Deadline approaching for Northern Rivers homeowners as Resilient Homes Program enters final phase

The NSW Government is issuing a final call for homeowners to apply for support under the Resilient Homes Program, which offers eligible residents the opportunity to have their homes voluntarily bought back or receive funding to repair and strengthen properties against future flooding.

This final round ensures affected households have access to measures that prioritises safety, recovery and long-term resilience.

Buyback applications will close on 31 December 2025. Applications for grants for resilient repairs will close on 31 March 2026, with the Program in its entirety wrapping up by end of June 2027.

Since the program commenced in 2022, more than 1,300 homeowners have been contacted to progress buybacks, with over 930 offers issued, 844 accepted and 732 homes settled to date. All buyback settlements are expected to be completed by June 2026, with relocations to be finalised by the end of 2026.

The Northern Rivers Resilient Homes is the largest climate adaptation program of its kind in Australia. The program is about removing residents from the highest-risk areas while laying the foundation for future land use planning, ensuring high-risk areas are managed more sustainably and that communities are safer in the face of future floods.

Eligible homeowners may receive:

  • Up to $100,000 to raise, rebuild or relocate their home
  • Up to $50,000 to retrofit their home with flood-resilient materials
  • An additional $20,000 to help cover upfront planning and consultant costs

Eligibility settings, for resilient measures grants, have also recently been updated for key areas of Mullumbimby, Tumbulgum, South Lismore, Woodburn, Coraki, Broadwater, Wardell and Murwillumbah. The removal of the previous floor-level requirement for some homes means more homeowners who were severely impacted in 2022 floods may be eligible for support.

Dedicated support is available through the Resilient Homes Program’s Customer Engagement Team, who can assist with eligibility advice, grant applications, next steps following assessment reports and guidance on planning and construction. Homeowners can also speak directly with staff, experts and builders at upcoming expos, information sessions and community pop-ups or via phone on 1800 844 085.

The Resilient Homes Program is jointly funded by the Australian and NSW Governments.

More information on how to apply can be found via https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/nsw-reconstruction-authority/our-work/resilient-homes-program

NSW Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin said:

“We’ve come a long way since the floods, and we’ve done it together.

“I know these decisions haven’t been easy. People are weighing up not just finances, but memories, connections and the place they call home.

“This final stage of the program is about making sure every family has the support they need to choose what’s best for them.

“Our community deserves the chance to rebuild safely and with the peace of mind that comes from knowing their future will be stronger.”

NSW Reconstruction Authority Acting Head Adaptation, Mitigation and Reconstruction Kristie Clarke said:

“The Resilient Homes Program has already made a real difference for hundreds of households, helping people progress Buybacks, home assessments and resilience works.

“Our priority is ensuring homeowners have the information and support they need to complete their applications and begin works, giving them the best opportunity to protect their homes and families.”

When Common Sense Meets Canberra Fantasy

Today’s Adelaide Advertiser has published a cracking opinion piece by Caleb Bond, laying out something so glaring that only a Labor minister could miss it. Bond’s column spells out a simple economic fact. When governments hike taxes beyond reason, they don’t magically create virtue. They drive ordinary people straight into black markets. High taxes kill economies. High taxes breed corruption. Every economist worth their salt knows it, One Nation has said it for years, and now the evidence is quite literally burning down tobacconists across the country.

Yet, according to Bond’s view, Environment Minister Murray Watt still can’t see the connection. Or worse, refuses to.

Bond recounted an exchange at this week’s Senate Estimates discussing illicit tobacco. One Nation’s Senator Malcolm Roberts asked the minister the most basic economic question imaginable: isn’t the government’s sky-high tobacco tax the reason law-abiding Aussies are pushed toward illegal cigarettes that cost a third of the legal price?

Senator Roberts asked a fair, obvious question. Minister Watt, with a straight face, said “No.”

Not only “No,” but he said “there’s absolutely no evidence” for it.

This, despite the Australian Border Force and industry data showing the illicit tobacco market already accounts for around 50 percent of cigarette sales, with projections hitting 80 percent next year. If that doesn’t scream cause and effect, nothing will.

