16 News

The Minns Labor Government is releasing the next batch of flood-affected homes for sale across the Northern Rivers, following an overwhelming community response to the first three home relocation auctions.

To date, 70 flood-affected properties, bought by the Government, through the $880 million Resilient Homes Program, have been sold and will be relocated to flood-free land by the new owner.

Most buyers to date have been locals, with purchase prices ranging from $347 to $200,000.

This next release includes an additional 10 buyback homes from South and North Lismore and Girards Hill going to auction at the Lismore Heights Sports Club from 5.30pm on 17 September 2025.  A further 12 buyback homes will go to auction on 7 October 2025.

There is no reserve price on these houses, meaning bidding can start and end at $1, making it one of the most accessible housing opportunities in Australia. Successful bidders will have 12 months to relocate the houses to flood-free land.

As Australia’s largest climate adaptation initiative, the jointly funded Resilient Homes Program is creating safer communities by removing flood-prone homes from the floodplain.

Around 1600 homeowners in the flood-prone areas of the Northern Rivers may be eligible to raise, retrofit or have their home voluntarily bought back under the Program.

The Minns Labor Government remains firmly committed to reusing and relocating as many flood-affected homes as possible.

More details on the homes up for auction, including photos can be found at:  https://www.walmurray.com.au/pages/real-estate/ra-auction-houses

Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin said:
“The demand from the public is there, and we want to make as many homes as possible available, so people can relocate them to a safer area.

“For some people, this is the ultimate renovation project. For others, it’s the ultimate reset: a fresh start for the house and a fresh start for the person who takes it on.

“This is about making the most of existing housing infrastructure – and it helps preserve the unique character of our region while helping people move to safer places.

“We are steamrolling the selling of these houses as we want to get houses off the flood plains and give them a new lease of life in a different, safer location.”

NSW Reconstruction Authority CEO Mal Lanyon said:
“The Resilient Homes Program is one of the most ambitious initiatives undertaken after a disaster in Australia.

“Through the buyback process, we’re removing homes from the floodplain and creating new opportunities by making some of these available for relocation.

“These auctions are helping to give homes a second life while contributing to a safer, stronger and more resilient Northern River.”

Construction of a $41 million upgrade at Bomaderry High School is progressing ahead of schedule, with students set to benefit from a new school building three months earlier than planned as the Minns Labor Government continues to rebuild public education in NSW.

A new Technological and Applied Studies building will open on Day 1 Term 4 this year, and includes three new state-of-the-art classrooms as well as three new workshops for woodwork, metalwork, and food technology.

As well as the new building, other upgrades underway at Bomaderry High School include the refurbishment of 46 existing classrooms and the installation of a new vocational education kitchen.

Refurbishment works to two other buildings, including two new lifts improving accessibility, have already been completed and are being used by students.

The designs and business case for the upgrades were completed by the Minns Labor Government in early 2024, with the contract awarded in July last year.

The former Liberal-National Government neglected schools along the South Coast for over a decade, leaving regional communities without much-needed schools and teachers to work in them.

Despite the Liberals promising an upgrade of Bomaderry High School in 2021, like countless other schools they failed to deliver this upgrade. No contracts or plans were finalised and no work had been started on the site.

Since coming to office in 2023, the Minns Labor Government has been working hard to rebuild school services across the Kiama electorate. We know there is still a lot more work to do, but in the past two years we have:

• Reduced teacher vacancies by 96 per cent, with schools in the Kiama electorate beginning Term 3 2025 with just one permanent teacher vacancy, down from 27 at the same time in 2022 under the former Liberal-National Government.
• Funded and planned a new primary school and public preschool in Calderwood, opening Day 1 Term 1 2028.
• Awarded the contract for a new public preschool to be built at Bomaderry Public School, part of the Minns Labor Government’s 100 public preschools program.
• Delivered a new nature playground at Minnamurra Public School.

These upgrades are being delivered at part of the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to deliver better schools for NSW students, with the 2025-26 Budget delivering a record $9 billion for school infrastructure, including $2.1 billion for new and upgraded schools in regional NSW.

This follows the government’s delivery of more teachers. We have reduced teacher vacancies by 61 per cent across the state, resulting in the number of cancelled classes in NSW nearly halving since the Minns Labor Government took office.

