16 News

The Minns Labor Government-brokered deal to resolve the Mascot Towers saga concludes this weekend, with all owners finally free to move on.

The NSW Labor Government charged Building Commissioner David Chandler with bringing the Mascot Towers debacle to an end, culminating in a deal last month to settle with more than 100 lot owners.

From 30 June, financial support initiated as “emergency payments” more than five years ago ends for impacted owners.

The initial Mascot Towers assistance package, launched in 2019 by the previous government, included payments of up to $400 per night to help cover the cost of what was then called ‘temporary’ accommodation.

In addition, the Mascot Towers owner investor package approved in July 2022 and back dated from June 2019 offered up to $1,000 per week to help cover the cost of lost rental income.

Since the evacuation of Mascot Towers five years ago, the two assistance packages have paid out $24.52 million to impacted residents, owners, and investors in need.

After the 2023 election, the NSW Government tasked Building Commissioner David Chandler with finalising the Mascot Towers saga to give owners closure.

In May 2024, a deal was settled with 123 lot owners to sell their properties and free themselves of Mascot Towers related debt.

Under the terms of the deal owners also received the sale price of their unit and their share of around $8.2 million in means tested support from the Minns Labor Government to let them resolve Mascot Towers related debts and move on. 

The 18 eligible owners who opted not to sell will now work with the private consortium and Bayside City Council on the future of the building.

Minister for Building Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“This closes the book on one of the darkest chapters in building in this state.

“Every cent of support spent to help keep owners afloat was worth it but in the future bad builders should pay these costs, not the taxpayer.

“The NSW Minns Labor Government is working every day to lift standards in the building sector and reduce the risks of another Mascot Towers.

“I want to thank Building Commissioner David Chandler for his work to resolve the Mascot Towers situation.” 

The starter’s gun has been fired on the redevelopment of Walgett Memorial Swimming Pool after the NSW Government announced it would provide $250,000 towards planning and design work for a new facility.

Minister for Sport Steve Kamper announced the funding when he met with Walgett Shire Council General Manager Megan Dixon, Mayor Councillor Jasen Ramien and local pool users today.

The funding will be used to conduct a needs analysis, site assessment, options development, feasibility, business and funding plan as well as detailed design and planning approvals.

Walgett Memorial Swimming Pool, which was built in the 1960’s, is reaching the end of its life cycle and has been identified by Council as in need of redevelopment.

At the completion of these works, Walgett Shire Council will be in the position to seek additional funding for the redevelopment of the pool under its Outback Aquatic Revamp project.

Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said:

“Swimming pools in regional NSW are like an oasis that bring communities together.

“Walgett Memorial Pool is a great example of this and the groups that use the pool for fun, fitness and water safety, including Walgett Swimming Club, Walgett Learn to Swim and Walgett Water Safety can testify to the sense of community it creates.

“The NSW Government is excited to contribute to the Walgett Olympic Pool Outback Aquatic Revamp project and look forward to the future plans for the facility.”

Member for Barwon, Roy Butler said:

“The announcement of the $250,000 for Walgett Memorial Swimming Pool is an acknowledgement by the NSW government of the importance of pools in regional communities.”

“More than just infrastructure, pools provide an environment that helps to build cohesive and social networks. They also offer the added benefits of fitness, safety, and relief from very high summer temperatures. The community of Walgett and I welcome this news.”

Walgett Shire Council’s Mayor Jasen Ramien said:

“A massive thank you to the NSW Government and Minister Kamper for recognising the importance of the Walgett Pool to our community.

“With summer temperatures reaching up to the high 40s, the pool is essential for keeping everyone cool and safe.

“We are excited to begin the first steps in ensuring that Walgett residents and visitors have a space that not only offers relief from the heat, but promotes fitness, water safety and a sense of community.”

President of the Walgett Amateur Swim Club, Kate Murray said:

“This news is welcomed by the Walgett Area Swimming Club and the entire community of Walgett.

“The Walgett Swimming Pool brings together our whole community over an entire 6 months of the year. It is the beating heart over the warmer months, providing a welcome space for fun, laughter and connection.

