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Construction works on the Sydney Modern Project have commenced, which will be an expansion that almost doubles the Art Gallery of NSW’s space, enabling more of our State’s art collection to go on show, as well as hosting more exhibitions from around Australia and the world.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for the Arts Don Harwin today marked the start of construction in a ceremony above the underground oil tanks that will be converted to exhibition space as part of the project.
“The Sydney Modern Project is a major public investment that will enrich the cultural life of our State and deliver economic benefits for generations to come, injecting more than $1 billion into the NSW economy,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The $344 million expansion will create an international art destination in one of the world’s most beautiful cultural precincts for everyone to enjoy. Gallery visitor numbers are expected to increase to at least two million people a year.”
Ms Berejiklian paid tribute to the generous philanthropists who had partnered with the NSW Government and the Gallery to make this once-in-a-generation project possible, raising more than $100 million.
Mr Harwin said the Gallery’s new building, designed by Pritzker-prize winning architects SANAA, would be an architectural and cultural landmark.
“The Sydney Modern Project will almost double the space to show more of the State’s outstanding art collection and host the best Australian and international exhibitions,” Mr Harwin said.
“One of the highlights of the expansion will be a prominent destination for the Gallery’s internationally renowned collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art.”
President of the Art Gallery of NSW Board of Trustees David Gonski AC thanked the NSW Government and donors for their support.
“This is a truly momentous day as we embark on the next exciting chapter of this great public institution,” Mr Gonski said.
“We thank the NSW Government for making such a significant public investment in the arts, and the extraordinarily generous donors who have pledged support for the new building.”
Art Gallery of NSW director Dr Michael Brand said the Sydney Modern Project would transform the Gallery and the way visitors engage with art.
“Our expansion is more than a stunning new building. It’s about the exciting possibilities ahead of us to deliver more rich and meaningful experiences of art for everyone,” Dr Brand said.
The Sydney Modern Project is due to be completed in 2022. The Gallery remains open during construction.
Infrastructure NSW is managing the delivery of the project on behalf of the NSW Government and Gallery. Richard Crookes Constructions is the builder.

People who bite or otherwise expose police and other frontline workers to a risk of disease could be subject to mandatory testing to provide peace of mind and lessen the anxiety for affected workers.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott, Minister for Counter Terrorism and Corrections Anthony Roberts and Attorney General Mark Speakman said the safety and protection of frontline workers was the NSW Government’s primary consideration.
The scheme will provide authorities with the power to test a person for diseases if there is a risk of an on-duty frontline worker being exposed to a blood borne virus such as HIV, hepatitis B or hepatitis C through the deliberate actions of another person.
Mr Elliott said our police officers, emergency services personnel and first responders put themselves in harm’s way every day, and it is vital we support them as much as possible.
“We want to give as much peace of mind to frontline workers as we can to alleviate the uncertainty they may experience if have been exposed to bodily fluids,” Mr Elliott said.
“Our Justice and Health ministers have been working hard on the details of this scheme, with the help of strong advocates like the Police Association and the Public Service Association, so I’m happy to say we are delivering.”
If frontline workers are exposed to a risk of contracting a blood borne virus in the course of their duties by a deliberate act of another person, a senior officer from their agency will carry out a risk assessment to determine if the source of the possible infection should be ordered to undergo mandatory testing.
Mr Roberts said working with prison inmates is stressful enough without our Corrections Officers worrying about their health after attacks that expose them to bodily fluids.
“These incidents can be extremely traumatic and stressful for our officers and their families, and mandatory disease testing will provide support. We will also ensure they receive prompt medical assessment, treatment and counselling,” Mr Roberts said.
Mr Speakman said anyone who refuses to comply with a mandatory testing order will be committing an offence.
“We need to provide a real deterrent so people who think it’s okay to attack our frontline workers know they will face the full force of the law. Courts will have the power to impose on those who refuse to undergo a test a maximum of 12 months imprisonment or an $11,000 fine, or both,” Mr Speakman said.
If either the victim or the person to be tested disagree with the decision of the senior officer, they may appeal within 48 hours to the NSW Chief Health Officer who must make a decision within seven days.
If the individual in question is younger than 16, or subject to a guardianship order, a parent, guardian or Local Court must approve the mandatory disease testing order.
The scheme will be available to frontline workers including the NSW Police Force, Corrective Services NSW, Youth Justice NSW, Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Rural Fire Service, State Emergency Service, NSW Health, St John Ambulance and the Office of the Sheriff of NSW.
The Government aims to introduce legislation early next year.

