'Crosses the line from free speech to hate speech': Islamophobic graffiti condemned 3 min readPublished 18 January 2025 11:23am ShareGet SBS News daily and direct to your InboxSign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.Your email address *Morning (Mon–Fri) Error: no decision tree source folder detected Wiley Park Hotel isn’t where you’d expect to find a menu packed with wok-fried shellfish and bold Vietnamese street food Rocs & Rolls has quietly become a go-to seafood spot for those in the know Thao and Thu – took over the kitchen in 2019 bringing the vibrant flavours of south Vietnam while blending the boozer’s no-frills vibe with their signature seafood dishes all bathed in your choice of house-made sauces: creamy salted egg Every dish gets extra zing courtesy of a fiery we love our seafood,” Thao tells Broadsheet But to be able to get these type of dishes it was very hard to find something like this.” travel spots and more – curated by those who know It’s hard to go past the pot of fragrant lemongrass clams swimming in sweet coconut water and served with nuoc cham or blood cockles dressed in a saucy mix of garlic and tamarind as well as the grilled squid and chicken feet a trained chef and the creative force behind Rocs & Rolls followed by Thao (a former marketer) and Thu (who also works as a nurse) They come from a family of nine siblings (three girls “It’s the capital of this kind of street food and we’ve taken in everything from there.” Regardless of whether Van is or isn’t working you can expect the same quality any time you dine “The recipes that Van has come up with are fixed so anyone who’s cooking in the kitchen follows those recipes We want to make sure when a customer comes today or tomorrow sprinkled with Chinese Vietnamese takeaway classics – steak (Some can still be found at the back of the menu.) Soon after opening They expected a younger crowd to be drawn in by the change and the young – that’s beyond my imagination.” The restaurant operates on a cash-only basis where the atmosphere – especially on a Friday or Saturday night – is loud busy and filled with the clatter of seafood shells hitting bag-wrapped buckets Local Knowledge: Sun Ming’s “Chinese Soul Food” Has Brought Generations Together Since 1993 Local Knowledge: Strap In for “Super Lamb Soup” and Skewers at Hurstville’s Shang Lamb Soup Local Knowledge: Filipino Food’s Greatest Hits Come Supersized at This Western Sydney Spot This is probably not the page you’re looking for They’re the hidden Sydney suburbs where buying a desirable home on a shoestring is both attainable and a passport to wealth creation An exclusive property report has revealed home seekers with savings as low as $50,000 can still bag properties in high-growth suburbs where values are set to rise exponentially These areas typically have property prices that are well below other parts of Sydney, but are located close to big job hubs, excellent transport links and rich amenities Improving infrastructure in these suburbs was also expected to push up home values at a faster rate than most of the rest of the market according to the Deposit Stars report from comparison group Canstar MORE: Aussie suburbs where home prices are set to crash recently bought a home in St Marys – one of Sydney’s top growth areas powered with data from researcher Hotspotting indicated high growth suburbs attainable for those with $50,000 deposits were Liverpool and Wiley Park in the southwest Other well-located suburbs offering units attainable with the same deposit were Jamisontown Median prices in all five suburbs were under $500,000 – or about 39-46 per cent below the norm in Greater Sydney This meant first-home buyers were eligible for a raft of government support schemes such as a full exception on stamp duty Those with a budget of $100,000 were advised to target houses in western suburbs St Marys and Campbelltown MORE: 20yo OnlyFans twins’ bizarre $6m demand A unit in this Harris Park block recently sold for $520,000 Hotspotting director Terry Ryder said it was a myth that buying a home was unattainable for households earning less than $150,000 a year “All the sentiment about the Aussie dream being dead in Sydney is not the full story,” he said “There are lot of opportunities to get into reasonably affordable markets in Sydney but you need to think out of left field scored well as a market for lower budget buyers because of the “mini CBD” university campuses one of Sydney’s transport interchanges and excellent rail links to the CBD,” he said MORE: ‘Stop blame game’: Kochie slams younger homebuyers “There is also a shortage of properties in the area and it’s unlikely developers will be able to add new units in at least the next five years so there is a lot of upside for prices.” Units in Newtown scored highly as a choice for new buyers because they were nearly $1m cheaper than houses in the area adding that Newtown remained one of the most popular places to live in Sydney St Marys was considered a good market to buy into because of the coming rail link to Sydney’s second airport at Badgerys Creek “There will be a massive jobs node around it,” Mr Ryder said Ray White principal Peter Diamantidis said St Marys was becoming a lot more popular because of the better value on offer Agent Peter Diamanditis of Ray White-St Marys said the suburb was nearly unrecognisable from 10 years ago “If you