Month: June 2024

The NSW Government is developing a much-needed Rail Resilience Plan for the Illawarra, delivering on an election commitment and improving the South Coast Line for rail commuters.

The 2024 to 2025 Budget will invest $10 million to begin the process of examining all rail infrastructure along the South Coast Line and develop options for upgrading sections of the line between Sydney and Wollongong.

From February 2022 to May 2024, 285 train services have been cancelled and a further 509 disrupted on the South Coast line due to weather-related impacts.

The 136-year-old line is acutely vulnerable to weather events and has a history of instability due to the geology and topography of the Illawarra escarpment, particularly between Waterfall, Thirroul, Wollongong and Port Kembla. The line contains steeper terrain, more winding track, and sees heavier rainfall than any other section of track on the Sydney Trains network.

Extreme weather events over the last 3 years have made it clear bolstering the South Coast Line is vital and urgent. Most recently, storms in April 2024 caused a week of disruption for commuters, and hundreds of rail workers were on site around the clock to fix a large landslip at Coalcliff to restore services.

Freight has also been heavily affected by the rail line closures, disrupting the state’s supply chains and forcing many businesses to resort to road transport so essential goods, including steel, coal and grain, could keep moving in and out of the region.

The Illawarra Rail Resilience Plan will:

• Assess the current performance of the existing network as well as alternative corridors to identify options on network-wide solutions.
• Compare options, such as upgrades versus new infrastructure, to determine the best value for taxpayers and meet the current and future needs of commuters.
• Build on and formalise studies and assessments and deliver a unified plan for the future of Illawarra rail.

The NSW Government has already begun some work to improve services for South Coast passengers, with a $61 million project underway over the 2023 to 2024 financial year.

This includes improving the resilience of cuttings, embankments, cleaning out drains and culverts, and ballast cleaning to fix track drainage. An upgrade to the Coalcliff/Scarborough rail tunnel commenced in 2023 and is expected to be completed by 2027.

This is all part of the NSW Government’s plan to build better communities for NSW. To ensure we’re creating and building on well-connected, well-serviced neighbourhoods.

A plan to build a better NSW.

Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said:

“We have our work cut out for us. The South Coast Line may be picturesque, but it cuts through some of our state’s most challenging terrain.”

“It’s imperative we act urgently to find strategic solutions to this line’s problems, which the community has been copping for far too long.”

“We know work on this line will be expensive, difficult and lengthy, so the Illawarra Rail Resilience Plan will provide a path forward to ensure we make the most effective changes that deliver real results for passengers and freight operators.”

Minister for the Illawarra and South Coast Ryan Park said:

“The Illawarra has a large commuter population, and it’s really tough when our line goes out of action. The Illawarra Rail Resilience Plan will look at all options available and ensure we have an improved commuter corridor.

Member for Wollongong Paul Scully said:

“With one of our state’s busiest ports operating out of Port Kembla and thousands leaving each day for work, it’s vital we have a reliable and resilient rail line connecting the Illawarra to the rest of our state. We need to get more freight off Illawarra roads and onto rails, and improving the line is the best way to do that.”

Member for Heathcote Maryanne Stuart said:

“There is a desperate need to look at our rail network and maximise the corridor so that we have improved travel times for commuters who spend hours every week on a train going to and from work.”

The Minns Labor Government has hosted the NSW 2030 Renewable Workforce Roundtable in the Hunter to help build the workforce the energy transition needs and address the challenges faced.

The roundtable continues the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to ensuring the clean energy transition creates new local, secure jobs in both metropolitan and regional NSW.

Stakeholders from dozens of organisations joined the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Penny Sharpe, the Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan and NSW Jobs Advocate Mark Apthorpe to discuss opportunities and strategies. Participants included industry bodies, unions, educators and government agencies.

Key advice from the roundtable will contribute to the NSW 2030 Renewable Workforce Plan.

