Category: NSW News

Critical roads in Sydney’s east will be upgraded under a $10 million commitment by the Perrottet Liberal Government to future proof the area.

The election funding commitment will be targeted towards road resurfacing and other amenity improvements along key points of the road corridors.

Liberal Candidate for Vaucluse Kellie Sloane said this would ensure the 90,000 who use the corridors every day would have a quicker, more reliable and safer journey along Bondi Road, New South Head Road and Old South Head Road.

“Having listened to the community, I’m proud to say if re-elected the Perrottet Government will invest in upgrading these roads for the Vaucluse Community,” Ms Sloane said.

“We want to ensure the roads in and around our community are as good as they should be so locals can get to work and home, visitors can enjoy a great day out and tradies can earn their living.

“An average of 90,000 vehicles use this critical corridor every day which is why we need to ensure it can cope well into the future with both traffic and the risk of flooding.

“Delivering vital upgrades for our community like this is only possible through the Government’s strong economic management and track-record of infrastructure delivery.”

Liberal candidate for Coogee, Dr Kylie von Muenster, has welcomed the Perrottet Liberal Team’s four point plan to improve bus services and tackle the current bus driver shortages.

“Benefits for drivers, reducing course fees, new recruitment initiatives and community feedback are key aspects of the Perrottet Liberal Government’s plan to deliver more bus drivers into the Coogee area,” Dr von Muenster said.

Minister for Transport, Veterans and Western Sydney David Elliott said the NSW Liberal four point plan would address the severe staff shortages experienced by bus operators across Australia.

“The bus driver shortage is a national, and even international, problem which we are committed to addressing with four important strategies,” Mr Elliott said. 

“As part of the NSW Liberal plan, there will be a focus on increasing the number of drivers by securing proficient drivers from overseas, waiving training fees, offering bus drivers in Greater Sydney subsidised travel and giving local communities the opportunity to have input into bus services.”

Key aspects of the Liberal plan to address the acute shortage:

• provide free public transport to and from work with an Opal card to be issued to all new and existing drivers across Greater Sydney
• waive the Bus Driver Authority fee and subsidise training course fees
• establish a recruitment taskforce to attract skilled bus drivers from overseas
• invite the community members to ‘have their say’ on what improvements they would like to see across the bus network, including routes and timetables.

“We will continue to work with BusNSW on the future of the bus industry in this state, in addition to the recommendations we’re committing to today,” Mr Elliott added.

The Liberals will: establish a recruitment taskforce to develop further strategies to recruit and retain bus drivers, including individuals from interstate and overseas; and also assist with the recruitment of bus and coach drivers via support for specific funding for new recruits to upgrade to a Heavy Rigid or Medium Rigid licence to obtain a Bus Driver Authority (BDA) at little or no cost.

Community members are also encouraged to have their say on improvements such as new routes and timetabling as this feedback will inform Transport for NSW’s review of bus services.

Since 2011, the Liberals have introduced close to 47,000 extra bus services in Greater Sydney and outer metropolitan areas.

We encourage anyone interested in becoming a driver to find out more here.

Liberal candidate for Drummoyne, Stephanie Di Pasqua, welcomed the Perrottet Liberal Government commitment to deliver a further $260 million investment for new and expanded critical care services at Concord Hospital.

Ms Di Pasqua said the continuing investment in health services for the Drummoyne community will help the hospital grow in line with the community’s needs.

“Continued support by the Perrottet Liberal Government will mean that our community has access to great health services right on our doorstop, and can only be delivered because of the strong economic management and long term plan that has kept this state and our community moving forward.”

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the funding commitment is on top of the $341 million the NSW Government already invested delivering stage one of the hospital redevelopment.

“Concord Hospital has a such a rich history and is not only much loved by those in the inner west but also by our Defence Force personnel and veterans,” Mr Perrottet said.

“In my first Budget as Treasurer, I had the pleasure of announcing the $341 million upgrade to Concord and now as Premier, I am happy to say we are offering more funds.”

