Macarthur Advocate - September 2026

MACARTHUR’S TRUSTED LOCAL NEWS VOICE

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September 2026

Macarthur

SPECIAL EVENT AT BILLABONG

SAFER PASSAGE FOR APPIN’S KOALAS

CAMDEN OBJECTS TO HOUSING PROJECT

MOBILE MOMENTUM

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AMPBELLTOWN City Council has come in second place in MobileMuster’s FY26 council collection figures in NSW, with residents helping recycle 254.90kg of recycled mobile phones.

The five-year recycling picture

shows strong recycling efforts are about consistency, information sharing and access. MobileMuster’s Head of Sustainability and Social Impact, Helen Maisano, said the results were a chance to celebrate communities making mobile phone

recycling part of their routine.

“Campbelltown is a big, growing community with an equally impressive appetite for recycling, collecting 254.90kg of old mobiles and accessories in the past financial year;” Helen said. More inside.

Your guide to frailly friendly living.

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ISSUE 45 | September 2025 How to get Advocate The Macarthur Advocate is available at strategic locations throughout Blacktown LGA. To find a location near you visit our website.

Digital edition Each edition of The Macarthur Advocate can be viewed and downloaded in digitalf format at our ISSUU platform:

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ISSUE 45 | September 2026

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LOCAL MEDIA VOICE

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Funding the Wollondilly experience.

Showcasing a region ready for growth.

Dentist’s Tooth Tales On Demand.

info@macathuradvocate.au Admin and General info@macathuradvocate.au Editor Michael Walls michael@accessnews.com.au

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Local news voice for Sydney’s North West www.thenorthwestnews.au | www.facebook.com/thenorthwestnews/

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Macarthur tops in phone recycling

AMPBELLTOWN City Council has come in second place in MobileMuster’s FY26 council collection figures in NSW, with residents helping recycle 254.90kg of recycled mobile phones.

The five-year recycling picture shows strong recycling efforts are about consistency, information sharing and access.

MobileMuster’s Head of Sustainability and Social Impact, Helen Maisano, said the results were a chance to celebrate communities making mobile phone recycling part of their routine.

“Campbelltown is a big, growing community with an equally impressive appetite for recycling, collecting 254.90kg of old mobiles and accessories in the past financial year;” Helen said.

“From Ingleburn to Campbelltown and the communities around the Georges and Nepean Rivers, residents are showing how everyday actions can make a difference.

“Many of us still have old phones sitting in drawers ‘just in case’, so taking a few minutes to clear them out is a simple way to make sure they are recycled and put to good use.”

“It’s great to see councils across Australia and their communities getting behind MobileMuster, and there’s room for a little friendly competition.”

With around 22 million unused mobile phones estimated to be sitting in Australian homes, Ms Maisano said there was significant potential to recover more of these devices and the materials inside them.

“Of those phones, around 12 million no longer work. If a device has reached the end of its useful life, there’s little reason to leave it sitting forgotten in a drawer.”

For those hesitant to part with an old phone because of concerns about personal information, Ms Maisano said MobileMuster provided a secure way to

recycle unwanted devices.

“We encourage people to back up their information and factory reset their phone where they can, and any data remaining on a device is destroyed when it is recycled.”

MobileMuster accepts all brands and types of mobile phones, batteries, chargers and accessories, including broken and obsolete devices. Devices collected through the program are not refurbished or resold.

Councils across Australia can opt-in to be a MobileMuster collection site, at locations including libraries, community centres and council buildings.

The initiative has responsibly recycled more than 2,000 tonnes of e-waste since 1998, with free collec-

tion options available around Australia.

Residents can search MobileMuster to find their nearest collection point, and if you’re in a rural or remote area, MobileMuster can arrange free post-back options.

In September, every phone donated to MobileMuster also benefits Zoo conservation efforts across Australia. $1 for every recycled phone will go towards helping primates and their habitats around the world, in partnership with Zoos Victoria, Zoos SA, Sydney Zoo, and Taronga Zoo. Visit: www.mobilemuster.com.au

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ISSUE 45 | September 2026

Special event at Billabong Parklands

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ESIDENTS and visitors will be able to dive into the Campbelltown Billabong Parklands pools, with a special event to mark the re-opening of the pools over the October long weekend.

On Saturday 3 October and Sunday 4 October, people will be able to enjoy a weekend of family fun, with highlights to include live skate demonstrations

and competitions with professional skaters, mobile laser skirmish and face painting.

The October long weekend event will mark the official start of the 2026/27 summer swim season at the Billabong.

“The Campbelltown Billabong Parklands is a vital facility for our community, and the Summer Season Launch is a fantastic way to kick off another exciting summer at the Billabong,” Mayor of Campbelltown, Cr Darcy Lound said.

“As the weather continues to heat up, our pools are a popular place to cool off, and it’s always wonderful to see families and the community making the most of our leisure centres,” Cr Lound said.

“It’s important that we offer great swimming experiences for people of all ages, whether they’re learning to swim, staying active or simply enjoying time in the water,” he said.

After welcoming more than 85,000

visitors to the facility during the last summer swim season, the Billabong is expected to be a hive of activity again over the coming months, with people of activations on offer for people of all ages.

