Help kick off the upgrade of Leichhardt Oval

Designs for the $40 million upgrade of Sydney’s iconic Leichhardt Oval have been unveiled and the community is encouraged to have its say on the proposal. 

This planned major upgrade will deliver facilities that meet modern standards so this iconic rugby league venue can continue its almost century long history as a rugby league ground and serving the community as the much-loved home of the West Tigers, as well as junior, community, and club competitions across multiple codes.

The proposed upgrade will transform the venue, known by locals as the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’, into a modern hub for community events, professional, and grassroots sports and cement its role as the permanent home for men’s and women’s National Rugby League (NRL) fixtures for the next 15 years. 

Planned improvements include: 

  • Renovation of the historic western grandstand with new stadium seating.  
  • Modern hospitality and media facilities.  
  • Four NRL-compliant female-friendly change rooms.  
  • A new northern grandstand, replacement of the lower seating bowl.

If given the green light, construction is expected to commence after the 2026 season.   

The $40 million upgrade is being jointly funded with $20 million from the Federal Government, $10 million from the NSW Government and $10 million from Inner West Council. 

The community exhibition is open from Friday, 16 January 2026 until Thursday, 12 February 2026. To have your say on the Leichhardt Oval refurbishment, visit the NSW Planning Portal. 

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“Leichhardt Oval is not just about sport, it’s about the identity of the Inner West.

“It is a place where the faithful can go along and cheer their local sporting team, and this upgrade from all three levels of government will ensure that spirit is preserved.

“Leichhardt Oval was not fit for purpose, these upgrades will make sure that families will be able to enjoy the hallowed ground for generations to come.”

Minister for Sport Anika Wells said:

“Leichhardt Oval is an iconic part of Australia’s sporting and community history, and the upgrade to Leichhardt Oval is about making sure it continues to serve the Inner West for generations to come.

“With designs now released by the New South Wales Government, this is a great opportunity for local residents, sporting groups and fans to provide feedback and help shape the future of this much-loved venue.”

Member for Sydney Tanya Plibersek said:

“Leichhardt Oval is one of Sydney’s most loved sporting grounds, and these upgrades will make sure it continues to be for years to come.

“Whether you’re out on the field or cheering from the stands, this upgrade will deliver top quality facilities for everyone to enjoy, including our women’s and girl’s teams.”

NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said: 

“This is a chance for fans and the community to have their say on the upgrade of one of Sydney’s most iconic suburban sports grounds.” 

“Fans have dubbed Leichhardt Oval as the Eighth Wonder of the World and this renewal will cement its status delivering modern facilities which will support its use for both sport and community events for years to come.”

NSW Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said: 

“Leichhardt Oval has a rich history, and this upgrade ensures it receives the respect it deserves.

“This is a valuable opportunity for the community to have their say and help shape a fit-for-purpose, state-of-the art venue where players and fans can create new memories for generations to come.”

Member for Summer Hill Jo Haylen said:  

“This long-awaited transformation of Leichhardt Oval is about retaining what we love about the ground, like the hill and the historic Western grandstand, while finally bringing it into the 21st century through a much-needed upgrade, particularly delivering female-friendly facilities.

“Leichhardt Oval is an iconic community asset for the Inner West, so I encourage everyone to have their say about the plans.”

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne said:

“After years of fighting to save Leichhardt Oval our plans for the renovation are progressing well.

“I encourage all Wests Tigers and sports fans to make a submission to help us secure the future of the eighth wonder of the world.”

Great Koala National Park a step closer with community invited to have a say on recreational opportunities

The NSW Government is seeking community input to shape recreational opportunities in the proposed Great Koala National Park on the NSW Mid North Coast.

The Minns Labor Government is delivering on an election promise to create a Great Koala National Park, which will provide habitat for more than 100 threatened species, including more than 12,000 koalas and 36,000 greater gliders.

In addition to boosting conservation, the park will also create opportunities for better visitor experiences and recreation, boosting tourism and local economies.

An online survey is now open on the NSW Have Your Say website to seek feedback on current use of the State forests and reserves within the planned area of the park. We also want to hear from people who haven’t been to the region but might like to in the future.

The survey complements ongoing wider consultation with community groups who have so far provided more than 300 responses on what matters most to them when they visit these areas.

Input from 4WD clubs, mountain biking clubs, hiking/bushwalking and trail runners’ clubs, horse riding and trail riding clubs, archery and gun clubs, sporting car clubs, local government, environment groups and Aboriginal communities is already feeding into the planning for future management.

The overarching park will comprise individual reserves, which will enable a range of different recreational activities. While legislation determines what activities are permissible in each reserve category, we are looking to build the Great Koala National Park as a place where conservation is balanced with the community’s recreational needs.

