Latest news with #MinnsGovernment
Daily Telegraph
3 days ago
- General
- Daily Telegraph
Revealed: Which Sydney beaches could lose shark nets this summer
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News. Exclusive: Shark nets could be ripped out at some of Sydney's most popular beaches – including world-famous Bondi – this summer for the first time since the 1930s, as the Minns government faces mounting pressure from greenie suburban councils. This is despite no fatal shark attacks being recorded on protected Harbour City beaches since the 1930s and the state government's own shark management experts confirming dangerous species, such as bull sharks, are lurking around our beaches for longer due to warmer water temperatures. The shock move has prompted tourism businesses to warn just one shark attack could derail the lucrative tourist trade. The Sunday Telegraph can reveal Waverley, Northern Beaches and Central Coast councils have been asked to nominate one beach where they want shark nets removed this summer – after pushing to have them all scrapped. In a letter sent to their mayors this week, the three councils were invited to 'participate in the trial' and choose 'one beach … you do not want netted in the 2025/26 shark management program'. Shark management experts have confirmed dangerous species, such as bull sharks, are lurking around our beaches for longer due to warmer water temperatures. Picture: Fiona Ayerst The offer comes after eight coastal councils that usually deploy shark nets, spanning 51 beaches from Newcastle to Wollongong, all voted to dump the meshing program due to concerns about marine life bycatch in the last year. For Waverley Council in the eastern suburbs, there are only two netted beaches to choose from – Bondi and Bronte – meaning two of the busiest and most famous beaches in the country could have no nets this summer. Northern Beaches Council has 13 locations to choose from including Manly, Palm Beach, Dee Why and Narrabeen beaches. On the Central Coast, Terrigal, Avoca, Copacabana and Umina Beach are up for selection. The three councils were chosen for the trial as they have been the most vocal about doing away with meshing after the state government looked to give councils the choice to remove nets – an offer that has since been walked back. Councils have been given until August 22 to nominate their selected beaches to go net-free. Shark nets are due to be installed on September 1. However, Premier Chris Minns and his ministers will ultimately have the final say next month. SW Shark Management program leader Marcel Green deploying the daily drum lines off Manly Beach. Picture: Thomas Lisson If it goes ahead, it will be one of the biggest changes to the state's meshing program since it was introduced in 1937. But this would not be the only change, with nets set to be removed one month early again next year after they were taken down on March 31 to ensure they did not affect migrating turtles. This is despite NSW Shark Management program leader Marcel Green warning that, as water temperatures warm, bull sharks are hanging around our beaches for longer and 'arriving earlier and leaving later by a few days' in spring and autumn. Surfing writer Fred Pawle said the nets, which are 150m long, six metres deep and set 10-12m below the surface, are designed to have a 'mouse trap effect', which he claimed is needed more than ever. 'Fisherman, divers, surfers and swimmers are all reporting that shark numbers are out of control,' Mr Pawle said. 'So it's not a sensible decision to remove nets. It's deliberately endangering lives in order to pander to Green voters, most of whom never go in the water.' Sarah Charlton, Eden Lorenia and Alice Charlton say the nets give beachgoers 'peace of mind'. Picture: Jonathan Ng More than 50 sharks were sighted on Sydney say beaches in the last month alone, according to independent shark alert system Dorsal. For Kensington twins Alice and Sarah Charlton, 20, and their cousin Eden Lorenia, 25, the nets give beachgoers 'peace of mind' knowing how many sharks 'are out there'. Businesses relying on tourism dollars, such as Manly Surf Guide, are also nervous about nets being removed. Owner Ryan Hayfield said taking the nets down would not have an immediate impact on his surf lessons but, if there was a shark attack, visitors would 'freak out' and it would 'definitely impact the tourism industry'. Go Beyond Tours co-owner Mark Bryant shared a similar concern for his coastal sightseeing trips, saying: 'I would prefer to keep the shark nets in … if there were a spate of attacks or sightings it would have an impact (for us)'. Maroubra surfers Tom Jones and Charlie Black said 'all types of protection' should be used until alternatives are 'more reliable'. Picture: Thomas Lisson Randwick Council was spared from the trial to the relief of local Maroubra surfers Tom Jones, 19, and Charlie Black, 18, who said 'all types of protection' should be used until alternatives are 'more reliable'. It comes after last summer was only the second time the full suite of safety measures – including more than 300 smart drum lines, listening stations and drones – were used alongside traditional meshing as part of the annual NSW Shark Management program. Humane World for Animals marine biologist Lawrence Chlebeck called the nets '1930s technology and attitude' with almost 90 per cent of animals caught deemed non-target species. 