“Where Labor failed the Concord community, we promised and delivered a magnificent world class facility, and stage two will further transform this iconic hospital campus.”

Under a re-elected NSW Liberal and Nationals Government Stage 2A will deliver:

• A new and expanded Emergency Department
• An additional 24 bed inpatient ward
• An expanded Intensive Care Unit
• Expanded Cardiology Investigation Unit
• Refurbishment of the existing ICU for the new operating theatres.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said a significant amount of clinical service planning has already been done by the Sydney Local Health District for the proposed expansion.

“Once planning has been finalised for the site, a new building will link to the clinical services building, which itself was only opened less than a year ago,” Mr Hazzard said.

“In addition to delivering an expanded new emergency department, inpatient and critical care services, the redevelopment will also deliver hundreds of building jobs.”

Once planning has been finalised for the site it is anticipated that early works will commence in early to mid-2024

Since 2011, the NSW Government has delivered more than 180 health capital works projects across NSW, with more than 130 projects currently underway.

Liberal candidate for Drummoyne, Stephanie Di Pasqua, welcomed the Perrottet Liberal Government commitment to deliver a further $260 million investment for new and expanded critical care services at Concord Hospital.

Ms Di Pasqua said the continuing investment in health services for the Drummoyne community will help the hospital grow in line with the community’s needs.

“Continued support by the Perrottet Liberal Government will mean that our community has access to great health services right on our doorstop, and can only be delivered because of the strong economic management and long term plan that has kept this state and our community moving forward.”

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the funding commitment is on top of the $341 million the NSW Government already invested delivering stage one of the hospital redevelopment.

“Concord Hospital has a such a rich history and is not only much loved by those in the inner west but also by our Defence Force personnel and veterans,” Mr Perrottet said.

“In my first Budget as Treasurer, I had the pleasure of announcing the $341 million upgrade to Concord and now as Premier, I am happy to say we are offering more funds.”

“Where Labor failed the Concord community, we promised and delivered a magnificent world class facility, and stage two will further transform this iconic hospital campus.”

Under a re-elected NSW Liberal and Nationals Government Stage 2A will deliver:

• A new and expanded Emergency Department
• An additional 24 bed inpatient ward
• An expanded Intensive Care Unit
• Expanded Cardiology Investigation Unit
• Refurbishment of the existing ICU for the new operating theatres.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said a significant amount of clinical service planning has already been done by the Sydney Local Health District for the proposed expansion.

“Once planning has been finalised for the site, a new building will link to the clinical services building, which itself was only opened less than a year ago,” Mr Hazzard said.

“In addition to delivering an expanded new emergency department, inpatient and critical care services, the redevelopment will also deliver hundreds of building jobs.”

Once planning has been finalised for the site it is anticipated that early works will commence in early to mid-2024

Since 2011, the NSW Government has delivered more than 180 health capital works projects across NSW, with more than 130 projects currently underway.

Liberal Candidate for Parramatta, Katie Mullens, welcomes the Perrottet Liberal Government’s announcement today that tens of thousands of kids across the state will have access to free preschool sooner, with a re-elected NSW Liberal Government to accelerate the rollout of its $5.8 billion one-year free pre-Kindergarten program.

The commitment will bring forward $1 billion to commence construction on the first of the new preschools in the second half of this year, with the first 500 on public school sites to be completed within four years.

This includes new preschools connected to Ermington West, Melrose, Oatlands and Rydalmere public schools in the Parramatta electorate.

By 2030, every single child in NSW will have access to a full year of free, play-based learning in the year before school.

A re-elected Perrottet Liberal Government will also legislate the right to one-year free pre-Kindergarten in the next term of government.

“Free pre-Kindergarten is a landmark reform that means certainty for families and a real commitment by the Perrottet Liberal Government to empowering local communities in Parramatta” Ms Mullens said.

“This is a significant change that will make all the difference for working parents and offer our kids a head start in their social and educational interactions”.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said this would kick-start learning for tens of thousands of kids across the state, setting them up for future success.

