16 News

The NSW Government has secured an agreement with Origin Energy to operate the Eraring Power Station until August 2027.

This will manage an orderly exit from coal-fired power to ensure the lights stay on for homes, businesses and industry while NSW delivers the transition to low-cost, reliable renewable energy.

This temporary and targeted agreement seeks to guarantee a minimum supply of electricity until the new expected closure date of August 2027.

The latest analysis from the Australian Energy Market Operator confirms without Eraring NSW would face energy reliability risks from 2025.

A temporary extension of Eraring will provide time to deliver the renewable energy, storage and network infrastructure projects required to replace the power station.

The state will not make upfront payments to Origin Energy to operate Eraring. Instead, the Government and Origin have agreed to an underwriting arrangement that requires the company to:

• Decide by 31 March in 2025 and 2026 whether it wishes to opt in to the underwriting arrangement for the following financial year.
• Share up to $40 million per year of any profits it earns from Eraring, if it does opt in.
• Claim no more than 80% of losses Eraring makes from its operations from the NSW Government, capped at $225 million each year, if it does opt in.
• Report the profits or losses it makes from Eraring in its annual report for each year, if it does opt in.

Under the agreement, Origin must also:

• Ensure Eraring endeavours to generate at least 6 terawatt hours each year, the equivalent to the typical annual output of two of Eraring’s four generating units and enough to resolve the forecast reliability gap.
• Substantially maintain Eraring’s existing workforce of around 220 people, commit to a maintenance plan and adhere to its licence conditions, which includes environmental protections.

Origin has given notice it now expects to close Eraring on 19 August 2027. The permanent closure will be managed by Origin in line with its obligations under the National Energy Market and must occur before April 2029. This ensures Eraring’s closure will contribute to NSW meeting its legislated 2030 emissions reduction target.

NSW is already about halfway towards meeting the state’s 2030 renewable generation target.

The Government is speeding up the delivery of new renewables to reach our net zero target by delivering new generation and storage capacity.

The agreement will be tabled in Parliament in the next sitting week to ensure transparency.

A detailed summary of the Eraring agreement is available.

Premier Chris Minns:

“I said before the election if extending Eraring is required to keep the lights on in NSW, we’d do it.

“Today’s decision delivers certainty for households and businesses.

“The people of NSW now have certainty that the NSW Government has a plan to ensure we have reliable energy while we transition the workforce and the economy to net zero.

“The best way to undermine the renewable energy transition is to have the lights go out in 2025. I’m not letting that happen.”

Minister for Climate Change, Energy and the Environment Penny Sharpe:

“NSW is stepping up the transition to cheap, clean, reliable renewable energy. But to keep the lights on and prices down, we need to make sure new renewable infrastructure and storage capacity is online before coal-fired generators reach the end of their life.

“This temporary and targeted agreement will provide financial support only if it’s needed, and only for as long as needed, during an orderly exit of coal-fired power.

“This is a proactive and sensible step to ensure a plan is in place, if needed, to avoid electricity outages and rising power prices.

“The NSW Labor Government remains entirely committed to the transition to renewable energy and our emissions reduction targets. A net zero future holds immense opportunities for our state’s economy and our environment.”

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey:

“This agreement gets the balance right. It means the clean energy transition can continue without exposing families and businesses to extreme bill shocks during a severe cost-of-living crisis.

“Taxpayers are well-protected. We won’t be handing over a $3 billion cheque to Origin as some said we would. Instead, this agreement incentivises Origin to only use the underwrite if there is a sudden change in market conditions.

“Had Eraring remained in public ownership, an agreement like this would not have been necessary.

“But the previous government’s decision to privatise the Eraring power station means entering into agreements like this in order to make sure the lights stay on as we speed up the clean energy transition.

“It’s more proof that privatisation doesn’t work.”

Residents of Western Sydney are set to enjoy a 1,500 capacity Broadway-style lyric theatre, with the designs for the Riverside Theatre Redevelopment released today.

