New planning tool to fast-track DA process when building key on farm infrastructure

The Minns Labor Government has launched a new online tool that will save farmers thousands of dollars and months of work as they negotiate often complex planning laws when applying for development approvals to build key on farm infrastructure.

The platform, called myFarmPlanner, is part of the NSW Government’s plan to strengthen the state’s $20 billion agriculture sector and to boost productivity by helping farmers use the latest technology to make practical, cost effective decisions.

myFarmPlanner provides farmers with all the information they need to know to lodge a development application in as little as 15 minutes using a tailored questionnaire and interactive map.

The app brings together information from all approval organisations including local councils, consenting authorities and industry guidelines.

It provides clear information about approval pathways and consent authorities, required licences, permits and approvals, details relevant legislation regulations and guidelines and provides location-specific constraints including flood zones, bushfire areas and sensitive receptors. 

Under normal circumstance it can take up to 12 months for a farmer to gather all the required DA information needed to build farm buildings, animal housing, processing facilities and other infrastructure particularly after a flood, bushfire or a storm.

By entering farm data individually, producers using the tool can also save money, with the self-service capabilities estimated to eliminate up to $2,000 in consultant fees per application.

The new tool supersedes a 2021 beta version of the tool, which was targeted at the poultry industry, and is now expanded to cover dairy, horticulture, poultry and agritourism.

Future updates of the myFarmPlanner platform will aim to include additional agriculture sectors and integrate with the Planning Portal to improve efficiencies even further.

The development of the myFarmPlanner platform was jointly funded by the Australian and NSW governments through the Storm and Flood Industry Recovery Program (SFIRP).

To access the tool, visit https://myfarmplanner.dpi.nsw.gov.au. 

Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty said:

“Farmers across NSW are increasingly using online tools to save money and boost productivity.

“This new tool is the latest in the Government’s ongoing commitment to ensure farmers have the latest technologies to help producers make practical, cost effective on farm decisions.

“myFarmPlanner addresses critical barriers to agricultural resilience by simplifying the development application process and providing immediate, location-specific guidance on planning requirements, reducing the need for expensive consultants and enabling faster recovery decisions. 

Dairy Farmer, Woodview NSW, Terry Toohey said:

“myFarmPlanner will be a very useful tool for the dairy industry as a lot of farmers are land locked, and this will be further intensified by building barns and feedpads etc. 

“The tool will enable farmers to look at their expansion options on their farm and whether the land can accommodate their expansion plans.”

Molong Viticulturalist Martin Gransden said:

“MyFarmPlanner is a handy tool for landowners to use in the initial stages of planning their farm development to navigate the approvals required.” 

Warwick farm train station in crisis while the Minns Labor Government doesn’t have answers

Television reports (also attached) have shown shocking scenes at Warwick Farm train station.
 
Commuters are dodging syringes, broken glass and human waste just to get to work or school and it’s been that way for months.

Families, workers, children and small businesses have been abandoned after three months and multiple complaints made while the Minns Labor Government tinkers around the edges and can’t even say when this problem will be fixed.
 
The report has also revealed that nurses have been attacked at this car park.
 
Our police are working around the clock and doing everything they can, but they have been left to carry the burden of a government that refuses to act.
 
Premier Chris Minns, Transport Minister John Graham, Police Minister Yasmin Catley and Homelessness Minister Rose Jackson have the power to fix this, yet they are nowhere to be seen.
 
Local Labor MP Charishma Kaliyanda, who once sat on Liverpool City Council and knows these problems better than most, only decided to say something after media pointed it out.

Instead of working with her Premier, her Transport Minister, her Police Minister and her Homelessness Minister to sort it out, she has chosen to spin the blame.
 
Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said everyday people should not have to walk past needles and human waste to catch a train.
 
“The government has the power to fix Warwick Farm but they unable to say when. Delays and spin are all they do, but that doesn’t make the problem go away,” Mr Speakman said.
 
Shadow Minister for Transport and Roads Natalie Ward said commuters at Warwick Farm have been let down.
 
“What we’ve seen was confronting and shameful. John Graham cannot hide from the reality that people are scared to use their own station,” Ms Ward said.
 
Shadow Minister for Police Paul Toole said our police are on the ground doing everything they can, but they cannot be left to clean up this mess.
 
“They need a government that backs them, not one that goes missing when the community cries out for help,” Mr Toole said.
 
Shadow Minister for Homelessness Natasha Maclaren-Jones said Rose Jackson talks about tackling homelessness with compassion, yet Warwick Farm shows the truth of her approach.
 
