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NSW Fair Trading and Australian Border Force bring the hammer down on the home building industry

NSW Fair Trading, alongside Australian Border Force (ABF), has completed a highly coordinated and unannounced one-day operation targeting illegal practices on residential building projects.

Several groups, made up of officers from both agencies, visited 26 North-West Sydney construction sites as part of ‘Operation Hammer’. The locations were covertly scouted ahead of time in Schofields, Box Hill, Grantham Farm and Kellyville Ridge.

Fair Trading’s Proactive Investigations Team checked contractors were licenced and supervising workers correctly. It is unlawful to contract to do residential building work without being appropriately licensed and proper supervision provided.

ABF officers collaborated with Fair Trading as part of its ongoing investigation of unlawful non-citizens working in the NSW home building industry.

Fair Trading spoke to 48 people and identified nine unlicensed contractors, issuing each an on-the-spot fine of $2,200 per infringement.

Further investigations will now begin into the building companies these unlicensed contractors were working with to determine if these companies are fit to be licensed.

The crackdown is in response to industry stakeholders who have raised concerns about an increase in unskilled workers in the NSW home building industry who are not licensed to contract work or are not supervised by accredited contractors.

Using unlicensed and unsupervised contractors is likely to lead to onsite safety concerns, poor build quality and defective buildings.

Fair Trading is proactively working to restore public confidence in the NSW building industry beginning with early intervention in the construction stage, identifying risks and defects to be fixed long before residents move in.

A tradesperson must be licensed to contract to do residential building work valued at more than $5,000, including the cost of labour and material, and to do all specialist work, regardless of cost, including plumbing, electrical wiring, and air conditioning work.

Fair Trading offers a free online tool to check the licence of an individual or companylaunch

Minister for Building Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“Operation Hammer is a warning to companies to stop employing unskilled and unlicensed contractors.

“We know there’s a strong correlation between builders breaking immigration law and those who don’t deliver quality to their customers.

“Tolerance for poor quality buildings and cutting corners for residents has worn out in NSW.

“This action is tough but necessary to stop unlawful practices impacting the NSW building industry.

“This operation helps protect NSW residents from moving into poor quality and potentially defective homes.”

Fair Trading Commissioner Natasha Mann said:

“Our officers, with the support of Border Force, executed this operation efficiently and professionally.

“The nine unlicensed workers are now off NSW building sites and the companies employing them will be investigated.

“Fair Trading is raising expectations about building quality. It is time the industry caught up.”

Life Saving Drugs Register tracks critical patient treatments

NSW Health, through the Clinical Excellence Commission (CEC), is establishing a new digital Life Saving Drugs Register tracking vital stock.

The new, digital register will update daily and pinpoint the exact location of these life-saving drugs to specific NSW public hospital departments.

The medicines on the Life Saving Drugs Register include those used to treat paracetamol overdose, snake and spider bites and poisoning from heavy metals, including 31 antidotes and 10 antivenoms.

The newly upgraded register will streamline the process for locating these medicines in time-critical emergencies.

The register replaces a web-based Excel spreadsheet updated every six months.

After confirming the location of the medicines, the digital register can connect to online maps showing the quickest route from the patient’s location to the medicine.

The new digital register is also accessible from mobile devices to support frontline workers caring for NSW patients in diverse and challenging environments.

The register links to evidence-based guidelines to give health workers direction on the most appropriate use of these vital medications.

People suspecting an overdose, poisoning, snake or spider bite are urged to call healthdirect 1800 022 222, NSW Poisons Information Centre 131126 or 000 if there are serious safety concerns.

Minister for Health Ryan Park said: 

“We are announcing today, the creation of a one-stop-shop for life saving drugs.

“Through this initiative, frontline emergency workers will be able to rapidly access critical lifesaving medicines for patients.

“This register will inform frontline workers of the nearest location of the medicines their patients need – saving time and saving lives.

“We are modernising our health system, finding efficiencies with new and innovative initiatives – I’ve always said, where we can do things better, we will.”

CEC Chief Executive Prof Michael Nicholl said:

“The new register will help ensure NSW patients are better able to access life-saving drugs, either by having medications urgently transferred or patients transported to the most appropriate hospital.

