Author: admin

The Minns Labor Government will take action to reform the ticketless parking fine system, ensuring drivers receive on-the-spot notifications for parking fines. The changes will improve fairness and transparency for drivers.

The legislation to be introduced by the NSW Government will set higher standards by:

• Requiring councils to attach an on-the-spot notification to a vehicle. This could be the penalty notice itself, or a short description of the offence and notice that a fine will be sent to them.
• Requiring councils to take photos of offences – even if they use the traditional ‘ticketed’ method – and make them available for Revenue NSW to provide to drivers. The photos must include images of the vehicle, relevant signage and the physical notice left on the vehicle. This will streamline the review process for any challenged fines.
• Limiting the circumstances where an on-the-spot notification is not required to be left by a parking officer, for example, where it is hazardous or unsafe for them to do so.
• Invalidating ‘repeat’ ticketless parking fines, addressing a key concern of the existing system, that drivers can be fined multiple times for the same offence before they even become aware of the first infringement.
• Introducing data reporting rules to monitor the implementation of the legislation and evaluate if any future reforms are necessary.

The requirement to issue an on-the-spot notification will not apply to a limited number of parking zones, such as enclosed parking areas that use licence plate recognition technology, and in national parks with limited mobile phone connectivity.

Regulations issued by the Minister for Finance will clearly specify these parking zones and describe the wording, font size, colour, and location of signage to give drivers sufficient advance warning they are in a ticketless infringement zone.

Councils issued 822,310 ticketless parking fines in 2023/24, up 49% from 551,441 issued in 2022/23.

Since March 2024, the NSW Government has consulted councils extensively which has informed the development of the legislative reforms. That engagement will now focus on the development of the regulations which will contain operational details.

To protect the safety of infringement officers from abuse and aggression when issuing tickets, they will not be required to leave an on-the-spot notification where it is unsafe to do so. Under existing provisions, assaulting an authorised officer is an aggravating factor to be considered by a court during sentencing.

The overwhelming majority of ticketless parking fines in NSW are for offences in council-operated parking facilities. The parking fine reforms will apply to facilities operated by councils, NSW Government agencies and universities. Acknowledging their unique operating requirements, these changes will not apply to police officers.

These are important and necessary reforms which will ensure the ticketless parking fine system meets community expectations and delivers a uniform experience for motorists across NSW, regardless of where they park their car.

Premier Chris Minns:

“Drivers deserve better than the current system.

“Too many motorists have driven off with no idea they might be liable for a parking fine.

“This system was introduced by the former government without enough protections for drivers. We’re fixing that.”

“Setting new, higher standards for parking fines, including rules about invalidating unfair fines, is the right thing to do and goes a long way to re-building community trust.

“Frustration among drivers and community members about the ticketless parking system is high – and that’s fair enough. The ticketless parking fine system was introduced by the previous government without regard for the impact on drivers and families.

“I want to acknowledge the NRMA for their long-standing advocacy on this matter. Along with motorists, they first raised their concerns in 2020, but were ignored.”

NRMA Spokesperson Peter Khoury:

“The NRMA commends the NSW Government for addressing the increasingly unpopular ticketless parking fine system adopted by dozens of councils.

“Motorists who abuse the limited public parking spaces available obviously deserve to be fined, however ticketless parking fines removed transparency and made it almost impossible for motorists to contest their fine if they felt they had a legitimate case.

“The Government’s announcement today can give the public confidence that enforcement will again be open and transparent and we encourage councils to work with the Government on implementing these measures.”

NSW sporting clubs and organisations have the opportunity to apply for their share of $500,000 in funding from the NSW Government for new life-saving defibrillators.

The equipment is funded under the NSW Government’s Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program which provides up to $3,000 to eligible sporting organisations for the purchase of automated external defibrillators at sports facilities.

Since the Program commenced, more than 2,000 defibrillators have been installed at sports facilities across NSW.

Applications close 27 November 2024 or when funding is exhausted.

For further information, including expanded eligibility criteria, please see the Program guidelines at: https://www.sport.nsw.gov.au/grants/local-sport-defibrillator-grant-program

Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said:

“With more than 9,000 out of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in NSW each year, the first few minutes following an incident are critical, and access to a defibrillator can mean the difference between life and death.

“The NSW Government wants to ensure people participating in sport have access to this life-saving equipment.

“The Local Sport Defibrillator Program ensures clubs are equipped to respond to these life-threatening emergencies.”

Professor Jamie Vandenberg, Co-deputy Director of the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, said:

“Being able to access a defibrillator quickly and easily could be the difference between life and death for someone suffering a sudden cardiac arrest.

“In fact, survival rates nearly double if a defibrillator is used in the first few minutes of a cardiac arrest.

“Currently just one in 10 people who have a sudden cardiac arrest outside of hospital will survive.

“This is a sobering statistic but it’s one we can change for the better by installing more of these lifesaving devices in sports clubs across the State.”

The Minns Labor Government is undertaking helicopter inspections of fire trails across the state to prioritise maintenance work needed ahead of the summer bush fire season to help protect lives and communities.

Inspections have started in the Sydney region and will work their way around the state throughout September.

Crown Lands is undertaking the inspections together with the Rural Fire Service, with over 540 fire trails being inspected covering more than 2,400 kilometres on Crown land and adjoining lands.

The NSW Government has provided more than $7.9 million in 2024-25 for on-ground maintenance and upgrades of strategic fire trails on Crown land. The former Government left no ongoing funding in the budget for the maintenance and upgrades of these critical Crown Lands fire trails.

A further $4.8 million has been allocated for hazard reduction activities including controlled burns and Asset Protection Zone (APZ) maintenance and upgrades to protect communities.

