Month: March 2024

NSW Railway’s historic locomotives and carriages have found a new home in the heart of Western Sydney.

The $9.4 million Chullora Heritage Hub is a centralised storage facility for 50 of the state’s 220 heritage locomotives and carriages.

The historic trains have travelled by road and rail to the former Tank Annex Building at the Chullora Railway Workshops from three separate sites at Eveleigh, Thirlmere and Broadmeadow.

The building has received a thorough upgrade to ensure the protection and preservation of the historic collection with environmental, security and fire safety improvements delivered.

While the new location is not open for public viewing due to its function as a maintenance facility, it will give volunteers from Transport Heritage NSW the space they need to work on these one-of-a-kind engines.

The site at Chullora has been an important location for railway maintenance for more than a century. It was first established in 1913, and many of the buildings within the precinct date from the 1920s, with the Tank Annex building operating as part of the maintenance facility until 1994.

Among the rollingstock moving into the new building are:

• Locomotive 1219, this locomotive and its class dominated express and mail train services in the late 1800s, with many hauling branch line services right up until the 1950s.
• Locomotive 5096 was one of 280 introduced from 1890. This was the largest class of locomotives used anywhere in Australia and hauled goods trains more than two million kilometres until its retirement in 1965.
• Locomotive 2606 was one of 20 tank locomotives manufactured by Scottish company Dubs and Co. Introduced from early 1892, they were supposed to assist engines travel up the mountain from Penrith to Katoomba. Limited water tank capacity and problems negotiating the numerous curves hindered their work, so they were reassigned to hauling coal trains to Waterfall and Newcastle. Before its retirement in 1970, 2606 spent its later years shunting carriages into position at Central Station.

Another 70 locomotives and carriages will remain at the NSW Rail Museum in Thirlmere, including operational assets like the famous 3801. The museum is open to the public 7 days a week, with heritage train rides operating every weekend on the newly refurbished Loop Line.

All historic trains are operated by Transport Heritage NSW.

For more information, visit Transport Heritage NSW.

Transport Minister Jo Haylen:

“For the first time, the majority of our heritage rail collection will be sitting undercover and out of the elements, where they will be lovingly preserved by our dedicated volunteers.

“340 jobs were created in Western Sydney during the renovation of this historic building, which will now house our cherished railway past for the people of NSW to enjoy for generations to come.

“It’s vital we preserve our heritage fleet so the magic of being part of life on our railways isn’t forgotten and continues to inspire.”

Motorists are reminded to be vigilant and patient at level crossings, as Transport for NSW and NSW Police run a level crossing awareness and enforcement campaign in central east Riverina.  

NSW Police will be patrolling level crossings in Old Junee, Junee, and Marrar between Monday 11 March and Friday 22 March to help increase safety around level crossings and remind road users of the importance of following the road rules.

The campaign is part of an ongoing series of awareness and enforcement campaigns between Transport for NSW and NSW Police Force.

The NSW Government is committed to reducing the road toll to zero and this includes making level crossings safer.

Between July 2008 and June 2023, there were 99 collisions between trains and vehicles at level crossings throughout NSW. Sadly, these have resulted in the tragic loss of 10 lives, as well as the serious injury of 17 others.

Each year the NSW Government invests $7.3 million through the Level Crossing Improvement Program (LCIP) to upgrade public level crossings and to increase awareness through level crossing safety education and enforcement campaigns such as this operation.  

Minister for Regional Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“We all need to look out for each other to ensure everyone reaches their destination safely, and part of that means everyone must be cautious at level crossings.

“Transport for NSW and NSW Police Force have been regularly collaborating to ensure all motorists and pedestrians are aware of the danger and devastating consequences of unsafe behaviour around level crossings.

“Signs, boom gates, flashing lights and road markings are there for a reason – to keep motorists and pedestrians safe.

“For regional drivers, level crossings are a regular part of our trips, but it’s important not to become complacent when we’re using them.

“Plan your trip and allow enough time to wait and drive safely through level crossings. You might save a few minutes by rushing through a crossing; however, the risk can be devastating – it only takes a few seconds for a fatal collision to happen.

“Any death on a level crossing is a tragedy and one too many.

