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Crumbling classrooms, leaking roofs, and 15-year-old Wi-Fi systems in TAFE NSW campuses will be fixed by a new $300 million Labor program now underway.

The NSW Labor Government knows that to address the critical shortage of skilled workers we must have functional classrooms with modern equipment.

The NSW Labor Government is investing $300 million into TAFE NSW this financial year to upgrade classrooms and campus infrastructure, deliver new teaching equipment, and improve digital connectivity across regional and remote campuses.

This landmark financial injection into TAFE NSW will refurbish workshops and specialist facilities to train more electricians, metal fabricators, plumbers, and healthcare workers in communities like Wagga Wagga, Albury, Goulburn, Port Macquarie, Orange, and Armidale.

From welders at Wagga Wagga, to tractors at Wollongbar and Goulburn, and forklifts at Nirimba, and Albury, the funding will deliver new equipment to support the continued delivery of industry-aligned training to learners.

In addition to maintenance work and new teaching equipment, the investment also provides more than $36 million for over 8,500 new digital devices and directs funding into improved digital connectivity at 28 regional campuses across the state.

The investment in digital connectivity is a particularly major win for regional communities and will be used to overhaul outdated network infrastructure, improve Wi-Fi connectivity, and build cyber security resilience, which is critical for effective teaching and learning in the 21st century.

The funding will also ensure the completion of the redevelopment of TAFE NSW Kingscliff and the upgrade of TAFE NSW Coffs Harbour, ensuring a pipeline of more skilled workers in these booming regional communities.

Northern NSW can expect more demand for skilled healthcare, hospitality, and construction workers over the next three years. This investment ensures TAFE NSW is well-placed to meet the educational and employment needs of such communities.

This investment reflects the NSW Government’s commitment to place TAFE NSW at the heart of the vocational and education training system.

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

“This critical $300 million investment will rebuild the physical and digital infrastructure at 120 TAFE NSW campuses neglected for a decade by the previous Liberal-National Government.

“When I became Minister for TAFE, I was alarmed to get letters from students at TAFE colleges in country NSW telling me they were using their own phones to get internet connectivity on their campuses – because the Wi-Fi was so out of date.

“Stories about neglected classrooms don’t help to attract the people we need to see taking on training or teaching. NSW Labor is doing something about it.

“In Wagga Wagga, this investment will mean $600,000 to deliver upgraded fabrication and welding facilities and equipment, ensuring apprentices working on major projects like Inland Rail, or maintaining local bridges across the Riverina are set up for success.

“We’ll also spend $500,000 to replace 164 digital devices, and $550,000 for a new Aboriginal Cultural safe space at Wagga Wagga TAFE.

“TAFE NSW offers learners a great experience, but we don’t want it diminished by facilities that should have been maintained properly by the last government. And now it won’t be.

“This investment adds to the NSW Labor Government’s $3.8 billion investment in the skills and training sector, made together with the Commonwealth Government.

“Employers are relying on TAFE NSW to equip learners with in-demand skills using industry-standard equipment and technology, ensuring they graduate job-ready.

“This announcement will ensure the right skills mix to drive jobs, opportunity and productivity in NSW.

“The continued investment in TAFE NSW’s infrastructure will expand learning opportunities in local communities, improve educational outcomes, and support the state’s critical skills needs.”

Clarence Town is set to get a new bridge over the Williams River. The new bridge will be built alongside the heritage-listed Brig O’Johnston Bridge on Limeburners Creek Road.

It will allow for semi-trailers of at least 45.5 tonnes and 68-tonne B-Doubles – more than double the load capacity of the existing bridge.

It will also cater for over-width vehicles, unlike the Brig O’Johnston Bridge, which is restricted to vehicles of up to 2.8 metres wide and can carry only one lane of traffic with a load restriction of 22.5 tonnes.

The works will also deliver a pedestrian walkway.

The project is expected to improve freight access and productivity, improve road safety, and support local industries. Tenders are expected to be called in coming months.

