A friend of accused killer Beau Lamarre-Condon has told a New South Wales Supreme Court jury that he sent her photos of his ex, Jesse Baird, with another man. The former police officer has pleaded not guilty to murdering Mr Baird and flight attendant Luke Davies, who were shot in Mr Baird's Paddington home in February 2024. The witness, known as Elizabeth Kennedy, said he described breaking into Mr Baird's house in August 2023 to steal his phone and wallet.
An 18-year-old allegedly struck a police senior constable on Aquatic Drive at Shell Cove on Friday, leaving him with a serious leg injury. Police allege the teenager fled on his e-bike and was later found hiding in Bass reserve. He faces multiple charges, including riding unlicensed and failing to stop after the impact. The arrest came during a six-hour operation across Cronulla, Wollongong and Shellharbour, where officers seized 22 modified e-bikes. The teenager was granted conditional bail and will appear before Port Kembla Local Court.
Transport for NSW has announced Sydney train timetable changes from 15 November 2026 that bring more services but add up to 14 minutes to some journeys. The changes affect the T4, T8, South Coast and T2 lines, along with St Peters and Erskineville stations. Trains on the T4 line will run more often at peak times, while South Coast trains will stop at Central instead of Bondi Junction. Minister for Transport John Graham said the changes are part of a $2.1 billion investment in the network.
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A 19-year-old man, David Kulitapa, has been charged over an alleged attempted shooting of a Sydney father and his 15-year-old daughter in Fairfield on June 9. Police allege he co-ordinated the attack but was not the masked gunman. Court documents allege he fitted a tracking device to the father's ute a week earlier. The gunman allegedly chased the girl, and the pistol reportedly failed to fire. Mr Kulitapa was arrested in Sans Souci and refused bail. Police are still searching for the alleged gunman.
A 19-year-old man has been charged with allegedly coordinating a failed shooting of a 44-year-old man and his 15-year-old daughter at a school in Fairfield, in Sydney's west. Police say a gunman pointed a handgun at the pair inside a ute before chasing the girl on foot, but the pistol failed to fire. David Kulitapa was arrested in Sans Souci and charged with attempted murder and related offences. Police say he played an overall coordination role, but they allege he was not the gunman, who remains at large. Kulitapa's bail application was refused in Sutherland Local Court.
Mid-century apartments built in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s are attracting home owners and investors who once overlooked them. Developers built many of these modest blocks for renters, offering good light, breezes and balconies. Property experts say buyers value their solid construction and lower strata fees, since they lack extras such as pools and gyms. One Randwick owner plans to sell his three-bedroom apartment, which is guided at $1.35 million, and an agent says these homes are more popular than ever.
The Cherrybrook Combined Probus Club has marked 27 years with a slideshow of past events led by past president Robin. Recent activities have included golf, bowls, ten-pin bowling, a walk from Barangaroo to Woolloomooloo, and two theatre nights. The club is open to active retirees and the semi-retired, and meets at the Cherrybrook Community and Cultural Centre on the first Thursday of each month. Upcoming outings include a ferry trip to Davistown, a train ride to Cronulla and a flight to Norfolk Island.
Newcastle Knights hooker Olivia Higgins has been named in the 23-player Jillaroos squad for the Rugby League World Cup, to be held on home soil. Higgins, 34, is considering retirement next season. The top-ranked Jillaroos open their title defence this Friday against Fetu Samoa at CommBank Stadium in Sydney. Isabelle Kelly has been promoted to captain. Broncos veteran Ali Brigginshaw was overlooked for the squad, though coach Jess Skinner has said she will be kept around the 2026 World Cup group.
NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane has pledged to get the economy moving in her first election video, as Labor and the Coalition face a challenge from One Nation. Voters go to the polls across NSW in March 2027. In the video, Ms Sloane accused Labor of slowing the economy and pledged to lower taxes, create jobs and deliver affordable housing. Premier Chris Minns, who has held office since 2023, is seeking to focus on housing reform and cost-of-living relief. One Nation leader Mark Newman has pledged to abolish the independent Planning Commission if his party is successful.
Prosecutors allege former police officer Beau Lamarre-Condon murdered journalist Jesse Baird and his new partner Luke Davies at Baird's Paddington home in February 2024. Lamarre-Condon has pleaded not guilty to the charges and his barrister says he acted in self-defence. Prosecutors allege he later tried to conceal the killings, including by hiding the bodies in surfboard bags at a farm and a Greek monastery. The trial before the NSW Supreme Court continues.