“The register has moved from a web-based Excel spreadsheet updated every six months, to a dynamic webpage with daily stock updates from each hospital’s pharmacy dispensing software.”

St George Hospital Emergency Specialist Dr Trevor Chan said:

“These highly specialised medications are designed for very unwell patients and need to be used quickly.

“The register supports health workers to find stock and ensure it is used with appropriate clinical guidance.”

Bird Week: New hope for rare Australian bird

Fresh surveys reveal the known population of one of Australia’s rarest birds has expanded to new areas, offering fresh hope for its survival.

The Mukarrthippi Grasswren is the Australian bird most likely to go extinct, with a significant 60 per cent risk by 2041. The Critically Endangered bird was previously spotted at two locations in and near Yathong Nature Reserve in central-west NSW, and in 2021, the total population was estimated to be between four and 20 birds.

However, recent surveys have discovered the Mukarrthippi Grasswren at three new locations within Yathong Nature Reserve, more than six kilometres away from the previously known habitat. These new sites feature the bird’s preferred spinifex and mallee habitat.

At least six birds have been observed in these new locations, expanding its known range.

To protect and restore the Mukarrthippi Grasswren, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service is declaring core habitat as an asset of intergenerational significance, providing stronger legislative protection under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974.

Special fire management plans are being developed, and the habitat will be included in a large feral predator-free area to prevent the rare bird being killed by cats. Research and monitoring efforts, including remote-sensing surveys to map key habitat, are ongoing.

“Mukarrthippi” [mook-wah-tippy] translates to “small bird of the spinifex” in the language of the Ngiyampaa people. The Mukarrthippi Grasswren is a subspecies of the striated grasswren.

They measure 14.5 to 19 cm long and weigh 15-23 grams, approximately the same as two AA batteries. Their slender bill, long blackish-brown tail, soft reddish-brown upperparts with white streaks, and buff underparts with heavy white streaking on the breast make them distinctive.

The survey and conservation efforts have been undertaken in collaboration with BirdLife Australia and have received funding from Saving our Species.

Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe said:

“The Mukarrthippi Grasswren is one of Australia’s rarest birds so finding more of them in new locations is a huge boost to our efforts to prevent its extinction.

“This discovery is thanks to dedicated field scientists who have been searching for the little bird in one of our most remote national parks.

“NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service is working to protect and restore this very elusive bird through fire management and feral animal control strategies.

“I hope the discovery will inspire many citizen scientists to take part in the 10th annual Aussie Bird Count this weekend, as National Bird Week draws to a close.”

A new central park for Sydney

The NSW Government has today announced plans to transform part of Moore Park Golf Course into a new thriving public park.

Moore Park Golf Course currently sits on 45 hectares of public land. The land has been operated as a golf course under successive service agreements with the NSW Government.

The current operating agreement expires in June 2026.

From that time, the NSW Government intends to repurpose up to 20 hectares of the golf course into a new central park in the heart of Sydney with more green space, grassroots sports and recreation.

It’s time this green space in the heart of the city shifts from being used only as a public golf course accessible only to paying golfers into parkland that supports our growing city.

The Government will commence public consultations with the City of Sydney, the local community, and stakeholders on how best to revitalise this public asset including for the use of community sport.

A discussion paper will be released in early 2024 to guide this consultation, including consultation with the current operator of Moore Park Golf Course on the future of the remaining holes and the operation of the clubhouse and driving range.

The Government’s preferred option is the western boundary and part of the section north of Dacey Avenue which will maximise accessibility to this much needed new park for residents of Green Square, Zetland and Waterloo.

Green Square urban renewal area presently has 33,000 people living within it.  It needs more open space as it is expected to become one of the most densely populated areas in Australia with the City of Sydney estimating that by 2040 80,000 residents will live within 2 km of Moore Park.

Visitors will also be the beneficiaries of access to this new park with over 30 million visits to the neighbouring Centennial Parklands every single year. The NSW Government will also commence discussions with the City of Sydney on a memorandum of understanding on ongoing maintenance of the new park.

