Month: June 2024

The starter’s gun has been fired on the redevelopment of Walgett Memorial Swimming Pool after the NSW Government announced it would provide $250,000 towards planning and design work for a new facility.

Minister for Sport Steve Kamper announced the funding when he met with Walgett Shire Council General Manager Megan Dixon, Mayor Councillor Jasen Ramien and local pool users today.

The funding will be used to conduct a needs analysis, site assessment, options development, feasibility, business and funding plan as well as detailed design and planning approvals.

Walgett Memorial Swimming Pool, which was built in the 1960’s, is reaching the end of its life cycle and has been identified by Council as in need of redevelopment.

At the completion of these works, Walgett Shire Council will be in the position to seek additional funding for the redevelopment of the pool under its Outback Aquatic Revamp project.

Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said:

“Swimming pools in regional NSW are like an oasis that bring communities together.

“Walgett Memorial Pool is a great example of this and the groups that use the pool for fun, fitness and water safety, including Walgett Swimming Club, Walgett Learn to Swim and Walgett Water Safety can testify to the sense of community it creates.

“The NSW Government is excited to contribute to the Walgett Olympic Pool Outback Aquatic Revamp project and look forward to the future plans for the facility.”

Member for Barwon, Roy Butler said:

“The announcement of the $250,000 for Walgett Memorial Swimming Pool is an acknowledgement by the NSW government of the importance of pools in regional communities.”

“More than just infrastructure, pools provide an environment that helps to build cohesive and social networks. They also offer the added benefits of fitness, safety, and relief from very high summer temperatures. The community of Walgett and I welcome this news.”

Walgett Shire Council’s Mayor Jasen Ramien said:

“A massive thank you to the NSW Government and Minister Kamper for recognising the importance of the Walgett Pool to our community.

“With summer temperatures reaching up to the high 40s, the pool is essential for keeping everyone cool and safe.

“We are excited to begin the first steps in ensuring that Walgett residents and visitors have a space that not only offers relief from the heat, but promotes fitness, water safety and a sense of community.”

President of the Walgett Amateur Swim Club, Kate Murray said:

“This news is welcomed by the Walgett Area Swimming Club and the entire community of Walgett.

“The Walgett Swimming Pool brings together our whole community over an entire 6 months of the year. It is the beating heart over the warmer months, providing a welcome space for fun, laughter and connection.

“Importantly, it also provides the opportunity for the ongoing training of survival and swimming techniques for the children of our region, which is so essential in the country we live in.”

Work to improve train services for millions of passengers is being bolstered by the Minns Labor Government launching a Train Repair Plan following the successful completion of the Rail Repair Plan that has resulted in fewer incidents and more reliable journeys.

Announced in June last year, the Rail Repair Plan means passengers are now spending 35% less time dealing with train delays related to infrastructure failures.

Sydney Trains engaged 2500 workers to fix 2116 defects, resurface 468km of track, replace 1163 train stop rams and remove 193 temporary speed restrictions.

Building on this successful model, the Minns Labor Government is today launching a $35 million Train Repair Plan that will upgrade more than 2000 cars, which make up 372 trains, in line with modern standards.

This 12-month plan is now underway and is the largest coordinated program of train maintenance ever undertaken in NSW.

In the past year, train faults have increased 28 per cent compared with the last financial year – resulting in 595 service cancellations and 2445 delays.

Using existing Sydney Trains budget and engaging workers in-house, the program includes improving technology, communications and operating systems, and critical repairs to doors, brakes, windows, air conditioning and CCTV cameras.

The Train Repair Plan has key targets to:

• Remove 2,037 train defects
• Upgrade all 11 models of trains
• Clear 306 train maintenance backlog repairs
• Clean and paint 1,622 train carriages
• Accelerate 68 reliability projects, including toilet upgrades, air conditioning, engine replacements, technology system upgrades, brakes, doors and windows
• Complete life extension work for diesel fleets including the XPT, Endeavour and Xplorer

The Train Repair Plan was a key recommendation from the Rail Infrastructure and Systems Review, which found fleet performance was well below targets for availability and reliability.

The program is distinct from the $447 million Tangara life extension work announced in the 2024-25 Budget, which will ensure that this iconic fleet remains fit for service as the Government forges ahead with building the next generation of Tangaras here.

The fleet maintenance work will be complimented by the introduction of the Mariyung fleet, which is on track to be delivered by the end of the year, enabling 50-year-old V Sets to progressively retire.

The former government’s mismanaged procurement and delivery of the Mariyung fleet has created challenges with bringing these new services online, but the NSW Government is making progress to get the job done.

This is all part of a plan to build better, well-connected communities for NSW to ensure people have reliable access to the essential services they rely on.

