Month: August 2024

The Minns Labor Government has released the final report from the independent VET (Vocational Education and Training) Review Panel, marking a key milestone in its commitment to restoring the VET system in NSW.

The announcement, made at the National Skills Week event, hosted by Business Sydney and SkillsOne, emphasised the importance of skills development and vocational training in shaping the future workforce of the state.

The final report follows an extensive review and consultation process, including regional tours, roundtable sessions, a Skills Symposium, and discussions with more than 1,100 contributors.

The VET Review, a key election commitment, aims to provide a roadmap for rebuilding TAFE NSW, supporting learners, and strengthening the voice of local industry.

The final report contains 21 recommendations designed to transform and better integrate the VET system while supporting its stakeholders.

Key areas of focus include a new needs-based funding model, improved coordination of critical services, and enhanced support for equity cohorts, including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander learners and those in regional areas.

In addition, the final report advocates for stronger ties and collaboration between government and industry, including formal commitments on skills development within priority sectors as well as building links between high school and post school training.

The NSW Government will consider all recommendations from both the interim and final reports and provide a formal response in due course.

In the meantime, work has already begun on progressing recommendations of the VET Review’s interim report, including commencing consultations on a new TAFE NSW Charter, and a revised TAFE NSW operating model.

Access the final report

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

“The VET Review Panel, led by Chair, Dr. Michele Bruniges AM, Verity Firth AM, and Jason Ardler PSM, worked tirelessly to provide the NSW Government with a report that comprehensively assesses and reimagines the VET system in NSW.

“The Panel has delivered a report which clearly reflects the issues the sector faces. It is now up to the Minns Labor Government to carefully consider the recommendations and deliver reform in this crucial sector.

“This Final Report cements the Minns Labor Government’s election commitment to comprehensively review our VET system.

“We knew that after 12 years of neglect from the former government, we needed to understand the full damages caused to the sector.

“We will take our time to consider how to implement these reforms properly to rebuild a skills system that is delivering in our areas of critical need.”

VET Review Panel Chair, Dr. Michele Bruniges AM said:

“I would like to thank my fellow panellists for their insightful contributions and the many stakeholders whose views have helped shape our recommendations.

“The NSW Vocational Education and Training (VET) system is critical to the future of our communities and our economy. How we develop the skills and capabilities of the NSW workforce for the future will be a key factor in addressing many of the major challenges facing our state.

“I am immensely proud to deliver this final report which sets out the panel’s aspiration for how the NSW VET system will meet this challenge with the NSW Government as its steward working collaboratively with our community and private providers.”

The NSW Government has welcomed a report by the James Martin Institute (JMI) that emphasises the importance of putting families first in reforming and rebuilding the child protection system.

JMI worked with the Centre for Relational Care to develop the report which made 11 policy suggestions outlining the need to shake-up the child protection system in NSW.

The report, Supporting Children and Families to Flourish, highlights the importance of building trust with families and providing support early so they can better support their child’s safety and wellbeing. Significantly, it suggests a redesign of the child protection system to put relationships and people at the centre.

This builds on existing reform work within the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) to support families to stay together, where possible, and to ensure children live in safe, stable and nurturing homes.

Some of the Government’s current work includes:

• Ensuring child protection caseworkers make ‘active efforts’ to prevent children entering out-of-home care and, for children who must be removed, active efforts to restore them to their family
• Shifting children from High-Cost Emergency Arrangements (such as hotels, motels and caravan parks) to more suitable options
• Significant caseworker and foster care recruitment activities

The NSW Government welcomes the report and will consider its suggestions as part of a larger body of reform work of the child protection system to make NSW a place where children and families receive the help they need at the time they need it, and where crisis interventions are rare and a last resort.

Download a full copy of the report 

Minister for Families and Communities and Minister for Disability Inclusion, Kate Washington said:

“This report will be a guiding light as we embark on significant reform of the child protection system.

“For our reforms to succeed we must ensure that vulnerable children know that there’s always someone in their corner who will back them every day.

“To fix the broken child protection system in NSW, we must do things differently. This report confirms that there is another way when it comes to caring for and protecting children.”

The Albury Hospital campus is set to transform following the release of the concept design for the new $558 million Albury Wodonga Regional Hospital project.

The Albury Hospital campus will consolidate complex care on one site, which will improve safety for patients, reducing the duplication of services and the need for urgent travel between the Wodonga and Albury campuses.

