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New strata laws to rise to the challenge of living in higher density homes

The Minns Labor Government will impose greater disclosure obligations and stamp out bad behaviour in the strata sector, with new laws set to be introduced to Parliament.

Strata laws put owners corporations in charge of making key decisions on the buildings and common property of townhouses and apartments. Owners Corporations usually appoint a strata managing agent to provide advice on meeting legal obligations and managing the delivery of services to the strata scheme.

Recently the behaviour of a small number of managing agents has put a dent in public confidence around apartment living.

NSW Fair Trading had more than 965 complaints about strata agents in the five years to 2023 with more than half of those complaints about rules of conduct or budgets, levies or finances.  

We have a housing crisis in NSW and solving it means we need to build more high quality, higher density housing. More than 1.2 million people already live in strata communities in NSW and that number is set to grow under the Government’s comprehensive plan to build a better NSW.  

New laws will help build confidence in the sector so apartment owners and residents can feel safe they aren’t being ripped off by unscrupulous agents.

Key changes proposed include:  

  • increasing the maximum penalties and penalty infringement notice amounts for existing agent obligations to disclose information about commissions.
  • strengthening the conflict-of-interest disclosure requirements.
  • banning agents from receiving a commission on insurance products when they don’t play a role in finding the best deal for residents.
  • strengthening NSW Fair Trading’s enforcement and compliance powers.

Higher penalties, greater transparency and new enforcement powers follow an $8.4 million investment in more resources for the Strata and Property Services Commissioner in this year’s budget.

The Government will consult with key stakeholders such as the Owners Corporation Network and Strata Community Association on the draft laws in the coming weeks. The Parliament will consider the new laws later this year.

Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“These reforms are critical to supporting confidence in investing and living in strata schemes. 

“We want to change the perception that strata managing agents easily, and readily, take advantage of owners by significantly increasing the consequences for those who do the wrong thing.

“The new laws are designed to take immediate action to help restore confidence in living and investing in strata schemes, ensuring more people consider apartment living as a housing option.”  

Delivering more homes for Australia

The Albanese Labor Government’s Homes for Australia plan will deliver significant new funding across the country to build more homes with a new national housing agreement beginning on 1 July.

As part of the new 5-year National Agreement on Social Housing and Homelessness which starts on 1 July 2024, states and territories will share in $9.3 billion.

The funding will help to combat homelessness, provide crisis support and build and repair social housing.

This new agreement includes a doubling of Commonwealth funding for homelessness, which state and territory governments must match.

States and territories will also share in a further $1 billion outside of the agreement directed towards crisis and transitional accommodation for women and children fleeing domestic violence, and youth, through Housing Australia.

The Albanese Labor Government will also help nearly 1 million Australian households with the cost of rent by delivering a 10 per cent increase to the maximum rates of Commonwealth Rent Assistance, as part of the first back-to-back increase in more than 30 years.

The Government’s Budget last month also included:

  • Training more tradies to build the homes Australia needs with 20,000 Fee Free TAFE and pre-apprenticeship places for the construction industry.
  • Working with the higher education sector on new regulation to require universities to increase student accommodation, taking pressure off the rental market.
  • Increasing the Government’s line of credit to Housing Australia by $3 billion, and liability cap by $2.5 billion.
  • Providing up to $1.9 billion in concessional finance for community housing providers and other charities, to support delivery of 40,000 social and affordable homes under the Housing Australia Future Fund and National Housing Accord.

This significant new investment is part of the $32 billion in new housing initiatives the Albanese Labor Government is delivering through our Homes for Australia plan.

The Albanese Labor Government has already delivered $2 billion to states and territories through the Social Housing Accelerator to deliver around 4,000 new social homes.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“I know firsthand the life-changing power that a secure roof over your head provides.

“That’s why my Government is committed to delivering more homes, more quickly, in more parts of Australia.

“This Budget means more tradies, fewer barriers to construction, less talk and more homes.”

Minister for Housing and Homelessness Julie Collins:

“This historic new agreement with states and territories will provide much needed funding to support homelessness services across the country and help build more Homes for Australia.

“The agreement is another important demonstration of our Government’s collaborative approach to addressing Australia’s housing challenges.

“We understand that working together is the best way to ensure more Australians have a safe and affordable place to call home.

“That’s why collaboration is at the heart of our $32 billion Homes for Australia plan and the ambitious national target to build 1.2 million homes by the end of the decade.”

Homes for Australia funding by State and Territory

State and territory$9.3 billion National Agreement on Social Housing and Homelessness
(estimated funding 2024-25 to 2028-29)
New South Wales$2.82 billion
Victoria$2.36 billion
Queensland$1.86 billion
Western Australia$993.2 million
South Australia$625.1 million
Tasmania$195.3 million
Northern Territory$290.2 million
Australian Capital Territory$157.4 million

Man dies after being hit by car – Lake Macquarie

A man has died after being hit by a car at Lake Macquarie.

About 3:15am today (Wednesday 26 June 2024), emergency services were called to Alhambra Avenue, Cardiff, following reports a man had been hit by a car.

Officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District attended and were told a man had been laying on the road and was hit by a utility.

