Month: August 2023

A rescued female platypus puggle being cared for at Sydney’s Taronga Zoo has been named ‘Matilda’ after Australia’s much-loved women’s soccer team record breaking run at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.

Matilda, nicknamed ‘Tilly’ for short, was around four months old when she was admitted to Taronga’s Wildlife Hospital in April 2023. She was in poor condition and weighed only 280 grams.

She had been found under a bush on the NSW Central Coast and was weak, severely malnourished and covered in ticks, all of which compromised her waterproofing making it difficult for her to swim and survive on her own.

Thanks to attentive, around-the-clock care from Taronga’s expert Platypus team who hand-fed her 6 times a day for 2 months, she started to improve.

Matilda, who is now approximately 8 months old, is eating and foraging on her own and recently weighed in at 694 grams.

The name Matilda means ‘bold, battlefield warrior’ and represents both our mighty women’s soccer team and Taronga’s puggle who is going from strength to strength.

Premier Chris Minns said:

“We are incredibly proud of the Matildas and the spirit they have shown throughout the Women’s World Cup and Tilly is emblematic of that perseverance.

“We know their legacy will be remembered for generations and, now one of our most iconic native animals shares the same name.

“The work being done by Taronga Zoo to care for platypuses is absolutely vital and the recovery of Tilly is a testament to that.”

Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe said:

“The performance of the Matildas during the Woman’s World Cup has inspired a conversation that will change women’s sport in Australia forever.

“It can be touch-and-go when rehabilitating a Platypus, and Tilly’s recovery is a testament to the calibre of the team we have working at Taronga’s Wildlife Hospital.

“Ensuring the survival of this iconic species is essential work for this government and that means protecting their habitat, addressing climate change and tackling plastic pollution.”

Taronga Wildlife Hospital veterinary resident Dr Jess Whinfield said:

“Each platypus we treat, and especially those that need intensive care like Matilda, offers an insight into their species and what we need to do to help them thrive.

“Tilly would have weighed a tiny 1.5 grams when she hatched from an egg the size of a marble. She then spent four months drinking her mother’s milk in the safety of the nesting burrow.

“After emerging, she has very quickly learned to swim and find her food – not by using sight, sound, or smell, but by using her bill to detect the tiny amounts of electricity her invertebrate prey produces.

“Everyone can help protect platypuses in the wild by responsibly disposing of fishing equipment and picking up rubbish – especially items such as hair ties and rubber bands which platypuses can become entangled in.”

The NSW Government is boosting the number of new social and affordable homes being delivered as part of the renewal of Waterloo Estate, while increasing efforts to engage with the Waterloo community to ensure tenants have clarity and certainty.

The NSW Government is today announcing:

• An increase in delivery of 50% social and affordable housing across the Waterloo Estate, up from 34% resulting in an uplift of up to 500 homes.
• Increased engagement with Waterloo tenants, which includes opening an on-site Waterloo Connect Office, as well as increasing the delivery of project updates to tenants via phone, text and letterbox drops, and holding community events across the estate.
• A minimum of at least 15% of all new social and affordable homes dedicated for Aboriginal people, helping to keep them on Country and work towards closing the housing gap.

The Waterloo Estate redevelopment is a major urban renewal project that will see the estate renewed over time into a modern, sustainable and vibrant community with a mix of social, affordable and private housing, as well as retail, community facilities and public open spaces.

The next step for the project will be the appointment of a renewal partner consortium to deliver the project, which is expected to be announced next year.

To support the redevelopment, 70 new social housing homes at the Waterloo Metro Quarter, and over 100 social homes at Elizabeth Street, Redfern will provide an opportunity for Waterloo South tenants to be relocated in the local area.

Existing Waterloo South tenants will be relocated in small stages with the process starting in mid-2024 and will be given the right to return once the renewal is complete.

This renewal project builds on the NSW Government commitment to deliver more social and affordable housing.

For more information on these projects, visit the Department of Planninglaunch.

Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:

“Everyone deserves access to safe and secure shelter. The Waterloo Estate will be a huge boost to the area and to the communities who live there, particularly for social and affordable housing.

“We have a housing crisis in NSW and it is on all of us to work together to address the challenges.

“Part of that challenge is the lack of supply.

“Delivering more housing is crucial and we’ve introduced a suite of planning reforms and commitments to deliver more social and affordable housing as a start, but there is so much more to do.”

Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said:

“The Waterloo Estate is one of the largest social housing renewals in the state, and this announcement is a significant step forward in addressing injustices by the former government while ensuring our commitment to providing more homes for those who need it most.

“Throughout this project tenants have been left in the dark about their future. Along with increasing the number of social and affordable housing at Waterloo, we want to take tenants with us every step of the journey.

“Engagement with tenants is a key focus for this government which is why we’re ramping up efforts to be out and about in the community. This includes opening a dedicated on-site office, which gives tenants the opportunity to drop-in and speak with us about the redevelopment, as well as holding regular community events where we can engage directly with tenants.

“We understand that housing plays a critical role in social and economic outcomes for Aboriginal communities and as part of our housing increase, we’re dedicating a minimum of 15% of all new social and affordable homes for Aboriginal people so that we can keep them connected to their community and work towards closing the housing gap.”

Member for Heffron Ron Hoenig said:

“When I was elected as the member for Heffron 11 years ago, I found my Waterloo public housing constituents living in terrible conditions. A lifetime spent in the criminal justice system did not prepare me for what I found. We need to improve the standard of living for residents and this renewal is part of that work.

“In the battle to improve the standards of living for residents over the years, I have always fought on their behalf. While there have been substantial improvements over time, many of the buildings have reached their use-by date and are in desperate need of renewal.

“There is also a considerable shortage of social and affordable housing in the Waterloo area, so I welcome the government’s efforts to increase the supply of secure housing for vulnerable members of the community.

“The renewal of Waterloo South Estate will help ensure constituents have a far better quality of life than they could possibly have in the current state of the area.”

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said:

“The Minns Labor Government is committed to working together to close the gap and create better opportunities for Aboriginal communities.

“Direct investment in Aboriginal infrastructure will help to ensure the security and longevity of key programs that deliver real benefits to our communities.”

The NSW Government has reached a vital agreement to get the full complement of New Intercity Fleet trains on the tracks in the shortest possible time.

Transport for NSW and the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) have signed a deed on a final operating model for the new electric Mariyung trains, which will run on the Newcastle and Central Coast, Blue Mountains and South Coast Lines.

This deed aligns the New Intercity Fleet operating model with that of the Waratah fleet, and subject to approval by the Office of National Rail Safety Regulator, it will allow the new trains to enter passenger service in the most efficient way.

Following last year’s agreement between government and unions to modify the fleet, Transport for NSW has now confirmed the final scope and detailed design of the modifications and submitted an order with RailConnect to deliver the changes.

Meanwhile, a process has begun to transition the operation of the Mariyung trains and the majority of intercity passenger services, crew and stations from NSW TrainLink to Sydney Trains.

This transition will take advantage of the scale within Sydney Trains to help improve access to resourcing, crew availability and training that supports getting the new trains into service as soon as possible.

The New Intercity Fleet will set a new standard of travel for commuters who make approximately 26 million journeys a year on the electrified intercity network.

The improvements include wider, more spacious two-by-two seating with arm rests, tray tables, and high seat backs, charging ports for mobile devices, dedicated spaces for luggage, prams and bicycles, and modern heating and air conditioning.

They will also open up greater options for travel for people with disabilities and mobility issues with dedicated spaces for wheelchairs and accessible toilets.

A timeline for the introduction of the New Intercity Fleet will be finalised with operations expected to commence in 2024.

Transport Minister Jo Haylen said:

“These trains were supposed to be on the tracks 5 years ago. It’s been a priority of mine to ensure we get these trains out of sheds and on the tracks next year.

