A missing eight-year-old girl has been found following an urgent search Fatima Sari was last seen on Emilia Place at Macquarie Fields, south-west Sydney NSW Police were contacted after she was unable to be located by family and friends. They held serious concerns for her welfare as she is living with a medical condition, non-verbal and young. Fatima is described as being of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern appearance, of medium build, with dark hair which was in a ponytail. She was last seen wearing a red tracksuit with a heart on the jumper. Police released an update at 1.20pm, revealing Fatima had been found.  Major terror attack 'was just HOURS away' before it was foiled by the special forces and police:... Victim of acid attack 'plotted by his ex-partner who teamed up with a gang' dies in hospital six... We are trapped in unsellable newbuild homes after a £52m dual carriageway was built on our... Horror as $4.5M influencer-laden yacht SINKS off Miami... after glam women made a rookie maritime... Pub is forced to pay family £75,000 after wrongly accusing them of 'dine and dash' over £150... How Meghan's biggest cheerleader brokered Harry's disastrous BBC interview - three months after... Woman dead and three others including a child injured after car ploughed into pedestrians: Man, 49,... 'It's a rather giant f*** you.' Royal insider's furious reaction to Meghan's Instagram salvo as... Woman who was missing for more than 60 years is found 'alive and well' decades after vanishing... American tourist suffers horrific fate while attempting to capture selfie at Rome's Colosseum The towns being ruined by day-tripper invasions. Selfie-loving tourists cause traffic hell and the... How can I see the Red Arrows' iconic flypast? Map reveals when and where planes will be visible over... Hamas hostage, 23, 'raped by personal trainer influencer in her own home after being released' King, Queen, William and Kate honour selfless devotion of Britain's wartime heroes as they lead... Husband of British mother, 65, who was knifed to death in French village says her affair is a... M&S cyber attack could take 'months' to fully recover from as 'paranoid' staff resort to sleeping in... No one seems to have shared their thoughts on this topic yetLeave a comment so your voice will be heard first. {{message}} A long-overdue transformation is finally underway at Macquarie Fields Station delivering accessibility and safety improvements for the more than 10,000 commuters who pass through it each week The 136-year-old station is the first in line for a facelift under the NSW Government’s $800 million pledge to fast-track station upgrades across the state Among the key changes: a new footbridge with lifts and stairs “This will make a huge difference,” said Member for Macquarie Fields Anoulack Chanthivong who has fronted a long community campaign for this upgrade “Macquarie Fields is home to hundreds of elderly people people with disability – – this will make a huge difference in supporting them to get around.” have fought for a lift for over 10 years – a campaign that Mr Chanthivong said was “ignored by the previous NSW Liberal Government who instead invested in lesser-used stations like Hawkesbury River.” Construction will ramp up from May with work on new footbridge foundations Free community tours will be held quarterly to keep locals in the loop “Meeting members of the community and being shown around the site demonstrated how much thought has gone into the project to get it right,” Mr Chanthivong added People can register interest in future tours by contacting Transport for NSW on 1800 684 490, or emailing projects@transport.nsw.gov.au View towards the station from Railway Parade (East) Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress For information directly relating to bushfires please call the Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737 or visit the NSW Rural Fire Service Website here. [external link] We responded to over 150,000 incidents in 2023-24 The incidents displayed below are note-worthy incidents that have been published as media releases or tweets Details about incidents may change and should not be used as emergency information and/or advice North Parramatta | The fire at Dunlop Street, North Parramatta has been contained but is expected to smoulder through the morning. Because there may be smoke in the area, residents and businesses in the vicinity are advised to keep doors, windows, and vents closed. View on X [external link] Fire and Rescue NSW acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the land and acknowledges and pays respect to their Elders   Macquarie Fields will be home to one of 10 new suburban university study hubs in 2025 The hub will bring university learning closer to home for outer South West Sydney residents A recommendation of the Universities Accord suburban university study hubs will help more people from the outer suburbs get the opportunity to get a tertiary education Almost one in two young people in their 20s and their 30s have a university degree today but in the Campbelltown LGA it’s only around 31 per cent “I am pleased that people in the Werriwa electorate and surrounding suburbs will have easy access to campus-style facilities that are close to home,’’ Ms Stanley said. “The Albanese Government’s investment to establish suburban university study hubs will greatly benefit current students and will support students with aspirations to complete a university or TAFE course.” The study hubs provide student support and campus-style facilities for students who are studying a university or TAFE course without having to leave their community The evidence shows that where they are located university participation increases.  