admin – Page 10

Rebuilding the Hunter train manufacturing workforce begins

Work has officially begun on the first Tangara train to be refurbished at Newcastle’s Cardiff Maintenance Centre, marking an important step in rebuilding the Hunter as one of Australia’s leading train manufacturing hubs. Almost 40 years after they were manufactured in Newcastle, the first of 18 Tangaras to be refurbished in the Cardiff facility has rolled into the workshop and work to extend its life by 10-15 years is now underway. The refurbishment program will employ 100 skilled workers and 20 apprentices at Cardiff, helping rebuild the workforce and manufacturing capability needed to support the Minns Labor Government’s $12 billion commitment to bring large-scale train manufacturing back to the Hunter again, after 12 years of offshoring by the former Liberal-National Government. Announced on Saturday, this investment will deliver a new state-owned train manufacturing facility in the Hunter, operated by a private manufacturer, which will deliver at least a 30-year pipeline of new trains. Two potential sites have been identified for the Hunter facility – a former coal mine at Teralba and the Broadmeadow Locomotive Depot near where the original Tangara fleet was manufactured. Site selection will be subject to due diligence and stakeholder consultation. The site is expected to employ up to 780 workers in construction and 550 ongoing jobs in the facility and supply chains and anchor more than 30 years of train manufacturing in the Hunter. Following construction of the new Tangara fleet, the pipeline will continue with the replacement of the Millennium and OSCAR fleets in the 2040s, before the Waratah fleet in the 2050s. It also delivers on the Minns Labor Government’s election commitments to set a target of a minimum 50 per cent local content for rolling stock contracts, and to begin procurement of the new Tangara fleet by the end of the first term in office.

The Tangara refurbishment program provides the bridge between today’s workforce and tomorrow’s manufacturing pipeline, ensuring skills, apprenticeships and capability continue to grow in the Hunter. The existing $447 million Tangara Life Extension Program includes replacing internal cladding, computer operating systems, installing more accessible emergency help points, emergency door release, passenger visual displays, upgrading to the passenger address system and CCTV. Across five production lines at Auburn, Flemington and Cardiff, 55 eight-car Tangara trains will be refurbished over the next three years. The first refurbished Tangara train is set to return to service imminently. Premier Chris Minns said: “For too long, New South Wales got out of the business of building trains. We lost thousands of skilled jobs, manufacturing capability and the opportunity to keep billions of dollars of investment here at home. We’re changing that. “The Hunter has a proud history of building the trains that kept New South Wales moving. Our job is to make sure it has the opportunity to do it again, and not just for one project, but for generations to come.” Minister for Transport John Graham said: “It’s fantastic to see the first old Tangara train roll into the sheds at Cardiff, 40 years after it rolled out of Broadmeadow and began serving the travelling public. “The Hunter has a rich history of building trains, and this refurbishment work is the perfect way to ramp up the workforce as we bring train manufacturing back where it belongs. “We know mining and manufacturing jobs have been hit hard in this community and that’s put pressure on families. That’s why we’re committed to building trains in the Hunter again, so more of the jobs and investment stays here in NSW.” Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said: “This spectacular milestone is the first part of our plan to build and maintain trains in the Hunter again. “The Hunter built the original Tangaras. Almost 40 years later, we’re working on them again – and this time, we’re building a pipeline of work that will last for generations. “We have the skills, the workers and the industrial muscle, and we have a government willing to back the Hunter.” Minister for Roads and Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said: “Seeing work begin on the first Tangara refurbishment is a major milestone for the Hunter and the start of an exciting new chapter for rail manufacturing in NSW. “The Minns Labor Government is proud to invest in local staff, apprentices and businesses so more of this work can be delivered in our own state. “This investment is all about backing homegrown talent, and ensuring the Hunter continues to play a leading role in NSW’s rail network.” Minister for Domestic Manufacturing and Government Procurement Courtney Houssos said: “For too long, billions of dollars in transport contracts were sent overseas. We are turning that around by creating jobs, strengthening local industry and rebuilding our sovereign manufacturing capability right here in NSW. “The Hunter has the workforce, the skills and the proud manufacturing history to lead this revival. With a long-term pipeline of work, the future is incredibly bright for local manufacturers, local suppliers and the next generation of skilled workers.