“I was at the National Level Crossing Safety Roundtable last week where we learned that as few as 1 in 5 (22%) of drivers were stopping at 1 of our regional passive level crossings.

“Motorists who gamble with their safety and the safety of others at level crossings could face three demerit points and a $514 fine, but most tragically they or someone else could lose their life.”

Traffic and Highway Patrol, Region Traffic Operations Coordinator, Sergeant Shannon Pendlebury, said:

“Despite the potentially fatal consequences, people are still ignoring warnings at level crossings.

“Motorists are urged not to be complacent as trains can come from any direction, at any time, and there can be multiple trains on tracks that can travel at speeds of up to 160km/h,” he said.

“Some trains can take more than a kilometre to come to a complete stop, so even if they see you, they can’t stop.

“Disobeying level crossing warning lights and signs can lead to crashes between vehicles and trains where the consequences can be deadly.” 

Construction is about to start on Richmond Valley Council’s $15.8 million Naughtons Gap Road resilience project at Naughton’s Gap, north-east of Casino, providing better access for locals after a series of severe weather events.

The road has been closed since March 2021 due to the level of flood damage and landslips at the time. Landslips were further impacted in February and March 2022 flood events.

Over $3 million of the total Naughtons Gap project cost will go towards betterment works, making the road more resilient.

These betterment works will see catch fencing constructed as a measure to contain future falling debris and absorb its impact, and drainage improvements made on the northern end of the project, to assist in preventing further long road closures during future severe weather events. The project will also involve essential public asset repair works to reconstruct the roadway across three landslip zones.

Betterment works have been funded by the Albanese and Minns Governments through the Regional Roads Transport and Recovery Package, which is investing $312 million to help local councils in northern NSW rebuild road and transport infrastructure projects in disaster-impacted communities.

Importantly, the Package helps communities ‘build-back-better’ by ensuring infrastructure damaged by floods is rebuilt stronger, better, and more able to withstand the challenge posed by future natural disasters.

The project is due to be completed in late 2024.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt:

“The Albanese Government is committed to making sure Australia is more prepared for natural disasters, so communities can respond and recover quicker. That’s why projects like this are so important.

“By investing now to improve the quality and durability of Naughtons Gap Road, we can hopefully help to minimise the damage from future events, reducing the need to close the road each time severe weather hits.

“The Albanese Government is pleased to work with the Minns Government and Richmond Valley Council to deliver this project.

\NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison:

“Research shows that for every dollar invested in risk mitigation or betterment projects, up to $10 is saved in recovery, so the Naughtons Gap Road resilience project is an investment well worth making.

“We can’t stop natural disasters from happening, but we can and should do everything possible to help communities get back on their feet as quickly as possible and reduce the impact during future events.

“Keeping communities connected or helping them to connect again more quickly after an event is vital in disaster recovery.”

\NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery and Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin:

“The betterment policy will change the situation so that roads are built back to better withstand disasters and to improved standards. 

“It never made any sense to build back or repair a road or bridge as it had been instead of making it as durable as it possibly could be.

“I know that local councils will be as pleased as I am to be able to secure betterment funds to do the job well.”

\Richmond Valley Mayor Robert Mustow:

“The Naughtons Gap Road is a vital transport link for the Richmond Valley, serving local agricultural enterprises and a substantial rural/residential area in North Casino.

“Richmond Valley Council has been working to find a long-term solution for stabilising this road, after two major landslips saw it closed to through traffic for an extended period. Our community is delighted a solution to this complex problem is finally at hand.

“This work involves installing more than 120 bored piers into the rockface at depths of up to eight metres to reinforce the roadway following significant flood damage.

“Not only will the road be restored to full service, but the additional betterment funding will help to strengthen the rebuilt section from future flooding events.”

The NSW Government is expanding access to Service NSW Centres for the residents of Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains, with a new Service NSW Centre officially opening at Glenmore Park today.

Close to 50,000 customer visits are expected at Glenmore Park Service Centre in the first year, with communities in Glenmore Park, Jamisontown, Emu Plains, Glenbrook and surrounding areas set to benefit the most from the new Service NSW Centre.

The new centre offers a third option for people living in the foot of the Blue Mountains alongside the Penrith and Springwood Service NSW centres, with team members able to assist customers with a range of transactions such as licence renewals, Working with Children Check renewals and Owner-Builder permits.