The new hubs are expected to be operational by mid-2025 The 10 locations were chosen following a competitive application process the government says it’s investing $66.9 million to establish 20 more regional university study hubs and 14 new suburban university study hubs in the outer suburbs of the major cities A further round for four additional suburban university study hubs opens on Monday For more details visit Suburban University Study Hubs – Department of Education, Australian Government 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 Macquarie Fields Station has become the first project under the NSW Government’s $800.7 million Safe Accessible Transport program to begin construction marking a significant milestone for public transport accessibility in Sydney championed by Member for Macquarie Fields Anoulack Chanthivong and Member for Werriwa Anne Stanley follows years of tireless community campaigning Chanthivong said after Uncle Raymond Weatherall’s smoking ceremony in front of boards bearing artist’s impressions of the completed station upgrades “It’s not just about a piece of infrastructure – it’s about fairness and ensuring our community gets the resources they deserve.” “Today is a culmination of everybody’s work the number of media interviews that we’ve done.” Community members will recall that among those letters was also Mr Chanthivong’s satirical annual Wish List to Santa hoping that the then Liberal government in power would sign off on the essential upgrade to Macquarie Fields Station The upgrade includes essential features such as a new footbridge with lifts Member for Werriwa Anne Stanley emphasised the importance of the project saying “People need to be able to access their local train stations they shouldn’t have to be travelling kilometres to other stations.” The project has now progressed to the final design and construction phase with contractor Arenco commencing work after Christmas including input from local disability advocates has been integral to the project’s planning which will make the station safer and accessible for all,” Mr the station will finally have lifts which will make a world of difference to people with disability signalling broader accessibility improvements across Sydney’s transport network The Government has announced Macquarie Fields as one of 10 locations for new Suburban University Study Hubs a major step in making tertiary education accessible to Sydney’s south-west these hubs—part of the Universities Accord—will offer campus-style facilities and student support to local residents studying university or TAFE courses “I am pleased that people in the Werriwa electorate and surrounding suburbs will have easy access to campus-style facilities that are close to home,” Member for Werriwa only 31% of people in Campbelltown’s LGA hold a university degree compared to nearly 50% nationwide among young adults Education Minister Jason Clare emphasised the hubs’ proven success in boosting university participation The evidence is they increase the number of people going to uni and finishing a uni degree.” the hubs aim to bridge the education gap in outer suburbs and regional areas The upgrade of the 136 year old Macquarie Fields Station is moving closer with the community invited to have their say on the plans that improve accessibility along with sporting a fresh new look for the precinct Transport for NSW is now seeking community feedback on the Review of Environmental Factors (REF) for the proposed upgrade The REF for the Macquarie Fields upgrade is on display from now until September 18. Feedback can be submitted via email projects@transport.nsw.gov.au or the project info line on 1800 684 490 This marks a significant milestone in the development of the project which aims to enhance accessibility and amenity and overall experience of the station for the local community The project will include the installation of two new lifts and a new passenger footbridge as well as other facilities such as a family accessible toilet and improved security The station will also be modernised with a new accessible entry forecourt work on site is expected to begin later this year led the campaign to upgrade the station since he was elected as an opposition MP back in 2015 with many young families and carers with prams women and girls – to whom this station upgrade is going to mean a world of difference,’’ he says with the previous government overlooking our community so they could look after their own electorates Finally key design work is coming together and we’re a step closer to a fully accessible station.” The upgrade project team will be available to answer questions during the display period at one of the community sessions below:   September 15 at Campbelltown Handmade and Homegrown Market from 8am to 1pm Will the station be operating during upgrade works Work has started on a $7.8 million upgrade to Bob Prenter Reserve in Macquarie Fields that will transform the AFL venue into a leading regional sporting precinct The project will deliver a new two storey clubhouse female friendly changerooms and a new amenities building underneath the existing grandstand Bob Prenter Reserve is home to the South West Sydney Blues AFL Club and NSW Gaelic Athletic Association while also being used for various sports by Macquarie Fields High School and the Campbelltown Zone Public School Sport Association It was the home of the legendary Campbelltown Blues AFL club which boasted in its ranks players such as Russell Matheson a local businessman who was club president during its heyday Mayor of Campbelltown Darcy Lound said the project would ensure a range of sporting groups would benefit into the future from using the new top-class facilities “This is a significant investment in local sport and will ensure Bob Prenter Reserve has facilities that meet the needs of contemporary sporting clubs catering for both junior and senior sports,” Cr Lound said “The addition of female-friendly change rooms will ensure this fantastic regional facility will cater for the growing participation of women and girls in local sport and make it more accessible for everyone in our community,” he said said it is great to see multi-sport facilities bringing communities together and increasing participation opportunities “Sporting infrastructure plays a critical role in keeping communities healthy “I look forward to seeing how the whole community accessible sporting precinct in their own backyard.” said the significant investment in local