Local Issues and Initiatives

Giving students a voice, building their leadership skills and trust in democracy, and connecting schools across our community

The Government has released its report into Defence landholdings and recommended a full divestment from several sites including Victoria Barracks. The Government no longer feels it is in their strategic interests to keep the site in Defence hands.
 
Allegra has met with both the Deputy Prime Minister (in his capacity as Minister for Defence), the Assistant Minister for Defence, and representatives from Defence about this issue, to both hear the rationale behind the decision, and to also convey the concerns of community members to them. 
 
Allegra is proactively urging the Government to keep as much as possible of the site in public hands. Whether this is as space for social housing or for a second public high school, it’s important that the community, including veterans, are able to reap the benefits of this historic icon.
 
Allegra will also engage with the stakeholders to ensure that any future development is sympathetic to the history, architectural heritage, and existing green space of the site, and that constituents as well as the veteran community, are informed and involved at every step of the way.

This is a significant moment for our community, and it must be approached carefully.

There are four principles that will guide how Allegra engages on this issue:

1. Heritage protections that already in place must be respected to ensure the history and significance of the site is preserved.

2. Any future for Victoria Barracks should increase public access wherever possible. This is a remarkable and historic part of our community, and it should be something people can experience, not something closed off.

3. Long-term community value - not short-term revenue - must be at the centre of any decision. 

4. A large portion of the land should remain in public hands, especially the areas of heritage significance. 

Have your say

1. Public meeting on Thursday 7 May 2026 - The future of Victoria Barracks is in your hands - but only if you speak up. Please attend the Public Meeting conducted by the Defence Department at Paddington RSL, 220-232 Oxford Street Paddington, 5pm - 7.30pm
   • 05:00 pm – 07:30 pm | Defence address and Q&A from 5:30 pm
   • Paddington RSL, 220 - 232 Oxford St, Paddington
   • Link to register: https://www.defence.gov.au/about/locations-property/delivering-future-estate/defence-estate-audit-community-information-sessions/register
2. Survey - Allegra's priority is to listen to the community - particularly those in the Defence community - whose connection to the Barracks runs deep. Please fill out our survey to share your feedback so that Allegra can advocate for the community when she attends the stakeholder roundtable meeting on May 8th - Victoria Barracks survey

Household energy upgrades including efficient electric appliances, rooftop solar and batteries could slash Sydney energy bills by 94%. This is because modern electrical appliances are much more efficient than their gas counterparts, and Australian rooftop solar is the cheapest home energy anywhere in the world. It’s a climate and a cost of living imperative.

Wentworth’s first Climate Summit in 2023 showed there is huge desire in our community to accelerate action on electrification, so this is one of my top priorities. At the federal level, I’ve been advocating for a Permanent Energy Bill Relief Plan to support homeowners, renters and those in community housing improve energy performance and take control of their electricity. I welcome the Government’s Cheaper Home Battery Program to help more people install batteries.

I’m particularly interested to see what we can achieve together in Wentworth. That’s why I’m engaging with Councils, businesses, homeowners, landlords and strata managers to support new and existing electrification initiatives. These include accelerating rooftop solar uptake on our schools and our community organisations, installing more EV chargers, and getting a community battery in Bondi.

Reducing Power Bills - How You Can Save Money Electrifying Your Home

There are already a range of government programmes that can support households with some of the costs of electrifying their homes and installing solar and batteries. People often tell me they’re confused about the different options that are available, so below I’ve summarised some of the federal, state, and local government incentives that Wentworth households may be able to access.

Installing solar

To calculate how much money your household or business could save on energy bills with a solar system installed, please click here. The SunSpot calculator uses Google Earth imagery to assess the viability of your roof and asks for your latest energy bill cost, along with a summary of your home appliances to calculate your estimated total savings.

If you live in an apartment, the NSW Solar for Apartment Residents provides a 50% rebate up to $150,000 for an owner’s corporation or strata manager to install a shared rooftop solar system for the benefit of all apartment residents. Allume technology enables (word-first!) fair sharing of shared solar systems. They’ve compiled resources to guide through the grant submission process.

Households and small businesses that install a small-scale renewable energy system may be able to receive support to help with the purchase cost. This is obtained through creating small-scale technology certificates. Check your eligibility and apply via the Clean Energy Regulator. 

If you're a club or organisation looking for guidance on installing solar, our fantastic councils have also combined on a free initiative to help clubs and community organisations save on energy bills with solar power, by providing support from start to finish. You can learn more here. 

Installing a battery

The Federal Government’s Cheaper Home Battery Program provides households, businesses and community organisations a discount of ~30% on the upfront cost of installing a small-scale battery system connected to a new or existing solar system.