It follows the opening of the Macquarie Fields Driver Testing Centre in December, which provides about 300 driving tests a week and supports overseas licence holders converting to a NSW driver licence.

Meanwhile, a new Service NSW Centre set to open in Tallawong this year will provide an additional option for people living in Sydney’s north-west.

Driver testing will also be accommodated at the Glenmore Park Service NSW Centre, with about 80 tests available each week.

The centre is located on Level 1 of HomeCo. Glenmore Park Town Centre at 33 Town Terrace and is open Monday to Friday 8:30am – 5pm and Saturday 8:30am – 12:30pm.

For more information on the Glenmore Park Service Centre. 

Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car said:

“I am pleased to see the people of Glenmore Park and the surrounding communities, including Emu Plains and Glenbrook, will now have a Service NSW Centre right on their doorstop.

“Western Sydney is home to many busy, hardworking families, and it is so important that our mums and dads have the services they need where they live.

“Opening facilities like this in growing communities means families are not spending unnecessary time away from one another while doing things like getting their licence renewed.”

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib said:

“Glenmore Park is one of many fast-growing suburbs in Sydney’s west and this new Service NSW Centre will help ensure locals can easily access government services and transactions.”

“The one-stop-shop Service NSW is about making people and business owners’ lives easier, whether it’s accessing cost-of-living support or applying for a Seniors Card.”

“Customer service is a priority at Service NSW Centres, with visitors greeted by a concierge and guided to the support and assistance they need, so they can complete their transaction more quickly and get on with their day.”

NSW Skills, TAFE, and Tertiary Education Minister, Steve Whan is urging all eligible individuals and organisations to apply for the prestigious 2024 NSW Training Awards.

Applications for the annual awards close on Sunday 17 March 2024 for individuals, and Sunday 31 March 2024 for organisations. They are the first step for successful candidates to be recognised at a national level.

Organised by Training Services NSW, the awards acknowledge exceptional achievements across categories that highlight NSW’s foremost vocational learners, trainers, employers, and training providers.  

Last year women dominated the awards with female entrants taking out every individual student awards.

This included 2023 Apprentice of the Year, Caroline Morris, who was the first woman in more than 20 years to complete a fitter machinist apprenticeship at her Crookwell workplace.

The Vocational Education and Training (VET) industry plays a crucial role in driving NSW’s economy, supporting priority sectors like healthcare, agriculture, and engineering.  

Nominees first compete at a regional level with the winners then being eligible to complete in the NSW State Training Awards ceremony in Sydney on Friday 13 September 2024.

Categories include Apprentice and Trainee of the Year, VET in Schools Student of the Year and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year.

NSW winners then go on to represent the State at the Australian Training Awards in November.

For detailed information about the application process, criteria, and important dates, please visit the NSW Training Awards website.

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

“The NSW Training Awards are more than just accolades; they are a driving force in fostering a culture of excellence within the VET sector.  

“By acknowledging and celebrating outstanding contributions, these awards play a significant role in the continuous improvement and advancement of vocational education and training standards.

“I encourage everyone to throw their hat in the ring. With NSW’s incredible workforce, we can surely dominate the national stage at the end of the year.” 

A Blue Plaque will today be unveiled on the Bondi Surf Bathers’ Life Saving Club, to recognise the contribution of the world’s oldest surf lifesaving club to the rich history of NSW.

The Bondi Surf Bathers’ Life Saving Club is one of 14 new Blue Plaque recipients announced by the NSW Labor Government. Blue Plaques keep our heritage alive by honouring and celebrating significant people, places and events in NSW.

The Bondi Surf Bathers’ Life Saving Club existed informally for several years in the early 1900s, before a group of locals gathered at the Royal Hotel in Bondi one evening in February 1907 to discuss forming an official surf lifesaving organisation.

Within weeks the Bondi Surf Bathers’ Life Saving Club was born, with the central aim of rescuing distressed ‘sea bathers’. Members performed 34 rescues in their first year of operation, inspiring the creation of many similar surf lifesaving clubs at beaches across Australia.

It remains in operation to this day, with volunteer lifesavers patrolling the golden sands and rescuing more than 12,000 swimmers and surfers every year.