“NSW is leading the nation with our pre-Kindergarten program, which will give every single child access to free, high-quality learning in the year before they start school,” Mr Perrottet said.

“We know there is significant demand for childcare and preschool services across NSW, with many families facing long waitlists or long commutes to the nearest facility.

“That is why we will accelerate the program and get shovels in the ground this year to deliver the first 500 new preschools within four years, making it easier for working parents and getting our kids learning sooner.

“The benefits of this are huge. Not only are we giving our kids a head start in life by kick-starting their early learning, we’re giving more time back to busy parents.”

Treasurer Matt Kean said universal pre-Kindergarten will help grow the economy by setting ours kids up for lifelong financial success. 

“Because of our universal pre-kindergarten policy, thousands more children are expected to go to preschool, adding $123,000 on average to their lifetime earnings,” Mr Kean said.

Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said that she was pleased to be able to unveil the first 500 schools that will have purpose-built infrastructure for universal pre-Kindergarten.

“Universal pre-Kindergarten will require 100,000 places for our youngest learners, and we will deliver 50,000 in the next four years on public school sites alone,” Ms Mitchell said.

“Our experience and capacity to deliver quality school infrastructure means we’ve been able to identify and assess initial sites faster than anticipated.

“Cementing universal pre-Kindergarten as a new part of the education journey for children in NSW will be the first thing on the legislative agenda for a re-elected NSW Liberal and Nationals Government.

“Under a Liberals and Nationals Government families have certainty. Labor’s commitment of 150 ‘new or upgraded’ preschools creates less than 6,000 places – a drop in the ocean compared to the 100,000 our universal pre-Kindergarten plans will deliver. Chris Minns will leave young families with less.”

The NSW Liberal Government is investing more than $15.9 billion in early childhood to deliver a brighter future for every child in NSW.    

This includes the introduction of universal pre-Kindergarten, the Brighter Beginnings initiatives, a workforce package for early childhood educators and the Affordable Preschool fee relief.    

Liberal Candidate for Holsworthy, Tina Ayyad, welcomes the Perrottet Liberal Government’s announcement today that tens of thousands of kids across the state will have access to free preschool sooner, with a re-elected NSW Liberal Government to accelerate the rollout of its $5.8 billion one-year free pre-Kindergarten program.

The commitment will bring forward $1 billion to commence construction on the first of the new preschools in the second half of this year, with the first 500 on public school sites to be completed within four years.

By 2030, every single child in NSW will have access to a full year of free, play-based learning in the year before school.

A re-elected Perrottet Liberal Government will also legislate the right to one-year free pre-Kindergarten in the next term of government.

“Free pre-Kindergarten is a landmark reform for families and education across Holsworthy.” Ms Ayyad said.

“This is a game changer for working parents and businesses, but most importantly for our kids getting a head start in their social and educational interactions.

“The commitment to our kids and families in Holsworhty with the construction of a new pre-school connected to Hammondville Public School, is a true reflection of the Perrottet Liberal Government’s focus on empowering local communities.”

Premier Dominic Perrottet said this would kick-start learning for tens of thousands of kids across the state, setting them up for future success.

“NSW is leading the nation with our pre-Kindergarten program, which will give every single child access to free, high-quality learning in the year before they start school,” Mr Perrottet said.

“We know there is significant demand for childcare and preschool services across NSW, with many families facing long waitlists or long commutes to the nearest facility.

“That is why we will accelerate the program and get shovels in the ground this year to deliver the first 500 new preschools within four years, making it easier for working parents and getting our kids learning sooner.

“The benefits of this are huge. Not only are we giving our kids a head start in life by kick-starting their early learning, we’re giving more time back to busy parents.”

Treasurer Matt Kean said universal pre-Kindergarten will help grow the economy by setting ours kids up for lifelong financial success. 

“Because of our universal pre-kindergarten policy, thousands more children are expected to go to preschool, adding $123,000 on average to their lifetime earnings,” Mr Kean said.

Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said that she was pleased to be able to unveil the first 500 schools that will have purpose-built infrastructure for universal pre-Kindergarten.

“Universal pre-Kindergarten will require 100,000 places for our youngest learners, and we will deliver 50,000 in the next four years on public school sites alone,” Ms Mitchell said.

“Our experience and capacity to deliver quality school infrastructure means we’ve been able to identify and assess initial sites faster than anticipated.

“Cementing universal pre-Kindergarten as a new part of the education journey for children in NSW will be the first thing on the legislative agenda for a re-elected NSW Liberal and Nationals Government.

“Under a Liberals and Nationals Government families have certainty. Labor’s commitment of 150 ‘new or upgraded’ preschools creates less than 6,000 places – a drop in the ocean compared to the 100,000 our universal pre-Kindergarten plans will deliver. Chris Minns will leave young families with less.”

The NSW Liberal Government is investing more than $15.9 billion in early childhood to deliver a brighter future for every child in NSW.  

This includes the introduction of universal pre-Kindergarten, the Brighter Beginnings initiatives, a workforce package for early childhood educators and the Affordable Preschool fee relief.    

One of the state’s most important public parklands is set for a $56 million makeover thanks to the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government’s WestInvest program, making it one of the best places to walk or ride a bike and soak up Parramatta’s history.  

Treasurer Matt Kean said the funding would future-proof the World Heritage-listed Parramatta Park as a crucial public space for the growing Western Sydney community.

“Parramatta Park is an 87-hectare green oasis on the doorstep of the Parramatta CBD and Westmead Health Precinct and it must be able to cater for the growing number of families flocking to the area,” Mr Kean said.

“We’re building two new pedestrian and cycling bridges over the area known as Little Coogee, making it easier than ever to walk or ride between the park and the Parramatta CBD, Commbank Stadium and Westmead Health Precinct.”

Minister for Infrastructure, Cities and Active Transport Rob Stokes said funding would go towards reconfiguring the way people move around the park.

“We can now realise our vision for the People’s Loop, a 3.2 kilometre path for walkers, runners and bike riders, while creating new access points and parking bays for families who need to drive to the park,” Mr Stokes said. 

“We’ll also restore the original vision for the town of Parramatta, reinstating the historic connection between Old Government House and the Parramatta River, with an uninterrupted walk through the old gatehouse along George Street.”

Member for Parramatta Geoff Lee said Parramatta’s heritage would be further celebrated with the restoration of Wistaria Gardens and Glengarriff House.

“Parramatta Park is a heritage gem and I’m delighted to see that these two important pieces of Parramatta’s history will be restored to their former glory,” Mr Lee said.

Liberal candidate for Parramatta Katie Mullens said this investment would mean the park can accommodate the community for generations to come.

“The park welcomes two million visitors every year and that’s expected to grow 65 per cent by the year 2036, which is why this funding is so crucial to ensuring everyone can continue to enjoy it,” Ms Mullens said.

The project will be delivered by Greater Sydney Parklands over the next five years in consultation with the community.

Liberal candidate for Leppington, Therese Fedeli, has welcomed the announcement that a re-elected NSW Liberal Government will deliver a new high school for the growing suburbs across Sydney’s South West, as part of its record investment in public education infrastructure.

“This a terrific announcement for families in the south west,” Ms Fedeli said.

“The Liberal Team knows how to manage the state’s finances and that means significant investments like a new high school for this community are able to be made, and will be delivered.

“The Perrottet Government has a long term financial plan for the future to keep NSW moving forward.”

The new school will be located within the South West Growth Area and service suburbs such as Austral, Leppington, Denham Court, Gregory Hills and Gledswood Hills.

Site options in the area are being considered as part of the project’s early planning phase, alongside analysis of community needs.

Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said the site for the new high school needs to be carefully considered so that it supports all future students in the community.

“We are looking at all options to determine where this new high school will be located, and how it can best serve the entire local community,” Ms Mitchell said.