Premier Chris Minns said:

“Over the past century, Sydney has changed significantly. When the golf course was first established, the surrounding areas were largely industrial lands.

“Significant urban regeneration has seen housing density around Green Square and Zetland transform industrial land into a vibrant community.

“As we work to tackle the housing crisis facing NSW by building up, we know that delivering public infrastructure including parks is more important than ever before.

“There is huge demand from residents in the city for a variety of community sporting facilities in the city’s inner south, and with further density planned this will only grow.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“We’ve always said were focused on increasing housing with supporting infrastructure – today’s announcement is a great start, that’s why we have committed $2.2 billion in enabling infrastructure in the Budget.

“This land is part of Sydney’s backyard. We can repurpose this area as public open space while retaining a golf course and driving range.

“We know that getting more people into homes closer to the city through increased density, needs to be supported with more open space.

“The communities of Redfern, Waterloo, Green Square and Zetland are crying out for more green space and this change will go a long way to satisfying their needs.”

Member for Sydney Alex Greenwich said:

“This announcement respects the growing need of the expanding inner city for new open green space and I thank the government for returning this precious parkland back to public use.”

BILL HAYDEN AC

As Prime Minister and Federal Labor Leader, I mourn Bill Hayden’s passing and honour his life. 

My first thoughts are with Dallas, his beloved wife of 63 years, their children and all those who knew and loved him best. 

If Bill Hayden left no other legacy than as a key architect of universal healthcare, he would still stand for all time as a legend of our labour movement and a great contributor to our nation. 

Of course, in his lifetime of service, Bill gave so much more to the country he loved. Indeed in every role he held: Governor-General, Minister for Social Security, Treasurer, Foreign Minister and Labor Leader, Bill Hayden gave his utmost. 

In a time of forceful personalities, Bill Hayden was notable for his humility. Yet there was nothing modest about his ambition for Labor or Australia. This was the quiet strength of character he brought to the cause of progress. 

As a reforming Minister for Social Security, Bill introduced Medibank, Australia’s first plan for universal healthcare.  

As a former police officer who understood that poverty too often trapped women in violent relationships, Bill introduced Australia’s first single mother’s pension. 

When Bill became Leader after two devastating election defeats in 1975 and 1977, he gave the party a new direction and empowered a new generation of talent. 

As Paul Keating put it, Bill’s leadership made the turn to ‘Labor Mark II’, he laid the foundation for the social and economic reforms that created three decades of economic growth and delivered Australia a new era in education, foreign affairs, environmental policy and – of course – universal healthcare.  

When the story of that generation is told, history should record that without Bill Hayden championing and building Medibank, there could have been no Medicare. 

Without Bill Hayden’s commitment to budget discipline, Bob Hawke and Paul Keating would have found it harder to forge ahead with economic reform. 

Without Bill Hayden’s instinctive grasp of the relationship between facing our nation to the world and securing our prosperity for the future, the Government in which he served might not have achieved the same degree of engagement in our region that still benefits Australia today. 

Fittingly for a man who left such a lasting policy legacy, Bill retained an enduring interest in the big ideas. Like so many of my colleagues, I benefited greatly from Bill’s advice, I valued his insight and I always appreciated the considered way in which he offered it. 

Bill Hayden knew the rewards of public life and he lived the challenges too. In the aftermath of 1975, he was the last Labor MP left standing in Queensland. He served as Leader through six hard years in Opposition and at the very last minute, was denied the chance to lead the party to a second election that many believed he would have won.

Through it all, Bill Hayden never lost his sense of humour. Crucially, he never lost his faith in our party’s capacity to change the country for the better, he never doubted Australia’s ability to make a difference in the world and the work he did in the service of these causes will never be forgotten.

My condolences to all who grieve for Bill Hayden today. 

May he rest in peace.

A State Funeral will be held to honour Bill Hayden’s life.

VISIT TO THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will travel to the People’s Republic of China from 4 to 7 November. 

In Beijing, the Prime Minister will meet with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang. In Shanghai, the Prime Minister has accepted Premier Li’s invitation to attend the China International Import Expo.