Our streets are now dotted with dodgy tobacconists. Crime gangs are firebombing shops. Innocent people have been killed. Insurance premiums are exploding for shops and homes near tobacconists. All while Labor insists none of this has anything to do with the punishing taxes they keep piling onto smokers.

Bond put it plainly. The idea that ordinary Australians buying ten or fifteen-dollar illegal smokes instead of fifty-dollar legal packs has nothing to do with tax is so ridiculous that, as he joked, even a seven-year-old wouldn’t fall for it.

Labor’s position isn’t just wrong. It’s silly. It’s wilfully blind. And it’s dangerous.

One Nation is the only party in that room telling the truth. Excessive taxation flips an economy on its head. It drives markets underground. It rewards criminals, punishes honest people and destroys small business. It’s basic economics, and the Adelaide Advertiser has now spelled it out for everyone.

The real question is why the Albanese Government keeps pretending not to understand what the rest of the country can see so clearly.

As Caleb Bond writes, if Minister Watt has an explanation for this explosion in illegal tobacco that doesn’t involve tax, we’d all love to hear it. Because right now, the only thing more dangerous than Australia’s illicit tobacco market is a government too stubborn to admit it created the problem in the first place.

NEWCASTLE INNER CITY BYPASS WORKING TO PROTECT THREATENED PLANT SPECIES

The Newcastle Inner City Bypass is collaborating with several agencies to mitigate impacts to native plant species across the project site, including the vulnerable Tetratheca juncea (Black-eyed Susan). Transport for NSW, the Hunter Region Landcare Network, Trees in Newcastle and Fulton Hogan have collaborated to collect plant species before impact by the Newcastle Inner City Bypass – Rankin Park to Jesmond project. The conservation efforts included salvage of the vulnerable Tetratheca juncea (Black-eyed Susan). As part of the salvage of the threatened species, the team carried out the collection of seeds, cuttings and other native plant material to use at their nursery located at Redhead, Lake Macquarie. Plant propagation of various species, including a range of Eucalyptus, is already underway in nurseries managed by Landcare and Trees in Newcastle. Seed has been collected from felled trees that are otherwise difficult to collect due to their height. On top of this work, the project team has also salvaged suitable trees to be reused as bridge timber in the maintenance of Transport’s heritage bridges. In addition, suitable felled timber has been provided to Local Land Services for reuse in river restoration projects and to local Indigenous people to produce cultural weapons and tools to enable the continuation of cultural practices. The historic Araucaria bidwillii (Bunya pine tree) from the Jesmond roundabout has also been donated to a local guitar making school while appropriate timber will be reused onsite for fauna habitat and rehabilitation during landscaping. Revisions throughout the design process have seen the project corridor moved east from the original design alignment to minimise the impacts to flora, in particular to threatened species. Clearing within the project boundary has been reduced to the greatest extent practicable, resulting in around an eight-hectare reduction in native vegetation clearing against the 44-hectare limit originally approved for the project. Biodiversity offsets have been provided in accordance with the NSW Biodiversity Offsets Policy for Major Projects. This includes 3,244 ecosystem credits and 12,690 species credits. This includes offsetting for fringe impacts to the existing bushland. Sonia Hornery, Member for Wallsend: “The Newcastle Inner City Bypass will provide traffic relief for the local community by removing up to 30,000 vehicles each day from the existing route of Lookout Road, Croudace Street and Newcastle Road. “A key benefit of this project is Transport for NSW’s commitment to the preservation and restoration of native plant biodiversity, particularly for threatened species like Tetratheca juncea. “By valuing plant rehabilitation, the project ensures the ecological health of the area is maintained, supporting local wildlife, and sustaining the region’s natural environment for future generations.” Sharon Claydon, Member for Newcastle: “Newcastle expects major projects to proceed while protecting the precious environment that makes our region so special – that’s exactly what this work is doing. We’re delivering critical infrastructure while safeguarding vulnerable species like the Black-eyed Susan.” “This is smart, responsible project delivery. By redesigning the corridor and working with our incredible local Landcare groups, we’re keeping native plants in the landscape and reducing impacts wherever possible.” “The Newcastle Inner City Bypass will ease congestion for tens of thousands of motorists, and these environmental protections mean we can do it without sacrificing the natural environment our community values so deeply.”

