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Boosting Australia’s housing supply

The Albanese Government is getting on with the job of building homes for Australia, with successful recipients announced under Stream 1 of the $1.5 billion Housing Support Program.

A total of 80 projects across Australia will receive funding, including 73 local government projects and seven under the states and territories.

This funding will support master planning and development projects to accelerate housing supply and ensure residential growth in local communities is accessible, affordable and sustainable.

This will help unlock the construction of new homes across Australia.

Some of the successful projects receiving funding include:

  • $1.5 million for Blacktown City Council for housing capacity studies and planning strategies around 9 train station precincts, with the potential to deliver 50,000 dwellings
  • $1.2 million for the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning for a Planning Cadet Program to boost planning capability within regional councils
  • $160,000 for Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council for a Future Housing Supply Strategy expected to enable 66 well-located homes in remote Queensland
  • $355,000 for the South Australian Department for Trade and Investment to establish a Bachelor in Urban and Regional Planning at Flinders University, to commence in 2025
  • $150,000 for Bundaberg Regional Council to undertake precinct planning for 1,300 dwellings (including medium-density, affordable housing) around the Bundaberg Hospital, primarily for hospital workers

 The Housing Support Program is one of a range of measures designed to help achieve the ambitious national target of building 1.2 million new, well-located homes over the next 5 years.

It also forms part of the $32 billion in new housing initiatives we are delivering through our Homes for Australia plan.

States, territory and local governments are encouraged to apply for Stream 2 of the Program which also opens today (9am AEST 5 July 2024).

This $450 million stream will provide funding for enabling infrastructure that supports housing, such as roads and utility connections, and community amenities like parks, footpaths and public spaces.

Applications for Stream 2 of the Housing Support Program will be open until 5.00pm AEST 16 August 2024.

For more information on the Program, including a full list of successful Stream 1 projects, visit Housing Support Program.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“The Housing Support Program is an important part of our Government’s $32 billion Homes for Australia plan which is building more homes across Australia.

“A place to call home is not a luxury or a nice-to-have, but a fundamental need, and our Homes for Australia plan is making this a reality for more Australians.”

Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:

“The Albanese Government’s Housing Support Program is helping to turbocharge infrastructure planning so we can deliver more homes, more quickly, for more Australians.

“It’s a critical part of our plan to work with states and territories to help them meet the ambitious national target to build 1.2 million well-located new homes.”

Minister for Housing Julie Collins:

“I urge all councils and state and territory governments to submit their projects for the second stream of the Housing Support Program so we can work together to get more homes on the ground, faster.

“Our Homes for Australia plan is working across the board – more help for renters, more help for homebuyers and more help for Australians needing a safe place for the night.”

Half a million visits as new Medicare Urgent Care Clinic delivered in Queanbeyan

The Albanese Government is strengthening Medicare to deliver a better, fairer and stronger health system and responsible cost of living relief.

In just over 12 months, the network of Medicare Urgent Care Clinics has achieved an historic milestone with more than 500,000 free visits across the country.

Half a million presentations since the Albanese Government established the first clinics in June 2023, with Australians receiving treatment for a range of conditions and injuries that are urgent, but not life-threatening.

The milestone coincides with the announcement of the latest Medicare Urgent Care Clinic, which will be established in the New South Wales area of Queanbeyan, near to the Australian Capital Territory border.

The Brindabella Family Practice, on Morisset Street, was selected to be the Queanbeyan Medicare Urgent Care Clinic through a process led by the New South Wales Government.

The Clinic will open later this month, offering free walk-in care, seven days a week, over extended hours, providing urgent medical care to locals on both sides of the border.

It will reduce pressure on the Queanbeyan District Hospital where, in 2022-23, over 70 per cent of presentations were for semi-urgent or non-urgent matters. 

The Queanbeyan clinic is one of the 29 additional clinics to be established through a $227 million national expansion announced as part of the 2024-25 Budget, adding to the 58 clinics already operating.

There are 16 Medicare UCCs now operating in New South Wales, located in: Albury, Batemans Bay, Campbelltown, Cessnock, Coffs Harbour, Lake Haven, Lismore, Liverpool, Maroubra, Peninsula (Gosford), Penrith, Rooty Hill, Ryde, Tamworth, Westmead, and Wollongong.

There have been more than 87,000 visits in New South Wales, with:

  • Almost 1 in 4 by children under 15;
  • More than 1 in 4 taking place at the weekend; and
  • 1 in 5 weekday visits taking place after 5pm.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“Medicare Urgent Care Clinics are providing the urgent care people need, and all they need it their Medicare card, not their credit card.

“Every day they’re taking the pressure off busy hospital emergency departments.

“Medicare Urgent Care Clinics are a key way we’re making Medicare stronger, ensuring Australians have access to affordable care, when and where they need it.”

Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler:

“Half a million visits proves what an impact our Medicare Urgent Care Clinics are having right around the country.

“In the Budget, we invested $227 million to open an additional 29 Clinics, to ensure that more Australians can get medical care when their need is urgent, but not life threatening.

“The Queanbeyan Urgent Care Clinic will help ensure locals on both sides of the border can get free, urgent care, when they need it and fully bulk billed, taking pressure off busy hospital emergency departments.”

Member for Eden-Monaro Kristy McBain:

“The Queanbeyan Medicare Urgent Care Clinic is going to make a big difference to residents in Queanbeyan, but also in the surrounding communities of Googong, Jerrabomberra and beyond.

“Instead of waiting for a non-life threatening issue at the emergency department, locals can receive treatment at this walk-in clinic, with no out of pocket costs.

“This Medicare UCC will ease pressure on the local emergency department and be much more convenient for our communities – closer to home, at short notice, and bulk billed under Medicare.”

Another Woman charged following unauthorised protest – Hunter Valley

A woman will face Court after being charged following an unauthorised protest in the Hunter Valley last night.

About 6.45pm (Thursday 4 July 2024), police were called to the rail corridor at Belford, near Singleton, following reports persons had allegedly entered the rail corridor and were causing obstruction to trains.

Officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District, with assistance from Police Rescue, attended the site and arrested a 65-year-old woman from Bega.

She was taken to Singleton Police Station where she was charged with five offences – cause obstruction to railway locomotive or rolling stock, enter enclosed land not prescribed premises without lawful excuse, cause/attempt to cause train or tram in motion to be stopped, interfere with equipment without permission and destroy/damage/obstruct mine shaft/duct/airway.

She was refused bail to appear before Singleton Local Court later today (Friday 5 July 2024).

Woman charged following unauthorised protest – Hunter Valley

A woman will face court after being charged following an unauthorised protest in the Hunter Valley this morning.

Just after 7am (Friday 5 July 2024), police were called to the rail corridor at Glennies Creek, near Singleton, following reports a person had allegedly entered the rail corridor and was causing obstruction to trains.

Officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District, with assistance from Police Rescue, attended the site and arrested a 27-year-old woman from Victoria.

She was taken to Singleton Police Station, where she was charged with enter inclosed non-agricultural lands serious safety risk, cause obstruction to railway locomotive or rolling stock, and enter inclosed land not prescribed premises without lawful excuse.

She was refused bail and appeared before Singleton Local Court today (Friday 5 July 2024).

Central Coast & Newcastle Line Trains delays

Some trains are running late up to 30 minutes due to flooding on the tracks at Cockle Creek earlier. Services will be less frequent and trips may take longer than usual. Stops may also change at short notice. Buses may also supplement some trains between Newcastle Interchange and Fassifern. Please allow plenty of extra travel time, listen for announcements, check information screens and transport apps before getting on trains.

Work complete on M1 Pacific Motorway noise wall at Cooranbong 

Lake Macquarie residents will benefit from work completed to install a noise wall on the M1 Pacific Motorway northbound near Currans Road.
Transport for NSW Director Region North Anna Zycki said the NSW Government funded the $8.1 million project to help reduce traffic noise for residents.
“The NSW Government views road traffic noise as an important issue and is committed to improving the daily lives of residents living near arterial infrastructure such as the M1 Pacific Motorway,” Ms Zycki said. 
“Around 25,000 motorists use this section of motorway northbound every day.
“Work included surveying, vegetation clearing and building a 408-metre noise wall on the motorway.
“We also want to say a big thank you to the local community and motorists for their patience while we completed this work.
“Some minor finishing work will continue this month however traffic restrictions will no longer apply.”

Labor fails Australian manufacturing

Australian manufacturing is in crisis because of the Albanese Labor Government’s wrong priorities and economic incompetence.

Manufacturing insolvencies have tripled since the last election, domestic energy prices among the highest in the world, invoice defaults at record highs, declines in new orders at lows not seen since the GFC, and growth rates are anaemic for Australian industry.

How can Labor promise a future made in Australia if they cannot keep the lights on today?

While the Coalition will consider today’s legislation, it does not appear to provide any real detail.

The Coalition, along with economists and industry leaders, have raised serious concerns about poor consultation, opaque tender processes, and bad policy.

The reality is this Bill will do nothing to alleviate the pressure Australian manufacturers are facing because of Labor’s economic mismanagement and for too many businesses it is already too late.

As a now removed web page demonstrates this is not the first time Labor has promised Australians a ‘Future Made in Australia’. It is a promise Anthony Albanese was elected on and it is a promise he has categorically failed to deliver in office.

Labor’s $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund is yet to spend a single dollar.

Energy prices for manufacturers continue to soar and 90 per cent reliable baseload power is set to close under Labor’s flawed ‘renewables-only’ approach.