'Not only do they kill threatened native species like grey nurse sharks and turtles, they are incapable of reducing shark attacks,' he said. 'We've had nearly a century of improvements in technology and our understanding of shark behaviour, and it's time to ditch the nets for good.' Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty oversees the state's shark net policy and said, despite the growing push to have meshing completely removed, the safety of beachgoers remained the 'government's number one priority'. 'We have invested more than $42 million over the last two years on ensuring we have the world's leading shark management program to protect our communities … we will continue that approach in the best form available,' Ms Moriarty said. Do you have a story for The Telegraph? Message 0481 056 618 or email tips@
West Australian
19-07-2025
- Politics
- West Australian
WA Police establish dedicated hate crime unit to target rise in anti-Semitism and racial hatred
WA Police have established a dedicated hate crime unit to combat rising racial hatred and anti-Semitism across the State. Senior members of Perth's Jewish community say incidents of anti-Semitism have risen 300 per cent since renewed Middle East conflicts — sparked by the Hamas attack on Israeli citizens — in October 2023. The unit is only the second such specialised team to be established by police in Australia. The first was in NSW, which was given a $525,000 boost by the Minns Government this year. WA Police Commander Darren Seivwright on Saturday said there was no place for hate crimes in the State. 'The hate crime team was established in response to growing community concern about hate-related offences,' he said. 'The establishment of this team aligns with national efforts to improve the reporting and response of these crimes. 'Criminal offences that are motivated by an ignorance or prejudice towards people that are different from the offenders have no place in WA. 'WA Police Force are well placed to respond to hate-related offending, and no tolerance will be afforded to the small section of our community who engage in this type of insidious behaviour.' The team provides police with the capability to respond to, and investigate, hate motivated incidents, also working with online operatives from the State Security Investigation Group. The unit uses a myriad of sophisticated tools at their disposal to identify and find people involved, including using automatic number plate recognition where applicable and scouring CCTV and dashcam footage. Since the unit was established in April, five arrests have been made in relation to hate-based crimes, including over an anti-Israel graffiti attack on the WA Parliament in May and a Perth man performing a Nazi salute during a live stream in June this year. Across Australia, there has been a disturbing rise of hate crimes and anti-Semitism. Jewish Community Council of WA president Geoff Midalia said while few reports were made, incidents targeting his community were rife. 'Every week there is a drive-by at a school where somebody winds down the window and takes photos, or somebody drives by a synagogue screaming 'F… the Jews or someone doing a Heil Hitler sign out the window,' he said. 'This is ongoing. It's regular. 'Since October 7, 2023, the increase in anti-Semitism in our community has been around 300 per cent.' Establishment of the hate crime team comes off the back of several measures already taken by the WA Government to address similar incidents. Legislation enacted in March prohibits the public display of Nazi symbols and the Nazi salute. A maximum penalty of five years imprisonment applies. The Cook Government is also introducing a 'post and boast' offence to punish the glorification of illegal and dangerous acts on social media. The new laws will impose penalties of up to three years' jail for circulating such material, including online. The laws will target material on social media that may humiliate, intimidate or victimise a person, increase the reputation or notoriety of the offender, glorify the conduct, or encourage copycat behaviour. Those who don't remove offending material face a year's jail and a $12,000 fine. Offences covered by the legislation will include assaults, stealing and robbery; property damage; dangerous or reckless driving, racial harassment and inciting racial hatred and Nazi symbols and salutes. Premier Roger Cook said on Saturday his government would do all it could to keep the Jewish community safe. 'My government has a strong relationship with Western Australia's Jewish community, and we will continue to work together to keep WA safe,' he said. ''We condemn recent attacks like those on an East Melbourne synagogue that strike fear into the heart of all Western Australians. 'Racism and antisemitism will not be tolerated in WA, and WA Police will use every tactic and measure at its disposal to protect the community and catch the perpetrators. 'Hate crimes have no place in WA and we will do everything to crack down on the cowardly thugs who commit these vile attacks.'
