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Housing Delivery Authority delivers 15 more State Significant Developments

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Published: 18 March 2025

Released by: Minister for Planning and Public Spaces

The Minister for Planning and Public Spaces has declared a further 15 housing proposals as State Significant Development (SSD) following recommendations from the Housing Delivery Authority (HDA).

These new housing proposals, if approved, could deliver more than 7,000 new homes.

After three briefings in two months a total of 44 housing development proposals have been declared state significant under the HDA, with the potential to deliver more than 22,000 new homes, once proposals are assessed.

Since the first meeting, nine projects have also had Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements issued, the first step in the assessment process which signals a good flow of projects progressing quickly along the SSD pathway.

To date, the Authority has received over 250 expressions of interest. At its latest meeting, 32 proposals were examined.

The authority is prioritising high-quality housing projects with detailed plans that can be submitted within nine months and can begin construction within 12 months of approval. To be declared state significant, proposals submitted to the HDA that are already being assessed via another planning pathway need to be withdrawn from that pathway.

All proposals declared as SSD will have their development applications assessed by the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, without needing to be approved by councils. This can cut approval times and speed up the delivery of new homes.

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

The HDA builds on the Minns Government’s recent reforms to the planning system to speed up the delivery of more homes, including:

  • The development of the NSW Pattern Book and accelerated planning pathway for those who use the pre-approved patterns.
  • The largest rezoning in NSW history around transport hubs and shopping centres to address the “missing middle.”
  • The largest ever investment in the delivery of social and affordable housing in NSW.
  • $200 million in financial incentives for councils that meet the new expectations for development applications, planning proposals and strategic planning.
  • $450 million to build new apartments for essential workers including nurses, paramedics, teachers, allied health care workers, police officers and firefighters.

Recommendations from the HDA are published as required under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 before the SSD declaration. For more information visit Housing Delivery Authority | Planning.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“These latest projects that I have declared as State Significant Developments have the potential to deliver more than 7,000 new homes including affordable housing.

“The Housing Delivery Authority is not a silver bullet to our housing supply challenges, but it’s certainly a step in the right direction.

“In three briefings, I have declared projects that could deliver more than 22,000 dwellings into a state-assessed planning pathway, proponents now have nine months to prepares their planning documents, and must commence construction if they are approved within 12 months, because the need for housing is too urgent.”

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MotherSafe celebrates its 25th anniversary

Source:

Published: 18 March 2025

Released by: Minister for Health

The outstanding and compassionate care provided by MotherSafe to hundreds of thousands of NSW families is being celebrated, as the service marks its 25th anniversary.

Minister for Health Ryan Park extended his gratitude to MotherSafe staff for their important role in providing evidence-based information and counselling about exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, street drugs, infections, radiation and occupational exposures.

Funded by the NSW Government, the free, comprehensive telephone and face-to-face counselling service has received more than 400,000 calls over the last 25 years, from women and healthcare providers seeking health advice through pre-conception, pregnancy and breastfeeding.

The service was expanded in 2022 to provide specialist support to pregnant women experiencing severe effects of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy and hyperemesis gravidarum, which are the main causes of hospitalisation in the first half of pregnancy.

Hyperemesis gravidarum is a condition that causes severe nausea and vomiting during pregnancy for around 1 in 100 women during pregnancy.

Women living with hyperemesis gravidarum during pregnancy are often so sick they can’t go to work, care for themselves or someone else.

Through MotherSafe, women with hyperemesis gravidarum are assessed for the severity of their symptoms and given evidence-based information regarding available treatments to help manage their symptoms.

The expanded service has been particularly important for women living outside of metropolitan Sydney or who may be too unwell to travel, to access tailored advice from a MotherSafe consultant.

Women, families and healthcare professionals can contact a MotherSafe consultant by calling 1800 647 848, or visit the MotherSafe website to access a range of factsheets.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Health, Ryan Park:

“Preconception, pregnancy and breastfeeding are crucial times for the health of women and babies. Having access to clear, evidence-based advice on medications and other exposures is critically important for expectant and new mums.

“I want to thank the many dedicated MotherSafe staff who have helped hundreds of thousands of NSW women give their babies the very best start to life.