Beyond the sand, the bathers and the rescue reel, the Club’s foundation established a long-standing tradition of service to others.

The spirit of the Bondi Surf Bathers’ Life Saving Club was on display one scorching hot day in 1938, when thousands of people flocked to Bondi Beach to cool off. Large waves crashed into the shore, wiping away the sandbank and washing hundreds of people into deeper water.

Club records say 180 people were rescued by volunteers in a chaotic 20 minutes. Dozens of people were resuscitated on the sand but sadly five people could not be saved, on what became known as Bondi’s Black Sunday.

Instead of recognising individual volunteers for their efforts, the Surf Life Saving Association of Australia recommended the entire Club for a special meritorious award.

Today, hundreds of past and present lifesavers and young nippers will join the Minister for Heritage Penny Sharpe and Mayor of Waverley Council Paula Masselos at the clubhouse for the official unveiling of the Blue Plaque on the pillar of the iconic building, which was built in 1934.

Find out more about Blue Plaque recipients

Minister for Heritage Penny Sharpe said:

“The Bondi Surf Bathers’ Life Saving Club is testament to the skill, dedication and service of many men, women and teenagers who keep swimmers safe at our beaches.

“The Club’s founding members created a movement that contributed to the state’s rich history, and continues to be at the core of our coastal identity today.

“This Blue Plaque provides a tangible link to those who’ve kept our community safe in the water for 117 years, and for that we will always remember and respect their service.”

Bondi Surf Bathers’ Life Saving Club President Brent Jackson said:

“The Club is honoured to have this Blue Plaque displayed on the pillar of our clubhouse, recognising the birthplace of surf lifesaving.

“While this volunteer movement started with just one small group of concerned beachgoers in Bondi, it has grown to over 300 clubs in Australia, and inspired similar organisations all around the world.”

Work will start next month on major repairs needed to restore full access to all traffic on Moss Vale Road at Cambewarra Mountain.

Specialist contractors The Rix Group and Retaining Specialists have been appointed to complete repairs to landslip damage caused by record-breaking rainfall in 2022, and work is expected to start on Tuesday 2 April 2024, weather permitting.

The Albanese and Minns Governments are funding this $5 million project through Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

The terrain and landslip damage posed unique challenges and risks during the planning process, which Transport for NSW will continue to navigate as work is carried out.

For the safety of motorists and workers, the road will be closed to traffic while work is carried out at night between 7pm and 5am Sunday to Thursday, when traffic volumes are lower.

To maintain traffic access for those who need to use the road, work will be briefly suspended for five-minute periods at 8pm, 9pm, 10pm, 12am, 2am and 4am.

Motorists are advised to drive to the conditions and follow the directions of signs and traffic control.

Detours for light vehicles will be via Kangaroo Valley Road. Motorists should allow 25 minutes additional travel time. Vehicles longer than 7.5m or heavier than 12t GVM can detour via the Illawarra Highway and Princes Highway, adding 90 minutes travel time.

Transport for NSW is managing a total of 50 landslip damage sites on Moss Vale Road at both Barrengarry and Cambewarra mountains as part of its Natural Disaster Recovery Repair Program.

The landslip damage was caused by record-breaking rainfall in 2022, which saw four times the average monthly rainfall in March and more than six times the July average.

Since the initial damage occurred, Transport for NSW has managed more than 150,000 work hours across Moss Vale Road and completed repairs at 24 of the 50 landslip sites.

Member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips said:

“I’m thrilled that major road works are finally set to start to restore full access on Moss Vale Road at Cambewarra Mountain.

“I know this will come as a huge relief to locals living on Cambewarra Mountain, in Kangaroo Valley, nearby villages and our wider region.

“The landslip damage from record rainfall has proved extremely difficult for all concerned. I’m pleased the Albanese Government, together with the Minns Government are funding these crucial disaster repairs through our Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.”

NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“The NSW Government is committed to helping communities build back better after natural disasters which caused widespread damage to huge parts of the state’s road network.

“I am delighted to see this long-awaited work will soon be carried out on Moss Vale Road and I thank the community for its patience and understanding of the need to put safety first while repair works were organised.”

