Category: NSW News

The NSW Shadow Cabinet is meeting in the Miranda electorate today for a Shadow Community Cabinet, bringing the Opposition’s leadership team to the heart of the Sutherland Shire. This important visit provides an opportunity to connect directly with local businesses, families and community organisations, demonstrating the NSW Opposition’s commitment to listening to concerns and working towards solutions.

The Miranda electorate is part of a vibrant Shire community with a strong heritage, a thriving small business sector, and a proud tradition of sporting and cultural excellence. 

Residents of the Miranda electorate deserve better than what the Minns Labor Government is providing them. Today’s Shadow Community Cabinet is about strengthening our connection with the people who make the area great and showing them that we’re listening.

NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said the Shadow Cabinet is here in the Miranda electorate to hear from families, businesses and community leaders about the challenges they face every day. 

“After 20 months of the Minns Labor Government, the cost of living is worse, housing affordability is worse, infrastructure delivery is drying up, and the Shire community has been left behind. We are here to listen, learn and lead,” Mr Speakman said.

Member for Miranda Eleni Petinos said as the local member her focus has always been on fighting for the people of Miranda. 

“Having the Shadow Cabinet meet here today sends a clear message – we are united in our determination to ensure the Miranda electorate’s priorities are heard and acted upon,” Ms Petinos said.

The Shadow Community Cabinet will engage with local stakeholders to discuss critical issues such as cost-of-living pressures, small business challenges, housing affordability, and the neglect of infrastructure investment for the Shire under the Minns Labor Government.

Children as young as 12 in Year 6 at Illawong Public School were subjected to a graphic and highly inappropriate discussion led by a senior staff member, which included references to anal sex and an adult streaming website. 

Parents are understandably upset and demanding answers after discovering the content of the discussion, which has no place in any school environment.

The incident occurred following a program on sexual health called “Amazing Me,” which had received parental consent. However, the unapproved follow-up discussion went far beyond any reasonable boundaries. 

Students were asked to write questions anonymously, and these questions were read aloud and answered in a way which led to discussions about an adult streaming website and sex acts.

The Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said parents trusted Illawong Public School to provide a safe and age-appropriate education for their children. 

“Instead, they were exposed to a discussion relating to pornography and explicit sexual acts. This isn’t education—this is recklessness,” Mr Speakman said. 

Member for Miranda Eleni Petinos, who raised the matter in Parliament on Friday, said parents are furious—and they have every right to be. This isn’t just inappropriate; it’s indefensible.

“Instead of stepping up and facing these parents the Minister for Education Prue Car has gone silent. Where is her leadership? Where is her accountability? These families deserve answers, not excuses. The Minister for Education hasn’t even contacted me as the local member—her absence in this matter speaks volumes,” Ms Petinos said.

The Opposition is demanding immediate action from the Education Minister, including:

• A truly independent and transparent investigation, with no conflicts of interest, to uncover how this was allowed to happen.
• An apology and direct engagement with Illawong families to rebuild trust and demonstrate accountability.
• An assurance from the Minister that these classroom discussions are not occurring elsewhere in NSW and what measures will be taken to prevent this from happening again

An inappropriate discussion is concerning enough, but it is even more troubling when the government’s response leaves parents feeling ignored and unsupported.

More than $52.5 million in additional disaster recovery funding has been approved by the Albanese and Minns Governments to help the Byron Shire Council restore damaged road infrastructure.

The funding, provided through the jointly-funded Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, will go towards restoring the slope at multiple locations and repairing the culvert at Coopers Lane.

Funding received will be used to repair landslips on: Coolamon Scenic Drive (two locations), Left Bank Road (two locations), Wilsons Creek Road (three locations), Coopers Creek Road (two locations), Goonengerry Road, Frasers Road, The Pocket Road (three locations), Tristran Parade, Huonbrook Road (five locations), Johnsons Road (four locations), Dry Creek Road, Main Arm Road, Monet Drive, St Helena Road, Wanganui Road, and Possum Shoot Road.

These repairs will help ensure that communities in the Byron Shire can access safer and more resilient roads.

Eight packages of funding have been approved for this work and range in value from $506,000 to $15.89 million.

Because of the volume of work, repairs will be carried out over a number of years.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Jenny McAllister:

“The 2022 floods had an enduring impact on the community of Byron Shire.

“We’re restoring roads across Byron Shire to help families stay connected and help businesses access roads they can rely on.

“We’re working with all levels of government to help local communities not only recover but rebuild for the long term.”