NSW Ambulance paramedics attended; however, the man died at the scene.

He is yet to be formally identified.

The male driver, aged 45, was taken to hospital for mandatory testing.

A crime scene was established, and an investigation has commenced into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

A report will be prepared for the Coroner.

Woman charged following unauthorised protest – Hunter Valley

A woman has been charged following an unauthorised protest in the Hunter Valley earlier today.

About 4:20pm (Tuesday 25 June 2024), officers from Hunter Valley Police District received notification that a number of people had entered the rail corridor off the New England Highway at Hermitage Road, Belford.

Officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District attended the site and arrested a 64-year-old woman.

She was taken to Singleton Police Station and charged with enter inclosed lands serious safety risk, cause obstruction to railway locomotive and enter inclosed land without lawful excuse.

She was refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court tomorrow (Wednesday 26 June 2024).

Woman charged over alleged child approach – Lake Macquarie

A woman has been charged following an alleged child approach at a Lake Macquarie shopping centre over the weekend.

About 12.30pm on Sunday 23 June 2024, a couple and their two children aged 2 and 10 months were in a shopping centre at Glendale, when a woman, who was not known to the couple, allegedly took hold of the pram containing the two-year-old girl.

The woman attempted to push the pram containing the child away but was stopped by the mother and other members of the public. She then left the shopping centre.

The mother and the children were shaken but not otherwise hurt during the incident.

Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into the incident.

Following inquiries, police arrested a 41-year-old woman at a unit in Windale about 12.50pm yesterday (Monday 24 June 2024). During the arrest, the woman allegedly resisted police officers’ attempts to effect the arrest.

She was taken to Belmont police station where she was charged with three offences – stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm (personal), affray and hinder police.

The woman was granted strict conditional bail to appear before Belmont Local Court on Wednesday 17 July 2024.

Survey reveals Hunter public schools stretched to breaking point – NSW Teachers Federation

A survey of public school teachers and principals in Newcastle and the Hunter reveals how the combined impact of the $1.9 billion funding shortfall and teacher shortage is leading to merged classes, poorer student wellbeing and unsustainable workloads, the NSW Teachers Federation has warned.

NSW Teachers Federation President Henry Rajendra will hold a doorstop with local teachers at Newcastle High School at 8:15am on Wednesday, 26 June

The survey of 664 principals and teachers across Newcastle and the Hunter found:

● 46% have taught merged/split classes regularly or always;
● 91% agree that “schools as a whole currently have difficulty in retaining teachers in the profession”;
● 14% are committed to staying in the profession until retirement;
● Only 3% of teachers say their school is well-resourced;
● 72% reported a decline or significant decline in student wellbeing and engagement in past 18 months;
● 91% reported a decline or significant decline in teacher wellbeing and morale;
● Only 11% say counsellor support is adequate.

NSW Teachers Federation President Henry Rajendra said Newcastle and Hunter public schools were facing immense challenges due to the funding shortfall.

“Amazing things happen in our public schools every day, but the Government is exploiting the goodwill of teachers to maintain standards. This is not sustainable.

“The challenges facing our schools are too great, and the cost of inaction too high. We need the state and federal governments to step up and deliver the funding our schools so urgently need.

“The Federal Government must lift its share of funding to 25% by 2028, while the NSW Government must ensure that public schools are genuinely funded at 100% of the Schooling Resource Standard.

“Providing a quality education for every child is not just a moral imperative, it’s an economic necessity. Today’s students are the lifeblood of tomorrow’s workforce. Shortchanging their education now will have consequences for decades to come.”

Mr Rajendra said it was time for federal MPs to fight for their local public schools, pointing out that public schools educate the overwhelming bulk of the region’s students.

Electorate Number of public school students Percentage of total students

Shortland
16,554
73.8 per cent

Newcastle
17,742
68.3 per cent

Hunter
17,135
66.2 per cent

Paterson
18,754
67.5 per cent

“Our schools and our students need champions in Parliament who will stand up and demand fair funding,” he said.

“It’s time to stop the excuses and start investing in our children’s future. Every student in Newcastle and the Hunter deserves the resources and support they need to thrive.”

Mr Rajendra said fully funding public schools was the only way to ensure every child in Newcastle and the Hunter got the support they needed to succeed.

FERNLEIGH AWAKBAKAL SHARED TRACK (FAST) AT LAKE MACQUARIE NEARS COMPLETION

The Fernleigh Awabakal Shared Track (FAST) at Lake Macquarie is nearing completion, opening up an uninterrupted 27 kilometre continuous active transport route for walkers, runners and cyclists from Murrays Beach to Adamstown.

Four years in the making, the upgrades fill a missing gap of shared pathway between Blacksmiths and the existing Fernleigh Track, when complete it will be the longest active transport route in the Hunter region.

The final works include an elevated accessible boardwalk along Belmont Lagoon, accessible amenities, upgrades to three local bus stops, and public art installations, crafted by Aboriginal artists, telling of the local Awabakal people and their relationship with the environment.

