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The Minns Labor Government is providing $5 million in funding to support downstream businesses who have been impacted by the moratorium on timber harvesting within the proposed boundary of the Great Koala National Park.

The new Forestry Industry Supply Chain Program will offer help of up to $100,000 to a downstream business that relied on impacted timber mills so they can meet increased operating costs.

The eligible businesses usually source their hardwood or wood by-products from one of the impacted sawmills. They will now be able to apply for assistance to cover the cost differences of sourcing similar products from a new supplier, including for an increase in freight costs.

Downstream businesses could include specialised, operations that process timber into finished or semi-finished goods, such as furniture manufacturers.

Eligible businesses could also include businesses that use sawdust for biomass energy generation, or use eligible wood by-products such as wood chip, wood shavings, and sawdust.

The NSW Government is working closely with the impacted mills businesses, workers and the broader industry on immediate costs and impacts, while progressing their long-term options and ensuring appropriate support for workers.

Immediate support already being offered to affected workers and their families includes:

• Business Continuity payments flowing to impacted mills to ensure workers are being paid while further support is being finalised
• The Rural Financial Counselling Service providing free and independent financial counselling to businesses
• Training Services NSW providing advice on training to bridge skills gaps and helping to identify suitable job opportunities
• TELUS Health services providing 24/7 confidential mental health and financial counselling services to affected workers and their immediate family.

The NSW Government has also committed $6 million to a Community Grants package which will provide support to small businesses and the community on the Mid North Coast, creating new jobs and investment. Further details will be announced soon.

The NSW Rural Assistance Authority is administering the Forestry Industry Supply Chain Program. Applications will open on Tuesday 7 October 2025 and close on 8 December 2025, or when available funding is allocated.

For further information about the Forestry Industry Supply Chain Support Program, including eligibility and guidelines, go to www.nsw.gov.au/greatkoalanationalpark

Minister for Agriculture and Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said:

“Our Government’s priority has been supporting the impacted mills and their workers, and now we have more details on those businesses operating downstream of the mills we have been able to develop this program of support for them.

“When we announced the proposed boundaries and moratorium for the new park we stated we would provide financial assistance to impacted businesses and this supply chain support program is a demonstration of that occurring.

Minister for Small Business and Minister for North Coast, Janelle Saffin said:

“We are delivering on our election promise to create the Great Koala National park and ensure future generations can see these most precious of species in the wild.

“We are also delivering on our promise to work together to ensure no one is left behind. This decision will ensure downstream small businesses are supported as they search for new opportunities.

“There will also new opportunities created for tourism and small business under a $6 million package that we will develop in consultation with local communities to grow jobs and investment as the Great Koala National Park is established.

The NSW Government will enhance trade and investment opportunities with Singapore through a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) focused on innovation and the green economy.

The MoU between Investment NSW and Enterprise Singapore – a statutory board under Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry – was signed today in Sydney, coinciding with Singapore Prime Minister Mr Lawrence Wong’s visit to Australia, and 60 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

The MoU will focus on sectors including energy, urban development, technology and transport, and will facilitate commercial partnerships between NSW and Singaporean companies, investors and entrepreneurs.

Key benefits of the MoU include:

• Encouraging investment from Singapore businesses into New South Wales.
• Enhancing NSW’s role as a home for Singapore startups and high-growth companies.
• Attracting innovators, entrepreneurs and scientists from Singapore to NSW’s innovation districts including Tech Central.
• Enabling NSW exporters to become early-movers in high-growth Southeast Asian markets.

The MoU aligns with the NSW Trade and Investment Strategy 2035, which emphasises government-to-government relationships and maintaining strong formal agreements in priority markets.

Partnerships like this, which focus on Southeast Asia’s technological advancements and economic growth, provide a strong foundation for the NSW Government’s longstanding relationship with the region to expand and deepen.

Minister for Industry and Trade Anoulack Chanthivong said: 

“This deal reflects our commitment to building deeper economic ties with Singapore through practical, forward-looking collaboration.

“It will help unlock new opportunities for NSW businesses in one of Southeast Asia’s investment hubs and fast-growing innovation sectors.

“This is a priority market replete with longstanding and likeminded trading partners.

“By working together, we’re strengthening our collective competitiveness, and creating new investment pathways for the future.

“The Australian Government has done a fantastic job strengthening our national relationship with Singapore, clearing the way for important agreements like these.”

