16 News

The Minns Labor Government has invested $25 million to deliver two brand new, purpose-built training facilities for North Coast students at TAFE NSW Kingscliff, which have now officially opened.

The state-of-the-art facilities simulate real-life workplace environments and include industry-aligned equipment across a range of study areas. These include high-demand construction, electrotechnology, and supply chain logistics courses, aviation and aerospace, animal studies, design and fashion, photography, screen and media, and horticulture.

The new learning and teaching spaces will help to ensure students become familiar with the equipment and workspaces they can expect on the job.

Construction students have access to a gravel pit and piering area, supply chain students learn in a simulated logistics warehouse and forklift training space, while future electricians use wiring bays and industry-grade tools.

Design and fashion students can get creative in a new fashion and textiles workshop complete with sewing machines and other modern design tools, while photography students can enjoy a new photography studio fitted out with cameras and lighting with other creative equipment and screen and media students enjoy modern digital arts equipment.

Animal care veterinary nursing facilities, aviation security and remote pilot (drone) equipment, and a custom-built greenhouse are also among the modern new training facilities now available to students in and around Kingscliff.

This builds on the Minns Labor Government’s record $3.4 Billion investment in Skills and TAFE in the 2025/26 Budget to improve access and quality of vocational education and training for NSW students, including:

• $20.1 million for fee free apprenticeships and traineeships
• $13.8 million Construction Workforce Package
• $121 million to repair TAFE NSW campuses statewide.

Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan said:

“This $25 million investment to modernise learning and teaching facilities at Kingscliff will make a huge difference to North Coast students looking to start a new career or upskill to keep pace with evolving industry needs.

“As always, the Minns Labor Government is committed to delivering modern, practical learning spaces that reflect the needs of local industries and students, ensuring we are upskilling the workers for the future.

“This is just more proof of the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to rebuilding TAFE NSW as the strong and stable public provider of vocational skills training – this investment is a win for students, employers, and communities in the North Coast and in the Tweed Region.”

Duty MLC for Tweed, Emily Suvaal said:

“These new, purpose-built facilities at Kingscliff are a gamechanger for students right across the North Coast. Whether it’s fashion, aviation, construction or animal care, students now have access to the same kinds of tools and environments they’ll be working with in industry.

“TAFE NSW has always been at the heart of giving people the skills they need to get a good job and build a secure future. This investment shows the Minns Labor Government is serious about supporting local students and creating real opportunities here in our regional communities.

“By providing modern, hands-on training spaces, we’re not only giving students the best start, we’re also supporting local industries to access the skilled workforce they need to grow. This is a big win for the Tweed and for the North Coast.”

TAFE NSW Diploma of Fashion Design and Technology, Rada Campbell said:

“The facilities at TAFE NSW Kingscliff are incredibly well equipped – we train on a wide range of sewing machines used in the fashion industry, which builds our confidence and prepares us for real-world production. It’s an exciting time to be a student at TAFE NSW.”

The Surf Life Saving patrol season will commence following the symbolic raising of the red and yellow flags at Dixon Park Beach in Newcastle.

From 27 September 2025 to 26 April 2026, beachgoers can expect to see Surf Life Saving volunteers patrolling on weekends and public holidays, as well as professional lifeguards, helping to keep people safe during the warmer months.

Over the last 12 months, Surf Life Saving NSW has seen membership rise by 5 percent to a record 83,000. Patrolling membership has increased by 2.6% to more than 21,000, while Nipper numbers grew by 4.5% to almost 30,000.

It is an exciting time of year but also an important reminder for members of the community to think about how they can keep themselves and their families safe on the sand and in the water.

Addressing the number of coastal deaths in unpatrolled and isolated locations is a key priority for the Minns Labor Government.

There were 52 coastal drownings in 2024/25, down from 61 fatalities the previous year. With a warm and dry summer ahead, this season is expected to keep patrolling volunteers busy.

