Western Sydney musicians, producers and composers can now apply for a second round of free access to professional recording and rehearsal spaces in Parramatta. The residencies last one or two months and form part of a 12-month council trial to make community facilities more affordable. Lord Mayor Cameron MacLean said the program aims to give local artists professional facilities at no cost. Applicants must be aged 18 or over, connected to western Sydney, and Australian citizens or permanent residents. Expressions of interest close at 5pm on November 2, 2026, with residencies running from January to June 2027.
Talal Alameddine, who supplied the gun used in the 2015 murder of police accountant Curtis Cheng, has been granted parole. The decision was made at a hearing in Parramatta Local Court, despite objections from the Crown. Alameddine was initially sentenced to 13 years in jail for firearm and terror-related charges, but his term was later reduced, making him eligible for parole.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
A third suspect, aged 27, has been detained in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a 17-year-old girl in Parramatta in 2015. Strike Force Dwarda investigators arrested the man at a Granville residence yesterday morning. He faces charges of aggravated sexual assault and appeared in court today. Two other 27-year-old men, previously charged in the case, remain before the courts. The arrests followed a lengthy investigation into the incident at a Parramatta unit.
Tonga beat Lebanon 36-0 in Parramatta, confirming their place in the Rugby League World Cup semi-finals. A crowd of 25,605 filled Parramatta Stadium, the third highest for a match between two second tier nations. Tonga will next face Samoa. Lebanon, demoted to affiliate status since the last World Cup, may not return to the tournament for some time. Their final match next week is against France.
Bulldogs football boss Phil Gould has confirmed that Matt Burton can approach rival clubs before he officially becomes a free agent. Gould said the early approach would help both parties gauge Burton's true value. He stressed that he loves Burton, wants to keep him, and that neither side has yet discussed money for 2028 onwards. Burton reportedly wanted to play five-eighth rather than centre, and is believed to be of interest to the Chiefs, Bears, Parramatta and Penrith.
Parramatta Lanes returns to the city centre from Wednesday, 21 October, for four nights of food, live music, street art and entertainment. More than 400,000 visitors are expected. Food vendors, performers and artists will take over streets, laneways and car parks. Highlights include DimSimLim serving dumplings, noodles and tanghulu, professional skateboarders at Parramatta Square, and Latin music and salsa dancing. The festival runs across the city centre each evening.
Ten-year-old Ivy Belcastro, from Glenmore Park, has qualified to compete at the 2026 National Swimming Championships in Melbourne next month. She will swim in the Multi Class category for New South Wales. Ivy was diagnosed with cerebral palsy as a child and was told she may never walk, but she took her first steps at age two. She has broken three records at the recent NSW PSSA Swimming Championships. Her family and friends plan to travel to Melbourne to watch her compete.
Keeping children entertained need not be expensive. Five family days out in and around Sydney are suggested, including Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park at Doonside and Sydney Zoo at Bungarribee. Taronga Zoo can be combined with a harbour ferry ride, and Luna Park entry is free with only rides paid for. Booking attractions in advance through Klook, bundling attractions and watching for sales can help the budget go further.
University of Sydney staff are striking on Thursday, 22 October, over pay, job security and protections on the use of artificial intelligence. The strike is led by the university branch of the National Tertiary Education Union, which is seeking changes to its enterprise agreement. Strikers will picket the Main Gate on Parramatta Road. The university says most classes will run online and that it is encouraging staff and students to work or study from home where possible. A few labs may be cancelled. The university says it will not change how it negotiates in response to the strike.
Parramatta Aquatic Centre's health club has been named Health Club of the Year at the NSW Aquatic & Recreation Institute Awards. The award recognises its inclusive fitness programmes, member experience and commitment to community wellbeing. The club offers Reformer Pilates, yoga, aqua fitness, cycling, boxing, Les Mills classes, personal training and programmes for older residents. City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cameron MacLean said the award reflected the team's efforts to make the facility welcoming. The centre has now recorded three ARI wins across the 2024 and 2025 awards.
Shane Danes, a 64-year-old Goondiwindi man with brain and spinal cord injuries, has had his National Disability Insurance Scheme funding reduced twice since October 2025. His support provider, Michelle Doughty, said a morning gap in his care left him vomiting on April 21, and she feared he could have died without her there. His 90-year-old parents now provide two hours of support each evening, and his sister Tracy Sullivan says the family cannot keep this up. The National Disability Insurance Agency said participant safety is its priority.
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Six design teams have been shortlisted for an international competition to transform Bays West into Sydney's newest waterfront suburb. The plan includes 8,500 new homes and a harbour foreshore open to the public for the first time in more than 100 years. Each shortlisted team will develop an Urban Framework for the site, with designs expected to be publicly exhibited in early 2027. Community members and Greens MP Kobi Shetty have criticised the process, arguing that the plan lacks proper consultation and enough public and social housing.
James Tedesco will return to the Kangaroos for his first Test in three years when Australia face Fiji in Brisbane on Sunday. He was overlooked for Reece Walsh in the World Cup-opening win over New Zealand. Walsh scored a long-range try and made a major tackle on Kalyn Ponga in that match. Tedesco said it is not a competition and that he is focused on his role. Mitchell Moses is out of the tournament through injury, and Tom Dearden and Sam Walker will form a new halves pairing.
Western Sydney residents can explore the Blue Mountains beyond the usual lookouts. Scenic World tickets cover the Skyway, Cableway and Scenic Railway, plus a rainforest walkway. A 90-minute stargazing experience at Wentworth Falls uses telescopes to view Saturn, Jupiter and the Orion Nebula. A hop-on-hop-off bus pass lets visitors see main attractions at their own pace. Small-group waterfall tours and tours combining the mountains with harbour cruises are also offered.
The inaugural Lawrence Hargrave Oration will be held at Corrimal RSL Club on Saturday, 28 November, at 6.30 pm. The Lawrence Hargrave Society and the Powerhouse Museum are presenting the event. Historical Aircraft Restoration Society president Bob De La Hunty OAM will deliver the oration, which celebrates Hargrave's contribution to flight. Powerhouse Museum curator Andrew Jacob will give an overview of Hargrave's work. Tickets cost $85 and include a three-course meal.
Indian community groups held rallies in four Australian cities on October 18, calling on the Albanese government to condemn the repression of youth-led democracy protests in India. The protests followed a voter roll revision that removed about 130 million people from the electoral roll, and they call for the resignation of chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Speakers in Parramatta, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide criticised police, with some protesters alleging assault and sexual harassment. Rally numbers ranged from about 30 people in Adelaide to about 200 in Parramatta. A Melbourne rally was disrupted by far-right protesters.
