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NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Transport Minister Andrew Constance today officially opened light rail services from Circular Quay to Randwick.
The first passengers have ridden on the new L2 Randwick Line following a ribbon cutting ceremony at Circular Quay.
“It’s an historic day for Sydney as light rail takes passengers down George Street for the first time in 61 years,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“George Street used to be a car park with hundreds of buses and thousands of cars congested every day. Now it is one of the best boulevards in the world.
“The new network will move up to 13,500 commuters an hour during peak time, with one coupled tram holding 450 passengers, which is equivalent to nine standard buses.
“The new pedestrian boulevard will create a vibrant new shopping and dining precinct, bringing people along the route to enjoy everything it has to offer.”
Transport Minister Andrew Constance said the buzz created by the testing of the light rail and at today’s opening, showed there was overwhelming support for the project.
“The new light rail line will revolutionise the way that the people of Sydney travel through the CBD and South East for years to come,” Mr Constance said.
“Opening the new light rail line between Randwick and Circular Quay marks the next major step to building a modern new public transport network to cater for Sydney’s growing population and befits our world class city.”
Trams on the L2 Randwick Line are fare-free this weekend.
Transport for NSW has partnered with Rural Aid to raise funds to support regional communities and farmers. Volunteers are collecting donations along the light rail route this weekend.

Strengthened reporting, registration and data-sharing schemes targeting child abuse and record investments into support services for survivors and at-risk children are all helping to keep our kids safe according to a report released today.
Attorney General Mark Speakman and Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Gareth Ward said NSW’s second annual report card provides an update on the Government’s actions in 2019 to implement the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
“Protecting children from abuse and improving access to justice for survivors are the bedrock of the NSW Government’s response to the findings of the Royal Commission,” Mr Speakman said.
“We are rolling out the Government’s $127 million package of reforms responding to the Royal Commission, which will secure a safer future for our children and ensure we are doing everything we can to stop the horrors of the past being repeated.”
Highlights of the report include:

• a NSW-led national initiative enabling child protection workers to identify whether a child or person of interest may be known in another state or territory
• landmark legislative reforms to strengthen the child protection reportable conduct scheme and expand mandatory reporter groups
• better protection and support for children in out-of-home care
• allocation of  funding for community-based support services
• expanded professional education and training about child safety
• increased protections for young people in youth justice centres, and
• significant improvements to specialist sexual assault services.

“While we have made great strides in creating safer environments for our children and young people, there is still much more work to be done,” Mr Ward said.
“We will continue to work with government and non-government organisations to build on our progress and make sure the framework for protecting children is as strong as possible.”
The annual progress report for the NSW Government’s response to the Royal Commission can be accessed at https://bit.ly/2LMCDc9.

STRONG AND STABLE: NSW BUDGET ON TRACK TO DELIVER SOLID SURPLUS

• The NSW Half-Yearly Review (HYR) has confirmed the continued strength of the State’s Budget despite challenges such as the worst drought on record, recent volatility in the housing market and lower household consumption.
• The HYR forecasts a surplus of $702 million in 2019-20, down $314 million since the 2019-20 Budget, with average surpluses increasing to $1.9 billion over the four years to 2022-23 (up from $1.7 billion), bolstered by early signs of an improvement in the housing market.

LEVEL TWO WATER RESTRICTIONS IN GREATER SYDNEY AND THE ILLAWARRA

• Level 2 water restrictions came into effect in Sydney, Blue Mountains and the Illawarra on 10 December.
• Under the new Level 2 water restrictions people are required to use a bucket or watering can to water their gardens between approved times, cars can only be washed with a bucket or taken to a commercial car wash and topping up of pools and spas is limited to 15 minutes a day with a trigger nozzle.
• Fines will still apply for breaches of water restrictions – $220 for residential breaches and $550 for businesses. For up-to-date information on Level 2 restrictions visit lovewater.sydney/restrictions.

DRUG AMNESTY BINS FOR MUSIC FESTIVALS

• Music festivalgoers will have a chance to discard illegal drugs into amnesty bins without fear of prosecution or penalty as part of the NSW Government’s ongoing efforts to reduce drug-related deaths and injuries.
• The measure formed a key part of the NSW Government’s response to the Deputy Coroner’s recommendations following her inquest into the deaths of six patrons at NSW music festivals.
• The NSW Government will also extend targeted education campaigns, improve information sharing between State agencies about the toxicology of drugs found at music festivals and will work with festival organisers to ensure they continue to improve the health services being provided at their events.

GOVERNMENT INVESTS IN THE FUTURE OF AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION

• A new model of agricultural education will benefit students across the State for years to come, with the NSW Government announcing a new Centre of Excellence in Agricultural Education in the Hawkesbury, new selective streams of agricultural education at Richmond High School, and upgrades to the existing Hurlstone Agricultural High School at Glenfield.
• This initiative means children from as far as Walgett to Woollahra will have an opportunity to study and consider a career in agriculture.
• The Department of Education will continue to work with Landcom on the future of the Glenfield Precinct Plan.

HISTORY MADE AS METRO COMPLETES HARBOUR TUNNEL

• The first metro railway tunnel to be built deep under Sydney Harbour has been completed in an historic milestone for public transport in Sydney.
• Tunnel boring machine (TBM) Kathleen is digging twin railway tunnels under Sydney Harbour as part of Sydney Metro – Australia’s biggest public transport project.
• Metro trains will start running through the tunnels in 2024 extending the North West Metro into the city and beyond to Bankstown.

LIGHT RAIL REMINDER FOR SAFETY’S SAKE

• Sydneysiders are being encouraged to play it safe around the new CBD and South East Light Rail ahead of passenger services commencing this weekend.
• Light rail safety promotions have ramped up in recent weeks aimed at pedestrians and cyclists, while new ground markings have been installed across intersections to deter motorists from queuing across the tracks and delaying trams.
• TfNSW has partnered with Rural Aid to help raise funds for NSW farmers and regional communities doing it tough. Rural Aid volunteers will collect donations at light rail stops all weekend in lieu of passengers paying a fare for riding the services.

NEW NESA LEADERSHIP TO GUIDE EDUCATION REFORMS

• Chancellor of Western Sydney University and former head of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Professor Peter Shergold AC, will take the helm of the authority responsible for curriculum, assessment, school regulation and teacher quality across NSW public and non-government schools (NESA).
• Professor Shergold will deliver a review of the NSW curriculum in 2020 which will provide NSW with a once in a generation opportunity to revitalise the school curriculum for students, the community and the economy continue to thrive well into the 21st century.