Link copiedShareShare resultsBy chief election analyst Antony Green posted Fri at 2:00pmFriday 2 May 2025 at 2:00pmFri 2 May 2025 at 2:00pm Updated 17m ago17 minutes agoMon 5 May 2025 at 11:07am updated 2h ago2 hours agoMon 5 May 2025 at 8:31am | The retiring LNP/Liberal MP is Warren Entsch. He was first elected in 1996, retired in 2007 before returing to represent the seat again since 2010. Over 80% of the population of Leichhardt lives in or adjacent to the Cairns metropolitan area. The area of the electorate extends north from Cairns along the 'Marlin Coast' between the Atherton Tablelands and the sea to Mossman, before spreading out to include Cape York north of the Mitchell River and all of the Torres Strait islands. Covers 148,559 sq.kms, an area more than twice the size of Tasmania. It is the third largest electorate in Queensland. (Victories by a party of government are indicated by thick coloured underlining.) Not many electorates produce as varied a set of polling place results as Leichhardt. Labor's vote was as high as 64.6% at Tamwoy Community Hall on Thursday Island while Warren Entsch recorded 71.9% at the Kowanyama Multi Purpose Centre in the southern cape. In a sign of Entsch's personal vote, he recorded two-party preferred majorities in many of Cape York's Aboriginal communities, area where Labor support is traditionally viewed as strong.(Click on polling place for results) At an imposing 210cm tall, Smith was born in Sale, Victoria, but moved to Cairns more than two decades ago where he spent five seasons playing basketball for the local Cairns Taipans. More recently he has worked in the union movement as an organiser with the Together Union. He also holds voluntary basketball clinics with local schools and community groups across far north Queensland. Neal isworks as a Paramedic and has spent n15 vyears with the Queensland Ambulance Service. In his time he has worked across far north Queensland in Cairns, Mossman, Mareeba, Kuranda, Cooktown and Bamaga. Neal served briefly on Cairns Regional Council in early 2024, appointed to fill a casual vacancy in January 2024, but unsuccessful at retaining his seat two months later at the March 2024 local government elections. 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) Labor’s Matt Smith has claimed victory in the seat of Leichhardt with the former Cairns Taipans basketball player defying the bookies Please call us on 1800 070 535 and we’ll help resolve the issue or try again later Any Questions? Please call 1800 070 535 Saturday & Sunday 7:00am – 11:30am (AEST) Help Preserve Independent Local Journalism Every dollar contributed will be matched until June 7th The electorate of Leichhardt has been swept up in an Australia-wide Labor landslide at the Federal Election on Saturday with an about 10 per cent swing awarding Cairns-based Matt Smith the seat ahead of main rival Liberal National Party candidate Jeremy Neal who is also based in Cairns and has played a big part in promoting Smith during the campaign Smith spoke of his successful campaign while casting his vote on Saturday “I’m proud of the campaign we’ve run and the conversations we’ve had with locals across the region,” Smith said Voters faced a wet and soggy morning at the Douglas Shire booths on Saturday with many volunteers handing out how-to-vote cards from beneath umbrellas The good news for voters was there were few lines at the booths with many seemingly either waiting for a break in the weather or lodging their choice early - about 47 per cent of eligible voters took advantage of prepolling and postal voting according to the Australian Electoral Commission It is unclear yet how Douglas Shire may directly benefit from the Labor victory which was comprehensive at both a local and national level Smith focussed his election campaign almost wholly in the Cairns region where about 80 per cent of Leichhardt voters are based and made no election promises about the Shire area Douglas Shire Mayor Lisa Scomazzon petitioned Smith to pledge up to $5m to help build a new $5.7m disaster-relief centre Smith told ABC Radio during the campaign he would “get up there at one point” in relation to visiting our Shire The council has also been lobbying for federal help to build a $6.6m new 10 million litre water tank at Crees Road to help relieve stored water shortages in the region - which voters spoken to by Newsport believe to be a farcical situation considering how much it rains in Douglas Shire Smith said in March he would “advocate for anything that is important to the region” but also went quiet on the water-shortage front Labor has also rejected a long-running LNP policy to build an $18.7m Daintree microgrid system so it is unclear how the issue of how to provide more power to that region will play out One positive for Douglas Shire is the Labor promise to build a new Urgent Care Clinic in the Cairns Northern Beaches area Many Shire residents unable to get a doctor’s appointment in this area should be able to commute to that centre if needed The return of Senator Green is also a positive for the protection of the Great Barrier Reef with Green appointed a Special Envoy to the reef by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in 2022.  “It is not just a beautiful world wonder but it supports 64,000 jobs and brings over $6 billion into the economy,” Green said of the Reef Other Queensland senators voted in on the weekend include Labor’s Corinne Mulholland and the LNP’s Paul Scarr.  The LNP’s Susan McDonald is also likely to win while One Nation’s Malcolm Roberts was leading the race for the sixth and final Queensland Senate seat last night after 28.4 per cent of votes were counted long-serving MP Bob Katter was easily returned with Smith receiving 56.8 per cent of two-party preferred votes after 72.5 per cent of counting One Nation’s Robert Hicks with 7.9 per cent Katter's Australian Party’s Daniel Collins with 5.8 per cent and Legalise Cannabis’s Nic Daniels with 5.7 per cent of the vote About 18,100,0000 Australians were enrolled to vote while about 330,000 eligible Australians were not even enrolled Help us to continue covering local stories that matter Newsport is powered by the generosity of readers like you who support our mission to produce independent journalism Send a news tip or submit a letter to the Newsport Editor here Comments are the opinions of readers and do not represent the views of Newsport, its staff or affiliates. Reader comments are moderated before publication to promote valuable, civil, and healthy community debate. Visit our comment guidelines if your comment has not been approved for publication Location: Wonga Beach is an extensive beachside suburb 17 kilometres north of Mossman and 20 minutes south of Daintree Village This suburb has one of the longest stretches of sandy beach in the area The adjacent locality of Bamboo is located west of Wonga Beach and has 129 inhabitants (2016 census) with a surface of 20.5 km2 (7.9 sq mi) 4873 Area: 21.4 km2 (8.3 sq mi) Population (census 2021): 1,042 Living in Wonga Beach: Peaceful Wonga Beach is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of the tourists in Port Douglas while still being able to live amongst the stunning surroundings This suburb has a beautiful lush backdrop of huge Calophyllum trees interspersed with Coconut palms Looking south from Wonga Beach you can see Island Point which shelters the harbour entrance of Port Douglas Behind the coastal vegetation is an extraordinary array of architecture From the quaint owner built holiday and fishing shacks of the 1930s to the newer multi million dollar homes For families with children there is Wonga Beach State School a government primary (Prep-6) school for boys and girls Wonga Beach facilities include a service station and pharmacy Median House Price: Approximately $443,500, based on 20 sales in the preceding 12 months. (Source: Property) Annual Growth: The area has experienced a -10.3% change in median house prices over 12 months leading up to January 2025. (Source: Property) Lake Barrine is a freshwater lake on the eastern part of the Atherton Tablelands The lake and surrounds are protected within the Crater Lakes National Park and are accessible via the Gillies Highway Nestled in the heart of the Atherton Tablelands in Far North Queensland Lake Barrine offers a serene and picturesque setting for those seeking a tranquil lifestyle amidst nature's beauty Living in Lake Barrine means waking up to the lush greenery of tropical rainforests and the tranquil waters of the lake itself Residents here enjoy a close-knit community atmosphere with a strong emphasis on outdoor living The lake has a day use area on Lake Barrine Access Road off the Gillies Range Road It has a teahouse and is the departure point for lake cruises It is the start/end of the lake circuit walk which has two lookout points one of the western side of the lake and the other on the southern side of the lake The nearest government primary school is Yungaburra State School and the nearest government secondary school is Malanda State High School located in the Tablelands Region of Queensland reflecting a slight decrease from 147 in 2016 The predominant age group remained 60-69 years the area continued to be characterized by a high rate of owner-occupied dwellings with 74.2% of homes owned outright or with a mortgage The majority of households were childless couples and mortgage repayments predominantly ranged between $1,800 and $2,399 per month one 3-bedroom house in Lake Barrine sold after a median of 21 days on the market (Information retrieved from Property.com.au) Location: The coastal village of Cooya Beach is just 5 minutes from Mossman and approximately 10 minutes north of Port Douglas A residential area popular with local families and a beautiful beach suitable for walking and exercising dogs The adjacent locality of Bonnie Doon is located southwest of Cooya Beach has 327 inhabitants (2016 census) with a surface of 20.55/km2 (53.23/sq mi) 4873 Area: 8.8 km2 (3.4 sq mi) Population (census 2021): 1,046 Living in Cooya Beach: Living the coastal dream Cooya Beach is a quiet residential community a family friendly area with a genuine community feel There is a great cross section of residents from singles and young couples to families and retirees It also offers new-build options (Ocean Breeze) and beautiful beachfront options (Bougainvillea Street) Mud-crabbing is one of the go-to activities on Cooya Beach Because of the close proximity to the mouth of the Mossman there are numerous forms of life that relish the muddy waters and the change from freshwater to saltwater surroundings boating is a popular sport amongst visitors and locals The pristine coastline promises spectacular views and peaceful waters to peruse with an annual capital growth of 19.22%  (Source: Yourinvestmentpropertymag.com.au) Location: Cape Tribulation is located 35 kilometres north of the Daintree Ferry in the heart of the prehistoric Daintree Rainforest The locality contains a small number of bed and breakfast eco lodges 4873 Area: 125.6 km2 (48.5 sq mi) Population (census 2021): 123 Living in Cape Tribulation: Cape Tribulation is the epitome of a tropical paradise: serene and secluded relax and enjoy a refreshing swim after a toasty day’s rainforest exploring This extraordinarily pretty stretch of the Daintree National Park with its dramatic headland and lush unspoiled rainforest makes for some exquisite surroundings The remote headland of Cape Tribulation is where two UNESCO World Heritage Sites meet – the Wet Tropics Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef Australia's richest diversity of flora and fauna is found in this region Location: Cassowary is located 18 kilometres from Port Douglas and 7 kilometres from Mossman 4873 