Month: January 2025

Contract awarded as Sheahan Bridge upgrade planning project progresses

The Albanese and Minns Labor governments are progressing plans for an upgrade of a key bridge on one of Australia’s busiest road freight corridors, as part of efforts to unlock access for more heavy vehicles.

The $20 million jointly funded planning project for the Sheahan Bridge Upgrade project on the Hume Highway at Gundagai has moved into its next phase of development with a contract awarded to provide a concept design for the bridge’s upgrade or replacement.

WSP Australia Pty Ltd will provide concept design development and environmental assessment of potential upgrade or replacement options for the northbound bridge over the Murrumbidgee River.

The current northbound bridge was built in 1977, with duplication of the southbound lanes officially opened to traffic by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on 25 May 2009 when he was Minister for Infrastructure and Transport.

While the load limit was increased from 68 to 85 tonnes in 2020 on the northbound bridge, for the safety of motorists Higher Productivity Vehicles still have to use a permit to travel on the NSW section of the Hume Highway due to the age of the bridge and structure limitations.

These limitations on the northbound bridge also restrict opportunities for contraflow during emergency response or planned maintenance activities on the southbound bridge.

The Federal and NSW Labor Governments are working together to ensure that this major bridge on the Hume Highway, the oldest and busiest highway in NSW, which follows the 200-year-old track traversed by Hume and Hovell in 1824, can meet the challenges of 21st century road freight.

The upgrade planning project will investigate potential solution options which include:

  • building a replacement bridge on a new alignment upstream (east) or downstream (west) of the existing bridge
  • replacing the existing bridge on its current alignment
  • strengthening the existing bridge.

Transport for NSW is now working with the contractor to further investigate each alternative and identify a preferred option.

It is expected a preferred option will be identified for public display in mid-2026 and Transport will keep the community updated as the project progresses.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“The Hume Highway is the major freight corridor from Sydney to Melbourne, the oldest and busiest highway in Australia. It has been Labor governments which have invested and delivered the crucial upgrades that have ensured freight, tourism and other road users can rely on this vital network.

“Instead of forcing HPVs to use permits, the NSW and Federal Labor governments are working together to deliver a fit for purpose bridge which will reduce red tape for HPV freight operators by enabling them to use this route without having to obtain permits.”

NSW Labor’s spokesperson for Cootamundra Stephen Lawrence MLC:

“All across regional NSW, Labor governments are working together to improve roads, bridges and other transport infrastructure.

“I am very pleased to see the Sheahan Bridge upgrade planning project progressing and look forward to learning what the preferred improvement option is.”

The next generation of NSW Electric Buses will be built in Nowra

The South Coast is set to become a new manufacturing hub for the next generation of public transport with the creation of a brand-new electric bus manufacturing facility in Nowra.

Australian owned bus manufacturer Foton Mobility Distribution is set to build a 6,000 square metre manufacturing facility in South Nowra from late 2025, subject to council approval.

This follows the Minns Labor Government awarding a contract to Foton to deliver 126 battery electric buses that will be built in Nowra and service bus routes across Greater Sydney.

The facility will also produce battery electric trucks, as well as hydrogen fuel cell engines, creating around 100 ongoing quality, skilled manufacturing jobs for local workers.

Foton’s bus contract was one of the first bus orders made through the NSW Government’s Zero Emission Buses (ZEB) program.

This program is also converting 11 existing bus depots in Greater Sydney to battery electric technology, building a new battery electric depot at Macquarie Park and procuring around 1,200 new electric buses by 2028.

Transport for NSW is delivering the ZEB program in stages in close consultation with industry, including manufacturers, to provide an opportunity to increase capability and capacity supported by a published pipeline of bus orders.

While the domestic manufacturing sector can’t be rebuilt overnight – facilities like this are the first step towards building things here in NSW again.

This facility delivers on the NSW Government’s commitment to domestic manufacturing, supporting local jobs and local industry to build the public transport our state needs.

This follows 12 years of offshoring by the former Liberal National Government, leading to NSW missing out on thousands of job opportunities and bringing lengthy delays and cost blowouts on major transport contracts.

Premier Chris Minns said:

“The offshoring of public transport by the former government was a complete disaster, which is why we’re building these buses here in NSW – creating local jobs and public transport that works.

“This state of the art facility in Nowra will create ongoing skilled jobs in regional NSW while also delivering emissions free world class public transport for the people of our state.

“Workers across NSW are great at building public transport like these buses, and under our government they’re building them here again.

Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said:

“When the Minns Labor Government says we want to build more buses here, we mean it.