sporting facilities would benefit a range of sporting codes and abilities “Our growing community welcomes the Bob Prenter Reserve upgrade which will enable seasoned sportspeople and up and coming juniors to experience outstanding facilities close to home.” The project is funded through $5 million from the NSW Government’s Multisport Community Facility Fund as well as a $2.8 million contribution from Council A dramatic carjacking has unfolded in western Sydney, leaving an Uber driver traumatised amid a police manhunt across Sydney's west At about 3.30am the driver was washing his vehicle at a 24-hour car wash on Atchison Road Macquarie Fields when he was ambushed by three people armed with a knife Two of them allegedly stole the man's car and drove away while a third reportedly left the scene on a scooter The 48-year-old Uber driver from Minto walked to Macquarie Fields Police Station and reported the incident The stolen vehicle was driven to Ambarvale where it collided with another car about 45 minutes later A woman in her 60s called the police after the head-on crash on Copperfield Drive and said two people got out of the other car and left on a scooter The woman was treated for chest injuries by NSW Ambulance paramedics after her car's airbag was triggered by the impact She  is expected to visit a hospital later today for further treatment Crime scenes have now been established in both Macquarie Fields and Ambarvale.  The police were told that all three suspects were wearing black clothing with their faces covered.  Investigators are appealing for anyone with relevant dashcam vision from the vicinity of Atchison Road to Copperfield Drive, between 3.30am-4.30am, to contact police.  {{message}} The NSW Government is improving accessibility and safety at Macquarie Fields Station The Safe Accessible Transport program aims to make public transport safe inclusive and easy to use for all passengers people with prams or luggage and others who may be experiencing mobility challenges The project is expected to be completed in 2026 Transport will establish a site compound on the cul-de-sac at the end of Railway Parade Ongoing activities will include service investigations seating and Opal card readers) and foundation work for the new lifts Overall construction is expected to take 18 months to complete with project completion expected in late 2026 For detailed information on the design changes and what is happening this month, please see the latest community notification (PDF, 635.9 KB) Community tours are being offered at Macquarie Fields Station to provide community members with an opportunity to see firsthand the progress and benefits the project will bring and ask questions directly to the project team Our next tour is scheduled for Friday 4 July Following public display of the Review of Environmental Factors (REF) and consultation the proposed upgrade of Macquarie Fields Station was approved to proceed in late October 2024.  Transport publicly displayed the REF for Macquarie Fields Station Upgrade We invited community and stakeholder feedback on plans to provide an accessible station with improved amenity and safety for customers Feedback received has been considered by the Project Team and responses to feedback are available in the Determination Report (PDF, 2.33 MB) Feedback that related to items outside the scope of the proposal has been provided to the appropriate agency for consideration we engaged with the community and other stakeholders To help develop our concept design we also engaged with people with disability Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and women and girls from the local community Targeted engagement included a Safer Cities Program workshop to understand women and girls’ perceptions of safety and collaborative Connecting with Country events to understand the unique and enduring relationship between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their ancestral lands Further detail on what we heard during this stage can be found within the March 2024 community update (PDF, 1.36 MB) Transport is continuing to engage with City of Campbelltown Council and other key stakeholders to seek feedback on the concept design and precinct improvements We want to hear from local people with disability and carers Register to attend a workshop which will provide an opportunity to contribute valuable insights on accessibility needs and make a real difference for your local community These workshops will continue to occur throughout the design process Participants will be provided a voucher at each stage in exchange for their valuable involvement and feedback If you would like to receive project updates, please contact us on 1800 684 490 or email projects@transport.nsw.gov.au Please visit the Macquarie Fields Station webpage for more information on station facilities and transport services Personal Information Collection Notice: Transport for NSW is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring your personal and health information is managed according to law. Find out why we collect your personal information and how we use and manage it by reading our privacy statement or phone 13 22 13 to request a copy Transport for NSW recognise and celebrate the diversity of Aboriginal peoples and their ongoing cultures and care of Country We pay respect to traditional custodians and Elders past and present Macquarie Fields will develop as a local village centre with some taller buildings closer to the station we have updated the plan for building heights for mixed use development will be consistent with surrounding medium rise development (3 to 6 storeys) Rezoning within this precinct can now occur through: Campbelltown City Council will be responsible for implementing the precinct plan We pay respect to the Traditional Custodians and First Peoples of NSW and acknowledge their continued connection to their country and culture Commander of the Campbelltown City police area command will address the media this morning over the theft of a car from a carwash and a subsequent crash in Ambarvale The incident started around 3.30am when a man at a car