All articles from our website & appThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxInteractive Crosswords Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe M12 proposal is a joint federal and state government project which will be a 14km stretch between the M7 and Northern Road with six lanes and is part of a larger $3.6 billion Western Sydney Infrastructure Plan package Federal Lindsay MP Fiona Scott called the package a ‘‘revolution’’ which would stimulate western Sydney’s economy ‘‘[The package] is a catalyst to link our business parks ‘‘The infrastructure plan is one of a kind; it will completely transform western Sydney by creating new transport corridors to help connect local communities ‘‘The Federal Government is serious about freeing up western Sydney’s congested roads.’’ The Gazette was told by a RMS spokesperson the motorway would be completed by mid 2020 before the first flight leaves the airport Though the Bringelly Road upgrade was the first part of the WSIP package to undergo construction Member for Penrith Stuart Ayres said the roads were being built ahead of the expected population growth ‘‘Around 1.6 million people forecast to call Sydney home in the next 20 years will live in western Sydney,’’ he said ‘‘We’ve already made significant headway on key projects.. and now we’re taking the next step to help get projects shovel ready.’’ community consultation and significant studies will be undertaken The RMS spokesperson said the M12 is still in its early stages and tenders for the construction contract will not be in the initial phases will consider impacts to residents and the environment Federal Member for MacArthur Russell Matheson said the road infrastructure took precedence over the airport ‘‘We are funding the majority of the WSIP because we want to create jobs and upgrade the transport corridors in preparation for the airport’s opening,’’ he said community consultation and significant studies to assess social and environmental impacts Member for Camden Chris Patterson said they wanted the feedback to inform their plan He said the Northern Road construction will soon be underway and there were multiple route options for future roads such as the one from Bringelly to Luddenham Member for Mulgoa Tanya Davies said an interactive website will be launched to promote community engagement ‘‘The community can determine what it means to access the upgraded roads direct from their driveway,’’ Ms Davies said.  The public forums will be located at Orchard Hills The community can provide feedback to the RMS or find their closest open forum at rms.gov.au or by calling 1880 703 457 Today's top stories curated by our news team Don't miss updates on news about the Public Service Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters Your exclusive preview of David Pope's latest cartoon Join our weekly poll for Canberra Times readers We've selected the best reading for your weekend Get the latest property and development news here tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert Your digital replica of Today's Paper Test your skills with interactive crosswords The Shore Financial State of Sydney Report Collaroy Plateau and Middle Dural will be among the standout growth suburbs Shore Financial CEO Theo Chambers said Sydney’s median house price will be higher at the end of 2024 with more affordable suburbs leading the pack but some will stagnate and a few will go backwards,” Mr Chamers said “The more affordable end of the market, in the western suburbs, south-western suburbs and Blue Mountains, is likely to experience stronger price growth than some of the more affluent suburbs whereas the vast majority of Sydney suburbs experienced growth in 2023 there’s likely to be more deviation in 2024.” Liverpool and Mount Pritchard all have a median price under $1 million and are predicted to see growth of more than five per cent Georges Hall and Warrimoo are all slightly more expensive but also expected to see house prices increase more than five per cent Other suburbs that could see five per cent or more growth include Cecil Hills Mr Chambers said the Sydney property market had changed a lot in the past 12 months and there were different views about what to expect from the year ahead while we thought the downturn was behind us He said there are now two schools of thought around how things will play out over the next 12 months.  “One group believes house prices will soon decline and that Sydney’s median house price will be lower at the end of 2024 than the start,” Mr Chambers said “The other group believes demand will continue to outstrip very limited house supply particularly if interest rates start falling towards the end of the year and that 2024 will be another year of growth.” Mr Chambers said 2024 auction results were already providing strong supporting evidence for those who expected Sydney prices to increase throughout the year “There’s been a significant year-on-year increase in both new listings and scheduled auctions reflecting widespread market confidence,” he said “Buyers are confident about the future of the Sydney market so sellers are confident about listing their home for sale.” Mr Chambers said that whatever happened with market activity and prices over the next six to 12 months it would probably be better for buyers to take a long-term view it makes more sense to focus on where you want to live and what you can afford rather than short-term price movements,” he said but that shouldn’t matter if you’re happy with your choice