Making home ownership more achievable is one step closer with an online calculator now available to help eligible NSW first home buyers choose between a small annual property payment or paying a bigger upfront stamp duty.
Under First Home Buyer Choice, eligible first home buyers will have the choice of a smaller annual property payment or a traditional upfront payment for properties with a purchase price of up to $1.5 million.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said choice was central to this game-changing reform and will help put keys in the hands of more new home owners sooner by shaving years off the time it takes them to save for a deposit.
“Home ownership is the investment that starts paying dividends from the moment you walk through your front door for the first time and we don’t want people to have to wait an extra couple of years to reap those benefits,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Choice is at the heart of these game-changing reforms that will put keys in the hands of new home owners much sooner and allow young people to capitalise on the financial security that home ownership delivers.”
Treasurer Matt Kean said the First Home Buyer Choice calculator will help first home buyers decide for themselves which pathway to home ownership best suits their financial circumstances and personal aspirations.
“Treasury analysis indicates half of all owner-occupiers sell their home within 10.5 years, with first home buyers likely to sell even sooner. That means for the majority of first home buyers that don’t already receive stamp duty assistance, First Home Buyer Choice will not only allow them to break into the property market earlier, but pay less overall,” Mr Kean said.
“First Home Buyer Choice will help young families take their goals of home-ownership into their own hands and fast-track their journey to the great Australian dream.”
Finance Minister Damien Tudehope said the calculator was an important tool that would make it easy for first home buyers to make the decision that was right for them.
“When you own your own home, you own a stake in our nation, and the First Home Buyer Choice will help more young people across NSW do exactly that,” Mr Tudehope said.
“The calculator is easy to use and will find the land value of eligible properties under $1.5 million to calculate the options.”
Legislation for the First Home Buyer Choice, which was announced in the 2022-23 NSW Budget as part of the Government’s integrated $2.8 billion housing package, will soon be introduced into Parliament.
For more information on the First Home Buyer Choice, go to https://www.nsw.gov.au/initiative/first-home-buyer-choice
To view the calculator, go to
https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/calculate-your-property-tax
Month: October 2022
Record school building program continues
Thousands of students across NSW are settling into new classrooms and learning facilities for the first time today as more school upgrades have been completed for the start of Term 4.
Six schools are the latest to benefit from the NSW Government’s multi-billion school building program, with Glenmore Park High School students celebrating the official opening of its new performing arts and learning centre with Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell and Member for Mulgoa Tanya Davies.
Ms Mitchell said it was great to see Glenmore Park High School and other schools benefiting from the NSW Government historic investment in school infrastructure.
“We have seen the delivery of 23 new and upgraded schools since the start of this year, with more than $1 billion invested in these project. More than any other government in Australia,” Ms Mitchell said.
“It is great to be at Glenmore Park High School to officially open their new facility, which I know students and the wider community are excited to use.
“We have delivered six upgraded schools for Term 4, despite the challenges of weather and COVID, and I am committed to making sure every student no matter where they live in NSW has access to a high-quality school.”
Mrs Davies said the Glenmore Park High School community is thrilled to open the new multi-million-dollar facility.
“This investment in delivering a new performing arts centre which can cater up to 400 people and is absolutely amazing,” Mrs Davis said.
“ I am proud to be delivering on my election commitment, this is an incredible artistic and creative learning space for students of Western Sydney and I look forward to coming to a production in the new centre, but also see the current and future students enjoy access to this world class facility.”
School projects delivered for Day 1, Term 4 2022 include:
- Glenmore Park High School – upgrade
- Milperra Public School – upgrade
- Monaro High School – upgrade
- Samuel Gilbert Public School – upgrade
- Stanwell Park Public School – upgrade
- Wentworthville Public School – upgrade
The NSW Government is investing $8.6 billion in school infrastructure over the next four years, continuing its program to deliver 160 new and upgraded schools to support communities across NSW. This builds on the more than $9.1 billion invested in projects delivered since 2017, a program of $17.7 billion in public education infrastructure.
Man charged following fire – East Maitland
A man has been charged following a house fire in East Maitland this morning.