asked a lot of people if they wanted to live in St Marys then they would have said ‘no’,” he said “What’s changed is that it’s become a lot better connected Mustansar Nazir recently bought a townhouse in the suburb and said it had better opportunities to buy newer housing catered to larger families “We found in a lot of other areas the rooms were a bit squishy or the houses were just really old,” Mr Nazir said “We liked that in St Marys you didn’t have to spend as much to get a bit of space but still be close to the action.” The Nazir family are looking forward to moving into their new St Marys home Canstar money expert Effie Zahos said home seekers who were keen to purchase in the highlighted suburbs should line their ducks in a row before they start looking “There is a lot of competition at the bottom end of the market,” she said “There tend to be more buyers at the more affordable end of the market and those who have done thorough preparation have an advantage.” MORE: Security pulled as Royals’ $57m feud explodes third parties have written and supplied the content and we are not responsible for it completeness or reliability of the information nor do we accept any liability or responsibility arising in any way from omissions or errors contained in the content We do not recommend sponsored lenders or loan products and we cannot introduce you to sponsored lenders We strongly recommend that you obtain independent advice before you act on the content realestate.com.au is owned and operated by ASX-listed REA Group Ltd (REA:ASX) © REA Group Ltd. By accessing or using our platform, you agree to our Terms of Use. The closure of the New South Wales T3 Bankstown line between Sydenham and Bankstown has begun to convert the line to Metro passengers will have access to high-tech metro line with a train every four minutes during the peak along with fully accessible stations and services This final section of the metro line will eventually be known as the M1 Northwest and Bankstown Line completing the transformative 30-kilometre alignment between Bankstown and Tallawong travel will be free for all passengers on the dedicated pink buses connecting Sydenham and Bankstown Fare-free travel began on Monday September 30 and will continue for the entire conversion period until the projected completion in late 2025 Work to bring the new T6 Lidcombe & Bankstown train line into operation in time for the closure was delayed due to now-lifted protected industrial action Transport planners are working through the logistics to get the T6 online as soon as possible and will share further details when available the T6 will give passengers more travel options by connecting Bankstown to Lidcombe Station via Yagoona additional fare-free buses will replace trains between Lidcombe and Bankstown These will be known as the 8T3 All Stops and 8AT3 Express (direct between Bankstown and Lidcombe) The rest of the T3 line will still be open between Liverpool and the City via Regents Park and Lidcombe currently there are stations on the T3 that only receive four trains an hour in the peak Jo Haylen Minister for Transport encourages passengers to check online for schedules “We recognise there is a lot of complicated information to digest, so I’d encourage people to head to transportnsw.info or chat to the Transport staff in pink shirts at their local station,” she said “It’s only fair that we don’t charge you a fare for this disruptive duration so remember you don’t have to tap your Opal card or device when you get on “I want to continue to be very upfront with people – transforming this 130-year-old line for modern metro trains is a complex and difficult task meaning it could take longer than 12 months as the 6.3 million passengers who’ve used City Metro since it opened can attest I’m pleased we’re able to move ahead with giving these communities the same benefits.” As Melbourne braces for a population of 9 million by 2050 global leader in smart sustainable mobility solutions has delivered on-time and to budget its Traffic Management System we’re homing in on two major topics: Tunnels and Cybersecurity All content published on this site is the property of Prime Creative Media They’re the inner city Sydney suburbs where you can score a rental under $500 a week New PropTrack figures have revealed that one quarter of Sydney’s suburbs recorded a drop in price for rental houses while another quarter experienced a rent freeze A typical Sydney rental now costs about $803 per week This coincided with an increase in available rental housing with Sydney’s inner city and eastern suburbs seeing particularly large jumps in rental listings Although the rental crisis is stil on going renters can snap up a pad within 20kms of the CBD for $500 or less RELATED: Big change could save renters $8k a year Rents fall at fastest rate since Covid hit prices for units in both Wiley Park and Lakemba had stayed stagnant Lakemba is located 12 km south west of Sydney’s CBD and Wiley Park is 17km southwest both suburbs in the Canterbury-Bankstown region Punchbowl and Belmore also in Sydney’s south west for a $500 a week Lakemba advertised for rent for $500 per week MORE: Gen Z, Millennials would give up sex for this tenants would want to look at units further west where prices could be found under $400 a week with Cabramatta units at $380 and both Katoomba and Canleyvale priced at $390 For