Area: 24.9 km2 (9.6 sq mi) Population (census 2021): 119 Living in Cassowary: Cassowary is home to many rural farming properties The north-western part of Cassowary is low-lying coastal plains and is used for farming sugarcane The eastern and southern parts of the locality form part of the Cassowary Range The nearest primary schools are Mossman State School and Port Douglas State School The nearest secondary school is Mossman State High School Real Estate Statistics: The majority of properties in Cassowary are large rural holdings The median price for houses in Cassowary is approximately $1.15 million (as of late 2024) (Source: realestate.com.au and domain.com.au) Location: Palm Cove is situated on the Coral Sea with a long sandy beach that is lined with palm trees The suburb is located between Cairns and Port Douglas and is surrounded by lush tropical rainforest It is situated approximately 27 kilometres north of Cairns and about 40 kilometres south of Port Douglas and is a popular tourist destination and offers a range of amenities 4879 Area: 6.8 km2 (2.6 sq mi) Population (census 2021): 2,450 Living in Palm Cove: Palm Cove is a tiny beachside village centred around an esplanade lined with 500-year-old melaleuca trees with a focus on outdoor activities such as swimming The suburb is home to a mix of locals and tourists with a friendly and welcoming community.The suburb is home to a mix of locals and tourists There are also several resorts and hotels in the area offering accommodation for tourists and locals alike Location: Port Douglas is a laid back tropical coastal town on the Coral Sea approximately 60 km north of Cairns It's known for its beach resorts and it’s a getaway to two UNESCO World Heritage-listed natural wonders; the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree National Park The adjacent locality of Craiglie is 6 kilometres south of Port Douglas and has 954 inhabitants with a surface of 65.34/km2 (169.2/sq mi) It is the access point to Port Douglas and it functions as a service centre for businesses serving the highway and Port Douglas as well as being an extension of the suburban areas in the south of Port Douglas 4877 Area: 18.0 km2 (6.9 sq mi) Population: (census 2021) Port Douglas: 3,650 (The town's population can often double with the influx of tourists during the peak tourism season from May to September) Craiglie: 1,062 Living in Port Douglas: If you're looking for a laid back lifestyle then Port Douglas is the right place The town has been designed to alleviate as much stress as possible for its residents The main street is lined up with inviting restaurants the weather is (almost) always warm and the tree-fringed sands of Four Mile Beach give you an all-year-round holiday feeling Superyachts from around the world berth at Port Douglas’s CrYstal Brook Marina where tour boats depart for sightseeing cruises to nearby coral cays and expeditions to spectacular diving- and snorkel spots on the outer reefs Port Douglas is a desirable place to relocate for many Older couples love to spend their retirement years in this tropical paradise adventurers couldn’t ask for a better place to live away from the hustle and bustle of the city and some families prefer living in the quieter streets of Port Douglas while making the one-hour commute to Cairns for work Units: The median property price for units is $410,000, showing an annual capital growth of 7.54%. Units have a gross rental yield of 5.92%, with a median weekly rent of $550. (Source: Yourinvestmentpropertymag.com.au) Houses: The house market decreased by 3.61%, with a median sale price of $894,000, and a total of 17 houses were sold. (Source: Coronis) Units: The unit market increased by 0.84%, with a median sale price of $422,500, and a total of 202 units were sold. (Source: Coronis) The Daintree region generally refers to the area surrounding the Daintree River stretching from Lower Daintree in the south to Cooktown in the north the Greater Daintree encompasses a larger area extending from Mossman Gorge in the south to Cooktown in the north Lower Daintree Upper Daintree (+ Stewart Creek Valley) Daintree Village Cape Kimberly Forest Creek Cow Bay (+ Diwan) Cape Tribulation Location: The Daintree Village is located about 12 kilometres upstream from the Daintree ferry crossing and 56 kilometres from Port Douglas situated on the southern bank of the majestic Daintree River 4873 Area: 6.3 km2 (2.4 sq mi) Population (census 2021): 170 Living in Daintree Village: Daintree Village is a laid-back town and an unspoilt oasis in the midst of some of the most varied scenery in the far north of Queensland The surrounding hills and valleys provide a mix of landscapes combining pristine agriculture pastures with tropical lowland rainforest The Daintree River flows past the Village Beyond the Village are scenic drives along winding valley trails which follow the courses of the upper reaches of the Daintree and into the valleys of Stewart Creek and Douglas Creek You’ll find low-impact tourism and sustainable cattle- and tropical fruit-farming in the beautiful valleys beyond the Village The Village hosts a number of restaurants locally-created souvenirs and picnic areas complete with free electric BBQ and picnic table The Daintree Village region is a world-renowned birdwatcher's paradise and there are several specialist guides Daintree State School is located in the village and is a government primary (Prep-6) school for boys and girls.In 2017 the school had an enrolment of 15 students The median value for houses in Daintree is approximately $427,000 (Source: propertyvalue.com.au)  In the past 12 months, there have been 3 house sales in Daintree. (Source: propertyvalue.com.au) Over the past year, house prices in Daintree have experienced an increase of approximately 8.9%. (Source: PropertyInvest Australia) Location: Forest Creek is located in the Daintree National Park 32 kilometres north of Mossman and 52 kilometres north of Port Douglas The Daintree River forms the southern boundary of the locality 4873 Area: 22.9 km2 (8.8 sq mi) Population (census 2021): 84 Living in Forest Creek: Tucked away deep in the rainforest Forest Creek is the perfect place for an off-the-grid lifestyle with maximum privacy and peace and quiet The World Heritage Daintree Forest is an amazing place to live with forest Just 2,6 kilometres from the Daintree Ferry With a population of 103 people in Forest Creek 16.98% of its occupants live in rental accommodation The permanent creek situated in the area provides a natural and soothing ambience with the sound of trickling water The median value for houses in Forest Creek is not currently available due to limited sales data (Source: Yourinvestmentpropertymag.com.au) The median gross rental yield for houses is estimated at 5.14%. (Source: Yourinvestmentpropertymag.com.au)​​​​​​ Properties in Forest Creek have an average time of 252 days on the market before sale. (Source: Yourinvestmentpropertymag.com.au) Location:Julatten is a small rural town located in Far North Queensland approximately 20 kilometres southwest of Port Douglas The suburb is known for its lush rainforest and stunning views of the Great Dividing Range.LGA & Postcode:Shire of Mareeba 4871Area:154.0 km2 (59.5 sq mi)Population (census 2016):1,091Living in Julatten:The town has a close-knit community feel and farms selling fresh produce.The climate in Julatten is tropical with hot and humid summers and mild winters The area receives an average annual rainfall of around 1,800mm with most rain falling during the wet season between December and April.Julatten is located in close proximity to a number of popular tourist destinations It is also a popular destination for birdwatching with a number of species of rare and exotic birds found in the area.Overall Julatten offers a peaceful and picturesque lifestyle in a stunning natural setting with easy access to a range of outdoor recreational activities and tourist attractions.Real estate market statistics: The predominant age group in Julatten is 50-59 years Households in Julatten are primarily childless couples and are likely to be repaying $1000 - $1399 per month on mortgage repayments people in Julatten work in a trades occupation 83.7% of the homes in Julatten were owner-occupied compared with 84.5% in 2016 Currently the median value of houses in the area is $478,861.(Information retrieved from CoreLogic) Location: Kewarra Beach is located approximately 20 kilometres north of Cairns and 33 kilometres south of Port Douglas 4879 Area: 883/km2 (2,287/sq mi) Population (census 2021: 6,113 Living in Kewarra Beach: Kewarra Beach is a family-friendly suburb Whether you are looking for absolute beach front the space that acreage offers close to the ranges elegant easy care homes ideal for retirees affordable homes on compact lots and older homes on larger blocks ideal for renovating The beach at Kewarra is a favourite among locals to walk their dogs or to fish directly from the beach the beachfront Kewarra Beach Resort serves pizza tapas and drinks on the sand several nights of the week you’ll also find a fine-dining restaurant which operates year-round set among the eucalypts and palm forest The median property price for houses in Kewarra Beach is currently $700,000, with an annual capital growth of 5.15%. (Source: ​​​Yourinvestmentpropertymag.com.au) The suburb comprises approximately 92.5% houses, with an average of 2.5 bedrooms per dwelling. (Source: Microburbs) Lower Daintree is situated 45km north of Port Douglas and 26km north of Mossman. The Daintree River forms its southern boundary The area starts at the turn-off from the Captain Cook Highway to the Daintree Ferry with Mossman-Daintree Road running from south to northwest through the region Area: 66.6 km2 (25.7 sq mi) Population (census 2021): 83 Living in Lower Daintree: Soak up the carefree tropical lifestyle in Lower Daintree you'll also have the opportunity to enjoy the Village's cafes galleries and primary school that typically caters to less than 20 students natural surroundings and properties with options for personalisation Lower Daintree provides something a bit different from typical suburban living The area predominantly features separate houses, with an average of 3 bedrooms per dwelling. Many homes are owned outright by couples with children. (Source: Property & Land Data Online In One Place) 5 kilometres from Newell Beach and 10 kilometres from Wonga Beach Miallo is perfectly located in between everything the region has to offer with natural beauty right on your doorstep and an abundance of space Area: 28.0 km2 (10.8 sq mi) Population (census 2021): 406 Living in Miallo: With rural residential zoning in place Miallo is the perfect for those wanting to get away from it all – and live the life that all dream of – but few attain Perfect for those wanting to build a weekend getaway or take the plunge and have a complete life change There is a cane tramway system through Miallo to deliver sugarcane to the sugar mill at Mossman The nearby Miallo State School is a government primary (Prep-6) school for boys and girls at Miallo Bamboo Creek Road the school had an enrollment of 179 students with 16 teachers Miallo is a rural locality situated approximately 7 kilometres from Mossman making it an ideal location for those seeking a serene lifestyle Local Government Area (LGA) & Postcode: Mapcarta Miallo offers a rural residential lifestyle perfect for those seeking to escape urban living The locality features a cane tramway system that transports sugarcane to the Mossman sugar mill a government primary school located on Miallo Bamboo Creek Road serves the educational needs of the community The median value of houses in Miallo is approximately $626,561. (Source: Yourinvestmentpropertymag.com.au) Mission