$6,000 for Lismore Showground

$6,000 for Lismore Showground

The Minister for Lands, The Hon Tony Kelly, has awarded this grant to the North Coast National Agricultural and Industrial Society, as the corporate trust manager of the Lismore Showground. The funding, provided through the Public Reserves Management Fund, will help pay for a business plan for the showground, as a multi-purpose community facility. The plan will examine the constraints of the existing facilities and suggest practical steps to achieve a sustainable financial future for the showground.

Land Tax 2005

On 6 April 2004, the State Government announced significant changes to land tax in 2005, which included the removal of the land tax threshold, the introduction of a progressive tax scale, and the abolition of Premium Property Tax. Land tax is a tax levied on the owners of land in NSW as at midnight on 31 December of each year. You may be liable for land tax if you own or part own;
vacant land, including vacant rural land,
a holiday home
investment properties
company title units, or
residential, commercial or industrial units.

In general your principal place of residence (your home) or land used for primary production (a farm) is exempt. For a land tax factsheet, informational booklet or other details, please contact my office or online at www.osr.nsw.gov.au.

NLIS

From 1 July 2005 all cattle, irrespective of age, will have to be identified with an NLIS device before they leave any property. From 1 July 2005 saleyards will be required to notify the NLIS database of all cattle being sold. And abattoirs will be required to notify the database of all cattle slaughtered.

Youth Friendship Games

Sydney will this year hold the Youth Friendship Games from 12 to 17 July. Sports to be represented include; Baseball, Soccer, Swimming, Ten Pin Bowling, Wrestling, Volleyball and Tennis. Nominations are now being called for individuals to register their interest in being considered to represent a NSW Aboriginal Team at the games. Nomination forms can be downloaded from www.dsr.nsw.gov.au or by contacting my office.

Churchill Trust

The Churchill Trust is now calling for applications for the 2005 round. Each year the Churchill Trust awards about 100 Fellowships at an average cost of about $20,000 each. Closing date for applications with references is Monday, February 28, 2005. Full details of the fellowships and forms can be obtained from the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust by contacting their National Office on Freecall 1800 777 231 or at www.churchilltrust.com.au

Regulation of Commercial Property Agents Discussion Paper

A discussion paper concerning the regulation of commercial property agents under the Property, Stock and Business Agents Act 2002 has been released for public comment. The paper examines the rationale for the regulation of agents working in the commercial property sector and outlines some issues about the impact of the Property, Stock and Business Agents Act on large commercial property owners. Copies of the paper can be obtained from my office or www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au. Comments on the Paper should be received no later than 1 April 2005 and may be sent to: Regulation of Commercial Agents, Policy & Strategy Division, Office of Fair Trading, PO Box 972, Parramatta NSW 2124 or Policy@oft.commerce.nsw.gov.au.

Finance and Mortgage Broking Discussion Paper

Following approval by the Ministerial Council on Consumer Affairs, on 30 November 2004, the NSW Minister for Fair Trading, released a discussion paper detailing options for a national regulatory scheme for finance and mortgage brokers. The paper discusses entry requirements to the industry as well as consumer protection and redress mechanisms. The Ministerial Council invites comments or submissions on the issues raised and the proposals to address those issues. All submissions will be published on the Ministerial Council on Consumer Affairs website, www.consumer.gov.au (subject to claims for confidentiality). Please note that submissions, including confidential submissions, may be subject to Freedom of Information and other laws and this should be taken into consideration when making submissions. Copies of the paper can be obtained from my office or www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au. Comments on the Paper should be received no later than 15 February 2005 and may be sent to: National Finance Broking Regulation 2004, Policy & Strategy Division, Office of Fair Trading, PO Box 972, Parramatta NSW 2124 or broking@oft.commerce.nsw.gov.au.