News and announcements

Council helps asylum seekers become life guards

Wednesday, 11 July 2018 Inner West Council and Royal Life Saving Society of NSW are partnering to train newly arrived asylum seekers as life guards. The life guard training initiative is the late ...

Inner West pushing art boundaries with EDGE

Thursday, 5 July 2018 Inner West Council is set to transform the Inner West with the launch of its new cultural program: EDGE. The program will make over local neighbourhoods and precincts with art i ...

Still time to apply for an Inner West Council Grant

Inner West Council's 2018 grants program closes Monday, 16 July. There's still time for Inner West individuals and community groups to apply for up to $50,000 in grant funding. Click to APPLY NOW ...

New heritage protections coming for Inner West pubs

Wednesday 4 July, 2018 Inner West Council will initiate new heritage protections for long-standing pubs to protect hotels from residential development and conversion to other business uses. This fo ...

Annette Kellerman Aquatic Centre Facility of the Year shield presentation

Wednesday, 4 July 2018 Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne will attend the official Annette Kellerman Aquatic Centre ARI Facility of the Year award shield presentation tomorrow, Thursday, 5 July, 11am. Me ...

Free trees for National Tree Day

Monday, 2 July 2018 To mark National Tree Day, Inner West Council will once again give away free trees to residents. The tree giveaway is at Rozelle Bay Community Nursery on Sunday, 29 July, 10am-1p ...

School Holiday Activities open for bookings 2 July

Friday, 29 June, 2018 Inner West Council has an extensive school holiday activity program for children aged 12-18 years. Registrations open Monday, 2 July for all events and are essential via Scho ...

2018-19 Budget – another record capital works spend

Friday, 29 June 2018 Inner West Council adopted the 2018-19 Operational Plan and Budget on Tuesday night. The Budget is based on fiscal prudence, transparency and accountability, and focused on ...

Inner west craft breweries enshrined in State law

Thursday, 28 June 2018 Craft breweries are raising a glass to news that a new State Government liquor authorisation for microbreweries will be trialled for the next 12 months in the Inner West Counci ...

AKAC makes a splash – named Aquatic Facility of the Year

Tuesday, 26 June 2018 Inner West Council's Annette Kellerman Aquatic Centre (AKAC) has been named the Aquatic and Recreation Institute (ARI) NSW Facility of the Year. The Annual Aquatic and Recrea ...

Library and History events this July

Thursday, 21 June 2018 Find out how to Unf*ck Your Finances with Melissa Browne, explore the first attempts at recognising Indigenous Australians in Professor Gabrielle Appleby's NAIDOC Week talk, Co ...

Library and History events this June

A line up of events not to be missed this June, from Jamelle Wells' jaw-dropping insights as a court reporter, to Hugh MacKay with his new book, Australia Reimagined, and a useful workshop on LinkedIn ...

Revealed: Inner West’s future Recreation Needs

Monday, 18 June 2018 Inner West Council's draft Recreation Needs Study: A Healthier Inner West is now open for comment. The study warns that increasing urbanisation of the Inner West will necessi ...

Ashfield Civic Centre to host 2018 Pauline McLeod Awards

Celebrating selfless community members and the creativity of local students will be the focus of the 2018 Pauline McLeod Awards held this year in Ashfield as part of National Reconciliation Week celeb ...

Hands off Tigers games at Leichhardt Oval

Lighting upgrade needed for Bay Run safety boost

Wednesday 13 June, 2018 Inner West Council will write to the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage highlighting concerns about poor lighting in the section of the Iron Cove Bay Run that passes throu ...

Major funding injection to save Dawn Fraser Pool

Wednesday, 13 June 2018 Residents have scored a double win with Inner West Council voting to fast-track the heritage restoration of Dawn Fraser Pool, while also accepting an offer from Telstra to han ...

Rozelle to benefit from 35 free parking spaces

Tuesday, 12 June 2018 Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne has announced that 35 free car parking spaces have now reopened at the rear of the former Balmain Leagues Club site, which will give a boost to busi ...

Nominations open now for Pride Seats dedications

Friday, 8 June 2018 Inner West Council is calling for nominations for the new ‘Pride Seats' dedications. Inner West people, groups or organisations that have campaigned for, or contributed t ...

Eviction leads to homelessness threat

Thursday 7 June 2018 Inner West Council Mayor Darcy Byrne is fighting to protect a group of local residents who have been evicted from their long term homes in an apparent bid by a new owner to drast ...

