Renewable hydrogen hub for north Queensland

The Albanese Government is investing up to $70 million to develop the Townsville Region Hydrogen Hub in north Queensland, creating regional jobs and supporting Australia’s future as a renewable energy powerhouse.  

The project delivers on the Government’s election commitment to establish a hydrogen hub in North Queensland.

It will create at least 200 direct job opportunities for local electricians, plumbers, fitters and concreters during construction, as well ongoing jobs in technical and engineering roles.

The initial stage of the hub will produce 800 tonnes of green hydrogen per year, enough to fuel over 40 heavy vehicles a year. It will ramp up to around 3,000 tonnes for domestic supply, and ultimately in excess of 150,000 tonnes for export.

The hub, led by Edify Energy, will produce green hydrogen for use by local industry and in zero-emissions transport. It will also deliver a 17.6 MW domestic production facility with integrated renewable energy generation and battery storage.

Edify and its partners – including Siemens Energy, Queensland TAFE, James Cook University and Townsville Enterprise Limited – will work with industry bodies to provide education and training to ensure Townsville’s workforce is skilled and ready to develop and sustain the region’s hydrogen industry.

Construction will begin next year and be complete in 2026, with initial commercial operations scheduled to start in 2027.

The project has over $137 million of combined investment. The Commonwealth’s contribution is up to $70 million, including $20.7 million from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency. The remaining funding is being sourced from industry and the German Government.

This Australian-German collaboration brings together Germany’s expertise in hydrogen technology and Australia’s potential to be a world leader in the production and export of renewable hydrogen.

Townsville is part of over $500 million in Commonwealth funding for hydrogen hubs in regional centres like Gladstone, Bell Bay, Kwinana, the Pilbara, Port Bonython and the Hunter.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“Investing in Townsville’s hydrogen industry is investing in Australia’s future.

“The global shift to clean energy and decarbonised economies is a huge economic opportunity for North Queensland.

“We are determined to grasp this opportunity and are investing half a billion dollars into regional hydrogen hubs all around Australia.”

Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said:

“Renewable hydrogen is a game changer, opening the door to green metals, green fertiliser, green power and supporting industrial decarbonisation.

“The whole world needs renewable hydrogen, and regional Australia is ready to provide it.

“With its port, expertise in exports and access to Queensland’s abundant solar resources, Townsville is ideally placed to help power the world with Australian renewable energy and create jobs in regional Australia.”

Rockhampton Ring Road fully funded

  • $1.73 billion commitment for full delivery of Rockhampton Ring Road
  • Rockhampton Ring Road construction started in November 2023
  • Includes critical connections to the local road network

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Premier Steven Miles today celebrated construction progress on the $1.73 billion Rockhampton Ring Road – a project that is now fully funded by both levels of government.

The commitment will deliver the full 17.4 km Rockhampton Ring Road, with an increased Australian Government commitment of $1.2 billion and an increased Queensland Government commitment to $530 million.

This transformative project for Central Queensland will increase connections to key precincts in the city and improve access, travel times to critical services including the hospital and emergency services, and road safety.

The ring road alignment opens up new travel routes to key leisure, retail, education and defence facilities.

The Rockhampton Ring Road project is a once in a lifetime opportunity to build capability within the regional workforce, with an extended pipeline of road infrastructure construction that provides opportunities for apprentices and trainees, engineers and technical services to be engaged on this significant infrastructure build.

Construction on the first $280 million package of works started in November 2023. Both contractor joint ventures mobilised to site in November to start construction at key work locations in Parkhurst and on Rockhampton-Ridgelands Road in West Rockhampton.

Construction on this phase of the Rockhampton Ring Road is expected to take up to two years to complete.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said: 

“Late last year the Australian and Queensland governments confirmed construction would be underway on the Rockhampton Ring Road by the end of 2023, and here we are two months into construction to deliver this essential infrastructure project for Central Queensland.

“This significant investment by the Australian and Queensland governments is a long-term, visionary project for Queensland’s biggest highway, the lifeline for the state of Queensland that will unlock future economic growth, build flood resilience, reduce travel times, improve road safety and support jobs.”

