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In the Media
$2m boost for NSW Crown Reserves Improvement Fund
The NSW Government has announced a major boost to the 2025–26 Crown Reserves Improvement Fund to support upgrades and maintenance across the state's Crown land reserves. Funding has increased to $13.5 million, more than $2 million higher than last year. "The Minns Labor Government is committed to building better communities across NSW and the Crown Reserves Improvement Fund keeps public reserves safe, vibrant and accessible," said Minister for Lands and Property, Steve Kamper. Read more here.
NSW launches Working Women's Centre to support against discrimination and harassment
A new centre for women in NSW will help ensure women have access to legal advice and representation on workplace issues. On Friday, the NSW Working Women's Centre was officially launched by Minister for Women Jodie Harrison and Federal Assistant Minister for Social Services and the Prevention of Family Violence Ged Kearney, with Women's Legal Service CEO Katrina Ironside. The Minns Labor Government has invested $8 million over four years into the Centre, which will provide free legal advice and support to women in the workplace, education and training to businesses and staff, as well as working to enhance workplace safety for women across the state. Read more here.
"Shockwaves through the market:" NSW slashes peak demand reduction target amid home battery rebate fallout
The New South Wales government has slashed the 2026-27 target for the Peak Demand Reduction Scheme (PDRS) to 0.5 per cent, down from 7.5 per cent, in a drastic bid to help the state market adjust to the impact of the federal battery rebate. The dramatic cut to the 2026-27 target was announced by the NSW government announced on Friday in response to forecasts of a major shortfall in Peak Reduction Certificates (PRCs) and to avoid inflicting widespread penalties on scheme participants. The PRC price dropped from $2.86 on Friday to around $2.60. Read more here.
Strap in for a feral lead-up into Christmas in the NSW parliament
The Minns Labor government has two major pieces of legislation it desperately wants to pass before parliament rises. But it faces obstacles in the upper house where a clutch of minor parties hold the balance of power. The first is the bill to streamline the planning system. The changes have been billed as necessary to fast-track major housing projects, but it's become clear that the bill could also apply to mining and energy projects. The Greens say it gives the planning minister unprecedented powers to decide that the public interest or environmental matters can be ignored. That's why they are opposing the bill and calling for significant amendments. Read more here.
NSW Government delivers response to the 2024 Drug Summit Report
The NSW Government has today formally responded to the 2024 Drug Summit recommendations, building on its commitment to reform the state's whole-of-government approach to alcohol and other drug use, which will place harm reduction and wellbeing at the forefront of policy. The 2024 Drug Summit, chaired by John Brogden AM and Hon. Carmel Tebbutt, delivered 56 recommendations to the NSW Government earlier this year. This followed extensive consultation with a range of stakeholders including health experts, police, people with lived and living experience, service providers and community members. Read more here.
Social housing overhaul
NSW is making the largest investment in social housing in the state's history with the government committing $6.1 billion to fund a ten-year strategy that aims to "transform the system". The strategy sets out a vision "to deliver quality homes and services that change lives and end homelessness – and is a bold commitment to ending housing insecurity and homelessness in our state," Homes NSW CEO Rebecca Pinkstone said. "It's a clear roadmap for generational reform, designed to transform the social housing and homelessness system," she added. The investment will "directly build thousands of new homes, repair the ones we have, and restore pride in public housing," said Minister for Housing Rose Jackson. Read more here.
NSW e-bike Bill
The NSW Government is introducing Australia-first shared bike scheme legislation. The Bill was introduced in response to a parliamentary inquiry held in 2024 into the use of e-bikes, e-scooters, and other micromobility devices in NSW. The inquiry recommended the government set "consistent safety, operational and accessibility standards." This prompted the government to review how sharing schemes operate and commit to establishing an "appropriate and robust" regulatory framework. Read more here.
Wilsons Creek Road repairs underway, say govt
A key stretch of Wilsons Creek Road between Upper Wilsons Creek Road and Alidenes Road in Byron Shire will become more resilient to future weather events, says the NSW government. They say in a media release is cost almost $10.7 million in combined disaster recovery funding. 'Devastated in the 2022 floods, Wilsons Creek Road is the only evacuation route for the hinterland communities in Wilsons Creek and the adjoining valley areas of Upper Wilsons Creek and Huonbrook/Wanganui'. Read more here.
New bus services for Western Sydney
Transport for NSW is introducing new bus services to connect Penrith, Oran Park, Campbelltown, Liverpool, Mount Druitt and Leppington with local centres, the Western Sydney International Airport and the emerging Bradfield City Centre. The new services will commence ahead of the new Airport opening in 2026. Read more here.
Reimagining Pyrmont Peninsula reaches new heights
The City of Sydney has endorsed changes to planning rules for Pyrmont and Ultimo that will exceed state government targets for homes and jobs, following extensive public consultation. These proposals follow the NSW Government's Pyrmont Peninsula Place Strategy which introduced new housing and job targets for the area ahead of the new metro station opening in early 2030. City planners worked closely with residents and ratepayers in Pyrmont and Ultimo throughout the consultation process to shape the proposed planning controls. Read more here.
Rooftop solar initiative for NSW apartments
The Australian and NSW governments are helping more NSW apartment residents access rooftop solar. The NSW Solar for Apartment Residents (SoAR) Grant Program provides funding to body corporates. This can be used to install shared rooftop solar systems on eligible apartment buildings and other multi-unit dwellings in NSW. The Australian and NSW governments are partnering to provide $25 million for the program. An eligible applicant under the program must be either a NSW residential owners corporation or a strata managing agent. Read more here.
Construction starts on $200 million Bathurst Hospital Redevelopment
The Minns Labor Government has today marked the start of construction on the $200 million Bathurst Hospital Redevelopment, a major milestone in delivering enhanced health services for Bathurst and surrounding communities. The $200 million redevelopment will provide patients, staff and carers with access to modern health facilities and expanded healthcare services to meet the future health needs of the communities in the Central West of NSW. Read the ministerial media release here.
School infrastructure projects booming in Sydney's South West
One of the largest school building delivery programs in the history of South West Sydney's growth region is taking off with major work now underway to deliver new and upgraded schools and preschools across the Camden and Leppington electorates. Ahead of a community cabinet meeting, Premier Chris Minns, Acting Minister for Education and Early Learning Courtney Houssos, and the Member for Camden Sally Quinnell met with Gregory Hills Public School students who will attend the new Gledswood Hills High School once it opens. Read the ministerial media release here.
Practice and the courts
New NSW regional jobs board to boost access to justice
in rural, regional and remote communities.
Less than 5,000 solicitors in the state are based in rural
areas. A regional jobs board has been established to draw
solicitors to country NSW, bolstering access to justice in that
part of the state. The platform, Careers in the Country, is free
and open to Law Society member practice principals for the listing
of job vacancies for solicitors and legal support staff in their
areas. The board will also publish listings for rural-based Office
of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Aboriginal Legal Service
NSW/ACT and Legal Aid NSW roles. Read more here.
Text and data mining exception will not be included in
potential copyright law reforms: government
The federal government has confirmed that it will not
consider including a text and data mining exception in potential
amendments to Australia's copyright laws. Technology sector
stakeholders had sought a broad exception that would grant AI
developers free access to the works of Australian creators. They
would also be able to use the information to train AI models
without requiring creators' consent. The government rejected
the pitch, saying that it would support and provide certainty to
creatives in Australia. Read more here.
A Framework for solicitor career success
A new resource for NSW's 43,000 solicitors will help
them improve the enduring human skills and behaviours they need to
build and maintain a flourishing career in the law, and provide
better legal services to the public. President of the Law Society
of NSW Jennifer Ball said the Solicitor Capability Framework will
better equip the legal profession with the capabilities needed to
thrive in practice today and into the future. Read more here.
NSW introduces legislation to change magistrate title to
judge
Joining the Northern Territory's Local Court and
Federal Circuit Court of Australia, which have switched the
magistrate title to judge, the New South Wales government has
introduced legislation permitting the recognition of Local Court
magistrates as judges. The NSW department said the amendments aim
to reflect the nature, volume, and importance of the Local
Court's work. Read more here.
