2025 media releases 13 Jan 2025 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. 21 Jan 2025 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. 6 Feb 2025 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 prejudice and to build social cohesion. 6 Feb 2025 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, backgrounds, cultures and identities. The acts of hate and violence seen across Sydney must be condemned in ... 10 Feb 2025 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. 11 Feb 2025 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. 19 Feb 2025 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. 24 Feb 2025 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 care, control and management of the Parklands. 27 Feb 2025 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 board to finalise the concept designs for the upgrade. 28 Feb 2025 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. 3 Mar 2025 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. 24 Mar 2025 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. 9 Apr 2025 Major renovation of Leichhardt Pool now underway "This is the biggest renovation undertaken of an Inner West Aquatic Centre and will secure its future for another 50 years," Mayor Darcy Byrne said. 17 Apr 2025 Council brings soft plastic recycling back to Inner West supermarkets Soft plastic recycling is returning to select Inner West supermarkets following advocacy from Inner West Council, demand from the local community and strong support from Woolworths. 23 Apr 2025 Final design for Leichhardt Oval upgrade released The designs include new facilities for players, spectators and sporting clubs that will bring the ground up to modern standards. 1 May 2025 Professor Richard Scolyer awarded Inner West Citizen of the Year This award is in recognition of the impact Professor Scolyer’s work has made on the lives of Inner West people and the hope and inspiration he has given to our whole community while facing adversity himself. 14 May 2025 Inner West releases plans for 35,000 new homes Inner West Council has today released our Fairer Future for the Inner West plan to fix the housing supply crisis in our community. 16 May 2025 $8.2 million upgrade to Camdenville Park complete with heritage blue plaque Inner West Council will officially open the upgraded Camdenville Park this Saturday 17 May, which includes the unveiling of a prestigious heritage blue plaque. 24 Jun 2025 Inner West approves six new Special Entertainment Precincts The new precincts will allow all venues to trade until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays as well as allowing alfresco dining and outdoor trading until midnight on those nights. 24 Jun 2025 Cleaning blitz on Inner West main streets Council has commenced a new 'Street Blitz' program to provide intensive maintenance and street cleaning of main streets across the Inner West. 2 Jul 2025 Rozelle Parklands to open for use by local sports clubs The Rozelle Parklands sporting fields will finally open for play following the handover of care, control and management for the Parklands from Transport for NSW to the Inner West Council. 9 Jul 2025 Inner West local streets reduced from 50km to 40km zones Inner West Council has this week implemented 40km per hour speed limits on local streets in Enmore, Tempe, Sydenham, Marrickville and parts of St Peters and Petersham. The speed limit has been reduced from 50km per hour in these areas in an effort to make our local streets safer for the whole commun ... 11 Jul 2025 Inner West to get 47 more kerbside EV chargers Inner West Council has been successful in applying for 47 new EV chargers to add to the 136 that have already been rolled out throughout the Inner West in the last 12 months. 18 Jul 2025 Six new Entertainment Precincts open in the Inner West this weekend These new Special Entertainment Precincts allow all venues to trade until 2:00am on Fridays and Saturdays as well as alfresco dining and outdoor trading until midnight on those nights. 22 Jul 2025 Inner West Early Learning Centres give priority access for children experiencing domestic violence Inner West is leading the way with practical support for families experiencing domestic violence. 25 Jul 2025 Design of $6 million Marrickville Golf Club renovation to commence Following the Albanese Government investment of $6 million to secure the future of the Marrickville Golf Club, Inner West Council will partner with the club to commence the design process. 29 Jul 2025 Inner West confirms no charges for watching fireworks on NYE Council has confirmed that access to all vantage points in the Inner West will continue to be free of charge this New Year's Eve. 7 Aug 2025 Inner West housing reforms backed by community sector The community housing and welfare sectors have strongly backed in Inner West Council’s Fairer Future plan to build 35,000 new homes to fix the housing supply crisis in our community. 13 Aug 2025 Media statement: 5 and 6 Wood Street, Tempe Council will today commence civil proceedings in the Land and Environment Court in response to serious concerns about fire safety at the premises of 5 and 6 Wood Street, Tempe. 13 Aug 2025 Inner West opens new economic development grants to support local businesses The Inner West has today opened a new economic development grants program to boost main street activity and support local chambers of commerce. 14 Aug 2025 Northern Sydney mayors must stop opposing housing Following today’s public statements from Northern Sydney mayors, yet again, opposing all new homes in their communities, Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne is calling on all local government representatives to take responsibility for solving the housing crisis. 