency care for communities across NSW.

“More ambulance stations, more paramedics, faster response times, and better patient outcomes.

“The unveiling of the design for the new Moss Vale ambulance station marks another step towards delivering a vital health service for the Moss Vale and Southern Highlands communities.”

Labor Spokesperson for Goulburn Bob Nanva:

“Local paramedics will have a purpose-built ambulance station to help them deliver the best possible emergency and mobile medical care to the local community when and where it is needed.

“The new ambulance station will bolster the network of ambulance stations across the Southern Highlands and south-western Sydney regions and support existing ambulance stations in the local network including at Bowral and Picton.”

The Minister for Corrections Anoulack Chanthivong is today visiting the Metropolitan Remand and Reception Centre (MRRC) at Silverwater Correctional Complex to thank staff for their service.

The visit marks National Corrections Day, an annual opportunity to acknowledge the dedication and professionalism of corrective services staff who work around the clock to keep communities safe.

At MRRC, the following recipients will be honoured with National Corrections Day awards: the Immediate Action Team, the Darcy Intake Screeners, the Senior Service Integration Management Unit, and Overseer David Vile.

MRRC is the state’s largest and busiest remand facility.

The correctional centre plays a critical role in the NSW correctional system, receiving offenders directly from court and managing remanded inmates as they move through the justice process. The centre processes around 22,000 offenders each year, with most inmates being released on bail or transferred to another NSW correctional centre, making it a fast‑paced and demanding environment for staff.

It is facilities like MRRC that highlight the importance of National Corrections Day, which is observed across Australia and New Zealand to recognise the vital work of correctional employees in both custodial and community settings.

Corrective Services NSW (CSNSW) staff are responsible for overseeing more than 14,000 inmates within the state’s 36 prisons and supervising 35,000 offenders in the community. Every day, staff operate in complex, high‑pressure environments to uphold safety and security.

The CSNSW workforce includes around 5,100 custodial officers working in prisons, 2,300 Community Corrections staff, and nearly 3,000 personnel employed in psychology, program, education, industries, and corporate professional roles.

CSNSW continues to attract people motivated by purpose and public service, offering a unique and rewarding career where employees contribute directly to community safety. Staff are supported through comprehensive training, clear career development pathways and a strong focus on wellbeing.

National Corrections Day morning teas, gatherings, and awards ceremonies will be held across the state’s prisons and community corrections offices.

Minister for Corrections Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“Today is about saying thank you to the men and women who do this vital work, often out of the public eye, to keep the NSW community safe.

“Staff at the Metropolitan Remand and Reception Centre work in one of the busiest and most complex correctional environments in the state, and their professionalism and commitment deserves recognition.

“National Corrections Day is a meaningful opportunity to acknowledge both our uniformed and non‑uniformed staff and the important role they play every day.”

CSNSW Commissioner Gary McCahon PSM said:

“Our staff play a critical role in upholding the law and order of our community, while supporting offenders to change the course of their lives.

“National Corrections Day is an opportunity to say thank you, for the difference our staff make through their work.

“Their unwavering commitment to rehabilitation at every stage changes lives and helps keep the community safe. This outstanding service deserves the highest recognition and deep gratitude.”

BACKGROUND

Immediate Action Team

The MRRC Immediate Action Team is being recognised for its outstanding professionalism, operational excellence, and unwavering commitment to the safety and security of the MRRC.

Operating on a continuous 24 hour basis, the team of 28 consistently upholds high standards of immediate incident response while managing the highest volume of incidents of any centre across the state.

Beyond providing critical incident responses, the MRRC IAT plays a fundamental role in enhancing the safety and order of the facility. Their vigilance and proactive approach have contributed to a substantial disruption of organised inmate activity and the prevention of serious security threats.

Time and time again, the team has proven their dedication to protecting staff and inmates. Their service brings great credit to themselves, the MRRC, and the broader Correctional Services New South Wales network.

The Darcy Intake Screeners

The Darcy Intake Screeners – a small yet critical team of 11 dedicated employees – engage with inmates in what is often the most complex and volatile period of their custodial experience. This team is recognised for their tireless work to ensure every individual is screened properly and promptly, maintaining professionalism amid high emotion and demand.  

Ensuring inmates are properly assessed for their safety and security in custody is fundamental in determining the way the inmate is managed and is therefore critical in keeping our community safe.

Overseer David Vile, Community, Industry & Capacity

David is a highly valued member of the MRRC Industries team, known for his adaptability and unwavering commitment to facilitating great outcomes for inmates. His ability to step into any role and perform to a high standard reflects his strong work ethic and passion to contribute to meaningful change.