Federal Member for Richmond, Justine Elliot:

“We know how important it is to keep communities connected during and after natural disasters.

“These roads upgrades across the Byron Shire are about building back better, by repairing the damage and ensuring locals can access safer and more resilient roads.

“I’m proud to be part of the Albanese Labor Government, delivering this joint investment with the NSW Minns Labor Government to continue disaster recovery in the Byron Shire.”

NSW Minister for Planning, Paul Scully:

“We saw how heavily impacted parts of the Byron Shire have been by weather events in recent years so this investment is important.

“These works on multiple sections of road in the Byron Shire will be welcome and will help restore normal travel routes around the area.”

NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Jenny Aitchison:

“We know the NSW North Coast is vulnerable to severe weather events, and this funding will help Byron Shire Council carry out the necessary repairs to get them back on track.

“This funding will enable Council to get on with the vital work of restoring the local roads that people use every day to travel to work and education, see their families and get to medical appointments.

“Working together across all levels of Government, we are ramping up investment to help communities remain connected or re-connect faster following a severe weather event.”

NSW Member for Lismore and Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery, Janelle Saffin:

“I know that my Parliamentary colleague State Member for Ballina Tamara Smith will also welcome funding for extensive restoration works to improve resilience of Byron Shire roads within both of our respective electorates.

“I am very pleased to be part of a government making a significant investment in better road safety for local residents and visitors who use these roads on a daily basis.”

Duty MLC for Ballina, Emily Suvaal:

“It has been great to work with the Member for Lismore and Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery, Janelle Saffin, to help secure this funding.

“Working cooperatively within and across all levels of government is how we get things done.”

Byron Shire Council’s Manager of Infrastructure Recovery, Phil Warner:

“We want to be up front with our communities, who are obviously eager for repair work to be completed. It’s fantastic that we’ve received funding to do these important repairs but in some cases it will take us several years before we complete the work.

“This is because we need to plan the work, get it approved, and secure materials and people to do the work.

“We thank the community for their continued patience and will keep everyone updated on the timeframes for each of the repairs.”

Understanding how strata communities operate becomes easier from today, with the NSW Government launching a guide to support the 1.2 million residents living in strata properties such as apartments, townhouses, and duplexes.

The Strata Living Guide has been updated following consultation that has incorporated the community’s feedback and responses.

The Guide will give strata property owners and prospective buyers clear advice in plain English on a range of topics aimed at improving decision-making in strata communities.

The new Guide has practical ‘how to’ information for those living in strata properties, such as how to run strata meetings and other key strata processes, how to manage strata finances, and how to raise issues.

The guide also helpfully suggests ways to go about getting things done such as regular or emergency repairs and approvals for renovations, resolving disputes, and managing relationships with the owners’ corporation and strata manager.

The Guide also highlights the strata law changes coming into effect in February 2025, which expand and strengthen strata managing agents’ disclosure obligations to owners, including reforms to make insurance arrangements more transparent.

NSW Fair Trading is also releasing information for strata property owners, and owners’ corporations, about options available when owners are having difficulty paying their strata levies on time, without compromising the financial viability of strata schemes. 

Proposed legislation to be introduced to Parliament next week will make strata management practices around levies clearer, such as improving levy notice information and fairer conditions for payment plans.

This includes levy notices being accompanied by information encouraging early action by lot owners in financial hardship, and information about how to contact the National Debt Helpline.

To access the Strata Living Guide and other resources to help strata property owners, please visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-construction/strata

Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“The Minns Labor Government is continuing to improve the regulatory framework we need to build better homes and communities for the people of NSW.

“The Strata Living Guide provides clear advice to people living in the 86,000 strata schemes in NSW which will help them govern their strata schemes constructively and effectively.

“The Guide will also help strata communities to engage in collective decision-making that serves their community’s best interests.

“Strata debt is a growing issue in the community with the amount of money owed to strata title creditors in insolvencies climbing.

“That is why we are introducing new legislation that will give strata property owners and strata corporations a clear path when managing strata levy debt in the best interests of all parties.”

A new flythrough video has been released showcasing the $438 million Shoalhaven Hospital Redevelopment, providing the community with a virtual tour of the new 7-storey hospital building and campus. 

The Shoalhaven Hospital Redevelopment is set to transform healthcare services across the region, delivering modern health facilities and expanded health services for communities across the South Coast. 

 The virtual tour brings to life the new acute clinical services building, revealing a modern, patient-centred design with spacious waiting areas, comfortable treatment rooms, and a green landscape that promotes healing and wellbeing. 

