Category: NSW News

The Minns Labor Government is delivering critical infrastructure to boost freight efficiency and strengthen regional supply chains, with a $13 million contract awarded for the construction of a new rail siding at Wumbulgal in the Riverina.

The project will deliver a 1,500-metre, multi-user rail siding between Griffith and Leeton – a major step forward in improving reliability for both freight and passenger services across the region.

Designed to be accessible to any rail operator, the new siding will address a major rail bottleneck where grain trains can currently take up to eight hours to load, blocking the main line and preventing other trains from passing.

The siding will allow trains up to 1.5 kilometres long to load, park or pass others without disrupting the main line – boosting capacity and improving efficiency on the track section between Coolamon and Griffith.

The upgrade also sets the groundwork for future connection into the proposed Western Riverina Connect (WR Connect) intermodal freight terminal, a project being developed by Griffith and Leeton councils.

Laing O’Rourke has been engaged to construct the new siding, with work set to begin this month.

This latest investment builds on the NSW Government’s recent $60 million, 25-tonne axle-load upgrade across 174 kilometres of track between Junee and Griffith, and an $8 million 1,500-metre siding extension at Coolamon.

Minister for Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said:

“Modern, efficient rail infrastructure like this siding at Wumbulgal means better outcomes for farmers, businesses and communities, and the Minns Labor Government is committed to strengthening regional freight networks now and into the future.

“This investment is part of our wider commitment to regional transport infrastructure – reducing bottlenecks, unlocking economic potential, and supporting jobs and industry across the Riverina.

“Through our RNEW Program, we’re planning for the future – with smarter, more strategic investment to ensure regional rail keeps pace with the needs of modern freight, agriculture and passenger services.”

Member for Murray Helen Dalton said:

“It’s great to see the government investing in an open access rail and road freight facility. The siding and internodal will not only improve safety, but productivity and efficiencies in partnership with the world’s largest freight company.

“The government and MEDLOG are committing to affordable, open access to all train truck companies which is a significant improvement for business and industry in the Riverina.

“The Wumbulgal rail siding addresses a key freight bottleneck, cutting grain loading times and stimulating investment in faster loading infrastructure. It’s a major win for Riverina producers and the wider regional economy.

“By improving freight capacity and reducing delays, we’re helping our local agricultural sector thrive – while taking pressure off local roads and improving safety for all motorists.”

State Government spokesperson for Murray Bob Nanva said:

“This is another example of the Minns Labor Government delivering real investment in regional NSW, backing the Riverina with the infrastructure needed to grow jobs and move goods faster and more reliably.

“Local businesses cannot grow without access to high-quality infrastructure such as roads and rail connections.

“That’s why projects like this are essential to delivering sustainable economic growth for regional NSW.”

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New metro platforms lined by 36 safety screen doors have been installed at Bankstown as the first major Sydney Metro-Sydney Trains transport interchange in south west Sydney enters the final straight to completion.

Due to commence services in 2026, passengers at Bankstown and along the former T3 line will have a new air-conditioned metro train every four minutes in the peak – 15 trains an hour compared to eight trains an hour in the morning peak previously.

Metro conversion work at Bankstown Station has reached 80 per cent completion, with new platforms lined by safety screen doors now finished and train testing up and down the former T3 line progressing.

The former railway platform at Bankstown has been rebuilt to create a central plaza between the Sydney Metro and Sydney Trains stations.

Work nearing completion includes at Bankstown:

• The Sydney Metro station building, with paving of the concourse underway and installation of 19 new Opal gates;
• Tiling and installation of glazed balustrades on the 170-metre long metro platforms
• New platforms and entrance to Bankstown train station directly opposite the new metro entrance

Major work will soon commence on the 90-metre plaza featuring dining and retail options which will provide a pedestrian connection between north and south sides of Bankstown.

More than 100 workers are on-site daily at Bankstown delivering what will be an historic transformation to the station that first opened to trains in 1909.

The conversion will mean the metro network is separate from the existing Sydney Trains network between Sydenham and Bankstown, improving the reliability of services on the line which had been a bottleneck for the train system.

The program of works to transform the 130-year-old line, between Sydenham and Bankstown, for modern metro trains has been a complex and difficult task.

