Month: December 2024

The Minns Labor Government is delivering $1.5 million in grants to empower young people to design and deliver a range of unique community projects across NSW.

Thirty-five organisations were successful in securing grants of up to $50,000 under the 2024 Youth Opportunities program. The funding supports the delivery of youth-led projects that aim to address the needs of marginalised young people in their communities.

Each project will involve young people at every stage – from identifying local needs and developing a project proposal through to its design, delivery and final review.

The innovative projects will increase young people’s connection to their communities and give them the chance to develop essential leadership, communication and management skills – helping them to achieve their full potential.

Marginalised youth can include people aged between 12 and 24 who are experiencing or are at risk of homelessness, are from lower socio-economic backgrounds, are transitioning from out-of-home care, live with a disability, are young carers or have contact with the justice system.

Since it was first launched in 2012, the Youth Opportunities program has provided $18.3 million in funding to 399 projects across NSW.

The program funds a diverse range of projects from across NSW, including in rural and regional areas, and encourages applications from Aboriginal and culturally and linguistically diverse organisations.

The projects announced today will commence in 2025.

Minister for Youth Rose Jackson said:

“The Youth Opportunities grants are a fantastic and important program for NSW communities and marginalised young people.

“The 35 successful projects are from diverse areas across the state and include hands-on workshops, running markets and showcases, sharing Aboriginal cultural knowledge and helping young people to develop essential skills.

“When young people feel empowered to bring their ideas and opinions to the table and feel that these contributions are respected, it fosters personal confidence and professional growth.

“This program allows NSW youth to take the lead on a range of innovative projects, overcoming barriers and creating a greater sense of belonging within their local area.”

Firefighters in key parts of Sydney will soon be reaching new heights, with two new 45-metre aerial ladder trucks set to boost firefighting capabilities.

The new $2 million Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) appliances have enhanced rescue capabilities and can move up to 500 kilograms in a ‘bucket’ that can carry up to five firefighters, while also supporting wheelchair and emergency stretchers if needed.

The flagship trucks are the equal tallest in the FRNSW fleet, allowing our firefighters to reach emergencies up to 15 storeys in height.

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib joined FRNSW Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell, a former aerial ladder platform truck driver, to unveil the appliances which will be based at the City of Sydney and Kogarah fire stations.

Replacing existing ladder trucks, the new vehicles will see the City of Sydney’s tallest truck increase from 44 metres in reach, whilst the truck based in Kogarah will see an increase from 27 metres to 45 metres.

Enhanced technology on the vehicles includes the option for remote control from 100 metres and thermal imaging cameras to detect heat signals and transmit live images of an emergency to a central location.

The new trucks complement an expanded inner Sydney aerial fleet with two new 32-metre turntable ladder trucks also now in operation at Woollahra and Darlinghurst fire stations.

FRNSW has strategically located its ladder fleet across metropolitan and regional NSW and this investment supports growth as our urban skyline reaches new heights.

The updated trucks ensure the agency can continue to respond to large scale and intricate operations, including major fires in commercial buildings such as shopping centres, industrial complexes and multi-storey residential buildings.

Upgraded aerial ladder platform trucks are part of the NSW Government’s $18.6 million investment in 2024-25 for FRNSW’s annual Fleet Replacement Program.

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

“These new fire trucks reflect our commitment to keeping the people and property of NSW protected from the dangers of fire.”

“These new vehicles are a more modern and capable version than the platforms they are replacing and are packed with new technology.”

“As the city’s skyline grows taller with new business and residential development, we are enhancing our ladder fleet and providing firefighters with new equipment to deal with high-rise emergencies.”

“The Minns Labor Government continues to provide our firefighters with modern vehicles, ensuring firefighters are prepared for anything, including elevated emergencies.”

FRNSW Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell said:

“Our priority is to ensure our fleet and equipment is best suited for the communities we serve, and these high-tech trucks provide firefighters with the best tools to protect the irreplaceable.”

“These modern aerial ladder platform trucks are the best when it comes to dealing with high-rise emergencies.”

“FRNSW deployed three of these specialised fire trucks to tackle the Surry Hills inferno in 2023, utilising their reach and manoeuvrability during the emergency.”

“These appliances can also be used to undertake rescues and conduct other non-fire operations such as evacuations, if needed.”

A third of the surface of the Sydney Harbour Bridge will be repainted and areas of rust treated as part of a focused, eight-year maintenance program to bring the iconic arch up to scratch in time for the 100^th anniversary of its opening.

About 150,000 square metres of steel will be repainted by the centenary in 2032, with 12 new full-time painters to be recruited in coming weeks to help the push.

The new recruits will boost the dedicated Sydney Harbour Bridge team to more than 130 painters, riggers, electricians, fitters and engineers.