The Have Your Say survey is open from 7am today until Sunday, 1 March and is available online: www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/great-koala-national-park.

Acting Minister for the Environment, Steve Whan said:

“The Great Koala National Park will protect more than 100 threatened species, but it’s not just about conservation. The park will be a recreational hotspot for locals and visitors alike.

“We want to hear from people who use and relax in the footprint of the forests and surrounding landscapes that make up the park.”

Minister for Jobs and Tourism, Steve Kamper said:

“We want the Great Koala National Park to be at the top of the must-see list for visitors to NSW and Australia.

“This major eco-tourism hub and unique NSW experience will attract domestic and international visitors all year round, which is a key component of our new Visitor Economy Strategy, while boosting local economies and creating jobs.”

Minister for the North Coast, Janelle Saffin said:

“The Great Koala National Park is an election commitment, and we want the community right at the centre of shaping what it becomes. Locals know this landscape best, and their ideas will help create a park people feel real ownership of and want to use.

“Done well, this park will also be a major tourism drawcard – supporting local businesses, creating jobs and delivering long-term economic benefits for communities right across the North Coast.”

The $3 billion plan to prevent debris balls on Sydney beaches

The NSW Government is undertaking one of the largest wastewater infrastructure upgrade programs in recent history to support the fast-growing communities in Sydney’s south west and help protect the city’s famous beaches.

It’s all part of the Minns Labor Government’s investment in the essential infrastructure Sydney needs to grow and thrive.

The Malabar System Investment Program, estimated at $3 billion over the next 10 years, will reduce the volume of wastewater that needs to be treated and discharged via the Malabar deep ocean outfall.

The Malabar Wastewater Treatment System was identified as the likely source of debris balls that washed up on beaches across Sydney, the South Coast and Central Coast in late 2024 and early 2025.

It currently services almost two million people between Fairfield, Campbelltown and Liverpool in the West to Malabar in the east, making it one of the largest wastewater systems in Australia.

Staged upgrades over the coming decade will improve the performance of the Malabar system to support population growth in Sydney’s south west and reduce the likelihood of debris balls forming again.

The program will be delivered across key facilities in the Malabar system, including Glenfield, Liverpool and Fairfield Water Resource Recovery Facilities (WRRFs).

For the first stage of the multi-billion program, Sydney Water is partnerning with the Malabar System Alliance (Acciona Construction, Acciona Agua, SMEC) to deliver major upgrades to the Glenfield and Liverpool WRRFs.

Work will include refurbishing and expanding primary treatment processes and a new secondary treatment process at Liverpool WRRF, with on-site works to begin in coming months.

In the short-term, Sydney Water is continuing to work with the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and the independent Wastewater Expert Panel on limiting further debris balls incidents.

Sydney Water has increased cleaning and inspection of ocean outfall screens, is tightening trade-waste controls for high-risk customers, and is expanding its fats, oils and grease education campaign to reduce problematic material from entering the network.

Minister for Water Rose Jackson said:

“Sydney is a rapidly growing city and no one wants to see debris balls washing up on our beautiful beaches again – but the truth is our wastewater system needs an upgrade to keep pace with the population.

“For too long, a lack of investment in essential infrastructure in Western Sydney has been a handbrake on our housing goals. We can’t undo that overnight, but we’re getting on with the job of clearing this backlog.

“This is a major plan to deliver critical wastewater system upgrades in a sensible, staged way, ensuring that major investments are funded over time and Sydney Water users don’t face sudden bill shock.

“Our government is laser-focused on delivering the critical infrastructure our city needs to continue to grow, without privatising our essential assets.”

Sydney Water CEO Darren Cleary said:

“Appointing the Malabar System Alliance is a significant step towards improving the long-term performance and resilience of the critical wastewater asset and reducing the increasing strain on the ageing coastal plant.

“We understand the seriousness of recent debris ball incidents and the need to ensure our network is equipped for Sydney’s growing population.

“This program of works is a clear demonstration of our commitment to building a more resilient system over the coming decade and to protecting our beaches, which are so important to Sydney’s way of life.”

4.7 million accounts deactivated, removed or restricted

The Albanese Government’s world leading social media minimum age law is working, with more than 4.7 million under-16 accounts already deactivated, removed or restricted within days of the law coming into effect on 10 December.

Preliminary analysis from eSafety shows age-restricted social media platforms are making meaningful attempts to prevent under-16s from holding accounts, as required by the new law that began on 10 December.

The preliminary figures were obtained as part of a first tranche of information provided to the eSafety Commissioner.

As Australia’s online safety regulator, eSafety will continue to closely monitor platforms to assess their compliance and ensure they are meeting their obligations.

