16 News

Twelve months on from the start of the National Housing Accord, the verdict is in: Labor’s housing plan is failing and failing badly.
 
New ABS figures released today show NSW has fallen 43.5% short of its year-one target. Just 42,581 homes have been delivered over the past 12 months. This contrasts with the 75,400 required each year to stay on track for our Housing Accord commitment of 377,000 homes over the next five years.
 
Labor’s own budget papers admit NSW is set to fall 137,000 homes short of the National Accord target, forecasting just 240,000 completions over five years. One year down, and the Minns Labor Government is already far behind with no credible plan to catch up.
 
Feasibility remains the number one problem for new housing supply. Builders and developers are warning that projects simply don’t stack up and the situation is getting worse under the current tax regime.
 
Part of Labor’s failure is the $12,000 Housing and Productivity Contribution. The Minns Labor Government in 2023 introduced this tax on every new home in Greater Sydney, paid before construction even begins.
 
The NSW Coalition has called for the tax to be paused immediately. A Coalition Government would pause the Housing and Productivity Contribution for the life of the Housing Accord until 30 June 2029, and defer its collection to the occupation certificate stage after that.
 
Density needs to be matched with the infrastructure to support new housing growth, which will enable projects to get off the ground in the first place. Under Labor, little to no additional infrastructure funding has been allocated for the 37 TOD precincts or 171 affected suburbs under the low and mid-rise reforms.
 
Shadow Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Scott Farlow, said the latest figures confirm what the building industry and homebuyers already know: there’s no feasible path to delivering the homes NSW needs under Labor.
 
“After one full year of the Accord, it’s clear Labor’s plan is failing. The numbers don’t lie and families across NSW are paying the price. One year in, all Labor have delivered is a worse housing crisis,” Mr Farlow said.
 
“Chris Minns has promised his housing policies would fix the housing crisis. Instead, we’re seeing approvals falling, commencements stalling, and the pipeline drying up.”
 
“At a time when costs are up and confidence is low, Labor has chosen to make it even harder to build. You don’t deliver more homes by taxing the ones you haven’t built yet. Higher taxes and charges continue to make the dream of owning a home even harder for young people and families.”
 
“Labor wants more people to live in communities without the roads, schools, hospitals or services to support them. The concept of master planning has been abandoned by Labor.”
 
“Chris Minns and Labor must finally face up to reality: NSW can’t tax our way to more housing and new housing must come with infrastructure investment. Labor’s one year anniversary of housing failure makes the need for change even clearer,” Mr Farlow said.

The Hunter’s netball community came alive over the weekend as Netball NSW brought its annual Beyond the Court regional roadshow to Newcastle (17–18 October), connecting directly with schools, young leaders, volunteers, and fans through two days of visits, workshops, and community events.NSW Swifts stars Sharni Lambden and Tayla Fraser joined Netball NSW CEO Tracey Scott, Board Members, and senior executives for the two-day event, which included school visits, a community meet-and-greet, a Youth Ambassador leadership program, and the Beyond the Court development workshops.

Trish Crews, Executive General Manager of Communities at Netball NSW delivers the Beyond the Court Workshop in Newcastle.

Hundreds of students from Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College – Berkeley Vale Campus, Wadalba Community School, and Newcastle Grammar School had the chance to meet the Swifts, ask questions, and hear first-hand what it’s like to play at the elite level.Friday afternoon saw crowds gather at the Newcastle Netball Association for the community meet-and-greet, where fans took photos, collected autographs, and chatted with the athletes. Later that evening, local young leaders took part in the Youth Ambassador Program, discovering their leadership strengths through interactive activities and discussions with the Swifts.

NSW Swifts Tayla Fraser and Sharni Lamden educate netball coaches and officials at the Netball NSW Beyond the Court workshop. 

Saturday’s Beyond the Court workshops drew strong participation from coaches, umpires, and volunteers eager to develop new skills across topics such as inclusion, communication, and volunteer frameworks.“It’s been amazing to get out to Newcastle and meet so many passionate people who love this sport,” said Sharni Lambden, NSW Swifts player. “Whether it’s the students we met at school or the volunteers who keep the game running, the energy and commitment across the Hunter is incredible. We’ve had such a warm welcome.”

