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ISSUE 17 | AUgUSt 2022

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The Blacktown News is available at strategic locations throughout Blacktown LGA. To find a location near you visit our website.

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info@greaterblacktownnews.com.au Editor Michael Walls michael@accessnews.com.au

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ISSUE 17 | AUgUSt 2022 tRUStED LOCAL NEWS WWW.gREAtERBLACKtOWNNEWS.COM.AUBlacktowN PROPERTY

Approval for Blacktown Workers $500M project Inspiring teacher wins innovation award

SPECIAL FINALISTS FEATURE As Blacktown property prices surge young buyers are turning to the Bank of Mum and Dad in record numbers BOMAD HOT SPOT INSIDE

YOUNGSTERS are closing in on deals and buying their dream homes earlier than their anticipated timeline, courtesy of the Bank of Mum and Dad (BoMaD). An interesting trend has emerged in the real estate sector - a whopping 60% of first home buyers have been financed by their well-meaning parents

GET OUT + ABOUT IN THE CBD THIS AUGUST to make their property dreams a reality. Interestingly, 2021 was a record year for Australia’s ninth biggest money lender, BoMaD. If statistics are to be believed, the BoMaD loans are currently hovering at a staggering $34B mark. In Western Sydney, Blacktown Local Government Area is considered a hotspot for BoMaD properties. More: page 6. 1 — 31 AUGUST FOUR WEEKS OF EVENTS, MUSIC, DANCE, FOOD, ART AND MORE.

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Newsroom

News Editor Dallas Sherringham dallas@accessnews.com.au

Advertising sales

Julie Jackson

julie@accessnews.com.au

Administration

Rebecca Swaleh rebecca@accessnews.com.au

Design and production

Design2Pro, Words and Pixels.

Platinum Media Partner

The Blacktown News is platinum media partner for the Greater Blacktown Business Chamber

Support Partner

The Blacktown News is the official media partner of Blacktown FC.

StARS OF WEStERN SYDNEY REtURNS

This event brings together our local communities in all areas of Blacktown for an evening of laughter, entertainment and fundraising support.

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CAUgHt At Mt DRUItt POOL

Mount Druitt Swimming Pool will be a fishers paradise in August with the pool teeming with 600 succulent Snowy Mountains trout ready to be hooked.

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LIONS DONAtION REDUCES PAIN

A critical new service is available to cancer patients at Blacktown Hospital Cancer Centre, thanks to the generosity of Blacktown Ponds Lions Club.

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MEEt tHE KARENS OF 2022

If your name is David or Sarah, congratulations,you are famous for complaining most aboutanything and everything.

News..............................................4 Stephen Bali ..................................7 Blacktown Workers........................8 Michelle Rowland ........................16 Loacl Business Awards ...............17 Magazine ....................................33 Healthy Western Sydney .............34 Games.........................................36 Travel...........................................37 Trends..........................................38 Fitness .........................................39 Property.......................................40 Auto .............................................41 Films ............................................42 Sport............................................45

CONFESSIONS OF A NEtFLIX ADDICt

I must admit up front that I am a Netflix addict, thanks to the pandemic and too much time on my hands in lock-down.

SECTIONS

SPORtS REWIND: PEtER SHIELS

From the streets of Mt Druitt to the NRL and a successful business career, Peter Shiels has had an amazinig journey.

WEXPO coming soon to Blacktown Workers Club

Mayor condemns top cop assault

BLACKTOWN Mayor Tony Bleasdale has condemned violence in all its forms after a Councillor and senior police officer was allegedly assaulted.

Councillor Bob Fitzgerald, who is a long-serving member of NSW Police and a Chief Inspector at Blacktown Local Area Command, was allegedly assaulted by three teens on his way to work on Monday morning.

Mayor Bleasdale said the alleged attack was despicable, involving one of the most respected members of the Blacktown City community.

“Cr Fitzgerald is a pillar of our community who has earned widespread respect over many years,” he said.

“Not only is he a dedicated police officer, but he is also a community volunteer, and a passionate Blacktown City Councillor who has given so much to his community for so long.

“As Mayor, I condemn this alleged attack on one our City’s finest and denounce violence in all its forms.”

Mayor Bleasdale said Blacktown City Council was committed to promoting a culture of non-violence through its work with NSW Police, the PCYC and a range of other community organisations.

“Council is committed to creating a safe community for our residents to live, work and play,” he said.