Queensland Premier Steven Miles said:

“The Rockhampton Ring Road will be a critical new artery for Central Queensland, and the broader Bruce Highway.

“It means a safer and quicker drive for locals and more productive travel for our transport sector, moving freight around the State.

“When complete, big trucks will avoid 19 sets of traffic lights through the middle of Rockhampton, which has long been regarded as the pinch point for travel on the Bruce Highway. That is critical for Queensland’s economic growth.

“I’m proud that our governments have come together to fully fund the Rockhampton Ring Road – to create jobs, local supply chain opportunities, and better connections for the region.”

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

“The Australian Government’s commitment to fund and deliver ensures that Rockhampton and the Central Queensland region can maximise both the economic and human benefit from the project, building capability and skills in the region.

“I am delighted that this will support industries and keep freight moving throughout Queensland.”

Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Bart Mellish said:

“Finalising the agreement between the Australian and Queensland government to fund the full cost of the Rockhampton Ring Road, is testament to the commitment the Miles Government has to regional Queensland.

“The Rockhampton Ring Road will transform Rockhampton.

“Increased connections to key precincts in the city will improve access and travel times to critical services including the hospital and emergency services, open up new travel routes for the defence services, the leisure, retail and education precincts, and move through-freight out of the city, decreasing conflicts between heavy vehicles and commuter traffic, improving road safety and the ambience of the city.”

Extra background information:

To maximise local engagement, Local Buy targets are embedded in the contract, and throughout the contract development process the importance of engaging local businesses and resources has been prioritised with the contractor joint ventures.

Within less than 10 weeks of possession of site, local sub-contractor engagement on the Rockhampton Ring Road project is already tracking well with 47 of the 68 contracts awarded to date going to local businesses.

The target for local engagement on this first construction package is more than 80 per cent of sub-contract value awarded to local business. While its early days for construction delivery, on South Package 1 contract value awarded to local businesses is already at 85 per cent.

Further opportunities for engagement on the project will be available as the delivery strategy for the full scope of the project is confirmed and further packages of work are released to the market.

Appeal to locate man missing from Hunter region

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man missing from Hunter Valley region.

Jared Jones, aged 38, was last seen on McLeod Street, Aberdeen, about 9pm on Sunday (28 January 2024).

When he couldn’t be contacted or located, officers from Hunter Valley Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

Police hold concerns for Jared’s welfare.

He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 165cm – 170cm tall, medium build, with blond hair and brown eyes.

Jared was last seen wearing a blue t-shirt, navy blue shorts and a black baseball cap.

He is known to frequent the Aberdeen and Aberglasslyn areas.

Anyone with information into his whereabouts is urged to contact Hunter Valley Police District or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.

GREENS SAY NEW LATE-NIGHT A380 SERVICE SHOWS NEED FOR CURFEW AT BRISBANE AIRPORT

From October 1, flights EK430 (Dubai to Brisbane) and EK431 (Brisbane to Dubai), will be serviced by A380s, the world’s largest passenger plane, and one of the world’s noisiest.

The flights would land in Brisbane at 10:40pm and depart to Dubai at 1:55am.

Elizabeth Watson-Brown MP, Greens spokesperson for Transport, Infrastructure and Sustainable Cities said:

“The last thing Brisbane residents need is a 2am wake-up call from the world’s largest passenger plane roaring straight over their houses.

“This is exactly why the community and the Greens have been campaigning so strongly for a curfew, just like the curfew Sydney already has.

“Brisbane Airport should have a curfew on flights between 10pm and 6am.

“At a time when the Brisbane community is crying out for action on excessive flight noise, it is insulting that BAC and Airservices Australia are allowing a new A380 service to fly over people’s homes in the middle of the night.

“The Greens won’t stop fighting to ultimately secure a flight cap and curfew that would deliver long-term relief for Brisbane residents.”

Rural health recruitments and retentions surge

Rural health worker recruitments and retentions have surged by one fifth in just the last six months, after the NSW Government doubled the support available under the Rural Health Workforce Incentive Scheme, from $10,000 to $20,000.

As of 18 January 2024, since it was first introduced in July 2022, the Rural Health Workforce Incentive Scheme has recruited 1628 health workers and retained 9447 health workers in some of the hardest to fill and critically vacant positions in rural and regional NSW.

