2021 media releases

• $1 million stimulus needed to save Inner West performing venues - Representatives of live music venues and theatres across the Inner West have joined together, calling on the NSW Government to immediately expand the $1 million assistance package for live performance in the Sydney CBD and extend it to venues in the Inner West.
• “Pop-grunge” paintings at Chrissie Cotter Gallery - An exhibition of bold new original “expressive pop-grunge” paintings by Dirk Kruithof will feature in an exhibition at Council’s Chrissie Cotter Gallery.
• 140 years of Balmain Rowing Club - Inner West Mayor Rochelle Porteous has congratulated Balmain Rowing Club on their 140 anniversary and many recent achievements.
• 2021 ANZAC Day in the Inner West - Council and Balmain-Rozelle RSL's ANZAC Day Commemorative Dawn Service returns to Balmain’s Loyalty Square on Sunday 25 April.
• 2021 Built Environment Awards announced - Extensive conservation works to iconic Victorian gothic mansion The Abbey in Annandale has won the 2021 Marrickville Medal.
• 2021 Citizens of the Year and Amy Large awards now open - Nominations are now open for Inner West Council’s 2021 Citizens of the Year, and Amy Large Volunteer of the Year awards.
• 2021 GreenWay Art Prize now open - Entries are now invited for the GreenWay Art Prize, which celebrates the 5.8km urban environmental and sustainable transport corridor in Sydney’s Inner West.
• 2021 Heritage Festival - Our Heritage for the Future - Inner West Council Library and History, under the auspices of the National Trust, presents the 2021 Heritage Festival, 18 April - 19 May.
• 2021 Inclusive Film Festival - Council is hosting a free Inclusive Film Festival (IFF) at Petersham Town Hall on Friday 17 December, 6pm.
• 2021 Inner West Citizens of the Year - Inner West Council Citizen of the Year is historian, librarian, archivist, published author, educator and speaker Chrys Meader.
• 2021 Inner West Council Election results - The results of the Inner West Council elections are now official. Congratulations to the successful candidates.
• 2021 NSW Local Government elections 4 December – Ensure your details are up to date - Local Government elections across NSW, including Inner West Council, will be held on Saturday 4 December 2021.
• 2021 Seniors Festival - Council is hosting the 2021 Inner West Seniors Festival, Tuesday 13 – Saturday 24 April.
• Accelerated footpath renewal program almost complete - Council has almost completed the $4.4 million Footpath Renewal Program, undertaken as part of last year’s stimulus program of fast-tracking infrastructure works to boost the Inner West economy during the COVID pandemic.
• Alex Trevallion Plaza upgrade complete - Council’s $1,250,000 upgrade of Alex Trevallion Plaza is now complete.
• Annual Grants round now open - Council has opened its annual grants program for 2022 with a specific focus on providing support for community organisations to get through the pandemic.
• Applications now open for Chrissie Cotter Gallery and ArtSeat in 2022 - Council is inviting local artists to submit ideas for the exhibition of artworks at the Newtown ArtSeat and Chrissie Cotter Gallery in 2022.
• Apply for Perfect Match 2021 - Council’s Perfect Match is back in 2021 and applications are now open.
• Apply now for Inner West Fests - Council is inviting the community to submit ideas and proposals for the final three Inner West Fests.
• Artists can apply now for GreenWay public art program - Expressions of interest are now invited from artists for the GreenWay Missing Links Public Art Program.
• Artists can apply now to be part of EDGE Sydenham - Inner West creatives can apply for funding to develop innovative artworks and projects as part of EDGE Sydenham.
• Artists invited to take part in 2021 Creative Trails - Applications are invited from studios, galleries and artist-run initiatives (ARIs) for Midjuburi (Marrickville ward) Creative Trails weekend on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 August 2021.
• Artists now invited to take part in EDGE GreenWay 2021 - Applications are invited now from creatives to participate in a three-week artist residency program on site at the GreenWay in Iron Cove Bay, Lilyfield.
• Arts and live music to be legalised in shops, offices and industrial spaces - Council is scrapping the need to submit a development application to hold live music, artistic and cultural events in shopfronts, offices and industrial premises.
• Balmain Rozelle Chamber of Commerce is ‘Most Outstanding’ - Inner West Mayor Rochelle Porteous has congratulated Balmain Rozelle Chamber of Commerce on taking out Most Outstanding Local Chamber for the Sydney Metro region at the Business NSW awards.