““Enough is enough. The homelessness crisis just keeps getting worse under Labor, with more people left to live on the streets, train stations are becoming unsafe, and families are forced to walk their kids past syringes and human waste,” Ms Maclaren-Jones said.
 
The NSW Minns Labor Government with its local member need to clean up Warwick Farm station, restore safety for residents and commuters, and put an end to Labor’s culture of passing the buck while communities suffer.

Minns Labor government caught out trying to weaken environmental reporting

The Minns Labor Government has been caught out again trying to avoid transparency, this time attempting to weaken the State of the Environment (SoE) report before backing down after Opposition scrutiny.
 
Due to come before the NSW Parliament this week is the Environmental Legislation Amendment Bill (EPA Bill) 2025, where it has been discovered that Labor’s plan was to delay the release of the SoE from every three years to every four.
 
When exposed, the Government dropped the change in yet another retreat under pressure.
 
The SoE, prepared by the NSW Environment Protection Authority, is one of the most important accountability measurements available to the public. It tracks climate change, biodiversity, pollution, land clearing and the health of the state’s rivers, wetlands and ecosystems.
 
Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said the attempt showed a government with a pattern of secrecy.
 
“Labor has been caught out again. This is not an isolated mistake. It’s part of a pattern where the Minns Labor Government tries to hide or delay the truth. The State of the Environment report is vital because it gives families, communities and businesses the full picture of how our environment is tracking and whether government action is making a difference,” Mr Speakman said.
 
Shadow Minister for Energy, Climate Change and Environment James Griffin said Labor’s instinct was to delay instead of act.
 
“The 2024 State of the Environment report was damning. It revealed more threatened species, a 40 per cent surge in land clearing and serious declines in rivers and wetlands. Labor’s first response was not to act, but to delay the next report. They are more interested in covering up failure than fixing problems,” Mr Griffin said.
 
This is part of a litany of transparency failures. Time and again Labor is caught trying to hide from accountability.
 
NSW deserve honesty about the environment that the next generation will inherit, not a government that keeps playing for time.

Minns Labor government review to fix train reliability runs late

When Chris Minns came to office his transport agenda was to review first, act second. The First Train Review produced two reports, and commuters have seen no benefit.
 
The Toll Review has gone nowhere. The Metro Review has been ignored. The Bus Taskforce recommendations are gathering dust and buses that were promised to be built in NSW are being built in China.
 
The first Train Review sought to blame a 2017 timetable change for poor performance. The Rail Repair Plan was focused more on raising the profile of the then Transport Minister than on raising the reliability of the train network.
 
Now in May this year, the Premier ordered a second train review 25 months into the job. Documents tabled in Parliament show the review costing taxpayers at least $380,000 was due back to the Government on 21 August. Instead of managing the transport system, the Government is managing the media.
 
With the Premier setting the groundwork to point the finger and offer excuses, the Minns Labor Government has some serious questions to answer –
 
How much new capital expenditure from the consolidated fund will be provided to improve train reliability beyond what was forecast in the 2025-26 NSW Budget?
Are all the review’s recommendations fully funded? If not, why not?
Why are taxpayers paying for reviews that don’t solve the problems their taxes are paying for?
 
NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said Labor’s record is all spin and no solutions.
 
“When something goes wrong the Government does not fix the problem; instead it rushes to polish the story. People want trains that turn up and a government that does its job.
 
“Running government means making tough calls. Instead, we see a Premier who delays, blames others and leaves commuters stranded,” Mr Speakman said.
 
Shadow Minister for Transport and Roads Natalie Ward said the Government’s second train review in under two years shows it has failed to take meaningful action.
 
“Only NSW Labor could order a review into why trains are late and then deliver the review late as well.
 
“After three budgets and two reports, commuters don’t need more spin; they need answers. Labor can point the finger, or they can deliver solutions, but commuters have had enough,” Ms Ward said.

Survey shows record business pain yet NSW labor backs gun lobby over small business

The latest Business NSW survey shows small businesses are being squeezed by rising costs, worker shortages and compliance pressures.
 
The survey shows that in NSW it is harder than ever to run a business, with –

  • 97 per cent of businesses struggling to lift productivity.
  • Rising costs identified by 65 per cent of respondents
  • 42 per cent pointing to a lack of skilled labour, and
  • 41 per cent saying regulatory demands were holding them back.