It will pave the way for a future transformation of the Wodonga Hospital Campus to a non-emergency care hub whilst supporting the border community now and into the future with these major improvements and upgrades.

The Albury Wodonga Regional Hospital project will support the region’s growing population, providing contemporary models of care and better connectivity across the Albury Hospital Campus.

The Albury Wodonga Regional Hospital project includes a new 7-storey Clinical Services Building, addressing the evolving needs of the Border communities with cutting-edge medical technology and infrastructure.

The project will deliver a mix of new and refurbished facilities and is expected to include:

• More than 80 additional new beds for medical and surgical inpatients across 3 new inpatient units with 60 per cent single rooms and remainder in double rooms.
• New and enhanced Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
• Enhanced Maternity and birthing services, including a special care nursery
• 32 bed Mental Health inpatient unit to replace and expand the existing Nolan House current 24-bed service
• New surgical and operating theatres, including a hybrid theatre plus procedure room
• New Cardiac Catheter Lab
• New central sterile supply department adjacent to theatres
• Expanded ambulatory care, cardiac diagnostics and allied health therapies
• New hospital main entrance and public drop-off zone from Keene Street, Aboriginal Family Lounge, Multi-faith Centre and retail opportunities
• Additional at grade and multi-storey car parking

Numbers will be finalised as planning and design progresses.

The refurbishment of the current ICU space and existing theatres will provide additional points of care for the Emergency Department, a new six-bed Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs Unit, and new and upgraded pharmacy and pathology facilities.

A new multi-storey car park and better designed car parking spaces on ground level will be delivered to increase parking capacity on the Albury site with the number of spaces to be confirmed as planning progresses.  In addition, to facilitate construction of the new clinical services building, a new building to be known as the Northeast building, will be built as part of early works to support the relocation of services, also providing opportunities for future service expansion.

The new clinical services building will offer expansive views across the region and a connection to the local landscape, along with new outdoor areas and spaces to support the healing and wellbeing of patients, staff and visitors.

When the Albury Wodonga Regional Hospital project is complete, the Wodonga Hospital campus will offer a range of non-emergency services to the region, including day procedures, dialysis, subacute care such as rehabilitation, treatment for patients with chronic medical conditions, outpatient appointments and consultations, allied health including physiotherapy and social work.

Planning and design for the Albury Wodonga Regional Hospital has been informed by consultation with key stakeholders including Albury Wodonga Health Service staff, Albury Council, Wodonga Council, NSW and Victoria government agencies, the local Aboriginal community, the Project Community Advisory Group and the broader Albury Wodonga community. 

Through consultation, clinical services have been prioritised to meet the immediate and growing needs of the community and ensure building works can commence sooner.  During this process, patients requiring transport to a more specialised hospital for more urgent and acute care will continue to be safely and effectively managed from the nearby Albury Airport.

The Clinical Services Building is designed to enable future expansion, including space for a new paediatrics inpatient unit; operating theatre expansion; additional consulting rooms and education and library spaces. These spaces will be fitted out in stages within the available budget.

The community is encouraged to view and provide feedback on the latest designs via an online survey and at a series of in person and online staff and community information sessions taking place in Albury, Wodonga and surrounds.

Feedback on the concept design will be used to inform the next stage of design and support the development of necessary planning requirements.

For further information about the redevelopment visit: Albury Wodonga Regional Hospital – Health Infrastructure NSW

www.hinfra.health.nsw.gov.au/projects/project-search/albury-wodonga-regional-hospital

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park:

“The release of the concept design is an exciting step forward in the delivery of the new Albury Wodonga Regional Hospital, which will provide enhanced and expanded health care services in a contemporary health facility.

“The transformation of the Albury Hospital site will consolidate complex care on one campus, which will improve safety for patients and ensure better health outcomes for the community.

“Importantly, it will provide our dedicated health staff with a modern and fit-for-purpose working environment, which will help attract more health professionals to the Border communities of Albury and Wodonga to meet future demand.

“Engaging with staff, clinicians, and the broader community is essential to the planning and design of the new hospital, and I encourage everyone to visit the project website and participate at upcoming information sessions, to provide feedback and learn more about this exciting project.”

Victorian Minister for Health Infrastructure Mary-Anne Thomas:

“We are working with NSW and the Commonwealth to deliver our promise of a bigger and better health service for the growing border communities of Albury Wodonga – delivering more health care for locals, closer to home.”

“We have a strong record of investing in regional health services and this project will help strengthen Albury Wodonga’s footing as a health hub for the entire region.”