“Once our partners at Foton get this plant up and running there will be an extra 100 quality manufacturing jobs right here. That’s great news for Nowra and a big boost for NSW manufacturing.

“We want our local manufacturers and suppliers have good opportunities to get involved in building the Zero Emissions Buses that we need. That’s why we have structured our zero-emissions bus program in a way that builds our bus manufacturing capacity for the long term.”

“We are at the beginning of our project to build the clean, green buses of the future. Transport for NSW announced the first battery electric bus orders under the Zero Emissions Bus program for Greater Sydney in December 2024.

“There will be many more orders to come for Sydney, Outer Metropolitan and Regional NSW and many good quality, skilled manufacturing jobs that will be created thanks to the Minns Labor Government’s support for building our buses, trains and ferries right here in Australia.”

Minister for Domestic Manufacturing and Government Procurement Courtney Houssos said:

“This new facility shows the high-quality products that NSW workers and businesses can deliver.

“The previous government sent contracts like this offshore, costing NSW thousands of jobs and billions of dollars. We are choosing to support local jobs and local businesses.

“By leveraging the power of government contracts like this, we can rebuild local industries, support local workers and grow the NSW economy, particularly in regional communities.

“This is an important milestone as we deliver on our pledge to bring domestic manufacturing back to NSW.”

Member for South Coast Liza Butler said:

“The Minns Government understands the importance of local jobs and skills training for regional communities.”

“The proposed new bus factory here in Nowra will provide fantastic employment opportunities for up to 100 people once fully operational and enable the re-skilling and upskilling of many workers who wish to be a part of the transition to zero emissions transport.”

Member of the Legislative Council Sarah Kaine said:

“We’re building Australia’s future right here in the South Coast and delivering good quality, local jobs in the process.”

“This is a Labor Government that is investing back into its regional economies and ensuring equal opportunity for local manufacturing of our world-class transport system. 

Visit to Poland

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong, and the Attorney-General, the Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP, will travel to Poland to attend the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp.

The world must never allow the memory of the Holocaust to fade. It is vital that the lessons of the past continue to be learnt to ensure this never happens again.

An estimated 1.1 million people were murdered in Auschwitz, almost a million of whom were Jews, before the camp was liberated on 27 January 1945.

What happened at Auschwitz and during the Holocaust is a reminder of the dangers of hatred, bigotry, racism and prejudice and the need to remain vigilant against a repetition of the atrocities perpetrated there.

The 80th anniversary of the liberation is also an opportunity to acknowledge the remarkable contributions and enduring resilience of the approximately 27,000 Holocaust survivors and their families who made Australia their home after World War II.

The Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism in Australia, Ms Jillian Segal AO, will join the official Australian delegation in Poland.

Australia is a proud member of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, and is committed to Holocaust remembrance, education and research, and ongoing efforts to counter the spread of Holocaust denial and antisemitism.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs will also visit Switzerland and Austria this week, including for meetings with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, His Excellency António Guterres, and the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Mirjana Spoljaric.

Filming an employee’s genitals “unprofessional” but not “criminal, NSW Police

A NSW Police sergeant received only a warning and a transfer to another command after filming a colleague’s genitals and posting the footage to a group chat in November 2023. A complaint of serious bullying and misconduct was made to the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) who referred the complaint to the NSW Police for internal review.

Greens MP and spokesperson for justice Sue Higginson said “A senior officer has violated a junior officer’s privacy and right to be safe at work, and all that’s happened is a warning and a transfer. The air of secrecy and impunity around the NSW Police is reminiscent of the handling of charges of abuse against the Catholic Church,”

“The LECC is supposed to be the tough cop on the beat when it comes to police misconduct in NSW, but we have seen repeatedly that it is not fit to deal with the deep and systemic cultural issues within the Police that are failing police and the community. The system as it stands is that police investigate police and it’s a broken system. Either the LECC needs more power or we need a new oversight and integrity body,”

“In the 2023-24 year, the LECC received 21% more complaints than the year previous, representing a 50% increase over the previous 3 years – police misconduct is an increasing epidemic. If the LECC is not properly empowered or resourced for these increases, the independent oversight of police is declining in real terms,” :Annual Report:

“The culture of cover-up in the NSW Police cannot be resolved by another review that will only ever be considered by the police themselves. I speak with cops and former cops regularly who say the system is broken and that it is well known that if you complain about bad behaviour or systems, you may end up the target of a complaint. The LECC is limited in what they can do and the Minns Labor Government has shown they aren’t interested in proper oversight of the police,”

“I have been calling for a Parliamentary inquiry into the culture of the NSW Police to fix these issues, but the Government has turned this proposal away every time. In any other workplace, if you filmed someone’s genitals and sent it to colleagues you would be fired and on criminal charges. Why are the NSW Police treated differently?” Ms Higginson said.