The NSW Virtual Power Plant Incentive provides an upfront payment (up to $1,500) to households and small businesses that connect an eligible solar battery to a VPP, allowing stored energy to be shared with the grid during periods of high demand. This can be combined with the Federal Cheaper Home Battery Program.

Buying and charging an electric vehicle

The Federal Government provides a fringe benefit tax exemption for the purchase of zero or low emissions vehicles below the luxury car tax threshold. From 1 April 2027, the full discount will only apply to EVs costing $75,000 or less. From 1 April 2029, the discount will be reduced to 25%.

If you’re in an apartment in Waverley, Woollahra or Randwick, you may be eligible for a 50% rebate (up to $10,000) on the cost of installing a Smart Plug EV charger. 

Other upgrades

The NSW Home Energy Saver provides zero-interest loans of up to $15,000 and discounts of up to $4,000 to help households and eligible strata properties pay for solar, batteries and other energy savings home upgrades. Additional discounts apply to install an energy efficient air conditioner or hot water system.

The Federal Government's Household Energy Upgrades Fund provides discounted finance (through participating lenders) to help households upgrade the energy performance of their homes. May be used to finance solar, batteries, appliances and renovations.

Randwick households, businesses and schools can receive up to $5,000 in rebates for eligible purchases of solar, EV chargers, insulation and other sustainability initiatives.

City of Sydney residents can access free expert advice to reduce energy and water use in apartment buildings. Environmental grants of up to $50,000 are available to fast-track green building upgrades, climate resilience projects and the transition to a circular economy. Applications close 4pm, 1 September 2026.

If you're a sporting club, you may be eligible for a grant to upgrade facilities to improve energy efficiency and climate resilience through the Federal Government's 'Game On: Team Up for Climate Action' program. Applications close 28 July or as soon as funding is exhausted.

The Oxford Street Cycleway is a long-running project to create a new separated bi-directional cycle path along Oxford Street, connecting the Sydney CBD to Bondi Junction.

The NSW Government, through Transport for NSW (TfNSW) are pursuing this as part of their broader Oxford Street Revitalisation Project, which aims to transform the thoroughfare into a safer, greener, and more people-friendly place. In addition to the cycleway, central elements of this project include wider footpaths, more street trees, improved lighting, outdoor dining spaces, pedestrian crossings, seating, public art, and events to increase activation of the street.

Allegra herself believes that active transport, such as cycling, has many benefits not just for the individual but for the broader community, and separated cycleways are an important safety aspect in encouraging bike use. In that vein, Allegra supports a cycleway that connects the city to our Eastern Suburbs.

Nevertheless, she appreciates that many in the community are concerned about the selected route along Oxford Street, and the impact it may have on local businesses, as well as parking, congestion, public transport, and emergency access.

These are all valid concerns and ones that Allegra and her office have shared directly with TfNSW. She has also met several times with concerned residents from both the Oxford Street side and the Moore Park Road side, as well as local business owners and cycle groups, to better understand all perspectives of this project.

While the cycleway is not a federal matter, as responsibility sits with TfNSW in collaboration with the City of Sydney Council and Woollahra Council, Allegra and members of her team will nevertheless continue to engage with TfNSW on behalf of the people in the community who have questions and concerns about this project.

Please feel free to email Allegra with any feedback, or you might like to get in contact with the Oxford Street Revitalisation Project Team directly – you can email [email protected] or call 1800 684 490.

Please see below for more information about the project. You can also view details on the Revitalising Oxford Street page on TfNSW’s website.

What is the proposed route?

(Source: NSW Government)

Consultation Undertaken

TfNSW has undertaken multiple rounds of consultation. Early engagement was conducted in 2023 regarding the Oxford Street East cycleway, including information sessions and opportunities for written feedback. In 2024, consultation was undertaken on the draft Oxford Street Public Domain and Activation Strategy through the NSW Government’s Have Your Say portal. Feedback was sought from residents, businesses and stakeholders, and summary reports have been published outlining key themes raised during consultation.

Next Steps

The project is progressing through detailed design and environmental assessment. A Review of Environmental Factors (REF) will be prepared for the proposed works and placed on public exhibition. Following consideration of submissions and completion of the approval process, final design elements and construction timelines will be confirmed. TfNSW is continuing to work with relevant local councils on the project.

Community Feedback Opportunities

Community members can provide input during formal consultation periods, including the public exhibition of the REF. Information about consultation timelines, project updates and contact details for the project team are available on the TfNSW project webpage. Interested stakeholders may also subscribe for updates through the NSW Government’s online engagement platforms. 

The attack at Bondi Beach on 14th December 2025 is devastating.

Innocent people were killed and injured in a senseless act of violence.

