Short-Term Rental Accommodation Regulations Review

The NSW Government is seeking community feedback in reviewing Short-Term Rental Accommodation regulation. 

The review will examine measures to incentivise investors to make properties available as long-term rentals to help take pressure off the rental market. 

I would encourage everyone to make a submission to this important review online at the NSW Planning Portal.

Backing Local Landcare Groups

From Budgewoi to the Barringtons, wherever you live there's a Landcare group looking after the environment.

I'm thrilled to be part of a NSW Government giving something back to them.

Through our $59 million election commitment to Landcare, we're funding full-time coordinators and support staff. Hunter and Central Coast Landcare groups are in line to benefit.

More information is available online here.

ANZAC Community Grants Program

90 community groups have benefitted from the NSW Government's ANZAC Community Grants Program to commemorate veterans across the state.

Locally this includes Nords Wharf Public School which recieved a grant of $1,200 for the ANZAC memorial garden.

100 New Preschools

Families across the Hunter region are set to benefit as the NSW Labor Government reveals the biggest expansion in childhood education in NSW history.

The NSW Labor Government is investing a record $769 million investment to build 100 new public preschools across NSW, including 12 in the Hunter region.

New public preschools to be built in the Hunter:

1. Booragul Public School
2. Cessnock Public School
3. Ellalong Public School
4. Gillieston Public School
5. Kearsley Public School
6. Kurri Kurri Public School
7. Maryland Public School
8. Nulkaba Public School
9. Shortland Public School
10. Tenambit Public School
11. Teralba Public School
12. Weston Public School

Co-located at public primary school sites, the new public preschools will be built over the next three years in areas of greatest need across NSW. 

After more than a decade of decline in education outcomes, the NSW Government will prioritise quality education in the early years, giving every child the best start for success.

The public preschools will improve access for families across NSW, with sites selected by a NSW Department of Education Panel, overseen by an independent chair and probity advisor, based on rigorous assessment criteria which considered educational need, child development and socioeconomic data, preschool demand, infrastructure feasibility and insights gained through consultation.

Co-locating public preschools with existing schools will ensure children are ready for kindergarten and will assist busy working families with cost of living pressures, help avoid the double drop off, make the transition to school as seamless as possible. 

Soul Hub Newcastle Opening

Rick Prosser, the CEO of Soul Hub Newcastle, is the kind of guy who remembers to thank everyone.

So it was nice to take a moment to thank Rick in Soul Hub's officially open - sparkling new home in Hunter Street, Newcastle.

Thanks to Rick and his beautiful staff and volunteers, people in need can come in for a meal, a haircut, legal advice, gambling counselling and countless other types of assistance to help them in life.

I'm delighted to see what's made possible with $500,000 from the NSW Government. I can't think of a better use for the funding.

Belmont & District Residents' Action Group

The Belmont & District Residents' Action Group is a local community group that advocates on behalf of Belmont and surrounding suburbs on a range of local issues. The group engages with local, state and federal levels of government. The group is seeking new members and if you would like to join, please contact Robin Gordon on robingordon1942@gmail.com.

Belmont Hospital Volunteer Auxiliary

The Belmont Hospital Volunteer Auxiliary truly are a great help to hospital staff. Beginning 50 years ago with a trolley service to patients and staff, the Auxiliary now has a team of more than 30 volunteers who provide 3 services:

• Patient Care which does administration work for all the departments within the hospital. It also sells craft and personal items to assist our patients and visitors
• Meet & Greet work from the foyer and assist visitors navigate around our hospital
• Kiosk provides food and beverages to staff, visitors and patients

All services run 5 days per week. The Auxiliary are always looking for more volunteers to join their team. They work on a weekly or fortnightly roster (with the option to work full or half days). If you are keen to join this wonderful team call Fay Smith (President) on 0427 488 499.

Savings for Pensioners 

The rise in the cost of living has been hitting many people hard, especially pensioners. Here are 10 ways for NSW pensioners to save:

1. Council rate rebates: Pensioners are entitled to up to $250 a year off their council rates. For more information visit the Lake Macquarie City Council and Central Coast Council websites. 
2. Electricity rebate: The Low Income Household Rebate will shave up to $285 a year off your electricity bill for households with a retail provider.
3. Gas rebate: This rebate will give you a discount of up to $110 a year.
4. Water rates: Eligible pensioners can access a quarterly rebate, shaving hundreds of dollars a year off a typical household bill. 
5. Revenue NSW Unclaimed Money: Find “lost” money waiting to be claimed from inactive bank accounts, shares and investments, insurance policies, unpaid wages, unclaimed super and deceased estates.
6. Travel vouchers: Pensioners are entitled to four Pensioner Travel Vouchers each calendar year. They can be used for two return or four single trips, giving access to free or discounted travel in economy class on NSW TrainLink Regional services within regional NSW.
7. Free car rego: Pensioners in NSW don’t pay registration fees or motor vehicle tax on one of their cars. They also receive free driver’s licences, free driving tests and concessions on the cost of Mobility Parking Scheme permits.
8. Free glasses: You can get yourself one pair of single vision glasses or one pair of bifocal glasses in a two-year period under the NSW Spectacles Program.
9. Seniors Card: The NSW Seniors Card is packed with discounts for thousands of retailers and services across the state from groceries to tradespeople and insurance.

I encourage all seniors to apply for these savings if they haven't already.