Month: July 2023

The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023^™ is set to kick off in Sydney, with hundreds of thousands of football fans from Australia and across the globe descending on our stadiums.

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Football fever will grip Sydney as we host 11 FIFA Women’s World Cup matches between Thursday 20 July and Sunday 20 August, with 5 games at Stadium Australia at Sydney Olympic Park, including the final match, and 6 games at Sydney Football Stadium, Moore Park.

The 64-game tournament starts this Thursday 20 July with our Matildas taking on Republic of Ireland at Stadium Australia from 8pm. Fans are urged to plan ahead and take public transport, while Sydney motorists are asked to be mindful of potential traffic delays.

With up to 75,000 fans expected at Sydney Olympic Park matches and up to 40,000 at Moore Park Transport for NSW has added thousands of extra transport services and enhanced wayfinding and walking routes to help fans get around.

For fans attending matches, the public transport trip is included in your match ticket. Around 1800 additional public transport services will run across the match dates including an extra 170 buses and 127 train services for each match at Olympic Park. An extra 20 shuttle buses and 20 light rail services will run for each of the games held at Moore Park.

On-site parking at both Sydney Olympic Park and Moore Park will be very limited. There is reduced parking available due to a significant number of additional vehicles required for an event of this scale, including coaches and event vehicles.

Significant traffic delays are expected, particularly on weeknight games during the already busy evening peak so motorists should allow plenty of extra travel time on roads approaching Olympic Park and Moore Park on match days and ticketholders should catch public transport.

For the safety and enjoyment of spectators, NSW Police will run a high-visibility policing strategy, Operation FIFA Women’s World Cup, which will see additional officers patrolling across Sydney venues – including the Moore Park, Sydney Olympic Park and Darling Harbour precincts – for the duration of the tournament. 

For more information on public transport options to each match, including trip planning tools, visit the NSW Transport infolaunch website and use the Opal Travel app.

For details on road closures, including real-time traffic updates, visit Live Traffic NSWlaunch.

For more information on the event, visit the FIFAlaunch website.

Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham said:

“This week the biggest event in Women’s sport starts and Sydney is going to be at its sports-loving best.  More than 400,000 tickets have already been sold for 11 Sydney matches.

“After hosting Sydney WorldPride 2023 and the record-breaking Vivid Sydney 2023, the city is ready for this next global event.

“We welcome all the interstate and international football fans to NSW and can’t wait to share Sydney’s love of sport and love of a celebration.

“All of NSW is set to get behind this.  but we do need to stress that people attending games should plan to leave the car at home, arrive early and make a day or night of it with plenty of local venues in short walking distance of the stadium precincts.”

Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said:

“This is one of the biggest events in Australia since the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games and we are prepped and ready to welcome football fans local, interstate and internationals, to cheer on their teams in the heart of our city.

“Months of planning has gone into readying the public transport network for large crowds throughout the tournament so leave the car at home.

“We have added thousands of extra transport services and improved wayfinding and walking routes to help fans get to and from both precincts, safely and easily.

“The best way to get to and from matches is on public transport and to make it even easier your transport trip is included in your match ticket – simply show your ticket to transport staff when boarding services on your way to and from the games.”

Life-saving cancer research will be fast tracked with the awarding of 2 grants totalling $1.69 million by the Cancer Institute of NSW.

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The University of Newcastle has received just under $800,000 to undertake research into cancer-related heart disease, the second leading cause of death for patients with cancer, after cancer itself.

A team from Garvan Institute of Medical Research will receive nearly $900,000 to invest in new cutting-edge equipment allowing researchers to analyse cells in high definition. This new technology will help transform clinicians’ understanding of cancer, while identifying new opportunities for personalised cancer treatment.

Minister for Medical Research David Harris said targeted research is vital to deliver better treatments and interventions that reduce the impact of cancer and ultimately save lives.

“While significant progress has been made in understanding and treating cancer, it remains the leading cause of death in NSW with sadly 1 in 2 people set to be diagnosed with the disease in their lifetime,” Mr Harris said.

“NSW is home to world-leading researchers, who are passionate and committed to making cancer a thing of the past. We’re proud to be able to help 2 outstanding research teams progress their potentially life-changing work.”

Professor Tracey O’Brien NSW Chief Cancer Officer and Chief Executive of the Cancer Institute NSW said supporting and accelerating research and innovation is a priority of the NSW Cancer Plan.