The NSW Government has been driving action to improve water safety and save lives, including key actions identified through the Minister’s coastal water safety roundtable in March 2024. Key initiatives delivered include:

• A record $72 million investment for Surf Life Saving NSW over the four years from 2023-24 to 2026-27.
• Funding has already provided 56 new jet skis from this record investment, with another 11 to be delivered.
• The installation of new Emergency Response Beacons (ERBs) fitted with flotation devices and enhanced technology like high-definition video live-streaming to support rapid response to emergencies and provide another set of eyes on the beach. Already, 58 out of 64 ERBs have been installed and are operating across our coastline.
• Further initiatives to ensure rapid response to emergencies all year-round, alongside the ERBs, include UAV (drone) technology and AI camera technology trials.
• $5.4 million for NSW Surf Life Saving Clubs for the upgrade, restoration or construction of surf lifesaving facilities following the announcement of recipients in the 2024/25 Surf Club Facility Program.
• The launch of a new online Beach Safety Hub to bring together essential information including tips and guidance to help communities stay informed and safe around the state’s waterways. Water safety resources are available in 24 languages on the Hub at www.beachsafetyhub.org.au

To learn more about how to keep yourself and your family safe please visit www.nsw.gov.au/visiting-and-exploring-nsw/visiting-nsw-waterways.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

“Every summer, the red and yellow flags become a symbol of safety and community across our state. The dedication of thousands of Surf Life Saving volunteers, alongside our professional lifeguards, gives families the confidence to enjoy our world-class beaches.

“Our record investment is supporting the incredible work of our surf life savers and volunteers and delivering cutting-edge technology that is the envy of the world.

We’ve seen too many tragedies in unpatrolled or isolated locations. With a hot summer ahead, I urge everyone to swim between the flags, listen to the advice of lifesavers, and put safety first. These small steps make all the difference.”

Minister for the Hunter, Yasmin Catley said:

“When the red and yellow flags go up in Newcastle, it’s a signal that summer’s here and our community’s safety is in good hands.

“Our coastline is one of the Hunter’s greatest assets, and with new rescue equipment, drones and Emergency Response Beacons, lifesavers have the tools they need to keep locals and visitors safe.

“Our surf club volunteers are everyday heroes. From Newcastle to Lake Macquarie and the Central Coast, your dedication keeps our community safe and makes us proud.”

Acting Minister for Emergency Services, Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“I extend my thanks to every surf life saver and volunteer who is part of this annual effort – you are the backbone of beach safety in our great state.

“The NSW Government is proud to be delivering record funding to ensure our surf life savers have the equipment they need to keep our beaches safer than ever before for everyone to enjoy.

“Ahead of a hot summer where we expect millions to enjoy themselves on the sand and in the water, there has never been a more important time to remind people to be aware and take water safety seriously.”

Member for Newcastle, Tim Crakanthorp said:

“Surf life savers are champions of our community who can never receive enough praise.

“Today is a reminder to all to swim between the flags, behave responsibly, and follow the advice of surf life savers. Every life lost in the ocean is one too many.

“I speak on behalf of the whole Newcastle community when I thank our local volunteer surf life saver for keeping our beaches safe for all.”

Surf Life Saving NSW President Peter Agnew AM said:

“We are extremely fortunate to have a volunteer base of 83,000 plus lifesavers who are so excited to be back on the beach and ready for a big season ahead.

“Surf Life Saving is about family, community, and connection. There’s a role for everyone and we’re always looking for new members, whether you can contribute to admin, first aid, teaching our Nippers or even cooking the club BBQ.

“You’ll learn new skills like piloting a drone and driving an inflatable rescue boat, you’ll gain valuable fitness and make friends for life.”

The Minns Labor Government is taking a proactive approach to help save lives in the workplace with SafeWork NSW bringing together a record attendance of 405 participants, including over 350 Health and Safety Representatives (HSR) from across the state for its annual HSR Training Refresher Day.

SafeWork NSW’s regulatory priority areas include falls from heights and mobile plant, vehicles and fixed machinery, managing psychosocial risks at work, harms to workers in the health care and social assistance sector, exposure to hazardous substances.

Falls from heights are one of the most common causes of workplace fatalities. Of the 274 worker fatalities in NSW from 2019 to 2023, 36 workers died from falling from a height. While from July 2024 to June 2025 there were 267 serious injuries as a result of working from heights.

In March of this year, more than 140 improvement notices were issued by SafeWork NSW as part of a statewide targeted compliance operation to reduce injuries caused by mobile plant (including forklifts), fixed machinery and vehicles in the workplace

These workplace incidents highlight the need to train Health and Safety Representatives who can address potential workplace risks and hazards.

An HSR is an individual elected by workers to represent them on health and safety issues in the workplace. They have the power to keep workplaces safe by issuing Provisional Improvement notices.

They play a crucial role in speaking up about workplace safety on behalf of their colleagues and foster effective consultation on Work Health and Safety (WHS) matters to ensure that workers have a voice in decisions that impact them.

Businesses from over 20 industries have demonstrated their commitment to building safer workplaces by actively supporting HSR attendance at this year’s training day. Among those attending will be workers from the Health, Construction, Transport and Manufacturing industries.

