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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.
A biosecurity lockdown has started across several inner west Sydney suburbs to fight deadly fire ants. The measures began on Monday and cover a 2km radius around a freight facility in Strathfield, where a nest was found five weeks ago. Businesses in the area must now have a biosecurity plan, with strict controls on moving high-risk materials such as turf, mulch, soil and potted plants. Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty says breaches made knowingly could bring fines of up to $1 million for individuals and $2 million for businesses.
Filmmaker Arman Merchant has created a short film about Parramatta's food culture, commissioned by Diversity Arts Australia. Titled Flavours of Parramatta, the film uses cinematic visuals to present the area's culinary diversity. Merchant, an award-winning cinematographer and director based in Sydney, said the project aimed to represent diversity through an authentic point of view. The film was made through the Creative Pathways Parramatta program, which supports artists from diverse backgrounds. It has been completed and colour-graded for social media distribution.
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Get the appA 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.
A Sydney family endured a harrowing ordeal when masked assailants set fire to their car and fired multiple shots at their Moorebank residence. The incident, occurring just before 2:30am, involved a group of men who threatened the occupants before opening fire. A neighbour attempted to intervene as the attackers doused the vehicle in accelerant. Fortunately, the 32-year-old woman and seven children inside the home escaped unharmed. Police are investigating potential links to a separate arson incident in Bankstown and the woman's association with a luxury car rental business.
A woman and seven children escaped unhurt after gunshots were fired into their Moorebank home shortly after a car was set alight in the driveway. The attack happened about 2.30am on Sunday, and several unidentified males are believed to have fled in a white vehicle before police arrived. A video reportedly filmed during the attack shows a masked assailant holding a sign with a taunting message. About 4.30am, police found another burning car on Rabaul Rd near Bankstown Airport and are investigating whether it is linked. Anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
Parramatta Lanes is bringing food, music, art and cultural experiences to the streets and laneways of Parramatta. Councillor Sreeni Pillamarri has encouraged residents and visitors to explore the city and support local businesses. In a social media post, he described the event as a celebration of creativity, cultural diversity and local businesses. He invited families and visitors from across Western Sydney and beyond to attend. He also congratulated the organisers, businesses, artists, performers and volunteers involved.
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.
Lifeguards will return to Lake Parramatta this weekend as the summer swimming season opens in Western Sydney. Patrols will run on weekends until 29 November, then daily from that date. City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cameron MacLean urged swimmers to stay within the designated area and keep children close. A solar-powered buoy named Sunny measures water temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen, and helps detect blue-green algae. Visitors can check water quality on the council website before swimming.
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.
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.