Category: NSW News

The quality of home building in the Coffs Harbour area has been given a tick for compliance after recent surprise visits by Building Commission NSW inspectors.

Building Commission inspectors inspected two apartment buildings and seven freestanding homes in November, following a construction compliance blitz in April this year.

Inspectors were pleased to discover all sites except one were compliant and met the quality standards Building Commission NSW expects from developers, builders, and practitioners.

Defects were discovered at just one Class 1 residential building site and orders were issued for the problems to be fixed. Inspectors also identified safety concerns with the worksite and reported those matters to SafeWork NSW.

Building Commission NSW was established by the Minns Labor Government on 1 December 2023 and is the state’s building regulator, ensuring the quality of residential buildings.

The regulator is striking a balance between compliance, education, and collaboration to ensure consumers get well built homes for their hard-earned investment. This includes educating practitioners about the value of building right the first time, to reduce costs and increase value and reputation.

Building Commission NSW will continue to target building projects for compliance with planned visits to metropolitan and regional locations including follow-up ‘anytime, anywhere’ audits to the same sites.

Minister for Building Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“The quality of work at most of the sites clearly point to a trend of improving standards across the NSW construction industry.

“Despite discovering defects at one site, it is promising to see most projects visited are on the right track, which proves the Building Commission is already seeing real results.

“The message is simple – designing and building it right the first time will not only deliver quality homes the people of NSW need but will save consumers time and money by not having to redo substandard work.”

ServiceNSW, once the gold standard of government engagement created by the Liberals and Nationals, has been weaponised by the Minns Labor Government in a cruel and chaotic cash grab targeting New South Wales’ smallest businesses.

Over 63,000 letters have been sent to micro-businesses, demanding reviews, or repayments of COVID-19 micro-business grants. Many of these businesses, with turnovers between $30,000 and $75,000 per year, are already under immense pressure from rising costs and economic uncertainty. Now they are being forced to spend money they don’t have on accountants just to prove their innocence. If they fail to respond within 10 business days, RevenueNSW is unleashed to begin debt recovery.

Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said Labor’s actions were a betrayal of small businesses and an indictment of the government’s financial desperation.

“ServiceNSW was created by the Liberals and Nationals to make government accessible, efficient, and fair. It became a trusted partner for families and businesses during tough times. 

This is not a government working for the people—it’s a government scrambling to cover black holes in its budget. Instead of delivering Christmas cheer, they’re delivering chaos and crushing small businesses,” Mr Speakman said. 

The Minns Labor Government has already gutted ServiceNSW with $109.6 million in cuts, including slashing 25% of Risk, Strategy and Customer Support and 31% of the Business Bureau—the very divisions needed to support businesses through this process. The results have been disastrous, with countless errors emerging.

Shadow Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government James Griffin said Labor has tarnished the reputation of one of NSW’s most trusted departments.

“ServiceNSW was a flagship achievement of the Liberals and Nationals, envied across the country for its customer-focused approach. 

Under Chris Minns, it has been reduced to a Grinch-like debt collector, leaving small business owners to bear the brunt of Labor’s chaos,” Mr Griffin said. 

Instead of helping businesses recover, Labor is crushing them with unnecessary stress and expense during the busiest time of year. This is a government that has no heart and no plan—just a desperation to cover its tracks.

Some businesses have been sent letters for grants they never applied for, while others are being forced to repay funds they were entitled to. Sole traders have reported spending hundreds of dollars on accountants to navigate the chaotic process. One business owner wrongly pursued for $15,000 was cleared only after providing a medical hardship letter from her doctor.

With Treasurer Daniel Mookhey poised to deliver a financial reveal with his Half Yearly Budget Review this week, just in time for Christmas, NSW families and businesses are bracing for more budget surprises.

NSW deserves better than a government that prioritises budget panic over small business recovery. 

NSW is worse off under the Minns Labor Government.

The Minns Labor Government is helping address construction skills shortages and unlocking employment opportunities for some of the most vulnerable members of the community through a one-week training program in Coffs Harbour.