The training day featured interactive sessions designed to help HSRs build their capability and confidence in advocating for workplace health and safety. Other sessions covered a range of topics including addressing psychosocial hazards such as bullying, excessive workloads, violence and sexual harassment.

One of the most powerful sessions was from a member with a lived experience, David White who tragically lost his son to a workplace accident.

The NSW Government’s 2025-26 Budget announcement strengthened 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.  

51 inspectors are being recruited, which includes 20 psychosocial-focused inspectors.  

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. 

More information about HSRs can be found here: https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/safety-starts-here/consultation-at-work/health-and-safety-representatives

Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis said:

“This day-long HSR Training refresher not only reinforced the important role of HSRs but also ensured HSRs across metro and regional NSW have the latest information to be able to advocate for safety in their workplaces.  

“Our HSRs are vital to workplace health & safety as they are able to speak out and know the obligations of a work site- because just one fatality at work is one too many.

“I would also like to thank unions, businesses and families involved for their commitment to making our workplaces safer environments.

“Every worker has the right to return home safely at the end of every workday.”

SafeWork NSW Commissioner Janet Schorer said:

“The WHS community must come together to shift the dial on greater WHS compliance in workplaces, and SafeWork NSW’s recent Health and the Safety Representative Training Refresher Day is a prime example of that change in action.

“HSRs play a frontline role in workplace safety, and their contribution is vital in helping SafeWork NSW shape safer, healthier working environments across the state.

“By building strong relationships between HSRs, regulators, workplaces and unions, we lay the foundation for meaningful change that fosters shared understandings of workplace health and safety and amplifies the impact of safety initiatives across industries.

“SafeWork NSW’s recent Training Refresher Day will be a huge success, and I applaud the 350 HSRs from over 20 industries who will participate for their dedication to improving health and safety in their workplaces.”

Secretary of Unions NSW Mark Morey said:

“Health and Safety Representatives are the backbone of workplace safety across NSW. When unions, government and employers work together we can make serious progress in protecting workers.

“The 350 Health and Safety Representatives who attended this refresher training are returning to their workplaces equipped with the latest knowledge and tools to identify hazards, advocate for their colleagues, and ensure every worker gets home safe each day.

“When HSRs are empowered with the right skills and support, they become powerful advocates for workplace safety culture change.”

TWU NSW State Secretary Richard Olsen said:

“I congratulate all HSRs this year who have put their training into action and demanded reasonable safety improvements at their places of work.

“Everyone deserves the right to go to work and feel safe, and taking steps to raise standards is to be commended every time it happens.

“It takes a lot of work and risk to stand-up for workplace safety, but doing so brings the industry along one case at a time.”

The Minns Labor Government is creating local low-carbon manufacturing jobs on the NSW Mid North Coast by awarding just over $2 million to Solidcast, to boost production of low-carbon concrete panels used for housing and other projects.

The Australian-owned company, with a facility in Wauchope, has developed patented precast panels that cut emissions by up to 60% compared to traditional concrete.

These panels can be used in large-scale residential, commercial and civil projects, making construction faster, more affordable and more sustainable. This helps NSW deliver much-needed new housing supply while lowering the environmental impact of the building sector.

Labor’s support to expand operations will create an extra 25 full-time jobs across construction and operation phases.

The concrete panels have attracted significant interest from builders, developers, architects, engineers and government project managers. As well as being easy to use for modular housing, they are also cyclone, fire and flood resistant.

This grant is funded through the NSW Government’s Net Zero Manufacturing Initiative, which is investing $480 million to help local businesses expand capability in renewable energy, low-carbon products and clean technologies.

For more information, visit https://www.energy.nsw.gov.au/NetZeroManufacturing.

Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Penny Sharpe:

“The transition to net zero is not just about reducing emissions. It’s about creating jobs, building industries, and ensuring communities benefit from the opportunities of a low-carbon economy.

“These concrete panels are lighter, stronger and can be made with recycled polystyrene, reducing both transport emissions and the amount of waste going to landfill.

“By backing projects like this, the Minns Labor Government is reducing the carbon footprint of the building industry and supporting regional jobs and housing delivery.”

Minister for the North Coast, Janelle Saffin:

“Regional NSW is home to world-class innovation in sustainable construction and Solidcast is a great example.

“By backing manufacturers like Solidcast, we’re building supply chains at home, reducing reliance on imports, and keeping investment and jobs in our regions.”

The NSW Opposition congratulates Deputy Commissioner Mal Lanyon APM on his appointment as the next Commissioner of the NSW Police Force.
 
