The Minns Labor Government is expanding its drought plan with new financial support products and services for farmers and communities as dry conditions continue across parts of NSW.

Following discussions by the Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty and the Southern NSW Drought Coordinator with farmers and their families, plus mayors and local MPs, further assistance will be immediately rolled out to help those in need.

The new additional measures have been identified following comprehensive consultation across southern NSW, with the drought coordinator attending more than 60 events and meeting hundreds of people in the last three months.

Collectively these new initiatives and services give farmers additional help to manage risk, protect livestock, cover short term cash-flow needs, and make better informed decisions.

The Minns Government’s expanded drought plan for assistance and services will now include:

• Doubling the loan amount available from $250,000 up to $500,000 under the $250 million Drought Ready and Resilient Fund – this has been called for by farmers because doubling the cap to $500,000 enables them to undertake larger, sustainability‑focused drought resilience projects while also covering operational costs such as feed and transport.
• New small Drought Relief Loan of up to $100,000 established – this new product will provide farmers with immediate, low‑cost finance to help manage the impacts of drought. With an upfront payment option, reduced documentation requirements, and no property as security on the loan requirement – farmers can get funds faster, easier and cheaper.
• NSW Rural Financial Counselling Service $1.8M funding – provides free and independent financial counselling to eligible farmers experiencing, or at risk of, financial hardship.
• Drought Adoption Officer Program funding extended $1.2 million funding – this Minns Government initiative started in late 2023 has been extended to December 2026, due to the success delivered – 2,000 one-on-one landholder consultations, & 880 events and farm visits.
• Term of the Southern NSW Drought Coordinator extended – initial six months now extended to end of 2026 and expanded to western NSW where dry conditions are challenging farmers.
• Free feed and water testing available statewide, $250,000 funding – Local Land Services will make available statewide test kits to help farmers assess feed and water quality to plan feed budgets and manage their livestock’s health.
• Reduce kangaroo populations in drought affected western NSW, $1.2 million funding – to help combat the emerging kangaroo grazing pressure competing for feed and water.
• Increase the targeting of feral pigs and deer for landholder, $2 million program – supporting landholders in drought-impacted regions where limited food and water drives the feral and pest animals to compete with livestock around critical water points and shaded areas.

To ensure farmers and communities become aware of these new services and the whole suite of assistance, a series of local events will be delivered across southern and western NSW.

The new loans will be administered by the Minns Government’s Rural Assistance Authority with applications opening from 10 March 2026.

These measures complement the Minns Government’s existing drought plan’s support such as:

• $250 million Drought Ready and Resilient Fund established in late 2023 provides low‑interest loans for farmers.
• Recently announced additional $43.2 million for the Farm Business Resilience Program jointly funded through the Future Drought Fund to help farmers manage drought, adapt to climate change, and build resilience.
• Continued funding, as announced in the 2025/26 budget, for the Farmgate Support Program, enabling essential mental health support for farmers and farming families.
• $20 million Regional Drought Resilience Planning Program, co-funded with the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund to develop practical plans to prepare and recover.
• Local Land Services farmer extension services – on-the-ground expert drought, agricultural, biosecurity, and veterinary advice. Including the Drought Adoption Officers program launched in late 2023 and now extended.
• Tool and resources – such as myStockPlanner launched in October 2025, a free planning platform to help farmers calculate livestock requirements, feed plans, projected costs of livestock, plus sale and retention options to get through challenging times.

Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said:

“The Minns Government recognises the pressures facing farmers in these dry conditions, and the expansion of our drought assistance and services demonstrates we will act to support those in need.

“Our innovative and practical approach is shown by the new range of low-cost financial products so farmers can get funds faster, easier and cheaper. This is what they wanted and we are delivering.

“Our Government has been implementing new drought initiatives over the last six months following meetings I’ve had with farmers, mayors and local MPs.

“Just two weeks ago I met the MP for Cootamundra and her electorate’s local mayors. Next week I am meeting all the Riverina East Mayors in Wagga to discuss how these new measures are being rolled out.

“Practical measures have been boosted to benefit the operations of the farm, such as free water and feed testing, and enhanced targeting of feral pigs, pests and kangaroos who are competing against livestock for food and water across the drier grazing areas.