Investment NSW Deputy Secretary Rebecca McPhee said:

“This agreement is a strategic step in delivering the NSW Trade and Investment Strategy 2035, with a clear focus on continued international engagement to drive innovation, sustainability and commercial outcomes.

“It will enable NSW companies to scale into new markets and attract Singaporean talent and investment into our state.

“We’re proud to partner with Enterprise Singapore to turn shared ambition into tangible growth.”

Enterprise Singapore Managing Director Cindy Khoo said:

“Over the years, Singapore enterprises have grown their presence in NSW, leveraging the state’s vibrant innovation ecosystem and push for decarbonisation, alongside the strong support of our partner and government networks in the market.

“With this latest partnership, we look forward to unlocking even more commercial opportunities and progress in areas of green economy and innovation. 

“I am confident that Singapore companies will make good partners, contributing expertise that can complement and support NSW businesses’ in their growth ambitions. These include providing proven innovative solutions and bringing with them relevant experience in Southeast Asia that can help open doors for NSW businesses to expand into the region.”

The Minns Labor Government’s ongoing statewide property audit has identified a further seven government-owned sites with the potential to deliver more than 600 new homes as part of its Building Homes for NSW program.

All sites identified as part of the land audit are first offered to Homes NSW and Landcom, the NSW Government’s developer.

Among the latest tranche of government-owned sites, three are in Greater Sydney and four are in regional centres.

In the Northern Tablelands region, Homes NSW are investigating the former Duval High School site in Armidale which has the potential for over 100 new social, affordable and market dwellings to support regional growth driven by the New England Renewable Energy Zone.

The site at Valla Beach, north of Nambucca Heads and close to the Pacific Highway, could yield more than 160 new dwellings. With sites at Boolaroo in the Lake Macquarie region and Broken Hill capable of delivering 190 new homes.

Among the newly announced Greater Sydney locations, the site at Whalan in the Blacktown local government area currently comprises lots which may support more than 120 new homes. Other sites in North Kellyville and Prairiewood could collectively provide around 19 new dwellings.

The Prairiewood site in particular is suited to low-rise housing using the Government’s recently announced NSW Housing Pattern book, which offers high-quality architect designs supported by a 10-day planning approval pathway to make it faster and more affordable to design and build a home.

The specifics of housing delivery including the quantity and types of homes for all newly announced property audit sites will be available once due diligence, planning and regulatory approvals are complete.

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said:

“We are continuing to tackle the state’s housing crisis head-on, these new sites, delivering more than 600 homes, continues our strong response to the housing supply crisis.

“The property audit program is delivering a steady pipeline of new housing development opportunities on unutilised surplus government land, to help address our critical shortage in housing supply.

“While stimulating housing supply in our urban centres is critical, we have also been able to identify key sites in regional cities such as Broken Hill and Armidale to deliver much needed housing to our regional communities.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“As the land audit continues to unlock land for new homes, the Minns Government is identifying sites that suit the NSW Housing Pattern Book designs and their 10-day approval pathway so builders can get straight on with building.

“As we tackle our housing supply challenges, we want to make sure there are homes that are well-designed, sustainable and adaptable to a range of lifestyle choices.”

Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said:

“Our land audit is delivering real results. Approximately ten thousand potential homes identified in just over a year shows the scale of what is possible when government gets serious about housing supply.

“We are making sure surplus public land is put to work for the community, not left sitting idle. Every one of these sites has the potential to deliver hundreds of homes where they are needed most.

“This is about more than numbers. From Armidale to Broken Hill to Sydney’s west, these projects will mean more people can afford to live near work, near family, and with the security of a roof over their head.

“Whether it is social housing, affordable rentals or market homes, we are determined to build every type of housing people in NSW need. That is the only way to tackle the housing crisis and give people a fair shot at a secure home.”

The Minns Labor Government is taking concrete steps to address the housing affordability and availability crisis across New South Wales. Today, Premier Chris Minns visited Albury to inspect the progress of the $12.8 million East Albury Housing project, which will deliver safe, modern homes for approximately 40 older residents before Christmas.

This project will include 14 one-bedroom and 10 two-bedroom units, providing vital affordable housing for the community.

In addition, planning approval has been granted for another 27 homes in North Albury, offering safe and well-located accommodation for over 40 residents. Located near bus stops serving Lavington and Albury, this development will feature 17 one-bedroom and 10 two-bedroom units, along with 19 car parking spaces, two internal lifts, landscaping, and fencing.