“Manufacturers have consistently told us they need certainty to invest and grow. By committing to decades of train construction and a minimum 50 per cent local content target, we are giving industry the confidence to build capability, take on apprentices and create secure, long-term jobs.” Member for Wallsend Sonia Hornery said: “Our region has a strong and proud tradition of manufacturing trains. I’m pleased to see this refurbishment work being carried out right here in Cardiff, creating local jobs and economic opportunities locally.”

Greens call for ban on dodgy donations as wealthy property developers shopping for political influence over One Nation

The Victorian Greens are calling for a ban on developer donations as reports today say that wealthy property developers are pledging hundreds of thousands of dollars to One Nation in exchange for commitments to scrap Victoria’s vacant homes tax.

The report says that major property developers have pledged significant donations after receiving assurances One Nation would seek to repeal the vacant homes tax.

The Greens secured the vacant residential tax because there are over 100,000 homes sitting empty in Melbourne alone, which is unacceptable in a housing crisis where renters and first home buyers can’t find somewhere they can afford to live.

Other states have already banned donations from property developers, but the Greens say that the Victorian Labor Government has refused to do so.

The Victorian Greens have repeatedly called for a complete ban on political donations from property developers, gambling companies and other industries with significant financial interests before government.

In the face of vested interests attempting to lobby political parties ahead of this years’ state election the Greens are calling on Labor at the very least to follow New South Wales and the ACT by banning political donations from property developers and gambling corporations.

the Leader of the Victorian Greens, Ellen Sandell:

“This is exactly what’s wrong with politics. When Labor, the Liberals and One Nation all pocket donations in return for policies and kickbacks that favour their donors, it’s corrupt, it’s dodgy and it’s screwing over everyday Victorians.

“The Greens are the only party that doesn’t take big corporate donations. Unlike Labor, the Liberals and One Nation who sell off their policies to the highest bidder.”

Greens say Labor failing people in crisis as drug and alcohol treatment waitlist explodes

The Victorian Greens say new figures showing more than 5122 Victorians are waiting for alcohol and other drug treatment are a damning indictment on Jacinta Allan’s Labor Government who are failing to properly fund frontline health services.

New data from the Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association shows the number of people waiting for treatment has more than doubled since 2020, with around 40 per cent of people seeking support still waiting to be assessed.

The Greens say that when someone reaches out for help with addiction, they should be able to access treatment immediately – not left waiting months while their health deteriorates.

The Greens say that access to mental health care, drug and alcohol treatment is essential for community safety and that proper investment in frontline services takes pressure off hospitals, police and prisons that are all currently being overwhelmed due to Labor’s reckless and reactionary policies that have been rolled out without proper planning and resourcing.

The Greens have consistently called for greater investment in community-based mental health and alcohol and other drug services because getting people help early saves lives and reduces pressure on hospitals, police and the justice system.

the Victorian Greens health spokesperson, Dr Sarah Mansfield:

“Investment in alcohol and other drug support should be a priority, and the fact that the waitlists have blown out like this is an indictment on Jacinta Allan’s Labor Government.

“Every month that a person is stuck on a waitlist, that person is at risk of losing their life. That’s the cruel cost of Labor’s failure to properly invest in treatment.

“Every dollar invested in treatment reduces pressure on hospitals, police and prisons – and crucially, saves lives. If Labor is serious about community safety, it needs to stop treating drug and alcohol treatment as an afterthought. Helping people get well is one of the best ways to prevent harm before it happens.”