“Importantly, it also provides the opportunity for the ongoing training of survival and swimming techniques for the children of our region, which is so essential in the country we live in.”

Work to improve train services for millions of passengers is being bolstered by the Minns Labor Government launching a Train Repair Plan following the successful completion of the Rail Repair Plan that has resulted in fewer incidents and more reliable journeys.

Announced in June last year, the Rail Repair Plan means passengers are now spending 35% less time dealing with train delays related to infrastructure failures.

Sydney Trains engaged 2500 workers to fix 2116 defects, resurface 468km of track, replace 1163 train stop rams and remove 193 temporary speed restrictions.

Building on this successful model, the Minns Labor Government is today launching a $35 million Train Repair Plan that will upgrade more than 2000 cars, which make up 372 trains, in line with modern standards.

This 12-month plan is now underway and is the largest coordinated program of train maintenance ever undertaken in NSW.

In the past year, train faults have increased 28 per cent compared with the last financial year – resulting in 595 service cancellations and 2445 delays.

Using existing Sydney Trains budget and engaging workers in-house, the program includes improving technology, communications and operating systems, and critical repairs to doors, brakes, windows, air conditioning and CCTV cameras.

The Train Repair Plan has key targets to:

• Remove 2,037 train defects
• Upgrade all 11 models of trains
• Clear 306 train maintenance backlog repairs
• Clean and paint 1,622 train carriages
• Accelerate 68 reliability projects, including toilet upgrades, air conditioning, engine replacements, technology system upgrades, brakes, doors and windows
• Complete life extension work for diesel fleets including the XPT, Endeavour and Xplorer

The Train Repair Plan was a key recommendation from the Rail Infrastructure and Systems Review, which found fleet performance was well below targets for availability and reliability.

The program is distinct from the $447 million Tangara life extension work announced in the 2024-25 Budget, which will ensure that this iconic fleet remains fit for service as the Government forges ahead with building the next generation of Tangaras here.

The fleet maintenance work will be complimented by the introduction of the Mariyung fleet, which is on track to be delivered by the end of the year, enabling 50-year-old V Sets to progressively retire.

The former government’s mismanaged procurement and delivery of the Mariyung fleet has created challenges with bringing these new services online, but the NSW Government is making progress to get the job done.

This is all part of a plan to build better, well-connected communities for NSW to ensure people have reliable access to the essential services they rely on.

A plan to build a better NSW.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

“On a rail network the size and complexity of ours, carrying millions of people every day, it’s critical we continue to focus on essential upgrades to minimise headaches for commuters.

“Incidents on the rail network are inevitable, but keeping our fleet in top shape is our key priority to reduce delays and cancellations.

“The workers and apprentices on this project will be learning vital skills to not only maintain trains here in NSW, but to build our capacity to deliver the next generation of Tangaras.”

Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said:

“Our Rail Repair Plan was a success in bringing the trackwork backlog under control and giving passengers smoother journeys – it’s only logical we apply that same strategy to our train fleet.

“Fleet defects are a significant driver of delays. We need to make sure our existing trains are healthy, strong and reliable, which is why we’re accelerating two years of work into the next 12 months.

“Around 800 Sydney Trains staff will be working around the clock – 24 hours, 7 days a week – on the Train Repair Plan and I want to thank every one of them for undertaking this massive job.”

Sydney Trains Chief Executive Matt Longland said:

“With some of our train fleet over 50 years old, passengers are feeling the brunt of our ageing assets.

“Sydney Trains is working hard ensure the impact on passengers is minimised during this work, which will see some minor timetable adjustments to services with lower patronage.”

The Armidale community is able to access non-emergency healthcare in a more timely way, and avoid unnecessary trips to the emergency department, with a new Urgent Care Service opening its doors to patients today.

The Armidale Urgent Care Service is now open 365 days a year from 12pm to 8pm Monday to Friday, and 9am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday, with the potential for opening hours to further expand as demand increases. Healthcare provided at Armidale Urgent Care Service is bulk billed.

The service is staffed by General Practitioners and nurses with important diagnostic services on-site including radiology and pathology and is well-supported to treat a range of illnesses and injuries that are deemed urgent, but not life-threatening. This includes minor wounds needing stiches, suspected broken bones and skin infections.