The new $20.6 million bridge is funded by the Australian and NSW governments. The Australian and NSW governments had previously approved $8.8 million and $5.5 million in funding respectively.

The NSW Government has now increased its contribution by a further $5.5 million to $11 million and the Australian Government by $781,000 to $9.581 million.

The Brig O’Johnston Bridge will be retained and rehabilitated.

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

“This is fantastic news for the people of Clarence Town and for surrounding businesses and industry.

“Heavy vehicles currently have to detour up to 52 kilometres to bypass the existing bridge.

“The new bridge will allow industry to increase load width and mass, eliminating the detour and enabling the use of more productive vehicles.

“This will result in time savings while reducing energy costs and emissions.”

NSW Regional Transport and Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison said:

“I recently visited Dungog and the growing need for a new bridge was clear to me.

“The NSW Labor Government’s announcement of additional funding to ensure the new Bridge is delivered is fantastic news for the people of Clarence Town and for surrounding business and industry.

“The key driver for this project is to provide uninhibited access and egress for heavy vehicles into the Dungog Shire area.

“It will also provide a freight link from the Pacific Highway and the Bucketts Way into rural agricultural areas of Dungog, Vacy and East Gresford.

“Many of the region’s agricultural industries will benefit from larger, more productive freight transport into this area.

“These will include larger milk collection tankers, larger livestock transport vehicles, larger feed delivery vehicles and poultry farm access for deliveries of feed and stock.”

NSW Government Duty MLC for the Upper Hunter electorate Emily Suvaal said:

“By building a more reliable road freight network, we’re ensuring that food, produce and raw materials, which feed and power our state, can move to market as efficiently as possible.

“This project is a great example of all three levels of government working together for the benefit of the community.

“It was made possible thanks to a combination of Australian and NSW Government funded programs, and I commend Dungog Shire Council on its vision and support of this important project.”

Dungog Mayor John Connors said:

“We have been advocating heavily for this project across all levels of government for several years, and we’re thrilled that we can finally deliver a safe, reliable and accessible bridge that the Clarence Town community deserves.

“As a region, the Dungog shire has been identified as potentially needing 2400 residential homes by 2041, so it’s great to know that the infrastructure on major arterial routes – such as the Clarence Town Bridge, will support this level of growth.

“We’re incredibly grateful to the NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison and Federal Minister for Infrastructure Catherine King for working with us to make this asset a reality for the Dungog shire.”

Five outstanding NSW women have been named the recipients of the NSW Women of the Year Awards 2024 at a ceremony held at the International Convention Centre in Sydney this morning.

Thirty-three women and girls have been recognised across 6 award categories, receiving the highest commendation for their contributions to community, industry and society in NSW.

Since 2012, the annual NSW Women of the Year Awards have played a key role in recognising the women and girls whose determination, bravery, skill and passion has inspired their communities and others to achieve great things.

The NSW Women of the Year Awards 2024 is a celebrated event at the heart of NSW Women’s Week, which runs from Monday 4 March to Sunday 10 March and includes International Women’s Day on Friday 8 March.

The award recipients for each of the 6 categories are:

• Jessica Hill, Premier’s NSW Woman of ExcellenceJessica is a Walkley Award–winning journalist, advocate and public speaker who specialises in the subjects of coercive control and gendered violence.
• Monica Mudge, NSW Community HeroMonica is the visionary behind Treading Lightly Inc, a not-for-profit organisation that stands at the forefront of environmental advocacy in the Yuin region of NSW.
• Theresa Mitchell, NSW Regional Woman of the YearTheresa founded Agape Outreach Inc in 2009, a charity that focuses on assisting the homeless and those in need.
• Dr Casey Sullivan, NSW Aboriginal Woman of the YearDr Sullivan, a proud Wiradjuri and Gamilaroi woman, is a General Practitioner (GP) who owns her own medical practice in Tamworth – the first Indigenous privately-owned and managed GP practice in NSW.
• Noor Azizah, NSW Young Woman of the YearNoor, a Rohingya refugee, defied adversity to become a passionate advocate and educator. She is a co-founder and Director of the Rohingya Maìyafuìnor Collaborative Network, a Rohingya-led and refugee-led organisation.

