Hunter the first to trial new tech to avoid delays at Adamstown Level Crossing

The Minns Labor Government is a step closer to ensuring Adamstown motorists will be the first in NSW to benefit from new technology designed to help drivers avoid waits at railway boom gates, with proposed locations now identified.

Developed in-house by Transport for NSW, the new digital warning system will be installed early next year, giving drivers advance notice of a lengthy freight train delay.

The digital signs will be installed at key decision points on the surrounding road network, automatically advising when extended delays are expected at the crossing, allowing motorists to take an alternative route before reaching the crossing.

Transport for NSW has now identified the proposed locations for the new signs, which are close to the intersections on Bridges Road and Brunker Road.

The Adamstown crossing has long been a source of frustration for Hunter motorists, with the line used to carry both passenger rail and freight trains.

The technology consists of a wireless communications link between the rail crossing equipment and the local Traffic Signal Controller. When the railway crossing gates are activated for an extended period, the system will automatically send a signal to operate electronic signs at strategic approach points.

The digital signs are expected to be installed and operational by early 2027. The Government will work to deliver the works as quickly as possible.

Minister for Transport, John Graham said:

“This will mean faster more reliable journeys around Adamstown and less frustration getting stuck at the crossing.

“We’ve heard locals loud and clear that this crossing was costing them way too much time. We know there is more work to be done in the long term, but as soon as next year this tech solution will help people avoid the long waits.” 

Minister for the Hunter, Yasmin Catley said:

“We understand the frustration of drivers who get caught at the Adamstown Gates. This is a busy rail corridor, carrying freight that keeps our economy moving and passenger trains that thousands of commuters rely on. 

“In a first for our region, Hunter motorists will have access to new technology to give drivers a heads-up before they reach the crossing, so they can take another route instead of sitting in traffic. 

“This is a practical investment and a practical improvement that will make a difference every day for local drivers.” 

Minister for Roads and Regional Transport, Jenny Aitchison said: 

“We want to thank local drivers for their patience while Transport for NSW developed a solution to this issue. These digital warning sign will allow motorists to be notified about rail movements, before they’re forced to sit in traffic and wait for a freight train to pass.

“Knowing about delays well in advance of arriving at the Adamstown Gates will give motorists the chance to pick a different route, avoid lengthy wait times and get to their destination sooner.

“The Member for Newcastle and the Member for Charlestown have advocated strongly for a way to ease the congestion at Adamstown Gates. This solution will see a reduction in congestion, and an improvement in traffic flow for all road users.”

Member for Newcastle, Tim Crakanthorp said:

“The Adamstown Gates is a long-standing frustration for locals, and after strong advocacy for action, I am very pleased to see a solution to relieve some of the pressure.

“The digital signage will give drivers the heads up early of incoming freight trains, allowing them to take an alternate route and avoid being stuck at a standstill.

“The Lower Hunter Freight Corridor remains the long-term solution to congestion at the Adamstown Gates, and this digital signage will prove much-needed relief while that project progresses.

“I want to thank the everyone for their patience while these signs are rolled out.”

Member for Charlestown, Jodie Harrison said:

“The Adamstown level crossing has long frustrated local motorists, which is why I’m pleased the Minns Labor Government is delivering a practical solution to reduce delays and that frustration.

“The new digital signage is a great outcome for our community, delivering practical improvements for local motorists through continued advocacy.

“This upgrade will give motorists greater choice in how they travel, helping improve traffic flow and making daily journeys through Adamstown easier and more convenient.”

MEU welcomes Mount Pleasant jobs commitment

The NSW Government’s intervention at Mount Pleasant coal mine will protect hundreds of Hunter jobs and give workers and their families vital certainty, the Mining and Energy Union said.

The Minns Government announced today it will legislate to address uncertainty created by the recent High Court decision affecting the mine’s 2022 expansion approval, allowing production of up to 16.5 million tonnes a year until 2032.

