Category: NSW News

The Murrumbidgee Zone has received a significant boost to frontline emergency care with an additional 25 paramedics starting work.

This workforce expansion is part of the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to deliver 500 additional paramedics to regional and rural areas, ensuring these communities continue to receive timely and high-quality emergency medical care.

These additional paramedics will providing emergency and mobile health care across the Murrumbidgee Zoneas part of NSW Ambulance’s highly mobile workforce.

10 additional paramedics will be based out Albury Ambulance Station and 15 additional paramedics will be based out of Deniliquin.

This workforce boost comes as part of the Strategic Workforce and Infrastructure Team (SWIFT) Program, which is delivering 2,500 additional NSW Ambulance staff, including 500 paramedics to rural and regional areas, and 30 new ambulance stations.

The new starters in the Murrumbidgee Zone form part of an additional 125 paramedics set to begin working across regional NSW within the next few months. These 125 paramedics are the second group to join NSW Ambulance as part of the regional 500, with 125 paramedics starting work in regional NSW last year.

Minister for Regional Health, Ryan Park: 

“We promised the people of regional, rural and remote NSW we’d deliver them 500 new paramedics, and I am really proud that the second cohort is about to hit the road and take up new roles in the bush.

“These highly skilled paramedics will help drive better health outcomes for patients and their families, ensuring regional communities receive the same high-quality care as metropolitan areas.

“We are committed to investing in our frontline healthcare workforce to support our paramedics and provide better emergency services to the people of NSW.”

Government Spokesperson for Albury, Tara Moriarty MLC:

“The Minns Labor Government is committed to ensuring rural and regional communities have access to high-quality healthcare by increasing our frontline workforce.

“Another 10 paramedics in Albury is a major boost to local ambulance services and a clear commitment from the Minns Government to regional communities.”

Member for Murray, Helen Dalton:

“Deniliquin and surrounding districts in the Murray electorate are in desperate need of highly skilled first responders. These 15 new recruits is a great start to addressing frontline essential workers staffing and recruitment shortfalls in the bush.

“Rural and remote regions deserve the same quality of medical care as our urban cousins. It’s reassuring to see the government committing to ensure better health outcomes for us in the bush.

“Paramedics play a critical role in rural and remote communities. Any boost to health care services in the bush is always welcomed, so I’m pleased to see an increase in paramedic numbers in the area.”

NSW Ambulance Chief Executive, Dr Dominic Morgan: 

“This boost to our workforce in Albury and Deniliquin will help our clinicians deliver better health outcomes for patients, while also providing more support to our existing NSW Ambulance staff in regional NSW.

“As demand for our services continues to grow, we remain committed to providing excellence in care to our patients now and into the future.

The Biennale of Sydney, one of the world’s leading international contemporary art events, will return to White Bay Power Station for its milestone 25^th edition from 14 March – 14 June 2026. 

Following the incredible success of last year’s inaugural event at the historic landmark, the Biennale of Sydney will again power up the city’s cultural energy, continuing to enrich Australia’s engagement with the international art world. 

After 40 years of lying dormant, the old White Bay Power Station opened a year ago to host its first Biennale of Sydney as the city’s newest cultural space, combining bold contemporary art and a century old heritage building that proved a compelling event for art and history buffs alike, attracting 174,000 attendees. 

First held in 1973 and every two years since, the Biennale of Sydney is one of the longest running events of its kind in the world and has grown to become a significant visitor drawcard on Sydney’s major cultural calendar. Next year’s event is projected to attract more than 27,000 visitors to Sydney who will inject an estimated $18 million into the NSW visitor economy. 

Aligning with the state’s first cultural and creative industries policy, Creative Communities, and the recent review of the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy, Biennale of Sydney underscores the NSW Government’s commitment to creating inimitable cultural experiences for Sydney locals and visitors, to achieve its stretch goal of making the NSW visitor economy a $91 billion powerhouse by 2035. 

White Bay Power Station was conserved by Placemaking NSW and transformed into a unique arts, cultural and creative industries space. The NSW Government is developing a long-term strategy for the building to ensure that it becomes a cultural asset for current and future generations.  

The program for the 25^th Biennale of Sydney in 2026 will be announced later this year. Entry to the festival is free with more information available on the Biennale of Sydney website. 