• Balmain’s Dawn Fraser Baths could become unusable if Western Harbour Tunnel goes ahead - Mayor to tell Inquiry - Mayor Rochelle Porteous will tell a Parliamentary Committee today that the Western Harbour Tunnel could have a catastrophic impact on Dawn Fraser Baths and that the tunnel project should not proceed.
• Bunnings traffic plan just doesn’t cut it - Council will pressure Bunnings to improve traffic arrangements at their new Tempe store.
• Callan Park must be saved from commercialisation - Proposed changes to the way Callan Park is managed would lead to privatisation and commercialisation, according to Inner West Mayor Rochelle Porteous.
• Celebrating Compost Awareness Week: Sunday 2 May – Saturday 8 May - Council will celebrate International Compost Awareness Week with giveaways, profiles of Inner West composters, a free workshop and tips for successful composting and worm farming.
• Clean Up Australia Day in the Inner West - Council is encouraging local residents and community groups to get involved at a Clean Up site in the Inner West.
• Click & Collect has returned to Inner West libraries - Click & Collect resumed today, Monday 20 September.
• Click & Collect library service is back - The popular Click & Collect is returning to Inner West libraries.
• Code Red for Humanity - Inner West Council will lobby the Australian Government to commit to a 2030 target for at least 75% reduction in emissions.
• Community Recycling Centres reopening - The Leichardt and St Peters Community Recycling Centres (CRCs) and the Leichhardt weekend transfer station will reopen to the public on Saturday 18 September.
• Community Refugee Welcome Centre recognised - Council’s Community Refugee Welcome Centre has won the inaugural 2021 Salvos Multicultural Welcome Project Award.
• Council announces successful 2021 grants - Seventy-nine Inner West projects have received more than $440,000 in Council funding, as part of the Inner West Council 2021 Grant Program.
• Council calls for action on Sweltering Cities - Council is calling on the NSW Government to use planning and building regulations to help keep Sydney cool.
• Council calls on Australian Government to urgently support Afghanistan refugees - Inner West Council has unanimously called on the Australian Government to urgently provide support for Afghanistan refugees.
• Council demands Cooks River trees be saved from destruction - Council is leading the fight to save up to 1,000 trees along the Cooks River foreshore from destruction by two multinational companies.
• Council demands safety for St Peters school students - Council is demanding the NSW Government install a school zone along Campbell Street St Peters as a matter of urgency.
• Council joins Gunawirra in Toy Drive for Pre-schools across NSW - Inner West citizens are asked to donate age-appropriate toys to pre-school aged children (3 to 6 years) in the toy drive organised by Gunawirra, a community-led organisation that works closely with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, families, children and communities to reach their full potential.
• Council libraries expand digital collections to meet surging demand - In response to surging demand, Inner West libraries have expanded their digital collections, with a focus on education and educational entertainment.
• Council supporting our most vulnerable during COVID - Council is taking action to help hardest hit citizens in this recent lockdown by offering financial assistance of up to $400 to residential ratepayers who qualify for the Commonwealth or State COVID-19 Disaster Payments.
• Council to consult on Resident Precinct Committees - Council will investigate whether there is interest in the community in establishing Resident Precinct Committees.
• Council to fly Progress Pride flag - Council has voted unanimously to launch the new Progress Pride flag.
• Council to honour inspiring women - Council is inviting nominations from the community for the Inner West Honour Roll 2021.
• Council to keep main street parking meters turned off until after Christmas. - Council has voted unanimously to extend the period main street parking meters are deactivated.
• Council to provide $250,000 for community COVID support - Council will allocate $250,000 to 10 local organisations to provide direct assistance to vulnerable people during the current COVID crisis.
• Council welcomes 3Bridges to Summer Hill Community Centre - Council has announced that 3Bridges is the new operator of Summer Hill Community Centre.
• Councillors vote for full page SMH ad to save Callan Park - Councillors voted unanimously on Tuesday night to take out a full-page advertisement in tomorrow’s (Saturday) Sydney Morning Herald, outlining Council’s objections to the Greater Sydney Parklands Trust Bill which was introduced to the Lower House of NSW Parliament on Wednesday.
• COVID-recovery outdoor dining and live performance trial for Inner West - Council will develop outdoor dining and live performance guidelines to help local businesses recover from COVID-19 impacts.
• 'Crystal Castles' at Chrissie Cotter Gallery - A mixed media solo body of work, 'Crystal Castles', is the latest to feature at Council’s Chrissie Cotter Gallery.
• Darcy Byrne and Jessica D’Arienzo elected to lead Inner West Council - Darcy Byrne was elected as Mayor and Jessica D’Arienzo as Deputy Mayor of the Inner West at last night’s inaugural meeting of the new Council.