Beach is located approximately 139 kilometres south of Cairns and 28,5 kilometres north of Townsville is a haven of tranquillity and natural beauty Named after the endangered Southern Cassowary it's a peaceful destination that attracts those seeking a serene lifestyle or a connection with nature Mission Beach is the closest point on the mainland to the Great Barrier Reef This coastal gem boasts a 14 kilometre stretch of pristine sandy beaches linking three beautiful beaches and four charming villages: Garners Beach You can unwind at coastal cafes or explore hidden waterfalls and swimming holes in the nearby hills a ten-minute water taxi from Wongaling Beach South Mission Beach offers the convenience of a shopping centre for your daily needs Mission Beach State School is conveniently located at Wongaling Beach here is an updated overview of Mission Beach Mission Beach is a coastal locality situated approximately 139 kilometres south of Cairns and 240 kilometres north of Townsville It encompasses a 14-kilometre stretch of pristine sandy beaches Allhomes Mission Beach is renowned for its tranquil lifestyle and access to Dunk Island via a ten-minute water taxi from Wongaling Beach South Mission Beach provides the convenience of a shopping centre and Mission Beach State School is located at Wongaling Beach These statistics reflect market activity over the 12-month period leading up to January 2025. (Source: Coronis) Location: Located 15 minutes north of Port Douglas Mossman is a thriving township known for its sugar cane and exotic fruit farming The Mossman River flows through the locality from west (Finlayvale /Mossman Gorge) to east (Newell Beach/Bonnie Doon) LGA & Postcode: Shire of Douglas Area: 12.1 km2 (4.7 sq mi) Population (census 2021): 1,942 Living in Mossman: Mossman is a picturesque little township nestled at the foot of the mountains among bright green fields of sugar cane It is a friendly town with country stores and historic pubs along the wide tree-lined main street Five minutes west of Mossman you’ll find Mossman Gorge a popular attraction with a beautiful stretch of tropical rainforest where local Aborigines can tell their tales and introduce visitors to traditional Aboriginal life The town offers a high school and primary school Mossman State School is a government primary (Prep-6) school for boys and girls at 30-34 Front Street and Mossman State High School is a government secondary (7-12) school for boys and girls at 46-62 Front Street Mossman has a number of sporting clubs such as the Mossman Sharks rugby league club Douglas United Dragons Football (Soccer) Club Mossman Gymnastics and Bodies in Motion Dance School The median listing price for houses in Mossman is approximately $504,500, showing a 1.10% increase over the past year and a 20.11% increase over two years. (Source: PropInvest Australia) Over the past five years, Mossman has experienced a compound growth rate of 2.8% for houses. The median price for a 3-bedroom house is currently around $420,000. (Source: Homes Australia) Location: In the foothills of the Macalister Range and the Wet Tropics Mowbray National Park the Mowbray Valley lies 12,7 kilometres south of Port Douglas Most of the terrain in Mowbray is mountainous and the Captain Cook Highway passes through the locality from south to north 4877 Area: 97.3 km2 (37.6 sq mi) Population (census 2021): 317 Living in Mowbray: Escape to a calmer lifestyle The picturesque Mowbray Valley is a highly sought after and attractive location for Port Douglas locals because it offers magnificent just a 10 minute drive from town and less than an hour to Cairns International airport Mowbray offers an enviable lifestyle with a clean and green environment and lack of traffic In mowbray you have the best of both worlds lifestyle but still in reach of all the ‘must haves’ with larger blocks for more privacy The median value of houses in Mowbray is approximately $1,165,945. (Source: Yourinvestmentpropertymag.com.au) Location: Mount Molloy is situated approximately 76 kilometres north-west of Cairns and 30 kilometres west of Port Douglas It is situated in the picturesque Mount Lewis National Park area The town itself is located on the eastern edge of the Atherton Tablelands and is surrounded by pastoral lands and bushland 4871 Area: 252.9 km2 (97.6 sq mi) Population (census 2021): 266 Living in Mount Molloy: Living in Mount Molloy offers a rural lifestyle with a strong community spirit Residents of Mount Molloy enjoy a peaceful and tranquil environment away from the hustle and bustle of the city The town offers a quiet and relaxed atmosphere making it an ideal location for those looking for a slower pace of life The town is home to a primary school and a local pub that serves as a popular gathering spot for locals and visitors alike Mount Molloy is also well-positioned for those who enjoy outdoor activities with hiking trails and camping sites nearby living in Mount Molloy offers a serene and close-knit community lifestyle with easy access to nature and outdoor recreation The main industries in Mount Molloy are agriculture The median property price in Mount Molloy is approximately $477,000, with prices ranging from $95,000 to $1,681,000. (Source: Residz) Location: Tucked away between glamorous Port Douglas and the vast wilderness of the World Heritage listed Daintree National Park is the sleepy beachside community of Newell Beach Newell Beach is only one and a half hour’s drive north of the Cairns International Airport and just 10 minutes from Port Douglas The adjacent locality of Rocky Point is located south of Newell Beach and has 129 inhabitants (2016 census) with a surface of 20.2 km2 (7.8 sq mi) 4873 Area: 15.0 km2 (5.8 sq mi) Population (census 2021): 327 Living in Newell Beach: Newell Beach's iconic palm tree-lined shore is loved by visitors and locals alike spread along the coastline with most houses only two streets from the beach a very popular holiday spot enjoyed by many Approximately 20 minutes north of Port Douglas this peaceful beachside suburb oozes old world charm The town boasts spectacular views to Port Douglas in the south and the lighthouse on Low Isles to the east The two and a half kilometre beach is clean and pristine and is bordered to the north and south by estuaries Not far to the west you’ll discover the crystal clear rock pools of Mossman Gorge National Park and the ancient world of the Daintree Rainforest Fishermen are well catered for with boat ramps at the northern end of the beach and at Saltwater Creek. Newell Beach has a convenience store and for groceries the sugar town of Mossman is just minutes up the road It offers many different property options from beach shacks to standard housing and high end properties (beachfront) for a lower price compared to Port Douglas The median house price in Newell Beach is approximately $598,000. This reflects a compound growth rate of 30.6% over the past year. (Source: Allhomes) Location: Only 10 minutes from Port Douglas Oak Beach is a sleepy beachfront haven with luxury beachfront homes and villas which stretches 1.5km with an inner coral reef at one end Oak Beach is bounded by the Coral Sea to the east and completely surrounded by the locality of Mowbray on all its land boundaries Area: 6.9 km2 (2.7 sq mi) Population (census 2021): 186 Living in Oak Beach: With 1.5 kilometres of unrivalled coastal views and an inner coral reef right at their doorstep Oak Beach is the perfect beachfront haven in a paradise away from the excitement of the town Pebbly Beach in the northern part of the locality and the eponymous Oak Beach in the southern part of the locality Over the past year (January 2024 - January 2025), the median house price in Oak Beach is approximately $690,000, reflecting a median price change of 12.4%. (Source: propertyvalue.com.au) Location: The turnoff to Shannonvale is 12 kilometres before Mossman and 19 kilometres from Port Douglas The stunning locality of Shannonvale is surrounded by the Great Dividing Range 4873 Area: 84.7 km2 (32.7 sq mi) Population (census 2021): 194 Living in Shannonvale: Shannonvale is one of Douglas Shire’s hidden gems with its own freshwater swimming hole down the road and picturesque countryside to be enjoyed all around Shannonvale offers an ever-changing tropical landscape of waving cane-fields while being treated to the unlimited backdrop of the jungle-clad misty mountains of the Great Dividing Range The Shannonvale Tropical Fruit Winery offers delicious wine tastings and the Shannonvale Swimming Hole is the perfect place to cool off with the whole family during the hot days Location: Trinity Beach is located approximately 20 kilometres north of Cairns and 42 kilometres south of Port Douglas. The suburb is situated on the Coral Sea and features a long sandy beach that stretches for approximately one kilometre 4879 Area: 2 kilometres wide Population (census 2021): 6,594 Living in Trinity Beach: Trinity Beach is just as beautiful as the other northern beaches that line the Cairns Coral Coast but with a more down-to-earth and laid back casual atmosphere amongst classy surrounds The surroundings of Trinity Beach are dominated by lush tropical rainforest which offers residents and visitors access to a range of natural attractions and outdoor activities The nearby Kuranda National Park and Barron Gorge National Park offer opportunities for bushwalking the surroundings of Trinity Beach offer a mix of natural beauty making it an ideal location for those seeking a tropical lifestyle with easy access to a range of amenities and attractions As of April 2024, the median house price in Trinity Beach is approximately $697,500, while units have a median price of $390,000. (Source: cairns beaches) Location: Wangetti is located on the coast of the Coral Sea and is surrounded by lush tropical rainforest It is situated on the Captain Cook Highway between Cairns and Port Douglas The locality of Wangetti is located approximately 40 kilometres north of Cairns and approximately 35 kilometres south of Port Douglas 4877 Area: 71.7 km2 (27.7 sq mi) Population (census 2021): 68 Living in Wangetti: Wangetti is known for its beautiful beaches There are limited amenities in Wangetti itself it is located within easy driving distance of larger towns such as Cairns and Port Douglas which offer a wide range of services and facilities Wangetti is a beautiful and peaceful suburb that offers a relaxed tropical lifestyle with easy access to the amenities and attractions of larger towns The median house price is approximately $575,000, based on one sale in the preceding 12 months leading up to January 2025. (Source: Property) the turnoff to the small community of Miallo leads to the beautiful Whyanbeel Valley Most of the locality is undeveloped heavily forested mountainous land with elevations of typically 200 metres above sea level within the Daintree National Park 4873 Area: 55.1 km2 (21.3 sq mi) Population: (census 2021) 172 Living in Whyanbeel: Whyanbeel is nestled at the base of the majestic Dagmar mountain range in the Whyanbeel Valley and less than 45 minutes from Port Douglas The area is surrounded by many croc safe freshwater creeks and offers absolutely privacy while still being close to town which allows for hobby farms or semi commercial farms with tropical fruit such as mangosteens The area offers opportunities to keep your own bees chicken or cultivate rare plants and you can make an income through retreat style guest accommodation The median property price is approximately $1,313,000, based on three sales in the 12 months leading up to January 2025. (Source: Property) Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time These are the images Wests Tigers fans have been waiting decades to see as the final design of the new-look 