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Lismore build to rent homes take shape

The Minns Labor Government is well on the way to delivering more secure rental housing for East Lismore with 50 new build to rent homes now rising out of the ground.

Construction has progressed rapidly since breaking ground in November. With foundations now laid, the focus has shifted to the main building structures. 

The project is the first of its kind in the region and is being delivered by the NSW Government’s developer, Landcom. Importantly, more than 20 percent of the homes will be dedicated to affordable housing for residents on low-to-moderate incomes.

The development will boost Lismore’s housing diversity by offering a range of floorplans – from studios to three-bedroom apartments – to suit different lifestyle needs. Residents will be close to shops, schools, Southern Cross University, and local parklands.

Under the build-to-rent model, the NSW Government will retain ownership of the property, to ensure long-term rental security, with the site managed by a specialist operator.

Weather permitting construction is expected to be complete by late 2026. Planning is also progressing for the adjoining site redevelopment, which will unlock at least 400 additional homes for the Lismore community.

The Development Application for Stage 1 (100 homes) is expected to be lodged with Lismore City Council before the end of March 2026. This broader precinct will feature a variety of housing options, including specific lots designed to accommodate homes relocated through the buyback auction program.

The regional Build-to-rent program was funded in the Minns Labor Government’s first budget and is also building 60 new build-to-rent homes on the NSW South Coast.

This Regional Build-to-Rent program builds on the Minns Labor Government’s recent reforms to speed up the delivery of more homes and make housing more secure for regional NSW, including:

  • The Pre-sale Finance Guarantee to get housing construction underway faster.
  • The development of the NSW Pattern Book and accelerated planning pathway for those who use the pre-approved patterns.
  • A $6.6 billion investment in social and affordable housing in NSW.
  • Once in a generation reforms to the State’s planning legislation.
  • Greater protections for renters including a cap on rent rises, banning no-grounds evictions and a crackdown on real estate agents.

This is all part of the Minns Government’s plan to build a better NSW with more homes and services, so people have somewhere to live and in the communities they choose.

For more information about Lismore please visit:  https://landcom.com.au/eastlismore

Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:

“The availability and affordability of housing is one of the biggest issues facing NSW residents, and Lismore and the wider Northern Rivers region are doing it particularly tough.

“Projects like this designed specifically for renters help fill a gap in the housing market, opening up a mix of smaller homes suitable for different lifestyles.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“The Lismore build to rent project is a great example of the Minns Labor Government delivering new housing options for Lismore in a way the community has never seen before.

“Once complete each of these apartments will provide a secure home that is close to shops, services, education and open space.”

Minister for the North Coast and Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said:

“It is fantastic to see these 50 new homes literally rising out of the ground, delivering beautifully designed, modern apartments in a prime location safely above the flood zone.

“The Lismore community has shown incredible resilience, but we are building back better by ensuring our residents have access to the affordable, secure, and resilient housing they deserve for the future.”

Landcom CEO Alex Wendler said:

“Landcom is making homes happen for the people of Lismore.

“As Landcom marks 50 years of delivering housing for NSW, we’re proud to see strong momentum with our projects in the Northern Rivers which will deliver diverse and affordable housing where it’s needed.”

Foundations laid for Batemans Bay Community Health facility

Construction of the new Batemans Bay Community Health project has reached a significant milestone with the major concrete pour completed, setting the foundations for the new health facility.

The Minns Labor Government is investing $20 million to deliver a modern and purpose-built community health service to support communities across the Batemans Bay area.

The new health facility will be located on the existing Batemans Bay Hospital site next to the Medicare Urgent Care Clinic, providing the community with convenient access to both health services.

Approximately 30 concrete trucks were used to deliver 200 cubic metres of concrete to the site to complete the pour, which paves the way for construction of the building’s framework.

Batemans Bay Community Health Service will provide improved access to a range of health services in one location, including:

  • Allied health services
  • Child, youth and family services
  • Women’s health and sexual health services
  • Community nursing, wound management
  • Palliative care
  • Aboriginal health services
  • Alcohol and other drugs services
  • Specialist outpatient clinics
  • Pathology

Construction for the new health facility is expected to be completed in late 2026.