“In NSW, someone is diagnosed with cancer every 11 minutes and it’s our obligation to do everything we can to save lives, and help people live free of cancer-related side effects and long-term health complications,” Prof O’Brien said.

“Cancer research transforms and save lives. These 2 grants will help close gaps in our understanding of cancer and hopefully lead to better health outcomes for more people across NSW.”

Recipient of the institute’s new Accelerated Research Implementation Grant Prof Aaron Sverdlov says his team, co-led by Prof Doan Ngo, at the University of Newcastle support people through their cancer journey and reduce the impact of cancer-related heart disease.

“Heart disease disproportionally affects people with cancer, and we need to do everything possible to keep people healthy and well. Through specialist surveillance clinics in Newcastle, Maitland and Tamworth, we hope to identify, monitor and treat cancer patients most at risk of heart disease, so they can undergo cancer treatment without interruption and have the best chance of survival,” Prof Sverdlov said.

Recipient of the institute’s new Research Equipment Grant professor Alexander Swarbrick said his team at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research look forward to using the new technology to help better understand and treat cancers like breast, pancreatic and childhood cancer.

“We will soon be acquiring a cutting-edge instrument called the 10x Genomics Xenium ST platform. This ground-breaking technology will be available to researchers in NSW and will help us to take a closer look at cancer cells and how they work, allowing us to develop personalised cancer treatment for patients across NSW,” Professor Swarbrick said.

Find more information on the institute’s new Accelerated Research Implementation Grant and Research Equipment Grant.

Nominations are now open for a prestigious awards program that showcases inspirational women and their achievements in our state’s councils.

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The 2023 Ministers’ Awards for Women in Local Government will recognise the significant contribution women make to NSW councils.

The annual awards are now in their 16th year and recipients will be announced at a ceremony co-hosted by Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig and Minister for Women Jodie Harrison at Parliament House on Wednesday 4 October 2023.

The award categories include:

Alternative Pathways Award – a female staff member who is breaking down gender stereotypes.

Champion of Change Award – a general manager or senior manager (male or female) who has excelled in supporting and encouraging women’s participation at their council.

Elected Representative Award – a councillor who has advanced the position of female elected representatives.

Young Achiever’s Award – an outstanding trainee/apprentice (aged 25 and under).

Employment Diversity Award – a successful council program to increase female participation in senior leadership roles or at the elected representative level.

Woman of Distinction Award – a woman who has demonstrated exceptional innovation, integrity and initiative or who has a positive influence on others.

Councillor Lilliane Brady OAM Award – nominations not required. Winner will be determined by the minister to recognise and honour the dedication and tireless work of a female council staff member.

Nominations for the 2023 Ministers’ Women in Local Government Awards close on 17 August.

For more information or to make nomination, visit: Ministers’ Awards for Women in Local Governmentlaunch.

Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig said:

“The number of women elected to councils rose from 31% to 39% at the last local government elections and I’d like that percentage to continue to grow, along with an increase in the number of women in leadership roles in councils.

“It’s important that we recognise and celebrate the accomplishments of women in the sector and hopefully these awards will inspire more women to consider nominating when the local government elections are held next year.”

Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said:

“Having come from local government myself, I know that there are women across NSW making a difference in local government every day as elected representatives and council staff.

“I encourage everyone in the local government sector to consider nominating a talented female colleague or elected representative for the Women in Local Government Awards.”

Families in Sydney’s south-west can look forward to sending their children to a new local high school in Edmondson Park, as the Minns Labor Government gets on with the job of delivering vital school infrastructure for Sydney’s growing suburbs neglected under the former government.  

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The future school will be located next to Edmondson Park Public School on Buchan Avenue, which opened to students at the start of the year while further facilities have now been completed for students to enjoy from the first day of Term 3.

The new high school will be a traditional school build, with a facility accommodating up to 800 students on track for completion in this term of government. The 3-hectare site has been master-planned to accommodate up to 2000 students in the future, subject to future enrolment demand in the area.

The Edmondson Park community has been calling for a traditional high school to be built on the land already owned by the NSW government – rather than a high-rise mixed-use facility in the town centre, as considered by the former NSW Liberal National Government last year.

The developer-led proposal, which the former government looked at 4 years after telling the community it would begin planning the high school on government land, was found not to be value for money.

The project is another example of the former government’s failure to plan and deliver school infrastructure to communities in Sydney’s growth areas.

