Category: NSW News

Legislation passed overnight will allow the Minns Labor Government to step in and bring an end to the Liberals’ privatisation disaster at the Northern Beaches Hospital.

The passage of this bill draws a line under the Liberals’ failed privatisation experiment at the expense of acute public hospital care.

The bill, introduced by the Independent Member for Wakehurst Michael Regan, allows the Government to terminate the failed PPP contract as if a hospital operator default had occurred, if a negotiated outcome with Healthscope and its receivers cannot be reached.

It remains the preference of the NSW Government that a negotiated agreement on the future control and operation of the Northern Beaches Hospital can be achieved.

In the absence of agreement, the government now has the authority to intervene and avoid a prolonged dispute for members of the community, hospital staff and NSW taxpayers.

The legislation gives the Health Minister the power to issue a statutory termination notice to Healthscope, ensuring there are no windfall gains to the company or its receivers.

The Minns Labor Government has been clear in its opposition to the Liberals’ privatisation model when it comes to delivering acute public health services.

Earlier this month, the government banned any repeat of the Liberals’ failed PPP public health model in the future.

This second piece of legislation gives the government stronger powers to clean up the Liberals’ mess and reset the operating model for the Northern Beaches Hospital.

Discussions between the Northern Beaches Hospital Taskforce, Healthscope and its receivers remain ongoing, and the NSW Government is hopeful of a productive outcome.

NSW Health will continue to work closely with Healthscope to ensure that patient safety and continuity of services at the Northern Beaches Hospital will not be compromised as negotiations continue.

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:

“This equips the government with the ability to step in and end the Liberals’ privatisation disaster once and for all.

“We have banned any repeat of the Liberals’ failed privatisation model into the future.

“We don’t take this lightly.

“We remain hopeful of reaching an agreed exit from the failed PPP contract. But now we have the ability to step in and protect the Northern Beaches community from this dragging on.”

Health Minister Ryan Park said:

“We don’t want to have to use this power.

“But the extent of the mess the Liberals left us to clean up leaves us with few options.

“I still believe we can resolve this through negotiation, but we have to put the community, the patients and the taxpayers first – no windfalls, and no delays.”

NSW Ambulance has welcomed 127 new paramedic interns and 28 trainee emergency medical call takers, after they were officially inducted into the service in a ceremony at the State Operations Centre, Sydney Olympic Park. 

Following this latest induction, there are now more than 500 new paramedics and more than 80 emergency medical call takers who have joined the service since the beginning of the year, further boosting frontline health services across the state.  

The new recruits come from a range of backgrounds, including paramedic intern Rowena Meredith, a former Tokyo Olympics 2021 bronze medallist, and trainee emergency medical call taker Taylah Ferguson, the daughter of a former paramedic who joins us from London Ambulance Service.  

The paramedic interns will be posted across NSW to complete the on-road portion of their 12-month internships, before taking permanent positions in metropolitan and regional areas.   

The emergency medical call takers will be posted to the Sydney and Northern control centres.

Minister for Health, Ryan Park:

“I want to extend a warm welcome to these new starters and thank them for choosing a rewarding career with NSW Ambulance. Their journey is just beginning but these new staff continue a legacy of care and commitment.

“The induction of these new health staff reflects the continued growth and evolution of NSW Ambulance.

“Each new officer has already demonstrated the core values of integrity, compassion, and service which remains central to NSW Ambulance.”

NSW Ambulance Chief Executive Dr Dominic Morgan:

“Welcoming new staff into the service is both a privilege and a reminder of the enduring commitment required, serving the community in times of need.

“The contribution of additional workforce will further enhance the capacity of the service to deliver timely, professional and patient-centred care.

“The integration of new practitioners strengthens our foundations, ensuring delivery of consistent and high-quality care into the future.”

Rowena Meredith:

“Being involved in a high-performance team sport such as rowing, allows me to bring many transferable skills to my new career.

“I’m excited to be forging a new path and bringing to fruition a long-held career plan of paramedicine after the highs and lows of professional sport.”

Taylah Ferguson:

“My father was a paramedic for many years, and I always felt inspired to pursue a path with NSW Ambulance.

“Providing that vital first contact and initial support to a person in need, is incredibly rewarding.”

The Minns Labor Government is continuing work to build a safer New South Wales by implementing Pathways to Prevention – the state’s first dedicated domestic family and sexual violence primary prevention strategy.