Australia Cannot Become a Dumping Ground for Big AI

Responding to reports that AI company Anthropic plans to secure 1.4 gigawatts of Australian data centre capacity, Senator for South Australia and Chair of the Senate inquiry into artificial intelligence and data centres, Sarah Hanson-Young, said:

“Big AI won’t seem to take no for an answer when it comes to destroying Australia’s copyright regime.

“Reports that Anthropic are continuing to lobby to undermine Australia’s copyright laws are deeply concerning. If they want to use copyrighted material to train their AI, they should pay for it like everyone else does.

“After strong pressure from rights holders, the Albanese Government has already ruled out a text and data mining exemption for AI. It would be a betrayal of Australia’s creative industries if they went back on that promise now.

“The building of 1.4 gigawatts of new data centre capacity could have a massive impact on Australia’s energy, water and environment. The community deserves to have a say on whether or not they want to become the data centre dumping ground for US based companies.

“We need a moratorium on the building of new hyperscale data centres until we get the regulatory settings right.

“AI is the new extractive industry, and we cannot allow companies to lock in vast amounts of Australia’s energy, water and data resources before proper rules are in place. Strong regulation must come before sweetheart deals and backroom contracts.

“Australia cannot afford to sleepwalk into a big tech AI experiment. The public deserves a clear understanding of what these massive data centres will mean for our environment, our energy grid, local communities and Australia’s creative industries and copyright holders before any major decisions are made.

“The Senate Inquiry is now accepting submissions, and I encourage anyone concerned about the impact of AI and data centres on their community, industry or environment to make a submission. This inquiry is an important step in ensuring Australia gets the rules right before this industry becomes too big for governments to regulate properly.”

Inquiry: The case for rent caps mounts

The fifth hearing of the Greens-led Senate Inquiry into intergenerational housing inequity, held in Sydney today, showed an increasing number of experts support the case for rent caps, as renters face runaway rent increases.

Additional evidence to the committee today showed:

Renters (31% of the population) face deep housing insecurity due to insecure rental contracts, unlimited rent increases and no-cause evictions.
Renters don’t feel they have options: they endure rent increases unchallenged and forego making maintenance requests to avoid facing evictions.
Lifelong renters don’t have assets to pass down to their children for a house deposit, which perpetuates intergenerational housing inequality.
Social housing has fallen from 5.7% of dwellings in the 1990s to 3.6% today, and Australia sits well behind the OECD average of 7.1%.
Current government investment in social housing is inadequate to reverse the decades-long decline in social housing stock.
Lack of government of investment in social housing has contributed to acute housing need and homelessness.
Working hard and saving no longer gets ordinary Australians into home ownership.
Younger people are giving up on the great Australian dream of ever owning a home.
Australia is becoming an inheritance society rather than a wage society.
People with parental support are nearly twice as likely to own a home compared to people who don’t have parental support.
Wealth is increasingly held by a minority of wealthy older households. People aged 65+ have received around 8 times the increase in overall wealth compared to people under 35 over the last two decades.
For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, housing inequity is about intergenerational dispossession. Housing shapes health, education, safety and connection to community and culture and it is an investment in self-determination.

Greens spokesperson for finance, housing and homelessness and Senator for South Australia, Barbara Pocock:

“This inquiry makes it clear that governments haven’t delivered relief for renters.

“We’ve heard powerful evidence from young renters who are struggling to meet unexpected rent hikes, who are facing possible eviction.

“The current rental market is the most unaffordable in Australian history with some of the highest rates of rental stress.

“Too many renters are just one rent hike away from eviction or homelessness.

“Renters don’t have a buffer – they are the buffer. When interest rates rise, landlords pass the cost straight on.”

“House prices have skyrocketed – up three times faster than wages in just five years. The average home now costs $1 million.

“For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, housing inequity is the legacy of intergenerational dispossession. Investing in housing is key to self determination.

“After four years in government, Australia’s housing crisis is now Labor’s housing crisis.

