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The $95 million redevelopment of Temora Hospital has reached a major milestone, with the first concrete slab poured for the modern health facility that will bring all services under the one roof.

It marks the first of eight concrete pours that will take place over the coming months, which will form the footprint of the eastern wing of the new hospital building.

Once complete, the redevelopment will deliver modern health facilities and upgraded services for Temora and surrounding communities, enhancing access to high quality healthcare closer to home, now and into the future.

The community will benefit from new and expanded services, including a purpose-built operating theatre and procedure room in the new perioperative suite, along with an expanded medical imaging unit.

For the first time, the hospital will offer a CT service, as well as a new ultrasound service, significantly improving local access to diagnostic imaging.

The redevelopment will also include:

• A new Emergency Department
• A flexible Inpatient Unit supporting medical, surgical, rehabilitation, maternity and palliative care
• Allied health and ambulatory clinics, including a gymnasium
• Community health and mental health, drug and alcohol services
• Pathology collection service
• Improved car parking for patients, staff and visitors
• Separate emergency and service vehicle entry

The existing staff dining room rotunda at the rear of the current hospital will also be incorporated and repurposed as a new courtyard space for staff.

With the concrete slabs pours now underway, the building will soon begin to take shape, with several structural elements to be installed in the coming weeks.

The new hospital is being delivered in stages at the existing hospital site with hospital services continuing to operate, and every effort being made to minimise impacts to patients. 

The redevelopment is expected to be completed in 2028.

For more information, visit nsw.gov.au/temora-hospital-redevelopment

Minister for Regional Health, Ryan Park:

“The Minns Government is delivering more beds, building more hospitals, and recruiting more staff to deliver better health services for communities right across NSW.

“I’m thrilled to see construction of the new Temora Hospital progressing, bringing these expanded health services for the community one step closer.

“The Temora Hospital Redevelopment will ensure the community and our dedicated health staff have access to a modern, fit-for-purpose health facility closer to home.”

Labor Spokesperson for Cootamundra Stephen Lawrence MLC:

“The Temora Hospital Redevelopment will deliver an upgraded health facility for both patients and staff, which will better meet the growing health needs of the local community.

“I’m also delighted the existing rotunda at the back of the current hospital will be retained and transformed into a welcoming courtyard space.”

The Minns Labor Government is getting on with delivering $85,100,000 in crucial upgrades to the Wakehurst Parkway, today announcing the award of the construction contract to Ertech Pty Ltd.

With detailed design work now complete, construction is on track to begin in mid-year, with site establishment works taking place in the coming months.

Wakehurst Parkway is a key arterial route connecting Pittwater Road at North Narrabeen with Warringah Road at Frenchs Forest. The Parkway currently experiences peak period congestion and flood-related disruptions that affect travel reliability for local communities.

The upgrades to Wakehurst Parkway – a commitment by the Minns Labor Government, will deliver targeted upgrades along Wakehurst Parkway to enhance network efficiency and traffic flow, improve safety by reducing crashes in key cluster areas, increase capacity for future traffic growth and support better access for walking, cycling and public transport.

Importantly, these upgrades will include flood-improvement work between Dreadnought Road and Oxford Falls Road, marking the first step in improving flood resilience on the Wakehurst Parkway.

The contract award comes as the Minns Government today commences consultation on the Northern Beaches Network Review, a network-wide analysis of the key road corridors moving people and goods across Sydney’s Lower North Shore and Northern Beaches.

The review examines the performance of the current transport network and identifies short and medium-term opportunities to improve travel reliability, reduce congestion, and enhance safety to and from the Northern Beaches and Lower North Shore.

The review adopts a holistic approach and recognises key challenges across the road network, identifying practical opportunities to improve the network by making better use of existing roads and infrastructure.

Opportunities include improving bus reliability, upgrading busy intersections, improving traffic flow on key corridors, addressing rat-running through local streets and targeting safety hot spots.

The Minns Government is committed to getting the essentials right, with a focus on practical improvements that can be delivered in the short to medium term to make trips safer, more reliable and more predictable while also supporting future growth and complementing major projects already underway.

Community feedback is now being sought to test whether the Northern Beaches Network Review reflects lived experience of motorists and commuters and to help shape next steps. The community can have their say at https://nswroads.work/haveyoursay-nbnr

Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“This is a good day for the thousands of commuters who use the Wakehurst Parkway daily. 

“The award of this contract represents an important step towards smoother, safer journeys for Northern Beaches motorists.

“I’d like to thank the Member for Wakehurst, Michael Regan and Member for Pittwater, Jacqui Scruby and their local communities for their steadfast advocacy on this project.

“The project forms part of broader work underway to improve the road network across the Northern Beaches.

“The Northern Beaches Road Network Review puts the Northern Beaches community in the driver’s seat, and we want to hear from locals, to help shape the future of transport in their community.

“People who use the network every day know what works and what doesn’t, and their voices will help shape the next wave of realistic, deliverable improvements.