wash in Atchison Road Macquarie Fields was threatened by three people armed with a knife walked to Macquarie Fields Police Station and reported the incident; he was distressed but not injured Police had circulated a description of the stolen car and commenced inquiries when a woman called Triple Zero (000) to report she’d been involved in a crash at Ambarvale with a car matching the description of the stolen vehicle She told police after the head-on crash on Copperfield Drive that two people got out of the other vehicle and left on a scooter The woman was treated for chest injuries by NSW Ambulance paramedics after her car’s airbag was triggered by the impact Crime scenes have now been established in both Macquarie Fields and Ambarvale Police have been told all three people were wearing black clothing with their faces covered Investigators are appealing for anyone with relevant dashcam vision from the vicinity of Atchison Road to Copperfield Drive Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Campbelltown Police or Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) Pictures: NSW Police Police have charged four teenagers who allegedly travelled from Sydney before breaking inside a family home at Austinmer and threatening a woman with a knife All articles from our website & appThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxInteractive Crosswords Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinuePolice allege the teens targeted a Boyce Avenue home about 2.30am on Wednesday They allegedly went into the bedroom of a woman before threatening the woman with a knife and demanding car keys Police say the group fled after the man challenged them They allegedly stole a phone and headphones Two children aged 12 and 17 were also home at the time Officers from Wollongong Police District attended and set up a crime scene and an investigation was launched under the youth property crime-focused Operation Regional Mongoose August 8) the investigation led to simultaneous police searches at three Western Sydney addresses - two in Macquarie Fields and one at Glenfield A 19-year-old man was arrested at a Macquarie Fields address and taken to Campbelltown Police Station He was charged with eight offences - three counts of enter land with intent to commit indictable offence aggravated break and enter with intent - knowing person there two counts of possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit and possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority He was refused bail to appear before Campbelltown Local Court later today A 19-year-old is taken into custody at a property in Macquarie Fields on Thursday Pictures: NSW Police At the Glenfield home police seized shotgun ammunition and arrested a 17-year-old boy who was taken to Campbelltown Police Station He was charged with six offences - three counts of enter building/land/with intent to commit indictable offence assault with intent to rob in company and possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority He was refused bail to appear before a Children's Court today At the second Macquarie Fields home two boys aged 13 and 15 were arrested and taken to Campbelltown Police Station They were each charged with five offences - three counts of enter building/land with intent to commit indictable offence aggravated break and enter with intent - knowing person there and assault with intent to rob in company Both were refused bail to appear before a Childrens Court today Operation Regional Mongoose was set up in June to investigate property crime offenders - predominantly youths across the Wollongong and Lake Illawarra Police Districts with assistance from the Region Enforcement Squad Thursdays searches were carried out with assistance from officers attached to the Southern Operation Support Group South West Metropolitan Police Area Command State Crime Command Financial Crimes and the Dog Unit Today's top stories curated by our news team Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters Get the latest property and development news here Find out what's happening in local business tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert Your digital replica of Today's Paper Test your skills with interactive crosswords A rare 23-hectare landholding in the south west Sydney’s growth corridor that’s been circled by developers for years has hit the market It’s about the size of a small suburb and surrounded by new housing estates and transport infrastructure yet hasn’t been converted to suburbia like most of the adjacent land despite the best efforts of property developers The 1840-built homestead Macquarie Field House at Glenfield was once the home of Sydney’s first mayor and the entire property - including almost 60 acres of rolling green hills - is on the state heritage register That means any proposed development is subject to strict controls designed to maintain the heritage significance of not only the existing five-bedroom sandstone house itself but also its “intact 19th century rural cultural landscape” Sales agent Frank Oliveri of Colliers said the property would likely appeal to private buyers rather than developers given its heritage protection which restricted subdivision Macquarie Field House is set on almost 60 acres of land and is heritage listed which restricts further subdivision for housing “It is well suited to a personal residence for somebody who loves the history of the area,” he said The period home was previously used as a farm but hasn't been lived in since it was last sold in 2015 The vast landholding and convenient position in Sydney's west made it a unique offering “Finding a property of 60 acres from Liverpool to Campbelltown in the M5 precinct is very The 1840-built homestead was restored during the 1950s and 60s by former owner David Jamieson The historic homestead has 15 rooms including five bedrooms wide hallways and period timber details throughout “It would be great to leave it in its current state,” Mr Oliveri said “But it also has so many adaptive reuses whether it's a school a place of worship or a range of other uses.” The property last traded