The statutory consent depends on MACH Energy maintaining its permanent workforce until 2032. Mount Pleasant currently supports 826 permanent employees and contractors.

MEU General President Grahame Kelly said the Government had listened to workers and acted quickly.

“This is a very welcome decision for Mount Pleasant workers and their families, who have faced enormous uncertainty through no fault of their own.

“Without urgent intervention, hundreds of mineworkers could have been out of a job by Christmas. The Government has recognised the unique circumstances and acted with the urgency required.”

The Union warned that reverting to the former 12.4-million-tonne annual limit could cost 370 jobs by Christmas and hit Hunter suppliers and local businesses.

“These are good mining jobs supporting families, businesses and communities across the Upper Hunter.

“We thank Premier Chris Minns and Resources Minister Courtney Houssos for acting decisively.

“There is more work to do on Mount Pleasant’s future beyond 2032, but the job security delivered by this announcement is very welcome.”

Hunter community that won in the High Court says special law for one coal mine looks like overreach

The Denman Aberdeen Muswellbrook Scone Healthy Environment Group (DAMS HEG) won the High Court case over the Mount Pleasant coal mine. It says the NSW Government’s plan to legislate for higher production at that one mine looks like legislative overreach, and is asking the Government to publish the Bill and answer how much coal the mine has been producing, and under which approval.

The Government says it will introduce legislation in the next sitting fortnight to authorise Mount Pleasant to produce 16.5 million tonnes a year until 2032, with a guarantee that MACH Energy keeps its current permanent workforce until then. The Bill would also add conditions to minimise the mine’s Scope 3 emissions.

The Government’s own release says MACH Energy has been scaling up its operations in line with the 2022 Independent Planning Commission approval, which the courts have found was made invalid. The mine’s current approval allows 12.5 million tonnes a year to 2032 (approved in August), up from 10.5 million tonnes under the original consent. DAMS HEG has asked the Department of Planning what the mine has produced and under which approval, and has not received answers.

DAMS HEG says workers’ livelihoods matter, and that protecting them should not depend on a special law for one company.

Elaine Johnson, Director, Johnson Legal, the firm that represents DAMS HEG in the Court of Appeal and High Court, said: “The announcement from the Government today that it will legislate to allow increased production at Mount Pleasant coal mine looks like legislative overreach.

“The proposed changes to the law to allow an increase in production limits at one mine in NSW makes it look like laws are being written for individual mine owners and not in the public interest.

“The mine already has a modified approval allowing continued production until 2032. It’s unclear why it needs special legislation to increase production without going through the proper planning process.

“Communities engaged in good faith in the planning process around this mine. This community brought public interest litigation seeking to enforce the law of the land. They won. That decision needs to be respected.

“What is needed is not special legislation increasing coal production. What is urgently needed is a sensible and appropriately funded transition plan for places like the Upper Hunter for a clean and healthy future for all.”

Wendy Wales, President, DAMS HEG, a retired science teacher who lives next door to the Mount Pleasant mine, said: “We have never wanted anyone in the Hunter to lose their livelihood. What was asked was whether our governments properly consider the cost of climate harm unleashed by the burning of export coal. The Government’s own release says the mine has been scaling up on an approval the courts have set aside. A law written for one company, days after the High Court ruled against that company, is an inappropriate use of the NSW legislative process. The laws should reflect a balance where the overall welfare of citizens and environment is paramount and industry serves the needs of all citizens.”

Tony Lonergan, Treasurer, DAMS HEG, a retired science teacher and farmer whose family has worked land in the Upper Hunter for generations, said: “If parliament can find the time to legislate for one mine in a fortnight, it can find the time to finish the Future Jobs and Investment Bill, which passed the upper house on Thursday and now returns to the lower house. That bill is for workers at every coal mine, not just one. Mount Pleasant already has an approval to run until 2032. Six years is enough to plan properly for the people who work there.” 

