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Hundreds of additional bus services will be available over summer to ensure Sydneysiders and tourists are able to travel to some of the State’s most iconic beaches.

Minister for Transport, Veterans and Western Sydney David Elliott said almost 300 additional services had been added to the timetable this summer so local commuters and tourists were able to enjoy a hassle-free trip to the eastern suburbs. 

“Bondi, Coogee and other surrounding beaches are extremely popular tourist destinations and as Sydneysiders flock to the beach, the additional services are required to meet the summertime demand,” Mr Elliott said.

“The additional services provide commuters with a lot more options to ensure they can not only travel to appointments, entertainment venues, shopping and of course popular eastern suburbs beaches but also eases traffic congestion and parking issues.” 

Member for Vaucluse Gabrielle Upton said these additional 280 weekly bus services each summer are a great boost for local residents who travel between Bondi Beach and Rose Bay.

“These extra services will make it easier to travel between our iconic Bondi Beach during the peak summer season and Rose Bay Ferry Wharf where you can catch a ferry into the city. 

“The services will be added to the existing 362 bus route connecting Sydney’s eastern beaches between Coogee and Rose Bay. Over the summer, services will run every 30 minutes, seven days a week until Thursday 26 January 2023,” Ms Upton said. 

Mr Elliott said public transport patronage had soared across all modes of public transport as Sydneysiders geared up for a blockbuster summer of major events.

“Sydney commuters have again started to embrace public transport with the Sydney Light Rail network leading the way recording more than four million trips over two months,” he said. 

“Public transport use across Greater Sydney was rebounding with patronage at 80 per cent of pre-pandemic levels on weekends and 70 per cent of pre-pandemic levels on weekdays.

“The Sydney Light Rail network has been a standout with the L2 Randwick and L3 Kingsford light rail lines hitting record patronage this year exceeding two million trips per month for September and October – proving light rail makes light work of crowds at the Moore Park Entertainment Quarter,” 

Ferries were the strongest performer by mode during November 2022, returning to 98 per cent of pre-pandemic levels on weekends and 88 per cent of pre-pandemic levels on weekdays.

Buses are at 73 per cent of pre-pandemic levels while rail, including Metro, continues to be the most popular mode with about 873,000 average daily trips taken on weekdays. 

The Illawarra is set to become a renewable energy and clean manufacturing powerhouse, following the release of the draft declaration of the Illawarra Renewable Energy Zone (REZ).

The NSW Government is leading the transformation of our energy system by building five massive REZs across the State. The development of the REZs under the NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap are critical to deliver cheap, reliable and clean electricity to homes and businesses in NSW as coal-fired power stations progressively close over the next 10 to 15 years.

Energy Minister Matt Kean said the Illawarra REZ draft declaration sets out additional transmission network capacity and the geographical area that will make up the Illawarra REZ.

“The Illawarra is well placed to become a renewable energy powerhouse, thanks to its existing energy, port and transport infrastructure, its highly skilled workforce and strong demand from existing industries to decarbonise,” Mr Kean said.

“The Illawarra REZ registration of interest attracted a significant response with 44 renewable generation and storage projects registering, representing more than 17 gigawatts of new projects which could unlock around $43 billion in potential investment.”

Parliamentary Secretary for Wollongong and the Illawarra Peter Poulos said once the REZ has been formally declared, we will begin the next phase of development, including engaging closely with the local community, industry, councils and other stakeholders.

“This REZ will ensure the Illawarra plays a central role in our renewable energy future, powering existing and emerging industries, including in offshore wind, green hydrogen and green steel production,” Mr Poulos said.

The draft declaration is now on public exhibition for six weeks until mid-February 2023 and can be viewed online at the link below. To provide feedback or to contact EnergyCo, please email contact@energyco.nsw.gov.au.
For more information visit https://www.energyco.nsw.gov.au/ilw-rez

The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government is powering ahead with the $4.5 billion upgrade to the Great Western Highway, announcing Abergeldie Complex Infrastructure has been awarded the contract to begin major work at Medlow Bath in the new year.

