Month: December 2023

The NSW Opposition is awaiting further information on leaked Government plans to rezone land around eight Metro and heavy rail stations and to apply new planning controls at 31 other train stations, but says Chris Minns’ reluctance to commit to infrastructure and to address high levels of immigration continues to threaten the state’s ability to deliver on Labor’s ambitious housing targets.
 
Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said that the plan to deliver 45,000 homes offers no immediate relief to current pressures on rents and housing affordability, and has renewed the Opposition’s offer to work with Chris Minns to address demand by slowing the state’s immigration levels.
 
“On the Government’s own timeline, it will be four years before the first of these dwellings are completed. There is an urgent need to address demand now, to take the pressure off rents and the cost of homes for first homebuyers,” Mr Speakman said.
 
“If Chris Minns can sign up to Anthony Albanese’s housing targets, he can demand the Prime Minister scale back immigration. It’s apparent that Chris Minns isn’t even willing to pick up the phone to Canberra to address the significant demand pressures on our state’s housing.”
 
Shadow Minister for Transport Natalie Ward raised concerns that even if Sydney Metro West is completed within the current schedule of 2030, extra housing around it would be built before then, well ahead of the delivery of infrastructure.
 
“The Government expecting people to move in to The Bays precinct en masse, before Sydney Metro West is complete and functioning just shows they have no experience in delivering infrastructure. Yet again, it is a plan that has not been thought through and communities will suffer,” Ms Ward said.
 
“The Government’s reviews and spin on Metro West have been a complete farce. Chris Minns and Transport Minister Jo Haylen should release their plans immediately and give certainty to communities and the investors.”
 
Shadow Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Scott Farlow welcomes the delivery of housing along existing transport corridors, but cautioned that the Government needed to have a plan for all of the infrastructure required to support housing development.
 
“Transport is just one of the infrastructure components that is required to support housing. The Government needs to outline how they will support housing with schools, hospitals and improved public spaces,” Mr Farlow said.
 
“Chris Minns signed up to a national housing target of 377,000 homes in the next five years without any advice from the Department of Planning as to whether NSW could support this development.”

The NSW Opposition is calling for the Powerhouse Museum in Castle Hill to be given the opportunity to shine while Powerhouse Museum Ultimo closes its doors for renewal on 5 February 2024.
 
Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said it’s an opportunity for the Minns Labor Government to show their commitment to the arts following their savage cuts to the Powerhouse Museum redevelopment.
 
“Chris Minns slashed in half the planned and fully funded $500 million redevelopment of the Powerhouse Museum at Ultimo, walking away from an opportunity to build a new purpose-built museum on the site,” Mr Speakman said.
 
“Here is an opportunity for the Government to show that they’re willing to invest in our state’s art sector, and provide the community with first-class attractions and destinations.”
 
Shadow Minister for the Arts and Heritage Kevin Anderson said the shutdown presented an opportunity to expand the opening hours of the Castle Hill site and provide job security for workers who are facing job losses.
 
“The Powerhouse Castle Hill is only open on Saturdays and Sundays. Expanding those hours would provide the perfect solution for the public to have continued access to the museum’s collections while the Ultimo site is closed over the next three years,” Mr Anderson said.
 
“We know museums are also very popular destinations for visiting school groups as well, and weekday access would ensure our children don’t miss out.

NSW’s first train, Locomotive No.1, and the Catalina flying boat are set to be moved to the Castle Hill store once the Ultimo site closes next year.
 
Mr Anderson said extending trade beyond 10am-4pm on weekends will allow these iconic items to be available to the public throughout the 3-year renovation period.
 
“Not only will these changes ensure continued access to the valuable artefacts that are so important to the cultural heritage of our state, but it would also provide an opportunity for those currently working at Ultimo to transfer to the Castle Hill site and maintain some job security.

The NSW Government is celebrating the contributions and achievements of more than 1.3 million people with disability across NSW, as the state marks International Day of People with Disability.

The day promotes community awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability, who play a valuable role in society.

Whether through employment, sport, advocacy, or public life, people with disability continue to help NSW become a more accessible and inclusive state for all.

Organisations are removing barriers for people with disability to find work including the public sector, with NSW Government departments increasingly able to harness the skills and experience of people with diverse abilities.

The NSW Government is committed to improving accessible and inclusive communities by:

• Ensuring government websites and online services are easy to access, including through Easy Read.
• Providing children with disability learning support in school.
• Improving the recruitment and retention of the NSW Government workforce with disability.
• The NSW Government also provides programs to support people with disability, carers and service providers, including the Companion Card and Disability Advocacy Futures Program.