The Minns Labor Government has listened to the community and is focussed on ensuring local kids have the schools they need.

The delivery of the high school will mean children in the area can attend school locally from preschool to year 12, after the completion of Edmondson Park Public School, which now includes a preschool due to open later this month.  

Located on the corner of Buchan Avenue and Faulkner Way, the primary school can accommodate up to 1000 kindergarten to Year 6 students and provides before and after school care. 

Another 16 learning spaces, outdoor game courts, and a car park have been built since the school opened earlier this year, and landscaping works have also been completed. These new facilities will be open for use this week.  

Premier Chris Minns said: 

“I’m really pleased to announce plans have begun to build a local high school here on government land in Edmondson Park, right next door to the new primary school.  

“This has been a long community campaign. I’ve spoken to many parents who have moved into these growing areas, frustrated at not having local schools to send their kids too.

“My dad was a school teacher. I know how important strong public education is. But it starts with having enough schools to cater for students in growing areas.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:

“We want children in Sydney’s south-west to have every opportunity to achieve success, and that starts with having access to the best education. 

“Every student should have the right to attend a school in their local area, and this community waited too long under the former government for that to become a reality.  

“It is wonderful to see the public school now complete. It is a great environment for students and teachers alike to unlock their full potential. 

“I now look forward to seeing work get under way as soon as possible on the new high school, so that once students graduate from primary school, they won’t have to look far to start their secondary education.” 

Member for Macquarie Fields Anoulack Chanthivong said: 

“It’s fantastic to see the public school complete after a long community campaign, and I can’t wait to see what students and teachers can achieve with their new facilities. 

“The community has been desperately awaiting news of a local public high school and I welcome today’s announcement that it will be built next to the primary school on government land. 

“We will now look ahead to the start of construction on the new high school, and I look forward to sharing further updates with you soon.”  

Edmondson Park Public School Principal Heather Alé said: 

“It is so pleasing to see the finished product here at the Edmondson Park Public School, and I know these upgrades will greatly benefit the community for years to come.”  

Fines issued from mobile speed cameras have fallen nearly 90 per cent since warning signs were returned to the roadside in late April, with more drivers taking their cue to check their speed and adhere to the limit.

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Data shows an immediate impact on speeding infringements since the reintroduction of portable signs warning motorists before and after they pass a mobile camera.

In the past two months, approximately 6,650 fines were issued from mobile speed cameras across NSW, compared to 55,387 fines in the corresponding period in 2022 – an annual reduction of 88 per cent.

In May and June last year, one in every 311 vehicles passing a roadside camera vehicle was fined. In the same months of this year, one in every 1,663 vehicles has been fined.

In April, the Minns Government announced the completion of the rollout of signs back to mobile speed camera vehicles operated by Transport for NSW.

There are now two signs placed before and one after every mobile speed camera vehicle giving drivers a clear visual cue to make sure they are sticking to the speed limit and to adjust in the interests of safety.

The return of full signage closed the chapter on the former Coalition government’s removal of all signage in 2020 and a series of backflips in 2021 and 2022 that saw rooftop signs on camera vehicles returned first, before a complete capitulation five months before the election, with a promise to return all signage.

The rollout was delayed because warning signs were too large to fit in the boots of the new mobile speed camera vehicles.

Minister for Roads John Graham said:
 
“The results are in, with large falls in fine revenue as a result of the commonsense return of portable signage to the roadside around speed cameras.

“The fact is the signs should never have been removed and it was the drivers of NSW who paid for the mistake of the previous government through fines and demerit points.

“The Coalition prioritised revenue raising ahead of safety, they removed signage without any consultation and had to be brought kicking and screaming to the sensible return of the signs.

“This is a remarkable drop in infringements, and it is yet more proof that if you give motorists clear signage for their awareness they respond in the right way and road safety is enhanced at those locations. Speeding is the biggest killer on our roads, accounting for almost 41 per cent of the road toll in 2022, so anything we can do to slow drivers down is a positive.

“The Minns Government would rather people slowdown in the first place than receive a fine in the mail two weeks after they commit an offence.

“Drivers need to know that there are more speed cameras on the road than ever before, which along with warning signs are a part of a balanced approach to road safety.

“This Government is willing to reward good driver behaviour rather than just taking the stick of enforcement to them, which is why we have already announced that drivers who maintain a clean record from January 17 until January 17 next year will qualify to have a demerit point removed from their record.”