the beach lifestyle on The Central Coast the cheapest units could be found in Toukley for a median of $400 or for $460 in either The Entrance and Wyong rental prices for units in Croydon Park were being advertised at a median of $525 per week MORE: Aussie sex, drug den: Pink Flamingo brothel ad exposed the T3 Bankstown Line between Sydenham and Bankstown will officially close to undergo a long-awaited transformation into a modern Metro line The conversion work which is expected to take over 12 months and is estimated to be completed by late 2025 will require significant construction work on the 130-year-old railway line Commuters who use the T3 Bankstown line will face over a year of rail disruptions and will have to use alternative transport arrangements passengers will have access to fare-free buses on a new service known as the Southwest Link These “pink buses,” which will provide connections between Sydenham and Bankstown are designed to help ease the burden on commuters The T3 line will continue to be open between Liverpool and the City via Regents Park and Lidcombe Travel on the dedicated ‘pink buses’ will be free for all passengers The fare-free Southwest Link buses will run from early in the morning until late at night services are expected to operate every two to four minutes to accommodate the thousands of passengers who rely on the T3 Line Transport for NSW has confirmed that all bus driver positions have been filled to ensure the service runs smoothly was expected to provide additional travel options but has been delayed due to industrial action Transport For NSW said it is working hard to bring the new T6 service online as soon as possible the T6 line will connect Bankstown to Lidcombe Station via Yagoona fare-free bus services will replace trains between Lidcombe and Bankstown Two routes will be available: the 8T3 All Stops and the 8AT3 Express which will run directly between Bankstown and Lidcombe Minister for Transport Jo Haylen acknowledged the disruption the closure will cause but emphasised that the benefits of the upgraded Metro line will far outweigh the inconvenience “Make no mistake – this will be a tough time and I want to thank the tens of thousands of impacted commuters in Canterbury Bankstown and the Inner West for their understanding,” Minister Haylen said “We recognise there is a lot of complicated information to digest so I’d encourage people to head to transportnsw.info or speak with the Transport staff in pink shirts at their local station.” Haylen said that fare-free travel was the government’s way of easing the financial burden on commuters during the lengthy conversion process so remember you don’t have to tap your Opal card or device when you get on,” she added the new Metro line promises to deliver major improvements Trains will run every four minutes during peak hours significantly boosting capacity compared to the current service The line will also feature fully accessible stations This final section of the Metro line will be named the M1 Northwest & Bankstown Line forming part of a 30-kilometre Metro alignment stretching between Bankstown and Tallawong “The final T3 conversion will be difficult but worth it While we continue to transform the transport network there are big changes coming from Monday so we ask commuters to plan their trip and check their transport apps for updates,” Howard Collins marked the final day of heavy rail service on the T3 Bankstown Line The last train departed from Circular Quay at 12:06 am on Monday marking the end of an era for a railway that has served Sydney for over a century The Bankstown Line first opened in stages in 1896 who travelled the line during her visit to Sydney in 1980 from Bankstown To Martin Place a new 17-kilometre walking and cycling path will be built alongside the railway corridor a 1.4-kilometer cycleway between Marrickville and Sydenham Transport for NSW also announced upcoming changes to train and bus networks from October 20 450 additional light rail services have been added to accommodate passengers displaced by the T3 conversion “The line’s closure marks not just an end but also a beginning—a new chapter in public transport for our city that will serve us well into the future,” said Minister Haylen For detailed information about Southwest Link buses and the Metro project, visit the Transport NSW website or contact staff at your local station. The Wiley Park Hotel is like so many other pubs the Rocs and Rolls restaurant sets it apart The last place I would expect to find spicy Vietnamese-style razor clams and Balmain bugs lathered in a salted duck yolk sauce is in Wiley Park Hotel. About 40 minutes’ drive south-west of the Sydney CBD watching NRL and making bets – an ordinary pub like hundreds across Australia a tiny kitchen called Rocs and Rolls dishes out trays of seafood grilled meats and hotpots to Vietnamese families and young couples They huddle on bright yellow chairs in an otherwise barely decorated room chatting and tearing into saucy plates of snails with enthusiasm Read moreThere are two menus at Rocs and Rolls: a blackboard with daily specials (perhaps spicy hotpot or a chicken feet salad) and a large “regular” menu with noodles grilled meats and seafood (Van insists on the pipis in lemongrass-fragrant coconut water) plus a choose-your-own-seafood-and-sauce selection based on what Van’s picked from the market ‘You can ask for your whelks to be tossed with corn and a lavish amount of butter.’ Photograph: Jessica Hromas/The GuardianThe pipis in lemongrass-fragrant coconut water come highly recommended Photograph: Jessica Hromas/The GuardianThe latter is a popular choice Here is how it works: Van can tell you what are the local catches (some are imported from Vietnam or farther afield) and what’s good that day – it might be yabbies You can ask for your whelks to be tossed with corn and a lavish amount of butter; your clams to be lathered in a powerful sate (a Vietnamese sauce of lemongrass not to be confused with the peanut-powered satay of Indonesian and Malaysian cuisine) is served with a salty lemon-chilli-pepper dipping sauce Tulip snails are cooked on the grill Photograph: Jessica Hromas/The GuardianFinally cutlery (if you need it) and bucket – you’ll need that for the mound of empty shells you’re about to accumulate There are no craft brews on the Ho Chi Minh streets Sign up for the fun stuff with our rundown of must-reads, pop culture and tips for the weekend, every Saturday morning The cooking philosophy is about bold flavours rich sauces and a celebration of textures – chewy “This [cuisine] isn’t very traditional but it’s very typical [street food] Not just for the atmosphere but so they can serve bread But street food is very difficult in Sydney So the Wiley Park Hotel dining room is the next best thing One of the great qualities of street dining is the accessibility and casualness of it all – it’s loud it feels like you are welcome to do as much seafood-slurping There is nothing quite like it in Sydney and I’d guess For information directly relating to bushfires please call the Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737 or visit the NSW Rural Fire Service Website here. [external link] We responded to over 150,000 incidents in 2023-24 The incidents displayed below are note-worthy incidents that have been published as media releases or tweets Details about incidents may change and should not be used as emergency information and/or advice North Parramatta | The fire at Dunlop Street, North Parramatta has been contained but is expected to smoulder through the morning. Because there may be smoke in the area, residents and businesses in the vicinity are advised to keep doors, windows, and vents closed. View on X [external link] Fire and Rescue NSW acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the land and acknowledges and pays respect to their Elders Prices in Sydney and Melbourne can scare off many buyers but these six suburbs offer some of the best rental returns in the country to those brave enough to take a shot executive general manager of sales at Little Real Estate believes that 2024 holds a lot of opportunities for east coast investors looking to grab a property in Sydney or Melbourne we anticipate a surge in property prices fuelled by the relentless demand for housing outpacing the available supply,” said Mr Kirkland If you check the box above before you log in you won’t have to log back into the website next time you return even if you close your browser and come back later He explained that “an exceptionally strong rental market continues to exert upward pressure on house prices nationwide” One of the major contributing factors behind this upward price trend is the shortage of homes on the market in 2023 Mr Kirkland stated that this trend “propelled the capital city markets into growth sooner than anticipated” and led many tenants to become property owners as a result of “escalating weekly rents” Here are the 10 suburbs that Mr Kirkland has forecast will soar to new heights in 2024 Kensington is the stomping ground of students from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) The suburb has recently began reaping the benefits of the new light rail that runs from the eastern suburbs to Circular Quay Mr Kirkland said: “Investment is strong here with a 4.2 per cent rental yield for units and an impressive 24.9 per cent growth in rents over the past year,” which made Kensington the top performing Sydney suburb for rent growth in 2023 Wiley Park is a south-western Sydney suburb that Mr Kirkland pinpointed as “a compelling suburb to watch in 2024” With rental yields of 6.1 per cent – the third-highest in Greater Sydney – Wiley Park offers sound returns for investors at an accessible median price point of just $450,756 Mr Kirkland also pointed to Wiley Park’s strategic location “with public transport and bus stops particularly accessible for those seeking easy access to the city and the airport” is “emerging as a key player in the long-term growth market” The suburb is set to benefit from a flurry of new transport infrastructure in years to come including the much-awaited Western Sydney Airport and new Sydney Metro the median home value has risen 100 per cent and rental returns on houses and units average at 3.4 per cent and 4.6 per cent respectively – above-average for Sydney Edmondson Park could see a significant surge in value in the coming decades Carlton offers a rare opportunity for investors to make a mark in the inner-city market With the University of Melbourne students and healthcare professionals flocking to the area Carlton is seeing impressive rental yields for 7.2 per cent for units culture and proximity to the central business district (CBD) Carlton’s median property price