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Netball NSW has announced the leadership teams for its 2026 17U and 19U State Teams ahead of the upcoming National Netball Championships in Melbourne next month.

Sutherland Shire’s Evalina Carneiro has been appointed captain of the 17U State Team, with Isabella Christian (Illawarra District) and Marley Dighton (Ku-ring-gai) named as vice captains.

Carneiro enters the tournament following a standout year that has seen her recognised as one of the state’s most promising young defenders. A composed and instinctive player, the Sutherland Shire product recently signed as a training partner GIANTS Netball for the 2026 Suncorp Super Netball season after an impressive year representing New South Wales at the 17U level.

Campbelltown District’s Ellie Hart (GIANTS Academy) will lead the 19U State Team as captain, supported by vice captains Matilda Fanning (Sutherland Shire/GIANTS Academy) and Paige O’Neill (Eastwood Ryde/QBE Swifts Academy).

A member of the GIANTS Netball Academy, Hart has continued to develop through the high-performance pathway and was part of the squad that travelled to the Riverina earlier this year as part of the GIANTS Netball Riverina Road Trip. The experience provided Hart with valuable exposure to elite environments and further strengthened her leadership credentials ahead of the national tournament.

Netball NSW General Manager – Performance Pathways Mardi Aplin said the leadership appointments recognise the athletes’ strong performances, work ethic and ability to inspire their teammates both on and off the court.

These athletes demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities throughout the selection process, during our recent simulation camp and across the team’s entire preparation for the National Netball Championships,” Aplin said.

They have consistently set the standard with their work ethic, professionalism and ability to bring their teammates together, which are all critical qualities for leaders at this level.

They represent the depth of emerging talent in New South Wales and we’re excited to see them lead their teams on the national stage in Melbourne.”

The week-long tournament will run from 9–15 April, with the nation’s brightest emerging talent descending on Melbourne to compete for the title of national champions. New South Wales will enter the tournament with strong recent form, with the 19U team returning as defending champions after claiming the title last year, while the 17U side finished as runners-up in a closely contested final.

Since its inception in 1985, the National Netball Championships has played a pivotal role in shaping the future of the sport, serving as a proven launching pad for many of Australia’s biggest stars.

The event provides invaluable development opportunities for athletes, coaches, umpires and officials, with many participants progressing to Suncorp Super Netball and Australian Diamonds level.

The Minns Labor Government is delivering a strong pipeline of major sporting events for 2026, securing 34 events that will drive visitation, support local businesses and generate significant economic activity across Sydney and regional NSW.

This month, NSW will welcome Asia’s top female footballers and their legion of fans for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, with Stadium Australia hosting two Quarterfinals, a Semi-final, the tournament’s Final and an important Matildas group match this Sunday 8 March on International Women’s Day. In total, Sydney will host 11 tournament matches, the most of any host city.

Through Destinations NSW, the tournament leads an action-packed sporting event calendar that throughout 2026 is projected to attract more than 280,000 visitors to the state and inject more than $275 million into the NSW visitor economy.

A new report from the World Economic Forum (WEF) has highlighted sports tourism as the fastest-growing segment of the global tourism industry. In 2025, sports tourism accounted for 10 per cent of global travel expenditure, with revenues growing at a compound annual rate of 28 per cent since 2020, above the 22 per cent growth seen across all tourism.

Research by Expedia Group shows the impact of sports-related travel extends beyond the host city. Three in five travellers with trips longer than a day stay in a destination outside the event location at some point during their trip and spend an average of more than $2500 across various trip elements.

The NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2035 outlines the need for an event calendar that drives year-round visitation to support businesses and jobs. World-class entertainment, sport, culture and business events deliver major economic, social and cultural benefits, and stimulate regional growth.

The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data confirms the impact of sports tourism on the NSW visitor economy. In December 2025, NSW welcomed 48,790 UK visitors (up from 41,970 in December 2019), including thousands of Barmy Army fans ahead of the New Year Test in Sydney.