For more information visit the White Bay Power Station website.

NSW Minister for the Arts, John Graham said: 

“The White Bay Power Station is a bold canvas for the colour and creativity of the Biennale of Sydney so it’s great to see it coming back next year. 

“It’s so exciting to have this former power station firing for big cultural events. It has the scale to stage big works, stunning backdrops, all centrally located for art lovers around Sydney and beyond. 

“We encourage everyone around the city, the state and the country to make plans to come to the 25th Biennale of Sydney at the White Bay Power Station in 2026.” 

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said: 

“The return of the Biennale will further cement White Bay Power Station’s status as a building dedicated to arts and culture.  

“The NSW Government invested $100 million to transform the historic landmark into public space for everyone in NSW to explore and enjoy. It will be great to see crowds flock to the facility again for the 25^th Biennale.” 

Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper said: 

“The Biennale of Sydney will be a standout on the NSW events calendar next year showcasing Sydney as a global cultural hub where art and creativity is celebrated. 

“The White Bay Power Station is an iconic venue and a place where locals and visitors can enjoy the most exciting and cutting-edge cultural experiences.”

Biennale of Sydney Chief Executive Officer Barbara Moore said: 

“The Biennale of Sydney was the first cultural organisation to bring White Bay Power Station to life, transforming this iconic and historic landmark into a dynamic hub for community events and exhibitions of international calibre. 

“The overwhelming success of the Biennale’s 24th edition showed the incredible potential of this space to inspire, engage, and connect people through a festival of contemporary art, music, and ideas. We are proud to return to White Bay Power Station in 2026 for the 25th edition in one of the city’s most exciting new creative precincts.” 

More than 2.3 million renters in NSW will be better off thanks to the latest round of changes to rental laws which will help create a fairer rental market, including ending ‘no-grounds’ evictions and making it easier to keep a pet.

The reforms will come into effect on 19 May 2025 following extensive consultation with renters, investors, animal welfare groups and industry representatives.

They follow changes which commenced in October last year which ensure renters cannot be charged for background checks and limit rent increases to once per year.

Further reforms, including stronger privacy protections for renters and the introduction of a portable rental bond scheme, are set to be introduced later in 2025.

The latest key changes include:

• Ending no-grounds evictions: Owners will now be required to provide a valid reason to end all lease types. Longer notice periods will apply for some leases, giving renters greater certainty and time to find a new home, while ensuring investors can still effectively manage their properties. Renters who find a new property after receiving an evictions notice will also have improved rights to end a lease early.
• New rules for pets in rental homes: Tenants will be able to apply to keep a pet in their rental home, with owners only able to refuse for specific reasons, such as the owner living at the property or failure to comply with local council laws. A standard application form and process has been developed to make the system clearer and more efficient for both renters and owners. Approval will be automatic if owners do not respond to pet applications within 21 days.
• Fee-free ways to pay rent: Renters will have access to convenient, free and electronic payment options such as direct bank transfer, preventing extra fees that can add to rental costs.

The NSW Rental Commissioner has engaged with more than 100 stakeholders including tenant advocates, owners and property providers, industry associations, animal welfare groups, and real estate agents, and also launched industry education to inform the rollout of these changes.

NSW Fair Trading continues to build awareness of the law changes, with a comprehensive engagement campaign already underway across online platforms which has seen visits to NSW Fair Trading’s rental information pages surge to more than 1.2 million page views between July and December last year.

Fair Trading officers have also hosted community information sessions attracting more than 4,000 registrations and recently hit the road to Dubbo to conduct information sessions about the upcoming changes, with further engagements planned for Western Sydney and the Sydney Royal Easter Show soon.

Backed by an $8.4 million investment, the Rental Taskforce within NSW Fair Trading will lead the way in ensuring compliance with the new laws.

People are encouraged to visit the NSW Fair Trading website for clear, up-to-date guidance on the new rental laws and their rights and obligations on the Renting a place to live webpage.

Premier Chris Minns:

“Today we are letting renters and owners know these major changes will begin in under two months’ time.

“By banning no grounds evictions, this will give renters much-needed housing security. This will let them make a house a home.

“This will make it fairer for millions of renters by bringing the rental market into the 21st century.

“More people than ever are renting, and they are renting for longer.