“The southern NSW drought coordinator and drought adoption officer program we introduced has demonstrated its success and that is why we are funding the extension of the role and program to keep working with farmers and assist them to access services and support.

“The Minns Government knows farmers and their families need mental health or financial counselling services during these challenging times and we have funded those services to make sure they are available.

“There have been some calls for transport and feed subsidies, but expert advice from the previous Nationals-Liberal Government’s 2021 evaluation report into drought relief measures, showed they provide very low value for money. We also know they can drive up prices of transport and feed.

“Our Government is focused on cost effective measures that deliver real benefits for farmers and communities. This enables us to direct funding in times of drought to the practical, cost-effective support that makes a real difference.”

The $50 million Glen Innes Hospital Redevelopment has been given the green light, with a builder appointed to deliver main works construction and work set to start on the Redevelopment in the coming months.

The Minns Government is investing in a redevelopment of Glen Innes Hospital to deliver a new acute services building on the existing hospital campus, housing an expanded emergency department, medical imaging, ambulance drop-off and bays, and mortuary.  

There will also be a new main entry to the hospital from Ferguson Street, enhancing access to health services for patients, carers and visitors, with a convenient drop-off area located outside the new hospital building.

TCQ Construction has been engaged as the builder to deliver the main works for the Glen Innes Hospital Redevelopment following a competitive tender process.

The Glen Innes Hospital will continue to operate during the planned construction, providing ongoing care for the Glen Innes and surrounding communities, and remain as a District Hospital, networked to Armidale and Tamworth hospitals for access to specialist services.

Next steps for the project include finalising the design of the new acute services building ahead of construction starting in the coming months.

Consultation with staff, community and stakeholders will continue to ensure the new acute services building is a welcoming environment that reflects the heritage and culture of the region.

Staff and community recently participated in consultation throughout October and November 2025, providing feedback on the project’s planning application. The contractor appointment follows planning determination for the project, which was received in December 2025.

Further information on the redevelopment is available by visiting the project website: https://www.nsw.gov.au/glen-innes-hospital-redevelopment

Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park:

“We’ve reached a significant milestone for the Glen Innes Hospital Redevelopment which will deliver enhanced and contemporary healthcare facilities for Glen Innes and the surrounding communities.

“Ensuring rural and regional communities have access to the best healthcare is a key priority for the Minns Labor Government.

“We are investing in regional and rural health care services, so everyone can access quality care closer to home.

Government Spokesperson for Northern Tablelands Peter Primrose:

“The $50 million Glen Innes Hospital Redevelopment is estimated to support approximately 90 direct jobs, with the potential for supporting hundreds of indirect jobs over the life of the project.

“This will provide a huge boost to the local economy, and I look forward to the construction site being established and work commencing in the coming months.”

Women and families in the Maitland and Hunter Valley region are now able to access public home birth services with a new pilot program at Maitland Hospital.

The public home birthing service operates as part of the Maitland Midwifery Group Practice (MGP), offering planned home birth for eligible low-risk women.

Women accessing MGP services receive continuity of care from a known primary midwife in consultation with a multidisciplinary team, throughout their pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period ensuring they receive high-quality, individualised maternity care.

Maitland Hospital has developed the new home birth pilot program in close collaboration with the Women’s Health and Maternity (WHAM) Network and following extensive consultation with the community to ensure it is safe, sustainable and meets the needs of the community.

The model of care is in line with the NSW Health Guideline for Public Homebirth Services and will have strict oversight and eligibility criteria requirements governed by Hunter New England Local Health District, including:

• Defined governance, escalation, and transfer arrangements
• Workforce capability requirements and credentialing
• Equipment, medication, and safety standards
• Clear clinical accountability and monitoring processes.

The model has been embedded within the existing MGP service. The pilot program is part of the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to increasing access to midwifery continuity of care models across the state, which was supported by a $44.8 million investment into maternity care in the 2025-26 NSW Budget which includes funding for an additional 53 FTE midwives in regional NSW.

Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park:

“The establishment of a publicly funded home birth pilot program at Maitland Hospital provides women in Maitland and across the Hunter with more choice about where and how they give birth.”