About 5.30am (Sunday 9 October 2022), emergency services were called to Lawes Street following reports of a house fire.
Fire and Rescue NSW officers extinguished the blaze a short time later; however, the home was significantly damaged.
A 28-year-old man was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics at the scene for smoke inhalation and minor burns, before being taken to Maitland Hospital in a stable condition.
Officers from Port Stephens Hunter Police District attended and established a crime scene.
Following a search of the premises, the bodies of two cats – who were in the home at the time of the incident – were located.
Detectives commenced investigations into the incident and, following inquiries, a 44-year-old man was arrested on Raymond Terrace Road, Millers Forest.
He was taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station where he was charged with damage property by fire/explosion >$1500 and breach bail.
He was refused bail and will appear at Maitland Local Court tomorrow (Monday 10 October 2022).
Work starts on spectacular Pier Pavilion at Barangaroo South
Work has commenced on the dazzling new Pier Pavilion that will adorn the foreshore at Waterman’s Cove and become a renowned harbourside landmark.
Minister for Infrastructure Rob Stokes said the start of construction was a major milestone for the project, which will attract people from far and wide to Barangaroo.
“Sydney Harbour is synonymous with architectural beauty and the Pier Pavilion combines Australian elegance with classical influences to create a truly unique landmark at Barangaroo,” Mr Stokes said.
“It will be open year-round for people to gather and relax on Sydney’s harbourside and will be used for a broad range of programmed events to strengthen Barangaroo’s position as a world-class destination for all.
“The Pavilion will become a must-see feature along the 14-kilometre continuous foreshore walk from Woolloomooloo to Glebe, adding to the collection of incredible public spaces around our harbour.”
The structure will include a green rooftop garden with indigenous plant species and 94 columns built using oyster concrete – which is made of ground oyster shells.
The national design competition for the Pier Pavilion was won by Sydney-based architects Jessica Spresser and Peter Besley. The design – celebrating land, sea and sky – was chosen for its usability and inclusivity, timeless appeal, and relationship to its surroundings.
The Pier Pavilion is part of the NSW Government’s commitment to ensure more than half of Barangaroo is high quality and accessible public space. Early work involves preparing the site and substructure works to reinforce the existing pier, which is due for completion in early 2023. Major construction will begin in 2023.
For more information, visit https://www.barangaroo.com/building-barangaroo/barangaroo-south/pier-pavilion
Fence to commence at newest rewilding site
The newest feral-free rewilding area in NSW is one step closer to welcoming locally extinct animals into the safe-haven, with fence construction due to begin soon.
Minister for Environment James Griffin recently visited the 2,084 hectare ‘Nungatta’ site in South East Forest National Park near Bombala, which is the newest of seven feral free areas around the State.
“Construction on 24 kilometres of specially-designed predator-free fencing will begin in December. Once complete, we’ll start working to eradicate every feral predator from within it, before releasing locally extinct and threatened species that were once abundant back into Nungatta,” Mr Griffin said.
“Our recent surveys have had great results, confirming the site has loads of truffles to feed bettongs and potoroos, which haven’t been detected here for decades.
“From next year, we’re planning to reintroduce native mammals that were once abundant in this habitat, such as the long-footed potoroo, eastern bettong, smoky mouse, and eastern quoll.
“The NSW Government is establishing a network of seven feral predator-free areas across the state, making us a world leader in rewilding. Once all seven sites are complete, 65,000 hectares of national parks will be feral free and provide a significant conservation benefit for more than 50 species.”
Once established, the Nungatta site will benefit more than 20 threatened species.
Recent surveys have confirmed some threatened species like the vulnerable White-footed Dunnart are hanging on, despite the presence of foxes and cats. Feral cats alone kill more than 1.5 billion native animals nationally every year.
The ambitious conservation project will see Nungatta’s forests go back in time, and is part of the NSW Government’s commitment to wildlife restoration.
Within just three years of the NSW Government establishing three rewilding sites in national parks around the State, 10 locally extinct species are now thriving after being reintroduced to the feral-free areas.