Repairs to the flood-damaged Wardell Wharf have been completed and this important community asset has now officially reopened to the public.

The Wharf suffered significant damage during the 2022 flood events. Thanks to Ballina Shire Council’s project team and support from the Albanese and Minns Governments, the Wardell Wharf has been restored and is ready for the community to enjoy once again.

The $1.50 million project received joint funding of $1.03 million from the Australian and NSW Governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, with Council providing $470,000. The funding is administered by NSW Public Works Advisory and the NSW Reconstruction Authority.

The works included repairing the damaged wharf and boardwalk piles and installing new armouring along the riverbank near Wardell Wharf.

This reopening marks the successful conclusion of a significant rejuvenation project aimed at restoring a cherished landmark.

Restoring such an iconic piece of infrastructure is a sign the region is getting back on track after the 2022 floods.

For more information visit Ballina Shire Council’s website ballina.nsw.gov.au

Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Jenny McAllister:

“We know how important Wardell wharf is to the community as a historical landmark and a recreational one that allows residents to enjoy the Richmond River.

“I’m pleased that we could help restore this community asset and improve its resilience with new armouring which will help the community’s ongoing efforts to recover.”

Member for Richmond, Justine Elliot: 

“I’m so pleased to see that the repairs to Wardell Wharf from the 2022 floods are now complete. 
 
“Wardell Wharf is treasured by our community and is a great place for locals and visitors alike to fish and enjoy the Richmond River.  

“This is an important day for the community. The Australian and NSW Governments are proud to have provided funding to complete the repairs.” 

NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully:

“Wardell Wharf is as famous in the town as the Wardell bridge, so I’m pleased that it has been returned to working order.

“This funding has helped to maintain its significant heritage.”

NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery, Janelle Saffin:

“The completion of the Wardell Wharf is an important milestone for the Northern Rivers community, and it’s one of many infrastructure projects completed or underway in the area to get communities back on track.”

Ballina Mayor, Sharon Cadwallader:

“The historical timber wharf is synonymous with the Wardell village, and I am so pleased to see it returned to its former glory.”

“The wharf holds a special place in the hearts of our residents, connecting the local community with the Richmond River and serving as a great spot to wet the fishing line or enjoy a magical sunset.”

“The Wardell Wharf is an important historical and recreational asset for our shire. By investing in its repair, we have ensured its preservation of this cherished landmark for both current residents and for future generations.”

The Albanese Labor Government, working with the Minns Labor Government, is smashing Fee-Free TAFE targets, with over 224,000 New South Wales residents benefitting from Fee-Free TAFE courses.

More than 42,000 people have taken up Fee-Free TAFE courses in NSW in the first three months of 2024 alone, saving students thousands and responding to skills shortages across the state. 

New figures released today as part of National Skills Week 2024 show the state smashing targets, with more than 47,000 people enrolled in care courses and over 16,000 in technology and digital courses. 

Over 11,000 people have enrolled in early childhood courses, with a student doing a Certificate III in NSW saving up to $1,600. 

Fee-Free TAFE is empowering people from all backgrounds to get ahead, helping to ease cost of living pressures. Across NSW there have been: 

• Over 146,000 enrolments by women. 
• Over 62,000 by young Australians (under 24) and people who speak a language other than English at home.
• Just under 10,000 by people with a disability. 
• Over 15,000 by First Nations Australians. 

The success of Fee-Free TAFE is only possible because of the Albanese Government’s approach to working together with state and territory governments.

Working with states and territories we’ve established a national agreement on skills, something the former Liberal National Government failed to deliver.  

The Albanese Government will continue to roll out Fee-Free TAFE across the nation, investing over $502.9 million for an additional 300,000 Fee-Free TAFE and VET places nationwide over the next three years, with a further 20,000 places in construction and housing, including 5,000 pre-apprenticeship places, creating secure, well-paid jobs. 

Federal Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles said:

“Fee-Free TAFE is a win-win for NSW – for students and for businesses. 

“More than 224,000 Australians across the state are benefitting from the opportunity to get ahead and helping to ease cost of living pressures. 

“Over 42,000 people have enrolled in Fee Free TAFE in the first three months of 2024 alone – that’s almost one SCG or Allianz Stadium worth of skilled future workers for NSW. 

“We’re continuing to turn around a decade of decay by the former Liberal National Government who failed to work together with the states to deliver a national agreement on skills.”     