In 2026, NSW has already hosted the United Cup, the Sydney New Year’s Test, UFC 325, Bathurst 12 Hour, Sail GP, Street League Skateboarding and Sydney 500. Major sporting events in the coming months include FIFA Series, State of Origin, Tottenham versus Chelsea for Sydney Super Cup, NRL Grand Final, Bledisloe Cup, Bathurst 1000, Rugby League World Cup, and TCS Sydney Marathon World Major, showcasing NSW as the nation’s home of major sporting event experiences.

Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper said:

“Visitors are seeking genuine connections with destinations and sporting events are the perfect way to soak up the atmosphere that makes a visit to NSW so unforgettable.

“Travellers are prioritising experiences over attractions, and nothing beats the buzz that comes from being in full house for a Wallabies Test at Accor Stadium, or being trackside at Mount Panorama for the Bathurst 1000, or cheering on the Socceroos before they head off for the FIFA World Cup.

“Sporting events are sparking the decision to travel, but fans are staying long after the final whistle blows, immersing themselves in experiences across the state. Sports tourism doesn’t just fill stadiums; it fills hotels, restaurants, pubs and theatres, supporting thousands of businesses and jobs that rely on year-round tourism.”

The Albanese and Minns Labor Governments have set the opening date for the brand-new M12 Motorway – the driveway to the new Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport.  

After four years of construction, Western Sydney’s new, state-of-the-art motorway will open to traffic in the early hours of Saturday, 14 March, in time for the commencement of cargo and passenger flights at the new airport later in the year. 

The 16-kilometre section of the M12 connects Elizabeth Drive in the east to The Northern Road in the west, delivering an intersection-free, 100 km/h run straight to the airport precinct. It will serve as the key gateway to the new airport and the Western Sydney Aerotropolis, which will become a thriving innovation precinct and create thousands of jobs for the region.

The M12 is designed to seamlessly integrate with the wider road network, improving connectivity for motorists and freight operators across Sydney. The final component – the M7/M12 Interchange at Cecil Hills – remains on track to open mid-year delivering a motorway-to-motorway and intersection-free connection between the M12 and the M7. 

The motorway between Elizabeth Drive and The Northern Road will open in the early hours of Saturday morning, because the Albanese and Minns Governments are determined to open the new road to Western Sydney residents at the earliest opportunity. 

The $2.1 billion project is funded with a $1.63 billion investment from the Albanese Government and a $408 million investment from the Minns Labor Government. It is expected to take around 25,000 vehicles a day off local roads, taking pressure off suburban streets and improving travel times and reliability across the region.

The Government has applied lessons from other new road corridors to ensure motorists can drive the M12 with confidence from day one. Signage, line-marking and lane guidance have been tested across key connections, with interactive driver animations available online so drivers can familiarise themselves with the route before opening.

Project highlights include:

• Around 181,933 cubic metres of concrete used, equivalent to 73 Olympic pools
• 5,217,117 hours worked
• 10,000 people employed, including 4,900 local workers
• Over 2.6 million m³ of earthworks completed, equivalent to 1,064 Olympic pools
• Construction of 17 bridges
• 461 bridge piles installed
• 637 bridge girders installed
• Over 1,5 million shrubs and grasses planted
• 18,500 trees planted
• 2,320 bridge lineal metres delivered

Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns:

“As a direct gateway to Western Sydney International Airport, this brand new toll-free motorway is critical to the future of this growing region of New South Wales.     

“Communities in Western Sydney deserve this world-class infrastructure which will ease pressure on local roads, cut travel times and improve connectivity with the rest of Sydney’s road network.

“From Saturday, thousands of motorists will have the chance to use this new motorway for the very first time to more quickly and easily get to where they need to go.” 

Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:

“Sydney’s new airport will connect Western Sydney to the world, and the M12 will play a critical role getting passengers to the terminal, and freight to the tarmac. 

