The crowd, waiting for supper and tea, has begun forming long before the food is served. Outside the Lighthouse Church Community Kitchen in Wollongong, the long queue is quite. Some chat softly with volunteers. Others sit alone, staring at the ground or scrolling through their phones. For many, this is more than a place to eat. It is one of the few places where they can find certainty. Among them is Amelia. A young woman with bright coloured hair, dressed in a white shirt and stained jeans, with a baggy green jacket to fight the chilly Thursday evening. Some nights she…
Author: Aric Kim
Australia’s growing generational wealth divide has sparked new tax reforms targeting investment property and wealth accumulation, while younger generations continue to struggle with housing affordability. According to the Albanese government the measures are designed to make the tax system fairer and improve access to housing for younger Australians. From July 2027, negative gearing concessions for existing residential properties will be restricted, while changes to capital gains tax and discretionary trusts are also planned. The reforms come as rising property prices and debt levels continue to shape the financial outlook of younger generations. University of Wollongong student, Toby Kay, 23, said entering the housing…
The South Coast Line’s new Mariyung Fleet has been welcomed by commuters for promising trains every 15 minutes between Wollongong Station and Central Station during peak hours. The brand-new Mariyung Fleet has been running between Kiama and Central since April 14 this year, with the first passenger service departing from Kiama at 7:56am. While these changes aim to improve accessibility for Illawarra commuters travelling to and from Sydney, questions remain over whether the South Coast Line can maintain reliability amid declining punctuality rates. For daily commuters, reliability remains a larger concern than service frequency. Commuter Hannah Giconne, who travels from Wollongong to Sydney for work several times a week said that she favours reliable trains rather…
Rising fuel costs and ongoing supply pressures have rippled through the Illawarra’s food system. As transport and production costs climb, concerns have emerged for regional food security, with fuel central not just to farming, but to the transportation of food products. Increased diesel prices have driven up freight costs, which in turn has amplified production expenses for farmers already facing tight margins. Data from Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) shows that diesel prices has surged a significant amount ever since the Middle East conflict. Prices in Sydney fluctuated from 174 cents per litre on February 20, to peaking at…