This is in addition to the $3.9 billion invested in 2022-23 to support the NDIS and $15.9 billion over four years to 2025-26. This funding is leveraged with Commonwealth contributions leading to record investment in specialist disability services across NSW.

The NSW Government recognises that there is still a lot of work to be done, however, and is committed to working to improve the lives of people with disability.

Minister for Disability Inclusion, Kate Washington said:

“More than 1.3 million people in NSW live with a disability and make a significant contribution to our state every day.

“International Day of People with Disability serves as an important reminder to the entire community to recognise and celebrate the diverse skills and experience of the people around us.”

“The NSW Government is committed to improving inclusion and accessibility across mainstream services.

“There’s still a lot of important work to do to make our schools, hospitals and transport systems more accessible, and as a new government, we take the task seriously.”

Parliamentary Secretary for Disability Inclusion, Liesl Tesch said:

“Today is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of people with diverse strengths and abilities across NSW and the richness that provides to our communities.

“It’s also a chance to reflect on how inclusive we are as a state and where we can do better, whether that’s making essential services like healthcare and homes accessible for everyone or creating flexible education spaces to suit different learning styles.

“I am so excited to continue to work with Minister Washington to see people with disability empowered to live their dreams free from the barriers of exclusion that we too often face.”

Disability Council NSW Chair Jane Spring said:

“Happy International Day of People with Disability. As we celebrate progress and achievements, we also encourage all organisations to consult people with disability and accept their feedback to make sure there are no barriers to inclusion.

“The 12 members of the Disability Council are committed to sharing our insights and experience to create a community where everyone can participate fully.”

The Sydney Trains Rail Repair Plan is reaching great heights, as the project hits the halfway mark ahead of schedule with trackwork on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

The $97 million program, announced by the Transport Minister in June to improve the reliability and resilience of the network, has now seen 80% of the 1,900 high-priority defects fixed.

For the 1.4 million people who cross the Harbour Bridge by train every week, the rail line is on track to be more resilient than ever before.

This weekend, Rail Repair trackwork on this line has culminated in the installation of a new back-up airline hose across the bridge for the first time in history, meaning trains can keep running while critical signalling repairs are made.

This work over the harbour comes as train testing on the Sydney Metro City and Southwest line ramps up deep below, as well as trackwork this weekend, to provide a world-class rail service for our city from 2024.

At the 6-month mark, the Rail Repair Plan has seen:

• 1,536 of 1,900 high-priority defects removed (yearly average from regular trackwork is 600)
• 800km of track repairs, including grinding and resurfacing
• 166 electrical backlog inspections completed (surpassing the initial target of 144)
• 88 speed restrictions removed (repairing the issues that require trains to slow down, like go- slow signs for roadworks)
• 489 trainstop rams refurbished (vital fail-safe emergency braking systems)

While the Sydney Trains network is 150 years old in parts and will never be free from incidents, Sydney Trains’ on-time running data has improved, especially over the past three months.

Transport Minister Jo Haylen said:

“Keeping Sydney’s most iconic train line in top condition is no easy feat – after all, it is 91 years old and needs a bit of extra care.

“I’m thrilled to visit the Sydney Harbour Bridge to personally see the specialised work underway and thank the dozens of workers calling it their office for the weekend to complete these vital upgrades.

“We are delivering for commuters both above and beneath our Harbour, with both Sydney Trains and Metro work underway to support the people of NSW who travel on our network.

“This milestone of fixing 80% of high-priority defects well ahead of schedule means we can now get even more work done than we anticipated, and that’s a great outcome for passengers.

“There will never be a silver bullet to make the Sydney Trains network perfect, but I’m proud to be delivering state’s largest ever program of rail maintenance with real results.”

Sydney Trains Chief Executive Matt Longland said:

“The Harbour Bridge is a key part of our rail network and by investing in this infrastructure, we’re improving reliability for the entire network.

“I’m thrilled to say the Harbour Bridge rail line is the most resilient it’s been in history, with a number of first-time works complete, such as a new airline hose and upgraded overhead wiring.”

“Our peak on-time running is improving, so with the exception of some unavoidable incidents, we’re beginning to see a pattern of more resilient and reliable services for passengers.”

“I want to thank all our passengers for their patience during this time – while we do our best to limit disruption, this trackwork is essential for a healthy rail network.”

Homebuyers have a new reason to be confident about building quality in NSW with the official opening of Building Commission NSW this week, the state’s first ever dedicated building regulator.

From today Building Commission NSW, led by Commissioner David Chandler, will open its doors.

The newly established agency will lift the existing Office of the Building Commissioner out of NSW Fair Trading to give staff dedicated resources and a clear focus on the building sector.

Delivering a standalone regulator was a key election promise of the Minns Labor government, ensuring builders and the homes they construct in NSW are compliant, safe and durable.