26 Aug 2025 Mayor: Are Liberal electorates a no-go zone for housing? Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne has criticised representatives in northern and eastern Sydney for knee-jerk opposition to new housing in their areas. 1 Sep 2025 Inner West Council launches free energy upgrade advice program Inner West Council is working with ZapCat, a certified social enterprise, to help local residents electrify their homes, reduce energy bills and make the switch to clean energy. 4 Sep 2025 Speech from the Mayor to the Summit Against Antisemitism Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne: "I am here to join in the collective effort to combat antisemitism and indeed racism in all its forms." 10 Sep 2025 Inner West towing cars that block residents' driveways Inner West Council is now towing vehicles that are blocking the driveways of residents and businesses, free of charge to them. 11 Sep 2025 Leichhardt Oval to host 11 Sydney FC games this summer In great news for local football fans, Sydney FC have just locked in 11 games at Leichhardt Oval for the 2025/26 season. Held between October and March this season, there will be 8 A-League Women's fixtures and 3 A-League Men's games played at the "Eighth wonder of the World". 17 Sep 2025 Inner West welcomes rewriting of NSW planning legislation Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne has welcomed today’s announcement that the Minns Government is modernising and rewriting the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act. The planning system in NSW is broken and this is a central cause of the housing crisis affecting Sydney and NSW. 19 Sep 2025 Upgrade of historic Henson Park unveiled this Sunday This Sunday marks an important milestone in the biggest ever upgrade to historic Henson Park with Stage One of the renovation complete. Fans and players will enjoy the upgraded facilities of the George V Memorial Grandstand when it is officially opened at the AFLW local derby between the Sydney Swan ... 23 Sep 2025 Avalanche of support from young people for Inner West housing reforms Last night’s public forum Council's Fairer Future plan welcomed the largest-ever number of young people to attend a council forum. They spoke passionately in support of more desperately needed homes. 25 Sep 2025 Council elects Clr Chloe Smith as deputy mayor for a second time At Tuesday night's Inner West Council meeting, Councillor Chloe Smith was elected Deputy Mayor for a second time. 30 Sep 2025 Inner West's Fairer Future plan adopted Inner West Council’s Our Fairer Future plan, which will fix the housing supply crisis in our local community, was adopted at tonight’s Council meeting. 1 Oct 2025 Inner West Council invests $790,113 in community grants to strengthen local community, creativity and business Inner West Council has announced more than $790,000 in funding through its 2025 Annual Grants Program, supporting 63 projects that will benefit local residents, businesses, artists, and community organisations. 2 Oct 2025 Fairer Future Plan adopted with better balance for Marrickville At Tuesday night's Council meeting, the Our Fairer Future Plan was adopted with amendments moved to achieve a fairer balance for Marrickville. 3 Oct 2025 Inner West calls for DA approval requirement to further strengthen tobacconist regulation Mayor Darcy Byrne has welcomed the NSW Government’s new licensing laws for tobacconists while renewing his call for development applications to be required for any new tobacconists to open. 7 Oct 2025 Inner West partners with SXSW Sydney to launch Fest by Inner West The Inner West is set to come alive once again as Inner West Council and SXSW Sydney today announced the return of Fest by Inner West for 2025 — unveiling a stellar line-up of international and Australian talent. 10 Oct 2025 Marrickville Music Festival set to light up the Inner West this Sunday 12 October The much-loved Marrickville Music Festival returns for 2025 with a huge line-up of local and international talent. 20 Nov 2025 Inner West Launches New $500 Million Infrastructure Fund Inner West Council has today launched our Building Our Community campaign, designed to engage the community in identifying local infrastructure priorities for the next 15 years. 20 Nov 2025 Inner West approves large scale events at Sydney Portugal Community Club Inner West Council has today launched our Building Our Community campaign, designed to engage the community in identifying local infrastructure priorities for the next 15 years. 26 Nov 2025 Festival of Balmain: a brand-new street celebration on Darling Street This weekend Darling Street transforms into a full-day celebration of music, local food, creativity and connection for the inaugural Festival of Balmain. 3 Dec 2025 Rally to save Wests Tigers convened Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne has convened a rally to save Wests Tigers following the extraordinary sacking of all independent directors on the Wests Tigers board. 8 Dec 2025 Mayor calls for NRL and state government intervention into Wests Tigers Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne has today written to both the NRL and the NSW Government calling on them to resolve the Wests Tigers’ boardroom chaos. 9 Dec 2025 Council hosts Chanel Contos for 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence Council will mark this global campaign with a special event featuring activist and author Chanel Contos and writer/broadcaster Lucinda Froomes. 9 Dec 2025 Council throws support behind rally to save Tigers At tonight’s meeting, Inner West Council has unanimously resolved to throw its full support behind this Saturday’s rally to save Wests Tigers.