He is recognised for his professionalism and sound judgement, consistently contributing to the smooth and reliable operation of MRRC Industries.

David approaches every task with dedication, always striving to deliver his best. He actively builds his knowledge and capability, drawing on past experience to inform thoughtful, effective decision-making.

Senior Service Integration Management Team

The MRRC SSIM team is being recognised for leading the centre with professionalism and strong leadership.

Abiding by the principles of care, fairness and integrity, the team of seven has supported staff through change, while also maintaining operational stability.

The team’s collaborative approach has strengthened capability, trust, and culture at MRRC at a time when such values are crucial. 

Australia’s oldest surviving colonial-era boat, discovered under layers of tidal sand and mud during excavation for the Barangaroo metro station, will be go on permanent display at the Australian National Maritime Musuem.

The nine-metre boat made from Sydney Blue Gum, Stringybark and Spotted Gum sourced in the Sydney basin, is believed to be around 200 years old and spent about 150 years buried under wharves, warehouses and shipyards on what was once a small harbourfront beach.

The boat was built using the “clinker” technique of overlapping timber planks to make up the hull and is believed to have been used to transport goods around Sydney Harbour and Parramatta River.

Discovered during the Sydney Metro excavation at Barangaroo in 2018, the boat has been the subject of detailed conservation work and is now in the hands of Australian National Maritime Museum after being delivered in a refrigerated truck container due to its importance and delicate state.

The museum has begun to prepare the boat for permanent exhibition

The 294 individual pieces of timber have been treated with Polyethylene Glycol, a product that reinforces the cell structure of the wood and reduces further degradation.

It has been used on several other notable recovered shipwrecks, including the Mary Rose, the Bremen Cog, Batavia, and the Vasa.

Polyethylene Glycol was added in increasing concentrations into tanks holding the timbers before remaining in the solution for a year-and-a-half.

The boat was then snap frozen and transported to Braeside, Victoria, to be professionally freeze-dried.

Minister for Transport John Graham said:

“Sydney Metro is the most modern form of transport in Sydney, and it is a nice bit of symmetry that it was construction of the metro line that unearthed the nation’s oldest colonial era boat.

“This is a piece of Australian history we are determined to protect for many more centuries to come.

“I want to thank those who carefully excavated the boat, preserved it and the Australian National Maritime Museum for giving it a permanent home so generations to come can get a unique look at was life on Sydney Harbour in the early 1800s.”

The Bargo community are being given a first look at the design for the new Bargo Ambulance Station which will boost emergency and mobile medical care in the Macarthur region.

The new Ambulance Station will be located on Great Southern Road, Bargo and is part of the NSW Government’s $615.5 million NSW Ambulance Infrastructure Program to bolster frontline emergency services.

The modern, purpose-built Ambulance Station will include internal parking for up to eight emergency ambulance vehicles, on-site vehicle wash facilities, administration and logistics areas, multipurpose spaces, staff amenities including a gym, and on-site parking.

Construction is expected to begin later this year, following planning approval and appointing a builder.

NSW Ambulance identified Bargo as a high priority location following a comprehensive service planning process using best practice modelling software to map Triple Zero (000) calls. The new ambulance station will optimise response performance to better meet the emergency and mobile medical care needs of the local community.

The Minns Government is delivering 30 new ambulance stations and supporting infrastructure across Sydney, the Central Coast, Newcastle, the Hunter and Illawarra regions over the coming years.

The Minns Government is recruiting 2,500 additional NSW Ambulance staff including 500 paramedics to rural and regional areas, to boost emergency and mobile healthcare for our metropolitan and regional communities.

For more information visit: www.nsw.gov.au/ambulance-infrastructure-program   

Minister for Health Ryan Park:

“We’re backing our paramedics with the modern infrastructure and resources they need to deliver high-quality emergency care for communities across NSW.

“More ambulance stations, more paramedics, faster response times, and better patient outcomes.

“The unveiling of the new Ambulance Station’s design marks another step towards delivering a vital health service for communities in the Bargo and Macarthur region.”

Member for Wollondilly Judy Hannan:

“Local paramedics will have a purpose-built ambulance station to help them deliver the best possible emergency and mobile medical care to the local community when and where it is needed.

“The new ambulance station will bolster emergency care for the Bargo community and support existing ambulance stations in the local network including at Bowral and Picton.”

Labor Spokesperson for Wollondilly Mark Buttigieg MLC:

“Equipping our paramedics across NSW, especially in our rural and regional areas with the quality resources they deserve is vital to supporting and strengthening our communities.”