The change means NSW will go from just 40 staff dedicated to enforcing quality and standards in the building industry to more than 400.

Funded by a $24 million down payment in the NSW Budget, Building Commission NSW will be a one stop shop for regulation, licensing and oversight of the sector.

While the NSW Government is committed to tackling the NSW housing supply crisis after over a decade of inaction, the government will not allow quantity of homes to come at the expense of quality.

This is another milestone in the work the NSW Government has already completed to lift standards across the industry, including:

• new laws to dramatically expand the Building Commissioner’s powers over freestanding residential homes.
• elevating the sector to cabinet level with the first ever Minister for Building.
• boosting the capacity of smaller builders to deliver quality medium-density housing through initiatives like BuiltIt NSW.

Today also marks the official completion of Parq in Bexley, the first building in Australia to be covered by Decennial Liability Insurance (DLI), a decade-long guarantee against serious defects.

Parq’s builder Urban Property has also announced that DLI will be rolled out across all future projects.

Owners in buildings covered by DLI can make a claim to get defects repaired for up to a decade after completion, whether their builder is still operating or not.

NSW is the first state in the nation to offer decennial liability insurance and the NSW Government recently passed laws to encourage more builders to sign up and protect buyers.

Premier Chris Minns said:

“In recent years we’ve heard horror stories about defects in apartment buildings but we’re turning the tide with Building Commission NSW.

“The Building Commissioner has made a start restoring integrity, now we’ve given him the powers and resources he needs to get on with the job.”

Minister for Building Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“Building Commission NSW will turbocharge our work to restore trust and integrity in the building sector.

“Buying a home is the great Australian dream, Building Commission NSW will help make sure it doesn’t turn into a nightmare.”

Building Commissioner David Chandler OAM said:

“The Commission’s team comprises amazing, talented and committed people.

“It will be my privilege to lead this next phase of delivering the trusted housing that the state’s community desperately needs.

“When I started this work everyone was driving towards the bottom of quality, now we are all working towards the top and Urban Property is a great example.”

The Powerhouse Museum Ultimo will be reorientated to connect with the CBD, provide a new outdoor public square, more indoor exhibition space and show off the heritage facades of the original power station built in 1899.

The main entrance to the Powerhouse Museum Ultimo, will face the Goods Line, the walkway connecting Central Station and Haymarket, under the heritage renewal that will revitalise the iconic 1988 Wran Building on Harris Street.

The Minns Labor government today released concept designs for the $250 million project that is going to elevate the much-loved museum with world-class exhibition space focused on applied arts and sciences.

The Powerhouse Museum Ultimo will close its doors on 5 February 2024 for building and conservation works that are expected to take up to 3 years.

The temporary closure will enable the protection of the collection and the most efficient delivery of the project, having the least impact on the Powerhouse Museum, Ultimo communities and audiences. The temporary closure will ensure the best use of funds, focusing investment into the revitalisation. A staggered closure would amplify the cost of the project, extend the disruption period and lead to a compromised visitor experience over a prolonged period.

When it reopens, the design will provide improved flow of visitors and exhibition spaces that will support increased access to the Powerhouse collection.

The new entrance will reveal the beautiful heritage facades of the original power station built in 1899 and the 1902 Turbine Hall. The 1901 Post Office building located on Harris Street will be preserved and further integrated into the museum precinct.

The new public domain adjacent to the entrance will become a major new green space for Sydney.

This design will enable the Powerhouse Museum Ultimo to present international exclusive exhibitions and showcase the museum’s existing collection, as well as expanded learning programs that support the applied arts, applied sciences and creative industries.

The Powerhouse Museum Ultimo confirmed the revitalisation concept design will include purpose-built space to support the Powerhouse Academy program. This program offers accomodation for regional NSW school children to visit the museum to engage with applied arts and applied sciences through immersive learning programs enriched by access to the Powerhouse Museum Ultimo collection and a major new partnership with the University of Technology (UTS).

The revitalisation will be led by Infrastructure NSW in line with the museum’s Conservation Management Plan and current heritage and planning legislation. The project will require a State Significant Development Application and, as part of this, consultation with the community.

The Powerhouse Museum Ultimo heritage revitalisation design scheme has been developed by Durbach Block Jaggers Architects, proven design innovators and authors of some of Australia’s most remarkable buildings, partnering with Architectus and landscape architects Tyrell Studio.

Timing for construction commencement and completion is subject to the outcomes of the planning and procurement processes. Following the conclusion of the revitalisation, Powerhouse Ultimo will continue to exhibit its iconic objects from the collection, including the Boulton & Watt Steam Engine, the Catalina flying boat Frigate Bird II and Locomotive Number 1.