“With more than two million renters in NSW and over 600,000 investors, we have taken the time to get these major changes right.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong:

“Whether it’s ending no-grounds evictions, making it easier to keep pets, or ensuring renters have fee-free ways to pay rent, these reforms deliver practical improvements that will benefit millions of people across NSW.

“These reforms are about creating a fairer, more balanced rental market that gives tenants greater security while ensuring owners have clear and transparent processes to follow.

“We’ve listened to renters, owners, and industry experts to shape these changes, and we’ll continue working closely with stakeholders to ensure the transition is smooth and well understood.”

Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson:

“Ending no-grounds evictions is a massive win for renters. It gives people the stability they need to build a life and plan for the future.

“We’ve inherited a rental system that was never designed for long-term tenants — this reform starts to lay new foundations for a fairer system.

“Housing security shouldn’t be a privilege, it should be the baseline. These changes finally begin to reflect that in law.

“You can’t tackle the housing crisis without fixing renting. This is a vital step toward a system that delivers real stability and security for the millions of people in NSW who rent.”

NSW Rental Commissioner Trina Jones:

“From regional roadshows to industry roundtables, our team has been on the ground meeting with stakeholders across NSW – holding 41 engagement sessions this financial year alone to ensure diverse voices are reflected in the way we communicate and implement these changes.

“Understanding your rights and responsibilities under the new rental laws will help you avoid penalties and disputes, and NSW Fair Trading is here to ensure renters, owners, and agents have the right information to comply with the changes.

“There’s no need to rely on misinformation or guesswork and it doesn’t matter if you’re a renter, owner or agent – from commencement we will make information available on the NSW Fair Trading website for clear, up-to-date guidance on rental laws and obligations.”

Two years ago, Chris Minns campaigned on “a fresh start” and stood shoulder to shoulder with Anthony Albanese.
 
Today, we’re stuck with the same old Labor – all talk, no delivery.
 
No commitment to new metro projects and any construction not before 2040 (and finishing many years after that).
Deteriorating hospital emergency department and elective surgery waiting lists and times.
Ongoing union chaos across our transport systems.
A housing crisis getting worse by the week.
Announcements that become re-announcements. 
 
Labor’s own plans quietly confirm what families across Western Sydney already know – that little is getting built. Critical road infrastructure projects like the Eastern Ring Road, Devonshire Link Road, and Bradfield Metro Link Road have zero funding and zero construction before 2040, with lengthy delays on other projects.
 
The Minns Labor Government inherited momentum, progress and ribbons to cut from the Liberals and Nationals, but now all it delivers are delays, reviews and spin.
 
This isn’t a fresh start. This is Bob Carr Labor all over again – and Chris Minns is taking his cues straight from Anthony Albanese.
 
Big promises. Slick press conferences. Announcements. Re-announcements and no results.
 
This week NSW will hear the same tired lines from the Premier when he says, “We know there’s more to do”, “Nobody’s taking a victory lap” and that “no one’s doing a lap of honour” and that “the “average voter doesn’t think about it”.
 
But the people of NSW have thought about it.
 
They’ve noticed the metro projects will now stop.
They’ve noticed hospital wait times are blowing out.
They’ve noticed the unions are running the show.
They’ve noticed nothing is being delivered.
They’ve noticed no real cost of living relief.
 
The Liberals and Nationals delivered the roads, the hospitals, the schools, the metros and cost of living relief. We got NSW moving.
 
Labor promised a fresh start. All we’ve got is a dead stop.
 
NSW is worse off under the Minns Labor Government.

Dozens of sports grounds, community halls, theatres and cultural centres from Broken Hill to Bellingen, Camden to Carathool, Fairfield to Forbes will share in more than $6.15 million in funding to upgrade their facilities under the latest round of the Minns Labor Government’s Infrastructure Grants Program.

A total of 37 projects will receive support in this second round of the program for the 2024/25 financial year, building on the $6.44 million delivered to fund 46 projects in July 2024.

The Infrastructure Grants Program is made possible by ClubGrants Category 3, a fund which directs profits from registered clubs’ gaming machines into community projects, while clubs receive a tax concession in return.

Since 2013, more than 880 community projects have been awarded $152 million under the funding program.    

