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The waste levy has been waived for four Local Government Areas (LGAs) affected by the recent bushfires across NSW.

Until 30 April 2026, residents impacted by bushfires can dispose of damaged items at landfill sites without paying the waste levy fee.

The exemption applies to bushfire-related waste on public and private land, including damaged building materials, furniture, carpet, fallen trees, garden debris and other items.

After Natural Disaster Declarations were made, the Waste Levy Exemption applies to the following LGAs:

• Central Coast
• MidCoast
• Upper Hunter
• Muswellbrook

Landfill operators may still charge their own operational cost to manage waste, also known as a gate or tip fee. Residents should check with their council before visiting their local tip to ensure it can accept waste.

Councils can activate the exemption by contacting the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and nominating which facilities they would like to use to dispose of disaster waste.

The EPA will continue to monitor conditions and consider additional exemptions if required.

Minister for the Central Coast David Harris said:

“As people begin to pick up the pieces of their lives after the devastation of the weekend, it’s important we support them in any way we can.

“Lifting of the waste levy fee not only frees up a financial burden, it streamlines the process of clean up for people, which in turn enables them to get on to the rebuild phase.

“Our community is resilient, and we will support each other throughout this disaster and the clean-up and rebuilding process ahead.”

Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch said:

“As our community moves to clean-up and rebuild from the devastation of this weekend’s fires the lifting of the waste levy fee is an important way to ease financial pressures on our community.

“The removal of the waste levy fee ensures that damaged material is disposed of quickly and safety, while eliminating some of the stress in such a difficult time.

“Our community has come together in the face of this disaster, and I know that we will also face the clean-up and rebuild process together.”

The Minns Labor Government is delivering for the Mid North Coast, today joining with Port Macquarie-Hastings Council (PMHC) to announce the completion of the long-awaited Ocean Drive Duplication in Port Macquarie.

The $123 million project, jointly funded by the NSW Government and PMHC, has transformed 3.2 kilometres of Ocean Drive into a modern, safe, four-lane corridor that will reduce congestion, improve travel times and better connect a rapidly growing region.

Ocean Drive is one of many projects moving forward along the Coast as part of the Minns Government’s $30 billion-a-year infrastructure program, which is building and improving the essential services and transport links regional communities rely on.

The completion makes it easier for locals and visitors to travel along Ocean Drive, following the duplication of sections between Greenmeadows Drive and Matthew Flinders Drive, and upgrading intersections.

The upgrade of Ocean Drive delivers:

• A new four-lane divided carriageway
• Upgraded intersections to cut bottlenecks and improve reliability
• New shared pedestrian and cycling paths
• Better crossing points and road safety features
• Koala-exclusion fencing and a dedicated fauna underpass
• Major upgrades to water, wastewater and utility infrastructure delivered alongside the road works

These improvements help to future-proof the corridor for growing traffic demands and enhance connections to schools, health services, local businesses and key coastal destinations.

The work also forms part of a broader long-term transport network improvement, including planning for the Lake Road Duplication.

The opening today will be marked with an official ribbon cutting ceremony, with Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison, Mayor of Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, Adam Roberts and other state, local and community representatives in attendance.

Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison said:

“The Minns Labor Government working with the local council to deliver for the Mid North Coast. We know the community has been calling for this upgrade, and today we’re delivering safer, faster and more reliable trips for locals and visitors across the Coast.

“This upgrade responds to strong population growth in this region, providing improved access for residents to local services, including health, schools and small businesses.

“We’re the first government in decades delivering the homes, infrastructure and essential services communities need, all at once, as part of one plan. And that includes long-overdue road upgrades like this one.

“This project shows what happens when State and Local Government roll up their sleeves and get on with the job.”

Mayor of Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, Adam Roberts said:

“The completion of the Ocean Drive Duplication Project marks a landmark achievement for our region and is Council’s largest investment in road infrastructure to date. 

“This is more than just a road upgrade. Our commitment to meeting current and future water and wastewater infrastructure needs has also been considered, with close to five kilometres of upgraded pipeline network integrated into the delivery of this project. 

“The appointment of Ditchfield Contracting has also created new jobs and boosted the local economic profile of the region. This project shows what can be achieved when we invest in infrastructure that supports growth, enhances liveability and strengthens our regional economy.” 

The Minns Labor Government is one step closer to delivering a new roundabout at the Giinagay Way Intersection with Valla Beach Road, with construction work already underway on the significant safety improvement.

The decision to construct a roundabout was made following strong community calls and extensive investigations by the Centre for Road Safety after a series of crashes and near misses at the site.