Publications
Supported decision-making for people living with
dementia in NSW
The NSW parliament have published a paper on how legal
frameworks in NSW shape decision-making for people living with
dementia, given the challenges posed by progressive cognitive
decline. It considers traditional surrogate decision-making models
and the supported decision-making approach, which aligns with
Australia's obligations under the Convention on the Rights of
Persons with Disabilities. Access the paper here.
Committee on the Ombudsman, the Law Enforcement Conduct
Commission and the Crime Commission
Committee on the Ombudsman, the Law Enforcement Conduct
Commission and the Crime Commission, have released their annual
report. The have made two recommendations two findings to address
or elevate issues we found in this year's review. Our first
recommendation is that the NSW Government consider amending the Law
Enforcement Conduct Commission Act 2016 (NSW). We would like to see
amendments to the Act to clarify and consolidate the Law
Enforcement Conduct Commission's (LECC) powers to access NSW
Police Force material. This would enable the LECC to undertake its
statutory role more efficiently and effectively. We have also
recommended that the Inspector of Custodial Services (ICS) improve
its reporting by including more information on agencies'
responses to recommendations in its reports. The reports of the ICS
are intended to examine the conditions, treatment and outcomes of
adults and young people in custody in NSW (23 October 2025). Access
the report here
Review of the Health Care Complaints Commission's
2023-2024 annual report
A new report has presented further findings and
recommendations to improve the Health Care Complaints system. A
range of recommendations were provided surrounding complaint
management, support for complainants, support for health
practitioners and strategic planning and organisational culture.
Recommendations include hiring more Aboriginal identified staff, to
improve the committee's relationship with Multicultural NSW to
engage more effectively with culturally and linguistically diverse
communities and seek health practitioners' input on specific
support and resources that could be made available to practitioners
who are subject to complaint and investigation (29 September 2025).
Access the report here.
Net zero and circular economy guidelines for transport
operations
Transport for NSW have published guidelines for transport
operations. By 2030, the transport sector is projected to become
Australia's largest single source of emissions. In NSW,
transport fuel combustion contributed approximately 28 million
tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e) emissions in 2019.
Transport for NSW activities account for 5% of these transport
sector emissions, primarily through its operational activities and
various vehicle fleets. Recognising this, Transport has published a
Net Zero and Climate Change Policy, setting prescriptive targets
for Transport Operations to align with and support the NSW
Government's economy-wide decarbonisation commitments (25
September 2025). Read more here.
Collection, transport and disposal of waste
SafeWork NSW has drafted the new Collection, transport
and disposal of waste code of practice. We are proposing the
new code will replace the 2005 Collection of domestic waste
code of practice. Following consultation with stakeholders, we
have drafted the code to better meet modern safety standards and
new ways of working. The new code provides information and guidance
to make sure risks from the collection, transport and disposal of
waste are managed according to current work health and safety laws.
Responses are invited until November 9th 2025. Read more
here.
Cases
La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council v Quarry Street Pty Ltd [2025] HCA 32
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples – land rights – Claimable Crown lands – where land claimed under s 36(2) of Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 (NSW) ("Act") subject to lease granted by Crown – where lessee had not undertaken purposeful activity on land – where "claimable Crown lands" in s 36(1) of Act means lands vested in Crown that are "not lawfully used" – whether land "lawfully used" for purpose of s 36(1)(b) of Act merely because land subject to existing lease from Crown.
Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 (NSW), Pt 2, ss 4(1), 36, Sch 4, cl 8; Conveyancing Act 1919 (NSW), ss 7(1), 117, 118, 119; Crown Land Management Act 2016 (NSW), ss 1.5(1), 1.7(a), 1.10, 1.12, 3.3, 3.13(1); Crown Lands Act 1989 (NSW), ss 3(1), 80(1), 87(1), Sch 7; Crown Lands Consolidation Act 1913 (NSW), s 5(1); Interpretation Act 1987 (NSW), ss 3(3), 5, 6, 8(c), 13, 68(3), Sch 4; Native Title Act 1993 (Cth), ss 10, 184, 186(1)(e), 223(1), 225, 253; Real Property Act 1900 (NSW), ss 3(1)(a), 13(2), 13D, 13J, 40(3), 42(1), 46C.
