Category: NSW News

Police will get tough new powers to search the homes and vehicles of convicted drug dealers, under a pilot program to be introduced by the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced today that the introduction of Drug Supply Prohibition Orders will help the NSW Police Force smash organised crime gangs who prey on young people, in particular, and profit from the large-scale supply of illegal drugs in NSW.
Following consultation with the NSW Police Force, the pilot program will operate across four police commands – Bankstown Police Area Command, Coffs-Clarence Police District, Hunter Valley Police District, and Orana Mid-Western Police District.
“Community safety is the highest priority of the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government, and I want convicted drug dealers to know that they will have nowhere to hide if they want to prey on, and profit from, the people of NSW,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“These new powers will assist our brave police men and women, including the 1500 additional police that a Liberals & Nationals Government will deliver over the next four years – the single biggest increase to the Force in more than three decades.”
“We have also established a powerful Special Commission of Inquiry into ice and related drugs because we want every option on the table to bolster our existing efforts to combat the evolving threat of dangerous illegal drugs – and to get help for those who need it.”
Deputy Premier John Barilaro has praised the efforts of National party candidate for Dubbo Dugald Saunders for his relentless campaign to introduce these new powers.
“Drug addiction and ice have become a major issue in parts of regional NSW, and police need every measure available to combat them.”
“Too often, police know who is responsible for dealing these drugs but don’t always have the capacity to shut them down – these new powers will help overcome that,” Mr Barilaro said.
A court issued Drug Supply Prohibition Order will give police the power to search the homes, vehicles and person of convicted drug dealers at any time without a warrant, if they have reasonable grounds to suspect that there is evidence of drug-related crime.
An order will ensure that police are able to specifically target convicted drug dealers who are considered likely to continue to engage in drug supply, without having to apply for multiple court warrants, helping to ensure that convicted drug dealers are held to account if they continue to engage in drug-related crime.
Minister for Police Troy Grant said this was another example of the Liberals & Nationals Government taking strong action to protect our communities from the scourge of drugs.
“As a former police officer, I’ve seen the harsh reality of illegal drugs in our communities, and I’m confident that these orders will help our police take the fight to drug dealers, and show them that we will not tolerate having this filth on our streets,” Mr Grant said.
“At the same time, we’re boosting police resources to enforce these powers and crack down on organised crime gangs, which includes more Region Enforcement Squads as well as specialist police for Raptor Units.”
Drug Supply Prohibition Orders will initially operate as a two-year pilot program, after which the results will be assessed to inform the future operation of the new powers. Orders made will remain in force for the duration of the pilot program and will allow police to search a person or their property for prohibited drugs, drug pre-cursors, drug paraphernalia or equipment for drug manufacture, or other evidence of drug supply or manufacture.
An application for an order may be made in relation to any person convicted of a serious drug offence, such as supply or manufacture of an indictable quantity, in the past ten years. Consistent with the exercise of any police power, Drug Supply Prohibition Orders will be subject to oversight by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission.

The Silver Fern of New Zealand will be displayed on the Sydney Opera House tonight in a symbol of solidarity, support and respect for the people of New Zealand.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the illumination will demonstrate NSW’s deep sense of unity and compassion towards everyone affected by the attacks in Christchurch.
“We feel the loss in Christchurch especially deeply given the closeness of our two countries. It is as though this has occurred on our own soil,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Not only are New Zealanders our close friends and often family, but we share the same proud values of freedom, diversity and democracy.
“Our thoughts, prayers and love continue to go out to all those impacted by the tragic events in Christchurch – particularly our Muslim community, here in NSW and New Zealand.
“An attack on one section of the community is an attack on us all.”
The illumination of the Sydney Opera House sails will begin from 8.30pm.