As the FIFA Women’s World Cup kicks off in Sydney, it won’t just be the world’s best footballers having their moment in the spotlight, the NSW Government will be lighting up Moore Park to ensure people can safely walk between the Sydney Football Stadium and key public transport stops.

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The Safer Cities lighting installation will improve safety and accessibility to fans travelling to and from games, in response to a new report released today showing the majority of women do not feel safe in public spaces after dark.

The Women’s World Cup is set to be the biggest women’s sporting event in the world to date and is shaping up to be one of the biggest sporting events in Sydney since the 2000 Olympics.

Four key routes between Sydney Football Stadium, Central Station, and the Moore Park Light Rail will be installed with creative, directional lighting designs and additional wayfinding signage. Many of the lights have been recycled from VIVID installations.

The interventions aim to create a more welcoming space for FIFA Women’s World Cup attendees, while also helping them feel safer and more comfortable walking in the area at night.

The Safer Cities Survey Report, released today, sought feedback on the concerns and experiences that affect the community’s sense of safety in and around public spaces and public transport hubs across the state.

The report found that most women do not feel safe in public spaces after dark:

• 56% of women do not feel safe after dark in public spaces.
• 9 in 10 women agreed that safety influences how they move around.
• The top five things that help a public space feel safer for women are: good lighting, presence of people, time of day, easy to navigate, and if it looks cared for.
• When moving through and within public spaces, women prioritise safety over convenience.
• Three in four women would walk more if they felt safer in public spaces.
• Women feel safest in activated public spaces where there are people around no matter what time of day it is.

Nearly 5,500 community members – 80% of whom identified as women – shared feedback between December 2022 and February 2023.

Most people, regardless of gender, consider whether they feel safe when they choose how to move around cities. But for women, feeling safe is more important than choosing the most convenient route.

As part of the Safer Cities Program, a two-year $30 million investment in helping people to feel safer in public spaces and at public transport hubs, the NSW Government is trialling the first of many projects in Sydney’s Moore Park, when NSW hosts this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.

With up to 40,000 football fans attending each of the games at Moore Park, the best way to get there is by public transport or by walking.

Extra bus and light rail services will be running, as well as improved wayfinding and walking routes to help spectators travel to and from the precinct safely and easily.

Traffic will be heavy around Moore Park and parking is limited so fans are strongly urged to leave the car at home.

Travel on public transport to all matches in Sydney is included in your ticket, simply show your ticket to transport staff when boarding services on your way to and from the games.

For more information on public transport options and to plan your trip, please visit Transport NSWlaunch and use the Opal Travel app.

NSW Transport Minister Jo Haylen said:

“Feeling safe shouldn’t be dependent on your gender, everyone has a right to feel safe in public spaces.”

“It’s concerning to hear women in our recent survey were twice as likely to feel unsafe in public spaces after dark compared to men, which is why we are acting to ensure everyone feels safe when travelling around their town or city, starting with those moving through Moore Park.”

“We’ve been working with students from with Sydney Girls High School opposite the site to help us understand what makes them feel safe or unsafe and how we can improve their experience of walking or cycling to and from school.”

“The activation during FIFA Women’s World Cup is the first step in creating safer connections through parks, public places and around transport hubs, for everyone, at all times of day.”

“Public spaces are at the heart of all of our communities, and everyone should be able to enjoy them regardless of their gender or whether it is day or night.”

Whether it is a growing family buying a cosy abode in Parkes or a young professional looking to purchase their first home in Campbelltown, house hunters are set to save time and money with the launch of the new online Home Buyer Assistance Finder.

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On average, more than 1,500 first home buyers take out loans in NSW each month, and this new tool will make it easier to find out if they are eligible for government support.

In just 14 questions or less, the tool can work out a prospective homeowner’s eligibility for the First Home Buyer Assistance scheme, Shared Equity Home Buyer Helper and or First Home Owner’s grant.

People just need to answer questions about their budget, what type of property they are looking to buy, if they are a first homeowner and if they are an Australian citizen.

The tool will then provide information on the available schemes they might be eligible for, cutting the time and effort to find this information and understand the eligibility criteria.

The new tool is part of the NSW Government’s commitment to streamlining services so people can access the help they may need to get out of the rental market and into their own home sooner.

Access the Home Buyer Assistance Finder tool.