• Dawn Fraser Baths opens to the public - The heritage restoration to one of Sydney’s most-loved assets, the beautiful and historic Dawn Fraser Baths, is now complete with the Baths set to reopen as soon as the public health restrictions are lifted allowing for the reopening of public pools.
• Dawn Fraser Baths to open and provide relief during Sydney’s COVID lockdown - Council will open the newly refurbished Dawn Fraser Baths to the public next Wednesday following the issuing of a public health order specifically allowing the historic harbourside pool to reopen during the lockdown.
• Do more for Light Rail users, Council tells government - Council is continuing to pressure Transport for NSW (TFNSW) to do more to minimise inconvenience for users of the Inner West Light Rail (L1 line).
• EDGE 2021: Art Camp on the GreenWay 16 April – 9 May - EDGE 2021 Art Camp on the GreenWay is a 24-day onsite Artist in Residence project that will see nature and creativity converge in a dynamic, immersive arts hub on the banks of Iron Cove Bay at Lilyfield.
• Ending 'period poverty' - Council will investigate ending ‘period poverty’ in the Inner West with a pilot program of supplying free period products in Council-run libraries, pools, community centres, sporting ground change rooms, and highly utilised public toilets.
• Entries now invited for the 2021 Built Environment Awards - Entries are now open for the 2021 Built Environment Awards, comprising the Marrickville Medal for Conservation and the Inner West Urban Photography Competition.
• Every Inner West apartment to receive food recycling - The delivery of food recycling into every apartment in the Inner West is about to be completed with the expansion of the service into the former Ashfield Municipality.
• Free tours showcase bold contemporary public artworks at the new Marrickville Metro - Council’s unique initiative, Perfect Match, will hit new highs this week when the new Marrickville Metro reopens to the public on Thursday 10 June.
• Garage Sale Trail 2021 - Australia’s largest sustainability festival, the Garage Sale Trail, is back this month, Covid-safe and bigger than ever. Celebrate all things pre-loved, thrifted and second-hand.
• Get ready for the first Inner West Fest - Everyone’s invited to celebrate the very best of the Inner West at the first Inner West Fest, Friday 19 March – Sunday 28 March.
• Get ready for the second Inner West Fest - Everyone’s invited to celebrate the very best of the Inner West at the second Inner West Fest - Gulgadya, Friday 14 – Sunday 23 May.
• Greek-inspired Perfect Match artwork unveiled - Inner West community members have come together today to celebrate the unveiling of the latest Perfect Match artwork.
• Haberfield army land “unsuitable” - Council will invite Minister for Defence Peter Dutton to an on-site inspection of the defence lands in Haberfield to see for himself the unsuitability of the site for redevelopment.
• Have your say on a Vietnamese precinct - Council is inviting local businesses, Vietnamese organisations and the local community to have a say on a proposed Vietnamese precinct along Illawarra Road in Marrickville.
• History Week 2021 – From the Ground Up - Inner West Council’s Library and History Services has a packed program of free online events for History Week (4-12 September).
• HJ Mahoney Reserve Youth Facility - Council’s new Youth Facility at HJ Mahoney Reserve is part of Council’s Cooks River Parklands upgrade.
• ICAC to examine the shredding of documents by NSW Premier’s Office - From the office of Mayor Darcy Byrne: The NSW Information Commissioner has now referred the destruction of documents by the Premier’s Office approving the $252 million Stronger Communities council grants slush fund to ICAC for further investigation.
• Inner West Council de-amalgamation cost benefit report - Council is asking the community for feedback on an independent de-amalgamation cost benefit report.
• Inner West Council launches grassroots campaign aimed at universal vaccination - Council has launched a large-scale public education campaign encouraging the entire Inner West community to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
• Inner West Council supports Anti-Poverty Week - Council is supporting Anti-Poverty Week and its aims to unlock poverty for individuals, families, and children.
• Inner West Libraries Book Week winners presentation - Inner West Mayor Rochelle Porteous will announce the winners of Inner West Libraries Book Week at a special online presentation on Thursday 28 October, from 5.30pm.
• Inner West Mayor responds to light rail debacle - Mayor Rochelle Porteous is demanding the NSW Government provide alternative – and free – transport for stranded Inner West residents.
• Inner West Mayor says Marrickville is set to formally become Little Greece - Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne will move on Tuesday night that Council grant the final approval for the establishment of a Greek precinct in Marrickville, to be known as “Little Greece”.