“We know how important it is for women to feel safe, respected and supported during pregnancy and birth.

“This is why we are supporting midwifery continuity of care models that empower families, and deliver outstanding outcomes for women and their babies.”

Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley:

“This new public home birth pilot at Maitland Hospital is about giving local women and families in the Hunter more choice, while ensuring the highest standards of safety and care.

“Families across our region deserve access to modern, compassionate maternity services close to home, and this program is another example of the Minns Labor Government delivering for the Hunter.

“By expanding midwifery continuity of care and supporting safe home birth options for eligible women, we are putting women’s voices, experiences and wellbeing at the centre of maternity care.”

Member for Maitland Jenny Aitchison:

“Women deserve to give birth in the place where they feel most safe, supported and comfortable. For many, that place is their home.

“This new public home birth program will give women across Maitland and the Hunter region greater choice, allowing them to have the births they want and deserve.

“The service is part of a broader effort to expand access to midwifery continuity of care across the state and home birth services is a vital part of that model. It’s about empowering women, supporting families, and ensuring mothers and babies receive compassionate, high-quality care at one of the most significant times in their lives.”

Hunter New England Local Health District, Executive Director of Operations, Susan Heyman:

“We’ve developed this new home birth pilot program in collaboration with our Women’s Health and Maternity (WHAM) Network to give women another safe and supported way to give birth.

“The pilot proposes a safe, evidence‑based, and controlled approach to planned home birth for low‑risk women, delivered by experienced midwives and embedded within the public hospital system with defined escalation pathways to Maitland Hospital.”

The Bondi Community Hub is set to change format at the end of this week as the recovery focus moves to the delivery of embedded community supports and resources, following the worst terror attack in Australia’s history.

Stood up in the aftermath of the 14 December antisemitic terror attack with the goal of providing immediate support to people impacted by the event, the hub has been an important resource for the initial two months. There have been more than 1,400 visits since it opened in December, with more than 650 applications now lodged with Victims Support Services and over 400 businesses supported.

Now that many people are registered with NSW Government services, a streamlined hub will operate at The Pavillion for the coming months, with the crucial services of Lifeline for mental health support, plus Legal Aid NSW to assist with Victim Support Services applications available.

While the hub has been operating, the NSW Government has been focused on embedding ongoing supports to service the entire community, including dedicated case workers, mental health services, and grants for community organisations.

• A pop-up Medicare Mental Health Centre is now operating in Bondi Junction providing confidential mental health information and services. Medicare Mental Health Centres are free for everyone who walks in the door, with no appointment or referral needed.
• Embedded Community Resilience and Engagement Officers are established within eight organisations including Surf Life Saving NSW, Waverley Council and community organisations to coordinate and deliver tailored long-term support, and ensure community voices continue to be heard.
• The NSW Government’s $1 million Jewish Community Response Grants Program has funded 24 organisations to deliver their own programs for the community. These include mental health support and resilience-building initiatives for impacted children and young people, like weekly workshops, a safe drop-in space for community connection, and school-based programs. The grants will also fund Jewish community gatherings and events that promote cultural healing.
• Resilience Support Services will allow organisations to deliver specialised counselling, community outreach and other essential services, both in person and over the phone. Local multicultural services, and youth organisations will be funded to run targeted programs and ensure that every cohort of the community has access to support.

Coordinators General Michele Goldman and Joseph La Posta will continue to lead ongoing engagement with the Bondi community to ensure those affected receive the long-term support they need.

Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin said:

“Our focus continues to be on working in partnership with communities as we grapple with the profound impacts of this horrific attack.

“We are making sure all those impacted by the Bondi Beach attack have coordinated systems of support that are well resourced and designed to operate for as long as they are needed.

“Having support embedded within organisations means we can make sure we are listening to the community’s changing needs, and are doing everything we can to make them feel supported, whether it be a month, six months or long term.”

Coordinator General Michele Goldman said:

“Community healing remains at the very heart of everything we do, and we’re ensuring that the next phase of recovery is well coordinated, and the supports that people rely on are guaranteed over the long-term.