in 2015 when it sold for just over $4 million The listing of the large, heritage-protected landholding in a key growth corridor in Sydney’s south west, comes amid Australia's ongoing housing crisis, with concerns the federal government’s target for 1.2 million new homes to be built by 2029 won’t be achieved Heritage restrictions have often been criticised as a barrier to unlocking housing supply although the debate between heritage and housing typically takes place in inner city suburbs rather than those on the urban fringe Numerous attempts to redevelop Macquarie Field House over the years have been knocked back including a 1999 plan to subdivide it into 171 residential lots which was rejected over concerns it would compromise the site’s rural heritage The large landholding is surrounded by recently-built housing estates and land earmarked for future development Recently-built housing estates encircle the property including the newly built suburbs of Bardia and Edmondson Park to the west and the Macquarie Links gated community to the south Glenfield was recently rezoned to allow low medium and high density housing on rural land to the north of Macquarie Field House currently occupied by Hurlstone Agricultural High School with building heights of up to 12 storeys proposed for a new town centre at the train station Macquarie Field house is “of exceptional value as a substantial mid-19th century homestead Particular attention is given to its "open rural landscape" which is described as having "high cultural value." The heritage-listed house includes a cellar among its 15 rooms The formerly government-owned property was restored during the 1950s by conservator David Jamieson before being sold in the 1990s to the Presbyterian Church which had plans at the time to turn it into a feeder school for Scots College It was sold for $1.8 million in 2007 to Paul Hutchinson who lived in it with his family of six before selling it in 2015 for $4.08 million to a private buyer who intended to use it as a home third parties have written and supplied the content and we are not responsible for it completeness or reliability of the information nor do we accept any liability or responsibility arising in any way from omissions or errors contained in the content We do not recommend sponsored lenders or loan products and we cannot introduce you to sponsored lenders We strongly recommend that you obtain independent advice before you act on the content realestate.com.au is owned and operated by ASX-listed REA Group Ltd (REA:ASX) © REA Group Ltd. By accessing or using our platform, you agree to our Terms of Use. A group of Macquarie Fields neighbours have listed their homes as a ‘package deal’ A GROUP of neighbours are joining forces and selling their homes in the hopes of pocketing $2 million each Nine couples from 11 adjoining lots in Macquarie Fields are inviting buyers to snap up their prime piece of property with price expectations of about $22 million The home sites are a combined 5500sq m parcel near the local train station in a patch earmarked for rezoning and apartment-style living An aerial shot of the 11 properties for sale in an area set to change dramatically A transaction could see residents make more than three times the area’s $650,000 median house price Ravinder Singh has lead the sale with a windfall in mind since the state government’s draft Urban Renewal Corridor Strategy for Glenfield to Macarthur revealed plans for three- to six-storey unit blocks “We know we won’t get the money we are asking for if we sell individually but the property as a package will be worth quite a bit,” Mr Singh said “We are only 350m away from Macquarie Fields station; we have shops nearby and it is a hot spot for transport and schools,” he said The single lots across Windsor and Clarence streets and Argyle Place range in size from 350sq m to 660sq m They are a mix of three- to five-bedroom houses Cheryl and Anthony Lowry have lived at their property for 10 years and have banded together with neighbours for a rare chance “We weren’t going to sell but this great opportunity came along,” Mrs Lowry said One of the homes up for grabs as part of the group sale “I’ve heard of this (group sales) happening in Castle Hill so I thought it would be good for around here — there is lots of change.” The method has proven to work as in December of 2014 five homes in Garthowen Cres SIGN UP FOR THE NSW REAL ESTATE NEWSLETTER HERE three Castle Hill properties on 10,600sq m were rumoured to have sold for more than $40 million Former real estate agent Kylie Singh is representing the Macquarie Fields neighbours and selling through No Agent Property — a platform where homeowners advertise their listing for a fee but sell on their own The friendly neighbours are positive they will make a profit She explained that a developer “could get about 250 units” on-site and earn a sizeable profit especially around the main artery,” Mrs Singh said Records show the latest house to sell in Argyle Pl went for $780,000 in May a Clarence St property was snapped up for $570,000 Campbelltown Mayor George Brticevic confirmed future infrastructure upgrades would see Macquarie Fields transformed with higher density housing The properties are within walking distance of Macquarie Fields train station “The aim will be (for residents) to have the benefit of transport so people can walk to work or use public transport and … get employment nearby,” Cr Brticevic said “Macquarie Fields has skyrocketed in value People realise they are only 40 minutes from the city hills and south train lines and are not far from Cronulla or beaches in Wollongong.” It is one of seven new stations that will receive upgrades as part of an $800 million election commitment to accelerate accessibility upgrades at stations across NSW The announcement is being made this morning at the 136-year-old Macquarie Fields Station by NSW Premier Chris Minns the Member for Macquarie Fields and transport minister Jo Haylen and disability inclusion minister Kate Washington who is also a minister in the Minns Government has campaigned for a lift at the station since first elected