News and announcements

Two people smiling and standing in front of a leafy inner suburban childcare centre.

Inner West Council abolishes childcare waitlist fees

The removal of waitlist fees will apply to Council's pre-schools, early learning centres and family day care.

Draft Code of Conduct 2025

Council has revised its Code of Conduct. Find out more and have your say by 13 April.

Draft Compliance and Enforcement Policy

Council has revised its Compliance and Enforcement Policy. Find out more and have your say by 17 April.

Urban Forest Policy

Enhancing Our Urban Forest for Generations to Come.

A side view of a white van with Homecycle livery.

Inner West Council honours commitment to expand soft plastic recycling

From 3 March, Inner West residents can book a free HomeCycle collection. With no limits on how much can be picked up, HomeCycle is set to transform the way we recycle.

Public notices

Legislation requires Inner West Council to publish information on certain proposed changes.

Inner West to introduce major reforms to speed up housing delivery

Inner West Council has now voted to introduce major planning reforms to break the back of bureaucratic processes that are slowing down the delivery of desperately needed new housing.

Improving streetscape along Princes Highway

Council is proposing to improve the look and feel of Princess Hwy from Cooks River to Railway Rd. Find out more and share your thoughts by 31 March 2025.

A 3D rendering of an upgraded suburban rugby league ground set on a harbour

Design of Leichhardt Oval upgrade progressing well

Inner West Council is making steady progress in designing the long-awaited renovation of Leichhardt Oval with Ernst and Young having been appointed as project managers and Cox Architecture brought on ...

Transport for NSW delaying Rozelle Parklands handover

Inner West Council has now adopted the Rozelle Parklands Masterplan and is ready to take on control of the site, but Transport for NSW are needlessly dragging the chain in finalising an agreement for ...

Inner West Council votes to condemn antisemitism

At last night’s meeting, Inner West Council voted unanimously to condemn the escalation in antisemitic attacks across Sydney.

large trees lining the sides of a suburban street

Notice about routine tree works

Council is receiving a high volume of calls regarding delayed routine tree works. Due to the ongoing weather events over the past eight weeks, there is significant tree damage with failed branches and ...

Inner West Council committed to no rates increase for next four years

While councils across Sydney are massively increasing rates, Inner West Council is committed to no special rate variation for the next four years.

New homes for essential workers in Sydney take off

New homes for rent at a subsidised rate are on the way for essential workers in Sydney with the Minns Labor Government today announcing the first site of it’s essential worker Build-to-Rent plan.

Mayors of Sydney joint statement on social cohesion

We, the mayors of the following councils, are united in calling out violence, hatred, and extremism. Our communities are welcoming and connected and made stronger by our diverse views, faiths, backgro ...

Inner West releases first anti-racism strategy in NSW

At a time when antisemitic attacks and racism are resurging across Sydney, this strategy provides a blueprint for how local government can act at the grassroots level to stop the spread of racial prej ...

A person in a wheelchair addresses a seated audience in a function room.

Building inclusive sporting clubs

Late last year, as part of Council's Inclusion Festival and to celebrate the International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD), Council partnered with Disability Sports Australia to deliver the Buil ...

Sydney mayors call for united action to strengthen social cohesion and fight extremism

In response to growing concerns about social harmony and the alarming rise of antisemitic attacks, the mayors from three major Sydney councils will jointly host a mayoral roundtable on 6 February 2025 ...

A person in workwear repairing an earthmoving vehicle

New Inner West Council traineeship program

Inner West Council is proud to offer multiple traineeship opportunities in conjunction with the NSW Government. These traineeships offer a combination of on-the-job work experience combined with the c ...

EOIs open for the Flood Management Advisory Committee

Do you have lived experience with localised flooding and want to help Council develop plans to manage flood risks in the Inner West?

Growing antisemitism in the Inner West must be eliminated

Following the attack on the Newtown Synagogue Mayor Darcy Byrne has today called on the whole Inner West community to come together to stop the spread of antisemitism in our local community.

A fenced off-leash dog exercise area in a slender urban park, positioned between a light rail line and medium-rise buildings.

Council opens new off-leash dog park: the first GreenWay link open to the public

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne said we are getting even closer to bringing the dream of the Cooks River to Iron Cove GreenWay – a continuous active transport, biodiversity and public art corridor – to l ...