is just $353,373 making it among the most affordable suburbs in inner Melbourne Mr Kirkland stated that Carlton offers “a unique entry point for investors and first-time buyers in a typically high-cost area” Located just 6 kilometres from Melbourne’s CBD Moonee Ponds offers a unique blend of city and suburban living Mr Kirkland reported that Moonee Ponds is “currently experiencing a diverse real estate market with property prices ranging from $1,500,000 for houses to $490,000 for units” The annual growth rate in Moonee Ponds has declined recently but rent prices continue to rise and turnaround times are quick with the average rental unit spending just 17 days on the market Point Cook is a good option for investors looking to appeal to the family market rental prices for houses in Point Cook have risen by 16.3 per cent bringing the current median rent to $500 per week rental yields remain good but not groundbreaking – house owners can expect yields of 3.5 per cent while unit owners can expect 4.4 per cent rental yields Property refers to either a tangible or intangible item that an individual or business has legal rights or ownership of Copyright © 2007-2025 Smart Property Investment Sydney’s Wiley Park Station has further improved access with new lifts put into service for the first time in the facility’s history These improvements will make accessing all 10 stations between Marrickville and Bankstown safer and easier for everyone The installation of the lifts took place over several weekend possessions using a 350-tonne crane to lift the shafts into place Wiley Park Station customers are also benefiting from a refreshed concourse and new station entry plaza with seating new platform canopies creating more usable waiting areas and re-surfaced platforms and platform access ramps Sydney Metro is Australia’s only fully accessible railway – with level access between platforms and trains New lifts will also be operational at Punchbowl Hurlstone Park and Dulwich Hill before the end of the year making the stations fully accessible for the first time some stations like Hurlstone Park and Canterbury only have four trains an hour when metro services start on the upgraded Bankstown Line customers will have a train every four minutes in each direction in the peak – that’s 15 trains an hour each way For more information about the Southwest Metro upgrades, visit sydneymetro.info/citysouthwest/sydenham-bankstown. As Melbourne braces for a population of 9 million by 2050, the demand for smarter, greener, and more connected urban... Alstom, global leader in smart sustainable mobility solutions, has delivered on-time and to budget its Traffic Management System, providing the... For the July issue of Rail Express, we’re homing in on two major topics: Tunnels and Cybersecurity.   From Sydney... © 2025 All Rights Reserved. All content published on this site is the property of Prime Creative Media. Unauthorised reproduction is prohibited © 2025 All Rights Reserved. All content published on this site is the property of Prime Creative Media. Unauthorised reproduction is prohibited Staff from the Bulldogs Community program and NRL Game Development Officers attended the Wiley Park Public Schools Sports carnival last Monday, supporting the staff throughout the day with Rugby League focused skills and drills.  Students from across the school took part in a round robin event comprised of many fun and healthy activities. School Principal, Rene Demos, opted to host the event on school grounds ensuring no student missed out. Saree Boutros, Bulldogs Community Manager said, "It was great seeing all the student smiles as they participated in the carnival." "Thanks again to Rene and the school for having us throughout the Carnival" Judiciary Update: Preston to Dispute Round 9 Charge Senior Pathways Wrap Round 9: Flegg Wallop Roosters More Than a Game - Jeremiah’s Story Presented by SDA We’re sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. We’re working to restore it. Please try again later. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. A 14-year-old boy has been charged over a string of indecent assaults of women walking around streets in the early evening in Sydney's south-west last month. Police will allege the boy attacked three women in separate incidents in Wiley Park. Police on Thursday released CCTV footage of a young man they wanted to speak to in relation to alleged assaults.Credit: Police Media On July 10, police allege a woman was indecently assaulted at Shadforth Street. The following week, on July 15, two women were allegedly assaulted – one at the intersection of Stanlead Parade and Wiley Lane about 6.10pm, and another about 10 minutes later on Cornelia Street. Speaking to media on Thursday, Detective Chief Inspector Paul Albury said the assaults bore similarities but the women did not all have the same experience. One of the assaults was "an opportunistic attack where a woman was tying her shoelaces". In another, the alleged attacker spoke to the victim before assaulting her, and the third woman was allegedly attacked from behind. "These attacks are frightening," Chief Inspector Albury said. They were carried out "near busy roads, busy railway stations, at times when people are coming home from work". Police on Thursday released CCTV footage of a young man they wanted to speak to in relation to the alleged assaults and