Following the Summer Season

Launch, the Campbelltown Billabong Parklands pools will be open to the public from 10am to 6pm daily during October.

The opening hours will then be extended from 10am to 7pm from November 2026 to February 2027.

Insurance rebates may cause more harm

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HE Australian Medical Association has warned proposed changes to private health insurance rebates for older Australians could increase pressure on public hospitals and threaten

struggling private facilities. AMA President Dr Danielle McMullen said removing higher rebates for people aged 65 and over could make insurance unaffordable, particularly for lower-income Australians. The

AMA fears people may downgrade or abandon cover, shifting demand to already stretched public hospitals and potentially delaying healthcare.

Regional private hospitals could be particularly affected by reduced ac-

tivity. While supporting increased aged care funding, the AMA wants existing rebate arrangements retained for older Australians on Medicare Levy Surcharge base-tier incomes.

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Safer passage for Appin’s koalas

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ITH koala breeding season underway and wildlife activity set to increase through the warmer months, a new wildlife underpass at Noorumba Reserve is giving koalas and other native animals a safer way to cross Appin Road.

The 52-metre-long underpass is the first of three planned along Appin Road, allowing wildlife to pass beneath the road keeping animals and motorists safely separated.

The new underpass has been designed to accommodate large animals such as kangaroos and wallabies, while logs, habitat features and native vegetation encourage smaller species including koalas, possums and native rodents.

Drainage has also been incorporated to keep the underpass accessible during wet weather.

The underpass is supported by approximately three kilometres of koala exclusion fencing along both sides of Appin Road, complemented by eight koala grids at driveway points, 11 oneway escape hatches and seven escape poles to help koalas safely return to habitat if they find themselves on the road-facing side of the fence.

More than 40,000 native plants have been planted throughout the corridor, along with a fauna rope crossing to support wildlife movement.

The underpass is being monitored to understand how it complements existing protection measures and fur-

Safe passage for koalas under Appin Rd.

ther improves koala safety and habitat connectivity.

It builds on measures already delivered by the NSW Government to protect koalas and other threatened species in the wild across Sydney’s South West, including: • Installing exclusion fencing that

has seen an 80 per cent reduction in koala strikes along the fenced section of Appin Road.

• Creating two new national parks covering more than 2,000 hectares of critical koala and other threatened species habitat at Warranmadhaa National Park and Gulguer National Park.

FUNERAL NOTICE

THE WAKE-UP CALL LABOR CAN’T IGNORE Australians do not need economic reports to know they are doing it tough. Families, workers and small businesses across our region are working hard, making sacrifices and doing everything they can to get ahead, yet many feel they are falling behind despite their efforts.

Recent economic data confirms what Australians have been experiencing for years. The OECD found that Australian real wages have fallen by 5.1 per cent since 2021, while wages have increased across comparable countries. Australians are working hard but getting less in return for their efforts.

The Reserve Bank has also highlighted that interest rates alone cannot solve Australia's productivity challenge. While monetary policy can slow demand, it cannot build more homes, reduce red tape, lower taxes or create the conditions needed for businesses to invest, innovate and grow.

The government must focus on lifting productivity and restoring living standards.

Productivity growth remains weak, business investment is under pressure, and younger Australians are finding it increasingly difficult to buy a home, start a family and build financial security.

The IMF has downgraded Australia's growth outlook, while Deloitte has warned that population growth has masked weak productivity and declining growth per person.

Australians are rightly asking why a larger economy is not delivering better living standards.

Australians are not asking for special treatment. They simply want the opportunity to work hard, own a home, raise a family and build a better future. Restoring that promise should be the government's highest priority.

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• Granting more than $460,000 to Wollondilly Shire, Liverpool City and Campbelltown City Councils for warning signs to prevent koalas being hit by cars.

• Investing $4.5M in a new koala care centre in the Macarthur region.

• Providing $500,000 to support volunteer rehabilitators in the Macarthur area.

• $1.9m for Transport for NSW to construct fauna access structures on both sides of Deadmans Creek Bridge, a known koala vehicle strike hotspot.

The new underpass forms part of Stage 1 of the Appin Road upgrade around Figtree Hill, which has also delivered around 500 metres of road upgraded from one to two lanes in each direction on separated carriageways.

Around 10,000 vehicles use this section of Appin Road each day. The upgrade improves safety and access for the rapidly growing Figtree Hill community.

Work is continuing to strengthen koala protection along the Appin Road corridor with a second underpass planned for the Beulah BioBank site and construction of a third underpass at Ousedale Creek near Brian Road expected to start later this year.

New koala protection fencing will also be installed, providing a single corridor of protection from south of Rosemeadow to just north of Appin Road township.

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ISSUE 45 | September 2026

Camden objects to housing project

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AMDEN Council has formally objected to the NSW Government’s proposal to build a six-storey social and affordable housing development opposite Camden Hospital.

At a recent coumcil meeting, Council endorsed a formal submission objecting to the State Significant Development Application for 72 and 82-86 Menangle Road in Camden, which proposes two residential flat buildings containing 95 social and affordable housing apartments.