Mayor, councillor and teachers at a school with green bin

Inner West expanding food recycling to schools and childcare centres

The Inner West is expanding food recycling to childcare centres and schools across the community.

Inner West Council endorses Quong Tart Plaza as a dual name of Hercules St Ashfield

As part of the Inner West’s commitment to honouring the contribution our immigrant communities have made to creating our diverse and vibrant villages, Inner West Council is endorsing the dual naming o ...

22 Inner West pubs added to heritage protection list

Twenty-two Inner West pubs have now been added to the State Heritage Register which will protect these long-standing institutions and keep our community’s famous pub culture alive.

Inner West delivering higher housing densities than NSW Government rezonings

Inner West Council is finalising new planning controls that will deliver higher housing densities and residential building heights than the 6-storey development proposed by the NSW Government around t ...

A view of an illuminated rugby league field and grandstand at dusk

Leichhardt Oval to be trialled as music venue

Leichhardt Oval will be trialled for the first time as a live music venue under a proposal put forward by Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne and endorsed at the recent Council meeting.

A massive industrial brick building with two round metal smokestacks protruding out the top towers high against a cloudy sky

White Bay Power Station to continue as arts venue for a further 12 months

White Bay Power Station will continue to operate as a ground-breaking arts and cultural venue, following advocacy from Inner West Council.

An art deco theatre at night with a line of people waiting outside.

Council to proceed with six new Special Entertainment Precincts

Council is moving forward with plans to deliver six new Special Entertainment Precincts across the Inner West, following the hugely successful revitalisation of Enmore Road.

Audience in a large hall applauding. Performer in fancy dress stand to one side.

Inner West Creative Town Halls sees massive growth in usage

The conversion of Council’s seven town halls to free arts venues is going gangbusters with over 1,100 bookings in the first three months of the program.

A green electric vehicle being charged at a public charging point.

Inner West turns on first of 138 public EV charging stations

The rollout, to be completed by April 2025, will result in the Inner West community having better access to public electric vehicle charging infrastructure than any community in NSW.

Statement on Comedor take-away servery window in Camperdown Memorial Rest Park

The short-term hirers agreement with Comedor endorsed by Council last night for 12 months follows an extensive and thorough community engagement process.

A mock-up of the design for an upgraded aquatic centre, showing two pools and an amenities building.

Design for $55 million Leichhardt Pool upgrade released

Inner West Council has today released final designs for the $55 million renovation of the Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre, the biggest upgrade ever undertaken of an Inner West pool.

Inner West Council leading the way in soft plastic pollution reduction

Inner West Council is again taking the lead on waste and resource recovery by working to expand its practices to reduce soft plastic pollution.

Council opposes absurd Balmain Leagues Club rezoning

Inner West Council has made a comprehensive submission against the greedy and unnecessary proposal from the foreign based owners of the former Balmain Leagues Club site to increase the density of the ...

Inner West Community Supports Action on Housing Crisis

Inner West Council has received strong support from local residents to proceed with a range of reforms to address the housing supply and affordability crisis.

A woman in a dimly-lit room with a wall of vinyl records stored behind.

Inner West Council partners with SXSW Sydney For Fest X Inner West

Inner West Council is excited to announce a partnership between the Inner West and SXSW Sydney, in association with Century Venues to launch the inaugural 'Fest by Inner West' presented by Inner West ...

A wood-panelled council chambers with three long desks - equipped with monitors and microphones - arranged in a U shape. The 3 official Australian flags and the New South Wales flag are positioned behind the front desk.

New Inner West Council sworn in and Mayor Darcy Byrne re-elected

The newly elected Inner West councillors were sworn in at a ceremony last night with Councillor Darcy Byrne re-elected as Mayor and Councillor Mat Howard elected as Deputy Mayor for the first time.

Playgournd equiptment shaped like thin brown tree branches in a playground surrounded by trees

King George Park Inclusive Playground opening

Inner West Council is proud to officially open the new King George Park Inclusive Playground to the community this Saturday 7 September 2024.

A large industrial barge floating in an urban harbour.

