Month: December 2024

In a story five years in the making, Newcastle and Central Coast passengers will be the first to enjoy Sydney Trains’ new Mariyung fleet when it rolls out of Newcastle Interchange for its first passenger service on Tuesday, December 3.

The first Mariyung Train will begin its journey from Newcastle Interchange to Sydney Terminal at 8:21am, stopping at 20 stations, including Newcastle Interchange, Hamilton, Broadmeadow, Cardiff, Fassifern, Morisset, Wyee, Warnervale, Wyong, Tuggerah, Gosford, Point Clare, Tascott, Koolewong, Woy Woy, Berowra, Hornsby, Epping, Strathfield, and Sydney Terminal.

After years of delays under the former Liberal Government, which awarded the contract for the fleet in 2016, the Minns Labor Government came to an agreement on the final operating model with the rail workforce in August 2023 which meant the Government could finally press ahead with getting these trains on the tracks.

The operating model for the fleet has also been signed off and approved by the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator.

So far, fifteen Mariyung train sets have been completely modified by local workers at Kangy Angy. Two of those sets will begin service on December 3, while the rest go through the rigorous safety testing regime before being progressively rolled out along the Central Coast and Newcastle Line.

Mariyung Trains will then be progressively rolled out on the Blue Mountains Line and the South Coast Line.

Modifications include relocation of CCTV viewing screens and passenger door controls, changes to the digital radio system, adjustments to fire detection management and fire-resistant materials, and emergency door release functions.

Modifications have also been made within the rail corridor to support the changes made to the Mariyung fleet operating model, including station platform extensions, relocation of train stopping markers, signaling equipment and overhead wiring structures.

The New Intercity Fleet will set a new standard of travel for commuters who make approximately 26 million journeys a year on the electrified intercity network.

The improvements include wider, more spacious two-by-two seating with arm rests, tray tables, and high seat backs, charging ports for mobile devices, dedicated spaces for luggage, prams and bicycles, and modern heating and air conditioning.

They will also open up greater options for travel for people with disabilities and mobility issues with dedicated spaces for wheelchairs and accessible toilets.

Last year, more than 12.7 million trips were taken along the Central Coast and Newcastle Line, and it’s hoped the much-anticipated new fleet will boost patronage.

Named after the Darug word for Emu, the Mariyung can operate in 4-car, 6-car, 8-car or 10-car configurations, and seat more than 820 passengers in a 10-carriage train.

The Mariyung trains will progressively replace older fleets including the V-sets, that were first introduced to NSW in the 1970s and the Oscar trains that debuted in 2006.

Minister for Transport, Jo Haylen said:

“It should have never taken this long but the wait is finally over. The Mariyung trains will finally be on the tracks from December 3 this year. They’ll provide a massively improved level of comfort for all our passengers travelling between Newcastle, the Central Coast and Sydney.

“These trains were supposed to be on the tracks 5 years ago. It’s been a priority of mine to ensure that we got them out of sheds and on the tracks by the end of this year. I’m incredibly proud that our Government has been able to deliver that.

“I also want to thank our rail staff for working with us to get these trains ready. This is an example of what can happen when the government and the rail workforce work together.” 

Chief Executive of Sydney Trains Matt Longland said:

“Today is an exciting chapter for our staff and our customers and especially those passengers travelling to and from Sydney on the Central Coast and Newcastle Line.

“The Mariyung trains are quieter and roomier and will provide our passengers with a much improved and more comfortable travelling experience for decades to come.”

“This project has been incredibly complex, but we are pleased we have been able to work in consultation with our workforce to locally modify these trains and get them into service.”

Glow-in-the-dark line markings will be trialled on Bulli Pass, south of Sydney, before being assessed for a wider rollout in NSW.

The photoluminescent painted markings absorb and store sunlight during the day and glow at night, helping drivers better see line markings and the shape of the road ahead.

Glow Roads are designed to improve night-time visibility, helping markings stand out in adverse weather, and provide a safe alternative at sites where street lighting is not practical.

The hairpin turn on Bulli Pass will be the first place in the state to get the glow treatment.

The location was chosen after a spike in near-miss incidents between 9pm and 4am, with 125 near-misses recorded in the year to June 30.