The Government’s Economic Reform Roundtable in August put productivity on the agenda, but business leaders say it delivered little more than talk.
 
Despite these warnings, the Minns Labor Government has doubled down on its decision to axe Business Connect. The Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Small Business have all refused to reconsider, even though Treasury’s independent review found the program delivered $1.50 back to the economy for every $1 invested, supporting more than 60,000 businesses and associated with creating over 40,000 jobs.
 
Instead of restoring this proven program, the Minns Labor Government found $7.9 million in June’s Budget to set up a shooter-dominated hunting authority in a deal with the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party.
 
NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said this survey confirms what small business has been telling us.
 
“Costs are spiralling, pressures are at record levels, and people are stretched to breaking point – yet the Premier, Treasurer and Small Business Minister have doubled down on cutting a program that kept businesses alive and saved jobs.
 
“At the same time, they found millions for a hunting authority, demonstrating their priorities are all wrong,” Mr Speakman said.
 
Shadow Treasurer Damien Tudehope said the survey shows businesses are being squeezed by higher costs, worker shortages and red tape.
 
“At the very time businesses need help, the Premier, Treasurer and Small Business Minister have doubled down on cutting Business Connect.
 
“Instead of restoring a program proven to save jobs and support growth, Labor has found $7.9 million to fund a deal with the gun lobby,” Mr Tudehope said.
 
Shadow Minister for Small Business Tim James said Business Connect wasn’t theory; it was practical advice that delivered real results.
 
“Fewer closures, more jobs and stronger communities, yet NSW Labor axed it without another thought for a gun lobby deal.
 
“A NSW Liberals and Nationals Government will bring Business Connect back” Mr James said.
 
Shadow Minister for Jobs, Industry and Innovation Mark Coure said small businesses are drowning under costs and red tape, but the Premier, Treasurer and Small Business Minister have refused to act.
 
“Every thriving industry in NSW, from advanced manufacturing to local startups, depends on programs like Business Connect that create jobs and drive economic growth. Instead of backing local industry and job creation, Labor chose to fund political deals and leave businesses to fend for themselves,” Mr Coure said.

Appeal for information following child approach – Hunter Valley

Police are appealing for assistance following a reported child approach incident in the state’s north last month.

Police were told between 4.30pm and 5.15pm on Saturday 23 August 2025, a 13-year-old girl was walking along Doyle Street, Bellbird, when a utility vehicle stopped next to the girl, and the driver asked if she wanted a lift.

The driver attempted to get out of his car as the girl refused and managed to run away. The driver left the scene.

Officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District were notified and commenced investigations.

The driver is described as being of Caucasian appearance, believed to be in his 60s or 70s, with light grey hair, grey beard with a dark colour at the bottom, and a crooked nose.

Following inquiries, police have released CCTV images of a vehicle seen in the area at the time of the incident.

The vehicle is described as being a two-door black/chalky appearance utility – possibly an older model Ford – with white flames going along the side of the car, a spoiler on the tray, and black rims.