Appeal to locate woman missing from Newcastle West

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a woman missing from the state’s Newcastle area.

Juanita Gaid, aged 54, was last seen on Hunter Street, Newcastle West, about 9am on Wednesday 3 December 2025.

Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into her whereabouts.

Police hold concerns for Juanita’s welfare.

Juanita is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 165cm – 175cm tall, of solid build, with brown hair and brown eyes.

Inquiries established she may be travelling in a 2014 black Jeep Cherokee with NSW registration CVO51J.

Juanita is believed to frequent the Newcastle area.

Appeal to locate teenage boy missing from Hamilton South

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a boy missing from the state’s north.

Darcey McKay, aged 14, was last seen in Hamilton South about 4:45pm yesterday (Friday 5 December 2025).

Unable to be located or contacted since that time, officers attached to Newcastle City Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

Family and police hold concerns for Darcey’s welfare due to his age.

Darcey is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 155cm tall, of thin build with light brown hair.

He was last seen wearing a predominantly black t-shirt depicting red and white graphics, tan shorts and brown “Birkenstock” shoes.

Darcey is known to frequent local skate parks, public parks, the Junction Fair, Bar Beach skate park and the Newcastle area.

Serious motor vehicle crash near Singleton

Police are investigating a serious crash in the state’s Hunter Valley .

About 3.35pm yesterday (Friday 5 December 2025), emergency services responded to reports of two trucks crashing in the east bound lanes of the the New England Highway, Belford, approximately 15km south of Singleton.

NSW Ambulance paramedics the male drivers of the trucks – aged 25 and 71 – at the scene before they were taken to John Hunter Hospital in a serious but stable condtion.

Officers from the Hunter Valley Police District established a crime scene that was later examined by police from the Crash Investigation Unit.

The 76-year-old female driver of a Ford Ranger towing a caravan was taken to to Cessnock Hospital for mandatory testing. The woman was not injured and the Ford was not directly involved in the crash.

ONE YEAR ON: SINGLETON BYPASS POWERS AHEAD WITH MAJOR CONSTRUCTION MILESTONES

The $700 million Singleton Bypass has passed the one-year mark of major construction, progressing a once-in-a-generation upgrade that will remove one of the Hunter’s longest-standing bottlenecks.
The new eight-kilometre bypass is on track to open to traffic in late 2026, weather permitting, and has been funded with a $560 million investment from the Albanese Labor Government and $140 million investment from the Minns Labor Government.
Newly released aerial vision highlights the vast scale of the bypass and the relentless work of the crews transforming the Hunter.
Over the past 12 months, more than 1300 workers have been active across the entire alignment, with major achievements including:
· All six bridges under construction, including the region-shaping 1.6km Hunter Floodplain bridge now 80% complete
· More than 500,000m³ of earthworks placed (the equivalent of 200 Olympic swimming pools)
· Council’s new water pump station nearing completion
· Peak work underway on drainage, utilities relocation, pavement, noise walls, and safety screens
Once complete, the bypass will remove around 15,000 vehicles a day from Singleton’s CBD, bypass five sets of traffic lights, cut congestion, reduce freight delays and deliver safer, faster and more reliable journeys for the 26,000 motorists who travel on this section of the New England Highway each day.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King:
“This project has been talked about for generations, but it’s the Albanese and Minns Labor Governments delivering it.
“The Singleton Bypass will take thousands of vehicles off Singleton’s main road, improving safety, and slashing travel times across the region.
“The Albanese Government is proud to be investing $560 million to get it built and to see real progress on the ground.”
NSW Minister for the Hunter, Yasmin Catley:
“Locals have long been asking for a solution to congestion, heavy traffic and safety concerns and the Albanese and Minns Labor Government is delivering.
“The Singleton bypass will transform how people move around the Hunter, making travel safer, faster and more efficient for the thousands of people who live in, visit and travel through our region.
“We are seeing real progress on the ground. No one backs our regional communities like a Labor Government.”
NSW Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison:
“Seeing the progress on the Singleton Bypass shows exactly what happens when governments genuinely invest in regional communities. This bypass is finally becoming a reality after decades of traffic, frustration and safety concerns from locals.
“Two new bridges are already providing an alternate route for heavy vehicles working on the project, minimising the impact of construction on the local road network.so the benefits are being felt even before opening day.
“This is a game-changing investment in the Hunter – safer roads, stronger freight links and a smoother drive for everyone who calls Singleton and the Hunter home.”
Federal Member for Hunter, Dan Repacholi:
“This bypass is delivering local jobs, local investment and a long-overdue fix for congestion that has plagued Singleton for years.
“With more than 1,300 jobs supported during construction, the project is already boosting our economy, and the benefits will keep coming when the new bypass opens.
“Thank you to Transport for NSW and the entire construction workforce for the incredible progress so far.”
NSW Labor spokesperson for Upper Hunter, Emily Suvval:
“This is exactly the kind of infrastructure Hunter communities have been crying out for: practical, local and life-changing.
“Removing one of the region’s worst choke points will make it easier to get to work, get kids to school and get freight where it needs to go. It’s a huge win for the Upper Hunter.”