20,000-seat Leichhardt Oval is submitted to the NSW government for approval This masthead has obtained artist impressions of the $40 million redevelopment of the suburban ground which includes a new grandstand on the northern hill and a significant renovation of the western grandstand An artist’s impression of the new-look Leichhardt Oval The project is expected to begin at the end of the 2026 season with plans for the Tigers to return to the upgraded Leichhardt at the beginning of the 2028 campaign There is a discussion about the Tigers potentially front-loading their Leichhardt Oval games next year to allow work to start that August opening the window for a potential return for the final stages of the 2027 season state ($10 million) and local ($10 million) governments formed a funding partnership to secure the future of Leichhardt Oval getting together with family and friends to watch a game or cheer on the next generation,” Sydney MP Tanya Plibersek said How the new Leichhardt Oval might appear on game day “Leichhardt Oval is a place for world-class games – and it deserves world-class facilities This new development will mean there are top-quality facilities for everyone to enjoy including schools and women and girls’ teams “That’s why Labor has committed $20 million to support these vital upgrades We want to make sure the oval is a community hub into the future Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne said players and fans alike would be excited to see the designs A glimpse at the design for the new grandstand at Leichhardt Oval “These designs keep the heritage and character of our famous ground while bringing the facilities for players spectators and sports clubs up to modern standards,” Byrne said “This will make the ‘eighth wonder of the world’ one of the highest quality suburban grounds in Australia while taking the unbeatable atmosphere there to another level We are ready to deliver a renovation that will secure the future of Leichhardt Oval for another 50 years.” NRL is Live and Free on Channel 9 & 9Now Michael Chammas and Andrew “Joey” Johns dissect the upcoming NRL round, plus the latest footy news, results and analysis. Sign up for the Sin Bin newsletter \\u201CAustralians love spending time outdoors getting together with family and friends to watch a game or cheer on the next generation,\\u201D Sydney MP Tanya Plibersek said \\u201CLeichhardt Oval is a place for world-class games \\u2013 and it deserves world-class facilities including schools and women and girls\\u2019 teams \\u201CThat\\u2019s why Labor has committed $20 million to support these vital upgrades \\u201CThese designs keep the heritage and character of our famous ground while bringing the facilities for players spectators and sports clubs up to modern standards,\\u201D Byrne said \\u201CThis will make the \\u2018eighth wonder of the world\\u2019 one of the highest quality suburban grounds in Australia while taking the unbeatable atmosphere there to another level We are ready to deliver a renovation that will secure the future of Leichhardt Oval for another 50 years.\\u201D Michael Chammas and Andrew \\u201CJoey\\u201D Johns dissect the upcoming NRL round Ahead of the CommBank Matildas international friendly series against Korea Republic Football Australia are holding a ‘Fan Day’ presented by CommBank at Leichhardt Oval on Tuesday The event gives the opportunity for fans to watch members of the CommBank Matildas go through their paces during the April FIFA Women’s International Window as the CommBank Matildas prepare to take on Korea Republic in both Sydney and Newcastle This event is free and open to the general public with no pre-registration or ticket required to attend with training scheduled to start at 3.45pm Attending fans will be seated in the Eastern Hill (Wayne Pearce Hill) of the oval for this session and will be able to gain entry to the Stadium via the Mary Street entrance There is limited parking at Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre Disabled parking is located right outside the door The closest light rail service is the L1 Dulwich Hill Line Several bus routes operate between Central Station and Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre although there are no direct bus stops outside the facility 470 and 440 all stop within a 10–15-minute walk No event-specific public transport is available for this event Get your hands on our new kit at the Fan Day Away and Goalkeeper kits available to purchase alongside a range of other merchandise.  Limited concession or food stalls will be in operation at this event KIIS Radio street team will be on-site in the lead up to the event Football Australia Terms of Admission can be found HERE View Leichhardt Oval Terms of Entry HERE Note: No autograph and/or photo session is scheduled or guaranteed as part of the proceedings COMMBANK MATILDAS | MATCH SCHEDULE | MAR/APRIL 2025   CommBank Matildas v Korea Republic Date: Friday, 4 April 2025 Kick-off: 8.00pm AEDT Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney TV Broadcast: Network 10, 10 Play and Paramount+ Radio Broadcast: ABC Digital Tickets: matildas.com.au/tickets CommBank Matildas v Korea Republic Date:  Monday, 7 April 2025 Kick-off: 7:30pm AEST Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle TV Broadcast: Paramount+ exclusive Radio Broadcast: ABC Digital Tickets: matildas.com.au/tickets  Labor’s Matt Smith is all but certain to claim victory in seat of Leichhardt with the former Cairns Taipans basketball playerset to defy the bookies Any Questions? Please call 1800 070 535. Monday to Friday 7:30am – 6:00pm, Saturday & Sunday 7:00am – 11:30am (AEST) Watch 9m Can Labor take Leichhardt from the Coalition? Both the LNP and Labor candidates have been competing in a sporty promise-a-thon.  MATT SMITH, LABOR CANDIDATE: An investment by the Anthony Albanese government of a brand-new score board  JEREMY NEAL, LNP CANDIDATE: If Peter Dutton and myself are elected, we’re going to upgrade all the lights here at these two fields. MATT SMITH:  With a new viewing deck, new club rooms. JEREMY NEAL:  It's really important that our local cricket teams have their own home ground.  PHILIP WILLIAMS:  But not just about bats and balls. There are serious problems in paradise. VOX POP:    It is definitely crime, and we've been talking to lots of our neighbours, and that is one thing that is top of priority for us. PHILIP WILLIAMS:  Last month hundreds of people turned up to a rally demanding more action and tougher penalties for criminal offenders.  RALLY MEMBER:  The community should be allowed to live our lives without fear.  PHILIP WILLIAMS:  Last year, the then Queensland opposition campaigned hard on a tough on crime platform. In government, they introduced Adult Crime, Adult Time legislation.  This year, there has been a slight reduction in crime, but many here want more.  RALLY MEMBER:  We need change, and we need it now. PHILIP WILLIAMS:  Kay Smith’s home has been targeted half a dozen times in recent years.  KAY SMITH:  I was home in bed, asleep, and woke in the early hours of the morning, reached for my phone and my phone wasn't there. All my filing cabinets were open. Cupboards open and, yeah, I'd been robbed. PHILIP WILLIAMS:  It's not the retirement she’d hoped for - home no longer her castle, but more a prison. KAY SMITH:  After dark is when things come and haunt you. And yeah, sounds that I hear outside. PHILIP WILLIAMS:  But while many want authorities to crackdown even harder on young offenders, the former TAFE teacher isn’t one of them.  KAY SMITH:  What are their needs? What, have they got mental health needs, educational needs. I'd like to see some kind of holistic assessment, because one solution doesn't fit all.  PHILIP WILLIAMS:  LNP candidate for Leichhardt, Jeremy Neal, says one solution is forcing social media companies to take down the so-called post and boast videos.      JEREMY NEAL:  So, one of the plans is to get Meta and Facebook and Insta and TikTok and stuff to, they've got the systems in place to take down posts and block accounts. So we need to make them do that and do their part. MATT SMITH:  It’s a state-based issue and the state LNP governments made a variety of promises and claims.  PHILIP WILLIAMS:  At six-foot-nine, Matt Smith is Labor’s seriously big hope for Leichhardt, but the former Cairns Taipans basketballer says he won't be talking tough on crime to win.  MATT SMITH:  If anyone's telling you, from a federal perspective they can influence the way crime and punishments work, its disingenuous. PHILIP WILLIAMS:  The seat of Leichhardt is enormous stretching from Cairns in the south right up to the Torres Strait next to the border with PNG. The seat is only in play because the incumbent, the LNP’s Warren Entsch, has decided not to pursue a tenth term. Why? Because the modern world of cyber this and AI that has got the former crocodile farmer discombobulated.  WARREN ENTSCH, RETIRING LNP MP:  For that reason and that reason alone, I have to say it's time to hand over to the baton to somebody that actually, another generation that understands it and no point kidding myself or pretending I know stuff. PHILIP WILLIAMS: Jeremy Neal is hoping LNP lineage will continue post Entsch. He’d pulled out of a planned interview with us after old social media posts he’d made years earlier surfaced in the media describing Victoria as a fascist state, praising Donald Trump and calling China a ‘grub of a country’. WARREN ENTSCH:  I think he was unfairly treated. He apologized for it. He’s learned by it, and he moves on.  JEREMY NEAL:  The people of far north Queensland aren’t worried about previous tweets that I made. They are worried about the key issues facing them right now. PHILIP WILLIAMS:  We have driven four-hours north of Cairns to Cooktown and it's a stunning landscape but all the beauty in the world can’t mask the fact that there are serious problems here too and in some respects, they’re even worse. This is how Dr Des Hill imagined life would be by now - retired and free to cast a line whenever he felt like it. DR DESMOND HILL:  Yes, yes, I do feel trapped because I’m still reasonably healthy and still capable of working so I feel that if I did sort of walk out and leave now, well then I’d be letting the town down. PHILIP WILLIAMS:  The sixty-eight-year-old Dr Hill is an endangered species around here. He runs the only private practice in Cooktown and far, far beyond. DESMOND HILL:  The area that I service here is from here to Weipa, which is about 700km north, across towards the Gulf for about 300, 400 kilometres, and south to Mossman and Mareeba, which is about 250 kilometres. PHILIP WILLIAMS:  Wait times at his practice can reach up to six weeks. Dr Hill is still trying to find a buyer for the practice he began building 43 years ago.  Is it possible isn’t it, that you will retire, not sell the business. What happens then? There’s no GP? DESMOND HILL:  Yes, well, if that happened there would suddenly be no GP in an area the size of Victoria. PHILIP WILLIAMS:  Both the Coalition and Labor have promised billions of extra health spending but for Dr Hill, the extension of bulkbilling will make the biggest difference. DESMOND HILL:  So, I congratulate both the governments on finally doing this. I just can't see why they didn't do it 20 years ago. PHILIP WILLIAMS:  I've been invited to meet members of the Gungarde Aboriginal Corporation, set up to look after Cooktown’s Indigenous population. The big issue, housing, or lack of it. ROSIE HARRIGAN:  Very bad at the moment. Just actually can't get any housing in Cooktown. PHILIP WILLIAMS: Gungarde manages over 40 homes, but they say they need at least another 60 to catch up with demand.  