Australia welcomes decision to host pre-COP in Fiji and Tuvalu

Australia welcomes the Pacific Islands Forum announcement that Fiji and Tuvalu will bring the world to the Pacific as part of the pre-COP climate events to be held later this year.

Fiji will host the pre-COP meetings, while Tuvalu will have a special leaders’ component – ensuring that Pacific priorities are front and centre in global climate negotiations, a critical priority for our region. In addition, Palau will host a special climate event as part of the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in August. Pre-COP is expected to be held in October and will act as a springboard to launch outcomes in the annual UN climate conference.

It is an unprecedented opportunity to bring the world to the Pacific, to experience climate impacts and solutions firsthand.

Through Pre-COP and our Negotiations Presidency, Australia and the Pacific will play a critical role in COP31. Australia will also provide operational and logistical support for the Pacific event.

Türkiye will host COP31 and a World Leaders Summit in Antalya in November 2026.

Australia acknowledges the role of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Chair, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, the PIF Troika and the PIF Secretariat for facilitating the Pre-COP decision-making process.

Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong:

“Pacific countries have long been leaders on climate action, and their voices are central to shaping the global response.

“Hosting these COP meetings is an opportunity for the global community to hear directly from the people of the Pacific.

“Australia will work closely with our Pacific partners to support a successful Pre-COP as part of our shared effort to address the climate challenge.”

Australian Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen:

“Our region is at the frontline of the climate crisis, where the effects of climate change are real and immediate.

“Hosting pre-COP in Fiji, with a leaders’ component in Tuvalu,  will bring a global focus to the most pressing challenges facing our region and support investment in solutions which are fit for purpose for our region.

“Leading the COP31 negotiations in partnership with the Pacific will strengthen our ties with our closest neighbours, raising our region’s profile in support of shared prosperity, stability and security.”

Australian Minister for Pacific Island Affairs Pat Conroy:

“Pacific nations are bearing the brunt of the devastating effects of climate change but have contributed the least to it.

“Pre-COP will be an unprecedented opportunity for the world to listen to the Pacific and understand the existential threat climate change poses for the region.

“Hosting the Pre-COP and a leaders’ event in the Blue Pacific is an opportunity for the region to work together on this critical issue and bring global attention to their leadership”.

NSW Government rejects Public Toilets Inquiry recommendations

The NSW Government has rejected 20 of the 22 recommendations from the Parliamentary Inquiry into Public Toilets, accepting only two recommendations in principle.

According to Greens MLC Dr Amanda Cohn, who chaired the inquiry, it’s an unusually dismissive response.

The inquiry was the most comprehensive examination of public toilet provision to be conducted in New South Wales. It heard from 60 witnesses across five public hearings, and produced six findings and 22 recommendations aimed at modernising a regulatory framework the committee found to be “not fit for purpose.”

The inquiry recommended a significant overhaul of public toilet regulation in NSW, including development of a statewide public toilets strategy and establishment of benchmark standards for provision, accessibility and inclusive design. The committee’s report was supported by consensus by Labor and Liberal MPs.

“The inquiry found, for example, that toilets should be designed using universal design principles so they are accessible and usable by people with a disability, older people, and people with prams. Another recommendation was the inclusion of baby change tables.”

“It is deeply disappointing to see such a sweeping rejection of the committee’s work,” Dr Cohn said.

“The inquiry demonstrated overwhelmingly that public toilets are failing large parts of the community and excluding them from public life as a result.”

“The Government had an opportunity to act on strong, cross-sector evidence and tripartisan recommendations to improve public health, inclusion and dignity. Instead, it has chosen to back the status quo of poorly regulated and inadequate public toilet provision.”

The committee’s findings highlighted that inadequate access to public toilets disproportionately affects people with disability, people who experience incontinence, people who menstruate, LGBTQIA+ communities, people experiencing homelessness, First Nations people, and those living in rural and remote areas.