“Today I can announce that the New Intercity Fleet Trains will be on the tracks and carrying passengers by 2024.”

“We have reached a vital agreement which will get the full complement of New Intercity Fleet of trains on the tracks in the shortest possible time.”

“We’ve finally fixed the mess that the former government made of the New Intercity Fleet. It took the new Minns Labor Government five months to do what the Liberals couldn’t do in five years.”

“Like the passengers who rely on our intercity network who have waited a long time, I look forward these new modern trains, with more room, more comfort and more features than any other fleet in Australia.

“Passengers deserve to have a first-class safe and reliable public transport system that helps them travel from our regions to the city to conduct business, to go to school and work and be with their families.”

NSW Ambulance has become the first NSW emergency service to reach gender parity in its ranks, with women now making up more than 50% of the NSW Ambulance workforce.

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park was joined by NSW Minister for Women Jodie Harrison and Member for Coogee Marjorie O’Neill to mark the milestone at Randwick Ambulance Superstation in Sydney.

“Today is about acknowledging the important contribution women make across all areas of the service,” Mr Park said.

“Dedicated and skilled women work across NSW Ambulance in many roles, including as paramedics, aeromedical crews, nurses, doctors, specialist rescue crews, call takers and dispatchers, and corporate and support staff.

“We are incredibly grateful for their contribution to the health system in NSW and thank them for their service to their communities.”

NSW Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said it is important that workforces reflect the people they serve.

“Workplace gender diversity matters and it is pleasing to see NSW Ambulance has achieved this,” Minister Harrison said.

“It is an important step for NSW Ambulance as an employer and for patient trust and care. We know that a diverse and inclusive workplace is beneficial to all employees – not just women – and has a positive impact on the organisation as a whole.”

NSW Health Secretary Ms Susan Pearce AM said women now occupied almost 45% of all leadership roles across the organisation, and made up the majority of the executive leadership team.

“NSW Health is committed to building a workforce that is representative of the community it serves, so I want to commend NSW Ambulance on reaching such an important milestone,” Ms Pearce said.

“Gender diversity is so important because it brings a breadth of perspectives, experiences and skills that enhance the quality of care we provide to our patients.”

NSW Ambulance Chief Executive Dominic Morgan congratulated the women who have helped grow NSW Ambulance into the respected, skilled and diverse organisation it is today.

“I want to extend my sincere thanks to each and every one of the devoted women who helped us achieve this milestone,” Dr Morgan said.

Lee Clout was the first female paramedic in NSW – joining the ranks in May 1979 at Wagga Wagga ambulance station.

“I’m really pleased that people are now being employed for their skills and experience, with women receiving the same opportunity,” Ms Clout said.

“Gender has got nothing to do with it. It’s just about what you can bring to the job.”

Member for Coogee Dr Marjorie O’Neill joined Ministers Park and Harrison to mark the occasion.

“This is a fantastic achievement,” Dr O’Neill said.

“Workforce parity better enables our health services to meet the needs of the communities they serve.”

NSW Ambulance implements a range of support programs to ensure a welcoming and inclusive workplace, including tailored training programs, mentoring initiatives and ongoing professional development opportunities.

The NSW Government will continue the Shark Management Program in its current form for the upcoming summer swimming season.

The Shark Management Program is an effective mitigation program, with a mix of traditional and modern technologies along the NSW coastline.

Last year was the first summer where SMART drumlines, drones and tagged shark listening stations were deployed at beaches which also have shark nets.

Continuing the full suite of measures for the 2023-24 season will help us gather further data to make better informed decisions about possible changes for the following (2024-25) season.

The shark meshing program is actively managed to minimise the impact on marine animals while protecting swimmers at some of NSW’s most popular beaches.

The safety of beachgoers is the Government’s number one priority.

