Month: January 2024

Work is powering ahead on the Western Sydney Airport Metro line with nearly one kilometre of a new bridge (viaduct) located between Orchard Hills and Luddenham completed.

The bridge, consisting of 36 piers, one every 28 to 40 metres, and 308 concrete segments will be 3.5-kilometre long as part of the new Western Sydney Airport metro line.

The foundation for the new metro station at Luddenham is also complete, ready for work on the station build to commence next month.

Situated up to 13.5 metres above ground, Luddenham Station will be the only station on the new line located on a viaduct. 

Work on the remaining part of the metro line is also in full swing, with four tunnel boring machines excavating the 9.8-kilometre tunnels and earthworks underway to complete sections of the railway at ground level.

The Metro line’s six new stations will also become a crucial connection for workers and travellers making their way to Western Sydney’s new international airport and surrounding areas.

The NSW Government has already approved a number of major projects in the region including data centres at Huntingwood and Kemps Creek, each worth over $1 billion.

Significant investment is also being driven into the area surrounding Luddenham Metro Station with Sydney Water nearing construction completion of an Integrated Water Recycling Hub.

The government continues to work to cut red tape imposed by the former government on development, further driving the creation of jobs in this growing region of Sydney.

Find out more about Luddenham Station   

NSW Premier Chris Minns said: 

“This project represents a massive opportunity for NSW, driving billions of dollars worth of investment and thousands of new jobs in this growing region of Western Sydney.

“Since being elected the NSW Government has worked tirelessly to cut red tape to drive development while charging ahead with the construction of Australia’s largest public transport project.” 

Deputy Premier and Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car said: 

“Making progress on Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport is vital for Western Sydney residents, and the greater Sydney economy.

“This project will not only improve public transport access to the future Western Sydney Airport, it’s also delivering major economic stimulus for Western Sydney, supporting more than 14,000 jobs.

“There’s more to do, but I am delighted to see progress being made on this world class infrastructure project, which will benefit our local communities for generations to come.”

Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said: 

“Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport will become the new transport spine for Greater Western Sydney connecting travellers from the new airport to a growing region and the rest of Sydney’s public transport system. 

“People will be able to step off a plane and onto a train as soon as the airport opens its doors.

“When complete, Luddenham Station will deliver a rail service to the future research, innovation and commercial precinct in Luddenham and provide world-class travel for people in an area with limited public transport options.”   

The Minns Labor Government has today opened the grant funding applications for the second round of Women in Construction Industry Innovation Program.

Construction continues to be one of the most male-dominated industries in Australia, with 12% representation of women across the sector and only 2% in trade roles.

The Industry Innovation Program supports a range of industry-led initiatives across the state to increase the number of women working in construction, improve workplace culture, create inclusive and safe work environments, and to empower women in leadership roles.  

The 21 funding recipients under Year 1 of the Program, lead initiatives ranging from education opportunities for women entering the industry via mentoring, work experience programs and opportunity showcases and site visits for school-based students – to training for established workforces, with the introduction of training to influence existing workplace behaviours to develop respectful and safe cultures on site.

Initiatives also included embedding flexible work practices and providing a variety of child-care support mechanisms for parents and carers, which helps to address the obstacles that prevent women from considering a career in construction.

An example of a funded initiative comes from the Infrastructure Sustainability Council who lead the program, “Sustainability: a credible construction career path.” This program aims to attract women to the industry and empower inclusive work practices through the development of a skills framework, creation of educational resources for organisations and the delivery of a mentoring program for NSW construction businesses.

The Industry Innovation Program is being delivered as part of the NSW Government’s $20.2 million Women in Construction Program.

For information on how to apply for grant funding, visit the NSW Government Industry Innovation Program Year 2 grants page.

Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan said:

“The demand for construction workers continues to be high across the state. As we continue to deliver infrastructure projects it is paramount we increase the proportion of women in construction to improve industry diversity and productivity.

“Increasing the participation of women in construction is not about meeting quotas; it is about cultivating a skilled, versatile and experienced workforce.

