You can now click/tap WATCH to start the live stream You can now click/tap LISTEN to start the live stream You can now click/tap LATEST NEWS to start the live stream Listener Brendan has reported that Linear Park in Mascot is now fenced off with asbestos warning signs sparking fears of another contamination episode similar to Rozelle Listen to more highlights from Sydney Now below: Rozelle is much more than the WestConnex smoke stacks and derelict Balmain Leagues Club site (and the latter is on the cusp of change with final plans for an $800 million mixed-use development awaiting approval) Bound by Balmain and Lilyfield to the east and west respectively this slice of the Inner West boasts a web of narrow streets lined with historic workers’ cottages a flourishing food and wine scene and a good dose of creative energy and they’ve never been to Rozelle before,” says McGrath agent Cindy Kennedy “They spent the Sunday exploring and they said to me on the Monday we know Rozelle’s where we want to live because of everything that it offers; it’s just so liveable.” she’s lived in the suburb for close to 20 years and says it’s her “favourite place in the world” a lot of young families and we look out for each other,” she says It’s highly connected with the light rail and buses And then you’ve got all of the cafes and restaurants and pubs.” a move from Balmain to Rozelle 12 years ago delivered a bit more space “You can walk out and get anything you need within a five-minute walk: your coffee A masterpiece in Avalon: Harley House brings nature indoors From east to north: How one family found their dream home in Lane Cove Maitland: The regional city where the balance is just right Falkner is a fan of the White Bay Brewery and is looking forward to the Rozelle Village development coming to fruition which will also be the new home for the Wests Tigers Leagues Club Browse Domain’s property and lifestyle magazines with Cindy Kennedy from McGrath Balmain You don’t realise it until you walk in, but Dirty Red has a huge courtyard in the back with big beautiful trees, so it’s a great place to go and have coffee or some lunch. I also love the coffee at Maloneys Grocer. We’ve got so much green space; for an inner-city suburb to have such amazing parklands is incredible. We’ve got parks you can run around or cycle around, parks with views, and the beautiful new Rozelle Parklands. We’re very lucky. Rozelle’s had a tough trot with WestConnex. Now that’s finished, I’ve noticed a definite uplift. People are buying now because they know that when infrastructure like the Metro and the Tigers’ development happens, our area is going to improve in value considerably. 2 Baths1 ParkingView listing With a balcony wrapping around the entire north-east corner, there’s no shortage of natural light in this three-year-old property designed by Nettletontribe. One of 16 apartments perched above a heritage-listed building dating back to the 1900s and home to the popular Maloneys Grocer, the property comes with an oak and stone kitchen, Parisi-appointed bathrooms and timber floors. The information on this website is intended to be of a general nature only and doesn't consider your objectives, financial situation or needs. where we are privileged to live and operate The “derelict” former Balmain Leagues Club site is set to turn into an $800 million revitalised residential After 15 years of being closed to the community to make way for the NSW Government Metro Transport Project the 7,330 sqm site plans have been accelerated and are expected to be completed in 2028 Sydney-based property developer Versatile Group’s PERIFA and Mitsubishi Estate Asia (MEA) have acquired the site to deliver a mixed-use precinct to the Inner West community The $800 million Rozelle Village development will include a diverse range of residential options including a mix of premium private residences and affordable housing retail and communal open spaces and a new home for the Wests Tigers Leagues Club MORE: Sydney suburb getting 50 new shops and eateries Renders of the new revitalised Rozelle Village plan MORE: Real Housewife’s insane property empire exposed Insane tax amount NSW pays on new homes exposed Rozelle Village has been designed by local architecture practice Studio with interiors by SJB and landscaping by Arcadia and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses with views of the Sydney skyline and Sydney Harbour including a range of new food and hospitality venues a community art studio and a retail precinct anchored by a full-line supermarket – a first for the peninsula Located at the intersection of Victoria Rd and Darling St pedestrian access to the precinct will be enhanced by a series of activated laneways leading to a 1,444 sqm town plaza The site will include shopping and dining for the wider community Demolition at the site is nearing completion with the project currently progressing through a State Significant Development Application process Construction will commence main building works by the end of Q2 2025 Co-founder and managing director of PERIFA Fabrizio Perilli said he was “delighted to embark on a new era for the site.” The site has been derelict for over a decade “For too many years the community has had to put up with a derelict site on their doorstep,” Mr Perilli said “It will be a major meeting place for the community that embraces the unique character of the Balmain/Rozelle peninsula Luxury and affordable residential apartments will be available “We are proud to be delivering a precinct that will not only revitalise the area through the delivery of thriving new public spaces well-considered retail and community facilities but offer a considerable contribution to Sydney’s chronic lack of housing.” Inside the old Balmain Leagues Club site in Rozelle MORE: Where it’s still cheaper to buy than rent in your state $200k richer: 25 Aus suburbs guaranteed to grow realcommercial.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. MORE: Sydney suburb getting 50 new shops and eateries MORE: Real Housewife’s insane property empire exposed Insane tax amount NSW pays on new homes exposed MORE: Where it’s still cheaper to buy than rent in your state $200k richer: 25 Aus suburbs guaranteed to grow with investment partner Mitsubishi Estate Asia (MEA) have acquired the former Balmain Leagues Club site 13 Mar 2025 • 2m read • View Author Property developer PERIFA, with investment partner Mitsubishi Estate Asia (MEA), have acquired the former Balmain Leagues Club site. Known as Rozelle Village, it is designed by Studio.SC, formerly Scott Carver, with interiors by SJB and landscaping by Arcadia. It will include a mix of high-quality one, two, and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses, with unrivalled views of the Sydney skyline and Sydney Harbour, a village square, including a range of new food and hospitality venues, a community art studio and a sophisticated retail precinct anchored by a full-line supermarket; a first for the peninsula. “The Balmain Leagues Club in Rozelle, which closed in 2010 to make way for the NSW Government Metro Transport Project, was once a hub for local families to come together and enjoy entertainment and hospitality. But for too many years the community has had to put up with a derelict site on their doorstep,” says Fabrizio Perilli, Co-Founder and Managing Director at PERIFA, part of Versatile Group. “We’re delighted to embark on a new era for the site, together with our partners Mitsubishi Estate Asia. Our shared vision for Rozelle Village is to create a mixed-use precinct that is thoughtfully designed and caters to new residents and the community alike.  "It will be a major meeting place for the community, that embraces the unique character of the Balmain/Rozelle peninsula, while helping to shape its next chapter.” The landmark site is one of the most anticipated development sites in Sydney. PERIFA and MEA are accelerating plans to deliver a vibrant, mixed-use, cultural and community focused precinct: Rozelle Village. “We’re thrilled to partner on such an iconic project for Sydney and we look forward to continuing our relationship with PERIFA, drawing on the team’s extensive expertise in delivering high quality precincts across residential, retail and commercial, as we work together to deliver Rozelle Village,” says Yuzo Nishiyama, Head of Australia, Mitsubishi Estate Asia. The $800 million Rozelle Village development aims to deliver a diversity of residential options for Sydney’s Inner West community, including a mix of premium private residences and affordable housing, alongside commercial, retail, communal open spaces and a long-awaited new home for the Wests Tiger’s Leagues Club. The project is the second collaboration between PERIFA and MEA, who are quickly establishing a reputation for transforming iconic Sydney sites into premium lifestyle precincts that are sympathetic to their heritage. 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. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time The future of the Rozelle Parklands is in limbo as a bureaucratic fight over responsibility for the calamity-prone park continues to block inner west sporting clubs from using brand new multimillion-dollar fields at the 10-hectare site Inner West Council has accused Transport for NSW of dragging the chain on a planned handover of the site The discovery of asbestos at Rozelle Parklands prompted the park’s closure last year.Credit: Dion Georgopoulos The dispute centres on Transport for NSW’s insistence that the council accept liability for any future contamination discovered at the site asbestos was discovered in mulch near a children’s playground The terms of the agreement have prompted an angry backlash from Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne who has accused Transport of trying to “rip our community off” by passing liability onto residents a year after the discovery of asbestos at the park forced its closure “We’ve discovered now that the agency seemingly wants to transfer liability and risk for the contaminated ground underneath the Parklands to our community and there’s no way we will be agreeing to that,” Byrne said “After the asbestos saga and all of the other problems at Rozelle Parklands you would think Transport for NSW would get their act together so that we can start managing and improving the Parklands for our community.” the Rozelle Parklands were closed only a month later after asbestos was discovered in mulch near a children’s playground The discovery forced the park’s closure and sparked a wider investigation by the Environmental Protection Agency which found traces of bonded asbestos at dozens of sites across Sydney The park has since reopened but use of sporting fields at the site remains in limbo The council says Transport has also failed to provide terms for a $20 million grant meant to help pay for the park’s upkeep Until ownership is transferred to the council four clubs with a combined membership of about 6000 remain unable to use the site The use of sporting fields at the site remains in limbo.Credit: Edwina Pickles Balmain District Football Club president Paul Avery has been keeping a close eye on the playing fields at the Rozelle Parklands and is growing increasingly weary of watching the grass grow The rest of the park has been fully opened for more than a year a Transport spokesman said it hoped to reach an agreement with the council “as soon as possible” and that the agency had also committed to carry out further work on the turf at the sporting fields before the handover 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. The future of the Rozelle Parklands is in limbo as a bureaucratic fight over responsibility for the calamity-prone park continues to block inner west sporting clubs from using brand new multimillion-dollar fields at the 10-hectare site. A year after it opened, Inner West Council has accused Transport for NSW, the owner of Rozelle Parklands, of dragging the chain on a planned handover of the site. The dispute centres on Transport for NSW\\u2019s insistence that the council accept liability for any future contamination discovered at the site. Last year, asbestos was discovered in mulch near a children\\u2019s playground, causing an environmental scandal. The terms of the agreement have prompted an angry backlash from Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne, who has accused Transport of trying to \\u201Crip our community off\\u201D by passing liability onto residents a year after the discovery of asbestos at the park forced its closure. \\u201CWe\\u2019ve discovered now that the agency seemingly wants to transfer liability and risk for the contaminated ground underneath the Parklands to our community and there\\u2019s no way we will be agreeing to that,\\u201D Byrne said. \\u201CAfter the asbestos saga and all of the other problems at Rozelle Parklands, you would think Transport for NSW would get their act together so that we, as a council, can start managing and improving the Parklands for our community.