“More than 8,000 people have worked on this project, more than 5,000 of them have been from here in Western Sydney. This road is their legacy, and I have no doubt many of them will use it, to get their families to the airport ahead of a big holiday in the years to come. 

“This project is part of the Albanese and Minns Government’s unprecedented investment in the future of Western Sydney, building the infrastructure this community needs to deliver jobs and connect it to the world.”

Deputy Premier of New South Wales and Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car:

“This vital project is part of the $7.4 billion the Minns Labor Government has invested in Western Sydney roads since March 2023. 

“This is a good outcome for Western Sydney – a brand-new, toll-free motorway that takes pressure off local roads and gives people more time back with their families.  

“Under the former government, residents in growing communities have had to live with the impact of infrastructure being delivered decades late or not built at all. 

“This is an example of critical infrastructure being built and opened first. 

“With the opening of the M12, together with making the toll cap permanent, the Minns Labor Government is delivering practical cost-of-living relief for families.”

NSW Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison:

“The M12 is a game-changing addition to the network – 16 kilometres of toll-free motorway and the new driveway to Western Sydney International Airport.

“Around 25,000 vehicles a day are expected to use this road – that’s traffic we can take off local streets by providing a high-quality, free alternative.

“And we’ve learnt from other new corridors: signage, line-marking and lane guidance have been tested at key connections, and drivers can preview the route using online driver animations so they can hit the M12 with confidence from day one.”

Senator for New South Wales, Tony Sheldon:

“I’ve raised my kids in Western Sydney for more than 15 years, so I know firsthand how much time people here spend on the road just trying to get to work, school or sport.

“The M12 will take pressure off local roads and make everyday travel easier for families across Western Sydney – meaning less time sitting in traffic and more time being where you want to be. This is what Labor Governments delivering for Western Sydney looks like.”

Federal Member for Werriwa Anne Stanley:

“Western Sydney families know the cost of congestion: it steals time from dinner tables, weekend sport, and being with the people you love. The toll-free M12 gives that time back.

“This is the driveway to Western Sydney International Airport, and it means people in our community will have a faster, more reliable run to jobs and opportunities as the airport opens later this year.” 

 State Member for Leppington Nathan Hagarty:

“People in Western Sydney have waited long enough. 

“The Liberals and Nationals left Sydney with tollmania and the Minns Labor Government was determined the M12 would open toll-free, and that’s exactly what we’re delivering.”

Member for Liverpool Charishma Kaliyanda:

“The toll-free M12 is now open, and it’s a big win for Liverpool and Western Sydney.

“This motorway will provide the essential link for local families, workers and businesses to move across Western Sydney and connect to the new airport precinct.

“Motorists in Liverpool can breathe a sigh of relief, as the Minns Labor Government is ensuring the M12 is toll-free, helping manage cost-of-living pressures for Western Sydney households.” 

A new billion-dollar Aldi Automated Distribution Centre has been approved in the Aerotropolis, continuing momentum and signalling growing global investment confidence in one of Western Sydney’s most strategically important precincts.

The innovative logistics hub, will be the size of 15 soccer fields and is expected to create around 3,700 construction jobs and 585 permanent local jobs, providing a major economic boost for Western Sydney.

Located beside the new Western Sydney Airport the global retail giant will be able to take advantage of incoming national and international freight to supply their more than 200 of its stores across the state.

Once built it will operate 24/7 with around 80 per cent of operations to be automated and rooftop solar panels, energy efficient design to help the facility reach a goal of net-zero operations by 2035.

The Aldi project is the biggest distribution centre green lit in the Aerotropolis and the first state significant approval within the Ingham Property Group Master Plan area, which is a key Aerotropolis precinct designed for mixed‑use industrial, commercial and retail opportunities located adjacent to Bradfield City, Australia’s first new city in 100 years.