“Empowering more women to choose a career in construction will lead to greater innovation, diversity, and progress, ultimately building a stronger and more inclusive future for the industry.

The Minns Labor Government is wholeheartedly committed to encouraging more women in the construction industry.

Minister for Women, Minister for Seniors, and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said:

“Our commitment to increasing participation of women in trades and non-traditional roles is unwavering. Through the Women in Construction program, we are actively working to empower women to consider a career in the construction industry through education and skills development.

“The future of our trades industry lies in embracing the diversity and capabilities of all workers. The Industry Innovation Program aims to engage the industry in creating a safe, inclusive and dynamic workforce that welcomes and supports women in all trade roles.

“Closing the gender gap in construction can lead to improved performance, enhanced innovation and ensures sustainable growth.

“By working with industry stakeholders, we can unleash the full potential of women in this industry and build a strong and diverse future.”

Infrastructure Sustainability Council Chief Executive Officer, Ainsley Simpson said:

“The NSW Government’s commitment of more than $20 million to increase the number of women working in construction shows the important steps the industry is taking towards a more gender-balanced workplace. 

“Thanks to the Industry Innovation Program funding, the Infrastructure Sustainability Council is playing a part in breaking down cultural barriers that may prevent women from considering careers in this field.

“The implementation of a skills framework and creation of resources will help companies throughout the industry to engage and attract women into construction roles.”

The NSW Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty has announced that the fire ants site detected late on Friday 19 January south of Ballina has today been destroyed and is no longer a risk to the community living in the immediate area.

To manage the risks of spread, a biosecurity control order has been put in place with immediate effect, restricting movement within the surrounding 5km area of the site in Wardell, south of Ballina.

Department of Primary Industry teams will support the local businesses and community who will need to lock down movement of landscaping, gardening, and building materials plus machinery until inspected and checked.

The NSW Government is working closely with the Commonwealth and the Queensland Governments, plus Ballina Shire Council. Experienced teams are on site and today chemically eradicated the infestation and treating a radius of 500m from the site.

Following detection of the fire ants the NSW Government instigated its action plan covering – eradication, control, tracing, and engagement of local businesses and community.

The fire ants in Wardell were originally reported in by a member of the community to the NSW Biosecurity Hotline on Friday 19 January and confirmed as fire ants late that day.

The NSW Department of Primary Industries team moved swiftly with colleagues from the National Fire Ant Eradication Program and Ballina Shire Council to destroy the fire ants, control the site, start tracing the source and survey the surrounding area.

The team will continue activities with sniffer dogs and boots on the ground to determine the extent of any infestation, undertake genetic testing of the fire ants, as well as engaging and supporting the impacted local community and businesses.

The following types of materials cannot be moved out of the 5km zone: mulch, soil, compost and manure, growing media, hay, chaff, silage, potted plants, turf, agricultural and earth moving equipment, grass/vegetation and clippings.

Everyone is urged to continue vigilance in keeping an eye out for fire ants, reporting suspected ants to the NSW Biosecurity Hotline at 1800 680 244 or online.   

There are strict restrictions for moving material from control areas. Breaching the emergency biosecurity order carries penalties of up to $1.1 million for an individual and up to $2.2 million for a corporation.

More information on fire ants and control restrictions

Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said:

“Our teams were prepared for this discovery of fire ants south of Ballina and immediately implemented our response plan and destroyed the fire ant site.

“Red imported fire ants are an invasive pest and that is why the Minns Government increased the NSW contribution to eradication from $15 million to $95 million last year.

“Biosecurity is a shared responsibility and I encourage everyone to continue to check their properties for these pests. With the summer cross-border travel in peak times I ask everyone to be careful of what they’re moving and where.

“We will continue to keep the community informed of progress and will continue working closely with industry, the local community and our state and federal counterparts.”

The NSW Government has today announced that former Chief Justice of the NSW Supreme Court, the Honourable Tom Bathurst AC KC will conduct a review of state laws regulating incitement to violence. 