\\u201D After opening in December 2023, the Rozelle Parklands were closed only a month later after asbestos was discovered in mulch near a children\\u2019s playground. The discovery forced the park\\u2019s closure and sparked a wider investigation by the Environmental Protection Agency, which found traces of bonded asbestos at dozens of sites across Sydney, including schools and parks. The park has since reopened but use of sporting fields at the site remains in limbo. The council says Transport has also failed to provide terms for a $20 million grant meant to help pay for the park\\u2019s upkeep. Until ownership is transferred to the council, four clubs with a combined membership of about 6000 remain unable to use the site. Balmain District Football Club president Paul Avery has been keeping a close eye on the playing fields at the Rozelle Parklands and is growing increasingly weary of watching the grass grow. \\u201CIt\\u2019s been a long time. We watched the turf go down. We\\u2019ve watched it be watered, watched it grow, watched it be mowed. But we can\\u2019t play on it. The rest of the park has been fully opened for more than a year, but we still can\\u2019t get on it,\\u201D he said. In a statement, a Transport spokesman said it hoped to reach an agreement with the council \\u201Cas soon as possible\\u201D and that the agency had also committed to carry out further work on the turf at the sporting fields before the handover. Start the day with a summary of the day\\u2019s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. . \\u2018We watched the turf go down. We\\u2019ve watched it be watered, watched it grow, watched it be mowed. But we can\\u2019t play on it.\\u2019 Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a girl missing from Sydney's Inner West. Mikaylah Steele, aged 15, was last seen in Rozelle about 2.10pm yesterday (Friday 21 March 2025). When she could not be located or contacted, officers from Leichhardt Police Area Command were notified and commenced inquiries to locate her. There are concerns for her welfare due to her young age. Mikaylah is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 160cm tall, of thin build and with brown shoulder length hair. She was last seen wearing a blue hooded jumper, a white shirt, grey trackpants and black shoes. Mikaylah is known to frequent the Inner West area. Anyone who has information on Mikaylah's whereabouts is urged to contact Glebe Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages. but we don't want to lose you.\"}],[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"notfound-page__text-block\",\"children\":\"We recently updated the way we organise our articles 'div-gpt-ad-1511396693346-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\n googletag.defineSlot('/34178149/728x90_Leaderboard_Position_1' 'div-gpt-ad-1511394032333-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\n googletag.defineSlot('/34178149/970x90_bottom_leaderboard' 'div-gpt-ad-1511396722471-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\n googletag.defineSlot('/34178149/728x90_Hompage_Leaderboard_Position_1' 'div-gpt-ad-1661741627089-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\n googletag.defineSlot('/34178149/undefinedTUD_Homepage_Internal_728x90' 'div-gpt-ad-1534480172990-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\n // home leaderboard (mobile)\n googletag.defineSlot('/34178149/970x90_top_leaderboard' 'div-gpt-ad-1511397345189-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\n 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Leagues Club Site\"}],[\"$\",\"meta\",\"13\",{\"property\":\"og:description\",\"content\":\"After fighting hard for the development to go ahead Perifa Snap Up Balmain Leagues Club Site\"}],[\"$\",\"meta\",\"22\",{\"name\":\"twitter:description\",\"content\":\"After fighting hard for the development to go ahead planned for the former site of the NRL side for an undisclosed amount in an off-market deal.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePerifa part of the Versatile Group and co-founded by Fabrizio Perelli and Marco Fahd acquired the $800-million project from Heworth Holdings Group the project has gathered pace and Heworth recently took advantage of infill affordable housing changes which allow height and floor space ratio bonuses Rozelle Village.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe $800-million Rozelle Village plans include a commercial and residential precinct anchored by a full-line supermarket with food and hospitality venues.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eInteriors by SJB and landscaping by Arcadia communal open spaces including a community art studio as well as the long-awaited new home for the Wests Tigers Leagues Club are also proposed.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSited at the intersection of Victoria Road and Darling Street pedestrian access to the precinct would be improved by laneways leading to a 1444sqm “town plaza” \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe acquisition is the second collaboration between Perifa and Mitsubishi after they alongside Abadeen Group and Phoenix Property Investors which was closed in 2010 to make way for the Sydney Metro project and had been derelict since.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“[It] was once a hub for local families to come together and enjoy entertainment and hospitality But for too many years the community has had to put up with a derelict site on their doorstep,” he said.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Our shared vision for Rozelle Village is to create a mixed-use precinct that is thoughtfully designed and caters to new residents and the community alike.”\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePerilli said that the partnership would leverage in-house construction and supply capabilities for Rozelle Village Procure Build and Absolute Tiling \u0026amp; Stone.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe project is progressing as a State Significant Development Application with demolition nearing completion.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eVersatile Construction is expected to begin main building works by the end of the second quarter of this year Lendlease’s third residential building in the Collins Wharf precinct of Victoria Harbour.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 28-storey building at 971 Collins Street in Melbourne’s Docklands will deliver 312 homes in a mix of one two and three-bedroom apartments as well as townhouses and penthouses.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAccording to Lendlease the project has already secured more than 50 per cent in presales.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHickory is the construction contractor—it completed the precinct’s first development in 2019 and is also working on LendLease’s second tower Regatta.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor Ancora Hickory is implementing several technical construction methods including various piling techniques and precast concrete solutions that enable a parallel-track construction program.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe building’s facade designed by architect Warren and Mahoney uses a three-stage design incorporating double-glazed glass and textured precast concrete with Reckli and brick finishes.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe structural design transitions from a solid podium base to lighter upper levels “reflecting a maritime theme” aligned with the Collins Wharf design objectives.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAncora will connect to the neighbouring Regatta development via a podium allowing resident access to shared amenities.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDesigned as an all-electric building that includes electric vehicle infrastructure the development is targeting a 5 Star Green Star certification Completion is expected in 2027.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRegatta including build-to-rent and build-to-sell units.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eExtensive wharf works including remediation of pre-existing wharf piles installation of raker piles and construction of the extension to Australia Walk are also part of the project.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTechnical challenges include constructing on the finger wharf and co-ordinating extensive above-wharf road reserve and public parkland works.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Collins Wharf precinct will ultimately comprise six residential buildings of more than 1800 homes surrounded by over 5000sq m of parks and community space.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLendlease is developing the parkland concurrently with the residential components including the extension of Australian Walk that forms part of the City of Melbourne’s Greenline project.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLendlease executive director of development Adam Williams said Collins Wharf “is fast becoming a sought-after address .. which took just a handful of hours to emerge on Saturday night the Coalition’s failure to sway voters has come under intense scrutiny.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIts lack of policies around property that resonated with voters has been a large part of that criticism.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAmong those policies was a $5-billion infrastructure program to unlock up to 500,000 new homes was greeted with no small amount of scepticism.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Coalition also campaigned on its previously revealed plan to allow first home buyers to draw down on their superannuation giving access to up to $50,000 to help fund mortgage deposits.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhile that proposal had won some support it got the thumbs down from many of Australia’s top economists who said the measure could prove highly inflationary among other issues.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSimilarly its plan to allow mortgage interest for first home buyers to be tax-deductible was roundly criticised for its likely inflationary and regressive effects.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt has also been pointed out that the Coalition’s rejection of the Green’s policies around housing supply affordable housing and help for renters did it no favours.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe ALP went to the polls spruiking an extension of schemes introduced during its previous term including a $10-billion promise for its first-home buyers’ scheme to encourage 100,000 more homes.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt also had its Help to Buy shared equity scheme under which the Government pays up to 40 per cent of the house price to point to.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIf it was these policies per se or the lack of detail and depth to the Coalition’s the nation's ready for the Albanese government to act.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhat is clear been endorsed to follow through on its policies and fix the crisis that is crippling the Australian property sector.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs Urban Taskforce Australia chief executive\u0026nbsp;Tom\u0026nbsp;Forrest has pointed out it is time for the Federal Government to get back to work.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Housing affordability and housing supply featured large during the campaign,” Forrest said.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“The key now is for the Government to strike while the iron’s hot.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“If legislation is needed to support the delivery of Labor’s $10-billion 100,000 new homes commitment—then pass it through the parliament now and get on with it.”\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe states have made many changes to how they enable home development The Federal Government’s support of that is crucial to its success material supply assistance or any other factor that affects getting homes out of the ground.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis has been a pivotal election Perifa Snap Up Balmain Leagues Club Site\",\"slug\":\"heworth-perifa-mitsubishi-balmain-leages-club-rozelle-nsw\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-03-13T00:00+10:00\",\"tags\":[],\"summary\":\"After fighting hard for the development to go ahead Then Cities for Total Fan Immersion\",\"slug\":\"billionaire-arsenal-rams-denver-nuggets-sports-anchored-precincts\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-04-30T00:00+10:00\",\"tags\":[],\"summary\":\"Why your next home might be stadium-adjacent; sports are the hook Perifa Snap Up Balmain Leagues Club SiteHeworth’s hard-won battle to develop the Balmain Leagues Club is coming to an end as the project changes hands Sydney developer Perifa and investment partner Mitsubishi Estate Asia have acquired the Rozelle Village project for an undisclosed amount in an off-market deal Perifa, part of the Versatile Group and co-founded by Fabrizio Perelli and Marco Fahd, acquired the $800-million project from Heworth Holdings Group, which has owned the site since 2018 The development process for the 7330sq m site has been no picnic A stoush with Transport for NSW following the agency’s attempts to compulsorily acquire the land led to considerable delays Heworth’s ongoing Land and Environment court case against the agency is seeking nearly $100 million in compensation for the alleged obstruction The Studio S.C.