made a public appeal for information. Following that appeal, a 14-year-old boy attended Campsie police station about 6pm on Thursday. He was arrested and charged with three counts of sexually touching another person without consent. He was granted conditional bail and is due to appear before a children’s court on August 22. A 14-year-old boy has been charged over a string of indecent assaults of women walking around streets in the early evening in Sydney's south-west last month. On July 10, police allege a woman was indecently assaulted at Shadforth Street. The following week, on July 15, two women were allegedly assaulted \\u2013 one at the intersection of Stanlead Parade and Wiley Lane about 6.10pm, and another about 10 minutes later on Cornelia Street. One of the assaults was \\\"an opportunistic attack where a woman was tying her shoelaces\\\". In another, the alleged attacker spoke to the victim before assaulting her, and the third woman was allegedly attacked from behind. \\\"These attacks are frightening,\\\" Chief Inspector Albury said. They were carried out \\\"near busy roads, busy railway stations, at times when people are coming home from work\\\". He was granted conditional bail and is due to appear before a children\\u2019s court on August 22. A $227 million contract has been awarded to John Holland Pty Ltd and Laing O’Rourke Australia Construction Pty Ltd to upgrade to metro rail standards the more than 125-year-old Bankstown Line between Sydenham and Bankstown. Separately, a $98 million contract has been awarded to Downer EDI Works Pty Ltd  to upgrade Hurlstone Park, Belmore and Wiley Park stations to metro rail standards. It includes: The stations will also be prepared for the installation of platform screen doors. These glass safety barriers keep people and objects like prams away from the tracks and are being used for the first time in Australia on Sydney Metro. Metro services on the upgraded Bankstown Line start in 2024, when customers will have a train every four minutes in each direction in the peak – that’s 15 trains an hour each way. Currently, some stations like Wiley Park and Canterbury only have four trains an hour. The T3 Bankstown Line will remain open during the majority of construction. The next stage of major work to upgrade the T3 Line to metro standards will take place in the upcoming June/July school holidays when there are fewer customers on the rail network. The T3 Line between Sydenham and Bankstown will be closed from 28 June 2021 to 11 July 2021 for these important upgrade works. Rail replacement bus services will be provided during this period. Final transport plans that will keep customers moving during the upgrade will be shared with the community well in advance to give people plenty of time to plan ahead. Further contracts will be awarded this year. History made as first aqueduct in 130 years completed 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. CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) but the critics can’t get enough of themFrom a fun BYO diner to food court favourites these are the SMH Good Food Guide Critics’ Picks that did not get a hat Remove items from your saved list to add more Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime ShareThis story appears in the SMH Good Food Guide Awards collection. See all stories.When the new Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide is released on October 24 It’s not all sirloin and shellfish that you need an instalment plan to afford many restaurants have been awarded a hat (or two but there are also plenty of suburban favourites we’ve also introduced our new Critics’ Pick tick for places that don’t quite reach the score for a hat – perhaps it’s a counter-service pizzeria or a hole-in-the-wall without tables – but our reviewers are big fans of regardless These venues (identified by a tick symbol) may be noteworthy and essential for many reasons The definition of an enjoyable dining experience is broader than it’s ever been which replaces the heart symbol we used last year In advance of the Good Food Guide 2024 launch here are 15 of our favourite Critics’ Picks including the five finalists for a brand-new award Battered Murray cod and chips from Charcoal Fish, Rose Bay.Rob PalmerCharcoal Fish, Rose BayAdvertisementAt Josh Niland’s slick takeaway joint sustainably farmed Murray cod stands in for the charcoal whirly bird It’s dry-aged in house and rotisserie-grilled to perfection or fully embrace the concept by getting that cod on a roll with gravy and “stuffing” both made from leftover fish bits in Niland’s signature tip-to-tail style Other favourite orders include the renowned tuna cheeseburger the superb line-up of salads with inspired team-ups such as artichoke with chickpeas 670 New South Head Road, Rose Bay, charcoalfish.com City Oltra at Central Station.Brook MitchellCity Oltra HaymarketOltra’s pizzas come in blockbuster sizes The flavours are massive and so are the party vibes DJ Ben Fester and chef Drew Huston run the semi-permanent spot a spin-off from their pop-ups at Poor Toms Gin Hall in Marrickville Their gin-sauce topping name checks that origin while flaunting the duo’s signature tradition-flipping flexes Why settle on a classic vodka sauce when the gin charged version is better Nothing is strictly by the book: tangy ranch dressing is drizzled over pepperoni; roast garlic cream