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Sydney Morning Herald
4 days ago
- General
- Sydney Morning Herald
Ben and Dino's home was ‘pristine'. Then the ceiling tore apart from the wall
The pair questioned whether the excavation had caused a seepage failure, meaning the ground on their side of the building's sheet piles – which provide support and water resistance – had sunk, causing their walls to detach from the ceilings. Compensation claims were lodged with the owner's insurance company, but they were refused on the basis that the gaping cracks were just normal wear and tear. Pierpoint said the 'traumatic' ordeal had forced them to spend thousands of dollars on removalists, storage units and temporary accommodation, and made them take time off work. Both are couch-surfing with friends and have no idea where they could end up next week. The housemates reached out to their landlord, NSW Fair Trading, the Inner West Council and the Building Commission, but they were told the same thing each time: that nobody had any legal responsibility to support or financially compensate them. 'The Residential Tenancies Act governs the relationship between landlords and tenants. It does not cover relationships with third parties,' a NSW Fair Trading spokesperson said in a statement to this masthead. The home owner declined to speak to the Herald. The developer next door declined to answer this masthead's questions. Pierpoint and Dimitriadis are frustrated at the lack of a clear compensation pathway for evicted tenants and said their situation highlights an obvious gap in tenancy laws. Under NSW's Residential Tenancies Act, landlords have a legal duty to provide a safe home. However, if it becomes uninhabitable and unsafe to live in, they can terminate the lease with immediate notice. This means renters such as Pierpoint and Dimitriadis are left bearing the financial burden. They want to be fairly compensated, but their only options involve pursuing a costly and complex legal fight against either their landlord or a third party who may have been responsible for the damages. Another possible pathway is for them to file a dispute at the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT), which is often a time-consuming and formal process with steep fees. Loading Tenants Union of NSW chief executive Leo Patterson Ross said the costs of pursuing legal action often outstrips the actual amount people seek to be compensated. 'Just a filing fee alone could start at $500, and that's before you hire a solicitor – there might be many people who wouldn't pursue it because of the high costs and risk of not being successful,' he said. Pierpoint and Dimitriadis said situations such as their own would only 'get worse and worse, unless something changes'. They have urged the government to amend tenancy laws so that renters have a safety net if they are evicted for safety reasons in situations out of their control. 'Or, forcing the landlord's insurance to cover those costs – but we all know insurance companies will do anything to not have to pay anything,' Pierpoint said. 'I'll work it out – I'm just taking it day by day. If we didn't have the financial means to move that quickly, our stuff would just be on the street. If we didn't have community and friends around us, we would actually be homeless.'
The Age
5 days ago
- General
- The Age
Ben and Dino's home was ‘pristine'. Then the ceiling tore apart from the wall
The pair questioned whether the excavation had caused a seepage failure, meaning the ground on their side of the building's sheet piles – which provide support and water resistance – had sunk, causing their walls to detach from the ceilings. Compensation claims were lodged with the owner's insurance company, but they were refused on the basis that the gaping cracks were just normal wear and tear. Pierpoint said the 'traumatic' ordeal had forced them to spend thousands of dollars on removalists, storage units and temporary accommodation, and made them take time off work. Both are couch-surfing with friends and have no idea where they could end up next week. The housemates reached out to their landlord, NSW Fair Trading, the Inner West Council and the Building Commission, but they were told the same thing each time: That nobody had any legal responsibility to support or financially compensate them. 'The Residential Tenancies Act governs the relationship between landlords and tenants. It does not cover relationships with third parties,' a NSW Fair Trading spokesperson said in a statement to this masthead. The home owner declined to speak to the Herald. The developer next door declined to answer this masthead's questions. Pierpoint and Dimitriadis are frustrated at the lack of a clear compensation pathway for evicted tenants and said their situation highlights an obvious gap in tenancy laws. Under NSW's Residential Tenancies Act, landlords have a legal duty to provide a safe home. However, if it becomes uninhabitable and unsafe to live in, they can terminate the lease with immediate notice. This means renters such as Pierpoint and Dimitriadis are left bearing the financial burden. They want to be fairly compensated, but their only options involve pursuing a costly and complex legal fight against either their landlord or a third party who may have been responsible for the damages. Another possible pathway is for them to file a dispute at the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT), which is often a time-consuming and formal process with steep fees. Loading Tenants Union of NSW chief executive Leo Patterson Ross said the costs of pursuing legal action often outstrips the actual amount people seek to be compensated. 'Just a filing fee alone could start at $500, and that's before you hire a solicitor – there might be many people who wouldn't pursue it because of the high costs and risk of not being successful,' he said. Pierpoint and Dimitriadis said situations such as their own would only 'get worse and worse, unless something changes'. They have urged the government to amend tenancy laws so that renters have a safety net if they are evicted for safety reasons in situations out of their control. 'Or, forcing the landlord's insurance to cover those costs – but we all know insurance companies will do anything to not have to pay anything,' Pierpoint said. 'I'll work it out – I'm just taking it day by day. If we didn't have the financial means to move that quickly, our stuff would just be on the street. If we didn't have community and friends around us, we would actually be homeless.'