• Inner West to vote whether or not to de-amalgamate - Inner West residents will be polled on NSW Local Government election day 4 December 2021 on whether Inner West Council should de-amalgamate.
• Inner West’s public art celebrating Aboriginal culture and heritage wins major award - Council has won the prestigious Leo Kelly OAM Arts and Culture Award for the Gadigal Wangal Wayfinding Project.
• King George Park and Constellation Playground to get $2.8 million upgrade - Council has approved plans for a $1.6 million priority upgrade of the King George Park car park, $800,000 in sporting facility improvements at King Park and a $480,000 upgrade to Constellation Playground.
• Last weekend! EDGE 2021: Art Camp on the GreenWay until 9 May - Don’t miss the free tours, exhibitions, performances and workshops at the last weekend of EDGE 2021 Art Camp on the GreenWay, a 24-day onsite Artist in Residence project.
• Latest Perfect Match art hits the streets - Council’s Perfect Match street art program is continuing to support and connect artists and communities throughout lockdowns.
• Lewisham to Newtown cycle link complete - Council has completed the cycleway linking Petersham Station and King Street, Newtown.
• Lunar New Year in the Inner West - Celebrate the Lunar New Year, Year of the Metal Ox, in the Inner West.
• Make Music Day in the Inner West - Council will mark Make Music Day, 21 June, at Marrickville Library and Pavilion, including a talk and performance by music producer Vincent Sebastian.
• Marrickville Library nominated for the world Public Library of the Year Award 2021 - Marrickville Library has been nominated for the International Public Library of the Year Award 2021.
• Marrickville Road precinct formally recognised as ‘Little Greece’ - Council on Tuesday night gave the final approval for the establishment of a Greek precinct in Marrickville, to be known as “Little Greece”.
• Mayor to hold crisis summit for live music venues in the Inner West - With the news that iconic Inner West live music venue Old 505 Theatre is to close down at the end of March, Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne has announced he is holding crisis summit to discuss ways to help the ailing industry.
• Mayor welcomes the opening of outdoor pools - Inner West Mayor Rochelle Porteous has welcomed the news that the NSW Government will allow all outdoor pools to reopen.
• Mayor’s push to make Rozelle Parklands NSW’s premium sporting precinct - Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne is calling on the NSW Government to amend the Rozelle Parkland’s Urban Design and Landscape Plan (UDLP) to add additional sporting facilities and public, once WestConnex’s Rozelle Interchange has been completed.
• Mental Health Month 2021 - Council will mark Mental Health Month in October with a video competition, collaborative art projects, inclusive story time, online dance class, and social connection opportunities.
• NAIDOC Week 2021 in the Inner West - Council will celebrate the contribution Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have made to the community during NAIDOC Week 2021 from 4 July.
• 'Natura Morta' at Chrissie Cotter Gallery - 'Natura Morta' at Chrissie Cotter Gallery explores aspects of humanity’s relationship with nature and the climate crisis, and invites viewers to get active and collect waste in exchange for works on view.
• New art at Newtown ArtSeat - The latest ArtSeat is a post-COVID reminder that “beautiful times will come again.”
• New art at Newtown ArtSeat by Elia Bosshard - The latest ArtSeat asks, “Who is the beating heart of Sydney, the creative-creators or profit-makers?”
• New art at Newtown ArtSeat by Kieran Butler - Kieran Butler is the latest artist to feature at the Newtown ArtSeat.
• New art at Newtown ArtSeat by Sharon Billinge - The latest ArtSeat is designed to “raise awareness of refugee families in the Inner West and their connection to our community,” according to featured artist Sharon Billinge.
• New ArtSeat features city’s birds - The latest ArtSeat “brings awareness of the native animals who have adapted to the environment that we have created,” according to featured artist Karen Farmer.
• New community open space in Balmain - Balmain has a new plaza at the former Telstra Exchange site on Darling Street.
• New General Manager for Inner West Council - Mr Peter Gainsford has been appointed as the new General Manager of Inner West Council.
• New home for Deadly Connections - Council has offered a new home to Deadly Connections, an Aboriginal-led, not-for-profit that provides information, referral, advocacy and support to First Nations communities in the Inner West and inner city.
• New Inner West Council business award - Council’s inaugural Aboriginal Business of the Year award will be presented at the 2021 Inner West Business Awards.
• New Mayor and Deputy Mayor - At an Extraordinary Meeting of Council last night, Councillor Rochelle Porteous (Greens) was elected Mayor of Inner West and Councillor Pauline Lockie (Independent) as Deputy Mayor.