“Hyperemesis gravidarum is the number one cause for hospitalisation in the first half of pregnancy. MotherSafe has helped many women manage the significant physical symptoms and emotional distress that comes with this condition.”

Quotes attributable to Dr Debra Kennedy, Director MotherSafe:

“We are proud to have supported the physical and emotional wellbeing of women and families across NSW over the past 25 years.

“MotherSafe provides advice to women who are concerned about medications, infections or exposure to occupational hazards before and during pregnancy, and while breastfeeding.”

Quotes attributable to Ella Rich:

“I experienced severe nausea and vomiting throughout each of my four pregnancies. Managing my symptoms was really challenging and I was highly anxious.

“It was confirmed I had hyperemesis gravidarum at around 13 weeks during my fourth pregnancy following a medical emergency. The hospital recommended I contact MotherSafe and, as soon as I spoke with them, I felt reassured.

“MotherSafe became my lifeline during the remainder of my pregnancy. Knowing I could call a consultant who knew about the medications I was exposed to and hyperemesis gravidarum gave me confidence in the health of my baby and alleviated my stress and anxiety.

“MotherSafe got me the right medication to treat my HG and I was never sick again. They answered my calls with empathy and compassion every time and even arranged for me to speak with one of their leading doctors.”

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Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories

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We’ve reviewed our travel advice for Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories and continue to advise reconsider your need to travel overall due to the volatile security situation, armed conflict, civil unrest and terrorism. We continue to advise do not travel to Gaza and areas near the border with Gaza, border areas with Lebanon and the West Bank (excluding East Jerusalem). If you’re in Israel, you should reconsider whether you need to remain and, if not, depart when it’s safe to do so.

There’s an ongoing threat of missile and rocket attacks in Israel. You shouldn’t travel to Israeli border areas with Lebanon. In an attack or other armed conflict, you should take shelter, follow the advice of local authorities and monitor local media and public safety information updates through the National Emergency Portal (accessible in Israel only – see ‘Safety’). See our general advice on protecting your safety during an armed conflict (see ‘Safety’).

Terror attacks can occur anywhere at any time, including by lone actors. Be alert to personal safety risks. There continues to be a high threat of military and terrorist attacks against Israel and Israeli interests across the region. The security situation could deteriorate quickly, with little or no notice. This has resulted and may continue to result in airspace closures, flight cancellations, diversions, and other travel disruptions.

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Slight uplift in recruitment activity in November

Source: Jobs and Skills Australia

Slight uplift in recruitment activity in November

Linda


News and updates
Recruitment

Recruitment activity stronger in regional Australia, with 50% of employers either hiring or looking for staff compared with 40% across the capital cities.

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$10 million investment to give Dapto a southern ramp up

Source: Workplace Gender Equality Agency

The Albanese Government is making it easier to travel across the Illawarra with a $10 million investment to plan Dapto’s new south-facing ramps, matching a $10 million investment from the Minns Labor Government.

The announcement follows an initial consultation period, conducted by the NSW Government, which received over 4,000 ideas and suggestions from the local community, all of which will inform next steps of the planning process.

The jointly-funded planning work will explore south-facing ramps onto the M1 Princes Motorway from Emerson Road, or from Fowlers or Kanahooka Roads which have existing north-facing ramps.

The project will deliver better connections between suburbs to the south such as Shellharbour and Kiama to suburbs like Dapto, Horsley and Brownsville.

The north facing on and off-ramps at Fowlers and Kanahooka roads currently limit Princes Motorway access to residents travelling to or from the north, forcing commuters travelling to or from south of Dapto to detour via the Princes Highway.

This leads to inflated travel times and distances for Illawarra motorists, particularly during morning, evening and weekend peak periods.

The population of the Illawarra-Shoalhaven is expected to grow by around 100,000 extra people by 2041. As the population continues to grow and travel habits change, the southern ramps will simplify travel options across the region.

Quotes attributable to Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:

“With the population of the southern Illawarra booming, it’s vital that our investment in essential infrastructure keeps up.

“These southern ramps are a simple intervention, but one that will have an incredibly positive impact on the way people travel around this region.

“Work is already underway with the NSW Government completing initial consultation and planning. This additional investment will assist with detailed planning and progressing the project so we can get shovels in the ground sooner.”