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government, Jihad Dib said:

“Buying a home can be one of the most exciting times in someone’s life and we want to help more people get into the housing market.”

“I know for many it can seem daunting to navigate government schemes, so we want to take this stress out by putting everything in one easy-to-find online location and taking the guesswork out of eligibility criteria.”

“The new tool delivers on the government’s commitment to reduce barriers to the housing market for those who need it most.”

“Since becoming Minister, I have had a complete focus on how we can make dealing with Government easier, this is yet another example of making life easier for the people of NSW.”

The NSW Government has today launched a bumper bus driver recruitment campaign to address the driver shortage – completing the final of four urgent recommendations designed to improve driver recruitment.

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The Government has acted quickly to implement the Bus Industry Taskforce’s early recommendations to improve the reliability of the city’s bus services.

In just over four weeks the NSW Government has:

• acted to slash red tape to make it cheaper and easier to get a Driver Authority
• held a Bus Industry Summit with more than 100 industry leaders
• commenced work with bus companies to make temporary adjustments to improve reliability of timetables.  

NSW Transport Minister Jo Haylen launched the new campaign this morning at the Ryde bus depot after meeting with trainee and experienced bus drivers.

Region 7, which includes Ryde and Lane Cove, is the worst impacted by the driver shortage, with 99 vacancies.

New bus drivers are being urged to jump on board in the most targeted bus driver recruitment campaign to date, focusing on areas hardest hit by the driver shortage, including:

• Ryde/Lane Cove, Region 7 – 99 vacancies
• Inner West, Region 6 – 89 vacancies
• Northern Beaches, Region 8 – 58 vacancies
• Eastern Suburbs, Region 9 – 36 vacancies
• North Shore, Region 14 – 33 vacancies
• South-West Sydney, Region 13  – 13 vacancies
• Hills District, Region 4 – 12 vacancies.

The campaign will run until September and aims to attract new drivers to the profession, filling the 370 vacant roles across the city.

Real bus drivers are at the heart of the campaign that will appear on websites, digital media, social media, and radio. The campaign will encourage job seekers to find jobs in their arealaunch.

The Government has already made it quicker, easier, and cheaper for drivers to get their bus driver authority by:

• waiving the $70 application fee for the next 12 months
• allowing drivers over the age of 25 to apply if they hold a current unrestricted Australian driver licence, and have held any kind of Australian driver licence, or a nationally recognised overseas driver licence, for at least three years
• enabling electronic issue of documents
• scrapping duplicated paperwork requirements and streamlining the application process.

Safety is at the core of bus driver training, with new recruits undertaking wide-ranging training covering safe driving techniques and emergency response.

Since January 2023 there has been an 87 per cent increase in Bus Driver Authorities issued with 130 new drivers hired, and this campaign will build on this strong momentum.

The campaign will be in conjunction with what bus operators are already doing to incentivise more people to the role, such as referral bonuses of up to $6,000 for experienced drivers and up to $5,000 for new drivers. There are also employee referral bonuses, as well as operators assisting with driver onboarding costs – such as the cost of Driver Authority training and licence upgrades.

Bus Passenger Forums will continue later this month in Newcastle after the first forum kicked off in the Northern Beaches as the Government puts passengers first in delivering better bus services for the state.

NSW Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said:

“We are seeing a solid increase in bus driver applications since the beginning of the year, and we need to ramp this up to deliver a better service for our communities.”

“We will be targeting areas that are experiencing the worst shortages like the Sydney’s northwest, Northern Beaches, Eastern Suburbs and the Inner West to get more people into the role.”

“This campaign is just one more step the Minns Labor Government is taking to be able to deliver reliable bus services across the State.” 

“We are getting great feedback from industry and passengers through the Bus Industry Taskforce and Bus Passenger Forums that will shape recommendations for the Taskforce to present to the Government.”

“Bus driving is a noble profession, and integral to keeping Sydney moving. The bus drivers I’ve been chatting to love their jobs and are wonderful advocates for the profession.”

Busways driver John Davis said:
 
“Having a job as a bus driver keeps me healthy and focused – its more active than an office job and is hands on, which I enjoy. Every day is different, and it allows you have a sense of freedom and to be outside.”

“I love interacting with the locals every day. They remember you and you remember them. The passengers are really sweet. It makes you feel good that you can be of service to people and your community.”

“If you need a healthy change in lifestyle, I definitely suggest becoming a bus driver. If you like being of service to the community, then this is the career for you!”