Since the launch of the education campaign on the social media minimum age, the eSafety website has recorded more than one million visits, showing Australians are engaging with the ban and are seeking clear, reliable information about the changes.

Families and young people can find information, resources and advice about the social media minimum age at eSafety’s social media age restrictions hub.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“Our Government has acted to help keep kids safe online.

“It’s encouraging that social media companies are making meaningful effort to comply with laws and keep kids off their platforms.

“Change doesn’t happen overnight. But these early signs show it’s important we’ve acted to make this change.

“We want our kids to have a childhood and parents to know we have their backs.”

Minister for Communications, Anika Wells:

“More than 4.7 million under-16 social media accounts being deactivated because of our world-first social media minimum age law is a huge achievement.

“While it’s early, every account deactivated could mean one extra young person with more free time to build their community and identity offline.

“We know there’s more work to do and the eSafety Commissioner is looking closely at this data to determine what it shows in terms of individual platforms’ compliance.

“We’ve said from the beginning that we weren’t expecting perfection straight away – but early figures are showing this law is making a real, meaningful difference.”

Woman charged over alleged domestic related stabbing – Newcastle

A woman will face court today charged with domestic violence offences after a man was allegedly stabbed at a Newcastle hotel yesterday.

About 10.50am yesterday (Friday 16 January 2026), emergency services were called to a hotel on Young Street, Carrington, following reports of an alleged stabbing.

Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District attended and located a 23-year-old suffering stab wounds. He has allegedly assaulted and stabbed by a woman, known to him.

He was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to the John Hunter Hospital for the treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

A 22-year-old woman – known to the man – was arrested at the hotel and taken to Newcastle Police Station.

She was charged with wound person intend to cause grievous bodily harm (DV), stalk/intimidate intend fear physically harm, and common assault.

The woman was refused bail to appear at Bail Division – court 2 today (17 January 2026).

Man charged over alleged armed robberies – Raymond Terrace

A man will face court charged over two alleged armed robberies in the state’s north.

On Tuesday 23 December 2025, officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District commenced an investigation following reports of an alleged armed robbery in Ryamond Terrace.

Police were told about 6.40pm two men entered a business on William Street, Raymond Terrace, before allegedly threatening an employee and demanding cash.

One man allegedlly assaulted the employee – a 23-year-old man – with a metal pole before leaving with cigarettes, and an amount of cash.

The employee was not injured.

A crime scene was established and an investigation into the incident commenced.

About 8am yesterday (Thursday 15 January 2026), police were called to a business on William Street, Raymond Terrace, after reports of an alleged armed robbery.

Police were told two men entered the store before allegedly stealing packets of cigarettes and an amount of cash and leaving in a black sedan.

A crime scene was established as police commenced an investigation into the incident.

Following inquires, about 3pm yesterday (Thursday 15 January 2026), police arrested a 25-year-old man on Campbell Drive, Raymond Terrace.

He was taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station where he was charged with robbery while armed with dangerous weapon, and robbery in company.

He was refused bail to appear at Bail Division Court 2 today (Friday 16 January 2026).

Inquirires into the incident continue.

Greens urge $800 ‘back to school’ payments as new figures show cost of living support for families is not enough

As families struggle with rising back to school costs, the Greens have called on Labor to adopt their $800 back to school payments plan, and bring forward their funding commitments for public education to offer direct cost of living relief to families.

A new study from Finder released on Wednesday found parents are spending thousands of dollars on back to school costs each year, including from ‘voluntary’ fees in public schools. On average, it costs $2,847 to send a child to primary school per year, and $5,310 in secondary school. Almost 1 in 3 families in Finder’s study say they can’t afford back to school costs and will have to go into debt, use last year’s supplies/hand me downs, or they kids will go without.

Around 1 in 6 Australian children are now living in poverty (or more than 950,000 children), according to the 2025 Child Poverty in Australia Report (pg8).

Over the next decade, public schools in Australia will be short-changed by $34 billion in funding, despite the government’s claims of fully funding schools. 

Shortfalls in public funding mean parents continue to pay thousands of dollars in fees and classroom expenses just for their kids to attend public school.

At last year’s federal election, the Greens took a plan for $800 back to school payments made to families at the start of the school year for each child attending a public school, to help meet growing out of pocket costs, and a $6.8 billion plan for full funding to save public schools, funded by making big corporations pay their fare share of tax.

The rising cost of public education and increasing child poverty rates show that existing cost of living support is not enough.

Greens spokesperson for Primary and Secondary Education, Senator Penny Allman-Payne:

“Back to school costs are just getting higher and higher every year because Labor and the Liberals are short-changing public schools by billions and shifting the costs onto parents.”