Batemans Bay Hospital will continue to provide healthcare services for the community while the Batemans Bay Community Health and the new $330 million Eurobodalla Regional Hospital are being built. Every effort is being made to minimise disruption to residents, staff, patients and visitors.  

The Minns Labor Government is also investing $24 million to attract and retain healthcare workers in Southern NSW by delivering more key health worker housing.

This investment is part of a broader $200.1 million Key Health Worker Accommodation program that is delivering housing for staff across NSW.

The community will continue to be updated about the redevelopment’s progress with information available on the project website.  

To find out more visit www.hinfra.health.nsw.gov.au/projects/project-search/batemans-bay-healthcare-facility or contact the project team on 1300 391 949 or at HI-BatemansBayhealth@health.nsw.gov.au

Regional Health, Ryan Park:   

“This is a significant step forward in delivering world-class health facilities and services for communities across the south coast.

“The new Batemans Bay Community Health service will use the latest technology and models of care to deliver a range of out of hospital community health services in one convenient location.

“We are investing in the health services this growing region needs. Once complete, the Batemans Bay Community Health facility and the new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital will provide care for south coast communities for generations to come.

Member for Bega Dr Michael Holland: 

“Batemans Bay Community Health is being planned and designed to work together with the new $330 million Eurobodalla Regional Hospital, as part of the networked Eurobodalla Health Service, to provide the community with greater access to healthcare, closer to home.

“The professional and caring staff at Batemans Bay Community Health are looking forward to having the latest fit-for-purpose facilities with dedicated staff areas so they can provide the best possible care to our community in an improved working environment. This is a great outcome for our patients, our staff and our community” 

Minns Labor Government drops the ball on public schools

The Minns Labor Government’s chronic failures on public education were on full display at today’s Budget Estimates hearings.
 
Under the Minns Labor Government, school enrolments have fallen every year. This repeats the overall fall over the 16 years of the previous Labor Government, compared with an overall increase that occurred under Liberal-National Governments.
 
While the Minns Labor Government has a 2034 target for public schools’ share of enrolments, it failed today to rule out further falls in the next few years and, worryingly, could cite no interim targets to address the ongoing decline.
 
The Government is in denial about causes of the decline in public school enrolments. Despite the best efforts of hard-working teachers, in a cost-of-living crisis – parents are increasingly choosing to pay for private education, concerned about the quality of education, student outcomes, classroom behaviour and discipline.
 
The Government has trumpeted its “Inspire high potential and gifted education” program as one solution. However, it’s clear this is mere window dressing. Instead, it’s a piecemeal “program”,  with only eight schools having extension classes, and many, if not most schools, missing out on having any academic enrichment offerings at all and no guarantee of the scale or nature of any offering at any public school.
 
Amidst massive, planned population increases through its transport-oriented developments (TODs), there is also no vision for essential school infrastructure, with the government. However, it has failed failing to identify and secure any new school sites. The Government has also not done other essential work, failing so far to do schools modelling and allocation of funds for increased enrolments.
 
Failing to plan is planning to fail. The Minns Labor Government is failing NSW students and families by neglecting the basic planning necessary to make the right investments in education to ensure a world-class education system.

Appeal to locate missing teen – Telarah

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a teenage boy missing from the Newcastle area.
Callum Schonewille, aged 15, was last seen in Telarah on 18 February 2026.
Unable to be located or contacted, officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District were notified on Monday 20 February 2026 and officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.
Inquiries revealed Callum may have been at a chemist on Beaumont Street, Hamilton, about 8:45am on Monday 9 March 2026.
Police hold concerns for Callum’s welfare due to his age.
Callum is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 160cm tall, of slim build, with light brown hair and a blonde rats tail and mullet.
He was last seen wearing a black t-shirt, black shorts, black slides, black socks, black jumper with TUPAC logo and carrying a black satchel bag.
Callum is believed to frequent the Telarah, Maitland, Edgeworth, Charlestown, Windale and Campsie areas.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au/ Information is managed on a confidential basis. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages

“Sweep it under the rug”: Whistleblowers allege cover-ups and intimidation at Newcastle’s Calvary Mater Hospital

Allegations that serious risks were downplayed or concealed at the Calvary Mater and that workers who flagged concerns were threatened or pushed out of their roles have been revealed as part of a submission to an inquiry into the hospital’s management.