The NSW Shark Management Program is the largest program of its kind in the world, including:

• Nets at 51 beaches across 8 LGAs between Newcastle and Wollongong from 1 September to 30 April each year
• 305 SMART drumlines across the 19 LGAs, including 138 in LGAs with nets
• 37 tagged shark listening stations, including 13 in LGAs with nets
• Surveillance drone patrols at the current 50 beaches across 25 LGAs, including 15 in LGAs with nets

For more information on the NSW Government’s Shark Management Program, visit Sharksmart.

Minister for Agriculture, Regional NSW and Western NSW Tara Moriarty said:

“We will continue to work with Councils to assess options for different strategies in future, but for this summer we are sticking with the complement of nets, SMART drumlines, drones and listening stations.

“Nets are only set from September to April to avoid the majority of the whale migration season and are fitted with acoustic devices designed to deter marine mammals from interacting with them.

“The NSW Government will continue to listen to coastal councils and their communities to ensure that local preferences are balanced against effective, evidence-based shark mitigation for beachgoers.”downloadDownload as PDFprintPrint this page

The NSW Government has commissioned a giant mural at Stadium Australia to celebrate the Matildas’ historic success at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.

The permanent mural will capture some of the Matildas’ greatest moments during the tournament at the scene of today’s FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 final.

It will serve as a permanent reminder of how the Matildas’ run at this World Cup captured the imagination of the nation and inspired the next generation of female athletes.

The artwork will be installed on the external façade of the eastern side of Accor Stadium, closest to Olympic Park train station.

It is also the grandstand that will soon be named in honour of a female sporting legend, as the NSW Government completes another one of its election commitments.

The mural will also continue the NSW Government’s commitment to invest in the Olympic stadium, which benefited from more than $80m of capital works upgrades in preparation for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Tonight the stadium will host its fifth sold-out match as a part of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 when England take on Spain in the tournament final.

More than 600,000 people attended the 11 FIFA Women’s World Cup matches in NSW, while hundreds of thousands more attended live sites around Sydney and NSW to cheer the Matildas throughout the tournament.

The project will be delivered by Venues NSW, which manages State’s major sporting and entertainment venues in Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong.

Venues NSW will work with the advisory team that brought the Allianz Stadium public art project to life, overseeing a tender process in line with NSW Government procurement requirements.

The mural will be funded from an existing Budget allocation.

Premier of NSW Chris Minns said:

“NSW is the home of women’s sport in Australia, and this is about recognising the moments the Matildas’ brought our nation to a standstill.

“The Matildas’ campaign captured the imagination of Australia and the footballing world. I’m proud to announce that they will be permanently celebrated with a mural in their honour at Stadium Australia.

“Mary Fowler, Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord and Mackenzie Arnold joined Samantha Kerr as household names and put the world on notice that Australia is a football nation.”

Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said:

“The achievements of the Matildas at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 will live on not only in our memories but also at Stadium Australia where they created history.”

“We’ve already committed to honouring a female sporting legend with a grandstand and this is the next step in honouring our elite female athletes.”

“It will be a daily reminder to the 10 million people who visit Sydney Olympic Park each year of the greatest FIFA Women’s World Cup tournament in history and how the whole nation got behind the Matildas.”

“We look forward to delivering more for women’s sport as part of our September budget.”

Western Sydney is on the path to having a new go-to water destination, with the NSW Government starting work on a feasibility study that will look at opening Prospect Reservoir up for recreation in a phased approach.

The NSW Government is asking the community to have their say and have released a discussion paper with an overview of some of the recreational possibilities being considered for Prospect Reservoir.

There will also be local drop-in sessions and information webinars hosted throughout the month of September 2023 to provide more opportunities for the community to get involved.

A key outcome for this feasibility study is to understand how the area could be best managed to balance the opportunities for increased recreation whilst protecting Sydney’s drinking water supply and the significant environmental and cultural values of the area.

There are already dams across the state used for both town water supply and recreation, including Chifley Dam near Bathurst and Brogo Dam on the South Coast.

This study acknowledges Prospect Reservoir is an important part of Sydney’s drinking water supply and will explore how we can expand the use of the reservoir for the community.

