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The first of 100 public preschools to be built by the Minns Labor Government has opened today, as work continues to ensure every child in New South Wales has the best possible start to their education.

Attached to Gulyangarri Public School in Liverpool, the new public preschool will welcome up to 80 preschoolers each week, providing expanded access to quality, free, early education in South West Sydney.

Importantly, this preschool is co-located with the primary school, easing students transition into kindergarten and full-time schooling, while easing pick up and drop off for parents with older students at the same school. 

This is part of the Minns Labor Government’s historic $769 million investment to deliver 100 new public preschools by 2027, doubling the existing number of public preschools across the state. Once complete more than 9,000 families and children will benefit from access to fee-free, high quality early education in their local community.

Tenders to build 85 of these public preschools are being released by the end of the year, with the first tranche of tenders out to market, including for preschools in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven regions.

The NSW Government’s work towards delivering universal preschool across the state is in sharp contrast to the former Government, who over twelve years failed to build a single public preschool. 

Research shows that children who participate in a quality preschool education program for at least five days a fortnight in the year before school are more likely to arrive at school equipped with the social, cognitive and emotional skills they need for learning.

With the first preschool now open to students, the Minns Labor Government is on track to deliver its commitment of 100 public preschools in full by 2027.

Children can enrol in public preschools if they turn 4 on or before 31 July in the year before starting school.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said: 

“This was one of the largest, and most important commitments we made prior to the election, and it’s fantastic to reach this milestone.

“We know that early childhood education has lifelong benefits for our states young people and is key to getting parents back into the workforce.

“As a government there is no better investment than young people and their education.

“No matter where you decide to raise your family in New South Wales, you should have access to quality, fee-free early education for your children – and that’s exactly what we’re working to deliver.

“One down, 99 to go!”

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

“It is wonderful to open the first of our Government’s 100 new public preschools and see Liverpool’s youngest learners begin their educational journey here at the new Gulyangarri Public Preschool. 

“This is the first step in a major expansion in access to preschool for families across NSW. The Minns Labor Government is investing in our future by giving many more children access to quality preschool before they start school.

“We made this historic commitment to deliver the biggest expansion in public preschools in NSW’s history because we strongly believe all children should have access to high-quality early education, no matter their postcode.”

Member for Liverpool Charishma Kaliyanda said:

“Access to a free, public preschool is a gamechanger for so many families in Liverpool and beyond, and I am delighted that Liverpool will be the first of many communities to access this fantastic initiative.

“We know how important early childhood education is in improving opportunities for children and families for years to come.

“The cost of early childcare has previously limited access for many parents. This affordable option, co-located with local public schools, is a lifeline for those families to get their children into a quality preschool.”

Gulyangarri Public School principal Ian Tapuska said: 

“The new public preschool will help form strong connections between children, families and school staff, foster a sense of belonging, and help teachers understand and meet the individual needs of children when they start school.

“The preschoolers will become part of our public education family, and we look forward to supporting a positive transition to school for our youngest learners.”

NSW Ambulance staff from across southern NSW have today been recognised for their service and dedication at a special awards ceremony in Goulburn.

Among those being recognised are paramedics and control centre staff who responded to a fatal truck crash in Thirroul earlier this year, as well as those who successfully assisted with a premature birth and resuscitation.

Other NSW Ambulance staff and volunteers were acknowledged with Long Service Good Conduct medals, Certificates of Appreciation, Commissioner Unit Citations, while others were recognised for attaining or expanding their qualifications.

The Goulburn Awards and Recognition Ceremony is the second of three events being held in 2024 to recognise NSW Ambulance staff and volunteers from across the state. The first ceremony was held in Port Macquarie with the third to be held in Sydney in December.

Minister for Health Ryan Park:

“This ceremony is about recognising the hard-working NSW Ambulance clinicians, control centre staff and volunteers who serve our communities so effectively, day in and day out.

“Today, we honour the dedication of our clinicians and control centre staff whose tireless efforts make our communities safer, and for that, we are profoundly grateful.

“I also want to thank and recognise the exceptional care paramedics and call takers deliver to the people of NSW during their times of greatest need.”

NSW Health Secretary Susan Pearce AM:

“The NSW Ambulance staff being recognised today have shown they can perform their duties to the highest standard even in the most challenging situations.

“Each award is not just an acknowlegement of individual excellence, but a celebration of the collective spirit of teamwork and resilience that defines our NSW Ambulance and wider NSW Health community.

“Thank you for your commitment to excellence and for being there to service your communities in their time of need. Your role is incredibly appreciated.”

NSW Ambulance Chief Executive Dr Dominic Morgan:

“It is a privilege to stand here today and recognise the extraordinary contributions of our award recipients. Their ability to remain calm under pressure and provide critical care in life-threatening situations is a testament to their training and character.

“As well as awarding the Commissioner’s Unit Citation and Commissioner’s Certificate for those who attended a fatal truck crash in Thirroul earlier this year, we are also recognising our paramedics for their long and diligent service with Long Service Good Conduct medals, the National Medal and the National Emergency Medal.

“Today, we celebrate not just their achievements, but the profound impact they have had on countless lives. We are proud to recognise the invaluable work they do every day.”

A brand new raised pedestrian crossing outside Ryde Public School is one of the projects being funded by the NSW Government to make it easier for kids to walk, ride or scoot to school.

