Union Cries Out For More Local Affordable Housing

 BY OLI GOELDNER

The Hunter's hospitality, fast-food and warehouse workers are at the forefront of a new union-backed campaign to deliver more affordable housing for the region. 

The 'A fair go starts with a home' campaign is calling on the state government to increase the percentage of cheaper homes developed across the state, including in the new Broadmeadow precinct. 

The development proposed by council looks to build 20,000 additional dwellings across the suburb. 

However, only five to 10 percent of the proposed accomodation has been classified as affordable, translating to only 160 to 320 homes. 

Housing advocates are arguing the portion should be bumped up to 30 percent to better suit the needs of local residents. 

Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees' Association (SDA) national secretary Jarron Dwyer said retail and fast food workers deserve better. 

"We have situations now where those employees can't afford to live anywhere near where they work," he said. 

"So, not only are they getting smashed with increased rents, their costs in relation to transport and petrol have risen sharply. 

"We've got a crisis on our hands across the country, but specifically here in the Hunter." 

The SDA has called for a meeting with NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookey to find a solution to the lack of affordable housing. 

"The NSW Government has been one of the country's leaders in addressing the housing crisis, but we've just got to follow through and ensure that those commitments to public housing and percentages allocated are met," said Mr Dwyer. 

"It's as simple as that." 

Hunter Housing Industry Welcomes Home Deposit Reforms

 The Housing Industry Association says new Federal reforms to home deposits will open up access to the market and drive up demand.

The Federal Government this week announced first home buyers of all income levels can now purchase a home with only a 5% deposit. In the event of a default, the Government will step in.

But there’s criticism the scheme will inflate property prices.

The Association’s Hunter Executive Director Craig Jennion says he’s not concerned.

“You need to understand the difference between the real estate market and the housing market and they are very much linked,” he said.

“The key is that in the very short term, yes, we will see a slight increase as there are more people out purchasing homes.

“But the great news is that over time we’ll actually see an increase in supply and as a result we’ll see prices stabilise and hopefully actually start to fall,” he said.

Craig Jennion. Via LinkedIn

Lake Macquarie Councillor Pushes for Affordable Housing

 BY BELLA MIDDLETON

92 Toronto Road, Booragul
Credit: Google Street View

                  

Lake Macquarie Councillor Jason Pauling has filed a recommendation for an empty plot of land in Booragul to be used for affordable housing. 

The land at 92 Toronto Road currently sits empty, with Pauling urging it should be made available for social and/or affordable housing if it is not already required for other purposes. 

"This is an attempt to get all three levels of government to actually do something meaningful.

There's a lot of chatter and discussion about social and affordable housing, but we haven't seen a lot of action, and this is an opportunity for all the levels of government to work together to deliver a meaningful outcome that will have a very positive impact on a  number of people's lives," said Cr Pauling.

Pauling is also calling for a full construction and development funding commitment from the state or federal governments if the plan is approved.

The Hunter is home to five of the ten local government areas with the highest housing need in New South Wales. 

"I don't think there's any doubt from any quarter that housing prices, the increases we've seen, and the supply issues we've seen, have made it really hard for a lot of residents.

This is a small step, it's certainly not the silver bullet solution by any means, but it is a tangible demonstration of what can happen when all three levels of government work together," Cr Pauling said. 

2023 Budget Wrap-up

 BY EMILY WILLIAMS

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has announced the Federal budget for the year ahead, with energy and Medicare coming out on top.

Leading into Tuesday night's announcement, Hunter residents were most concerned about energy, housing and the cost-of-living crisis.

 Image: Facebook

These are some of the highlights from the 2023 budget:

CLEAN ENERGY

As the country continues its transition away from fossil fuels, the new budget includes a significant investment in clean energy.

A $2 billion Hydrogen Headstart Fund will be established to produce renewable hydrogen as part of the Government's bid to become a "renewable energy superpower".

ENERGY BILL RELIEF

5 million Australians will have a $500 reduction to their energy bills next year.

Those eligible will include pensioners, veterans, seniors and other concession card holders.

Recipients of Carer Allowance and Family Tax Benefits will also benefit from the scheme.

MEDICARE

A $5.7 billion investment in Medicare was announced, including a $3.5 billion incentive to triple bulk-billing for low income families.

The incentive will increase from $6.60 to $19.80.

This coming after the latest Clean Bill report revealed the Hunter had some of the lowest bulk-billing rates in New South Wales.