Advocates are calling on the NSW Government to reconsider its response and engage seriously with the inquiry’s findings to ensure public toilets across the state meet the needs of the whole community.

advocates who provided submissions to the inquiry

Megan Spindler-Smith, Acting CEO of People with Disability Australia, said: “People with disability shared deeply personal experiences with this inquiry about planning their whole day around toilet access, facing humiliating and undignified situations, or staying home because accessible facilities simply are not available. Seeing those voices and lived experiences met with inaction is deeply disappointing. Safe and truly accessible public toilets and Changing Places facilities are rights-supporting and rights-affirming and are a basic requirement for people with disability to live, work and participate in community life. The NSW Government cannot keep passing the buck to local councils, it must show leadership and deliver a statewide public toilet strategy that guarantees consistent, accessible facilities across NSW.”

Public toilets researcher and expert Katherine Webber said: “While the NSW Government response agrees that public toilets are an essential component of urban infrastructure, their response fails to acknowledge the connection between public toilets and the health and wellbeing of people in NSW. Subsequently, it is disappointing that the NSW Government has decided not to take a leadership role in public toilet policy at this time.”

Dedicated, heavily armed police unit to target peaceful protest

Labor Premier Chris Minns has escalated his targeting of peaceful and legitimate protest with an announcement that a dedicated, permanent, and heavily armed police unit will be used to target protests and public demonstrations.

Greens MP and spokesperson for Justice Sue Higginson said:

“This announcement has explicitly and deliberately misconstrued the political expression through protest as dangerous and extremist, akin to vile mass murders and terrorist events. The Premier has got to quit this Chris Minns is making a habit of deploying state violence against political opponents and the community at large, this is dangerous to our democracy,”

“Creating dedicated police forces who will be rapidly deployed in the community with high calibre and rapid fire weapons will not prevent people from engaging in protest, all it will do is put everyone at far greater risk of violence, harm, and death,”

“Seeking to arrest your way to some twisted vision of social cohesion is frankly fascist, and yet this NSW Labor Government seem determined to take every bad step when it comes to caring for and healing our communities,”

“Just a few weeks ago, I was standing with Jewish People, Muslim People, First Nations People, Queer People and tens of thousands of caring and compassionate people in the community. This wonderful gathering for peace was socially cohesive, non-threatening, and determined to express their political views. Chris Minns incited Police to attack, and assault that community, and he has now announced that he wants this to be a permanent fixture of our democracy, he should be ashamed,”

“Premier Chris Minns is escalating the conflicts between the community, and he is signing the guns that will be deployed in response to peaceful gatherings. It’s time for NSW Labor to reign in their authoritarian leader, and take responsibility for the damage he is doing to their movement and our community,” Ms Higginson said.

Pyro Jim’s debt petrol keeps fuelling the inflation fire

The Consumer Price Index released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics today shows inflation is out of control, confirming Pyro Jim’s reckless spending is pushing the cost of living higher for Australian families.

Inflation was 3.8 per cent in January, leaving Australian households paying even more for the basics while the Treasurer continues to pour fuel on the fire through reckless spending and rising debt.

Domestic inflation is running even higher at 4.9 per cent – Labor’s cost of living crisis is well and truly homegrown.

As all Australians know by now, Labor has been papering over the true crisis it has unleashed in Australia’s energy system. With the expiry of temporary energy rebates, today’s numbers reveal the true cost of Labor’s failed energy policy. Electricity prices are up 32 per cent in the past year alone.

Australian families with kids also know the cost of going back to school and childcare hit hard this year. Out-of-pocket childcare costs are up 11 per cent in the past year despite Labor’s claims of fixing the system.

This never-ending cost of living crisis is unique to Australia, with inflation running hotter here than in every major advanced economy.

After nearly four years of Labor, Australians are paying more for almost everything:
🛟 Insurance is up 39%.
💡 Energy is up 38%.
🏡 Rents are up 22%.
🏥 Health is up 18%.
📚 Education is up 17%.
🍳 Food is up 16%.