As part of this $38.3 million program, more than $1 million will be invested in Local Government NSW to support councils and communities across the state in preventing domestic and family violence.

This partnership builds on the recent launch of the Multi-Sport Coalition for primary prevention, bringing together professional sports clubs, state sporting organisations, industry stakeholders and the government to use their influence to address the drivers of domestic, family and sexual violence and progress gender equality through sport.

The Government is taking a whole-of-community approach to primary prevention, to help change attitudes that condone violence against women and children.

Local councils are key connectors in their community, often working with local organisations and linking into domestic and family violence support services, so they present a unique opportunity to lead a coordinated best practice approach to primary prevention of gendered violence.

The funding allows Local Government NSW to:

• employ a Domestic and Family Violence Primary Prevention Officer who will coordinate primary prevention activities with local councils, communities and non-government organisations to improve community awareness and understanding
• develop a guide to help councils deliver localised primary prevention initiatives including action planning templates and prioritisation tools
• provide unconscious bias training, gender equality initiatives, and resources to boost awareness and understanding of primary prevention across all local councils in NSW.

This work forms part of a wider NSW Government effort to stop the violence before it starts.

The implementation of the $38.3 million Primary Prevention Strategy goes hand-in-hand with the Minns Labor Government’s ongoing work to eliminate of domestic, family and sexual violence through early intervention, crisis response and recovery. This includes:

• $48 million to expand the Staying Home Leaving Violence Program statewide, and the Integrated Domestic Family and Violence Service
• legislative reforms to make it harder than ever for alleged domestic violence offenders to get bail
• introducing electronic monitoring for alleged serious domestic violence offenders
• strengthening laws to protect against repeated breaches of apprehended domestic violence orders.

Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig said:

“Eliminating domestic and family violence is a complex challenge that requires the whole of government and the whole of community to work together to achieve this goal.

“As the closest level of government to communities, councils can play an important role in preventing gendered violence and help build a society that promotes gender equality, healthy relationships and is free from violence.”

Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said:

“We know that domestic, family and sexual violence is preventable – and primary prevention is about stopping it before it starts.

“We want to work with local communities on the ground to change the underlying beliefs and cultures across our society that have tolerated – and even condoned – violence against women and children.

“We can’t do this alone. We need councils – and the communities they represent – to help.

“Our investment in primary prevention complements our ongoing work to support victim-survivors of domestic and family violence and ensure perpetrators are held to account.”

NSW Women’s Safety Commissioner Dr Hannah Tonkin said:

“Local councils are in a unique position to increase awareness and understanding of domestic, family and sexual violence and drive lasting change in their communities.

“By harnessing local knowledge and networks, primary prevention initiatives can play a critical role in fostering attitudes and behaviours that result in safer communities.

“I’m pleased to see that local primary prevention initiatives will be supported through the partnership announced with Local Government NSW.”

Blue Mountains Mayor Mark Greenhill said:

“Local governments play a key role in advocating for the prevention of domestic violence.

“A collaborative approach is needed to address domestic and family violence, and that must involve working directly with the community.

“This partnership will support us to continue our existing work with local community groups and organisations to provide frontline care and ongoing prevention.”

Support:

If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, call the Police on Triple Zero / 000.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence, call the NSW Domestic Violence Line on 1800 65 64 63 for free counselling and referrals, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For confidential advice, support, and referrals, contact 1800 RESPECT or 13 YARN.

If you are worried about your own behaviour and use of violence, contact the Men’s Referral Service online or by phone on 1300 766 491.

Young people will have a seat at the boardroom tables of the Sydney Opera House, Art Gallery of NSW, Powerhouse Museum, Australian Museum, State Library of NSW and Museums of History NSW.

The Minns Labor Government has legislated to add a director aged 18 – 28 on each of the boards of the six cultural institutions.

A youth seat will develop a new generation of arts and cultural leaders, giving them exposure to the way cultural organisations deal with complex operational, financial and governance issues.

Sector-wide consultation in the development of the state’s 10-year arts, culture and creative industries policy, Creative Communities, identified the need to increase cultural access and opportunities for young people. Bringing the next generation of cultural leaders to decision-making tables is a critical way for their voices to be amplified.

This initiative is one of three key structural changes affirming the NSW Government’s dedication to the next generation of creatives and the value of culture in the lives of young people.