The recently released draft Sydney Plan outlines the long‑term vision for the Western Sydney Aerotropolis and Bradfield City as a nationally significant centre for jobs, industry and global connectivity, anchored by Western Sydney International Airport and new city‑shaping infrastructure.

Since 2023 the Minns Labor Government have approved seven projects worth more than $1.9 billion in the Aerotropolis with a further 25 worth more than $5.8 billion in the pipeline.

Approved State Significant Developments in the Aerotropolis, include the Bradfield City’s 2 Advanced Manufacturing Research Facilities and large-scale industrial estates such as the Elizabeth Enterprise Precinct and Barings Luddenham Industrial Estate.

Deputy Premier of New South Wales and Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car said:

“This billion dollar investment will create more than 3,700 jobs and over 500 ongoing roles, a strong show of confidence in the potential of the Aerotropolis precinct.

“The Minns Labor Government is delivering on our promise to grow Western Sydney by backing projects that create jobs, attract investment, and unlock opportunity.

“This project will further solidify Western Sydney as a critical hub of employment, industry, and innovation.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“This approval will enable a $1 billion investment that will create thousands of jobs cementing the Aerotropolis as an engine room for jobs growth.

“The Aerotropolis was designed to spark new industries and future-focused jobs, and Aldi’s investment decision shows that vision is taking shape.

“With Western Sydney International Airport opening in 2026, the timing of this approval underscores the growing recognition of Western Sydney as a strategic gateway for national supply chains and international markets.”

New South Wales Treasurer Daniel Mookhey will travel to the United States to address an international investment summit this week.

The Australian Superannuation Summit, co-hosted by the Australian Embassy and Ambassador Kevin Rudd, will commence in San Francisco, continue to Washington DC and conclude in New York City.

The Treasurer will use his address and a range of side meetings to highlight investment opportunities in New South Wales, including the state’s status as a premium destination for renewable energy, digital infrastructure and technology.

The United States of America is the world’s largest economy and one of NSW’s most important investment and trade partners.

The Treasurer will also meet with ratings agencies to provide an update on the Minns Labor Government’s responsible economic management and commitment to servicing debt.

The visit follows the success of last October’s Sydney Investment Summit which attracted institutional investors from Europe, Asia, the Middle East and North America.

The Minister for Finance Courtney Houssos will be Acting Treasurer until Thursday, 19 March.

Moree farms will soon be able to cut emissions with the region set to host an innovative green hydrogen and ammonia plant, powered by renewable energy, after the project was given the green light by the Minns Labor Government.

The Good Earth Green Hydrogen and Ammonia project will be one of the first large-scale green hydrogen and ammonia production facilities in NSW.

The project will support local jobs expected to create at least 60 jobs during construction and 10 permanent positions once the facility is up and running. 

The NSW Government is investing $45.2 million in this project to increase the production and availability of green hydrogen across the state.

The more than $70 million project is a joint venture between Hiringa Energy Pty Ltd and Sundown Pastoral Company, will produce enough green hydrogen to create 4,500 tonnes of ammonia a year for use as fuel and fertiliser.

Once in operation the facility will primarily supply Sundown’s Keytah cotton farm ending their reliance on diesel and fossil fuel produced fertiliser.

What isn’t used by Sundown will be available to supply other local farming operations in the region, helping to decarbonise traditionally emissions heavy activity. 

This project has now reached financial close and is a great example of how ammonia production can be decentralised to further support sustainability by reducing the need for long-distance freight movements.

This will also help establish a commercial-scale green hydrogen and ammonia supply chain in northern NSW.

Minister for Energy and the Environment Penny Sharpe said: 
“The Good Earth Green hydrogen and Ammonia project demonstrates how renewable energy is helping reduce emissions in sectors like agriculture that are traditionally difficult to decarbonise.

“NSW is building the technology to cut emissions, support our industries and create new jobs of the future.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said: 
“This is a project that will power the regional economy while helping NSW move towards a cleaner, more resilient energy future.