Vice-President of the Doctors Reform Society Dr Robert Marr praises the move.

"It's really important that people have access to GPs and it's important that Medicare bulk-billing be saved, and that's what the budget has done," he said.

RENTAL CRISIS

As the rental crisis continues to plague the Hunter, more than a million low-income earners will be eligible for rental assistance.

The Commonwealth Rent Assistance package will increase by $31 a fortnight for some recipients.

However, the changes have been criticised by Everybody's Home spokesperson Maiy Azize.

"Those who do get a small increase will find that it has been swallowed by surging rents," she said.

SINGLETON AND MUSWELLBROOK BYPASS

Although not mentioned in the budget, the Singleton and Muswellbrook bypasses will go ahead, Federal Member for Hunter Dan Repacholi has confirmed.

"Which is great news for the residents of the Hunter," he said.

These projects have expected completion dates of 2026 and 2027; however, this is weather dependent.

Hunter Housing Providers Call for More Investment into Rent Assistance and Dwellings Ahead of Federal Budget Release

BY OLIVIA DILLON

A Hunter-based community housing provider is calling on the Federal Government to make a serious commitment to end the housing crisis felt across the Hunter and Australia when it delivers it's budget tonight. 

Recent data out of Communities and Justice NSW indicates the expected wait time for a one bedroom studio in Newcastle is between two and five years. 

Two, three, and four bedroom properties have a wait list between five and ten years. 

As of June last year, there were more than 1,700 applicants on the waitlist for social housing in Newcastle, with 111 in high need of a home. 

Home in Place Executive Manager of Business and Public Affairs, Martin Kennedy, said they're hoping to see a commitment made to increase rent assistance, in a bid to ease pressure on the private rental market, and in turn, the social housing sector. 

"You can't allow something as fundamental as secure housing to be something that only well-off people can afford. Having that sort of arrangement is completely corrosive to society and to the economy, and that's the direction we're headed in," he said. 

"It's incredibly important that we put this right." 

The organisation is also hoping the budget will include a boost to the Housing Australia Future Fund. 

Mr Kennedy said it's obvious more houses need to be built in order to cater for a growing number of struggling Hunter residents. 

"The current level of 30,000 dwellings is better than nothing, but it would be good to see it increased." 

Violence Victims Left with Nowhere to Go

BY DANEIE GEDDES

Restricted government funding has left over 100 Newcastle and Lake Macquarie domestic violence victims without safe and secure housing.

Domestic violence services are at maximum capacity, while women and children continue to struggle to find safe accommodation. 

Over the past four weeks, 77 women and 31 children were unable to be accommodated by crisis refuges. 

Ongoing pressure to meet the demand for crisis accommodation is growing, as the number of case referrals increase. 

Newcastle Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service Manager Suellyn Moore, said domestic violence services and victims are pleading for support from the NSW government. 

"Unless there are real time results, we're going to see more people stay in DV relationships," she said.  

There's concerns, without sufficient funding for safe and secure housing, the number of women and children left struggling to find safe accommodation will continue to rise across the region and the state. 

 

New Homes Delivered for Residents in Crisis

BY OLIVIA DILLON

A new social housing development has been completed in Newcastle. 

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Taylor Martin announced yesterday, the completion of the $3.9 million project on Stannett Street in Waratah West. 

The development includes three one-bedroom and five two-bedroom units, as well as parking for four cars, sun shades, and easy access to parks, bus stops and essential services. 

It will provide eight homes, helping 14 local residents put a roof over their heads. 

The news comes amid a housing crisis across the Hunter region and the state. 

Recent figures indicate there are more than 50,000 people on the NSW social housing waitlist, with 4,500 of those coming from the Hunter. 

Additionally, rental vacancy in the region sits at just 1%. 

Mr Martin said the Waratah project is just one of ten developments which make up a $47 million pipeline for Newcastle, aiming to provide 138 homes for Novocastrians over three years. 

Swansea eyesore set to be cleared by Crown Lands

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A Swansea home is set to be demolished after reaching the end of its life.

The empty, three-bedroom property is managed by Crown Lands, which is set to spend $40,000 on cleaning up the Rawson Street plot.

It's understood the traditional asbestos cladding isn't suitable for restoration.

Crown Lands will oversee the removal of the structures and carport, before considering future uses for the site.

Newcastle set to see $60 million social housing pipeline

BY DAKOTA TAIT

148 new homes will be developed across Newcastle over the next three years, as part of a $60 million social housing pipeline backed by the NSW Land and Housing Corporation.