The Prime Minister’s visit will build on his productive discussions with President Xi and Premier Li over the last twelve months, as well as increased ministerial engagement over that time.

A stable relationship between Australia and China is in the interests of both countries.

Trade between Australia and China, as well as strong community, cultural and business links has delivered significant benefits to both our countries.

China remains Australia’s largest trading partner, amounting to almost a third of our total trade. The Government has been working to remove impediments to trade.

Since the successful removal of duties on Australian barley, we have engaged actively to secure a similar process to resolve our WTO wine dispute with China.

We have now reached an agreement with China to move forward to resolve this dispute. We welcome China’s agreement to undertake an expedited review of its duties. This process is expected to take five months.

Australia and China have agreed we will suspend the dispute on wine in the WTO pending the outcome of this review. If the duties are not removed at the end of the review, Australia will resume the dispute in the WTO. We are confident of a successful outcome.

During the Prime Minister’s visit, the leaders will discuss cooperation in a range of areas including economic links, climate change and links between our people.

This will be the Prime Minister’s first visit to China and the first visit to China by an Australian Prime Minister since 2016. It will mark the 50th anniversary of the first visit to China by an Australian Prime Minister, Gough Whitlam, in 1973.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“I look forward to visiting China, an important step towards ensuring a stable and productive relationship.”

“I look forward to further engaging with President Xi and Premier Li in Australia’s national interest.”

“Prime Minister Whitlam’s historic visit laid the groundwork for the diplomatic, economic and cultural ties that continue to benefit our countries today.”

“I welcome the progress we have made to return Australian products, including Australian wine, to the Chinese market. Strong trade benefits both countries.”

End of COVID-19 emergency response

COVID-19 is no longer a Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance (CDINS).

While COVID-19 remains a serious threat to the health of Australians, and requires ongoing vigilance by the public and governments, state and territory health systems are well placed to manage the virus alongside other infectious diseases.

A focus remains on vaccination, prevention, reducing transmission and management of serious illness, hospitalisations and death.

The removal of the CDINS declaration will not have any significant impact on the ongoing management of COVID-19 in Australia, given that most of the national coordination and response measures have already ended.

Targeted surveillance and monitoring of COVID-19 will be maintained through well-established national and sentinel surveillance programs. Data and reports on COVID-19 will continue to be published and updated regularly.

The Department of Health and Aged Care will continue to work closely with state and territory health agencies, to ensure a consistent and dedicated response to the virus.

This declaration has been supported by Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) members. A statement from the AHPPC can be found here.

Have your say on plans to reduce traffic congestion in western corridor

City of Newcastle is moving forward with its commitment to reduce traffic congestion in the growing western corridor, seeking community feedback into plans to widen and upgrade Minmi Road.

The project is stage two of a large-scale infrastructure program that will significantly improve traffic flow along this key sub-arterial road. It follows recent community consultation into the proposed stage one upgrade along Longworth Avenue, Wallsend.

Cr Deahnna Richardson, Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and Cr Callum Pull announce the start of community consultation for the Minmi Road upgrade project at Wallsend.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said this was an important project that would provide benefits for local residents and motorists from across the region.

“Widening and upgrading Minmi Road was the first commitment made by the current elected Council in recognition of the long-standing issues associated with traffic congestion along this critical link, which connects the growing suburbs of Wallsend, Maryland, Fletcher and Minmi to Newcastle and the wider region,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Once complete, this project will help reduce travel times, improve safety, cater for population growth and increased vehicle movements in the area, and ease the morning and afternoon commute.

“We are now inviting motorists and residents who regularly travel along this road to have their say on the concept designs, to help shape the future of this important link to the city.”

The upgrade will increase the width of Minmi Road to two lanes in each direction from Summerhill Road to Maryland Drive (east).

A central median and separated turning lanes at Anna Place, McNaughton Avenue and the Service Station are proposed to help remove bottlenecks and improve safety, in conjunction with restrictions on right hand turns in and out of Mount Street and Minmi Road properties.

Improved cycling and pedestrian connections will also be delivered as part of the project.

