LOCAL artists, businesses and property owners have the opportunity to transform Parramatta’s streets and public spaces, with funding now available as part of the 2026 Vibrant Parramatta program supporting projects that bring colour, creativity and character to the City.
By the Out of Office Sisters- Jorja Leroy and Candace Gibb | THERE are some places you visit and immediately understand why everyone is talking about them. Stanley was one of those places.
CONSTRUCTION of the new $540M Westmead Centre for Mental Health has reached its highest point, marking a major milestone for what will become NSW’s largest mental health facility.
THE 2026 Parramatta Local Business Awards Presentation Evening was an occasion of elegance and excitement.
LOCAL artists, businesses and property owners have the opportunity to transform Parramatta’s streets and public spaces, with funding available as part of the 2026 Vibrant Parramatta program supporting projects that bring colour, creativity and character to the City.
RYDALMERE residents are invited to help design a new playground for Eric Primrose Reserve with the existing playground set for renewal to create a more modern play space.
PARRAMATTA residents have more locations to recycle their eligible bottles, cans and cartons with the opening of a new Return and Earn machine in North Parramatta.
Read more about Residents can access a new Return and Earn machine in North Parramatta
A PASSIONATE advocate for improving financial literacy among young Australians has been named the recipient of the 2027 Rising Women of Western Sydney Scholarship.
Read more about Financial literacy advocate named Rising Woman of Western Sydney
WINSTON Hills Para Poomsae athlete Natalie Craig has earned selection in the Australian Para Pathways Team and qualified to represent Australia at the World Para Poomsae Championships following a remarkable run of success on the international stage.
Read more about Winston Hills athlete's Australian call-up after golden taekwondo campaign
By NICK NIKOLAIDIS THE Carlingford community is in shock after two violent crimes occurred in the community in one week, including a murder and an assault.
Read more about MP launches Safer City Survey after Carlingford crimes
JIM'S Group founder Jim Penman has launched a rescue package for 7-Eleven franchisees affected by the retailer's growing controversy, offering them a free Jim's Group franchise to help rebuild their businesses.
Read more about Jim's Group offers free franchises to 7-Eleven affected franchisesees
FOOTBALL fans across Parramatta NSW will be able to travel safely and celebrate the Socceroos’ crucial FIFA World Cup clash against Egypt this Saturday morning with 24-hour public transport services and extended trading hours announced by the Minns Labor Government. The measures are designed to support thousands of supporters expected to gather at official live sites at Tumbalong Park in Darling Harbour and Cathy Freeman Park at Sydney Olympic Park for the 4am kick-off, while also boosting hospitality venues across the state. Public transport services will begin several hours earlier than normal, with Sydney Metro operating every 20 minutes between 1.30am and 5am before returning to its regular timetable. Early city-bound Sydney Trains services will depart from Leppington, Penrith, Hornsby and Macarthur from around 2am, while trains between Lidcombe and Olympic Park will commence at 3am. Light rail services on the L1, L2 and L3 lines will also begin operating from 2.30am. Pubs, clubs and bars screening the match will be permitted to open from 3am statewide. Venues already licensed to trade until 1am or 2am will be able to remain open continuously without needing to close before reopening for the match. The initiative follows the successful introduction of 24-hour transport and extended trading during this year’s Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, which generated an additional 60,000 public transport trips and a 46 per cent increase in night-time spending. Transport Minister John Graham said the initiative would create a safer, more vibrant experience for football supporters while supporting local businesses. “I can’t wait to see the trains and the footy fans come alive so early. Moments like this take us a step closer to being a truly 24-hour economy,” Mr Graham said. Sport Minister Steve Kamper said the Socceroos’ World Cup campaign had captured the imagination of fans across NSW. “These are the moments that remind us why sport matters. It brings communities together, fills our venues with energy and gives local businesses a welcome boost,” he said. Football Australia CEO Martin Kugeler welcomed the support, saying the transport and trading measures would create a festival atmosphere for supporters gathering to cheer on the Socceroos. Business Sydney Executive Director Paul Nicolaou said reliable public transport was essential to ensuring fans could safely attend live sites while supporting local businesses and the visitor economy. Night Time Industries Association CEO Mick Gibb said the initiative gave venues confidence to welcome an influx of green and gold supporters while building on the success of the 24-hour transport trial during Mardi Gras.