A plan to build a better NSW.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

“On a rail network the size and complexity of ours, carrying millions of people every day, it’s critical we continue to focus on essential upgrades to minimise headaches for commuters.

“Incidents on the rail network are inevitable, but keeping our fleet in top shape is our key priority to reduce delays and cancellations.

“The workers and apprentices on this project will be learning vital skills to not only maintain trains here in NSW, but to build our capacity to deliver the next generation of Tangaras.”

Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said:

“Our Rail Repair Plan was a success in bringing the trackwork backlog under control and giving passengers smoother journeys – it’s only logical we apply that same strategy to our train fleet.

“Fleet defects are a significant driver of delays. We need to make sure our existing trains are healthy, strong and reliable, which is why we’re accelerating two years of work into the next 12 months.

“Around 800 Sydney Trains staff will be working around the clock – 24 hours, 7 days a week – on the Train Repair Plan and I want to thank every one of them for undertaking this massive job.”

Sydney Trains Chief Executive Matt Longland said:

“With some of our train fleet over 50 years old, passengers are feeling the brunt of our ageing assets.

“Sydney Trains is working hard ensure the impact on passengers is minimised during this work, which will see some minor timetable adjustments to services with lower patronage.”

The Armidale community is able to access non-emergency healthcare in a more timely way, and avoid unnecessary trips to the emergency department, with a new Urgent Care Service opening its doors to patients today.

The Armidale Urgent Care Service is now open 365 days a year from 12pm to 8pm Monday to Friday, and 9am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday, with the potential for opening hours to further expand as demand increases. Healthcare provided at Armidale Urgent Care Service is bulk billed.

The service is staffed by General Practitioners and nurses with important diagnostic services on-site including radiology and pathology and is well-supported to treat a range of illnesses and injuries that are deemed urgent, but not life-threatening. This includes minor wounds needing stiches, suspected broken bones and skin infections.

Patients should call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222 to access the service. A registered nurse will assess the patient’s condition and then discuss with the patient the best place for their care needs. This may include an appointment at the Armidale Urgent Care Service, a telehealth appointment with the virtualKIDS or virtualGP services or escalating their care to other services like NSW Ambulance if required.

The Armidale Urgent Care Service is being delivered in partnership with the Hunter New England Central Coast Primary Health Network.

The Minns Labor Government is working to improve access to care and reduce wait times, through our emergency department relief package which will invest an additional $100 million to fund urgent care services for a further 2 years, providing a pathway to care outside of our hospitals for an estimated 114,000 patients once fully implemented.

Minister for Regional Health, Ryan Park:

“Armidale Urgent Care Service will provide the community with access to timely care for conditions which can be safely and effectively treated outside of the ED.”

“This new service will improve access to care, reduce wait times and take pressure off our local hospitals.”

“I’m committed to increasing availability of healthcare to communities through urgent care services just like this one, which are aimed at bridging the gap between primary care and emergency care, ensuring that patients have fast access to the care they need.”

Labor Spokesperson for Northern Tablelands, Peter Primrose:

“I really welcome access to an urgent care service for the residents of Armidale and surrounding communities.”

“Armidale’s new Urgent Care Service is a win for the community, and for the health system – in that it will provide an alternative pathway to care for patients with urgent conditions and it will take pressure off our hospitals.”

Hunter New England Central Coast Primary Health Network Chief Executive Officer Richard Nankervis:

“The new service gives the community a genuine alternative outside of a busy ED for urgent – but not life-threatening – illnesses and injuries.”

“The Armidale Urgent Care Service will ensure people in the region have better access to fast medical attention for their urgent care needs, whilst also relieving pressure on our EDs.”

The NSW Government is investing in the future of the largest wine producing region in NSW, by re-introducing critical laboratory operations courses at TAFE NSW Griffith.

A Certificate III in Laboratory Skills and a Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques are now being offered at TAFE NSW Griffith after a 10-year hiatus, while a Diploma of Laboratory Technology will be offered for the first time in 2025.

Griffith is at the heart of New South Wales’ largest producing wine region, responsible for about 60 per cent of the state’s total grape crush.

Laboratory operations courses provide technical skills wine makers need to accurately measure, test and report on wine properties, critical components of the complex wine making process.

The re-introduction of the courses follows extensive consultation with the local wine industry and demonstrates how TAFE NSW is meeting the skills needs of local industries and communities.

TAFE NSW Griffith also offers a Certificate III in Wine Industry Operations, and a laboratory skills course will be offered to local high school students in 2025, giving them a running start into the industry.

Former laboratory manager and winemaker at Casella Wines, Nichole Clarke, has joined TAFE NSW to teach the courses, utilising her strong industry knowledge and connections to give learners the job-ready skills and experience to gain employment.