Sydney Morning Herald
5 days ago
- General
- Sydney Morning Herald
Ben and Dino's Marrickville home was ‘pristine'. Then the ceiling tore apart from the wall
The pair questioned whether the excavation had caused a seepage failure, meaning the ground on their side of the building's sheet piles – which provide support and water resistance – had sunk, causing their walls to detach from the ceilings. Compensation claims were lodged with the owner's insurance company, but they were refused on the basis that the gaping cracks were just normal wear and tear. Pierpoint said the 'traumatic' ordeal had forced them to spend thousands of dollars on removalists, storage units and temporary accommodation, and made them take time off work. Both are couch-surfing with friends and have no idea where they could end up next week. The housemates reached out to their landlord, NSW Fair Trading, the Inner West Council and the Building Commission, but they were told the same thing each time: That nobody had any legal responsibility to support or financially compensate them. 'The Residential Tenancies Act governs the relationship between landlords and tenants. It does not cover relationships with third parties,' a NSW Fair Trading spokesperson said in a statement to this masthead. The home owner declined to speak to the Herald . The developer next door declined to answer this masthead's questions. Pierpoint and Dimitriadis are frustrated at the lack of a clear compensation pathway for evicted tenants and said their situation highlights an obvious gap in tenancy laws. Under NSW's Residential Tenancies Act, landlords have a legal duty to provide a safe home. However, if it becomes uninhabitable and unsafe to live in, they can terminate the lease with immediate notice. This means renters such as Pierpoint and Dimitriadis are left bearing the financial burden. They want to be fairly compensated, but their only options involve pursuing a costly and complex legal fight against either their landlord or a third party who may have been responsible for the damages. Another possible pathway is for them to file a dispute at the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT), which is often a time-consuming and formal process with steep fees. Loading Tenants Union of NSW chief executive Leo Patterson Ross said the costs of pursuing legal action often outstrips the actual amount people seek to be compensated. 'Just a filing fee alone could start at $500, and that's before you hire a solicitor – there might be many people who wouldn't pursue it because of the high costs and risk of not being successful,' he said. Pierpoint and Dimitriadis said situations such as their own would only 'get worse and worse, unless something changes'. They have urged the government to amend tenancy laws so that renters have a safety net if they are evicted for safety reasons in situations out of their control. 'Or, forcing the landlord's insurance to cover those costs – but we all know insurance companies will do anything to not have to pay anything,' Pierpoint said. 'I'll work it out – I'm just taking it day by day. If we didn't have the financial means to move that quickly, our stuff would just be on the street. If we didn't have community and friends around us, we would actually be homeless.' Start the day with a summary of the day's most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
The Advertiser
24-06-2025
- Business
- The Advertiser
Housing, TAFE, arts budget boosts as state growth slows
THE FIGURES NSW state economy - $880 billion Growth in 2025/26 - 1.75 per cent (stable) Revenue - $124.2b (up 5.1 per cent) Expenses - $127.6b (up 3.0) Budget result - $3.4b deficit Gross debt - $178.8 billion Unemployment rate - 4.25 per cent (up from 4.0 per cent) BUDGET ANNOUNCEMENTS HOUSING * An Australian-first $1 billion pre-sale fund to help get 15,000 low- and medium-density homes off the ground * $145 million across four years for the state's Building Commission to hire more prosecutors, investigators and inspectors to weed out dodgy residential builds * $30.4 million crisis intervention package for homelessness services * Extension of build-to-rent tax concessions beyond slated 2039 end date COMMUNITIES * $1.2 billion on child protection, including substantial boost for foster carer allowances * $110 million to maintain public spaces, including the repair of heritage-listed Pyrmont Bridge and maintenance of fire trails * Commonwealth Veteran Card holders will receive free vehicle entry to all NSW National Parks * $25.8 million to support community sport * $6 million for animal rehoming organisations ARTS * Establishment of a $100 million fund to find a suitable location for a second major film studio in Sydney * $280.6 million in rebates for the screen and digital games sector * $40.6 million for 24-hour Commissioner and Sound