of home it makes even less sense to focus on the short-term.” He said anyone who invests in Sydney property likely believes that prices are going to grow over the long term.  time in the market is more important than timing the market,” he said News Sitemap earning a call-up to Macedonia’s Under-19s after being overlooked by Australia.Jamie Percevski in Fortuna Dusseldorf colours Source: Louise Taffa Twitter Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España.Get the latest with our sport podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.Watch on SBS SportSport News Police have arrested four men after an alleged aggravated break and enter and police pursuit in Cecil Hills overnight police were called to a home on Jeremy Way after reports that four men allegedly entered the premise and threatened five people inside Police have been told that the four men were allegedly wearing balaclavas and were armed with machetes and a firearm asked the men to leave before the 30-year-old man was allegedly struck in the head with the butt of the firearm and cut by the machete The four men fled the home in a black Holden Commodore Officers attached to Liverpool City Police Area Command arrived shortly after and established a crime scene and a police pursuit was instigated before it was terminated near Bonnyrigg Plaza Police commenced a second pursuit shortly after The Commodore was found down an embankment in the creek and with the assistance of POLAIR and the Dog Unit four men were located and arrested and conveyed to Liverpool Police Station After being assessed by NSW Ambulance paramedics two of the men were conveyed to Liverpool Hospital to be treated for ankle and hand injuries A 41-year-old man was charged with police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously (2nd offence) drive motor vehicle during disqualification period (2nd offence) and aggravated break and enter with intent – armed A 23-year-old man was charged with aggravated break and enter with intent – armed Both men were refused bail to appear in Liverpool Local Court today (Friday 27 September 2019) Charges are expected to be laid when the remaining two men Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au Information is treated in strict confidence Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time A man who tried to kill his ex-wife with a knife and hammer in a "ferocious" attack will appeal the 17-year jail sentence he was handed in a Sydney court on Friday Robert Hilton Fraley learned his fate in the Downing Centre District Court after an almost four-year court process that saw him first plead not guilty in an aborted murder trial before finally entering a guilty plea five days into a re-trial last year The scene at Athlone Street in Cecil Hills was arrested in April 2016 after he left his ex-wife Robynne Fraley unconscious of the floor of their western Sydney garage with a fractured skull "I have just attacked my wife," Fraley said as he dialled triple-zero minutes after delivering the blows I am worried I killed her...I suppose I'll be going to jail?" He was arrested less than two hours later during a road pursuit where he was seen drinking alcohol and swallowing tablets from a white bottle A hammer and knife were also found at the foot of the front passenger seat of his car Forensic testing would later reveal Mrs Fraley’s blood on both items On Friday Judge Kara Shead SC sentenced Fraley to 17 years and two months jail with a minimum non-parole period of 12 years He has been convicted of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to murder The serious offence will be formally recorded on his criminal record as a domestic violence offence He was also convicted of not stopping and driving recklessly in a police pursuit Handing down the sentence Judge Shead described the attack as "ferocious" and "never justifiable." "The victim should never have suffered at his hand," she said acknowledging that Mrs Fraley would never recover from her injuries which have left her with permanent brain damage Fraley's criminal defence lawyer Omar Juweinat declined to comment but confirmed that he had been instructed to appeal the lengthy sentence imposed Robynne Fraley's daughter Courtney Khannara (centre) leaves the Downing Centre court with friends and family after giving evidence in the first trial of her father for the violent assault on her mother.Credit: Nick Moir The near-deadly attack took place on April 4 at the Cecil Hills home the couple had shared prior to the breakdown of their 30-year marriage however their union was repeatedly beset by affairs on both sides Mrs Fraley had left the family home to live with another man in the weeks prior and was returning to collect some of her belongings the day of the attack Despite his admissions in the triple-zero phone call Fraley initially pleaded not guilty during a 2018 murder trial claiming he had no intent when he used a kitchen knife and a hammer to attack his then-wife However that trial was aborted when the jury was unable to reach a verdict after a new jury had been empanelled and a re-trial had begun He has been awaiting his sentence ever since The court also heard that Fraley's guilty plea had come at a late stage after evidence that had originally been excluded from the first trial Such evidence included dialogue held between Fraley and his son-in-law in the Cecil Hills home the night before the hammer and knife attack Fraley was drinking in the kitchen and appeared “flushed” and “agitated,” before asking his son-in-law in slurred speech “do you know that Robynne’s found a place with someone?” He said he had been attempting to ring Mrs Fraley to ask her to move out of the house “I want to stab her in the throat and whoever she is with,” he said Judge Shead said the offence was on the upper end of the range of seriousness She ultimately found it was not premeditated but spontaneous and said Fraley was unlikely to reoffend Fraley will be eligible for parole on April 3 A man who tried to kill his ex-wife with a knife and hammer in a \\\"ferocious\\\" attack will appeal the 17-year jail sentence he was handed in a Sydney court on Friday \\\"I have just attacked my wife,\\\" Fraley said as he dialled triple-zero minutes after delivering the blows I am worried I killed her...I suppose I'll be going to jail?