But across all ten south west stations, site works are progressing, with testing and commissioning of key communication systems underway.

Train testing is also continuing, with the critical ‘kinematic envelope test’ underway. This test confirms the train has sufficient clearance from surrounding infrastructure, including station platforms.

More than 700 kilometres of testing has taken place across different parts of the Southwest line, at speeds between 5km/h and 25km/h.

Next year when the final section of the M1 Line opens, Sydney will have a 66-kilometre fast and reliable metro network and Sydney’s south west will have fast metro journey times, including:

• Bankstown to Central: 28 minutes – saving six minutes
• Bankstown to Gadigal: 30 minutes – saving 15 minutes
• Bankstown to Chatswood: 43 minutes saving 25 minutes
• Bankstown to Macquarie University: 54 minutes – saving of 25 minutes

The Southwest metro conversion is part of the Minns Labor Government’s plans to deliver more housing where people want to live, near public transport, and closer to jobs.

The Minns Labor Government is turbocharging the delivery of new housing along the Southwest Metro line by supporting transport-oriented development at a majority of stations on the line including an accelerated precinct at Bankstown Station.

Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:

“First off, I absolutely acknowledge this has been a very disruptive time for the people of Canterbury Bankstown, and I want to thank them for their patience as we complete this upgrade.”

“Once this is up and running, it will be a game changer as to how people move around Sydney.”

“Every element of this project is about delivering faster, safer and more reliable public transport, while creating vibrant new public spaces like the pedestrian plaza and upgraded station entrances.”

Minister for Transport John Graham said:

“Just as this conversion work is transformational for Bankstown Station, the metro when it opens is going to be transformational for the entire south west Sydney region.

“The speed and efficiency of Sydney Metro means more employment and education opportunities within reach for the community here.

“Today is an exciting day for people in south west Sydney who have accepted major disruption to their trains services as we deliver this conversion work.

Member for Bankstown Jihad Dib said:

“Bankstown has an exciting future ahead as the NSW Government continues to deliver Sydney’s biggest ever transport project.

“A trip from Bankstown to Sydney’s CBD will only take 30 minutes, saving a full 15 minutes off the previous rail journey.

“I know it’s been hard on the community, and they’ve shown great understating and patience but, in the end, we will have a world class metro, and it will be well worth it.”

Today marks 200 days into the year, and already more than 200 lives have been lost on NSW roads. That’s more than one death a day and as your Roads Minister, that statistic haunts me.

Every one of those people was someone’s child, parent, sibling or friend. They left for work, school, or to see loved ones, and never made it home. Their families are now living a nightmare no one should face.

As Minister, road safety is my top priority, but saving lives will take all of us working together.

In 2024, 34 people who died on our roads were not wearing a seatbelt. So far this year, another 11 people have died for the same reason. Over five years, 163 people have lost their life, with 85 per cent of those deaths in regional NSW.

Last year, the Minns Labor Government expanded mobile phone detection cameras to include seatbelt offences.

Since then, over 140 million vehicles have been checked, and seatbelt compliance has improved by 60 per cent. In July 2024, one in every 735 drivers was fined. By June this year, it was down to one in every 1,712.

Most importantly, we are seeing fewer seatbelt related deaths in 2025. That’s progress. Compliance is working.

But there’s more work to do. Of the 125,000 infringements issued, 88 per cent were for incorrectly worn seatbelts.

Let me be clear: wearing a seatbelt incorrectly can be nearly as dangerous as not wearing one at all. It puts your life at risk and can cause significant and lifelong injuries. It puts other lives at risk. It’s a foolish gamble.

A seatbelt must sit low and flat across your hips, and the sash must cross the middle of your chest and shoulder, not under your arm, not twisted, not behind your back. These aren’t just bureaucratic guidelines, they can mean the difference between walking away from a crash, dying or experiencing lifelong trauma.

Our Centre for Road Safety’s CrashLab testing shows an incorrectly worn seatbelt in a crash at just 60km/h can cause fatal injuries to the liver, spleen or abdomen.

The Minns Government will always invest in road safety and this year’s Budget saw $2.8 billion put toward road safety over the next four years. But no amount of infrastructure can replace personal responsibility.