DAMS HEG is asking the Government to publish the Bill before it is debated, to say what Mount Pleasant has produced since July 2025 and under which approval, and to make clear whether the Bill validates past production.

BACKGROUND

  • The High Court dismissed MACH Energy’s appeal by a 3 to 2 majority on 7 October 2026. The 2022 approval for the Mount Pleasant expansion (to 21 million tonnes a year and 2048) remains invalid, and the matter returns to the NSW Land and Environment Court.
  • The mine’s approvals are 10.5 million tonnes a year under the original consent (DA 92/97) and 12.5 million tonnes a year to 31 December 2032 under Modification 8, approved on 14 August 2026.
  • The NSW Government announced on 19 October 2026 that it will introduce legislation in the next sitting fortnight to authorise 16.5 million tonnes a year until 2032, require MACH Energy to sign a Jobs Guarantee to keep its permanent workforce until 2032, and add conditions to minimise Scope 3 emissions. It describes the Bill as a one-off for Mount Pleasant.
  • The Government’s release refers to 400 jobs and also to 826 permanent workers and contractors at the mine. The Mining and Energy Union has said more than 700 jobs are affected.
  • The Future Jobs and Investment Bill establishes a fund and a public authority to promote economic diversification in coal-dependent communities, and requires coal mine owners to provide transition support for workers when mines close. It passed the Legislative Council on Thursday 15 October with minor amendments and now returns to the Legislative Assembly.
  • DAMS HEG is represented by Johnson Legal. Johnson Legal case page: https://www.johnsonlegal.au/the-latest/mach-energy-v-denman-high-court-of-australia 

Commission for International Agricultural Research appointments

Today I announce six new appointments to Australia’s Commission for International Agricultural Research. I am pleased to welcome:

  • Ms Victoria Anderson – Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
  • Professor Neil Andrew – Chair Professor of the Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security, University of Wollongong
  • Professor Christopher Findlay AM – Honorary Professor of the Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University
  • Ms Erin Gorter – Director, Grower Group Alliance
  • Professor Peter Kanowski – Professor of Forestry at the Australian National University
  • Mr Peter Varghese AO – Chair of the Australian Public Policy Institute

Commission Chair Ms Fiona Simson has also been appointed for another term.

The Commission provides expert advice to the Government on international agricultural research programs, research priorities and the allocation of program funding through the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR).

Each member was chosen for their expertise in specific areas of international agricultural research, governance and board leadership, science and innovation, and development policy.

I thank outgoing Commissioners Professor Lindsay Falvey, Dr Michelle Freeman, Ms Lukina Lukin, Dr Beth Woods and Mr Tony York for their service to the Commission and commitment to sustainable agricultural development.

Labor review into aged care assessments means human override must be urgently reinstated: Greens

Labor has finally admitted there may be a problem in their aged care assessment algorithm with a review into their Integrated Assessment Tool.

Today though, they rejected the urgent measure that human override be reinstated by voting down a Greens amendment to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Aged Care Commissioner Bill.

The Bill contained both the establishment of the office of the Commissioner on a permanent basis, and a separate schedule related to the controversial aged care assessment system.

The new schedule was tacked on to the bill last month to serious criticism from the Greens. The ‘escalation pathway’ contained in the schedule does not restore human override by clinicians, instead allowing the Department to review decisions. This pathway was harshly criticised by experts in the hearing on the Bill. 

The Senate has previously passed a bill to reinstate human override for assessments, and a Greens motion to scrap it altogether.

Senator Penny Allman-Payne, Greens spokesperson Older People:

“Labor’s aged care assessment tool is broken, it is systematically underassessing older people, especially those with cognitive issues, frailty and mental health conditions.

“Older people are dying because this tool is denying them the care they need, and the Labor government is blind to it.

“We have been told to wait for the much-needed review, but older Australians cannot wait any longer. They need human override to protect them from this broken tool now.

“The Greens amendment would’ve immediately restored human override by clinicians, and it is disappointing that Labor and the Coalition have not taken this opportunity to do so.