This occurred on the first night of Chanukah - a Jewish festival of hope, resilience and tradition. Our thoughts, prayers and love is with our Jewish community. 

Our heartfelt condolences go out to the victims, their families, and all of those who have been affected, including those who were present at Bondi Beach and witnessed unthinkable scenes. Our thoughts are with each and every one of them. Below is my speech to Parliament during a condolence motion for the victims.

Over the coming days, weeks and months, our community will come together to show support and strength.

These times will be incredibly difficult, and I want you to know that my team and I are here to support you. 

You can see my latest community statement here and see updates on my Instagram page here.

Mental health resources

This has been, and will continue to be a really difficult and traumatic time for everyone across our community. 

Please see resources below to help:

• NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511
• Lifeline on 13 11 14 or chat online here.
• Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800 or chat online here.
• GriefLine, National Grief & Loss Support Hub on 1300 845 745, available 8am-8pm everyday.
• Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 or chat online here.
• Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support line 13YARN on 13 92 76 
• Headspace on 1800 650 890 
• ReachOut at au.reachout.com
• QLife, LGBTIQ+ peer support on 1800 184 527 or chat online here, available 3pm-midnight everyday.

Trained disaster mental health support clinicians will be available on the ground at Bondi.

NSW Health staff will be visible at Bondi Beach and Coogee over the coming days and weeks. These staff will be mobile and identified by NSW Health vests. If you are feeling distress, please make yourselves known to these clinicians.

Community support hub

The Community Hub previously located at the Bondi Pavilion has relocated to the Wayside Chapel, near the Police Station at Bondi Beach.

The Hub offers a range of practical advice and support, including mental health and wellbeing services for everyone in the impacted community.

Support services available at the hub include:

• NSW Reconstruction Authority
• NSW Health
• Service NSW
• Service NSW Business Concierge
• Disaster Recovery Chaplaincy Network
• Legal Aid NSW
• Lifeline
• Australian Red Cross
• Multicultural NSW
• The Salvation Army

Opening hours:

• Tues 23 – Wed 24 Dec: 10am – 4pm
• Thurs 25 Dec (Christmas Day): CLOSED
• Fri 26 Dec (Boxing Day): CLOSED
• Sat 27 – Wed 31 Dec: 10am – 4pm
• Thurs 1 Jan: CLOSED
• Fri 2 – Sat 3 Jan: 10am – 4pm

The decision to close on public holidays was made in close consultation with community leaders.

Location: Bondi Pavilion, between Queen Elizabeth Drive and Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach

Victim Support Scheme

The Victim Support Scheme will provide counselling, financial assistance, and a recognition payment to victims of an act of violence in NSW. Support is available through the scheme for the families of those who have lost their lives and those who have been affected by the violent acts at Bondi Beach on 14 December 2025. 

This includes any witnesses of the attack, who are entitled to 22 hours of free counselling services.

To access this support, there is a dedicated phone line for victims and family members of victims: 1800 411 822, open 8am-5pm, Monday to Friday.

You can also:

• Email Victims Services at [email protected]
• Visit the Victims Services website or see fact sheet here.

Supporting our children

I know these events may be especially traumatic for the young people in our lives. Most in our community will know someone who was present at the beach, including our own children.

I encourage you to talk to them about what happened, let them express their feelings, and try to have them stay away from social media and rolling news coverage.

ReachOut have published specific content collections centralising relevant trauma-informed resources for both young people and parents and carers, with a focus on issues like dealing with grief, understanding trauma, and how to cope if you see distressing videos.

Additional counselling services will be made available at nearby public primary schools for students and staff.

Support for our Jewish community

Following Sunday’s attack, the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies and Community Security Group have activated the Jewish Community Crisis Response Centre to coordinate security, welfare, mental health support and community response.

The Community Bulletin is the central source for verified updates, security advice and support services: https://nswjbd.org.au/bondiresources/

Support services

• JewishCare and Jewish House have worked together to set up a new dedicated phone line available for mental health access for the Jewish community. You can call 1800 979 676. 

• Emergency Pedagogy Without Borders – Australia - Support for parents and caregivers on helping children process trauma: https://www.freunde-waldorf.de/en/emergency-pedagogy/

• Emanuel Synagogue's clergy remains available. You can call 02 9389 6444 or email [email protected] to be connected to one of their rabbis.

Legal support

Legal Aid NSW offers free legal help for people affected by the Bondi Beach terrorist attack.

They can assist with insurance claims, housing and tenancy issues, financial hardship, workplace rights, Centrelink, domestic and family violence, and disaster grants.