NSW TRANSPORT: * $452 million to increase bus services, including 50 new "bendy" buses and more regular school bus services in outer Sydney and regional areas * Road upgrades and new signage around Western Sydney Airport and $250 million to finish the widening of Mona Vale Rd, a critical artery in north Sydney. * Major road upgrades in Dapto and Queanbeyan and repairs in flood-affected Hunter and Northern Rivers EDUCATION: * $9 billion across four years for public school infrastructure, largely focused on growing suburban communities * $3.4 billion towards TAFE and upskilling, including $40 million to enable 23,000 construction students to complete their apprenticeships for free HEALTH: * Another $700 million towards construction of the $2 billion Bankstown Hospital and relocation of Bankstown TAFE * A statewide pathology hub to be established at Westmead, with the $492 million investment to include an upgrade to a high-security lab researching dangerous pathogens such as Ebola and measles * $23 million to cut down the overdue surgery list by 3500 * $83 million to bolster maternity care ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS * $202 million for Closing the Gap projects, including $23 million towards community-led suicide prevention programs LAW AND ORDER: * $125.8 million for cybersecurity and hardware upgrades to NSW Police * $227 million across five years to help victims of violent crime access counselling * About $100 million to upgrade the state's busiest courthouse and employ more prosecutors, solicitors and witness assistance officers INNOVATION AND BUSINESS: * $80 million in innovation funding, including $38.5 million to boost technology hub TechCentral * A four-person Investment Delivery Authority to fast-track planning approvals for billion-dollar projects THE FIGURES NSW state economy - $880 billion Growth in 2025/26 - 1.75 per cent (stable) Revenue - $124.2b (up 5.1 per cent) Expenses - $127.6b (up 3.0) Budget result - $3.4b deficit Gross debt - $178.8 billion Unemployment rate - 4.25 per cent (up from 4.0 per cent) BUDGET ANNOUNCEMENTS HOUSING * An Australian-first $1 billion pre-sale fund to help get 15,000 low- and medium-density homes off the ground * $145 million across four years for the state's Building Commission to hire more prosecutors, investigators and inspectors to weed out dodgy residential builds * $30.4 million crisis intervention package for homelessness services * Extension of build-to-rent tax concessions beyond slated 2039 end date COMMUNITIES * $1.2 billion on child protection, including substantial boost for foster carer allowances * $110 million to maintain public spaces, including the repair of heritage-listed Pyrmont Bridge and maintenance of fire trails * Commonwealth Veteran Card holders will receive free vehicle entry to all NSW National Parks * $25.8 million to support community sport * $6 million for animal rehoming organisations ARTS * Establishment of a $100 million fund to find a suitable location for a second major film studio in Sydney * $280.6 million in rebates for the screen and digital games sector * $40.6 million for 24-hour Commissioner and Sound NSW TRANSPORT: * $452 million to increase bus services, including 50 new "bendy" buses and more regular school bus services in outer Sydney and regional areas * Road upgrades and new signage around Western Sydney Airport and $250 million to finish the widening of Mona Vale Rd, a critical artery in north Sydney. * Major road upgrades in Dapto and Queanbeyan and repairs in flood-affected Hunter and Northern Rivers EDUCATION: * $9 billion across four years for public school infrastructure, largely focused on growing suburban communities * $3.4 billion towards TAFE and upskilling, including $40 million to enable 23,000 construction students to complete their apprenticeships for free HEALTH: * Another $700 million towards construction of the $2 billion Bankstown Hospital and relocation of Bankstown TAFE * A statewide pathology hub to be established at Westmead, with the $492 million investment to include an upgrade to a high-security lab researching dangerous pathogens such as Ebola and measles * $23 million to cut down the overdue surgery list by 3500 * $83 million to bolster maternity care ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS * $202 million for Closing the Gap projects, including $23 million towards community-led suicide prevention programs LAW AND ORDER: * $125.8 million for cybersecurity and hardware upgrades to NSW Police * $227 million across five years to help victims of violent crime access counselling * About $100 million to upgrade the state's busiest courthouse and employ more prosecutors, solicitors and witness assistance officers INNOVATION AND BUSINESS: * $80 million in innovation funding, including $38.5 million to boost technology hub TechCentral * A four-person Investment Delivery Authority to fast-track planning approvals for billion-dollar projects THE FIGURES NSW state economy - $880 billion Growth in 2025/26 - 1.75 per cent (stable) Revenue - $124.2b (up 5.1 per cent) Expenses - $127.6b (up 3.0) Budget result - $3.4b deficit Gross debt - $178.8 billion Unemployment rate - 4.25 per cent (up from 4.0 per cent) BUDGET ANNOUNCEMENTS HOUSING * An Australian-first $1 billion pre-sale fund to help get 15,000 low- and medium-density homes off the ground * $145 million across four years for the state's Building Commission to hire more prosecutors, investigators and inspectors to weed out dodgy residential builds * $30.4 million crisis intervention package for homelessness services * Extension of build-to-rent tax concessions beyond slated 2039 end date COMMUNITIES * $1.2 billion on child protection, including substantial boost for foster carer allowances * $110 million to maintain public spaces, including the repair of heritage-listed Pyrmont Bridge and maintenance of fire trails * Commonwealth Veteran Card holders will receive free vehicle entry to all NSW National Parks * $25.8 million to support community sport * $6 million for animal rehoming organisations ARTS * Establishment of a $100 million fund to find a suitable location for a second major film studio in Sydney * $280.6 million in rebates for the screen and digital games sector * $40.6 million for 24-hour Commissioner and Sound NSW TRANSPORT: * $452 million to increase bus services, including 50 new "bendy" buses and more regular school bus services in outer Sydney and regional areas * Road upgrades and new signage around Western Sydney Airport and $250 million to finish the widening of Mona Vale Rd, a critical artery in north Sydney. * Major road upgrades in Dapto and Queanbeyan and repairs in flood-affected Hunter and Northern Rivers EDUCATION: * $9 billion across four years for public school infrastructure, largely focused on growing suburban communities * $3.4 billion towards TAFE and upskilling, including $40 million to enable 23,000 construction students to complete their apprenticeships for free HEALTH: * Another $700 million towards construction of the $2 billion Bankstown Hospital and relocation of Bankstown TAFE * A statewide pathology hub to be established at Westmead, with the $492 million investment to include an upgrade to a high-security lab researching dangerous pathogens such as Ebola and measles * $23 million to cut down the overdue surgery list by 3500 * $83 million to bolster maternity care ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS * $202 million for Closing the Gap projects, including $23 million towards community-led suicide prevention programs LAW AND ORDER: * $125.8 million for cybersecurity and hardware upgrades to NSW Police * $227 million across five years to help victims of violent crime access counselling * About $100 million to upgrade the state's busiest courthouse and employ more prosecutors, solicitors and witness assistance officers INNOVATION AND BUSINESS: * $80 million in innovation funding, including $38.5 million to boost technology hub TechCentral * A four-person Investment Delivery Authority to fast-track planning approvals for billion-dollar projects THE FIGURES NSW state economy - $880 billion Growth in 2025/26 - 1.75 per cent (stable) Revenue - $124.2b (up 5.1 per cent) Expenses - $127.6b (up 3.0) Budget result - $3.4b deficit Gross debt - $178.8 billion Unemployment rate - 4.25 per cent (up from 4.0 per cent) BUDGET ANNOUNCEMENTS HOUSING * An Australian-first $1 billion pre-sale fund to help get 15,000 low- and medium-density homes off the ground * $145 million across four years for the state's Building Commission to hire more prosecutors, investigators and inspectors to weed out dodgy residential builds * $30.4 million crisis intervention package for homelessness services * Extension of build-to-rent tax concessions beyond slated 2039 end date COMMUNITIES * $1.2 billion on child protection, including substantial boost for foster carer allowances * $110 million to maintain public spaces, including the repair of heritage-listed Pyrmont Bridge and maintenance of fire trails * Commonwealth Veteran Card holders will receive free vehicle entry to all NSW National Parks * $25.8 million to support community sport * $6 million for animal rehoming organisations ARTS * Establishment of a $100 million fund to find a suitable location for a second major film studio in Sydney * $280.6 million in rebates for the screen and digital games sector * $40.6 million for 24-hour Commissioner and Sound NSW TRANSPORT: * $452 million to increase bus services, including 50 new "bendy" buses and more regular school bus services in outer Sydney and regional areas * Road upgrades and new signage around Western Sydney Airport and $250 