“Labor has locked in existing tax breaks for wealthy property investors and super profits for big corporations – while renters pay the price.

“Labor’s priorities are clear: tax handouts for wealthy investors, super profits for corporations, and higher costs for everyone else.

“Labor’s plans to fix the housing crisis are not touching the sides. After four years of rapidly increasing house prices and astronomical increases in rents, we urgently need solutions.

“Labor needs to introduce rent caps and invest directly into building good quality homes and renting them to people who need them at prices they can actually afford.”

Australia & Fiji sign historic Vuvale Union and Ocean of Peace Alliance

Prime Minister Albanese and Prime Minister of Fiji, Sitiveni Rabuka, signed two historic treaties in Suva today – the Vuvale Unionand Ocean of Peace Alliance.

These treaties represent one of the most significant endeavours Australia has undertaken with any country. They will transform Australia and Fiji’s relationship, underpinning the region’s prosperity, security and resilience for generations to come.

The Vuvale Union sets out ambitious commitments across the breadth of our relationship, and will deepen integration between our security, economies and people.

The Ocean of Peace Alliance — a mutual defence treaty — commits Australia and Fiji to come to the other’s aid at times of greatest need.

It is Fiji’s first and Australia’s fourth alliance, building on our longstanding history of standing together to support one another and the region’s security.

These are the first treaties to give practical effect to the Blue Pacific Ocean of Peace Declaration. They will build the Pacific’s capability to tackle security challenges affecting the whole region, including transnational crime and climate change.

In Suva, the Prime Minister was awarded with an Honorary Companion of the Order of Fiji. As Fiji’s highest civilian honour, it recognises the Prime Minister’s contribution to Fiji–Australia relations and Pacific regional security.

The Prime Minister will also launch the Pacific Australia Skills program in Fiji and open the Vuvale Skills Hub, a refurbished trades facility. As core pillars of Australia’s support to Fiji under the Vuvale Union, these initiatives will uplift education and skills in Fiji to drive future economic growth.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“The signing of these two agreements represents one of the most significant endeavours Australia has undertaken with any country.

“This level of ambition is possible because Australia and Fiji are Vuvale – family – with a relationship grounded in trust, loyalty, understanding and respect.

“Australia was honoured when Prime Minister Rabuka proposed Fiji’s first alliance — the Ocean of Peace Alliance.

“The Vuvale Union sets out ambitious commitments across the breadth of our bilateral relationship, including security, economy and people.”

Beloved stories come to life through City of Newcastle’s school holiday activities

Generations of story lovers can revisit their favourite childhood characters these school holidays, with City of Newcastle bringing beloved books and television icons to life through hands-on activities.

City of Newcastle’s school holiday program offers a mix of free and ticketed opportunities for children to create, build, explore and discover through stories, art, science and technology.

Children can step into the world of Julia Donaldson’s Room on the Broom with a wand-making workshop at Newcastle City Library on 8 July, ahead of the live adaptation at the Civic Theatre later this month.

An adaptation of Room on the Broom presented at The Civic Theatre later in the month will be the inspiration for a crafty wand-making workshop at Newcastle City Library during the school holidays.Families can continue the book-related adventure with the Rainbow Sheep Colour Party at Newcastle City Library on Wednesday 8 July, celebrating the colourful world of Mem Fox’s Where is the Green Sheep? Children are encouraged to dress as their favourite colour and enjoy storytime, sensory activities and the chance to meet cast members from Monkey Baa Theatre’s upcoming production at the Civic Theatre.

Visitors checking out Newcastle Museum’s free exhibition Mr Squiggle and Friends: The Creative World of Norman Hetherington can continue the fun with a range of squiggle-inspired activities across the school holidays. Free and low-cost workshops will be held at Newcastle Museum and Newcastle Libraries including paper collage, collaborative drawing, coding and Minecraft workshops, as well as family-friendly sessions inspired by Mr Squiggle’s signature upside-down drawing style.

