Committee for Geelong has called for state government investment in the Avalon precinct ahead of the November election. The group wants $30 million for Beach Road and airport access infrastructure, plus $7.5 million for an Aviation Attraction Fund. The Greater Avalon Employment Precinct, approved for development, is expected to create 8000 jobs initially and over 26,000 once completed. The committee has urged all Victorian political parties to commit to funding the project.
The City of Greater Geelong and Wyndham City councils have asked the Victorian Government to trial a direct rail link between Geelong and Werribee. The proposal would reroute existing Warrnambool to Melbourne services through Werribee rather than Wyndham Vale. The councils say the tracks remain active for freight and are maintained. They argue the trial would test demand without waiting for major new construction. Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj and Wyndham Mayor Mia Shaw backed the plan, which is a request for a trial that the councils are seeking the state government to support.
A campaign led by environmental lawyer Marteen Koster aims to prevent a floating regasification plant from being built in Port Phillip Bay. Dutch company Vopak proposes a plant 20 kilometres offshore from Avalon, Victoria, which would discharge 480 million litres of chlorinated water daily. Koster argues the project threatens the bay's ecosystem and recreational use, with a petition gathering 8,630 signatures. The Victorian government has not yet responded to requests for comment.
AU Now app
Your suburb’s news, alerts and Shorts — in one app
Alerts, Shorts and your saved stories — free on Google Play.
A major employment precinct near Avalon Airport has won state government approval. The Greater Avalon Employment Precinct, covering more than 3,500 hectares, is expected to support up to 8,000 jobs in manufacturing, freight, logistics, and recycling industries. Planning minister Sonya Kilkenny approved the project last week, with a development plan now required before land can be rezoned and planning permits issued. The precinct's proximity to the Princes Freeway, GeelongPort, and Victoria’s second international airport is expected to attract investment. More than 600 acres have been earmarked for conservation to protect nearby Ramsar wetlands.
Tamara Sloper-Harding recalls her deployment to East Timor in 1999, where she witnessed devastation and poverty. She founded the charity Friends of Soibada, supporting a remote Timorese village. Sloper-Harding also manages her PTSD, which stems from her experiences in Timor and inappropriate behaviour at the Australian Defence Force Academy. She volunteers extensively, including on nine different boards and as a member of Avalon Armchair Gardeners.
Rotary Kincumber will present the annual Putt-Putt Regatta and Wooden Boat Festival over three days, from November 6 to 8. The event will be held at Davistown and Woy Woy on the Central Coast.
Police arrested two people in Freshwater after a vehicle stop on 19 October. The driver allegedly returned positive drug tests and police allegedly seized drugs, knives and housebreaking tools. The driver was arrested and given a 24-hour licence suspension, and a 29-year-old passenger was charged with property, weapon and drug offences. Northern Beaches Police are also investigating alleged thefts at a Belrose store and warn residents about text message scams asking for money. An 81-year-old man transferred almost $10,000 after a scammer posed as his son.
Sally Baker has been named the 2026 Tuggerah Westfield Local Hero. The award recognises her work at Mary Mac's Place in Woy Woy. She helps ensure people facing hardship are met with support.
Giovanni Pilu, a finalist for Chef of the Year in the 2027 Good Food Guide Awards, has spoken about his life and career. He grew up in Sotza, a small village in Sardinia, where his family's food and community shaped him. He worked in kitchens in Sardinia before moving to Sydney to marry Marilyn. He now runs his namesake restaurant at Freshwater, which is 22 years old. The awards decision is due later this week.
Parramatta Lanes recorded its biggest year yet, attracting more than 386,000 visitors over four nights from 21 to 24 October. The free festival used the city centre's streets, laneways and car parks for more than 400 performers, 70 food vendors and 10 stages. Lord Mayor Cameron MacLean said the event showcased the city's cultural diversity and its growing appeal in Western Sydney. The City of Parramatta said the festival was funded by the council and the NSW Government, with a $350,000 Open Streets grant to help deliver the event over three years.
Brendon and Emma Reynolds have put the historic Junee Hotel on the market so they can move closer to family. The couple took over the lease in 2023 and later bought the property, restoring its rooms, bathrooms and bar. They have added community events, including a singles night that Emma says led to five relationships. Emma criticised government taxes on regional pubs and staffing rules that limit backpacker workers. The couple plan to live in the hotel while a sale progresses, which they say can take six to 12 months.