Since incentives were doubled, the scheme has recruited a further 315 health workers and retained a further 1932 health workers.

Incentive packages include a range of additional benefits including salary boost, sign-on bonuses and retention payments of up to $20,000 per annum, relocation assistance and housing, additional leave, and access to training and education.

Packages are scaled and increase in value in more remote locations.

One of those individuals is Soumya Baby, a registered nurse at Gilgandra Multi-Purpose Service, who relocated from New Zealand to Gilgandra with her family through the NSW Rural Health Workforce Incentive Scheme in November 2023.

Ms Baby began her career training, working and educating general nursing students in her home country of India, before moving to Dubai and then New Zealand, where she worked as a maternity, paediatric, COVID-19, aged-care and emergency nurse.

The doubling of the rural health incentives forms part of the NSW Government’s broad range of measures to boost staff and tackle worker shortages in the bush, including:

  • rolling out an extra 500 regional and rural paramedics
  • delivering safe staffing levels in our hospitals, including in the bush
  • preparing to roll out health worker study subsidies for those working in regional and rural areas
  • rolling out health worker accommodation
  • boosting more doctors in our regional GP surgeries as well as hospitals through the expansion of the single employer model which makes it easier for doctors to transfer their employee benefits between workplaces.

Find out more about eligibility, benefits and the application process for the NSW Rural Health Workforce Incentives Scheme

Isla makes debut as most popular girl’s name in NSW, while Oliver’s golden age reinstated

For the first time, Isla has been preliminarily declared as the most popular girl’s name, beating familiar rivals for the 2023 crown, while Oliver has made a return to the top boy’s spot after his eight-year streak was broken in 2022.

In an unexpected twist, Isla is sharing the podium this year with 2020 favourite Amelia, with the duo tied in a rare dead heat at 383 registrations each in 2023.

The reign of queen Charlotte may be over with last year’s winner dropping to fifth place in 2023, but the beloved moniker had its time, ranking number one for seven of the past 12 years.

The name Lily reemerged this year in position seven, having last made the top 10 in 2010 in the exact same spot.

Oliver returns to the top boy’s spot after a one-year hiatus. For eight years in a row between 2014 and 2021, Oliver dominated the pick of parents but was briefly surpassed by Noah in 2022.

Leo, Henry and Luca have also returned in the class of 2023. Hudson appeared in the top 10 boy names for the first time in 2023, after just missing out in 2022 at 11, and steadily climbing the ranks since making a first appearance in the top 100 in 2012.

All births in NSW must be registered with the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages within 60 days of the child being born and can be done for free on the Service NSW website, by visiting your local Service Centre or by calling 13 77 88.

The final placings will be confirmed around April when the top 100 names are released and with Isla and Amelia currently tied, any newborns yet to be registered could help decide 2023’s most popular name.

Only after registering the birth of the baby is the child given a legal identity, allowing it to access government services like education, Medicare and Centrelink. Minister for Emergency Services

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib said:

“Welcoming a beautiful baby into the world is one of the most incredible and rewarding moments a parent can experience.”

“It can be just as special for parents to choose a name for their baby, reflecting their newborn’s personality or celebrating a cultural or family tradition.”

“There were some strong contenders for top baby names of 2023, some familiar entries continuing to hold strong and a few surprises as well.”

“I wish all the parents who welcomed a new addition to their family last year a happy start to parenthood.”

NSW Births, Deaths and Marriages Registrar Theresa Fairman said:

“There are a million different things on your mind when you’re caught up in the excitement of caring for a new baby.”

“But it’s important to jump online and register their name. The online process is easy to navigate and completely free.”

