Category: NSW News

The Minns Labor Government is building more inclusive communities for older people by partnering with community groups and councils to host activities and events that encourage seniors to remain active, engaged and healthy.

Applications are now open for the $200,000 NSW Seniors Festival Grant Program 2026, with funding of up to $5,000 and $10,000 available for events taking place during next year’s festival taking place from 2-15 March.

The theme for 2026 is ‘Live life in colour’, to encourage seniors to celebrate new adventures and embrace creativity, new connections and an active lifestyle.

The annual festival is the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, attracting more than 500,000 people across the state to attend free and low-cost activities and events focusing on art, sport, music, entertainment, technology, travel, health, wellbeing and recreation.

This year, 35 organisations hosted events across the state that were attended by about 17,000 older people, including bush dances, art retreats, fitness classes and high teas.

The grant program offers funding of $1,500 to $5,000 for community programs and activities, and up to $10,000 for local government hosted large-scale activities.

The Seniors Festival is the Minns Labor Government’s way to celebrate our state’s seniors and thank them for their continuing contributions to our local communities. Importantly, it is a key part of our actions to build inclusive, age-friendly communities for older people, so they can stay safe, active and healthy.

Applications close on Tuesday 12 August 2025. Applicants should visit the grants program website to see past recipients understand the types of events that receive funding.

Visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/seniors-festival-grants-program/nsw-seniors-festival-grant-program-2026 to apply. Regional applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.

Minister for Seniors, Jodie Harrison said:

“There are about 1.9 million people aged 60 and over in New South Wales – or about 23 per cent of the state’s population – and they are important members of our community who should be recognised and celebrated.

“Each year the NSW Seniors Festival brings joy and laughter to thousands of our seniors. These grants help ensure that the festival extends across the state, providing opportunities for all seniors to get involved, enjoy new experiences, continue learning, and stay active and connected.

“I strongly encourage local governments and community groups – especially those in our regional areas – to apply to host events and activities for a seniors audience at next year’s Festival.”

The Minns Labor Government has delivered another blow to the state’s small businesses in its recent Budget by axing funding for the highly successful Service NSW Business Connect program.
 
Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said small businesses are the engine room of our economy and the backbone of local communities.
 
“They’re run by mums and dads, and young entrepreneurs giving it a go.
 
“Cutting support like Business Connect doesn’t just hurt balance sheets; it hurts jobs, confidence, and the next generation of business owners.
 
“Government should be making it easier to succeed, not harder,” Mr Speakman said.
 
Shadow Minister for Small Business Tim James said the decision to defund the program was short-sighted and deeply damaging.
 
“The Minns Labor Government has turned its back on small businesses at a time when they are grappling with soaring costs, weak consumer confidence and economic uncertainty,” Mr James said. “NSW leads the nation in number of business insolvencies.”
 
Business Connect has supported thousands of small businesses across NSW by providing up to 8 hours of free, one-on-one tailored advice that assists businesses with strategic guidance, digital marketing, financial planning, business resilience and more.

“Business Connect has delivered real and tangible assistance to small businesses, but despite positive feedback from small business on the benefits, Labor has pulled out the axe.”
 
The program is now scheduled to end on 30 September 2025.
 
“These cuts will hurt already struggling small businesses. It’s not just a cut to advice, it’s a cut to confidence, innovation and jobs,” Mr James said. “It’s a cruel irony given Labor’s record spending and growing debt.”
 
The Liberal and National Opposition is calling on the Minns Labor Government to urgently reverse this decision and commit to continuing to fund Business Connect services.
 
“Small business owners deserve better than to be abandoned by the Minns Labor Government,” Mr James said.