The Ones To Watch

• Parisa Azad
• Aarohi Bansal
• Gezel Bardossi
• ophie Berude
• Lola Fotheringham
• Bronte Gibson
• Matilda Gibson
• Abbie Jane
• Salma Kareem
• Izabelle Kelly

Get more information about the finalists, recipients and to watch the recorded livestream, visit the NSW Women of the Year Award website.

Premier of NSW Chris Minns said:

“I want to extend my congratulations to all the remarkable recipients and finalists for the incredible impacts their work and contributions have had in various parts of our state.

“These women have gone above and beyond to achieve positive change within their fields and contribute to their communities. They are exceptional women from diverse backgrounds who are incredible role models for us all to look up to.”

Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said:

“Congratulations to all the finalists and recipients of the NSW Women of the Year Awards for being role models for the next generation of superstars.

“The record number of nominations this year is testament to the importance of these awards, but more importantly, a reflection of the broad impact women are having across our state.

“It is vital we recognise and support those who continue to challenge inequality, innovate and promote progress in their fields. I look forward to following their journeys as they continue to inspire others.”

The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has reached the end of the supply chain as it traces asbestos contaminated mulch which was originally discovered at the Rozelle Parklands.

While the initial phase of supply chain testing is complete, the EPA’s criminal investigation continues to explore multiple lines of inquiry.

Over the past eight weeks, around 6,500 tonnes of mulch has been tracked down, assessed and tested, with nearly 1,200 samples taken for analysis.

At this stage, 75 sites have returned a positive result for asbestos in mulch. All sites had low levels of asbestos contamination and NSW Health advises the risk to health is low.

The NSW Asbestos Taskforce has supported the EPA’s investigations on the ground with crews from Fire and Rescue NSW, SafeWork, Public Works and the Natural Resources Access Regulator.

The NSW Government would like to thank the hundreds of staff across multiple agencies who were mobilised to trace and facilitate the testing, notification and removal of contaminated mulch.

The Taskforce will continue monitoring the situation while moving to broader consideration of legacy asbestos.

The NSW Government will move to tighten regulations and strengthen penalties for a range of environmental crimes.

The Office of the NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer is continuing its review of asbestos in waste and recovered materials, including mulch. It is expected to be finalised this year.

Anyone who has concerns about mulch should call the Environment Line on 131 555, which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The EPA will continue to conduct proactive compliance campaigns across industry and investigate any reports of contamination. 

Find out more about any additional positive results at sites accessible to the public

Minister for Climate Change and the Environment Penny Sharpe:

“Asbestos is illegal in any product and should not be there. The discovery of asbestos in mulch has led to the biggest investigation in the EPA’s history.

“The first phase of this investigation is now complete. While the EPA works on its criminal investigation, the NSW Government will move to tighten regulations and make further changes as required.”

Students and staff at Liverpool West Public School will be welcomed back to their classrooms on Monday, 11 March 2024 with full clearance received from the independent hygienist today.

This follows extensive work undertaken over the past few weeks to remove contaminated mulch at the school and fully remediate the site.

All areas of concern based on the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) investigation have been remediated with all mulch now removed.

The main classrooms and teaching areas of the school will return to usual operations now that the independent hygienist has provided a clearance certificate.

Reinstatement of landscaping materials will continue in the coming weeks and will not impact school operations.  

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

“We are pleased to be able to confirm a return to face-to-face learning at Liverpool West Public School from Monday.

“We cannot thank the incredible school staff and teams across the department enough. They have worked around the clock to get us to this point, where we can safely return our students and teachers to their classrooms.

“We would also like to thank all students at both Liverpool West and Gulygangarri, their families and carers, for their support and understanding.

“Safety has always been our top priority. The decision to temporarily close the school site was not taken lightly, and we appreciate the community’s patience while we managed the situation as safely and as quickly as possible.”