The Council’s objection follows a detailed assessment of the proposal and the Environmental Impact Statement, as well as a public meeting held at Camden Civic Centre on August 17, which provided an opportunity for the community to voice its concerns.

Council’s submission opposing the proposal cites significant concerns, including the proposal’s excessive height, bulk and scale, impacts on local character and amenity, traffic and parking impacts, flooding and evacua-

The proposed development in question.

tion risks, heritage considerations and the suitability of the site for social and affordable housing.

Council also raised concerns about the proposed rezoning of the site from SP2 Infrastructure (Hospital) to R3 Medium Density Residential, which could constrain logical opportunities for the future expansion of Camden Hospital.

A Camden Council spokesperson

said Council had consistently opposed the application of the State Government’s Low and Mid-Rise Housing reforms on the Camden Town Centre.

“Council agrees with the concerns raised by our community about this proposal. This particular site is simply not suitable for a six-storey development of 95 apartments. It is in a heritage conservation area, is affect-

ed by flooding, has limited access to shops and services and the proposal is completely out of character with the surrounding streetscape.

“We also have serious concerns about the loss of a strategic opportunity to expand on the limited clinical services available at Camden Hospital while Camden and the Macarthur region are growing faster than any other part of Sydney and without the appropriate number of Hospital beds and public health care services. Parking associated with Camden Hospital is another key issue, this will be compounded by the inadequate parking proposed for the development which will further impact surrounding streets.

“Council is continuing to investigate alternative government-owned sites across Camden that could provide the housing outcomes the State Government is seeking without compromising the character, amenity and future infrastructure needs of our community.”

Agents fined in covert property crackdown

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SW Fair Trading has fined 10 real estate agents a total of $20,900 following a covert crackdown on underquoting and property sales breaches. Inspec-

tors from the Strata and Property Taskforce posed as buyers at almost 80 open homes over two months, also issuing five warnings and 16 education directives. The operation comes

ahead of the spring selling season and six months after the launch of the NSW Government’s Name and Shame Register, which has attracted 118,000 visits. The $8.4M taskforce is

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Funding the Wollondilly experience

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OLLONDILLY Business Chamber has announced that Picton ALIVE has secured NSW Government funding through the Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner’s Uptown Grant Program.

Round 4 funding will support the continued development of Picton ALIVE, a Chamber-led initiative

launched in 2024 to showcase Picton as a vibrant hub for dining, entertainment, culture and social connection.

With a focus on activating the town centre and amplifying opportunities created by key local assets such as the Wollondilly Performing Arts Centre, the funding has established Picton ALIVE as a collaborative platform for local businesses, venues, creatives, community organisations and visitors.

As part of this next phase, Picton ALIVE will expand its focus to include more daytime and family-friendly activities, creating new reasons for people to visit, explore and spend time in Picton throughout the day to night.

The program will incorporate a broader range of experiences and activations designed to showcase not only Picton’s hospitality and entertainment offering, but also its diverse mix of retailers and service-based businesses.

Supported by coordinated marketing and promotion, these initiatives will encourage visitors to discover more of what Picton has to offer, increase foot traffic throughout the town centre, and create greater opportunities for local businesses to participate in and benefit from Picton ALIVE. Wollondilly Business Chamber President Pania Gregson said the second round of funding recognised the strength of the initiative and the importance of continued investment in local places.

“This is a wonderful vote of confidence in the businesses, venues, community groups and local people who bring our town to life,” Ms Gregson said.

“The funding has allowed us to lay important foundations, build partnerships and start telling Picton’s story in a new way. This next round of funding gives us the opportunity to grow that work, support more local initiatives and create a stronger, more coor-

dinated visitor experience for residents and guests alike.”

Wollondilly Mayor Matt Gould welcomed the funding announcement and said initiatives such as Picton ALIVE play an important role in supporting the Shire’s growing local economy.

“Investment in initiatives like Picton ALIVE helps bring people into our town centres, supports local jobs and small businesses, and creates more opportunities for the community,” Mayor Gould said.

Through the next stage of Picton ALIVE, the Chamber will continue working with local businesses, venues, creatives, community organisations and government partners to deliver activities that encourage visitation, support existing businesses, strengthen community connection and stimulate economic activity in the heart of Picton.

Further details about upcoming Picton ALIVE activities will be announced soon.

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www.digitalaustralia.au

ISSUE 45 | September 2026

AMA CALLS FOR URGENT ACTION

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As AI deepfakes impact health

HE Australian Medical Association is calling on the federal government to act urgently on AI-generated deepfakes, warning the technology is being used to impersonate trusted health professionals and spread potentially harmful misinformation.

Ahead of Scams Awareness Week, the AMA renewed its call for stronger protections in a letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, welcoming the establishment of the Office of AI and urging the government to prioritise its digital duty of care policy to help protect Australians.

The AMA remains concerned that deepfake content is being used to impersonate reputable health professionals and expose patients to potentially unsafe health advice, yet there are no regulations in place to enforce the removal of this harmful material from digital platforms.

AMA President Dr Danielle McMullen said a regulatory response that keeps pace with emerging risks and supports public confidence in digital health information is urgently needed.

“Scams Awareness Week is a timely reminder that increasingly sophisticated online deception can have

real-world consequences,” Dr McMullen said.