Deputy Premier, Minister for Regional NSW and Member for Bathurst Paul Toole said the Medlow Bath upgrade will mark the first section of major work on the Great Western Highway upgrade between Lithgow and Katoomba.
“The Great Western Highway upgrade is fast becoming a re`ality – major work is due to start as soon as March on this project which will be life changing for the thousands of people that use the road every day,” Mr Toole said.
“The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government has worked incredibly hard to ensure this transformative project happens- because we know the difference it will make from the Blue Mountains and beyond.”

As part of the upgrade, 1.2-kilometre section of highway through Medlow Bath will be widened to four lanes with new dedicated right turning lanes and a signalised intersection will be built at Bellevue Crescent including a new left turning bay, and a new pedestrian bridge.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government was pushing ahead with the project because there was a real fear a Chris Minns Labor Government would put it on the chopping block. 

“We saw what happened in the Federal Budget, funding was deferred to the outer years, a clear sign Labor intends to punt the project to Never-Neverland,” Mr Farraway said. 

“NSW Labor left us with a $30 billion infrastructure backlog bill and in the last 12 years we’ve worked hard to build legacy infrastructure projects that will make a huge difference to the lives of people across our state now and into the future.”

The NSW Government is also inviting community feedback on the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Blackheath to Little Hartley tunnel from next month.

More information on the Great Western Highway upgrade is available on the Transport for NSW website.

The Penrith and Blue Mountains communities will soon see the second stage of the $1 billion expansion and upgrade of Nepean Hospital underway, with a main works contractor now appointed.
 
Minister for Health Brad Hazzard today announced CPB Contractors will construct the hospital’s second clinical services building, to deliver additional first class healthcare services in Western Sydney for future generations. 
 
“The NSW Government is delivering a second state-of-the-art clinical services building for the upgraded Nepean Hospital, which will seamlessly connect with the first tower we opened earlier this year. This incredible expansion of Nepean Hospital will provide the very best healthcare for the Penrith and Blue Mountains communities,” Mr Hazzard said.
 
The new clinical services building includes an intensive care unit, in-centre renal dialysis unit, medical imaging and nuclear medicine services, more in-patient units, and a large and welcoming front-of-house for the hospital.
 
Member for Penrith Stuart Ayres said Stage 2 of the Nepean Hospital redevelopment will also provide better community-based healthcare in Penrith to benefit local families and young people for years to come. 
 
“In addition to a second state-of-the-art clinical services building we’re delivering a community health centre in Soper Place, right in the heart of Penrith, where locals can easily access integrated health care and mental health services for families and young people at home and in the community,” Mr Ayres said. 
 
“With both the consultation and designs currently underway, I encourage everyone to have a say in shaping their new community health centre by completing the online survey which is open now.”
 
The redevelopment  team has been focused on Stage 2 enabling works which include relocating some services, repurposing some of the existing infrastructure, and delivering an expanded pathology service on the ground floor of Building E.  
 
Member for Mulgoa, Tanya Davies said Stage 2 construction would ramp up early next year.
 
“The Nepean Hospital campus is buzzing with activity as we prepare the campus for main works in 2023 for the second new clinical services building, creating more job opportunities and ensuring better health outcomes for local people,” Ms Davies said.
 
“The next stage of this major redevelopment builds on the enhanced services and health facilities now available in the hospital’s new clinical tower to provide our region with more high-quality healthcare, making it an even more appealing place to work and live.”
 
Stage 1 of the redevelopment included a new clinical building that opened in 2022 featuring an emergency department, 18 birthing suites, a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, 16 operating theatres and more than 200 beds, in contemporary and bright in-patient units. The Stage 1 tower also provides coronary care services and an additional inpatient unit floor, which were fast-tracked from Stage 2 funding.
 
The NSW Government is investing a record $11.9 billion in health infrastructure over the 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.
 