\\\" Forensic testing would later reveal Mrs Fraley\\u2019s blood on both items Handing down the sentence Judge Shead described the attack as \\\"ferocious\\\" and \\\"never justifiable.\\\" \\\"The victim should never have suffered at his hand,\\\" she said Fraley's criminal defence lawyer Omar Juweinat declined to comment but confirmed that he had been instructed to appeal the lengthy sentence imposed The court also heard that Fraley's guilty plea had come at a late stage after evidence Fraley was drinking in the kitchen and appeared \\u201Cflushed\\u201D and \\u201Cagitated,\\u201D before asking his son-in-law in slurred speech \\u201Cdo you know that Robynne\\u2019s found a place with someone?\\u201D \\u201CI want to stab her in the throat and whoever she is with,\\u201D he said A man accused of beating his wife to within an inch of her life with a hammer and knife calmly called police to tell them 'I suppose I'll be going to jail' Robert Hilton Fraley phoned police as his wife of 30 years Robynne lay bleeding out with severe head injuries in the garage of their Cecil Hills home The 56-year-old appeared in a NSW District Court on Tuesday before a jury charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent to murder his estranged wife The jury were played a series of chilling phone calls made to police by Mr Fraley in the aftermath of the attack, the Sydney Morning Herald reports 'I'm worried I've killed her,' he told an officer at Green Valley Police Station over the phone Mr Fraley then asked the officer whether they would be sending police to his house explaining he would leave the garage door unlocked and was going for a drive He called a second time five minutes later to ask police: 'Did you send someone out?' Six minutes later he had a final conversation with police Mrs Fraley was taken to hospital with stab wounds to her neck and chest along with serious injuries to her head where she had been struck despite being taken to hospital in a critical condition in April Mr Fraley has pleaded not guilty to two charges relating to the attack His defence barrister told the court his client admitted to the attack Major terror attack 'was just HOURS away' before it was foiled by the special forces and police:.. Victim of acid attack 'plotted by his ex-partner who teamed up with a gang' dies in hospital six.. We are trapped in unsellable newbuild homes after a £52m dual carriageway was built on our.. Pub is forced to pay family £75,000 after wrongly accusing them of 'dine and dash' over £150.. Horror as $4.5M influencer-laden yacht SINKS off Miami.. How Meghan's biggest cheerleader brokered Harry's disastrous BBC interview - three months after.. Woman dead and three others including a child injured after car ploughed into pedestrians: Man 'It's a rather giant f*** you.' Royal insider's furious reaction to Meghan's Instagram salvo as.. Woman who was missing for more than 60 years is found 'alive and well' decades after vanishing.. How can I see the Red Arrows' iconic flypast Map reveals when and where planes will be visible over.. American tourist suffers horrific fate while attempting to capture selfie at Rome's Colosseum William and Kate honour selfless devotion of Britain's wartime heroes as they lead.. The towns being ruined by day-tripper invasions Selfie-loving tourists cause traffic hell and the.. 'raped by personal trainer influencer in her own home after being released' How 'SAS swooped on Iran-backed terror cell': Special Forces troops joined police on UK streets to.. who was knifed to death in French village says her affair is a.. Sydney's mortgage stress postcodes are in danger of suffering sharp house price falls next year with the Reserve Bank expected to raise interest rates three more times House prices in pocket's of the city's outer south-west have already been falling during the past year even though greater Sydney values have surged by 10 per cent High immigration has coincided with double-digit house price rises from the north shore to the western suburbs along with upmarket postcodes near the city house prices have been falling in the year to October prices have dropped by 4.2 per cent back to $1.26million putting it further below greater Sydney's mid-point level of $1.397million SQM Research is expecting greater Sydney house prices to fall by two to six per cent in 2024 based on the Reserve Bank raising interest rates three more times from an existing 12-year high of 4.35 per cent to a 15-year high of 5.1 per cent Under this worst case scenario, the Israel-Hamas conflict in the Middle East would would see inflation approach 7 per cent again, up from 5.4 per cent now. The group's managing director Louis Christopher said Sydney's outer suburbs in particular were likely to suffer sharper falls. 'It is expected Sydney’s middle to outer rings for free standing houses will record a greater correction,' he said. Suburbs more than 40km from the city have mid-point house prices above $1million. So even with a 20 per cent mortgage deposit of $200,000, a couple servicing an $800,000 mortgage would need to earn at least $133,000 between them to avoid being in mortgage stress. That's where a borrow owe the bank more than six times what they earn. 'Typical mortgage repayments to household incomes have reached generational new highs and put housing out of reach for the majority of Sydney working adults,' Mr Christopher said. Sharp falls would be particularly bad news for recent borrowers, who could be left owing the bank more than their house was worth - a situation known as negative equity.  Credit ratings agency Moody's Investors Service data showed Sydney's south-west comprised four out of five of the worst postcodes in New South Wales for mortgage arrears, where a borrower is 30 days or more behind on their mortgage repayments. They included Cabramatta, where $1.055million is the median house price, and Casula with a mid-point price of $1.082million. Australia's net immigration level in the year to August was above the 400,000 level. Economists and immigration analysts are expecting that figure to surpass the 500,000 mark, and set a new annual record, in late 2023. Overall population growth in the year to March stood at 563,200, based on record immigration of 454,400 and 108,800 births. ADELAIDE: Up one per cent to down three per cent  HOBART: Down five per cent to nine per cent  CANBERRA: Down six per cent to ten per cent Source: SQM Research predictions based on Reserve Bank cash rate above five, inflation approaching seven per cent, unemployment above six per cent and population growth of 460,000  But Mr Christopher said that Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart and Canberra prices would fall even if population growth levels slowed to 460,000 - combining net immigration and the natural increase. Perth was expected to be resilient, even if rates rose with house prices there expected to rise by five to nine per cent in 2024 - with prices already surging by 11.1 per cent during the past year. The West Australian capital's median house price of $660,069 is the most affordable among the state capitals. Melbourne, however, was expected to see house prices fall by three to seven per cent, with the existing house price now at $937,736. Hobart prices were expected to fall by five to nine per cent, in a market where house values during the past year have sunk by 5.1 per cent to $705,919. But Brisbane was expected to prosper with price increases of one to four per cent, in a city with a median house price of $860,465 - following a 10.3 per cent increase since January. Adelaide was tipped to be more mixed with a three per cent drop to a one per cent rise predicted in a city with a mid-point price of $753,575.  Canberra was tipped to suffer the biggest drop of 6 to 10 per cent, in a city with a median price of $961,329.  They all involved interest rates rising three more times, but with varying degrees of unemployment and population strong from immigration. In the least dramatic scenario, unemployment would rise from 3.7 per cent in October to 4.5 to 5.5 per cent in 2024.  The worst case scenario had the jobless rate climbing to 6 per cent for the first time since early 2021. Major terror attack 'was just HOURS away' before it was foiled by the special forces and police:... Victim of acid attack 'plotted by his ex-partner who teamed up with a gang' dies in hospital six... We are trapped in unsellable newbuild homes after a £52m dual carriageway was built on our... Pub is forced to pay family £75,000 after wrongly accusing them of 'dine and dash' over £150... Horror as $4.5M influencer-laden yacht SINKS off Miami... after glam women made a rookie maritime... How Meghan's biggest cheerleader brokered Harry's disastrous BBC interview - three months after... Woman dead and three others including a child injured after car ploughed into pedestrians: Man, 49,... 'It's a rather giant f*** you.' Royal insider's furious reaction to Meghan's Instagram salvo as... Woman who was missing for more than 60 years is found 'alive and well' decades after vanishing... How can I see the Red Arrows' iconic flypast? Map reveals when and where planes will be visible over... King, Queen, William and Kate honour selfless devotion of Britain's wartime heroes as they lead... The towns being ruined by day-tripper invasions. Selfie-loving tourists cause traffic hell and the... Hamas hostage, 23, 'raped by personal trainer influencer in her own home after being released' How 'SAS swooped on Iran-backed terror cell': Special Forces troops joined police on UK streets to... Husband of British mother, 65, who was knifed to death in French village says her affair is a... The mortgage stress postcodes set to sink if rates kept on risingCommenting on this article has endedNewest{{#isModerationStatus}}{{moderationStatus}} Celebrate local Aboriginal culture as you take a walk from the Wylde Mountain Bike and BMX hub in Cecil Park winding south through Cumberland Plain woodland and old farmland to Middleton Grange The 11km return walk through Western Sydney Parklands is now open to the public and features six landmark trees transformed into striking Aboriginal artworks that represent Dharug seasons Meaning ‘walk of the Gabru (or