in 2015 Major construction is expected to begin in late 2024 following the development of planning approval documentation with work taking around 18 months to complete women and girls – to whom this station upgrade is going to mean a world of difference,” Mr Chanthivong said “There will be some disruption during the construction phase however it’s short-term pain for long-term gain – as we know this upgrade will deliver a safer more accessible and more inclusive station.” Upgrades to Macquarie Fields Station will include a new footbridge with lifts There will be six accessible parking spaces two new accessible drop-off spaces and a relocated bus stop on Railway Parade Access to the station will be improved with a new pedestrian crossing and signage Macquarie Fields Station has never been fully accessible with the City-bound Platform 1 only accessible via stairs More than 10,000 passengers travel through the station every week and the community is home to 2,000 people aged over 60 many of whom have been campaigning for lifts for over eight years Their campaign was ignored by the previous NSW Liberal Government who invested in lesser-used stations like Hawkesbury River Station first which sees only a quarter of the weekly passenger numbers Having completed early stakeholder engagement with vulnerable members of the community Transport for NSW will undertake targeted stakeholder engagement over the coming months The community will be invited to have their say on the draft concept design toward the end of the year Eric Kontos Local resident Donna Palmer got the biggest cheer at this morning’s announcement that a Chris Minns Labor Government would build a lift at Macquarie Fields railway station as a matter of high priority who is pictured above in the red mobility scooter was one of several Macquarie Fields residents at the media conference held outside the station but what they had in common was the impossible task of gaining access to the western platform of the station due to the lack of a lift and I can tell you that being disabled is a hard fact of life let alone trying to find a station you can go to get to where you want to go,’’ she said when Mr Minns’ people passed her the microphone I can access the train from this side (east) but when I come home I have to go to Glenfield [which has a lift] it should have been done 40 years ago,’’ Ms Palmer said I think we should be listened to and heard.’’ The South West Voice asked the first question of the Labor leader his transport spokesperson Jo Haylen and Macquarie Fields MP Anoulack Chanthivong how quickly will a Labor Government build a lift at this station Ms Haylen responded: “We’re here today because Macquarie Fields is a top priority and if Labor is elected we will prioritise stations on the basis of needs Earlier Mr Minns announced that the lift would be built as part of a new approach to help make all public transport accessible for everyone “A Minns Labor Government will upgrade our train stations to make them more accessible safe and secure with a $300 million investment,’’ the Labor leader said A Labor Government would create a $900 million fund by merging two existing programs the Transport Access Program ($342m) and the Commuter Car Park Program ($351m) and add $300 million “The community that needs it the most will get it first under Labor,’’ Ms Haylen said who has been campaigning for a lift since he was first elected in 2015 said that today was “about righting the wrong – the shameful fact that the Liberal Government ignored its own transport data and blatantly engaged in pork barrelling “People in Macquarie Fields have been waiting years for a lift at the station and today I welcome Labor’s announcement to make stations more accessible,’’ he said “A NSW Labor Government will deliver a long overdue lift at Macquarie Fields.’’ A school community is in shock after a bullet was fired through a window into classroom in Sydney's south-west. Year one and two students were in class about 12:45pm when the bullet smashed a window after hitting a curtain, which altered its trajectory.   A crime scene was established at the public school on Fields Rd in Macquarie Fields and the room was searched, revealing a small-calibre bullet which will be forensically examined by specialist police. There have been no reports of injuries to either students or staff and the school was not placed into lockdown.  On Tuesday afternoon NSW police told media the act was 'reckless' but not 'a targeted attack'. 'It's terrifying when people are playing with guns anywhere at anytime because the consequences can be catastrophic,' Superintendent Grant Healy said. 'This was not a targeted act towards a school [but] it's a totally reckless act for someone who is acting in a way with a firearm that is very dangerous to the community. 'A reckless act is when you are playing with something and you don't think about the consequences.' He said indications are the bullet was fired from 'some distance away' and a police ballistics team is trying to establish what it was fired from.  The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact police. How 'SAS swooped on Iran-backed terror cell': Special Forces troops joined police on UK streets to... Alarm as a bullet is fired into a classroom window in SydneyCommenting on this article has endedNewest{{#isModerationStatus}}{{moderationStatus}} Our Customer Service Centre is temporarily located at Speers Point Library opposite Council's Administration Building Millions of dollars’ worth of sports field upgrades across Lake Macquarie are set to reap benefits for a multitude of sports codes and participants The improvements include upgrades of 25 changerooms at 12 sports grounds in the city making them more accessible and usable for junior and senior female participants Lights have been installed at four sites as part of a $923,000 project to extend the windows of opportunity for teams to train and play: Douglas Street Oval Lake Macquarie City Council Community Assets Delivery Coordinator Brent Wellham said construction was underway underway to realise the vision set out in the Belmont Sports Fields Master Plan covering Barton No.2 Field and Lumsden Oval “This precinct is the city’s largest dedicated sports area and the Stage One works will create a facility capable of hosting regional-level competition,” he said “The fields are already used for rugby league but the upgrades will pave the way for other codes “We’ve spoken at length to sports clubs already using the site to help inform the design and prioritise work.” including an electrical upgrade for the site and two new amenities buildings The buildings will service Barton No.2 and No.3 fields Mr Wellham said timeframes for future stages of the project including construction of Barton No.1 Field and amenities and upgrades to Les Miller Field and car parking were subject to future government grants the $9.5 million overhaul of Croudace Bay Sports Complex – the largest sports ground project since the construction of Pasterfield Sports Complex – is nearing completion netball courts and amenities now operational Mr Wellham said the site’s soccer and rugby league fields had been switched to make them more usable for both codes and the sports complex is a focal point for sports and physical activity,” he said and at other sports fields throughout the city reflect growing demand in our community for quality facilities that cater to a range of sporting codes The various upgrades have been jointly funded by Council the NSW Government and the Federal Government We remember and respect the Ancestors who cared for and nurtured this Country It is in their footsteps that we travel these lands and waters Lake Macquarie City Council acknowledges the Awabakal people and Elders past Telephone Interpreting Service 131 450 National Relay Service 133 677 Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time Scores of teenagers have been captured on CCTV during a violent brawl at a western Sydney petrol station after police were forced to close down an out-of-control party at a nearby house Detectives are now reviewing footage of the brawl at the Macquarie Fields petrol station which was overrun with youths who had been evicted from the house party on Friday night shows the teenagers pouring into the petrol station where they begin trading blows One male is shown being knocked to the ground Police officers are shown running into the petrol station forecourt just seconds later and attempting to break up the crowd with capsicum spray Those brawling had been evicted from a nearby house party in Macquarie Fields.Credit: 7 News A shocked service station attendant locked the front door and is shown in the footage A NSW Police spokesman said officers had attended a nearby house party on Friday night after the parents there became concerned about the number of people who had turned up but they continued down the road and began fighting "Why is started remains a bit unclear We are using CCTV footage to identify those involved," he said He said no one was seriously injured in the fight Anyone with information about those involved has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 We are using CCTV footage to identify those involved,\\\" he said A trio of concreters who found 10,000 rolls of toilet paper a business owner had delivered to a park next to her home have been slammed after stealing from the pile and offering it up for free in a live social media post Elie Abousleiman and two of his colleagues stumbled upon the mountain of 48-packs in a park in Macquarie Fields in Sydney's south-west on June 16 Daily Mail Australia revealed on Monday that convenience store owner Celia Deng, 47, had imported the rolls from China to supply her two shops during the COVID-19 supply shortage and she and her staff were in the process of moving the shipment into her home. She claimed her toilet paper - which retails at $1.99 for a four-pack - would help the elderly and disadvantaged in the community who couldn't find any in supermarkets, and that her profit margin on the product was only five per cent.  In bizarre scenes he streamed to Facebook Live, a furious Mr Abousleiman accused Ms Deng of 'taking everything off the shelves and hiding it in her garage' as his fellow tradesmen picked up some of the packs and carried them to their ute. 'Evelyn Street, Macquarie Fields... if you make it in ten minutes you can take,' he said, while telling passers-by they could have a packet if they gave him $5. Ms Deng told Daily Mail Australia some of her neighbours took a handful of packets from the suburban toilet paper mountain in response to the video - but she made the call not to report the opportunists to police. 'People have asked me if I hate the people who came and took it,' she said. 'I'm not angry at all because they are my local neighbours - they are lovely people. 'They came to grab the toilet paper because they were told it was free.' She said many residents actually returned the toilet paper when they discovered who it belonged to.  Both Mr Abousleiman and Ms Deng confirmed he started filming the altercation when she declined their offer to help move the shipment for $500.  Reacting to the revelation Ms Deng had been stockpiling supplies to sell to the local community, one social media user said 'her intentions sounded fair and genuine'. 'So they offered to move it for her for $500 and when she declined they tried to sell them for $5 before 'giving them out for free' knowing they belonged to someone else,' one person said.  Mr Abousleiman told Daily Mail Australia he couldn't believe his eyes when he found the huge mountain of toilet paper. 'I was just so surprised to see it,' he said. 'If it's her property then I suppose it's her business but it was on public land for all to see. 'I told her we'd help her to move all of it for $500 but she said that was too much. 'I was going to put what I saw on Facebook Live anyway because everyone is fighting for toilet paper at the moment. I was speechless at such a mountain of toilet paper.' The concreter said he also took exception to Ms Deng, whose supermarket staff had emptied a container into the park, using public land as a temporary storage space for the thousands of toilet rolls. 