2018 Inner West Council Grants program opens soon

Tuesday, 5 June 2018 Inner West Council's 2018 grants program opens Thursday, 7 June. Inner west individuals and community groups are urged to apply for up to $50,000 in grant funding.& The NSW ...

2018 Young Creative Awards announced

Monday, 4 June: Local young talented illustrators and writers have won inaugural Inner West Library and History 2018 Young Creatives Awards.

AFL makes historic return to Birchgrove Oval for Indigenous round

Balmain Tigers Australian Rules Football Club will make a historic return to Birchgrove Oval this Saturday when the club hosts its second Pemulwuy Shield game, which is part of the league's annual Ind ...

Gift of Bread awarded Council grant to expand charitable operations

The Gift of Bread group has been awarded $25,000 to purchase a new delivery van in the last round of Inner West Council grant funding. The group supplies free bread to more than 120 organisations, ...

Have your say on Marrickville Golf Course and Dibble Avenue Waterhole

Inner West Council is developing a new Plan of Management and landscape Master Plans for Marrickville Golf Course and Dibble Avenue Waterhole, and the local community is invited to provide input into ...

Inner West impounding share bikes

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne has placed the operators of share bikes on notice: “pick up your abandoned bikes or face the consequences”. After a review of a three month trial of share b ...

Inner West Mayor goes in to bat for live music venues at NSW parliamentary inquiry

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne gave evidence at the parliamentary inquiry into the music and the arts economy in New South Wales. Mayor Byrne told the Legislative Council's Portfolio Committee No. 6 ...

2018 Open Inner West

10 days | 18 events | 24 suburbs | 69 cultures 15-24 June 2018 Everyone's invited to discover the talents and creativity of the Inner West's culturally diverse communities at 2018 Open Inner W ...

Pauline McLeod Awards for Reconciliation winners announced

Selfless community members and the creativity of local students was the focus of last night's Pauline McLeod Awards at Ashfield Civic Centre. The Pauline McLeod Awards are hosted annually by the ...

New off leash area trials approved in Rozelle

The new off leash area trials are in Elliot Park and Balmain Cove, both located close to the Harbour foreshore on the city side of the Iron Cove Bridge. Council's approval of six month off leash tr ...

GreenWay – a step closer to reality

The vision of creating a unique green corridor through the heart of urban Sydney is now one step closer to reality with the release of a draft master plan for the project, announced Inner West Mayor D ...

New multi-purpose netball/basketball courts for Haberfield

Three new multi-purpose netball/basketball courts will be built at Richard Murden Reserve in Haberfield to meet the growing need for training and recreational spaces in the local area, Inner West Mayo ...

life inside life at Chrissie Cotter Gallery

An exhibition of sculpture, ceramics and drawings inspired by actual tidal zones is the next to feature at Council's Chrissie Cotter Gallery. life inside life features the work of two Sydney artis ...

Have your say on community facilities in Haberfield

Inner West Council has received $2.5 million from the Sydney Motorway Corporation to upgrade Council-owned community facilities in Haberfield. While the funds are earmarked to upgrade Council-owne ...

Free Sustainable Homes Bus Tour

Inner West Council's free Sustainable Homes Bus Tour is an opportunity to see and discuss many options to make local homes more ecologically sustainable. The tour, on Sunday, 3 June, 9:15am-12:30p ...

Mayor slams Government’s move to appeal Supreme Court’s WestConnex ruling

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne has condemned the NSW Government's decision to appeal a Supreme Court's ruling that found the Berejiklian Government's compulsory acquisition of 68-72 Lilyfield Road was i ...

WestConnex/Second Sydney Harbour Tunnel Public Meeting

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne is urging residents to attend a public meeting to hear what concerns Council and parents from Rozelle Public School have with the approval of the final stage of WestConnex ...

Adventure awaits at National Simultaneous Storytime

National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) will be held across three Inner West libraries next week as part of an annual campaign that aims to encourage more young Australians to read and enjoy books. ...

Speedy Shoe Repairs plaque unveiling

Inner West Council Deputy Mayor Julie Passas will officially unveil a ‘recognition of business service' plaque for Speedy Shoe Repairs at 2 Brown Street, Ashfield on Friday, 25 May, 11am. Media ...