Shadow Treasurer Tim Wilson said Australian families feel the pressure every time they pay for groceries, fuel or the household bills.

“Today’s figures confirm what Australians already know, Pyro Jim’s spending is keeping inflation higher for longer,” Mr Wilson said.

“Government spending is at its highest level outside a recession in 40 years and Labor’s debt is racing towards one trillion dollars.”

“Australians are paying around $50,000 a minute just to service Labor’s debt, money that adds demand to the economy and keeps pressure on prices.”

“At a time when Australians need relief, Labor is making inflation stick.”

“Under Labor, living standards have fallen, with Australia recording the biggest drop in household disposable incomes in the developed world.”

“Until Pyro Jim gets spending under control, Australians will keep paying through higher prices, higher mortgages and weaker living standards.”

“As Liberals, we stand for lower inflation, lower interest rates and lower taxes.”

The Coalition will restore disciplined economic management and fight to bring down costs for Australian families.

When Labor spends, you pay.

Landmark moment as city celebrates reopening of Newcastle Art Gallery

A new Newcastle Art Gallery will open its doors this weekend after more than 16 years of fundraising and perseverance, ushering in a new era of cultural tourism in the city.

NSW Governor Margaret Beazley AC KC officially cut the ceremonial ribbon today to acknowledge the Gallery’s transformation into the largest public gallery in NSW outside of Sydney.

Ribbon cut on Newcastle Art GalleryHer Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley, Governor of NSW, and Mr Dennis Wilson (centre) with (L-R) Suzie Galwey, Tim Crakanthorp MP, Jeremy Bath, Minister Yasmin Catley, Sharon Claydon MP and Lauretta Morton celebrate the official cutting of the ribbon today on the opening of the expanded Newcastle Art Gallery.

The civic event was held ahead of three days of community celebration, kicking off with a party in Laman Street on Friday night and the launch of a major exhibition, Iconic Loved Unexpected, on Saturday featuring almost 500 works of art from the Gallery’s $145 million collection.

City of Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath said the completion of the expansion project was a landmark moment for the city.

“Newcastle Art Gallery has stood as a cultural beacon since its establishment in 1957 and the official opening of its current building in 1977, however the Gallery’s ambition and nationally significant collection long ago outgrew its original building,” Mr Bath said.

“The decision to expand followed a sixteen-year journey culminating in a pivotal council vote on July 27 2021, which set the Gallery on an unstoppable path to transformation.

“As City of Newcastle’s largest ever capital works project, the expansion is tangible evidence of our commitment to culture and creativity, which ensures Newcastle Art Gallery will takes its place as one of Australia’s leading cultural institutions.

“With Queen Elizabeth II overseeing the Gallery’s original opening, it’s fitting to have the King’s representative in NSW – and the Patron of the Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation – Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley, Governor of NSW, replicate that role today. 

“I thank Her Excellency for doing the honours as we celebrate this significant milestone.”

The expansion project was supported by $5 million from the Australian Government under the Regional Recovery Partnership and $5 million from the New South Wales Government under the Regional Recovery Partnership, as well as $13 million from the Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation made possible through the Valerie and John Ryan bequest, Margaret Olley Trust, and community fundraising over many years. 

Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King welcomed the milestone moment.

“This grand opening means people in Newcastle and beyond can now experience the gallery’s fabulous new exhibition spaces and amenities,” Ms King said.

“We know cultural institutions are a major drawcard for travellers and the expansion will create significant flow-on job and economic opportunities for the region.”

Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon said the expansion will have wide-ranging benefits. 

“These upgrades mean the gallery can host our local artists while also attracting global talent well into the future,” Ms Claydon said.

“We are supporting projects like this to foster Newcastle as a destination for the arts and make it an even better place to live.” 

Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said the expansion would drive cultural tourism opportunities.

“The Newcastle Art Gallery has been a cornerstone of the city’s cultural life for almost 50 years, and this redevelopment will take it to the next level,” Ms Moriarty said.

