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The largest cruise ship to ever dock at Eden Cruise Wharf, carrying 3560 passengers, will make a grand maiden entrance on Monday November 11 – the first following the NSW Government’s planning approval to allow bigger cruise ships and more frequent visits to Eden.

At 330 metres long, 36 metres wide and weighing 142,000 tonnes, Royal Princess is an impressive international cruise ship, stopping at the Sapphire Coast for the first time between calls in Sydney and then Port Arthur.

The Royal Princess is due to visit Eden again on 15 March 2025.

The arrival of ships up to 370 metres long (up from 325 metres) was made possible following recent planning modifications to cruise operations at the wharf. The modification also removed the 60 ships per year cap and now allows for overnight stays.

The Royal Princess’ will be one of 25 cruise ships to visit Eden this season, bringing 44,000 passengers and 20,000 crew. 12 ships will be making their maiden calls at Eden.

The season begins on Tuesday November 5 with the arrival of Disney Wonder.

Eden’s summer cruise season for 2023/24 was the busiest on record for the region, and injected an estimated $8.77 million into the local economy, as highlighted in the CLIA The Value of Cruise Tourism Report 2023/24.

To learn more about the schedule for visiting cruise ships, visit Port Authority’s Cruise Schedule.

Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said:

“The first of the many larger ships to come, Royal Princess brings with her thousands of passengers and crew ready to disembark and explore the Bega Valley.

“We know cruise passengers bring welcome dollars to the local economy, whether that’s here in Eden as they soak up the wonderful hospitality, or by joining shore excursions to immerse in the very best the Sapphire Coast has on offer.

“The arrival of the Royal Princess signals an exciting new era for regional cruise which will see a gradual increase in bigger ships not only this season but also for many future seasons ahead bringing enormous benefits to the region.”

Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast Ryan Park said:

“With 25 cruise ships visiting Eden this season, including 12 maiden calls, the benefits for the local community are enormous.

“Allowing bigger cruise ships and more frequent visits to the Eden Cruise Wharf sets the stage for record-breaking tourism, showcasing the natural beauty and hospitality of this unique part of our state.”

Member for Bega Dr Michael Holland said:

“A record-breaking $4.41 billion was injected into the state’s economy during the last cruise season.

It is great to see the Royal Princess will arrive in Eden on Monday 11 November, ensuring our region has access to the economic boost brought by these bigger cruise ships.

This time last year, the Royal Princess would have been 5 metres too long to dock here in Eden, but thanks to the new modifications to the

Port’s operations, Eden will see bigger ships and more frequent visits.”

“Every cruise season, visiting international cruise passengers can spend up to $283 a day, according to CLIA, injecting millions into local economies like ours.”

Port Authority CEO Captain Philip Holliday said:

“Since the first cruise ship arrived into Eden in 2005 there have been approximately 150 cruise ship visits, and more than 235,000 passengers visiting Eden.

“We are working closely with cruise lines to ensure the continuous growth of the NSW cruise market so even more cruise passengers can experience the best of NSW while injecting millions into local economies.”

“Recent Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) data shows that more than 6 in 10 people who have taken a cruise say that they have returned to a destination that they first visited via a cruise ship.”

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In an Australian first, NSW Fair Trading is set to introduce an Information Standard for lithium-ion battery-powered e-micromobility products, as it powers up its nation-leading effort to protect consumers from safety risks posed by the increasingly popular devices. 

Information Standards regulate what guidance and warnings are provided to consumers about goods and services, with an aim to keep purchasers informed of the risks products carry and how they should be used to avoid those risks.

E-micromobility products include e-scooters, e-bikes, e-skateboards, self-balancing hoverboards and their associated chargers.

If retailers in NSW do not provide product guidance mandated by an Information Standard, they could be subject to penalties of up to $5,500 for each breach.

NSW Fair Trading’s proposed Information Standard for lithium-ion battery-powered e-micromobility devices will provide consumer advice and warnings on: 

Fire safety and emergency procedures – identifying signs of a fire and procedures to be followed in case of an emergency.  

Electrical safety – warnings for consumers about lithium-ion batteries, battery charging and warnings against modification of the device. 

Product storage – information on safe storage and protection from environmental hazards. 

Use, service and repair – information about safe use practices, what to do if there is any damage to the device, and details about service and repair centres.  

Road rules – information urging consumers to check the road rules applicable to their device.