Premier of NSW Chris Minns said:

“We’re delivering more teachers in classrooms while also delivering world class schools right here in the Shoalhaven, so every kid has access to a world class education.

“Despite this project being promised by the former government in 2021, when we were elected not one shovel had been put in the ground, designs hadn’t been finalised, and contracts hadn’t been awarded.

“We know there is more work to be done but we are getting on with the job of delivering on the things that matter for the Kiama region.

“If the community elect Katelin on Saturday I know she will be an unrelenting advocate inside the Minns Labor Government ensuring her community, local schools and students get their fair share.

“As the son of a public-school teacher, I know schools are the lifeblood of regional communities, and we want teachers and students to have access to high quality schools no matter where they learn.”

Acting Minister for Education and Early Learning Courtney Houssos said:

“As a parent and former local student, Katelin understands the importance of our local public schools. Katelin is already advocating for how we can continue to rebuild public education for families along the South Coast.

“The Minns Labor Government, with the leadership of Deputy Premier Prue Car, is committed to building better communities, and investing in essential infrastructure including our public schools.

“A vote for Katelin tomorrow is a vote for a strong voice inside the Minns Labor Government, ensuring your children continue to learn in world class local public schools.”

Labor candidate for Kiama Katelin McInerney said:

“I grew up in the Shoalhaven and am now raising my young family here so I understand the importance of making sure we provide local students with a high-quality public education.

“The Minns Labor Government has delivered for Kiama since forming government, but I know there is more work to do.

“I will make sure that we continue to deliver the critical infrastructure and services that our community needs and relies on.”

Bomaderry High School Principal Ian Morris said:

“The new building will provide a modern, well-equipped environment where students can develop practical skills and prepare for future study, training and careers.

“It’s exciting to see this level of support for regional education, and our school community looks forward to the building opening at the beginning of Term 4.”

Since its establishment by the Minns Labor Government in February 2025, the NSW Rental Taskforce has recovered more than $166,000 in unlawful fees for more than 2,000 renters, issued more than 200 penalty notices totalling just shy of $240,000, and conducted 300 property inspections to check compliance with minimum standards.

During that time, the Taskforce also commenced more than 300 investigations, with more than 80 currently ongoing and three court proceedings resulting in the successful prosecution of two people for rental bond fraud.

To mark the six months since its inception, the NSW Rental Taskforce is unveiling a new automated compliance monitoring tool which detects unlawful re-letting in near real time.

The system began operating in July and uses advanced data-matching to track more than 950,000 rental properties across NSW, cross-referencing landlord reports, rental listings, bond lodgements and tenant complaints.

It is a crucial tool to enforce the Minns Labor Government’s historic rental reforms which started on 19 May 2025. We have ended ‘no grounds’ evictions by requiring landlords to have a valid reason to end a lease. The reforms are backed by evidence requirements and re-letting exclusion periods to ensure people are doing the right thing.

In its first two months, the tool flagged 21 potential breaches of re-letting exclusion periods which were escalated for further investigation, while more than 2000 properties were added to a watchlist for ongoing compliance monitoring.

The intelligence-led approach ensures resources are focused on the highest-risk cases while reducing the burden on compliant landlords and agents, forming part of a broader suite of data-driven initiatives introduced by NSW Fair Trading to strengthen transparency and accountability in the rental market.

This includes mandatory landlord reporting on reasons they have ended a lease, end-of-tenancy surveys integrated into the bond claim process, and the popular Rent Check website, which has attracted more than 330,000 visits since launching in September 2024.

Education has also been a key focus, with renter awareness of their rights and new laws rising from 33 per cent to 80 per cent during the corresponding education campaign period, bolstered by almost 60 stakeholder events, targeted outreach to Aboriginal and multicultural communities and a surge in website traffic from 35,000 to 330,000 monthly visits.

The Government has invested $8.4 million across four years to strengthen compliance and enforcement in the rental market though the Rental Taskforce in NSW Fair Trading.

Led by the NSW Rental Commissioner, the 21-person multidisciplinary team includes 14 frontline inspectors dedicated to monitoring and enforcing rental laws, improving transparency, and protecting renters.

