Month: September 2024

The Minns Labor Government has launched engagement to understand community views on future passenger rail services for Orange, with a forum to be held on 31 October 2024.

The forum, hosted by Transport for NSW, will hear from the Orange and Central West community about transport connections in the region.

The forum, to be held in the Greenhouse function room at Orange Ex-Services Club, will bring together around 80 key stakeholders including local government, rail groups, Aboriginal bodies and representatives from the education, business and health sectors.

The forum will be followed by a drop-in session in the afternoon that will be open to members of the community.

Details will be announced closer to the date.

Feedback will also be sought from the wider community with around 130 other stakeholders from Orange and the Central West asked to complete a survey about passenger rail services.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“We are aware there is broad community support for improved rail services to Orange. The NSW Government has listened and is now responding with the next step.

“Through this targeted consultation process, including a forum at the end of October, we want to gather specific information on community needs, expectations and potential viability of options, to help inform decision making.

“We know the existing Bathurst Bullet train service provides an important and popular daily return train connection and we are considering all the possible options for Orange and the wider Central West.

“We are committed to safe and affordable public transport that allows regional people access work, education, health appointments and connect with other transport modes and networks.”

Independent Member for Orange Phil Donato said:

“More than 10,000 people signed Orange Rail Action Group’s petition, seeking to improve passenger rail services between the Central West and Sydney.

“Minister Aitchison has taken active interest in the proposal to initiate a daily return passenger rail service between Orange and Sydney, to meet transport needs of our growing community.

“I am pleased to see further consideration of the proposal, including vital community consultation to ensure future transport plans and services meet the needs and expectations of the community.

“I encourage all stakeholders and interested residents to participate in Transport for New South Wales’ consultation event at Orange Ex-Services Club on October 31.”

Fast facts:

• Sydney Trains operates a twice daily Intercity service between Sydney and Bathurst on the Blue Mountains Line, which is commonly referred to as the Bathurst Bullet.
• Sydney Trains Intercity train services are part of the Opal network, where customers can turn up and go and tap on and off to travel. Since 1 July 2024 the Bathurst Intercity train service has been operated by Sydney Trains.
• NSW TrainLink operates a daily XPT train service between Sydney and Dubbo via Orange and a weekly Xplorer train service between Sydney and Broken Hill via Orange.
• There are daily NSW TrainLink coach connections to and from Orange to Bathurst that provide connections with Bathurst Intercity services. There are also several coach connections from Orange to Lithgow daily, where passengers join Intercity train services to Sydney.
• NSW TrainLink operates all regional train and coach services, including those that serve Orange. Advance booking is required on all NSW TrainLink services, including those that connect with Bathurst Intercity services.

Aboriginal communities in  Condobolin are celebrating completion of $2.8 million in essential infrastructure upgrades funded by the NSW Government to support social, economic and employment benefits for the area.

The Roads to Home program in the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) has funded Condobolin Local Aboriginal Land Council to upgrade infrastructure at the Willow Bend village in Condobolin.

Infrastructure improvements have included upgraded roads and guttering, footpaths, an amenities block, stormwater drainage and sewerage infrastructure, new streetlighting, new house fencing, upgrades to the community basketball and tennis courts and public gardens, landscaping, a community yarning circle, and a new village entrance sign.

Upgrades have also occurred to a levee bank at the village which has been reinforced in sections and new flood gates and drainage flaps installed to help control flooding from the nearby Lachlan River.

The delivery of infrastructure upgrades to normal standards enhances quality of life for residents and improves access to services, including household waste collection, postal delivery, emergency vehicles and community transport.

A key feature of Roads to Home projects is ensuring there are employment and training opportunities for local Aboriginal communities. The Condobolin project provided training for 10 residents and work for 8.

The Minns Labor Government has so far committed a total of $173.8 million through the Roads to Home program to enable upgrades in 34 discrete Aboriginal communities.

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said:

“It’s fantastic to see these upgrades delivered to bring infrastructure up to acceptable standards to benefit the residents of the Willow Bend village in Condobolin.

“Infrastructure upgrades such as these are very important for Aboriginal communities as they improve quality of life and empower residents by supporting better health and safety and facilitating improved access to community services.”

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said:

“The Roads to Home program is correcting an historic injustice where Aboriginal communities on former missions and reserves across NSW were left to fend for themselves without the types of infrastructure and services that communities in the rest of the state take for granted.

“It is a unique program that takes a partnership approach to empower Aboriginal landowners to make decisions about essential infrastructure upgrades in their communities to improve social outcomes while providing training and employment opportunities.