“Embedded resources give our communities a voice – a key part of this job will be active engagement with community leaders and organisations to make sure they are getting the help and support they need.”

Coordinator General Joseph La Posta said:

“There have been more than 1,400 visits to the community hub since its doors opened in the days immediately following the Bondi terror attack. Our gratitude to Coogee Intercontinental Hotel and North Bondi RSL, and then to Waverley Council, for providing us safe and accessible spaces at the Bondi Pavillion to provide these critical response services.

“I want to sincerely thank everyone who gave their time and expertise, whether you offered clinical expertise, helped someone to access a grant or other assistance, or were just simply there with someone in need as a caring presence – you’ve made an enormous impact.”

Aboriginal children and families will soon benefit from greater access to Aboriginal Family Preservation, a new model of intensive support for Aboriginal families.

The Minns Labor Government is investing a record $350 million over five years in Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) to deliver evidence-based support to reduce risks to children and keep families safely together.

Family Preservation services offer intensive support to families in an effort to prevent children from entering foster care by strengthening families, building parenting skills and creating safe home environments.

This new program was developed in partnership with AbSec and co-designed with Aboriginal families, communities, and ACCOs. The eight-week tender process was also supported by AbSec, who were funded to provide access to specialist tender-writing support to 35 established, emerging, and new ACCOs, reflecting strong interest and engagement across the sector.

These reforms are part of the NSW Government’s commitment to Closing the Gap on the over-representation of Aboriginal children in out-of-home care.

The Minns Labor Government is delivering historic long-term support to ACCOs, reflecting the strengths, knowledge and connection of Aboriginal communities, and investing in the future of Aboriginal-led service delivery in NSW.

Tender outcomes will be announced in March, with new contracts commencing on 1 July 2026.

The Minns Labor Government’s broader Family Preservation reform is backed by a $900 million investment over five years, including the historic 40% dedicated to ACCO service delivery. The government’s reforms aim to improve the quality of intensive supports available to families at risk of child protection intervention, and for the first time in NSW, will allocate family preservation packages to areas based on need.

Minister for Families and Communities, Kate Washington said:

“This investment is about providing high-quality, culturally appropriate supports for Aboriginal families to stay safely together. It’s designed to drive self-determination by empowering Aboriginal communities to support Aboriginal families.

“For the first time in NSW history, we are delivering funding to Aboriginal community organisations that matches the shocking level of over-representation we are all working hard to address.

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, David Harris said: 

“The Minns Labor Government is delivering record investment to support Aboriginal Controlled Community Organisations to help deliver positive outcomes for Aboriginal families and communities.

“Our investment is about supporting the long-term sustainability of the Aboriginal community services sector and turning Closing the Gap commitments into action to improve lives.”

AbSec CEO, John Leha, said:

“This is an important step forward – a sign that policy is beginning to translate into real action. Aligning with the Priority Reforms under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, this framework signals a stronger role for ACCOs in designing and delivering effective and culturally responsive supports for our people.

“AbSec recognises how important it is that ACCOs are well-equipped and positioned to lead this work, and this is central to our mission. This work is about self-determination in practice – Aboriginal communities shaping the services that affect their children and families. That’s how change is sustained, across communities and across generations.” 

The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) has confirmed that they will investigate the Police Operation at Town Hall on 9 February 2026, including actions by individual officers. The investigation was prompted by a significant number of complaints made to the LECC by community members.

Greens MP and spokesperson for Justice Sue Higginson said:

“This is the first important step forward for transparency after the awful experience that thousands in our community had at the hands of the NSW Police last Monday,”

“I’m relieved that the LECC have decided to take this course of action, despite the Premier saying yesterday in Parliament that he did not support an independent investigation into police actions,”

“We are lucky in NSW that we have a strong police oversight body in the LECC, and I am very grateful that they have authority to act on the reports that they have received,”

“This investigation will have the opportunity for hearings, and will result in a public report made to Parliament. This is what the community needs, and it’s what the Police need too. It is in no one’s interest to have police acting with impunity, it leads to violence, and Labor leaders Premier Chris Minns and Police Minister Yasmin Catley should cooperate fully with this investigation,” Ms Higginson said.