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Sydney will have its own high line to rival Paris and New York, with a re-elected NSW Liberals and Nationals Government committing to transform the rail corridor from Lavender Bay to Waverton into a new public space with sweeping views of the world’s best harbour.

The Lavender Bay high line project would start with a 300 square metre expansion of Wendy’s Secret Garden, followed by a strategic business case to canvas options for converting the 3.3-kilometre-long disused rail corridor along the Milsons Point foreshore.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the project would return the Milsons Point foreshore to the local community as a spectacular harbour front attraction.

“Sydney is home the world’s most beautiful harbour, but for many years much of the foreshore has been left underutilised or inaccessible to the public,” Mr Perrottet said.

“We have made it a priority to transform our foreshore precincts so that Sydneysiders can make the most of the city they call home.

“The Lavender Bay high line project will unlock another part of our city that has been hidden away for more than a century, transforming it into a beautiful public space and no doubt a tourism drawcard.”

Minister for Infrastructure, Cities and Active Transport Rob Stokes said this commitment to delivering the community’s vision would create a world-class linear park and walking trail linking other public spaces in North Sydney.

“Once fully realised, this vision will result in a 3.3 kilometre linear park connecting some of Sydney’s most iconic landmarks including the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Luna Park while traversing public spaces like Wendy’s Secret Garden, Ball’s Head Reserve and Lavender Bay Parklands,” Mr Stokes said.

“We’ve committed to working with the community, including the Sydney Harbour High Line Association and Wendy’s Secret Garden volunteers to turn the vision into reality, starting with new landscaping, weed eradication and new tree plantings.”

Member for North Shore Felicity Wilson applauded the local community for their vision and pursuit of the high line, working alongside her to build on the legacy of Wendy Whiteley and the Secret Garden volunteers to expand public space from railway land.

“We get to call the most beautiful harbour in the world home – and our community has championed a transformation that will ensure visitors from across Sydney and the globe get to share in this iconic location,” Ms Wilson said.

“At a time where our cities are growing and more of us are calling apartments home, the shared vision of the Sydney Harbour High Line Association and the NSW Liberals and Nationals will ensure we retain beautiful places with the open space and active transport we need.”

Transport for NSW and North Sydney Council will work together to facilitate the use of the Land by Council for community use as public open space and active transport connections.

The Lavender Bay Rail Corridor Delivery Group will include representatives from Council. TAHE, Sydney Trains, Transport for NSW and the Sydney Harbour High Line Association.

Frontline emergency care for residents in the Illawarra has received a major boost, with a new ambulance station set to be built near Unanderra.

Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said the announcement forms part of a record $1.76 billion NSW Government investment which will transform NSW Ambulance services over the next four years with more than 2,000 extra staff, including 1,858 paramedics, and 30 new ambulance stations across NSW.

“Ambulance services are experiencing unprecedented demand and this new station will not only keep us ahead of the curve but provide our hardworking paramedics with first-class facilities as they assist communities in their time of need,” Mr Hazzard said. 

“The NSW Government is investing in ambulance stations right across the state to ensure communities continue to receive emergency care when they need it, no matter where they live.”

Parliamentary Secretary for Wollongong and the Illawarra Peter Poulos welcomed the news which he said will ensure the local community has improved access to emergency care when and where they need it most.

“The investment will also bring more jobs to the local area as well as providing a better working environment for our paramedics who are doing their utmost to serve communities across the state,” Mr Poulos said.

“The new station will feature internal parking for emergency ambulance vehicles, vehicle wash facilities, staff parking, multipurpose spaces to support staff education and rest, logistics and storage spaces, an office area for administration as well as staff amenities.”

NSW Ambulance identifies suitable locations to improve ambulance response times for patients using best practice modelling software that maps Triple Zero call demands.

The new ambulance station at Unanderra is being delivered as part of the $615.5 million NSW Ambulance Infrastructure program, which is also delivering a new ambulance station at Warilla. Both new ambulance stations are in addition to the existing station in Wollongong and the new ambulance station underway for Fairy Meadow which will be located on the University of Wollongong’s Innovation Campus.

Minister Hazzard said the exact location for the new ambulance station at Unanderra will be determined once further planning is completed which includes working with key stakeholders to identify a suitable site.

“We will shortly commence a process to identify potential sites for the new ambulance station. This process will ensure we best meet the needs of the Illawarra community and our emergency staff and is currently underway for the Warilla location.”

The NSW Government is committed to increasing the capacity of NSW Ambulance. In total, more than $1 billion is being invested across three major NSW Ambulance infrastructure programs, with more than 100 projects announced since 2014.

The NSW Government’s $1 billion investment in NSW Ambulance infrastructure includes:

· Sydney Ambulance Metropolitan Infrastructure Strategy ($184 million) – 19 projects – 18 of these projects have been completed to date with one due for completion in late 2023. The program began in 2014

· NSW Ambulance Infrastructure Program ($615.5 million) 30 projects – eight of which are in early planning. The program was announced in 2022-23 State Budget.

· RAIR program Stage 1 & 2 ($232 million) – 54 projects – 39 of these have been completed, with 15 underway. The program began in 2015.

A re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government will commit a further $90 million to the Stronger Country Communities Fund to continue building the projects that make regional NSW the best place to live, work and raise a family.

In the past five years, the Stronger Country Communities Fund has delivered more than 2,500 grassroots projects benefitting every regional LGA in the State.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the further $90 million commitment would take the total investment in the fund to three quarters of a billion dollars.

“Everywhere I go, people tell me about the big difference these Stronger Country Communities projects make to everyday life – whether it’s a new skate park that kids love, a new community hall, upgrades to the main street or programs that make living in the regions even better,” Mr Toole said.

“We aren’t just building playgrounds and sporting ovals, we’re building communities to be proud of.

“It’s the little things that make a big difference to the way we all work, live, play and do business, and the NSW Liberals and Nationals  Government is  delivering the projects that make a difference to everyday life right across regional NSW, from Byron Bay to Bega to Broken Hill.

“Not only do these projects improve life for those who already call regional NSW home, but they also act as a major drawcard for those visiting to consider staying longer term.”

The Stronger Country Communities Fund is part of the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government’s $3.3 billion Regional Growth Fund, designed to support growing regional centres, activate local economies and improve services and community infrastructure in the regions.

For more information, visit: nsw.gov.au/sccf