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The historic Fernhill Estate will be transformed into one of Sydney’s great public parklands making it a central part of the NSW Government’s Western Parkland City vision.

A landmark $65 million investment, made possible by the NSW Liberals and Nationals Government’s $5 billion WestInvest Program, will transform the former private Fernhill Estate in Mulgoa into a 423 hectare public park.

The new expansive parklands will support the growth of the new Western Sydney Aerotropolis and will feature a network of paths and walking trails that will connect to the wider Mulgoa Valley, Penrith region and Blue Mountains National Park.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said this investment will secure, protect and enhance critical green space establishing a major new parkland for the people of Western Sydney – one of the youngest, fastest-growing and most diverse populations in the nation.

“We launched WestInvest to secure the best quality of life for families and make West and South West Sydney even better places to live and that is exactly what this project will do,” Mr Perrottet said.

“Parks and public spaces like this are Western Sydney’s answer to Centennial Park and Hyde Park in the east, a generational investment to leave a legacy of beautiful public spaces.

“Investments like this are only possible because of the NSW Liberal and Nationals economic plan for the future.”

The Greater Sydney Parklands will transform the former private property into an accessible public park showcasing the area’s great natural and cultural beauty. This will include:

· New and upgraded park entries for safe vehicle access into the Estate;

· A new estate drive and pedestrian promenade to allow people to walk to Fernhill House from key recreational areas;

· A network of pedestrian paths and walking trails connecting to the wider Mulgoa Valley, Penrith region and Blue Mountains National Park;

· 300m boardwalk around the Northern Dam and access for kayaks and small non-motorised watercraft;

· 1km arc of Indigenous planting in the shape of a lyrebird feather;

· A new nature-based playground and drop-off/pick-up zone for neighbouring Mulgoa Public School;

· Bush revegetation and new interpretative and wayfinding signage.

Treasurer Matt Kean said WestInvest is creating world-class public spaces for the growing Western Sydney population to enjoy now and into the future for exercise, excitement and relaxation.

“When we launched WestInvest, we asked Western Sydney residents what infrastructure projects would change their local areas for the better,” Mr Kean said. 

“The huge majority of responses said they wanted new and improved open and green space and the opportunity to explore nature through walking and cycling tracks. 

“Our WestInvest projects provide something for everyone from adventurers, to young families, to those who simply want to sit back and enjoy nature.”

Minister for Infrastructure, Cities and Active Transport Rob Stokes said the funding would ensure the Western Parkland City lives up to its name.

“We’re putting the park in the heart of the parkland city. Eastern Sydney has its harbour and beaches, Parramatta has its rivers and creeks, and Western Sydney will be defined by freshwater lakes and verdant parklands,” Mr Stokes said.

“WestInvest quite literally uses a motorway to fund a greenway, delivering a legacy of parks, paths and playgrounds for Western Sydney families to enjoy.

“It wasn’t that long ago that the public were almost locked out of Fernhill Estate forever and now it’s going to be completely transformed into one of Sydney’s most-cherished public spaces.”

Fernhill Estate was purchased by the NSW Government in 2018. The upgrades and improvements as part of this investment will take place over the next five years as part of The Foundation Plan of Management to 2026.

To find out more about WestInvest, visit www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/westinvest

A new state of the art sport and health centre of excellence in Leumeah, a huge new sports precinct in Leppington and new Olympic sized swimming pools are among the latest sporting projects funded through the NSW Government’s $5 billion WestInvest program.

Premier Dominic Perrottet and Minister for Sport Alister Henskens today announced more than $309.6 million in funding for local councils and community groups in the Burwood, Camden, Campbelltown, Liverpool, Penrith and Wollondilly LGAs to deliver 14 new and upgraded sports facilities across Western Sydney.

This is in addition to the 15 sports projects announced yesterday, taking the total investment in new sporting facilities through the $1.6 billion WestInvest Community Project Grants – Competitive Round to more than $626 million for 29 projects.

The projects announced today include:

· $52.4 million for the Burwood Council to redevelop the Enfield Aquatic Centre at Enfield including a new 50 metre pool to support swimmers

· $53.4 million for the Liverpool Council to deliver the Carnes Hill Aquatic & Leisure Centre which will upgrade the centre with new 50 metre pool and other amenities

· $21.3 million for Camden Council to deliver open space in Leppington, with three sports fields, three tennis courts, a multipurpose court and three local parks

· $19.1 million for Penrith City Council to upgrade Cook Park Precinct in St Marys to improve access for district level sports;

· $16.7 million for Campbelltown City Council to deliver the Sport and Health Centre of Excellence at Leumeah, in partnership with Western Sydney University, the Macarthur Bulls, Wests Tigers and the South-West Sydney Academy of Sport;

· $5.2 million for Wollondilly Shire Council to upgrade the Waterboard Oval in Warragamba with new and improved facilities to accommodate soccer, cricket, AFL and various court sports.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the projects funded through WestInvest include upgrades to ovals and change rooms to support the increasing number of women in sports and a new centre of excellence to support our elite athletes.