levels up a mushroom topping; and a square pizza marries Detroit-style pies with Pizza Hut – who remembers The Bigfoot 11/1 Eddy Avenue, Haymarket, oltra.pizza ReviewHuge pizzas and a party atmosphere are the order of the day at Central Station’s City OltraLamb-filled ladies fingers at Emma’s Snack Bar.Oscar ColmanEmma’s Snackbar NewtownIt’s hard to miss this family-run diner in Enmore – the footpath outside is almost always packed with those waiting for takeaway is undoubtedly at its best when enjoyed inside and the sensationally flaky ladies’ fingers should certainly be eaten while still piping hot The controlled chaos of the noisy dining room is nearly always busy with students and regulars of all ages sharing dishes that cater for omnivores and vegans alike Moorish chicken has a well-deserved place as a menu classic but cumin-laden shawarma is a worthy go-to dish too not to mention the punchy arak-flamed prawns 59 Liberty Street, Enmore, emmassnackbar.com.au Scotch fillet with “Nan’s potato bake” at the Iron Yampi.Jennifer SooThe Iron Yampi the Iron Yampi was the first freighter to enter Port Kembla’s trade harbour is a highly enjoyable place to spend a few hours in the Illawarra The order-at-the-bar dining room is smartly decorated with photographs of the town in its prime and the cocktails are straight-up terrific (hand-cut ice such as honey carrots and potato dauphinoise sharing plate space with rich and ruddy scotch fillet Salt-and-pepper squid is squiggled with yuzu aioli and market fish comes with garlicky skordalia and toasted pine nuts 18/96-106 Wentworth Street, Port Kembla, theironyampi.com 14/20ReviewThe Iron Yampi pub brings new life to an old industrial townMerivale’s tiki-inspired Quarterdeck in Narooma.SuppliedQuarterdeck NaroomaArriving by seaplane is up there with cruffins and the lambada as things to experience at least once in a lifetime If you’re going to splash out on the service you might as well splash out at this former boatshed on the South Coast where aircraft taxi guests right up to the back door with a thatched grass bar serving slushie-style pina coladas that should come with a spoon A Mexican-inspired menu suits the festive feel featuring fish tacos topped with colourful pico de gallo salsa and fried squash flowers with crumbled queso fresco and pickled onion rings Ruby-red tuna tostadas topped with spicy salsa matcha are perfect for the setting and cider-splashed mussels are made for sunsets by the open windows 13 Riverside Drive, Narooma, merivale.com/venues/quarterdeck-narooma You don’t see many signs warning guests against bringing their own bread to mop up leftovers once you’ve tried this diner’s addictive sauces – tamarind Located just past the pokie lounge inside Wiley Park Hotel Rocs and Rolls’ menu has more in common with beachside Vietnamese food stalls than a pub bistro but most of the diners motor through sea snails are expertly wok-fried with buttered corn and Vietnamese coriander while crab claws with salted egg are heavy on the sweet and umami Balmain bugs in tamarind sauce is the Vietnamese-Australian mash-up we all need while vermicelli stir-fried with prawns and XO is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser Expect comfort cuisine from Japan’s Akita prefecture at Sekka where chef Hideto Suzuki balances traditional and experimental cooking Start with creative small-plate offerings such as okra steamed and served with a lip-smacking ponzu and waves of katsuobushi gyoza and yakitori (the wagyu skewers are particularly rich and charred but it’s hard to go past the sticks of juicy skin-on chicken thigh) A signature hojicha green tea-smoked duck ramen rides the irresistible line of depth and fragrance in its aged-chicken chintan broth while the tonkotsu offering is classically bold 1/480 Pacific Highway, St Leonards, sekkadining.com.au 14/20ReviewThe dan-dan soup is back at TBC by Grape Garden Beijing CuisineWestern Legend Barbecue Western Legend BBQ has all the traits of a traditional Aussie backyard barbie chilli and spices from north-west China instead of tomato sauce Since emerging with Xinjiang-inspired skewers at an Eastwood food stall and then to a brick-and-mortar restaurant the owners have expanded into shiny new south-east digs Signature cumin lamb skewers are disarmingly tender with charcoal-rendered fat that bursts in the mouth and multiple tables order the huge Sichuan-spiced fish hot pot featuring whole barramundi in a broth topped with bean sprouts Spicy crawfish noodles with delicate flecks of shellfish and chilli oil throb with flavour while cold milk tea is on hand if you need to extinguish the heat 1/256 Coward Street, Mascot, westernlegendbbq.com.au Woy Woy Fisherman’s Wharf on the Central Coast.Nikki ToWoy Woy Fishermen’s Wharf Sydney visitors and hungry pelicans all flock here for fresh local seafood enjoyed at various stages of preparation Established four decades ago by Pat and Anne Cregan the Wharf boasts a fishmonger and a takeaway selling crisp-battered fish and crunchy try the beautiful dining room built over sparkling water Service is order-at-the-bar and mostly minimal but you don’t need anything more when the sun is glinting off the high ceiling and whole Sichuan salt-and-pepper fried snapper is audibly crunchy Specials range from pipis in XO to fried red gurnard while regular favourites include barbecued slipper lobster tacos