Minister for Agriculture; Minister for Regional NSW · Original source
A red imported fire ant nest has been found and treated at the Enfield Intermodal Logistics Centre in Sydney's inner west after Commonwealth biosecurity surveillance detected ants in a lure. Genetic analysis indicates an overseas container origin rather than Southeast Queensland. NSW has stood up an Incident Management Team and will inspect and treat within 500 metres, then surveillance out to 2 km, ahead of a Biosecurity Control Order.
Ryan Park, Minister for Health · Original source
About 3,500 Western Sydney patients are expected to benefit from a $30 million NSW investment expanding High Volume Short Stay surgical services, Health Minister Ryan Park said. Nepean and Hawkesbury hospitals aim to deliver about 500 extra surgeries by mid-2027, while Auburn Hospital's cataract short-stay service can perform more than 1,400 procedures a year. Overdue planned surgeries in Western Sydney Local Health District fell to fewer than five.
David Janetzki, Treasurer, Minister for Energy and Minister for Home Ownership · Original source
Queensland Parliament has passed the Home Ownership and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026, which the Crisafulli Government says will remove technical barriers so more buyers can access first-home concessions, including where an existing shed sits on otherwise vacant land. Officials cited a record 52,500 homes under construction, the fourth consecutive record quarter, and linked the reforms to the $2 billion Residential Activation Fund unlocking 166,000 homes.
Minister for Regional NSW · Original source
The NSW Government has introduced a Bill to create the state's first independent Office of Animal Welfare, to oversee RSPCA NSW and Animal Welfare League NSW enforcement funded with $12.8 million in the 2026-27 Budget. The statutory office would advise on funding, investigate public complaints about enforcement and promote best-practice compliance, sitting in the Premier's Department portfolio and reporting to the Minister for Agriculture.
Minister for Agriculture; Minister for Environment and Heritage; Minister for the North Coast; Minister for Regional NSW · Original source
The NSW Government has introduced the National Park Estate (Great Koala National Park Reservations) Bill 2026 to add more than 178,000 hectares of state forest and Crown land on the Mid North Coast to the national park estate. Combined with existing reserves it would create a protected area of more than 475,000 hectares, covering habitat for an estimated 12,000 koalas and over 100 threatened species, while keeping most recreational uses.
