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New information to support strata communities and assist with property owner strata debt

Understanding how strata communities operate becomes easier from today, with the NSW Government launching a guide to support the 1.2 million residents living in strata properties such as apartments, townhouses, and duplexes.

The Strata Living Guide has been updated following consultation that has incorporated the community’s feedback and responses.

The Guide will give strata property owners and prospective buyers clear advice in plain English on a range of topics aimed at improving decision-making in strata communities.

The new Guide has practical ‘how to’ information for those living in strata properties, such as how to run strata meetings and other key strata processes, how to manage strata finances, and how to raise issues.

The guide also helpfully suggests ways to go about getting things done such as regular or emergency repairs and approvals for renovations, resolving disputes, and managing relationships with the owners’ corporation and strata manager.

The Guide also highlights the strata law changes coming into effect in February 2025, which expand and strengthen strata managing agents’ disclosure obligations to owners, including reforms to make insurance arrangements more transparent.

NSW Fair Trading is also releasing information for strata property owners, and owners’ corporations, about options available when owners are having difficulty paying their strata levies on time, without compromising the financial viability of strata schemes.

Proposed legislation to be introduced to Parliament next week will make strata management practices around levies clearer, such as improving levy notice information and fairer conditions for payment plans.

This includes levy notices being accompanied by information encouraging early action by lot owners in financial hardship, and information about how to contact the National Debt Helpline.

To access the Strata Living Guide and other resources to help strata property owners, please visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-construction/strata

Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“The Minns Labor Government is continuing to improve the regulatory framework we need to build better homes and communities for the people of NSW.

“The Strata Living Guide provides clear advice to people living in the 86,000 strata schemes in NSW which will help them govern their strata schemes constructively and effectively.

“The Guide will also help strata communities to engage in collective decision-making that serves their community’s best interests.

“Strata debt is a growing issue in the community with the amount of money owed to strata title creditors in insolvencies climbing.

“That is why we are introducing new legislation that will give strata property owners and strata corporations a clear path when managing strata levy debt in the best interests of all parties.”

Flythrough video brings Shoalhaven Hospital Redevelopment to life

A new flythrough video has been released showcasing the $438 million Shoalhaven Hospital Redevelopment, providing the community with a virtual tour of the new 7-storey hospital building and campus. 

The Shoalhaven Hospital Redevelopment is set to transform healthcare services across the region, delivering modern health facilities and expanded health services for communities across the South Coast. 

 The virtual tour brings to life the new acute clinical services building, revealing a modern, patient-centred design with spacious waiting areas, comfortable treatment rooms, and a green landscape that promotes healing and wellbeing. 

 The new acute clinical services building includes a new emergency department, intensive care unit, double the number of operating theatres and endoscopy rooms, a dedicated cardiology inpatient unit, and a new rooftop helipad. 

 The hospital will also feature an increase in aged care capacity including a sub-acute geriatric evaluation and management service, dedicated palliative care facility, and specialist rehabilitation unit, ensuring it meets the growing demands of the Shoalhaven and surrounding regions. 

Work on the Shoalhaven Hospital Redevelopment is progressing well, with the new seven-storey acute services building on track to be completed in 2026.

Watch the flythrough video via the project page.

Minister for Regional Health, Ryan Park:

“The Minns Labor Government is committed to delivering contemporary, fit-for-purpose hospitals and health facilities to support the healthcare needs of our growing local communities.

 “The Shoalhaven Hospital Redevelopment will provide the majority of emergency, critical care, acute, subacute and non-admitted services locally, reducing the need to transfer patients to Wollongong and Sydney.

“The floorplans and hospital design have been informed by extensive feedback from staff and the community including access for patients and visitors, café services, landscaped areas and connections to nature.” 

Member South Coast, Liza Butler:

 “This virtual tour of the Shoalhaven Hospital Redevelopment is providing staff, patients and the community the opportunity to see what the new acute clinical services building will look like when complete.

 “This is a really exciting time for the community who will be able to experience how the Shoalhaven Hospital health services will work together on one site and become a health hub for the entire region.” 

$250,000 to upgrade hospital surgical equipment in Deniliquin

The Deniliquin community will benefit from a $250,000 funding boost from the NSW Government to upgrade health facilities in Murrumbidgee Local Health District.

The Minns Labor Government is investing a total of almost $12 million in 61 projects as part of the Regional Health Minor Works Program.