“By listening to local experiences, we can deliver improvements that make a real difference now and into the future.

Member for Wakehurst, Michael Regan said:

“Today we’re marking a major milestone for the much-anticipated upgrades to Wakehurst Parkway. I campaigned on securing funding for these works in the 2023 election and I’ve been holding the NSW government to account on delivering their commitment ever since. The awarding of the contract, with a clear timeframe, gives me confidence we will see these critical works delivered.

“But there is so much more to do to improve our road network, especially our key corridors along Warringah and Pittwater Roads connecting us to Chatswood and the CBD. That’s why I’m encouraging everyone to participate in the Northern Beaches Network Review consultation.

“With no rail, metro or light rail, roads are absolutely critical to the functioning of our daily lives – for both private vehicle use and mass public transport. I want to see every step possible taken to make our road and public transport network work better for Northern Beaches residents. This is an important opportunity to tell the NSW Government what we want and expect to see – please have your say.”

Member for Pittwater, Jacqui Scruby said:

“After decades of broken roads and promises we now have a contractor for Wakehurst Parkway and the green light and preparatory works underway for the $500,000,000 Mona Vale Road West upgrade project.

“Upgrading these major roads will be a gamechanger for Pittwater residents.

“However, we rely on the whole road and transport network, and we know it better than anyone – that’s why I’m calling on everyone who commutes to have their say on the NB Network Review to ensure our intersections, corridors and bus suggestions inform our transport corridors.”

Renters’ first look at the Minns Labor Government’s Smart Rental Bonds system is here, as testing kicks off ahead of its launch in mid-2026.

Smart Rental Bonds will allow tenants to digitally transfer their bond between properties for a small fee of $25. This means they will no longer have to find thousands of dollars for a “second” bond while waiting for the previous bond to be refunded.

Smart Rental Bonds will deliver on the Minns Labor Government’s election commitment to introduce a portable rental bonds system to provide cost-of-living relief for renters and make renting fairer.

With the IT build done and extensive system testing beginning, the more than 2.3 million renters in NSW are a step closer to accessing this critical cost-of-living measure.

Around 330,000 households move each year, with most rental tenancies lasting less than two years, meaning thousands of renters face repeated upfront costs when changing homes. This requires people to save for several months before they can leave a property or potentially have to take out hefty loans if they have to move out of the property unexpectedly due to the property being sold or the homeowner moving in.

Accessible through the existing Rental Bonds Online platform, this new system maintains the integrity of the bond system by ensuring that landlords have security, while improving cashflow for renters.

With the average renter spending $4,000 each time they move, Smart Rental Bonds has been designed as a simple, easy-to-use solution for renters to alleviate financial stress:

• Renters will be notified once a landlord or agent lodges a bond request online.
• The renter logs onto Rental Bonds Online and chooses to either pay their new bond upfront, or use Smart Rental Bonds to move their existing bond to the new property.
• If the new bond is higher than the old one, the renter will need to pay the difference – but if the bond is cheaper, they will get the difference back provided no agreed claim on the bond.
• If a landlord makes a claim on a bond and the renter agrees, the NSW Government will pay the landlord upfront. The renter will then repay the Government, meaning landlords face no financial risk.

The Minns Labor Government is committed to improving the lives of renters, delivering substantial reforms such as ending no-grounds evictions, limiting rent increases to once a year, making it easier to have pets in rentals and introducing an $8.4 million NSW Rental Taskforce to hold landlords and real estate agents to account.

For more information on renting in NSW visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-construction/renting-a-place-to-live

Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:

“This reform is about easing cost-of-living pressure and making renting fairer, simpler and more flexible for more than 2.3 million renters in our state.

“Every cent counts and making sure that renters don’t have to put money forward for a bond while waiting for a refund will save them thousands of dollars each time they move.”

Minister for Housing Rose Jackson said:

“When we came into Government, the message we heard from renters was clear – having to fork out for two bonds at once when moving properties is a major expense that many just cannot afford.

“It’s creating stress, real hardship and even homelessness for some people struggling in our rental market. This landmark reform is a practical way to save millions of people thousands of dollars.

“With more people renting in NSW – many of them for extended periods, involving multiple moves – there has never been a more important time to provide this crucial cost of living relief.”

Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“Over the last three years, the Minns Labor Government has delivered significant financial help for renters – from limiting rent increases to once a year, to mandating fee-free ways to pay rent.

“Smart Rental Bonds is the latest way the Minns Labor Government is delivering on its promise to make renting fairer and give renters cost-of-living relief.

“No one likes having to put forward thousands of dollars while waiting days, possibly weeks for their old bond to come back – that’s money which renters need to set up their new home.

“Smart Rental Bonds is not only a win for renters, but a solution which won’t disrupt how landlords and real estate agents conduct their business either.”

NSW Rental Commissioner Trina Jones said:

“The NSW Government is aware of the challenges renters face when moving home.