Australia needs ACMA watchdog, not corporate lapdog: Greens

Responding to reports today that the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) reduced fines for Optus and colluded on their media strategy before going public, Greens Communications Spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:

“The public need to know they have a corporate watchdog with teeth, not a corporate lapdog. The truth is the ACMA has been too weak and too cosy with the big corporations it’s tasked with regulating for too long.

“The ACMA is overdue for a thorough overhaul. They are supposed to regulate these big corporations, not collude with them on communications strategy. The ACMA should reveal the full list of every media statement they have consulted with industry and corporations on before releasing for public consumption.

“The regulator continues to show they are useless when it comes to holding media companies and telcos to account. They are like wet lettuce, whether it’s Optus or the Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O show, as Senate Estimates heard recently. 

“Comprehensive reform to communications and media regulation is long overdue, but sadly it has been squibbed by successive Governments. The agency needs a big broom through it.”

New disaster support for nine more regions after severe storms

The Albanese and Minns Governments have extended disaster recovery support for communities in the Blacktown, Cessnock, Dungog, Hawkesbury, Lake Macquarie, Mid Coast, Northern Beaches, Singleton, and Upper Hunter (LGAs) following severe thunderstorms and intense rainfall that impacted the regions from 15 January 2025.

These new disaster measures are in addition to the support for Maitland, Port Stephens, and Snowy Valleys LGAs announced on 18 January.

As more councils submit assessment forms outlining damage from this event, there will be further opportunity to expand the Natural Disaster Declaration.

Assistance measures that may be provided to communities through the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) include:

  • Support for eligible residents to help meet immediate needs like emergency accommodation.
  • Grants for low income, uninsured residents to replace lost essential household items to maintain a basic standard of living.
  • Grants for low income, uninsured residents to undertake essential structural repairs to restore their homes to a safe and habitable condition.
  • Support for affected local councils and other agencies to help with the costs of cleaning up, keeping the community safe and restoring damaged essential public assets.
  • Concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers, and non-profit organisations and grants to sporting and recreation clubs to repair or replace damaged or destroyed property.
  • Freight subsidies for primary producers to help transport livestock and fodder.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Jenny McAllister said this expanded support underscores the Albanese and Minns Governments’ commitment to helping local councils recover swiftly from the recent storms.

“This assistance will ensure more communities can access essential supplies and accommodation and ensure more councils can clean up and restore assets as soon as possible.

“I would like to acknowledge the efforts of first responders and the local councils who have done a fantastic job in difficult circumstances.

“The Australian and NSW governments are working hard to ensure communities get the support they need to recover.”

NSW Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said disaster declarations like these are crucial in unlocking assistance for communities so they can begin cleaning up as quickly as possible.

“We rely on councils submitting impact assessment forms to extend this relief and I thank them for continuing to work constructively with the NSW Reconstruction Authority,” Mr Dib said.

“The NSW Government continues to assist people and businesses to clean up debris and remain safe after the severe thunderstorms and intense rainfall.

“There have been a high number of calls to the NSW SES, and I would like to thank our incredible volunteers and emergency responders who responded to these incidents and provided vital support for the community.”

More information on disaster assistance can be found on the www.disasterassist.gov.au.   

Deadline for pubs and clubs to comply with new ATM laws fast approaching

New laws regarding ATMs and EFTPOS machines near gaming machines will be enforced from next month, as part of the Minns Labor Government’s gambling harm minimisation reforms.

Under new rules, machines that allow cash withdrawals must be placed at least 5m from the entry to a gaming room and not be visible from any machine or entry to a gaming room.

Having ATMs and EFTPOS facilities further away from gaming machines encourages a break in play for vulnerable customers, who may benefit from taking a step away to consider how much they are spending.

The new rules came into place on 1 January, with a one-month grace period to comply. From this Saturday, 1 February Liquor and Gaming NSW will take a zero-tolerance approach, with venues in breach liable to fines, statutory directions and/or prosecution.

The new measures are the latest in a suite of reforms introduced by the NSW Government since 1 June 2023 to reduce gambling harm, including:

  • banning the placement of any signage or advertising relating to gaming machines either on, or visible from an ATM or EFTPOS terminal with cash withdrawal facilities
  • reducing the statewide gaming machine entitlement cap by more than 3000
  • banning political donations from clubs with electronic gaming machines
  • reducing the cash input limit on new gaming machines from $5,000 to $500
  • banning all external gambling signage in venues
  • introducing Responsible Gambling Officers for venues with more than 20 machine entitlements
  • establishing an Independent Panel to conduct a trial of cashless gaming in pubs and clubs throughout 2024
  • committing $100 million to harm minimisation – investing in research, prevention, services and reform.