“We know there is strong community interest for a new high school here, and we want to ensure the correct site is chosen to allow us to deliver a project that supports the best for all local students.

“This investment adds to an already historic school building program, with new schools in Gregory Hills and Edmondson Park opened this year, planning for a new high school in Edmondson Park underway as well as upgrades for Austral Public School and Leppington Public School announced in the 2022-23 NSW Budget.”

The NSW Liberal Government will work with the community through the planning phase and provide further updates as they become available.

This commitment comes with confirmation the new selective high school for South

West Sydney will be built in Leppington on land adjacent to the train station.

“After careful consideration, with a particular focus on of transport links, a site owned by government near the train station has been identified as the most suitable location for the new selective high school,” Ms Mitchell said.

“This allows us to progress to the next stage of the project as we look to offer aspirational families in South West Sydney access to a world-class selective high school.”

The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government is investing $8.6 billion in school infrastructure over the next four years, continuing its program to deliver 160 new and upgraded schools to support communities across NSW. This builds on the more than $9.1 billion invested in projects delivered since 2017, a program of $17.7 billion in public education infrastructure.

The state’s Indian communities will once again be supported to hold cultural celebrations and festivals by a re-elected Perrottet Liberal Government.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said in its next term of government, the NSW Liberals and Nationals will invest $900,000 over four years to help Indian communities celebrate major events and festivals across the state.

“We believe in helping our state’s diverse communities be proud of who they are, and one of the ways we do that is by helping them celebrate their culture with everyone,” Mr Perrottet said.

Over the past four years, the NSW Liberals and Nationals invested $900,000 into Indian community groups and organisations to host events and festivals throughout the state.

Minister for Multiculturalism Mark Coure said the Perrottet Liberal Government is proud to invest further funding for our Indian community in NSW to run festivals and events such as for major cultural celebrations like Holi and Diwali.

“Over the past four years we have seen so many incredible events, which showcase the colour and vibrancy of the Indian community. We want to see more of that continue, and that is why we are committing to providing $225,000 a year for four years to help Indian communities host these wonderful events,” Mr Coure said.”

Liberal candidate for Londonderry, Samantha Talakola, said the Indian community has been making an important contribution to our state for generations.

“As someone who migrated from India to Sydney because of the great opportunities and the wonderful and welcoming local community, I know how important it is to come together and celebrate our new home and our traditions,” Ms Talakola said.

Liberal candidate for Parramatta, Katie Mullens, said the Indian community has grown to become an integral part of the state’s multicultural society.

“The Indian communities are a true reflection of our state’s multicultural society—each community brings its own diversity and vibrancy that adds to the rich mosaic of cultures we have in the Parramatta electorate and the entirety of NSW. I am so pleased a re-elected Perrottet Liberal Government will continue to help these communities showcase their diversity to everyone,” Ms Mullens said.

Liberal candidate for Riverstone, Mohit Kumar, added that Indian events are some of the brightest and most inviting.

“Indian communities are incredibly inviting to all those who want to learn and immerse themselves in Indian culture, and one way they do that is through events. The more we support communities to celebrate their diversity, the more we can help build harmony across our communities,” Mr Kumar said.

Parents will have more choice when it comes to cost of living support thanks to the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government’s Active Kids and Creative Kids voucher swap initiative.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said families would be able to use the two vouchers interchangeably from Term 2, letting kids do more of what they love.

“Our Active Kids and Creative Kids vouchers have been incredibly popular with parents across the state, with almost 7 million vouchers already downloaded and redeemed saving families $694 million,” Mr Perrottet said.

“We want to give our kids the opportunity to do more of the things they love the most, which is why we’re making our voucher program more flexible to better suit each family’s needs.

“Only a Liberal and Nationals Government can take pressure off family budgets thanks to our long-term economic plan to keep our state moving forward.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the change would allow families to lean in to the activities their kids loved.

“Whether it’s playing netball, footy or the violin, we want kids to be able to extract the most out of every day. Helping families with costs like these means they can focus on seeing their kids grow and kick goals, no matter what they love doing,” Mr Toole said.