We’ve come a long way since 1971 when NSW became one of the first jurisdictions to mandate seatbelts. But too many people still aren’t wearing them properly and too many families are paying the price.

Seatbelts save lives, but only if they’re worn correctly and I make no apologies for doing everything we can to keep NSW road users alive. Road trauma is absolutely preventable and not inevitable.

Buckle up properly, and let’s work together so no more families have to lose a loved one on our roads.

As students return to school for Term 3, the Minns Labor Government is unveiling a newly delivered $20 million upgrade to Punchbowl Public School while powering ahead delivering better schools for our children including 21 new and upgraded schools that will begin construction this term.

The state-of-the-art upgrade at Punchbowl Public School that was promised by the Liberals in 2018 but never delivered, features a new two-storey building with eight permanent classrooms, creating space for an additional 100 students.

This boost to the schools capacity will help it to meet local population growth, while also delivering new staff and administration facilities, a new secure entryway and additional support classrooms.

Students and teachers at 21 additional schools can also look forward to seeing work commence this term on brand new facilities for them to learn in.

This is part of the Minns Labor government’s record pipeline of new and upgraded schools, with 21 major capital works projects representing a $1.4 billion investment set to get underway across NSW this school term.

It follows more than a decade of neglect under the Liberals and Nationals that promised new schools and upgrades to communities that were never delivered.

Projects set to commence construction before the end of Term 3 include six brand new high schools – four in Western Sydney and two in regional NSW.

Additionally, major upgrades will begin at five high schools and 10 primary schools across both Sydney and the regions.

Together these projects will deliver more than 400 new classrooms to booming suburbs, plus new halls, libraries, performance spaces, science labs, VET facilities, wood and metal workshops, and sports facilities.

Four of the 10 primary school upgrades will also include a new public preschool as part of the Minns Labor Government’s historic commitment to build 100 public preschools by 2027.

The Minns Labor Government is delivering these projects as part of a record $9 billion investment in school infrastructure over four years in the 2025-26 Budget.

This follows the government’s delivery of more teachers for our children by reducing teacher vacancies by 40 per cent, resulting in the number of cancelled classes recorded in NSW nearly halving since the government took office.

This is part of the Minns Labor Government’s ongoing work to deliver better schools and more teachers across NSW by investing in the essential infrastructure that the Liberals and Nationals failed to provide – like state-of-the-art public schools and public preschools which ensure families can access a world class local public education regardless of their postcode.

Premier Chris Minns said:

“Right across NSW we are delivering a record number of new and upgraded schools for growing suburbs that haven’t had access to world class schools for far too long.

“We aren’t just investing in new and upgraded schools, we’re also delivering more teachers through a 40% drop in teacher vacancies that has nearly halved the number of cancelled classes recorded each week in NSW since we were elected.”

“From this state-of-the-art upgrade to the 21 new and upgraded schools we’re beginning construction on this term, we’re not slowing down delivering the largest investment in public schools in NSW history.”

Acting Minister for Education and Early Learning Courtney Houssos said:

“I am incredibly excited for us to be commencing construction on more than 20 major school projects, including six brand new, much needed high schools, during this school term.

“As a Labor government, we believe in the transformative power of a high quality public education and that is why we are committed to providing world class schools for every NSW family.

“Deputy Premier Prue Car has driven the Minns Labor Government’s work on this record pipeline of new and upgraded schools in booming suburbs that were neglected by the Liberals and Nationals, and these upcoming milestones are a testament to her commitment to delivering the world class schools families deserve as quickly as possible.”

Member for Bankstown Jihad Dib said:

“This $20 million investment in Punchbowl Public School demonstrates this government’s commitment to providing high-quality education and modern facilities for students in south west Sydney.

“As a former local Principal, I know how important the school experience is in helping our children reach their full potential.

“We’re building a brighter future for current students and those in our community who will attend Punchbowl Public School in years to come.”

Punchbowl Public School Principal Donna McGeary said:

“This significant investment in our school will enhance the learning environment for all students, now and in the future.

“Our students have a new sense of pride in our school. It’s been transformational for them and there’s a great vibe.

“The upgrade provides our students with the best possible setting to explore, learn, and grow and strengthens our partnerships with parents and the school community.”