Eight new units on Stannett Street at Waratah West are set to be completed and ready for tenants to move in by the end of the month.

The twelve projects also include a 20-unit development at Lambton, and there's discussion around another potential project at Wallsend.

It comes after a Memorandum of Understanding between Newcastle Council and the Land and Housing Corporation to fast-track priority social housing and alleviate housing pressure.

Newcastle Council and the State Government have each put in $6 million for the delivery of new housing. 

An artist's impression of a unit development at Waratah West.

Homeless Connect Day returns to the Hunter

BY BILLIE KAAL 

Homeless Connect Day is returning tomorrow at Newcastle Showground Exhibition Centre.

The event, running from 9am to 2pm, will shine a spotlight on homelessness in the Hunter, with a range of support services being provided to individuals at risk or experiencing adversity. 

Despite a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, event organiser Michelle Faithfull believes this year is set to be bigger then ever, with over 180 individuals on-hand to provide support in some form. 

"On the day people will be able to get free health checks and eye and hearing checks, immunizations, podiatry services, diabetes screenings as well as support from breast screening, drug and alcohol, mental health, diabetes, brain injury, continence, and community and aged care services," she said. 

Key government agencies such as NSW Births, Deaths & Marriages, Services NSW, Services Australia (Centrelink), and Hunter Water will also be in attendance. 

Ms Faithfull says she believes that individuals experiencing homelessness can benefit from assistance now more then ever, particularly post-COVID lockdowns. 

 

She argues that the stigma surrounding homelessness should be dispelled and its hidden nature should be highlighted with a more positive approach. 

"Home matters, help matters and hope matters and this important annual day helps to shine a spotlight on homelessness in our region and gets people vital support in a safe, non -threatening way," she said. 

 

Image credit: Hunter Homeless Connect.

Labor to Fund Crisis Accommodation in Newcastle

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon says if elected, a Labor Government will provide $1.2 million in funding for domestic violence victims in Newcastle. 

The announcement comes in response to calls from the sector over many years for the Federal Government to invest in crisis accommodation and frontline workers. 

It is expected the investment into crisis accommodation will help to house as many as 108 women and children in the region. 

In addition to the large sum, Labor has also said it will fund the employment of an additional ten frontline workers to support people who are facing domestic violence. It is expected these workers will help support over 800 victims. 

Sharon Claydon said the affects of the pandemic has meant both victims and the family and domestic violence sector in Newcastle are at breaking point. 

"It is unforgivable that we would allow women and children to be rendered homeless, whether they are couch-surfing, sleeping in the back of their cars, out on the streets, or indeed returning to the perpetrator of violence because they cannot find safe accommodation in which to seek refuge," Ms Claydon said. 

She also claims the Liberal Government has been providing the sector with insufficient funding for nearly a decade. 

"Survivors are strong, resilient and remarkable people but they do deserve help to rebuild their lives and sadly, after almost a decade of Liberal Governments at a national level, there has been just zero leadership on this issue," she said. 

"I deeply regret that they have waited ten years to receive nothing to date."

Ms Claydon said there have been ample opportunities for the Federal Government to bring about lasting reforms for women in the home and workplace. 

Labor says it will tackle the scourge of domestic violence with the appropriate urgency. 

"If a Labor Government is elected on May 21st, there will be relief coming," Ms Claydon said. 

Labor will provide $1.2 million for crisis accommodation in Newcastle

Labor promises to make it easier for Hunter families to buy a home

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Federal Labor has announced a new First Home Buyer Support Scheme, which it says will ease housing pressures in the Hunter.  

If an Albanese Government is elected in May, it's promising to subsidise 15 percent of the deposit, for 10,000 families across the country.  

It's estimated to cost around $12 million in the program's first year.

It could save Hunter homebuyers almost $32,000 by helping them avoid the lender's mortgage insurance cost.

Only families who've been living in the region for more than 12 months, and who have the remaining five percent deposit, are eligible.

Hunter homeowners encouraged to house people in need with new initiative

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A new initiative is hoping to address the Hunter's housing crisis by connecting homeowners with people in need of a roof over their head.

The Share Your Home program, launched by local foodbank provider Southlakes Incorporated, allows people to sign up as a host or as someone looking for a home.

CEO Christine Mastello says the community has embraced the idea.