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

“The NSW Government is proud to partner with the Albanese Government to deliver Fee-free TAFE. This program is easing cost-of-living pressures for students while also ensuring a steady supply of workers for high-demand industries.

“It’s great to see so many NSW residents taking up the opportunity to gain the skills that will drive the future success of our businesses and economy. It’s particularly encouraging to see Fee-Free TAFE providing those facing disadvantage an opportunity to upskill, that they might not have had before.

“Fee-Free TAFE underscores the dedication of the Albanese and NSW Governments to strengthen the vocational education and training sector and ensure more Australians have access to the quality education and skills they need.”

The Minns Labor Government is continuing work to safeguard the future of New South Wales’s regional communities and agriculture sector, with a historic boost to the state’s primary industries research program.

More than $60 million will be invested to deliver vital upgrades to seven research facilities, and five emergency response sites across regional New South Wales.

Research facility upgrades will support the 1,600 staff undertaking research across the state in vital areas such as, animal nutrition, climate change, aquaculture breeding as well as biosecurity surveillance and responses.

Emergency response sites are regularly utilised as operation centres during times of emergency, including floods, bushfires and biosecurity outbreaks. Upgrades to these centres will improve the states capacity during these times of crisis.

Research and development are vital to the future of agriculture and primary industries in New South Wales, laying an evidence-based foundation which informs future planning for climate resilience, food security and growth opportunities.

Upgrades to be delivered include:

Improving the states resilience and response to climate change:

• Tamworth Agricultural Institute, Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute and Glenn Innes Agricultural Research & Advisory station will receive upgrades to glass houses which support climate impact research in crop and pasture species.
• Solar batteries will be installed at Tamworth, Orange and Narrandera, supporting the NSW Government’s work towards Net Zero, and reducing the centres operating costs.

Strengthening the states biosecurity resilience and responses:

• This funding will allow Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute and Orange Agricultural Institute to expand their insect storage and diagnostic testing facilities, to enable rapid detection of agriculturally important insects that impact the domestic and export trade of food and fibre products.
• Negative-air pressure systems will be installed at the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute to enable research and analysis of highly virulent pathogens that pose a risk to agricultural trade of livestock including beef, pork and lamb.

Enhanced animal welfare and research:

• Tocal Agricultural Institute, in the Hunter Valley, will benefit from a state-of-the-art dairy facility that enables the highest animal welfare standard through an efficient and modern system using robotics.
• Port Stephens Fisheries Institute will receive upgrades to enhance breeding facilities for oysters and finfish which allows research to support innovation in commercial fisheries.
• Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute’s small and large animal houses will be upgraded to increase their studies of animal nutrition and methane emissions research of sheep and cattle.

The New South Wales Government has also initiated a renewal of the sates Primary Industries Research Strategy to ensure it reflects the needs and priorities of regional New South Wales.

The existing strategy has not been updated in over ten years. In that time regional communities have endured drought, floods and bushfires, with climate change projected to have an increasing impact on the states primary industries.

Former NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer, Professor Mary O’Kane will Chair a panel of independent experts tasked with developing a renewed strategy which ensures New South Wales continues to deliver world class research now and into the future.

The panel will consult with stakeholders, experts and the community with a particular focus on developing a strategy which ensures research undertaken:

• Reflects industry, community and Government priorities, including climate change, food security and cost of living.
• Promotes economic growth and community development in the regions.
• Improves outcomes for industry, the environment and the community.

An initial report to Government on the panels work is expected by the end of 2024.

Chris Minns, Premier of New South Wales said:

“In this job I’ve been lucky to visit regional towns all across the state, from Lismore to Walgett what has stuck me is the incredible resilience of these communities.

“One of the best investments we can make as a government is into the vital research which ensures this resilience can continue.

“It’s often unsung work, but the research being done in these centres is what allows New South Wales to have a thriving agricultural sector, without which our state cannot succeed.”

Tara Moriarty, Minister for Agriculture said:

“For more than 130 years, NSW Government research has helped the sustainable growth of our agriculture farming, fisheries and forestry industries.

“We have invested in research infrastructure and activities to drive industry growth, the sustainable development of our natural resources, and to support innovation so that industry can manage the risks and take advantage of opportunities for the next century.”

Professor Mary O’Kane said:

“This is an exciting opportunity to hear from researchers, stakeholders and industry on the future of primary industries research in New South Wales.

“Research and development is vital to the future of our primary industries sector and it’s critical that we have a vibrant and modern sector that can help industry an community adapt to change and take advantage of the new generation of innovation and idea.”