NSW Government Duty MLC for Kiama Dr Sarah Kaine said:

“These repairs are challenging, however Transport for NSW has developed a work program that balances the needs of the local community with getting the job done as quickly as possible.

“We want to thank motorists, especially those who live and work at Kangaroo Valley, for their ongoing patience during this important repair work.”

Find out more about the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangement

The NSW Government has today announced a $26.2 million package of reforms and initiatives to support community safety and wellbeing, particularly in regional NSW, with a focus on strengthening early intervention and prevention programs for young people.

Data from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research shows that crime rates in regional NSW remain higher than in metro areas.

There are also reports of an emerging phenomenon of offenders posting recordings of their offending behaviour on social media, particularly in relation to motor vehicle offending.

This type of ‘performance crime’ may encourage others, specifically young people, to engage in similar criminal behaviour.

It is clear the current status quo is not working for young people who are re-offending and being caught up in this cycle, and it’s not working for those communities who don’t feel safe.

The reforms announced today aim to address the increased rate of offending and community safety concerns through three key elements:

1.Legislative Reform

The NSW Government will introduce considered legislative changes to strengthen bail laws and introduce a new offence for disseminating material to advertise an offender’s involvement in or the commission of targeted serious offences.

• Amending the Bail Act: The NSW Government will amend the Bail Act 2013 to include a temporary additional bail test for young people between 14 and 18 charged with committing certain serious break and enter offences or motor vehicle theft offences while on bail for the same offences.
  
  This means that a bail authority such as police, magistrates and judges will need to have a high degree of confidence that the young person will not commit a further serious indictable offence while on bail.This approach is a targeted and measured change that is designed to stop specific offending behaviour by certain young people who repeatedly engage in serious break and enter and motor theft offences.The amendments will be subject to a 12-month sunset clause so that any future action or changes can be made with evidence to assess the efficacy of the new laws.
• A new offence for “posting and boasting”: The NSW Government will introduce legislation that will create a new offence in the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) imposing an additional penalty of 2 years’ imprisonment for people who commit motor vehicle theft or break and enter offences and share material to advertise their involvement in this criminal behaviour.This new provision will be the subject of a statutory review that will take place 2 years after it commences.

2. A place-based response in Moree

The NSW Government will invest $13.4 million for a targeted response in Moree to address crime, support young people and improve community safety.

This will act as a pilot program, and if the approach proves successful will inform actions to address similar concerns in other regional communities.

Initiatives will include:

• Additional judicial resources for Local (and Children’s) Court jurisdictions (including associated Legal Aid, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and Police costs) for 6 months and additional Aboriginal Legal Service funding.
• A new $8.75 million bail accommodation and support service in Moree for young people, to be co-designed by Government and community stakeholders. This will provide police and courts with more options to put a young person on bail with higher confidence that they will not reoffend. 
• Young Aboriginal people would be linked to Indigenous organisations, elders, cultural and family supports from their own communities with skilled, qualified, trained and consistent staff on site 24/7 providing child-safe care.
• An Action Plan within 6 months to optimise service delivery in Moree to ensure that services provide maximum benefit to the Moree community, including much better coordination, accountability and improving the availability of night-time and out of hours services and youth places.
• Out of hours activities, to be delivered in partnership with the Moree Plains Shire Council and Aboriginal community controlled organisations– including potential subsidised entry and extended hours at facilities such as the Moree LGA pools, the Moree Sports Health Arts and Education Academy (SHAE) and the PCYC.
• Continuing NSW Police Force (NSWPF) operations in the Moree area to meet community needs. This includes continuing to surge operational resources. In addition, the Youth Command will continue Operation Youth Safe which combines education and early intervention to at risk children.

3. Broader regional crime prevention initiatives

The NSW Government will invest $12.9 million to fund a new range of state-wide regional crime prevention initiatives including:

• Expansion of Youth Action Meetings (YAMs) in nine Police Districts.
• Expansion of the Safe Aboriginal Youth Patrol Program (SAY) to an additional five Closing the Gap (CTG) priority locations (to be determined in consultation with communities), reducing the risk of young Aboriginal people being victims of crime, and the risk they will become persons of interest in relation to a crime.
• The Government will also continue the roll out of $7.5 million in Justice Reinvestment grants with grant funding available to recipients as early as June 2024.

