Minister for Energy and Environment

NSW is set to attract more than $80 billion of investment, drive deep decarbonisation and establish itself as an energy and economic superpower with today’s launch of the NSW  Strategy.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said as NSW worked through post-lockdown recovery,  was an opportunity to drive new investment and help secure jobs right across the State.

“Australia has an opportunity to be an energy superpower, New South Wales will lead the country with this  strategy,” Mr Perrottet said. 

Koalas, rock wallabies and the Nightcap Oak are some of the iconic species set to be protected under an historic National Parks plan to declare 221 sites as Assets of Intergenerational Significance (AIS) and set a target of zero extinctions of species on the NSW National Park estate.

Environment Minister Matt Kean said the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Threatened Species Framework was about protecting and improving the health of our threatened and iconic species for future generations.

Environment Minister Matt Kean has today announced that after being absent for over half a century, the iconic platypus is set to make its return to The Royal National Park just south of Sydney.

“We are returning one of Australia’s most iconic species to Australia’s first National Park,” Mr Kean said.

“The platypus is seen nowhere else on the planet and like so many of our other precious native species, its future is uncertain. Unfortunately, we have some of the worst extinctions rates anywhere in the world and we have to make sure the platypus never makes that list.”

A new initiative to help curb the toll on native wildlife caused by domestic cats across the state, has today been announced by Environment Minister Matt Kean.

 “The Keeping Cats Safe at Home program will help protect our unique wildlife, with domestic cats estimated to kill around 67 million native mammals, 83 million native reptiles and 80 million native birds in Australia each year,” Mr Kean said.

Can I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land and pay my respects to elders past, present and emerging. Can I also acknoweldge the remarks of the former UN secretary general. His leadership on behalf of the global community in tackling climate change is so important and I want to thank him for that. 

Climate change is the challenge that will define the 21st century. It is a challenge that our children will face, and a challenge that our children’s 

Gas customers across NSW will soon be able to buy renewable gas to help reduce their carbon emissions following the launch of Australia’s first Renewable Gas Certification scheme.

Energy Minister Matt Kean said a renewable gas certification scheme will unlock a voluntary market for gas users to buy renewable gases, like biomethane which can be produced from wastewater, food and garden waste.

New dining options, spectacular harbour views and educational tours celebrating the heritage of this unique site will soon be available for the whole community to enjoy, as part of the NSW Government’s plan to revitalise Fort Denison.

Environment Minister Matt Kean said the up to 25 year lease to operate a restaurant, manage functions and conduct tours on the Sydney Harbour island was awarded to Fort Denison Dining, part of The Point Group, following a competitive tender process.

NSW is set to become home to Australia's first dual fuel capable hydrogen/gas power plant following an $83 million funding agreement for the Tallawarra B project in the Illawarra. 

Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the project is vital infrastructure needed to provide dispatchable electricity capacity to replace the Liddell Power Station and create the industries and jobs of the future.

Berowra local and PHD Student, Luke Silver, is part of a team of scientists at the University of Sydney working on ‘genetic sequencing’ to protect Koalas. The program, a world-first, could help protect the Australian species from disease and other threats.

Member for Hornsby and Minister for Environment Matt Kean said this ground-breaking genomic research will be critical in guiding future conservation efforts.