“We know that Labor can reinstate human override at any time with the stroke of a pen, and every under-assessment that this tool spits out is a political choice by this government.”

National and Youth unemployment at five-year highs

Labour Force data released today shows unemployment hit 4.7% in September, with youth unemployment jumping up to 11.1%, more than double the national rate. 

Both are at the highest rate seen in 5 years – when the unemployment rate was driven to historic lows under the Coalition’s Government’s pandemic recovery.

Earlier this week the IMF predicted Australia would have the largest increase in the unemployment rate in the advanced world in 2027 to 4.7%. It has already reached that prediction.

There are 102,700 more Australians unemployed in the past year alone.

Since Labor came to power, almost 177,400 additional Australians are out of work, with 85,200 more young Australians unemployed now than when the Coalition left office. 

Hours worked grew again, meaning Australians are working longer than they were a year ago. 

This follows the latest Labour Account data which showed more than one million Australians hold multiple jobs, including a record number of women and young Australians. 

Labor boasts about record jobs growth but the truth is that jobs growth is being driven by population growth.

the Deputy Leader: 

“Earlier this week, the IMF predicted Australia would have the largest increase in unemployment in the advanced world in 2027, reaching 4.7 per cent. Australia has already reached that rate. 

“Both the national unemployment rate and the youth unemployment rate are at five-year highs. That is a damning indictment of Labor’s economic management. 

“The Coalition drove unemployment to historic lows as Australia recovered from the pandemic. Under Labor, almost 180,000 more Australians are unemployed than when we left office. 

“Labor should be focused on creating the conditions for businesses to invest, grow and employ more Australians, not presiding over rising inflation, higher taxes and a deteriorating jobs market.”

the Shadow Treasurer: 

“Policy should be driving unemployment, spending, inflation and interest rates down, instead unemployment is up, spending is up, inflation is up and interest rates are up”. 

“Unemployment has gone up 0.6 percentage points since January, and the International Monetary Fund’s report card this week is projecting 800,000 Australians out of work next year because of the Albanese economic model”.

“Australia is set to have the biggest rise in unemployment in the developed world. That isn’t bad luck, it’s bad policy. The Albanese government stoked inflation, taxed inflation and spent inflation, and now Australians are going to pay for it with their jobs and livelihoods.”

“The Albanese government is on track for another gold medal after receiving one for the biggest drop in living standards in the developed world, with rising inflation and higher interest rates, and this time it is for the biggest rise in unemployment in the developed world”.

Millions of stories mark 20 years of Wallsend Library

City of Newcastle has turned the page on two decades of stories, learning and community connection at Wallsend Library, celebrating 20 years at the heart of the western suburbs in 2026.

Since 2006, the library has welcomed close to four million visitors, who have borrowed an incredible 7.9 million books from its shelves.

People standing in a library spaceCr Elizabeth Adamczyk, Cr Callum Pull and City of Newcastle Director of Museum Archives, Library and Learning Julie Baird celebrate 20 years of Wallsend Library, which has seen almost eight million books and other items borrowed by the community.

Wallsend Library has cemented its role as one of the region’s most used and loved community assets, notching up the title of Newcastle’s most visited library for 19 of its 20 years, beaten only by the Newcastle City branch last year.

Councillor Callum Pull said the role that the library had played in the lives of hundreds of thousands of people cannot be understated.

“In a fast but furious 20 years, Wallsend Library has shown a remarkable ability to be all things to all people,” Cr Pull said.

“Think of the youngsters who learn their ABCs here, the parents who rely on baby book club for connection, the students who study hard, and the thousands of Novocastrians who borrow books, surf the web, grab seeds for their gardens, and enjoy all the things a library offers.

“Newcastle should be proud of its libraries, and I encourage everyone to visit your local branch and take advantage of what these incredible community spaces have to offer, especially if it’s been a little while since your last visit.”  

