News and announcements

Register now for Garage Sale Trail 2019

Garage Sale Trail is the nation’s biggest weekend of garage sales and one of Australia’s biggest community events.

Safety first around Balmain Hospital

Council has made a commitment to prioritise footpath works around Balmain Hospital, so as to ensure pedestrian and patient safety.

Draft voluntary planning agreement policy

You are invited to provide feedback on the draft Voluntary Planning Agreement policy which has been endorsed by Council.

Balmain Road Sporting Ground soccer pitch

Forging respectful relationships in sport

More than 60 volunteer leaders of local sporting clubs recently attended Inner West Council’s Respectful Relationships in Sport forum.

Dawn Fraser Pool saved – urgent heritage restoration to go ahead

The long-awaited heritage restoration of Dawn Fraser Pool will commence shortly after Council signed off on the tender for the Pool’s refurbishment. Construction is expected to be completed in time fo ...

Proposed Tempe Reserve agreement to boost local sports clubs participation

Inner West Council and Newington College are progressing a ground-breaking agreement over the use of Tempe Reserve, which would give local sporting clubs a massive boost.

Have your say on the Inner West’s pocket parks

Inner West Council is seeking ideas on how to best use the 200 small parks dotted throughout the local government area.

Hawthorne Canal Greenway Housing Recreation

Council asks for ministerial intervention to break GreenWay impasse

Inner West Council is seeking the urgent assistance of Transport Minister Andrew Constance and the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes to cut through the bureaucratic inertia that has s ...

digging of grass for construction of Westconnex

Council to bring sports bodies and Government together to establish regional sporting precinct

Inner West Council has resolved to bring the community and peak sporting bodies together to work with the NSW Government to create a spectacular new recreation and sporting precinct in the Rozelle Rai ...

Cafe announcement for new Marrickville Library

New Marrickville Library cafe operator announced

Popular Inner West business Double Roasters has won the tender to operate the cafe at the new Marrickville Library.

2019 Footprints EcoFestival

Council once again presents the Inner West’s foremost sustainability event, Footprints EcoFestival, at Whites Creek Valley Park, Annandale on Sunday, 25 August, 11am–3pm.

Applications now open for Chrissie Cotter Gallery and ArtSeat 2020

Council is inviting submissions for the exhibition of artworks at the Newtown ArtSeat and Chrissie Cotter Gallery in 2020.

Mayor calls on State Government to end fun police war against pubs, clubs and bars

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne has today told the Joint Select Committee on Sydney's Night-Time Economy that the Inner West Council’s Good Neighbour Policy - requiring Council to mitigate not litigate n ...

Inner West Council launches ground-breaking reusable coffee cup scheme

Inner West Council has just launched its innovative new swap-and-go coffee cup scheme.

Entries now open for the 2019 GreenWay Art Prize

Entries now open for the 2019 GreenWay Art Prize. The prize is now in its tenth year.

Still Lifes to feature at Chrissie Cotter Gallery

A group of five emerging artists will show a collection of Still Lifes at the next exhibition at Council’s Chrissie Cotter Gallery.

St Peters Library temporary closure

St Peters/Sydenham Library will close from Saturday, 10 August, for essential upgrades to the building.

artist Brad Robson in a cherry picker painting an image of Twiggy onto a building

EDGE Art on the Streets

Laneways, side streets and corners will come alive under projections, paste ups and street art during EDGE Sydenham.

Council supports UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons

Inner West is one of eighteen Australian cities and local councils calling on the Australian government to join the United Nations Treaty on Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

New Marrickville library - Artist sketch of front

Magnificent new Library for Inner West

Council is inviting the community to the grand opening of the spectacular new state-of-the-art Marrickville Library on Saturday, 31 August for a day of exploration and activities in the amazing new co ...

What’s on at Inner West libraries in August

Celebrate National Science Week and Children's Book Week at an Inner West Council library.

Mayor Darcy Byrne with Councillor Anna York and students at the Youth Climate Summit

Inner West Solar my School program launched at Youth Climate Summit

Inner West Council Mayor Darcy Byrne has today launched the Inner West Solar my School program at the 2019 Western Sydney Climate Justice Summit.

artwork for creative trails Midjuburi Precinct

Midjuburi Precinct Creative Trails

Artist, arts workers and craftspeople in Marrickville, Sydenham, Tempe, St Peters, Dulwich Hill and Lewisham will throw open their doors for the next EDGE Creative Trails. Forty studios, exhibition s ...

Hawthorne Canal - Flooding at Brighton Street

Managing flood risk – Dobroyd and Hawthorne Canals

Council is seeking community input on the draft flood risk management plan for the Dobroyd Canal and Hawthorne Canal catchment areas. The last day to provide feedback is 30 August 2019.