Cabro) people’ who traditionally lived in the Fairfield and Liverpool area Gabrugal Yana is the first walk of its kind in western Sydney and opens up a part of Western Sydney Parklands previously only known to locals First Nations artists Shay Tobin and Djon Mundine OAM worked with Dharug cultural consultants and community members to bring the change of seasons to life through artworks that depict well-known Sydney plants and animals such as the blue tongue lizard and the eel The trees share Dharug names and language which is accessible through audio which can be heard along the route Boasting spectacular views to the city and Blue Mountains Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said that this walk will show off Western Sydney Parklands and the incredible beauty it has to offer “It is also another step towards making sure that future generations in western Sydney can enjoy the best possible recreational spaces as part of our continued focus on housing and infrastructure,” Mr Sully said Member for Leppington Nathan Hagarty said that the residents of Austral Middleton Grange and throughout Leppington have long called for more recreational and green spaces we’re not only answering that call but also enriching our community’s cultural and environmental awareness,” Mr Hagarty said the southern part of Western Sydney Parklands which is eight times the size of Centennial Park will continue to grow as the backyard for fast-growing communities in Austral “The development of the southern part of the Parklands into a sustainable hub for recreation is the start of delivering a more liveable community to south west Sydney,” Member for Liverpool Charishma Kaliyanda said water stations and amenities are available at Wylde Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress ABC News News HomeSydney woman Marcela Castaneda fatally stabbed fiance Gregory Peck to stop attack court hearsShare Sydney woman Marcela Castaneda fatally stabbed fiance Gregory Peck to stop attack court hearsBy Jessica KiddTopic:Courts Marcela Castaneda stabbed 32-year-old Gregory Peck during an argument at their Cecil Hills home in February 2013. (AAP: Dean Lewins) Link copiedShareShare articleA Sydney woman who fatally stabbed her fiance in the chest during a violent altercation was trying to fend him off, a court has heard. Marcela Castaneda, 33, stabbed 32-year-old Gregory Peck during an argument at their Cecil Hills home in February 2013. Castaneda told the court she and Mr Peck were arguing when he grabbed her by the neck and began choking her so hard she could not breathe. "All of a sudden I just felt his arms around me," she told the court. "I could see him on top of me ... and he started choking me. I could feel pressure around my neck and I was struggling to breathe, I couldn't scream." She told the court that was when she managed to struggle free and grabbed a 15 centimetre kitchen knife and pointed it at Mr Peck. "I grabbed it and I pointed the knife at Greg and said 'stay away from me' because I was scared," she said. "Greg really scared me this time, I was panicked ... and I could see he was very intense this time." Castaneda told the court she used the knife to lead Mr Peck out onto the back patio and told him she wanted him to move out. The 33-year-old then broke down in tears as she described how Mr Peck lunged at her and how she stabbed him in the chest while trying to fend him off. "I thought he was going to take the knife off me and hurt me," she said. Castaneda said Mr Peck still had the knife in his chest as he fell. "At that point I realised he was hurt. I grabbed my phone and called an ambulance," she said. But under cross examination, Castaneda conceded she was in control when she grabbed the knife and pointed it at Mr Peck. "He made no threat to you at that point about doing anything to you, did he?" crown prosecutor Patrick Barrett asked. "He wasn't saying anything threatening, was he?" Castaneda answered: "It was threatening to me." The crown questioned whether Mr Peck had even choked Castaneda. "I suggest you stabbed him because you were angry," Mr Barrett argued. "No, that's not right," Castaneda said. "I would say I was more scared and panicked than angry." In court on Tuesday, Justice Helen Wilson directed the jury to find Castaneda not guilty of murder, and instead consider a charge of manslaughter. Castaneda was charged with Mr Peck's murder but has maintained she was acting in self-defence. On Tuesday she told the court Mr Peck was tender and sweet in the first year of their relationship. "He was very understanding, articulate, well travelled and knowledgeable," she said. But Castaneda said things deteriorated when the couple began living together in May 2009. Wiping away tears and trembling, Castaneda described years of abuse she suffered at Mr Peck's hands. The court has previously heard the couple had postponed their wedding and were arguing about whether to call it off. It heard that after the stabbing, Castaneda tried to save Mr Peck's life and called triple-0. The court also heard police took out provisional apprehended violence orders against Peck in 2010 and 2012 after officers we called to intervene in the couple's disputes. CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Material from the Associated Press is Copyright © 2025 audio and/or video material shall not be published rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use The AP will not be held liable for any delays errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing