The State Government has approved a 17-building development near Caddens Corner shopping centre, adding 482 apartments despite significant community objection. Planning Minister Paul Scully signed off on the project, which Penrith City Council opposed. The Sydney Western City Planning Panel had initially refused it in 2024. Claremont Meadows resident Jennifer Newman said the approval was baffling given unresolved traffic and infrastructure concerns. Londonderry MP Prue Car backed the decision, saying housing and infrastructure must be delivered together.
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.
Western Sydney International Airport at Badgerys Creek has opened to commercial passenger flights, operating around the clock. Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun says the city is positioned to benefit through jobs, investment and freight links. The airport's cargo precinct is designed to eventually handle up to 1.8 million tonnes of air freight a year. Construction has created more than 12,800 jobs, with around half going to Western Sydney workers. Mannoun says roads, rail and public transport must keep pace with development for residents to reach the new jobs.
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Travellers have been confused by Sydney's new Western Sydney International Airport (WSI), with some passengers landing at the wrong airport. Julie Lundmark from Sweden was surprised to discover her return flight from Melbourne landed at WSI instead of Sydney Airport. She and her friend had to find ways to get back to Sydney Airport, where their car was parked. Another passenger thought he was travelling to Perth in Western Australia but landed at WSI instead.
Labor has announced that Penrith City councillor Garion Thain will contest the Badgerys Creek seat at the March 2027 state election. It is his second attempt at the seat, after he ran against Liberal MP Tanya Davies in 2023. Davies recently announced she would not contest the election, and the Liberals have yet to name a replacement. The Liberal Party currently holds the seat with a 10.5 per cent margin. Premier Chris Minns said he hoped the seat would fall to Labor.
Western Sydney International airport is set to open, taking pressure off Kingsford Smith airport at Mascot, which has strict flight limits and a night curfew. The commonwealth government says it spent $5.3bn on the airport, while a metro rail link is estimated at about $11bn. Airlines including Singapore Airlines, Air New Zealand, VietJet and Qatar Airways will service the airport from late 2026 to late 2027, with some receiving support from a $16m state fund.
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.
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.