More information on registering your baby

Top 10 baby names 2023:

RankTop 10 Girl Names – 2023
=1Isla
=1Amelia
3Olivia
4Mia
5Charlotte
6Ava
7Lily
8Evelyn
9Sophia
10Matilda
RankTop 10 Boy Names – 2023
1Oliver
2Noah
3Leo
4Henry
5Luca
6Theodore
7Hudson
8William
9Lucas
10Charlie

Top 10 baby names 2022:

RankTop 10 Girl Names – 2022
1Charlotte
2Amelia
3Isla
4Olivia
5Mia
6Ava
7Ella
8Matilda
9Sienna
10Willow
RankTop 10 Boy Names – 2022
1Noah
2Oliver
3Leo
4William
5Theodore
6Jack
7Luca
8Henry
9Thomas
10Charlie

NSW Government expands innovative virtual care service statewide

The NSW Government’s free virtualKIDS Urgent Care Service is now available to all children and families across the state, and has already helped almost 1,000 families since expanding late last month.

Families from across NSW are now able to access virtualKIDS via referral from healthdirect on 1800 022 222.

Within a month of being elected last year, the NSW Labor Government committed to a statewide rollout – to help more families access the right care, at the right time, and in the right place.

virtualKIDS uses video conferencing technology to connect families with a clinical nurse to determine the best care pathway based on each child’s needs.

This may be visiting an emergency department, a consultation with a virtualKIDS expert paediatrician, a trip to the GP, or recovering at home with guidance for the family.

Around two in three kids referred to the Urgent Care Service avoid needing to step foot in an emergency department.

The NSW Government’s statewide rollout helps parents and kids avoid unnecessary trips to hospital and potentially long waits to be seen, especially if after-hours.

It also puts downward pressure on our emergency departments, which helps seriously ill children and adults to be seen sooner.

There is no cost to parents or carers if their child has a Medicare card – it is just like a visit to a hospital emergency department.

The successful virtualKIDS pilot began in August 2021 during the height of the pandemic and saw more than 20,000 COVID-positive children receive specialist care in the comfort of their own home.

Until this expansion, the Urgent Care Service was only for families within three local health districts that were home to specialist paediatric hospitals – South Eastern Sydney, Western Sydney and Hunter New England Local Health Districts.

The service continues to be delivered by the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network (SCHN) and Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD) in partnership with healthdirect.

Since accepting calls from across NSW late last month, almost 1000 children and their families have benefitted.

The service is expected to continue supporting at least 500 children and their families each month.

Parents and children calling healthdirect are assessed and, if appropriate, connected to the virtualKIDS service, where a clinical nurse consultant will review the child’s symptoms and medical history to determine the best course of action.

virtualKIDS Urgent Care Service is for children up to 16 with non-life-threatening health concerns.

Parents and carers should call Triple Zero (000) for an ambulance or go to a hospital emergency department immediately if they have a life-threatening emergency.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

“Our Government has expanded the virtualKIDS Urgent Care Service to help families across NSW.

“This program is free and can help you and your child avoid a stressful trip to an emergency department.

“It allows families to be seen faster while reducing pressure on already stretched emergency departments and our frontline healthcare workers.

“The NSW Government is working hard to rebuild our health system and ease wait times, and urgent care teams are part of that.

“If you’re thinking about taking your child to emergency as a precaution, and it’s not life-threatening, just call healthdirect first and ask for a referral to virtualKIDS.”

Minister for Health Ryan Park said:

“The expansion of the virtualKIDS Urgent Care Service statewide will also see it provide specialist paediatric advice to clinicians in rural and regional hospitals, and to paramedics in non-emergency situations.

“The expansion of virtualKIDS forms part of the NSW Government’s commitment to deliver 25 Urgent Care Services in NSW by mid-2025.”

Dr Joanne Ging, Director of Clinical Operations at Sydney Children Hospitals Network said:

“The service has been well received by patients and their families, with more than two thirds of children accessing the service receiving the care they needed without requiring an emergency department visit.

“Commenced as a pilot in December 2022 across three local health districts (LHDs), the service has since benefited almost 3,700 patients, 85 per cent of whom are under five years of age, with eight per cent identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.”

Dr Paul Craven, Executive Director of Children, Young People and Families at Hunter New England Local Health District said:

“The service has significantly enhanced access to timely urgent care for children and their families, offering them a channel to receive reliable support from nurses or paediatricians, as well as primary care services, all from the convenience of their homes.”

Tolland Estate moves to next stage of renewal

New housing for those in Wagga Wagga who need it most is a step closer with draft zoning plans now on exhibition for a mix of 500 social, affordable, and private homes at Tolland Estate.

The Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC) rezoning proposal for Tolland Estate will deliver 500 new homes, 200 of which will be social and affordable housing. The project will add around 1200 construction jobs to the community.

The proposal includes the delivery of infrastructure to provide the roads, utilities, drainage, footpaths, and landscaped parks for future residents.

Wagga Wagga City Council has been working closely with the LAHC for more than 2 years in the development of the draft masterplan, and this is the next step towards rezoning the land to enable development.

The planning proposal, discussion paper, and technical studies are on exhibition for public submissions from Monday 29 January to Monday 26 February.

Get more information and make a submission on the Tolland Estate, Wagga Wagga.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said: 

“This project will help us meet the critical need for more housing in the Riverina.

“This long-term staged redevelopment will create a functional community made up of modern single and double-storey homes which are designed to be more economical and easier to maintain.

“Tolland Estate will deliver quality homes to Wagga Wagga, increasing housing choice and affordability while also creating hundreds of jobs during the construction phase.”

Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said:

“The renewal of Tolland Estate will deliver approximately 500 new homes for those in need, and we are not stopping there. We’ve got a further 70 new social homes in the pipeline to be delivered over the next 4 years.

“We’re exploring every possibility with all levels of government and stakeholders to deliver more social housing right across the state but especially in regional areas like Wagga Wagga.

“This is a great example of our commitment to get people who need it most into a safe and secure home faster.

“The redevelopment will be a staged approach to minimise disruptions for residents. We will continue to work closely with tenants to prioritise temporary relocations within the community to a property that meets their needs. All tenants have the right to return to new homes at Tolland Estate once the development is complete.

Member for Wagga Wagga Dr Joe McGirr said:

“Housing is an essential human right and with more than 600 people on the social housing waitlist in Wagga Wagga I am looking forward to seeing further growth in this area to address the housing needs of the community.

“The expansion of social and affordable housing is a core policy priority for me and it’s great to see it being delivered.

“Public exhibition of the planning proposal means we want the community’s feedback and ideas, including the best ways to support residents who will be moving to be new and improved housing when the project is delivered.”

New exemption makes it easier for farmers to fight fires

Transport for NSW and the NSW Rural Fire Service have partnered to launch a trial registration exemption for farmers to help rural firefighting efforts this bushfire season.

Farmers can play a key role in protecting their own or neighbouring properties in the event of a bush or a grass fire, particularly before emergency response personnel are able to attend the fire.

Now, during a trial period that ends on 31 March, the NSW Government is allowing farmers to drive vehicles they use for firefighting purposes unregistered within a 100km radius of their home.

Farm Fire Fighting Vehicles (FFFVs) tend to be vehicles used to move around farm properties and not on public roads, and therefore may not be registered.

The legal use of these vehicles on public roads to attend nearby fires is an important change during the final few months of the bushfire season, and is something many farmers and rural advocates have been calling for.

The RFS has recognised the value of these vehicles and the important role farmers play in firefighting efforts in rural areas.

As well as staying within a 100km radius of the storage address, the vehicle must be maintained in a safe operating condition and have fire-fighting equipment permanently attached to be eligible for the exemption.

The trial will run until 31 March 2024 and will inform future options for FFFVs.

Find further information and nominate a vehicle for the trial.

Farmers can also contact Service NSW on 13 77 88 or visit their nearest Service NSW centre.

Minister for Roads John Graham said:

“The Labor Government is committed to exploring innovative solutions to help out with rural firefighting efforts and this trial will do just that.

“For the duration of the trial, farmers will see the removal of red tape that will allow them to ready vehicles for protecting land, property, stocks and crops.

“The mosquito fleet as it’s affectionately known, has been an incredible asset for regional, rural and remote areas and I am glad the Labor Government is supporting the farmers to continue their vital, life saving work.”

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

“Landholders in rural areas can play a key firefighting role and this trial allows us to test an arrangement that rural advocates have been calling for.

“February and March could be challenging months for bush and grass fires, and it is expected this exemption will make it easier for landholders to fight fires on or near their properties.