Mayor opens Fenwick restaurant and art gallery

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne has officially opened the recently restored Fenwick Building in East Balmain, which has been transformed into a high-end waterfront eatery called The Fenwick.

yellow flower painting by artist Imogen Eve

Familiar Flora at Chrissie Cotter Gallery

A series of still life paintings of local plants, flowers and home-grown fruits and vegetables feature next at Inner West Council’s Chrissie Cotter Gallery.

a crowd watches a smoke breathing dragon made from industrial waste

Fire Up at EDGE Sydenham

Sydenham is set to go dark across two wintry weekends of art and performance as the EDGE festival comes to the Inner West’s industrial heartland. EDGE Inner West supports new works by artists, crea ...

National Tree Day

Inner West Council will again give away free trees to residents to mark National Tree Day on Sunday, 28 July.

GreenWay wins

Council’s Cooks to Cove GreenWay plan has won the 2019 Australian Institute of Landscape Architecture (AILA) Award of Excellence for Urban Design.

Stay safe this winter

Council is urging everyone to stay safe this winter and avoid using dangerous heating methods.

Balmain Library will be closed Monday, 15 July

The Library will close for essential electricity works

Women in Business mentor program launched

Council has launched a new initiative to encourage and assist local women in business.

illustration in black, white and red for Comic Conversation

Comic Con-versation returns for 2019

Ashfield Library will celebrate the best of local comic culture by staying open late to host comic book artists, creators, illustrators, writers and publishers.

Calling writers and illustrators for Ashfield Sound Bites

Writers and illustrators are invited to apply for Ashfield Sound Bites – a multi-platform, interactive ‘storybombing’ event, part of EDGE Ashfield.

A person in a very bright blue shirt kneeling in a nature verge tending to plants

Ashfield gets verges mowed, all Inner West to be able to plant verges

All residents of Inner West Council can relax knowing that their verges will be mowed by Council, following a decision to harmonise the level of service provided across the local government area, and ...

Multicultural Grant recipients

Ten local organisations will share $43,795 in grant funding for community events which celebrate the diversity of the Inner West community.

Balmain Leagues Club redevelopment approved, State Government acquisition still hangs over site

Despite Council’s approval of the plan, the future of the Club remains in doubt with the State Government still working behind the scenes to compulsorily acquire the site, to use as a large scale tunn ...

'Two Blocks Away' at Chrissie Cotter Gallery

Artist Wendy Joyce lives ‘two blocks away’ from the Cooks River, the inspiration for her exhibition at Inner West Council’s Chrissie Cotter Gallery.

A birdseye view of Moree Solar Farm in rural NSW

Council’s Solar Farm energy comes on line

Council has marked a new milestone in its target of using 100% renewable energy – the contract to purchase power from the Moree Solar Farm commenced today Monday, 1 July.

Third time unlucky for Tempe residents

Inner West Council is disappointed that the Sydney Eastern City Planning Panel has approved the Tempe Bunnings development application in its present form.

Lords Road rezoning rejected by Planning Panel

The Sydney Eastern City Planning Panel has resolved to reject the rezoning review for 67-73 Lords Road Leichhardt, as the proposal had not demonstrated ‘strategic merit’.

Council balances savings with spending in 2019-20 Budget

Inner West Council has adopted a Budget focused on saving ratepayers money and increased investment in fixing ageing infrastructure.

Have Your Say on Leichhardt Park’s future

Council is planning for the future of Leichhardt Park, and Inner West citizens are invited to have their say.

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What’s on at Inner West libraries in July

Celebrate NAIDOC week with an immersive digital journey, join the Comic Conversation and entertain the kids with free activities in the Hello Holidays program- all during the month of July.

Council recognised for homelessness outreach program

Council has won the Community Partnerships and Collaboration Local Government Excellence Award.

Leichhardt Town Hall in its restored original colour scheme

Change of venue for 25 June Council meeting

Council will hold its 25 June Council meeting at 6:30pm in the former Council chambers on level 1 at Leichhardt Town Hall.

Free Go Solar Session

As part of its commitment to sourcing renewable energy and addressing climate change*, Council is offering a free So Solar Session for residents.

Council plays Cupid with Perfect Match

The Perfect Match Street Art Program brings artists, residents, businesses, property owners and community partners together to collaboratively create fantastic new street artworks in public places.

New car share space pilot program

Council is investigating whether to go ahead with a pilot car share space program along ten Inner West Light Rail stops from Rozelle to Dulwich Hill interchange.

Help upgrade Elizabeth Street playground, Ashfield

Council is planning to renew the Elizabeth Street playground at Ashfield and is seeking your input on the improvements.