MIKE ROSS:  You have got overcrowding in housing. You got the housing problem that leads to health problem. Health problem lead to domestic violence. So, you got a string of things that lead from crowding your house.  JEMMA KULKA:  I have three kids. Currently living with my parents, it’s overcrowded. PHILIP WILLIAMS:  So how many people live in your house?  PHILIP WILLIAMS:  Fifteen. That's a lot of people. Do you want your own house? PHILIP WILLIAMS:  How many bedrooms have you got here?  PHILIP WILLIAMS:  And this is Jemma Kulka’s family home. Her father, Geoffrey, says severe overcrowding is nothing new.    GEOFFREY KULKA:  It's been going on for years and years, and I can't get any help anywhere else. PHILIP WILLIAMS:  What would you like the government to do? GEOFFREY KULKA:  Step up and help everybody, I suppose.  PHILIP WILLIAMS:  And a few blocks away, more houses are being built by the state government but it’s not for them. It’s part of a push to increase housing stock for an influx of government workers.  Both Labor and the Coalition have made housing central to their campaigns with promises of billions to help tryers became first home buyers. But back in Cairns, where the rental vacancy rate is less than 1 per cent, the Bennett family sees little in it for them. They feel lucky to have found a small two-bedroom place just as homelessness looked frighteningly real. SIMON BENNETT:  We've got family. My next step from here is the street.  PHILIP WILLIAMS:  You seriously had to think about that? SIMON BENNETT: Definitely, absolutely, when you go to the real estate and you get turned away time and time again. The desperation kicks in. Is this what we're heading for in Australia? Is this what they really, really want or is this what people want. How far are you're going to push the price of housing till no one can afford PHILIP WILLIAMS:  This is a federal election looming but the big issues in Leichhardt don’t respect state, or even council boundaries. With a slim margin and the seat in play, the cheers for whichever team wins here will echo all the way south to Canberra.  In far North Queensland the seat of Leichhardt has party candidates and strategists nervous and excited. With long time coalition MP Warren Entsch retiring, Labor sees a real opportunity to take one from the opposition. And if that happens, it may more than dent Peter Dutton's Prime ministerial ambitions. Philip Williams reports. the former NSW Liberal MP facing trial over child sexual assault charges was last seen by this masthead pouring drinks at the new Paddy’s Markets precinct in Haymarket Former Liberal MP Rory Amon working at Leichhardt Oval on the weekend the former Pittwater MP was behind the bar at Leichhardt Oval during the Wests Tigers’ thrilling win over the Sharks which provides hospitality services at stadiums around the country quit state parliament last year after charges were laid against him relating to two incidents in 2017 while he was a Northern Beaches councillor a Sydney court heard the former MP allegedly told a 13-year-old boy he met on a gay hook-up app that he was 17 before allegedly sexually assaulting him “Following a discussion with the casual employee in question he has been advised that his services are no longer required,” a spokesperson for VenuesLive said Governor-General Sam Mostyn’s barrister husband Simeon Beckett with a specialisation in human rights and anti-discrimination law and service as a counsel assisting the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sex Abuse So Beckett might be horrified to discover that he’s ended up on Donald Trump’s Truth Social the media platform created by the president before big tech decided to bend the knee last November Beckett appears in a video of Trump attending Pope Francis’ funeral in the Vatican City on the weekend seen in the background whipping out his phone to take a video of the passing commander-in-chief like an enthusiastic fanboy Beckett attended the Pope’s funeral along with Mostyn who represented Australia at an event thrumming with world leaders and swiftly overshadowed by a brief meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky their first since their heated exchange in the White House this year former Liberal state executive member Matt Camenzuli was working hard toward the party’s re-election effort by taking then-prime minister Scott Morrison to the High Court over preselection delays and is now running as an independent in the south-west Sydney seat of McMahon where he has a shot at taking down Energy Minister Chris Bowen in the deep red electorate Camenzuli has maintained a degree of (steadily waning) influence over the Liberal Party’s grumpy hard-right flank with his ally Ben Britton preselected in the seat of Whitlam before being dumped once his icky views on women in the military resurfaced our spies spotted former NSW upper house MP Lou Amato campaigning in a Camenzuli T-shirt former Labor councillor Carmen Lazar contesting the seat Amato told us he strongly supports Camenzuli “He has always stood up for what he believes in – democracy and Australian values There is a reason why people are disillusioned and sick of politicians,” the former politician said “We need strong advocates in parliament who will stand up in the best interests of our nation and its people” Amato isn’t the only Liberal defector backing Camenzuli CBD reported that NSW Liberal Vice-President Geoff Pearson had torn up his party membership and started campaigning for Britton Now we can reveal he’s also out campaigning for Camenzuli Following the Anzac Day Welcome to Country neo-Nazi booing controversy there was consensus the issue was not the place for glib remarks Flinders MP Zoe McKenzie in parliament.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen As detailed in CBD the first-term MP for Flinders in the Mornington Peninsula south of Melbourne attended the private invite-only sunset garden talk hosted by Josephine and James Baillieu in their clifftop garden on Saturday night An unofficial breakaway event from the Sorrento Writers Festival run speakers at the gabfest included former federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Qantas tormentor Joe Aston In a marked difference to many writers’ festivals soprano Rebecca Gulinello sang Advance Australia Fair as attendees munched on chicken and cucumber sandwiches and scones with cream and jam McKenzie gave an impromptu vote of thanks to all speakers and praised Gulinello’s singing of the national anthem thank you for the best Welcome to Country that I am sure has been delivered,” McKenzie said But while the aside landed successfully on the night such gags won’t travel well beyond Portsea a former industrial lawyer and Australia Council for the Arts board member is facing a stiff challenge from local teal independent Ben Smith who is swamping the area with volunteers and corflutes One McKenzie supporter at the garden event told CBD: “I think Zoe has a fight on her hands.” Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Rory Amon, the former NSW Liberal MP facing trial over child sexual assault charges, was last seen by this masthead pouring drinks at the new Paddy\\u2019s Markets precinct in Haymarket. And over the weekend, the former Pittwater MP was behind the bar at Leichhardt Oval, during the Wests Tigers\\u2019 thrilling win over the Sharks. Amon was working for VenuesLive, which provides hospitality services at stadiums around the country. Amon, once a rising star in the Liberal Party, quit state parliament last year after charges were laid against him relating to two incidents in 2017 while he was a Northern Beaches councillor. Last month, a Sydney court heard the former MP allegedly told a 13-year-old boy he met on a gay hook-up app that he was 17 before allegedly sexually assaulting him. \\u201CFollowing a discussion with the casual employee in question, he has been advised that his services are no longer required,\\u201D a spokesperson for VenuesLive said. Governor-General Sam Mostyn\\u2019s barrister husband Simeon Beckett, SC has impeccable progressive credentials, with a specialisation in human rights and anti-discrimination law, and service as a counsel assisting the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sex Abuse. So Beckett might be horrified to discover that he\\u2019s ended up on Donald Trump\\u2019s Truth Social, the media platform created by the president before big tech decided to bend the knee last November. Beckett appears in a video of Trump attending Pope Francis\\u2019 funeral in the Vatican City on the weekend, seen in the background whipping out his phone to take a video of the passing commander-in-chief like an enthusiastic fanboy. To be fair, we\\u2019d probably have done the same. Beckett attended the Pope\\u2019s funeral along with Mostyn, who represented Australia at an event thrumming with world leaders and swiftly overshadowed, in geopolitical terms, by a brief meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, their first since their heated exchange in the White House this year. Three years ago, former Liberal state executive member Matt Camenzuli was working hard toward the party\\u2019s re-election effort by taking then-prime minister Scott Morrison to the High Court over preselection delays. Camenzuli lost, was subsequently expelled from the party, and is now running as an independent in the south-west Sydney seat of McMahon where, if you believe some dodgy push-polling, he has a shot at taking down Energy Minister Chris Bowen in the deep red electorate. Despite his exile, Camenzuli has maintained a degree of (steadily waning) influence over the Liberal Party\\u2019s grumpy hard-right flank, with his ally Ben Britton preselected in the seat of Whitlam before being dumped once his icky views on women in the military resurfaced. On the weekend, our spies spotted former NSW upper house MP Lou Amato campaigning in a Camenzuli T-shirt. Amato is still a Liberal member, for now, and the party has its own candidate, former Labor councillor Carmen Lazar contesting the seat. Emphasis is on the \\u201Cfor now\\u201D. Amato told us he strongly supports Camenzuli. \\u201CHe has always stood up for what he believes in \\u2013 democracy and Australian values. There is a reason why people are disillusioned and sick of politicians,\\u201D the former politician said. \\u201CWe need strong advocates in parliament who will stand up in the best interests of our nation and its people\\u201D. Amato isn\\u2019t the only Liberal defector backing Camenzuli. Last week, CBD reported that NSW Liberal Vice-President Geoff Pearson had torn up his party membership and started campaigning for Britton. Now we can reveal he\\u2019s also out campaigning for Camenzuli. Following the Anzac Day Welcome to Country neo-Nazi booing controversy, there was consensus the issue was not the place for glib remarks. But Zoe McKenzie, the federal Liberal MP for Flinders, has gone her own way. , McKenzie, the first-term MP for Flinders in the Mornington Peninsula south of Melbourne, attended the private invite-only sunset garden talk hosted by Josephine and James Baillieu, of the prominent Melbourne family, in their clifftop garden on Saturday night. An unofficial breakaway event from the Sorrento Writers Festival run, speakers at the gabfest included former federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Qantas tormentor Joe Aston, fresh from their official sessions. In a marked difference to many writers\\u2019 festivals, there was no Welcome to Country. Instead, soprano Rebecca Gulinello sang Advance Australia Fair as attendees munched on chicken and cucumber sandwiches and scones with cream and jam. McKenzie gave an impromptu vote of thanks to all speakers and praised Gulinello\\u2019s singing of the national anthem. \\u201CRebecca, thank you for the best Welcome to Country that I am sure has been delivered,\\u201D McKenzie said, to laughter. But while the aside landed successfully on the night, such gags won\\u2019t travel well beyond Portsea. McKenzie, a former industrial lawyer and Australia Council for the Arts board member, is facing a stiff challenge from local teal independent Ben Smith, who is swamping the area with volunteers and corflutes. One McKenzie supporter at the garden event told CBD: \\u201CI think Zoe has a fight on her hands.