FDC Renews Support for Netball NSW at 2025 First Nations Netball Tournament Netball NSW is proud to confirm that leading construction and fit-out company FDC has renewed its support as the sole sponsor of the Netball NSW (NNSW) Warada team competing at the 2025 First Nations National Netball Tournament. As part of the overall cost of sending the team to the event, a $20,000 investment from FDC will ensure that every Netball NSW athlete is fully funded to compete. This funding covers travel, accommodation, playing kit, and high-performance support. Unlike athletes from other teams, who pay levies of more than $1,000, these players will attend with no out-of-pocket costs—removing financial barriers to participation. “We are incredibly grateful to FDC for their ongoing support of our First Nations team,” said Netball NSW CEO Tracey Scott. “We are grateful for their commitment to continue to work in partnership with NNSW to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players, coaches and umpires have the opportunity to shine on the national stage.” After backing the team at the inaugural tournament in 2024, FDC’s continued sponsorship reaffirms the company’s strong commitment to creating meaningful opportunities and pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander athletes, coaches, and umpires in New South Wales. “At FDC, we believe in the power of sport to bring people together and create real opportunities,” said FDC’s founder Ben Cottle. “We’re especially proud to support a tournament that not only celebrates First Nations excellence, but also champions women in sport and gender equality. This partnership with Netball NSW reflects our commitment to fostering the next generation of leaders — on and off the court — and aligns closely with our Reconciliation Action Plan and broader dedication to equity, inclusion and social responsibility.”

The 2025 First Nations National Netball Tournament will take place at Frankston’s Jubilee Park Stadium from Wednesday 20 to Sunday 24 August. Now in its second year, the event will expand from three to five days—reflecting its rapid growth and increasing importance as a celebration of First Nations excellence in netball. Launched in 2024, the tournament marked a historic milestone in Australian netball, offering a national platform to showcase Indigenous talent and accelerate the development of future stars. Three NSW athletes — Acacia Ellers, Jayda Grant and Jaylah Boney — were selected from last year’s tournament to join the Black Swans to compete at the 2024 Pan Pacific Tournament. “We’re really grateful to FDC,” NSW First Nations representative Jaylah Boney said. “Through this partnership we know that we’ve got the best high performance support provided to us by Netball NSW.” FDC’s sponsorship represents more than financial support. As a longstanding champion of women’s sport and major partner of GIANTS Netball, FDC’s commitment to the NSW First Nations team reflects a deep belief in sport as a vehicle for change, empowerment, and reconciliation. With FDC by their side once again, the Netball NSW First Nations team is set to take the court in 2025 ready to inspire—on and off the court.

Hundreds of families across the Riverina are a step closer to accessing fee-free, high-quality early learning, with contracts awarded for four brand-new public preschools in the region.

Each public preschool will be co-located with an existing public primary school, making drop-off and pick up easier for busy families and helping children transition into kindergarten with confidence.

As the biggest expansion of public preschools in the state’s history, the NSW Government’s rollout of 100 more public preschools will provide access to high quality early learning for up to 9,000 children across NSW by 2027. Of the 100 new public preschools, 51 are metropolitan Sydney and 49 are in regional NSW, prioritised in areas of highest need based on a rigorous selection process.

The four public preschools will be built at:

• Beelbangera Public School
• Deniliquin South Public School
• Hanwood Public School
• Leeton Public School

A fifth public preschool will also be delivered in the Riverina region through the multimillion-dollar upgrade of Parkview Public School announced by the Premier earlier this year.

Zauner Construction Pty Ltd will deliver the four public preschools, with construction expected to begin later this year and doors opening by early 2027. Contracts for the public preschool at Parkview Public School will be awarded later this year.

Once open, the five sites will cater for up to 400 local children a week.

They will join the recently opened Gulyangarri Public Preschool in Liverpool – the first new public preschool built in NSW in almost 20 years.

This is part of the Minns Labor Government’s record investment to rapidly expand the provision of public preschool in NSW, funded by our record investment in the 2024-25 Budget. 

This historic investment is a major turnaround from the former Liberal National Government, who didn’t build a single public preschool in 12 years. 

Acting Minister for Education and Early Learning Courtney Houssos said: 

“Access to preschool can be difficult for young families, particularly in regional areas, which is why we are delivering five new public preschools across the Riverina in areas where they are needed most.  

