A $22 million plan to convert a southbound lane on Botany Road in Waterloo into a bus lane during morning peak hours has sparked criticism. Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore and transport advocates argue the project prioritises cars over pedestrians and offers minimal public transport benefits. Data shows northbound buses experience greater delays than southbound services. Transport for NSW defends the proposal, stating it will improve bus reliability and support growing suburbs. Critics urge a rethink, citing conflicting transport policies and rapid population growth in the area.
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 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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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.
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.
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.
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 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.
A jury has heard a police recording in which Beau Lamarre-Condon, who has pleaded not guilty to murdering Jesse Baird and Luke Davies, tells a friend that things went wrong and that it was his fault. The recording was made after Mr Lamarre-Condon was charged. The 31-year-old is arguing self-defence at a trial before the NSW Supreme Court. The killings are alleged to have taken place on February 19, 2024, at Mr Davies's Paddington home. In the recording, Mr Lamarre-Condon says he went to the house to collect his belongings and thought no one was home.
Jurors have heard audio recordings of jail phone calls between former police officer Beau Lamarre-Condon and a friend who gave evidence against him. In one call, Mr Lamarre-Condon told the friend he had misheard or misinterpreted an alleged confession to shooting two people. Mr Lamarre-Condon has pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder over the February 2024 deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies. He is accused of shooting the couple with his police pistol and is arguing self defence. The friend is giving evidence under a certificate that prevents his testimony being used to prosecute him.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