Member for Liverpool Charishma Kaliyanda said:

“We are privileged in Sydney’s south-west to have a strong public education community, and we’re so grateful to Gulyangarri Public School for their warm hospitality in giving students from Liverpool West a safe and welcoming place to learn during this time.

“This has been an uncertain time for many in the Liverpool West Public School community, and I am thankful to the Department for responding in a way that puts the health and safety of our kids first, while minimising disruptions to learning.

“Families at Liverpool West Public School have been waiting for their kids to be able to return to campus. I know today’s news will come as a relief to many of them.”

Sydney will be a safer and more enjoyable city for thousands of women and girls to enjoy after the NSW Government’s launch of The Rocks/ Tallawoladah Women’s Safety Strategy.

It comes as part of the $30 million Safer Cities program led by Transport for NSW, which aims to create places that feel safer for everyone, whether it’s day or night.

The strategy provides a new framework to help increase the experiences of visitors while in the precinct by enhancing a sense of safety. It includes key improvements such as better lighting, more signage, and better access to public spaces to support free movement when alone at night.

It was developed in line with key feedback received through community consultation, and data and technical analysis.

Functioning as a guiding document for all future development at The Rocks, the strategy will help all stakeholders make better planning decisions to improve the experience for everyone who visits.

Public domain improvement projects planned in the precinct include:

• Unwin’s Courtyard – an upgrade of lighting and improved access and landscaping.
• Nurse’s Walk – implementation of lighting upgrades along Nurse’s Walk, Globe Street, Suez Canal, Greenway Lane and Well Courtyard, and public art.
• Foundation Park – lighting and wayfinding improvements.

Get more information on The Rocks/Tallawoladah Women’s Safety Strategy.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“Our public spaces should be safe for everyone to visit and enjoy.

“By taking simple, practical stops we can make spaces safer, more accessible and more enjoyable for everyone.

“Helping more people to feel confident in our cities boosts vibrancy and the 24-hour economy, bringing much-needed life and investment back into Sydney’s entertainment districts.”

Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said:

“On the eve of International Women’s Day, I’m delighted that the NSW Government is launching this strategy. The theme for 2024 is ‘Count her in: Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress’ and with the Rocks Women’s Safety Strategy we are doing just that. We’re investing in better lighting and signage to make this historic precinct more inclusive for women and girls.

“Being able to access public spaces is fundamental to women and girls being able to participate in the economy and society. Making spaces safer for women and girls also benefits everyone in the community, allowing them to better enjoy what our cities have to offer.”

Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said:

“Women and girls deserve to feel safe in our public spaces, and our Safer Cities program is helping us achieve that goal.

“With lighting, art and simple activations, we’re bringing life into our streets and our suburbs, so that everyone can feel safe as they move around at night-time.

“The Rocks is the latest precinct where our Safer Cities team will work with locals to come up with innovative ways to make to ensure they can feel safer and have an enjoyable night out.”

Member for Sydney Alex Greenwich said:

“Cities should be safe places for everyone, but we know that dark and narrow laneways, poorly lit pathways, and lack of wayfinding can be especially worrisome for women and girls.

“The delivery of this strategy addresses this concern and sets the standard for a safer Sydney”.

Women’s Safety Commissioner Dr Hannah Tonkin said:

“This work is a fantastic example of collaboration and coordination across government to deliver improved women’s safety outcomes.

“The Strategy will help all those involved in the precinct’s urban governance make informed decisions to make The Rocks a safer place for women, girls and the whole community.”

Placemaking NSW Chief Executive Anita Mitchell said:

“The Rocks is an iconic heritage precinct where visitors can experience a unique part of Sydney. This strategy is about ensuring those experiences are positive for everyone.

“We sought input from women and girls about their personal experiences and undertook technical analysis so this work could be backed by both perceptions of safety and by data.

“We’re excited this strategy will result in tangible outcomes for The Rocks precinct and other communities.”

The NSW Government has reached a major milestone in delivering on its commitment to boost funding for Women’s Health Centres across NSW to ensure they are properly resourced to provide essential health and wellbeing services.