The Bridge, which weighs 52,800 tonnes and is the widest and tallest arch bridge in the world, takes thirty years to paint and involves four coats of paint, each a slightly different shade. The final coat is the heritage-listed Sydney Harbour Bridge Grey.

The bolstered workforce will allow painting targets to be raised by 30 per cent over the next eight years. Some of the hardest sections to access, including lateral pieces of steel high in the arch, have not been painted in three decades.

Rust patches have become increasingly visible to the public, with the target for rust treatment going unmet in recent years.

Transport for NSW is assessing a longer-term maintenance plan which includes the delayed use of an arch maintenance unit that was procured under the former Liberal National government.

The NSW Government has asked Transport to present a plan for its implementation.

The uplift in work will be scheduled to minimise impacts on BridgeClimb visitors.

Minister for Roads John Graham said:

“Sydneysiders could not be prouder of the Harbour Bridge and it is critical that it is looking its best for the centenary of its opening in 2032, but also in the best condition to serve the city for the next 100 years.

“I was not satisfied that the current maintenance plan would deliver that in time for 2032 and beyond and today we outline a much more intensive program for the treatment of rust and painting.

“This is tough, intricate and time-consuming work. The 12 new permanent full-time workers join one of the best, most-experienced maintenance teams in the country.

“The Bridge remains the city’s most critical road and rail corridor, but it is also a priceless tourism asset which makes this work that much more critical.

Transport for NSW Secretary Josh Murray said:

“It’s no easy feat to balance the need for maintenance on the arches above with the needs of the traffic and train corridor below, so much of the work on the visible sections will be carried out at night.

“The Bridge is a one-of-a-kind asset – there’s no instruction manual for keeping it in world-class condition for another 100 years. Our dedicated teams need to design all approaches from scratch.

“Designing and implementing bespoke technology for our one-of-a-kind icon has proved to be a complicated process. We don’t want to leave anything to chance, so we’re putting in place a program for rejuvenation now.

“Safety is our number one priority at Transport for NSW and we are always on the hunt for new technologies to make our work safer and more efficient.

“It is critical we get in and get this work done, and that we do not rush the testing and roll out of new technology before we know it is reliable and safe for our people and the community.”

Sydney Harbour Bridge by the numbers:

• Officially opened 19 March 1932
• Excavation work began in January 1925
• The arch was joined just before midnight 19 August 1930
• The Bridge weighs 52,800 tonnes and spans 1,149 metres
• More than six million hand-driven rivets
• Road deck is 49 metres above the water
• Highest point 134 metres above sea level
• Arch can rise or fall 18 centimetres due to heating or cooling
• Total painted surface of the steel structure is 485000m²
• 272,000 litres of paint is needed for the initial 3 coats.

As part of the Minns Labor Government’s election commitment to make fishing available and welcoming for people living with disabilities, theGovernment will be hosting community events across the state to celebrate International Day of People With Disability.

International Day of People With Disability, held annually on December 3, is dedicated to increasing awareness, understanding, and acceptance of individuals living with disabilities.

The Government’s The Fish For Life program, using funds from the Recreational Fishing Trust, provides, among other things, fishing workshops specifically for people with disabilities.

This year International Day of People With Disability fishing events were held at Greenwell Point, Ballina, Gosford, Balmain, Chaffey Dam Boat ramp and Lions Park, Forbes.

The Minister for Primary Industries, Tara Moriarty, attended the Fish For Life workshop at Greenwell Point on the South Coast where she met with local disability fishers, NDIS support workers, carers and family members and inspected an accessible fishing platform.

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Fishcare education officers and Volunteers work with fishing groups and disability providers to promote the benefits of fishing.

Other activities to promote fishing among people with disabilities include: 

• Recreational Fishing Trust funding for Accessible Fishing Platforms, as well as a new interactive map on the DPIRD website detailing locations and facilities available at more than 350 accessible fishing platforms and locations, in NSW
• The $2 million recreational fishing small infrastructure grants program which is available for fishing clubs, community groups and other organisations to apply for funding for small projects to enhance recreational fishing opportunities for communities 

For more information on Fish For Life.

Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty said:

“Fishing is a wonderful, inclusive activity that brings people, their families, and carers together.

It encourages physical activity, fosters social connections, and provides a peaceful way to connect with nature. 

“The Minns Labor Government promotes recreational fishing as an inclusive activity for everyone to enjoy. It is a fun, healthy, outdoor activity that people of all abilities can participate in. 

Minister for Disability Inclusion Kate Washington said:

“As a government, we want to break down barriers for people with disability to live full lives.

“That’s why we’re improving access to recreational activities like fishing, so everyone can participate in this time-honoured Australian tradition.”

State Member for South Coast, Liza Butler said:

“The Minns Labor Government is committed to making recreational fishing a more inclusive and welcoming activity for everyone, especially people with disabilities.