Yet today with his trademark arrogance the Treasurer is out again promising a Future Made in Australia.

Underscoring Labor’s real motives they are going to spend $45 million of taxpayer funds marketing the Future Made in Australia proposal.

So the test is clear: will the Australian people see ads for a Future Made in Australia before the Government funds projects?

The Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Minister for Industry, Sussan Ley, said Labor were failing manufacturers and focused on winning votes not creating jobs.

“Labor’s homegrown inflation is hurting Australians, families can’t plan for their next grocery shop and businesses can’t plan to keep their doors open, and instead of focusing on delivering an economic plan Anthony Albanese is funding market campaigns to win votes.”

“Australian manufacturers need a proper economic plan: they need cheaper and consistent energy, less red tape and industrial relations settings that work for businesses and employees, not the unions.”

“The Coalition has a plan to provide cheap, clean and consistent energy to return Australia to a manufacturing powerhouse”.

Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor said the only thing being “made in Australia” is Labor’s homegrown inflation crisis.

“Labor thinks it can spin and spend its way out of a cost of living crisis. You can’t.

“Labor’s failure to deal with the source of the problem – high inflation – continues to damage the Australian economy and vital sectors like manufacturing.

“Today’s legislation does not provide any clarity for manufacturers who have been suffering under Labor’s economic mismanagement.

“Labor has the wrong priorities and wrong policy settings for a prosperous economy.”

Parramatta Light Rail enters final testing phase as network’s name is revealed

Parramatta Light Rail is on the home stretch to service Western Sydney communities in the coming months, set to enter the final stage of testing and officially named the L4.

Final preparations for passenger services are now underway, with the project shifting into ‘trial running’ on Monday 8 July.

This will see a series of interactive drills undertaken that replicate potential incidents and recovery plans, such as systems breaking down or situations involving emergency services.

Trams will be running in both directions between Westmead and Carlingford, from 5am to 1am, testing the operator’s ability to deliver the final timetable and identifying any issues before passenger services commence.

The community is reminded to stop, listen and look around when driving, walking or riding near the tracks, and to follow new traffic signals, as trams run regularly through Parramatta for the first time in decades.

This is a significant next step in the extensive testing program before approval is granted by the independent national rail safety regulator, permitting passengers to get on board.

While passenger information displays on light rail vehicles and platforms will be activated as part of testing, and doors will open and close, passengers will not be allowed to board.

The milestone means integration testing of the new infrastructure is now complete, which demonstrates the 45-metre-long light rail vehicles, tracks, 16 stops and systems are all working reliably along the 12-kilometre alignment.

Almost four kilometres of the light rail alignment uses wire-free technology. This includes at the Westmead terminus to minimise impacts of electrical wires and other tram infrastructure close to hospital buildings.

When operational, the light rail network will support 150 jobs in Western Sydney, based out of the now fully operational Stabling and Maintenance facility in Camellia. This includes operations and ground staff, engineers, maintenance workers and drivers. All 53 driver positions have now been filled and training is progressing well.

When the full Parramatta Light Rail Stage 1 timetable launches, passengers will have access to reliable, modern and comfortable trams every 7.5 minutes in the peak between Westmead and Carlingford via the Parramatta CBD.

In the 2024-25 Budget, the Minns Labor Government committed $2.1 billion to Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 to further connect growing communities in Western Sydney between Ermington, Melrose Park, Parramatta and Olympic Park.

This is part of the NSW Government’s plan to build better communities close to essential services they can rely on.

The L4 will ensure new housing in the region is well-connected to the Parramatta CBD, along with the Westmead healthcare precinct, schools and university campuses.

On July 1, the state-led rezoning for Parramatta’s Church Street North precinct, alongside the light rail, came into effect. It allows for up to 1,800 new homes to be built as part of a revitalisation of the precinct.

This helps transform an ageing area in need of renewal while tackling the housing crisis right on the doorstep of Sydney’s second largest CBD.

The L4 accompanied by new homes forms part of the Minns Labor Government’s plan to build a better NSW, tackling the housing supply crisis with well-built homes in well-located areas to avoid becoming a city with no young people.

The new route joins the L1 Dulwich Hill Line, L2 Randwick Line and L3 Kingsford Line as part of the Sydney light rail network.

For more information about Parramatta Light Rail, visit: www.nsw.gov.au/parramatta-light-rail.

Premier Chris Minns said:

“L4 will deliver more convenient and connected journeys for tens of thousands of people every day.

“This will make it easier for people to move between work, home, and key areas like the Westmead Health Precinct, Parramatta CBD and CommBank Stadium.

“The people of Western Sydney deserve this kind of public transport – and these final tests mean it’s looking like all systems go for the L4 in the coming months.”

Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said:

“Parramatta Light Rail is getting closer and we’re putting the network to the ultimate test before commuters can jump on board the L4.