1. Young People on Boards: the Cultural Institutions Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 is intended to come into effect on 1 July and the new members of the board must be appointed by 1 October 2025. A 4–6-week Expression of Interest application process opens today.
2. Creative Youth Network has been established to advise key government Ministers directly on issues impacting young people engaged in the arts, culture and creative industries.
3. Creative Industries strategies. The government is working with sector representatives on targeted strategies for future growth, including in digital games, fashion and literature. In the digital games and creative tech space, the Screen and Digital Games Act2025 explicitly recognises and prioritises the development and support of the NSW digital games sector. The new legislation recognises digital games as a core creative industry and significant economic contributor, and will ensure better cooperation across government agencies, reduce red tape, and increase opportunities for screen and digital games production.

These initiatives follow the passing of the Creative Statement to Parliament Bill 2025, mandating the preparation of a Statement to Parliament every three years on the size, complexity and health of the sector and drive whole-of-government support of arts, culture and creative industries in NSW.

Successful applicants will undertake the Australian Institute of Company Directors Foundations of Directorship™ (Public Sector) course, the costs of which are covered by the Advocate for Children and Young People, to support them through the onboarding process with these important boards. This training and the opportunity to be on key arts boards will feed into the sector and create the next generation of arts and culture leaders with a strong skill set in board governance.

Information about the expression of interest can be found here.

Minister for the Arts, Music, Night-time Economy, Jobs and Tourism John Graham said:

“We are developing the next generation of arts and cultural leaders and lovers.

“One of the key commitments in the Creative Communities policy was to ensure the next generation of cultural leaders are at the decision-making table, including advising Ministers directly.

“That is why we’ve established the Creative Youth Network, and why we’ve introduced legislation to ensure all our Cultural Institutions have a board seat for young creative practitioners. These are key steps to keep our cultural institutions and broader arts and cultural sectors as relevant, dynamic and loved by audiences into the future as they have been in the past. “

About the Cultural Institutions

• The NSW Cultural Institutions play a critical role in supporting the arts and creative industries.
• Collectively, they reach across all disciplines within the creative industries, engaging almost 19 million visitors annually through their doors, and supporting over 2,500 direct jobs.

About the Creative Youth Network

The Creative Youth Network is an advisory, non-statutory network that will meet twice a year. Establishing the Network fulfills an important commitment from the NSW Government’s 10-year arts, culture and creative industries policy, Creative Communities. Members represent many areas of the arts, cultural and creative industries.

The first meeting attended by the Minister of the Arts, Music, Night-time Economy, Jobs and Tourism, John Grahamand the Minister for Youth and Mental Health, Rose Jackson.

The inaugural meeting brought young creatives together to discuss and provide direct advice to the Ministers. This followed on from a Creative Communities consultation roundtable with young creatives with Minister Jackson in 2023 prior to the release of the policy.

Key initiatives raised in the meeting include:

• An undertaking to introduce legislation to ensure all Cultural Institutions have a new, additional role on their board for a younger artists or leading cultural workers.
• Developing a financial literacy toolkit and module to support artists and practitioners as well as small to medium organisations in the sector.
• Further developing pathways to support and mentor emerging artists and practitioners, and make this a condition of NSW Government funding.

NSW is celebrating a bumper year for business events, with the sector forecast to inject more than $192 million into the state’s visitor economy in 2025.

Tourism Research Australia data confirms NSW and Sydney were Australia’s number one region and city for business events in 2024. With 2025 already tracking strongly, NSW is poised to extend its lead as the nation’s business events capital.

Business Events Sydney has already secured 57 events for 2025, expected to generate $186 million in direct expenditure, with additional events still in the pipeline. 

Destination NSW’s regional business events program, Business Events NSW, has also helped secure 57 events, forecast to deliver 14,500 visitor nights and more than $6 million in direct expenditure.

Leading events on the 2025 calendar include the International Astronautical Congress 2025, which will attract 4500 delegates to Sydney in September and generate an estimated $21 million in direct expenditure for the NSW economy.

Business events are a high-value driver of the NSW visitor economy. The NSW Visitor Economy Strategy Review identified the sector as a priority growth opportunity with business events delivering visitors who stay longer and spend more, and create year-round demand for hotels, venues and visitor experiences across the state.