 The new acute clinical services building includes a new emergency department, intensive care unit, double the number of operating theatres and endoscopy rooms, a dedicated cardiology inpatient unit, and a new rooftop helipad. 

 The hospital will also feature an increase in aged care capacity including a sub-acute geriatric evaluation and management service, dedicated palliative care facility, and specialist rehabilitation unit, ensuring it meets the growing demands of the Shoalhaven and surrounding regions.  

Work on the Shoalhaven Hospital Redevelopment is progressing well, with the new seven-storey acute services building on track to be completed in 2026. 

Watch the flythrough video via the project page. 

Minister for Regional Health, Ryan Park:

“The Minns Labor Government is committed to delivering contemporary, fit-for-purpose hospitals and health facilities to support the healthcare needs of our growing local communities.

 “The Shoalhaven Hospital Redevelopment will provide the majority of emergency, critical care, acute, subacute and non-admitted services locally, reducing the need to transfer patients to Wollongong and Sydney.

“The floorplans and hospital design have been informed by extensive feedback from staff and the community including access for patients and visitors, café services, landscaped areas and connections to nature.”          

Member South Coast, Liza Butler:

 “This virtual tour of the Shoalhaven Hospital Redevelopment is providing staff, patients and the community the opportunity to see what the new acute clinical services building will look like when complete.

 “This is a really exciting time for the community who will be able to experience how the Shoalhaven Hospital health services will work together on one site and become a health hub for the entire region.”  

The Deniliquin community will benefit from a $250,000 funding boost from the NSW Government to upgrade health facilities in Murrumbidgee Local Health District.

The Minns Labor Government is investing a total of almost $12 million in 61 projects as part of the Regional Health Minor Works Program.

As part of the program, Deniliquin Hospital received $250,000 to purchase two surgical suite pendants. These pendants allow for easier access to medical gases and general surgical equipment, complementing recent enhancements to the hospital’s theatres.

In addition to the $250,000 investment in upgrades at Deniliquin Hospital the Minns Labor Government is also investing $250,000 in Young Hospital. This investment at Young will be used to upgrade operating theatre equipment.

Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park:

“The NSW Government is committed to investing in upgrading health facilities to support better health outcomes for rural and regional communities.

“The Rural Minor Works Program will allow Murrumbidgee Local Health District to upgrade surgical equipment at Deniliquin Hospital to enhance the working environment for health staff and improve patient experiences.

“The Program is one of a number of investments the Minns Labor Government is making to strengthen rural and regional health services, so people have access to the best possible care close to home.”

Member for Murray Helen Dalton:

“This $250,000 investment in Deniliquin Hospital helps to ensure our regional and rural communities receive the best possible healthcare closer to home.

“This new equipment at Deniliquin Hospital will help to ensure clinical staff continue to offer high quality and timely care to patients.”

A rest area upgrade delivered by the Minns Labor Government in Outback NSW has been completed, with motorists and heavy vehicle operators benefiting from a more comfortable space to take a rest and manage fatigue risks.

The Gilgunnia Goldfields Rest Area, about 109 kilometres south of Cobar on the Kidman Way, was given a $255,000 makeover to bring it up to modern standards.

A key feature of the upgrade was the installation of a modern flushing toilet to replace the waterless composting toilet that had been in place for many years.

Other work included drainage improvements and pavement upgrades in the truck parking bay, plus a fresh coat of paint on the water tank.

Redundant facilities including a non-working barbecue, a cage and a disused water tank will be removed in coming weeks.

To help motorists plan their journeys and breaks, a map showing the location of roadside rest areas is available on the Transport for NSW website – https://maps.transport.nsw.gov.au/egeomaps/rest-areas/index.html

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“Long distances are a fact of life for people travelling in western NSW and managing fatigue is vital for road safety.

“Providing clean modern rest areas with toilet facilities like the one at this rest area is one way the Minns Labor Government can encourage motorists to take proper rest breaks which can save lives.”

Access to clean, modern rest areas is vitally important both for their comfort and the opportunity to take a short break from driving.

“We are proud to be investing in long overdue upgrades to rest areas which will help ensure all road users have a decent place to stop, revive and survive at while embarking on their journeys.”

Member for Barwon Roy Butler said:

“The Kidman Way is a key freight route for transporting livestock, produce and other goods interstate, and is also a popular route for tourists exploring western NSW.

“The Gilgunnia Rest Area is an important part of Cobar’s rich history and the upgraded amenities are important for not only safety, but for tourists and locals alike. Cobar has long been advocating for this upgrade and it is pleasing to see funding being directed to where it is needed and wanted.”

Labor’s spokesperson for Barwon Stephen Lawrence MLC said:

“I am thrilled to see the Minns Labor Government is investing in upgrades to regional rest stops.

“This is important investment because we know having good amenities in remote rest stops can be the difference between life and death in helping long distance drivers better manage their fatigue.”

Twenty-eight trainees across Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) have celebrated their graduation at a ceremony in Dubbo, paving the way to begin or continue their careers in health and make meaningful impacts in their communities.

Sixteen trainees graduated from the Adult Traineeships program, including four Aboriginal trainees, which offers the opportunity to work while learning across a 12-month period to gain qualifications in disciplines like Assistant in Nursing and Administration.

A dozen Year 11 and 12 students graduated from the School-Based Apprenticeship and Traineeship (SBAT) program with Pharmacy, Allied Health, and Assistant in Nursing qualifications, including eight Aboriginal trainees funded by the NSW Government’s Elsa Dixon Aboriginal Employment Grant.

The SBAT program is a Department of Education initiative which provides students the opportunity to earn an industry-recognised qualification, working 100 days of paid work experience over two years while studying as part of their Higher School Certificate.

For more information on WNSWLHD’s scholarship, traineeship, and cadetship programs visit the WNSWLHD website.

Regional Health Minister Ryan Park:

“It takes incredible dedication, no matter your age or background, to complete study while also working and I wholeheartedly congratulate all 28 of the trainees from Western NSW who have graduated.

“These programs provide a range of opportunities to kick-start a career in healthcare, to continue building skill, act a stepping stone into further study or, for some adult trainees, take another step forward in a career change.

“No matter the pathway they choose from here, whether it be moving directly into employment, training further, or heading to university, I have no doubt these graduates will have a huge impact on their communities in the future.”

Labor Spokesperson for Dubbo, Stephen Lawrence, MLC:

“I wish all of this year’s graduates from Western NSW the very best and offer my sincere congratulations. Completing studies is a huge milestone, and these qualifications will open up a range of pathways for graduates.

“I’m thrilled that a number of graduating trainees this year plan on staying and working in the Western NSW Local Health District, and a number have also gained early entry into university. It’s exciting to see their careers develop, and the impact they will have as healthcare workers.”

WNSWLHD Manager Graduate Programs and Traineeship Jackie Corliss:

“Our graduates come from all over the District and have different backgrounds and life experience. It is so exciting to see the vast majority of this year’s graduates are from smaller, rural areas including Walgett, Grenfell, Collarenebri, and Lightning Ridge.

“We are thrilled to be able to offer this kind of opportunity to so many people. Their dedication and commitment has been incredible and we cannot congratulate them enough as they celebrate their well-earned graduation.”

The Minns Labor Government is today announcing the establishment of a new state-led approval pathway for major residential housing projects, as well as a process for rezonings – neither having to be approved by councils, cutting approval times and speeding up the delivery of new homes.

The Housing Delivery Authority

This reform will come into effect in early 2025 following a short and sharp consultation with stakeholders.

This will be available for new housing developments above an estimated development cost of $60 million (on average 100 or more homes) in Greater Sydney and a cost of approximately $30 million (on average 40 or more homes) in regional NSW.

This pathway will be overseen by the new Housing Delivery Authority (HDA) and will be established within the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI).

The HDA will include the Secretary of the Premier’s Department Simon Draper, the Secretary of the Department of Planning Kiersten Fishburn and the Chief Executive Officer of Infrastructure NSW, Tom Gellibrand.

The Minister for Planning and Public Spaces remains the consent authority for projects through this pathway.

Housing is the biggest single cost of living pressure people are dealing with right now.

And while we have already pushed through the biggest housing reforms in a generation there is still a disconnect between the state’s need to support new housing, and our ability to make it happen through the current planning system.

Proposals in this pathway will not be required to be considered by councils for development and will benefit from an approval timeline that is potentially reduced by years.

Proposals will also be selected through an expression of interest (EOI) process with established criteria. They will be assessed on merit with a flexible approach to planning controls, including any incremental zoning changes required to pursue a development application.

Rezoning process

As part of this reform the Minns Labor Government is also introducing a new pathway that will allow selected projects which would deliver significant housing uplift, but require more significant rezonings, to go through a DPHI led fast track rezoning pathway that does not require a council process.