Projects supported in this latest funding round include:

• $250,000 for the fit-out of the BCF Mobile Food Vans for the Bill Crews Charitable Trust. The foundation’s mobile services operate across Sydney offering food and crisis support for disadvantaged community members
• $200,000 for the construction of the Winhanga-durinya-dhuray, Wambuul Memorial Garden by Bathurst Regional Council, including the commissioning of a public artwork along the Wambuul-Macquarie River to celebrate the continued role and resilience of the Wiradyuri people
• $300,000 for the installation of LED lighting on playing fields for the Kurri Kurri Minor Rugby League club to enhance safety and allow for night games and events
• $168,667 for an upgrade to the Southern Life Church Hall used by the Southcoast Health and Sustainability Alliance to help the hall serve as a heatwave and bushfire haven during extreme weather.

For the complete list of Infrastructure Grants Program recipients, visit www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/clubgrants-category-3-fund/clubgrants-infrastructure-sport

Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris said:

“It’s so pleasing to see this round of Infrastructure Grants go to a large number of worthy groups who are working hard for their communities in such a variety of ways across the state.

“ClubGrants Category 3 improves large community infrastructure projects that bring people together, helps them prepare for and recover from disasters, and promotes participation in sport, recreation and the arts.

“It’s particularly pleasing to see there was a big boost in the number of arts and culture applications this financial year, resulting in $1.6 million being delivered to 13 community organisations including Outback Arts and the Young People Theatre Newcastle this round.

“I am also pleased to see two community groups – the Trangie Local Aboriginal Land Council and Walgett Aboriginal Medical Service Limited – projects that specifically address Closing The Gap targets.

“Congratulations to all the successful applicants, I look forward to seeing your completed infrastructure works and the impacts they have on your local communities.”

The NSW visitor economy triumphed at the 2024 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards, with eight NSW businesses recognised across nine categories—including Balloon Aloft Australia, which took home double Gold.

It was a particularly strong result for the NSW North Coast in the wake of Cyclone Alfred, with the region securing five awards. The Tweed Tourism Company claimed Gold, Northern Rivers Rail Trail and Love Lord Howe received Silver, while Port Macquarie Museum and Potager earned Bronze. 

Other NSW businesses celebrated on the night included Sierra Escape, which won Gold, and Mt Hay Retreat, which received Silver. 

Hosted by the Australian Tourism Industry Council, the awards showcase the outstanding achievements of businesses and individuals across the visitor economy, with 24 operators from Bathurst to Broken Hill, Wagga Wagga to Sydney, and Batemans Bay to Byron Bay among the nominees. 

The Qantas Australian Tourism Awards are a benchmark of excellence, recognising those who demonstrate innovation, commitment, and leadership in delivering exceptional visitor experiences. 

The Minns Labor Government’s Visitor Economy Strategy review has set an ambitious target of $91 billion in annual visitor expenditure by 2035. To help drive this growth, Destination NSW continues to support visitor economy operators through initiatives such as the NSW First and Choose

Tourism programs, which provide workshops, webinars and online resources to strengthen industry capability. 

Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper said: 

“I want to congratulate all the NSW winners and nominees at the 2024 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards who are helping make NSW the destination of choice for travellers. 

“Thanks to their hard work and innovation, more people from all over the country and all over the world are visiting NSW to enjoy exceptional natural and cultural experiences. 

“Destination NSW is committed to working hand in hand with industry, celebrating our world-class experiences, supporting and upskilling providers and championing new ideas.”  

Acting Destination NSW CEO Karen Jones said:  

“The success of NSW businesses at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards reflects the outstanding passion, professionalism and commitment of our tourism operators. Their dedication to world-class customer service is what makes NSW a leading destination for visitors from around the world. 

“Creating fresh and immersive visitor experiences is central to positioning NSW as a premier global destination. By leveraging our state’s diverse natural and cultural assets, we can build a stronger, more resilient visitor economy that delivers benefits for businesses, communities and visitors alike.” 