-designed project would have studios and SOHO (small office/home office) units The $800-million Rozelle Village plans include a commercial and residential precinct anchored by a full-line supermarket with food and hospitality venues Interiors by SJB and landscaping by Arcadia Sited at the intersection of Victoria Road and Darling Street The acquisition is the second collaboration between Perifa and Mitsubishi after they acquired the $300-million Putney Wharf Residences The heritage adaptive reuse project had already secured $140 million in sales as of late last year Perifa managing director Fabrizio Perilli said the latest acquisition marked a new chapter for the Rozelle club site which was closed in 2010 to make way for the Sydney Metro project and had been derelict since “[It] was once a hub for local families to come together and enjoy entertainment and hospitality But for too many years the community has had to put up with a derelict site on their doorstep,” he said “Our shared vision for Rozelle Village is to create a mixed-use precinct that is thoughtfully designed and caters to new residents and the community alike.” Perilli said that the partnership would leverage in-house construction and supply capabilities for Rozelle Village Procure Build and Absolute Tiling & Stone The project is progressing as a State Significant Development Application Versatile Construction is expected to begin main building works by the end of the second quarter of this year with project completion anticipated for 2028 Heworth’s case against Transport for NSW continues cultural and community-focused precinct had been drawn up by Studio.SC by the former landholder Heworth Holdings PERIFA and MEA are now accelerating the plans for the $800 million Rozelle Village that will comprise a mix of premium private residences and affordable housing communal open spaces and a long-awaited new home for the Wests Tiger’s Leagues Club The landmark 7,330 sqm site has been derelict and closed to the community since 2010 said they are delighted to embark on a new era for the site with their partners Mitsubishi Estate Asia Our shared vision for Rozelle Village is to create a mixed-use precinct that is thoughtfully designed and caters to new residents and the community alike. It will be a major meeting place for the community, that embraces the unique character of the Balmain/Rozelle peninsula Perilli says the Balmain Leagues Club in Rozelle which closed in 2010 to make way for the NSW Government Metro Transport Project was once a hub for local families to come together and enjoy entertainment and hospitality But for too many years the community has had to put up with a derelict site on their doorstep “We are proud to be delivering a precinct that will not only revitalise the area through the delivery of thriving new public spaces, high-quality apartments, well-considered retail and community facilities, but offer a considerable contribution to Sydney’s chronic lack of housing." a community art studio and a retail precinct anchored by a full-line supermarket; a first for the peninsula Located at the intersection of Victoria Road and Darling Street Versatile Construction will commence main building works by the end of Q2 2025 with project completion anticipated in 2028 CBRE will be handling the sales of Rozelle Village David Milton, Managing Director Residential Projects at CBRE calls it an "iconic site which is much loved in the local community." "We’ve seen lots of interest already and we’re very excited to bring Rozelle Village to market.”  We're on a mission to radically improve the quality of Urban communities being developed across Australia We aim to showcase every development in Australia to help you find the perfect new home Inner West Council says Transport for NSW is hampering its progress in finalising an agreement for the care control and management of the Rozelle Parklands more than a year after the park was opened to the public The Council has adopted the Rozelle Parklands Masterplan and says it is ready to take control of the site but says Transport for NSW is “needlessly dragging the chain” in formalising a handover of the site The agreement is to be based on Council managing the Rozelle Parklands in return for a grant from Transport for NSW of $20 million to improve facilities at the parklands and nearby parks Darcy Byrne said that despite the deal having been made more than a year ago the transport agency was still delaying community access to the site “It’s beyond ridiculous that 12 months since the park opened Transport for NSW is still preventing local kids from kicking a soccer ball or having a hit at cricket on the Rozelle Parklands,” Mayor Byrne said “We have been continuously trying to have this escalated within the Transport bureaucracy but keep meeting with endless red tape and needless delays “Now we have finalised and adopted a masterplan for the parklands but Transport still can’t provide us a with a complete and final agreement to sign can start managing and improving the Parklands for our community this park is meant to be the compensation for our community following nearly a decade of impacts from WestConnex construction “We’ve discovered now that the agency seemingly wants to transfer liability and risk for the contaminated ground underneath the parklands to our community and there’s no way we will be agreeing to that it seems that Transport officials are using local children as negotiating chips to try to force Council to sign on to an agreement that would rip our community off.” “I call on Transport for NSW to prioritise the health and welfare of local kids and let them on to the parklands for sporting use immediately.” Information and Events for Local Councils throughout Australia Contact us: newsdesk@insidelocalgovernment.com.au Two new sporting fields in the Rozelle Parklands are in bureaucratic limbo as Transport for NSW and the Inner West Council tussle on who should bear responsibility for hypothetical future contamination The parklands were initially opened in December 2023 on much of the site of the former Rozelle railway yard closing the following month following the discovery of asbestos in mulch The area was reopened to the public in stages from late March, with it reported at the time that the public would regain access to the sporting fields Most of the parklands reopened in late April sporting clubs and organisations are still unable to obtain permission to use the fields which consist of an oval with a cricket pitch and a rectangular field situated next to each other between Lilyfield Road and the City West Link and bounded to the west by the pedestrian bridge to the Rozelle Bay light rail station Early in January, president of the Balmain District Football Club Paul Avery told the Daily Telegraph that the bureaucratic hold-up was “utter madness” and bemoaned the delay “We have more than 3,100 players in the association and we’re desperate to get access to the playing fields because all the facilities we play on at the moment are beyond capacity,’ Avery said “For more than 12 months we’ve been looking with longing at the fields which are open to everyone except for sporting clubs “The delays have been a huge disappointment to all sport codes but particularly football and AFL because we have an increasing participation rate and a chronic shortage of fields to play on.” nearly two months have passed with the issue yet to be resolved – though Transport for NSW says it hopes to reach an agreement ​​“as soon as possible” to permit the handover of the facilities to the Inner West Council Inner West mayor Darcy Byrne expressed his anger at the stagnation, accusing Transport for NSW of seeking to “rip our community off” as reported by the Herald “We’ve discovered now that the agency seemingly wants to transfer liability and risk for the contaminated ground underneath the Parklands to our community and there’s no way we will be agreeing to that,” the mayor chided However, state member for Balmain Kobi Shetty was concerned that the council “may be biting off more than they can chew particularly in light of the difficulties with this particular site.” A press release from her office stated that ratepayers “could be saddled with an annual bill of $650,000 for the ongoing care and management of Rozelle Parklands as part of a planned agreement with the NSW Government and Inner West Council.” the council has been seeking to take over the care control and management of the entire parklands with the New South Wales Government in exchange offering a one-off payment of $20 million for use across the Inner West Council area rather than specifically on the parklands “We had the asbestos debacle this time last year and we’re still waiting for contractors to finish the work that should have been delivered when the toll road opened over a year ago and more amenities blocks,” the local member said Shetty said that the parklands “aren’t even finished yet and Council are looking at saddling our community with an ongoing bill of well over half a million dollars for maintenance every year.” “I’ve heard from locals who are concerned that it’s just not sustainable for council to take on this cost They don’t want to see rates escalating in the future as a result of this decision or the money being taken from other important projects to fund it.” This comes as other councils in Sydney have sought to impose monolithic rate rises on residents, namely the Northern Beaches Council and the North Sydney Council “Council could minimise this risk by leaving the care and management of Rozelle Parklands with the NSW Government and lease the sports fields We already have an example of this type of arrangement in the heritage listed Callan Park there’s no real benefit to our community if council takes responsibility for this site without appropriate compensation for the ongoing cost The community deserves to be able to enjoy this park without the risk of cost blowouts impacting ratepayers in the future.” Committee also finds ‘concerning lack of clarity and transparency’ between government and toll road owner Transurban The traffic chaos and congestion that erupted in Sydney’s inner west after the opening of a $3.9bn “spaghetti junction” was “unreasonable and unacceptable” given the amount of planning that went into it after a months-long inquiry into the Rozelle interchange a parliamentary committee also found a “concerning lack of clarity and transparency” between the government and Transurban The interchange was designed and built by the New South Wales government. It forms the final stage of the sprawling $16.8bn WestConnex toll road network, which is privately operated by Transurban, the major toll road owner. Read moreThe inquiry was held after the so-called “spaghetti junction” plunged the area into commuter chaos for months after it opened at the end of 2023 The report concluded that the WestConnex model was based on maximising its sale value which led to increased traffic congestion on the Anzac Bridge and nearby suburbs It also found a lack of transparency and accountability for the design, given the impact it had on the community benefits promised to the community had “not been realised” Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup said the government should learn from the bungled project “Local communities have endured increased traffic congestion unsuitable and at times unusable active transport options negative impacts on local business and increased road safety risks,” she said “The committee believes that the NSW government must reflect on the lessons learnt from the experience of the Rozelle Interchange and take action to prevent similar outcomes from reoccurring in the future.” The committee made 17 recommendations, including calls for Transport for NSW to review a number of design elements at the junction and surrounding roads as well as change the way it models traffic It also recommended the government look at ways to stop rat-running on local roads “as an immediate priority” had previously said traffic would settle down in the area in about six months Sign up to Afternoon Update: Election 2025 Free daily newsletterOur Australian afternoon update breaks down the key election campaign stories of the day telling you what’s happening and why it matters said the “most disturbing” part of the report was that the previous government had been aware there would be serious disruptions to the inner west as it is as much for the previous government,” he said “We’re determined when we pursue major changes that the public are aware of how it will affect their community and we also take into consideration whether there’s better ways of providing this public infrastructure.” A dissenting statement on behalf of the Coalition from the former roads minister Natalie Ward said that while the opening of the interchange was “clearly sub-optimal,” issues had quickly subsided “Acknowledging the immediate unacceptable impacts to local communities within the early weeks of opening, the overall WestConnex project has been transformational to the Sydney road network,” she said “As a global city Sydney will continue to grow and responsible governments must continue to invest in the critical road and public transport infrastructure to keep pace with the population.” Eden Connell and his partner Karen Ball went house-hunting Balmain and Rozelle were at the top of their suburb wish list but they quickly discovered their budget didn’t stretch to the house with a two-car garage they were searching for and we didn’t really know the suburb that well but I used to work in Leichhardt and we love the edginess of it and the culture of the [surrounding] suburbs,” Connell says Connell is a corporate photographer whose business requires regular trips into the city for shoots so they were looking for a larger house within striking distance of the city Lewisham is