“The transformation means more of the gallery’s collection can be displayed, while expanding its capacity to host major touring exhibitions and deliver a wider range of cultural experiences for visitors and the community.

“This project is a major win for Newcastle and the region, strengthening its position as one of NSW’s leading cultural destinations.”

Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said the expanded Gallery offers a cultural and economic boost for the region.

“The Hunter has long been home to some of Australia’s most celebrated artists from John Olsen to Margaret Olley and more. We are not short on talent here, and our extraordinary landscape has inspired generations of creativity,” Ms Catley said.

“We deeply value our local artists and today’s opening reflects the pride we take in nurturing and showcasing that creative spirit.

“This upgrade delivers more than a world-class gallery. It creates a welcoming space for locals to come, while also drawing visitors to our region supporting local jobs, strengthening small businesses and investing in the Hunter’s future.”

Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation Chair Suzie Galwey said this was a milestone moment for its members and donors, who had shown unwavering support for the expansion project over many years.

“The opening follows many years of philanthropic giving, community passion, advocacy and fundraising for a world class gallery for Newcastle and the Hunter and we now look forward to continuing to work together as a community to help our new Gallery realise its full potential,” Ms Galwey said.

The project extended the building’s 1977 footprint east along Darby Street and Queen Street to accommodate an additional 1,600 square metres of exhibition space.

It has more than doubled in size from five to 13 galleries, with dedicated areas to exhibit the collection, as well as a new international-standard loading dock and quarantine area needed to manage the safe handling of high value works of art.

Other features of the expansion include a new café and retail shop championing the work of local makers and creators, as well as multi-purpose and educational program spaces that provide additional opportunities for the Gallery to engage with the community.

More than 20,000 people have already visited the Gallery, which has been operating three days a week since the first four new exhibition spaces were opened late last year while the remaining galleries were being prepared for the return of works of art from the collection.

Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton OAM said this was just the tip of the iceberg for the Gallery and its ambitious 2026 exhibition program, which was also announced today. 

“The response from the community since our initial reopening in September last year has been overwhelmingly positive as the anticipation builds towards our full reopening this weekend,” Ms Morton said.

“Visitors have already travelled from every state and territory in Australia and 35 countries across six continents around the world to experience our reimagined Gallery. 

“We’re thrilled to begin the new era of the Gallery with the first large-scale presentation of our collection, Iconic, Loved, Unexpected, which brings together national icons, well-loved favourites and unexpected gems, including never before and rarely seen works.

“But this is just a taste of what’s to come this year with a really significant program of exhibitions from local, national and internationally renowned artists whose works of art will challenge, delight and inspire visitors.”

The ambitious 2026 exhibition program, which was announced today and kicks off in May, features local, national and internationally-renowned artists.

Highlights include Brian Robinson: Multiverse (23 May to 30 August 2026), the first major solo exhibition in NSW by the multi-skilled artist, who grew up on Waiben (Thursday Island) in the Torres Strait. It will feature new and rarely seen works across his multidisciplinary practice.

The Mordant Family Gift: Newcastle Art Gallery Collection (23 May – 8 November 2026) celebrates the incredible gift from Simon Mordant AO and Catriona Mordant AM, the largest number of works of art the leading philanthropists have ever gifted to one institution.

From September, the Gallery will present Muse, the first major Australian survey of globally recognised and Newcastle-based artist Angela Tiatia (26 September 2026 – 21 February 2027). Spanning 20 years of video, photography, and installation, this landmark exhibition is the largest presentation of Tiatia’s practice to date.

The year concludes with a world-first inaugural solo exhibition by national icon and painter Anh Do (28 November 2026 – 28 March 2027). This expansive exhibition brings together celebrity portraits, Archibald Prize entries, character sketches from his award-winning books and new landscapes, offering audiences an intimate insight into the artist’s distinctive visual world.

Further information on the 2026 program can be found on the Newcastle Art Gallery website.

Grants awarded to help spread the message of gambling harm among Aboriginal youth

The Minns Labor Government is helping spread the message of gambling harm by funding social media awareness campaigns co-designed by Aboriginal young people for Aboriginal young people.