“Deepfake campaigns that misrepresent trusted clinicians can undermine evidence-based care, spread misinformation about prescription medicines, and encourage consumers to abandon clinically validated therapies in favour of unproven alternatives.

“It should not be left to the clinicians whose identities are being stolen and misused to identify, report and

pursue the removal of deceptive content. The AMA supports a digital duty of care that places responsibility on AI providers and digital platforms to take reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable harms arising from their services.

“This should include strong transparency requirements, effective safeguards against unauthorised and deceptive synthetic content, and timely takedown mechanisms for harmful deepfakes. We are calling on the gov-

ernment to move quickly to put these regulations in place to reduce the risk of harm to Australians.”

The AMA raised these concerns with the Minister for Communications, Anika Wells, last year/, and has now written to the Prime Minister calling for urgent action on its digital duty of care policy and stronger safeguards against harmful AI-generated content.

It recommends a regulatory framework be developed that includes: • Mandatory identification of the individual or company responsible for any online post promoting a medical product or service through a publicly accessible and designated contact point (for example, email).

• An accessible portal for individuals to report fake, misleading or AI-generated content.

• Unsubscribing mechanisms enabling users to opt out of unsolicited medical advertising.

• Time-bound takedown requirements, mandating platforms to remove harmful content within a specified period after a complaint is lodged.

• Appropriate enforcement powers, including the ability to issue infringement notices for non-compliance.

Liverpool uses AI to boost pool safety

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IVERPOOL is using the “eye” in AI, with new artificial intelligence technology giving lifeguards an extra set of eyes on the water at Whitlam Leisure Centre.

The drowning detection system uses cameras and AI to monitor swimmers in real time and alert lifeguards when it detects behaviour that could indicate a swimmer is in distress.

The system has been introduced and funded at Whitlam Leisure Centre by Belgravia Leisure, working in partnership with Liverpool City Council to support safer and more enjoyable swimming experiences for the local community.

Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun said the technology was an important extra safety measure, but would never replace lifeguards. “This is about giving our lifeguards another set of eyes, not replacing the people who are watching the pool and are trained to respond when something goes wrong,” Mayor Mannoun said.

“Drowning can happen in seconds, so having technology that can alert our lifeguards to a potential problem gives them another tool when every second counts.

“This is creating an extra layer of safety and reassurance in what unfortunately can sometimes be a dangerous environment. Safety is our prime concern at all our swimming centres.”

Mayor Mannoun said this swim-

Rob Tomasums, Belgravia Leisure Area Manager NSW and Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun at Whitlam Leisure Centre.

mer safety was particularly important in Liverpool's diverse community.

“Liverpool is the most multicultural city in Australia, and many people in our community have come from countries where learning to swim just isn't part of growing up in

the way it is here,” he said.

“We know that, and Council is doing everything we can to make sure our pools remain safe places where families can enjoy themselves, exercise and relax.”

Rob Tomasums, Belgravia Leisure Area Manager NSW, said the project

is an important investment in community safety.

Council plans to roll out the technology at Michael Wendon Aquatic Leisure Centre (also managed by Belgravia Leisure), Holsworthy and the new aquatic centre planned for Carnes Hill.

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ISSUE 45 | September 2026

Showcasing a region ready for growth FAZILA FARHAD

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ELCOME to our first monthly column with CBN (publisher of The Blacktown News). We sincerely appreciate their support in helping elevate the profile of Western Sydney’s visitor economy and our members.

Western Sydney Tourism Taskforce NSW is the region’s leading tourism industry association, bringing together businesses, attractions, accommodation providers, hospitality operators, tour companies, clubs, and key stakeholders to promote Western Sydney as a premier visitor destination.

As the region’s peak tourism advocacy body, we work to strengthen collaboration, attract investment, increase visitation, and drive economic growth across one of Australia’s most dynamic and diverse regions.

With the opening of Western Sydney International Airport, the region is entering an exciting new chapter.

From its rich cultural heritage and multicultural dining experiences to major events, natural attractions, and world-class visitor experiences, Western Sydney is preparing to welcome the world.

We are also pleased to announce a media partnership with Community Broadcast Network (CBN), Western Sydney’s leading publisher.

Through its extensive network of print and digital publications, including Northwest News, Parramatta Times, Western Sydney Express, Hawkesbury News, Macarthur Advocate, and Blacktown News, this partnership will help showcase the region’s tourism opportunities, industry achievements, and future growth.

Supporting Future Talent We have recently teamed up as a ambassador of Western Sydney University (Friends of Western Sydney Initiative) to support student work placements across the visitor economy.

This initiative will strengthen industry pathways, provide valuable practical experience for students, and help develop the next generation of tourism and hospitality professionals.

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As an ambassador for the program, I am proud to support this important partnership, which will deliver longterm benefits for both students and industry across the region.

Industry Forums Events and Tourism Awards From industry forums focused on hotels, aviation, business events, and tourism development to the delivery of our annual awards program, our mission is to position Western Sydney as a leading domestic and international destination.

The Western Sydney Tourism Awards 2026, now in their third year, recognise and celebrate excellence, innovation, leadership, and achievement across the visitor economy.