Read more about Transport options for Socceroo’s Saturday clash
PARRAMATTA is a step closer to bringing its vision for a vibrant, 24-hour CBD to life after securing a $195,000 Special Entertainment Precinct (SEP) Kickstart Grant to develop and deliver a trial SEP in the heart of the City. The grant supports NSW councils to establish SEPs, including planning processes, acoustic guidelines and community engagement for sustainable night-time precincts. The trial will enable extended trading hours, support live music and performance, later opening shops, food and drink premises, businesses, creative spaces and community facilities, and offer a range of incentives including reduced liquor licence fees and access to extra hours for music venues. Building on Parramatta’s Late Night Trading Development Control Plan and the City’s long-term Parramatta 2050 vision, the trial precinct will support extended trading, live entertainment, and a more diverse night-time economy and activated city centre. City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Martin Zaiter said the funding supports Parramatta’s continued transformation into a leading destination for culture, entertainment and nightlife in Western Sydney. “This is a big win for Parramatta and a major step towards becoming a truly vibrant, 24-hour CBD for everyone to enjoy,” Cr Zaiter said. “We’re already on the map for food, culture and entertainment, and this funding will help unlock even more opportunities for live music, entertainment and local businesses after dark. “We’re focused on creating a City that people can enjoy day and night, supporting jobs, culture and a safe, exciting night-time economy.” The SEP trial will focus on Parramatta CBD, bringing together businesses, artists and the community while supporting a well-managed night-time environment. The initiative is supported by the NSW Government’s Special Entertainment Precinct Kickstart Grant Program Round 2, delivered by the Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner. For more information, visit Participate Parramatta.
Read more about Funding to kickstart Parramatta’s 24-hour CBD
A NEW online support service has been launched by the Department of Home Affairs to make it quick and easy for individuals in Australia to resolve their immigration status, particularly for those with visas approaching expiry. Individuals can now book a confidential appointment online with a Status Resolution Officer at a convenient time via a new digital tool. This makes it straightforward for those wanting to resolve their immigration status to apply for a substantive visa or arrange to depart Australia. The Status Resolution Service offers a voluntary opportunity to engage early and resolve immigration status before compliance action is taken. Under the Migration Act 1958, a person who does not hold a valid visa is an unlawful non-citizen and may be detained and removed by Australian Border Force at any time. In addition to the online appointment tool, the department is also hosting a community event at the Parramatta PHIVE (5 Parramatta Sq, Parramatta) on 25 and 26 June (9:30am – 4pm), providing free visa advice. This face-to-face service aims to assist individuals in resolving their immigration status, including those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. A spokesperson from the Department of Home Affairs said outreach events provide an opportunity for those who need assistance to come forward and voluntarily resolve their immigration status. “The Status Resolution Service provides a voluntary pathway for individuals to resolve their immigration status before Australian Border Force compliance and enforcement action, which can occur at any time. “Living in Australia without a valid visa can be stressful and create uncertainty. Resolving your immigration status can bring stability, security and peace of mind. The new online booking tool makes it simple for individuals to take that step in the right direction,” the spokesperson said. The department’s Status Resolution Service operates across Australia, and over the past 12 months the team has met with more than 2,000 community leaders, delivered 70 outreach events and spoken directly with more than 650 non-citizens. The new service is separate from the Australian Border Force, and all meetings are voluntary. Appointments can be requested at: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/what-we-do/status-resolution-service/meet-with-us
Read more about Community event for free visa advice
PARRAMATTA is set to make sporting history this month by hosting Sydney’s first public AFL and AFLW double-header, with the GIANTS becoming the first club to stage elite men’s and women’s matches on the same day at the same venue.
Read more about Parramatta to make AFL sporting historyLOCAL artists, businesses and property owners have the opportunity to transform Parramatta’s streets and public spaces, with funding now available as part of the 2026 Vibrant Parramatta program supporting projects that bring colour, cr...
Read more about Bringing colour and culture to Parramatta’s streets and spaces
THE proposed North Rocks Village development at the former 12.67 hectare site of the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children continues to face community opposition despite revisions to its Master Plan. The quiet, leafy suburb was ide...
Read more about Opposition persists despite concessions to North Rocks Village development plan
AMARIAH Tamaro from Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta and Stella White from St Patrick’s Marist College Dundas in Parramatta is one of 18 students across the state to be awarded a NSW Government scholarship to travel to Greece on an...
Read more about Local students on Premier’s Anzac Memorial Scholarship
A NEW commercial workplace is designed to uplift Parramatta’s heritage and being billed as an iconic urban landmark. The $125M boutique development which opened in May, is in Parramatta’s vibrant civic heart and directly overlooks Ce...
Read more about Boutique workplace in Parramatta CBD a visual connection of heritage and futureCONSTRUCTION of the new $540M Westmead Centre for Mental Health has reached its highest point, marking a major milestone for what will become NSW’s largest mental health facility.
Read more about Westmead Centre for Mental Health build has reached a high pointThe Parramatta Times is the trusted local media resource that connects residents and visitors with the people, businesses and opportunities that shape and connect Parramatta, one of Australia's fastest-growing cities.