million to finish the widening of Mona Vale Rd, a critical artery in north Sydney. * Major road upgrades in Dapto and Queanbeyan and repairs in flood-affected Hunter and Northern Rivers EDUCATION: * $9 billion across four years for public school infrastructure, largely focused on growing suburban communities * $3.4 billion towards TAFE and upskilling, including $40 million to enable 23,000 construction students to complete their apprenticeships for free HEALTH: * Another $700 million towards construction of the $2 billion Bankstown Hospital and relocation of Bankstown TAFE * A statewide pathology hub to be established at Westmead, with the $492 million investment to include an upgrade to a high-security lab researching dangerous pathogens such as Ebola and measles * $23 million to cut down the overdue surgery list by 3500 * $83 million to bolster maternity care ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS * $202 million for Closing the Gap projects, including $23 million towards community-led suicide prevention programs LAW AND ORDER: * $125.8 million for cybersecurity and hardware upgrades to NSW Police * $227 million across five years to help victims of violent crime access counselling * About $100 million to upgrade the state's busiest courthouse and employ more prosecutors, solicitors and witness assistance officers INNOVATION AND BUSINESS: * $80 million in innovation funding, including $38.5 million to boost technology hub TechCentral * A four-person Investment Delivery Authority to fast-track planning approvals for billion-dollar projects
Perth Now
24-06-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Housing, TAFE, arts budget boosts as state growth slows
THE FIGURES NSW state economy - $880 billion Growth in 2025/26 - 1.75 per cent (stable) Revenue - $124.2b (up 5.1 per cent) Expenses - $127.6b (up 3.0) Budget result - $3.4b deficit Gross debt - $178.8 billion Unemployment rate - 4.25 per cent (up from 4.0 per cent) BUDGET ANNOUNCEMENTS HOUSING * An Australian-first $1 billion pre-sale fund to help get 15,000 low- and medium-density homes off the ground * $145 million across four years for the state's Building Commission to hire more prosecutors, investigators and inspectors to weed out dodgy residential builds * $30.4 million crisis intervention package for homelessness services * Extension of build-to-rent tax concessions beyond slated 2039 end date COMMUNITIES * $1.2 billion on child protection, including substantial boost for foster carer allowances * $110 million to maintain public spaces, including the repair of heritage-listed Pyrmont Bridge and maintenance of fire trails * Commonwealth Veteran Card holders will receive free vehicle entry to all NSW National Parks * $25.8 million to support community sport * $6 million for animal rehoming organisations ARTS * Establishment of a $100 million fund to find a suitable location for a second major film studio in Sydney * $280.6 million in rebates for the screen and digital games sector * $40.6 million for 24-hour Commissioner and Sound NSW TRANSPORT: * $452 million to increase bus services, including 50 new "bendy" buses and more regular school bus services in outer Sydney and regional areas * Road upgrades and new signage around Western Sydney Airport and $250 million to finish the widening of Mona Vale Rd, a critical artery in north Sydney. * Major road upgrades in Dapto and Queanbeyan and repairs in flood-affected Hunter and Northern Rivers EDUCATION: * $9 billion across four years for public school infrastructure, largely focused on growing suburban communities * $3.4 billion towards TAFE and upskilling, including $40 million to enable 23,000 construction students to complete their apprenticeships for free HEALTH: * Another $700 million towards construction of the $2 billion Bankstown Hospital and relocation of Bankstown TAFE * A statewide pathology hub to be established at Westmead, with the $492 million investment to include an upgrade to a high-security lab researching dangerous pathogens such as Ebola and measles * $23 million to cut down the overdue surgery list by 3500 * $83 million to bolster maternity care ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS * $202 million for Closing the Gap projects, including $23 million towards community-led suicide prevention programs LAW AND ORDER: * $125.8 million for cybersecurity and hardware upgrades to NSW Police * $227 million across five years to help victims of violent crime access counselling * About $100 million to upgrade the state's busiest courthouse and employ more prosecutors, solicitors and witness assistance officers INNOVATION AND BUSINESS: * $80 million in innovation funding, including $38.5 million to boost technology hub TechCentral * A four-person Investment Delivery Authority to fast-track planning approvals for billion-dollar projects