Australia stands with NATO partners in support of Ukraine

The Albanese Government will provide a $95 million package of military assistance and has imposed further targeted sanctions related to Russia’s shadow fleet as part of our continued support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion.

Australia will make a $50 million contribution to the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) – a NATO initiative to supply Ukraine with critical military equipment.

This contribution sees Australia, alongside New Zealand, become the first non‑NATO contributors to the PURL initiative. In doing so our two countries continue to demonstrate our commitment to upholding the global rules‑based order, recognising that what occurs in Europe matters in the Indo‑Pacific.

In addition to the PURL contribution, today’s support package also includes:

  • $43 million of Australian Defence Force (ADF) materiel and equipment, including tactical air defence radars, munitions and combat engineering equipment.
  • An additional $2 million contribution to the Drone Capability Coalition, focused on providing Ukraine with advanced drone technologies.
  • Targeted sanctions on an additional 45 vessels linked to Russia’s shadow fleet, bringing the total number of sanctioned shadow fleet vessels to 200. These sanctions are designed to starve Russia’s war economy of revenue.

This brings Australia’s overall support for Ukraine to over $1.7 billion, including more than $1.5 billion in military assistance since the start of the conflict. Australia remains the largest non‑NATO contributor of military assistance.

Australia continues to stand with the Coalition of the Willing, a group of more than 35 countries coordinating to strengthen support for Ukraine and see a just and lasting peace on its terms.

This builds on the ADF’s ongoing contribution to multinational efforts to train Ukrainian military personnel in the United Kingdom under Operation Kudu.

The final tranche of Australia’s gifted 49 M1A1 Abrams tanks will also be delivered to Ukraine in the coming weeks.

Australia’s ongoing contributions ensure the Armed Forces of Ukraine are equipped with much needed capabilities to contribute to their defence, reaffirming Australia’s commitment to Ukraine and the global rules-based order.

Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles:

“Australia is unwavering in its support for Ukraine. These commitments will make a tangible difference in Ukraine’s defence against Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion.

“We are proud to be contributing to PURL, standing in solidarity with our partners – in NATO and the Indo-Pacific – to see a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.”

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong:

“Australia’s sanctions complement those of key partners, including the United Kingdom, United States, New Zealand and the European Union, as part of a coordinated effort to starve Russia’s oil revenues and limit its ability to finance its invasion.

“As a result of actions we have taken, direct Australian imports of Russian energy products have fallen from $80 million before Russia’s invasion to zero.”

Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy: 

“We are proud to be meeting Ukraine’s direct request for assistance. It’s a testament to our steadfast support for the right of the courageous people of Ukraine to live in peace and to determine their own future.

“Our government will continue to support them alongside the Australian people until we see a just and lasting peace.”