City of Newcastle’s school holiday program offers a mix of free and ticketed opportunities for children to create, build, explore and discover through stories, art, science and technology.

Hands-on workshops will bring the Brian Robinson: Multiverse exhibition to life at Newcastle Art Gallery. LEGO Printmaking in the Multiverse invites children to create prints inspired by Robinson’s fusion of pop culture and storytelling, with two sessions daily from 7-10 July, while Blooms in the Multiverse (14-17 July) encourages participants to design colourful three-dimensional sculptures inspired by the artists floral works.

Readers can meet local author Odette Tokin and illustrator Anna Scobie during a special event celebrating their children’s book The Tiny Forest at Wallsend Library on 15 July. Children can also create native seed balls and mini bee hotels while learning about biodiversity and the natural world.

Graphic novel enthusiasts are invited to Newcastle City Library on 13 July for a Genre Journeys session to discover new titles and share recommendations spanning manga, superheroes and indie slice-of-life stories.

NAIDOC Week activities feature in the program including an illustration workshop led by award-winning author and acclaimed First Nations storyteller Dub Leffler on 8 July at Newcastle City Library. Children can also create jewellery inspired by the colours of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags at Wallsend Library on 10 July or learn how to make rope from stringybark with Uncle Amos Simon on 9 July before enjoying a mini silent disco celebrating music from First Nations artists.

Budding scientists, engineers and inventors can put their problem-solving skills to the test from 13 to 16 July through immersive STEM experiences delivered by STEM Punks Education at Wallsend Library. The free workshops introduce participants to virtual reality, robotics and 3D design while building problem-solving and collaboration skills.

Young builders can drop in for timed LEGO building challenges at Newcastle Museum on 14 July, tackling timed building activities and race against the clock to build imaginative creations and experiment with ideas.

High school students can build confidence on two wheels through free Bike School city riding workshops on 12 and 19 July. Beginning at Tighes Hill TAFE, the sessions include bike safety checks, route planning, shared path etiquette, safe road positioning and guidance on e-bike legalities before participants head out on to local streets.

More information and bookings are available via the Newcastle Museum’s events webpage, Newcastle Libraries’ what’s on calendar and Newcastle Art Gallery’s events page. Bike school sessions can be booked through the City of Newcastle website. Room on The Broom and Where is The Green Sheep? can be booked through the The Civic Theatre website.

Newcastle Art Gallery celebrates new milestone with return of $50,000 Kilgour Prize

One of Australia’s major art prizes is calling for entries for the first time in five years after being relaunched following the expansion of the Newcastle Art Gallery.

The prestigious Kilgour Prize awards $50,000 to the most outstanding work of figurative or portrait painting and attracted a record number of entries from across Australia when it was last held in 2021.

Kilgour Prize relaunched Newcastle Lord Mayor Gavin Morris, Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton OAM with Newcastle artist and previous Kilgour Prize winner Michael Bell, celebrate the relaunch of the major national art competition. They are pictured in front of the winning work from the inaugural Kilgour Prize, Beach life (pink zinc and figures), 2006, which was painted by Nicholas Harding.

Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton OAM said this was a milestone moment for the prize, which is celebrating its 20^th anniversary.

“Newcastle Art Gallery has been proud to administer the Kilgour Prize since it was established in 2006 following a bequest from artist Jack Noel Kilgour,” Ms Morton said.

“Since then, it has become a well-respected and coveted inclusion on the national art prize calendar, attracting an incredibly high calibre of entries from emerging and established artists across the country.

“The prize has been on hold since the Gallery closed at the start of 2022 to undergo our major expansion project.

“We are thrilled that, as part of our reopening year, we are able to celebrate the 20^th anniversary of this nationally significant art prize.”

Almost 2,900 works have been entered into the Kilgour Prize since it was established, including a record 476 paintings received from across every state and territory in Australia in 2021.