• New park for the Inner West - The Inner West has a new park. Bell Reserve in Croydon was completed in late June.
• New public art for Parramatta Road - The first of three exciting public artworks has been installed in Leichhardt as part of the Parramatta Road Urban Amenity Improvement Program.
• New Real Estate Investment Strategy strengthens financial sustainability - Following a loss in annual revenue caused by the NSW Government’s compulsory acquisition of Council properties in Tempe, the Inner West has now adopted a new Real Estate Investment Strategy to replace the lost funds.
• Non-residents can register to vote - Council encourages owners of rateable properties to register to vote in the forthcoming local government elections.
• Now everyone can enjoy Inner West pools - Council is ensuring everyone can enjoy its popular aquatic facilities by lowering fees to $1.20 for social security recipients.
• NSW Government to acquire former Balmain Leagues Club site after giving green light to Western Harbour Tunnel project - The NSW Government’s decision to proceed with the compulsory acquisition of the former Balmain leagues Club site will endanger Rozelle Public School, smash the local shopping centre and put the final nail in the coffin of Balmain Tigers plans to return to Rozelle.
• Parliamentary Inquiry: Have your say on Callan Park - Inner West Council is urging all citizens to make a submission to the select committee parliamentary inquiry into the Greater Sydney Parklands Trust Bill.
• Plastic Free July - Inner West Council is supporting Plastic Free July, a global initiative that originated in Australia that helps reduce the use of single use plastics.
• Rainbow flag raising, Rainbow Crossing plaque unveiling, film launch for Mardi Gras - Council is recognising and celebrating Mardi Gras with a flag raising, plaque unveiling and film launch tomorrow, Wednesday 17 February.
• Reducing litter in Cooks River - Council has unanimously endorsed an ambitious Cooks River Litter Prevention Strategy that aims to reduce litter by 50 per cent by the year 2025.
• Refugee Art Project at Thirning Villa - Council will rejuvenate its Artists in Residence programs while also ensuring the future of the Refugee Art Project (RAP) at Thirning Villa.
• Refurbished Haberfield Centre and Library now open - Council has opened the $4.3 million upgrade and expansion of Haberfield Centre and Library.
• Responsible Budget gets the basics right - Council will build on last year’s infrastructure budget with a continued focus on stimulating the local economy, upgrading local infrastructure and greening the Inner West.
• Submissions invited to establish Inner West LGBTQ+ Pride Centre - Expressions of Interest are now open to LGBTQ+ or LGBTQ+-friendly organisations to establish a Pride Centre that will operate out of Newtown Town Hall.
• Support during COVID-19 outbreak and lockdown - Council is hosting a special online event to inform Inner West residents how they can access support and keep safe during the COVID-19 outbreak and lockdown.
• Sydney Park Junction St Peters traffic plan needs urgent changes - Council will make urgent submissions to Transport for NSW (TfNSW) to amend a proposed traffic plan for St Peters.
• 'The State of Things' sculpture exhibition at Chrissie Cotter Gallery - The next exhibition to feature at Council’s Chrissie Cotter Gallery, 'The State of Things', is a series of sculptures created during the isolation and chaos of lockdowns.
• Towards accessible footpaths for all - Council will work towards making all Inner West footpaths well-maintained, level and accessible so that everyone can safely travel around their local communities.
• Transport Minister’s tunnel vision puts Tigers future in peril - Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne has slammed the Transport Minister Andrew Constance for his compulsory acquisition of the former Balmain Leagues Club site in Rozelle, saying the move will be the “final nail in the coffin for Balmain Tigers”.
• What’s On at the Libraries – December 2021 - Inner West Council Libraries are back with a packed schedule of events in December. Check out everything that’s on at What's on - Inner West Council.
• What’s on at the libraries in June - From book launches, author talks, workshops and a special Make Music Day – there’s something for all ages at Inner West Council’s libraries in June.
• What’s On at the Libraries in October - Everyone's invited to these free online events in October.
• Winners of the 2021 Young Creative Awards - Inner West Library and History has announced the winners of the 2021 Young Creatives Awards.
• World Public Library of the Year 2021 announcement tonight - The world Public Library of the Year will be announced tonight, and Marrickville Library is one of the five finalists.
• Young Creatives Awards 2021 - The Young Creatives Awards are now open to young people aged between 12 – 24, who study, work or live in the Inner West Council area.
• Youth Week 2021 - Together more than ever - Council, in collaboration with local young people and youth services, is celebrating Youth Week 6 to 24 April with a wide variety of activities throughout the Inner West.