“This significant investment ensures that communities in Bargo and the Macarthur region receive quality care within their local area”

Students and staff have welcomed the opening of the new Forest High School, as the Minns Labor Government delivers on its promise to build world-class infrastructure across NSW.

The ribbon will be cut on the new campus today by the Premier, alongside the Member for Wakehurst Michael Regan and Principal Nathan Lawler.

Now on Allambie Road, Allambie Heights, the $160 million Forest High School is a comprehensive co-educational high school for up to 1,500 students, with views across the Northern Beaches.

The new school includes 73 classrooms and three special support unit classrooms, a library, canteen and administration spaces, an outdoor synthetic sports field, five basketball courts, landscaped recreation and outdoor learning areas, and more than 180 parking spaces for bicycles and scooters.

Forest High School is a local school of choice. Its supportive environment and strong community engagement help every student thrive, with explicit teaching used across all year levels to help deliver strong academic results.

The new school location remains within the current intake area for The Forest High School, ensuring a smooth transition for students who will continue their educational journey at the existing school site until the completion of the new school.

Over the past two years, two thirds of the school’s HSC students have achieved results in the top three bands, its highest proportion in recent years.

Across NSW, 230 new and upgraded public schools are being delivered as part of the NSW Government’s record $9 billion commitment to rebuild public education.

This record investment is backed by $100 million for new specialist facilities to deliver programs for high potential and gifted students across 33 partner schools through the Inspire program, and by a teacher workforce with the lowest vacancy rate in 12 years.

Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:

“Today is an exciting day for students, teachers and families on the Northern Beaches as we officially open the new Forest High School campus.

“This is exactly the kind of investment growing communities deserve – a brand-new public high school with modern classrooms, outstanding sporting facilities and high-quality learning spaces that will support students for generations to come.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:

“We’re excited to open the brand-new Forest High School, which shows this Government’s investment in public education in the Northern Beaches.

“There is a strong sense of community and values, and high expectations at The Forest, and the new facilities will be a perfect match for them.

“I am confident it will be a beacon of excellence in the area for generations to come, where every student is inspired to reach their full potential.”

Member for Wakehurst Michael Regan said:

“This is a proud day for The Forest High School and for public education in Wakehurst. It’s great to see the Premier here today recognising the importance of this investment in public education on the Northern Beaches.

“This day has been a long time coming. The vision for this relocated campus was in the works since my early days as Mayor.

“The new school campus is a huge step forward with modern classrooms, facilities and great spaces for sport, performance and student wellbeing.

“I want to thank the teachers, staff, students and families who have carried the school’s strong community spirit into its new home.”

Principal Nathan Lawler said:

“Our state-of-the-art facilities open up wonderful opportunities for our students, and I am especially excited to see our creative students showcase their talents in the performance theatre.

“We have high expectations of our students, and we now have the facilities to match the effort they’re putting in and what we’re expecting from them.

“By working together as one unified community, we will continue to grow and thrive, always focused on serving our students.”

NSW Opposition Leader, Kellie Sloane has announced that a Liberals and Nationals Government would deliver a dedicated 10-year Men and Boy’s Health Strategy by the end of 2027.  
 
The Opposition also committed to hosting a two-day Men’s Health Summit next year, bringing together health professionals, men and boy’s health organisations, researchers and men’s health advocates to help inform and shape the delivery of the Strategy.  
 
Leading men’s health organisations from across NSW joined the Liberals and Nationals at NSW Parliament where Ms Sloane said she wanted the state to have the best health outcomes for men and boys in Australia.  
 
“A 10-year Strategy is about us saying that we don’t accept the status quo and want to deliver a better future for every man and boy in NSW where they have access to the health and support services that will ensure they thrive,” said Ms Sloane. 
 
“The strategy will set clear targets for reducing male suicide, strengthen prevention and early intervention pathways, and improve access to services in regional and outer metropolitan communities.” 
  
Shadow Health Minister, Sarah Mitchell said that too many men were still dying early from preventable causes and that regional communities often face the highest disparity when it comes to premature mortality. 
  
“Every man and boy in NSW, no matter where they live, deserves to grow up happy and healthy. A dedicated Men and Boy’s Health Strategy will ensure we know where to direct government investment and have a way of measuring our progress,” said Ms Mitchell.  
  
Shadow Parliamentary Secretary, Matt Cross said surviving cancer and the birth of his son has shaped his drive to radically improve health outcomes for men and boys in NSW. 
  
“Men are far less likely to visit a doctor. I know this firsthand, as I delayed seeking help when I was anaemic. There are lots of reasons. Fear of the unknown. Worried it feels weak. Embarrassment. It’s even a misguided bravado and pride. It’s all dangerous and it must change,” said Mr Cross.