I am pleased to announce the outcomes of the 2026 round of the New Colombo Plan (NCP), which is supporting record numbers of Australian students to deepen their Asia capability and expertise.
The 2026 round will see a record 328 NCP scholarships offered to Australian undergraduates, an increase of almost 50 per cent from 2025.
The 2026 round will also see 1,247 student grants offered under the new Semester Program, and 1,635 student grants offered under the Mobility Program.
The reforms to the New Colombo Plan that I announced in July this year are now in action. More NCP participants are now developing the skills and capabilities Australia needs to deepen our national understanding of the region, strengthen the ties between our people, and increase engagement with Australian businesses operating in the region.
Importantly, a record number of students will undertake long-term study programs in Asian languages, including Bahasa Indonesia, Mandarin, Japanese and Vietnamese.
Launched in 2014, the NCP has supported over 56,000 Australian undergraduate students through study, internships and language training in the Indo-Pacific. I look forward to the continued impact of the program as more young Australians develop their Indo-Pacific capability and Asia literacy.
I extend my congratulations to all the successful students.
The NSW Government has dismissed key recommendations of the long-awaited and damning report of the NSW greyhound racing industry.
Greens NSW MP and Animal Welfare spokesperson Abigail Boyd has condemned the government’s failure to respond adequately to the report and the ongoing support for the greyhound racing industry as an ongoing political cover up of the greyhound racing and gambling lobby.
Abigail Boyd, Greens NSW MP and spokesperson for animal welfare:
“Across 722 pages, Commissioner Drake paints a damning picture of the greyhound racing industry, detailing persistent and systemic governance and animal welfare failures. Constrained by the inquiry’s terms of reference, the Commissioner walked right up to the line and all but called for the shutting down of the entire greyhound racing industry in NSW.
“After sitting on the report for months, the feeble response from the Minister in the face of incontrovertible evidence, shows what we have known and said all along, this inquiry and report process was nothing more than a political fix from a government in the thralls of the gambling and racing industry.
“Commissioner Drake’s recommendations include a breeding cap, genuine whole-of-life tracking for greyhounds, independent oversight of both the racing industry’s corporate arm as well as the regulator, overhaul of the industry’s rehoming regime, implementation of minimum track standards, and an end to the export program sending greyhounds overseas.
“We have known all along that the greyhound racing industry is incapable of reform. It seems now the Minister agrees, and so has no intention of requiring it to.
“Today’s Wentworth Park announcement stinks of cheap politics and a shoddy attempt to obscure the government’s far deeper failure to protect greyhounds across NSW.
“How many more inquiries, corruption scandals, and well-documented evidence of live baiting, doping and discarded greyhounds do we have to have before the NSW government finally listens and shuts this morally bankrupt industry down?”
The Victorian Greens have slammed Jacinta Allan’s Labor Government for approving new gas drilling in the Otway and Gippsland basins, warning it locks Victoria into decades more fossil fuel pollution, accelerates climate-driven disasters, and hands special treatment to gas corporations at the expense of ordinary Victorians.
Expanding gas slows down the renewable transition by diverting investment and delaying electrification. AEMO’s modelling does not suggest Victoria needs new gas projects – the real bottleneck is the slow rollout of renewable energy, storage and transmission.
Experts and economists have made it clear that opening new fossil fuel projects delays the transition and locks pollution into the grid for decades. Instead of fixing those failures, Labor is giving fossil fuel corporations exactly what they want.
The Greens say Labor is speaking out of both sides of its mouth on climate – and that they’re misleading Victorians by claiming to accelerate the transition while approving fossil fuel projects that make the climate crisis worse and energy more expensive.
Leader of the Victorian Greens, Ellen Sandell:
“Jacinta Allan’s Labor is giving special treatment to fossil fuel corporations while Victorians face higher bills and worsening climate disasters.”
“Approving new fossil fuels in the middle of a worsening fire season is reckless. Real leadership listens to climate science and puts communities first, not gas corporations.”
Victorian Greens clean energy transition spokesperson, Dr Tim Read:
“Victoria doesn’t have a gas supply problem, we have a political problem. Labor is choosing special treatment for gas corporations instead of accelerating electrification and renewables, which would mean cheaper bills and improved energy security”
“Every new gas approval diverts investment away from clean energy and slows down the transition Victorians are already making. If Labor was serious about affordability or climate action, they’d speed up renewables, not hand out favours to fossil fuel corporations.”
Today’s Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) funding announcement is welcome but will be of little comfort to the Hobart-based Antarctic and Southern Ocean researchers that are still suffering a substantial reduction in government funding for their critical science programs.
Greens spokesperson for science, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson:
“Today’s Antarctic funding announcement is welcome but can’t be used to hide the fact that yet again scientists are facing funding cuts and imminent job losses at other critical Antarctic research programs like the Australia Centre for Excellence in Antarctic Science (ACEAS) and at the CSIRO.
“Current funding for the ACEAS is $6.7m per annum which expires imminently. Despite lobbying for a long-term government commitment this critical cooperative research centre has only received $5m for two years – which will result in significant job losses.
“We still don’t understand how many job losses will occur at the CSIRO in Tasmania, but we know the Environmental Research Unit (ERU) is facing the brunt of job cuts, which includes many oceans, climate, and nature-based researchers based in Hobart.
“Why is the Minister giving with one hand and taking with the other? Either you are committed to funding Antarctic and Southern Ocean science and research, or you are not.
“Disappointingly there still appears to be no long term, holistic plan for Antarctic science funding, with no sign of any details on Labor’s long-promised decadal plan for Antarctic science funding and priorities.
“A well thought-through decadal plan for Antarctic science was a key recommendation of a recent Senate Inquiry into funding at the AAD. This decadal plan is again proving more elusive than the Scarlet Pimpernel.
“More short-term funding top-ups without a plan just won’t cut it anymore for our Antarctic efforts, which require critical long-term government commitment.
“Antarctica is the heartbeat of our planet, and is facing significant challenges from a warming climate, primarily caused by the burning of fossil fuels. As Antarctica changes it presents significant risks to our planet, and our research efforts to better understand this are critical.”
Forty-eight affordable housing units are proposed to be developed on what is the last remaining parcel of land to be developed of the former heavy rail line into Newcastle.
Councillors voted last night to endorse the proposal by specialist community housing provider Home in Place following a rigorous two-stage selection supported by independent probity oversight.
An artist’s impression of the proposed affordable housing project at Rail Bridge Row.
City of Newcastle Chief Executive Officer Jeremy Bath said the appointment of a not-for-profit, community-focused provider marks a pivotal step forward to help address the city’s housing crisis.
“Home in Place has demonstrated the capability, experience and vision needed to bring this project to life,” Mr Bath said.
“Their strong financial foundations and proven success in delivering affordable housing gave us great confidence in selecting them to partner with us on this landmark project, which is the first of its kind in the Hunter.”
The 4,125 sqm lot at 280 Hunter Street, known as Rail Bridge Row, stretches from Brown Street to near the intersection of Darby and Hunter Street and is opposite the Crown Street light rail stop.
It was purchased by City of Newcastle from Hunter and Central Coast Development Corporation in 2020 and is the final piece of the former heavy rail corridor to be redeveloped.
Home in Place’s concept design proposes the delivery of 48 units in a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments above a ground floor commercial development, supported by 37 car spaces for residents and retail tenants.
The proposal also includes a new laneway connecting Argyle Lane with Wharf Road and a cycleway link to Market Street for bicycle riders.
Chair of City of Newcastle’s Asset Advisory Committee, Cr Declan Clausen, said the selection of Home in Place follows a detailed and competitive process.
“This appointment comes after a thorough assessment of proposals from across the sector,” Cr Clausen said.
“Through the competitive procurement process, Home in Place demonstrated capability and experience, with a strong local track record of delivering high-quality, well-located homes for people who need them most.
“Their proposal gives us confidence that Rail Bridge Row will progress with momentum and deliver meaningful outcomes for our community.
“In addition to City of Newcastle’s substantial direct and in-kind contributions, this exciting project will be well placed to pursue additional funding opportunities, including through the Housing Australia Future Fund when applications open in early 2026.”
The appointment follows extensive geotechnical, environmental and cultural heritage investigations conducted on the Hunter Street site.
A Development Application currently under assessment seeks approval for mine investigation and remediation works beneath the site.
Subject to approval, grout-based remediation targeting historic workings is expected to begin in 2026. These works are essential to stabilise the site prior to future construction.
Home in Place Group Chief Executive Officer Lyndall Robertshaw welcomed the opportunity to partner with City of Newcastle on a strategically located, community-focused housing project.
“We are proud to be working with the City of Newcastle to increase affordable housing in Newcastle. Each new home means more people will have the chance to live in safe, secure and affordable housing, and that is at the very heart of what we do,” Ms Robertshaw said.
“Access to affordable housing is vital for building a thriving city. Projects such as Rail Bridge Row demonstrate the dedication of Home in Place and the City of Newcastle to providing affordable homes near essential facilities, services, infrastructure, schools and employment opportunities.
“With affordability in the private market continuing to deteriorate, affordable housing projects like this one are crucial.
“To be working in partnership with the City of Newcastle on a major project in the same area where our story began four decades ago reflects how deeply connected, we remain to our local roots and to the ongoing need for safe, affordable housing.”
Rail Bridge Row forms part of City of Newcastle’s long-term plan to support a growing, diverse and inclusive community as Newcastle prepares for a population increase of more than 40,000 people by 2041.
The Minns Labor Government is supporting prawn fishers and farmers in the Clarence, Evans and Richmond Rivers affected by the detection of white spot in wild prawns with an additional financial assistance package of $4.5 million.
The package will assist impacted fishers to exit the industry and includes funding for voluntary share and business buyouts and business training to support those fishers in the region who decide to exit.
Over the last two years, the Minns Government has invested $21.4 million to respond to the outbreak, enhance biosecurity controls and support affected prawn fishers in the Clarence, Evans and Richmond Rivers, with act-of-grace payments, business share buyouts, fee waivers, Crown Land rent waivers and mental health support services.
White spot is now considered established in wild prawn populations within the existing areas of detection in northern NSW and that has led to a new biosecurity control order enlarging the impacted area being declared and dated till 2030.
Prawn fishers in the control zone have restrictions on how they can move uncooked or unprocessed prawns outside the zone, and this will have considerable impact on their businesses.
Biosecurity control orders have been operating in the Northern Rivers of NSW since 2022. The objective of potentially being able to stand the control orders down has dissipated due to repeated positive testing for white spot within the coastal sea off those rivers.
The NSW Government has been undertaking testing, assisting industry, and advocating to the Commonwealth Government to determine if the national biosecurity approach could be modified when considering the need for a biosecurity control order for northern NSW region.
However, the impacts on national trade and standing within international trade led to a retaining of the existing requirement to maintain the restrictions within the control order.
Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty said:
“The Minns Government has provided significant financial support of more than $21 million to the prawn farming and fishing industry in northern NSW during the last few challenging years and this $4.5 million financial transition package demonstrates our continuing commitment.
“With white spot now confirmed as established in wild prawn populations in the affected areas, the NSW Government has developed this funding package to help fishing businesses transition out with financial buybacks, business retraining and other support measures.
“The NSW Government acknowledges this has been a challenging time for workers and businesses in the industry and I encourage them to utilise the available mental health and financial counselling.
“Consumers are assured that white spot does not pose a threat to human health or food safety.”
The Minns Labor Government is today launching an unprecedented intensive support program for women leaving prison that will bolster rehabilitation and reduce reoffending by providing support with accommodation and employment in the Hunter.
Generously funded with a donation from the Ian & Shirley Norman Foundation, the new residential facility will provide wrap-around support for women leaving custody, helping them rebuild their lives to prevent crime.
The program will provide six months of pre-release support to eligible women with a focus on identifying and addressing their post-release needs and provide practical supports.
This includes securing stable housing, navigating full-time employment, as well as obtaining identity documents and accessing vital services such as the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Support in these areas can strongly promote reintegration into the community and prevent entrenchment in the criminal justice system.
Education and skills training play an important role in reducing recidivism, with BOCSAR data from 2021 revealing that 12 months after inmate trainees were released from custody, there was a 45 per cent reduction in property offending among all groups of trainees.
Following release, the program offers support for up to two years with a focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. It acknowledges their disproportionate representation in custody and unique barriers to reintegration.
The service will be delivered through a partnership between Corrective Services NSW (CSNSW) and not-for-profit Embrace People & Place (Embrace).
Work has already begun to prepare eligible women for the program, with the first cohort to be housed at the facility in 2026.
This site was a former Periodic Detention Centre aimed at re-skilling minimum-security inmates before being refurbished by Corrective Services NSW into an accommodation facility. The program is largely funded by a donation from the Ian & Shirley Norman Foundation that has committed to providing $5.7 million over three years for its operation.
This collaborative initiative delivers on the Government’s commitment to exploring new pathways for rehabilitation and reintegration for women in custody, taking into account their unique experiences and needs.
Minister for Corrections Anoulack Chanthivong said:
“This innovative collaboration demonstrates the Government’s commitment to keeping our communities safe by enhancing rehabilitative outcomes and reducing reoffending.