Smart technology is at the heart of a congestion busting package which will be rolled out under a NSW Liberals & Nationals Government to keep drivers moving on the State’s motorways and city streets.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian has announced another $695 million in congestion busting measures, which are only possible because of the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government’s strong economic management.
The measures include:

• $400 million to install intelligent traffic lights at 500 intersections across Sydney and in centres such as Wollongong and Newcastle. These lights are able to read the flow of the traffic and change from red to green to clear traffic queues, reducing the number of stops in traffic by up to 15 per cent.
• $200 million to upgrade major motorways, including the M1 between Gosford and Sydney, into smart motorways by using technology that automatically adjusts speed on the roads and controls vehicles entering the motorway, to smooth traffic flow and increase capacity.
• $95 million to trial digital parking and clearway signage. This is about reducing the number of parking and clearway signs and replacing them with one digital sign which shows the restrictions which apply at that time of day, removing any confusion for drivers.

“We are making this investment in new congestion busting technology at the same time we are upgrading roads and building new motorways which will set Sydney up for decades to come,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“We understand drivers want to spend less time in traffic and these new measures combined with new and upgraded roads will ensure everyone can spend more time doing what they need to or what they enjoy.”
Minister for Roads Melinda Pavey said the announcement is on top of the $475 million investment to remove another 12 pinch points and introduce drone technology to monitor incidents in real time.
“In total our congestion busting package is worth $1.2 billion which we know will make a real difference,” Mrs Pavey said.
“Congestion costs Sydney around $6 billion each year so this is a critical long-term investment in our future.”
The additional $1.2 billion the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government is committing to congestion busting is more than four times the amount Labor claims it will spend on pinch points.

NSW Labor Leader Michael Daley today returned to the North Coast to re-affirm NSW Labor’s plan to build the $534 million Tweed Valley Hospital at Kings Forest rather than on sensitive agricultural farmland at Cudgen.
In a major statement on the new Tweed Valley Hospital, NSW Labor leader Michael Daley:
· Rejected claims by NSW Health bureaucrats and the National Party that the project will be delayed by moving to the Kings Forest site, saying an incoming Labor Government would “haul in the bureaucrats to begin work immediately” with a guarantee that it would be completed on-time and on budget;
· Pledged to retain the old Tweed Hospital site and the Cudgen site in public hands – never selling either site to property developers; and
· Committed that there would be no privatisation of health and hospital services in the Northern NSW Local Health District – after the Liberals-Nationals failed attempt to privatise five regional hospitals.
Mr Daley was joined today by Country Labor candidate for Tweed Craig Elliot to recommit to Labor’s plans for the new Tweed Hospital.
https://twitter.com/michaeldaleyMP/status/1106014110930472960
NSW Labor reiterated the State election will be a referendum on the location of the Tweed Hospital.
Mr Daley said that people across regional NSW were up in arms about the Berejiklian Government’s $2.2 billion to Sydney stadiums instead of properly funding schools and hospitals across NSW.
Mr Elliot reaffirmed NSW Labor’s opposition to the National’s plans to build the Tweed Hospital on Cudgen farmland and condemned the National Party’s botched site selection process.
Mr Daley expressed concern that the National Party had chosen the Cudgen farmland site as a “Trojan horse” to overturn height limits in Kingscliff and to open the door for over-development – destroying the unique quality of life.
Reports earlier this month revealed that a Queensland property developer which had made donations to the Liberal-National Party recently purchased farm land next to the Nationals proposed hospital site.
Retaining the sites in public hands will require additional funds but NSW Labor is committed to protecting Cudgen farmland and not selling off Government land to developers for a quick buck like the Nationals will.
NSW Labor Leader Michael Daley said that Labor will always prioritise protecting farmland and the community ahead of developers. 
“My commitment is ironclad – Labor will build the hospital in Kings Forest and protect the current hospital from being handed over to developers,” he said.
“NSW Labor will build the hospital on time and on budget – but the Nationals and NSW Health will continue to pedal their mis-information”
Country Labor candidate for Tweed Craig Elliot expressed concern that the Nationals were using the hospital location as a Trojan horse for developers to take-over state significant farmland.
“Whether it be high rise in Kingscliff or a nine-storey hospital on Cudgen farmland – Geoff Provest and the Nationals are failing to protect the Tweed from inappropriate developments,” Mr Elliot said.
“The March 2019 election will be a referendum on the location of a new Tweed Hospital. My commitment is to build the Tweed Hospital at Kings Forest but that should not be at the expense of residents living north of the river.
“Labor’s commitment is to keep the current Tweed hospital site in public hands and in doing so continue to deliver future health outcomes from that location.”