Community members can log on to www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/yoursay by 17 November to provide feedback on the proposed concept designs.

Community drop-in sessions will also be held at Wallsend Library on Saturday, 4 November from 11am to 1pm, and Fletcher Village Shopping Centre on Thursday, 9 November from 4pm to 6pm.

Feedback received will be used to better understand the level of support from the community on the proposed plans, before finalising the scope and design options that will be presented to Council later this year.

The People’s House sails towards the next 50 years at the heart of our culture

The 50th anniversary of the opening of the Sydney Opera House is a moment to celebrate a cultural landmark and recommit to its place as the ultimate stage for our young artists and creatives in NSW.

Since its opening on this day in 1973, the Opera House has hosted a roll call of the biggest international stars, many of who describe it as a “once in a lifetime” in their careers.

It is the same thrill for the 345,000 children and families a year who attend the House, creating lifelong memories and connection.

More than 12,000 school children from NSW participate annually in events ranging from instrumental and choir performances to graduations, eisteddfods and speech days. Three-quarters of those children will be from public schools, and most from Western Sydney.

On Saturday, the NSW Government will host an “open House” event in which 37,000 people from Sydney and across the state who entered a ticket ballot will get a look behind the scenes and back-of-house before normal service resumes.

Minister for Arts and Music John Graham said:

“The Sydney Opera House is a reminder that we take chances in NSW. Of course, there was intense debate over cost, project mismanagement, waste and government dithering but who can now imagine Sydney Harbour without these sails? It has repaid the debt 100-fold.

“This was a piece of cultural infrastructure that was given momentum by a Labor Premier and opened by a Liberal one, because, like the Opera House, culture in this state is broadly bipartisan and worth fighting for.

“This weekend we pay tribute to Danish designer Jorn Utzon for his genius while we honour how much his building means to millions of us in NSW and remember that we must always keep artistic endeavours relevant to a diverse community.

“We are committed to ensure there is affordable access to Sydney Opera House from our outer suburbs and regions into the future. Under the Minns Labor Government it will remain ‘The People’s House’. 

NSW firefighters receive highest pay rise in more than a decade

The Minns Labor Government is investing in the future of the state’s firefighters with a 4.5% pay rise for more than 6800 Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) staff.

The NSW Government has reached an agreement with the Fire Brigade Employees’ Union (FBEU) to finalise the pay increase for permanent and on-call firefighters.

It follows similar pay rises for other NSW frontline workers, including nurses and police, which are the highest in a decade.

The agreement has also given rise to a new non-station based allowance designed to incentivise more training opportunities and clearer promotional pathways, which will benefit community safety.

After 12 years, the NSW Government is committed to growing the FRNSW frontline and has set the target of appointing 600 new permanent firefighters over the next 8 years.

The total number of FRNSW staff has declined over the past decade despite the state growing by almost a million people.

The NSW Government’s investment in these personnel is long overdue and is recognition of the critical role they play in keeping the NSW community safe.

It comes on top of what the Minns Labor Government has already delivered:

  • the end of the former government’s unfair public sector wages cap, and
  • a 2-year salary freeze for senior executives and Members of Parliament which will save around $250 million over 4 years.

We are a government with a clear focus – managing our finances responsibly so we can provide support when you need it most and improve the essential services that we all rely on, now and into the future.

Minister for Industrial Relations Sophie Cotsis said:

“I welcome the agreement for better pay and conditions for NSW firefighters, it’s a win for the industry and I thank the firies for their advocacy, patience and support.

“It’s been 12 years since we saw meaningful negotiation for our firies.

“We appreciate their commitment and service to the people of NSW.”

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

“Whether it is responding to fires or accidents, FRNSW employees do a lot for the community, and a pay rise is an important way of recognising and rewarding this work.

“I am very pleased to have seen a negotiated agreement between FRNSW and the FBEU that, in addition to a significant pay rise, also heralds a renewed commitment to work together in order to achieve the best possible outcomes.

“This government is committed to supporting the state’s frontline workers who provide critical services to the people of NSW, and I am proud to be part of the government introducing the first significant pay rise for our incredible firefighters in more than a decade.”