Initiatives like the ‘Fish For Life’ program highlight the Governments dedication to creating opportunities for all communities to enjoy the joys of fishing.”

NSW’s new Building Commissioner James Sherrard has officially started in his role leading the state’s first dedicated building and construction regulator.

In his first week in the job, as the Building Commission NSW marks its one-year anniversary, Mr Sherrard has set out his priorities to underpin industry oversight and compliance, backed by a growing team of more than 450 people.

His focus builds on the success of the regulator in restoring quality and public confidence, while looking towards further industry reform:

• Developing and introducing building reforms to support strong regulation, industry productivity, and consumer protection.
• Increasing construction compliance and building quality to support the 2029 National Accord housing target.
• Support further education on how quality construction can save practitioners time and money.
• Setting clear expectations of ‘what good looks like’ through industry education, and examples of rated developers and good standard projects.

Building Commission NSW was established by the Minns Labor Government on 1 December 2023 and is marking its first anniversary by reflecting on 12 months of compliance, innovation, and reform including:

• Inspecting around 1,400 buildings across metropolitan and regional NSW, focusing on home building and residential apartments.
• Publishing a library of the most common defects to help practitioners identify and fix issues early, better protecting consumer investments and saving builders time and money.
• Building a more dedicated regional presence, starting with inspectors based locally in the Illawarra.
• Using data and intelligence to focus attention on riskier licence renewals and applications.

A prime example of the Building Commission NSWs work was a recent concrete quality safety blitz which unearthed defects in 12 buildings across four major metropolitan regions.

Inspectors targeted specific sites in Sydney, Newcastle, the Central Coast and Wollongong, which was guided by intelligence suggesting 20 Class 2 (apartment) buildings under construction may be at higher risk of poor-quality construction.

Building Commission NSW inspectors used Schmidt Hammer tests, which measure the elastic properties or strength of concrete, to identify risks in quality of formed concrete and variations in strength across column and slab structures at these sites.

While all the defects identified can be rectified with none posing a public safety risk, Building Commission NSW has responded quickly by issuing orders to ensure defects are resolved before the buildings are finished and residents move in.

Building Commission NSW will continue to monitor these projects through to completion, while the concrete audit program hits the road and targets more regions across NSW. 

These ‘Anywhere, Anytime’ inspections are part of a wider campaign of regular audits that will focus on the quality of work related to the five key building elements of structure, fire safety, waterproofing, building envelope, and key services like electrical, plumbing, and lifts.

These activities are designed to reinstate consumer confidence in the building industry by getting on top of defects early and ensuring early intervention and education to builders and site managers.

Since 2021/22 alone, NSW has seen a 20 per cent reduction in waterproofing defects and a seven per cent reduction in structural defects.

Find more information on the work of the Building Commission NSW.

Minister for Building Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“Building Commission NSW is in safe hands as Mr Sherrard takes over the helm of the state’s first dedicated building regulator.

“Commissioner Sherrard will lead an exciting new chapter for compliance and change in the building and construction industry.

“Building Commission NSW was established in December 2023 with the core goal of turning the state’s construction industry around.

“Public confidence in the building and construction was low, standards were not up to scratch, and there were too many horror stories of building defects.

“Building Commission NSW has made significant progress in turning negative perceptions of the building industry around.

“Commissioner Sherrard has all the tools and experience to make a lasting effect on NSW’s construction landscape, and I have no doubt he will continue to raise the bar for the industry and restore public confidence.”

Building Commissioner, Building Commission NSW James Sherrard said:

“I look forward to leading the dedicated and passionate Building Commission NSW team as we all push the construction industry to be better, build quality homes, and take compliance seriously.

“There is a housing shortage in NSW and we need to play our part meeting important housing targets without compromising on quality.

“Building Commission NSW was set the challenge to lift industry standards, and momentum is already shifting.

“Most developers, builders, designers, and engineers are onboard with the changes.

“Notwithstanding this approach, we will still enforce the legislation, where necessary, without fear nor favour.

“We will continue to get on with the job to restore industry integrity and give NSW residents peace of mind that their home is safe and secure.”

James Sherrard Bio:

Mr Sherrard has more than 30 years of experience, spanning global construction projects with specialist expertise in strategy, commercial, and infrastructure areas.

His previous role was Head of Commercial, Performance and Strategy at Transport NSW, where he led a team responsible for contract frameworks, the acquisition of property for major infrastructure projects, procurement for several multi-billion dollar projects, and an analytics team.

Mr Sherrard has been a project manager on civic, residential, and sporting infrastructure projects across metropolitan and regional NSW, and globally, including the Sydney and London Olympics.

He has worked at senior levels in professional services consulting, focused on infrastructure and urban renewal, and has formal qualifications in building, business, and law. 

Mr Sherrard’s experience in international construction projects between 2004 and 2015 spanned time working in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.