Minister for Arts John Graham said:

“In September, the NSW Government announced it would deliver on its election commitment to save the Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo and preserve the Wran legacy.

“This is the next step in the process of reimagining the future of the Powerhouse Museum at Ultimo. After 9 years of divided opinions of this site, we are hopeful these new designs and a renewed focus on applied arts and sciences are more in line with the community’s expectations of this much-loved institution.

“The area around the Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo has changed significantly in the last 30 years. The design plans will reorient the museum, and open onto to the Goods Line. This will connect the museum to the city, including major public transport options.”

Powerhouse Museum Ultimo Trust President Peter Collins said:

“The renewal of Powerhouse Ultimo will deliver a dynamic applied arts and applied sciences program, presenting exhibitions that showcase the Powerhouse collection, attract international exhibitions and programs that support the visitor economy and create an activated cultural precinct.

“Embedding these collections, exhibitions and programs within a broader creative industries precinct will significantly contribute to the renewal of the institution while creating national and international development and employment pathways for NSW creative practitioners.”

Powerhouse Museum Ultimo CEO Lisa Havilah said:

“The heritage revitalisation of the Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo will ensure that there will be even more opportunities for our audiences to connect with and experience our collection and programs across the applied arts and applied sciences. This new concept plan will expand our ability to present international exhibitions and expand our learning and industry programs. We thank the NSW Government for this transformative investment into the future of our much-loved museum and look forward to delivering an exceptional outcome for the communities of NSW.

“The concept design includes the Powerhouse Academy, which will offer increased levels of access for secondary and tertiary students from regional NSW and beyond, providing immersive learning experiences that enable pathways into industry and tertiary learning.

“The government has committed $250 million for the heritage revitalisation, with the Powerhouse Museum Ultimo adopting a $50 million philanthropy target. We have already secured $10 million towards this through a partnership with UTS.”

Decades after the #GetDoonieALift campaign began, a major accessibility upgrade at Doonside Station has finally opened to the public.

The lift was opened by Transport Minister Jo Haylen, Blacktown MP Stephen Bali and members of the community who campaigned to have lifts installed at the 143 year old station.

The upgrade includes four new lifts connecting the station entrances to the existing footbridge and station platforms, and continuous canopy cover on both platforms.

New stairs have been installed on Platforms 3 and 4 with upgrades to existing ramps, footbridges and stairs on Platforms 1 and 2, while the accessible pathways throughout the station precinct have been re-graded.

There is also a family-accessible toilet, and new accessible parking spaces on Cross Street and School Parade.

Bicycle hoops have been installed next to the Doonside Road and Cross Street station entrances and crucial safety enhancements have been made to CCTV and lighting.

At the main entrance of Doonside Station on Cross Street, a new artwork showcases the cultural connection to the land on which Doonside Station sits – the Ancestral lands of the Wawarrawarri people of the Dharug Nation, also known as the Cockatoo People.

The NSW Government has funded this upgrade under the Transport Access Program, an initiative to provide a better experience for public transport passengers by delivering accessible, modern, secure, and integrated infrastructure across the state.

Transport Minister Jo Haylen said:

​“It’s exciting to see the brand new infrastructure and 143 years of heritage come together at Doonside Station after a long community campaign.

“This upgrade will boost passenger safety and convenience, while acknowledging the Dharug people with a beautiful mural at the main entrance to Doonside Station on Cross Street. 

“We’ve funded these upgrades to make sure our train stations meet the needs of passengers today and into the future and promote sustainable and healthy modes of transport. 

“I want to thank the more than 400 workers who worked on upgrading the station for doing a wonderful job in making it safer and more accessible, while honouring the area’s rich cultural heritage.” 

“The Transport Access Program is transforming stations across our state, ensuring everyone has safe, accessible access to our train stations. 

“The transformation of Doonside will ensure that commuters with disabilities, parents and passengers with luggage or bikes are able to make the most of our public transport network.

“We’re expanding the benefits of this important program by investing an additional $300 million, to build even more accessible stations across the state.”

Member for Blacktown Stephen Bali said:

“Blacktown LGA is home to the largest urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population in Australia.

“The Aboriginal artwork showcases the cultural connection to the land on which Doonside Station sits – the ancestral lands of the Wawarrawarri people of the Dharug Nation, also known as the Cockatoo People.

“I want to thank the Doonside community for their strong advocacy and long-term campaign to achieve the upgrades at Doonside station.  The patience and understanding of all involved has been commendable.

“Today we can celebrate together the fantastic upgrades, which I know we will enjoy for many years to come.

“I know everybody involved in this project takes a lot of pride in their contribution and I am so appreciative of their fine work.”