In addition to the $50,000 first prize, a further $5,000 is awarded to the work of art voted most popular by the general public.

Lord Mayor Gavin Morris said the Kilgour Prize will continue Newcastle Art Gallery’s place on the national stage.

“The Gallery has been overwhelmingly embraced by our community and visiting art lovers since it reopened as the largest public gallery in NSW outside of Sydney,” Cr Morris said.

“The return of the Kilgour Prize will continue to showcase artistic talent from across Australia while strengthening Newcastle’s standing as a city that values creativity, culture and the arts.”

The Kilgour Prize features a strong resume of past winners including renowned British-born Australian artist Nicholas Harding, who took out the inaugural competition in 2006.

His winning entry, Beach life (pink zinc and figures), 2006, is among the Newcastle Art Gallery collection works currently on display in the Iconic Loved Unexpected exhibition.

The 2018 prize was awarded to one of Australia’s most exciting emerging artists of the time, Natasha Walsh, whose Kilgour victory was among three prestigious art awards she captured over a period of 12 weeks.

A string of former Archibald Prize winners and finalists have also claimed the Kilgour crown including Sydney-based artist Blak Douglas (2019), former Newcastle art teacher and Mambo artist Michael Bell (2020) and Newcastle painter Peter Gardiner (2016).

“I had been a finalist six times in the Kilgour Prize at Newcastle Art Gallery since the art competition first began in 2006,” Bell said.

“A lot of great painters have won this prize in the past, so to actually win the Kilgour Prize in 2020 was an incredible thrill and great honour. A real career highlight for me.

“My winning painting was then acquired by the Newcastle Art Gallery Society and donated to the Newcastle Art Gallery collection.

“Being a national award, the Kilgour Prize gives visitors to the Newcastle Art Gallery a good insight into current approaches to contemporary figurative painting.”

Entries for the 2027 Kilgour Prize are open now until 5 October 2026, with finalists to be announced in December.

Joining Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton OAM on the judging panel will be independent curator and Warumungu and Luritja woman Kelli Cole and renowned artist Jason Phu.

The winner will be revealed at the exhibition opening in April 2027.

For more information visit the Newcastle Art Gallery website.

ABOUT THE KILGOUR PRIZE

Jack Noel Kilgour (1900–1987) was an Australian artist well-known for his academic approach to landscape and portrait painting. In 1987 Kilgour bequeathed funds for the creation of a major figurative and portrait art competition to be run in perpetuity. As one of Australia’s major art prizes, Newcastle Art Gallery is proud to be the home of the Kilgour Prize.

New data shows renters feel more secure in their homes thanks to Minns Labor Government’s reforms

New insights from the Department of Customer Service have revealed that the state’s renters are feeling empowered, protected and confident in the first year of the Minns Labor Government’s landmark reforms.

Over the last 12 months, the Government has made renting fairer by banning no-grounds evictions, limiting rent increases to once per year, ensuring renters have fee-free ways to pay rent, banning illegal fees for background checks, making it easier to have pets in rentals and announcing the launch of Smart Rental Bonds later this year.

The new laws are working – and renters are now feeling the effects. An exclusive survey by the Department has revealed that:

Almost three in four renters feel better protected with the reforms.
76% of renters stated the reforms provide more security and stability.
Nearly four in five renters stated they feel safe knowing they will not be evicted from their property without a valid reason thanks to the Government’s ban on no-grounds evictions.

Renters have lauded these changes, with 85% happy with fee-free ways to pay their rent, 82% glad they no longer have to pay for a background check, and 82% pleased that rent increases are limited to once per year.

Renters are increasingly seeking information about their rights and reporting potential breaches as well, with visits to the NSW Government’s rental website increasing tenfold.

The NSW Rental Taskforce has also worked hard to enforce new cost-saving laws, refunding around $180,000 to renters stung by illegal rent payment and background check fees over the past year.