just seven kilometres south-west of the CBD with terrific public transport options “We’ve got space and we’re close to everything.” The family of four can jump on the light rail for a day trip to Darling Harbour or a meal at the Tramsheds or walk to myriad eateries in the neighbouring suburbs of Dulwich Hill Local agent Joseph Lombardo says schools in the area and construction is underway on upgrades to the GreenWay along the light rail corridor which will deliver new parklands and pathways “It’s an up-and-coming suburb yet it’s quiet and safe to bring up a family,” Lombardo says Darlinghurst: One of Sydney’s most walkable suburbs Menai: Looking for ‘good schools and better value’ Hurstville: The unexpected ‘burb to get a one-hat meal and award-winning coffee landing in Lewisham has been a really good decision it would be hard because we’re really settled where we are,” he says and since we’ve moved here it’s getting better and better.” with Joseph Lombardo from Adrian William Real Estate The Boulevarde is probably the most prestigious street in the suburb. It’s got a lot of original homes from the early 1900s that have been renovated, and it’s a wide, tree-lined street close to the school and Petersham hub. Maia Specialty is right opposite the train station and it’s great for coffee [expect house-roasted single blends and single origins], and I love Moulin Cafe for its pastries. I’ll pop in before work or at lunchtime, or on a Saturday walk. The demographic has completely changed from local buyers to a majority from inner-city areas, and that comes down to value. The Lewisham market is dominated by apartments as opposed to houses, and that price point is very attractive. AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) 1) 0ms;transition:fill 200ms cubic-bezier(0.4 1) 0ms;font-size:1.5rem;}.mui-13xs5pt{width:100vw;max-width:100vw;margin-top:1px;}.mui-68tkgc{width:100vw;max-width:100vw;margin-top:1px;}.mui-1i0sejk{min-width:200px;border-radius:4px;}.mui-o2bopd{text-align:center;-webkit-flex:0 0 auto;-ms-flex:0 0 auto;flex:0 0 auto;font-size:1.5rem;padding:8px;border-radius:50%;overflow:visible;color:rgba(0 0.54);-webkit-transition:background-color 150ms cubic-bezier(0.4 1) 0ms;transition:background-color 150ms cubic-bezier(0.4 1) 0ms;padding:12px;font-size:1.75rem;}.mui-o2bopd:hover{background-color:rgba(0 0.04);}@media (hover: none){.mui-o2bopd:hover{background-color:transparent;}}.mui-o2bopd.Mui-disabled{background-color:transparent;color:rgba(28 1) 0ms;padding:12px;font-size:1.75rem;}.mui-1cqrg4y::-moz-focus-inner{border-style:none;}.mui-1cqrg4y.Mui-disabled{pointer-events:none;cursor:default;}@media print{.mui-1cqrg4y{-webkit-print-color-adjust:exact;color-adjust:exact;}}.mui-1cqrg4y:hover{background-color:rgba(0 0.04);}@media (hover: none){.mui-1cqrg4y:hover{background-color:transparent;}}.mui-1cqrg4y.Mui-disabled{background-color:transparent;color:rgba(28 28,0.38);}.mui-16y1f2l{font-family:'__Roboto_22ceb1','__Roboto_Fallback_22ceb1';font-weight:500;font-size:0.875rem;line-height:1.75;text-transform:uppercase;min-width:64px;padding:6px 16px;border-radius:4px;-webkit-transition:background-color 250ms cubic-bezier(0.4 1) 0ms,border-color 250ms cubic-bezier(0.4 1) 0ms;transition:background-color 250ms cubic-bezier(0.4 28,0.38);box-shadow:none;background-color:rgba(29 submitted via the State Significant Development pathway are the result of the NSW Government’s planning policy changes introduced in December up from the original maximum 12-storey project making 80 per cent of the new additions dedicated to affordable housing according to Heworth head of development Christopher Walsh.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“The inclusion of affordable housing in our updated proposal is a direct response to the urgent need for more diverse housing options in the inner west where high rents and limited availability place significant pressure on essential workers and families,” Walsh told \u003cem\u003eThe Urban Developer.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“The infill affordable incentive assists with the project viability—which is what we believe was the Premier’s intention.”\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eJust 3.5 per cent of the local housing stock is dedicated to this housing typology compared to 5 per cent in Greater Sydney as a whole.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“While development delays are always a challenge by incorporating more affordable housing into Rozelle Village we are meeting both community needs and the broader push for increased housing options 126 two-bedroom and 68 three-bedroom apartments.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHeworth will deliver a “vibrant mixed-use development” according to the environmental impact statement currently on exhibition with commercial and retail floorspace across numerous multi-storey buildings.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“The exhibition milestone is a significant moment for Heworth in bringing Rozelle Village closer to reality,” Walsh said.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“It’s an opportunity to present our plans to the public and further refine the project to meet both community expectations and regulatory requirements.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“With the exhibition phase under way we’re looking forward to moving through the next stages of the approval process Initial demolition is set to begin shortly and we are optimistic that construction will follow soon after.”\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSurrounding a public plaza will be a new registered club to replace the previous Balmain Leagues Club and 200sq m of community facilities in a non-residential podium.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eStudio SC have designed the project at 135-152 Victoria Road which will consist of three interconnected 16-storey apartment buildings housing the increased number of apartments and a smaller three-storey building to fit the SOHO units.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Balmain Leagues Club sits on the brownfield site and would be demolished for Heworth’s project.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhile the future of the project looks bright it has not been plain sailing for Heworth’s Rozelle plans however.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe developer took state agency Transport for NSW to court this year asking for $100 million in compensation for the delay to the development Its Rozelle Village proposals now on exhibition include affordable and market housing and provide 227 units across considerably upsized buildings of up to 16 storeys This is a 75-apartment increase on the previously approved plans for the site according to Heworth head of development Christopher Walsh “The inclusion of affordable housing in our updated proposal is a direct response to the urgent need for more diverse housing options in the inner west where high rents and limited availability place significant pressure on essential workers and families,” Walsh told The Urban Developer “The infill affordable incentive assists with the project viability—which is what we believe was the Premier’s intention.” Just 3.5 per cent of the local housing stock is dedicated to this housing typology compared to 5 per cent in Greater Sydney as a whole “While development delays are always a challenge ensuring the long-term viability of the project.” With a handful of studios and SOHO (small office/home office) units 126 two-bedroom and 68 three-bedroom apartments Heworth will deliver a “vibrant mixed-use development” with commercial and retail floorspace across numerous multi-storey buildings “The exhibition milestone is a significant moment for Heworth in bringing Rozelle Village closer to reality,” Walsh said “It’s an opportunity to present our plans to the public and further refine the project to meet both community expectations and regulatory requirements we are optimistic that construction will follow soon after.” Surrounding a public plaza will be a new registered club to replace the previous Balmain Leagues Club and 200sq m of community facilities in a non-residential podium and a smaller three-storey building to fit the SOHO units sits on the brownfield site and would be demolished for Heworth’s project While the future of the project looks bright The developer took state agency Transport for NSW to court this year, asking for $100 million in compensation for the delay to the development, which centred around the agency’s compulsory acquisition of the site Heworth has owned the site since 2018 and has had multiple iterations of its proposals since will mark the end of the long development process An exciting era for The Genesian Theatre Company has officially begun The company’sbrand new theatre in Rozelle was declared open this past week and marks the beginning ofa new chapter for not only the Genesians but the local community as well After saying a final goodbye to their ‘little theatre’ in Kent Street the Genesians said anenthusiastic hello last Sunday to their brand new home in Rozelle The purpose-builttheatre space is situated within the St Joseph’s precinct in Gordon Street A comprehensivetheatrical fit-out has transformed the precinct’s church hall into a 130-seat playhouse,complete with bar as well as a state-of-the-art sound andlighting control booth The theatre also features wheelchair and walker access the theatre is perfectly positioned near the reopened WhiteBay Power Station as well as the area’s many pubs and restaurants It will be a place for allto enjoy productions acknowledge the enormous dedication and hard work that has seen the hope for anew home for the company turn into a reality After a moving recital of the Actor’s Prayer acherished long-standing tradition before every Genesian performance Bishop DannyMeagher performed a special blessing for the new space Mayor of the Iner West Council,Darcy Byrne Attendees were then treated to aspecial treat with an exclusive preview of the first ten minutes of AN INSPECTOR CALLS thecompany’s first production at their new home 2025.As the Genesians celebrate this new beginning we recommit to fostering a love for theatrefor this and future generations We do so by upholding our traditions and values andwelcoming the exciting infusion of new ideas and new energy into our new home at Rozelle For more information about upcoming performances and events, please visit our website atwww.genesiantheatre.com.au AN INSPECTOR CALLS is playing January 11 – February 22 For tickets, visit here and website in this browser for the next time I comment Error: no decision tree source folder detected THE LEADING SOURCE OF INFORMATION FOR THE LEISURE INDUSTRY Back to Latest News back The Genesian Theatre has opened its production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth at their stunning new Rozelle venue in Sydney's inner west. Murder and madness take centre stage as this timeless tragedy is brought to life by a talented cast and crew the Genesian Theatre is reconnecting with one of its own long- standing traditions of presenting Shakespeare’s works a military hero returning from war is presented with a prophesy which shine light on its great themes and bring to vivid life each of its characters Grinston notes “for more than four hundred years Shakespeare’s classic vision of sacrilegious crime and its consequences has gripped readers and audiences Audiences and theatre makers come back to it time and again -– the brilliant thrilling verse their carriage into the heart of darkness.” For tickets To donate to the Genesian Genesian Theatre Poppy Cozens and the cast of Macbeth; Image centre: Genesian Theatre Kendall Drury as Macduff and Jack Taylor as Macbeth; Image below: Genesian Theatre Kendall Drury as Macduff and Yvette Gillies as Lady Macbeth in Macbeth 27th January 2025 - New beginning for The Genesian Theatre 23rd December 2024 - Genesian Theatre Company’s new theatre officially opens 3rd June 2024 - Genesian Theatre Company continues to thrill ahead of move to new location 23rd April 2024 - Work commences on Genesian Theatre Company’s new Sydney location 29th May 2023 - Genesian Theatre delivers a not so elementary production of Sherlock 16th April 2023 - Genesian Theatre Company continues to deliver stellar productions despite facing relocation 8th September 2020 - New home announced for Genesian Theatre Company we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news Click here to view our subscription options Click here to view our subscription options product and event updates delivered right to your inbox The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services See more see more See the directory see all Get your business noticed in our targeted directory Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week Website by Commuters enduring the aftermath of the Rozelle Interchange opening will hardly be surprised by the scathing report of the parliamentary inquiry published this week especially its finding that the design prioritised financial gain over community interest The report offers 17 recommendations aimed at remedying problems caused by the interchange and learning from its mistakes Even if the Minns government adopts them all residents will continue to suffer poorer access to jobs the government will still be able to commit similar acts of environmental vandalism and misuses of public funds in the future despite being informed of this egregious fraud if a property developer were to submit a development application for a six-floor apartment building but provide overshadowing and other impact assessments for a four-floor building the planning authority would likely reject it neighbours could challenge the approval in court But the former Coalition government declared WestConnex and the Rozelle Interchange to be “State Significant Infrastructure”, having quietly changed our planning laws to block legal scrutiny of such projects Without legislation to restore democratic legal oversight governments can continue to deceive us about the traffic health and environmental impacts of major infrastructure proposals with impunity The inquiry also heard evidence of how the former government misled the public about the purported benefits of the Rozelle Interchange and broader WestConnex scheme But by making it more attractive for more people to drive more often and for longer distances – and to move further from work – WestConnex has induced traffic growth and more congestion We were promised the revitalisation of Parramatta Road. But its traffic volume today is about the same as it was before WestConnex opened the former Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chairman – including two-way tolling on the Harbour Bridge and tunnel – will do little to address massive inequalities in access and transport costs across Greater Sydney The government’s refusal to replace tolls and vehicle registration with network-wide congestion pricing will mean our motorways will continue to be underutilised while our local streets remain choked with traffic In another hit to the economy, WestConnex construction has contributed to skilled labour shortages. This has pushed up inflation increasing construction costs of much-needed rail projects and housing When invited to give evidence before the inquiry I was asked by a former minister about my proposed solution I sought clarification on the underlying problem requiring a solution I left the hearing wondering how a government could justify spending billions of public funds on a scheme that has inflicted so much harm and distress on the community I would like the inquiry to have recommended that future major infrastructure proposals be reviewed by a genuinely independent body – not one chaired by a former state premier with links to toll road corporations And that proposals must be accompanied by a clear problem definition evidence that the proposed solution will work and an assessment of alternative solutions to make it easier for essential workers to get to work would it have been less costly and destructive to invest in affordable homes close to jobs the issues exposed by the Rozelle Interchange inquiry are symptomatic of larger systemic problems in our infrastructure planning We must demand transparency and accountability from the state government We need infrastructure that supports a sustainable the focus of urban planning needs to change We know continued attempts to speed up traffic at all costs results in more car dependence as well as higher transport costs and emissions have largely abandoned this antiquated planning ideology They now prioritise proximity and access to jobs Dr Christopher Standen is a research fellow in urban development at UNSW Sydney The Opinion newsletter is a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform. Sign up here. Commuters enduring the aftermath of the Rozelle Interchange opening will hardly be surprised by the of the parliamentary inquiry published this week the inquiry heard that the traffic forecasting undertaken for the planning application was manipulated to underestimate the volume of surface traffic entering the interchange from City West Link the traffic modellers that Parramatta Road \\u2013 which feeds City West Link \\u2013 has only four traffic lanes But the former Coalition government declared WestConnex and the Rozelle Interchange to be \\u201CState Significant Infrastructure\\u201D having quietly changed our to block legal scrutiny of such projects The inquiry also heard of how the former government misled the public about the purported benefits of the Rozelle Interchange and broader WestConnex scheme But by making it more attractive for more people to drive more often and for longer distances \\u2013 and to move further from work \\u2013 WestConnex has induced traffic growth and more congestion We were promised the revitalisation of Parramatta Road But its today is about the same as it was before WestConnex opened Less traffic on other suburban roads was a key selling point But the new tolls on the old M4 and M5 motorways introduced as a for WestConnex\\u2019s privatisation It then spent on the Rozelle Interchange before gifting it to WestConnex\\u2019s corporate owners The government is spending a further $10 billion on the and motorists and businesses will pay an in WestConnex tolls over the next 37 years much of which will be paid by taxpayers through toll subsidies Tolling reforms proposed in this week\\u2019s by Allan Fels the former Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chairman \\u2013 including two-way tolling on the Harbour Bridge and tunnel \\u2013 will do little to address massive inequalities in access and transport costs across Greater Sydney The government\\u2019s refusal to replace tolls and vehicle registration with network-wide congestion pricing will mean our motorways will continue to be underutilised WestConnex construction has contributed to I would like the inquiry to have recommended that future major infrastructure proposals be reviewed by a genuinely independent body \\u2013 not one chaired by with The Opinion newsletter is a weekly wrap of views that will challenge Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon We help you navigate a myriad of possibilities Sign up for our newsletter for the best of the city By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news Sign up for our email to enjoy Sydney without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush) Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. Sydney The historic White Bay Power Station is one of Sydney's most recogniseable industrial landmarks. After being boarded up for a little over a century, it opened up to the public as an exciting hub for arts and culture in March 2024, launching its extensive refurbishment as a central location for the epic 24th Biennale of Sydney (which casually won two gongs in the inaugural Time Out Sydney Arts & Culture Awards) You'll find White Bay Power Station situated just off one of Sydney's longest and busiest roads, at that point where the suburbs of Rozelle and Balmain meet Developers would describe it as "a focal point in transformation of the Bays West precinct" Here's a little trivia for you: this state-heritage-listed factory building was constructed between 1912–1917 playing a cruicial role in powering Sydney's tram and rail networks. It also happens to be Sydney's oldest surviving power station and it still holds equipment and machinery that predates the 1950s The site's recent refurbishment preserved much of the factory's original fixtures and equipment so now you can have a stickybeek at that too some misty-eyed elder millienials will tell you stories about how they attended some pretty bangin' illegal raves in the Power Station during that 100 years it was was closed to the public.)  the best way to get to White Bay Power Station is by public transport. Regular bus routes 441 and 442 stop on Robert Street The easiest place to board is from a bus stop near Town Hall Station and the Queen Victoria Building The site is generally only open to visitors for events, festivals and tours. Check out what's coming up over here Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news and things to do Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! twitterinstagrampinterestAbout us Contact us again — and time to spend a couple of nights journeying back a few decades just by hitting the dance floor Whether you lived through the 90s rave scene spent every weekend enjoying club life in the 00s or just wish you were old enough to have ticked both boxes Ministry of Sound will take you there when its huge Testament parties return for 2025 Ministry of Sound itself was around through both eras so you couldn't be in better hands to get retro via old-school 90s and 00s bangers The Testament events also toured Australia in 2023 and 2024 and will return for another year — including for three nights in Sydney on Friday Each evening is devoted to either the 90s or the 00s so you'll need to attend two of them if you want to make shapes to tunes from both decades But it's a choose-your-own-adventure type of affair which means that fans of late 20th-century beats can hit up the session dedicated to 90s house trance and garage tracks if that's all that you're keen on while lovers of 00s electro and breaks get their own shindig The DJ lineup is headlined by international acts such as Paul Oakenfold Minx and Mark Dynamix are also on the bill alongside over 60 other names across the tour Your destination: White Bay Power Station, with the 90s night taking over on April 4 and 12,and the 00s evening on the April 5. CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced A months-long inquiry has found that the traffic congestion caused by the opening of $3.9 billion Rozelle Interchange was “unreasonable and unacceptable” considering the amount of planning that went into it the parliamentary committee also found a “concerning lack of clarity and transparency” between the government and Transurban They also concluded that the project was based on maximising the sale value of WestConnex The “spaghetti junction” is the final part of the $16.8 billion WestConnex toll road network privately operated by the major toll road owner said the report proved how the local community was let down by those in charge “Our community has borne the brunt of the fallout from this disastrous project and we received none of the supposed benefits that were promised,” she said “The findings prove that local residents were sacrificed in order to further maximise the sale value of WestConnex.” our local community has been left with increased traffic congestion and serious safety concerns for pedestrians and cyclists.” this area caused commuter chaos for months Roads Minister John Grahams had said traffic would settle down after six months Former Roads Minister Natalie Ward said that while the opening was less than ideal A Transurban spokesperson acknowledged the complaints but mentioned several highlights from the interchange The spokesperson said that travelling from Penrith to the city could save half an hour for commuters and that motorists from Liverpool and Parramatta to the city can save 15 to 20 minutes respectively “Travel times on key surface routes have improved in recent months following the initial settling period post opening,” says the spokesperson including asking that the NSW Government begin looking toward additional public transport options It also recommended looking at ways to stop rat running on local roads as an “immediate priority” says the government should learn from this botched project negative impacts on local business and increased road safety risks,” she says NSW Premier Chris Minns says the most upsetting part of this report was that the previous government was aware of the complications this interchange would bring to the inner west but did not consider this factor in the final design He also said a takeaway from the report was that governments had to better inform local communities of potential impacts of major projects that the public are aware of how it will affect their community and we also take into consideration whether there’s better ways of providing this public infrastructure,” he said The inquiry recommends 17 points to consider to alleviate the current issues plaguing Rozelle Interchange including increased investment in walking and cycling infrastructure traffic light signalling as well as additional public transport services Sydney will continue to grow and responsible governments must continue to invest in the critical road and public transport infrastructure to keep pace with the population.” An official response to the recommendations from the government is due by October 15 IT SEEMS THE PAGE YOU'RE LOOKING FOR HAS GONE ASTRAY GO BACK TO THE HOME PAGE A lawyer who tried to claim ownership of a house in Sydney’s inner west under squatter’s rights has lost a court fight with the homeowner for possession of the property described on her website as “a lawyer and activist for children’s and animal rights” had her work as a foster mother featured on the ABC’s Australian Story in 2009 Yael Abraham is shown outside her multimillion-dollar Queensland home.Credit: yaelabraham.com the owner of two homes in a Rozelle street launched NSW Supreme Court proceedings against Abraham in 2023 Willis inherited the houses from her father decades ago She gave up her challenge for possession of one of the Rozelle homes last year but maintained her fight for the second house a person who occupies a property continuously for at least 12 years without force or secrecy – meaning it is done openly and visibly – may be entitled to ownership The residence must be occupied without the owner’s permission Abraham has worked as a solicitor and a real estate agent She argued she was entitled to the Rozelle home because the 12-year limitation period had expired Her barrister told the court Abraham “tried to contact and let this lady know that she was living in the property” Acting Justice Michael Elkaim said in his decision that Abraham said she heard about three apparently abandoned properties in Sydney from her brother and visited them in late 2009 Abraham said she started storing furniture and boxes at the Rozelle home when she and her family moved from Burradoo in NSW’s Southern Highlands to Zetland in 2011 They moved later to Vaucluse in Sydney’s east is that between 2009 and 2011 she visited [the home] about once a month” and started a cleanup “She put in ‘lockable doors’ … but she did not fix the broken front window.” Willis had a tenant in the home until January 2000 Council rates and other fees were paid during that time along with an invoice from a property maintenance business to the agent for gardening and rubbish removal consistent with [the house] being used to store furniture and having been cleaned” at that time Elkaim said using the property “as a storeroom does not substantiate … adverse possession” because it was not being used “as a residence” Payment of rates “assumed some importance” in the case because last year Abraham “telephoned the Inner West Council and pretended to be [Willis] and arranged to pay the outstanding rates” “The proceedings had already commenced and there is a particularly strong inference available that [Abraham] .