Helicopter inspections are more efficient than ground patrols by vehicles, particularly in remote and less accessible areas and where fire trails cross multiple property boundaries or have other access issues.

Aerial patrols reduce inspection times in these areas from months to weeks and give an overall ‘point in time’ assessment of the fire trail network. 

Helicopter crews monitor the trails from the air to identify whether trees have fallen and require removal, if erosion or vegetation growth has impacted trails, or where creek crossings may need repair. 

The helicopter is also fitted with a camera to help record where follow-up work is needed. 

Following the aerial inspections, Crown Lands partners with the NSW Soil Conservation Service and the NSW Rural Fire Service to prioritise and undertake any required maintenance works.

The work could include vegetation removal, erosion repairs, drainage and fire trail stability work, and construction and maintenance of vehicle passing and turning bays.

In some areas, this extends to installing signage, gates and bollards to protect fire trails from unauthorised access and rubbish dumping. 

If landowners have concerns about a potential bushfire hazard, they should contact the Rural Fire Service.  

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said:

“Crown Lands is responsible for maintaining approximately 2,400 kilometres of fire trails, and over 660 hectares of Asset Protection Zones across NSW to ensure adequate fire breaks between bushland and buildings in residential areas. 

“Ensuring our fire trails are properly maintained is critical to protecting our firefighters and communities across the state as we head into a potentially dangerous bushfire season. 

“It also has broader bushfire management responsibilities across the entire Crown land estate.  In addition to the aerial inspections, there are also many other fire trails on Crown land that are more easily accessible and so are inspected using 4WD vehicles.”

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

“All of this targeted preparatory work ensures our fire trails are ready for summer so that firefighting crews and their vehicles can access these routes to fight fires.

“Quick responses to control bush fires are crucial to help contain blazes before they spread and this is one of many measures we are putting in place to support firefighting efforts.

“Along with targeted hazard reduction activity, this work helps reduce risks to residents and property.”

Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said:

“These inspections and the maintenance work that will follow are about making sure we are as prepared as we can be when the bushfires inevitable come this summer.

“Making sure the fire trails are clear of fallen trees and other obstacles gives our firefighters the best chance of getting to a blaze quickly and protecting lives and property.

“Agencies including the Rural Fire Service, Fire & Rescue NSW, National Parks and Wildlife Service, and Forestry Corporation all rely on properly maintained fire trails for their fire-fighting appliances, so I applaud this work to ensure we are ready for summer.”

The communities of Milton, Ulladulla and surrounds are being encouraged to provide feedback on the Milton Ulladulla Hospital draft Health Service Plan by participating in consultation sessions during late September and early October.

The draft Health Service Plan will guide the planning and development of health services at Milton Ulladulla Hospital to meet the community’s health needs now and into the future.

Members of the community are invited to provide feedback through a range of consultation activities, with both online and face-to-face options available. A dedicated consultation session will also be held to discuss maternity services on September 30th.

The draft Plan has been developed using data, including population trends and projections, as well as considering evidence-based practices, value-based healthcare principles, and changes to how healthcare will be delivered in the future. Extensive feedback from key clinical and non-clinical staff and stakeholders has also helped inform the draft Plan.

The draft Health Service Plan and a summary document are available on the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD) website.

Community consultation opportunities include:

Pop-up information stalls (drop in – no registration required)

• 95 Princes Hwy, Ulladulla (outside Ulladulla Beach Pharmacy) – 1 October (9am – 11am)
• 82 Princes Hwy, Milton (footpath outside The Star Hotel) – 2 October (9am – 11am)

Community consultation sessions (registrations required)

• Maternity focused consultation – Ulladulla Civic Centre – 30 September (6pm – 8pm)
• Medical and allied health professionals – Ulladulla Civic Centre – 1 October (6pm – 8pm)
• General community consultation – Ulladulla Civic Centre – 2 October (6pm – 8pm)
• Online community information session and Q&A – 3 October (6pm – 8pm)

To assist with planning, the community are asked to register for the consultation sessions by visiting the ISLHD website, phoning Milton Ullladulla Hospital main switch on 4454 9100, or in person at the hospital. 

Feedback can also be provided by completing the online survey or emailing: ISLHD-YourSay@health.nsw.gov.au. Handwritten feedback can be dropped into collection boxes at Milton Ulladulla Hospital and Ulladulla Community Health Centre. 

Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park:

“Community consultation is an essential part of planning health facilities and services to help ensure they are tailored to the needs of our communities, staff, patients and their families and carers.  

“We’re encouraging the community to come along to meet the team from Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District and find out more about the Milton Ulladulla Hospital draft Health Service Plan and share your thoughts and feedback.

“The consultation has been planned to provide a range of different opportunities for the community to participate, whether that’s online or by attending one of the pop-up stalls or sessions happening in the local area.”

Member for South Coast Liza Butler:

“I’m looking forward to getting out and meeting with members of the community during the face-to-face consultation sessions to hear what they think about the draft Health Service Plan.

“We know the Milton and Ulladulla region is growing and changing and so are the health needs of the local community.

“The draft Health Service Plan will help guide future health and hospital service delivery over the next 10 to 15 years, which is why it’s so important we hear directly from the community about their needs.”  

ISLHD Chief Executive Margot Mains:

“Communities play a critical role in the process of health service planning, and we’re proud to present the Milton Ulladulla Hospital draft Health Service Plan for feedback.

“We appreciate that local communities are passionate about Milton Ulladulla Hospital, and we are committed to working with them, our clinicians, and other key stakeholders in shaping the future of the facility. 

“As always, our primary goal is to ensure we can continue to provide high quality health services at Milton Ulladulla Hospital.”