Find out more at www.disasterhelp.legalaid.nsw.gov.au

Public support & how you can help

Many of you have generously reached out to how you could contribute financially to the victims or to causes that support them. You can donate via:

• The verified Go Fund Me pages
• The Charidy fundraiser for victim support, administered and overseen by The Jewish House
• Bondi Beach terror Attack Emergency Relief, administered and overseen by JBOD, EXAJ, JCA, Dor Foundation and others)

There have also been fundraisers set up for the two brave police officers who were injured during the attack, organised through NSW Police:

• Constable Scott Dyson Appeal - NSW Police Legacy
• Probationary Constable Jack Hibbert Appeal - NSW Police Legacy

Floral Tribute Site:

The outpouring of support at the temporary Bondi Beach floral tribute site has been overwhelming and reflects the deep empathy felt across our community.

Following consultation with Waverley Council and the Jewish community, the NSW Government removed the flowers early on Monday 22 December.

Photographs and representative materials were collected by the Premier’s Department to preserve them for future memorial use, where appropriate.

The Jewish Museum also collected cards and other non-perishable items.

This process mirrors the approach taken following the Bondi Junction attacks.

Condolences

There is an online Condolence Book now live on the NSW Government's website which members of the community can sign: Bondi Beach attack | NSW Government. 

Donating blood

LifeBlood have called for blood donations, especially for those with O Negative blood type. They have received a record breaking response from the community. Even if you cannot get an appointment soon, please consider donating blood or plasma in the coming weeks, as the need will be ongoing into January.

One Mitzvah for Bondi

The NSW Faith Affairs Council, with support from the NSW Government, is calling on people of all faiths and communities to come together by doing one “Mitzvah” – an act of kindness or compassion.

This could be as simple as checking in on a neighbour, supporting a local business, volunteering, or donating to those in need.

You can record your Mitzvah at: https://www.nsw.gov.au/community-services/one-mitzvah-for-bondi

At a personal level, we urge everyone to reach out to every Jewish Australian they know and say, I am here for you, I have your back.

Support for local businesses

Assistance was available for impacted small businesses. New applications are now closed.

For businesses who have claimed the $5k and now want to claim the additional support of up to $20k, the claims process remains open until 30 June 2026

If needed, small business owners can request an internal review of a decision about a grant application within 28 calendar days from when they receive a decision from Service NSW. A Business Concierge can support with this process.

Contact Service NSW Business Bureau:

• visit the Bondi Community Support Hub, or
• call Service NSW on 13 77 88 and ask to speak to a Business Concierge, or
• book a call.

Violent content online

With the terrible events at Bondi Beach, many of us are worried about the extremely distressing content that all of us, including some children, are accessing.

If you see violent, harmful or distressing footage or photos online, please do not share it further. You may cause distress to others.

The eSafety on call team has been stood up and are actively monitoring footage.

If you see footage that you believe should not be distribute, report it to eSafety.gov.au/report. For more extreme footage, please use this link: https://forms.esafety.gov.au/Infiniti/Produce/wizard/771eb648-dd2c-4294-8c3d-a74f5e520e04/?portal=1

Sharing information and footage with the police

Police are now appealing for anyone in the Bondi Beach area with mobile phone or dashcam vision relevant to this incident to upload at the below link,

https://nswpf.au.evidence.com/axon/community-request/public/bondibeach14122025

It can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers, https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au

Information is managed on a confidential basis. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.

Actions I'm calling for

We need decisive action and all sides of Parliament to come together to ensure nothing like this is ever repeated.

I am calling on the government to take action in 5 key areas:

1. A Commonwealth Royal Commission

We must examine both the state and federal governments’ roles in the lead-up and response to Sunday night. This must be in consultation with the Jewish community and the victims’ families, and outline clear responsibility for delivery and reporting. Accountability is critical.

2. Urgently strengthen our hate speech laws

Words matter. Hate that is normalised does not remain abstract – it leads to violence. We must criminalise hatred against vulnerable groups, even when it stops short of explicit violence.

3. A Minister for Social Cohesion

Social cohesion is not a side issue - it requires dedicated leadership and focus. We need a Cabinet-level Minister focused on maintaining our social fabric, including strengthening our collective ability to disagree well.

This Minister should be supported by a committee with politicians from across Parliament, working in good faith on bringing our country together.

4. Clear public accountability

We need accountability and clear timeframes on the government’s commitments to address antisemitism and gun control.

5. Security support for the community

Jewish Australians deserve to live, gather and practise their faith without fear. That means all levels of government providing proper security support for the community and its institutions.

My priority as a federal MP will be pushing the government on these key priorities.

As a country, we must all commit to reaching out across our community to learn from and understand each other. This is vital if we are going to build a better country where our Jewish community, and every community feels safe and welcome.