Deputy Commissioner Lanyon is highly regarded by rank-and-file officers, having served the community since joining the NSW Police Force in 1987. Rising through the ranks, he led the State Crime Command before his promotion to Deputy Commissioner in 2019.
 
In 2022, the Coalition Government appointed him Northern NSW Recovery Coordinator, where he directed the state’s response to the devastating Northern Rivers floods. His leadership in that role showed both his operational strength and his ability to connect with communities in their most difficult times.
 
Most recently, Mr Lanyon has served as CEO of the NSW Reconstruction Authority, helping disaster-affected towns and regions rebuild with confidence. His experience across frontline policing, crisis leadership and community recovery makes him well placed to lead the NSW Police Force into the future.
 
The Opposition also acknowledges outgoing Commissioner Karen Webb for her service and contribution to policing in New South Wales.
 
NSW Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said Mal Lanyon brings long experience and will bring steady leadership to the role, with the trust of officers and respect of the community.
 
“His leadership has been tested in disaster zones and in tackling serious crime, and he has delivered every time. I congratulate him on this appointment and thank Karen Webb for her dedicated service,” Mr Speakman said.
 
Shadow Minister for Police Paul Toole said Mal Lanyon has walked in the shoes of frontline officers for decades and knows what it takes to keep NSW safe.
 
“He is tough on crime but also understands the human side of policing, whether it’s supporting victims or helping communities recover after disaster. The Police Force will be in strong hands under his leadership. I also thank Karen Webb for her years of service and wish her well for the future.
 
“Residents across NSW will be looking towards Mr Lanyon for leadership and steadfastness in bringing the NSW Police Force into this new era.
 
I look forward to working with the Commissioner and continuing my support for the NSW Police Force”, Mr Toole said.

Netball NSW is pleased to announce the coaching appointments for the 2026 NSW State Teams, with Wyong District’s Amber Cross named Head Coach of the 19U side and Baulkham Hills Shire’s Nardia Trevor reappointed as Head Coach of the 17U team following this year’s silver-medal finish at Nationals.

Cross returns to the helm with an impressive record, having previously guided both 17U and 19U NSW teams to championship success and named as the Premier League Coach of the Decade for her outstanding leadership of the Central Coast Heart. Most recently, she stepped into a mentoring role and served as an observer on Netball Australia’s National Selection Panel for 2025, but will once again take charge of the 19U program in 2026.

“It’s always a privilege to coach for New South Wales – there’s such a proud legacy of coaches and athletes who’ve come through this pathway. I know how competitive these roles are, so I feel humbled to be selected again. After a year away, I’m really looking forward to getting back out on court, shaking off the rust and doing what I love,” the newly appointed Head Coach, Amber Cross said.

Cross is supported in her coaching role by Sarah Bowen (Manly Warringah) as Assistant Coach and Georgia Fuller (Barellan & District) as Apprentice Coach. Both bring strong development experience, with Fuller also highlighting Netball NSW’s commitment to fostering regional coaching talent.

“I’m really looking forward to working with Sarah and Georgia. Both bring so much passion and energy. Sarah is incredibly organised with strong tactical knowledge, while Georgia, like me, comes from a regional background and has a natural gift for coaching. Their strengths will definitely add to what we can deliver as a team,” Cross concluded.

In the 17U program, familiar faces return following their silver-medal performance at Nationals this year. Head Coach Trevor, now with South Coast Blaze and Apprentice Coach Diana Benioni (Eastwood Ryde), both coached the GWS Fury Premier League franchise to the 23U Premiership in 2025. They will be joined by Assistant Coach Jordan Bedingfield (Sutherland Shire).

For Trevor, the reappointment is both an honour and an opportunity to continue building on her team’s success.

“It’s an honour to be reappointed. For me, it’s about continuing the work we began last year — learning from that campaign, building on those foundations, and elevating our performance as we head toward 2026. The talent emerging in this age group is incredibly exciting, and I’m looking forward to working with the selected team and seeing what each individual can contribute to the group.”

Netball NSW General Manager of Performance and Pathways, Mardi Aplin, said the appointments reflect the strength of the state’s coaching landscape.

“Netball NSW is fortunate to have such a highly experienced panel overseeing the appointment of our coaching team. With Jill McIntosh, former Australian Diamonds Head Coach; Anita Keelan, Netball Australia’s Head of Pathways; and Maria Lynch, a respected High Performance Coach with deep insight into our coaching landscape — we’re guided by exceptional expertise and a strong understanding of what’s required to succeed in this space.”

The NSW 17U and 19U State Teams will be finalised later this year ahead of the 2026 National Netball Championships.