“Trial running will allow us to fine-tune the systems with scenario-based exercises to make sure we’ve covered all bases when it comes to safety.

“From 2032 Westmead will be the station that has it all – connecting the T1 to the new L4 and the future Metro West.”

Member for Parramatta Donna Davis said:

“People can expect to see more trams more often and I’m so excited we’re in the final stages of testing.

“With the L4 expected to start passenger services soon, it’s important the community stays alert as tram frequency is increasing.

“L4 will revitalise local businesses and create a new way for the people of Parramatta to move around our great city.”

Game changing program creates pathway for Western NSW Aboriginal youth to the Paris Olympics

A NSW Government funded sport-based life skills and leadership program is changing the game for Aboriginal students in Western NSW by enabling personal growth and opportunities.

Narromine teenager Callum Hutchison is set to join more than 500 young people from 36 countries for a conference at the Paris Olympics, after developing his leadership skills though the Rugby Creates Chances program.

The NSW Government’s Regional Aboriginal Partnerships Program invested $1.5 million to support Rugby Creates Chances, an initiative delivering a variety of school and community-based rugby and coaching programs in Narromine, Coonamble, Warren, Brewarrina and Walgett to help Aboriginal youth kick personal goals and get job-ready.

Supported by NSW Rugby, the two-year Rugby Creates Chances initiative includes a 10-week Tackle Life program, which trains 14-to-17-year-old students how to develop and teach rugby union skills in primary schools, at after-school activities, and in local clubs and community centres.

The program has opened an extra special door for 17-year-old Callum Hutchison , who has been invited to experience a range of Olympic and Paralympic sports, as well as cultural enrichment opportunities, at the Festival 24 conference in Lyon and Paris.

Western NSW students take part in a 10-week Future Pathways program to identify their strengths, consider their careers and participate in mock job interviews and CV building to help them emerge from school work-ready.

The program then gives students the chance to get hands-on employment experience while earning a Certificate III in Sports Coaching, as well as develop leadership and problem-solving skills, and connect with their communities.

Upon completion of the program, NSW Rugby will offer five local Aboriginal young people ongoing employment as coaches, facilitators and coordinators, and 20 additional casual coaching positions to support local after-school and weekend activities.

The Regional Aboriginal Partnerships Program seeks to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within NSW to access pathways through education, training, employment and business support to reach their aspirations. For more information, go to www.nsw.gov.au/RAPP

Minister for Regional and Western NSW, Tara Moriarty said:

“The NSW Government is improving opportunities for people in Western New South Wales and our Aboriginal communities, and is delivering funding through partnership programs and the Regional Development Trust.

“I am delighted Callum will get to experience something as extraordinary as attending the Paris Olympics after his involvement in this program which has been made possible through the NSW Government’s Regional Aboriginal Partnerships Program.

“We can see how Callum and other youth are taking on new challenges, emerging as community leaders, plus practising the skill of self reflection which can influence behaviour.”

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, David Harris said:

“By utilising young people’s love of sport, Rugby Creates Chances offers an engaging pathway for Aboriginal youth to get active, train and upskill on Country while gaining valuable life and leadership experience.

“Alongside their Student Based Apprenticeships with NSW Rugby, the kids are getting a program with a proven track record for inspiring engagement, confidence and ensuring they emerge from school, job ready.

“I’m confident Rugby Creates Chances will deliver meaningful results for our young people in Western NSW while assisting to Close the Gap on Priority Reform 5, which aims to drive positive employment, training and broader social outcomes for Aboriginal peoples across New South Wales.”

Rugby Creates Chances student from Narromine, Callum Hutchison said:

“Rugby Creates Chances has really opened my eyes – I never really thought of going down the sporting career track until I jumped into the program and I now plan on getting a job in sport, finishing high school and possibly going to university.

“I am still pinching myself that all of this has led to me being invited to go to Paris Olympics as part of Festival 24.

“Since starting Rugby Creates Chances, I have learned a lot about leadership skills, how to be more independent, and how to be a role model and mentor for the younger kids and people around me.

“Programs like this are important for country kids like myself because there’s not as many opprotunites in smaller towns, especially in sports or traineeships, and you have to travel pretty far to have a crack at trialling for things.”

Proud Dharawal man and Australian Rugby Sevens Olympian, Maurice Longbottom said:

“The Rugby Creates Chances program not only teaches kids skills about Rugby, but about resilience and leadership and preparing for the future, and I’m grateful and happy to hear that kids like Callum have these opportunities to grow and learn and prosper.

“Opportunities like this can be few and far between in smaller country towns, and I just love that this program is taking rugby and coaching skills on the road as part of a much bigger picture for these kids.

“I wish Callum all the best for his big trip to Paris, and I hope he can catch some of our games to keep that fire roaring in his belly for rugby and whatever comes next.”