HEXHAM BRIDGE TAKES SHAPE AS FINAL GIRDERS LOCKED INTO PLACE

The Albanese and Minns Governments are forging ahead with one of the Hunter’s most significant infrastructure projects, with the final girders now in place on the new northbound bridge over Ironbark Creek (Toohrnbing) on the Hexham Straight Widening.
A total of 65 girders have been lifted into place by a 400-tonne crane. Each girder weighs around 20 tonnes – equivalent to the weight of 10 family cars – and forms the foundation of the new three-lane northbound bridge.
The Hexham Straight upgrade is a key part of the $2.2 billion M1 Pacific Motorway Extension to Raymond Terrace, jointly funded by the Australian and NSW governments.
With around 50,000 vehicles using this stretch of road each day, the project aims to relieve congestion, improve safety and provide more reliable travel for both commuters and freight operators.
Transport for NSW and its delivery partners – an alliance of Georgiou, Daracon Contractors and SMEC – are now focused on completing the bridge deck, installing barriers and progressing final road surfacing.
The new northbound bridge is expected to open to traffic by early 2026, weather permitting.
This six-kilometre upgrade between the Newcastle Inner City Bypass and Hexham Bridge will see the current two-lane dual carriageway widened to three lanes in each direction, removing a well-known bottleneck and helping to future-proof the region’s road network.
Motorists are already seeing the transformation take shape, and more changes will become visible as construction continues. Some temporary lane closures and speed reductions will be required at times, with updates available through Live Traffic NSW.
The M1 Pacific Motorway Extension to Raymond Terrace includes the Hexham Straight Widening and is being delivered with $1.8 billion from the Australian Government and $448 million from the NSW Government. The entire upgrade is expected to open to traffic in 2026.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison:
“There will be no sub-par work on this project. This is one of the most important road corridors in the Hunter, and we are building infrastructure that will last – not just for today, but for decades to come.
“In the 1870’s, the first timber truss bridge was opened over Ironbark Creek, connecting Newcastle to Maitland.
“Now we’re seeing the final girder placed on a brand new, modern bridge that will carry this connection forward for generations.”
Member for Newcastle, Sharon Claydon:
“This is an exciting step forward on one of Newcastle and the Hunter’s most critical road projects.
“Once complete, this upgrade will make trips faster, safer, and more reliable for the more than 50,000 motorists who use this stretch every day.
“We’re delivering real progress on this long-awaited project, and this milestone brings us another step closer to the finish line.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Paterson, Meryl Swanson:
“The final girder lift is a major step forward for the Hexham Straight upgrade – a project that will ease congestion, improve safety, and support local jobs right here in our region.
“I’m proud to see this progress delivered thanks to a strong collaboration between the Australian and NSW Governments. With $1.8 billion in federal funding, the M1 Pacific Motorway Extension to Raymond Terrace project is a major investment in our region’s future – and the Hexham Straight Widening is a critical step towards its completion.
“A big thank you to all the commuters for your patience during construction, and to the incredible roadworkers and project teams for their hard work in making the Hexham Straight Widening a reality.”
Member for Newcastle, Tim Crakanthorp:
“It’s fantastic to see the Hexham Straight Widening project ticking off another significant milestone.
“Motorists will be able to see the bridge come together before their very eyes over the next few months as our teams continue carrying out this important upgrade.”
Member for Wallsend, Sonia Hornery:
“A big well done to the Hexham Straight Widening team who have worked tirelessly on upgrading this important stretch of the Pacific Highway.
“Once complete, this project will improve traffic flow for motorists and freight which mean safer journeys and more reliable travel times.”

RAAF Base Townsville prepares for Apache fleet

The foundations are almost complete and the first structures are beginning to take shape as RAAF Base Townsville forges ahead with infrastructure works, to prepare for the arrival of Australian Army’s AH-64E Apache helicopter fleet. 

The Albanese Government is investing $700 million for critical infrastructure upgrades and facilities works in Townsville. The works support the introduction of the Apache helicopters, including accommodation for the 16th Aviation Brigade Headquarters who recently relocated from Brisbane, and for the 1st Aviation Regiment who have commenced their relocation from Darwin.

The Apache is the most advanced helicopter currently in operation. Its introduction into service will be a step change in Army’s aviation capability.

Basing Apache in Townsville alongside the expanded CH-47F Chinook fleet allows Army to generate, sustain and deploy a stronger and more resilient helicopter capability for Defence.

These critical infrastructure works are part of the Albanese Government’s focus on investing in Australia’s northern bases, in line with the 2024 National Defence Strategy. Works underway include:

  • New aircraft hangars, as well as renovations to existing hangars;
  • New working accommodation;
  • New training and command facilities;
  • A simulation hall to accommodate Apache Pilot Simulation Training and the Army Aviation Training Centre Attack Helicopter Wing; and
  • Multi-storey car park facilities to support personnel working at the base. 

The construction phase of the project is set to inject $375 million into the North Queensland economy and bring significant investment into local construction trades, industries and suppliers. At the peak of construction, more than 275 jobs will be created within the Townsville region.

Defence has partnered with CPB Contractors as the managing contractor for the works, who are committed to generating opportunities for local tradies to upskill. This commitment to offer new entry-level pathways to locals, supports the Albanese Government’s aim to build stronger capability within north Queensland’s workforce. 

Construction works are expected to be completed by 2028. 

Assistant Minister for Defence, Peter Khalil:

“By strengthening our northern bases, we’re not just investing in infrastructure —we’re safeguarding our national security and ensuring the ADF can defend Australia’s interests. 

“RAAF Base Townsville is critical to our operations in the North and this $700 million transformation will help ensure Australia’s Defence estate is fit for purpose and ready to support operations in our region. 

“We’re also committed to supporting the local industry and businesses who have been chosen to help deliver the program of works, which will create more than 275 new jobs for North Queenslanders.”