Minister for Water Rose Jackson said:

“We promised Western Sydney residents we would prioritise this project and that’s what we’re doing by fast tracking the feasibility study.

“If it stacks up, it could pave the way for a new spot to swim and relax only a short drive from Blacktown, 20 minutes from Cabramatta and Badgerys Creek and 15 minutes from Parramatta.

“The COVID lockdowns were a wake-up call. You had eastern suburbs residents who had beaches and pools within a 5km radius, but most people in the western suburbs didn’t have any options for taking a dip while travel restrictions were in place.

“We’ve been working hard behind the scenes to drive this project forward to start the feasibility study and we look forward to receiving feedback from the community to help chart our path forward.”

Member for Prospect Hugh McDermott said:

“For Western Sydney families, getting to the beach means expensive tolls, long hours in a car or on public transport and extensive time spent away from home or work. Opening up the Prospect Reservoir would be a huge win for our local community.

“Prospect Reservoir is one of Sydney’s most beautiful public places and it would be a game changer for families in the west if we were able to open it up for swimming and non-motorised watercraft.

“Getting these feasibility studies right takes time, so we won’t have an answer overnight, but we are looking at all options that would enable us to turn the reservoir into a public space that would benefit the community for many generations.”

Have your say about Prospect Reservoirlaunch

A rescued female platypus puggle being cared for at Sydney’s Taronga Zoo has been named ‘Matilda’ after Australia’s much-loved women’s soccer team record breaking run at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.

Matilda, nicknamed ‘Tilly’ for short, was around four months old when she was admitted to Taronga’s Wildlife Hospital in April 2023. She was in poor condition and weighed only 280 grams.

She had been found under a bush on the NSW Central Coast and was weak, severely malnourished and covered in ticks, all of which compromised her waterproofing making it difficult for her to swim and survive on her own.

Thanks to attentive, around-the-clock care from Taronga’s expert Platypus team who hand-fed her 6 times a day for 2 months, she started to improve.

Matilda, who is now approximately 8 months old, is eating and foraging on her own and recently weighed in at 694 grams.

The name Matilda means ‘bold, battlefield warrior’ and represents both our mighty women’s soccer team and Taronga’s puggle who is going from strength to strength.

Premier Chris Minns said:

“We are incredibly proud of the Matildas and the spirit they have shown throughout the Women’s World Cup and Tilly is emblematic of that perseverance.

“We know their legacy will be remembered for generations and, now one of our most iconic native animals shares the same name.

“The work being done by Taronga Zoo to care for platypuses is absolutely vital and the recovery of Tilly is a testament to that.”

Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe said:

“The performance of the Matildas during the Woman’s World Cup has inspired a conversation that will change women’s sport in Australia forever.

“It can be touch-and-go when rehabilitating a Platypus, and Tilly’s recovery is a testament to the calibre of the team we have working at Taronga’s Wildlife Hospital.

“Ensuring the survival of this iconic species is essential work for this government and that means protecting their habitat, addressing climate change and tackling plastic pollution.”

Taronga Wildlife Hospital veterinary resident Dr Jess Whinfield said:

“Each platypus we treat, and especially those that need intensive care like Matilda, offers an insight into their species and what we need to do to help them thrive.

“Tilly would have weighed a tiny 1.5 grams when she hatched from an egg the size of a marble. She then spent four months drinking her mother’s milk in the safety of the nesting burrow.

“After emerging, she has very quickly learned to swim and find her food – not by using sight, sound, or smell, but by using her bill to detect the tiny amounts of electricity her invertebrate prey produces.

“Everyone can help protect platypuses in the wild by responsibly disposing of fishing equipment and picking up rubbish – especially items such as hair ties and rubber bands which platypuses can become entangled in.”

The fourth and final name of the tunnel boring machine (TBM) for the Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport project has been unveiled during a special launch ceremony at the Orchard Hills metro station site.