An industry-standard laboratory is located at TAFE NSW Griffith, including a microbiology room and a chemical preparation room.

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

“My previous roles as Minister for Primary Industries, CEO of the National Irrigators’ Council and director of Murrumbidgee Irrigation in Griffith have given me insight into the critical importance of the wine industry to the Riverina economy.

“Like many industries, wineries in Griffith are struggling to attract and retain qualified staff and these courses at TAFE NSW Griffith will ensure a pipeline of qualified laboratory technicians, ready to enter the workforce and meet industry demand.

“This is yet another example of how the NSW Government is rebuilding TAFE NSW and supporting the industries and communities it serves.”

De Bortoli Wines Human Resource Manager, Paul Foley said:

“Our business is most pleased to see the re-establishment of accredited laboratory operations courses at TAFE NSW Griffith.

“The absence of suitable technical training for our laboratory staff has been a major concern for our business over the past few years.

“With the availability of these programs on our doorstep, we are in a far better position to expand the technical depth and breadth of capability within our workforce, the broader industry and the local community.

“We look forward to our staff engaging in these programs to assist us in meeting the ever growing technical, compliance and reporting challenges in the wine industry.”

The NSW Government will embark on a program of community engagement sessions in the Central West to ensure residents impacted by the 2022 floods have their say on the design and delivery of the $40 million Central West Housing Program.

The Program aims to build stronger, safer communities with measures that help households most at risk from future floods by increasing the resilience of their home or removing themselves from harm’s way.

Following the NSW school holidays, from Tuesday 23 July, the NSW Reconstruction Authority will hold 12 information sessions across three weeks in Cabonne, Forbes, Lachlan and Parkes Local Government Areas to gather feedback on participation requirements, proposed Program measures and their suitability.

At each session, residents can view flood risk information, talk directly with flood experts about how the prioritisation maps were developed and share their feedback on the proposed approach for the Program.

Proposed measures include grants for a range of resilience measures, such as raising and retrofitting, home rebuilds and home relocations and a voluntary scheme to buy back properties in the highest flood risk zones.

For residents impacted by the 2022 floods, free in-home assessments will also be offered.

Feedback from the community information sessions will be used to finalise the guidelines for the Program.

The Resilient Homes Program is jointly funded by the Commonwealth and State Governments under the $100 million Central West Recovery and Resilience Package.

For more information about the Community Information Sessions, click here

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully:

“We want to make sure the Program is informed by the knowledge and experience of flood-affected communities in the Central West.

“What people want most is to get back into their homes as quickly and safely and get on with their lives, and we are committed to helping them do just that.

“There are no simple fixes, but we are committed to supporting and working with communities as they recover. We are in this for the long haul.”

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

“We know how important community-led recovery is and that’s why we’re asking for feedback to help finalise the design of this Program which has been shaped through engagement with community leaders.

“This Program has the potential to change the future of the region and we look forward to local input in supporting communities across the Central West now and into the future.”

Member for Orange Phil Donato said:

“Communities across the Central West are known for their strength and grit in the face of hardship.

“We want to keep these communities together and the best way to do that is to ask them for their help.

“I’m pleased to say that from 23 July, we’ll be asking residents for their feedback, so we can design a program that meets the needs of our region.”

Following a significant rise in participation, thirty-four people across the state have been elected as members to the 11 local boards that work with the NSW Local Land Services to determine local delivery priorities for important services including pest control, land protection and assistance for productive land use.

Eligible landholder voters elected the group of 34 to the positions, with a 23% increase in the number of voters compared to the 2020 election.

16 women have been elected to the boards which is a 100% increase over 2020, demonstrating that the plan by the NSW Government to diversify participation has been successful. In total, 116 candidates contested the 11 local board elections.

The elected members join appointed members on the boards and play a crucial role identifying priorities and working within their communities to help shape plans, programs and services.

The local boards will prioritise and monitor services including:

• providing best practice advice to manage pest animals and pest control activities
• managing and improving natural resources on-farm for a healthy environment
• a network of district veterinarians who offer advice and services on biosecurity, livestock disease surveillance, and animal emergency management
• offering the latest information and guidance to improve agricultural productivity and support landholders through times of drought.

The board elections were run in accordance with the Local Land Services Act 2013 and Local Land Services Regulation 2014.

Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said:

“The NSW Government was elected to renew services for regional and rural communities and to ensure local voices were listened to. The surge in voting for local land services boards and the significant increase in woman nominating are wins for local communities.

“The 11 Local Land Services boards play an important role on the frontline of agriculture across NSW and it’s important that we have attracted a broad spectrum of the community to nominate, vote and participate in that work.

“Board members provide valuable connection points between farmers and government by promoting services, fostering partnerships, and creating productive and positive relationships with landholders.