Council demands $30m to fix WestConnex mess

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne has called on the State Government to commit $30 million to help mitigate the traffic nightmare bearing down on Inner West streets as a result of WestConnex. The call c ...

Symbiosis at Chrissie Cotter Gallery

The next exhibition at Inner West Council's Chrissie Cotter Gallery features emerging artists from Was Printed, a fresh printmaking collective. The title Symbiosis, which describes an organic rela ...

Community nurseries Open Day

Everybody's invited to Inner West Council's community nurseries Open Day, Saturday, 26 May, 10am-1pm. Attendees will: • Learn about native plants and native gardening • Score a fr ...

Attend the Amy Large Volunteer of the Year awards

Media and all residents are invited to attend Inner West Council's annual Amy Large Volunteer Award Ceremony and Volunteer Thank You Night to be held on the evening of Wednesday, 23 May. WHEN: Wed ...

Fees waived to support local community groups

Local community groups will receive a boost under an Inner West Council plan to provide charities and not-for-profit organisations free space in Council's town halls and community centres. Council' ...

Inner West Mayor elected chair of Cooks River Alliance

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne has been elected Chair of the Cooks River Alliance. The Cooks River Alliance is an alliance of four member councils – Inner West, Bayside, Canterbury-Bankstown an ...

Inner West Council to update multicultural policy

Council has voted to develop a new overarching multicultural policy, which will investigate ways of supporting and celebrating the Inner West's cultural diversity. The policy will examine ways to g ...

2018 Built Environment Award winners

Inner West Council's Built Environment Awards were announced at a reception at the Kirkbride Theatre, Sydney College of the Arts, Balmain, on Saturday, 5 May. The restitution of a riverside terrac ...

Update on incident in Lilyfield

Media Statement Update on incident in Lilyfield “Following last night's incident involving an Inner West Council waste collection truck at Brennan Street in Lilyfield, asbestos has been iden ...

Celebrate 2044 shines in Tempe for 6th year

Celebrate 2044 – St Peters, Sydenham and Tempe's own community fair – is in Tillman Park, Tempe on Sunday 20 May, from 11am to 4pm. Heading into its sixth year, the Fair celebrates the ...

Court win deals massive blow to WestConnex

The NSW Supreme Court ruling that the State Government's acquisition of property in the Rozelle Goods Yard for WestConnex was invalid is a body blow to the project. The acquisition of the Desane Gr ...

Mayor condemns WestConnex Stage 3’s secret approval

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne has strongly condemned the NSW Government for its secret approval of the final stage of WestConnex. Stage 3 of the project was approved without the public being informe ...

More affordable housing on the agenda

Inner West Council has been included in amendments to the State Government's State Environment Planning Policy 70 (SEPP 70) policy recently announced confirming Council's ability to introduce affordab ...

Free 21st Biennale of Sydney forum comes to Ashfield

Presented by Inner West Council as part of the 21st Biennale of Sydney, Ashfield Town Hall will host a free forum exploring the vital role of artists in our communities on Thursday, 17 May (6.30pm to ...

Celebrating National Family Day Care week

Inner West Council is celebrating National Family Day Care Week with a series of events in early May. Media are invited to attend a morning tea on Tuesday, 8 May, from 9:30am. Now in its sixth yea ...

2018 Inner West Built Environment Awards

The Awards celebrate the Inner West's rich cultural and architectural heritage. The awards will be held at Kirkbride Theatre, Sydney College of the Arts, Balmain Road, Lilyfield, on Saturday, 5 Ma ...

Inner West to lead the way in renewable energy

Inner West Council has committed to procuring 25% of its electricity needs from renewable sources through an innovative new power agreement. This commitment to renewable energy is one of the highest b ...

Free ‘Preparing for Winter’ information sessions

Inner West Council, with Our Energy Future and Green Living Centre, is hosting two free ‘Preparing for Winter' information sessions. Attendees will go in a draw to win a free Home Energy Assessm ...

Vessels of Mass Consumption at Chrissie Cotter Gallery

The next exhibition to feature at Inner West Council's Chrissie Cotter Gallery throws a spotlight on society's unsustainable consumer habits and disconnect from the natural environment. Vessels of ...

Centenary provides special focus for 2018 Anzac Day

Inner West Council and Balmain-Rozelle RSL will again hold an ANZAC Day Commemorative Dawn Service at Balmain's Loyalty Square from 6am on Wednesday 25 April. The Balmain Dawn Service has proved e ...