Our Mob, Our Media, Our Message – Gambling Harm Prevention Grants of $400,000 were offered by the Office of Responsible Gambling (ORG) after a recent survey showed 10.4 per cent of Aboriginal people in NSW experience at-risk gambling, compared to 3.8 per cent across the general population.  

The program acts on advice from Aboriginal stakeholders and organisations on the importance of raising awareness about gambling harm among Aboriginal youth. 

It was made clear that social media is a powerful way to influence attitudes, and that for the content to be engaging and effective, it should be developed by Aboriginal people for Aboriginal people. 

Three not-for-profit organisations with experience working with Aboriginal communities will now partner with young Aboriginal people to create culturally relevant messages about gambling harm and use social media as a tool to engage and educate them. 

The three organisations awarded grants and their projects are:

  • $149,620 to Souths Cares for the Souths Cares Gambling Education Campaign, a six-month digital initiative to reduce gambling harm among Aboriginal young people by using Souths Cares’ community networks and the South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL club brand to co-design culturally appropriate messages with youth and ambassadors. South Sydney Rabbitohs is also a partner of the NSW Government’s Reclaim the Game program that enables the club to turn down sports betting sponsorships and eliminate sports betting advertising at their home games.
  • $150,000 to the Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation to run the Don’t Get Caught in the Gambling Net Campaign, a 12-month Aboriginal youth-led campaign that will engage young people across Macarthur, Illawarra and the South Coast to co-create culturally specific media assets through on-country workshops and storytelling.
  • $100,000 to the Ungooroo Aboriginal Corporation for the Ungooroo Gambling Minimisation Project, a co-designed, community-led campaign to reduce gambling harm among Aboriginal young people in the Singleton and Muswellbrook regions by empowering local voices to share lived experiences and create culturally safe, community-informed messages.

The organisations will have 18 months to deliver the educational campaigns.

Capacity building activities were incorporated into the program to support organisations to apply for, co-design and deliver their projects and meet reporting and evaluation requirements. 

For more information, go to: https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/our-mob-our-media-our-message-gambling-harm-prevention-grants

Minister for Gaming and Racing and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said:

“I’m pleased to support these three organisations to create engaging social media content that encourages conversations about gambling harm and challenges attitudes around gambling.

“The Office of Responsible Gambling was established to provide support to people experiencing gambling harm, which it achieves through a range of services, including face-to-face, telephone and online counselling.

“The statistics showing the higher rates of Aboriginal people experiencing gambling harm in NSW are concerning and this partnership approach to reach young Aboriginal people will help close this unacceptable gap and ensure our goal of preventing and minimising gambling harm can be met across all communities in NSW.”

Souths Rabbitohs NRL player and Souths Cares Ambassador Cody Walker said:

“Souths Cares leads the way in promoting positive messages that empower young people.

“I’m proud to support this campaign as an ambassador and help young people rethink gambling and recognise the harm it can cause.”

About the organisations

Souths Cares is an independent not-for-profit public benevolent institution, delivering transformational education, employment, training and health promotion programs. It was built upon the South Sydney Rabbitohs’ long and proud history of supporting the community, in particular Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation is a not-for-profit holistic Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation. It provides a wide range of comprehensive, culturally safe health and wellbeing services at the highest standard possible to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community in the Southwestern Sydney region.

Ungooroo Aboriginal Corporation is a not-for-profit, 100 per cent Aboriginal-owned community organisation based in Singleton NSW. It provides a range of services such as health, youth support, training and employment opportunities, Aboriginal art and tourism, economic development and social inclusion services, including NDIS and mental health programs.

$1 auctions return to the Northern Rivers

The NSW Government is bringing back one of Australia’s most unique house sale programs with the return of the flood buyback auctions for 2026.

The NSW Government is bringing back one of Australia’s most unique house sale programs with the return of the flood buyback auctions for 2026.