As part of the program, Deniliquin Hospital received $250,000 to purchase two surgical suite pendants. These pendants allow for easier access to medical gases and general surgical equipment, complementing recent enhancements to the hospital’s theatres.

In addition to the $250,000 investment in upgrades at Deniliquin Hospital the Minns Labor Government is also investing $250,000 in Young Hospital. This investment at Young will be used to upgrade operating theatre equipment.

Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park:

“The NSW Government is committed to investing in upgrading health facilities to support better health outcomes for rural and regional communities.

“The Rural Minor Works Program will allow Murrumbidgee Local Health District to upgrade surgical equipment at Deniliquin Hospital to enhance the working environment for health staff and improve patient experiences.

“The Program is one of a number of investments the Minns Labor Government is making to strengthen rural and regional health services, so people have access to the best possible care close to home.”

Member for Murray Helen Dalton:

“This $250,000 investment in Deniliquin Hospital helps to ensure our regional and rural communities receive the best possible healthcare closer to home.

“This new equipment at Deniliquin Hospital will help to ensure clinical staff continue to offer high quality and timely care to patients.”

Outback rest area upgrade improving safety

A rest area upgrade delivered by the Minns Labor Government in Outback NSW has been completed, with motorists and heavy vehicle operators benefiting from a more comfortable space to take a rest and manage fatigue risks.

The Gilgunnia Goldfields Rest Area, about 109 kilometres south of Cobar on the Kidman Way, was given a $255,000 makeover to bring it up to modern standards.

A key feature of the upgrade was the installation of a modern flushing toilet to replace the waterless composting toilet that had been in place for many years.

Other work included drainage improvements and pavement upgrades in the truck parking bay, plus a fresh coat of paint on the water tank.

Redundant facilities including a non-working barbecue, a cage and a disused water tank will be removed in coming weeks.

To help motorists plan their journeys and breaks, a map showing the location of roadside rest areas is available on the Transport for NSW website – https://maps.transport.nsw.gov.au/egeomaps/rest-areas/index.html

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“Long distances are a fact of life for people travelling in western NSW and managing fatigue is vital for road safety.

“Providing clean modern rest areas with toilet facilities like the one at this rest area is one way the Minns Labor Government can encourage motorists to take proper rest breaks which can save lives.”

Access to clean, modern rest areas is vitally important both for their comfort and the opportunity to take a short break from driving.

“We are proud to be investing in long overdue upgrades to rest areas which will help ensure all road users have a decent place to stop, revive and survive at while embarking on their journeys.”

Member for Barwon Roy Butler said:

“The Kidman Way is a key freight route for transporting livestock, produce and other goods interstate, and is also a popular route for tourists exploring western NSW.

“The Gilgunnia Rest Area is an important part of Cobar’s rich history and the upgraded amenities are important for not only safety, but for tourists and locals alike. Cobar has long been advocating for this upgrade and it is pleasing to see funding being directed to where it is needed and wanted.”

Labor’s spokesperson for Barwon Stephen Lawrence MLC said:

“I am thrilled to see the Minns Labor Government is investing in upgrades to regional rest stops.

“This is important investment because we know having good amenities in remote rest stops can be the difference between life and death in helping long distance drivers better manage their fatigue.”

Appeal to locate teenage girl missing from Hunter Valley

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a teenage girl missing from the Hunter Valley.

Emmerson Price, aged 14, was last seen in Abermain about 1am on Sunday 10 November 2024.

When she could not be located or contacted, officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District were notified on Tuesday (12 November 2024) and commenced inquiries into her whereabouts.

Police and family hold concerns for Emmerson’s welfare due to her age.

Emmerson is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 150 to 170cm tall with a medium build, blonde hair and has a septum (nose) piercing.

She is known to frequent the Abermain, Rutherford, Maitland, Broken Hill and East Branxton areas.

Anyone with information into her whereabouts is urged to contact Hunter Valley Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

NSW Crossbench Unite to End Native Forest Logging

The Minns Labor Government has received a letter from 5 key independent members of the NSW Parliament calling for an immediate halt to logging in the promised Great Koala National Park, and they have committed to exiting native forest logging in NSW entirely. The cross bench members in the Upper House from the Greens, Animal Justice Party and the Legalise Cannabis Party have also sent a letter today to the Premier, echoing the calls to exit native forest logging.