Council backs move to permanently fly Aboriginal Flag over Sydney Harbour Bridge

The Inner West Council has thrown its support behind a local women's campaign to have the Aboriginal Flag fly over the Sydney Harbour Bridge 365 days a year. Ms Toka needs 10,000 signatures on a ha ...

Amy Large Volunteer of the Year awards are now open

Inner West Council's annual Amy Large Volunteer of the Year awards are now open. The awards honour local resident and much loved volunteer Amy Large, who passed away in 2015. Amy was widely kn ...

Prosper group wins Council grant for English as a Second Language project

The Inner West Council is proud to announce the Prosper (Project Australia) group has been awarded a $6,900 Council grant for the delivery of an English as a Second Language Health Information Project ...

What makes a good neighbour?

Inner West Council has partnered with the 21st Biennale of Sydney to host an international billboard art project and forum. The art project is showcased on giant billboard format at sites across t ...

Youth Week sets up school holiday fun

Inner West Council's 2018 Youth Week calendar of FREE activities commences next week in the time for the April school holidays. Importantly, activities and events are organised with the input of yo ...

Council’s big investment in local sport

Inner West Council will invest $65 million in park and aquatic facilities over the next three years, as part of a commitment to create a healthier community. At Tuesday night's Council meeting, Cou ...

2018 Heritage Festival

Inner West Council Library and History Heritage Festival in April and May has the theme My Culture, My Story. The festival, under the auspices of the National Trust, celebrates the diversity of cultu ...

Main street parking meters permanently turned off at night tonight

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne has announced that from today main street parking meters in Leichhardt, Rozelle and Balmain shopping strips will be turned off after 7pm. “This change to parking ...

Mayor slams WestConnex’s cost blow out

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne has slammed the NSW Government following revelations the cost of Stage 3 of WestConnex has ballooned by an additional $1.5 billion to a total of $8.7 billion. Documents ...

Council gives Inner West an EDGE over Vivid

Council has voted to give its arts scene a huge boost by rolling out a $600,000 program of street activations, light installations and live music events across the Inner West. Council's new EDGE ar ...

Council to cut red tape for athletics events

The Inner West Council has endorsed a partnership with Athletics Australia in a bid to make it easier for local schools, clubs and community groups to organise fun runs and athletics events. Athlet ...

Council stepping up reaction to share bikes

A review of the three month trial of bike share guidelines developed by inner Sydney councils has found that urgent state government action is required to clean up bike share. The review has also s ...

Review of bike share calls for State Government action as use increases

Mayors from six Inner Sydney councils are calling for immediate action from the NSW Government, with Councils eager to work with them to update legislation that is rapidly being outstripped by the eme ...

Site and Sound Arts 2018

Contemporary and traditional performances feature this year at Inner West Council's Site and Sound Arts. The diverse program encompasses interactive arts, brass bands, Kids Prom, Balkan Beat Masquera ...

Free farewell swim day at Ashfield Aquatic Centre

Ashfield Aquatic Centre is throwing open its doors and asking the community to help make a splash to bid farewell to the Aquatic Centre which is about to close and be rebuilt, Inner West Mayor, Darcy ...

Council appalled at State Government’s $1.1 million price tag to bring Vivid to inner west

The Inner West Council has baulked at the exorbitant price tag the State Government has put on Vivid Sydney's expansion into the Inner West. Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne wrote to Destination NSW last ...

Lords Road overdevelopment finally refused

The State Government has bowed to overwhelming public pressure and finally refused the application to rezone 67-73 Lords Road in Leichhardt for overdevelopment. Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne said th ...

2018 Seniors Festival

Inner West Council's 2018 Seniors Festival calendar of FREE events commences Thursday 5 April and includes plays, tours, workshops, courses, soirees and more. This year marks the 60th anniversary ...

Historic Birchgrove Oval hosts official AFL Auskick launch

The iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge was the dramatic backdrop to the NSW launch of the 2018 AFL Auskick season as it kicked off at Birchgrove Oval on Thursday March 15. Local schools and footy clubs w ...

Council to install Pride Seats in celebration of inner west’s LGBTIQ community

The Inner West Council has voted to accept the donation of five rainbow Pride Seats in recognition of its strong support for the LGBTIQ community and the recent marriage equality campaign. “O ...

Next exhibition at Chrissie Cotter Gallery

An exhibition based on the artist's observations during a four month sojourn through outback Australia opens at Council's Chrissie Cotter Gallery later this month. Up The Guts reflects Zak Tilley' ...