Bulli Pass is heavily used by large trucks and motorcycles and the new line markings will be installed part way down the steep descent to increase awareness of the sharp bend. A glow sign will also be installed.

The trial will run for six months, after which data and customer insights will be reviewed to determine whether to extend the trial or implement the Glow Road technology on other parts of the state’s road network.

Rigorous testing of glow roads has been undertaken at Transport’s Future Mobility Testing and Research Centre in Cudal to ensure the innovation is suitable for Australian conditions.

Different modes of transport were put through their paces, with a car, truck, motorbike and bicycle tackling the controlled ‘glow’ course. Skid testing was also undertaken to check Glow Roads’ had the same level of slip resistance as current line markings. 

Minister for Roads John Graham said:

“Line markings might not be the first thing we think about in terms of innovation, but this is a bright idea and we are excited to trial its benefits.

“Being able to see the shape of the road ahead is critical to safe driving and that’s what Glow Roads do.

“Data shows around a third of fatal crashes in NSW happen at night. If this trial is deemed a success, we will look at its application on other locations with a history of crashes or near-misses where better visibility is needed. 

“Bulli Pass has had a rising number of near-misses – particularly at night- so using Glow Roads to improve driving conditions will help the thousands of motorists who rely on this busy route.”

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“Glow Roads is an exciting new alternative for areas where street lighting may not be practical – many of our regional and rural roads face this challenge.

“Locals know this road – and others like it across the state – can have visibility plumet in seconds when fog or a storm rolls in, and I’m excited to see how this innovation performs in those conditions, too.

“This initiative offers an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly solution on regional roads with limited or non-existent street lighting.”

Transport for NSW Secretary Josh Murray said:

“The Glow Roads is the brainchild of one of our transformation teams here at Transport who – trying to find a solution to boost safety at remote or isolated sites – pitched the idea at an in-house innovation challenge. 

“Improving road safety is a massive priority for everyone across at Transport – so we jumped on the opportunity to put this ‘bright idea’ to the test.

“Before rolling ‘Glow Roads’ out on public roads, we tested the new line markings and glow paint under a range of conditions at our Future Mobility testing site to make sure it was ready for the next phase of the trial.”

The NSW Government has reached a major milestone as it brings the management of Junee Correctional Centre into public hands, securing workers’ roles and entitlements ahead of the 1 April 2025 transition.

The Junee Correctional Centre has been managed by The GEO Group Australia since 1993.

Under Corrective Services NSW’s (CSNSW) operational model, the majority of current GEO staff who want to remain working at the prison will be offered roles within the centre and will retain their entitlements without needing to serve probationary or qualifying periods.

Their long service leave will be paid out by GEO and their years of service will be recognised by CSNSW for future entitlements.

The new operational model will also create several new positions, with local recruitment currently taking place to fill openings and additional roles.

CSNSW has begun rolling out induction and custodial bridging courses onsite in preparation for next year’s transition.

Deputy Commissioner Security and Custody Dr Anne Marie Martin, met with GEO staff at the centre today alongside representatives from human resources and Justice Health to outline the next steps in the transition.

Minister for Corrections Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“The Minns Labor Government is committed to reversing the trend towards privatisation, and bringing the management of Junee Correctional Centre into public hands is a key indicator of that.

“This change means Junee prison staff will have well-paid, secure, public-sector jobs with a history of service that will be recognised by CSNSW, which is a huge win for staff and the community.”

Acting Commissioner, Corrective Services NSW Leon Taylor said:

“Experienced Corrective Services NSW staff have been working onsite to support GEO officers through the management transition, to ensure they’re ready, trained, and equipped to move to the new operational model.

“Junee officers have shown commendable dedication to their work over the years, so we’re looking forward to having them on board and working towards our shared goal of reducing reoffending and keeping the community safe.

“We’re also looking forward to maintaining valuable relationships with the local community partners and the Junee Shire Council.” 

The Minns Labor Government is continuing work to support the wellbeing of the people across New South Wales, with $400,000 in grants now available to provide targeted support to improve men’s mental health and drive down rates of male suicide.

