Rental Vacancy Rates in Newcastle Drop to Lowest of Any Major City in NSW

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Newcastle’s residential rental vacancy rate has fallen to the lowest of all NSW major cities, according to new data from the Real Estate Institute of NSW.

The Institute’s March 2021 survey has found a vacancy rate of 0.7 per cent in Newcastle, compared to 1.6 per cent in Wollongong and an average of 4 per cent in Sydney.

Newcastle MP, Tim Crackanthorp says the end of JobKeeper and a moratorium on rental evictions in March, are seeing the housing crisis worsen. 

“There's been widespread reporting of locals being priced out of their areas as result of pandemic-driven regional migration, rental bidding and offers of significant upfront payments,” Mr Crakanthorp said.

“Having locals pushed out of the market by new residents who can offer a lot more money has an enormous impact on these individuals and the support services who assist them."

Kelly Hansen, CEO of Nova for Women and Children, says ongoing under-investment in social housing and the pandemic has created a perfect storm.

“This is an emerging humanitarian crisis – people without shelter, utilising precious funds to get by, unable to sustain a standard of living."

“We are exhausted, attempting to address the un-addressable, with those experiencing homelessness having to jump through unnecessary hoops and meet unrealistic obligations only to find themselves no closer to resolving their housing crisis.”

Mr Crakanthorp says figures show 46 social housing properties of three or more bedrooms have been sold-off in the last decade, but only 13 had been constructed in their place.

Meanwhile, State Labor is introducing legislation which would end ‘no grounds’ evictions, but would add three new grounds for eviction to the nine already in place – need to occupy premises, significant renovations and danger.

Image Credit: Perfect Agent

Hamilton South Community Calling on State Government to Replace Local Playground Set to be Demolished

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Members of the Hamilton South community are rallying together calling on the State Government to replace a local playground set to be demolished. 

Newcastle MP, Tim Crakanthorp has joined residents of a local social housing estate, in launching a petition calling on the government to replace the Neill Terrace playground, aiming to attract 500 signatures. 

He says the State Government owned site hasn't been maintained to basic safety standards, and is now being removed with no plans for a replacement. 

Local Resident, Janice Patterson says the government has given significant funds to local councils to upgrade their parks, while abandoning children in their own social housing developments. 

"The children here are being left behind, the state of this is appalling." 

The Government reportedly installed a new safety fence around the park five months ago, and fixed much of the brick work, however has now decided to remove the play equipment and replace it with turf. 

The ground below the playground itself is undulating, and a wooden bridge in the park is missing a number of planks. 

"You've got to watch where you walk. We have a thousand residents in the community, it's desperately needed, the block behind us there are grandparents and they cant let their children play here because of the dangers," Ms Patterson said. 

"The other park which is very small gets at least 10 to 15 children using it after school. Both playgrounds are in really bad condition, built in the 70's and 80's. I think it's pretty appalling." 

"The Minister should try and walk around this place without falling over, and just think if it was your child would you let them play in a playground like this."

"Would you let them climb a bridge that was covered in moss and missing plants so legs can fall through and break."

Newcastle MP, Tim Crakanthorp with local members of the Hamilton South community