Blacktown pilot Aglaya Papadokokolakis flew the first commercial aircraft out of Western Sydney International Airport on Sunday. She said the milestone was a career highlight, launching operations in her home region. Her father is also a pilot, and she encouraged young women to pursue aviation despite its male-dominated reputation. The airport opened after about eight years of construction and is set to run around the clock. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese officially opened it at a Sunday morning ceremony, and its first international flight arrived on Monday.
As part of Small Business Month in October, three New England and North Coast businesses are being highlighted. Steve Shaw runs GH Innovations in Thrumster, helping local firms attract customers through online search and sales improvement. Di Wade runs Rawspice Boutique in South West Rocks, offering independent fashion and lifestyle products. Meagan Hudson and Rory Taylor run Beardy Downs in Emmaville, making small-batch tallow and beeswax products through BD Collection.
Drivers travelling between Armidale and the coast on Waterfall Way should allow extra time from Monday, 26 October, to Sunday, 8 November. Transport for NSW says a string of maintenance jobs and projects may cause cumulative delays, with some sections of up to 10 minutes. Vehicles wider than 3 metres face restrictions on parts of the route, and a permit is needed. Motorists can follow signs and directions from traffic controllers, or use alternative routes including the Oxley Highway, Gwydir Highway or New England Highway.
A black-and-white cat named Max has been reunited with his family in Cherrybrook after two anxious weeks. His owner, Katy, put up 200 missing posters and searched local streets, reaching out to schools, daycares and students. After Max was sighted, animal rescue volunteer Jen safely captured him and returned him to Katy within 24 hours. Katy then posted Found posters to thank the community for its kindness and teamwork.
Former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern has taken up a part-time professor of practice role at the University of Sydney. She will guest-lecture, run masterclasses and mentor students and researchers in the school of public health. Her work will focus on empathetic leadership, social cohesion and civic trust. Ardern, who led New Zealand from 2017 to 2023, said she has been focused on leadership since leaving office. University vice-chancellor Mark Scott said her leadership showed that empathy and resolve can strengthen each other.
A 28-year-old man has been charged after an alleged fight on Banna Avenue in Griffith. Police allege he threw punches at another man in the middle of the street at about 2 am on Sunday, October 25, after being refused entry to pubs. Officers had earlier told him to leave, and police say he later swore at them and kept approaching despite being directed to leave. He was arrested, charged with behaving in an offensive manner in a public place, and granted bail. He is due to appear before Griffith Local Court on November 18.
Sydney will host the 2027 Super Netball Grand Final for the first time since the competition began. The event is expected to attract more than 8,000 visitors and inject more than $4 million into the NSW visitor economy. The match will be played on Saturday 31 July at Afterpay Arena, Sydney Olympic Park, and is proposed rather than confirmed. Netball Australia chair Liz Ellis said the event would celebrate the sport's passion across New South Wales. NSW Premier Chris Minns said the state would invest more in netball, one of its biggest participation sports.
New South Wales Police Minister Yasmin Catley has defended the state's gun buyback scheme after 150 applications were lodged in its first hours. Bookings opened on Monday, and the government plans to remove up to 274,000 firearms from the community. Catley said fewer guns in circulation would make the community safer, pointing to firearms stolen across the state. Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane has criticised the scheme, arguing it focuses too heavily on licensed owners rather than illegal guns used by organised criminals.
Credit Corp Group, which buys bad debts at a discount and collects them, is on track for another record result this year. The listed business posted a record $105.5 million net profit in 2025/26 and is targeting between $112 million and $120 million this financial year. Chief executive Thomas Beregi told shareholders the purchase of one of HSBC's run-off credit card books was a key driver. Its consumer lending arms grew almost a fifth in the September quarter, led by its Wallet Wizard loans, which carry an annual interest rate of 47.8 per cent.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge Cycleway Ramp has been officially named Patyegarang, after a Cammeraygal woman who helped bridge colonial and Indigenous communities. The name was chosen through a collaborative process with local Aboriginal community members. Transport for NSW has also unveiled new bronze signage and a cyclist counter board, which shows live usage statistics. The ramp's opening in January has led to a 30% increase in cycleway usage, averaging 1,600 daily riders over the past six months.