Greens MP and spokesperson for the environment Sue Higginson said “This letter is a display of the unity that exists in the NSW Parliament on the question of continued native forest logging in NSW. Liberal, Labor, Green and the majority of Members in the Parliament are ready to end the destruction of native forests by logging now, and we are collectively calling on Premier Chris Minns to act now,”

“The Minns Labor Government is in a minority position, and the same Independents that have guaranteed him confidence and supply are now telling him “it’s time” on the Great Koala National Park and native forest logging,”

“NSW Labor have taken the promise of a Great Koala National Park to 3 general elections over 8 years, and 20 months after winning minority Government in 2023 – but logging is still occurring in the best koala habitat in NSW, forests that are supposed to be a National Park. In fact logging has intensified within the Great Koala National Park since Labor came into power,”

“The environmental, economic and social evidence of the need to end native forest logging is overwhelming, and now the political support is palpable. We just need political leadership, the question now is will Chris Minns be the Premier who can and will lead this important outcome for all.”

“Chris Minns is now hearing this call from within his Party Room, from Independents that gave him Government, and from the entire progressive crossbench in the Upper House – it’s time to end native forest logging. It would be a mistake for him to disregard that strength of our unified voices, and it would be a tragedy for our native forests if he falters now,” Ms Higginson said.

Dailan Pugh, North East Forest Alliance:

“The completed environmental assessments prove that all 176,000 hectares of the proposed park deserve protection. They also show that there is direct conflict between the highest density koala habitat and the forests most sought by the loggers. It comes down to a choice between koalas and logging these areas,”

“The damage that is being caused is across the entire area of the public native forest estate that is subject to logging, and it must end. Ultimately, the further we allow logging to be concentrated, the greater damage is being done to the habitat of threatened species within those areas. We must end this now, once and for all,”

Doro Babeck, Bob Brown Foundation:

“The time to end native forest logging was about two years ago with Labor being elected on a promise to do better for the environment. The public is behind this, 7,000 people rallied across the nation two weeks ago for our forests. In NSW nearly 14,000 people signed our native forest declaration to end native forest logging. What is the Government waiting for?”

Alec Marr, Wilderness Australia:

“There are three steps required by the NSW Government to resolve the native forest issue. First is to stop logging in the Great Koala National Park. Second is to immediately cease all logging in all identified areas of endangered species habitat (including Gliders and Koalas). Third, implement a rapid exit from native forest logging in this Parliamentary term of Government,”

Anti-protest report tabled 43 days late and ignores community

The NSW Government has tabled a report on the review into the Roads and Crimes Legislation Amendment Act 2022, 43 days after it was legally obliged to do so, and has ignored thousands of submissions from the public calling for a repeal of the anti-protest laws. The report was tabled as the NSW Parliament debated a motion by the Greens to disallow new regulations that extend the laws.

Greens MP and spokesperson for justice Sue Higginson said “The report that has been tabled today is a disgrace, it has failed to listen to the community consultation and has disregarded the fact that it was more than a month overdue and that the laws have been declared partially unconstitutional by the Supreme Court,”

“Public consultation, like protest, is a key pillar of our democracy – this report is a spit in the face to both of those pillars. The public consultation in this case, where only one submission out of thousands supported the anti-protest laws, has resulted in no recommendation for change. This erodes the public’s trust in Parliament and our democracy, I am furious,”

“The Government has failed to abide by the laws that they rushed through in 2022 by failing to table the report on 1 October, yet they have the temerity to expand those laws while the community was still waiting to hear back on the consultation that we had to fight so hard for,”

“The Greens fought against these laws in 2022, and this new expansion is something we are attempting to disallow in Parliament today. The community should feel empowered to engage in peaceful protests, even if it’s inconvenient for others – that’s sometimes the point or consequence of protest,”

“It is a shame that the NSW Labor Party is no longer a party that understands the importance of protests, strikes and other acts of political communication to the Government.” Ms Higginson said.

Greens welcome Digital Duty of Care, call for release of Online Safety Act Review

The Greens have responded to the Albanese Government’s Digital Duty of Care announcement today and called for the full release of the Online Safety Act Review.

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young is Greens Spokesperson for Communications, Senator for South Australia:

“Harmful platforms are the problem, not everyday people and these corporations have a duty to ensure their product is not doing systemic harm to our democracy or our kids.

“That’s why the Greens have long called for the Government to tackle the toxic business model of social media giants with systemic EU-style measures to reduce harm.

“Forcing companies to provide a safe product is a smarter approach than banning students from YouTube.