Athletes of all ages and sporting codes have scored a win as outdated amenities at CV Kelly Park in Girraween are set to be replaced with the help of $2.5 million from the Minns Labor government.

CV Kelly Park, home to Girraween Athletics Club, Girraween Little Athletics Club and the All Saints Toongabbie Tigers Rugby League Club, will receive a much-needed upgrade.

The new building will break down barriers to female participation by providing gender-inclusive and accessible facilities and further add to the park’s role as a sporting hub for the community with the addition of a multi-purpose meeting space.

The Minns Labor Government’s is focused on building better communities. Our investment in new, gender-inclusive changerooms and accessible toilets and showers will ensure that all members of the local grassroots sporting community will be able to play and train in an inclusive environment.

Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said:

“By providing more accessible and inclusive facilities, the Minns Labor Government is breaking down the barriers that have traditionally prevented many underrepresented groups from participating in sport.

“CV Kelly Park already serves many members of the community of all ages.

“Upgrading the facilities, will ensure that CV Kelly Park reaches its full potential, supporting the growth of community sport, and providing long-term benefit to the many sporting groups that use the ground.”

Member for Prospect, Dr Hugh McDermont said:

“It’s great that we are delivering vital upgrades to CV Kelly Park to support our local school and sporting clubs.

“These inclusive and accessible facilities will be a game-changer for our amazing local athletes, across multiple sports and year-round.

“Funding for CV Kelly Park is another great example of how the Minns Labor Government is building a better Western Sydney community for all of us.”

Tim Moggridge, Secretary, All Saints Toongabbie Tigers JRLFC;

“All Saints Toongabbie Tigers is thrilled with the $2.5 million investment from Dr Hugh McDermott, on behalf of the NSW Labor Government, Cumberland Council and with support from the Parramatta Eels.

“This upgrade to CV Kelly Park is a game-changer for our club and the wider community – thank you to all involved.”

Karen Farrugia, President, Girraween Little Athletics

“Girraween Little Athletics is deeply grateful for the NSW Government’s support to upgrade CV Kelly Park, helping us provide a safer, more inclusive space for young athletes, families, and volunteers.

“This funding will transform CV Kelly Park into a more accessible and functional venue, strengthening our ability to deliver grassroots sport and foster community pride.”

Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris will today outline the NSW Government’s vibrancy reforms to revitalise the hospitality sector and hear from licensed businesses at an industry forum on the Central Coast.

The Entertainment Grounds at Gosford Race Club is hosting the Hospitality and Racing Regulatory Roadshow that is expected to attract more than 100 industry participants with the aim to build closer ties between businesses across the region and government organisations. 

Attendees will hear from senior officials on a range of topics, including licensing, policy and compliance requirements, as well as the NSW’s Government’s continuing measures to stimulate the state’s night-time economy and programs to assist businesses. 

Some of the vibrancy reforms that will be outlined include:

• An 80 per cent reduction on annual liquor licence fees for venues that host live music, as well as two hours of extended trading
• Reduced costs and a faster, streamlined consultation process for liquor licence applications and community feedback
• Simpler process for noise complaints and the number of people required to make a statutory disturbance complaint against a licensed premises increased from three to five
• Making permanent a limited takeaway authorisation for restaurants and small bars
• Easier training requirements for former licensees re-entering the industry
• Recognition of interstate digital driver’s licences as evidence of age in NSW licensed premises.

Minister Harris launched the first Hospitality and Racing Regulatory Roadshow program in Newcastle in 2023 and since then, more than 800 participants have attended roadshows across 12 regions in NSW, including at Broken Hill, Wagga Wagga, Coffs Harbour and Tamworth.

There will be two further roadshows this year, in the Ballina Byron region in September and Bega in November.

Minister for Gaming and Racing and Minister for the Central Coast David Harris said:

“This roadshow is an opportunity for us to hear from industry stakeholders about their experiences working in the hospitality sector on the Central Coast and how the NSW Government can make it easier for them to do business.

“The Central Coast has a population of nearly 350,000 and is a rapidly growing region that is a desirable place to live, work and play and hospitality venues make a valuable contribution to the local community and the state’s economy.