The awards have become a pre-

mier industry event, bringing together tourism operators, business leaders, government representatives, educators, and industry stakeholders to celebrate the success of our growing sector.

Research and Advocacy We recently launched our landmark white paper, Greater Western Sydney Unlocked, highlighting the region’s hotel accommodation capacity, conferencing infrastructure, transport connectivity, and the opportunities created by Sydney’s two airports and expanding public transport network.

This research has been submitted to Destination NSW, BE Sydney, Premier Minns, Minister Kamper’s office WSI and local councils.

Join Us. We invite you to join us in celebrating the outstanding achievements of Western Sydney’s tourism industry and to be part of the exciting future that lies ahead.

More information: www.visitwesternsydney.com/ Western Sydney Tourism Awards 2026. Date: Friday, 16 October 2026.

Time: From 6:00 PM. Venue: Western Sydney Convention Centre (WSCC), 81 Mulgoa Road, Penrith NSW. Tickets: www.westernsydneytourismawards.com.au/ More to follow next month.

Fazila Farhad is Chair and Founder of the Western Sydney Tourist Taskforce.

Newsbytes NewS

ISSUE 45 | September 2026

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HILDREN’S dentist and educator Dr Bethany Fisher has launched Tooth Tales On Demand, described as the world’s first premium digital streaming platform dedicated to children’s oral health. Targeting preschool children in regional and rural Australia, the platform combines songs, stories, science experiments, arts and crafts and play-based learning with resources for educators and parents. Dr Fisher said the initiative aims to address poorer oral health outcomes and reduced access to dental education outside metropolitan areas.

End-of-life pathways could be better

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GEING Australia and Palliative Care Australia have welcomed a Senate recommendation to remove funding and time restrictions from the Support at Home End-of-Life Pathway. The peak bodies say older Australians with life-limiting illnesses should receive clinically guided care based on individual needs rather than fixed funding periods or life-expectancy predictions. They argue greater flexibility would help more people remain at home, support families and reduce unnecessary hospital admissions and pressure on the health system.

Research detects counterfeit alcohol

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DELAIDE University researchers are developing laser technology capable of detecting counterfeit alcohol, wine fraud and hazardous chemicals inside sealed bottles. Using Raman spectroscopy, the system identifies the chemical “fingerprint” of liquids through packaging, including coloured glass.

Research has shown it can detect toxic methanol at concentrations well below international safety limits.

Scientists are now exploring applications including wine authentication, pesticide detection in olive oil,

counterfeit perfumes and hazardous chemicals, with potential uses across food, agriculture, law enforcement and manufacturing industries.

Records of sexual assault need protecting

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HE NSW Government has commissioned research into better protecting counselling records of sexual assault victim-survivors during criminal proceedings. Led by University of Sydney Professor Rita Shackel, the study will examine how often counselling notes are subpoenaed, their impact on survivors and alternative protection models. The research follows concerns that accessing counselling records can retraumatise survivors or discourage them from seeking support. Findings will be reported to the Department of Communities and Justice in June 2027.

The long journey of assistance dogs

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SSISTANCE Dogs Australia is celebrating 30 years of providing life-changing support during International Assistance Dog Week. The organisation breeds and trains accredited assistance

www.macarthuradovcate.au

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dogs for Australians with physical disabilities, autism and PTSD. Each dog costs more than $60,000 and takes around two years to prepare. With demand exceeding availability, ADA aims to increase the number of Australians it supports by 50 per cent by 2028.

Call for ban on gambling advertising

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AMILY First’s Lyle Shelton has called on federal and NSW governments to introduce a complete ban on gambling advertising across television, streaming, radio, social media, online services and sporting venues. Shelton said gambling had become increasingly normalised through sport, exposing children to betting messages. He argued partial restrictions were inadequate and compared gambling advertising with tobacco promotion, saying governments should prioritise protecting families from financial, social and mental health harms.

Bank’s digital feature a customer hit

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ENDIGO Bank’s new Community Link feature has attracted 1,113 new customers since launching in April, combining digital account opening with connections to local branches. Around 70 per cent nominated a Community Bank as their home branch, supporting the bank’s community-focused model. Bendigo Bank says the uptake demonstrates demand for convenient digital banking while maintaining local connections. Community Bank Upwey and District currently leads Community Link registrations nationwide.

Public invited to comment on energy

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SW electricity and gas customers are being invited to share their experiences as IPART reviews the state’s retail energy markets. The regulator is examining prices, competition, affordability and consumer participation, including the growing use of virtual power plants. IPART says energy prices have risen faster than inflation in recent years, placing pressure on households and businesses.

Its 2025–26 Energy Market Monitoring Report will be submitted to the Energy Minister in November.

Telling stories, celebrating success, inspiring all WISB is about progress.

The stories that stem from the rich ecosystem of women growing in and succeeding in businesses across all sectors and all levels.

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GOLDEN BROWS ACADEMY EXCELLING

SUCCESS FROM THE DAYS OF COVID

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Tax Debt Matters

www.macarthuradovcate.au

ISSUE 45 | September 2026

HOW PERSPECTIVE CHANGES EVERYTHING

And not just with tax debt

er remission would have changed the shape of the problem first.

