Spring festivals, town shows, markets and food and wine events fill the Riverina this week. The Victorian State Ballet performs its retelling of Aladdin in Albury on 23 and 24 October. Griffith Spring Fest runs from 23 to 25 October and includes a citrus sculpture garden, while the Junee Show marks 125 years on 24 October. Womn-Kind holds a day of conversation for young women in Wagga Wagga, and the North East Food and Wine Festival runs in Wodonga from 23 to 25 October.
All 12 factory-built social homes promised for Wagga's homeless population are now complete and tenanted, months after the NSW Government's original June deadline. Homes NSW blamed wet weather for the delay. Wilks Park is now largely clear of visible campers after council fines and move-on orders, but some rough sleepers have moved into nearby bushland. Councillor Richard Foley has criticised Homes NSW for refusing to release figures on people housed and the cost of hotel accommodation, and he backs a transitional village at Wiradjuri Reserve.
Junee's inaugural Canola Gateway Festival attracted 1,487 attendances over two days in August, according to a post-event report presented to Junee Shire Council. The festival's net cost to Council was approximately $4,389, after a $20,000 Destination NSW grant was counted. Sunday's Harvest Day markets at Memorial Park drew the largest crowd, with 1,261 attendances. The Golden Gateway Concert sold 152 tickets, below the audiences of more than 370 at previous Athenium Theatre concerts.
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A major housing development south of Wagga has cleared its rezoning hurdle after more than four years. DevCore Property Group plans about 2200 homes across a 225-hectare site, which it estimates is worth $2.5 billion. The rezoning was finalised in September, allowing the project to move towards development applications. DevCore plans to lodge an initial application covering about 220 lots, with construction expected to begin in mid-2027. The NSW Government has committed about $70.8 million to Wagga Council for growth-related works, including road and sewer upgrades.
Independent MP Joe McGirr has surveyed 697 people who want more frequent and reliable train services to Wagga at times that suit regional travellers. Many respondents said late-night and early-morning arrivals made getting home difficult, and that morning departures between 6 am and noon were the most popular. McGirr told the NSW Legislative Assembly that the state government should use the arrival of new trains to review timetables. The NSW Government is replacing its ageing trains with 29 new ones, but no date has been set for them to run through Wagga.
Murray MP Helen Dalton says her bill to split the Murrumbidgee Local Health District would separate management and budgets but keep clinical links between hospitals and specialists. She said decisions across the region are currently made from Wagga Wagga and that services at the new Griffith hospital are not yet operating as promised. The proposed Western Riverina district would run from Leeton to Balranald. The Murrumbidgee district opposes the bill, as does the AMA (NSW). Health Minister Ryan Park said he is not convinced a split is the best way forward. The bill awaits a Legislative Assembly vote.
Beef producers across the Riverina will have the chance to meet leading industry experts at Cattle Connect, a two-day national cattle event in Wagga. Hosted by Cattle Australia with Charles Sturt University, it runs on Thursday, October 22 and Friday, October 23. The program includes field demonstrations, farm tours, expert talks and discussions on the future of cattle production. Harden producer and Cattle Australia director Elke Cleverdon encouraged local families to attend, saying it saves them long trips to national events. Registrations are open.
A 24-year-old Leeton man has been charged over alleged domestic violence assaults on a 22-year-old woman, who suffered serious head and facial injuries. Police also allege he was involved in a series of break-ins at a Fivebourgh Road property between 5 and 15 October, where copper, power tools and electronic devices worth about $400,000 were allegedly stolen. Police arrested him at a Calrose Street property on Thursday, 15 October, and allegedly found items believed to be stolen, as well as methylamphetamine and ammunition. He faces multiple charges and was refused bail, appearing in court on Friday, 16 October.
A 38-year-old man has been charged with eight offences after a 42-year-old woman was allegedly stabbed multiple times in the head and torso at a Leeton home. Police were called to Wandoo Street on Thursday, 15 October, and were told the woman had been stabbed several times with a kitchen knife by a man known to her. She was taken to hospital and airlifted to another hospital in a serious condition. Police arrested the man at a property in Ashmont on Saturday, 17 October, and he was refused bail.
A 38-year-old man has been charged after allegedly stabbing a 42-year-old woman several times at a home in Leeton, in New South Wales' Riverina region. Police were called on Thursday evening and say the woman was airlifted to Canberra hospital in a serious condition. Police allege the man then drove through a front gate and rammed another vehicle at Yanco, leaving the scene. Rodney James Charles Tatt was arrested at a property in Wagga Wagga on Saturday. He is due to appear in Griffith Local Court on December 9.
The NSW Nationals will run candidates against independents Joe McGirr in Wagga and Helen Dalton in Murray at the 2027 state election. Wagga businessman Richard Moffatt has withdrawn from seeking preselection in Wagga, saying now is not the right time for him. He said his ambitions remain and he may consider running in another cycle. NSW Nationals state director Tory Mencshelyi said candidates are expected by December and that the party cannot take any seat for granted.
A hand-drawn map of Wagga Wagga, produced by local draftsman VG Lynch in 1922, marked the numbering of the town's buildings and the switching on of its first electric light. The map was produced as a souvenir for the official opening of the electric light system. Wagga Municipal Council had long sought house numbering, and Lynch was paid £25 to supply and install number plates. The electric lights were switched on on 6 May 1922 at a gala celebration, replacing gas lighting. The switch brought criticism, complaints and a major blackout in August 1922.
Griffith City has won the Pascoe Cup, its first first-grade title, after signing 17 players from the former Yoogali Soccer Club senior side. The Yoogali players, along with former coach Luke Santolin, joined the club when their senior team was left without a competition following its removal from Capital Football's National Premier League. Griffith City also won the preseason tournament and the minor premiership. Santolin said the season showed that a difficult period could turn into a positive one.
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.
WIRED linked 149 of Ikea's $10 Kallsup Bluetooth speakers into a single chain that played music from one smartphone. Ikea had said up to 150 could be linked, and WIRED received 150 units, but one arrived damaged from shipping. The chaining process took about 30 minutes, and the stack stayed stable at maximum volume. The combined sound was very loud but lacked fidelity, and the reviewers said a $500 LG party speaker offered fuller bass. They concluded that the Kallsup is simple to use and good value at its price.
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Copeton Dam has marked 50 years since its official opening. Inverell Mayor Kate Dight says the dam supports the town's domestic water supply, major industries and flood protection. She said the local economy, including the abattoir, Boss Engineering and a pet food factory, depends on the water security it provides. The dam is 54 per cent full, and the council holds a high security licence with WaterNSW, which owns the dam. Council did not plan any celebrations because it does not own the dam.
Parramatta Lanes recorded its biggest year yet, attracting more than 386,000 visitors over four nights from 21 to 24 October. The free festival used the city centre's streets, laneways and car parks for more than 400 performers, 70 food vendors and 10 stages. Lord Mayor Cameron MacLean said the event showcased the city's cultural diversity and its growing appeal in Western Sydney. The City of Parramatta said the festival was funded by the council and the NSW Government, with a $350,000 Open Streets grant to help deliver the event over three years.
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.
Sydney will host the 2027 Super Netball Grand Final for the first time since the competition began. The event is expected to attract more than 8,000 visitors and inject more than $4 million into the NSW visitor economy. The match will be played on Saturday 31 July at Afterpay Arena, Sydney Olympic Park, and is proposed rather than confirmed. Netball Australia chair Liz Ellis said the event would celebrate the sport's passion across New South Wales. NSW Premier Chris Minns said the state would invest more in netball, one of its biggest participation sports.