To date, 130 flood-affected properties, bought by the NSW Government through the Resilient Homes Program, have been offered for sale to be relocated to flood-free land by the new owner.

Most buyers have been locals, with house sale prices ranging from $1 to $200,000 attracting attention nationwide.

The next releases include 10 buyback homes from South and East Lismore and central Lismore going to auction at the Lismore Workers Sports Club in Goonellabah from 5:30pm on Tuesday, 3 March 2026.

Another auction has been scheduled for Murwillumbah on March 17 for a further 10 properties in Murwillumbah, Bray Park and Burringbar.

There is no reserve price on these houses, meaning bidding can start and end at $1, making it one of the most accessible housing opportunities in Australia.

To ensure a smooth transition to safer ground, this year’s program introduces a new requirement: successful bidders must have a destination site ready at the time of purchase. This change is designed to help new homeowners hit the ground running, with all houses required to be moved by the end of 2026.

The NSW Reconstruction Authority is committed to supporting buyers through every step of this journey. A dedicated Relocation Concierge service has been established to provide personalised guidance, alongside a suite of online resources to help navigate the logistics of moving and restumping these unique homes.

As Australia’s largest climate adaptation initiative, the Resilient Homes Program continues to create safer communities by removing homes from high-risk floodplains and giving them a second life on higher, more resilient land.

More details on the homes available through the Lismore auctions can be found at:  https://www.walmurray.com.au/pages/real-estate/ra-auction-houses

A helpful guide on the house relocation process can be found at: https://youtu.be/MUMZgI4dabY

Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin said:

“We aren’t just auctioning houses; we are saving the ‘tin and timber’ soul of the Northern Rivers.

“These auctions give local families—especially those starting out—a rare, affordable shot at home ownership while ensuring our region’s unique character is preserved for the future.

“It’s about moving our history to higher ground and giving these beautiful homes a second life in a safer place.”

NSW Reconstruction Authority Executive Director Northern Rivers Adaptation Division Kristie Clarke said:

“The Resilient Homes Program is one of the most innovative initiatives undertaken after a disaster in Australia.

“Through the buyback process, we’re removing homes from the floodplain and creating new opportunities for local families by making some of these available for relocation.”

 

Minns Labor Government delivering major public school infrastructure upgrades for Wollondilly

The Minns Labor Government is delivering new schools and vital infrastructure upgrades across the growing Wollondilly area to ensure local students have access to world-class public schools with excellent facilities and opportunities.

The school infrastructure Labor is delivering for the area includes brand new schools in Wilton, upgrades at Bowral High School and Picton High School to improve student opportunities and outcomes, and vital maintenance work to ensure existing schools provide a high-quality learning environment. 

Bowral High School has recently celebrated the opening of their new industry-standard creative and performing arts centre, dubbed ‘The Theatre’, as part of a commitment to enhance high potential and gifted education (HPGE) opportunities for students.

The state-of-the-art performing arts space provides students opportunities to develop backstage skills, along with public-facing drama, dance, music, debating and movie making opportunities. ‘The Theatre’ is also available for public school students across the Southern Highlands region to use.

As part of the NSW Government’s commitment to provide HPGE opportunities at all NSW public schools, teachers at Bowral High School are receiving targeted training to ensure best use of the new performing arts centre.

The Bowral High School upgrade also includes visual arts and science classrooms, hospitality facilities fitted out to industry standard, wood and metal work rooms.

At Picton High School, a recent upgrade has transformed unworkable learning spaces delivered under the failed open-plan learning experiment of the former Liberal National government into 26 state-of-the-art classrooms, as well as seven new staff and seminar rooms.

Construction is also underway on the new high school, public primary school and public preschool for the growing community of Wilton, with all three set to open Day 1, Term 1, 2027.

In addition to the new and upgraded schools, there are currently more than 15 maintenance and minor works projects underway in Wollondilly’s existing public schools to ensure students have a great environment to learn in.

The projects are part of the Minns Labor Government’s record $9 billion investment in new and upgraded schools.