Assistant Minister for Northern Australia, Nita Green:

“RAAF Base Townsville plays an important role in protecting our nation and our communities. There’s no clearer example of that than the role played by the Army’s 5th Aviation Regiment in the response to the most recent North Queensland floods. 

“These upgrades will support the personnel that support the community. That’s why they are so vital for Townsville.”

Minns’ captains call on nuclear subs approaches

The NSW Government is preparing a final business case for cabinet which would allow nuclear submarines to dock at the Port of Newcastle or Port Kembla. No community consultation has been undertaken on the proposed nuclear submarine sites in Newcastle or the Illawarra despite documents, provided to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) by the NSW Government, showing the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure is finalising their recommendations.  

The NCAT hearing and documents are the result of a challenge by Senator Rex Patrick after the NSW Government refused to release documents under freedom of information laws.  

Greens MP and spokesperson for the environment, Sue Higginson:   

“The people of Newcastle and the Illawarra are in the crosshairs of the Federal Government’s plan to host nuclear tools of war and long lasting toxic waste from the United States – and it’s all happening behind closed doors,”   

“Premier Chris Minns is picking up where Peter Dutton left off, with no plan for where their inevitable nuclear waste will be stored, but he’s going further making us and our ports vulnerable military targets,”   

“It’s a disaster plan in every sense. The people of NSW and Australia have been so clear about our rejection of nuclear and all of its dangers, but here we have what seems to be another reckless captains call from Minns,”  

“These decisions, happening a long way from the affected communities, represent a seismic shift in policy for NSW when it comes to nuclear machines of war and nuclear waste storage. We shouldn’t accept that these massive decisions can only be made by Premiers or Prime Ministers, we must have early and transparent consultation sitting at the heart of these kinds of moves,”  

Greens Councillor for the Illawarra, Jess Whittaker:   

“Chris Minns and Labor shouldn’t underestimate the grassroots community opposition to war activities in the Illawarra. We have a long and proud history as a peaceful city and allowing the arrival of nuclear submarines will be strongly opposed.”  

Greens Councillor for Newcastle, Charlotte McCabe:   

“The NSW and Australian Governments seem determined to make Newcastle a centre for weapons investment, this is the last thing that our community needs or wants. We have a growing young person population in our city, and they want stronger climate action and support for essential community services, slapping a nuclear submarine in our beautiful harbour is not on the agenda.”

PM picked a climate target last year and without hearing climate doomsday report findings, witnesses reveal

The Prime Minister has not been briefed by the authors of the doomsday Climate Risk Report, and appears to have pre-determined the upcoming 2035 climate target potentially over six months ago and without having considered the dire warnings for Australian society given by scientists, according to explosive revelations in the Senate Standing Committees on Environment and Communications on Tuesday.

Representatives of the Australian Climate Service (ACS, the agency responsible for the National Climate Risk Analysis) told the Greens-led hearing that they had been unable to brief the Prime Minister on the report’s diabolical contents (clip available here, 9:23-9:26 from the inquiry).

The inquiry also heard from Treasury officials that they have modelled just one figure for a 2035 emissions reduction target, and that work commenced prior to the last election, suggesting Labor pre-determined a climate target without first evaluating the catastrophic risk to Australians, and kept it hidden at the election. (Climate Risk Inquiry Hearing, 11:10-11:11 & 11:17-11:18)

Greens Leader Senator Larissa Waters:

“Today we found out the Prime Minister hasn’t even met with the scientists who authored the climate doomsday report.

“1.5 million people are at risk of their homes constantly flooding or falling into the sea in the next 25 years, but the Prime Minister doesn’t want to know about it.

“I’m sure it was easier to approve the North West Shelf gas project with your fingers in your ears, ignoring the real-life terrifying trajectory Australia is on towards climate collapse in the next 25 years.

“The Prime Minister will soon announce Australia’s climate target, but was apparently too busy to talk to the researchers about 1.5 million displaced people, a collapsing health system, crop failures creating food insecurity and the national security implications of the target he’s chosen.

“Treasury officials admitted today that they modelled a single climate target months ago. When they inevitably say they got the balance right, the first question should be how do you know, since Treasury never modelled another scenario.

“Anything less than zero emissions by 2035 locks in the worst scenarios contained in this report.

“Leaders in the business community including Fortescue, Volvo and Unilever have called for a target of at least 75% to incentivise the renewable transition.

“The systemic collapse of climate change will be this Prime Minister’s legacy if he doesn’t set a strong climate target this week and stop approving new coal and gas projects.”