The roundtable builds on the work underway by the NSW Jobs Advocate Mark Apthorpe. Dr Apthorpe has delivered his initial report, making six recommendations to assist with the successful delivery of the Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap. The NSW Government is progressing the issues raised by Dr Apthorpe, which will help deliver skills, training and jobs.

The Minns Labor Government is already taking action to create local, secure jobs and ensure people in the industry are able to transition to work in renewables. This includes:

• Launching $275 million in grants under the Net Zero Manufacturing Initiative, to secure NSW as the place to develop and manufacture clean technology and create new jobs in the process.
• Setting workforce requirements through the Renewable Energy Sector Board’s plan and Roadmap tenders.
• Establishing a First Nations coordination team within EnergyCo and developing First Nations Guidelines with key Aboriginal community representatives and government agencies to build pathways to employment.
• Funding employment initiatives for local communities.
• Introducing eight new TAFE NSW microskill courses related to renewables, including Hydrogen Energy Fundamentals and preparing to work in the renewable energy sector.

Minister for Climate Change and Energy Penny Sharpe said:

“Delivering the energy transition is a big challenge that comes with real opportunities for thousands of good, local and secure jobs.

“The NSW 2030 Renewable Workforce Roundtable brought together the brains and experience across the Hunter and beyond to help ensure the workforce plan for the Renewable Energy Zones will deliver skills, training and jobs across the state now and into the future.”

Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said:

“The Hunter is proud to host the NSW 2030 Renewable Workforce Roundtable, which will help deliver skills, training and jobs right across NSW.

“The ideas and opportunities discussed today can be applied not only here in the Hunter, but throughout the state as the energy sector grows.”

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

“The Minns Labor Government is supporting the people of NSW to gain the skills they need for emerging industries.

“The Renewable Workforce Roundtable is an opportunity for industry, education experts and government to collaborate and create pathways to jobs in the renewable energy sector, which are popping up right across NSW.

“I’m particularly interested to build on our efforts to deliver training and apprenticeships to people in regional areas, existing tradespeople and school leavers.”

Truck drivers and tourists are among the motorists set to benefit from an Outback rest stop safety and infrastructure upgrade being delivered by the NSW Labor Government.

The Gilgunnia Goldfields Rest Area is located about 109 kilometres south of Cobar on the Kidman Highway which is a major freight route used for transportation of livestock, produce and other goods interstate.

A $255,000 upgrade will bring the rest stop up to modern standards and see the toilet upgraded from the waterless composting facility currently in place.

Work to improve drainage and the surface of the truck parking bay will also be carried out, while a fresh coat of paint will be applied to the water tank.

A non-working barbecue, cage and a disused water tank will also be removed as part of efforts to improve the amenity of the rest area, which will remain open throughout the upgrade period.

Upgrade work will start on June 17 and is expected to take up to six weeks to complete.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“Having visited this area in 2022 and again in January this year, I know the value of good quality roadside stops to local communities, tourism and freight operators.

“Good amenities in remote rest stops can be the difference between life and death in helping long distance drivers to better manage their fatigue.

“The Far West is a special place to me, as my grandma was born and grew up in Lake Cargelligo and lived in Hillston during the early years of her marriage.

“I am proud to be part of the NSW Labor Government which has listened to the advocacy of regional champions such as local MP Roy Butler and the Hon Stephen Lawrence MLC in providing better facilities for motorists in remote areas of NSW.”

Independent Member for Barwon Roy Butler said:

“I welcome this upgrade to the amenities available along the Kidman Highway.

“This is something that the community has wanted for some time. In its previous state, the rest stop left a lot to be desired.

“Truck drivers in that part of the world have long distances to cover and anything that makes a rest stop more usable and comfortable will encourage drivers to take more breaks from behind the wheel.

“That can make a big difference on a long trip.

“Anything that helps improve safety along the main roads of Barwon is a great thing. It will also be good for tourists who travel the highway.”

Labor’s spokesperson for Barwon Stephen Lawrence MLC said:

“The facilities at Gilgunnia were originally installed by a community group many years ago and have deteriorated over time.