The safety upgrades, comprising a roundabout, gateway entry treatments and permanent vehicle activated speed signs will be in place by early 2026.

These safety upgrades follow the introduction of a 60km/h speed limit on a one kilometre stretch of Giinagay Way on either side of the intersection. This change, along with the introduction of temporary Vehicle Activated Speed signs, has seen a significant reduction of crashes at the site.

Work will be paused over the busy holiday period to avoid traffic impacts on visitors to the region and will recommence on Monday, 12 January to ensure the project is completed before the end of school holidays so as not to affect school bus timetables.

Road users should allow additional travel time from 12 January as traffic control will be in place, with single lane, alternate flow both in and out of Valla Beach

Road and a detour via the Nambucca interchange for southbound motorists on Giinagay Way.

Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison said:

“The Minns Labor Government promised to fix this dangerous hotspot, and now we are delivering the safer roads the people of the Mid North Coast deserve.

“I have visited this site on multiple occasions, and I have heard directly from the community. Following extensive investigations, I am pleased to see Transport for NSW and the Centre for Road Safety getting on with the work and delivering a workable solution.

“A roundabout will make the intersection of Valla Beach Road and Giinagay Way much safer for all road users.

“It’s great to see work starting at this location, which has experienced a number of near misses and crashes including a tragic fatal incident earlier this year.”

Labor spokesperson for Oxley, Anthony D’Adam said:

“The Minns Labor Government is committed to ensuring regional communities get the road safety improvements they need.

“This intersection has seen far too many near misses and crashes, and I know how important this upgrade is for local residents.

“It is great to see work now underway on a roundabout that will make travel safer through this part of the Mid North Coast.”

The Minns Labor Government has renewed its commitment to protect workers from dust diseases with its new $2.5 million state-of-the-art Lung Health Mobile Clinic which is providing lung health checks to thousands of people across New South Wales.

The new lung bus has arrived in Gosford to provide free lung screening checks. These lung health checks can be lifesaving by ensuring early detection and treatment of dust diseases like asbestosis, silicosis and mesothelioma.

The lung bus program provides free lung screening checks to more than 5,000 workers annually in regional NSW.

The icare Lung Bus is travelling the length and breadth of the state, including visits to Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, Taree, Tuncurry, Spears Point, Tweed Heads, Gosford, Nowra, Shellharbour, Port Kembla, Bathurst, Dubbo, Broken Hill and Tamworth.

The new mobile clinic features several innovations including:

• Digital chest X-ray technology, providing precise and reliable first instance imaging.
• Enhanced spirometry (lung function) testing equipment to evaluate breathing capacity and respiratory performance.
• Digital monitoring systems to streamline diagnostics and care.
• A backup power supply to ensure uninterrupted operation in remote locations.
• Greater accessibility and comfort, with larger clinical space designed to support both staff and clients.

The brand-new Lung Bus continues the legacy of the state’s original mobile service which served the community for nearly 16 years.

That Bus travelled more than 700,000km (more than 17 times around the world), screening more than 53,000 people, and visiting over 300 destinations across NSW.

This is one of many measures to protect workers from dust diseases, including those caused by silica and asbestos.

The Minns Labor Government has established a new Expert Taskforce to help address silica related health risks in tunnelling projects, following revelations of rising silicosis cases in tunnelling leading up to 2023 and led the campaign for the national ban on engineered stone which started last year.

The NSW Government is funding a team of dedicated silica safety inspectors to ensure businesses are complying with its strengthened laws.

The Lung Health Mobile Clinic will be in Gosford at the Hylton Moore Oval Car Park on Wattle St, until Thursday 11 December.

Whilst lung bus bookings are at capacity, for more information on lung health checks or to arrange a screening, visit:

https://www.icare.nsw.gov.au/employers/employer-obligations/lung-screening-service

Workers can also arrange a free lung screening at icare’s Sydney CBD clinic, or with local providers regionally when the lung bus is not in that part of the state. To book a free lung health check, contact icare on 1800 550 027.

Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis said:

“The new Mobile Clinic underscores the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to removing barriers like cost and location, ensuring workers across NSW have access to the critical support and care they need to safeguard their health.

“Along with enforcement of the recent ban on engineered stone, the new Lung Bus demonstrates our commitment to improve outcomes for workers exposed to hazardous dust across NSW.”

Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said:

“I welcome the $2.5 million investment into the new icare Lung Bus which will provide thousands of health checks for people living in regional NSW.

“Our regional communities remain front and centre when it comes to ensuring early detection and treatment of dust diseases like asbestosis, silicosis, and mesothelioma.”