The new “wombat crossing” on Argyle Avenue, Ryde, will include fencing and concrete blisters to slow vehicles outside Ryde Public School, making it safer for kids to cross before and after school and for community members to access Top Ryde Shopping Centre.

The new crossing is part of a $10 million Get Kids Active fund, a Minns Labor Government initiative that is delivering projects around primary schools that make it safer and more comfortable for students and their families to walking, scoot or ride to school.

The new program, announced in early 2024, has seen grants of up to $800,000 secured by 24 councils to deliver new projects.

The Get Kids Active program has also brought bike skills courses into the school yard, to increase kids’ confidence and safety awareness when on two wheels.

So far, over 1000 students at 18 schools across NSW have enrolled in the school holiday courses, learning about safely crossing the road with their bikes, correct helmet fitting, riding on ramps and taking part in fun-filled activities like relays.

The Get Kids Active program will give primary school children and their parents more confidence to ditch the car trip to and from school, and consider walking, bike riding, scootering or skateboarding instead.

The funding announcement comes as applications open for another $60 million in Get Active NSW grants for councils across the state.

From 14 October 2024, councils can apply for grants in this latest round of Transport for NSW’s Get NSW Active and Get Kids Active funding programs. Upgrades that can be delivered through these programs include new footpaths and cycleways, and improved safety features for bike riders and pedestrians.  

Shortlisted applications will be prioritised to ensure that 40 per cent of funding is for Regional Outer Metropolitan projects, and 15 per cent is for projects in Western Parkland City.

Last year, 108 Get NSW Active projects were completed with a total grant value of $35.1 million. Of these, 50 projects were completed in greater Sydney worth $21.8 million and 58 were completed in regional and outer metropolitan areas worth $13.1 million.

Minister Haylen:

“The raised wombat crossing outside my own kid’s primary school means they can be seen clearly by oncoming cars, and those cars are slowing down to navigate the bump.

It’s a small piece of infrastructure, but it gives me a big boost of confidence knowing that my kids can walk, ride or scoot safely to school.

“With Get Kids Active program, we want to invest in small infrastructure projects like wombat crossings to make everyone’s walks to school safer, no matter where they live in the state.

“It’s been brilliant to see how this program can make a difference in front of the school gates, now we’re working with the Department of Education on the other side of the school gates to deliver more in-school infrastructure, like bike and scooter parking.”

Ryde Councillor Lyndal Howison:

“Ryde streets are busy with a lot of traffic congestion. By giving kids safer options to walk, ride or scoot to school, it will open these travel options up as a viable alternative to jumping in the car.

“It’ll be good for the kids who are out there getting active, and better for everyone else as more cars come off the streets.”

Executive Director of Active Transport Anna Bradley:

“Data shows less than one in four NSW school children currently walk or ride to and from school, while Transport’s community consultation revealed over 70 per cent of parents and carers ideally want to be walking to school with their children most days.

“In designing the program, Transport for NSW undertook extensive consultation with parents, carers and community groups which revealed there was a strong interest for children to use active transport more often, as it provides good exercise and quality family time.

“We also consulted with Aboriginal communities in Redfern, Tamworth and Bourke to understand their journey to school experiences and local perspectives.

“This program is making small but meaningful infrastructure and education interventions to make it easier for kids across the state to find active and independent ways to travel to school.”

Tenants in more than 1,000 NSW social housing properties are saving on their energy bills, thanks to energy efficient upgrades delivered by the Commonwealth and NSW Governments.

Backed with matched funding by the Albanese and Minns Labor Governments, the $175 million Social Housing Energy Performance Initiative (SHEPI) is providing crucial upgrades to reduce energy bills, keep homes more liveable year-round, and lower emissions.

Upgrades include new heat pump hot water heaters, solar sharing systems, ceiling insulation, electric stoves and split system air conditioners.

Since the initiative’s launch in January this year, households in Regional NSW and Western Sydney have received these upgrades with more to be rolled out across the state.

The upgraded properties so far are a mix of NSW Government-owned and managed homes, along with those managed by Aboriginal community housing providers.

Approximately 24,000 social housing dwellings in NSW are set to benefit through the course of the initiative to June 2027.

SHEPI is a collaboration between the Commonwealth and NSW Governments including the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Homes NSW, the Aboriginal Housing Office (AHO), and both Aboriginal and Community Housing Providers.

Along with energy upgrades to their home, tenants are provided with information and guidance on how to best operate their home as efficiently as possible with the new features.

Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen:

“The Albanese Government is driving down energy bills with social housing upgrades to help bring cost of living relief to some 24,000 NSW homes.

“Working with the Minns Government to deliver better energy performance in social housing means warmer homes in winter, cooler homes in summer and cheaper bills year-round.”

Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Josh Wilson:

“This milestone shows that the strong Albanese-Minns partnership is making a real difference right now for social housing tenants, who are among the least able to afford energy efficiency upgrades, and yet most affected by energy costs.

“The Albanese Government is making sure everyone can benefit from technologies that improve the energy performance of their homes.”

Minister for Housing Rose Jackson:

“This program is a crucial initiative that demonstrates our commitment to improving the living conditions of social housing tenants in NSW.

“The installation of solar systems, heat pumps, and insulation across NSW social housing is a significant step towards creating homes that are more affordable to maintain and better equipped to withstand changing environmental conditions.”

For more information on the SHEPI program, visit Upgrades for Social Housing | NSW Climate and Energy Action.