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We continue to advise do not travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) due to the volatile security situation and the threat of conflict, violent protests, terrorism and kidnapping. Violent demonstrations and protests may occur in Kinshasa and other locations (see ‘Safety’). Outbreaks of Ebola virus, cholera and Mpox continue. Maintain strict hygiene (see ‘Health’).
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The Albanese Government is investing over $7 million to support the planning and development of innovative urban precincts across Melbourne.
The City of Melbourne will receive over $4.4 million for the Birrarung Riverfront Activation Precinct proposal (the Greenline Project).
This funding builds upon the $20 million commitment from the Albanese Government to the Greenline Project and will go towards investigating how to reinvigorate this section of riverfront that has been underused and disconnected from the surrounding city for decades.
This precinct area will connect Federation square, the Flinders Street Station precinct, Banana Alley, Sandridge Bridge and more with the Yarra River, Birrarung.
The City of Hume will receive $2.6 million for their Pioneering Urban Innovation: Planning a New City in Melbourne’s North project.
The precinct proposal will be one of Australia’s most ambitious urban planning projects, pioneering a regional partnership between the Hume, Mitchell and Whittlesea councils, Stockland, and Wurundjeri (Registered Aboriginal Party) to create a regional hub of employment, transport, housing and community activity on Cloverton Boulevard.
It will feature a transport hub and mixed-use precinct, exemplifying sustainable, inclusive, and innovative urban design.
Funding is being provided through the latest round of the Government’s $150 million urban Precincts and Partnerships Program (uPPP).
For more information on these programs visit: infrastructure.gov.au/urban.
Quotes attributable to Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:
“Our cities and suburbs are growing. These projects demonstrate show how governments, businesses and communities can work together to create innovative spaces to meet the growing demands of a community and appeal to tourists and locals alike.
“I look forward to these two projects coming to fruition and making Melbourne an even greater place to live.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Melbourne Sarah Witty:
“The Birrarung Riverfront Activation Precinct will transform underused spaces by the Yarra river into valuable public assets that will attract more visitors.”
“Bringing together key partners and the community to contribute to the development will lead to some really vibrant public spaces, and give us more ways to enjoy our riverbank.”
Quotes attributable to Member for McEwan Rob Mitchell:
“This new precinct in the north of Melbourne will feature a thriving transport hub and mixed-use precinct, exemplifying sustainable inclusive and innovative urban design.
“We are bringing together key partners and the community to contribute to the development of an investment ready regional hub for employment, transport, housing, community activity and cultural significance.”
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We continue to advise exercise a high degree of caution in the UAE. Tourist visas for the UAE are issued on arrival in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. For the latest information on travelling to, from or connecting through Abu Dhabi and Dubai international airports (see ‘Travel’).
Source: New South Wales Government 2
20 October 2025
Approved arrangements operators who will be required to view and/or update details of their Approved Arrangement via the Approved Arrangement Management Product (AAMP).
All clients required to use the department’s Biosecurity Import Conditions System (BICON) during this planned maintenance period.
All clients submitting the below declarations:
Source: New South Wales Government 2
20 October 2025
All shipping agents or operators of maritime conveyances who will be required to report pre-arrival information during this planned maintenance period.
Due to scheduled infrastructure maintenance, there will be a scheduled outage to the Maritime and Aircraft Reporting System (MARS) from 23:00 Monday 20 October 2025 (AEDT) to 06:00 Tuesday 21 October 2025 (AEDT).
MARS users are advised to…
Source: Australian Ministers 1
An installation by one of the world’s most influential contemporary artists, Yayoi Kusama, will be on display in Dubbo as part of the Albanese Labor Government’s Sharing the National Collection program.
Kusama is among the world’s most popular artists, and her ‘infinity rooms’ have become recognisable across the globe. On loan from the National Gallery of Australia, THE SPIRITS OF THE PUMPKINS DESCENDED INTO THE HEAVENS, 2017 will be installed at the Western Plains Cultural Centre.
Following its hugely popular run at the National Gallery of Victoria and recent loan to the Qantas Founders Museum in Longreach, the work will now be available to Dubbo audiences for two years.