“The Minns Labor Government, with the advocacy of Deputy Premier Prue Car, is committed to improving access to free, quality public preschool for our youngest learners because we know how crucial early learning is for a child’s development.   

“The former Liberal National government failed to deliver for young families in the regions and didn’t build a single new public preschool while in office.  

“The Minns Labor Government made this historic commitment to deliver the biggest expansion in public preschools in NSW’s history because we strongly believe all children should have access to high-quality early education, no matter their postcode.” 

Minister for Regional New South Wales Tara Moriarty said:

“Early learning is a vital first step in a child’s education and these new fee-free preschools will help our regional communities thrive. 

“With 49 new public preschools across regional NSW, this historic investment is a major turning point for regional families after years of neglect by the former Liberal National Government who failed to invest in public preschools.

“Families in our regions deserve access to high-quality early learning and I am proud to see the Minns Labor Government continuing to make significant investment in regional communities.”

Member for Murray Helen Dalton said:

“As a former school teacher, I understand the incredible value that pre-school education creates for our children and our community.”

“I commend the work the Minns Labor Government is doing in this area. It will significantly improve the level of education children in the Riverina receive.”

“By building these four pre-schools at existing primary school locations, it will make life easier for families when it comes to pick-up and drop-off times.”

“This is extremely important in regional areas particularly, given the distances that can be involved.”

The Hundreds of families in the state’s south-east are closer to fee-free early learning, with contracts awarded to deliver four new public preschools.

The new public preschools will offer places for up to 320 children a week across the region, providing quality early education to give our youngest learners the best start in life.

These preschools will be co-located on local public primary school grounds, making drop-off and pick up easier for busy families and helping children transition into kindergarten with confidence.

Zauner Construction Pty Ltd will deliver the four public preschools, with construction expected to begin later this year and doors opening early 2027.

The four public preschools will be built at:

• Boorowa Central School
• Moss Vale Public School
• Queanbeyan East Public School
• Queanbeyan South Public School

They will join the recently opened Gulyangarri Public Preschool in Liverpool – the first new public preschool built in NSW in almost 20 years.

As the biggest expansion of public preschools in the state’s history, these sites are part of the Minns Labor Government’s $769 million commitment to build 100 public preschools by 2027, with almost half located in the regions. Site selection prioritised areas of highest need – including long-overlooked parts of South Eastern NSW – based on a rigorous selection process.

Once complete these 100 public preschools will provide places for 9,000 children across NSW to benefit from high-quality early education in their local community.

This is part of the Minns Labor Government’s record investment to rapidly expand the provision of public early learning in NSW, backed by record investment in the 2024-25 Budget.

This historic investment is a major turnaround from the former Liberal National Government, which didn’t build a single public preschool in 12 years.

Acting Minister for Education and Early Learning Courtney Houssos said: 

“Access to preschool can be difficult for young families, particularly in regional areas, which is why we are delivering four new public preschools across the towns in the state’s south-east in areas where they are needed most.

“The Minns Labor Government, with the advocacy of Deputy Premier Prue Car, is committed to improving access to free quality public preschool for our youngest learners because we know how crucial early learning is for a child’s development. 

“The former Liberal National government failed to deliver for young families in the regions and didn’t build a single new public preschool while in office.

“The Minns Labor Government made this historic commitment to deliver the biggest expansion in public preschools in NSW’s history because we strongly believe all children should have access to high-quality early education, no matter their postcode.”

Member for Monaro Steve Whan said:

“Labor is delivering what the former Coalition government wouldn’t – local preschools, local jobs and access to fee-free early learning for our community.

“I am very excited over government is delivering the public preschools we promised at Queanbeyan East and Queanbeyan South public schools.  Both schools serve a population that needs additional affordable preschool options and it will help break down barriers to quality education.

“I look forward to construction getting underway for the new preschools shortly.”

The Minns Labor Government has delivered the largest increase in government-built public, community and affordable homes in over a decade.

In the past year alone, 1711 new social and affordable homes have been built or brought back into use as part of the Minns Labor Government’s historic $6.6 billion Building Homes for New South Wales program. 