Sign the petition to clean up Sydney Harbour

The Save Our Sydney Harbour campaign, supported by Clean Up Australia, is petitioning Transport for NSW to remove or repair the failing dolphin wharves, moorings, jetties and disused boats littering l ...

Balmain Town Hall reopens following major renovation

Historic Balmain Town Hall and Library has now reopened following an extensive renovation to improve this historic facility for the community.

Inner West Council to deliver two new all-weather sporting fields in Callan Park

Last night Inner West Council committed to delivering two new rectangular all-weather sporting fields in Callan Park. One will be at the Balmain Road field, the second at the Waterfront Drive fields.

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Balmain Town Hall and Library reopens this Saturday!

Join us on 17 August for the reopening of this much-loved building and library as we celebrate with heritage tours, family friendly events and music.

Green and grey skate park ramps and bars

Inner West Council invites skateboard medallists to Leichhardt Skate Park

Inner West Council has today invited Olympic gold medal skaters Arisa Trew and Keegan Palmer to celebrate their success at Leichhardt Park Skate Park following their return from Paris.

Knitted bunting of an array of community pride flags strung above an ornate wooden door with 'Town Hall' written in the stain glass panel.

Newtown Town Hall reopens as Inner West Pride Centre

The new Inner West LGBTQI+ Pride Centre at Newtown Town Hall will officially open on Saturday 10 August.

Inner West announces 8 artists commissioned for the GreenWay

Inner West Council is pleased to announce the eight successful artists commissioned to create public artworks along the GreenWay.

Inner West Council to help promote local brewers and distillers

Inner West Council has dedicated $200,000 to creating an Inner West Tourism Action Plan designed to promote the 14 micro-breweries and 12 distilleries in the Inner West.

Enmore walk of fame to open with Bangarra as first plaque

Inner West Mayor, Darcy Byrne, will today unveil the first of 30 bronze plaques to be installed on Enmore Road to celebrate some of the significant performers, musicians, comedians and dancers who hav ...

Inner West takes delivery of first truckload of FOGO compost

Inner West Council has taken delivery of the first truckload of compost created by the Inner West FOGO Food Recycling Program to be returned for use in the Inner West.

Inner West continues strong financial performance

The adoption of Inner West Council’s Budget and Long-Term Financial Plan shows that the Council is in a very strong financial position now and into the future.

A 1930 black-and-white picture of a traditional Sydney corner pub

Inner West to add 22 pubs to heritage protection list

Inner West Council has now resolved to add 22 local pubs to the heritage register in order to protect these long-standing institutions and keep our community’s famous pub culture alive.

Inner West to provide emergency funding for renters' legal representation

Inner West Council is providing an emergency payment of $125,000 to Marrickville Legal Centre to help meet the unprecedented demand for legal advice and representation for renters and people escaping ...

7 Inner West town halls now open as free arts venues

All 7 of the Inner West’s town halls have now been converted to arts and cultural venues available free of charge as spaces for live performance, rehearsal and exhibition.

Six new Special Entertainment Precincts for the Inner West

Following the outstanding success of Sydney's first Special Entertainment Precinct (SEP) at Enmore Road, Inner West Council is expanding its live music and performance footprint with six new areas to ...

Blue coloured ending machine label with text that reads 'free period products with compliments of Inner West Council'

Inner West Council commits to state-leading roll out of free period products

In 2023, Inner West Council became the first Council in NSW to provide free pads and tampons in public toilets.

Five people in formal clothing on a rugby league field

Wests Tigers to continue to play at Leichhardt Oval

Council welcomes today’s announcement from Wests Tigers that the club will play three NRL matches per season at Leichhardt Oval, as well as a pre-season game for 2025 and 2026.

Enmore Road gazetted as first official Special Entertainment Precinct

Enmore Road is now the first permanent Special Entertainment Precinct in NSW following a successful two-year trial.

Community health forum: stopping the spread of vape and tobacconist stores

Inner West has resolved to stop the spread vape stores in our suburbs, especially in areas where kids travel to and from school.

Two SES members in uniform stand against a media wall with SES logos on it. One holds an award

Celebrating our SES volunteers

The dedication of our Emergency Service (SES) volunteers was recognised at the annual Marrickville and Ashfield-Leichhardt SES Volunteer Recognition Night.