“It is good to see the NSW Labor Government recognising the need for improvement and directing more investment where it’s needed in the state’s far west.”

The Minns Labor Government is today issuing a new direction that expands the responsibilities of Infrastructure NSW and the Co-ordinator General to better coordinate the key government priorities of housing, energy infrastructure and jobs with a focus on Western Sydney around the Aerotropolis.

Currently, priorities and delivery timeframes on projects can differ significantly between agencies, which is creating unnecessary red tape and unacceptable delays.

The Government has listened to concerns from local leaders, businesses, local government and stakeholders regarding these delays to the delivery of essential infrastructure exacerbated by a lack of coordination.

It’s clear that a more streamlined approach is needed.

That is why the NSW Government is issuing a new direction today which will improve the coordination and oversight to deliver key government priorities.  

This work, to be led by the state’s Infrastructure Co-ordinator General Tom Gellibrand, will see Infrastructure NSW take on the responsibility to coordinate infrastructure to support housing, energy, and freight, logistics, and employment priorities around the Aerotropolis.

Infrastructure NSW will lead three immediate areas of work that require better collaboration between agencies to resolve issues:

• Infrastructure to support employment priorities:  focus on freight logistics and employment-related development in Western Sydney and the Aerotropolis.
• Infrastructure to support housing priorities: supporting housing development as per NSW housing targets and housing reforms as well as the National Housing Accord.
• Support the Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap: coordination of enabling and complementary infrastructure essential for delivery of energy and transmission while supporting thriving local communities across NSW.

Infrastructure NSW also has ‘step in’ powers if required to actively resolve roadblocks or disagreements between agencies in delivery.

The Western Parkland City Authority will be renamed as the Bradfield Development Authority to be led by incoming CEO Ken Morrison.

The Bradfield Development Authority will focus solely on delivering Bradfield Town Centre and supporting investment attraction within the Aerotropolis.

This follows significant steps taken by the government to ensure infrastructure delivery is aligned with planning and development processes.

This is all part of the Minns Labor Government’s plan to build better communities for NSW. To ensure we’re building infrastructure which produces stronger, well-connected communities.

A plan to build a better NSW.

Premier Chris Minns said:

“This is all part of our plan to put an end to the years of obstruction and delay that slowed down the delivery of essential infrastructure across Western Sydney and NSW.

“From increasing housing supply across the state to delivering critical infrastructure across Western Sydney, we are committed to cutting red tape and getting our state moving again.

“The area around Western Sydney Airport deserves to be an employment hub that is connected to growing regions across Sydney and these changes will help deliver this.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car said:

“It is vital to get key government agencies working more closely together to deliver the priorities of housing, energy infrastructure and jobs for Western Sydney and the Aerotropolis.

“We have listened to local leaders, businesses, local government, and stakeholders about the delays to the delivery of essential infrastructure and we are acting to promote greater coordination across government.

“The Aerotropolis is vital to the future of Western Sydney so we need to work together in a more coordinated way to deliver what will be a game changer for the region.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“It is essential that all parts of government are working together to support the delivery of homes, jobs and the energy transition.

“Today’s announcement creates a whole-of-government coordination of infrastructure decision making which will help to get the greatest benefits from the successful development of the Aerotropolis for residents and businesses in Western Sydney.

“Infrastructure NSW will now be tasked with developing a sector plan for the Aerotropolis to identify the type, location, and timing of infrastructure required to support the master plan and zoning for the broad Aerotropolis area.”

Tom Gellibrand, Infrastructure NSW Chief Executive said:

“I am proud to support the NSW Government priorities of increasing housing supply, enabling the transition of our energy supply, and coordinating infrastructure to support the delivery of the Aerotropolis.

“Today’s announcement strengthens the role Infrastructure NSW has already been playing in coordinating infrastructure delivery for the people of NSW.

“We will continue to work with agencies, to improve the whole-of-government coordination of infrastructure delivery to support housing and population growth across the state, as well as coordinating infrastructure to support the Aerotropolis.”