“This trial reflects our commitment to strengthening community safety and resilience, particularly in rural bush and grass-fire-prone regions.”

Commissioner of the RFS Rob Rogers said:

“Landowners with these vehicles and equipment play a critical role as initial responders to grass fires.

“This will lead to an even more integrated relationship between farmers and the RFS, leveraging all available resources and the expertise and dedication of farmers in safeguarding our communities.”

NSW Farmers Rural Affairs committee member Garry Grant said:

“Stopping fires as soon as we can to minimise damage and loss is the ultimate goal.

“The opportunity to take part in this trial will see the important relationship between the RFS and farmers develop even further.”JHUUUUUU

New program gives kids control of their own school run

Primary school students are being given a running start in 2024, as the NSW Government today announces a new $10 million Active Transport to School program to encourage children to safely walk, scoot or ride their bikes to school.

The program will fund small projects in walking, scooting and bike riding catchments around public schools, making it easier and safer for kids to travel to school.

It will deliver upgrades including wider footpaths, safer crossings and new street trees over the next 2 years.

Data shows only 25% of NSW school children currently walk or ride to and from school, down from 75% 40 years ago, meaning less incidental exercise for kids and more traffic outside the school gates.  

The initial $10 million fund will widen footpaths, upgrade the quality of crossings and plant shady street trees in areas surrounding schools. Funding for individual Active Travel to School projects will range from $50,000 to $800,000 with projects being delivered within 2 years.

To help parents and carers to encourage their children to walk or bike ride to school, the NSW Government is also looking at incentives and educational programs that promote the benefits of active transport and how to safely walk or ride to school.

Whatever way you travel, it’s important to prepare for your return to school.

Drivers are reminded that school zones will be back in force around primary and secondary schools on Tuesday 30 January. School zones are clearly marked with flashing lights and school zone signs.

School zones are generally in place from 8 to 9:30am and from 2:30 to 4pm, and motorists who don’t obey the rules face heavy fines and demerits.

For students catching public transport, student Opal cards will also activate on the first day of term. Parents and students travelling to a new school for the first time can plan their trip using school trip planner.

In the final few days before school returns, the Department of Education and Transport for NSW recommend practising travelling to and from school with your child, to take the stress out of day 1.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

“When I was at school, I remember walking there with my sister and we want more children right across NSW to have that opportunity, just like we had.

“No matter how you travel, we’re committed to making it as easy and as safe for every child in our state to get to and from school.

“These funds will play a critical role in funding small projects that otherwise go ignored, that will make a huge difference for children that walk and ride to school.

“With thousands of new students travelling to school for the very first time this week, it’s more important than ever for all users of our public transport system and roads to take extra care.”

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

“It is important we invest in improving safety around our public schools.

“While walking or riding to school is not an option for every family, the NSW Labor Government is committed to encouraging it where possible.”

Minister for Roads John Graham said:

“We urge motorists to slow down and watch out for children in school zones as the new school year begins. School zones are clearly marked with flashing lights and signs.

“Children are some of our most vulnerable pedestrians and their safety should be everyone’s top priority. Kids can be unpredictable and they are still developing their road sense so it’s critical that anyone driving in school zones does so without any distraction and an eye out for children.

“Obey the speed limit and be vigilant when you’re driving near bus stops, school crossings and Kiss and Ride Zones where children are often present. Motorists who don’t obey these rules face heavy fines and demerits.

“Remember, no matter where you are on the road – even outside school zones – if you see bus lights flashing, you need to slow down to 40km/h as the bus is picking up or dropping off children.”

Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said:

“The benefits for children walking or riding a bike to school are enormous. It provides independence, improves health and self-confidence, and sets lifelong sustainable travel habits patterns.

“When fewer school kids are being driven to school, it also helps to alleviate congestion on the road network.

“That’s why, as part of our most recent budget, we put an additional $10 million to the Get NSW Active program to specifically deliver projects within walking catchments to primary schools.

“Upgraded and wider footpaths, quality crossings and more trees are some of the initiatives available for funding. They’re small changes that have a big impact as we work to provide a safer and more comfortable walk or ride to and from school for kids and parents.

“These projects will be delivered by councils, who have applied for funding in consultation with their local schools.”