“The roadshows offer an important opportunity to learn about support services the NSW Government is offering to help businesses grow and thrive, as well as to bring people together to discuss issues, make connections and learn from each other.”

To find out more about Hospitality and Racing Regulatory Roadshow, go to: https://www.liquorandgaming.nsw.gov.au/events/regulatory-roadshows

To learn more about the NSW Government’s Vibrancy Reforms, go to: https://www.liquorandgaming.nsw.gov.au/resources/vibrancy-reforms-whats-changing

The Minns Labor Government is calling on motorists to slow down to save lives, as school zones return to operation across the state from tomorrow, Monday 21 July.

School zones will be active from 8am to 9:30am and 2:30pm to 4pm on school days.

The government’s plea follows the release of new data that reveals more than 183,000 school zone speeding offences were recorded in NSW in the last financial year.

Alarmingly, nearly 70 per cent (125,000+) occurred during active school zone hours – that’s more than 340 drivers every day choosing to speed past schools and young children.

Since 2019, 106 pedestrians aged 5 to 16 years have been hit by vehicles in active school zones. Two children have been killed and 38 seriously injured.

One camera at Woodville Road in Chester Hill recorded more than 8,600 fines alone. One reckless driver was even caught doing 110km/h at this location during school zone hours.

The top five school zone speeding hotspots for 2024–25 were all in Sydney:

1. Woodville Road, Chester Hill (Southbound) – 8,615 fines
2. Victoria Road, Ryde (Eastbound) – 7,313 fines
3. Princes Highway, Kogarah (Southbound) – 5,866 fines
4. Hume Highway, Yagoona (Westbound) – 5,691 fines
5. Cleveland Street, Moore Park (Westbound) – 5,307 fines

Regional NSW was not immune to the illegal and dangerous behaviour. The worst five locations:

1. Pacific Highway, Gateshead (Southbound) – 3,288 fines
2. Pacific Highway, Ourimbah (Northbound) – 2,970 fines
3. Princes Highway, Wollongong (Northbound) – 1,636 fines
4. Princes Highway, Wollongong (Southbound) – 1,299 fines
5. Pacific Highway, Ourimbah (Southbound) – 929 fines

The Minns Labor Government continues to prioritise safety outside schools. Measures include:

• More than 6,800 school zone flashing lights now installed across NSW, including a new state-of-the-art signage trial near Newcastle
• Around 1,500 school crossing supervisors supporting 980+ schools
• Ongoing commitment to ensure every school zone has at least one set of flashing lights

Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“School is back, and so are school zones, but the data we release today shows too many drivers haven’t been getting the message.

“Over 125,000 people made the decision to speed in an active school zone last year. That’s 125,000 drivers who made the selfish decision to put children’s lives at risk.

“We need motorists to be alert and to slow down. There’s no excuse for speeding around schools.

“As we head into the second half of the school year, I’m calling on every motorist to put safety first. Any death on our roads is one too many, and being a good role model around kids is the first step in shaping safe drivers for the future.”

For more information on school zones, visit: transport.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety/community/schools/school-zones

The Minns Labor Government’s safety drive on seatbelt non-compliance is working, with a 60 per cent drop in offences since camera enforcement and fines were introduced 12 months ago.

In that time, 140 million vehicles have been checked, with over 99 per cent of drivers and passengers doing the right thing.

But camera images collected since its introduction have also revealed that some 88 per cent of fines related to incorrect seatbelt use, with nearly two-thirds of these fines issued to drivers whose passengers were not buckled up properly.

Wearing a seatbelt correctly doubles the chances of surviving a crash and reduces the risk of serious injury, and the Minns Labor Government is calling on NSW drivers to follow the law and wear their seatbelts properly.

In 2024, 34 people died on NSW roads while not wearing a seatbelt. So far this year, it’s another 11 lives. Over five years, 163 people have died not wearing a seatbelt, with 85 per cent of those deaths in regional NSW.

While progress is being made, more than 200 fatalities have been recorded on NSW roads this year – that’s one person a day dying on our roads.

The seatbelt enforcement program is just one of several new measures introduced by the Minns Labor Government to stop people dying on NSW roads. 

Other initiatives include average speed camera trials for light vehicles, 2,700 additional mobile speed camera enforcement sites and reforms through the Demerit Point Integrity Taskforce.

Motorists are reminded that proper seatbelt use means wearing the lap belt low and firm across the hips, with the sash crossing the chest and mid-shoulder – never under the arm.

Each offence attracts a $423 fine and three demerit points, or six during double demerit periods. Every dollar raised through seatbelt cameras is reinvested directly into road safety improvements.

These fines are completely avoidable if drivers and their passengers are doing the right thing.

The success of the data-driven camera program is a clear demonstration of the Government’s commitment to building a better NSW, combining enforcement, education and investment to help keep NSW families and communities safe on the road.

Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“The Minns Labor Government introduced seatbelt enforcement cameras in July 2024 to encourage all road users to buckle up correctly every time they get in a vehicle, and as Minister I am pleased to see such significant improvement in such a short timeframe. Over 140 million vehicles have been monitored since this program launched, with well over 99% of motorists demonstrating compliance.

“Some of the images collected are truly shocking, including multiple people in the same seatbelt or no seatbelt at all. 

“While the improvement in non-compliance is encouraging, we’re witnessing far too many offences involving passengers wearing seatbelts incorrectly, with approximately 75,000 recorded offences over the past year.

“Whenever you enter a vehicle, correctly securing your seatbelt should be instinctive, whether you’re driving or a passenger. Just like when you’re on an aeroplane, you need to have your seatbelt low and tight in the lap section. In the car, the sash should go from the top of your shoulder to your hip.

“Everyone needs to wear a seatbelt and if you have a genuine medical reason not to, you need a letter from your doctor.

“Seatbelts save lives and not wearing one is a gamble, not just for your own life but for every road user. It’s essential that you not only wear your seatbelt but wear it correctly.”

The Minns Labor Government has achieved a major milestone in its remediation of the former Waratah Gasworks in Newcastle, with construction on new homes to commence this week.

Property and Development NSW (PDNSW) has completed remediation of 11 residential lots which were contaminated with soil and infrastructure left behind by the former gasworks operation.

The remediation project takes in a total of 13 properties on Ellis and Turton Roads. Seven properties are being rebuilt, while four others will be sold on the private market.

The remediation work completed involved the excavation and removal of contaminated soil and gasworks infrastructure buried at the site of the former gasworks, which operated from 1889 to 1926.

The works are part of a $25 million project that has so far removed more than 20,000 tonnes of gasworks impacted material.

Work included excavation and removal of a 56-metre-wide underground gasholder which extended to a depth of 6 metres below the ground, along with tar wells, and purifier beds.

Contamination at the site was first detected in 2016 during investigations conducted by the City of Newcastle and then reported to the NSW EPA.

For more information, visit https://www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-property/our-business/environmental-management-group/waratah-gasworks-site-remediation.

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said:

“It is fantastic this land is being returned for residential use, and we’ll be able to maintain the character of the area for the benefit of the community.

“There were many sites across the state that were unfortunately impacted by historic industrial use when environmental protections were not as strong as they are today.

“The Minns Labor government is taking proactive steps to tackle environmental challenges, like the  Waratah Gasworks site, to safeguard community health and ensure impacted land can be safely re-used into the future.”

Member for Wallsend Sonia Hornery said:

“The legacy of the former Waratah Gasworks has been a real and lived experience for many residents, so this is a significant moment for families who call this area home.

“There is still work to do before the site is fully remediated, but this is an important milestone in ensuring the issues of the past are finally put to bed.”

Property and Development NSW Executive Director – Environmental Management Group Peter Graham said:

“Property and Development NSW began its civil works at Waratah in late 2023 and our handover of the first property to one of the residents at Ellis Road is an important milestone in our ongoing work to remediate the land where the former Waratah Gasworks once stood.

“I am extremely grateful to the residents for their patience and engaging with us throughout the process. This is a complex and challenging project, and the work continues to ensure all 13 properties will be suitable for future residential use.”

Ellis Road resident Tony Curk said:

“I am grateful to the team at Property and Development NSW for their ongoing engagement and willingness to work with us to finally get to this point.

“I now have a clean property and I’m looking forward to getting started on rebuilding and putting this behind us.”