A young couple from Homebush bought a three-bedroom home at 9 Ingham Avenue, Five Dock, for $2.55 million at auction on Saturday. The price was $100,000 above the reserve. Auctioneer Ricky Briggs said consumer confidence had fallen, with fewer registered bidders and lower attendance, after the latest interest rate rise. In Marrickville, a young couple renting locally paid $981,000 for a two-bedroom apartment. In Sutherland, a young couple expecting their first child paid $1.88 million for a five-bedroom home with a pool.
A constitutional expert has labelled a $6 million grant to a golf club in Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s electorate as “grey corruption”. Anne Twomey, a University of Sydney professor emerita, submitted the assessment to a Senate inquiry. The grant was awarded under a closed, non-competitive process last July. Twomey described the scheme as a “farce” and said the funding was a misuse of public money.
A constitutional expert has labelled a $6 million grant to a golf club in Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s electorate as “grey corruption”. Anne Twomey, a University of Sydney professor emerita, submitted the assessment to a Senate inquiry. The grant was awarded under a closed, non-competitive process last July. Twomey described the scheme as a “farce” and said the funding was a misuse of public money.
AU Now app
Your suburb’s news, alerts and Shorts — in one app
Alerts, Shorts and your saved stories — free on Google Play.
Marrickville Golf Club received $57,860 in closed, non-competitive grants over five occasions. The club secured $6 million for redevelopment under the Albanese government, with past grants including upgrades to facilities and grounds. Constitutional lawyer Anne Twomey questioned the grant process, describing them as political largesse without proper assessment. The club also received state grants for solar panels and water system maintenance, with Summer Hill MP Jo Haylen involved in presenting cheques.
The NSW Government has committed $6.8 billion to electrify the South Coast rail line between Kiama and Bomaderry and to double tracks at key bottlenecks. Construction is expected to be complete by the mid-to-late 2030s, with detailed planning starting in 2027. The announcement follows the government scrapping timetable changes that were due to take effect in November after community concerns. Premier Chris Minns said the upgrade would deliver faster, more reliable trains. An immediate $621 million will fund upgrades to power, signalling and flood protection ahead of the main works.
Police are searching for a man in a balaclava after a suspected arson attack on a house in Abbotsford, in Sydney's inner west. Four people were taken to hospital. An 88-year-old woman was rescued by a 49-year-old man who climbed a ladder. A neighbour confronted the man while he was allegedly setting the house alight. Police believe he fled in a red Holden Astra and had suffered burns. About 40 firefighters attended the blaze, which spread to an adjoining house.
Former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern has been hired as a professor of practice at the University of Sydney. The 46-year-old joins the faculty of medicine and health, where the role will focus on empathetic leadership, social cohesion and civic trust. Ardern will explore ways to address global health challenges, inclusion and wellbeing, and will lead guest lectures and masterclasses. The university says the position is not a full-time teaching role. Ardern and her family moved to Australia in February, reportedly buying a $5.3 million home on Sydney's northern beaches.
Former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern will lecture and mentor at the University of Sydney, beginning this month. Her work will focus on empathetic leadership, social cohesion and civic trust. Based in the school of public health, she will host guest lectures and masterclasses, although the university says it is not a full-time teaching role. Vice-chancellor Mark Scott praised Ardern's leadership, saying empathy and resolve can strengthen each other. Ardern moved to Australia earlier this year.
A man in a balaclava may have set himself on fire while torching a home in Sydney’s inner west, leaving four people hospitalised. Police believe the offender, who fled in a red Holden Astra, acted alone. A 49-year-old resident and police officers rescued an 88-year-old woman from the flames. The house on Weddle Ave was destroyed, and the hunt for the offender continues.
Researchers at Royal North Shore Hospital and the University of Sydney are developing a world-first screening method to detect coronary artery disease before symptoms appear. The approach combines blood tests for biomarkers with CT imaging. More than 5000 people have taken part so far. Sydney mother Jennifer Tucker found she had a severe blockage in a coronary artery after collapsing while pushing a pram. Researchers want to expand the program into rural and remote areas, where heart attack rates are higher and preventative care is harder to access.
Former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern has been appointed a professor of practice at the University of Sydney. The part-time role will see her 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 was looking forward to working with the university community. University vice-chancellor Mark Scott said students would learn from a thoughtful teacher with much to share about public leadership.
Economists say the unrest in France is a warning signal for Australia's public spending and rising costs. Hundreds of thousands marched across France on Saturday over school underfunding and cost-of-living pressures. Economist Luke Hartigan said soaring energy costs are a major factor, but that France's high public debt and generous welfare state are the more fundamental problem. Public debt in France is nearly 120 per cent of the economy, compared with 53 per cent in Australia. Economist Bob Breunig called for an honest public conversation about what government can do and what it will cost.