… was paying the rates in order to bolster her claim for possession.” Abraham’s eldest child gave evidence that they took up residence at the property in 2016 after living there part-time from 2012 The judge said the house “did not have a functional bathroom in 2012 and probably not until 2016” Elkaim said he was not satisfied Abraham took physical possession of the property until 2016 when her child moved in full-time Earlier use of the property as “a storeroom and occasional place of study” was not “using it in the nature of a residence” He said this alone defeated Abraham’s adverse possession claim because the 12-year period had not expired it was also significant that her occupation was not visible “Albeit for the good reason of not wishing to attract possible intruders took no action to display her occupation to the outside world until much later [than 2011],” Elkaim said and the roof was only repaired in the last five years the appearance of occupation was not apparent.” Abraham had also claimed she had “permission to be in the premises” she told the agent Willis “gave us the keys following watching a TV program on the ABC” and she “also spoke to Mary back in about 2011” Elkaim said the first conversation was in 2016 had permission to occupy the property “was contrary to the requirement for open possession” because it was “possession continued by stealth” Abraham is the principal of Assetnet Properties A lawyer who tried to claim ownership of a house in Sydney\\u2019s inner west under squatter\\u2019s rights has lost a court fight with the homeowner for possession of the property described on her website as \\u201Ca lawyer and activist for children\\u2019s and animal rights\\u201D had her work as a foster mother featured on the ABC\\u2019s Australian Story in 2009 known colloquially as squatter\\u2019s rights a person who occupies a property continuously for at least 12 years without force or secrecy \\u2013 meaning it is done openly and visibly \\u2013 may be entitled to ownership The residence must be occupied without the owner\\u2019s permission Her barrister told the court Abraham \\u201Ctried to contact and let this lady know that she was living in the property\\u201D Abraham said she started storing furniture and boxes at the Rozelle home when she and her family moved from Burradoo in NSW\\u2019s Southern Highlands to Zetland in 2011 They moved later to Vaucluse in Sydney\\u2019s east is that between 2009 and 2011 she visited [the home] about once a month\\u201D and started a cleanup \\u201CShe put in \\u2018lockable doors\\u2019 \\u2026 but she did not fix the broken front window.\\u201D consistent with [the house] being used to store furniture and having been cleaned\\u201D at that time Elkaim said using the property \\u201Cas a storeroom does not substantiate \\u2026 adverse possession\\u201D because it was not being used \\u201Cas a residence\\u201D Payment of rates \\u201Cassumed some importance\\u201D in the case because last year Abraham \\u201Ctelephoned the Inner West Council and pretended to be [Willis] and arranged to pay the outstanding rates\\u201D \\u201CThe proceedings had already commenced and there is a particularly strong inference available that [Abraham] .\\u2026 was paying the rates in order to bolster her claim for possession.\\u201D Abraham\\u2019s eldest child gave evidence that they took up residence at the property in 2016 after living there part-time from 2012 The judge said the house \\u201Cdid not have a functional bathroom in 2012 and probably not until 2016\\u201D Earlier use of the property as \\u201Ca storeroom and occasional place of study\\u201D was not \\u201Cusing it in the nature of a residence\\u201D He said this alone defeated Abraham\\u2019s adverse possession claim because the 12-year period had not expired \\u201CAlbeit for the good reason of not wishing to attract possible intruders took no action to display her occupation to the outside world until much later [than 2011],\\u201D Elkaim said \\u201CThe front windows were never mended the appearance of occupation was not apparent.\\u201D Abraham had also claimed she had \\u201Cpermission to be in the premises\\u201D she told the agent Willis \\u201Cgave us the keys following watching a TV program on the ABC\\u201D and she \\u201Calso spoke to Mary back in about 2011\\u201D had permission to occupy the property \\u201Cwas contrary to the requirement for open possession\\u201D because it was \\u201Cpossession continued by stealth\\u201D The previous Coalition government was warned at least as far back as late 2021 about the risk that a spaghetti junction in Sydney’s inner west would cause two-kilometre-long queues delays during morning peaks and rat-running by motorists trying to avoid congestion Confidential briefing documents by Transport for NSW spelt out the need for measures to avoid forecast congestion that were not adopted including moveable lanes on the Anzac Bridge and widening part of the Western Distributor motorway by the time the Rozelle interchange opened in late 2023 The opening of the junction triggered traffic chaos Moveable lanes were planned for the Anzac Bridge but later shelved.Credit: Rhett Wyman A briefing document in February last year – a month before the state election – warned that queues would extend up to two kilometres from the Anzac Bridge and Western Distributor during the morning peak without proposed mitigations While bus lane changes and other work ran to schedule at the time Transport for NSW warned that plans to widen the Western Distributor and install so-called tidal flow on the Anzac Bridge would not be finished by the end of 2023 in time for the junction’s opening Transport officials also warned that an intersection upgrade in Pyrmont and other works to ease forecast congestion when the interchange opened were running late A spokesperson for deputy opposition leader Natalie Ward said in a statement that the former government invested in works around the interchange to support traffic flow during operations He said the document was “not consistent with the ministerial briefings Natalie received” when she was metropolitan roads minister between December 2021 and March last year The Herald has previously revealed that the confidential plans to widen a 900-metre stretch of the Western Distributor and put in moveable lanes on the Anzac Bridge were de-prioritised in the lead-up to the election and have since been shelved The spokesperson for Ward said the possibility of introducing a so-called tidal flow system would have been weighted against the long-term benefits of the Western Harbour Tunnel Roads Minister John Graham said the Liberals had at least two years to warn Sydney to expect traffic jams longer trip times and rat running through suburban streets in the inner west they went to an election promising ‘traffic nirvana’ The inner west was led to believe Victoria Road would be all bus lanes “The NSW Labor government has always been brutally frank with the public about the challenge in balancing extra traffic induced by the Rozelle interchange.” Transport for NSW’s document in February 2023 also warned of the risk that motorists’ trips would be 15 minutes longer and that “rat-running” would increase on two key streets in Annandale The delays for motorists turned out to be much longer after the interchange opened last November It also cited a 2017 environmental assessment predicting “significant queuing” on City West Link from congestion on the Anzac Bridge and Western Distributor without mitigations it forecast queuing in the new Iron Cove Link tunnel and on an M4 motorway exit ramp a “sensitive” briefing document in November 2021 also warned that the interchange was forecast to increase traffic on the Anzac Bridge would result in queues up to two kilometres long from the bridge and Western Distributor into WestConnex tunnels the queues extended along Victoria Road and City West Link while traffic out of WestConnex tunnels flowed relatively smoothly onto the bridge during morning peaks after the interchange opened last November The November 2021 document also warned of 15-minute delays for motorists bound for the CBD during the morning peak without mitigation measures Congestion caused on roads in Sydney’s inner west by the Rozelle interchange’s opening late last year.Credit: Sydney Morning Herald The measures targeted to be completed by December 2023 when the interchange had been expected to be opened included ramp meters on roads approaching the Anzac Bridge Other work was to install electronic signage on the bridge in a bid to improve traffic capacity Toll road operator Transurban recently told a parliamentary inquiry that it undertook high-level analysis of traffic “hotspots” and other likely impacts of the Rozelle interchange as far back as July 2022 and shared it with the previous Coalition government The opening of the WestConnex motorway interchange late last year caused severe congestion on roads in Rozelle Lilyfield and Annandale as motorists struggled to navigate new routes Victoria Road and local streets in Drummoyne and Gladesville remain the worst affected by congestion. Changes to the sequencing of traffic lights to reduce congestion closer to the Balmain peninsula have caused vehicles to back up further west along Victoria Road in the morning peak. 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. The previous Coalition government was warned at least as far back as late 2021 about the risk that a spaghetti junction in Sydney\\u2019s inner west would cause two-kilometre-long queues, delays during morning peaks and rat-running by motorists trying to avoid congestion. Confidential briefing documents by Transport for NSW spelt out the need for measures to avoid forecast congestion that were not adopted, including moveable lanes on the Anzac Bridge and widening part of the Western Distributor motorway by the time the Rozelle interchange opened in late 2023. The opening of the junction triggered traffic chaos. A briefing document in February last year \\u2013 a month before the state election \\u2013 warned that queues would extend up to two kilometres from the Anzac Bridge and Western Distributor during the morning peak without proposed mitigations. While bus lane changes and other work ran to schedule at the time, Transport for NSW warned that plans to widen the Western Distributor and install so-called tidal flow on the Anzac Bridge would not be finished by the end of 2023 in time for the junction\\u2019s opening. Transport officials also warned that an intersection upgrade in Pyrmont and other works to ease forecast congestion when the interchange opened were running late. A spokesperson for deputy opposition leader Natalie Ward said in a statement that the former government invested in works around the interchange to support traffic flow during operations. He said the document was \\u201Cnot consistent with the ministerial briefings Natalie received\\u201D when she was metropolitan roads minister between December 2021 and March last year. The Herald has previously revealed that the to widen a 900-metre stretch of the Western Distributor and put in moveable lanes on the Anzac Bridge were de-prioritised in the lead-up to the election and have since been shelved. The spokesperson for Ward said the possibility of introducing a so-called tidal flow system would have been weighted against the long-term benefits of the , which is due to open in 2028, and disruption to the Anzac Bridge. Roads Minister John Graham said the Liberals had at least two years to warn Sydney to expect traffic jams, longer trip times and rat running through suburban streets in the inner west. \\u201CInstead, they went to an election promising \\u2018traffic nirvana\\u2019, in one ex-minister\\u2019s words. The inner west was led to believe Victoria Road would be all bus lanes, bikes and fresh air,\\u201D he said. \\u201CThe NSW Labor government has always been brutally frank with the public about the challenge in balancing extra traffic induced by the Rozelle interchange.