These reforms will help protect the community and significantly lift support for young people and disadvantaged communities and were informed by months of engagement with regional communities across NSW.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

“I have travelled to many regions since coming into government, including Moree.

“I’ve spoken to mayors, police area commanders and local communities who have said we need to do more when it comes to crime rates, so that’s what we’re doing.

“We know there is no easy solution but the reforms we are announcing today look at the big picture at a whole-of-community level, to really intervene and help prevent crime and give young people a chance at life.

“We will not leave regional communities behind, and we will ensure regional communities are safe and appealing places to work, live and raise a family.

“We need to work across government – police, schools, mental health – and importantly in partnership with community leaders, Aboriginal organisations and NGOs.

Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said:

“We are already taking steps to increase the number of police officers in NSW, especially in regional areas.

“I’ve travelled to many regional communities since becoming Minister and have seen firsthand the amazing work our police officers do.

“The NSW Police are doing everything they can to serve and protect the communities they live in. The reforms announced today will help support them in this important work.

“The expanded Youth Action Meetings are about everyone working together to make sure vulnerable kids have access to the right support.”

Minister for Youth Justice, Jihad Dib said:

“These initiatives are about making sure we strike a balance between public safety and giving our young people every opportunity in life.

“Intervention is critical, and these initiatives will build on the efforts of Youth Justice to divert young people from the criminal justice system.

“It’s crucial that we identify opportunities where Youth Justice, police and the legal system can work together to achieve better outcomes for communities, and I look forward to seeing how this reform progresses.”  

Attorney General Michael Daley said:

“We are introducing some important legislative measures that respond to the immediate concerns expressed by our regional communities about repeat offending on bail and dangerous crimes being committed, and then filmed and disseminated.

“What we really hope to see from this package of reforms is the positive impact of the prevention and intervention measures, so that we see fewer young people entering the criminal justice system.

“What the delivery of the place-based response in Moree and the broader regional crime prevention initiatives mean is that young people will have more support and be connected to services that will not just help to prevent re-offending, but also will provide those young people with important wellbeing assistance.”

Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said:

“This government made a commitment to never leave regional communities behind and this announcement is testament to that.

“We are taking action to work in Moree with community organisations and optimise service delivery through better coordination and improving the availability of night-time and out of hours services for local youth.

“This is a significant funding announcement but most importantly a really considered plan of programs that, when implemented together, will help tackle crime and support young people across multiple regional communities.”

Shoalhaven farmers can take advantage of a NSW Government pilot program providing support to put flood refuge mounds on properties to help protect livestock from flooding.

Local Land Services is delivering the new program in partnership with Shoalhaven City Council and Dairy NSW, with the initiative open to primary producers in the Lower Shoalhaven floodplain area.

Eligible producers can apply for free professional design and mapping of flood refuge mounds and these can be used to support Shoalhaven City Council development applications.

Flood refuge mounds can provide a vital temporary refuge for livestock during flooding and need to be engineered and have local council approval to be built.

The mounds will factor in landholders’ needs and be assessed against flood planning requirements as part of the Lower Shoalhaven River Floodplain Risk Management Study.

Applications close on 31 March 2024 with the design and mapping work needing to be completed by 31 May 2024. 

The Flood Refuge Mounds Program is funded by the $13 million Early Needs Recovery Program and is part of the $150 million Primary Industry Support Package co-funded by the Australian and NSW governments.   

This package is designed to assist primary producers in flood-impacted regions and industries of NSW in their recovery from the 2022 NSW severe weather storms and flooding events.

For more information, visit the Local Land Services website.

Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said:

“The NSW Government is delivering this new Flood Refuge Mounds Program to help farmers prepare for and reduce losses in future flooding events. 

“Primary producers in the Lower Shoalhaven have directly experienced the impact flooding has on communities, including affecting farming production, causing animal health issues and economic hardship. 

“This initiative provides a welcome boost for these landholders and helps protect their livelihood and livestock from future floods.”

Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast Ryan Park said:

“This is a practical program the NSW Government has put together to help Shoalhaven farmers to make a start on the development application process and one that has been designed based on local landholder feedback.

“I encourage primary producers in the area to consider this program as an option that will help to protect their operations from future flooding impacts.”