MICHAEL MOON

T

HERE’S an old line in medicine.

Go to a surgeon, you'll end up with surgery. Go to a psychiatrist, you'll end up with pills. It's not that either of them is wrong.

It's that whoever you walk in to see, that's the toolkit your problem gets solved with, whether or not it was the only tool that fit.

In tax debt, the pills and the surgery are usually funding and formal process, a new loan to make the number disappear, or a restructure to manage it from the outside.

Both can be exactly the right call.

But neither one starts by asking whether the underlying debt itself can shrink.

That's the piece that sits closer to what we do, remission and a payment plan that holds, and stopping any legal action from escalating further while that gets sorted. It's a different question to the one most advisors are set up to ask first.

Most business owners don't realise this until they're holding two or three answers that don't add up.

Same debt, different outcomes Two businesses can carry the exact same debt, same industry, same size, and end up in completely different places within six months. Not because one had better luck. Because one saw that number from a single angle and one saw it from several.

An accountant sees a compliance and cash flow problem. A lawyer sees exposure and risk. A broker sees serviceability and funding, refinancing it, consolidating it, borrowing around it.

An insolvency specialist sees a solvency question and a set of formal options.

Every one of those is a real, useful, professionally sound answer. None of them is wrong. Each is just running the

A conversation last week

debt through the lens they're trained and licensed to use.

The lever that goes missing without a negotiation lens in the room None of those specialists is set up to check whether the debt itself can shrink before anything else is decided.

Remission, interest and penalties coming off the debt, can run anywhere from 20% to 70% or more of what's owing.

On a debt of any real size, that's often the biggest lever on the table, bigger than the funding, bigger than the payment plan restructure. It's also the lever most likely to be missed, not through anyone's fault, but through absence. If nobody in the room is looking through a negotiation lens, nobody asks the negotiability question.

Skepticism plays a part too. Business owners who've been burned by an overpromise elsewhere sometimes assume any mention of debt reduction is a sales pitch rather than a checkable fact, which is exactly what lets a real, sizeable reduction go unexplored.

This is also part of why funding tax debt has become a more common answer lately. Since GIC is no longer tax deductible, the true cost of carrying ATO debt has gone up, and lenders have grown more willing to fund it.

That's a legitimate option in the right circumstances. But it still tends to arrive before remission has been checked, which means a business can end up financing a number that was larger than it needed to be.

Speed matters, but not the speed people think Business owners under pressure chase the fastest path to a number going away. What actually matters is the speed of finding the right solution, not the speed of clearing it.

The right solution depends on the whole picture, the business, the personal debt exposure behind it, and exactly where compliance and enforcement currently stand.

Move too fast toward the first option offered, and you can lock in a path before anyone's checked wheth-

I sat with a business owner recently, whose situation had gone further than we could help with. It involved a matter that required going to court with the ATO, not negotiation, it was beyond that now, so it sat outside what we do.

We told him that directly, and pointed him to who it actually belonged to.

He said afterwards that it was the clearest conversation he'd had in weeks. He'd already spoken to four specialists, and had no idea what was up from down or who to believe from those conversations. Not because he wasn't smart. He was. Not because he didn't understand his business.

He did, he likely had some finance or accounting background of his own.

It wasn't a knowledge gap. It was that four capable people had each answered from their own patch, and nobody had told him that's what was happening.

Not because we hadn't tried to sell him anything, that's not really the point, and it shouldn't be the thing that earns trust. The point was simpler. We were clear about what we could and couldn't do, and specific about where the line sat.

That's the actual issue underneath all of this. Deciding who to trust with a problem this size shouldn't come down to a gut read on who feels genuine.

It should be something you can check. Does this advisor tell you plainly what's inside their scope and what isn't. If they can't answer that clearly, that's worth noticing before anything else they tell you.

Michael Moon is Director at Tax Assure, Australia's leading tax debt negotiation firm.

Visit: www taxassure.com.au

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Travel

September | ISSUE 45 | www.accessnews.com.au | Edited by Emma Wilson | travelwellwithemma@gmail.com

Slowing down in Stanley, Tasmania

BY THE OUT OF OFFICE SISTERS (JORJA LEROY AND CANDACE GIBB)

T

HERE are some places you visit and immediately understand why everyone is talking about them.

Stanley was one of those places.

Recently named Australia’s number one History and Heritage Town by Australian Traveller, Stanley sits beneath the unmistakable Nut on Tasmania’s northwest coast. And after a few days there, we completely understood the fuss.

For two corporate sisters used to rushing between meetings, Stanley gave us a very different kind of agenda: climb something, eat something delicious, drink something local, watch the penguins come home and, most importantly, slow down. And then there was the Bond Store.

The Bond Store The Bond Store is the sort of accommodation that makes you notice every single detail. Set right on Stanley’s original wharf, the building dates back to the 1850s and has been beautifully restored, retaining its original bluestone walls and timber beams while adding all the little luxuries you didn't know you needed.

Fresh eggs waiting in the fridge. Local milk. Beautifully considered interiors and amenities. Gorgeous Tasmanian touches. A wood fire. A deep bath. And, as if that wasn't enough, a sauna tucked away in the courtyard.