Predator poo key to lost potoroo
A new technique is being trialled by ecologists on the NSW’s far south coast to find the elusive long-footed potoroo, and it stinks.
Minister for Environment James Griffin said scientists are searching for evidence of the critically endangered species by searching through the poo of their predators, which include cats, foxes, dingoes and quolls.
“While it’s a crap job, this new technique is also an innovative way to find out whether the long-footed potoroo is still present in the South East Forests,” Mr Griffin said.
“While we know this species inhabited forests in the State’s south-east in the early 1990’s, the long-footed potoroo has not been detected since then in NSW and we’ve never done a long-term survey to confirm whether they still exist.
“Finding long-footed potoroo DNA in predator scats would confirm the species still exists in NSW and be a huge step forward for our conservation efforts.
“With the species on the brink of extinction and traditional survey methods failing to find the animal, there has never been a better time to think outside the box and trial this detection method.”
The long-footed potoroo is one of several likely locally extinct species that will be reintroduced to the NSW Government’s Nungatta feral-free rewilding site in South East Forest National Park, near Bombala.
Not to be confused with the long-nosed potoroo, which is still found in some areas of the NSW south-east, the long-footed potoroo was last recorded through hair samples in the early 1990s.
Over the next year, scientists from the NSW Government’s Saving our Species program will collect 1,000 predator scat samples from South East Forest National Park.
They will use environmental DNA technology (eDNA) to analyse scats and confirm if the long-footed potoroo still exists in their known habitat.
This work is part of the NSW Government’s Saving our Species program, which is backed by a $175 million commitment over 10 years.
Department of Planning and Environment Senior Threatened Species Officer Dr Joss Bentley has so far collected 100 scats from the South East Forest National Park.
“I can’t say picking up poo is the most glamourous thing I have done in my career, but it’s an important new technique that may help us find species that are difficult to survey,” Dr Bentley said.
“We hope to eventually collect 1,000 scat samples and have partnered with EnviroDNA in Melbourne. We expect the results within 12 months with the best-case scenario identifying evidence of this elusive species.
“Either way the results will still give us an excellent understanding of the animals currently living in these forests and complement our existing understanding of species distribution, which will help inform the south coast’s first rewilding project.”
For more information, visit
https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/threatenedspeciesapp/profile.aspx?id=10661
Man dies in single-vehicle crash – Cardiff
A man has died following a single-vehicle crash in the state’s Lake Macquarie district this afternoon.
About 4.15pm (Saturday 8 October 2022), emergency services were called to Macquarie Road, Cardiff, following reports a Holden sedan had left the road and hit a power pole.
The male driver, and sole occupant of the car, died at the scene.
He is yet to be positively identified.
Officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District established a crime scene as inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the crash continue.
A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.
Tweaks to tax cuts not the answer: Bandt
Leader of the Australian Greens Adam Bandt MP has said that mooted ‘tweaks’ to Labor’s Stage 3 tax cuts are not the answer, and that the government should simply scrap the cuts before they come into effect and start again with a plan to tackle the cost of living crisis by spending $244b on measures like dental into Medicare and free childcare.
“Labor shouldn’t be arguing about whether to give Clive Palmer an $8,000 a year tax cut or a $9,000 a year tax cut. He doesn’t deserve either,” Mr Bandt said.
“A tweak to these tax cuts isn’t the answer. We should preserve our progressive tax system and spend $244 billion cutting the cost of living for everyday people, by getting dental into Medicare, making childcare free and building affordable homes.
“In 2019, the Greens were the only ones who voted against these terrible tax cuts. Now, everyone from the unions to former RBA governors agree that they must be scrapped.
“The Greens have been building the case against the tax cuts, and recent polling shows that the majority of Australians support dropping the tax cuts to pay for services.
“If Labor wants to make the case that we should still be giving politicians and billionaires a tax break, that’s a matter for them. The public have already made up their minds: no more tax cuts for the wealthy.”
Plibersek should rule out BHP Peak Downs mine expansion in koala habitat immediately
The Greens are calling on Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek to immediately rule out approving BHP’s proposed Peak Downs coal mine expansion in Queensland.