This week, 16 humanitarian refugees completed the Refugee Employment Pathways Program, receiving a certification to operate Front End Loaders and Excavators, making them job-ready and able to explore apprenticeship opportunities in the high-demand industry.

In collaboration with TAFE NSW participants from the Ezidi, African, and Myanmar community were given hands-on training to enable them to work in the civil construction industry.

The program is organised by Purpose & Growth, an organisation that brings together government and community support groups, to provide relevant training for local refugees and address skills gaps.

The NSW Department of Education has provided $30,000 to assist with training costs.

With the Federal Government projecting employment in the construction industry to grow by 12% in the decade to 2034, the program provides a timely and valuable pathway into a sustainable career.

This initiative will help build a pipeline of skilled workers to support the local civil construction industry, including one of NSW’s largest infrastructure projects, the Coffs Harbour Bypass. 

Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan said:  

“This initiative is a win-win for the Coffs Harbour community and the 16 participants completing the program, who have come to Australia as humanitarian refugees and face language and skills barriers to gaining meaningful employment.”

“By working collaboratively with local community organisations, this program will help some of our newest community members build their new lives with meaningful employment with critical skills.

Congratulations to everyone involved, particularly our 16 newly trained front-end loaders and excavators!”

Director Infrastructure Energy & Construction Skills Team, Nicholas Bryant said:

“This program has allowed these participants to develop the skills and knowledge they need to work in the civil construction industry and apply for jobs in a booming skills area, helping to address the critical skill shortages.”

“TAFE NSW prides itself on delivering hands-on training and providing opportunities for people to achieve their career aspirations. I’m proud of the progress these participants have made throughout the program and I’m confident they will be able to apply these skills and knowledge to future roles in the civil construction industry.”

The NSW Government has taken another step towards creating a fairer toll road system for Sydney, presenting an In Principle Agreement to the motorway concessionaires which provides a pathway to more detailed negotiations in 2025.

The Government expects the In Principle Agreement to be signed off by the end of the year by concessionaires who hold the ten privately-owned toll road concessions of Sydney’s 13 toll roads.

It sets out further areas to discuss and refine as part of the next stage of creating a genuine toll network and a new network-wide pricing structure across the tangle of different private contracts.

The NSW Government has committed to tilting the system back in favour of motorists and ending the era of Liberal Party “Toll-Mania” with a fairer, network-wide pricing structure.

If concessionaires sign the In Principle Agreement, it will allow the process to enter the second stage of the direct dealing towards toll reform and enable negotiation of a new network-wide pricing method.

The NSW Government is committed to respecting the value of the motorway contracts – but is also intent that windfall gains that stem from toll reform go to the NSW public, rather than private operators.

The Minns Labor Government’s $60 toll cap has been an effective, targeted cost-of-living relief measure, with motorists in the most car-reliant suburbs of western Sydney claiming the most cash back.

The Government entered negotiations with the concessionaires after the July 16 release of the final report of the Toll Review of Professor Allan Fels and Dr David Cousins.

Their report declared Sydney’s toll road network to be a poorly-functioning patchwork of numerous different price structures that will cost motorists $195 billion in nominal terms in tolls over the next three and a half decades on top of the billions they have already paid.

The Government’s objectives would require the new price structure to:

• Deliver fairer tolls
• Lower tolls for those who must travel longer distances
• Create a network out of the different toll roads with a network-wide pricing structure
• Create a more efficient Sydney road network that takes more trucks off suburban streets

Minister for Roads John Graham said:

“The Minns Labor Government is committed to restoring fairness to the toll system and putting the interests of motorists first.

“These have been tough discussions so far, but I am pleased to say we believe we are closely enough aligned on objectives to continue negotiations.

“Creating a fairer system is no easy task given the contracts that were left behind by the previous Coalition government, but we believe reform remains possible.

“We expect to have the In Principle Agreement signed by December 31.

“Toll reform is a critical part of the NSW Government’s cost of living agenda. As we negotiate towards a single network with a network-wide pricing structure, we continue to offer toll relief under the $60 toll cap.