In 2024, NSW welcomed 6.48 million business events visitors, including 3.41 million to Sydney. By comparison, Victoria recorded 4.84 million business events visitors and Melbourne attracted 3.06 million, reinforcing NSW’s national leadership in this space.

The state’s major events calendar is also stimulating demand for international conferences and corporate events. Hundreds of business events were hosted during Vivid Sydney 2025 (23 May to 14 June), including a harbour cruise for delegates attending the 16th World Congress on Endometriosis.

Secured by BESydney, the congress was held at ICC Sydney from 21-24 May 2025, drawing 1100 participants from 60 countries and generating an estimated $3.9 million in direct expenditure over four days.

Destination NSW highlighted the growing value of business events and corporate travel at its annual Business Events NSW Showcase at Machine Hall, Sydney on 25 June 2025.

The event presented Destination NSW’s refreshed ‘Feel New’ positioning for business events in regional NSW. Under the banner ‘Corporate events that feel anything but’, Business Events NSW spotlighted the distinctive venues, experiences and communities that offer a compelling alternative to traditional business event formats and experience.

Minister for Tourism Steve Kamper said:

“Business events attract high-value visitors to NSW and the NSW Government has ambitious plans to turbocharge its domination in the sector.

“The annual Business Events NSW Showcase is a fantastic initiative to drive sector growth by spotlighting the diversity of transformative visitor experiences on offer in regional NSW.

“The opening of Newcastle Airport’s international terminal and Western Sydney International Airport will make it even more attractive for organisations to choose Sydney and regional NSW as immersive destinations for their next conference, corporate meeting or incentive event.”

Destination NSW CEO Karen Jones said:

“The business events sector is a powerhouse for the NSW visitor economy, driving high-yield visitation and long-term growth.

“Through the Business Events NSW Showcase, Destination NSW was proud to partner with industry across the state to reimagine what corporate events can be – engaging, meaningful, and distinctly NSW.

“With world-class venues and unique visitor experiences, regional NSW offers business events that spark real connection and deliver stronger outcomes for delegates and destinations alike.”

BESydney CEO Lyn Lewis-Smith OAM said:

“BESydney recently launched its ‘The Sydney Series: Beyond the Icons’ featuring some of the city’s leading experience providers as a guide for delegates who enjoy the road less travelled and want to experience something new and exciting in Sydney.

“Sydney is brimming with events and experiences that are geared towards visitors and locals alike and we want delegates who come to our city to feel at home and enjoy our warm Sydney welcome.

“We find major events like Vivid Sydney are particularly popular with our corporate and incentive groups that are seeking ‘money-can’t-buy’ experiences with the wow factor to inspire and reward their top performing team members and distributors with cultural pursuits that showcase Sydney ‘beyond the icons’.”

The Minns Labor Government has secured the future of an important wildlife corridor in the Sutherland Shire with the purchase of more than 30 hectares of ecologically valuable bushland.

The Woronora Heights site is a habitat haven, with recent surveys showing the land is home to several vulnerable species including the Powerful Owl, Red-crowned Toadlet, Greater Broad-nosed Bat and the Eastern Pygmy-possum.

The area is also known to have a variety of koala feed trees. Locals have observed koalas taking a snack stop as they use the corridor to travel safely through suburban bushland.

The Minns Labor Government is proud to deliver this election commitment, to protect the environment and ensure our precious native creatures and plants exist here for generations to come.

The corridor, previously owned by Sydney Water, is well known for its walking track along a heritage pipeline. The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service will reserve the area as a regional park, which will allow for the continued walking of dogs on a lead.

Sydney Water will retain access rights to carry out essential maintenance of the pipeline while ensuring minimal impact on the surrounding environment.

Minister for the Environment, Penny Sharpe:

“I want to thank Maryanne Stuart and her community for their campaign to protect this land.

“There are so many important species that call this bushland home, and I’m thrilled it will now be protected forever in our National Parks system.”

Minister for Water, Rose Jackson:

“This is a win for the local community and the environment. By transferring this land into the hands of National Parks, we’re locking in long-term protection for precious bushland and vital koala habitat.

“It shows how the government can make better use of what we have – protecting nature while keeping our essential infrastructure running smoothly. Sydney Water can keep doing its job, and we can safeguard a key wildlife corridor for generations to come.”