Mr Bathurst, who is currently the Chairperson of the NSW Law Reform Commission, will review the policy objectives and effectiveness of section 93Z of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW).

The review will consider similar laws in other jurisdictions, including the UK, and consider options for reform of section 93Z.

The review comes in the wake of concerns raised by some community groups about the effectiveness of section 93Z, which makes it an offence to publicly threaten or incite violence against a person on the grounds of race or religious belief or affiliation.  

This follows recent procedural changes to section 93Z to streamline prosecutions, removing a requirement for the Director of Public Prosecutions to agree to the prosecution.    

The Terms of Reference for the Review are currently being developed with Mr Bathurst.

Premier of NSW Chris Minns said:

“There is no place in NSW for hate speech or incitement to violence. We live in a multicultural society, and it is vital that we have laws that protect people who come from communities all around the world and call NSW home.”

“This review, to be conducted by one of the State’s most respected legal minds, will be considered and thorough and help provide the community with confidence that our laws are operating effectively. 

“The widespread loss of life and impacts of war in the Middle East is traumatic for many families and communities. The impacts are felt deeply by many. 

“The NSW Government is deeply committed to ensuring that all communities are able to live peacefully without fear of violence, or threats of violence. 

“Along with our legal frameworks, NSW has a deep commitment to maintaining social cohesion and many measures in place to raise awareness, to educate and strengthen community cohesion.” 

Acting Attorney-General Ron Hoenig said:

“This review is an important step in ensuring we are strengthening our legal frameworks and working to promote social cohesion.”

“NSW has many support services in place for people experiencing vilification including access to help from the NSW Anti-Discrimination Board and NSW Police.  

“But if there is more to be done, we will do it, because we are committed to protecting our harmonious, multicultural community.” 

The Wollongong community has provided feedback and support for 3 new bus layover sites, with planning work set to continue in 2024.

A 3-week consultation period revealed support for the plan to relocate the existing bus layover at Marine Drive to 3 new sites in the Atchison Street car park, Wollongong Train Station car park and Oak Flats Train Station car park.

Transport for NSW received 328 survey responses and 7 submissions during the consultation period from 6 to 26 November 2023, with respondents including bus drivers (7.3% of respondents), bus users (25.3%) and car park users (30.5%).

Key themes included the need for suitable facilities for bus drivers along with concerns over congestion and a loss of car parking spaces.

The community was positive about the relocation of the Marine Drive bus layover and supportive of a site more centrally located in Wollongong CBD, closer to other modes of transport.

Transport for NSW, in collaboration with Wollongong City Council, local bus operators and the Transport Workers’ Union, reviewed more than 20 locations as part of the site selection process and considered all necessary requirements including passenger outcomes, layover capacity, vehicle access, route coverage, adjacent land use, driver safety and access to facilities.

Design and planning work will progress on the new layover sites in 2024, including detailed bus service and operational planning to inform a business case to permanently relocate the bus layover to the new sites.

It is proposed that the project will be delivered in a staged process, with development of the Atchison Street car park site to be the first priority.

The site on Atchison Street will provide 11 bus parking spaces and facilities for bus drivers to rest and rejuvenate between shifts including bathrooms, kitchen facilities and space to relax. The community will be kept informed as the project progresses.

A community consultation summary report has been released and can be found on the Transport for NSW website.

Transport Minister Jo Haylen said:

“Bus layovers are an important part of bus operations. They ensure our drivers are safe, rested and comfortable, and have easy access to facilities like bathrooms and kitchens, which is a huge benefit for both drivers and passengers.

“Each selected site is located close to a train station and a bus stop, the natural starting and stopping point of many bus routes, reducing unnecessary extra trips between the final stop and the new layover.”

Member for Wollongong Paul Scully said:

“We have done a lot of careful work to make sure the community’s voices were heard and transport needs understood during this consultation process, while balancing the essential needs of our frontline public transport workers.

“The move from a single layover site at Marine Drive to 3 layovers across the Illawarra will help local bus services continue to expand while supporting the Illawarra region into the future.”