Targeted at community-based mental healthcare providers, the new program offers grants of up to $50,000 for local and grassroots organisations who are working on the ground to support men’s mental health.

New South Wales accounts for the most male deaths by suicide in Australia. In 2023 alone, there were 934 suspected deaths by suicide in the state, with men accounting for 730, or 78 per cent of these tragedies.

The launch of the new grants program follows the recent release of the NSW Men’s Mental Health: A focus on suicide prevention report which was informed by the landmark Men’s Mental Health Forum held in August.

This program aligns with the report’s recommendation to invest in grassroots local community-led initiatives that focus on building community connection, emotional intelligence and mental health literacy among men.

The forum brought together 84 participants from 61 mental health and suicide prevention organisations across NSW. It provided a platform for discussions among advocates, researchers, diverse people with lived experience of mental illness and professionals working to support men.

Leaders at the forum examined the social drivers of men’s distress, identified at-risk priority communities and proposed successful interventions, while considering the future of male suicide prevention.

Further recommendations within the report which will inform the Government’s ongoing work in this space include:

• strengthen the peer workforce to support men’s mental health, reduce stigma, increase help-seeking behaviour, and improve mental health literacy
• expand access to support services for men outside of clinical settings, recognising that clinical settings can be a barrier
• ensure policies, programs and services are co-designed with input from men who have lived experience of mental ill-health and those who care for them.

Grant applications are now open until 15 December and can be completed online: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/mentalhealth/Pages/men-suicide-prevention.aspx

Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson:

“The number one cause of death among Australian men aged 15-44 years is suicide. This is unacceptable and we are dedicated to moving the dial by providing real support to mental health care providers in the community.

“While the statistics alone are sobering, we must also remember that behind every number is a story of loss, families and communities left grieving and missed opportunities for intervention.

“The Men’s Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Small Grants Program is an opportunity to bolster our support for community organisations who help men and can address the unique challenges they face in relation to mental health and suicide prevention.

“I want to personally thank all the mental health advocates and men with lived experience who participated in the Men’s Mental Health Forum this year – their voices are vitally important to continue this conversation, work towards solutions and end the stigma.

“The recommendations from the Forum report are critical to our ongoing work in this space will guide our future efforts to reduce suicide and improve mental health among men in NSW.”

If you, or someone you know, is in a life-threatening situation please seek help immediately by calling Triple Zero (000). For those contemplating suicide or experiencing severe distress, the following helplines are available 24/7:

A Cardiac Electrophysiology Service has been launched at Gosford Hospital, giving Central Coast patients access to cardiac procedures without the need to travel out of area.

The service is expected to benefit hundreds of local patients each year, meaning they won’t have to travel to Sydney or Newcastle for critical care.

The new service offers diagnostic and therapeutic treatment for patients with heart conditions. This includes providing therapeutic ablation for patients with right-sided tachyarrhythmias which is also known as irregular heart rhythm.

Cardiac ablation is a procedure where small areas of tissue in the heart which are causing the irregular heartbeat are inactivated through the application of heat or intense cold. The procedure restores and maintains a normal heart rhythm.

The service is also performing diagnostic studies for cardiac patients, including electrophysiology studies which are tests used to evaluate the heart’s electrical system and to check for abnormal heart rhythms.

The launch of the service is a significant development for the Central Coast, providing local public patients access to the service close to home for the first time.

Minister for Regional Health, Ryan Park:

“I am pleased this new service will be able to offer local patients access to these important procedures on the Central Coast, making it much easier for them to access the treatment they need close to home.

“Central Coast Local Health District is already receiving very positive feedback from patients about how much they appreciate having the local service available to them.”

Minister for the Central Coast, David Harris:

“It is pleasing the Central Coast community can now access these important cardiac procedures closer to home. 

“We know the Central Coast is a high-growth region, and as our population grows it is essential we continue to bolster our local healthcare system, and services like this are another step in the right direction.”

Member for Gosford, Liesel Tesch:

“The launch of this service will mean that our community no longer has to travel multiple hours to access this important medical service, providing accessible care right here in our community when people need it most.

“The NSW Government is committed to investing in healthcare for the Central Coast community.”

