Editors Picks
02 February 2025
200 NEW DEFRIBULATORS TO COMMUNITIES
THE NSW Government has announced the delivery of nearly 200 defibrillators to NSW sporting and recreation organisations, bringing the total to over 2,500 devices. These life-saving tools, funded through the Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program, receive up to $3,000 for purchase, installation, and training. With $500,000 allocated annually, 80% of this round's funding supports regional and disadvantaged communities. Premier Chris Minns highlighted their vital role in saving lives during cardiac arrests.
02 February 2025
SALVOS URGE VIGILANCE WITH MONEY
THE Salvation Army urges Australians to reassess their finances in 2025, as 46% start the year in debt and 30% struggle to budget. Rising living costs and reliance on credit cards and buy now, pay later schemes have worsened financial pressures. The Salvos’ Moneycare service offers free financial counseling, tools, and resources to help individuals manage debt and avoid financial distress. Support is confidential and accessible online or via phone.
29 January 2025
FREE LEARNING EXPERIENCE FOR WATER MANAGEMENT
Did you know that 85% of our drinking water supply relies on the rain to fill our dams?
At Sydney Water they are exploring ways to be less reliant on rain, that’s why we have built NSW’s first Purified Recycled Water (PRW) Discovery Centre at Quakers Hill – and you’re invited! On Saturday February 1 and Saturday March 1, the SW Education Team will be guiding visitors through the PRW Discovery Centre. They will have TWO tour times available to choose from (10:00am or 11:30am). The tours are open to all ages. This FREE learning experience provides an opportunity to explore water management over time, see how purified recycled water treatment technology works by touring our working demonstration plant, and discover the importance of securing our water future.
What you need to know
Tours run for 1 hour at 10.00am or 11:30am. It’s free! 240 Quakers Road, Quakers Hill NSW. Spaces are limited - Bookings are essential
How to book
Register your interest by emailing PRWDiscoveryCentre@sydneywater.com.au. Can’t make a Saturday? We also run free tours during the week, email us to find out more!
21 January 2025
$1B TO BUILD WESTERN SYDNEY INFRASTRUCTURE
THE Federal and NSW Governments are taking another important step in building Australia’s future, announcing $1B to better connect Western Sydney to the word.
Jointly funded by both governments, the project will upgrade Fifteenth Avenue to create a critical transit corridor from Liverpool to the new Western Sydney International Airport.
Over 22,000 vehicles per day travel along the congested two-lane Fifteenth Avenue, with around 8 per cent of those being trucks. Liverpool City Council predicts a significant increase in housing in the areas immediately around Fifteenth Avenue, which could see as many as 63,000 additional people living there by 2041.
Fifteenth Avenue will connect the new Bradfield city centre, the new Metro, and the airport, enabling multi-modal travel including fast and easy public transport along the route.
It will also unlock jobs and housing in key growth areas and provide better access to education and opportunities for Sydney’s growing west.
Western Sydney is the fastest growing region of New South Wales, and this funding is part of both governments’ ongoing investment in the future of the region. This adds to existing major investments in Western Sydney, including the $10.4B Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport, $2B M12 Motorway, $1B Mamre Road Stage 2 Upgrade and $800 million Elizabeth Drive – Priority Sections Upgrade.
The Australian and NSW governments are each committing $500M to this project.
The Australian Government is investing nearly $18B towards transport infrastructure projects in Western Sydney.
For more information on projects funded under the Government’s Infrastructure Investment Program, visit https://investment.infrastructure.gov.au.
21 January 2025
TAFE CHIEF RESIGNS AFTER THREE YEARS
TAFE NSW’s Managing Director, Stephen Brady, is leaving the role after leading the organisation for the past three years.
Mr Brady was appointed to the role in December 2021, and during his tenure has overseen important reforms in vocational education and training sector.
Mr Brady was instrumental in leading TAFE NSW through the NSW VET Review, a Minns Labor Government commitment to restoring TAFE to the heart of the VET sector.
With TAFE NSW now entering its new phase of implementing the VET Review, including finalising a new Operating Model and TAFE NSW Charter, it is the right time for new leadership to guide TAFE NSW through this next stage.
The process to appoint a new Managing Director will commence in due course. In the interim, Chloe Read, Deputy Secretary, Education and Skills Reform, NSW Department of Education will act in the role.
Ms Read has served in several senior public service roles. She has extensive experience in the education sector, with over ten years at NSW Department of Education.
Featured
30 December 2024
MAKING NEW YEAR'S EVE GO WITH A BANG
Public transport options from early afternoon
MORE than a million revellers are expected to ring in the new year watching Sydney’s incredible fireworks at vantage points around the harbour – and public transport will provide the smoothest start to 2025.
29 December 2024
THE BLOOD PRESSURE - ALZEIMER'S CONNECTION
RESEARCH from UNSW’s Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA) highlights hypertension treatment as a key Alzheimer’s prevention strategy. A study of 31,250 individuals found untreated hypertension after age 60 increases Alzheimer’s risk by 42%, while treated hypertension eliminates this risk. Antihypertensive benefits persist into the 80s, with similar effects across genders and ethnicities. Experts urge global efforts to address hypertension, crucial in tackling the growing dementia crisis.