\\u201D Transport for NSW\\u2019s document in February 2023 also warned of the risk that motorists\\u2019 trips would be 15 minutes longer and that \\u201Crat-running\\u201D would increase on two key streets in Annandale, as well as Parramatta Road. The delays for motorists turned out to be much longer after the interchange opened last November, especially along Victoria Road. It also cited a 2017 environmental assessment predicting \\u201Csignificant queuing\\u201D on City West Link from congestion on the Anzac Bridge and Western Distributor without mitigations. In addition, it forecast queuing in the new Iron Cove Link tunnel and on an M4 motorway exit ramp. More than two years earlier, a \\u201Csensitive\\u201D briefing document in November 2021 also warned that the interchange was forecast to increase traffic on the Anzac Bridge, and that without mitigations, would result in queues up to two kilometres long from the bridge and Western Distributor into WestConnex tunnels. As it turned out, the queues extended along Victoria Road and City West Link while traffic out of WestConnex tunnels flowed relatively smoothly onto the bridge during morning peaks after the interchange opened last November. The November 2021 document also warned of 15-minute delays for motorists bound for the CBD during the morning peak without mitigation measures. The measures targeted to be completed by December 2023 when the interchange had been expected to be opened included ramp meters on roads approaching the Anzac Bridge. Other work was to install electronic signage on the bridge in a bid to improve traffic capacity. Toll road operator Transurban recently told a parliamentary inquiry that it undertook high-level analysis of and other likely impacts of the Rozelle interchange as far back as July 2022 and shared it with the previous Coalition government. The of the late last year caused severe congestion on roads in Rozelle, Balmain, Drummoyne, Lilyfield and Annandale as motorists struggled to navigate new routes, poor signage and multiple-lane merging. Victoria Road and local streets in Drummoyne and Gladesville remain the worst affected by congestion. Changes to the to reduce congestion closer to the Balmain peninsula have caused further west along Victoria Road in the morning peak. Start the day with a summary of the day\\u2019s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. In a critical report handed down this week on the “spaghetti junction” a NSW parliamentary committee was scathing in its findings saying there was a “concerning lack of clarity and transparency” around contractual arrangements between the NSW government and Transurban over the interchange’s delivery “It was built to maximise the sale value of WestConnex which meant that decisions were not made in the community’s interest,” said Cate Faehrmann “We therefore recommend that the NSW government reject any further privatisation of the state’s roads as well as any new major road-based infrastructure projects that are not in the public interest.” The committee made 17 recommendations in all, that also proposed a review of consultation practices and policies for projects of this type to ensure “meaningful and genuine consultation” moving forward. The inquiry also asked that the NSW government immediately look toward additional public transport options, including bus and ferry services, and more traffic lights and crossings to prevent rat running and improve traffic congestion. Premier Chris Minns said the government did not intend to privatise toll roads in the future. “During the design phase, you’re taking into consideration all intended and unintended consequences [and] that clearly didn’t happen in Rozelle,” Minns said. “We’re determined – when we pursue major changes – that the public are aware of how it will affect their community …and we also take into consideration whether there’s better ways of providing this infrastructure for these communities.” An official response to the recommendations from the government is due by October 15. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked * Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "aa6234813e4cfb071a9c5cf3fed667c2" );document.getElementById("g3bfc1e4af").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Whalen Rozelle serves as the Head of International Publishing & Esports where he is responsible for the strategy, execution and development of sustainable business practices across Riot’s regional offices and esports products. Whalen provides high-level management, strategic guidance, and mentorship to a diverse global team including regional leagues and product leaders. Whalen attended Stanford University where he competed in Archery while also receiving his Bachelors in Economics and East Asian Studies.  Overseeing the unified vision for publishing and esports at Riot Games worldwide Leading the vision and strategy for LoL Esports Overseeing strategy and execution for the VCT Developing the vision and strategies for participation-based esports (TFT & 2XKO) Bill Papas’ Rozelle street hosts another global media frenzyTV cameras have returned to Bill Papas’ street – but funnily enough SaveLog in or Subscribe to save articleShareCopy link Share via...Gift this articleSubscribe to gift this article Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe It’s been three years since residents of a quiet street in Sydney’s leafy Rozelle were treated to the sight of TV cameras camped outside a particularly flashy complex belonging to Forum Finance chief Bill Papas After his alleged fraud against Westpac and others was discovered he fled the country for the coastal Greek city of Thessaloniki his Rozelle residence was sold for $4.4 million by liquidators Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe. Follow the topics, people and companies that matter to you. Where to Find Australia’s Best Inner-City Bakeries By Katya Wachtel By Katya Wachtel By Matheus With panoramic windows overlooking the gardens Rozelle’s is an ideal setting for a lazy long lunch Start with a spritz and take in the views before making your way through a menu of produce-driven Italian dishes from globe artichoke fritti with salsa verde mayo to whipped goat’s curd with peas and broad beans Swathes of secondi including baked rigatoni alla vodka roast chook and photogenic pizzas (hand-stretched with four-day-fermented poolish dough) are blasted in the massive woodfired oven at the back of the dining room Cap off your meal with a limoncello cannolo or – apropos of the setting – scones with jam and clotted cream so you can also stop by in the morning for coffee and pastries by Gabi Flohr aka Sheoak Baker Website: rozelles.au We do not seek or accept payment from the cafes bars and shops listed in the Directory – inclusion is at our discretion Venue profiles are written by independent freelancers paid by Broadsheet Over the Pass: Top Visiting Chefs Share Who They’re Most Excited To See at Tasting Australia 2025 Jessica Purcell Takes Sole Operating Ownership of Niña Following Leonardo Moreira Loureiro’s Guilty Plea to Criminal Charges Restaurant Botanic Swaps Its Celebrated Degustation for an Elevated High Tea – for Two Weeks Only Coming Soon: Stem Springs Back to Life As Canopy A parliamentary inquiry into the construction of the maligned Rozelle Interchange has found the decision to build the road was made against the community’s best interests The multi-billion-dollar project has been the subject of consistent ire from residents and road-users in the area and the findings have illustrated the decision to build the interchange was made to boost the sale value of WestConnex was made with little to no community engagement and that road congestion in the area is worse since the opening of the road The inquiry committee handed down eight findings and 17 recommendations into the build that covered all stages of the project Committee chair and Greens MP Cate Faehrmann says the lack of consultation with the community ahead of the build has led to a worse situation than before the interchange was even constructed “It’s clear from the overwhelming evidence of inquiry participants that there was a lack of meaningful engagement and consultation with impacted communities during all stages of the Rozelle Interchange,” Faehrmann says “It was built to maximise the sale value of WestConnex which meant decisions were not made in the community’s interest.” MP for Balmain Kobi Shetty says while the findings are welcome for her constituents they showcase how the wider community was let down by those in charge “The bipartisan privatisation agenda from both Labor and Liberal governments has led to significant profits for multinational toll-road operator Transurban our local community has been left with increased traffic congestion and serious safety concerns for pedestrians and cyclists,” Shetty says “This report provides strong recommendations that could help mitigate the impact of the Rozelle Interchange on local residents I call on the NSW Labor Government to act quickly to implement all recommendations.” The 17 recommendations mostly relate to the lack of community consultation improving existing infrastructure to cover issues caused by the interchange The interchange was the final stage of WestConnex’s transformative contract with Transurban which was initially estimated to cost $11 billion By the time the interchange opened in December 2023 that figure has risen to over $18 billion An auditors report found the final cost actually ballooned to over $20 billion Subscribe to the weekly Owner//Driver newsletter here. OwnerDriver was established in 1992 as a national newspaper “Dedicated to the Success of the Person Behind the Wheel” and it continues to pursue this mission today The NSW Government has a long-term vision to revitalise Victoria Road prioritising public transport within the existing road space is the vital first step towards encouraging people onto public transport and easing congestion on our roads Transport for NSW has taken key steps to improve bus priority along Victoria Road through Rozelle with the introduction of a citybound offset bus lane and outbound kerbside  bus lane These bus priority measures are consistent with the future vision for the Victoria Road corridor The improvements help make bus services more reliable and efficient to encourage more people to use public transport and support the frequent bus services that run along Victoria Road.  Offset bus lanes improve bus reliability and efficiency by easing interference caused by buses stopping at bus zones and vehicles turning left along the route.  emergency vehicles and motorcycles are permitted to travel in a bus lane Vehicles are permitted to enter a bus lane if they are within 100 metres of undertaking a turn The new offset bus lane on Victoria Road citybound is operational 24 hours a day between Terry Street and Robert Street in Rozelle It replaces the existing kerbside bus lane between these streets this bus lane joins an existing kerbside bus lane There is a new outbound kerbside bus lane on Victoria Road between Quirk Street and Clubb Street The new outbound bus lane is operational 6am-10am and 3pm-7pm Monday to Friday.  General traffic is not permitted to continuously travel in the citybound offset bus lane which operates 24 hours a day Local traffic emerging from the kerbside lane or a side street can however remain in a bus lane for up to 100 metres to merge into the adjacent general travel lanes Traffic can go into and out of a bus lane for up to 100 metres to change lanes as well as access the kerbside lane including when needing to access local businesses Transport has installed a new bus lane camera system on Victoria Road (citybound) between Hartley and Robert Streets the camera will operate in warning mode for one month To educate drivers and alert them to the presence of the new bus lane camera system drivers detected travelling illegally in the bus lane are initially issued warning letters for offences After the end of the warning letter period infringement notices will be issued and penalties will apply These lanes are designed to improve the movement and efficiency of public transport buses by removing the delay caused by other vehicles For further information about this project, please contact:Project hotline: 1800 684 490Email: victoria.road@transport.nsw.gov.au 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 Delays are expected on approach to the Anzac Bridge from 7am to 9am in the morning peak livetraffic.com transportnsw.info View more Driver Animation Videos here Drivers can also use Parramatta Road and City West Link as untolled routes to the city Ramp signals are operating at two key locations on approach to Anzac Bridge; Ramp signals control the rate of vehicles exiting the Interchange on approach to Anzac Bridge The signals can be set for different metering rates to improve traffic flow and minimise congestion They make merging safer and easier and reduce the risk of drivers having to brake suddenly.  The signals allow one vehicle per lane to enter when a green light is displayed The green signal allows the first vehicle in each lane to join the Anzac Bridge Ramp meters are activated during peak traffic periods or when there is heavy traffic congestion.  