Member for Heathcote, Maryanne Stuart:

“I am so happy to see this land saved as a wildlife corridor. I thank the residents and all who campaigned. During COVID we know how vital this bush land was for our community, our health and wellbeing.

“We are grateful to the Minister, Penny Sharpe and the National Parks and Wildlife Service for the action they’ve taken to protect this vital habitat for so many vulnerable species for generations to come.”

The Minns Labor Government is launching a $2.9m SafeWork NSW ‘irreplaceable’ campaign highlighting the importance of staying safe at work and the impact of workplace injuries and fatalities on families, communities, and businesses.

The SafeWork campaign reinforces that while everyone is important at work, they are irreplaceable at home, whether they be a parent, son or daughter, sibling, partner, friend or teammate.

According to recent figures, there was an annual average of 52 work-related fatalities reported in NSW in the past three years. That’s one death every week over 12 months.

The initiative will be rolled out from Sunday 29 June across television, radio and social video platforms and caters for various Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) audiences.

The campaign follows the NSW Government’s 2025-26 Budget announcement to strengthen the state’s work health and safety regulator with a major $127.7 million investment over the next four years to address psychosocial hazards and compliance and enforcement of safe work practices.

The Budget investment will see SafeWork NSW inspector numbers bolstered from 370 to 469 in total over the past two years which amounts to a 27 percent increase.

51 new inspector roles will be recruited, which includes 20 psychosocial-focused inspectors and five psychosocial investigators.

An expanded SafeWork NSW inspectorate sharpens the agency’s focus on psychological health at work, provides dedicated resources on psychosocial injury prevention, investigations and prosecutions, and ensures employers meet their return-to-work obligations to injured workers.

It also strengthens SafeWork NSW’s capacity and capability as the agency becomes an independent regulator on 1 July 2025.

The funding will also see SafeWork NSW establish a new Psychosocial Advisory Service, which will connect NSW workers with expert support, and where needed, escalate work health and safety breaches to dedicated psychosocial inspectors.

The service will be staffed by a team of seven appropriately qualified staff and deliver up to 25,000 consultations or assessments each year.

The targeted reform is part of a broader $344 million Workplace Mental Health package, strengthening mental health support and injury prevention strategies in NSW workplaces.

For more information, or for access to free advice, toolkits and resources to stay informed on workplace health and safety, visit the SafeWork NSW website here or call 13 10 50.

More information on how businesses should manage psychosocial risk at work is available on the SafeWork NSW website: https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/hazards-a-z/mental-health

Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis said:

“I welcome this advertising campaign and new funding as we continue to reform and reshape SafeWork NSW into the strong and robust regulator needed to secure safe and healthy workplaces. 

“We will take a firm stance to address persistent issues, working with industry, unions, workers and their representatives to secure compliance with our work health and safety laws.

“Every worker has the right to go to work and come home safely to their family and friends.”

SafeWork NSW Executive Director Strategic & Corporate Services Petrina Casey said:

“We hope this campaign can drive home the message that while we may be important at work, the people we go home to at the end of the day are what matters most and if this can help drive some behavioural changes in the workplace, it’ll go a long way to saving lives.

“Unfortunately, a lot of people believe workplace safety doesn’t impact them and that accidents at work happen to other people. We hope this campaign drives home the message that workplace safety affects everyone.

“Workplace safety is everyone’s responsibility because ultimately, we are all irreplaceable to the ones we love.

“This campaign will no doubt help SafeWork NSW continue its important role in addressing persistent issues, by working with workers, industry and unions to secure compliance with our work health and safety laws.

“We are continuing to reform and reshape SafeWork NSW into the strong and robust regulator needed to secure safe and healthy workplace in NSW.“

Eight teenage girls have the future of women’s and girls sport in their hands following their selection to the Minns Labor Government’s first Teenage Advisory Committee, as part of the Play Her Way Strategy.

The teenage girls – ranging in ages 16 to 19 from across NSW – were chosen following a state-wide process to identify a group who could be a voice on some of the biggest issues affecting young women in sport. 

The Teenage Advisory Committee is an initiative of the Minns Labor Government’s Play Her Way Strategy, a four-year plan to get more NSW women and girls involved and staying in sport. 

Play Her Way has a focus on addressing the low rates of participation among adolescent girls after research found a 23 per cent gap in participation rates among boys and girls aged 15-17 in NSW. 