“We pursue this through our Crime Prevention Plan and work with our local police.”

Three teenagers have been charged and are due to appear at a children’s court today. Police are urging witnesses to come forward.

Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM with Councillor Bob Fitzgerald, who was elected to Council in 2021.

EPA reacts to incinerator plan

„ DALLAS SHERRINGHAM

THE Environmental Planning Authority has issued a response to our front page story on the plans to build a massive incinerator in the heart of our district.

We reported on the recent major rally against the incinerator project tagged ‘Say No to Eastern Creek Incinerator’.

The Rally sent a strong ‘No Incinerator’ message to the State Government over the construction of any large-scale incinerators at Eastern Creek in Western Sydney.

At the invitation of Mayor Tony Bleasdale, a large group of local residents gathered at Minchinbury Oval to hear from a range of speakers including Federal MP and Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen, the Member for Blacktown Stephen Bali, the Member for Mount Druitt Edmond Atalla and representatives from the Greens and the ‘No Incinerators for Western Sydney’ residents’ group.

Blacktown City Council has been fighting against the incinerators for eight years. In 2018 plans for an energy from waste incinerator at Eastern Creek were thrown out by the NSW Planning Department and the Land and Environment Court.

In a short statement a spokesperson for the NSW EPA responded to the story and the rally:

“The previous application by The Next Generation for an energy from waste facility at Eastern Creek was refused by the Independent Planning Commission in July 2018. The Next Generation has appealed the Commission’s decision to refuse the application in the NSW Land and Environment Court. As this matter is before the court, we are unable to comment further at this time. Additional enquires on this matter should be directed to the Department of Planning.”

Lymphoedema

SURGE IN BANK OF MUM AND DAD DEALS Blacktown a borrower hot spot

„ SASWATI MUKHERJEE

YOUNSGTERS are closing in on deals and buying their dream homes earlier than their anticipated timeline, courtesy the Bank of Mum and Dad (BoMaD).

An interesting trend has emerged in the real estate sector - a whopping 60% of first home buyers have been financed by their well-meaning parents to make their property dreams a reality.

Interestingly, 2021 was a record year for Australia’s ninth biggest money lender, BoMaD. If statistics are correct the BoMaD loans are currently hovering at a staggering $34B mark.

In Western Sydney, Blacktown Local Government Area (LGA) and Ryde are considered hotspots for BoMaD properties, with Queanbeyan, Albury and Coffs Harbour being their counterparts in regional NSW.

The current crop of BoMaD home buyers and lenders face a steep challenge ahead of them – a slowing property market along with rising interest rates. A combination of these two factors is enough to present them with complex financial pressures.

“Our data identifies key markets across metro and regional NSW where home values are starting to fall, which increases the risk of negative equity for some previous purchasers. The LGA of Ryde has seen a 16.8% fall in property values. We are also seeing slight dips in home prices in regional LGAs. These trends could signal that it is time to assess the BoMaD buyers and lenders’ financial future,” says Don Harb, COO of National Property Group.

However, property values in Blacktown have surged with a jump of 34% jump between July 2020 and April 2022.

The Reserve Bank of Australia governor Philip Lowe has recently asked borrowers to brace themselves for a further rise in interest rates, given that inflation is expected to remain high for quite a few years ahead.

Interest rate rise going further into 2022 and 2023 is bound to put further pressure on money lenders and borrowers.

Given the impact increasing interest rates are expected to have on people’s borrowing power, it is probable even more first home buyers will rely upon the BoMaD for financial support.

Those who borrow money from their parents to fund a property are twice as likely to default on their mortgage within five years.

“Even though there will continue to be some downward pressure on pricing, the interest rates hikes will mean first home buyers will find it harder to enter the market. We feel there will be continuation of parents assisting their children in purchasing property which is likely to create an even greater divide in higher income earners compared to lower income groups. It is too hard to know what impact this may have, but time will tell,” says Monique Dower of Belle Property Balmain. • At a glance - Blacktown LGA • The Blacktown LGA property values have increased by 35.5% from July 2021 to April 2022. • 74.4% of dwellings are houses. 15.4% are semi-detached dwellings. • Home ownership status – Blacktown

LGA: 46.2% of properties are being purchased, 20.9% are being rented through an agent, 0.06% are fully owned. • Monthly home loan repayments – Blacktown LGA: 25.1% are repayments of $1,800 - $2,399, 16.1% are repayments of $2,400 - $2,999, 13.9% are repayments of $1,400 - $1,799. • The Blacktown LGA demographic is diverse with the main age groups being 25-34 years (15.5%), and 35-44 years (15.3%). • A majority of people living in the

Blacktown LGA are married (71.1%). 9% are a lone parent and 8.7% are a lone person. • 55.5% of people who live in the

Blacktown LGA are couples with children. • Most (12.8%) residents in the

Blacktown LGA fall within a weekly household income of between $2,000 and $2,499. 12.7% have a weekly household income of between $1,500 - $1,999. • 42.8% of Blacktown LGA residents work full time, 17.3% work part-time, 35% are not in the labour force and 5% are unemployed.

Don Harb, COO of National Property Group.

(Source: National Property Group Neighbourhood Report data)

WHERE TO GET THE NEWS ISSUE 12 | MARCH 2022 TRUSTED LOCAL NEWS WWW.GREATERBLACKTOWNNEWS.COM.AUB N

Grab a copy of the Blacktown News at any of these popular distribution outlets

PROPERTY RTY UPDATE E

Inside the bank of mum and dad: 16

GAME TIME

B Blacktown FC is ready to go: 31

PET

POWER POWER

MICHELLE ROWLAND

How Afghan women typify our diversity: 18

GRANT Hews has a great reason to be inseparable from his best mate and savior, Echo the Maltese Terrier. You see, Echo saved Grant’s life when he fell into a diabetic coma and when Grant was admitted to Blacktown hospital, the pair were lost without each

other. And we all know the healing power of an animal, a power that should never be underestimated. The heartwarming story begins in late December when Grant was diagnosed with COVID-19 and other underlying health issues at the hospital. More: page 6. Grant owes his life to mate Echo

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ISSUE 6 | SEPTEMBER 2021

BlacktowN TRUSTED LOCAL NEWS WWW.GREATERBLACKTOWNNEWS.COM.AU

THIS EDITION

Blacktown doctor Jana Pittman competes in SAS TV.

SAS JANA

BLACKTOWN Hospital’s famous Olympian Dr Jana Pittman has swapped her stethoscope for a grueling survival challenge in the latest series of ‘SAS’ TV on the Seven Network. Jana’s roller coaster ride of triumph, defeat, failure and success throughout her life makes her ideal for the rigorous format of the show. The 38-year-old dual Olympian is one of the 18 celebrities who will be subjected to extreme physical and psychological testing on the upcoming military-style show. More page 5. WESTPOINT backs domestic violence fight: 3 Mayor calls for local vaxx clinic: 6

Sub-branch answers calls for support: 10

Why Blacktown is tops for property investment: 14

Blacktown City blacktown.nsw.gov.au

Blacktown Snapshot

395,000

population

18.81 billion

regional economy

4.6%

average economic growth

24,990

registered businesses

143,259

local jobs

2021 Blacktown City Garden Competition

Calling all green thumbs, entries for the 2021 Blacktown City Garden Competition are open. Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM called on residents to enter their gardens, big or small, residential or commercial in the annual competition. ‘The Blacktown City Garden Competition showcases the wonderful gardening skills of our residents and businesses,’ Mayor Bleasdale said. ‘It’s wonderful to see the great pride that so many people take in the appearance of their homes. ‘Visiting the winning gardens is one of the highlights of the Council calendar for me, and I know that this year’s entries will be as spectacular are ever. Never miss out. Get the digital edition 24/7 at www.greaterblacktownnews.com.au‘Winners not only have the bragging rights of being able to say they have the best gardens in the city, but also share in more than $3,000 prize money as well as garden products, landscaping supplies and movie passes.’ The competition is one of the best-known garden competitions in western Sydney, with 14 categories including Best Front Garden, Best Back Garden, Best Native Garden, Overall Champion Garden, and Best Sustainable Garden. There is also a new category for interesting and unusual plants. Entries close on 27 August and preliminary judging will take place between 6 and 22 September. Entries will be assessed on design, construction, maintenance and sustainability. The final round of judging by industry experts will be conducted in late September. Last year, the Blacktown City Garden Competition attracted a total of 114 entries, with the prestigious prize of Overall City Champion awarded to Bruce Pederson of Christine Crescent in Lalor Park. Over $3,000 in cash and prizes to be won! Details: blacktown.nsw.gov.au/GardenCompetition