“We want to encourage the growth in women in sport by ensuring we have appropriate change rooms and training facilities, as well as inspiring places to pursue a diverse range of sports,” Mr Perrottet said.

“This WestInvest funding will help drive women’s participation from the grassroots to the elite level, thanks to the long-term economic plan of the Liberal and Nationals Government.

“The new Sport and Health Centre of Excellence at Leumeah will also go a long way to supporting local talent development pathways for athletes into elite sport through specialised science and research programs.”

Treasurer Matt Kean said the funding will boost sports facilities right across Western Sydney, enabling more people to stay active and keep fit.

“No matter where you live, you should have access to state-of-the-art sporting facilities and WestInvest is delivering for Western Sydney,” Mr Kean said.

“This funding will provide greater opportunities for the community to train and play in any weather on any day and maintain a healthy lifestyle.”

Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said the WestInvest funding for the open space project in Leppington will deliver essential green and open spaces to encourage health and well-being in one of Western Sydney’s fastest growing suburbs.

“This WestInvest funding will go towards three A-grade sports fields, three tennis-courts, a multipurpose court as well as play areas and amenities,” Mr Henskens said.

“Regardless of age, ability or the sport you play, this investment will deliver critical sport infrastructure and green space that will promote participation and ensure anyone who wants to serve an ace, shoot a hoop, or kick a ball can do so in a safe environment.”

To find out more about WestInvest visit www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/westinvest.

Penrith and Blue Mountains communities will soon benefit from a new intensive care unit, additional inpatient units, renal services and more, with construction now underway on the second state-of-the-art clinical services building at Nepean Hospital.

Premier Dominic Perrottet, Health Minister Brad Hazzard, Member for Penrith Stuart Ayres and Member for Mulgoa Tanya Davies have turned the sod on the site of the new building being delivered as part of Stage 2 of the NSW Government’s $1 billion Nepean Hospital Redevelopment.

“Thousands of people in Penrith and the Blue Mountains are already reaping the benefits of the newly-opened 14-storey hospital tower at Nepean Hospital, which now boasts one of the best emergency departments in the State,” Mr Perrottet said.

“This sod turn marks the start of major construction of a second clinical services building, which will take Nepean Hospital to the next level, ensuring it will continue to deliver the very best healthcare for growing Western Sydney communities.”

The new building, which will be connected to the 14-storey tower built under Stage 1, will provide a new adult intensive care unit, more in-patient units, renal services, medical imaging and nuclear medicine services, education and training facilities and an accessible and welcoming front-of-house for patients, visitors and staff.

“Nepean Hospital is undergoing a tremendous transformation thanks to this $1 billion record investment from the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government that will ensure  Western Sydney communities are provided with world-class health services well into the future,” Mr Hazzard said.

“By 2031, more than 468,800 people are expected to call the Nepean Blue Mountains Health District home – up 21 per cent on the population in 2016 and we have planned ahead to meet their healthcare needs.”

Member for Penrith Stuart Ayres acknowledged the health staff who had been key to delivering a first-class hospital redevelopment for Western Sydney communities.

“Our fantastic staff at Nepean Hospital have been instrumental in the design of our new facilities, including the second clinical services building that has now started construction, to ensure they can continue to deliver the very best healthcare to their patients,” Mr Ayres said. 

“The successful recent opening of the new emergency department is a great example of everyone’s commitment and passion. I am extremely grateful to the hospital staff and everyone working on the redevelopment who have helped get us to this exciting milestone.”

Member for Mulgoa, Tanya Davies said the ongoing construction at Nepean Hospital was a great boost for the local economy.

“The Nepean Redevelopment is creating more job opportunities and ensuring better health outcomes for local people,” Ms Davies said.

“More than 3,700 contractors and subcontractors worked on Stage 1 of the Nepean Redevelopment during its construction phase, with 73 per cent of the workforce from Western Sydney.”

CPB Constructions has been awarded the tender to build the second clinical services building. Stage 2 of the redevelopment also includes an expansion of community-based healthcare in the Penrith area. Construction of this community service will begin once the design process has been finalised with hospital staff.