84% of renters have also responded positively to the planned roll-out of Smart Rental Bonds in mid-2026, which will save them thousands of dollars each time they move by allowing them to transfer their bond from one property to the next.

The 2.3 million renters across NSW are set to receive more certainty in the coming months thanks to Government’s laws making it easier for victim-survivors to leave rental properties. The Government also has legislation before NSW Parliament to protect renters’ privacy and crack down on rental ads that have been digitally altered to mislead them.

This is all part of the Minns Labor Government’s plan to create a fairer, more transparent property market and make renting fairer.

To find out more about rental reforms and how they benefit renters, please visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/fair-trading/news/changes-to-rental-laws

Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“One year ago, the Minns Labor Government delivered historic reforms to make renting fairer.

“Now, we’re seeing the results.

“This new data shows overwhelmingly that our rental reforms are making a real difference, giving renters greater security, more certainty and putting money back in their pockets.

“Because we’ve pulled every lever and done the hard yards to deliver a system that works for renters in every corner of NSW.

“The Liberals gave renters broken promises. Only a Labor Government can deliver results.”

NSW Rental Commissioner Trina Jones said:

“Nearly three in four renters are telling us these reforms are working because they feel more protected, more secure, and more confident in the system.

“We’re also seeing strong support from landlords, with around two‑thirds saying changes like Smart Rental Bonds are positive. That’s exactly what good regulation should deliver clearer, fairer rules and greater certainty for everyone in the rental market.”

Housing Delivery Authority builds pipeline for 150,000 new homes

The Minns Labor Government is speeding up the delivery of thousands of new homes through the Housing Delivery Authority which has created a pipeline of 150,000 potential new homes in just 18 months.

The latest round declared a further 94 proposal state significant adding more than 22,000 potential new homes to the state significant planning pathway to help speed up housing supply across the state and help address NSW’s housing challenges.

This clears a backlog of EOIs in the HDA pathway, created by significant demand, and will enable the Government to meet the ongoing commitment to have HDA EOIs considered within 60 days.

The Housing Delivering Authority is helping increase supply right across NSW with projects declared in close to 50 local government areas, so people can live in the communities they choose.

If all 484 declared proposals are lodged and approved, it could create more than 134,000 homes in Greater Sydney and close to 16,400 homes in regional NSW, including affordable housing.

To date fourteen HDA projects have been approved, unlocking more than 2500 homes and a further 74 development application have been lodged representing around 26,000 potential new homes.

Since being established in December 2024, the Housing Delivery Authority (HDA) has evaluated more than 1,100 expressions of interest from industry against published criteria, identifying proposals that will deliver homes in well-located areas that can be assessed and constructed quickly.

The HDA cuts months from standard development timelines, with strict timelines requiring proponents to lodge their SSD applications within 9 months of Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs) being issued and construction to begin within 12 months of a project’s approval.

The HDA is now a permanent part of the planning system thanks to landmark reforms designed to make the system faster and fairer that passed Parliament with almost universal support last year.

The HDA is part of the Minns Labor Governments broader housing delivery agenda, alongside landmark planning reforms, the NSW Housing Pattern Book and the largest rezoning program in the state’s history.

Together these reforms have sped up the planning system dropping assessment times by close to a third and increased housing supply with approvals up 20 per cent from 2023 and close to 80,000 homes currently under construction.

For more information visit the Housing Delivery Authority web page.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“The Housing Delivery Authority is delivering real results for housing in NSW, creating a pipeline of more than 150,000 potential homes so families, young people and downsizers can find a home sooner.

“I look forward to seeing these HDA projects progress through the planning system to then become the homes NSW needs.

“The initiative has far exceeded expectations and each of the homes currently in the pipeline demonstrate why we made it a permanent planning pathway.

“The HDA has been crucial to the Minns Labor Government’s broader plan to increase supply right across the state, helping NSW have more homes under construction than any other state.”