Planning proposal: Ashfield LEP 2013 amendments

This planning proposal seeks to make two minor amendments (changes) to the Ashfield Local Environmental Plan (LEP) 2013.

Live music win for Council in Petersham RSL redevelopment

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne has welcomed a State Government planning panel’s decision to drop restrictive conditions that would have limited live music and trading hours for the newly built Petersham ...

Next exhibition at Chrissie Cotter Gallery

The next exhibition to feature at Council’s Chrissie Cotter Gallery is a “multi-disciplinary exploration of the local area”, inspired by the poem 'Leisure' by W H Davies.

EOIs now open for EDGE

Be a part of the next stages of art activation for EDGE, each site with its own distinctive theme.

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Council to help pubs and residents to be good neighbours

Inner West Council has established a ground-breaking Good Neighbour policy requiring all noise and amenity complaints about pubs, clubs and small bars to be mitigated not litigated.

Have your say on naming a Portuguese precinct in Petersham

The community is invited to have their say on the name and location of the precinct.

two women standing in front of a wall while one woman has her hair braided

Discover ‘Open Inner West’

Over ten days of celebration and events, great food, art, children’s activities, talks tours and more.

students standing on green grass while artist Thomas Jackson leans against a wall

Council grant recipient goes back to school

Students at Dulwich Hill Art and Design School attended an informative workshop to help develop new street art for the EDGE arts and cultural program.

an image of award winners standing together while holding their certificates

2019 Amy Large Volunteer of the Year

Bronwyn Bancroft is Inner West Council’s 2019 Amy Large Volunteer of the Year.

Petersham Town Hall solar panel installation

Inner West Council now 100 per cent divested from fossil fuels

Inner West Council has today become the first council in New South Wales to be 100 per cent divested from fossil fuels.

Petersham Solar Project brings substantial CO2 reductions for Council

Inner West Council continues to take great strides towards its goal of being 100% Renewable Energy reliant by 2025, installing new solar panels on the Petersham Town Hall.

Arren Kieth with his racer bike, which only works on synthetic surfaces

Synthetic sporting grounds to increase sport participation

Council has endorsed a new program of installing synthetic surfaces at sporting grounds in the Inner West to meet the growing demand from local families for more spaces to play.

Annual Grants round now open

Inner West Council offers grants for projects supporting a culturally diverse, progressive and sustainable Inner West.

Inaugural Ethical / Social Enterprise Business Award winner

The Trading Circle has won the inaugural Inner West Council Ethical / Social Enterprise Award at the 2019 Inner West Business Awards.

Council baulks at dog restrictions in Callan Park

Inner West Council will not enforce a State Government ban on letting dogs off their leash in Callan Park.

Library catalogue at your fingertips

Download the free Spydus mobile app to browse the entire catalogue of Inner West Council libraries.

two bike riders stopping underneath the canopy of trees

Clarification: Off leash dog areas in Callan Park

Signs requiring dogs to be on leash at the site have been installed by the Office of Environment and Heritage and not Inner West Council.

Call for artists to design Marrickville Library’s Patyegarang Place

Inner West Council is calling for expressions of interest for a public art installation that celebrates local Aboriginal culture and heritage.

Burlap performing at the Red Rattler in 2017

Live music grants program now open

Council’s live music grants program aims to strengthen the Inner West as Sydney’s live music destination.

a man and woman sit in a white room surrounded by Aboriginal artefacts

Nura Gunyu art exhibition at Chrissie Cotter Gallery

Award winning sculptor Noel Butler will showcase his art, created from logs and tree stumps, specialising in wood carving and burning patterns.

wide shot of top to floor library shelves with a man sitting in a chair near a plant at the end of the shelves

What’s on at Inner West Libraries in June

Test your knowledge at our Game of Thrones trivia night, follow the career of the 19th century Sydney City coroner, learn about LinkedIn and more at Council’s libraries in June.

Council employs new Multicultural Officer

Inner West Council is pleased to announce that the highly experienced Aniela Pepe has been appointed as its new Multicultural Officer.

council staff and architects holding an award in front of a sign for the National Trust

Fenwick Store renovation recognised with prestigious Heritage Award Win

Inner West Council’s refurbishment of The Fenwick Store in Birchgrove is continuing to make waves – in the right way. The Balmain icon has won an ‘adaptive reuse’ NSW Heritage Award for its combinatio ...

WestConnex slashes car parking spaces in Rozelle

The Berejiklian Government has failed to carry out yet another legal requirement of the WestConnex project approval, this time backing away from providing 400 car parking spaces for workers building t ...

four women standing together wearing black and gold blazers while one holds up an award

Attend the Amy Large Volunteer of the Year awards

Inner West Council’s annual Amy Large Volunteer Award Ceremony and Volunteer Thank You Evening is on Thursday, 23 May. Media and all residents are invited to attend.