“We have already legislated to establish NSW Motorways, a state-owned entity that will oversee a reformed toll road network and allow the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal to monitor toll prices in Sydney, as well as facilitating the establishment of an industry toll customer ombudsman.”

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:

“Negotiations are on-track. We’ve put an In Principle Agreement to the concessionaires and look forward to continuing negotiations in the new year.

“We have said all along that this is about relief and reform for drivers. 

“Motorists across Sydney are getting cost of living relief with our $60 toll cap, while we are moving ahead on sensible long-term reform.

“Sydney’s complex and costly web of tolls are another privatisation legacy of the former government. We are working to make this fairer.”

The NSW Government has announced a new plan to unlock the full potential of the Tech Central Innovation District (Tech Central) – Australia’s largest technology and innovation hub. 

Tech Central, a six square kilometre precinct bordered by Haymarket, Camperdown, and South Eveleigh in the heart of Sydney’s CBD, currently has the highest concentration of

technology businesses anywhere in Australia, including Atlassian, Block (Afterpay), Canva, Safety Culture and Rokt, along with 150 research institutes and two world leading universities.

A fresh vision for Tech Central will establish the district as a leading place to live and work, and will play a critical role as a future driver of NSW Government key priorities including housing, healthcare, night-time economy, visitor economy, and world-class transport infrastructure.

The NSW Government is committed to the success of Tech Central and seeing it flourish as a melting pot for groundbreaking innovation, research, and lifestyle.

The new measures announced today include:

The development of a Tech Central Strategy

Tech Central is in a prime location with many beneficial new property developments, public transport links, as well as vibrant dining and entertainment options.

The development of a Tech Central Strategy will consider how Tech Central can empower the innovation ecosystem, as well as play a greater role in supporting housing, creative

industries, and the visitor and 24-hour economies. 

This will ensure the district is a leading place to live, work and play—all key ingredients in continuing to attract and retain leading innovative businesses.

Investment NSW will lead the development of the strategy in collaboration with the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, and Transport for NSW.

The transition of the Sydney Startup Hub to Tech Central

With Tech Central positioned as Australia’s leading hub for technology and innovation, the Sydney Startup Hub will move to a location in the heart of Tech Central in October 2025.

This will ensure founders, entrepreneurs, investors, corporates, and the entire innovation ecosystem, can collaborate with universities and research institutes that are right on their doorstep.

The NSW Government is engaging closely with key stakeholders at the Sydney Startup Hub to facilitate a smooth transition and service continuity, including the international landing pad.

This will support the Hub’s residents, founders and entrepreneurs to continue to collaborate and scale their innovative products and ideas.

The NSW Government’s Innovation Blueprint—to be released in the coming months—will explore a new accommodation model at the Tech Central Scaleup Hub, including refreshed services and support for businesses across the ecosystem at all stages of growth.

Specialist support within Investment NSW will drive investment and activity at Tech Central

Investment NSW will be responsible for attracting investment and talent into Tech Central, facilitating better coordination between startups, research institutes, and universities.

It will also ensure alignment of existing and future NSW Government programs with district residents’ needs.

This approach will ensure the NSW Government’s investment and vision for the precinct continually focuses on growth in sectors of critical importance to the NSW economy.

To find out more about Tech Central visit: https://www.investment.nsw.gov.au/innovation/precincts/tech-central/

Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“Tech Central hosts the largest tech innovation ecosystem in the country.

“We are proud of Tech Central being Sydney’s heart of innovation, but there is potential for it to be much more.

“Specialist support within Investment NSW will scale existing work in investment attraction, brand promotion, and community building to improve the district’s economic potential.

“We’re also giving NSW start-ups the best chance to flourish by transitioning the Sydney Startup Hub to the heart of Tech Central.”

Co-Founder and CEO of Atlassian Mike Cannon-Brookes said:

“So many great tech companies have been born in Australia, but this journey is infinitely easier when you have a strong community around you.

“That’s why Atlassian is such a big supporter of Tech Central – the new home for Australia’s technology industry.

“Today’s announcement helps breathe life into Tech Central, because a precinct without people is just buildings, it’s not a community.