NSW WINNERS IN THE 2024 QANTAS AUSTRALIAN TOURISM AWARDS 

GOLD

Adventure Tourism	Balloon Aloft Australia
Tourism Marketing & Campaigns	The Tweed Tourism Company
Unique Accommodation	Sierra Escape
Excellence in Accessible Tourism	Balloon Aloft Australia

SILVER

Tourist Attractions	Northern Rivers Rail Trail
5 Star Luxury Accommodation	Mt Hay Retreat
Excellence in Food Tourism	Love Lord Howe

BRONZE

Cultural Tourism	Port Macquarie Museum
Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services	Potager

NSW FINALISTS IN 2024 QANTAS AUSTRALIAN TOURISM AWARDS

• Major Tourist Attractions: Symbio Wildlife Park
• Tourist Attractions: Northern Rivers Rail Trail
• Major Festivals & Events: Bluesfest Byron Bay
• Festivals & Events: Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash
• Ecotourism: Kestrel Nest EcoHut at Highfield Farm & Woodland
• Cultural Tourism: Port Macquarie Museum
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism Experiences: Bundyi Cultural Tours
• Tourism Retail, Hire & Services: Ask Roz Blue Mountains
• Visitor Information Services: Bathurst Visitor Information Centre
• Major Tour & Transport Operators: Captain Cook Cruises – Sydney
• Tour & Transport Operators: Blue Mountains Day Tours
• Adventure Tourism: Balloon Aloft Australia
• Tourism Marketing & Campaigns: The Tweed Tourism Company
• Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services: Potager
• Tourism Wineries, Distilleries & Breweries: Cupitt’s Estate
• Caravan & Holiday Parks: Holiday Haven Lake Conjola
• Hosted Accommodation: Black Sheep Inn
• Unique Accommodation: Sierra Escape
• Self-Contained Accommodation: Cedars Mount View
• 4-4.5 Star Deluxe Accommodation: Oriana Retro Hotel & Resort
• 5 Star Luxury Accommodation: Mt Hay Retreat
• New Tourism Business: Beneath The Bay
• Excellence in Food Tourism: Love Lord Howe
• Excellence in Accessible Tourism: Balloon Aloft Australia  

For a full list of winners and runners up, visit the Australian Tourism Awards website: 

https://www.qualitytourismaustralia.com/australian-tourism-awards/

The NSW Government will licence its world-first data platform Land iQ to industry to speed up the pre-planning process and to ensure government and industry are working from the same page. Land iQ was developed by PDNSW and brings more than 200 data sources and 75 land-use data types together to allow for faster and smarter strategic evaluations of how land can be used.

Land iQ was developed by Property and Development NSW (PDNSW) in collaboration with other NSW Government agencies and in partnership with technology companies WSP Australia, Giraffe and Aerometrex. 

This technology will help bolster the in-house capabilities of private sector organisations, ensuring consistency in data and methodologies across the public and private sectors, and support the further digitisation of the planning and property sectors. 

Land iQ has been designed to support a wide range of planning and property work. As well as supporting land assessments and management, it can assist with land valuations and improved risk assessments of climate pressures and natural hazards. 

The data will be of valuable use for the planning and property management sectors; for use by universities to support urban and regional planning research; and for Local Aboriginal Land Councils to manage their land and identify potential opportunities for future development. 

Land iQ has been used by PDNSW to lead the NSW Government’s Property Audit to analyse government land that could be used for more housing. It also played a critical role in the 2022 Northern Rivers floods by analysing land suitable for temporary emergency accommodation. 

For further information visit: www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-property-archive/ourbusiness/advisory-and-transactions/land-iq 

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said: 

“The Minns Government is pulling every lever available to address the housing crisis. We have developed an industry-leading platform that can help speed up the pre-planning process, it only makes sense that we make this critical tool available so that everyone can benefit. 

Media Release Department of Planning and Environment “We want to build a better NSW, and effective land use is critical to support quality of life, our economy and our environment. By ensuring thoughtful development we can meet housing and infrastructure needs while balancing the preservation of our natural environment.”

“Investing in our public service can deliver results beyond what was anticipated, and I congratulate Property and Development NSW and its development partners for pioneering this exciting technology that has been serving government and will now be rolled out for licensed use by the private sector.” 

Deputy Secretary of Property and Development NSW Leon Walker said: 

“Land iQ is a world first data platform that uses smart technology to streamline land use planning and reduce timeframes for due diligence testing of the potential effects of different land-use scenarios. 

“Its extensive analysis tools and comprehensive Statewide datasets provide an excellent source of information not only for government but private sector planners, property managers, developers and the research sector.”