It felt luxurious without being flashy. Everything had a purpose and everything had been thought about.

Sitting right on the water, the views become part of the experience. We could wander back after exploring the town, pour ourselves a drink and simply watch the light change across the bay.

It was also incredibly quiet, which we quickly realised was exactly what we needed. At the Bond Store, we were quite happy to stay in, make breakfast, drink coffee and debate whether walking to the next café technically counted as an activity.

The Nut- when the chairlift says no You can't go to Stanley without tackling The Nut. The enormous flattopped volcanic plug rises 143 metres above the town and is its defining feature.

There is a chairlift for those who prefer to admire it without too much exertion, but unfortunately for us, the chairlift was closed. So, we walked.

The track is steep enough to get the heart rate going, particularly after a slow breakfast, but once at the top it is absolutely worth it. The summit circuit gives you sweeping views across Stanley, Bass Strait and the surrounding coastline.

The town began as an important centre for the Van Diemen's Land Company, established in 1824, and its historic buildings and fishing heritage remain central to its character. We came down feeling pleased with ourselves. We also decided that if the chairlift had been operating, we absolutely would have taken it.

Whisky at Angels Share One of the things we loved about Stanley was how easy it was to turn an ordinary afternoon into something memorable. At Angels Share, we found ourselves looking out over the coastline with a local whisky in hand, chatting with the couple who owned and ran

it. There are worse ways to spend an afternoon.

With big skies, rugged coastline, Bass Strait stretching out in front of you and The Nut looming behind, the landscape around Stanley is dramatic without trying too hard. With a Tasmanian whisky to taste and nowhere we needed to be, we finally settled into holiday mode.

wander down the road, find yourself in a game of pool and suddenly you're chatting to people who actually live there.

For two sisters normally surrounded by corporate conversations, spreadsheets and meetings, talking rubbish over a pool table with locals was exactly the kind of evening we didn't know we needed.

Penguins at dusk

Why Stanley?

We had heard Stanley was a great place to see little penguins, but there is always a bit of scepticism when someone tells you wildlife will conveniently appear at a particular time. At dusk, we headed towards the waterfront and waited. And then they appeared.

Tiny little penguins making their way back from the water, waddling towards shore as the light faded. We stood quietly and watched, completely absorbed. It felt very Stanley: wildlife, water, history and a town that still feels like a real community rather than somewhere that exists purely for tourists.

Stanley was ranked 17th overall in Australian Traveller's 2026 list of Australia's 100 Best Towns and took out the number one spot in the History and Heritage category. But rankings don't really explain Stanley.

It has history without feeling like a museum, incredible scenery without the crowds, and beautiful accommodation and great food while still feeling relaxed and genuine. And the Bond Store somehow captures all of that.

We arrived in Stanley as two corporate sisters who had promised ourselves we were going to slow down. We left having perfected the art.

Our out-of-office was on. Our walking shoes were dirty. We'd climbed The Nut, watched penguins, tasted whisky, played pool with locals and eaten very well. And, for once, there was absolutely no rush to get back to the office.

Dinner, pool and meeting the locals That night we headed to the Stanley Hotel for dinner. What we hadn't expected was to end up playing pool afterwards with some of the locals. The town has a wonderfully unpretentious feel. You can have a beautiful dinner,

Visit: https://stanleybondstore.com.au bookings@stanleybondstore.com.au

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TraveL

www.macarthuradovcate.au

ISSUE 45 | September 2026

with Emma Wilson

A different way to do Queenstown?

WORDS BY EMMA WILSON

M

Y husband and I had been to Queenstown before, so this time we wanted to base ourselves away from the town centre and use our accommodation as a base for exploring the wider Otago region. Here’s what we recommend.

That’s the thing about Queenstown, you can come here ten times and have ten completely different holidays. You can base yourself right in the centre and spend your days shopping, eating, drinking and wandering the lakefront.

You can come for skiing or bike riding, make it an adventure holiday, disappear into the wine country or simply use Queenstown as a base for exploring everything around it.

Explore Queenstown’s Surrounds We had a couple of days, so we decided to see how much of the surrounding area we could squeeze into a full day. Our first stop was Jack’s Point Golf Course, around the other side of the lake from central Queenstown.

It’s worth the drive to check it out and send cheeky photos to your golfing mates, pretending you’re teeing off at this exclusive club. You can have a coffee and enjoy the views, and it was actually the barista who gave us our next recommendation.

“You have to go to Ayrburn,” he told us. So that's where we checked out next, it's well worth it.

Ayrburn I’d describe Ayrburn as a scenic, historic precinct and definitely worth at least an hour wandering in and out of its collection of bakery, bistro, bar, restaurant and cellar door buildings, with low-lying scrub, water fountains and ancient trees.

Ayrburn gets this so right, covering the breakfast crowd with families, an awesome kids’ play park, morning coffees and pastries, lunches, tasting paddles, ice creams and delicious dinner options. So much so, we circled back a few hours later for an early dinner on our way home. We’ll be back.

Arrowtown Our next stop was Arrowtown, and it was every bit as busy as we’d expected on a Saturday morning, but for very good reason. The old gold-rush buildings, boutique shops, pubs and restaurants sit beneath a spectacular mountain backdrop, and wandering the historic streets is an easy way to spend a few hours. If you

want to splash the cash, the boutiques are incredible.