These projects form part of the Minns Government’s historic $6.6 billion investment to create a fairer and more accessible housing system across NSW by significantly boosting supply. Over the past year, the Government has delivered 1,711 new social and affordable homes, the largest increase in government-built public and community housing in over a decade.

This commitment contrasts sharply with the previous Liberal-National Government, which oversaw a dramatic reduction in public housing, decreasing from 110,805 homes in 2014 to just 95,765 in 2023. Between 2017 and 2021, their tenure saw only 2,257 new social homes built, while 3,269 properties were sold off or removed during that period.

The Minns Government remains dedicated to delivering more affordable and accessible housing for all New South Wales residents.

Chris Minns, Premier of New South Wales said:

“Housing affordability and availability continue to be the biggest challenges facing families and young people across the entire state, no matter where they live. 

“Our government is committed to reversing this trend by investing in new supply and cutting red tape to get things built faster. 

“While there’s still more work to do, it’s fantastic to see this project nearing completion, ensuring that 40 people will have safe and secure housing just in time for Christmas.”

Rose Jackson, Minister for Housing and Minister for Homelessness said:

“We announced the start of this project in November last year and here we are today proudly standing in-front of 24 brand new social housing properties which will give approximately 40 older residents a safe and secure place to call home.”

“These new social housing projects in Albury are an important step forward in our work to address the shortage of affordable homes.

“Projects like this are about giving residents stability, security, and a place to call home. Our government is committed to doing just that through significant investment and real action on the ground.”

Today is a day for compassion. It’s a day to remember innocent lives lost in Israel and Gaza, and to stand together as Australians in our shared hope for peace.
 
The Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023, were despicable acts of terror that shocked the world with their brutality and barbarity. The grief for the worldwide Jewish diaspora remains deep, and the later suffering of Gaza civilians is undeniable. Both communities deserve understanding, not hostility.
 
The Sydney Opera House is a symbol of unity and creativity It should never be used as a backdrop for division or protest. It belongs to every Australian, no matter their faith or background.
 
New South Wales is a place where people of all faiths and backgrounds live side by side. What makes us stronger is our willingness to listen, to be respectful if we disagree and to protect one another from hate.
 
There is no place in our state for anyone who glorifies terrorism or celebrates violence. We can condemn terror while showing compassion for those suffering in conflict.
 
I call on all community and faith leaders to speak with calm and decency. The words we use matter. They can divide, or they can heal.
 
Australians have always believed in fairness, tolerance and respect. On this difficult day, we should live those values, together.

Some of the biggest names in Australian netball will hit the court in the Illawarra this weekend for the Netball NSW Masters State Titles, hosted at the Illawarra Netball Association’s Indoor Sports Centre.

Australian Diamonds greats will headline a star-studded player list, joined by NSW Premier League athletes including Emily Keenan. Together, they will showcase the talent, experience and passion that makes the Masters competition one of the highlights on the Netball NSW calendar.

For the Illawarra, excitement is building with the home association fielding two teams, ready to test themselves against defending champions Eastwood Ryde and strong challengers from across the state, including Newcastle, Manly Warringah, Gosford, Shoalhaven and Port Stephens.

“Masters is such a special event because it’s not just about competition, it’s about connection – teammates who’ve shared so much of their careers coming together again. We know the standard will be high, but we’re excited to test ourselves against some of the best netballers in the state,” said Bec Bulley, former Australian Diamond, NSW Swifts and GIANTS player.

“Eastwood Ryde is proud to come into the tournament as defending champions. Our team has a long history together and we are really excited to hit the court again and get our connections firing,” Emily Keenan, former NSW Swift and Eastwood Ryde Premier League athlete said.

“We’re looking forward to coming up against some tough competition, seeing how we can respond and having plenty of fun along the way.” 

With every team playing each other once across the two-day tournament, fans can expect fierce competition, old rivalries reignited and new stories written as the best of the best come together in the Illawarra.

“Illawarra has a proud netball history and it’s really special to bring an event like this to our home court. Having two teams representing our association will add to the atmosphere and give the local community plenty to cheer about,” said Vanessa Sturman, President and Representative Coordinator of Illawarra District Netball Association.

Event Details:
11–12 October 2025
Illawarra Netball Association – Indoor Sports Centre

Teams: Baulkham Hills, Blacktown City, Eastwood Ryde, Gosford, Great Lakes, Hastings Valley, Illawarra (two teams), Manly Warringah, Newcastle, Port Stephens and Shoalhaven.

For detailed Team Lists, visit here.