\\u201D McKenzie told CBD she would not comment. \\u201CIt was a private event.\\u201D Start the day with a summary of the day\\u2019s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. . Retiring Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch has blasted the ALP’s efforts to liken a Far North political hopeful to Donald Trump during the federal election campaign but the Labor Party has insisted that it ran a “positive” campaign Far North leaders have cast their eyes’ ahead following Labor’s big win in Leichhardt with Matt Smith to be called on to deliver hundreds of millions in funding to kickstart the region’s crippled economy Mum’s lasagne and sushi rolls are fuelling the Far North’s Jeremy Neal and Matt Smith as voters stew over which fresh-faced political aspirant will replace Leichhardt’s longest serving office bearer in an election tipped to be a heartstopper Labor candidate for Leichhardt Matt Smith responds to questions on if the party ran an anti-Trump election campaign and whether the campaign took on a positive or negative tone fjcstudio has been LWCHC’s principal private sponsor and donor since 2011 recognising the urgent need to improve facilities that have supported frontline care for generations fjcstudio undertook pro bono design work for a proposed expansion 30 Apr 2025 • 6m read • View Author Rooted, resilient, resonant: Off-grid family living amongst the rugged Australian landscape Using DecoBatten®’s latest profile on The Seaside Sanctuary Solid Nordic softwood in interior design: Sustainable solutions for joinery, flooring and wall panelling Construction of resort-style clubhouse begins at AVID’s over 50s lifestyle precinct in Fraser Coast Sign up to our newsletter for the latest industry news, products and inspiration. The seat covers the city of Cairns and extends northwards covering most of Queensland’s most northern land as well as the Torres Strait Islands The vast majority of the electorate lives in or around Cairns Labor has named former Cairns Taipans basketballer Matt Smith — who stands at a towering 2.1m tall — to try to win a seat Labor have only won once since the turn of the century Get the first look at the digital newspaper curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox Get the NewsletterBy continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The seat is currently held by long standing Mr Entsch who won the seat in 1996 through to 2007 when he retired before returning to the seat in 2010 after the Liberals immediately lost the seat This election he is retiring once again and Labor are hoping they can have a repeat of 18 years ago capitalising on the lack of name recognition of the Liberals intended successor The seat is currently held by the LNP with a margin of 3.4 per cent Jeremy Neal is looking to succeed Mr Entsch for the LNP party but has had far from a smooth campaign after tweets dating back to 2020 resurfaced where he shared posts around the Covid pandemic response and feminists In the week of polling day he also shared he had received an unsettling voicemail which was a five minute clip of what sounded like gunshots Latest EditionEdition Edition 5 May 20255 May 2025All-powerful Anthony Albanese says give me some R.E.S.P.E.C.T Play Duration: 5 minutes 17 seconds5m Brought to you by Leichhardt is Australia's 10th largest seat, larger than Greece. It's the only seat with an international border. Far north Queensland can suffer bushfires and cyclones — in the same day. The populations include the metropolitan tourist mecca of Cairns to impoverished remote Aboriginal communities. This seat is about to be vacated by incumbent LNP stalwart Warren Entsch. But both of the major parties think they have a shot. Division of Leichhardt candidates Jeremy Neal, LNP, and Matt Smith, Labor.(ABC News: Brendan Mounter, Conor Byrne) Download the ABC listen app to text and call your favourite live radio Labor has lashed state MPs in response to a hit job of the ALP’s Leichhardt candidate from the floor of the Qld Parliament in a high steaks battle for the north described as being especially dirty in 2025 Bishop Neal’s extraordinary man-of-the-match performance powered the One New Zealand Warriors to a repeat premiership when they beat Newcastle 30-16 in Saturday’s Harold Matthews Cup (under-17) grand final at Leichhardt Oval in Sydney. After finishing the regular season in third place, the Warriors marched forward in the playoffs dismissing the Sydney Roosters, South Sydney and finally the Knights to claim the title again in just their second year in the competition. They didn’t want for impressive contributors but Neal was unquestionably the standout. The 16-year-old St Thomas of Canterbury College student operated on an almost celestial level as he scored two barnstorming tries, made big metres with numerous aggressive runs and pulled off try-saving plays at the other end of the field as well as putting on some punishing hits. Grand Final - Grand Final - Saturday 3 May It was Neal who single-handedly pulled the Warriors back into the contest after they had conceded a 0-12 deficit inside the opening 13 minutes. A 20-metre defender-skittling carry in the opening set had provided a hint of what was to come. It was followed later by a scarcely believable try-stopping tackle on Newcastle centre Chip Valentish over the line.   The first came 16 minutes in, the Warriors heading left through loose forward Ronan Byford and onto halfback Alapati Soagia, who dropped Bishop underneath. Then it was a case of sit back and admire as the big man, receiving the ball 30 metres out, surged past two would-be defenders, bounced off his right foot and took off on an arcing run, giving Newcastle fullback Riley Rostron a vicious facial fend on the way to scoring a superb try. Minutes later he jumped into dummy half close to the line and took four tacklers with him to get the ball down, as only he could. With Soagia converting both tries the Warriors were back to 12-12 and they ought to have had at least another before the break. Close to halftime Neal produced another save, covering in-goal to grab a dangerous grubber kick just when it seemed likely the Knights might score. The Knights stalled the Warriors' momentum in the opening minutes of the second half with a try to second rower Curtis Mulherin but it didn’t ruffle the Warriors. Just seven minutes later they uncorked a wonderful try from a set starting near their own line when they exploited an injury to Newcastle winger Jett McKay, heading down his under-manned edge. With some slick ball work between standoff Hinckley Ioka, winger Kaian Olsen and centre Parekaahu Keepa, Ioka finished it off after handling three times. Soagia converted to have his side in front for the first time in the match. The battle ebbed and flowed for a period afterwards but the Warriors finished the encounter impressively with front rowers Krushil Koteka and Lucian Mikaele scoring in the 50th and 58th minutes for a convincing 30-16 margin, one they certainly deserved. The Warriors had overcome adversity during the week, losing two of their key players in back-up dummy half Amasio Tiatia and captain Tyson Hansen. That caused a reshuffle in the halves with Ioka brought in from the wing to take Hansen’s place at standoff and Kaian Olsen coming in on the wing. Fullback Jeremiah Lemana, who had another wonderful game, led the side in Hansen’s absence so becoming the only player to feature in both of the Warriors' grand final triumphs. HMC grand final: Meet the premiership winners HMC Team list: Chasing grand final glory again Team Update: Leiataua ruled out, Kosi called in Maxigesic Recovery Report: Leiataua joins injured brigade Webster: We're nowhere near where we want to be Share via...Gift this articleSubscribe to gift this article Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe The last time Labor won the far north Queensland seat of Leichhardt, popular local Liberal Warren Entsch was retiring and the Coalition looked on track to lose the 2007 federal election SaveLog in or Subscribe to save articleShareCopy link Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe. Follow the topics, people and companies that matter to you. Read MoreFederal electionAnthony AlbaneseALPLatest In FederalFetching latest articles FIND YOUR ONE NATION CANDIDATE, LOCAL POLLING BOOTHS AND HOW-TO-VOTE CARD HERE. Robert Hicks is a staunch advocate for Australian values standing with Pauline Hanson’s One Nation as the candidate for Leichhardt He believes that successive governments have failed Australians failing infrastructure and government overreach to erode the freedoms and quality of life that generations have worked hard to build Robert has lived in Far North Queensland for many years and has seen firsthand how government mismanagement has left regional communities behind He is determined to stand up for the everyday Australians who feel ignored by the political elite in Canberra and the Greens have abandoned the people they were elected to serve They’ve divided the nation with policies that prioritise minority interests over the majority of hardworking Australians healthcare and law and order have been badly mismanaged leaving families and communities without the services they need Our hospitals should be focused on patient care And our police should be enforcing the law not tiptoeing around political agendas,” he states He is also committed to ensuring Leichhardt gets its fair share of infrastructure funding Robert is passionate about restoring accountability to government and ensuring Australians come first when it comes to jobs “Leichhardt is one of the most stunning places in Australia but our community is being ignored and underfunded while Canberra politicians focus on their own agendas I’m running because I believe in a government that serves the people He is calling on the people of Leichhardt to reject the political establishment and choose real representation that stands up for regional Queensland and a government that listens to its people,” Robert says accountability and prosperity to Leichhardt.” The One Nation political party was launched on the 11th April 1997 at Ipswich by its founder 2/6-12 Boronia Rd Brisbane Airport QLD 4008 guacamole and slow-cooked meat as per Mexican street-food tradition Remove items from your saved list to add more Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime ShareSydney hit list See all stories.Mexican$$$$ Vegetarian Dorilocos in a Flamin’ Hot Doritos bag.Rhett WymanCan you finance a wedding with bags of Flamin’ Hot Doritos because this budget-balancing scheme is why Abe’s Comida Mexicana exists it’s Abe’s Coffee Supply: the Leichhardt cafe Abraham Golski has run for more than two years it’s Sydney’s only joint specialising in Dorilocos “The translation is crazy Doritos,” Golski says The concept involves slitting a bag of chips open and using it as a portable bowl for a wild variety of toppings: pickled pork rinds Frito pie and the “walking taco” are Americans riffs on this meal-in-a-chip-bag notion But ultra-industrialised corn chips never struck me as romantic until I learnt why Abe’s Comida Mexicana opened in November After proposing to girlfriend Carolina Montesinos Golski needed extra income to fund their big day