“Technology like the Smart Rental Bond system is just one way we are empowering renters by alleviating financial pressure and creating a fairer and more flexible rental experience for tenants in NSW.

“Allowing the bond to be a portable asset which can move between properties digitally will alleviate the financial strain which comes with moving such as having to hire a van or organise connecting utilities.

“Nothing will change for landlords in the process either, because the NSW Government will pay out the agreed claim to the bond once a tenant moves out.”

Rural firefighters in NSW are responding faster and safer as a result of new technology which is helping detect fires earlier, improve situational awareness and strengthen communications in remote areas.

AI-powered camera systems, thermal-imaging drones and expanded satellite connectivity are transforming how emergency services detect, assess and manage bush fires – giving crews earlier warnings, clearer intelligence and better on-ground coordination.

In the past year alone, high-definition cameras have detected nearly 4,000 fires – giving agencies critical early warnings and helping crews make faster and more informed decisions.

The cameras have played a key role in a range of recent incidents across the state, including the early detection of fires prior to Triple Zero (000) calls in the Riverina late last year.

The drone capability of the RFS also continues to be expanded, with more than 50 trained pilots now positioned across the state.

Equipped with thermal imaging, drones provide live vision of firegrounds and help identify hot spots after a main fire has passed. They can be rapidly deployed to emerging incidents or areas of concern, giving crews clearer, real-time picture of conditions and improving safety for firefighters on the ground.

This bush fire season has marked a major step forward in modernising frontline communications, building on recommendations from the NSW Bushfire Inquiry to strengthen the RFS fleet.

Vehicles are being upgraded with enhanced connectivity, including an on-going roll-out of satellite-enabled systems (Vehicle as a Node technology) and thousands of trucks equipped with Mobile Data Terminals to improve crews’ communication, connectivity and safety in remote and disaster-impacted areas. 

Since the season began on 1 October, the RFS has responded to more than 8,750 bush and grass fires, as broad areas of the state continue to experience drying conditions.

The Minns Labor Government is investing over $2.2 billion in emergency services, uplifting capability and boosting resources across NSW.

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

“Every minute matters when a fire starts. This upgraded technology helps fire crews arrive better informed and better prepared to tackle the fire and keep communities safe, especially in remote areas.

“These improvements are helping create a more connected fireground where technology supports the people making critical decisions in rapidly changing conditions.

“We’ve responded to all 76 recommendations of the NSW Bushfire Inquiry report and we’re investing in technology that supports volunteers to stay ahead of increasingly challenging fire conditions.”

Commissioner of the RFS Trent Curtin said:

“When fighting bush fires, the value of early detection and accurate situational awareness cannot be overstated.

“The ability to access real-time imagery, particularly in remote and high-risk areas, helps us build a clearer picture of fire behaviour and conditions as incidents unfold.

“Projects like these ensure the RFS can continue to adapt and evolve in support of our volunteers and the communities they protect.”

The NSW Opposition is renewing its calls for the Minns Government to implement QR codes in taxis, following shocking new data showing more than one in four women have experienced inappropriate behaviour in rideshares and taxis.

The figures expose a serious safety failure, with many incidents still going unreported, leaving women without confidence in the system and a real solution for accountability and safety required to be implemented.
 
The Opposition’s proposal announced in 2024 and backed by the NSW Taxi Council would see unique QR Codes placed into taxis to enable customers to choose to pay via the meter or the QR Code.
 
The QR Code would be linked to the driver, the vehicle, and the customer to balance the security of payment for drivers with a passenger’s priority of paying the correct fare and having a safe journey.
 
The Opposition said the government’s slow response to behaviour issues falls well short of what is needed to protect passengers.
 
Shadow Minister for Transport Natalie Ward said the government is once again reacting too late.
 
“This is a simple, practical reform that would give women more control and confidence every time they use a ride-share or taxi service.

“More than one in four women experiencing inappropriate conduct is a disgrace, and the government’s response is far too weak, it is all talk and no accountability,” Ms Ward said.
 
“Government can’t be in every cab, every time — but a QR code can. Training modules won’t stop bad behaviour in the moment. Real accountability will.”
 
Shadow Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Sexual Assault Natasha Maclaren-Jones said stronger safeguards are urgently needed.

“Women deserve to feel safe, not vulnerable, when travelling and especially at night,” Mrs Maclaren-Jones said.

“If the Minns Government is serious about women’s safety, it should adopt solutions that actually protect passengers in real time, not after something goes wrong.”
 
Shadow Minister for Women Felicity Wilson said the figures show the current approach is failing and that strong action is needed.
 
“Women should not have to weigh up their safety every time they take a taxi or rideshare. This is exactly the kind of simple technology that can restore confidence and improve safety.”
 
“When over one in four women experience inappropriate behaviour, you know the problem is culture and accountability. QR codes in taxis will provide confidence to women – who just want a safe, reliable trip home.”

The Opposition said QR codes would provide real-time trip verification, improve fare transparency, and create a clear record to support complaints and investigations.