The project was made possible through $1.15 million in funding from the Australian Government’s Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants Program, $8.92 million from the NSW Government, and $12.82 million from Lake Macquarie City Council.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt:

“Bushfire recovery takes time, so it brings me great pleasure to know that this track is nearing completion and will support the Hunter community to continue to heal from a devastating time in their lives.

“These grants assist recovery efforts of communities and I thank our NSW colleagues for working with the Australian Government to deliver an incredible result for the community.”

NSW Premier Chris Minns:

“The new track will provide locals and tourists alike with some of the best views in Lake Macquarie while promoting an active lifestyle.

“This shared track will be a great addition to the Lake Macquarie area as well as a tourism drawcard for cyclists and fitness-minded visitors.”

Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty:

“It’s great to see the Fernleigh Awabakal Shared Track nearing completion for the Hunter community to enjoy, creating a safe place for pedestrians and cyclists to get outdoors and exercise.

“The NSW Government is committed to community infrastructure upgrades that support the health and wellbeing of communities that live in regional NSW.”

Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley:

“This track is the longest shared walking and cycling route in the Hunter region and provides potential for the area to host a wide variety of sporting and fitness events, such as marathons.

“The track is also an opportunity for us to showcase the incredible scenery of the area, which was previously hidden, helping put Lake Macquarie on the map.

“Enjoying the outdoors is such an important part of life in the Hunter, and this will make it even better for the people who live here.”

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison:

“Shared pathways are vital for healthy lifestyles and enhancing regional tourism opportunities.

“I remember walking the first section of the Fernleigh Awabakal Shared Track with my family in the early 2000’s. It’s great to be here for the completion of the 27km continuous active transport link from Murrays Beach to Adamstown.”

Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser:

“The track’s centrepiece is a 400m stretch of elevated boardwalk over wetlands next to Belmont Lagoon – the focal point of the Aboriginal creation story known as ‘When the Moon Cried’, and one of the region’s best spots for birdwatching.

“We are blessed with so many beautiful places here in Lake Mac, but Belmont Lagoon is up there with the best of them – until now, it’s been a bit of a hidden gem, but the Fernleigh Awabakal Shared Track provides a very low impact means of shedding light on this natural and cultural wonder.

“It also contributes to our ongoing push to promote tourism and active transport in Lake Mac and expand our city’s network of family-friendly shared pathways.”

Two women charged following unauthorised protest – Newcastle

Two women have been charged following an unauthorised protest near Newcastle earlier today.

About 1pm (Tuesday 25 June 2024), officers from Newcastle City Police District received notification that a number of people had entered the rail corridor and were causing obstruction to trains at Kooragang Island.

Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District – assisted by Police Rescue and the Dog Unit – attended the site and arrested two women aged 67 and 59.

They were taken to Newcastle Police Station where they were each charged with enter inclosed lands and create serious safety risk.

Both women were refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court tomorrow (Wednesday 26 June 2024).

Three charged following unauthorised protest – Newcastle 

Three men have been charged following an unauthorised protest near Newcastle earlier today.

About 7am (Tuesday 25 June 2024), emergency services were called to a rail bridge near Mangrove Road, Kooragang, following reports of an unauthorised protest.

Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District – assisted by Police Rescue and the Dog Unit – attended the site and commenced inquiries into the incident.

Three men – aged 20, 27 and 67 – were arrested and taken to Newcastle Police Station.

The 20-year-old man was charged with enter inclosed land not prescribed premises without lawful excuse, and enter inclosed non-agricultural lands serious safety risk.

A warrant was also executed over an alleged earlier incident for enter etc Sydney Harbour Bridge etc disrupt etc vehicles etc, wilfully prevent free passage of person/vehicle/vessel, pedestrian obstruct driver’s/other pedestrian’s path, and join or continue in unlawful assembly.

He was refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court tomorrow (Wednesday 25 June 2024).

The 27-year-old was charged with enter inclosed land not prescribed premises without lawful excuse, and enter inclosed non-agricultural lands serious safety risk.

He was granted strict conditional bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court on Thursday 4 July 2024.

The 67-year-old man was charged with enter inclosed land not prescribed premises without lawful excuse, enter inclosed non-agricultural lands serious safety risk, and cause obstruction to railway locomotive or rolling stock.

He was refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court tomorrow (Wednesday 25 June 2024).

SAFETY CHECKS AT CESSNOCK AND MAITLAND – Civil Aviation Safety Authority

Residents of Cessnock and Maitland in New South Wales may see an aircraft flying unusually low next week as the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) carries out important flight path safety checks.

The checks are being conducted by CASA on 3 July and 4 July to validate new procedures at Cessnock and related modified procedures at Maitland.

A twin-engine Beechcraft Duchess will be used to carry out the safety checks within an area up to 40 kilometres from the aerodromes.

Low-level flying is an essential part of the safety exercise, with the aircraft down as low as several hundred feet at times.

Local residents may notice an uncommon flying pattern, but this is to make sure obstacles are accurately marked on charts and no new obstacles exist. Obstacles can be towers, trees, masts or buildings that can be a danger to aircraft.

If poor weather or other factors do not allow the safety checks to go ahead on the planned days, they will be carried out as soon as possible.