Light-touch regulation keeps on failing homebuyers in faulty towers
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By Mike Steketee
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It is all too familiar: another developer of apartment towers facing questions over alleged defects in one of its buildings and the structural integrity of another.
After a whistleblower contacted state MPs and the ABC expressing concern about a tower building that is part of the 960-apartment Skyview development at Castle Hill, NSW Fair Trading found after an inspection “the existence of structural issues that would require specialist engineering advice” and NSW Building Commissioner David Chandler said he would refer the engineers involved to their peak body, Engineers Australia.
Greek-Australian Politician Sworn In To New South Wales Parliament
” width=”696″>The New South Wales Parliament building, in Sydney, Australia. Credit: Adam.J.W.C./Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 2.5
Peter Poulos, a Greek-Australian Liberal Party politician, was sworn into office at the New South Wales (NSW) Parliament recently.
Poulos also joined the powerful Regulation Committee and the Public Accountability Committee of the NSW Parliament on Thursday.
Poulos in NSW Parliament
Back in April, Poulos was preselected as a new member of the NSW Legislative Council.
Poulos was deemed qualified for the job as he has served as a Rockdale Councilor for twelve years and as Deputy Mayor for one. He has been a member of the Liberal Party since 1993 and has also served as Urban Vice President in the past.
The City of Newcastle has missed out on tens of millions of dollars each year in grants from the New South Wales Government, due to inconsistent funding rules and classification.
But this could change from here on in, with a formal review following a recommendation by state parliament’s Public Accountability Committee.
It was found unacceptable that large regional cities such as Newcastle and Wollongong were excluded from major grants when complementary grants programs are designed for both metropolitan and regional areas.
For example, Newcastle City Council is not eligible for the Greater Sydney Sports Facility Fund or the Regional Sports Infrastructure Fund.
County Executive announces that the county s police Police review has been filed Written by Putnam County
Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell announced that the county’s Police Policy Comprehensive Review has been filed with the state in advance of the April 1 deadline.
“This was a demanding and time-consuming process and I’m very grateful to all who participated,” County Executive Odell said. “While the review was required by the state, it gave us a chance to take an honest look in the mirror and see how we are doing and where policing needs to improve in the county. I want to thank all the stakeholders and the subcommittees that contributed valuable ideas. The work is not done yet, it will be ongoing. We will continue to review police policies with an eye to equity and fairness.”