Australia commits over $14 million to support Indo-Pacific disaster response

The Albanese Government is providing an additional $5 million in emergency assistance in response to the worsening impacts of recent cyclones and flooding in the Indo-Pacific region.

This brings Australia’s total assistance to over $14 million since October, supporting local and international partners to provide urgent lifesaving assistance to affected communities.

Today’s announcement includes an additional $2.5 million for Sri Lanka, increasing Australia’s response to the impacts of Cyclone Ditwah to $3.5 million. Australia is engaging with all affected countries, with support to be provided through Australian NGOs and the United Nations as requested to meet urgent needs.

In recent weeks, Australia’s close partners in our region have experienced the devastating impacts of cyclones, floods, earthquakes and landslides. Communities in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam have all been affected.

Australia’s support is providing emergency relief supplies, shelter, food, water and sanitation, and it is meeting the needs of displaced communities, including support for health and education. Our funding prioritises the needs of the most vulnerable, including women, girls and people with disability.

Australia will continue to work with countries and communities in the region as a steadfast and reliable partner across the Indo-Pacific.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong:

“Our thoughts are with all those affected by the recent floods and devastation in Southeast Asia and Sri Lanka. We are working with our partners in the region to deliver life-saving assistance to accelerate their response.

“Australia is committed to supporting our neighbours in good times and bad – we are a partner our region can count on.”

Minister for International Development Dr Anne Aly:

“Recent severe weather and earthquakes have had devastating impacts for communities in our region, and we’re ensuring our neighbours have the support they need to help communities to respond.

“Already vulnerable community groups – such as women and girls and people with disability – are regularly the worst impacted when disaster strikes. We’re working with trusted and experienced partners to ensure assistance is getting to the people who need it.”

Labor leaves women escaping violence with nowhere to go

Data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) shows Specialist Homelessness Services (SHS) are receiving on average 350 requests for help each day that they can’t meet. 

SHS are buckling under the pressure of the worsening housing crisis and epidemic of violence against women, and having to turn people at risk of homelessness away.

Women and children made up over 7 in 10 requests for SHS help, with people who had experienced domestic and family violence the largest cohort seeking help – 40 per cent of all SHS clients.

First Nations women, older women, women of colour and women with disabilities are on the very front line of this crisis. 

Leaving a violent relationship requires secure housing, and violence against women can not be stopped without addressing the housing crisis.

Leader of the Australian Greens, Senator Larissa Waters:

“The National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children recognises the growing intersection between violence and housing insecurity. The Albanese Labor government continues to fail women by fiddling at the edges of the housing crisis. 

“By refusing to fully fund frontline services the government is forcing SHS workers to ask ‘who is most in danger?’ when prioritising where their help goes. No woman or child seeking help should be turned away. 

“Labor’s inaction on the housing crisis is forcing women to choose between violence and homelessness. 

“Cancelling just one nuclear submarine could see everyone fleeing violence able to be homed, and an end to homelessness for all. 

“Labor can properly address the housing crisis but is shamefully choosing not to.”

Greens spokesperson for housing and homelessness Senator Barbara Pocock:

“Australia is in a housing crisis that is spiralling out of control. 

“Homelessness in Australia is the worst in living memory, having increased by 10 percent since Labor was elected. We’re seeing nine potentially avoidable deaths of homeless people on our streets every day which is unacceptable. We still don’t have a national plan to end homelessness.

“If Labor can spend $181 billion on wealthy property investors, they can build homes and provide services for people sleeping rough. They can put a roof over the head of thousands of women and children escaping violence. This government needs to start treating housing as a human right instead of a game of monopoly. 

“Labor must address the root causes rather than turbocharge our housing and homelessness crises through minor interventions that make things worse.

“High rents, unaffordability in the private rental market, insufficient public housing stock, and the greed of property developers and investment housing are all causes of homelessness. Without tackling the structural drivers the crisis will only worsen.

“We can end homelessness in Australia – by building enough public housing, adequately funding homelessness services and the wrap-around supports we need to break the cycle of recurring homelessness. We can put a roof over everyone’s heads, and limit rent increases to stop any more evictions into homelessness.”