Find out more about becoming a bus driverlaunch.

The NSW Government is proud to announce $1.7 million towards the expansion of the Singleton Roosters AFC clubhouse and facilities that will include a permanent memorial element to acknowledge those who lost their lives in the Greta bus tragedy.

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The expansion will be jointly funded with the AFL and Singleton Council.

The investment aims to enhance community and social recovery efforts following the loss of several members of the club in the bus accident at the June long weekend.

Importantly, it will provide the club and the local community with memorial and a space to honour and remember their loved ones who lost their lives. 

The expansion, which the club has been planning for some time, will be a boost to the Singleton AFC clubhouse and precinct, ensuring the club’s sustainability and inclusivity for years to come.

Among the planned enhancements are new change rooms with shower facilities, storage spaces, umpire areas, a scorers’ box, first-aid room, toilets (female, male and accessible) and internal renovations of the existing building to upgrade the kiosk, kitchen and meeting room.

These upgrades will benefit the more than 22,000 Singleton locals who use the sporting facilities each year and will provide appropriate and accessible amenities for women and girls.

The upgrades will support the development of AFL in the Hunter by providing a venue capable of hosting future regional tournaments.

The funding for the club upgrade includes $1,700,000 from the NSW Office of Sport under the Partnership Program 2022/23 and $250,000 from the AFL’s Australian Football Facilities Fund. Singleton Council also plan to make a funding commitment.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

“The Tragedy in Greta was felt right across NSW and it is appropriate that a commemoration is built to mark the loss of lives and their legacy in the community.”

“This investment recognises the emotional toll of the recent bus tragedy, providing a space for healing and unity within the Singleton community.”

“This clubhouse expansion will be a be of great benefit for the Singleton Roosters AFC and the wider community, empowering them to grow, host events, competitions, and gatherings that will enrich the social fabric of the region and help the local community heal.”

Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said:

“Grassroots sporting clubs are the bedrock of communities right across New South Wales. The Singleton Roosters AFC’s clubhouse expansion represents the NSW Government’s unwavering commitment to supporting this local community as well as local sporting communities across the state.”

“The improved facilities, including new female change rooms, will create a more inclusive environment for the local community, promoting gender equality and encouraging greater participation of women and girls in Australian Rules Football.”

Dave Layzell, Member for Upper Hunter said:

“Five weeks ago an extraordinary set of circumstances rocked the Singleton community to its core, especially the Singleton Roosters AFL Club.”

“The outpouring of support for the ten victims and those who were injured, their families and friends has in itself been extraordinary – and on behalf of the Upper Hunter Electorate I thank everyone for their support.”

“I also thank the Premier for the NSW Government’s latest contribution to enhance facilities as Rose Point Park – a place where the spirt of those, who sadly will never return, will always be remembered.”

Singleton Mayor Sue Moore said:

“We’re extremely grateful to the state government for their ongoing support of the Singleton community. This project will expand and enhance an important community facility that goes to the heart of local sport in Singleton.”

“Our community has experienced unfathomable heartache and sadness over the last month since the bus crash tragedy, and with most of the victims having played for the Singleton Roosters Club,
I can’t think of a more fitting tribute.”

Head of AFL NSW/ACT Tiffany Roberson said:

“The AFL community has been greatly impacted by the tragic loss of beloved teammates and friends of the Singleton Roosters. The AFL’s contribution to the project acknowledges the tremendous impact those lost had on the club and broader football community.

“We thank the NSW Government, Singleton Council and AFL Hunter Central Coast for their leadership and support through this funding commitment. In the past month we have seen the strength and resilience of the Roosters’ footy community on display. Although it will take time, the upgraded facilities will play a small part in helping the Roosters heal.”

Singleton Roosters Club President Dylan Hixon said:

“Singleton’s heart remains broken, but we are buoyed by the outpouring of support from the entire community. We are grateful for the many heartfelt messages of condolence, well wishes and donations. If nothing else, this terrible tragedy has shown the good in people to rally around those doing it tough, particularly following unimaginable hurt.”

“The funding commitment for our upgraded club facilities will make a huge difference in supporting our participants and club members now and into the future. Thank you to the NSW Government and the AFL for being proactive in supporting a build which our club has been working on for a long time.”

“The Roosters look forward to continuing the legacy of those lost and remembering their amazing contribution to our community.”