In its submission to the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into management, maintenance and operational issues at the Calvary Mater Hospital, the Health Services Union has included staff reports of a “sweep it under the rug” culture as part of the private maintenance contract which the Novacare consortium is responsible for.

After years of failures under the Public Private Partnership model, the HSU is using its submission to call for a full review of the contract compliance and greater accountability and transparency amongst the public private arrangements in the state health system.

Staff have been reporting issues with the hospital maintenance going back almost a decade. Whistleblowers have revealed they were pressured to water down findings of failings, and that some quality and performance reports were altered to downplay the seriousness of safety risks,” HSU Secretary Gerard Hayes said.

Our members have reported facing intimidation and harassment, including being threatened with the loss of their job if they escalated concerns. It’s disturbing behaviour from a contractor that puts profit over people, creating unsafe conditions for staff and patients.

HSU members are working at full capacity at Calvary Mater. They simply want to come to work and deliver the best and safest services possible to the community, but the current environment is preventing them from doing that” Gerard Hayes said.

Maintenance failures have been well reported at the hospital, ranging from mould to potable water issues. HSU’s submission highlights rectification of the potable water issue at the hospital was delayed on cost grounds, with SafeWork and the Health Minister eventually stepping in to take over control of critical repair works.

Public Private Partnerships put staff and the public at risk and undermine trust. By allowing companies to make a profit from our public health facilities, everyone except those companies loses,” Gerard Hayes said.

HSU has used its submission to urge the state government to launch an independent investigation into the alleged bullying, harassment and reported retaliation by Honeywell, (part of the Novarcare consortium and responsible for “hard facilities management”) and Novacare management, including providing protections for current and former workers what have raised concerns.

It also calls for the maintenance and rectification works claimed by Novacare to be independently audited, and to fully assess the building’s conditions, as well as creating a safe and accessible escalation pathway for healthcare workers to report unsafe conditions without compromising their jobs.

Albanese Government invests $176 million in new fleet of Australian-made uncrewed vessels

The Albanese Government will strengthen Australia’s maritime security with a $176 million investment to deliver 40 new Australian-designed and built Bluebottle uncrewed surface vessels (USV) – one of the world’s largest sovereign USV fleets.

Announced today, the contract with Ocius Technology expands Navy’s operational fleet to 55 Bluebottles, significantly boosting long-range intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability across Australia’s vast maritime domain.

This investment will create 50 jobs at Ocius’ new advanced manufacturing facility in Sydney, supported by a second production site in the NSW Hunter region and an extensive Australian supply chain. Further opportunities for small and medium Australian businesses will be generated as production scales. 

The Bluebottle, developed in partnership with Navy and initially funded through the Defence Innovation Hub, is a long-endurance USV powered by solar, wind and wave energy. It provides persistent surface and sub-surface surveillance, can carry payloads and operates as part of a teamed, integrated maritime force.  

Increasing Bluebottle capability delivers a sovereign, persistent and scalable capability, supporting a key priority identified in the Albanese Government’s National Defence Strategy. 

Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Richard Marles MP

“The Bluebottle is an innovative platform designed, developed and manufactured right here in Australia. This is an excellent example of Defence and industry working together to deliver cutting-edge capability.  

“The Albanese Government’s investment in Ocius Technology and their Bluebottle USV has accelerated the delivery of the autonomous systems for Navy.

“Over the next five years and beyond, Bluebottle will monitor Australia’s maritime approaches and strengthen Defence’s ability to protect our national security interests.”

Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Pat Conroy MP

“With this investment the Albanese Government is backing Aussie ingenuity while creating highly skilled, well-paid jobs for locals. We are investing right now to uplift our sovereign defence industry. 

“With this world-leading technology, we are able to increase surveillance of Australia’s northern approaches and respond to increasing maritime threats.

“Accelerated development of autonomous capabilities will be fundamental as we navigate this new era of global uncertainty.”