Morgan and Hughes v Ballina Shire Council [2025] NSWLEC 127
CIVIL PROCEDURE: separate determination of questions – questions concern permissibility of proposed development of tourist accommodation – applicable legal principles – separate questions ordered.
Ballina Local Environmental Plan 1987, cll 9(2), 12, 28; Civil Procedure Act 2005, s 56; Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, s 4.22; Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005, r 28.2
Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority v Burwood RSL Club Ltd [2025] NSWCATAP 279
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – administrative review – approval to remove club licence to new premises – whether decision to impose conditions on licence is an administrative reviewable decision
WORDS AND PHRASES – meaning of "in relation to"
Administrative Decisions Review Act 1987 (NSW), ss 7, 9, 55, 63; Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2013 (NSW), ss 4, 30, 32, 80, 81, 83; Gaming and Liquor Administration Act 2007 (NSW), ss 4, 13A, 36A; Gaming and Liquor Administration Regulation 2008 (NSW), cl 5B (repealed); Gaming and Liquor Administration Regulation 2016 (NSW), cl 7 (repealed); Gaming and Liquor Administration Regulation 2024 (NSW), cll 2, 4, 10; Gaming Machines Act 2001 (NSW), ss 34, 88, 95A, 101, 102, 104; Interpretation Act 1987 (NSW), s 34; Liquor Act 2007 (NSW), ss 7, 10, 11, 12A, 12B, 20, 44, 45, 49, 53, 59
Cicolini v Transport Secretary [2025] NSWIRComm 1095
WORKERS COMPENSATION – protection of injured workers – application to Industrial Relations Commission for reinstatement – whether worker fit for reinstatement sought
Industrial Relations Act 1996, s 84; Workers Compensation Act 1987, Part 8
OCCUPATIONS – local government councillor – whether Tribunal has jurisdiction to grant interlocutory injunction restraining Secretary from exercising power to suspend councillor for misconduct – whether, if within jurisdiction, interlocutory injunctive relief sought by councillor should be granted
Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2013 (NSW); Local Government Act 1993 (NSW); Supreme Court Act 1970 (NSW)
Legislation
Proclamations commencing Acts
Suicide Prevention Act 2025 No 55 (2025-582) – published LW 31 October 2025
Tobacco Legislation (Closure Orders) Amendment Act 2025 No 51 (2025-583) – published LW 31 October 2025
Water Management Amendment (Water Access Licence Register Reform) Act 2024 No 69 (2025-584) – published LW 31 October 2025
Regulations and other miscellaneous instruments
Biosecurity Amendment (Miscellaneous) Regulation 2025 (2025-585) – published LW 31 October 2025
Electricity Supply (General) Amendment (Peak Demand Reduction Targets) Regulation 2025 (2025-586) – published LW 31 October 2025
Environmental Planning and Assessment (Development Certification and Fire Safety) Amendment (Building Sustainability Index Certificates) Regulation 2025 (2025-587) – published LW 31 October 2025
Fair Trading Amendment (Penalty Notice Publications) Regulation 2025 (2025-581) – published LW 29 October 2025
Final Determination [Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016] (2025-588) – published LW 31 October 2025
NSW Greyhound Racing Rules (2025-589) – published LW 31 October 2025
Passenger Transport (General) Amendment (Converted E-bike Batteries) Regulation 2025 (2025-590) – published LW 31 October 2025
Public Health (Tobacco) Amendment (Miscellaneous) Regulation 2025 (2025-591) – published LW 31 October 2025
Assisted Reproductive Technology Amendment (Donated Gametes) Regulation 2025 (2025-555) – published LW 17 October 2025
Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment (Planning Proposal Authority) Regulation 2025 (2025-556) – published LW 17 October 2025
Rail Safety (Adoption of National Law) Amendment Regulation 2025 (2025-557) – published LW 17 October 2025