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said families across the State could use the digital voucher in just a few clicks through the Service NSW app.

“Under a re-elected NSW Liberal and Nationals Government, parents will be able to switch an unused Active Kids voucher for a Creative Kids voucher, or vice versa,” Mr Dominello said.

“This is all part of the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government’s commitment to supporting families with more than 70 waysto save across the Savings Finder program.”

The voucher swap program will commence from the start of Term 2 (26 April) and only apply to:

· $100 Active Kids voucher for sport and recreation costs including school holiday programs.

· $100 Creative Kids voucher for arts and cultural activities costs including school holiday classes and workshops.

Families can download their child’s vouchers via the Service NSW app or website and by calling 13 77 88.

For further information, visit https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/services/concessions-rebates-and-assistance/vouchers

A re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government will inject $1.2 billion in critical health infrastructure to build and upgrade 20 hospitals and health facilities, providing a major boost to communities right across state.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said this investment would improve the quality of healthcare facilities delivered across the state.

“Since 2011, the Liberal and Nationals have delivered more than 180 health infrastructure projects across NSW, with more than 130 projects currently underway,” Mr Perrottet said.

“This major $1.2 billion investment will see a further 20 hospitals and health facilities built or upgraded right across the state, future-proofing our health system and ensuring our communities continue to have access to world-class healthcare.

“As part of this investment, $260 million will be allocated for stage two of the Concord Hospital redevelopment, which is already transforming patient care in Sydney’s inner west following the completion of stage one earlier last year.

“These critical investments in health infrastructure are only possible thanks to the Liberal and Nationals long-term economic plan to keep our state moving forward.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government had driven the biggest investment in regional hospitals and health services in the State’s history to deliver better care closer to home.

“With these new projects in the pipeline, we are on track to have built or upgraded more than 150 hospitals and health services in the regions by 2027 including in some of our most remote communities like Wentworth and Buronga,” Mr Toole said.

“At the last election, Labor threw everything at blocking the new $723.3 million Tweed Valley Hospital, the single largest hospital project ever seen in regional NSW. The Liberal and Nationals knew it is what the community needed and look where we are now – on track for it to be treating patients later this year. Labor can’t be trusted when it comes to regional health.”

Regional Health Minister Bronnie Taylor said only a re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government can guarantee that regional health projects are delivered.

“While Labor plan on dumping the Regional Health portfolio, the NSW Liberal and Nationals in Government are focused on improving health outcomes for our regional, rural and remote communities,” Mrs Taylor said.

“It is only the NSW Liberal and Nationals that are committed to future-proofing health care in the bush – that is our track record. We will continue to ensure our rural and regional communities have the health facilities they need and deserve.

“We are also investing in our workforce, with regional communities reaping the rewards of our $883 million incentive scheme. Thousands of health workers have taken up the package and they will be the ones working in our new hospitals and health facilities that are being delivered by this government.”

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said since 2011, the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government has more than tripled Labor’s previous annual health infrastructure spend.

“These world class facilities are only as good as the people who work there, which is why last year we also announced the largest workforce boost in the nation’s history of 10,148 staff for our metropolitan and rural/regional hospitals,” Mr Hazzard said.

“The physical surroundings in which you spend your working life can be an important source of job satisfaction, productivity and wellbeing but especially so for health staff.

“Building new health facilities plays a big part in helping to attract and retain health workers and ensuring better health outcomes for patients.

“Unlike Labor, every hospital and health facility that our Government has promised to build, has been delivered or is in progress and planning.”

The $1.2 billion investment includes $260 million to deliver stage two of the Concord Hospital redevelopment, and $243 million for two new integrated health hubs recently announced for south west Sydney, which will help ease pressures on local hospitals by providing many of the same services closer to home.

It also includes $114 million announced for the Manning Base Hospital redevelopment, $66 million for a major upgrade of the Warren Multipurpose Service and $7.5 million for improved health services at Milton-Ulladulla Hospital.