NSW has expanded Smart Rental Bonds statewide after an initial rollout in Penrith, Parramatta and the Central Coast. Eligible renters moving between NSW properties can transfer an existing bond through Rental Bonds Online instead of funding a second full bond upfront, subject to eligibility rules and a $25 fee. NSW Fair Trading says the process for landlords and agents to lodge and claim bonds does not change, and agreed deductions are still paid to the landlord through the existing process. For property managers, the practical change is mainly supporting eligible tenants through the transfer option while continuing normal Rental Bonds Online procedures.
The NSW Government has finalised planning controls for the Mannix Parade Precinct in Warwick Farm, enabling around 545 new homes within about 400 metres of Warwick Farm Station. At least 30% of the homes are intended to be social and affordable housing, while the final plan increases public open space and provides new walking and cycling connections. The final precinct is about 3.2 hectares, with the housing yield reduced from 670 homes after consultation. For owners and investors in Liverpool and South West Sydney, the rezoning adds a defined medium-term housing pipeline close to established transport, health, education and employment infrastructure.
The NSW Government is consulting on a mandatory product-stewardship scheme for solar panels, which would make brand owners responsible for end-of-life collection, recycling and resource recovery. NSW now has more than 1.18 million rooftop solar systems, while solar-panel waste is estimated at about 14,000 tonnes a year and is projected to reach 89,000 tonnes by 2045. For homeowners and landlords with rooftop solar, the proposal is relevant to the future disposal and replacement pathway for ageing systems, although the final design and timing will depend on the consultation and regulation process.
The NSW Government says upgrades to all ten stations between Sydenham and Bankstown are now complete, moving Southwest Metro into its final operational-readiness phase. More than 6,150 of the required 9,000 testing hours and about 24,750 of 30,000 kilometres had been completed when the update was released. The upgraded corridor will bring faster and more frequent services, including a planned 28-minute Bankstown-to-Central trip. For owners and buyers along the corridor, the milestone improves visibility on a major transport upgrade that could reshape accessibility and local demand once passenger services open.
Homes NSW is progressing a proposal for around 340 new homes across four residential buildings on former government land in Haberfield and Ashfield, with 30% planned as social housing. Community feedback remains open until 5pm on 28 September, with a drop-in session at Haberfield Centre on 22 September from 4:45pm to 7pm before a State Significant Development Application is lodged. For Inner West owners and buyers, the proposal is a useful signal of how surplus government land and higher-density housing are being used to add supply around established suburbs and transport links.
Homes NSW is proposing around 180 new social homes at 311A Forest Road, Hurstville, on a 6,172 sqm former Transport for NSW site identified through the state land audit. The concept includes apartment buildings of up to 10 storeys with parking, gardens and shared spaces, positioned between Hurstville and Penshurst stations. More than 1,500 households are currently on the Housing Register in the Georges River area, including more than 400 priority applicants. Community feedback is open until 5pm on 28 September before a State Significant Development Application is lodged.
NSW Planning has updated guidance on its streamlined rezoning pathway for social and affordable housing proposals from Homes NSW agencies and Landcom. The Department leads the process from strategic review and public exhibition through to finalisation. Eligible proponents are expected to lodge a planning proposal within 60 working days after scoping feedback and, after rezoning is finalised, lodge the relevant development application within three months. For property owners and developers, the pathway shows how the state is trying to shorten planning lead times for government-led social and affordable housing supply.
The 2026 PropTrack–Origin Australian Home Energy Report, based on 2,957 respondents, found four in five households already have at least one energy-efficiency feature. Solar power is installed in 33% of homes nationally and 28% in NSW, while 69% of respondents plan further improvements over the next five years with average intended spending of $8,340. Solar panels were also rated the most financially valuable energy feature. For owners and landlords, the findings suggest energy performance is increasingly relevant to running costs, tenant appeal and future property value, although upfront cost remains the main barrier to upgrades.