Delivering on an election commitment to transform the Riverside Theatres at Parramatta into a state-of-the-art cultural precinct, the NSW Government is contributing $40 million from Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants program.

The redevelopment will more than double the current capacity of the Theatres with a new 1500 Broadway-style lyric theatre; a newly refurbished 760-seat Riverside playhouse theatre; and new 424-seat black-box drama theatre.

Following an international design competition COX Architecture with 3XN Architects, Aileen Sage, Turf Design Studio, and Bangawarra was assessed by the Design Excellence Competition Selection Panel as having an innovative, imaginative, and creative design that best reflects the vision for the transformation of Parramatta’s Riverside Theatres.

The redevelopment of the Riverside Theatres will include:

• a new 1500 Broadway-style lyric theatre
• a newly refurbished 760 seat Riverside playhouse theatre
• a new 424 seat black-box drama theatre
• a new 88 seat digital studio and cinema
• two fully flexible production rehearsal spaces
• a refurbished back of house, technical and performer spaces
• state-of-the-art technical specifications for all venues
• a new Riverfront Café
• corporate function spaces, and
• enhanced public spaces

The Riverside Theatres project will include significant improvement and reworking of the surrounding public domain, improving the interface with both the river and Prince Alfred Square. The building and landscaping itself will be designed to be more pedestrian friendly and connect the river to the park.

The design is committed to sustainability and targets a 5-Star Green Star rating. The design will reuse existing materials to minimise environmental impact and remediate and restore thriving biodiverse natural ecosystems to the Parramatta riverbank.

The $188 million project is jointly funded with $40 million from the NSW Government’s Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants Program, and the City of Parramatta Council contributing $148 million. The redevelopment is one of 191 transformational projects being funded under the $2 billion Program.

Construction for the Riverside Theatres Redevelopment Project will start in late 2025, with doors to the new multi-million performing arts facility set to open in 2028.

Other cultural and community projects set for delivery in the Parramatta LGA through the Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants Program include the Indigenous Centre of Excellence ($78 million), Carter Street Precinct Community Centre ($6 million) and the Don Moore Multi-Purpose Community Hub ($20 million). More than $270 million will be spent in the Parramatta Local Government Area on 23 transformational projects as part of the Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants Program.

Visit Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants Program for further information.

Minister for the Arts John Graham said:

“Riverside Theatres has a rich and important history in Western Sydney. The redeveloped theatres will open across the river from the Powerhouse Parramatta, two significant landmarks that will transform and reimagine Parramatta’s cultural precinct.

“The redevelopment will ensure people across Western Sydney have a new and reimagined performing arts centre that will allow the arts community and audiences to enjoy more performances on a far bigger stage.

“This was a key election commitment and is essential for Western Sydney’s cultural potential and economic prosperity.

“I’m also excited about the flow-on benefits for the nighttime and visitor economies, particularly with the opening of the Western Sydney Airport.

“The Riverside Theatres redevelopment stands as a testament to this commitment, offering a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to the arts, for generations of artists and audiences to come.”

Member for Parramatta Donna Davis said:

“Parramatta is at the geographical heart of Sydney, and the Riverside Theatres have long played a key role in the cultural fabric of Parramatta.

“The redevelopment will ensure that the people of Parramatta and Western Sydney can enjoy world-class performances, with several large-scale multipurpose production spaces.

“The redeveloped Riverside Theatres, with rehearsal and performance spaces, provides boundless possibilities for our creatives along with an opportunity for people to enjoy premium performances in a world-class performing arts centre.”

City of Parramatta Lord Mayor, Cr Pierre Esber said:

“The reimagined Riverside Theatres will attract talent to Parramatta as we become an epicentre for creativity with our deep roots in arts and culture alongside the new Powerhouse Parramatta.

“Our community will soon have access to a state-of-the-art facility that will attract major Australian works and the best of Broadway and the West End shows to Parramatta for the first time.