The work is an immersive installation which invites audiences in to experience a bright yellow room overrun with black dots and a ‘peepshow’ mirror box camouflaged by the reflections of its surrounding environment.
Kusama is among the world’s most distinctive and popular artists. She has played a major role in the development of art in the late 20th century and her influence maintains critical importance in contemporary art.
The Sharing the National Collection program is a continuing success with visitors and locals. Two years on from the program’s beginning, over a million people have experienced the wonder of the national collection closer to home.
Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, said the Western New South Wales region would benefit from the blockbuster loan.
“Kusama’s signature infinity rooms may be familiar to many and this loan is an exciting opportunity for Dubbo locals and visitors to experience a world-class art installation.
“Our Sharing the National Collection program has given regional audiences a chance to see things that normally don’t make it out beyond our major cities.
Senator for New South Wales, Deborah O’Neill said this is a huge drawcard for Dubbo and the surrounding areas.
“Given the many kilometres that the people of Dubbo and the Central West travel for so many things, it is fantastic that we now have a world class installation travelling to them!”
“This incredible contemporary installation will add to the many outstanding artworks that can be enjoyed at the Western Plains Cultural Centre.”
Director of the National Gallery, Dr Nick Mitzevich, said the loan was a unique opportunity to bring one of the most celebrated works from the national collection to regional Australia.
“We welcome local audiences and visitors to Western Plains Cultural Centre to immerse themselves in the infinite world of influential artist, Yayoi Kusama – by far one of the National Gallery’s most requested and popular works.
“The Sharing the National Collection initiative supports the costs of facilitating significant contemporary art by international artists to regional communities across Australia.”
Cultural Development Coordinator from the Western Plains Cultural Centre, Jessica Moore, said the loan was good news for the city.
“The Western Plains Cultural Centre is thrilled to present this ground-breaking work to regional NSW. Our mission has always been to bring world-class creative experiences to regional and remote communities, and this exhibition offers an unparalleled opportunity to share something truly extraordinary.
“This work is one of the most bold, captivating, and distinctive art installations of the past decade. Hosting such an internationally acclaimed piece in Central NSW is a transformative moment for our region. We believe this exhibition will spark creativity, inspire dialogue, and ignite a lifelong passion for art in a new generation, leaving a lasting impact on our community.”
The sharing the National Collection program has provided support for the National Gallery to fund the costs of transporting, installing and insuring works in the national art collection so that they can be seen right across the country.
Regional and suburban galleries can register their interest in the loan program here.
Images of the works can be found here.
Source: New South Wales Government 2
18 October 2025
All clients submitting the below declarations:
Approved arrangements operators, customs brokers, importers, manned depots, and freight forwarders and biosecurity industry participants who…
Source: Australian Ministers 1
The Barrier Highway is set for an overhaul that will see two key junctions upgraded at Whyte Yarcowie and Yunta, as well as new rest areas and culvert upgrades to improve safety and freight operations in Mid North South Australia.
At Whyte Yarcowie, the junction of Barrier Highway and Whyte Road will receive new lighting, safety barriers, and the road will be reconstructed, widened and spray sealed to allow larger heavy vehicles to turn onto Whyte Road from the highway.
In Yunta, the Main Street (Tea Tree Road) and Barrier Highway junction will also be reconstructed, widened and spray sealed to improve heavy vehicles travelling to and from pastoral stations and mining production and exploration areas near Yunta.
The project involves building a new rest area at Winnininnie, and upgrading an existing rest area at Bindarrah, enabling drivers the opportunity to pull over and take a break with new shelter and picnic tables.
The project has received $1,696,800 in funding through the Australian Government’s Heavy Vehicle Rest Area initiative under the Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program.
Two culverts at Winnininnie and one at Bindarrah will also be upgraded to prevent flooding and road damage while also accommodating the movement of larger heavy vehicles.
These upgrades are jointly funded by the Australian and South Australian governments through the $62.5 million Barrier Highway Corridor Upgrade and the Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program, with the Albanese Government committing $50 million and the Malinauskas Government $12.5 million.