NSW Fair Trading is committed to protecting renters and ensuring a fair, transparent rental market through strong enforcement and education so to learn more about its compliance and enforcement priorities, please visit: www.nsw.gov.au/fair-trading/compliance-priorities

Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“The Taskforce’s results in the first six months speak for themselves – from refunding over $166,000 in illegal fees, to issuing nearly $240,000 in fines, to driving 99 per cent compliance on rent bidding and pet advertising, it is delivering real benefits for renters across the state.

“We’re using data and innovation to make compliance easier for honest operators while cracking down on those who break the rules. This is about creating a fairer, more transparent rental market for everyone in NSW.

“This new automated tool ensures landlords and agents follow the law by harnessing technology to detect unlawful re-letting in real time so swift action can be taken to protect renters from unfair practices.”

NSW Rental Commissioner Trina Jones said:

“NSW Fair Trading’s intelligence-led approach means the highest-risk breaches are targeted quickly and effectively, rather than relying on complaints alone. This is smarter regulation in action.

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

“With more than 2200 properties under active monitoring and only 1.1 per cent requiring investigation, instruments like the re-letting tool mean as regulators we can have a greater focus on problem areas without burdening compliant landlords and agents.”

Millions of people who arrive at Sydney Airport each year will have the confidence they are getting a fair ride to the CBD, with the introduction of a $60 flat rate taxi fare.

The Minns Labor Government is introducing a trial of fixed fares between the airport and the city as part of measures to crackdown on taxi rip-offs that blight the experience of landing in Sydney for many tourists and visitors.

A trial of a flat fare from the airport was recommended by the pricing watchdog, the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal, in its report into taxi fares in May.

The NSW taxi industry and the operators of the airport support a flat fare structure.  

The NSW Point to Point Commission has received frequent complaints of taxi drivers taking advantage of first-time arrivals to Sydney, with hotel concierges livid to find out their guests have been slugged wildy-overpriced fares of more than $150 for the 13-kilometre trip.

The practice of overcharging and refusing to use meters has even led to drivers touting for business inside the arrivals hall at the airport.

The Point to Point Commissioner has issued more than 1,100 fines to taxi drivers since the introduction of the Taxi Fare Hotline in November 2022.

Earlier in the year, a Sydney cabbie was fined $2000 for refusing to use the meter and landing an overseas family with a $188.76 fare from the international terminal to a hotel in the CBD.

Flat fares have been introduced in other major cities, including New York’s JFK Airport.

A $60 fixed fare from the airport to the CBD will begin with a 12-month trial from 3 November. The trial will be assessed and made permanent if deemed a success.

A November start date allows for the installation of signage around the airport, a communication campaign to passengers and changes to meters inside cabs.

Road tolls and Sydney Airport ground transport access fees must NOT be passed on to the passenger in addition to the fixed fare.

Up to 5000 taxis a day queue to pick up visitors from the international and domestic terminals and some drivers complain about the wait times.

During consultation interviews, IPART found customer complaints centred around overcharging and refusal to use the meter, as well as a range of unexpected charges added to the fare at the end of the journey.

Minister for Transport John Graham said:

“As Australians, we pride ourselves on a warm welcome and a fair go. This has not been the experience for many visitors to Sydney once they land in the cab rank.

“One bad experience for tourists can ricochet around the world in 2025 and we must be vigilant about maintaining the good image Sydney has earned over decades.

“It’s time for a fair fare, every time.”

“I want to thank IPART for its work and the support of the NSW Taxi Council and Sydney Airport for helping us make a positive change.”

Point to Point Transport Commissioner Anthony Wing said:

“This is about building trust in taxi services and delivering a consistent, predictable experience for all passengers – including tourists and travellers on business arriving in Sydney for the first time.

“This trial will help up us stop overcharging before it happens, and will complement the work of my on-street inspectors in helping make sure every ride is a safe ride in NSW”

“I recently called a meeting of taxi companies and meter and payment device providers to work through the trial’s technical details in order to make it as robust as possible. I am pleased that we are able to come together with Government and industry to improve outcomes for NSW passengers”

Sydney Airport CEO Scott Charlton said:

“The fixed fare trial puts Sydney on par with cities like New York and Paris and is an important step in improving the passenger experience for travellers to our city.

