nsw

A 100-megawatt battery will help to power schools, hospitals and Government buildings across NSW under the state’s new electricity supply contract.

As part of the $3.2 billion 10 year contract, awarded to Shell Energy and Edify, a 100-megawatt battery will be built alongside the Darlington Point Solar Farm in the Riverina, providing critical dispatchable electricity prior to the closure of the Liddell Power Station.

Energy Minister Matt Kean said the deal delivers great value for money and electricity security for the people of NSW.

For more than a decade, Australian politics has been ravaged by the climate wars, dividing the country between those focused on the economy and those focused on addressing climate change.

But two things have changed since the climate wars began.  

The NSW Government has acquired an additional 89 hectares of land to expand Cudgen Nature Reserve and aid the recovery of the Tweed koala population.

Environment Minister Matt Kean said the addition would help to provide long-term habitat protection for native plants and animals on the Tweed Coast, including the endangered Tweed and Brunswick Rivers koala colony.

SOFTWARE used by scalpers to snap up the best seats at big concerts and sports events, forcing genuine fans to pay huge mark-ups for tickets, is to be banned.

So-called “bots”, which run simple, repetitive tasks over the internet many times faster than humans, will be outlawed by the state government.

Bots are suspected of plundering $30 Sydney Ashes Test tickets, which have been listed for resale at more than $1500. Consumer group Choice has also uncovered mark-ups of 500 per cent on tickets to see Justin Bieber.

I am conscious of the advice given to me by one old hand who said that the only value of an inaugural speech was to give future members of Parliament something to quote from during a condolence motion after you had died.