Students in Wollondilly are also benefiting from more teachers in the classroom with local schools starting the year with 66.6% fewer vacancies compared to peak of the teacher shortage crisis overseen by the former Liberal National Government.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

“The upgrades at Bowral High School, including the cutting-edge performing arts centre and specialist classrooms, reflect our commitment to help every student reach their potential.

“Our investment in projects at schools across the Wollondilly electorate represents a real step forward for education across the Southern Highlands.

“We are delivering first-class facilities for Wollondilly and the Southern Highlands as we rebuild public education in New South Wales.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:

“The Minns Labor Government is committed to ensuring every child in NSW has access to the lifechanging benefits of a world-class public education close to home.

“That is why we are building new schools in growing communities where they are needed most, and delivering upgrades to ensure our schools continue to provide students with world-class opportunities and an excellent environment for learning.

“The work of rebuilding public education is also in recognising the value of our teachers and thanks to our historic wage rise, teacher vacancies are now at a 12-year low.”

Member for Wollondilly Judy Hannan said:

“We have not had any improvements to education in Wollondilly for 70 years. Thanks to the NSW Government, Wollondilly families have brilliant facilities and deserve it.

“I look forward to the much anticipated opening of Wilton High School, Wilton preschool and Public School with students in place at the start of next year.

“I am pleased Bowral High School now offers a comprehensive High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) program designed to nurture student talents across academic, creative, sporting, and social-emotional domains. I thank the NSW Department of Education for allocating $8 million to upgrade Bowral High School for this purpose.

“Tangara School in Renwick has an additional classroom for students with special needs.

“Picton High school upgrade now has functional classroom walls and a new school hall. I know educators are enthusiastic about teaching our local students – clambering to get a teaching position in our local schools, rather than running from Wollondilly to teaching jobs outside of Wollondilly.

“I appreciate working with The Hon. Prue Car and the Premier. I hope the state government’s commitment to Wollondilly’s educational future and investment continues. I look forward to more education project announcements in the Wollondilly electorate.”

Safija Bristina, Bowral High School Relieving Principal said:

“We are thrilled with our new creative and performing arts centre, ‘The Theatre’, a state-of-the-art facility and the best performing arts space in the Southern Highlands, endorsed by industry experts.

“It provides our students with top-tier, industry-standard resources to nurture their talents in dance, drama, music, and more.

“This fantastic space not only enhances our high potential and gifted education programs but also allows us to engage with local primary schools, strengthening our community ties.”

Luke Farthing, Picton High School Principal said:

“We have an extensive range of curriculum offerings at our school that require specialist rooms and facilities.

“This project has increased the number of functional, separated classrooms, and that means we can expand curriculum opportunities for our students.”

Housing and infrastructure on the fast track through works in kind

The Minns Labor Government is making it easier and faster to deliver the infrastructure which supports housing growth with the release of the finalised Works-in-Kind (WIK) Guideline and Infrastructure Opportunity Plans (IOPs).

Working together the Guideline and IOPs will allow developers to meet their Housing and Productivity Contributions by directly delivering infrastructure like roads, open space and active transport or dedicating land for transport corridors, schools, emergency services or other public purposes.

This is another example of the Minns Labor Government taking a coordinated approach to infrastructure and housing delivery, so that young people, families and downsizers all have access to the homes and services they need in the communities they choose to live in.

The finalised Guideline sets out a clear process for assessing infrastructure proposals from developers and with the opportunity plans, directly aligns infrastructure projects with the supply of new homes.

The Guideline also allows developers to submit Works in Kind offers at various stages of planning including with a rezoning proposal and before or after gaining approval so housing and jobs enabling infrastructure can be delivered sooner.

Infrastructure Opportunity Plans have been developed which cover Greater Sydney, the Central Coast, Illawarra-Shoalhaven, the Lower Hunter and Greater Newcastle, each providing a comprehensive list of projects which could be delivered through Works in Kind agreements.