A new Pathology Unit is also being constructed at Nepean Hospital as part of Stage 2, and clinical areas are being repurposed to better co-locate services and improve patient access.

The NSW Government is investing a record $11.9 billion in health infrastructure over four years to 2025-26. Since 2011, the NSW Government has delivered more than 180 health capital projects across NSW, with more than 130 projects currently underway.

In Western Sydney and South Western Sydney, the NSW Government has delivered, or is delivering, around 40 health capital projects, with a total investment of just on $8 billion.

For more information about the Nepean Hospital Redevelopment visit: https://www.nepeanredevelopment.health.nsw.gov.au/

Link to animation and artists impressions

New designs have been unveiled showcasing the state-of-the-art $750 million Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, which will see a doubling of treatment spaces in the emergency department and a 30 per cent increase in bed capacity in the Intensive Care Unit.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said a new 15-storey tower will be the centrepiece of what is the most significant redevelopment in the hospital’s proud 140-year history.

“This redevelopment is a once-in-a-generation project, delivering 1400 direct construction jobs and thousands more indirect jobs but most importantly, it will expand the cutting-edge healthcare facilities and services on the campus,” Mr Hazzard said.

“The redevelopment will deliver more state-of-the-art operating theatre space including a hybrid theatre to facilitate complex surgeries, double the recovery space, as well as deliver a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit with 30 per cent more capacity.”

RPA is one of Australia’s leading hospitals, renowned for its excellence in providing innovative health care and education for the 740,000 people who live in the Local Health District, and the more than one million people who work or transit daily in the vicinity of the campus, including patients, visitors and students.

The bright, contemporary design of the new tower will seamlessly connect to the existing hospital campus and includes a new northern entry from Johns Hopkins Drive, which will improve access for the community to the campus.

Mr Hazzard also today officially opened the new, expanded RPA Kidney Dialysis Centre,  one of the first new facilities to be delivered as part of the early works for the redevelopment.

“The new dialysis centre will ensure people with chronic kidney disease are receiving the best possible life-saving care in a comfortable, modern health facility, supported by a fantastic team of renal and renal transplant clinicians,” Mr Hazzard said.

Co-located with the Kidney Centre’s outpatient services for the convenience of patients and their carers, more than 160 patients have received ongoing dialysis treatment in the facility, in addition to more than 50 patients who have been trained or updated for home dialysis treatment.

It includes 38 new haemodialysis chairs, three peritoneal dialysis rooms and an additional 10 home training chairs for patients learning to self-dialyse. 

The $750 million RPA Redevelopment includes: 

· Expanded and enhanced emergency department and intensive care units

· State-of-the-art operating theatres

· Expanded and improved adult inpatient accommodation

· Increased interventional and imaging services

· Expanded neonatology services

· Improved roads, signage and landscaping throughout the hospital

· A new open garden courtyard

· Rooftop helipad

Sydney Local Health District Chief Executive Dr Teresa Anderson AM said staff were excited to see the stunning new designs and flythrough of the redevelopment, which will support millions of health workers, patients and their families in the years ahead.

“This expansion will allow us to build on the world-class services we already provide to the people of Sydney and NSW,” Dr Anderson said.

“From expanded emergency rooms to state-of-the-art operating theatres and much more, the health and wellbeing of our patients and their families has been at the forefront of this new design.”

Early enabling works for the redevelopment are currently underway alongside the planning and design of the new hospital expansion, with the main works construction contract expected to be awarded in late 2023.

Planning for the redevelopment is progressing, with the final State Significant Development Application recently submitted with the NSW Department of Planning and Environment and currently on public exhibition.

Construction for the RPA Hospital redevelopment is expected to be completed in 2028, and is part of the NSW Government’s record $11.9 billion investment in health infrastructure to 2025-26.

The NSW Government has invested $18 billion in health infrastructure since 2011.

For more information visit: www.rparedevelopment.health.nsw.gov.au 

Click here to view the flythrough video

New South Wales has maintained the lowest unemployment rate among the states for the fifth consecutive month, according to today’s ABS labour force data.
 
The figure shows 5,100 fewer people are in work but the unemployment rate remained steady at 3.1 per cent. The national unemployment rate increased to 3.7 per cent.
 
The female unemployment rate is 2.8 per cent in NSW, the lowest since monthly records began.
 
NSW Treasurer Matt Kean said today’s figures demonstrated the strength of the NSW economy and the impact of the state’s initiatives for women and childcare.
 
“We expect our initiatives for women and childcare will support more women in employment and unlock future productivity dividends to strengthen our economy,” Mr Kean said.
 
“Today’s results are encouraging considering the current national and international economic challenges we’re facing here in NSW.”