“Australian families should be able to expect a free public education, instead they have ever-higher fees and charges and extensive back to school shopping lists that can add up to thousands of dollars.”

“With 1 in 3 big corporations paying no tax, and almost a million children in Australia living in poverty, something is seriously wrong.”

“When I was a public school teacher, like so many of my colleagues, I regularly spent hundreds, if not thousands of dollars to dip into my own salary to give students the resources they need, and I know parents do the same.”

“If Labor wanted to stop families from having to pay thousands in school fees, they would implement full funding of schools now, and help struggling families with $800 direct cash back to school payments as the Greens plan has proposed.”

“Every child deserves a free, world-class public education, and that’s what the Greens are committed to delivering.

‘A landlord’s market’ where renters pay the price

New quarterly data today shows ‘a landlord’s market’ where rents are yet again at record highs in nearly every capital city in Australia, with Sydney topping the list at $800 a week.

With rental vacancy rates at record lows, Labor’s policies are incentivising wealthy property investors which push property prices up further, and rents are skyrocketing as a result.

The Greens say rather than fueling the housing crisis, Labor should come up with policies that actually deliver affordable housing.

Greens spokesperson for finance, housing and homelessness Senator Barbara Pocock:

“Record high rents across the country are further proof of a housing crisis out of control. People on low and middle incomes can’t afford to live where they want to or anywhere near where they work.

“Renters are literally paying the price for a landlord’s market. While renters reach the limits of what they can pay, the Government gives tax breaks to wealthy property investors. How is that fair?

“This is a system stacked against younger generations and people who haven’t won the intergenerational housing lottery. 

“For decades, successive governments have turbocharged house prices and driven up rents, putting billions of dollars in the pockets of property investors, property developers and the banks. 

“The Government’s $181 billion tax breaks for wealthy investors – via the capital gains tax discount and negative gearing – are locking out first home buyers and forcing rents to skyrocket. They have failed to build public housing.

“This government needs to treat housing as a human right instead of giving billions of tax breaks to wealthy property investors.

“Labor needs to introduce rent caps and invest directly into building good quality homes and renting them to people who need them at prices they can actually afford.”

‘Critically Endangered’ listing must be a turning point to save our River Murray

Today’s announcement that the Lower Murray, including the Coorong and Lower Lakes, will finally be listed as ‘critically endangered’ under Australia’s environment laws is welcome, but  long overdue. This critically endangered listing must now drive urgent, practical action to restore the Coorong and Lower Lakes, prioritise the delivery of the promised environmental water, and uphold First Nations cultural and spiritual connections.​

Senator for SA and Greens spokesperson for the environment and water, Sarah Hanson-Young:

“Decades of over extraction and corporate greed have left South Australia’s River Murray in peril. This listing must be a turning point.

“The listing is long overdue and enormously significant, but with the Murray-Darling Basin Plan due to expire, the new plan must urgently address the critically endangered Lower Murray and Coorong.

“For years, South Australians, First Nations communities, scientists and river communities have been warning that the Murray and the Coorong are being bled dry by upstream over-extraction, corporate greed, and the growing impacts of climate change.

“This listing should mean tougher scrutiny on new irrigation and industrial developments, stronger protections for our waterways and threatened species, and an end to upstream decisions that starve the Coorong and Lower Lakes of the fresh water they need to survive.

“To ensure the health of the river, the full 450 gigalitres that has been promised to South Australia in environmental water must be delivered.

Greens condemn reported attack on Islamic leader, say urgent and comprehensive action needed to stamp out anti-Muslim hate

The Victorian Greens are shocked and appalled by reports that an Islamic community leader has been assaulted and racially abused after he and his wife were allegedly forced off the road by perpetrators in Dandenong South.

The reported attack comes amid a disturbing rise in anti-Muslim hate and racially motivated violence across Victoria, with community leaders warning that these incidents are becoming more frequent, more visible and more dangerous. 

The Victorian Greens spokesperson for Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism, Anasina Gray-Barberio, has unequivocally condemned the alleged attack and said urgent action is needed to address the rise of racially motivated hate crimes across the state.

Victorian Greens spokesperson for Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism, Anasina Gray Barberio: 

“Reports that an Islamic community leader and his wife were attacked and driven off the road are shocking and deeply disturbing. 

“This was not an isolated incident. Anti-Muslim hate is rising, driven by white supremacist and far-right extremists who are becoming more emboldened, more organised and more violent. This kind of hatred festers in silence and inaction where it turns into violence and it cannot be ignored. 

“These targeted and disproportionate acts of violence on Muslim-Australians demand more than hollow words, we need urgent and comprehensive action from this Labor Government, so all Victorians are safe, irrespective of their faith, creed or background.”