All WestConnex tolls are calculated using a ‘flag fall’ of $1.57 at the point of entry and then $0.58 per kilometre After 16.4 kilometres of continuous travel tolls will be capped at a maximum amount of $11.11 per journey the maximum toll cap is $33.32 per journey NRL personality Paul Kent has pleaded guilty to affray after failing to convince a court his depression and alcohol problems should spare him from punishment three months after coming off second best in a drunken brawl outside a Sydney pub Kent will avoid formal conviction after he drank schooners of beer for 11 hours at the Sackville Hotel in Rozelle before being filmed clashing with a stranger Paul Kent arrives at court on Wednesday to argue one charge of affray should be dealt with under mental health laws.Credit: Kate Geraghty The Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday heard Kent had been walking home with friends when Uzun asked Kent if he would be “going to the match tomorrow” Kent understood the match was raising awareness of domestic violence – a crime he had been cleared of at the end of 2023 “Kent said ‘no’ and [Uzun] said ‘that’s right you like to bash women’,” magistrate Jennifer Price read from police documents The then Daily Telegraph and Foxtel NRL360 journalist branded Uzun a “doghead” while taking off his watch and fighting off efforts to subdue him allegedly traded blows before the older man was flung into a roadside tree He was left with six broken ribs and collapsed lung and Price said it was clear Kent had “come off second best” News Corp papers reported Kent had been sacked from his job just one day before fronting court to ask Price to deal with the single charge of affray on mental health grounds Price accepted Kent had both alcohol use disorder and a major depressive disorder but said community safety and deterrence meant he was to be dealt with under the law – not mental health legislation we understand’; others make outrageous comments,” his lawyer “There’s a herd of reporters outside and in the courtroom Elias said Kent had “punished himself with alcohol” after being charged Kent’s employer News Corp had given him “no help” during the troubled time Kent has repeatedly denounced NRL stars for talking about mental health problems in times of crisis “Now all the dickheads in the world simply claim their dickhead behaviour is a mental welfare issue and it immediately makes them no longer accountable for their dickhead actions,” Kent wrote in one newspaper column he called out the “world of snowflakes” and “mental health warriors” ordering him instead to be released on a two-year good behaviour bond He will remain in treatment for his mental health problems 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. NRL personality Paul Kent has pleaded guilty to affray after failing to convince a court his depression and alcohol problems should spare him from punishment three months after coming off second best in a drunken brawl outside a Sydney pub. Kent will avoid formal conviction after he drank schooners of beer for 11 hours at the Sackville Hotel in Rozelle before being filmed clashing with a stranger, Tamer Uzun, in April this year. The Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday heard Kent had been walking home with friends when Uzun, standing outside the Three Weeds Hotel, asked Kent if he would be \\u201Cgoing to the match tomorrow\\u201D. Kent understood the match was raising awareness of domestic violence \\u2013 a crime he had been cleared of at the end of 2023. \\u201CKent said \\u2018no\\u2019 and [Uzun] said \\u2018that\\u2019s right, you like to bash women\\u2019,\\u201D magistrate Jennifer Price read from police documents. The then Daily Telegraph and Foxtel NRL360 journalist branded Uzun a \\u201Cdoghead\\u201D while taking off his watch and fighting off efforts to subdue him, the courts have heard. Uzun, 35, and Kent, 54, allegedly traded blows before the older man was flung into a roadside tree. He was left with six broken ribs and collapsed lung and Price said it was clear Kent had \\u201Ccome off second best\\u201D. This week, News Corp papers reported Kent had been sacked from his job just one day before fronting court to ask Price to deal with the single charge of affray on mental health grounds. Price accepted Kent had both alcohol use disorder and a major depressive disorder, but said community safety and deterrence meant he was to be dealt with under the law \\u2013 not mental health legislation. \\u201CWherever he goes, even this morning, some people approach him and say, \\u2018good luck, Paul, we understand\\u2019; others make outrageous comments,\\u201D his lawyer, George Elias, said. \\u201CThere\\u2019s a herd of reporters outside and in the courtroom. If this was someone else, someone unknown, we wouldn\\u2019t be here today.\\u201D Elias said Kent had \\u201Cpunished himself with alcohol\\u201D after being charged, and then cleared, of a domestic violence offence. Further, Elias said, Kent\\u2019s employer News Corp had given him \\u201Cno help\\u201D during the troubled time. Kent has repeatedly denounced NRL stars for talking about mental health problems in times of crisis. \\u201CNow all the dickheads in the world simply claim their dickhead behaviour is a mental welfare issue and it immediately makes them no longer accountable for their dickhead actions,\\u201D Kent wrote in one newspaper column. In another, he called out the \\u201Cworld of snowflakes\\u201D and \\u201Cmental health warriors\\u201D. Price did not convict Kent, ordering him instead to be released on a two-year good behaviour bond. He will remain in treatment for his mental health problems, his lawyer assured the court. Sydney’s controversial Rozelle Interchange was never reviewed by Infrastructure Australia and detailed designs of connecting free roads were not shown to councils or local communities before it opened in late last month chief executive of Infrastructure Australia told AFR Weekend the advisory agency did not see the final plans for the $3.9 billion interchange which was designed and built by the former NSW government .prefix__st0{fill:#333}AccessAccount The British-born chef Josh Cooke has cooked at many of Australia’s most notable diners but when he’s not behind the pass you’ll find him at an eclectic mix of local diners Words by · Updated on 01 Jul 2024· Published on 05 Jun 2024 Cooke fell in love with hospo in the States after spending summers at his uncle’s fine-dining restaurant in Maine and the bucolic surroundings helped him develop a real appreciation for produce and the seasonality of agriculture Cooke’s first job was filling room-service orders and making scones and finger sandwiches for high tea at Hotel Tresanton He was an apprentice at Rick Stein’s The Seafood Restaurant before he moved to Paris to cook under chef Jean-Francois Piege He later had placements with Heston Blumenthal at the experimental diner Fat Duck His relationship with Rick Stein eventually brought him to Australia, where he spent time on the pans at Bannisters and worked as a development chef. He went on to cook at Peter Gilmore’s Sydney Harbourfront gem Quay downing yum cha with a bottle of champagne or sourcing the best seafood SA has to offer What’s your go-to for a quick takeaway? Asian Gourmet from the Adelaide Central Market It’s a delicious broth that is layered with roasted spices And for a drink and snacks? Hey Jupiter It’s the perfect spot for enjoying snacks at any time of the day I usually grab a coffee and a croque monsieur a nice glass of white burgundy with some frites is my go-to And what about the best food close to where you live? Lockwood General is my go-to spot for a great breakfast near home My wife and I love heading here before heading into the kitchen It serves up great coffee in a welcoming atmosphere My favourite dish has to be the king prawns with chilli scrambled eggs If it’s a special occasion, where are you headed? If it’s a special occasion, I am heading to Muni making anybody feel welcome without being intrusive Who do you think does the best coffee in town? Dayjob is my go-to coffee spot I grab one of their brekkie rolls – simple and delightful How about a meal with a big group of family or friends? For a meal with a group of friends or family, Vietnam Restaurant on Addison Road Linda and her team have a way of making everyone feel like part of their family so it only makes sense to bring your own family there My must-order dish is their warm seafood salad it’s absolutely fabulous and always a hit with everyone at the table What’s your favourite dish on the menu at Chianti My favourite dish at our restaurant is the seafood fregola with tomato It takes me back to my family holidays where we would stay with my grandparents’ friends that lived in Sardinia Serbestianu would take us out on his boat catching fish and then his wife Rosa would cook the fish in a dish very similar to this It’s a great way to relive a memory using some of the best seafood in the world from South Australian waters Is there a hidden gem that you think is underrated but great? Little Rickshaw is definitely an underrated spot What’s your go-to hangover feed? Yum cha with a bottle of champagne. It’s a great way to debrief from the night that was. There are so many great spots around Adelaide for yum cha, but my go-tos are either Chef Dom or Star House Tell us about a local producer you can’t stop thinking about? Sheoak Baker Gabby and the team know how to make amazing sourdough bread and some delicious pastries that we actually use at Rozelle’s Gabby mills the flour she uses herself and she gets the grain from her parents’ farm What’s your favourite spot for a late-night feed? Plus 82 Pocha Korean Restaurant: fun times free-flowing soju and incredible Korean fried chicken Lucy Bell Bird is Broadsheet's national assistant editor Where Chefs Eat: Station Road’s Baine Stubbs Is Demolishing Bottomless Serves of Wings Where Chefs Eat: Restaurant Botanic Pastry Chef Victoria Lennard on Adelaide’s Best Sweet Treats Romance on the Menu: Local Chefs Share Their Favourite Date Night and Special Occasion Spots Testing reveals ‘low-risk’ contamination in samples taken from mulch near Rozelle playground An expansive park built above Rozelle’s multibillion-dollar spaghetti junction interchange has been closed after asbestos was found in garden mulch around a children’s playground – with the contractor involved confirming the mulch was also used elsewhere in Sydney. An urgent audit was under way to determine what other sites could be affected by what the premier, Chris Minns, described as “a toxic substance”. The government closed the Rozelle parklands to the public and called in contamination experts just three weeks after the park opened above the interchange. Read moreJohn Holland built the interchange and the park on Wednesday said he could not immediately disclose a list of the other sites where the mulch had been used “Some of the projects may well not be John Holland … projects,” he told reporters “We’re working with relevant authorities and the supplier to identify the list at the moment.” The asbestos was detected in two samples of garden mulch taken from the Rozelle parklands and was only discovered after it was reported by a parent whose child had brought it home from the playground Davies said it was “very concerning” that a child had come into contact with asbestos but he insisted John Holland had carried out thorough testing during the construction process The premier said the government needed to know where potentially contaminated mulch had been used “as soon as possible” so it could close the other sites “I realise that is massively inconvenient during the school holidays … but we can’t muck around with safety – this is obviously a toxic substance,” Minns said said the government had been advised the asbestos found at the Rozelle parklands was “low risk” because it was non-friable and air monitoring had not shown any anomalies said the council had been informed about the contamination around the children’s play area on Wednesday morning “As a parent whose children have been playing there myself I understand how concerning this will be for many thousands of local people,” Byrne said “It is beyond belief that such a long-awaited community facility has been opened with asbestos-contaminated materials contained within it “There must be a thorough investigation about how asbestos-contaminated material ended up within the park.” Byrne said the council had written to the department to insist on “urgent and immediate testing of the entire site” and remediation Transport for NSW (TfNSW) was working with contamination experts SafeWork and the Environmental Protection Authority as well as John Holland to understand if the garden product had been used elsewhere “Remediation experts are currently on site conducting tests of the material across the parkland to determine the extent of contamination,” a TfNSW spokesperson said “Initial advice from an occupational hygienist who tested samples taken at the site yesterday found bonded asbestos in two samples.” The nearly 10 hectares of green space includes extensive cycleways and green expanses alongside large exhaust stacks for the tunnels below Air quality testing was undertaken at the site on Tuesday and there were no particles found “outside of normal expected parameters” “The initial expert advice indicates that the sample identified which contained asbestos was considered low risk,” the department spokesperson said The mulch at Rozelle was being replaced and the department promised to update the community as soon as possible The parkland was meant to appease inner west residents who had put up with years of tunnelling noises and road closures during the construction of the Rozelle interchange The junction caused traffic chaos for weeks after it opened prompting the government to carry out emergency works in early December to add a second lane to part of the interchange to ease congestion.