Distressed property listings in Australia have surged 29.2 per cent in the past year, with 4,906 properties listed in October. NSW saw a 10.6 per cent increase, while Queensland had the highest number of distressed listings at 1,704. Experts attribute the rise to economic pressures, including higher mortgage repayments and rising living costs, though other factors like family circumstances may also play a role.
Bruce Baird, a former NSW and federal politician, died suddenly on 2 October 2026 at age 84. He served as a state minister, including for Sydney’s successful 2000 Olympic bid, and later in federal parliament. Baird was known for his advocacy against mandatory asylum seeker detention and his roles in tourism and transport. He was a regular member of the Bold and Beautiful ocean swimming club at Manly and Shelly Beach.
The Sydney Roosters have broken a 118-year-old NRL curse by winning the premiership after conceding 50 points or more during the regular season. The team lost 50-20 to the Rabbitohs in Round 27 and were beaten 48-10 by the Dolphins earlier in the season. They defeated the Newcastle Knights 19-18 in the 2026 NRL Grand Final, with Daly Cherry-Evans scoring the winning field goal. James Tedesco won the Clive Churchill Medal.
A whale calf carcass has washed ashore at Malabar Beach in Sydney, the third landing spot for the same animal. Randwick Council workers moved the remains up the sand, roped off the area and closed the beach on Tuesday. Council said strong currents moved the carcass from Lurline Bay and that it will be removed and disposed of on Tuesday 27 October. Earlier, Coogee and Maroubra beaches were shut after the carcass became stuck against rocks at Lurline Bay.
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NSW gun owners can book to surrender firearms under the National Gun Buyback from Monday, 2 November, before rules on keeping extra guns are finalised. Under a draft proposal, licence holders with genuine reasons such as sport shooting, pest control or business could apply to keep more than 10 guns, while recreational hunters are capped at four. Only six stations, none in the New England, will take surrenders at first. Eligible licence holders will receive letters and must book through the Gun Safe portal.
Gun owners on the North Coast will have to wait months to surrender firearms under the NSW National Gun Buyback. Grafton is the only North Coast station opening from November 2. Lismore, Ballina and Tweed Heads stations start on February 8, 2027. The limit of 10 guns per licence holder is still a draft proposal, with exemptions under consideration. Walk-ins are not accepted, and surrenders require a booking through the Gun Safe portal.
Will Lee has served 56 years with the NSW Rural Fire Service, which he began after helping fight a major fire in the northern Illawarra in 1968. He joined the Austinmer Bushfire Brigade in 1970 and went on to hold several leadership roles, including Group Captain. He was recognised with a National Medal with a fourth clasp at a recent ceremony, where his daughter Belinda Lee also received a 40-year Long Service Medal. Will now focuses on training young firefighters. He says the job of an old firefighter is to teach young firefighters to become old firefighters.
Randwick Council has closed Malabar Beach in Sydney's east after whale remains washed up there. The juvenile whale carcass had earlier drifted onto the shore at Lurline Bay last week. Council lifeguards fenced off the area over concern the carcass could attract sharks. Council moved the remains further up the beach and is arranging contractors to dispose of them. The beach will stay closed until further notice.
A covert recording of a prison meeting between Beau Lamarre-Condon and a friend has been played to the New South Wales supreme court. Lamarre-Condon, 31, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder and one charge of aggravated break and enter. He is accused of fatally shooting Jesse Baird and Luke Davies with his police service weapon at Baird's Paddington home in February 2024. In the recording, Lamarre-Condon allegedly says he fully takes accountability for drawing his friend into the matter. The trial before Justice Natalie Adams continues.
Six NSW police stations, including Penrith, will accept surrendered firearms from November 2 under a new national gun buyback scheme. Eligible licence holders will receive compensation at a fixed price schedule. More stations will join in December, and the scheme will run for 12 months. Participants must book through the Gun Safe portal, as walk-in surrenders will not be accepted. Police and Counter-terrorism Minister Yasmin Catley said fewer guns in the community would make it safer.
A modest bungalow in Maroubra with ocean views sold at auction for $7 million on Saturday, well above its $6.5 million reserve, after a developer competed with two owner-occupier bidders. The buyer plans to demolish the house and build a new home. Ray White director Angus Gorrie said the result surprised him. Across Sydney, Domain recorded a preliminary clearance rate of 45 per cent from 490 reported results, with 184 auctions withdrawn. In Como, a family upsizing bought a five-bedroom home for $3.14 million, while an Alexandria apartment sold for $1.31 million after being passed in.
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.