We stopped for lunch in the sunshine at one of the pubs and it was divine.

Arthur’s Point From there, we headed towards Arthur’s Point to eyeball the incredible view from Coronet Ridge Resort, the view is to die for and we drove up to Coronet Peak to see what all the fuss is about with this popular ski resort.

I hadn’t been to Coronet Peak for 20-plus years, when I visited driving around NZ on a motorhome driving holiday with a boyfriend. At the time I was a snowboarder and we loved to go night skiing. I quickly saw that night skiing is still popular, the terrain is expansive and its reputation as a cool place for young people is still evident with DJ nights and a young vibe for group travel.

This little Otago day trip was so easy. For us, it was tacked onto a week in Wanaka skiing with mates for my husband’s 50th, but it’s so easy to add a night or two and pick away at Queenstown and its surroundings.

So… The Accom?

On previous visits, we’d stayed closer to the town centre action, and it’s a fun way to experience this stunning natural beauty of a town. This time, we wanted a little less action. Instead of being surrounded by bustling shops and restaurants, we headed a little further around Lake Wakatipu to Platinum Villas. This was exactly the change of pace we were looking for.

Space to slow down The villas are perched on the hill, close enough to Queenstown that you can still walk into town, but once you’re back at the property, the feeling is completely different. Instead of looking out at restaurants, traffic and people, our view was Lake Wakatipu and the mountains.

It feels like you’re all alone in the region, and the vista makes you visualise Queenstown 200 years ago. Or at least I did, I love thinking about how areas were long ago.

That became one of the biggest pleasures of staying there.

Step outside and you’re on the lawn, with the property regenerating more native grasses out the front and drawing in local visitors such as ducks and birdlife. The villa itself

was spacious and incredibly comfortable, particularly because we had been travelling with friends all week and this was our final night together. We had space to breathe.

On our first of two nights, rather than head back into town, we bought takeaway Chinese food, opened a bottle of New Zealand red and settled around the coffee table in front of the fireplace.

It felt more like being in someone’s very comfortable holiday home. The décor was warm, with lampshades and comfy couches, and for families, I think this is where the villas really make sense.

I pictured our kids running around on the front lawn burning energy before heading in for a bath and dinner, rather than being under your feet in the kitchen while you cook.

And you can’t beat the lake view while you cook.

It’s a proper kitchen, with a gas cooktop, full-sized fridge, island bench and everything you need to make breakfast, lunch or dinner rather than eating out for every meal.

After travelling for a while, eating out gets tiring.

It’s nice to mix it up. You can still easily walk into town, with the property around 1.5km from the town centre and 500m from the lake edge.

A very useful Queenstown tip If you’re flying out early, don’t be put off by a 6.30am departure. We left Platinum Villas at around 4am expecting airport traffic, but there was practically nobody on the road and we breezed it. We were at Queenstown Airport in just 15 minutes and back in Sydney in time for our daughter’s 11.30am rugby match.

I mean… it’s all so painless!

Visit: www.platinumqueenstown.co.nz

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21

The End of Oak Street - Review JACOB RICHARDSON

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HIS throwback Spielberg-like dino flick will have you thrilled at the nostalgic vibes, dino scares and pacy, fun time in the cinema.

Denise (Anne Hathaway) and Greg (Ewan McGregor) are going through relationship troubles.

Their kids, Audrey (Maisy Stella) and Brian (Christian Convery) can tell.

But all of that goes out the window when blinding lights transport them, and their entire neighbourhood, millenia in the past.

One minute, it’s 1982 - the next, they find their little 80’s slice of suburbia invaded by dinosaurs, and they have to fight to stay alive.

The End of Oak Street feels like a movie from a different era. And that’s not just the costuming (which is remarkably nostalgic with its 80’s vibes), or the setting, or the performances and dialogue.

No, this film feels like a movie from another period. A time when a good original idea could get made, and find an audience. When movies didn’t need to be 5 hours long (this is only 1 hr 40 mins and flies). When you could just have a good time and lose yourself in someone’s imagination.

Ewan McGregor and Anne Hathaway are great in this film. They play a struggling married couple who are forced into cooperation by their uniquely prehistoric circumstances, and both have moments to shine. Hathaway in particular takes the cake, but she has a lot more to work with given some of the events of the film.

The dinosaurs are also rendered in fun ways.

Sure, there are questions about whether the neighbourhood is too staged for the film, whether the

dinosaur behaviour is designed to keep our main characters alive, and how hard exactly can Greg swing that baseball bat.

But if you suspend your disbelief and enjoy the film for what it is, there’s enough tension here to keep you on edge.

Outside of a handful of minor side plots (the lesbian relationship for Audrey, and Brian’s bully saga, both feel unearned and unnecessary), the film keeps itself tightly on a single track and benefits

from that choice.

It’s funny when it needs to be, scary and tense in spades, and occasionally heartwarming. Above all, it feels fresh and original - and for a movie so steeped in throwback nostalgia, that’s saying something.

An absolute blast in the cinema. The End of Oak Street is a winner. Four stars.

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