Travel to Indonesia

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, will travel to Jakarta, Indonesia this week for a Defence Ministers’ Meeting with Indonesian Minister of Defence, His Excellency Gen (ret) Dr Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin.

Indonesia is one of Australia’s closest and most important partners. Our relationship is built on friendship, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to peace and security in the region.

The Defence Ministers’ Meeting will build on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s visit to Jakarta last month to sign the Australia‑Indonesia Treaty on Common Security, which reflects the close friendship, partnership and deep trust between Australia and Indonesia. 

It will also give Ministers the opportunity to progress the historic Defence Cooperation Agreement, signed by Australia and Indonesia in August 2024. 

Through this agreement, Australia and Indonesia continue to enhance practical arrangements, strengthening interoperability and support increased dialogue between our defence forces. 

Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles:

“Our bilateral defence ties with Indonesia make an important contribution to our shared security, and that of the region. 

“The Defence Cooperation Agreement represents a historic step in our defence cooperation, which has been further enhanced by the recently signed Treaty on Common Security.  

“Australia is committed to working more closely than ever before with Indonesia, to support a secure and peaceful Indo-Pacific.”

Assisting Australians return home amid ongoing travel disruptions

The Albanese Government continues to support Australians affected by the ongoing regional conflict in the Middle East as limited commercial flights resume and consular efforts expand across the region.

Our first priority is keeping Australians safe and we are working around the clock to help Australians who need it.

More than 3,000 Australians have now returned home on 21 direct commercial flights and further services are scheduled in coming days.

Two flights from Dubai are scheduled to arrive in Australia this morning, with a further two due to depart this afternoon. A flight from Doha is also scheduled to depart this evening.

Airports and airlines have advised that the overwhelming majority of Australian passengers stranded while transiting through the Middle East have now departed.

While airspace restrictions and intermittent closures around major transit hubs continue to cause delays and cancellations, commercial flights remain the fastest option for Australians to leave the Middle East.

We understand these are difficult decisions for Australians who live and work in the Middle East and we encourage those who do wish to leave to do so now on commercial flights.

Major airlines have extended their refund and free rebooking windows to assist passengers whose flights have been impacted.

Limited outbound commercial flights have begun to operate from Ben Gurion International airport in Israel and commercial flights continue to operate from Rafic Hariri International Airport in Lebanon.

The Government advises Australians if they can secure a commercial flight or other transport to leave Lebanon, and it is safe to travel to the departure point, they should consider doing so.

With airports closed in Kuwait and Bahrain, Australian officials are working with our partners on bus transportation to Riyadh enabling passengers to continue their journey on commercial flights.

Our ability to provide consular assistance in Iran is extremely limited.

Any Australians in Iran should prioritise their safety, monitor events and shelter in place during strikes.

We urge them to consider all available options to depart if it’s safe to do so.

The 24/7 DFAT Crisis Centre remains activated, and the crisis registration portal is open for Australians in Bahrain, Iran, Israel, Kuwait, Qatar, Lebanon, and the United Arab Emirates.

We continue to advise Do Not Travel to most destinations in the Middle East.

Australians requiring urgent consular assistance can contact the 24/7 Consular Emergency Centre on 1300 555 135 (within Australia) or +61 2 6261 3305 (from overseas).

Labor Government refuse to support Greens motion in the Senate calling for action to combat rising Islamophobia

March 15 is the seventh anniversary of the Christchurch mosque massacre, where an Australian white supremacist killed 51 Muslims and it marks the International Day against Islamophobia. Today, in the wake of rising Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hate in this country, Senator Faruqi attempted to to move a motion marking the day and calling for action on rising Islamophobia, but was shutdown by Labor and the Coalition

On the weekend, a man stormed an Iftar organised by the Ballarat Muslim community and threw abuse and punches. He was asked by police to move on. He was not charged. Just recently, a white supremacist was arrested in Western Australia for planning a terrorist attack on mosques in Perth, after allegedly stockpiling weapons and ammunition. Mosques and Islamic schools across this country are receiving violent threats and Muslim women continue to bear the brunt, as they are abused and assaulted.

Instead of supporting the motion, the Labor Government shut down debate and used it as another opportunity to attack the Greens, rather than take action.

