Matt Kean MP

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.

The NSW Government has released the NSW Wildlife and Conservation Bushfire recovery - Medium Term Response Plan to help biodiversity recover over the next five years following the devastating 2019-20 bushfires.

Environment Minister Matt Kean said the plan ensures species and ecosystems are prepared to not only recover from last year’s fires but fire threats are also considered in future policy making.

Local jobs and manufacturing opportunities in the renewable energy industry are set to boom following the launch of the State’s first Renewable Energy Sector Board, unveiled by the NSW Government today.

Energy Minister Matt Kean said the Renewable Energy Sector Board will play a key role in delivering on the NSW Government’s commitment to boost opportunities for local jobs and industry – particularly in the regions.

Emily Crockford is taking the art world by storm with her bright and vibrant work capturing the attention of many around the country. Following a hugely successful 2020, Emily has been named Hornsby’s Woman of the Year for 2021.

Member for Hornsby Matt Kean said, “Emily, is a clear choice for the Award. Her success over the last 12 months has been phenomenal. Her story will inspire others to keep working hard to achieve their dreams.”

Lord Howe Island’s (LHI) natural environment is booming following the successful completion of one of the world’s largest rodent eradication programs.

In just over eighteen months the $15.5 million program has all but wiped out an estimated 300,000 plus rodents and other feral pests giving the island’s native plants and animals a fighting chance at revival.

The NSW Government has released the final report of a Spring 2020  survey showing just over 14,000 wild horses call the Kosciuszko National Park home.

Environment Minister Matt Kean has welcomed the new data saying the results reinforced the need to manage the horse population through approaches including passive trapping and re-homing.

“I remain 100% committed to managing the very sensitive areas of the iconic Kosciuszko National Park on the basis of the best available science,” Mr Kean said.

The NSW Government is continuing to support councils and public land managers in parts of the State ravaged by last summer’s bushfires, providing a further $95 million of new funding to help manage waste from the ongoing clean-up.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the funding will provide a much-needed boost for cleaning up public land, provide valuable jobs for the regions and assist local recovery.

“Nothing is more important than a stronger and safer NSW which is why we are committed to assisting regional communities as we make our way forward,” Mr Barilaro said.

Environment Minister Matt Kean today unveiled plans to turn back the tide of extinctions by more than tripling the area of feral cat and fox-free land in the state’s national parks. 

The $20 million plan will establish four new areas, in addition to the three existing feral-free areas, bringing the total fox and cat-free area in NSW national parks to almost 65,000 hectares.

Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital has become the first public hospital in NSW with a robotic pharmacy, with the $265 million Stage 2 redevelopment on track for completion next year.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard, along with Member for Hornsby Matt Kean, saw the robotic dispensing and stocktaking system in motion today and toured the newly opened 12-bed Intensive Care Unit.