Architecturally stunning and award-winning upon its opening in 2006, Wallsend Library provides a unique oasis for millions of people with luscious indoor trees, high curved roofs, skylights and UV filtered windows.

Built to service the needs of the fast-growing western corridor, the current Wallsend Library replaced the 1948-built Wallsend Branch Library on Cowper Street.

City of Newcastle Director of Museum Archives, Library and Learning, Julie Baird said the branch plays a vital role in connecting people with one another.

“We are in the heart of the Wallsend retail precinct, you can catch a bus to our front door, and we were purpose-built for the growth we’re continuing to see in this part of the city,” Ms Baird said.

“To celebrate 20 years the community have created a kaleidoscope of butterflies for the windows, representing the transformative power of reading and storytelling, as well as the shared growth and transformation of the library and its community.

“We are proud that Wallsend Library can offer such a wide range of programs to support literacy, education, digital inclusion, and social connection across our western suburbs, and of the role that this branch and our people play to respond to the changing needs of our communities.”

Local resident Ashraf Abdelbkay said Wallsend Library has played a significant role in the lives of his family over the years.

“The library means a lot to me and to my family and to the community I belong to. I’m trying to connect my kids with a library here, to read books from a young age, to be familiar with the environment here in the library,” Mr Abdelbkay said. 

“For my community, it’s a place where they come to the different programs here, [such as] Multicultural Book Club where people come and meet other people and exchange cultures. And I’m happy to see a lot of books here in the library in different languages.” 

Visit the Newcastle Libraries website to learn more about the programs, exhibitions, events, catalogues, Newcastle history, venue hire, study spaces, online archives, and dozens of other services on offer.

Reforms pass Parliament, paving the way for a stronger firefighting fleet

The Minns Labor Government is delivering a stronger, more reliable Rural Fire Service (RFS) fleet, with legislation to modernise the management of more than 6,000 firefighting and support vehicles passing NSW Parliament.

The passage of the Rural Fires Amendment (Fire Fighting Fleet) Bill 2026 will enable ownership of the RFS’s ‘red fleet’ to transfer from local councils to the RFS from 1 July 2027, aligning responsibility for the vehicles with the service that operates them.

The reform is backed by a $470 million investment over 10 years to improve fleet reliability, strengthen safety and ensure firefighters have the vehicles and equipment they need to respond to bushfires and other emergencies.

More than $29 million will be invested over two years to establish a network of up to eight regional maintenance hubs, supporting local jobs, apprenticeships and regional industry.

A further $106 million will be invested over four years in critical maintenance and safety upgrades across the state.

This reform has been supported by councils who have long advocated for this change. The transition will be managed in partnership with local government, recognising their longstanding contribution to the RFS and the important role they continue to play in bushfire prevention, hazard reduction and emergency management.

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

“Really proud to deliver this historic reform that will ensure our RFS fleet is safe, reliable and ready to go when communities need it.

“Our volunteer firefighters put themselves on the line to protect people, homes and communities. They need vehicles that are fit for purpose and properly maintained.

“We’re backing this reform with a $470 million investment that will strengthen our firefighting capability and support regional jobs.”

RFS Commissioner Trent Curtin said:

“This is one of the most significant reforms to the RFS in recent years.

“Bringing fleet ownership and management together will support a more consistent approach to maintaining and replacing the vehicles our members rely on every day.

“It will strengthen our operational capability and help ensure communities across NSW continue to receive the highest level of emergency service.”

Local Government NSW President Darcy Byrne said:

“This is a great outcome for councils and communities across New South Wales after years of persistent advocacy by LGNSW and our individual councils. On behalf of councils particularly in rural, regional and outer metro areas with an RFS presence, I thank the NSW Government for listening to our sector and acting on this sensible reform.

“Councils strongly support the incredible work of the RFS and recognise it is a world leading firefighting service. We look forward to working with the Government over the next 12 months to ensure a successful transition, including appropriate consideration of maintenance contracts.”