“For Tech Central to thrive, it needs to be a vibrant part of the city and support work, home and life.”

Head of Policy at the Committee for Sydney and Chair of the Innovation District Alliance Jeremy Gill said:

“It’s fantastic to see the government putting a sharp focus on innovation districts.

“Sydney has all the makings of a globally strong innovation city.

“As a key part of Greater Sydney’s innovation district network, Tech Central has a crucial role to play in shaping the state’s economic future.

“The news that a strategy’s on the way for Tech Central is a great step forward, as it gives the certainty we need to keep the economic engines firing in Sydney’s universities, research institutes, startup and business communities.”

The NSW Government has appointed experienced public administrator Christine Howlett as a new Commissioner of the NSW Independent Casino Commission (NICC) for a four-year term following a competitive recruitment process.

Ms Howlett fills the vacancy created by the departure of Craig Sahlin who served as a NICC Commissioner since 2022 and was a Board Member of the NSW Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority (ILGA) between 2016 and 2022.

The NICC is the independent statutory regulator of NSW’s two casinos, set up in 2022 to provide increased regulatory oversight of casino operations.

Ms Howlett joins the NICC with substantial executive leadership experience in public administration, corporate governance, regulation and stakeholder engagement.

From 2021 she served as Deputy Special Manager, independently overseeing Crown Melbourne’s remediation program following the findings of the Finkelstein Royal Commission, including reforms to prevent gambling harm and money laundering.

Ms Howlett has also held senior roles with Victoria’s Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission, the NSW Department of Family and Community Services, Victoria’s Royal Commission into the Management of Police Informants and the National Crime Authority. 

Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris said:

“An exhaustive selection process was undertaken to fill the NICC Commissioner role in accordance with legislative requirements, including the establishment of a selection panel and engagement of an independent probity adviser.

“Christine Howlett brings a wide range of skills and expertise to the NICC, with highly relevant experience in independently overseeing Crown Melbourne’s remediation program.

“She joins the NICC at a critical time with the regulator currently monitoring The Star casino’s ongoing remediation work following the Bell Two Inquiry.

“I would like to thank Craig Sahlin for his outstanding contribution to both the NICC and ILGA over the past eight years.

“His demonstrated expertise has significantly contributed to strengthening the government’s regulatory framework and public confidence and trust in the work of both the NICC and ILGA.”

NICC Chief Commissioner Philip Crawford said:

“The NICC is pleased to welcome Christine Howlett to the role and is looking forward to utilising her experience to advance the NICC’s strategic priorities.

“Christine’s skills will be valuable to help the NICC expand its surveillance and data collection abilities to better monitor financial crime risks and compliance.

“Christine’s expertise in building internal capacity will assist the NICC to maintain effective regulatory supervision past the remediation and suitability phases, and into longer-term sustainability.

“We thank Craig Sahlin for his exceptional work with the NICC and ILGA over the past eight years. His dedication was instrumental in advancing the NICC’s mission and his efforts have contributed to the achievement of significant milestones.”

The Minns Labor Government is removing unnecessary roadblocks to the delivery of more affordable homes in NSW with changes to the threshold for Infill Affordable Housing projects being sent to the Independent Planning Commission.

The Infill Affordable Housing Bonus scheme was introduced in December 2023 and offers developers additional building height and floor space, if 10 per cent of the building is retained as affordable housing for at least 15 years.

The scheme has received strong interest with 70 Secretary Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs) having been issued already.

If all of these proposals were approved, they would produce over 20,000 homes, of which 4,600 would be affordable.

As the scheme falls under a State Significant Development pathway, one objection from a local council automatically sends the project to the IPC, a re-assessment process that can add up to nearly 130 days.

The IPC was established to make decisions on large and contentious development applications, not to reassess a proposal for a residential development.

As the state works towards the ambitious targets under the National Housing Accord and to boost affordable housing, we cannot afford to potentially add more than four months to the planning assessment timeframes.

Delivering more well-located and affordable homes close to transport, jobs and community amenity has been a priority for the Minns Government, so young people, families and workers have somewhere to live.

Following the changes, projects will still be placed on public exhibition, communities and councils will have their say and they will be thoroughly assessed through a merit-based process.

Infill Affordable Housing projects that are deemed highly contentious and those with a declared political donation will still be referred to the IPC and other existing thresholds still apply.

The projects that are already sitting with the IPC will continue through that process, however from today, no further infill affordable housing project will be referred to the IPC following an objection from a council.

For more information on the Infill Affordable Housing Bonus Scheme visit In-fill affordable housing | Planning

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“Housing should not be controversial– it should be the bread and butter of our planning system.

“Almost a year later to the day, since we introduced the Infill Affordable Housing Scheme, we’re going a step further to make sure that the planning system is working as quickly as it should be.

“In an environment where we need to get more market homes and more affordable homes into our housing mix, I don’t believe these projects warrant referral and I don’t believe that the public is better served by having them referred.”

An expansion of the Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) model in Southern NSW is providing more women and their families with access to midwifery continuity of care.

​Women in Goulburn now have access to a new MGP service at Goulburn Base Hospital, supporting increased access to continuity of care with a known midwife.

Under the MGP model, women receive care from a known midwife throughout their pregnancy, labour, birth and in the early weeks at home with their new baby. A secondary or ‘backup’ midwife supports the primary midwife. Collaborative care is provided with obstetricians if required. 

This is an exciting achievement for the midwives and staff in the Goulburn Maternity Service and follows on from the successful implementation of MGP in Moruya and Bega.

Contact details and online booking forms for Goulburn Maternity and each Maternity Service across SNSWLHD are available on our Pregnancy Birth and Baby webpage at nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/snswlhd/our-services/pregnancy-birth-and-baby

Minister of Regional Health Ryan Park:

“We are a government committed to ensuring women across NSW have access to respectful, evidence-based maternity care. I am proud of the work Southern NSW Local Health District is doing to expand its midwifery continuity of care models into Goulburn.

“We have a wonderful team of midwives in Goulburn who provide professional and compassionate woman-centred care to the community.

“With the introduction of the new MGP model in Goulburn, we are increasing the number of women who will be able to access midwifery continuity of care.  The model provides midwives with renewed opportunities to use their clinical practice skills to achieve better outcomes for women and their families.”

Minister for Women Jodie Harrison:

“Women’s health and wellbeing are a key focus for this government.

“Midwives put women and the family at the centre of care and at the heart of every decision, empowering women to be genuine partners in their care and improving their care experience.

“With the expansion of the Midwifery Group Practice model to Southern NSW, we are increasing the number of women who will be able to access midwifery continuity of care.”

Labor Spokesperson for Goulburn, Bob Nanva, MLC:

“I am so pleased the Goulburn community is set to benefit from the Midwifery Group Practice model of care, which is offering more choice to pregnant women and their families. I thank the many staff who have worked to deliver these positive changes.”

The Minns Labor Government has granted an Aboriginal land claim that will see a large parcel of land in Port Stephens returned to the local Aboriginal community.

The Worimi Aboriginal Land Council will take ownership of the 10.69 hectare plot of land at Lemon Tree Passage. The site is predominately bushland on the corner of Oyster Farm Road and Lemon Tree Passage Road near picturesque Tilligerry Creek.

The land will be returned as freehold land to Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council, who will work with the local Aboriginal community and Port Stephens Council to determine future use of the site.

Under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983, the Act recognises the impact of past government decisions which resulted in the amount of land set aside for Aboriginal people progressively reduced without compensation.

The Act aims to provide a system by which some unused Crown land could be returned to Aboriginal ownership provided it is not being used, occupied, or likely to be needed for an essential public purpose.

Member for Port Stephens Kate Washington said:  

“The Aboriginal Land Rights Act is important legislation that recognises the rights of Aboriginal people in NSW, that land was traditionally owned and occupied by Aboriginal people, and is of spiritual, social, cultural and economic importance to Aboriginal people.

“The transfer of this large parcel of land to Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council will allow our local Aboriginal community to maintain spiritual and cultural connections to the land for generations to come.” 

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said:  

“I am pleased to see this large plot of land in idyllic Port Stephens returned to the ownership and stewardship of the local Aboriginal community.