End of life – best practices for disposal of devices and lithium-ion batteries. 

The forthcoming Information Standard, which is expected to be introduced in early 2025, will support the new product safety standards for lithium-ion e-micromobility devices.

The safety standards announced in early August require e-bikes, e-scooters, hoverboards and e-skateboards to meet new testing, certification, and marking requirements, and will be introduced in a staged process from 1 February 2025.

The product safety standards are intended to curb the fire-risks associated with lithium-ion e-micromobility devices by ensuring low quality and dangerous versions of these products cannot enter the market and be sold on to unwitting consumers.  

Retailers, manufacturers and suppliers will face fines of up to $825,000 for not complying with the new safety standards.

E-micromobility products were the single largest group of lithium-ion battery-powered devices associated with fires in 2022 and 2023, with Fire and Rescue NSW recording 90 incidents related to the products in those years. There have been 72 fire-incidents connected with e-micromobility products in 2024. 

This work by NSW Fair Trading complements the regulatory work for batteries being undertaken by the NSW Environment Protection Authority – showing that NSW is leading the way when it comes to protecting consumers, workers and the environment from battery risks now and into the future.

NSW Fair Trading is consulting with industry stakeholders and Government agencies to determine what should be included in the Information Standard. The public can have their say at: https://www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/lithium-ion-battery-powered-micromobility-vehicles until 6 December 2024.

For more information on the new lithium-ion battery powered e-micromobility product standards, please visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-construction/safety-home/electrical-safety/lithium-ion-battery-safety/new-safety-standards-for-lithium-ion-batteries-e-mobility-devices 

Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong said:  

“We need to ensure we have a robust regulatory framework to keep consumers safe from the potential harms posed by some lithium-ion battery-powered products.

“This Information Standard is another step in building that framework and will provide consumers with the information they need to stay safe when using e-micromobility devices.

“The NSW Government looks forward to working with, and hearing from stakeholders and the public, about what they think consumers need to know before they buy an e-bike or other e-micromobility product.”

Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said:

“As we move towards legalising the use of e-scooters and other micro-mobility devices on NSW roads, it’s vital we ensure these devices are up to standard and pass strict safety standards.

“Ensuring that high quality lithium-ion battery-powered devices are the only ones available on the shelves will keep people safe.”

Commissioner of NSW Fair Trading, Natasha Mann:  

“NSW Fair Trading has been working closely with consumers, industry, and other Government agencies to ensure people are protected from the risks posed by lithium-ion e-micromobility products. 

“While new product standards for manufacturers, retailers, and suppliers are set to come into effect from 1 February next year, an Information Standard will give people access to the guidance they need when purchasing one of these products.

“These changes are about empowering consumers to make informed decisions when they first buy a product and knowing how to use it safely through the product’s life.”

The Minns Labor Government today announced two of the state’s key animal welfare organisations, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals NSW (RSPCA) and the Animal Welfare League NSW (AWL), will receive $12.5 million towards their enforcement and compliance activities that provide protection for NSW cats, dogs, livestock and other animals.

The funding is part of the NSW Government’s election commitments to establish a modern, fit for purpose animal welfare framework.

As part of the enforcement grants announced today, the RSPCA NSW will receive $11.3 million, and the AWL NSW will receive $1.17 million.

The funding is substantially higher than any other state or territory has allocated to charitable animal welfare organisations to undertake their compliance and enforcement work.

The funding will be used to:

• Fund animal welfare inspectors who play a crucial role in enforcing NSW animal welfare laws
• Investigate animal cruelty complaints, protecting vulnerable animals from harm or distress
• Carry out enforcement action on those people doing animals’ harm
• Provide a one-off upgrade to AWL operating systems for streamlined compliance data and reporting.
• Cover vehicle operating and legal expenses.

The announcement follows recent Government animal welfare initiatives including introducing new ‘fit and proper’ laws preventing people who have been convicted of repeat animal cruelty offences from keeping or breeding animals and introducing into Parliament last month a Bill to ban the appalling practice of puppy farming.

The grant applications and subsequent funding was assessed in accordance the requirements under the NSW Grants Administration Guide and was overseen by an independent panel.

The purpose of these enforcement grants is to support approved charitable organisations and carry out Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 enforcement and compliance activities for the current 2024/25 financial year.

Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said:

“The NSW Government is committed to improving animal welfare standards across our state.