This includes:

• 1408 new public, community and affordable homes built or delivered by Homes NSW; and
• 303 long-vacant public homes brought back into use.

Homes NSW has helped rehome 7,796 households over the past year, providing thousands of families with a safe and stable place to call home.

This is in sharp contrast to the previous Liberal National Government, who sold off more than 4730 homes in 12 years.

While this progress is promising, there is still much more to be done, which is why the Government is keeping its shoulder to the wheel to ensure homes are being delivered, not just promised and the public housing system is being rebuilt after a decade of neglect.

Last year the Minns Labor Government announced the largest investment in housing in the state’s history, through the $6.6 billion Building Homes for New South Wales package.

This included $5.1 billion to deliver over 8,400 new social homes, with at least 50 per cent of which will be prioritised for victim survivors of domestic and family violence.

This work has continued in this year’s budget with a world leading pre-sale guarantee to accelerate housing construction and help tackle the state’s housing supply challenges.

At the same time the Government has introduced the largest planning reforms in a generation including standing up the Housing Development Authority and building well-located homes around public transport hubs.

The Minns Labor Government is getting on with the job of delivering well located residential, social and affordable homes.

Premier Chris Minns:

“We are getting on with the job of delivering the social, affordable and residential housing that New South Wales needs.

“Today’s numbers are a really positive sign that we are making progress, but there’s still more to be done.

“We are losing twice as many young people as we are gaining on a year-by-year basis and a city without young people is a city without a future. The only way we can provide that future is with housing.

“We are cutting red tape, introducing landmark reforms, releasing surplus government land and making unprecedented investments to confront the housing crisis facing the state.”

Minister Rose Jackson:

“This is the biggest year for social and affordable housing in our state’s modern history. We’re not just talking about the housing crisis, we’re doing something about it.

“For too long, governments walked away from public housing. We’re rebuilding it. Brick by brick, house by house, street by street.

“We inherited a public housing system that was left crumbling, where homes sat empty or were sold off. We’ve brought those homes back to life. We’ve got a long way to go, but this milestone proves that when you invest in housing and make it a real priority, you can change lives.

“This is about dignity. It’s about recognising that everyone deserves a safe, secure and affordable place to call home and housing is a human right.”

The NSW Coalition will introduce a Bill in Parliament to crack down on criminals and make NSW the hardest place in Australia to sell illegal tobacco and vapes. 

Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said while other states have cracked down on illegal tobacco, the Minns Labor Government has let NSW become the easiest place in the country for crooks to make money.

“Everyone knows what’s going on — these dodgy shops are all over our suburbs, run by criminals selling illegal tobacco and vapes like it’s completely normal. Chris Minns has done nothing while communities and small businesses wear the cost. If Labor won’t clean it up, we will,” Mr Speakman said.

“Our plan will shut these shops down, hit the criminals with million-dollar fines or jail, and make it crystal clear — if you’re dealing illegal tobacco in NSW, your days are numbered. No more soft touch. No more excuses.”

Shadow Attorney General Alister Henskens said the Minns Labor Government has allowed criminals to easily defy the law. 

“Organised crime has had a free ride under this NSW government. These aren’t corner stores — they’re fronts for crime gangs.  Chris Minns has let them pop up in plain sight and endanger our community with random violence,” Mr Henskens said. 

“Our laws will disrupt their business model by shutting the doors, tearing up the leases, and putting the crooks behind bars. If you’re breaking the law, under the Coalition, there will be nowhere to hide.” 

Shadow Health Minister Kellie Sloane said communities across NSW were crying out for real action on illicit tobacco. 

“We are seeing high streets across NSW being taken over by dodgy tobacconists and organised crime gangs profiting from Chris Minn’s inaction,” Ms Sloane said.

“We can’t risk a new generation getting hooked on cheap cigarettes and destroying their health because the Minns Government failed to act on enforcement and tougher penalties.”

Shadow Regional Health Minister Gurmesh Singh said criminals now see NSW as a soft target given the state’s weak penalties and enforcement.