Liquor and Gaming NSW is conducting a compliance campaign throughout January and February to work with venues to ensure they are meeting the new requirements.

More than 225 venues across 17 Local Government Areas have been inspected and while most have been found to be doing the right thing, 30 of the venues were yet to comply with the requirements.

Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris said:

“The Minns Labor Government is committed to reforms to reduce gambling harm in clubs and hotels and we have achieved more in 22 months of office than the Liberal Coalition did in 12 years.

“All pubs and clubs in NSW with gaming machines must comply with gambling harm minimisation requirements and do the right thing by their patrons.

“It’s pleasing to hear the majority of venues inspected have complied with the new rules regarding placement of cash dispensing machines.

“I urge any licensees still to make the necessary changes to do so as quickly as possible or they can expect a strong enforcement response.”

NSW’s frontline heroes celebrated with Australia day honours

Sixteen emergency services personnel from NSW have been recognised on the Australia Day 2025 Honours List for their service to the community during times of crisis.

The Australian Fire Service Medal was awarded to eleven recipients representing Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) and the NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS).

The Emergency Services Medal was awarded to five recipients representing the NSW State Emergency Service (NSW SES), Surf Life Saving NSW (SLS NSW), and VRA Rescue NSW.

Medal recipients are announced twice a year as part of the Australia Day and the Kings Birthday Honours Lists, recognising the dedication, bravery, and leadership of emergency services personnel to keeping our communities safe. 

Australian Fire Service Medal recipients

  • Mr Gregory Reuben Houston, FRNSW
  • Mr Samuel James Parkhouse, FRNSW
  • Mr Garry James Reardon, FRNSW
  • Mr Samuel Stuart Clark AM, NSW RFS
  • Ms Robyn Leslie Reynolds, NSW RFS
  • Ms Jennifer Ann Farrell, NSW RFS
  • Mr Scott Alexander Campbell, NSW RFS
  • Mr Wayne Robert Keel, NSW RFS
  • Mr Anthony Clough, NSW RFS
  • Mr John Duncan Hedley, NSW RFS
  • Mr Robert James Conroy, NSW RFS

Emergency Services Medal recipients

  • Mrs Christine Speer, NSW SES
  • Mr Anthony Gerard Battam, NSW SES
  • Mr Michael Anthony Wasley, SLS NSW
  • Mrs Julie Wilcox, SLS NSW
  • Mr Daniel John van Keimpema, VRA Rescue NSW

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

“I’m thrilled to see so many of our outstanding emergency services personnel recognised on the Australia Day Honours List. Their service is a testament to the very best of our state and we’re proud to honour their achievements.

“From bushfires to floods, surf rescues and storms – our emergency services workers go above and beyond to protect the people of NSW and demonstrate exceptional bravery, compassion, and commitment.

“The Australian Fire Service Medal and the Emergency Service Medal is a well-deserved recognition of their tireless efforts to keeping our communities safe.”

Minns Government moves to ban gambling advertising from trains

The Minns Government has moved to ban gambling advertising on public transport in NSW.

The prohibition applies to Transport owned and controlled assets, including internal and external advertising on trains, metro, buses, light rail, train stations, and ferry terminals.

Transport operates one of the largest portfolios of advertising assets across Australia. This includes 798 advertising boards at Sydney train stations, 49 road facing digital billboards, adverts on up to 3,711 urban buses, 76 trams and across the Tangara train fleet.

The ban extends to all casino, lottery, and online betting advertising

The NSW Government will now work with multiple advertising contract holders to implement the required changes over the next 12 months.

Transport’s advertising suppliers must ensure that all advertising material complies with all applicable laws, accepted industry standards and codes of conduct established by the advertising industry for example, the Australian Association of National Advertisers (AANA) Advertiser Code of Ethics and AANA Code of Ethics Practice Note.

There are also additional rules that apply to Transport’s contract holders. These include a ban on political advertising on all assets, which applies equally to all political parties. 

Where assets are not owned by Transport (e.g. bus stops, retail outlets or nearby private property), the NSW Government will work with the relevant entitles to see how their advertising can align with the gambling advertising ban.