RESEARCH FACILITY SITES TO BE UPGRADED

• Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute [EMAI]
• Orange Agricultural Institute
• Port Stephens Fisheries Institute
• Tamworth Agricultural Institute
• Tocal Agricultural College
• Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute
• Wollongbar Primary Industries Institute

EMERGENCY RESPONSE SITES TO BE UPGRADED

• Grafton Primary Industries Institute
• Glen Innes Agricultural Research & Advisory Station
• Trangie Agricultural Research Centre
• Narrandera Fisheries Centre
• Dareton Primary Industries Institute

PRIMARY INDUSTRIES RESEARCH STRATEGY PANEL MEMBERS:

• Professor Mary O’Kane AC (Chair) former NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer,
• Daryl Quinlivan AO former Secretary of the Cth Department of Agriculture,
• Dr James Findlay, former Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Fisheries Management Authority, and
• Dr Nick Austin, President of Australia’s Policy Advisory Council for International Agricultural Research.

While passengers are making the most of their fast and efficient new metro service beneath the city, around-the-clock construction is powering ahead to deliver the 24-kilometre new Sydney Metro West railway to Westmead.

The mega project has recently achieved a slew of tunnelling milestones, including overseeing the arrival of two mega tunnel boring machines (TBMs) at Sydney Olympic Park to complete the first two tunnel entries for the future station.

TBM Betty, named after Olympic champion Betty Cuthbert, was first to arrive at Sydney Olympic Park in June and was followed by TBM Dorothy, named after human rights activist Dorothy Buckland-Fuller, on 29 July.

The TBMs have spent 10 months completing the 4.6-kilometre tunnels from Clyde, where the future Sydney Metro West stabling and maintenance facility will be located, to reach Sydney Olympic Park.

TBMs Betty and Dorothy have excavated approximately 857,500 tonnes of material, equivalent to nearly 156 Olympic-sized swimming pools, to complete the first leg in the journey and have installed more than 32,600 concrete precast segments along the way to line the new tunnel walls. 

Having reached the finish line at the future Olympic Park station, 170 metre long TBM Betty has been disassembled, lifted out of the station box and transported on trucks back to Clyde, where she will be relaunched in the opposite direction towards Westmead.

TBM Dorothy’s disassembly at Olympic Park is ongoing, but is expected to join Betty on their journey to Westmead a month later. Both TBMs are expected to arrive at Westmead in mid-2025.

The focus at Sydney Olympic Park will now shift to the opposite end of the 200-metre-long, 37-metre-wide, and 27-metre-deep station box, where TBMs Beatrice and Daphne are due to break through later this year.

TBMs Beatrice and Daphne are building a 11-kilometre section of the line between The Bays and Sydney Olympic Park and have recently relaunched from North Strathfield. The TBMs have two more kilometres of tunnel to build before completing the final leg in the journey to Sydney Olympic Park.

The project’s newest addition, TBM Jessie is tunnelling from The Bays towards the Sydney CBD at a slow and steady pace, inching its way underground alongside the Anzac Bridge. The huge machine has excavated 230-metres of tunnel since its launch in May. The final TBM for the project is expected to begin the second of two new harbour tunnels later this year.

Sydney Metro West will double rail capacity between Greater Parramatta and the Sydney CBD. Fast and reliable metro services will make it easier to travel around western Sydney, link new communities to rail services and support employment growth and housing supply.   

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

For more information about Sydney Metro West, visit sydneymetro.info/west/project-overview

Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said:

“We have welcomed the world’s fastest athletes and biggest rockstars to Sydney Olympic Park, and now it is time Metro West’s superstar TBMs to headline here in Sydney’s west.

“Sydney’s brand new rail line will give sports and entertainment fans unrivalled access to this part of town and significantly enhance transport options during major events.”

“Sydney loves its new Metro, and teams are working around the clock to bring Metro west.

“Metro West’s TBMs are digging dual tunnels as part of our Government’s $19 billion investment in extending Metro across Sydney and continuing the state’s infrastructure pipeline.”

Member for Parramatta Donna Davis said:

“It’s been great to welcome TBMs Betty and Dorothy to Sydney Olympic Park, and Daphne and Beatrice have been hard at work so they can join us here too.

“By 2032, Sydney Olympic Park won’t just be linked to the rest of Sydney by rail, but also by this new Metro and Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2.

“This will give the people who work, live or play in Sydney Olympic Park many ways to travel in and out.”