'If it's her property then fair enough but if it's council land it's another thing altogether,' he said. 'She had a convenience store - shipped them from China and was barely making a profit from her selling price.' 'She isn't hoarding it so this guy is in the wrong,' another said.  Others rallied behind the tradesmen though, with one saying if she did not want the product taken she should not have left it in a public area - even temporarily. 'The toilet paper was in a park next to her home. This wasn't on her private property,' another commenter wrote. 'If that was her house in the pictures why couldn't she just put it on her property? Her property is big - there is a lot of space.'   Ms Deng, who moved to Australia 12 years ago as a skilled migrant, said she took offence at being accused of trying to profit from the toilet paper shortage. She said her motivation to import the essential product in such a large quantity was to help her customers - especially those who are elderly - get access to toilet paper. 'The profit margins on toilet paper are small. From a $10,000 container, I make a profit of about $500 - so only five per cent,' she said. 'Normal profit margins can be between 10 to 30 per cent - you can't make money on toilet paper. 'I'm selling a 48 pack for $22 - or $1.99 for a four pack - I just want to help people at the most difficult of times.' One of Ms Deng's employees at her store in Appin, south-west of Sydney, said she found the earful her manager received for the shipment 'pretty disgusting'. 'She's buying the loo roll for the elderly in the community who can't get it,' shop assistant Roanna James, 23, said.  Ms Deng operates a Spar in neighbouring Glenfield and an Australia Post-licenced post office in Appin - both within 30 minutes of her home. In the footage shared to the social media platform earlier this month, both Ms Deng and the tradesmen could be heard threatening to call the police on each other. 'We're going to call the police on you - too much f***ing toilet paper,' one of the tradesmen says when she threatens to notify authorities.   The group appear to try and sell the goods to passers-by for $5, before Mr Abousleiman launched into an angry tirade. 'Do you know what you've done to Australia?' he asks Ms Deng.  'You guys have no work to do?' she responds, before the voice behind the camera says 'we've got plenty of work to do looking at you'. 'F**k me dead - what a f**king joke - hey boys take one home,' he said. 'Jason get your truck, it's higher than f**king me. It's higher than the fence.'  When a passer-by asks if the woman had a shop nearby, the voice responds 'no - to send to China'.   New South Wales Police said the force had not received any complaints relating to the video. Sydneysiders last week again started to flock to supermarkets to stock up on toilet paper - three months after panic buying first crippled the nation.  Shoppers complained on social media on Friday that toilet paper was in short supply at Coles supermarkets in Leichhardt, Merrylands and Roselands in Sydney on Thursday.  Woolworths in Roselands and Coles Toronto in Lake Macquarie also experienced high demand for loo roll.   All Coles and Coles Express stores across the country now limit toilet paper and paper towel purchases to just one pack. In addition, Victorian stores and those along the NSW border have two-item limits on hand sanitiser, flour, sugar, pasta, mince, UHT milk, eggs and rice. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mr Abousleiman and Ms Deng for further comment.  Tradies roasted about taking toilet paper from 10,000-roll pileCommenting on this article has endedNewest{{#isModerationStatus}}{{moderationStatus}} Today’s announcement that Macquarie Fields is one of the seven new stations that will receive upgrades with work starting later this year is a huge acknowledgement of Anoulack Chanthivong’s advocacy the State Member for Macquarie Fields has been waging a dogged campaign to get those lifts robustly supporting his community who now have to travel to either neighbouring Ingleburn or Glenfield Stations to catch a train if they have mobility issues or a pram or are even carrying their luggage to the airport A station upgrade would even feature with annual regularity atop Mr Chanthivong’s Christmas Wish List for Santa The station has never been fully accessible As part of an $800 million election commitment by NSW Labor to accelerate accessibility upgrades at stations across NSW upgrades to Macquarie Fields Station will include a new footbridge with lifts women and girls – to whom this station upgrade is going to mean a world of difference,” Mr Chanthivong said however it’s short-term pain for long-term gain – as we know this upgrade will deliver a safer Chris Minns had visited Macquarie Fields station exactly a year ago last February Along with Jo Haylen – now Transport Minister – he had promised us that “Labor will make train stations more accessible and safe including for people with disability as well as the elderly.” Will Mac Fields actually finally be taken notice of Or was this just another election promise meant to be taken with the proverbial pinch of salt many of whom have been campaigning for lifts for over 8 years But NSW Labor has kept to their word and this 136-year-old station is one of seven new stations in line for an upgrade it’s not acceptable that a person in a wheelchair or a parent with a pram can’t access a station in NSW “We committed to upgrading train stations to make them more accessible safe and secure for the people who need them the most and that is what we are delivering,” he said The $800.7 million program is a combination of the old Transport Accessibility Program and the additional $300 million Labor committed at the 2023 election Member for Werriwa Anne Stanley acknowledged that today’s announcement was the culmination of years of advocacy by Mr Chanthivong “I thank all the members of the community that have supported our campaign It is a great and long overdue win for the Macquarie Fields community by a Labor Government,” she said CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced