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The Minns Labor Government is delivering on its promises and saving renters money by returning illegal fees to renters and cracking down on compliance with accurate bond lodgements.

One year on from the Government’s landmark rental reforms, the NSW Rental Taskforce has returned almost $180,000 to renters stung by illegal rent payment and background check fees.

Through a robust compliance crackdown, the Taskforce discovered more than 3,000 renters were charged illegal fees for dishonoured payments and illegal background checks.

One agency alone was found to have issued 2,071 illegal dishonour charges to 795 tenants between July 2020 and April 2025, despite such penalties issued by landlords or real estate agents for late payments being illegal in NSW.

The investigation resulted in the agency entering a voluntary enforceable undertaking, with NSW Fair Trading ordering tenants be refunded more than $124,000 – with 371 tenants charged multiple charges amounting to a refund of $2,400 in one case.  The agency also agreed to make $10,000 contribution to the NSW Consumer Law Fund for the purpose of providing education to the sector on rental legislation and compliance obligations. 

Another investigation found nearly 2,400 applicants were illegally charged $19.95 each for background checks through an online rental platform. The company refunded tenants the more than $48,000 in charges and disabled the background check function on its website.

Over the past year, the Taskforce has also used Rental Bonds Online data to identify landlords or agents charging more than four weeks of rent as a bond. A compliance program is now underway to issue penalties for serious and multiple breaches.

Backed by $8.4 million, the Taskforce has investigated almost 8,000 rental matters in its first year.

These results are part of the Government’s reforms to make renting fairer. The Government has: 

• Banned no-grounds evictions.
• Limited rent increases to once a year.
• Ensured renters have fee-free ways to pay rent.
• Banned fees for background checks.
• Made it easier to have pets in rentals.
• Invested $6.6 million to build Smart Rental Bonds an initiative due to be launched in mid-2026 and will help renters save thousands of dollars when moving home.  

Any rental applicants who have been charged for a background check should lodge a complaint with NSW Fair Trading by visiting: https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/fair-trading/complaints-and-enquiries/housing-and-property

Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“After one year of the Minns Labor Government’s game-changing rental reforms, we are seeing outstanding results.

“As a dedicated compliance and enforcement team, the NSW Rental Taskforce has recovered almost $180,000 worth of renters hard-earned money and cracked down on irresponsible actors trying to take them for a ride.

“And we’re not done yet. The Government is also rolling out Smart Rental Bonds later this year, so renters can transfer their bond between properties, saving about $4,000 each time they move.

“The Government is delivering on its promises to save renters money and help alleviate the cost-of-living pressures so many people are feeling.

“Renters can’t afford a Liberal government. Only a Labor Government delivers for renters.”

NSW Rental Commissioner Trina Jones said:

“While the NSW Fair Trading Rental Taskforce’s enforcement shows work is being done to provide a fair and balanced marketplace it also shows renters are becoming more aware of their rights.

“We’ve seen renter awareness jump from 33 to 80 per cent in our recent customer survey, and that’s critical to making sure people know their rights and where to access help when they need it.”

Students and staff at Nirimba Fields Public School are moving out of demountable classrooms and into their brand-new permanent school after the Minns Labor Government delivered the much-needed new facilities two months ahead of schedule.

This new school is one of 230 new and upgraded schools and preschools being delivered across NSW, giving our kids access to the best quality education through the Minns Labor Government’s record $9 billion school building program.

The new Nirimba Fields Public School can accommodate 1,000 students and includes 44 permanent classrooms, three support learning classrooms, a multipurpose hall, library, canteen, staff and administration facilities, and accessibility features including ramps and lifts.

Students have been learning in purpose-built temporary facilities since Day 1, Term 1, 2024 following the Government fast-tracking new schools in Sydney’s growing north-west while permanent facilities were delivered.

The removal of all 32 demountables used for the temporary school will be complete by the middle of the year with the old temporary school site set to be turned into a new public preschool that will accommodate up to 120 children per week.

Sydney’s North West was identified in the NSW Government’s Enrolment Growth Audit as having the fastest student population growth in the state, with local communities growing rapidly while essential school infrastructure failed to keep pace.

Despite this need, the former Liberal Government failed to build this school, leaving behind less schools than when they were first elected – reflecting their approach across Western Sydney, approving new housing without building much needed new schools.

The Minns Labor Government is addressing this and building for the future. In North West Sydney alone, the delivery of new and upgraded schools is adding capacity for an additional 15,000 public school students, replacing more than 160 demountables with more than 700 permanent classrooms.

Major projects recently delivered or on the way in Sydney’s North West include:

• New Tallawong Public School (delivered)
• New Melonba Public School (delivered) and public preschool
• New Melonba High School (delivered)
• New Tallawong High School
• New Jordan Springs High School
• New public primary school and public preschool in Grantham Farm
• New Gables Public School and public preschool
• New Box Hill Public School and public preschool
• New Box Hill High School
• Schofields Public School – upgrade (delivered)
• Riverbank Public School – upgrade (delivered)
• The Ponds High School – upgrade
• Rouse Hill High School – upgrade
• Excelsior Public School – upgrade

The Minns Labor Government has also delivered the biggest pay rise in a generation to attract the best teachers and keep them in the classroom, resulting in teacher vacancies falling to the lowest level in 12 years, halving the number of merged and cancelled classes since being elected.

This is all part of the Minns Labor Government’s plan to deliver better schools and more teachers to give our kids the world class education they deserve, right where they live.

Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:

“Schools for growing communities across Western Sydney like right here in Nirimba Fields aren’t a nice to have, they’re a must have.

“When new housing is built, families need access to new schools, hospitals and local infrastructure – under the former government, this didn’t happen but we are working every day to change that.

“We’re not just building brand new and upgraded schools and preschools to make life easier and cheaper for local families, we’re hiring more teachers to give our kids the best education.”

Deputy Premier, Minister for Education and Early Learning and Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car said:

“This is exactly what we promised families across north-west Sydney – access to quality public education right where they live.

“Under the Liberals, local families in North West Sydney saw their communities expand without the essential infrastructure needed to meet the growth.

“The Minns Labor Government is not only getting the job done, but we’re also getting it done ahead of schedule.

“At a time when many families are facing household budget pressures, having the option to access a fee-free, world-class public education has never been more important, and local parents can have the confidence knowing their children can attend high-quality local public school close to home.”

Member for Riverstone Warren Kirby said:

“The Minns Labor Government is committed to ensuring students in Sydney’s high-growth suburbs have access to the world-class facilities they deserve.

“This is a proud moment for our community and proof that when we invest in public education, we invest in the future of every child.”

Nirimba Fields Public School Principal Renai Diamond said:

“It’s been an honour to be a part of our school’s journey from the very start – when we first opened in our temporary facilities in Term 1, 2024.

“While our temporary school provided a wonderful start for our students and staff, we are beyond excited to transition into our new permanent home and the opportunities that lie ahead.”

The first delivery of major medical equipment including a 4-tonne advanced MRI, CT and molecular imaging technology has arrived at Nepean Hospital, marking a significant milestone for Stage 2 of the more than $1 billion Nepean Hospital Redevelopment.

The new equipment which will modernise medical imaging services for patients at Nepean Hospital will be housed in new purpose-built medical and molecular imaging departments.

Highly specialised planning and coordination was required to install the large-scale equipment into its home on Level 2 of the new seven-storey clinical building, which has been designed to support contemporary models of care and future growth needs.

The new medical imaging and molecular imaging equipment will strengthen Nepean Hospital’s diagnostic capabilities, providing clinicians with a more complete picture of patients’ health to support earlier diagnosis and more targeted treatment, in medical specialties such as cancer, cardiac and neurological care.

Construction of Stage 2 of the Nepean Hospital Redevelopment is due for completion this year, and will deliver a major expansion of critical hospital services, including:

• A new adult Intensive Care Unit
• additional inpatient beds
• medical and molecular imaging facilities
• incentre renal dialysis
• education and training spaces
• and a new purpose-built palliative care unit. The new building will also feature a welcoming new main entry for the hospital.

The internal fit-out is underway across multiple levels, including installation of building services, joinery, ceilings and clinical infrastructure.

Works are also progressing in key construction areas such as the new Intensive Care Unit and main entry atrium. External works, landscaping and integration activities are continuing to connect the new building with the existing hospital campus, including improved pedestrian, vehicle and parking access.

Once complete, the new clinical building will connect seamlessly to the existing hospital 14-storey tower delivered as part of Stage 1 of the redevelopment.

The Nepean Redevelopment is one of the largest and most significant hospital projects in Greater Western Sydney and will support the region’s growing healthcare needs for decades to come.

It builds on other investments the Minns Labor Government is making to deliver more hospitals and beds in the region, including:

• $2 billion for the new Bankstown Hospital;
• $790 million for the new Rouse Hill Hospital plus $120 million from the Federal Government;
• $550 million for the Fairfield Hospital Redevelopment plus $80 million from the Federal Government;
• $350 million for the Canterbury Hospital Redevelopment; and
• $120 million for additional beds for Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospitals

Construction is expected to be completed in late 2026, which will be followed by a comprehensive operational commissioning period to ensure the new health facilities are ready to safely welcome patients, staff and visitors.

For more information about the project, visit: Nepean Hospital Redevelopment

Deputy Premier and Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car:

“The Minns Labor Government knows how important world-class healthcare is to the people of Penrith and communities across Western Sydney. That’s why we are making a record investment not only in the bricks and mortar of the redeveloped Nepean Hospital, but also in the cutting-edge equipment needed to deliver world-class healthcare.

“Under this Government, families are finally getting the essential infrastructure they deserve – better hospitals, better roads and better schools.”

Minister for Health Ryan Park:

“The Coalition’s failure to deliver more hospitals and more beds in Western Sydney left the region under mounting pressure. We are correcting that, delivering a pipeline of infrastructure to meet the needs of the community.

“The Nepean Hospital Redevelopment is part of the Minns Government’s more than $3.4 billion investment to deliver new and upgraded hospitals for communities across Western Sydney.

“The arrival of major medical equipment is a critical step in transforming this new building from a construction site into a world‑class health facility for the Nepean and Blue Mountains communities.

“This is about delivering modern, purpose‑built spaces and world class facilities to support our hardworking staff and provide patients with the care they need, closer to home, now and into the future.”

Member for Penrith Karen McKeown:

“Watching this advanced medical imaging equipment being craned into the new building is such an exciting moment and a significant milestone for a project that will have a lasting impact on our local community.

“There is a real sense now that we are nearing the end of construction at Nepean Hospital and we have taken a big step closer to opening these world-class health facilities.”

Member for Blue Mountains Trish Doyle:

“This will be of enormous benefit to the entire local health district and I trust that the Blue Mountains community will welcome this investment.”

The Minns Labor Government has established the new Bays West Delivery Authority to lead the development of the Bays West Precinct and Blackwattle Bay Precinct.

The Authority is charged with creating Sydney’s newest precinct, a thriving, connected, sustainable hub with White Bay Power Station as its cultural heart. Its vision is to build on the area’s natural, cultural and industrial history to shape a vibrant new neighbourhood.

The precinct will deliver up to 8,500 well-located homes, including a minimum of 10 per cent affordable and essential worker homes. Combine new housing with public open space, opening public access to the waterfront for the first time in more than 100 years, while retaining important deep-water facilities to support Sydney’s working harbour.

Located just minutes from the Sydney CBD and connected to a world-class metro, ferry, walking and cycling links, the Bays West precinct will rebalance housing growth towards well-serviced inner-city locations and help tackle the state’s housing crisis.

The Bays West Delivery Authority, an agency of the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, will report to the NSW Minister for Lands and Property who already has oversight of major precinct renewal projects including at Blackwattle Bay and Barangaroo.

As part of the broader Bays West transformation, the Minns Government recently announced that a proposal from Lendlease to redevelop part of the Bays West Precinct has progressed to Stage 2 of the NSW Government’s unsolicited proposals process.

A New Suburb

The Minns Labor Government has today also confirmed the Bays West precinct will have a new suburb name.

This will be the first major suburb built in close proximity to Sydney’s CBD in decades and will encompass the area currently being referred to as Bays West, including Glebe Island and the White Bay Power Station. Served by a new Metro station just 5 minutes from the CBD, it will become one of the most populous suburbs in the Inner West and one of Sydney’s premier cultural destinations.

Design Competition

The Authority is making great strides with the development of an early works program which includes the first stages of an international design competition.

The aim of the Bays West International Design Competition is to ensure design excellence is embedded in the project from the start. The competition will deliver an urban framework that defines the character, ambition and long-term identity of this former industrial precinct as it transitions to a vibrant, inclusive and sustainable residential neighbourhood.

The competition will be led by the Bays West Delivery Authority in partnership with Government Architect NSW.

It will launch with an invitation for a global Expressions of Interest, before moving to an invitation-only stage that will be assessed by a panel that will provide advice to Cabinet who will select a winner.

The successful team will play an ongoing role in the development of the precinct.  

Premier of NSW, Chris Minns said:

“The establishment of the new Authority is the first step in transforming the Bays West precinct into a vibrant, livable suburb minutes from the Sydney CBD and two stops from Hunter St Station on the Metro West line.

“The Authority will deliver well-located homes close to the heart of the city and integrate the new precinct with Blackwattle Bay and the new Sydney Fish Market.

“This is a generational opportunity to build a new suburb on the city’s edge and open the harbour foreshore to the public for the first time in a century.”

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said:

“The new Bays West Delivery Authority established by the Minns Government will turbocharge the development of Sydney’s newest suburb.

“The Authority is working at a record pace to deliver an international design competition, planning pathways and a financial model so that this development benefits Sydney with well-designed homes in a central location, close to public transport, jobs, entertainment and essential services.

“If we want Sydney to stay liveable and affordable, we need to be bold about using underutilised government-owned land to deliver homes for the future while making sure essential working harbour functions can be accommodated.”

NSW businesses struggling with surging costs are facing another hit under the Minns Labor Government’s confused reusable coffee cup Bill.
 
Labor’s Environmental Legislation Amendment (Plastic Reduction and Container Recycling) Bill 2026 states that cafés and takeaway hospitality businesses are required to implement reusable takeaway cup schemes.
 
While a staged approach has been foreshadowed it is unclear who will be required to fully comply with the scheme by 2030.
 
Shadow Minister for Small Business Gurmesh Singh said under the plan cafés will also be legally prohibited from charging customers for the cost of supplying those cups.
 
“As the legislation is drafted a café owner would be forced to absorb the cost purchasing, managing, cleaning and storing reusable cups, with no guarantee they will ever be returned,” Mr Singh said.
 
“The Minns Labor Government is tying up businesses in red tape to get a green headline.”
 
“Businesses across NSW are already struggling, with more than 6,200 closing last year. The last thing small business owners need is a government introducing unworkable red tape.”
 
A café selling around 300 coffees per day would need to manage thousands of reusable cups in circulation, without being able to increase prices to cover the costs.
 
Shadow Minister for the Environment Jacqui Munro criticised the lack of consultation, saying industry stakeholders were blindsided by the proposal.
 
“Labor is trying to rush through confused reform without engaging the very businesses expected to implement it. There is no clarity about who has to do what, by when,” Ms Munro said.
 
“We all want to reduce plastic waste, but this reform must be workable. Right now, this proposal simply isn’t, and coffee lovers and small businesses will pay the price.”
 
“Labor’s policy is a bitter brew for café owners and coffee lovers. The Minns Labor Government’s plan looks like: no cups, no cafés, no coffee.”
 
The NSW Liberals and Nationals are calling on the Government to abandon the scheme in its proposed form and undertake genuine consultation with the hospitality sector.
 
Business Sydney Executive Director Paul Nicolaou said businesses will not survive if governments continue piling on more red tape, regulation and bureaucracy at a time when operators are already under enormous pressure.
 
“We all want to see less waste and more sustainable outcomes, but now is not the time for changes that unfairly hit small businesses already struggling with soaring energy bills, rising rents, insurance costs and workforce shortages.
 
“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and our communities, and they need practical support and certainty, not more compliance costs and administrative burdens that make it harder to stay afloat and grow.”