“We know there are better Closing the Gap outcomes when local Aboriginal communities and people drive shared decision-making and self-determination.”

Member for Barwon Roy Butler said:

“Its always great to see investment in Barwon communities.

“Things like reinforcing the levee to prevent inundation from the Lachlan river, along with upgrading the roads and building an amenities block, are not luxury items but they bring residents some much needed improvements that make Willow Bend a much better place to live.

“It has a net benefit to peoples wellbeing when they see investment and improvement in their community”

Condobolin Local Aboriginal Land Council CEO Louise Davis said:

“The infrastructure upgrades have made a big difference. The village looks a lot better than it did before and the improvements have given residents ownership and pride in the community.

“As part of the project, local residents got work and training with machinery including excavators and backhoes, and in fencing. and concreting.”

The NSW Government is delivering on its election commitment to consult with Aboriginal people about their desire for a treaty process, with the appointment of three commissioners to lead a process with Aboriginal people and communities across NSW.

The commissioners will lead a 12-month consultation to hear from Aboriginal people. This will include asking whether Aboriginal communities want an agreement-making process with government, and if so, what form that process could take.

NSW is home to the largest Aboriginal population in Australia. The commissioners will engage with Aboriginal communities across metropolitan, rural, regional and remote parts of NSW, before delivering a report on their findings to the Government.

The appointees bring with them experience, expertise and connections to Aboriginal people and communities.

The Government has appointed former senator Aden Ridgeway, academic Todd Fernando and Koori Mail newspaper CEO Naomi Moran to the roles.

The commissioners have been appointed for a fixed term of two years following an open, competitive process led by an independent Aboriginal advisory panel.

Consultation about agreement making aligns directly with NSW’s bipartisan commitment to the 2020 Closing the Gap National Agreement signed by then prime minister Scott Morrison and then premier Gladys Berejiklian.

The Closing the Gap Agreement includes a commitment to formal partnerships and shared decision-making with Aboriginal people to help close the gap faster in areas such as life expectancy, health and education.

Aboriginal people and communities hold answers to issues they face. When Aboriginal people have a direct say in these issues, the whole community gets better outcomes.

Over coming months, the commissioners will develop a detailed consultation plan, with consultations to commence in 2025.

Interstate treaty and agreement-making processes have not been simple nor fast. This is the first step in work that could drive improved outcomes for Aboriginal people, and all NSW taxpayers, so the NSW Government will not be rushing.

The NSW Government allocated $5 million for this work in the September 2023 budget.

Find out more about the consultation

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said:

“The appointment of the treaty commissioners is central to the process of listening to Aboriginal people on treaty and agreement-making.

“The commissioners have been appointed following a rigorous process that attracted strong candidates.

“We get better outcomes when we listen to the needs of Aboriginal people and communities. We must ensure Aboriginal people have a direct say on matters that affect them.”

The Minns Labor Government has today announced funding of $1.8 million for grants to improve recreational fishing as part of the 2024/2025 Recreational Fishing Trust grants program.

The NSW Government is committed to supporting recreational fishing and making it more accessible to everyone across the state.

This is demonstrated in funding for 21 projects that will contribute to the delivery of the Government’s election commitment to make fishing more welcoming to people with disabilities.

Some of the newly funded projects enabling better access include:

• $375,000 in the Shoalhaven to repair, refurbish and upgrade five fishing platforms with improved accessibility
• $98,300 in Hay to allow better and safer access to a local fishing platform and boat ramp
• $11,035 in Davistown to replace ageing platform and build a pedestrian bridge with disabled access
• $26,210 in Tumbulgum to provide local fiish cleaning facilities next to the jetty with disabled access
• $79,500 in Port Macquarie/Hastings for multiple fish cleaning facilities
• $10,000 for Fishing4All to introduce people with intellectual impairment to fishing 

In total, 24 projects from external applicants will receive $1.8 million in funding, as recommended by the Recreational Fishing

NSW Advisory Council. The areas receiving funding cover the following:

• $717,612 – fishing access and facilities
• $85,000 – recreational fishing enhancement
• $552,000 – recreational fishing education
• $444,000 – aquatic habitat protection and rehabilitation

The next funding round for Recreational Fishing Trust Grants will open on 6 November and will open up for applications the Government’s new $2 million recreational fishing small infrastructure grant program.

This new program will make it easier for fishing clubs, community groups and other organisations to apply for funding for grassroots projects.

As part of the next round, the Government will boost communications with all fishers and clubs so that they know when and how to apply for grants to improve their local areas.

Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty said:

“Fishing licence fees have been put to work to improve the state’s recreational fishing facilities, fishing habitats and opening up fishing to more people.

“I am pleased to see some significant new facilities being funded to welcome people with a disability into fishing around our state, both inland or along the coast.

“There are some big and small projects that will benefit many people, including Morisset High School receiving funding for students with disabilities to engage with fishing, to a fly-fishing day for people who have experienced breast cancer in the New England region.

“The NSW Government is committed to supporting the recreational fishing community and seeing it contribute to regional tourism where it is creating jobs and generating income.”

Thousands of women across NSW will have easier, more affordable access to the oral contraceptive pill as a 12-month trial is made permanent by the Minns Labor Government.

Since the oral contraceptive pill trial began in September 2023, more than 500 pharmacies have delivered over 2,000 consultations to women in NSW.

From Saturday 28 September 2024, NSW pharmacists who have completed the required training and work in pharmacies with suitable facilities will be able to offer this service as part of their usual business.

Women who have been using these contraceptive options continuously for the last two years, as prescribed by a doctor (GP) or nurse practitioner, and require a refill of their script, will be able to access extended supply for up to 12 months without having to visit their doctor for a prescription.

The NSW Government will make the existing service more accessible by expanding patient age eligibility criteria from 18-35 years to 18-49 years. Women aged 40-49 will now be able to access extended supply for up to three months without having to visit their doctor for a prescription, subject to meeting eligibility criteria.

The announcement follows the successful implementation of the first phase of the NSW Pharmacy Trial in May 2024, which saw more than 3,300 NSW pharmacists provide more than 18,000 consultations to women aged 18 to 65 with symptoms of uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI).  The UTI service transitioned to usual pharmacy care from 1 June 2024.

The third and final phase of the trial allowing pharmacists to manage common minor skin conditions is underway and will be running until early 2025.

A detailed evaluation of all three phases of the NSW Pharmacy Trial will be provided to NSW Health in 2025 and will inform future expansion of services.

The NSW Government is committed to expanding the role of community pharmacists outside the trial framework, and is working with NSW universities to develop formal training courses for pharmacists to manage a range of common conditions where clinically appropriate. 

Premier Chris Minns:

“We know that people across NSW are doing it tough right now, even cutting back on essential healthcare because of affordability.

“This trial has been a huge success, and now we’ll make it permanent – women who are eligible will be able to go to their pharmacist to renew an existing script.

“At a time when seeing a GP can be difficult, we hope that this service will make it a little bit easier for women to access affordable healthcare, where and when they need it.”

Minister for Health Ryan Park:

“I am excited to announce that women in NSW will now have easier ongoing access to continue their chosen contraceptive option as a result of the oral contraceptive pill trial service becoming usual business for community pharmacies in NSW.

“It has been amazing to see over a thousand pharmacists across the state sign up to take part in each of the trial’s three phases so far, and this has prompted us to look at more ways they can help our communities.

“Earlier this month, the NSW Government announced thousands of people across NSW will in the near future be able to access treatment for ear infections, wound management, gastro, acne, muscle and joint pain at their local pharmacy, boosting access to fast, convenient healthcare across NSW.

“By empowering pharmacists to undertake consultations for these common conditions and medications, we can help improve access to primary care services which will relieve the pressure on the state’s busy GPs and our hospital system.

“We are working with the Pharmacy Guild of Australia and Pharmaceutical Society of Australia to ensure pharmacists have the support they need to continue delivering best practice and connected primary care.”

Minister for Women Jodie Harrison

“Women’s timely access to quality health services, their health needs and sexual and reproductive health is a priority for the NSW Government.

“Making the trial permanent is a real win for women in NSW, who, if eligible, can now access the contraceptive pill at their local pharmacy. It not only increases accessibility, it saves time and GP costs, for busy women in our state.”

Catherine Bronger, Senior Vice of President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, NSW Branch:

“With our GPs stretched, community pharmacists have provided thousands of women with repeat prescriptions of the oral contraceptive pill under the NSW Government’s trial.

“Making the availability of the pill at community pharmacies is the right thing for women and our communities.”

Pharmaceutical Society of Australia New South Wales President Luke Kelly:

“Pharmacists across New South Wales continue to show that we can do more to support our patients. Giving our patients the option to access contraception through skilled community pharmacists is an important step in making reproductive care more accessible to women across the state.

“I congratulate the Minister on solidifying the role of pharmacists in the continuous supply of oral contraceptives as a permanent part of the New South Wales health care system.”