"We started out because we run the Community Hair Project, and everywhere we were going around Australia giving free haircuts, people were saying, 'Can I have a homeless person?'," Ms Mastello said.

"I'm like, well they're not a puppy!"

"But as the question kept coming up, I thought, well, people must have a big enough heart to open their home."

The organisation will pay for a police check for the host, help organise a short-term lease agreement, and provide the person moving in with a pack of toiletries and other items.

Each homeless individual who signs up to the program will need to have their identity verified by a service provider such as a soup kitchen or a homeless shelter.

Ms Mastello says it's pretty simple from there.

"The homeless person checks out the postcode that they'd like to live in, finds a house hopefully in that postcode, and then we just ask that the homeless person and the host get to know each other for a little while, have a chat, see the house rules if there are any," Ms Mastello said.

"We match them up and it's amazing, and we've had some amazing stories already."

The initiative comes just months after the Hunter recorded an all-time low in rental vacancy, with just 0.7 percent of properties free last December.

A healthy market sits around 2.5 percent.

While Ms Mastello maintains the Government needs to take serious action to address the region's housing crisis, she says the program's already proving successful in the meantime.

"We have had a lot of ex-foster parents and just a lot of mums and dads, so it's all over the range," Ms Mastello said.

"It makes your heart so happy to know that people are so willing to do something so simple as to open your home, for three months, just to let people breathe again."

If you're interested in being a home or need a place to stay, find out more at www.shareyourhome.com.au.

Housing supply hits all-time low in the Hunter

BY DAKOTA TAIT

There's concern the Hunter's homelessness crisis is only worsening, as the number of available rentals hits an all-time low.

New data reveals just 0.7 percent of properties across the region were vacant in December last year.

A healthy market usually hovers around a 2.5 percent home vacancy.

The Hunter Tenants Advice and Advocacy Service are concerned more and more people are facing eviction and homelessness.

Coordinator Nicole Grgas says it's a shocking situation.

"They might not necessarily be homeless in what we think, that they've got no bed, but they're going from relative's house to relative's house," Ms Grgas.

"We hear families are having to split up to stay with relatives, or people having to put all of their goods in storage because they've just got nowhere to move on to."

It's likely driven by a number of factors, such as rising rents, low supply due to more out-of-town renters and buyers looking for a seachange, and bidding wars for private rentals.

Many locals have reported termination of rental contracts as their homes are put on the market by the owner.

Ms Grgas says the issue isn't likely to go away on its own.

"One of the things that seems to be putting a lot of pressure on tenants in our region are the rent increases, and no grounds notices," Ms Grgas said.

"It's something that we think can be looked at and legislated."

"It would take pressure off people who are currently in rental housing, because what they're saying to us is, I've got this rental increase, it's now unaffordable, and now I need to relocate."

The organisation is also calling for more investment in social housing to alleviate pressure on the market. 

 

Privium Homes put into liquidation, homeowners likely to lose out

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Building giant Privium Homes has officially been put into liquidation, after a creditors meeting on Wednesday. 

The decision means Hunter home owners aren't likely to get their money back. 

FTI Consulting says it will look into the viability of recovery actions as part of the liquidation, but homeowners and other unsecured creditors are second to line to a number of entities, including Westpac and the Bank of New York. 

It's also been revealed the company was already insolvent in August, even as new contracts were still being accepted. 

An investigation is set to commence, but it's likely Privium will face a range of offences, including around the improper handling of insurance.

New Development Plan Could See Lake Macquarie Building Height Limits Lifted

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Lake Macquarie's latest draft development control plan could see height limits raised and minimum lot sizes reduced to help stop urban sprawl as the city grows.

The draft changes are part of a plan to improve the sustainability and supply of housing for coming generations by nudging developers toward multi-dwelling housing options such as terraces and apartments.

It's hoped reductions to minimum lot sizes and increasing building height limits in some medium density zones will encourage infill development and upward growth around economic centres.

Current proposals include increasing height limits by four metres in parts of Windale and six metres in one part of Charlestown.

Lake Macquarie City Council Manager Integrated Planning Wes Hain says the changes are hoped to improve both housing affordability and environmental sustainability. 

"We expect to our population to grow by about 28,000 people over the next 15 years," Mr Hain said.

"A part of accommodating those extra people in about 13,500 new homes is to have them located closer to shops and jobs and schools." 

The draft changes are on exhibition until November 1, and residents can have their say at https://shape.lakemac.com.au/.