“The NSW Government is focused on building better communities across NSW and this is great outcome for the local community and another example of how we can deliver positive outcomes in the spirit of the Act.”

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, David Harris said:  

“For more than 40 years the Aboriginal Land Rights Act has granted the NSW Aboriginal Land Council and Local Aboriginal Land Councils the right to lodge land claims on Crown land. 

“The granting of this land to the Worimi Aboriginal Land Council will help enable the support of economic, social, cultural and environmental outcomes for this community, which are key outcomes for closing the gap.”

Australian Border Force will assist the NSW Government to end a loophole in which a small minority of overseas licence holders have been fraudulently nominating other drivers for offences in a bid to stay on the road, avoid paying fines and remain a step ahead of the demerit point system.

The French Consulate in Sydney has also agreed to assist a new, stricter verification process for applying for a NSW licence after evidence of fake documentation being used by visiting French nationals.

Anyone applying for an NSW licence with a French licence and documents is now having their paperwork checked by the Transport for NSW Licence Integrity & Security team.

Evidence of abuses of the demerit point system by mainly French nationals, who have racked up 1000-plus demerit points in some extreme cases, led to the establishment of the

Demerit Point Taskforce, made up of representatives of Transport for NSW, NSW Police and Revenue NSW.

The Taskforce has identified widespread nominations of other drivers on international licences as a weakness in the system that must be tightened.

In some cases, people who visited Australia but have already left, or even foreigners who have never set foot in the country, are being nominated to take points by a small cohort who are defying road rules.

An individual in one extreme case racked up more than 1500 demerit points, and two others more than 500 demerits, before the system caught up with them.

The Taskforce has asked and received the assistance of Border Force to more quickly establish whether a nominated driver could have even been behind the wheel of a car or riding a motorbike based on their passport record.

In cases where they were not even in Australia, the system will be able to more quickly put the fine and demerit points back to the driver who falsely nominated someone else.

Between May 2022 and January 2024, 125,000 penalties carrying 256,000 demerit points were issued to drivers identified by Revenue NSW as ‘international drivers’.

A review of those found that some drivers nominated to take the penalty were unknown to Australian authorities and may have had their details procured from the dark web. As many as 40,000 fitted this category.

Offences were also nominated to people who hold international licences but were at the same time Australian citizens or permanent residents – some of whom hold a separate

Australian licence unaffected by taking points on their foreign licence.

The Demerit Point Integrity Taskforce has suspended the licences of more than 50 repeat offenders, including French nationals linked to an address in Rosebery used by 30 licence holders, who together accumulated more than 2000 demerit points.

The Taskforce is finalising wider recommendations.

From 1 March 2025, long-term temporary visa holders who arrived in NSW before 1 July 2023 will be required to obtain NSW driver licence.

This new requirement ensures that overseas visitors who wish to drive in NSW meet the state’s road safety standards.

Minister for Roads John Graham said:

“There are more than six million law-abiding licence holders in NSW and on their behalf, we are showing zero tolerance for this tiny minority who have sought to exploit the system that allows the honest nomination of another driver.

“Above all else it is a threat to road safety to allow people to remain on the road who are notching up demerit points like confetti, avoiding paying fines, and in many cases leaving the country just as the system begins to catch up with them.

“I thank Australian Border Force and the French Consulate for their assistance in tightening the net around this small clique of dedicated lawbreakers.

“This is the first step in a wider crackdown by the Demerit Point Integrity Taskforce and we will have more changes to announce ahead.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“In regional areas, driving isn’t just a convenience—it’s a necessity. Reckless driving puts lives at risk, and we cannot afford to let that happen. That’s why it’s crucial to have a demerit points system that works for everyone, whether you live in the city or in a country town.

“To ensure this, we’re committed to implementing stronger checks and cracking down on fraudulent behaviour. No one should be able to exploit loopholes and avoid the consequences of dangerous driving.

“Road safety is a top priority for the Minns Labor Government, and we will leave no stone unturned to reduce road trauma and make our roads safer for everyone.”