Quotes attributable to NSW Minister for Roads John Graham:

“The community has spoken, they want these ramps. Now that $20 million has been committed from State and Federal Government, the detailed work can be done to ensure south-facing ramps go from being a good idea, to an every day reality.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Whitlam Stephen Jones:

“The madness of the north-only ramps means my constituents have to double back and forth between the highway and motorway to cover simple trips. Dapto’s north-only ramps have been a headache for locals for too long. This funding means we can finally get on with the job.

“As new developments spring up in West Dapto, it’s vital we get these ramps up and running so people aren’t caught in endless traffic jams. These south-facing ramps will give people a direct route and ease the bottlenecks on our roads.”

Quotes attributable to NSW Member for Shellharbour Anna Watson:

“2023 was the year of commitment, where our community made the case for this investment. 2024 was the year of consultation, where Transport for NSW heard directly from residents and motorists what they want to see from this project.

With this additional funding from the Federal Government, 2025 can be the year of detailed planning and development, as we get closer to starting work on this vital project.

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Unregistered builder convicted

Source: Australian Capital Territory Policing

Unregistered builder Mark (Najy) Rayes has been convicted and fined for taking more than $100,000 in payments from customers for services he did not provide.

Rayes, 47, was running an unregistered building and landscaping business when he committed the offences, between 2021 and 2023.

Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) investigated Rayes after receiving customer complaints. He was convicted and fined $15,000 for offences under the Australian Consumer Law and $1,000 for breaches of the Domestic Building Contracts Act 1995.

People are reminded that when hiring someone to do a renovation, extension, repairs or other building work worth more than $10,000, the contractor must be registered as a building practitioner and provide a written contract.

Registered builders are subject to professional standards, which means consumers are more likely to end up with a job they are happy with.

Hiring someone who isn’t registered risks hiring someone who isn’t skilled and consequently, consumers may end up with poor quality work, as well as limited recourse if the builder walks away.

Jobs worth more than $16,000 must also be covered by domestic building insurance, which protects consumers if the builder dies, disappears or is declared insolvent. For this work, builders must provide:

  • a copy of the domestic building insurance policy, and
  • a certificate of currency covering the property.

CAV Director Nicole Rich is urging people who are renovating or getting building work done to make sure they are covered.

“For more complex jobs, it’s essential to make sure you only hire practitioners with the right cover and qualifications,” she said.

“The law is there to protect you. Doing your due diligence can help ensure the build or reno is completed to the standard you want and expect.”

Find a registered builder on the Victorian Building Authority website.

For more about planning a renovation or build, including what to do if things go wrong, go to our Building and renovating information.

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Court Services Victoria – Family Violence Intervention Orders

Source: FairTrading New South Wales

On 15 November 2024, Court Services Victoria (CSV) implemented requested changes to the wording of Magistrates’ Court and Children’s Court family violence intervention orders (FVIOs).  

A coding error was made as part of those changes to a legacy system, leading to a line in the orders being omitted when printed.  

CSV was notified about the error on 4 March 2025 and took immediate steps to rectify it.

All copies of family violence intervention orders printed from 6 March 2025 no longer omit the relevant line.  

A full post-incident review is underway.

CSV acknowledges and apologises for the error. The safety of all affected family members was CSV’s priority as we remedied the issue.

Affected family members or respondents can call the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria’s Service Centre on 03 9087 6116 between 9am and 7pm Monday to Friday.  

Contact: feedback@courts.vic.gov.au

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The Australian labour market continues to ease

Source: Jobs and Skills Australia

The Australian labour market continues to ease

Vasilisa


News and updates
Regional

SALM reveals the number of SA2s with an unemployment rate of less than 5% decreased over the year to the June quarter 2024.

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WILKIN ROAD, MURRAY BRIDGE NORTH (Grass Fire)

Source: South Australia County Fire Service

MURRAY BRIDGE NORTH

Haystack fire Wilkin Road Murray Bridge North

Issued for MURRAY BRIDGE NORTH near Murray Bridge in the Murraylands.

The CFS is currently responding to a haystack fire on Wilkin Road, Murray Bridge North. Machinery is being used to dismantle the haystack to help extinguish the fire. This process may generate smoke, which could be visible from Mannum Road. .

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