“Victoria, Queensland and South Australia have all stepped up with tougher penalties and strong enforcement. Chris Minns inaction has left NSW exposed to more criminals, more violence and more illicit tobacco,” Mr Singh said. 

The Coalition’s Public Health (Tobacco) Amendment (Stopping Illicit Tobacco) Bill 2025 will:

• Further increase the penalties for the sale of illicit tobacco, including prison sentences of up to 7 years for serious offending or a $1.5 million fine. 
• Provide NSW Health with the power to issue closure orders for businesses selling illicit tobacco and vapes for up to one month.
• Provide magistrates with the power to issue closure order for businesses selling illicit tobacco and vapes for up to 12 months. 
• Give lessors the statutory right to terminate leases where a closure order has been issued. 
• Create a new offence for lessors who knowingly permit their tenant to use the store for the sale of illegal tobacco or vapes.

They first hit the tracks 11 months after Neil Armstrong made the lunar landing — and in the 55 years since have travelled enough kilometres to reach the moon 17 times each.

Friday marks the end of the line for the Sydney Trains V-sets that have worked the Sydney to Central Coast line every day since June 1970, and then to Newcastle from 1984, covering an estimated 140 million kilometres during their time in service.

The retirement of the 21 stainless steel, double-deck trains allows the full implementation of the 10-carriage Mariyung trains providing a more spacious cabin, more comfortable seating, accessible toilets, charging ports and many more security and safety features.

The final ever V-set service to Newcastle departs Central Station at 9:20pm Friday and will arrive shortly after midnight Saturday.

Based on 21 V-sets in the fleet, doing a combined 140 million kilometres, is the equivalent of each train travelling:

• 17 times to the moon (a journey of 384,400 kms)
• 1,733 times between Sydney and Perth (a journey of 3,846 kms)
• 41,928 times from Sydney to Newcastle (a journey of 159 kms).

The V-sets were built in Granville by Commonwealth Engineering – known as Comeng – between 1970 and 1989 and were described as ‘the most luxurious commuter stock in the world’ when they hit the tracks.

That claim no longer holds water and they have gradually been phased out as the new Mariyungs have entered service. From 30 June, 19 Mariyung trains will have entered service and be fully deployed on the Central Coast and Newcastle Line, with all 38 local stations able to accommodate a longer 10-car configuration.

The Mariyung has extra leg room, high seat backs, tray tables for laptops and charging ports for mobile devices.

The Minns Labor Government is committed to returning rail manufacturing, recently launching industry engagement for the Future Fleet Program, which is seeking to revive domestic manufacturing, create thousands of jobs and boost the economy.

The Government has committed to start procuring the replacement of the ageing Tangara fleet of suburban passenger trains by 2027, with a 50% local content target for designing, building, and maintaining the new fleet.

V-sets will continue to run on the Blue Mountains line before they are replaced by Mariyungs. The South Coast line will get Mariyungs following their introduction to the Blue Mountains.

Minister for Transport John Graham said:

“They were space age for their time and it’s almost unfathomable that they have made it to the moon 17 times each in equivalent kilometres during more than five decades on the tracks.

“Today is a moment to say thank you to the workers who built these trains in Sydney that lasted so long in work, with some upgrades along the way. In farewelling the V-sets we reaffirm our commitment as a government to rebuilding a local rail manufacturing industry here in NSW.”

Minister for Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said:

“Millions of train passengers use the Central Coast and Newcastle line every year and now they can regularly enjoy a more comfortable, safe and accessible service.

“While I understand many train buffs will be sad to see the old V-set carriages go, our community has waited patiently for the new Mariyung fleet and all the comforts they provide.”

Chief Executive of Sydney Trains Matt Longland said:

“Today we honour the legacy of the old V-set trains which have carried generations of passengers up and down the line, as we step into a new era with our Mariyung fleet.

“It’s the end of a proud chapter in our transport history, and the beginning of a new one — one that will deliver a more comfortable travelling experience for passengers.”