Patients should call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222 to access the service. A registered nurse will assess the patient’s condition and then discuss with the patient the best place for their care needs. This may include an appointment at the Armidale Urgent Care Service, a telehealth appointment with the virtualKIDS or virtualGP services or escalating their care to other services like NSW Ambulance if required.

The Armidale Urgent Care Service is being delivered in partnership with the Hunter New England Central Coast Primary Health Network.

The Minns Labor Government is working to improve access to care and reduce wait times, through our emergency department relief package which will invest an additional $100 million to fund urgent care services for a further 2 years, providing a pathway to care outside of our hospitals for an estimated 114,000 patients once fully implemented.

Minister for Regional Health, Ryan Park:

“Armidale Urgent Care Service will provide the community with access to timely care for conditions which can be safely and effectively treated outside of the ED.”

“This new service will improve access to care, reduce wait times and take pressure off our local hospitals.”

“I’m committed to increasing availability of healthcare to communities through urgent care services just like this one, which are aimed at bridging the gap between primary care and emergency care, ensuring that patients have fast access to the care they need.”

Labor Spokesperson for Northern Tablelands, Peter Primrose:

“I really welcome access to an urgent care service for the residents of Armidale and surrounding communities.”

“Armidale’s new Urgent Care Service is a win for the community, and for the health system – in that it will provide an alternative pathway to care for patients with urgent conditions and it will take pressure off our hospitals.”

Hunter New England Central Coast Primary Health Network Chief Executive Officer Richard Nankervis:

“The new service gives the community a genuine alternative outside of a busy ED for urgent – but not life-threatening – illnesses and injuries.”

“The Armidale Urgent Care Service will ensure people in the region have better access to fast medical attention for their urgent care needs, whilst also relieving pressure on our EDs.”

The NSW Government is investing in the future of the largest wine producing region in NSW, by re-introducing critical laboratory operations courses at TAFE NSW Griffith.

A Certificate III in Laboratory Skills and a Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques are now being offered at TAFE NSW Griffith after a 10-year hiatus, while a Diploma of Laboratory Technology will be offered for the first time in 2025.

Griffith is at the heart of New South Wales’ largest producing wine region, responsible for about 60 per cent of the state’s total grape crush.

Laboratory operations courses provide technical skills wine makers need to accurately measure, test and report on wine properties, critical components of the complex wine making process.

The re-introduction of the courses follows extensive consultation with the local wine industry and demonstrates how TAFE NSW is meeting the skills needs of local industries and communities.

TAFE NSW Griffith also offers a Certificate III in Wine Industry Operations, and a laboratory skills course will be offered to local high school students in 2025, giving them a running start into the industry.

Former laboratory manager and winemaker at Casella Wines, Nichole Clarke, has joined TAFE NSW to teach the courses, utilising her strong industry knowledge and connections to give learners the job-ready skills and experience to gain employment.

An industry-standard laboratory is located at TAFE NSW Griffith, including a microbiology room and a chemical preparation room.

Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan said:

“My previous roles as Minister for Primary Industries, CEO of the National Irrigators’ Council and director of Murrumbidgee Irrigation in Griffith have given me insight into the critical importance of the wine industry to the Riverina economy.

“Like many industries, wineries in Griffith are struggling to attract and retain qualified staff and these courses at TAFE NSW Griffith will ensure a pipeline of qualified laboratory technicians, ready to enter the workforce and meet industry demand.

“This is yet another example of how the NSW Government is rebuilding TAFE NSW and supporting the industries and communities it serves.”

De Bortoli Wines Human Resource Manager, Paul Foley said:

“Our business is most pleased to see the re-establishment of accredited laboratory operations courses at TAFE NSW Griffith.

“The absence of suitable technical training for our laboratory staff has been a major concern for our business over the past few years.

“With the availability of these programs on our doorstep, we are in a far better position to expand the technical depth and breadth of capability within our workforce, the broader industry and the local community.

“We look forward to our staff engaging in these programs to assist us in meeting the ever growing technical, compliance and reporting challenges in the wine industry.”