“More than 40 million people pass through Sydney Airport every year, and, for many, their first experience of Australia is when they get into a taxi.  Knowing how much they will pay to get to the city is a positive step.

“We welcome the leadership of Minister Graham and the NSW Government, and acknowledge the collaboration of the NSW Taxi Council and the Point to Point Transport Commissioner in making this trial possible.”

NSW Taxi Council CEO Nick Abrahimsaid:

“The NSW Taxi Council welcomes this announcement by the NSW Government, and we believe set fares will provide certainty and confidence for passengers when travelling in a taxi from the Airport. 

“Pending the success of the trial, we would like to see the set fares extended to other locations across Sydney, as well as reciprocated for trips coming back to the Airport.

The Minns Labor Government and Inner West Councillors are today announcing an agreement to partner on rezoning along the Parramatta Road corridor that could deliver around 8,000 new homes close to the CBD.

The proposed rezoning would cover the section of Parramatta Road within the Inner West Local Government Area, complementing work already underway with Inner West Council, Burwood and Canada Bay Council.

This transport corridor which is serviced by a significant number of bus, light rail and train routes is close to the Sydney CBD with direct access to major hospitals including Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, a number of local public schools with existing capacity and green space.

Throughout the rezoning process affordable housing, active transport connections, new open space, retail and commercial opportunities, as well as improvements to the public domain will all be examined.

Sydney is the second least affordable city in the world, with house prices having significantly outstripped wage growth over the last two decades and a NSW Productivity Commission report warning that Sydney is at risk of becoming a city without grandchildren as NSW is losing twice as many young people as it gains each year.

The Minns Labor Government has been leading the way with bold plans to deliver more housing for young people and families who have been locked out of desperately needed new homes

This builds on previous work from the Minns Government to increase homes along the Parramatta Road transport corridor including:

• 8 projects along Parramatta Road that have been declared State Significant through the Housing Delivery Authority and the Infill Affordable Housing Bonus which could deliver 3,968 homes, including affordable housing.
• Three sites from the government land audit, which will deliver around 800 homes, including social and key worker housing.
• A Transport Oriented Development Accelerated Precinct and state-led rezoning at Homebush and North Burwood which combined will deliver up to 33,000 homes.
• And 11 Low and Mid-Rise sites along the length of the corridor.

This has been further supported by once in a generation reforms introduced by the Minns Labor Government to build more well-located homes for young people and families including the largest rezoning in NSW history and delivering the largest investment in social and affordable housing in the state’s history at $6.6 billion.

The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure will work with council and the relevant State government agencies to progress the rezoning. There are no compulsory acquisitions proposed as part of this plan.

Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns:

“Parramatta Road has been talked about for decades with little result. It’s time to stop talking and start building.  What will transform this major corridor is more homes for people to revitalise this area. That’s what’s needed to deliver more vibrancy to one of our city’s most important corridors.

“We know Sydney is facing a housing crisis. That’s why my Government is working with councils like the Inner West to get homes built faster, and in places with existing services and infrastructure.

“We’re not just planning for more homes, we’re planning for better communities, with more affordable housing, better streetscapes and public spaces, and access to jobs and transport.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully:

“Parramatta Road needs more homes and jobs in vibrant communities. It’s a major transport corridor that connects so many communities to the city but it can be so much than a tired thoroughfare.

“By working closely with Inner West Council, we’ll make sure planning reflects the needs of local communities while providing the new homes Sydney so desperately needs.”

Member for Summer Hill Jo Haylen said:

“For too long Parramatta Road has been a missed opportunity to deliver more homes for young people and families.

“Today we are making real changes to deliver housing solutions that reflect our values—affordability, sustainability, and liveability, on a key transport link with buses to the city every 1-5 minutes in the peak.

“This partnership shows what’s possible when councils and government collaborate to tackle Sydney’s housing crisis head-on.”

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne said:

“Our Inner West community wants to see more desperately needed new homes delivered and local people are telling us that the Parramatta Road corridor is the right location for higher residential densities.

“By partnering with the Government to build more homes on Parramatta Road we can give more of our young people and essential workers a place to live in the Inner West, and make sure that increased density is distributed fairly across our whole community.