Minister for the Central Coast David Harris said:

“We want to make sure that Central Coast people have access to the healthcare they need, when and where they need it.

“For too many, life gets in the way of regular check-ups so by bringing this mobile service directly to our Coast community, we’re removing one more barrier to staying healthy.

“Whether you’re working in construction, mining, manufacturing or just living in the area – we’re urging everyone to take a few minutes to get checked.”

Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch said:

“It is fantastic to have the icare Lung Bus here in Gosford. This is a terrific initiative that plays a vital role in keeping workers safe and healthy.

“These health checks can be lifesaving by enabling the early detection and treatment of dust-related diseases.

“By bringing these essential services directly to the communities that need them most, the icare Lung Bus is helping to protect the health and futures of our workers.”

Icare Group Executive of General Insurance and Care, Britt Coombe said:

“A lung health check could save your life.

“Early detection is critical to effective treatment, and we’re here to make sure every worker, no matter where they live, has access to world-class care.”

The Minns Labor Government has released three new draft strategic planning documents which re-align Sydney’s long-term housing and jobs growth planning in line with the state’s landmark reforms and initiatives.

The draft Sydney Plan, new Approach to Strategic Planning Discussion Paper and Statewide Policy for Industrial Lands map out a clear and bright future for Sydney and NSW.

The Draft Sydney Plan once finalised will replace the outdated Greater Sydney Region Plan providing new comprehensive guidance for Sydney’s growth over the next two decades further cementing the Minns Labor Government’s work to rebalance Sydney’s long-term housing growth.

It delivers clear direction on how and where new jobs and homes should be located to make living in the city more affordable while driving the growth of Australia’s largest economy.

Key proposed changes include:

• Better aligning infrastructure to planned growth for both infill and greenfield development.
• Increasing the supply of well-located jobs, by delivering more guidance to councils on employment categories that suit their area.
• Protecting and enhancing the natural environment by bringing contemporary environmental management approaches into the planning process early and delivering more urban greening.
• Making affordable housing contribution scheme’s mandatory for all councils, so every part of Sydney is doing their part to create a more affordable city.

The Draft Sydney Plan is the first of four region plans which will set out the strategic planning directions for all of NSW helping to better enable the Minns Labor Government’s nation leading reforms for a more consistent, coordinated and fit for purpose planning system.

This draft plan underpins our major policy reforms in housing, affordable housing, industrial lands, vibrancy, infrastructure delivery and resilience.

A New Approach to Strategic Planning: Discussion Paperproposes a new simplified, three-tiered framework for strategic plans, aiming to put an end to what is currently an overly complex and often duplicative system.

The new framework would include:

• A State Land Use Plan to set clear statewide priorities.
• Regional plans to guide growth and infrastructure.
• Local Strategic Planning Statements (LSPS) to lead local implementation.

The proposed changes will give councils, agencies, and industry across NSW greater certainty moving forward so their effort can be better directed towards work that will have the biggest benefit.

The Statewide Policy for Industrial lands will improve how we plan, secure and manage industrial land across NSW.

It will categorise industrial land as either state, regionally or locally significant, improving how we coordinate, process and manage industrial lands to support job creation and economic growth in key industries.

This policy supports the implementation of the Industrial Lands Action Plan, released earlier this year to boost industrial land supply across the state.

We are seeking feedback on each of these documents until Friday, 27 February 2026.

For more information and to view the draft plans, visit:

• The draft Sydney Plan
• A New Approach to Strategic Planning: Discussion Paper
• Statewide Policy for Industrial Lands

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“The Minns Labor Government is updating the outdated 2018 Greater Sydney Plan setting a new direction for the long-term growth of jobs and housing so more people will be able to live, work and play in Sydney.

“This builds on the Minns Labor Government’s work to rebalance growth and reshape the planning system so it is fit for purpose and ready to meet today’s challenges.

“It continues to drive Sydney’s economic and residential growth, while also enabling a city filled with the kind of vibrancy that attracts international jobs, knowledge and industry.

“The new Statewide Policy for Industrial Lands adds to this supporting more jobs across the state by strengthening how we plan, secure and manage industrial land across NSW.

“The Minns Labor Government inherited a shortage of serviced and available industrial and employment lands, along with a shortage of homes. The industrial lands policy will help to deliver new land for job-creating investments while making sure that employment land around key infrastructure such as ports and airports is retained for the long-term.”

“I encourage people to have their say on these documents which will provide the long-term certainty for residents, councils, businesses and investors.”