A funding increase of $34.3 million, announced in the 2023-24 State Budget has been allocated to 19 Women’s Health Centres across both metropolitan and regional NSW, including in Western Sydney, South Coast, North Coast and the Central West.

Full list of funding

During the state election the NSW Government committed to boosting funding for Women’s Health Centres to $100 million over 5 years to support the essential community-based healthcare and domestic violence support they provide to women and children.

Today’s investment ensures that over the next 4 years $81 million in funding is secured for these vital services.

The Women’s Health Centre Program provides face-to-face support to an average of 50,000 women across NSW each year. Women from low-income and other priority backgrounds, including women who have experienced domestic violence, make up the majority of Women’s Health Centre clients.

Women’s Health Centres provide a range of services including tailored healthcare, supporting vulnerable women with their physical and mental health, sexual and reproductive health, as well as preventative classes, events and support groups.

These centres have been operational for more than 40 years and this funding injection will ensure they are able to remain sustainable into the future, and are able to:

• increase staff numbers
• reduce waitlists for counselling appointments
• offer healthcare and counselling services to more women
• adapt services to emerging demographic trends and population growth.

$369,500 of this funding has also been allocated to Women’s Health NSW, the peak body for Women’s Health Centres, to support capacity-building activities.

This funding will ensure more women are able to get the healthcare they need, when and where they need it.

This announcement is one element of the NSW Government’s commitment to investing in women’s healthcare and wellbeing. This has included the announcement earlier this week of a $18.6 million investment over 4 years for 29 new McGrath Breast Care Nurses who will provide free support to breast cancer patients in metro, region and remote communities.

Premier Chris Minns said:

“This is a vital investment to ensure women have access to key health services across our state.

“We are proud to be making this announcement and to continue working to ease the pressure on our hospital system, as well as boost healthcare services available to women in New South Wales.”

Minister for Health Ryan Park said:

“With this more than $34 million investment we can ensure more women across NSW have access to this incredibly important service.

“We’re committed to improving access to healthcare services for women and this significant funding enhancement will help these centres continue to provide important health-related care and support services across NSW.”

Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said:

“These centres are vital in providing a safe place for women who might otherwise fall through the cracks and are critical in removing barriers to health care by providing women the care they need in their own communities.

“Leichhardt Women’s Community Health centre celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, as the first centre of its kind in Australia, opening in 1974, it has supported thousands of women in need providing access to health care, educational resources, and counselling.

“The investment in this centre and others is part of the NSW Government’s ambition to better support women all over our state and spans a range of areas, from health and other services for women to workforce participation.”

CEO Women’s Health NSW Denele Crozier said:

“The investment will see an immediate increase in essential health services for vulnerable and at risk women in need, provide sustainability to the sector and stability to the workforce.

“Women who come to our services need specialised care. The work we do and will continue to do will save lives.”

Confirmed total additional funding over 4years for each centre will be:

• $1,221,000 to Leichhardt Women’s Health Centre
• $2,045,500 to Sydney Women’s Counselling Centre
• $1,009,000 to Bankstown Women’s Health Centre
• $1,617,500 to Fairfield Women’s Health Centre
• $2,529,500 to Liverpool Women’s Health Centre
• $1,491,000 to Cumberland Women’s Health Centre
• $2,065,000 to Blacktown Women’s & Girls Health Centre Inc.
• $2,619,000 to Blue Mountains Women’s Health and Resource Centre
• $1,239,000 to Penrith Women’s Health Centre
• $3,484,000 to Central Coast Women’s Health Centre
• $1,417,000 to Central West Women’s Health Centre
• $2,417,500 to Coffs Harbour Women’s Health Centre
• $1,094,500 to Hunter Women’s Centre
• $1,169,500 to Shoalhaven Women’s Health Centre
• $2,745,500 to Illawarra Women’s Health Centre
• $1,780,500 to Lismore Women’s Health Centre
• $1,788,500 to Women’s Health Centre for Health and Wellbeing Albury Wodonga
• $1,006,000 to Wagga Women’s Health Centre
• $239,000 to Waminda Women’s Health Centre