Senator Faruqi, Deputy Leader of the Greens and spokesperson for Anti-Racism:

“The Christchurch mosque massacre should have been a turning point that forced this country to confront its own racism, but the reckoning never came.

“The Labor Government couldn’t even bring themselves to support a motion that condemns Islamophobia and calls for action. Instead, they shut down debate while whitesplaining a Muslim woman and attacking the Greens.

“Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hate has become more normalised, more emboldened, and more dangerous. Instead of confronting this hate, politicians and the media continue to inflame and legitimise it.

“The ideology that fuelled the Christchurch terrorist was built over decades of Islamophobia. Decades of Muslims being portrayed as dangerous. Decades of politicians and the media telling us that Muslims are a threat to the so-called ‘Australian way of life’.

“Instead of distorting, diminishing and dehumanising Muslims and our religion, the Labor government should stop their dog-whistle politics, stand unequivocally against Islamophobia and protect Muslims, but they couldn’t even find it in their hearts to support the Greens motion.”

Greens introduce Bill to require Parliament to vote before sending Australians to war

The Greens today will introduce a Bill that will require both Houses of Parliament to vote before the Australian Defence Force can be sent overseas to engage in warlike actions.

War power reform bills have been proposed by the Greens for over 20 years, and have been routinely rejected by the Liberal and Labor parties. With Australia being sent into another illegal US war, without any democratic debate or input, the Greens today are reintroducing the Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Approval of Overseas Service) Bill, introduced by Senator Jordon Steele-John in 2020.

There is widespread community support for this reform, including a 2023 poll that found 90% of Australians support war powers reform, to enforce a Parliamentary vote before the deployment of troops.

The announcement from the Albanese Labor Government to send 85 military personnel, including an RAAF E-7A Wedgetail aircraft, to the Gulf and medium-range air-to-air missiles, into the conflict shows Australia has been fully dragged into another US forever war. This decision was made in a closed room by a handful of Labor cabinet members and zero parliamentary or public engagement or consent.

Senator Larissa Waters, Australian Greens leader said: “Labor’s Defence Minister finally revealed the truth last night about Donald Trump’s pressure for Australian deployment. Trump has been pressuring Australia to join his illegal war in the Middle East – it’s Trump calling the shots, and the Labor party is following.

“Albanese’s unquestioning support for Trump and Netenyahu’s illegal war shows why Australians deserve a say before their families are sent to war.

“Australians don’t want war. They weren’t asked if they back this illegal war. Parliament doesn’t get a say. Even the Labor backbench is reportedly unhappy. The only person that Albanese seems to listen to is Trump.

“We cannot allow a handful of the executives behind closed doors to take us to war, endangering civilians and putting Australian lives at risk whenever the US asks.
“Sending service members overseas without parliamentary approval risks unnecessary bloodshed. It undermines the accountability our veterans, their families and the people deserve.

“War will never deliver peace. Instead, civilians suffer, troops die, and the world becomes less stable. Parliament must be a counterweight to our government’s drive to appease Trump, Netanyahu, and others like them.

“The War Parties have fought against this because they know the public doesn’t want war – but the Green will keep pushing for this.”

Senator David Shoebridge, Greens spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, said: “Australia has joined another illegal US war, and the public got no say. That democratic failing is what this bill seeks to urgently address.

“We cannot have a handful of MPs from one of the war parties in the Commonwealth Parliament to send Australian troops into a string of US forever wars with no oversight and no public interest.

“Australians are outraged that after Iraq, after Afghanistan, the Australian military has been sent back to the Middle East as part of a US-Israeli illegal war. The Albanese Government has seen the decades of bloodshed and pain the US has caused across the Middle East, and signed us up for more.

“Australia’s defence and foreign policy elite are addicted to secrecy and hate the public having any say. AUKUS was decided in secret and AUKUS has driven us into this war. Democracy must not stop at the Foreign Minister’s office.

“War will not help the Iranian people, it will cause untold pain across the region, make the world a more dangerous place and all done without the consent of the Australian people. It’s time that changed, and time democracy got a chance to save us from the next illegal US war.”