“It also offers more opportunities for local and international talent to amplify their stories in a soon to be brand new modern theatre.

“We are committed to providing a thriving cultural precinct in Parramatta and this new design for Riverside brings us one step closer to our end goal.”

Patients across NSW have benefited from more than 55,000 visits to Urgent Care Services since the NSW Government rollout began in mid-2023, easing pressure on busy public hospital emergency departments.

To 30 April, 2024, patients visited GP-led Urgent Care Services on 10,628 occasions while Local Health District-led urgent care services, such as geriatric outreach services and virtualKIDS, were visited on 44,555 occasions.

The NSW Government has delivered 16 Urgent Care Services since July 2023, bridging the gap between primary and emergency care, ensuring that patients have fast access to the urgent care they need without having to turn to a busy emergency department.

The results come as Minister for Health Ryan Park will today officially open the Gregory Hills Urgent Care Service and said it is making a significant contribution to the local community, with 580 visits since the service commenced on 6 February 2024.

The Gregory Hills UCS makes a total of three urgent care services funded by the NSW Government in the south western Sydney region; the Campbelltown Medicare Urgent Care Clinic co-funded by the NSW and Australian Governments takes this total to four.

Gregory Hills UCS is open seven days a week from 8am to 8pm and is equipped and staffed to treat a range of illnesses and injuries that are not life-threatening.

To access the service, patients should call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222. A registered nurse will assess the patient’s condition and guide them to the care they need. This could include booking an appointment at the service on the patient’s behalf, referring them to another service such as virtualKIDS, or, where required, escalating their care to NSW Ambulance or advising the patient to attend an Emergency Department.

Patients needing language support can call TIS National on 131 450 and ask for Healthdirect.

The Gregory Hills Urgent Care Service has been delivered in partnership with South Western Sydney Primary Health Network (SWSPHN).

NSW Health has partnered with Primary Health Networks to deliver additional Urgent Care Services right across the state, in an effort to ease pressure on busy hospital EDs and ensure the people of NSW receive the most appropriate care.

The NSW Government has committed $124 million over two years to deliver 25 Urgent Care Services in NSW by mid-2025. It is also supported by funding from the Commonwealth Government.

Health Minister Ryan Park said:

“Urgent Care Services like this one in Gregory Hills is an example of how the NSW Government is embracing new and innovative ways to relieve pressure on our emergency departments by diverting tens of thousands of unnecessary presentations.

“We don’t want to see people and their loved ones waiting around emergency departments for lengthy periods of time – it’s not good for them, our staff, or other patients.

“Having access to services like these within our communities means more patients can receive care for their urgent health issues in a community setting, without a stressful trip to hospital.”

Member for Camden Sally Quinnell said:

“Care at the Gregory Hills Urgent Care Service is provided by general practitioners and nurses and is free for Medicare card holders and community-based asylum seekers.

“This service has been an important addition to the community as it’s working to ease pressure on our local emergency departments, which are among the busiest in the state.”

Member for Leppington Nathan Hagarty said:

“I’m so pleased hundreds of patients have already been able to access more appropriate, timely care as a result of this new Urgent Care Service.

“This service is about increasing access to healthcare, meaning families are able to get advice and treatment, all without having to step foot in a busy public hospital ED.”

SWSPHN Chief Executive Officer, Dr Keith McDonald said:

“If your GP is closed or you can’t get an appointment, and your condition cannot wait until you can see your regular GP, you can call Healthdirect for advice on accessing appropriate care.

“Urgent Care Services can treat minor illnesses like gastrointestinal illness or urinary tract infections; minor injuries like closed fractures or simple lacerations; and procedures like suturing, drainage of abscesses and basic fracture management.”

Women in regional, rural and remote areas are being publicly recognised on the Hidden Treasures Honour Roll for the important volunteer work they do in their local communities.