The NSW Government, Waverley Council, Scentre Group (owner of Westfield in Australia and New Zealand) and the community will together observe one year since the Bondi Junction tragedy.

On Saturday 13 April 2024, the Bondi community was shattered by an unfathomable act of violence at Westfield Bondi Junction shopping centre when six innocent people’s lives were taken in terrible circumstances.

As we reflect one year on, two commemorative display boards, recognising the community’s response in the days following the attack, will be installed in Oxford Street Mall, Bondi Junction for one week from 10-16 April.  

The displays include a series of photographs, images and messages collected from the floral tribute sites located at Bondi Junction’s Oxford Street Mall and Westfield Bondi Junction, as well as images from the candlelight vigil held at Bondi Beach on Sunday 21 April.

The community is invited to visit throughout this period to reflect in their own time.

Welfare support officers will be on hand in Oxford Street Mall on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 April. NSW Health provides services that members of public can reach out to for assistance at any time, with contact information available here: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/mentalhealth/services/Pages/support-contact-list.aspx 

Information about the Oxford Street Mall display boards can be found here. 

Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:

“One year on, we pause and reflect on the tragic events of 13 April 2024 and remember the strength of the community in the days following.

“Our thoughts are with the victims’ families, those injured, first responders, members of public who carry the memory and the burden of that terrible day and whose lives were changed forever.”

Mayor of Waverley Council William Nemesh said:

“Our community has shown great strength and resilience over the past year since the horrific attack. This tragic event will not define our community and we will never forget the victims and will always honour their memory. 

“We will continue to support those affected and thank the brave first responders.”

Scentre Group CEO, Elliott Rusanow said:

“This is a very difficult time for our community.

“We extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims and all those impacted by the devastating attack on 13 April 2024. It is impossible to fathom their loss.

“Many people were impacted and are continuing to heal and recover.

“We are grateful for the continued support the community has shown to each other and to our team and business partners.”

The Minns Labor Government and the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) are today announcing that the 2025 NRL and NRLW Grand Finals will be held on Sunday 5 October at Accor Stadium in Sydney.

This deal keeps the NRL’s biggest event in its birthplace and home, where it has been played every year since the birth of rugby league in Australia in 1908—except for the Covid-affected 2021 season.

With the 2025 NRL season shaping up as one of the most competitive in years and the NRLW continuing its rapid growth, fans from across Australia and New Zealand will head to Sydney for the Grand Final over the October long weekend.

Following an exciting season launch in Las Vegas, the NRL is expected to deliver more thrills in 2025. The Penrith Panthers will chase a fifth straight title, a feat last achieved by St George in the 1950s and 60s.

As the NRL expands its audience in the US and Asia-Pacific, Sydney and NSW remains the heart of rugby league. The Grand Final will showcase the city to a growing international fan base.

The NSW Government also recently announced its new events framework, listing the NRL Grand Final as a ‘Foundation Event’—one of the state’s most significant events for its economic, social, and cultural impact.

Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:

“NSW is the home of rugby league and Sydney is unquestionably the greatest rugby league city in the world, so there really is no better place to be hosting the NRL’s showpiece event.

“The NRL Grand Final is one of our nation’s greatest annual sporting events and with NSW representing more than half of the clubs across both the NRL and NRLW competitions, this is great news for the thousands of fans who will come together to celebrate in our city.”

Minister for Jobs and Tourism and Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said:

“The NRL has done a fantastic job in promoting and expanding the game to new markets across the US and Asia-Pacific. As such, we need to make sure we cement Sydney’s legacy as the home of rugby league and build on its reputation in these markets as one of the world’s great cities for major sporting events.

“As we’ve seen with the Las Vegas effect, rugby league fans from all over Australia and the world will flock to Sydney for the NRL and NRLW Grand Finals and I can’t wait to see Accor Stadium abuzz with the atmosphere of 82,500 rugby league fans on Grand Final day.

“Not only is this a big win for sport fans but it is fantastic news for pubs, hotels, restaurants and retailers in NSW who can now start to plan for this iconic event.”

National Rugby League CEO Andrew Abdo said:

“We are pleased to confirm that Sydney will host the NRL and NRLW Telstra Grand Finals for season 2025.