A 15-year-old boy was stabbed after being chased down and cornered by a group in Sydney's inner west. Police found him with stab wounds after the attack near Glebe Point Road at about 10.45pm on Saturday. Footage of the incident shows a group of at least five people, who appear to be of a similar age, attacking him near a fence. Police said paramedics treated the boy at the scene and his injuries are not life threatening. No arrests have been made.
A biosecurity lockdown will cover Enfield in southwest Sydney from Monday after red fire ants were found at the suburb's freight centre in late September. The zone extends two kilometres from the Enfield intermodal logistics centre. Movement of high-risk items such as turf, mulch, soil, potted plants and heavy equipment will be restricted and must be treated before moving through the zone. NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty said daily life would otherwise continue as normal. Further fire ants have not been found since the initial detection.
Politicians from across the political divide joined a rally of more than 5,000 people in Moore Park on Sunday to oppose the planned divestment of Victoria Barracks. Former prime ministers John Howard and Tony Abbott and Greens leader David Shoebridge were among the speakers. Organisers Marjorie O’Neill and Jess Collins urged Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to save the site. Shoebridge said public land should stay in public hands. A Defence spokesperson said the department is moving quickly to transition from divestment sites before the end of 2027, including Victoria Barracks Sydney.
AU Now app
Your suburb’s news, alerts and Shorts — in one app
Alerts, Shorts and your saved stories — free on Google Play.
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.
Sydney’s Southwest Metro will open on 30 October, extending the line from Sydenham to Bankstown. The 66-kilometre route will include stops such as Marrickville, Canterbury, and Lakemba, replacing the old T3 heavy-rail line. Transport for NSW says the new Metro will carry 50 per cent more passengers and provide faster trips, with trains running every four minutes during peak times. Premier Chris Minns and Transport Minister John Graham have thanked commuters for their patience during the delays. Further extensions to the line are in early planning stages.
Belfast watchmaker Nomadic has unveiled the Dána 141, its first dress watch, inspired by the city's historic ship-design drawing offices. The rectangular steel watch is 39.6 by 28 millimetres and is available from 30 October in Emerald Green, Black Velvet and Moonlight White. It has a Swiss hand-wound movement and an open caseback showing its industrial character. The watch costs AUD $2,425 and can be bought from Nomadic's website, which ships worldwide. Founder Peter McAuley says he wanted a more formal option from the brand, which is known for tool watches.
A guide ranks 12 beers suited to Australian summer weather, favouring lighter brews with lower alcohol. Recommended styles include pilsners, wheat beers, session IPAs, sours and radlers. Picks range from hazy pale ales and sours to a non-alcoholic option. Each entry lists alcohol content, approximate price and flavour notes, with suggested occasions such as beach days, barbecues and campfires. The guide also answers common questions about alcohol levels and the differences between radlers and shandies.
Sigma's FP2 full-frame camera launches globally on November 11, 2026, with a retail price of US$2,199. It pairs a 24.5-megapixel partially stacked sensor with 6K OpenGate video recording, ProRes RAW support and 70GB of internal storage. The camera omits a mechanical shutter, in-body stabilisation and a headphone jack. Its design positions it as a step up from the DJI Osmo Pocket 4P, offering an alternative to the Sony FX3, which costs AUD$6,499.
Man of Many has rounded up nine men's tote bags for work, weekends and different budgets. The list ranges from a $70 suede tote from Common Need to a $6,400 leather tote from Prada. Picks include a COS leather tote for work, a Bellroy 15-litre market tote for weekends, and a Pedro suede tote priced at $274. The guide also explains what a tote bag is and offers advice on choosing a size for everyday use, work and shopping.
Man of Many's staff have picked four favourites for the week. Staff writer Ben Mckimm rates Chunky silicone charging cables, which he says resist tangles and kinks. Elliot Nash found the espresso 15 Lite portable monitor useful for working from home. Scott Purcell is heading to The TAB Everest at Royal Randwick, which is billed as the country's richest race. Jackson Langford praised Haiver Spirits Summer Peach Hard Tea for its balanced sweetness.
A buyer's guide lists five cheaper alternatives to the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon, a boxy 4x4 that has become a luxury status symbol. The list starts with the Suzuki Jimny, priced from AUD$31,990 before on-roads, which can be modified with a DAMD body kit to look like a miniature G-Class. Other picks include the Land Rover Defender OCTA Black, the Denza B5, the INEOS Grenadier and the Lexus GX. The guide also includes the Mercedes-Benz G-Class itself, including the G 63 Offroad PRO priced at AUD$383,900 before on-roads.