“We will continue to work with stakeholder, advocates, and the community to improve animal welfare and to build a better and stronger framework of animal protection.

“We recognise the compliance work the Animal Welfare League and RSPCA do and value the long-standing relationships we have with them to achieve better outcomes for the animals of NSW.

Sydney is taking its place among the iconic marathon cities of the world, becoming just the seventh Abbott World Marathon Major alongside New York, London, Tokyo, Boston, Chicago and Berlin.

With the support of the NSW Government over a three-year candidacy and review period, the Sydney Marathon now joins the elite club of Abbott World Marathon Majors after international organisers announced their decision at the New York Marathon overnight.

Sydney’s new status is expected to drive a wave of international and interstate runners, along with familes, friends and event support crew to visit NSW.

The Sydney Marathon will become an instant bucket list event for thousands of runners across the globe who have already achieved the “six star medal” for completing all six major marathons – and thousands more who have been aiming for the same goal but will now want to add Sydney to their to-do list.

Major status positions Sydney as the major events capital of the Asia Pacific and brings global spotlight, with other marathons being watched by an average global broadcast audience of 20 million viewers.

Currently, all six Abbott World Marathon Majors are oversubscribed. For example, more than 840,000 people have applied to run in the London Marathon next year, with only about 55,000 places on offer.

Destination NSW estimates an extra $73 million in visitor expenditure will be added to the NSW economy over the next three years as a result of Sydney Marathon’s elevation. Over a decade, an extra $300 million will be added to the economy, with many visitors to Sydney taking the opportunity to visit regional NSW while in Australia.

The elevation of the Sydney Marathon to major status has been made possible through a funding and strategic partnership with the NSW Government through Destination NSW. Government support was a requirement of the Abbott World Marathon Majors criteria and involves cross agency collaboration with Transport for NSW, Destination NSW, NSW Police and NSW Ambulance.

The TCS Sydney Marathon cleared its final hurdle in September after three years of being judged against the assessment criteria of Abbott World Marathon Majors.

There were 25,000 registered runners for the marathon that winds its way through the harbour city and finishes at the Sydney Opera House.

Participation in the Sydney Marathon has increased by 400% since 2022, from 5,000 entries to 25,000 in 2024. It is expected that 33,300 will greet the starter’s gun in August 2025, rising to 37,800 in 2027.

Ongoing support for the Sydney Marathon is part of the broader Minns Government plan to grow the NSW Visitor Economy to $91 billion in expenditure by 2035.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said:

“We’re thrilled Australia’s only global city, Sydney is now a member of the world majors club, following the great marathon cities of Boston, Chicago, New York, Berlin, Tokyo and London.

“Achieving major marathon status is a huge honour and we are proud to be a funding and strategic partner of the Sydney Marathon.

“These runners, their supporters and fans who come to watch will bring a huge boost to the local economy.

“We have ambitious plans to boost the number of visitors in NSW and this event is another feather in our cap.

“NSW is an unbeatable hotspot for tourists across the globe and we look forward to welcoming them next year, providing a multi million dollar boost to the economy and an unforgettable experience for the runners on one of the most scenic marathon courses in the world.”

Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham said:

“They are the bucket list events that runners from across the world want to tick off. Now Sydney Marathon joins them at the starting line.

“Sydneysiders get behind a sporting event like no other city and we know more and more people will embrace the marathon whether that is aspiring to complete it or getting out to support those who do.

“Sydney Marathon 2025 will draw more visitors, but the NSW Government is just as excited by the economic boost this will provide over the long run as the status of the event grows.

“I congratulate Sydney Marathon organisers and those who worked on its candidacy, backed by Destination NSW. This is a remarkable achievement.”

Wayne Larden, race director of the TCS Sydney Marathon said:

“Becoming the 7th Abbott World Marathon Major is just incredible for the event, as well as for Sydney and NSW.

“This amazing milestone is going to have a profound impact on running in Australia, inspiring the community to become a marathoner and do something special for themselves, their families and friends. Community health will benefit alongside a huge increase in fundraising.

“We are so excited to deliver the 2025 event as the 7th Abbott World Marathon Major and join the greatest marathon series and events on the planet!”

“We could not have achieved such incredible growth in competitors and uplift in delivery to make it into the World Majors if it wasn’t for the support of the NSW Government through Destination NSW, and our partners TCS and ASICS. Our Pont3 team are first rate and have put in so much work to make this happen.