The NSW Government is focused on delivering a range of targeted initiatives aimed at supporting and promoting volunteering to enrich the lives of volunteers, strengthen local communities and benefit NSW. 

Hidden Treasures is a NSW Government initiative created to recognise and elevate the invaluable volunteer efforts of women across regional, rural and remote NSW communities.

91 women will be recognised at the ‘Thank you NSW Volunteers’ event in Wagga Wagga today, hosted by the NSW Rural Women’s Network. The event is being held as part of National Volunteer Week 20 to 26 May to celebrate the important role that volunteers play in building vibrant communities across NSW.

Coordinated by the NSW Rural Women’s Network, the Hidden Treasures Honour Roll calls for nominations throughout the year from individuals and groups, charity organisations, and local members of parliament.

More than 1200 women have been commended on the Honour Roll since 2010.

Nominations for the 2024 Honour Roll are now open. To nominate a woman as a Hidden Treasure and read the 2023 Hidden Treasures digital booklet, visit the Hidden Treasures Honor Roll page. 

Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said:

“In regional and rural NSW, women’s dedication to volunteering is remarkable, whether it’s on the frontline with the RFS, on the fields of the local sports team, saving lives with their local surf lifesaving club or providing friendship and support to those in need week in week out.

“These remarkable women see something that needs to be done and they get out and do it.”

“The work of women volunteering and leading volunteers in regional NSW is a key reason why our regional communities thrive and flourish.”

Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said:

“In regional, rural and remote towns, we know women can wear many hats and play many important roles in their communities. So the contribution women make through their volunteer efforts in their tight-knit communities is truly invaluable.

“The Hidden Treasures program as it is a wonderful way to celebrate and commend women for their selfless dedication and passion in bringing their local community together, for uplifting society and for moving industry.

“By recognising these inspirational women, we want to continue to encourage more local regional, rural and remote women to take their future in their own hands to support and advance their community.”

CEO of the Centre for Volunteering Gemma Rygate said:

“Volunteers are an essential part of every community in NSW, from major cities to regional towns. In 2023, 4.3 million people volunteered, with a social and economic benefit of $178 billion to the state economy. These numbers show the importance of volunteering in NSW and highlight how volunteering helps build stronger, more cohesive communities.

“Recognition and celebration of the work that volunteers do is essential and National Volunteer Week is the perfect time to celebrate volunteering. While volunteers are not paid for their work, we know that volunteering is not free and is in fact becoming increasingly costly. The vital work of volunteers in NSW deserves celebration and support from all of community.”

NSW Regional Woman of the Year Teresa Mitchell said:

“Women bring compassion to everything they do. We see the gaps and we have the courage to stand up and make a difference.

“Regardless of where a woman volunteering lives, you can be guaranteed that she is adding value by sharing her skills, time and energy. I have the greatest respect for the women out there making a difference in their communities, and there are many of them.”

The NSW Opposition wants reliable and affordable energy for households and businesses across our state.
 
Today’s ‘deal’ does not guarantee energy reliability or more affordable electricity for households and businesses.
 
The need now to extend the Eraring coal power station is due to Labor’s neglect and mismanagement of the Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap, which will cost the NSW taxpayer up to $450 million over the coming years and doesn’t even guarantee a solution to forecasted reliability risks.

The Minns Labor Government has created uncertainty for would-be investors in new capacity and now the people of NSW face more expensive and less reliable energy.
 
Over a year ago the Minns Labor Government called for a review of the Roadmap and they have been plagued by inaction ever since. They haven’t finalised planning guidelines and, as a result, the energy industry and consumers have been left in limbo.
 
An update from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) earlier this week highlighted the risks to reliability from Labor’s failed approach to energy, including delays in delivering transmission infrastructure and battery storage projects such as the Orana battery and the Waratah Super Battery.
 
Responsibility sits with Premier Chris Minns and he should apologise for his Government’s mismanagement.

No mention was made of the costs of energy being driven up by privitisation by liberal governments.