On hand to witness the launch were representatives from six local primary schools who participated in a Sydney Metro competition to name the machine. The students were the first to be introduced to TBM Marlene, the winning name submitted by Claremont Meadows Public School.

The machine is named in honour of Dr Marlene Kanga AO, recognising her significant contribution as a global leader in engineering and role model to women in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). 

TBM Marlene will tunnel 4.3km, carving out the metro tunnel from Orchard Hills to St Marys alongside TBM Catherine, which is currently about 100m into its journey.

The 900-tonne TBM will tunnel on average 120m per week and is expected to arrive at the St Marys metro station site in mid-2024.

The naming competition was an opportunity for local primary school students to learn more about the new 23km metro line currently under construction from St Marys to the Aerotropolis that will transform travel in their area.

It also provided a chance for students to explore achievements of inspiring Australian women in the community, with all names submitted required to be female – a tunnelling tradition stemming from the 1600s when miners working underground prayed to Saint Barbara for protection.

All six schools that participated in the competition – Claremont Meadows Public School, Our Lady of the Rosary Primary, Kurrambee School, St Marys South Public School, St Marys North Public School and Orchard Hills Public School – were commended for the significant thought and effort they put into their suggested names.

The launch of TBM Marlene means all four TBMs for the mega project are now in the ground, with TBMs Eileen and Peggy 1275m and 386m into excavating the 5.5km of tunnels between the Airport Business Park and the Aerotropolis, respectively.

New metro rail will become the transport spine for Greater Western Sydney, connecting communities and travellers with the new Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport and the growing region.

The Australian and NSW Governments have a shared objective of having Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport operational when Western Sydney International Airport opens for passenger services.

More information on the Western Sydney Airport Metro projectlaunch

About Marlene Kanga AO

Dr Marlene Kanga AO is listed among Australia’s top 10 women engineers and top 100 engineers. A chemical engineer, she was National President of Engineers Australia in 2013 and President of the World Federation of Engineering Organisations in 2017-2019.

Dr Kanga has had an executive career in complex systems safety in the oil and gas and chemical industry. She is now a non-executive director and a board member at Endeavour Energy, Business Events Sydney, Standards Australia and formerly, Sydney Water Corporation and Innovation Australia. She is a director of iOmniscient Pty Ltd which has developed advanced video analytic technologies and Rux Energy Pty Ltd which is commercialising new materials for hydrogen storage.

She is Chair of the global Institution of Chemical Engineers Safety Centre, advancing complex system safety engineering internationally.

Dr Kanga is an Honorary Fellow of Engineers Australia, an Honorary Fellow of the Institution of Chemical Engineers (UK), a Foundation Fellow of the International Science Council, a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

She was the Engineers Australia 2018 Professional Engineer of the Year, received the Chemeca Medal in 2019 for contributions to chemical engineering and the Ada Lovelace Medal as an outstanding women engineer, in 2023. She is an Officer of the Order of Australia “for distinguished service to engineering, as a global leader and role model to women.”

Deputy Premier Prue Car said:

“The students have done a great job naming this tunnelling machine after such an inspiring leader in STEM.

“The name Marlene was suggested by Claremont Meadows Public School, and it is fitting that students from nearby schools were here at today’s launch as this project will serve many generations to come.

“It has been a joy to have these local school children attend the launch and send the fourth and final TBM for this transformational project off in style.

“The entries from local schools demonstrated an awareness of the contributions and successes of many outstanding women, and I’m so pleased to see Dr Marlene Kanga AO recognised in this way.

“The naming of TBM Marlene is a tremendous legacy for its namesake, and I look forward to tracking the machine’s progress as the tunnel advances from Orchard Hills to St Marys.”

Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said:

“Major construction is well underway on the Western Sydney Airport Metro, with the fourth and final tunnel boring machine launching its journey to build Sydney’s newest rail tunnels.

“It is fantastic to see local schools get involved and learn more about this vital transport link that will revolutionise how people will move in the area putting Western Sydney on the doorstep of the rest of the world.”