“Thank you to the NSW Government for the ongoing support of Rugby League and to Premier Chris Minns and Minister Steve Kamper who have worked with us to reach an agreement for this year’s Grand Final.”

Maud Page has been appointed the tenth Director of the Art Gallery of NSW, ushering in a new era of leadership for the 154-year-old institution.

Ms Page, who is the current Deputy Director and Director of Collections at the Art Gallery, is the first female director.

With over 2 million visits a year, the Art Gallery of NSW is one most significant cultural institutions in Australia.

Ms Page, who was appointed following a global search for the best candidate to take the Art Gallery forward, brings more than two decades of experience in major public art galleries in Australia and internationally.

She is known for her exceptional curatorial vision, operational expertise, and breadth of experience in collections and exhibitions.

Since joining the Art Gallery in 2017, Ms Page has been driving the gallery’s shift to expanding the institution’s reach beyond its home in the Domain. Through innovative programming—ranging from community outreach initiatives to international blockbusters like Magritte—she has played a key role in engaging new audiences, particularly in Western Sydney and regional NSW.

Under her leadership, the Art Gallery has ensured a strong First Nations voice and focus on engaging children in art, with the opening of the Children’s Art Library, and popular Hive Children’s Festival.

Ms Page will commence in the role on Friday, 28 March.

Outgoing ninth Director, Dr Michael Brand, leaves an important legacy for the people of NSW.

Dr Brand joined the Art Gallery in June 2012. Under his thirteen-year leadership the institution experienced remarkable growth in its programming, visitor numbers and cultural influence. From leading the largest cultural development in the city since the Sydney Opera House with the completion of the Sydney Modern Project and opening of the Naala Badu building, Dr Brand oversaw a significant transformation in the institution into globally significant art museum, to securing major international exhibitions including Matisse and Rembrandt.

Minister for Arts, John Graham said:

“I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Dr Brand for his exceptional contribution to the institution and to the broader arts community. I wish Dr Brand the best for the next chapter of his career.

“I congratulate Maud Page on her appointment to the role. She has already been a driving force to help grow its annual visitation to 2 million per year, ranking it 28 out of 100 in the world’s most visited art museums in the annual international Art Newspaper survey.

“I look forward to Ms Page’s leadership and programming that engages new audiences from across Western Sydney, young and old.”

President, Art Gallery of NSW Trust Michael Rose said:

“I am delighted to welcome Maud Page to the role of Director of the Art Gallery of NSW.

“With over two decades of experience in art galleries, Maud is highly respected both nationally and internationally for her exceptional curatorial vision and financial acumen. Throughout her career, she has been dedicated to community engagement, broadening cultural perspectives and attracting new audiences to public institutions for the benefit of all.

“This is an exciting appointment for the Art Gallery, and the Trustees and I look forward to working with Maud.

“I’d also like to extend my sincere thanks to outgoing Director Dr Michael Brand, who has led the organisation through an incredible period of change and growth.”

Incoming Art Gallery of NSW Director, Ms Maud Page said:

“I am delighted to have been appointed as the tenth Director of the Art Gallery of NSW, and the first woman to lead this prestigious and vibrant public institution.

“I strongly believe in the transformative power of art and look forward to working with artists and colleagues at my neighbouring cultural institutions and in greater Sydney as well as further afield with regional galleries and museums across the state, to welcome new audiences and families.”

“I would also like to extend my deep gratitude to Michael Brand for his collegial leadership. Working alongside him for the conceptualisation and realisation of our new building, Naala Badu, was extraordinary and a highlight of my professional career.”

About the Art Gallery of New South Wales 

• The Art Gallery of NSW is currently ranked 28th in the world’s top 100 most popular art museums in the annual international Art Newspaper survey.
• Established in 1871, it is one of Australia’s pre-eminent art museums and the state’s leading visual arts institution – a centre of excellence for the collection, preservation, documentation, interpretation and display of Australian and international art, and a forum for scholarship, art education and the exchange of ideas.
• The Art Gallery’s two buildings, Naala Badu and Naala Nura, brings together art, architecture and landscape with seamless connections between indoor and outdoor galleries and spaces.
• Naala Badu is the most significant cultural development to open in Sydney in half a century and is a prominent new destination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and culture.