Recently elected Local Land Services regional board members:

• Benjamin Watts (Central Tablelands)
• Anna Shaw (Central Tablelands)
• James Dellow (Central Tablelands)
• Rae Craft (Central West)
• Nina Hooper (Central West)
• Elise Stokes (Central West)
• Richard De Abreu Lourenco (Greater Sydney)
• Linda Smith (Greater Sydney)
• Sean Hooper (Greater Sydney)
• William Stacy (Hunter)
• Patrick Ryan (Hunter)
• Fred Paton (Hunter)
• Amanda Barlow (Murray)
• Andrew Hermiston (Murray)
• Melinda McCrohon (Murray)
• David Dawson (North Coast)
• Bruce Lyle (North Coast)       
• Gordon Mack (North Coast)
• Vera Reardon (North West)
• Rebecca Collins (North West)
• Christopher Chaplain (North West)
• James Jackson (Northern Tablelands)
• Peter Parnell (Northern Tablelands)
• Alana Marcus (Northern Tablelands)
• Elizabeth Stott (Riverina)
• Robert Matthews (Riverina)
• Alison Hamilton (Riverina)
• Nicola Burton Taylor (South East)
• Steven Hogan (South East)
• Pam Kensit (South East)
• Anita O’Connor (Western)
• Garry Hannigan (Western)
• Michael Davis (Western)
• Jessica Murray (Western)

Find out more about Local Land Services boards

NSW Government and senior NSW Police gathered with LGBTQIA+ community stakeholders and members in Sydney this week for the first LGBTQIA+ Consultative Committee.

Following the Special Commission of Inquiry (SCOI) into LGBTIQ hate crimes final report, NSW Police Force Commissioner, Karen Webb APM, directed the establishment of Task Force Atlas, an internal working group to review the recommendations and comments of the inquiry and take action to consider them and respond as appropriate.

The establishment of the LGBTQIA+ Consultative Committee has been initiated to provide a forum for community consultation in the development of the police response to recommendations (8, 15b, 19a & b) of the SCOI.

On Tuesday 25 June 2024, the committee held its inaugural meeting at Qtopia Sydney, located at the old Darlinghurst Police station, on Forbes Street, Darlinghurst.

NSW Government and NSW Police Force attendees included the Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, The Honourable Yasmin Catley MP and the NSW Police Force Commissioner, Karen Webb APM, along with Deputy Commissioner Peter Thurtell APM, Acting Assistant Commissioner Despa Fitzgerald APM, Officer of General Counsel Natalie Marsic and Detective Chief Superintendent Grant Taylor APM, Director Serious Crime Directorate, State Crime Command.

Membership included significant community stakeholders. In attendance was Alex Greenwich MP for Sydney, QTOPIA board member and Independent, Garry Wotherspoon; Sydney Gay Lesbian Mardi Gras Chief Executive Officer, Gil Beckwith; ACON Chief Executive Officer, Nicholas Parkhill; People with Disability Australia Chief Executive Officer, Sebastian Zagarella; First Mardi Gras Inc member, Barry Charles, and Family Representative, Steve Johnson.

NSW Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley would like to acknowledge the enduring pain and suffering experienced by victims of these crimes, their families and loved ones and their many years of fighting for justice.

“The LGBTQIA+ Consultative Committee will enable community voices and experiences to help shape the NSW Police Force’s response to the Special Commission of Inquiry.

“I know that the NSW Police Force, under the leadership of Commissioner Karen Webb, is deeply committed to learning from the past and continuing to strengthen its relationship with the LGBTIQA+ community into the future. I know this work is and will continue to be taken seriously.”

NSWPF Commissioner Karen Webb APM supports the establishment of the LGBTQIA+ Consultative Committee to ensure community members are consulted as the NSWPF addresses the relevant recommendations laid out by the inquiry.

“While some recommendations align closely with initiatives already underway, Taskforce ATLAS will thoroughly assess the recommendations as part of ongoing efforts to enhance the service and accountability of the NSWPF.

“We continue to be committed to improve the ways in which the organisation responds to LGBTIQ+ concerns and the involvement of community members in those discussions is vital.”

Discussions during the meeting included an overview of the workstreams of Task Force ATLAS, of which the LGBTQIA+ consultative committee is one, the Term of Reference of the LGBTQIA+ Consultative Committee, membership of the LGBTQIA+ Consultative Committee including the selection process and the Co-Chair of the committee. The committee is looking forward to achieving the recommendations of the SCOI and continuing to build relationships between the NSWPF and the LGBTQIA+ community.

The LGBTQIA+ Consultative Committee meetings will be held quarterly, with the next meeting scheduled for Wednesday 9 October 2024.