Hornsby Council-rorted money should come to Inner West

Inner West Council welcomes the decision of the Minns Government to claw back $36 million in funding that was improperly granted to Hornsby Council by the former NSW Government.

Council dedicates $10 million to save Leichhardt Oval

Inner West Council tonight voted to dedicate $10 million of Council funds to save Leichhardt Oval.

Council to vote on $10 million to save Leichhardt Oval

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne has today convened an extraordinary meeting of Council to vote on allocating $10 million of Council funds to save Leichhardt Oval.

Inner West ready to deliver housing targets

Inner West Council welcomes today’s release of the NSW Government’s housing targets and is getting on with a new Local Environmental Plan (LEP) that can deliver these dwellings.

Three people in from of an Inner West COuncil meida wall. The person in the middle holds a certificate that reads: 'Citizen of the Year Award'

George Catsi named Inner West Citizen of the Year

Inner West Council has named Petersham Bowling Club President, George Catsi as the 2024 Inner West Citizen of the Year.

Inner West secures funding for EV charging stations

Inner West Council has secured funding for 136 public electric vehicle charging stations to be rolled out across the Inner West. This is by far the biggest number of any Local Government Area in NSW. ...

Council proposes White Bay Power Station as performance venue

Following the outstanding success of the Biennale of Sydney at White Bay Power Station, Inner West Council has now proposed that the facility made use of as a live performance and concert venue.

Leichhardt Oval to be a hub for women’s sport

If Leichhardt Oval is renovated and saved it will become a hub for women’s sport Including soccer, rugby league and rugby union at the professional, grassroots and junior levels

Book banning has no place in Inner West libraries

The accusation from a Cumberland City Councillor that the Inner West community is wrong to have books for rainbow families in our libraries is pathetic.

Transurban and Inner West Council meeting on blue-green algae bloom

A meeting was held today at the Rozelle Parklands Wetlands site between officers of Inner West Council and Transurban to discuss the remediation of the blue-green algal bloom in the park.

Council welcomes WestConnex whistle-blowers’ evidence

“Today’s revelations from respected former Transport executives that the traffic chaos at the Rozelle Interchange had been identified a decade ago proves that the planning of WestConnex is one of the ...

Mass street closures and removal of 150 parking spaces slated for Rozelle

Transport for NSW have sprung yet another unwelcome surprise on residents in Rozelle by scheduling the long-term closure of 6 major streets and the loss of more than 150 car parking spaces in Rozelle.

Transurban acting too slowly on blue-green algae bloom

Multi-billion-dollar tollway company Transurban are moving too slowly to treat the outbreak of blue-green algae in their water filtration system at Rozelle Parklands.

Interior of a house with rectangular windows around the edge of the ceiling

Entries open for the 2024 Built Environment Awards

The Inner West Built Environment Awards return for 2024, celebrating the Inner West’s rich cultural and architectural heritage.

Statement on ICAC Operation Hector

Inner West Council welcomes the findings by NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) Operation Hector Public Inquiry regarding officers from Transport for NSW, employees of Downer EDI Work ...

A row of Federation-era bungalow style houses along a residential street.

Notice of amendment to the Ashfield DCP 2016

Council has adopted amendments to the Ashfield Development Control Plan 2016 specific to Haberfield.

Get a free car seat safety check during National Road Safety Week

Council is teaming up with Kidsafe NSW and Transurban to offer FREE child car seat safety checks to Inner West residents on 8 May 2024.

Inner West Council welcomes agreement for planning to stay local

Inner West Council welcomes the decision of the NSW Government to allow planning powers over locations around 4 train stations in the Inner West to remain with the Council.

Close up of a person laughing with eyes closed - their face is bathed in blue light

Inner West Film Fest Kicks off Friday

The second Inner West Film Festival will commence this Friday after the inaugural event was launched last year.

Leichhardt Oval to host 120 sporting fixtures in 2024

Amidst ongoing calls for Leichhardt Oval to be closed, Inner West Council has today announced that an extraordinary 120 individual sporting fixtures will be played at the Eighth Wonder of the World in ...