The Teenage Advisory Committee will provide advice to the NSW Government on how to break down the barriers preventing teenage girls participating in sport and propose new and innovative ways to keep teenage girls involved.

Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said:

“The Teenage Advisory Committee is a fresh approach for the way government develops sporting programs for women and girls.  It flips the script by letting women and girls control their destiny and determine how they play sport. 

“The committee members come from a range of backgrounds, experiences and locations to represent the voices of teenage girls aged 16–20. 

“By giving them a voice, we’re providing a platform to create, advise and inspire change in sport for teenage girls. 

“The Teenage Advisory Committee will shape initiatives that increase participation and retention across NSW. 

“Through the Teenage Advisory Committee, Play Her Way is delivering on what it says: ensuring every woman and girl in NSW can play sport her way.” 

Teenage Advisory Committee Member Matilda Webb, 16, from Bella Vista said:  

“I’m so excited to be chosen as part of this incredible group of diverse girls from across NSW to work on a really exciting strategy and government program to help empower girls and women in sport.  

“Hearing all the diverse voices in the group, it really highlighted that there are common themes that we all value in sport.” 

Teenage Advisory Committee Member Sadida Wilson, 18, from the Central Coast said:

“There are so many opportunities for girls in sport right now, whether they are playing or whether they are looking for a job working in the sports industry – it’s a really exciting time.”

Teenage Advisory Committee Member Jasmine Patankar, 18, from Kellyville said:

“I’m most excited to be able to contribute to offering better and more positive experiences for girls in sport.  

“I’m involved in coaching, so to be able to see the opportunities and experiences the girls I coach are wanting to have, and to be able to have a positive impact on that, will be really cool.”

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib has appointed a new Commissioner, Trent Curtin, to lead the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS).

The RFS is the lead emergency service agency in NSW for bushfires, providing support for communities through its 70,000 volunteer members across a network of almost 2,000 brigades.

The RFS also provides fire and emergency services to protect homes, attend motor vehicle incidents and during search and rescue operations. The RFS works closely with other emergency services in responding to emergencies and natural disasters including recent events like Cyclone Alfred and the mid-north coast floods.

Mr Curtin commenced his career 30 years ago as a volunteer firefighter with the Country Fire Authority in Victoria and has served in senior leadership roles in the emergency services in both Victoria and NSW. These roles included Acting Deputy Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner at Fire and Rescue NSW with responsibility for Community Fire Unit volunteers. He also served as Assistant Chief Fire Officer at Fire Rescue Victoria between 2015 and 2020.

Mr Curtin has extensive experience battling major fires, floods and coordinating large-scale responses involving multiple agencies to significant emergency incidents.

The incoming Commissioner will also bring to the RFS a strong track record in crisis management, organisational strategy and a lifelong commitment to safety. He joins the RFS from SafeWork NSW where, as head of SafeWork, he led efforts to reestablish the agency as a strong and independent work health and safety regulator.

The appointment follows a competitive recruitment process undertaken by the Department of Communities and Justice. Mr Curtin will take up his role as Commissioner from Monday, 14 July 2025.

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

“I am pleased to announce Trent Curtin will be the new Commissioner of the NSW RFS.

“Mr Curtin has extensive experience as an emergency services leader in NSW and Victoria, where he has been involved in managing significant fires and large-scale natural disasters and working with volunteers.

“RFS volunteers are at the forefront of the State’s natural disaster response. From the 2019-20 bushfires to more recent flood events, they are a reassuring presence for communities in need.  

“Mr Curtin started his firefighting career 30 years ago as a volunteer and I look forward to working with him as he brings his emergency service expertise to an organisation at the frontline of bushfire response.

“I thank the outgoing Commissioner Rob Rogers who will finish in the role on 4 July for his four decades of service to NSW communities.”

Incoming Commissioner for NSW RFS Trent Curtin said:

“Having spent most of my life as a firefighter, I am honoured to be appointed Commissioner of the NSW Rural Fire Service and to work alongside the committed volunteers and staff who represent the very best of community spirit.

“The RFS plays a vital role in our communities, responding in the most difficult circumstances to help others in their time of need.

“I look forward to honouring the legacy of the RFS as a community-centred agency, while ensuring we remain ready to meet the challenge of more frequent and intense natural disasters.”