Additional Free Parking spaces to come in Leichhardt

At Tuesday night's Council Meeting, Item 7, a notice to rescind a previous resolution on the future of the cottages at 9 and 11 Marion Street Leichhardt, was lost. Council will now move fo ...

Inner west libraries in April

Inner West Council's libraries have a packed agenda of events, talks, workshops, and school holiday activities – as well as Seniors and Youth weeks programs. To register or find out more for any ...

Council to turn off parking meters after 7pm

The Inner West Council will turn off main street parking meters after 7pm in Leichhardt, Rozelle and Balmain shopping strips. The move, voted on at last night's Council Meeting, will “breathe ...

Celebrate BluesFest

Rock legend Ross Wilson will headline the popular BluesFest as it returns this month to Leichhardt as a free family friendly music event with a relaxed casual atmosphere. Part of Council's Sunset ...

Construction, concrete and technology a lousy mix

The State Government's grandiose plan to turn White Bay and Glebe Island into an international technology hub looks doomed to fail following recently lodged plans to build a construction material proc ...

Celebrate a Carnival of Cultures

Enjoy a day of free, fun activities and entertainment for the whole family at this year's Carnival of Cultures on Sunday 18 March, 10am-4pm at Ashfield Park. The event celebrates the many cultures ...

2018 Inner West Open Studio Trail – Weekend Two

As part of Art Month, over 100 inner west studios, galleries and ARIs (Artist Run Initiatives) will throw open their doors for a second weekend, Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 March. IWOST's second weeken ...

Council preschool awarded prestigious 'Excellent' rating

The Inner West Council's Globe Wilkins Preschool has been awarded the highest possible rating from the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA). “We all know that ...

Council approves state-of-the-art Aquatic Centre

The inner west will get a new first class Aquatic Centre, with Council finalising plans for the rebuilding of Ashfield Pool. The Centre will boast extra state-of-the-art facilities that will last for ...

Council extends free car parking in Leichhardt

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne has announced that Marion Street in Leichhardt is to get 22 new free car parking spaces, which will boost Norton Street businesses. Council last night resolved to proceed ...

Council welcomes $22.5m injection for Parramatta Road

Inner West Council will create a new park, new cycle and Greenway connections and improve streets surrounding Parramatta Road, thanks to a grant of more than $20 million dollars for improvements to Pa ...

Western Harbour Tunnel targeting Balmain Leagues Club site

STATEMENT BY DARCY BYRNE MAYOR OF THE INNER WEST Late yesterday I was contacted by NSW Roads and Maritime Services to inform me that it is likely that the Government will seek to compulsorily acquir ...

New shade sails for local playgrounds

New shade sails will be installed in eight local parks as part of a program to protect kids from the sun while they are out and about being active, Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne announced today. Mayo ...

2018 Inner West Open Studio Trail

2 WEEKENDS I 4 PRECINCTS I 100 ART SPACES Saturday 10 - Sunday 11 March Saturday 17 - Sunday 18 March As part of Art Month, over 100 inner west studios, galleries and ARIs (Artist Run Initi ...

Council establishes new accountability watchdog

Inner West Council has announced it is joining with the City of Parramatta and Cumberland councils to establish a new ombudsman service that will act as an impartial watchdog over the councils' activi ...

2018 Bairro Português Food & Wine Fair

Inner West Council's Bairro Português Petersham Food & Wine Fair is on once again. Since its inception in 2003, every year thousands of people attend Australia's largest Portuguese cultural ...

Next Second Hand Saturday set for 10 March

Second Hand Saturday has become a familiar and popular weekend activity for many bargain hunters in the inner west for almost two decades. The idea is simple: Garage sales are held by individual hous ...

Clean Up Australia Day in the inner west

Inner West Council is supporting local residents and community groups who volunteer for Clean Up Australia Day. Clean Up Australia Day (CUAD) is the nation's largest community-based environmental ...

Common sense approach to tree preservation and replacement

Inner West Council will review development controls on trees in what has been called a victory for common sense. Deputy Mayor Julie Passas, who brought the matter to Tuesday night's Council Meetin ...

State Government backflips on Callan Park Skate Park

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne has slammed the State Government's decision to prevent the building of a fully funded skate park in Callan Park. Late last year, the newly elected Council ordered a repor ...