Last week’s budget had a strong focus on housing, with a new scheme that would see the government become the guarantor for certain housing developments, guaranteeing to buy any unsold homes for build-to-rent, or affordable or social housing. Build-to-rent developments will also receive a land tax discount. There is also new money for child protection.

Locally, there is new funding for a ferry service to link the new Sydney Fish Market with Barangaroo, planning for Oxford Street’s planned revitalisation and reconfiguration of Moore Park Golf Course to provide open space for the community. Seven school crossings will also get supervisors.

Declining revenue has meant that there aren’t many huge funding announcements; it’s unfortunate that the government did not take the opportunity to increase revenue from gambling tax, coal mine royalties and a Victorian style short-term letting levy.