This is the latest in a suite of reforms introduced by the Minns Labor Government to reduce gambling harm. The reforms include:

  • reducing the statewide gaming machine entitlement cap in June 2023
  • banning political donations from clubs with electronic gaming machines on 1 July 2023
  • reducing the cash input limit on new gaming machines from $5,000 to $500 on 1 July 2023
  • banning all external gambling signage in venues on 1 September 2023
  • banning the placement of any signage or advertising relating to gaming machines either on, or visible from an ATM or EFTPOS terminal with cash withdrawal facilities and introduced Responsible Gambling Officers for venues with more than 20 machine entitlements, on 1 July 2024
  • requiring Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) or EFTPOS terminals that allow cash withdrawals to be  placed at least 5m from the entry to a gaming room and not be visible from any machine or entry to a gaming room, from 1 January 2025
  • established an Independent Panel to conduct a trial of cashless gaming in pubs and clubs throughout 2024
  • committing $100 million to harm minimisation – investing in research, treatment, services and reform.

Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said:

“Gambling advertising has been a common sight on our public transport for a couple of years now, and I’m pleased our Government is taking action to remove it.  Parents are rightly worried about the impact it has on their kids, so its not something that we think that needs to be on our transport network.”

“With over 3,500 buses, close to 800 advertising assets at train stations, as well as advertising on light rail and trains, Transport’s advertising contracts are vast. Because of the scale it will take some time to implement this change, but we will be working closely with our contract partners over the next 12 months to get this done.”

Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris said:

“Removing gambling advertising from public transport is another demonstration of the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to reducing gambling harm in NSW.

“This move will reduce the public’s exposure to gambling advertising and builds on the suite of reforms the government has introduced over the past 20 months to reduce harmful impacts of gambling.”

Championing creativity and diversity during NSW Women’s Week 2025

Fifteen organisations across New South Wales have received a share of more than $430,000 to host events that highlight women’s creativity, diversity and empowerment during this year’s Women’s Week.

The NSW Government is building better communities where women and girls can achieve their potential and thrive.

Women’s Week Grants have been running since 2018 to fund innovative events that empower women and girls to participate in our communities, to advance gender equality in the longer term.

The 15 successful recipients of the 2025 Women’s Week Grants include:

  1. Interrelate Ltd – Empowerment through education: addressing the need for menstrual education to support young women in need (Coonamble LGA)
  2. Kiama Municipal Council - Paint the Town Femme (Kiama LGA) 
  3. Powerhouse Youth Theatre Inc. - Khair (خير): A Woman’s Tale (Fairfield LGA)
  4. NSW Tonga Netball Association Inc - Her Journey (Queanbeyan-Palerang LGA)
  5. Mudgee Local Aboriginal Land Council - Yinaagirbang Maywang (Women Together) (Mid-Western LGA)
  6. Accessible Arts - Wellbeing Through Art (City of Sydney LGA)
  7. African Sub-Sahara International Development Agency (ASSIDA) - African Women Celebration Week (Liverpool LGA)
  8. SSI – Settlement Service International – Celebrating the diversity of regional women (Coffs Harbour LGA)
  9. Walhallow Local Aboriginal Land Council - Rise & Shine: Gamilaroi Women’s Week Celebration (Liverpool Plains LGA)
  10. Lane Cove Council – Resilience and Radiance (Lane Cove LGA)
  11. Diversity Arts Australia - Empowering Diversity: Women in Arts and Creativity Symposium (Parramatta LGA)
  12. Northern Beaches Council - NSW Women’s Week Writing and Poetry Workshop Series – Celebrating Female Authors living with a Disability (Northern Beaches LGA)
  13. Nourish Nation Foundation Inc – Nourishing Women: A Path to Health Empowerment (Wagga Wagga LGA)
  14. Randwick City Council – Women’s Work art show and live music performance (Randwick LGA)
  15. Maari Ma Health Aboriginal Organisation –Because of Her, We Can: Health and Wellbeing in Far West NSW (Broken Hill, Central Darling Shire and Balranald LGAs)

NSW Women’s Week, which runs from Sunday 2 to Saturday 8 March, is an annual showcase of the stories and remarkable achievements of women in our state.

The NSW Government’s Women of the Year Awards at the International Convention Centre is the culmination the week-long celebrations and will be held in Sydney on Thursday 6 March.

To find out more about Women’s Week 2025 events, visit NSW Women’s Week 2025 | NSW Government.

Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said:

“The NSW Government is thrilled to fund one of the most diverse range of Women’s Week events this year.

“Alongside some great activities that focus on women’s health, art and stories, we have funded events we hope will engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, the LGBTIQA+ community, women with a disability and women from rural, regional and remote NSW.

“We want these events to inspire creativity and talent, empower women of all ages and backgrounds and encourage diversity and inclusion. I encourage everyone to get involved in the events that are planned in your communities.

“NSW Women’s Week gives women a platform to honour the many contributions to our families and communities in all aspects of social, cultural, and political life.”