Strata Schemes Legislation Amendment (Commencement) Regulation 2025 (2025-558) – published LW 17 October 2025
Environmental Planning Instruments
Bourke Local Environmental Plan 2012 (Amendment No 5) (2025-592) – published LW 31 October 2025
Eurobodalla Local Environmental Plan 2012 (Map Amendment No 1) (2025-593) – published LW 31 October 2025
Fairfield Local Environmental Plan 2013 (Amendment No 49) (2025-594) – published LW 31 October 2025
Hay Local Environmental Plan 2011 (Amendment No 2) (2025-595) – published LW 31 October 2025
Hilltops Local Environmental Plan 2022 (Map Amendment No 1) (2025-596) – published LW 31 October 2025
Mosman Local Environmental Plan Amendment (Exempt and Complying Development Codes and Housing—Dual Occupancies) 2025 (2025-597) – published LW 31 October 2025
State Environmental Planning Policy (Sustainable Buildings) Amendment (Building Sustainability Index Certificates) 2025 (2025-599) – published LW 31 October 2025
State Environmental Planning Policy Amendment (North Wollongong Station Precinct) 2025 (2025-600) – published LW 31 October 2025
Wollondilly Local Environmental Plan 2011 (Amendment No 48) (2025-598) – published LW 31 October 2025
Ballina Local Environmental Plan 2012 (Map Amendment No 10) (2025-572) – published LW 24 October 2025
Bellingen Local Environmental Plan 2010 (Map Amendment No 5) (2025-573) – published LW 24 October 2025
Blacktown Local Environmental Plan 2015 (Map Amendment No 5) (2025-574) – published LW 24 October 2025
Blue Mountains Local Environmental Plan 2015 (Amendment No 21) (2025-575) – published LW 24 October 2025
Campbelltown Local Environmental Plan 2015 (Amendment No 44) (2025-576) – published LW 24 October 2025
Ku-ring-gai Local Environmental Plan 2015 (Amendment No 40) (2025-577) – published LW 24 October 2025
Port Stephens Local Environmental Plan 2013 (Amendment No 45) (2025-578) – published LW 24 October 2025
Richmond Valley Local Environmental Plan 2012 (Map Amendment No 3) (2025-579) – published LW 24 October 2025
Tweed Local Environmental Plan 2014 (Map Amendment No 3) (2025-580) – published LW 24 October 2025
Bega Valley Local Environmental Plan 2013 (Amendment No 49) (2025-559) – published LW 17 October 2025
Canterbury-Bankstown Local Environmental Plan 2023 (Amendment No 10) (2025-560) – published LW 17 October 2025
Hornsby Local Environmental Plan 2013 (Map Amendment No 6) (2025-561) – published LW 17 October 2025
Mid-Western Regional Local Environmental Plan 2012 (Map Amendment No 16) (2025-562) – published LW 17 October 2025
Parkes Local Environmental Plan 2012 (Amendment No 10) (2025-564) – published LW 17 October 2025
Parkes Local Environmental Plan 2012 (Amendment No 9) (2025-563) – published LW 17 October 2025
State Environmental Planning Policy (Planning Systems) Amendment (Independent Planning Commission Referral Criteria) 2025 (2025-565) – published LW 17 October 2025
State Environmental Planning Policy Amendment (Explorer Street Eveleigh) 2025 (2025-566) – published LW 17 October 2025
State Environmental Planning Policy Amendment (Macarthur Gardens North Affordable Housing Area) 2025 (2025-567) – published LW 17 October 2025
Sydney Local Environmental Plan Amendment (Eastern Harbour City) 2025 (2025-568) – published LW 17 October 2025
Upper Lachlan Local Environmental Plan 2010 (Map Amendment No 3) (2025-569) – published LW 17 October 2025
Wollongong Local Environmental Plan 2009 (Map Amendment No 10) (2025-570) – published LW 17 October 2025
Yass Valley Local Environmental Plan 2013 (Amendment No 19) (2025-571) – published LW 17 October 2025
This publication does not deal with every important topic or change in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you have found this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances please contact one of the named individuals listed.