“The Greens and experts have urged the Albanese Government to tackle the poisonous algorithms that fuel extremism, mental health problems and division in our democracy at a systemic level. We will scrutinise this legislation in detail when it is available but the Government is moving in the right direction with a Digital Duty of Care.

“The Government appears to be making announcements based on a report which is yet to be released to the public or the Parliament. The Minister should publicly release the Online Safety Act review immediately in full. The public have a right to know.

“Parents are rightfully worried about the safety of their kids online but they also know unless platforms are forced to clean up their act, their child won’t be safe online when they turn 16 either.

“The tech giants should be prohibited from collecting, selling and exploiting young people’s data to make massive profits.

“All users must also have the ability to switch off or turn down the algorithms that push unwanted content into their feeds.”

Turbocharging Climate Action: new program to drive Indo-Pacific’s Net Zero Push

The Australian Government is launching an innovative new climate program to harness the power of private capital and our development assistance to turbocharge climate action in our region.

The Climate Catalyst Window, announced at COP29, will boost the efforts of climate-focused businesses across Southeast Asia, South Asia and the Pacific – one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable regions.

Backed by the proven success of Australian Development Investments (ADI), this $126 million initiative leverages concessional finance to de-risk transactions making climate solutions attractive to private investors.

ADI will use loans, equity and guarantees to attract private investment into projects that matter to our region. Funds recovered through the Window will be reinvested, ensuring the fund grows over time, and supports a pipeline of projects into the future.

Along with financial support, the initiative will provide projects with technical assistance to ensure rigorous impact measurement, promote gender equality, and enhance project bankability.

This initiative is another example of Australia’s commitment to accelerating the net-zero transition and showcases the impact of sustainable finance in mobilising private capital to address climate challenges across the Indo-Pacific.

For more information on Australia’s blended finance efforts, visit Australian Development Funds.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong

“The Climate Catalyst Window will unlock the potential of climate-focused businesses to help drive the climate action our region has been asking for.
“We’re also ensuring we are getting maximum value for Australia’s development assistance in projects that matter to Australians and our region.
“A peaceful, stable, prosperous, and climate-resilient region makes us all safer.”

Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Pat Conroy

“The Climate Catalyst Window is a targeted investment to support climate-focused small and medium enterprises in the Indo-Pacific, empowering them to innovate, grow, and contribute to the global net-zero transformation.”
“Through blended finance, ADI will mobilise greater private investment to address climate mitigation and adaptation needs across Southeast Asia, South Asia, and the Pacific.”

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Newcastle

The unveiling of a giant present in Hunter Street Mall has heralded the start of festive fun as City of Newcastle kicks off its annual Christmas activities for the community.

At two metres high and two metres wide, the gift will light up the Market Street steps until Boxing Day and will be large enough for a group photo with family, friends or co-workers to help everyone get into the Christmas spirit.

Making it even more unique and sustainable, the present was constructed using original cedar boards recovered from a 140-year-old house in Carrington and will be wrapped in artwork by prominent local artist Mitch Revs.

The festivities will also get underway at Wheeler Place next week with the installation of City of Newcastle’s 12.5-metre Christmas tree, before Lord Mayor Ross Kerridge joins Santa Claus to officially switch on the lights on 29 November.

Father Christmas will then be available for photos every Friday and Sunday until 15 December, accompanied by more than just reindeer, with local schools, community groups and professional performers providing live musical numbers during the Santa Selfie sessions.

The Newcastle Youth Orchestra will headline a special performance on 13 December, featuring instrumental ensembles, and emerging local vocalists leading traditional Christmas carols.

City of Newcastle’s Executive Director Creative and Community Services Alissa Jones said this year’s festive season is a celebration of everything local.

“We want to encourage everyone to be part of the fun and support local businesses in the city,” Ms Jones said.

“Our Christmas display will feature a ‘Santa’s Shopping List’ that will highlight special offers from participating businesses.

“A spend-to-win competition will be run in collaboration with the Newcastle Business Improvement Association to give shoppers the chance to win a ‘Staycation Package,’ which includes a Civic Theatre Gift Voucher and accommodation at Quest Apartments.

“Santa’s sleigh will be part of the display in Wheeler Place so families can take photos and even attach their pets to the sleigh for a fun pet ‘pawtrait’.

“We’ll also have an interactive craft table where visitors can write letters to Santa, which they can post at an on-site mailbox.”

To find out more visit City of Newcastle’s What’s On website: https://whatson.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/christmas24