“Innovations like this which not only replace the use of traditional fossil fuels but cut the need for lengthy transportation are an exciting sign of how industry is evolving to support more sustainable outcomes.”

Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said:

“This is a great example of how the oldest industry in the world – agriculture – is to this day continuing to find ways to innovate.

This is a great project that will see local farms able to  replace fossil fuels with renewables supporting a more sustainable future in NSW.”

The Minns Labor Government is giving another $6 million to upgrade community facilities across the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ).

The funding will upgrade community spaces such as a school, childcare, youth centre, sporting fields and community halls.

13 local projects will receive funding to make sure local people get lasting economic and social benefits from the renewable energy transformation.

One of the projects is funding the Mid-Western Council to build Gulgong’s first Youth Centre. The old Gulgong Fire Station will be refurbished into a fun and safe space for young people to connect, develop their skills and grow.  It will include a flexible-use space, basketball half court, art wall, and new flooring.

Projects receiving funding include:

• Dubbo Show Society Incorporated – Upgrade of External Track Lighting and Arena Lighting of Dubbo Showground
• Dunedoo Pre-School Kindergarten – Landscaping & Play Equipment Upgrade of Dunedoo Preschool Kindergarten
• Cerebral Palsy Alliance – Cerebral Palsy Alliance Dubbo Centre for Disability Upgrades
• Elong & District Progress Association – Elong Public Hall Upgrade
• Lake Windamere Under Canvas Camping Inc – Disability Care/Accommodation Building
• Mid-Western Regional Council – Billy Dunn Gulgong Sporting Complex Improvements; Gulgong Youth Centre Refurbishment; and Lady Gowrie NSW Mudgee Early Education & Care Centre Expansion
• Mudgee Arts Council- Kildallon Events Calendar
• Orana Early Childhood Intervention and Education Project Inc – Resurfacing and installation of drainage to outdoor play area
• Pathways Together Aboriginal Corporation- Ican Nursery Upgrade
• Turill Community Committee and Sports Clubs Inc – Turill Community Hall Renovation and Air Conditioning
• Warrumbungle Shire Council – Upgrade of Community Sporting and Recreation infrastructure at Robertson Oval Dunedoo

These grants are part of the Minns Labor Government’s larger $128 million investment for community benefits in the Central-West Orana REZ.

More funding will be made available to communities over the next three decades, generated from fees paid by projects with an access right to connect to the REZ network infrastructure.

For further information on the Community and Employment Benefits Program (including the Local Community Fund grant stream), visit: www.energyco.nsw.gov.au/cebp.

Minister for Energy, Penny Sharpe said:

“These projects give young people and families in the Central West Orana better places to connect, learn and live.

“The Minns Labor Government is making sure the renewable energy transformation is delivering benefits for everyone. That’s why we’re investing in projects that improve daily life, from childcare and sport to youth and community spaces.”

Minister for Regional NSW and Western NSW Tara Moriarty said:

“These grants are being provided to upgrade community facilities and support projects that will make a real and lasting positive difference in the communities of Dubbo, Dunedoo, Mudgee, Elong Elong, Turill and Lake Windamere.

“Our Government is focused on working with regional communities through the renewable energy system transition which will bring them cleaner and cheaper energy for their homes, farms and businesses.”

EnergyCo Chief Executive, Hannah McCaughey said:

“I’m excited to see these projects provide tangible, community-led benefits for locals across the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone.

“EnergyCo has consulted with local communities and is committed to providing them with long lasting benefits as we deliver NSW’s five renewable energy zones.”

Mid-Western Regional Council General Manager said:

“I am very excited for this project to get off the ground. The Old Gulgong Fire Station will be completely refurbished into a youth centre through the addition of a multi-purpose space, basketball half-court, art wall, accessible toilet, storage and new flooring.

“This crucial funding is very important to the Gulgong community, increasing accessibility, connection, safety and engagement of local youth.”