Each plan was developed through the Urban Development Program that brings together state agencies, councils, utility providers, and industry peak bodies, to align plans for housing and infrastructure in each of NSW’s fastest‑growing regions.

Importantly the IOPs will be updated annually in line with the NSW Budget cycle to make sure enabling infrastructure is identified early and included in the forward planning for state agencies.   

Proposals for projects on an Infrastructure Opportunity Plan will be assessed under a streamlined pathway, while projects not on an IOP will still be considered through separate criteria.

The Infrastructure Opportunity Plans provide transparency for proponents and communities on projects which can support future housing growth, including projects which may not yet have Government funding.

The finalisation of the Works in Kind Guidelines and the Infrastructure Opportunity Plans is the next step in the Minns Labor Government’s work to build better communities.

For more information about Works-in-Kind, visit:  Housing and Productivity Contribution webpage.

For more about Infrastructure Opportunities Plans, visit: Infrastructure Opportunities Plans webpage.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“The Minns Labor Government is improving infrastructure delivery and project feasibility by allowing developers to deliver infrastructure like roads, open space and active transport, or dedicate land for transport corridors, schools, emergency services or other public purposes as part of reforms to infrastructure contributions.

“The Works in Kind Guideline and Infrastructure Opportunity Plans will work together to fast track and coordinate the delivery of new homes and the infrastructure to support them.

“We’re giving the industry a clear line of sight to the projects that matter most and making sure crucial enabling infrastructure can be delivered alongside housing, by allowing Works in Kind offers at various planning stages.

“This overturns the previous Government’s approach of delivering housing while ignoring the infrastructure needs of new or growing communities. When new communities are built, they need to include schools, transport and open spaces. Residents shouldn’t have to spend years fighting for them.”

Nearly 200 health workers take up jobs in the bush

Nearly 200 healthcare professionals across NSW have made a temporary tree change and accepted short term positions in the bush, as part of the NSW Health Deployment Program.

To date, more than 1,000 deployments have been completed, giving healthcare professionals the opportunity to travel and work in regional, rural and remote parts of NSW they may never have visited, with accommodation and travel costs covered.  

The program offers positions of between two and 13 weeks across a range of priority roles including nursing, midwifery, occupational therapy, podiatry, speech pathology, physiotherapy and more.

One of those to benefit from the program is Speech Pathologist Emma.

After several years working in metropolitan health services Emma was ready for a change. Since joining the program in 2024, Emma has completed eight deployments across NSW, including Narrabri, Griffith, Broken Hill, Tumut, Port Macquarie and Inverell.

One of the most unexpected outcomes of deployment was meeting her partner, Issa, during a placement in Griffith in 2024. Issa also joined the Deployment Program in September 2025.

The Minns Labor Government has introduced a broad suite of reforms to further strengthen and rebuild the state’s health workforce including:

  • Abolishing the wages cap and delivering the largest wage increase to healthcare workers in a decade;
  • Implementing safe staffing levels in our emergency departments;
  • Saving 1,112 nurses which the Liberal Government planned to sack; and
  • Supporting our future health workforce by providing them with study subsidies

For more information on the NSW Health Deployment Program, including details on how to apply, visit the NSW Health website.

Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park:

“This is an important program that is providing much-needed support to our hardworking health staff in rural and regional NSW, in hospitals or health services where they are most needed.

“For many regional communities, deployment clinicians mean they can access services locally instead of travelling long distances.”

“By applying their skills and experiences, these health professionals have the opportunity to make a real difference.”

Speech Pathologist Emma Devrell:

“I’d always wanted to work for NSW Health. I was also looking for something different — a chance to experience new places, grow professionally and have a bit of adventure.

“Every deployment is memorable in its own way, but what stands out most is the community. Teams welcome you with open arms, and patients are genuinely grateful you’re there. It reminds you how important access to health services is in regional communities.

“It’s allowed me to grow professionally, explore regional NSW, and build connections I’ll keep for life. And I know the work we do makes a real difference in communities.”