Manager Integrated Planning Wes Hain outside a recently
 completed medium density infill development in Warners Bay

Residential Land Sales Slowing Down Across the Hunter

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Residential land sales are losing steam across the Hunter, slowing down by around 23 percent compared to last quarter. 

The latest Housing Industry Association report is seeing lot prices rise significantly, with a serious shortage of shovel-ready land. 

Land sales have fallen by 13.10 percent in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie and 32.7 percent in the Hunter Valley.

Meanwhile, the median lot price in the Hunter Valley has now risen to $215,000, a 3.42 percent increase on last December.

Executive Director Craig Jennion says it's likely to take some time for the industry to catch up with the demand created by last year's Homebuilder initiative.

"In Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, unfortunately we've seen prices go up six percent in the last quarter, and 20 percent over the last 12 months," Mr Jennion said. "That's a result of supply and demand."

"It takes up to ten years to bring a parcel of land to market, and we expect throughout this year, whilst there's lots of bulldozers trying to bring land to market, that it will just take a little bit of time for that to occur." 

Community Calls To Use Tomaree Lodge As Emergency Housing

BY DAKOTA TAIT

There's a new push to use the now vacant Tomaree Lodge as crisis accommodation for local families in need of a home.

The former disability care centre has been empty since the last residents left last month. 

Port Stephens MP Kate Washington says she'd like to see Tomaree Lodge put to good use while the Government sorts out the future of the site.

"The people that are really struggling are those that are vulnerable, there are people sleeping rough, there are families sleeping in tents," Ms Washington said. 

"This is my proposal for the Government that we utilise the vacant homes sitting at the Tomaree Lodge site just as a short-term solution to help us through."

The Yacaaba Centre and Port Stephens Family and Neighbourhood Service has backed the idea, while the Shoal Bay Community Association says they'll support the proposal if logistical issues are ironed out.

It's understood there's also concern about the Government's plans ahead of community consultation. 

"Going forward, we need to ensure that the future of the site is determined by community with the support of Government," Ms Washington. 

"So far, Government has not advised any of us of its plans for the site, and the community's very concerned about the future and the security of the site."

Ms Washington says the proposal would be a great outcome for the heritage site.

"It seems like a sensible solution to offer emergency housing for families that are struggling at Tomaree Lodge to assist in this crisis," Ms Washington said. 

"We want the Government to come on board with community to ensure that decisions are being made with us to get the best outcome for that really special site."

Image credit: https://trra.com.au/

Concerns New Suburb Could Put Pressure on Hunter Infrastructure

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Plans for a new suburb north of Glendale are facing concerns that residents might be left playing catch up for infrastructure.

The rezoning is set to deliver between three and four thousand new homes, almost one thousand of which will be inside the Lake Macquarie area.

But Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery says local infrastructure issues need to be dealt with now for the development to work out.

"What we need to consider for the future too of course is how aspects of infrastructure are working so that the people who live and are going to live in that area in the future have future schools, have public transport, have easy access to hospitals and other facilities," Ms Hornery said.

The 592 hectare site, owned by Eden Estates, straddles both Newcastle and Lake Macquarie councils along the Newcastle Link Road.

Ms Hornery says while the development will help alleviate the Hunter's housing crisis, existing problems are likely to only get worse as long as schools and roads remain crowded. 

"What we know of particularly around the Blue Gum Hills area is that students are crossing dangerous roads and that schools are over capacity," Ms Hornery said.

"What the department need to start doing is to start building schools ahead of capacity rather than behind it."

"Those factors all need to be considered and they need to be considered deeply with council as well, so that we can ensure that people aren't stuck in areas that they can't get out of or that we have increased traffic jams and problems in the area because traffic already is at capacity." 

Image credit: Eden Estates

New Social Housing Block Nearing Completion in Wickham

BY GIORGIA WILSON

A new social and affordable housing apartment complex is nearing completion in Wickham. 

The "topping out" milestone of the 16-unit complex on Station Street was celebrated on Thursday. 

Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Gareth Ward says the milestone brings the completion of the project one step closer.

"The first tenants (are) expected to get the keys to their new homes later this year". 

Compass Housing chief corporate services officer Lyndall Robertshaw said the need for affordable properties for low income earners is greater than ever. 

This building project has been constructed by the New South Wales Government in partnership with Newcastle Council, and Compass Housing.

The State Government's Social and Affordable Housing Fund is on track to deliver almost 500 properties across 19 Hunter and Central Coast sites.