To complete the online survey on the new community health centre visit: https://forms.office.com/r/eUs580DxRd
 
For more information about the Nepean Hospital Redevelopment visit: https://www.nepeanredevelopment.health.nsw.gov.au/

Up to 400,000 NSW households could soon be powered by renewable electricity generated at the Phoenix Pumped Hydro station after the project received $7 million in support from the NSW Government to progress feasibility studies.

The Phoenix Pumped Hydro project, located at the Burrendong Dam, near Wellington and within the Central West Orana REZ, will provide 810MW of capacity and storage for up to 12 continuous hours of electricity generation.

Minister for Energy Matt Kean said pumped hydro will form an essential building block of the electricity system of the future. 

“Pumped hydro acts like a giant battery for the electricity system. It works by using surplus renewable energy to pump water up a hill when it is sunny and windy, and releasing the water back down the hill through giant turbines that create electricity when it is still and dark,” Mr Kean said.

“Bringing the grant funding and development access together will play a key role in fast-tracking the development of pumped hydro, which will be critical to replace our ageing coal fire power stations.”

Minster for Lands and Water Kevin Anderson said through the WaterNSW’s Renewable Energy and Storage Program, WaterNSW is looking at ways to leverage its land and assets to deliver benefits for future energy security and its customers. 

“WaterNSW is looking to the market to identify renewable generation and storage opportunities on WaterNSW land and assets,” Mr Anderson said.

“I’m really excited by this opportunity for WaterNSW to work hand in hand with government to support the renewable energy transition and at the same time look for innovative ways to keep our customers’ bills as low as possible.” 

The project will be funded by the NSW Pumped Hydro Recoverable Grants Program and a Development Agreement under WaterNSW’s Renewable Energy and Storage Program.

It’s expected to be operational by 2030 and would play a key role in providing dispatchable, long duration storage to support energy market security.

The NSW Government committed a further $24 million to the Pumped Hydro Recoverable Grants Program in the June Budget. This funding is expected to expand the pipeline of pumped hydro projects that can make competitive bids for Long-Term Energy Service Agreements for long duration storage.

The NSW Government will also invest $23.5 million to undertake feasibility studies to develop pumped hydro projects on key WaterNSW assets throughout the State. The outcomes of these feasibility studies and the potential opportunities will be made available to the private sector in early 2023. 

Plans to futureproof the M7 and M12 motorways have been approved by the NSW Government, providing a major boost to the road network in Western Sydney.
 
WSO Co will deliver the proposed works, which include widening the M7 between the M5 at Prestons and Richmond Rd at Oakhurst, and building a new interchange between the M7 and M12 and an upgrade to Elizabeth Drive to connect it to the M12.
 
Minister for Finance Damien Tudehope said the project would provide a vital connection to the new toll-free M12 motorway and support the projected growth of the region. 
 
“Western Sydney is one of the fastest growing regions in Australia, which is why our Liberal National Government is investing in the transport and infrastructure now, to support this projected growth and ensure the region and its residents continue to thrive,” Mr Tudehope said.
 
“The M7 will be widened to six lanes between Prestons and Oakhurst, meaning drivers will be able to travel along this major Western Sydney road more quickly and safely, benefitting both commuters and business that rely on this key freight route. 
 
“The project will also include integrate the M7 with the new M12, a 16 kilometre-long toll-free motorway that will connect to the new Western Sydney International Airport and Western Parkland City.
 
“This will support workers and families across Western Sydney by cutting travel times and improving access to industrial hubs including Bradfield.” 
 
The agreement is subject to final planning approval. There will be no change to existing toll prices on the M7. 
 
The M12 Motorway is jointly funded by the Australian and NSW Governments and is scheduled to open in 2026.
 
For more information go to: 
M12 motorway: M12 Motorway – Projects – Roads and Waterways – Transport for NSW
M7 widening: Westlink M7 Widening – Projects – Roads and Waterways – Transport for NSW