There has always been strong support for the NSW Swifts in the region and the 2026 Suncorp Super Netball season looks to be no different, with fans expected to cheer on the red dress when the season kicks off in March. Trish Crews, Executive General Manager – Communities at Netball NSW, said the regional roadshow continues to strengthen ties between Netball NSW and local associations.“These visits are about connection — listening to our communities, sharing knowledge, and recognising the people who make netball happen every week,” Ms Crews said. “The Hunter region has such a proud netball tradition, and it’s been a privilege to spend time here and see the passion that drives the game forward.”The Beyond the Court regional roadshow forms part of Netball NSW’s commitment to ensuring every community across the state has direct access to the sport’s leaders, athletes, and development programs — inspiring the next generation of netballers both on and off the court.

E-bike clutter on footpaths will be cleaned up, government and councils will have the power to regulate operators and recoup the costs of shared scheme management and infrastructure – under new laws being introduced to the NSW Parliament today.  

This Australian first e-bike shared scheme regulation is the culmination of in-depth consultation with councils, operators and user groups and responds to key recommendations from the Parliamentary Inquiry into the use of e-scooters, e-bikes and related mobility options. 

Currently, operators can deploy e-bikes anywhere, without approval from councils or the NSW Government. This has led to poorly parked e-bikes creating clutter, e-bikes without helmets, and no controls in place to ensure devices meet minimum standards.

The Bill will establish minimum regulatory requirements for shared scheme operators and give new powers to Transport for NSW to check operators meet these standards before they can provide services. This will improve consistency and reduce duplication across councils.  

Minimum standards include helmet provision, distribution and collection of devices, adherence to council conditions, device specifications, maintenance, minimum insurances, complaints handling processes, incident reporting and rider education. 

The legislation will also give local councils the power to decide where NSW Government approved shared schemes can operate in their area, set dedicated parking areas, go-slow and no-go zones.  

As part of the reform approved shared scheme operators will pay a fee that funds the approvals, compliance monitoring, council rangers, establishing parking bays, active transport infrastructure and a data sharing platform monitoring shared bike use.  

Transport and local councils will be establishing on street and kerb side e-bike parking bays in town centres, train and metro stations. This will give e-bike users and shared scheme operators more clarity on where to park and reduce clutter for pedestrians and other road users.  

Transport and councils will be able to issue penalties to operators who fail to meet the minimum standards and Transport will be able to revoke approvals of operators who breach the requirements. Operators that fail to comply with a removal order face a maximum penalty of $55,000 plus $5500 for each day the offence continues. Operators that fail to comply with requests for information face a maximum penalty of $110,000. 

Minister for Transport John Graham said:  

“Shared bikes strewn across footpaths and roads have been an eye-sore and a danger to pedestrians for too long. These Australian first shared scheme laws will clean up the clutter and provide clear standards and consistency for operators and local councils.  

“We know shared e-bikes reduce congestion, connect our transport system and reduce emissions but the current voluntary approach to parking and safety isn’t working. That’s why we’re stepping in to fix the clutter on footpaths and ensure safety standards are met. 

“The popularity of shared devices is growing in NSW, in the last financial year alone the number of daily trips increased by 200% and these reforms will help ensure this mode of transport is a safe and accessible option to move around, while balancing the needs of the wider community. 

“We are setting some of the toughest requirements in Australia for sharing scheme services, to make sure services are safe and meet community expectations.” 

Parliamentary Secretary for Transport Marjorie O’Neill said: 

“This legislation is about creating a clear, consistent framework that allows shared bikes to thrive as part of our active transport network — safely and sustainably. We want to see these schemes grow and succeed, but in a way that works for everyone, whether you’re a rider, a pedestrian, or a local business.” 

“For too long, shared bike operators have been able to act without proper oversight — resulting in cluttered footpaths, safety risks, and frustration for communities. These new laws put safety, accountability and public amenity front and centre.” 

“This legislation has been developed hand in hand with local councils, operators and transport users. It’s a model of collaborative reform — balancing innovation with community needs, and ensuring local voices shape how shared schemes operate in their streets.” 

Secretary of Transport Josh Murray said: 

“Latest Transport for NSW data shows 15 per cent of people in NSW have ridden a shared or rented e-bike, with 6 per cent riding at least monthly.  

“While this number is likely to grow rapidly, we need to address the impact of poorly parked devices, including access to buildings and footpaths which can present challenges for everyone – but particularly impacts people with prams, elderly people and people with mobility needs. 

“These reforms will give Transport for NSW and councils the necessary powers to ensure shared e-bikes meet safety standards, people are wearing helmets and the issue of dumped e-bikes on footpaths is fixed.”