“We need to offer initiatives that acknowledge and respond to the unique experiences of women who enter custody.
“We know that women’s pathways to criminal behaviour are often a result of abuse, disadvantage and trauma – and this project will support community safety in an effective and meaningful way.
“I welcome the Ian & Shirley Foundation’s contribution, and I wholeheartedly thank them for their ongoing support in this important project.”
Member for Port Stephens Kate Washington MP said:
“Women in prison are already disproportionately impacted by intergenerational trauma, poverty and domestic, family and sexual violence. When women leave prison it’s very difficult for them to find a positive path without the right support.
“This is an important pilot program which will give women in the Hunter, a second chance to build a better future. Our government is proudly partnering and investing to break the cycle of recidivism, improve outcomes and create stronger, safer communities.”
Corrective Services NSW Commissioner Gary McCahon PSM said:
“Improving outcomes for women in custody is one of my key priorities as Commissioner, and this program represents a significant opportunity for collaboration between CSNSW and Embrace to support vulnerable woman and aid their rehabilitation.”
Embrace People & Place Founder and Chair Tracy Norman said:
“At Embrace People & Place, our values centre on dignity, connection and possibility for every person in our region. We have built the Women in Community program because it reflects exactly what we stand for — creating pathways for people to rebuild, reconnect and belong.
“Supporting women as they return to community life isn’t just the right thing to do, it strengthens the whole region and embodies the kind of compassionate, empowered Hunter we believe in.”
Embrace People & Place Chief Executive Officer Coralie Nichols said:
“The Women in Community program is about giving women leaving prison the support they need to return to community life with dignity and confidence.
“By providing safe accommodation, employment pathways and wraparound support, we’re helping women make positive choices and build the lives they want for themselves.”
The Minns Labor Government is today announcing permanent toll relief in the form of the $60 weekly toll cap so hundreds of thousands of motorists, especially in the car-reliant areas of Western Sydney and the Central Coast, can keep more money in their pockets every week.
A decade of privatisation by the former Liberal-National Government handed control of Sydney’s roads to private interests and sent toll bills skyrocketing.
Sydney became the most-tolled city on earth and the Liberals left motorists with a $195 billion toll bill out to 2060. That is why we committed to toll reform that puts the motorist first and no more privatisation.
$60 weekly toll cap
Since it was introduced in January 2024, $211.4 million has been returned to drivers, including in the western, north-western and south-western Sydney suburbs of Blacktown, Baulkham Hills, Auburn, Bankstown, Merrylands, Marsden Park, Castle Hill, Quakers Hill and Kellyville and Lakemba.
More than 680,000 claims have been made under the $60 cap. In Blacktown alone, over $3.5 million has been paid out to 9,400 drivers, closely followed by Baulkham Hills where $3.2 million has been paid out.
The cap is delivering real, targeted relief for commuters with the highest toll burden and the least access to viable public transport options.
Two-way tolling
To ensure the toll cap is sustainable and fairer for the long term, the NSW Government will proceed with the introduction of two-way tolling on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and
Tunnel when the Western Harbour Tunnel, which will be tolled in both directions, opens in late 2028 – continuing the direction set under the former Liberal government.
We know tolls put a huge financial burden on people who can least afford them. The Minns Labor Government will put net revenue from two-way tolling into funding the weekly toll cap to ensure no one pays more than $60 a week on tolls regardless of where they live.
This corrects long-standing inequity: Western Sydney motorists pay rising tolls in both directions on all their motorways year after year, while tolls on the Harbour Bridge and Tunnel are one-way and did not increase once between 2009 and 2023.
Toll Administration Fees and Direct Deal Update
Today, the Minns Labor Government can update on significant progress on toll reform out of ongoing Direct Deal negotiations with private toll road concessionaires.
Negotiations have cleared the way for administration fees on toll notices to be scrapped from mid-2026 as part of an overhaul of the enforcement process of unpaid tolls.
Getting a cluster of toll notices in the post with multiple admin fees has been one of the big frustrations of drivers over decades.
In the 2024-25 financial year, 46 million toll notices with administration fees totalling $618 million were issued in relation to unpaid tolls on the Sydney toll road network.
The private toll road concessionaires have also agreed to return to the NSW Government any additional toll revenue generated by toll relief rather than benefiting from increased traffic volumes as a result of the toll cap.
Negotiations are also ongoing on some motorway pricing changes.
Concessionaires have indicated a willingness to agree to the Government’s positions and commitments on both these initiatives. Negotiations will complete in early to mid-2026, and while they progress well, a deal will not be struck unless the NSW drivers and taxpayers are the winners.
With the establishment of NSW Motorways, the NSW Government is already reorienting the toll system to being customer-first. From Monday, registered motorists will receive the first digital reminders when a toll goes unpaid, giving them the chance to pay even before a toll notice is sent out in the post.
A Fairer Tolling System for NSW
The toll cap means no driver will pay more than $60 a week (up to the fair-use limit of $400 per tag/licence plate). To ensure no misuse of the toll cap, a $5000 annual limit is also being introduced.
Drivers who have spent more than $60 a week on toll trips are encouraged to visit the Service NSW website, link your toll account to your MyServiceNSW Account and claim if eligible.
Minister for Transport John Graham said:
“Eradicating toll admin fees will save motorists significant money. This is part of reorienting the entire system to put motorists first.
“Two-way tolling on the harbour crossings was made necessary when the Liberals decided the Western Harbour Tunnel would be tolled in both directions. The difference is we are committing the extra revenue to ongoing toll relief, which is most needed in Western Sydney.
“This all comes back to fairness. If you live in Western Sydney, you have been paying tolls in both directions and seeing them rise with frustrating regularity. If you only use the Harbour Bridge or Tunnel you have paid in one direction and the toll has almost never gone up.
Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib said:
“Making the $60 toll cap permanent, provides certainty and fairness for those who rely on toll roads for travel. Extending the cap also comes with the New Year, when a new round of toll relief is ready to be claimed to help people when they need it the most.
“This new round of funding is waiting to be returned to you by visiting the Service NSW website and claiming your rebate.
The $60 toll cap continues to benefit regular toll road users across the state and in particular, western Sydney by ensuring there is relief for those who are hit hardest by tolls.”
“If you are regularly travelling on toll roads, I encourage you to visit the Service NSW website to see if you’re eligible and make a claim.”
Acting Chief Executive of NSW Motorways, Camilla Drover said:
“NSW Motorways is working to simplify a complex tolling system and we are pleased to lock in the certainty of ongoing toll relief for motorists.”
“We are working closely with concessionaires to drive a better deal for motorists across Sydney and have secured toll road concessionaires agreement on reforms to rebuild and restore the public’s confidence in the system.”
The top 20 suburbs by the claims paid amount, as at 8 December 2025
Suburb
Claims Paid
Claims Paid Amount
Average Paid Amount
Blacktown
9,438
$3,537,818
$375
Baulkham Hills
9,315
$3,298,520
$354
Auburn
4,980
$3,168,322
$636
Merrylands
6,226
$2,974,565
$478
Marsden Park
6,501
$2,750,040
$423
Castle Hill
7,754
$2,680,449
$346
Quakers Hill
6,423
$2,258,281
$352
Lakemba
3,313
$2,144,030
$647
Kellyville
6,398
$2,019,277
$316
Bankstown
4,063
$1,921,795
$473
Greystanes
5,512
$1,810,331
$328
West Pennant Hills
4,326
$1,738,658
$402
Punchbowl
3,412
$1,672,701
$490
Carlingford
3,912
$1,491,325
$381
Glenwood
4,264
$1,459,732
$342
Schofields
4,012
$1,453,976
$362
Maroubra
5,129
$1,415,520
$276
Wiley Park
2,444
$1,371,553
$561
Cherrybrook
3,438
$1,366,263
$397
Seven Hills
3,777
$1,362,829
$361
The top 20 LGAs by the claims paid amount, as at 8 December 2025
The Minns Labor Government has exceeded its target of selling 42 flood buyback houses before Christmas after 60 people attended the last auction in Lismore overnight, with sale prices ranging from $7000 to $25,500.
One hundred and thirty buyback properties have now been offered for sale in the Northern Rivers since December last year, capturing nationwide attention. In October a Christmas target of offering 42 houses up for sale was set and then exceeded by three houses at the 11th auction for the year.
PRD Lismore auctioned off 10 homes at the Lismore Workers Sports Club at Goonellabah on Tuesday night, attracting 30 registered bidders, including four phone bidders. All 10 properties sold for a total value of $140,300. The highlights included:
20 Rhodes Street, South Lismore: $25,500
30 Newbridge Street, South Lismore: $16,100
95 Crown Street, South Lismore: $12,000
85 Elliott Street, South Lismore: $7000
61 Newbridge Street, South Lismore: $8500
51 Newbridge Street, South Lismore: $16,000
49 Newbridge Street, South Lismore: $11,000
34 Elliott Road, South Lismore: $6200
25 Crown Street, South Lismore: $22,500
12 Crown Street, South Lismore: $15,500.
Eleven buyback auctions have been held with the first Casino sale last weekend where two houses were sold for $500 and $8605 respectively.
It’s been a year of firsts with the auction program with high interest in the bargains sales, including one house for $1, and the most expensive house going for $200,000. It wasn’t just the prices, making it one of the most accessible housing opportunities in Australia, generating nationwide attention.
All homes earmarked for relocation have been purchased by the NSW Reconstruction Authority through the buyback stream of the $880 million Resilient Homes Program, jointly funded by the NSW and Australian governments.
All house owners will now have until the end of 2026 to relocate their property to flood-free land. Every property is unique, with homeowners expecting relocation costs upwards of $100,000 depending on the property.
The auction program will pause over Christmas and resume in early 2026.
All NSW proceeds from the home sales (after costs) are reinvested into the Resilient Homes Program to support more flood-affected residents.
Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin said: “I asked the NSW Reconstruction Authority to supercharge these flood buyback auctions as they have proved extremely popular.
“Seeing young families and first-home buyers walk away with keys to a safer future is incredibly uplifting.
“These homes are part of our shared history, and the fact they can now be repurposed and relocated to flood-free land gives our community real hope.
“This program has always been about people, not price and giving these houses a second life and delivering safer housing opportunities for our community.”
NSW Reconstruction Authority A/Head, Adaptation, Mitigation & Reconstruction Kristie Clarke said: “We’ve had some great stories, including families who have become first-time homeowners thanks to this initiative.
“One hundred and thirty homes have been offered for sale and eventual relocation. This is an amazing outcome, and we will be back with more homes in the New Year.”
The Minns Labor Government is continuing to support communities affected by recent bushfires, announcing today that recovery hubs will be established and hardship payments made available for individuals and families whose homes were destroyed or damaged or who are facing severe hardship due to the recent fires.
Recovery Hubs will be open in Woy Woy and Buledelah this Friday 12 December with the NSW Reconstruction Authority, Vinnies, Salvation Army, Legal Aid, Red Cross and GIVIT, on hand to provide personal support to impacted communities.
The Minns Labor Government is partnering with local charities to deliver personal hardship payments of $900 to households where their home has been destroyed or severely damaged and up to $180 for households experiencing hardship as a result of the bushfires.
Recovery support is jointly funded by the Commonwealth and the NSW Government under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Natural disaster declarations have been announced for seven Local Government Areas – Central Coast, Mid Coast, Upper Hunter, Muswellbrook, Warrumbungle, Dubbo and Lake Macquarie, with emergency services and local councils working alongside the NSW Reconstruction Authority to confirm the extent of damage and ensure residents can access help as quickly as possible.
Residents, businesses, primary producers and councils in the declared LGAs are now able to access a range of support including:
Emergency accommodation and essential support for people whose homes have been damaged
Clean up assistance for eligible property owners
Grants for low income, uninsured residents to replace essential household items and undertake structural repairs needed to make homes safe and habitable
Freight subsidies to move livestock and fodder and small business and primary producer low interest loans
Assistance for councils and emergency services for counter disaster operations and essential public asset repairs
Information, including how to apply for payments and support for impacted communities, can be found by visiting a Recovery Hub or at nsw.gov.au/firerecoveryupdates.
The Minns Labor Government is continuing to deploy personnel and resources into impacted communities as the full extent of damage and support needs becomes clearer.
Community members wishing to support impacted residents can donate through GIVIT, which is coordinating goods, services and financial donations on behalf of the NSW Government to ensure help reaches communities in need. Visit givit.org.au for more information.
Central Coast Recovery Hub
Location: Peninsula Community Centre, 98 McMasters Rd, Woy Woy
Open: 1pm to 5pm – Friday 12 December
Support services: NSW Reconstruction Authority, Central Coast Council, Service NSW, Vinnies, Legal Aid NSW
Bulahdelah Recovery Assistance Point
Location: Bulahdelah School of Arts, 76 Crawford Street, Bulahdelah
“These communities have faced fast moving and destructive fires, and our focus right now is making sure people have somewhere safe to stay and can access the essential support they need.
“Teams are on the ground working with combat agencies and councils to confirm damage to homes, businesses and public assets and support is already being delivered across all seven LGAs.”
An artist’s impression of the proposed affordable housing project at Rail Bridge Row.