Country Mayors Association Chairman Rick Firman said:

“The CMA NSW Board and our 89 member councils are very much looking forward to the removal of the RFS ‘red fleet’ from councils’ books. We’ve been advocating and lobbying for this for over 10 years now, and welcome this finally coming to a resolution.

“It is appropriate that the RFS who control the assets actually own them. CMA warmly thanks Minister Jihad Dib, Minister Ron Hoenig, Treasurer Daniel Mookhey and all others involved with making this happen.”

United Services Union General Secretary Graeme Kelly said:

“This is welcome news for councils who have long advocated for the NSW Rural Fire Service to take ownership of its firefighting fleet.

“Having the ‘red fleet’ off the balance sheets of local councils is a big win for local government and a welcome boost for their budgets.”

RFSA President Scott Campbell said:

“The RFSA welcomes the reform. We have advocated for a fair and consistent approach to maintenance.

“RFS appliances are in their communities dealing with incidents or preparing for the upcoming season on a daily basis. The transfer of the firefighting fleet from council to state government is a major reform that will ensure consistency across the state in relation to servicing, tyre replacement programs, and long term in lowering the age of the fleet.

“Our volunteers deserve a consistent, measurable approach to keeping the trucks on the road. We thank councils for their work to date and congratulate Minister Dib for collaborating with councils to ensure a smooth transition.”

Clarence Valley Council suspended and interim administrator appointed

I have today suspended Clarence Valley Council for three months and appointed Mr John Rayner PSM as interim administrator because I reasonably believe his appointment is necessary to restore the proper or effective functioning of the Council.

The Council itself unanimously resolved to seek an external investigation into an extensive range of matters concerning its governance, administration, operations and financial management. Those matters included governance and statutory compliance, workplace culture, recruitment, financial management and procurement, councillor access to information, complaints and Public Interest Disclosures, internal audit and risk management, and possible maladministration, waste and systemic governance failure.

Many of those matters concern fundamental responsibilities of the governing body itself.

I considered submissions and each of the prescribed suspension criteria before making my decision.

Mr Rayner is an experienced local government executive and will exercise the functions of the governing body during the suspension period.

Major rail service boost for Southern Sydney and South Coast

More than a million people living along the T4, T8 and South Coast train lines will benefit from a significant increase in services and reliability when the new rail timetable comes into effect on 15 November.

Rebuilding rail reliability and increasing services is a key focus of the Minns Labor Government after a decade of neglect under the former Liberal government. The new timetable builds on a record $2.1 billion investment in rail maintenance and incident response.

The most significant change to this part of Sydney and the Illawarra’s rail network in more than a decade will deliver more trains, additional capacity and improved performance.

To facilitate the new timetable T4 Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra Line and the South Coast Line will no longer operate on the same track between Arncliffe and Central.

Each line will have their own dedicated express track which will reduce bottlenecks, improve reliability and increase capacity.

Changes on the T4 Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra Line include:

  • Citybound services every four minutes at Sutherland and every three minutes at Hurstville in the AM peak, up from 5 minutes at Sutherland and 3.5 minutes at Hurstville.
  • Trains every 7.5 minutes on average during peak periods at Kogarah, Allawah, Arncliffe, Banksia, Rockdale, Penshurst, Mortdale, Oatley, Kirrawee, Gymea, Miranda, Caringbah, Woolooware and Cronulla – representing up to a 33% increase in frequency.
  • All T4 services will stop at Sydenham for direct connections to Sydney Metro.
  • St Peters and Erskineville stations will join the T4 line, connecting them to the Eastern Suburbs.
  • Services for passengers in Loftus, Engadine, Heathcote and Waterfall will now have direct access to Kogarah Station, allowing access to St George Hospital and TAFE.
  • Two addition late-night services between the Sydney CBD and Cronulla.