Two red lid bins side by side with a large rectangular red sticker on the front

Opt-in weekly red bin service now available for Inner West food recycling

Inner West Council has this week further strengthened our food recycling service by providing a free, opt-in weekly red bin collection for residents who need more support.

Renters' rights must be legislated immediately

Today’s revelations that almost 30,000 tenants have been subjected to no-grounds evictions in the past year shows that legislating new protections for renters should be the single highest priority of ...

Leichhardt Oval must be saved, not closed

Inner West Council is calling on the NSW Government to transfer 10 per cent of the $309 million allocated to the Penrith Stadium upgrade to save Leichhardt Oval.

Passage of laws to lock kids up a dark day for NSW

The passage through Parliament of the NSW Government’s laws to increase the number of children in jail marks a dark day for justice in this State.

Laws to lock up more children must be opposed

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne has today called on the NSW Government to withdraw their proposed legislation to incarcerate more children.

Statement regarding the NSW Boundaries Commission's decision on de-amalgamation

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne has released a statement regarding the recommendation that Inner West Council should not be demerged.

Seniors at a dance class- a bald man in the foreground raises his hands into the air, the crowd facing in copies his movement

Seniors Festival 2024 is here!

Get ready to 'Reach Beyond' with our exciting program of Seniors Festival events, happening until 24 March at venues across the Inner West!

Tougher penalties needed for asbestos contamination

Inner West Council is calling on the NSW Parliament to legislate tougher penalties for businesses and individuals who cause asbestos contamination.

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Teaching a Learner driver? Join our free online workshop!

Ensure your learner driver has the best start by attending this free 1.5 hour workshop.

Four new Special Entertainment Precincts for the Inner West

Following the outstanding success of Sydney’s first Special Entertainment Precinct at Enmore Road, Inner West Council is proposing four more precincts in Darling Street Balmain/Rozelle, Marrickville R ...

Transurban profiteering not helping to fix Rozelle Interchange

Following today’s revelations from Professor Allan Fels, that the public will pay the cost of constructing WestConnex three times over in toll revenue to Transurban, Inner West Council is calling on t ...

Ashfield mental health hospital should be repurposed for good by Wesley Mission

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne has today condemned the imminent closure of the Wesley Hospital in Ashfield and called on Wesley Mission to repurpose the facility for the good of the community, not to ju ...

Proposal to rezone the whole of the Inner West to 6 storeys is absurd

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne: "Today's revelations that the Department of Planning is proposing to rezone the entirety of the Inner West for 6 storey development are greatly concerning."

One person holds another person aloft at knee height in the stairway landing of an old building. Both people are looking upwards. The bright natural light from the opaque corrugated window behind the people adds to the drama of the scene.

Artists announced for EDGE Inner West × Biennale 2024

Inner West Council is very proud to announce the artists commissioned for EDGE Inner West 2024.

Biennale at White Bay needs more transport links

Inner West Council is calling on the NSW Government to urgently provide a shuttle bus service to the White Bay Power Station when the Biennale opens there this Friday.

Inner West Mardi Gras Parade Screening returns for second year

Following last year’s inaugural event the Inner West Council is again hosting a screening of Mardi Gras parade live on the big screen at Camperdown Memorial Rest Park in Newtown.

Rozelle Parklands asbestos clean-up delayed 1 month

The Environment Protection Authority has now abandoned today's legal deadline for the clean-up of asbestos at the Rozelle Parklands and surrounding areas.

Inner West demands compensation for WestInvest rort

Following the release of the Auditor General's scathing investigation into $5 billion WestInvest fund, Inner West Council, the primary victim of the rort, is calling for the NSW Treasurer and Premier ...

Inner West Council issues asbestos clean-up notices to John Holland and CPB

Inner West Council is taking legal action to force John Holland and CPB, the contractors who built Rozelle Parklands and the Rozelle Interchange, to expedite the clean-up of the asbestos contamination ...

New friable asbestos in Rozelle shows clean-up is off track

Today’s discovery of new friable asbestos at a location on Victoria Road in Rozelle shows that John Holland and CPB are not on track to meet the Environment Protection Authority’s orders to complete a ...

NSW moving too slowly on rental reforms

With the housing affordability and rental crisis deepening by the day, the NSW Government is not acting urgently enough to enact new renter's rights and provide support to tenants.