A new report shows health projects like the $240 million Dubbo Hospital redevelopment are not only delivering world-class healthcare, they’re boosting regional economies across NSW.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and Health Minister Brad Hazzard visited Dubbo Hospital to release Regional Economic Impacts of Public Hospital Investment by the Regional Australia Institute and NSW Health Infrastructure.
The report shows a 15 per cent jump in healthcare jobs in Dubbo from 2011-2016, more than double the previous five-year period. There was also a significant boost to construction jobs, which had a spillover benefit to the local accommodation, travel, food and transport sectors.
“This shows the benefit of our health infrastructure spends for the whole community and that’s never been more important than now – in the middle of a drought,” Mr Perrottet said.
“A secure job and the stability that brings gives people a better quality of life and that benefits regional communities now and into the future.”
The NSW Government has invested $10 billion on health infrastructure since 2011, with $10.1 billion more over the four years from 2019-20, including more than $900 million for rural and regional areas in 2019-20.
More than $240 million has been spent on the Dubbo Hospital redevelopment and a further $35 million in federal and state funding has been allocated to the Western Cancer Centre.
Mr Hazzard joined Member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders to announce Lipman Pty Ltd as the successful tenderer to construct the Western Cancer Centre, due for completion in 2021.
“This Centre will provide patients here in the west with advanced diagnostic services and life-saving treatment closer to home,” Mr Hazzard said.
Mr Saunders said: “Having world-class cancer facilities in Dubbo will help attract and retain health professionals, and will be life-changing for patients living from Bourke to Mudgee.”
Federal Member for Parkes and Minister for Regional Services, Mark Coulton, welcomed the tender for the Centre as a significant step forward for the community.
“As the report shows, investment in health infrastructure in Dubbo is providing the community with a much needed boost, particularly as we face the challenges of the drought. The Western Cancer Centre is a project we can all be extremely proud of, and it promises far-reaching benefits for Dubbo and Western New South Wales,” Mr Coulton said.

The removal of the first dam on Toorale National Park to enhance flows down the Warrego River and into the Darling has been completed.
Environment Minister Matt Kean said the removal of Peebles Dam would have an immediate impact on the next flow.
“This work should have been completed a decade ago. I’ve heard the community’s concerns about the time it’s taken to deliver this project and I am glad it was done in time for yesterday’s rain,” Mr Kean said.
“The removal of the Dam was Phase One in improving the connection of flows down the Warrego River into the Darling River.
“This project will assist in ensuring water, our most precious resource, remains in the river system and is not held in unnecessary infrastructure, a legacy from Toorale’s days gone by.
“As promised in recent stakeholder meetings the works were commenced in October and completed ahead of schedule.”
Phase Two will begin in 2020 and includes the modification of the remaining structures on Toorale to further increase flows passing down the Warrego.
The overall project will see enhanced river flows, while maintaining the important cultural and environmental values of the Toorale National Park.
“Phase Two will also include works to improve the ability for fish to pass by the structures still in place up and down the river,” Mr Kean said.
This work is funded by the Commonwealth Government and will assist in managing the environmental water the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder holds in this region.

Projects promoting life skills, positive mental health initiatives and employment outcomes are among successful recipients of the NSW Government’s $1.5 million Youth Opportunities program.
Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Gareth Ward said 36 innovative projects driven by young people would receive up to $50,000 each.
“We’re committed to engaging young people by providing positive opportunities that help them improve their wellbeing and thrive into adulthood,” Mr Ward said.
“These grants are the perfect platform to promote valuable and innovative ideas and I’m pleased to see so many outstanding projects receive Youth Opportunities funding.”
The 36 organisations funded under the program cover all corners of NSW, with projects encompassing areas of education, arts, culture and health.
Among them is a short film festival to highlight the voices of young people in Gymea and a statewide campaign to raise awareness about hearing health and deafness.
Minister for Mental Health, Regional Youth and Women Bronnie Taylor said more than half of the successful projects stem from regional and rural NSW.
“Youth are the lifeblood of regional communities across our state and we want to give them every opportunity to showcase what they’ve got to offer,” Ms Taylor said.
“These grants will see some exciting initiatives come to fruition and provide vital funds for others that have proven successful.”
Since the NSW Government established the Youth Opportunities program in 2012, almost $12 million has been invested in more than 280 projects.
For information about successful projects, visit www.youth.nsw.au/youth-opportunities

Netballers from all over the state will be descending on Wagga Wagga next year with the town set to host the 2020 BING LEE Masters State Titles and Netball NSW Social Masters on the same weekend in October.
Like in 2019, both events will run concurrently and be held at the Wagga Wagga Netball Association on Saturday and Sunday, 17-18 October. Games will also take place in the Wagga Wagga Indoor Stadium.
After Netball NSW successfully took both the Masters State Titles and Social Masters to Tamworth last month, the organisation is excited to take them regional again in 2020.
“It is very important that we take these competitions to different parts of the state as we have huge numbers in every region,” Competitions Manager Claire Dale said.
“We had a brilliant weekend when we headed north of Sydney to Tamworth this year, and we can’t wait to head south to Wagga Wagga in 2020.
“Like Tamworth, Wagga Wagga has fantastic indoor and outdoor facilities which can accommodate everyone, from those looking to play in a competitive environment, to those just looking for some social fun.
“We look forward to working with the Wagga Wagga Netball Association over the next year in the run-up to what promises to be a fantastic two-day festival of netball.
“I strongly encourage all Associations to mark this date on their calendars for next year and come and make a weekend of it in a beautiful part of NSW.”
Formerly known as the State Championships – Masters, the Masters State Titles will have Association Representative Teams competing.
The Social Masters, meanwhile, is all about getting together with friends for some fun, good times, and a little bit of netball.
Netball NSW would like to thank BING LEE for their support of the Masters State Titles and their continued support of netball at all levels across the state.