Early works including service relocations are complete and major construction is expected to be completed by mid-2026.
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:
“Improving road safety, particularly on regional and remote roads, is a priority for our government and we are making significant investment in making our roads safer.
“Upgrading the Barrier Highway and Whyte Road junction will provide stock carriers an alternative route when transporting sheep from livestock saleyards at Jamestown.
“The Australian Government is committed to investing in the projects and programs that deliver real benefits to Australians across the country and help people get home safely.”
Quotes attributable to South Australian Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Emily Bourke:
“The State Government is investing in road safety, and freight efficiency is essential for sustaining regional economies.
“These improvements will not only protect motorists but also help key sectors like agriculture and mining by providing reliable access to important transport corridors.
“By upgrading these junctions, we’re making the jobs of many transport operators easier, allowing them more room to manoeuvre their vehicles and providing an additional route option when transporting goods.
“Rest areas are crucial when it comes to preventing fatigue related fatalities and injuries. We encourage drivers to take regular 15-minute breaks every two hours.”
Quotes attributable to Federal Senator for South Australia Karen Grogan:
“On average, more than 730 vehicles travel through these junctions on the Barrier Highway each day with 220 of them being heavy vehicles.
“These vital works build on shoulder widening and sealing, pavement rehabilitation and safety barrier installation on the Barrier Highway between Burra and Riverton.
“Those upgrades were funded under the Road Safety Program, and were completed in December 2024, improving safety for all drivers.
“These further investments will provide a welcome economic boost too, supporting an expected 60 full-time-equivalent jobs during the construction period.”
Quotes attributable to State Member for Stuart Geoff Brock:
“I sincerely thank the Australian and South Australian Governments for the contributions for these works.
“These upgrades will greatly improve road safety on the Barrier Highway and will be particularly appreciated by the transport industry and the large number of tourists who frequently use this key highway.”
Source: New South Wales Government 2
17 October 2025
All importers and customs brokers who will be required to lodge imported cargo documentation to the department for biosecurity assessment during this planned maintenance period.
All users of the Cargo Online Lodgement System Business to Government (COLSB2G) system during this planned maintenance period. All importers of plants, cats and/or dogs who will be required to use the Post Entry Biosecurity System (PEBS) during this…
Source: Australian Ministers 1
Ministers for regional development and Northern Australia have held a meeting of the Northern Australia Ministerial Forum (NAMF) to discuss ways of growing a stronger north.
The NAMF brings together state and federal counterparts and relevant agencies to discuss issues unique to northern Australia and pursue solutions to shared challenges.
Federal Minister for Northern Australia, the Hon Madeleine King MP, chaired the Forum and was joined by:
It was the first meeting of NAMF since the Federal Election, and the fifth since the Labor came into Government.
The group presented findings on the unique issues faced by communities in Northern Australia regarding issues such as housing and insurance.
The forum discussed ideas such as the potential for unlocking new, modern construction methods for northern communities.
The forum also heard from the President of Australian Local Government Association, Gladstone Mayor Matt Burnett, who discussed the challenges facing the local government sector across the north and possible opportunities for all levels of Government to work more closely together to improve services.
The Albanese Government is driving a major pipeline of housing investment across northern Australia to boost supply and support stronger communities.
This includes funding through the Housing Australia Future Fund and the National Housing Accord to deliver thousands of new social and affordable homes and enabling infrastructure, as well as targeted investments through the Social Housing Accelerator and the National Housing Infrastructure Facility to get projects moving faster.
Labor is also investing $2 billion in remote housing for the Northern Territory to deliver more culturally appropriate, climate-resilient homes for First Nations communities.
The ministers’ joint communique is available at: www.infrastructure.gov.au/territories-regions-cities/regional-australia/office-northern-australia/northern-australia-ministerial-forum
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Northern Australia, Madeleine King:
“Northern Australia has enormous potential, and the Albanese Government is working to provide the investment and infrastructure needed that will help the north become an economic powerhouse.
“We also need a continued focus to ensure that First Nations communities have the support they need to thrive.
“A strong north means a strong Australia.”