Leichhardt.Rhett Wyman It’s an extension of the home-style cooking he does to connect Montesinos to her Mexican birthplace although some recipes have proven more experimental than others “My first Dorilocos that I made for her at home had Violet Crumble crushed up Similar versions might emerge as specials at Abe’s Comida Mexicana but the current Dorilocos menu leans savoury The only sweetness here is a syrupy and gently spiced chipotle sauce Start your order with either Doritos Cheese Supreme (the elite choice) or the Flamin’ Hot alternative beef or vegetarian filling and request your spice level: mild or hot beef and al pastor pork.Rhett WymanAdvertisementYour Doritos packet gets stacked with guacamole chips and slow-cooked meats or jumbled veggies The bag will sag with the warmth of boiled black beans as you cradle it in your hand Dorilocos are mega-fun to eat: each chip scoop is a lucky dip of flavours You might score guacamole with pico de gallo (fresh-cut tomato salsa) in one bite or Doritos squiggled with chilli-sweet chipotle sauce and sour cream in another Vegetarians are offered the cool crunch of carrot while meat eaters will find their chip packet layered with chicken or beef that’s stringy and soft after eight hours of slow cooking Some people enjoy the sauce runoff that turns the bottom of the bag into a soggy Doritos scrap hunt I prefer eating quickly to maximise chip crunch I’ve tried Nachos Supreme Dorilocos in mild mode and braced for Hot Ones-style humiliation after attempting the spicy level with Flamin’ Hot Dorilocos (but got through with low-key sniffles) Rhett WymanMy only Dorilocos embarrassment was fumbling the chip bag and getting guacamole and beans on my skirt Eating here might fast-track your laundry day piled with various meats or boiled cactus for vegans but the tortillas are impressively made from scratch (the ace Olotl pop-up in Newtown does this You’ll see Golski and Montesinos roll balls of dough and hear beepers go off as they steam press and flip tacos in 25-second intervals In-house drinks include an ace cinnamon-spiced horchata which Golski preps overnight and monitors between serving oat lattes and espressos during the day His shelves stock beans from his dad’s roastery It’s one of many personal elements on display: like colourful decorations from Montesinos’ town of Emiliano Zapata (named after the Mexican revolutionary who said it’s “better to die on your feet than live on your knees”) Although their wedding is scheduled for 2026 Abe’s Comida Mexicana will continue after their big day – even after the savings goal is complete seven-chilli mayonnaise and a good lime squeeze – is always a highlight It’s one of many ways chef Juan Carlos Negrete Lopez showcases corn in Mexican cuisine from tetelas at dinner to chilaquiles at weekend brunch (get the coffee-spiked horchata 33 Enmore Road, Newtown, maizmexicanfood.com but don’t overlook the papas fritas (chipotle-spiced crisps that are fun to dip into the chilli mayo) chiles toreados (blistered jalapeno peppers with untamed firepower) sweetened with milky syrup and topped with strawberry.  3/276-278 Marrickville Road, Marrickville, sanpancho.com.au Tacos are reimagined with bo kho (Vietnamese beef stew) by Saigon Birria at Leichhardt’s Spicetown and filled with shawarma at Iftar in Merrylands Tikka Taco Day isn’t for traditionalists either but where else could you get tortillas stuffed with paneer instead of queso teamed with masala-spiced chips and cumin soda 144A Pennant Street, North Parramatta, tikkatacoday.com  Good Food reviews are booked anonymously and paid independently. A restaurant can’t pay for a review or inclusion in the Good Food Guide. Heritage farmhouse meets natural wine at this new bread fanciers’ hang-outThe All Purpose Bakery team brings “posh RSL” vibes and a no-bookings policy to a refurbished sandstone cottage on Oxford Street, serving rissoles, steak, oysters Kilpatrick and all things bread. ‘Haute couture in cake form’: This patisserie sells exquisite pastries that put flavour firstIrish chef Aoife Noonan helms a cake shop that blends the elegance of a French patisserie with the artistry of Japanese-inspired flavours. news and the hottest openings served to your inbox Eric Kontos Tallyn Da Silva saluted the crowd after scoring his team’s third try on Sunday against the Sharks The effort of the young hooker – and Api Koroisau heir apparent – was just one of several magic moments as Wests Tigers recorded their fourth win of the season before a big The Wests Tigers went on to win 20-18 seconds before the match ended courtesy of a penalty goal by Adam Doueihi – the final magic moment of the game Victory also put to bed the Lachlan Galvin drama of the previous fortnight with that young man also contributing to the result with some magic touches of his own Let’s hope that this incredibly talented youngster can hang around for a while to help the Wests Tigers achieve some success over this season and maybe even in 2026 But if Sunday’s magical performance by the Tigers proved anything it’s that Benji Marshall is the right man in the coach’s box He negotiated a very difficult situation in a fair way making sure the team would be united on the field against the Sharks The team’s next challenge is tackling the St George Dragons on Saturday night at Suncorp Stadium as part of this season’s Magic Round As results so far across the board have shown any team can snatch victory against anyone This afternoon Marshall announced an unchanged lineup for the match with the Dragons Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" the South West Voice is a free news website which serves Macarthur and Liverpool © 2023 South West Voice • All Rights Reserved • Proudly Supported by Simply WordPress Sydney Leichhardt candidates put infrastructure and health at the forefront of their election pledges but political analysts say it won’t be enough to sway the undecided voter Lachlan Galvin is sitting in a suburban dressing room surrounded by the sights Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson, when working as a rival CEO, more than once hosed down his players in the same Leichhardt Oval sheds because the Eighth wonder’s hot water wasn’t running Galvin has showered and changed into club polo and dress shoes but went without socks incoming stench and blisters not a concern After the most tumultuous two weeks of his career when he has been back page and bulletin-leading news most every single day not to mention clickbait gold and social media fodder Even with recorders and phones shoved right under his nose right now it seems there’s nowhere Galvin would rather be ripe with Dencorub and littered with strapping tape mud and grass make for winning sheds - the happiest place in all of rugby league Happy place: Lachlan Galvin is all smiles and back in the Wests Tigers fold.Credit: NRL Imagery Assistant coach Brett Hodgson inhales hot chips while fellow 2005 premiership winner Chris Heighington cracks gags A Tigers staffer watches on ready to hose down any question deemed too spicy The time will come for this 19-year-old prodigy to front up to the NRL’s biggest contract saga in years The legal letter delivered to the club on his behalf detailing bullying allegations - which does limit what can be said publicly. The dossier of complaints about Benji Marshall’s coaching. His relationship with senior teammates His manager Isaac Moses’s handling of it all Lachlan Galvin (left) celebrates with Tigers teammates Api Koroisau Fonua Pole and Sunia Turuva in the Leichhardt Oval sheds.Credit: Jane Mortimer/Wests Tigers For now though, after Adam Doueihi’s golden-point match-winner and one of the most dramatic wins in Tigers history the kid is just happy to be in the Leichhardt sheds Sure beats Lidcombe Oval - 16 kilometres west a grade below the NRL with all that entails - and the 500-odd hardy fans Galvin played in front of last week along with his own personal security guard to keep inquisitive media at bay I’d rather be here than at Lidcombe on a Sunday,” Galvin said from the turf as the sold-out crowd first revelled “You run out in front of those fans and it’s amazing week-out and to get the win tonight in front of them was amazing.” The Leichhardt faithful pack in for Lachlan Galvin’s NRL return.Credit: Steven Siewert Marshall spoke with Galvin before kick-off about a potentially rough reception from Tigers fans. A smattering of jeers did greet the wantaway teen when his name was first read out The Tigers DJ did his best to smother them playing some inane song as Galvin ran out for the team warm-up The overwhelming cheers did the job from the first whistle Even if a dicey kick-off into a howling southerly threatened to make his first touch an inglorious fumble When he and Luai put any drama aside to combine and set up the Tigers first try I just go out excited to play rugby league,” Galvin said The best time of my life is the 80 minutes I play each week Lachlan Galvin and Jarome Luai on Sunday.Credit: Steven Siewert “That’s all I want to do – play NRL and play great footy – and that’s all I really focused on these last two weeks It’s been pretty difficult but my focus has been getting to training each week and to keep working hard.” thoroughly exhausted after his first extra-time game the toil of Galvin and his teammates hung in the air Not just because Galvin’s effort to bring down Cronulla prop Tom Hazelton when he was tryline-bound was one of several match-saving defensive plays from the Tigers go for his legs and do your best’,” Galvin grinned a lot of scramble plays from all of the boys “That’s what we’re basing our game on at the moment sounds and smells of rugby league - reward enough for Galvin and the Tigers more than once because the Eighth wonder\\u2019s hot water wasn\\u2019t running right now it seems there\\u2019s nowhere Galvin would rather be The time will come for this 19-year-old prodigy to front up to the NRL\\u2019s biggest contract saga in years The legal letter delivered to the club on his behalf - which does limit what can be said publicly The dossier of complaints about Benji Marshall\\u2019s coaching His manager Isaac Moses\\u2019s handling of it all after and one of the most dramatic wins in Tigers history I\\u2019d rather be here than at Lidcombe on a Sunday,\\u201D Galvin said from the turf as the sold-out crowd first revelled \\u201CYou run out in front of those fans and it\\u2019s amazing week-out and to get the win tonight in front of them was amazing.\\u201D Marshall spoke with Galvin before kick-off about a potentially rough reception from Tigers fans did greet the wantaway teen when his name was first read out I just go out excited to play rugby league,\\u201D Galvin said \\u201CThat\\u2019s all I want to do \\u2013 play NRL and play great footy \\u2013 and that\\u2019s all I really focused on these last two weeks It\\u2019s been pretty difficult but my focus has been getting to training each week and to keep working hard.\\u201D Not just because Galvin\\u2019s effort to bring down Cronulla prop Tom Hazelton when he was tryline-bound was one of several match-saving defensive plays from the Tigers \\u201CI just thought \\u2018close your eyes go for his legs and do your best\\u2019,\\u201D Galvin grinned \\u201CThat\\u2019s what we\\u2019re basing our game on at the moment An LNP candidate has offered an apology over resurfaced controversial social media posts as he faces a fight to retain a crucial Queensland seat which was held for 15 consecutive years by his predecessor An LNP candidate tasked with retaining a key Queensland seat for the party after his predecessor held it for 15 consecutive years has apologised over a string of controversial social media posts that have resurfaced Jeremy Neal was chosen as the LNP candidate for the seat of Leichhardt in Far North Queensland taking over from long-serving MP Warren Entsch Mr Entsch held the seat during the entirety of the Howard government from 1996 to 2007 but he did not stand in the 2007 election opening the door for Labor's candidate Jim Turnour to pick up the seat as Labor's Kevin Rudd became prime minister and retained his seat a further four times until he retired in March this year Mr Neal's Leichhardt campaign was officially launched last week with some Donald Trump-inspired hats worn by LNP volunteers reading: "MAGA Make Albo Go Away" The now-deleted posts revealed by The Courier Mail included criticisms of Covid-19 restrictions and also blaming feminists for Trump's election defeat in 2020 "Feminists helped kick Trump out only to ruin ~ 19000000 women’s lives in Afghanistan under Biden,” he posted in August 2021 he labelled China a "grub of a country" in response to an incident where the Chinese foreign ministry spokesman posted a fake picture that depicted an Australian soldier murdering an Afghan child He also called for Americans to "vote for Trump and keep us all safe" he offered an apology for the posts as he set his sights on the election race “I share Peter Dutton’s concerns over President Trump’s tariffs particularly the impact they will have on our local beef industry,” he told the Courier Mail were poorly worded and I unreservedly apologise for them “The majority of these were posted in the midst of the Covid pandemic when I was working on the frontline as a paramedic attending some extremely traumatic incidents in my community “These experiences had a profound impact on me at the time.” Labor's candidate for the seat of Leichhardt is Matt Smith a long-term Cairns local who played in the NBL for the Cairns Taipans until his retirement in 2009 SkyNews.com.au has contacted Mr Smith for comment Jim Turnour was the last Labor MP to hold the seat Labor had a stranglehold on the electorate from 1983 to 1996 with John Gayler and then Peter Dodd The old posts from Mr Neal comes after Benjamin Britton was dropped as the Liberal candidate for the seat of Whitlam after comments he made during a podcast in July last year re-emerged where he argued the Australian Defence Force needed to "remove females from combat corps" in order to “fix our defence force” Mr Britton was disendorsed on Sunday and replaced by Nathaniel Smith Norton Street has had a revival in the form of a technicolour food market: Spicetown a two-storey dining destination in the unused Leichhardt Hotel and is from the team behind Burwood Chinatown “The site had been closed for eight long years,” Gina Liros of the Blairgrove Group which owns the venue The glow of neon signage – with cheery slogans like “Good food good mood” – livens up the inner-west laneway outside A hawker-style area filled with tables and stools spills onto the street where tables are cleaned quick smart: as one group of diners leaves travel spots and more – curated by those who know Where Burwood Chinatown spotlights Chinese market stalls and street food Spicetown Leichhardt takes a global approach you’ll find Turkish vendors dishing up oozy gozleme African barbeque trucks and Japanese skewer houses There are all the usual street-fair players plus drink stalls pouring everything from sugarcane juice and Thai milk tea to acai and smoothies Bring your first round back to the table to share before you go out and make the rounds again seafood stall Savoury Gal – and its trio of seared scallops – is a standout the plump beauties are then torched till just charred Topping off the whole dish is fish roe and chilli kewpie You’ll notice it on other tables – it’s a crispy whole squid on a stick Ultimate Roll leans into Philly cheesesteak territory: cheesy Flamin’ Hot Cheetos-inspired Korean cheese corn dogs are best shared A drink at upstairs cocktail bar Cosmos is on the cards considered alc-free options and wines from Australian and Europe customers aren’t the only ones benefitting from the diversity we don’t use money,” laughs Michael Yu from Skewer House “If I want an egg burger or some fried chicken this new food hall is here to spice things up Charcoal Chicken and Rosewater Desserts: A Local’s Guide to Merrylands Where Chefs Eat: Peter Gilmore Really Knows Crows Nest Ex-Tradies Grill Hard-to-Find Mexican Street Snacks First Look: Berta’s Deli Knows “Everyone Loves a Sandwich” The Inner West’s beloved Leichhardt Oval is set for a major transformation, with final designs for a multimillion-dollar renovation released this week The long-awaited plans promise to modernise the aging venue while preserving the historic character that earned it the nickname “the eighth wonder of the world.” Backed by $40 million in joint funding from the Commonwealth the project will see significant upgrades to player The centrepiece of the redevelopment is a complete overhaul of the Western Grandstand which will feature new NRL-compliant change rooms and upgraded corporate and media amenities “These designs keep the heritage and character of our famous ground while bringing the facilities up to modern standards,” said Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne “This will make Leichhardt Oval one of the highest quality suburban grounds in Australia.” A brand-new northern grandstand with 1,500 seats and improved food and amenity offerings is also in the works the entire lower seating bowl will be replaced with modern stadium seating including multiple wheelchair-accessible viewing areas The upgrade will also include the Inner West Museum of Rugby League celebrating the legacy of local foundational clubs like Balmain A renovated caretaker’s cottage will house immersive exhibits with a virtual museum component to broaden access Construction is expected to begin after the 2026 winter sports season called the investment a commitment to community life This development will ensure it remains a community hub for generations.” The design has been developed by Ernst and Young and Cox Architecture leveraging experience from major stadium projects like CommBank and Allianz Stadiums A State Significant Development Application will be submitted to the NSW Government later this year The final designs for the upgrade of historic Leichhardt Oval have been released today The designs include new facilities for players spectators and sporting clubs that will bring the ground up to modern standards This will include a major renovation of the Western grandstand which will include: the design includes a new northern grandstand and replacement of the entire lower seating bowl with modern stadium seating These improvements will secure the future of Leichhardt Oval for decades to come and allow the venue to be a permanent hub for women's sport The design has been developed by project managers Ernst and Young and Cox Architects who both bring deep experience in the renovation of stadiums and major sporting facilities Please find attached a copy of the plans as well as artists impressions of the new facilities: The upgrade has been made possible through a funding agreement between the Commonwealth The commonwealth has committed $20 million and the State Government and Inner West Council $10 million each to the project Construction of the upgrade is due to commence at the conclusion of the 2026 winter season getting together with family and friends to watch a game "Leichhardt Oval is a place for world class games – and it deserves world class facilities This new development will mean there are top quality facilities for everyone to enjoy including schools and women and girls' teams "That's why Labor has committed $20 million to support these vital upgrades We want to make sure the Oval is a community hub into the future Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne said players and fans alike would be excited to see the high-quality new facilities set to be delivered at Leichhardt Oval "These designs keep the heritage and character of our famous ground while bringing the facilities for players spectators and sports clubs up to modern standards," Byrne said "This will make the 'eighth wonder of the world' one of the highest quality suburban grounds in Australia while taking the unbeatable atmosphere there to another level "We are ready to deliver a renovation that will secure the future of Leichhardt Oval for another 50 years to come." Governing body for football and futsal in Queensland Football Queensland has concluded its investigation into the alleged fielding of ineligible players by Leichhardt FC during the 2024 FQPL 3 Far North Men season Football Queensland has determined that Leichhardt FC fielded ineligible players in the below FQPL 3 Far North Men fixtures during the 2024 regular season:  Accordingly and in line with the 2024 Statewide Rules of Competition the following sanction has been determined: Michael Chammas and Andrew “Joey” Johns dissect the upcoming NRL round, plus the latest footy news, results and analysis. Sign up for the Sin Bin newsletter. These are the images Wests Tigers fans have been waiting decades to see as the final design of the new-look 20,000-seat Leichhardt Oval is submitted to the NSW government for approval. This masthead has obtained artist impressions of the $40 million redevelopment of the suburban ground, which includes a new grandstand on the northern hill and a significant renovation of the western grandstand. The project is expected to begin at the end of the 2026 season, with plans for the Tigers to return to the upgraded Leichhardt at the beginning of the 2028 campaign. There is a discussion about the Tigers potentially front-loading their Leichhardt Oval games next year to allow work to start that August, opening the window for a potential return for the final stages of the 2027 season. In June last year, the federal ($20 million), state ($10 million) and local ($10 million) governments formed a funding partnership to secure the future of Leichhardt Oval. \\u201CAustralians love spending time outdoors, getting together with family and friends to watch a game or cheer on the next generation,\\u201D Sydney MP Tanya Plibersek said. \\u201CLeichhardt Oval is a place for world-class games \\u2013 and it deserves world-class facilities. This new development will mean there are top-quality facilities for everyone to enjoy, including schools and women and girls\\u2019 teams. \\u201CThat\\u2019s why Labor has committed $20 million to support these vital upgrades. We want to make sure the oval is a community hub into the future. \\u201D Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne said players and fans alike would be excited to see the designs. \\u201CThese designs keep the heritage and character of our famous ground while bringing the facilities for players, spectators and sports clubs up to modern standards,\\u201D Byrne said. \\u201CThis will make the \\u2018eighth wonder of the world\\u2019 one of the highest quality suburban grounds in Australia while taking the unbeatable atmosphere there to another level. We are ready to deliver a renovation that will secure the future of Leichhardt Oval for another 50 years.\\u201D Michael Chammas and Andrew \\u201CJoey\\u201D Johns dissect the upcoming NRL round, plus the latest footy news, results and analysis. . Brisbane Olympic Games chairman Andrew Liveris’ $375 million push into industrial salt production has elicited support from South Sydney Rabbitohs chairman Nick Pappas and some of Australia’s richest families Mr Liveris’ privately held company Leichhardt Industrials Group took possession of Rio Tinto’s Lake MacLeod salt asset in Western Australia on December 2 and the Saudi Aramco director has convinced other high-profile backers to co-invest This is probably not the page you’re looking for