A Daley Labor Government will provide $80.4 million to re-develop the Ballina District Hospital, as part of Labor’s Schools and Hospitals before Stadium plan.
NSW Labor leader Michael Daley made the announcement with Labor Candidate for Ballina Asren Pugh today.

This follows Labor’s earlier announcements to provide 5,500 more nurses; 1,500 more paramedics; 2,240 more cleaning, support personnel and allied health workers; and 250 more security staff to protect patients and health workers.
“Regional hospitals and health services around the State – particularly on the North Coast – have been neglected for too long under the Liberals and Nationals,” Mr Daley said.
Mr Pugh said the local area had been demanding better health services, but that the Liberals and Nationals were simply refusing to listen to the community.
Ballina District Hospital’s catchment area has experienced significant population growth over the last eight months.
Labor’s Ballina District Hospital Redevelopment project will deliver:

• A fully operational Integrated Perioperative Unit including:
  • an additional three-bed Recovery and two new Operating Theatres and a six-bed Recovery area;
• Expansion and relocation of the remainder of the Medical Imaging Department;
• Construction of a new Emergency Department, Ambulance Bay, Allied Health and Outpatient areas; and
• Expanded medical and rehabilitation inpatient services, support services including pathology and pharmacy and the construction of a new integrated Ambulatory Care Precinct.

Recent independent data from the Bureau of Health Information (BHI), reveals that Ballina District Hospital is under pressure.
Its emergency department attends to more than 17,000 patients a year – with 17 per cent waiting longer than four hours. However, 10 per cent of patients waited longer than five hours and 21 minutes.
In addition, the average waiting time for “non-urgent” surgery was 242 days; this was an increase of 39 days over the previous year.
As of December 31, there were 238 patients waiting for non-urgent elective surgery.
“No one can forget the images of a patient several years ago lying on the concrete outside Ballina Hospital’s emergency department; it is time to fix this hospital,” Mr Pugh said.
Mr Pugh said the coming NSW election would be a referendum on health services on the North Coast.
“This is one of the most over-stretched hospitals in the state and the hospital upgrade and additional staff are desperately needed,” Mr Pugh said.

A Daley Labor Government in NSW will provide $9 million to replace and upgrade bridges in the Kyogle Council area.
This is part of Daley Labor’s plan to prioritise local infrastructure, such as bridges, schools and health facilities.

The commitment will support the Kyogle Council bridge renewal program and matches a $9 million commitment by Federal Labor. State and federal Labor’s total investment into Kyogle Council bridges is $18 million.
“The people of the Northern Rivers region have every right to safe bridges. This basic duty of Government – safe roads and bridges to drive on – must be a top priority,” NSW Labor Leader, Michael Daley, said.
Kyogle council manages 311 bridge, 150 of which are timber bridges mainly built in the 1940s.
The bridge network is critical for the transport of timber, dairy, livestock and other industries which sustain the region.
“Kyogle council residents deserve safe and secure bridges which they can use well into the future,” Shadow Minister for Transport Jodi McKay said.
“These funds will go toward rebuilding modern bridges that are safer, last longer and can handle higher loads,” Country Labor Candidate for Lismore, Janelle Saffin, said.
“I can’t understand why the Nationals will support knocking down and rebuilding huge Sydney stadiums that get used once or twice a week. Our bridges are used many times a day and are in far greater need of investment. I don’t want to see our taxpayer money splurged on those stadiums.”

Deputy Labor Leader Penny Sharpe today announced Labor’s plan to rebuild the National Parks estate of NSW and repair the damage to the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) that has occurred after eight years of cuts and neglect by the Liberals and Nationals.
Labor’s plan includes elevating the NPWS to report directly to the Minister, reinstating a formal establishment plan for National Parks, creating new National Parks and employing additional officers to manage and care for this precious public asset.
Key policies in Labor’s plan include:

• Employing 200 additional field officers to undertake targeted pest control and boost firefighting capacity;
• Investing in 60 new officers to restore the damaged mountain catchments of Kosciuszko National Park;
• Creating a koala national park in south-west Sydney to protect the only disease-free koala colony in NSW;
• Recommitting to a Great Koala National Park in northern NSW;
• Nominating the Royal National Park for World Heritage Listing;
• Returning Me-mel (Goat Island) to the Aboriginal people of NSW; and
• Additional resources for weeds and pest management.

“Labor is very proud of building the National Parks estate across NSW. If elected, we will continue this legacy. We will start by going on an Australian and worldwide hunt for a highly skilled person to head up the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.
“After eight years of neglect, Labor will invest in new staff to protect threatened species, prevent further declines in biodiversity and safeguard our water catchments, wetlands and key habitats.
“Labor wants the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service to be the best in the world.”
Under the Liberals and Nationals our Parks have been under constant attack. Over the last eight years, Liberals and Nationals have:

• Cut 493 full-time equivalent positions from the National Parks and Wildlife Service;
• Cut more than $100 million from the National Parks and Wildlife Service’s budget;
• Reduced the growth of the NSW National Parks estate by 95 per cent;
• Allowed hunting in National Parks;
• Tried to scrap the Murray Valley National Park to allow logging of the river red gum forests;
• Passed legislation that threatens the native wildlife and alpine environment in the Kosciuszko National Park; and
• Planned the flooding of large sections of the Blue Mountains National Park, risking its World Heritage Listing.

“There is a very clear choice at this election. A vote for Labor is a vote for our National Parks to be cared for, celebrated, and given the funding they need to be the best in the world. A vote for the Liberals and Nationals will see our National Parks fall into further disrepair and further threaten our biodiversity.”
Key facts – NSW National Parks and reserves:

• Cover more than seven million hectares of land;
• Represent around nine per cent of the total land area of NSW; and
• 51 million visits are made to National Parks each year.

The world class Sydney Metro rail network will be expanded to connect even more of Sydney and free up capacity on the existing network under a NSW Liberals & Nationals Government.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government’s strong economic management has made it possible for planning to begin on four additional Metro routes.
The new Metro routes will be:

• Metro West extension – Westmead to Western Sydney Airport
• North South Rail Line extension –
  • St Marys to Rouse Hill via Schofields.
  • Western Sydney Aerotropolis to Macarthur.
• Metro South West extension – Bankstown to Liverpool

“The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government is delivering Australia’s first Metro network. It will provide turn-up-and-go trains services up to every two minutes and complement the existing Sydney Train network,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The four additional Sydney Metro projects announced today are on top of the five Metro projects the Government already has underway.”
Work will start over the next four-years on the early planning for these projects, as part of the Government’s long-term transport vision.
“Metro North West from Rouse Hill to Chatswood is almost complete, under budget and will open in May,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The second and third stages, Sydney Metro City and South West, are under construction and we are accelerating Sydney Metro West, and the North South Rail Line to the new Western Sydney Airport.”
Construction on Sydney Metro West will start next year. Construction on the North South Rail Line to the Western Sydney Airport will start in 2021 and will be complete for the Airport’s opening in 2026.
Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance said only the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government will be able to deliver the Metro rail network across Sydney.
“When Labor were last in office they announced 12 rail projects and only delivered half of one,” Mr Constance said.
“It is clear Labor has not learnt. They have already committed to cancel the Sydenham to Bankstown Metro upgrade.
“The NSW Liberals & Nationals are committed to develop a Metro Rail network across Sydney. Labor’s only plan is to cancel projects.”
Tunnelling is well underway on the first section of the new City Metro tunnels, where more than five kilometres of tunnelling is already finished.
Tunnel Boring Machine Nancy has built nearly 2.5 kilometres of tunnel while TBM Mum Shirl has excavated just under 2 kilometres. Both machines will pass underneath the Sydney CBD as they dig 8.1 kilometres via new metro stations at Waterloo, Central, Pitt Street and Martin Place, on their way to Barangaroo.
TBMs Wendy and Mabel have dug about 732 and 101 metres respectively from Chatswood towards Sydney Harbour.