These projects will also be selected through an EOI process run by the HDA, where proponents will be able to submit rezoning proposals for consideration.

The proposals will be considered against a set of criteria which the HDA will now consult stakeholders on, that are consistent with the state’s housing priorities.

This approach will have the benefit of allowing new projects to go through rezoning and development assessment at the same time.

These reforms will reduce the number of large complex development applications councils are required to assess each year, freeing up resources for councils to assess less complex development applications before them.

These measures build on a series of transformative reforms to simplify the planning system and unlock housing supply after a decade of inaction by the former government, including:

• The largest ever rezoning in NSW history.
• Housing targets for councils to rebalance housing across Greater Sydney.
• $450 million to build new apartments for essential workers including nurses, paramedics, teachers, allied health care workers, police officers and fire fighters.
• A council league table to measure housing delivery.
• The largest ever investment in the state’s history with $5.1 billion dedicated to delivering social and affordable housing.
• A land audit of vacant government owned land that will unlock 30,000 homes including 8,400 public homes built by the government.

Premier of New South Wales, Chris Minns:

“These are huge reforms that we are not proposing lightly, however the scale of the problem requires this significant change.

“For over a decade in NSW, governments have made it harder to build the homes we need, not easier – but this cannot continue if we want to be a city that young people can afford to live in.

“NSW needs significant new housing supply near existing infrastructure but at the same time too many well-located areas in Sydney have put too many barriers up for too long.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“The Minns Government is doing everything in its power to tackle the housing crisis and encourage developers to build and boost housing supply and overall affordability.

“These latest reforms mean the State is taking control of major housing projects so that they have the attention they deserve and get through the assessment process much faster.

“The former government increased red tape so that getting approval to build homes has become incredibly hard.

“The NSW Government will do whatever it takes to build a better future for NSW so young people, families and workers have somewhere to live.”

The Minns Labor Government has completed major restoration work at the Coast Centre for Seniors in Little Bay, preserving one of 13 State-heritage listed buildings and assets in the Prince Henry Precinct at Little Bay in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

Crown Lands, part of the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, funded the $784,560 project as part of ongoing maintenance and restoration work at the historic precinct.

The Coast Centre, originally built in 1897 as the Nurses’ Home for the Coast Hospital, has served the community since 1994 as a space where residents over 55 can enjoy activities that deepen community bonds, alleviate loneliness, and support mental health.

The Prince Henry site has a rich history. established in 1881 as NSW’s first hospital for infectious diseases. The hospital was the first government-controlled public hospital in NSW’s post-convict era. 

Following recommendations of an independent engineering assessment and a heritage consultant, Crown Lands engaged NSW Public Works to undertake important repair work on the Coast Centre for Seniors that was sympathetic to the building’s heritage character. 
Contractor A J Bristow & Sons Pty Ltd was commissioned to carry out the work, which included:

• Replacement of the verandah floor surface.
• Concrete repairs to the underside of the slab and treatment of corrosion.
• New joints and repairs to existing joints in brickwork and render.
• Repointing of brickwork and replacement of individual heritage bricks where required.
• Repair of render, concrete, and mortar on external walls, columns, and balustrades.
• Cleaning and painting of verandas including render, columns, balustrades, stair    handrails, and ceilings.
• Minor drainage improvements to prevent future structural water damage.

This project has improved accessibility and ensured the facility remains a welcoming hub for older residents.

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said:
 

“Crown land plays a critical role in preserving areas and buildings of cultural and heritage significance across the state, including the Coast Centre for Seniors and Prince Henry Precinct.

“Multipurpose facilities such as these play a vital role in strengthening communities by bringing people together to promote well-being and bolster spirits through a range of events.”

Member for Maroubra Michael Daley said:

“The Coast Centre for Seniors is a wonderful facility at the heart of Little Bay that offers a range of activities to ensure our seniors keep active, healthy and happy.

“This significant investment from the NSW Government will ensure this beautiful, historic building maintains its heritage value and remains structurally sound and well used by community members for many years to come.”

General Manager Little Bay Coast Centre for Seniors Linda Mearing said:

“It is a very great privilege for our members to be able to access such a distinguished heritage building every day. We don’t take it for granted, and we always seek to educate the public about the facility’s deep ties to the community and its historical importance.

“We are delighted Crown Lands has funded this important maintenance work to ensure the building’s beautiful heritage features can be preserved for everybody and so we can continue to offer our services to our local community.”