Central Coast Local Health District Head of Cardiology, Associate Professor Maged William:

“We are thrilled to be able to provide these procedures on the Central Coast. Previously, it was necessary for patients to travel to Sydney or Newcastle to have these procedures. We are anticipating that the service will benefit hundreds of local patients every year.

“Plans are already underway to expand the scope of the service to treat patients with other common cardiac concerns such as atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia.”

The Albanese and Minns Labor Governments are jointly investing more than $47 million to establish the Illawarra Heavy Industry Manufacturing Centre of Excellence at TAFE NSW Wollongong.

Students will have access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment that cultivate the skills required to operate legacy equipment, enhancing efficiencies by using digital and robotic technologies, and advanced manufacturing techniques.

The Illawarra Heavy Industry Manufacturing Centre of Excellence will:

• provide targeted training in traditional and emerging heavy industry manufacturing for the defence and transport sectors
• integrate emerging technologies and automation into training, equipping students for work in digital, electrical and robotic manufacturing
• deliver microskills and microcredentials to upskill current workers.

The Centre of Excellence will innovate training by piloting a new qualification model, the Associate Degree in Manufacturing and Applied Digital Technologies. This Degree Apprenticeship will provide a pathway between school, vocational education and training, and higher education.

Courses on offer include Engineering Mechanical Trade, Laboratory Skills and 3D Printing.

The Centre of Excellence is positioned to help progress the Albanese Government’s Future Made in Australia plan, ensuring that we have the skills and infrastructure to make the materials we need to transition to net zero.

This follows the announcement of the Western Sydney Advanced Manufacturing Centre of Excellence and the Hunter Net Zero Manufacturing Centre of Excellence, as the third TAFE NSW Manufacturing Centre of Excellence, boosting skills training in advanced manufacturing and rebuilding onshore manufacturing capabilities.

The Albanese Government is investing $325 million under the five-year National Skills Agreement, which began on 1 January 2024, to establish a network of up to 20 TAFE Centres of Excellence in areas of high skills needs.

Some courses will available from 2025, while the refurbished site will be ready by 2027.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“The Illawarra has a proud history of industry and manufacturing – which is why this is the perfect place for this Centre of Excellence.

“This builds on the skills that are already a part of this region’s DNA.

“Investing in a Future Made in Australia means investing in the skills and training industry will need in the years to come.

NSW Premier Chris Minns:

“Whether its trains, buses or ferries, we want to build things here in NSW.

“The Illawarra is a powerhouse of manufacturing, and the TAFE NSW Centre of Excellence will build on these strengths, delivering more education and training so local workers are skilled in new technologies.

“The centre will create a pipeline of skilled workers so we have the mechanical and electrical engineers, machinists and metal welders needed to secure the regions future and support a thriving domestic advanced manufacturing industry in NSW.”

the Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles:

“The Albanese Government is putting TAFE at the heart of the vocational education and training sector. Implementing TAFE Centres of Excellence as a key initiative under the National Skills Agreement will ensure we can deliver on this objective.

“The Illawarra Heavy Industry Manufacturing Centre of Excellence will work in partnership with the other manufacturing Centres of Excellence that we are establishing here in New South Wales. Creating a manufacturing powerhouse that will have a key role in supporting our transition to net zero, and harnessing the opportunities being created by our Future Made in Australia plan.

“It is exciting to see that the Heavy Manufacturing Centre of Excellence is exploring new pathways that look to break down potential barriers between VET and higher education. As new skills needs emerge in our workforce, we need to keep exploring ways for greater harmonisation across our tertiary education sector.

“The Centres of Excellence are being established between the Australian, state and territory governments. Once the Centre is up and running it will operate in partnership to ensure we deliver a successful project. I look forward to continuing work with NSW Skills Minister Steve Whan to create a world-class VET sector.”

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

“The TAFE NSW Heavy Industry Manufacturing Centre of Excellence – Illawarra will provide opportunities for local workers to reskill and upskill in areas most critical to a growing and evolving manufacturing sector, including new digital technologies such as robotics.

“Through the TAFE Centres of Excellence and in collaboration with industry and universities, the Australian and NSW Governments are ensuring local workers have the skills needed to support onshore manufacturing capabilities and access jobs in transport, logistics and supply chain, defence and renewables.”