News.com.au
16-07-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
$1 homes set to change Sydney landscape
The Minns Government has launched a 'pattern book' of pre-approved house designs intended to provide an accelerated pathway for the approval of new low-rise houses. Homes built following the eights designs in the pattern book will only take 10 days to get approval and will bypass much of the council red tape that's contributed to significant housing backlogs. The designs range from terraces, townhouses and manor homes and will cost $1,000 to use, but the NSW government has promised to charge just $1 for those using the designs over the first six months of the program. A media release announcing the designs revealed that these charges will help those building new homes bypass an estimated $20,000 in fees for custom architecture. The announcement follows the launch of an international pattern book design competition in 2024, with the state government endorsing eight designs for families, young people and downsizers. NSW Premier Chris Minns and Minister of Planning Spaces Paul Scully revealed that the designs were aimed at accelerating the development of affordable and sustainable housing. Each design will be adaptable for different family sizes and housing needs, including different room formations and layout. The government claimed in the release that this would help create vibrant diverse communities. Each design purchase will come with a complimentary Landscape Pattern to help new homeowners design gardens. 'This Pattern Book is about giving people more choice, faster approvals and affordable, high-quality homes – whether you're a young person trying to get in, a family needing more space, or a downsizer looking to stay close to the community you know,' Mr Minns stated in the release. 'This is a practical step to make the housing system fairer – and make sure NSW remains a place where the next generation can live and thrive.' The delivery of homes through the pattern book is further supported by the Minns Government's Low and Mid-Rise Housing reforms aimed to make terraces, townhouses and manor houses broadly permissible across NSW.
The Guardian
08-07-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Building Commission NSW using old parking infringement notice books to fine builders and developers
The Building Commission NSW is using old parking infringement notice books with carbon paper to issue fines to builders and developers who break the law, the state's building commissioner, James Sherrard, has confirmed. Officers are required to cross out the words 'Department of Motor Transport' and write 'Building Commission NSW' on the notices, with duplicate copies made using carbon paper. In 2024-25, the commission issued 202 infringement notices. As the Minns government seeks to accelerate construction times to meet its pledge to build 377,000 new homes by 2029 under the National Housing Accord, the organisation responsible for enforcing building standards is scrambling to equip itself with the necessary data and systems. 'That is correct,' Sherrard said when asked about the commission using old carbon paper ticket books. 'We are very close to turning those into a digital platform – it should be in place before the end of this calendar year – but for now, yes, people really understand what CC stands for, as in carbon copy.' The ABC reported in April that the building commission did not have access to police databases, so it could not conduct criminal checks on tradies before issuing building licences. There are concerns that the agency, established in late 2023, is struggling to create a cohesive investigative culture with modern data collection due to a lack of digital platforms. Tim James, the opposition's fair trading spokesperson, said the building commission needed a modern system to efficiently issue and track fines. 'Dodgy builders move fast, yet the building commission is stuck scribbling fines on carbon paper,' he said. 'Enforcement is only as strong as the tools behind it and right now those tools are outdated.' Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email The NSW government announced in the 2025-26 state budget that it had allocated $145m over four years to fund the organisation charged with policing shoddy builders. This was the first time the commission had been given permanent funding, which would be supplemented with revenue from fines. Sherrard said the funding would allow the agency to do its job, provided the government did not dramatically increase its scope – or the number of projects it oversaw. It had taken time to compile a team from disparate parts of the public service and to build its capabilities, Sherrard said. 'Our analytics team is improving daily and we are getting better quality information. So when we look at our complaints now, we can see what percentage of those relate to apartments and what [percentage] relates to dwellings,' he said. The inaugural building commissioner, David Chandler, was appointed in 2019 after cracks appeared in Opal Tower at Olympic Park and at the Toplace development in Mascot. Since then, the government has expanded the commission's remit beyond allegedly shoddy apartments to all residential buildings, including houses and renovations. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion Sherrard said class 1 buildings – residential houses – make up 'the overwhelming majority' of the building commission's work. He said problems often arose with unlicensed builders and builders who failed to provide written contracts as required. The Minns government's push to speed up the planning process in NSW includes streamlined approvals for compliant developments and fast-tracking state significant developments. Sherrard said he believed standards were improving despite pressure to build homes more quickly. He said the commission had moved from being reactive, when responding to complaints about faulty buildings, to a more predictive model. The commission now examines development plans lodged with councils and the planning department and maintains a list of high-risk developers whose work needs more rigorous review. 'I'm very cognisant of how much noise I make about individuals because it's a very, very small element within the industry, but me making a noise about it in media or social media does a tremendous amount of damage to consumer confidence,' Sherrard said. 'It's very difficult to find people willing to buy off the plan at this point in time. So … we're paying particular attention to those individuals who we are aware of and are bad players, and we are running through effective prosecutions, and we're trying to shift them out of this industry. 'It's about balancing consumer confidence and awareness at the same time.' The commissioner said the main way people could protect themselves against shoddy developers was to search their builder or tradesperson on the commission's website to see if they had any building offences.
7NEWS
07-07-2025
- Business
- 7NEWS
Commuters to receive 48 hours free train travel as Minns government celebrates new deal with rail workers
Residents and those visiting New South Wales will soon enjoy 48 hours of free travel on all trains within the state as the Minns Government celebrates the successful rail Enterprise Agreement. More than a million metro and regional train passengers across NSW will travel free for two days on Thursday, July 31 and Friday, August 1, the NSW government announced on Sunday. The move, however, is not just an altruistic gesture, with the government using the opportunity to apologise to local business who were 'strained to breaking point' during a 'period of protected industrial action'. Transport Minister John Graham said the government is urging passengers to use the free fare to support local business and offer them a 'shot in the arm'. 'We want to acknowledge the period of protected industrial action took its toll on rail passengers,' he said. 'Today, we also look forward with optimism to a train system that will benefit from the entire workforce and management pulling in the same direction and the introduction of new technology to improve reliability and recovery times when disruption occurs. 'We will continue to invest record amounts into improved maintenance and work to our plan to lift the level of reliability.' The rail Enterprise Agreement received the overwhelming support of the rail workforce in a ballot that closed on Saturday, the government said. More than 11,700 employees participated in the vote, with 92 per cent supporting the Enterprise Agreement, which will now be lodged with the Fair Work Commission for formal approval. The decision comes after months of fighting between the state government and the Rail, Tram and Bus Union NSW over pay. The government said resolution of the matter will allow Sydney Trains, NSW TrainLink and the combined rail workforce to focus solely on improving reliability and services for passengers. Win for rail staff The fare-free 48 hours is an 'invitation to workers' to travel into the Sydney or Parramatta CBDs, or other work and commercial centres across the state, to support the food and hospitality businesses that took a hit during months of disruption. Sydney Trains Chief Executive, Matt Longland, said the new agreement was a win for rail staff. 'This is a win for our staff, but an even bigger win for the travelling public,' he said. 'With this certainty, Sydney Trains can resume its focus on delivering a safe, reliable, and disruption-free service. Passengers can have renewed confidence that the trains they rely on will be there when they need them.' From 12.01am Thursday, July 31 to 11.59pm on Friday, August 1, travel will be free on all Sydney Trains, NSW TrainLink, Airport Link, and Sydney Metro services. Opal gates and readers will be turned off during the fare free period, and passengers will not need to tap on and tap off. People who have bought tickets on NSW TrainLink services during the fare free period will be refunded. Minister for Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said recent disruption hit parts of rural and regional NSW hard. 'Regional passengers deserve this relief, and I encourage everyone to take full advantage of these two days by hopping aboard and seeing what our regional areas have to offer,' She said. 'These fare-free days are just the beginning of getting our regional rail network back on track, ensuring regional commuters get the reliable services they deserve.'