Changes on the T8 SYD Airport & South West Line include:

  • Services every four minutes on average during peak periods between Green Square and Wolli Creek, up from every 6.5 minutes. These turn-and-go metro-like services will benefit high density housing communities and aiport travellers.
  • The T8 Airport & South Line will be renamed the T8 SYD Airport & South West Line, better reflecting the destinations and communities it serves.
  • Under the new timetable, all T8 services will operate through the Airport Tunnel via International Airport, Domestic Airport and Green Square, providing a simpler and more consistent service.
  • Passengers travelling from the South West will no longer have direct access to Sydenham, St Peters, Erskineville and Redfern stations during peak periods. These passengers will be required to interchange at Wolli Creek to access these stations.

Changes on the South Coast Line:

  • Peak services between Wollongong and Sydney CBD will have four trains per hour up from three. This will mean services every 15 minutes, up from 20 minutes.
  • Off-peak and weekend services between Wollongong and Sydney CBD will be doubled, running every 30 minutes on average, up from a service every 60 minutes.
  • Over 200 additional weekly services will provide a more consistent timetable across the week.
  • All South Coast services travelling to and from Sydney will stop at Sydenham, providing direct connections to Sydney Metro.
  • Completing the introduction of the Mariyung trains on the South Coast Line, delivering improved comfort, accessibility and customer amenities.
  • A shuttle every 15 minutes in the 8-9am peak hour from the northern suburbs to Wollongong.
  • Additional local services will operate between Wollongong and Thirroul. Passengers at Thirroul, Bulli, Woonona, Bellambi, Corrimal, Towradgi, Fairy Meadow, North Wollongong and Wollongong will benefit from improved local connectivity.

Changes on the T2 Leppington & Inner West Line:

  • Inter-peak services that currently terminate at Homebush will be extended to Parramatta, providing an all-stops T2 Leppington & Inner West Line service between the Sydney CBD and Parramatta every 15 minutes.
  • Passengers at Flemington, Homebush, Lidcombe, Auburn, Clyde and Granville will benefit from improved local connectivity as well as improved access to Parramatta during inter-peak periods.

In 2027 the Minns Labor Government plans to reinstate Kogarah as an express stop, improving access to St George’s Hospital and TAFE, whilst improving services for the increasing number of residents in the area.

While some journeys under the new timetable may take slightly longer due to revised stopping patterns and additional services, the vast majority of passengers will benefit from increased service frequency, improved reliability and better connections across the network.

Transport for NSW is encouraging passengers to check the new timetable and plan their journey before travelling when the changes take effect on 15 November 2026.

For more information on updated timetables click here.

Minister for Transport John Graham said:

“If you rely on the T4, T8 and South Coast Lines this timetable change you will get you more trains, shorter wait times and a more reliable service.

“The former government neglected the heavy rail netowrk but we know a million passengers rely on it everyday. That’s why we’re spending a record $2.1 billion on maintenance and increasing services with this new timetable.

“People living along these lines haven’t seen a signicant service upgrade in over a decade. They deserve better and now they’ll get it.”

Minister for the Illawara and the South Coast Ryan Park said:

“These timetable changes go a long way to ensuring more reliable and more frequent services for the region, making it easier for people to get where they need to go.

“These are services that were neglected for more than a decade under the previous Government. Our communities deserve better than that, that’s why we’ve invested record amounts in rebuilding rail reliability and improving network capacity.

“With these timetable changes, passengers will also benefit from more Mariyung trains on the line, delivering a more comfortable and accessible travel experience for communities across the Illawarra and South Coast.”

Labor Candidate for Oatley Elaina Anzellotti said:

“The Minns Labor Government is delivering more frequent trains across Sydney, and I’m thrilled that Oatley, Mortdale and Penshurst are part of that.”

“For people catching the train to work, heading into the city or getting home to their families, shorter waits and more frequent services will make a real difference.”

“This is a fantastic result for our area, and I’ll keep making the case for the investment and services our community deserves.”