The Sydney Library of Things is marking five years of service to North Sydney residents. It lends tools, cleaning equipment, camping gear and household appliances, so people can borrow rather than buy. The library now offers 252 items, up by 36 over the past year. Members borrowed items 679 times in the last 12 months, and 97 active volunteers support its borrowing and repair programs. The monthly Fix-it Hub recorded 461 bookings over the year, with an average repair success rate of around 85 per cent.
Residents of the Borough of Queenscliffe will soon be able to borrow and return library items at any time, day or night. An 18-locker system is being installed at Queenscliff Library, funded with $28,660 from the Victorian Government. Holders of a free Geelong Regional Libraries membership can reserve items for delivery to a locker. Member for Bellarine Alison Marchant announced the funding at the library, alongside local council and library leaders. Council will share further updates as the project progresses.
Self managed super funds can no longer enter new borrowing arrangements to buy residential property, following rule changes from August 10. Existing arrangements made before that date can still be refinanced. Funds may still buy residential property outright, or borrow to buy commercial property. Palise Property director Steve Palise says commercial property can offer tax advantages and higher income than residential. Mortgage broker Andrew Tan says SMSF lending is more complicated and costs more, with higher interest rates.
AU Now app
Your suburb’s news, alerts and Shorts — in one app
Alerts, Shorts and your saved stories — free on Google Play.
Residents in Buninyong, Cardigan Village, Learmonth and Miners Rest can now borrow and return library items at any time. Four Library Lockers have opened across the municipality, supported by more than $95,000 from the Victorian Government and more than $47,000 from the City of Ballarat. Members reserve items through the Central Highlands catalogue and collect them from their chosen locker location. Staff visit the lockers weekly to stock them, and residents receive a notification when items are ready. Items can be returned to any locker or any Ballarat Libraries branch.