Look Out Before You Step Out pedestrian safety campaign

Council redoubles campaign on pedestrian safety

Council is taking a holistic approach to pedestrian safety, in response to figures showing that pedestrian casualties continue to rise.

Sydney Mayors make a stand on Federal climate policy

MAYORS FROM SYDNEY COUNCILS have joined forces to demand that the next Federal Government take swift action to tackle climate change in a joint statement released today.

Celebrate 2044

Celebrate local at Celebrate 2044 - St Peters, Sydenham and Tempe's own community fair - in Tillman Park, Tempe on Sunday 19 May, from 11am to 4pm.

Public art opportunity for Marrickville Library at Patyegarang Place

Council is looking for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artist[s] to design and install an engaging mural artwork for five water tanks at the new Marrickville Library Patyegarang Place.

cartoon of a female on a rug, titled How Did You Come to Australia

‘Imaginary Borders’ at Chrissie Cotter Gallery

A group exhibition of original artwork by asylum seekers, refugees and fellow artists, friends and collaborators.

women wearing traditional cultural outfits celebrating an event

Multicultural grants program now open

Financial support of up to $5,000 annually is available to plan and deliver celebrations of national cultures or national days of cultural significance, under Council’s new funding program.

2019 Built Environment Award winners

‘Victoria Cottage’, a Victorian Italianate double-fronted cottage in Thornley Street, Leichhardt has won the 2019 Marrickville Medal for Conservation.

Council to drive new car share integration pilot at light rail stations

Council will partner with GoGet Car Share to roll out a pilot program integrating car share with the Inner West light rail link, greatly expanding transport options for residents travelling into the I ...

Apply to be a part of EDGE St Peters Town Hall Activation

The EDGE Town Hall Activation utilises St Peters Town Hall as an experimental and developmental hub during August.

Council to help pubs and residents to be good neighbours

Inner West Council has established a ground-breaking Good Neighbour policy requiring all noise and amenity complaints about pubs, clubs and small bars to be mitigated not litigated.

children playing with one child riding a yellow plastic toy on wheels

Biggest Morning Tea celebration at Leichhardt Family Day Care

The morning tea is part of a series of events for National Family Day Care Week from 6 to 12 May.

Rethink Your Wardrobe clothes swap

Learn how to wear clothes better, maintain and grow your personal style and have less impact on our environment at this afternoon of sustainable fashion fun.

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2019 Built Environment Awards

Celebrate the rich cultural and architectural heritage of the Inner West at this free event.

Council joins forces with a Sydney university to roll out heritage pub protection program

Inner West Council has just entered into a partnership with the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) to work on its heritage pub protection program.

machinery road surfacing with a purple tree in the background

Council paves way for sustainable roads

Inner West Council is paving the way for environmentally sustainable roads by pioneering new road resheeting made from recyclable material.

Artists invited to take part in EDGE Creative Trails

Applications are invited now from studios, galleries, and artist-run initiatives (ARIs) to take part in the Midjuburi (Marrickville) Creative Trails weekend on Saturday, 3 and Sunday, 4 August, 2019. ...

an artwork of green rectangles and pink circles

Go Green at Chrissie Cotter Gallery

Six artists in this exhibition explore the multiplicity of green in a visual conversation with colour and community.

Inner West to Make Music for Richard Gill

Inner West Council is calling on local schools to join Make Music Day to honour legendary inner west conductor and teacher Richard Gill who passed away last November.

Heritage Festival returns for 2019

Inner West Council’s 2019 Heritage Festival explores the rich history of the Inner West and highlights the people who have shaped our vibrant neighbourhood.

Youth Week in the Inner West

Inner West Council, in collaboration with local young people and youth services, is celebrating Youth Week with a wide variety of activities throughout the Inner West.

2019 Anzac Day in the Inner West

Thousands of Inner West residents are expected to attend this year’s ANZAC Day services across Ashfield, Balmain and Petersham.

Cane toad found at Tempe Reserve

On Tuesday, Council officers were alerted to the presence of a cane toad at Tempe Reserve.

Celebrate an endless summer at Fanny Durack Aquatic Centre

Swim season at Fanny Durack Aquatic Centre has been extended for a month until 28 April

Opening of new Waterfront Drive Sporting Grounds

Council will formally unveil the Waterfront Drive Sporting Grounds upgrade at Callan Park on Saturday, 13 April, 10am. The community is invited to attend.

Illegal parking puts children’s lives at risk

Council has developed a ‘safety around schools’ campaign designed to promote safer road user practices by parents in School Zones.