The Minns Labor Government is taking the next step in the heritage revitalisation of the Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo, confirming Richard Crookes Constructions has been awarded the main works contract to deliver the $300 million renewal of the Ultimo site.

Richard Crookes Constructions was selected through a competitive tender process and have extensive experience delivering complex cultural infrastructure projects for the NSW Government – including Naala Badu (Sydney Modern) and the Walsh Bay Arts Precinct revitalisation.

During construction, the Powerhouse Museum Ultimo Revitalisation project will create around 750 jobs, and inject $225 million into the local economy.

Infrastructure NSW, who are responsible for delivery of the project, and the Powerhouse Museum collaborated with award-winning architects Durbach Block Jaggers, Architectus, Tyrell Studio and Youssofzay + Hart to reimagine and renew the iconic 146-year-old cultural institution.

Key features of the new design include:

• Conservation and restoration: Preserving the heritage-listed Power Station buildings for ongoing adaptive reuse by the Powerhouse Museum.
• New and improved exhibition spaces: Designed to meet international museum standards for exhibitions across the applied arts and sciences, exhibition spaces will increase to 7,500sqm, (up from 6,850sqm)
• Reorientation: Aligning the museum to face The Goods Line, enhancing connections with the Sydney CBD, including easier access to the Museum from major public transport options. The new entrance will reveal the heritage facades of the original power station built in 1899 and the 1902 Turbine Hall.
• Activation of the Harris Street façade: Enhancing the museum’s contribution to the Ultimo streetscape, including subsidised workspaces for NSW practitioners across the applied arts and sciences, and a community meeting space.
• Central circulation system: Establishing an intuitive and accessible circulation system to support a high-quality visitor experience.
• Reimagined public domain: Delivering a 2,000sqm public space at the northern end of The Goods Line, a landscaped courtyard adjacent to the former Ultimo Post Office, and an internal courtyard accessible from Macarthur Street.

During the tender process, all three contractors advised that parts of the Wran and Galleria buildings’ internal steel structure are unsafe, with design of steel structures, load capability, fabrication and erection found to be non-compliant with the National Construction Code if retained. As such the internal steel structures will need to be disassembled and replaced to ensure the safety of construction workers on site and the long-term structural integrity of the buildings.

Following feedback, a modification to the development’s approval will be lodged with the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure next week which will include allowing for the dismantling and replacement of the Wran and Galleria building’s non-compliant internal steel structures, while continuing to maintain the heritage requirements of the built form.  

These modifications are covered within the existing budget.

Site preparation works, approved under the State Significant Development Application, continue to be carried out with main works construction expected to take up to three years.

The 1899 Ultimo Tram Depot (The Harwood Building) will continue to be used for museum operations including conservation laboratories, workshops and staff offices.

Following the conclusion of the revitalisation, the Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo will continue to exhibit its iconic objects from the collection, including the Boulton & Watt Steam Engine, the Catalina flying boat Frigate Bird II and Locomotive Number 1.

For more information visit the Powerhouse Ultimo website.

Minister for Jobs and Tourism and Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said:

“We are confident Richard Crookes Constructions, with their extensive experience and proven track record in delivering complex heritage revitalisations and renowned Sydney cultural institutions, is the perfect choice for this project.

“The Minns Labor Government committed to preserving and enhancing this iconic institution for future generations and confident this revitalisation will deliver the best and safest outcome for the museum and the passionate community of visitors who eagerly await its completion.

“Importantly the shape and scale of the iconic Wran and Galleria buildings will be safely replaced and future-proofed, so they can be enjoyed by visitors and the community for decades to come. 

“Keeping the structures is not only unsafe and non-compliant, it would cost the taxpayer more and give a limited warranty on the buildings, which isn’t justifiable given the end product will look the same.”

Minister for the Arts and Minister for Music and Nighttime Economy John Graham said:

“As custodians of one of the largest and most exceptional collections of objects in Australia, the Powerhouse Museum plays an important role in bringing the arts, design, science and technology and their history together.

“That is why the Minns Labor Government is investing in the heritage revitalisation, to secure the future of the Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo, and make sure the museum is equipped with a range of exhibition spaces to meet international standards and showcase the Powerhouse Collection to its fullest potential.

“We always maintained we will preserve the Wran legacy with this project, and that is why some materials in the Wran and Galleria buildings will be replaced and rebuilt, to ensure a long future for these buildings.”