The expansion is slated cover 4,000 hectares and will involve clearing habitat for the endangered koala, greater glider and other threatened species.
Greens Spokesperson for the Environment Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:
“On Tuesday the Environment Minister launched an action plan for zero extinction. Today she has an application on her desk for a project that will accelerate extinction. The action she must take is to rule it out.
“Our native animals will continue to go extinct under any government that continues to approve new coal and gas mines.
“Land clearing and climate change are the main drivers of extinction and the Peak Downs coal mine expansion fuels both.
“Australia’s iconic koala is an endangered species and on the brink of extinction, it would be crazy to even consider further destruction of its home.
“I urge the Labor Party to back the Greens bills for a moratorium on habitat clearing and a climate trigger to assess projects for the pollution they create, so we can give our threatened species a fighting chance.”
Parramatta prospers with Westinvest projects
Residents in Parramatta will benefit from new sporting facilities, better parks and playgrounds and a youth-focused skate and BMX park precinct funded by the $2 billion WestInvest Community Project Grants program.
Premier Dominic Perrottet, Treasurer Matt Kean and Minister for Local Government Wendy Tuckerman announced more than $15.3 million in funding to the City of Parramatta Council for six projects which will deliver infrastructure to shape the future of Western Sydney as part of the $5 billion WestInvest Fund.
The $2 billion WestInvest Community Project Grants includes $400 million for 15 Local Government Areas in West and South West Sydney, based on population size.
Projects funded in Parramatta include:
- $4.6 million for the Somerville Park Improvement project which will provide new facilities for recreation and exercise, including accessible playgrounds, multi-purpose sports courts and outdoor fitness equipment
- $3.8 million for the Max Ruddock Reserve Amenities Modernisation with viewing platform project to upgrade a 50-year-old building to support growth in local sport.
- $3.7 million for the Sue Savage Reserve Multigenerational Recreational Facilities project to provide a new youth precinct centered around a skate and BMX park.
- $1.5 million for the Active Youth are Healthy Youth project which will improve youth-focused play equipment across Dundas Ward.
- $1.4 million for the Let’s Play @ Kilpack! project to enhance the existing open space with new play and fitness equipment, as well as circuit paths and lighting.
- $354,725 for the West Epping Dog Off Leash Area project for a new fenced space for dogs and their owners.
The City of Parramatta Council will co-contribute a combined $533,311 to the Sue Savage Reserve Multigenerational Recreational Facilities and the Let’s Play @ Kilpack project.
Mr Perrottet said the projects funded will deliver a wide-range of benefits for the community helping make our River City a better place to live, work and play.
“These six projects focus on improving the health and wellbeing of the local community by providing improved sport, recreational facilities and more open space made possible by our successful WestConnex asset recycling strategy,” Mr Perrottet said.
“WestInvest is ensuring the people of Parramatta have better access to green space for sport and recreation helping build on our vision of Parramatta as a vibrant cultural hub as part of the NSW Government’s Six Cities Strategy.”
Mr Kean said the Sue Savage Reserve project will enhance the existing open space to provide new BMX and skating facilities, as well as fitness stations in response to community feedback.
“This project is perfect for a booming city with a high proportion of youngsters growing up in the area,” Mr Kean said.
Mrs Tuckerman said the Active Youth are Healthy Youth project will be driven by local young people in Parramatta, to design and enhance infrastructure for recreation and socialisation.
“Outdoor playgrounds are vital for young families to get together, explore and relax. It’s community facilities like these which councils are best placed to deliver through partnerships with the NSW Government,” Mrs Tuckerman said.
The City of Parramatta Council was allocated $29.9 million through the Local Government Allocation. Additional projects submitted by council totalling $12 million are being assessed and will be funded if they meet all requirements under the WestInvest Guidelines. Announcements on other LGAs will be made soon.
The $5 billion WestInvest program was made possible by the Government’s successful WestConnex asset recycling strategy.
A further $1.6 billion from the $2 billion Community Project Grants is available to local community groups.
A total of $3 billion is also set aside to deliver transformational projects that will benefit local communities, led by NSW Government agencies.
To find out more about WestInvest visit www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/westinvest