and wonderfully savoury tempura prawn cutlets Gold standard bird-watching with a margarita in hand The Boulevarde, Woy Woy, woywoyfishermenswharf.com.au Photo: SuppliedBirds of Paradise Rotisserie While we wait for the grand reopening of Brunswick Heads’ much-loved Fleet (date still to be confirmed) co-owners Astrid McCormack and Josh Lewis are keeping Northern Rivers locals well fed with rotisserie chicken and caramelised banana ice-cream The chooks have golden-brown skin and flesh juicy enough to compete with any French bistro yellow tiled shop provide the option to eat in what you really want to do is take your lunch down to the nearby park and eat chips-and-gravy with your toes in Brunswick River Get that chook in a roll with coleslaw (or quartered with a choice of choice salads) and keep an eye out for any weekly specials A right-timed run could see you leaving with crunchy chicken-skin topped mac-and-cheese 2/19 Booyun Street, Brunswick Heads, boprotisserie.com.au Flyover Fritterie owner Gunjan Aylawadi.Edwina Pickles Flyover Fritterie and Chai Bar There is genuine pride in the food at smart-casual Flyover where greetings are warm and every question is answered with thorough knowledge Although it’s not the longest Indian menu in town drawing inspiration from Mumbai and Delhi street stalls Chilli fritters are addictively crunchy; aloo tikki stops conversation with its coupling of a spiced potato-dal fritter and piquant yoghurt with tamarind sauce is so intensely savoury that we’re surprised it is cooked only in water albeit for 48 hours so the flavour doubles over on itself 88 Regent Street, Redfern, flyoverfritterie.com.au 14/20ReviewReview: 'This Indian jaffle will warm you like wearing socks straight out of the dryer'Gursha Ethiopian the handiwork of Yibeltal Tsegaw and Rahel Woldearegay is also a living room for Blacktown’s East African community adorned with photographs and mesob baskets draws a stream of diners who swap anecdotes over cups of strong Or they might convene amid tendrils of incense over injera – a fermented flatbread that’s spongy Ethiopian favourites like this are recreated tenderly The foule is simple but full of flavour thanks to feta and fresh tomatoes a succulent chicken stew simmered in niter kibbeh (herbed clarified butter) and berbere This fiery spice plays a starring role in shifinfin too Comfort cooking and a sensory assault at the same time 3/115 Main Street, Blacktown, gurshaethiopian.au The sixth coming of Malay Chinese Takeaway this time in Circular Quay.Jennifer SooMalay Chinese Noodle Bar The sparkling new location of this lunchtime icon launched in April (Bring a friend and draw straws for who pounces on one of the under-cover tables and who orders the food.) Most people are here for laksa lemak (protein options include chicken drumstick and seafood) and the broth is balanced Add a glob of chilli sambal if you want to achieve lift off There’s smoky char kwai teow and juicy Hainanese chicken too but the real treat happens every Tuesday and Friday when har mee makes an appearance Built on a foundation of prawn heads simmered for as long as it takes to unlock their powerful umami plus a textural two-step of hokkien noodles and rice vermicelli 33 Pitt Street, Circular Quay, malaychinese.com.au 14/20ReviewMalay-Chinese is serving ‘Australia’s best’ har mee noodle soup in Circular QuayChef Omar Hsu at his counter.James BrickwoodOmmi Don Omar Hsu’s Taiwanese rice-bowl sets do more than represent the chef’s birthplace – they also flex the skills he picked up at Matt Moran’s Aria Hsu spent six months on mashed potato duty those spuds are reimagined as cold Asian potato salad with seaweed crisps the teppanyaki pepper sauce lapping pork katsu draws on French technique and Hsu’s memories of Taiwanese night markets homeland staples and festive specials (including bubble-tea mooncakes) from Ommi Foods the business Hsu runs with wife Josie Yuan Go-to dishes at the student-friendly hole-in-the-wall include fried chicken so crunchy you hear it rustling in the bowl braised wagyu rib curry and grilled pork sausage on rice 7/185-211 Broadway, Ultimo, ommidon.com.au This $16 soup is one of NSW’s best value dishes right now (and here’s 11 more to seek out)Continue this series Ukrainian comfort foods get the star treatment at this feel-good Chippendale restaurantChicken Kyiv, borscht, dumplings and cabbage rolls all get an update at social enterprise Kyiv Social. Eat cake and carry on at 20 of Sydney’s best cafes for 2023Cafes have evolved from a place to grab a caffeine hit to a home away from home, a meeting room or an off-site kitchen. Here are some of this year’s best. From Bengaluru to Brasserie 1930: How the Young Chef of the Year forged a formidable careerSMH Good Food Guide Young Chef of the Year Shashank Achuta hopes to be the face of south Indian cuisine in Australia. He’s well on his way to achieving it. news and the hottest openings served to your inbox Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a teen missing from Sydney's south-west was last seen leaving his home on King Georges Road Wiley Park about 7am on Friday 24 December 2021 When he failed to return and was unable to be located officers attached to Campsie Police Area Command were notified and commenced inquiries to locate him Police and family hold concerns for his welfare due to his age Riyas is described as being of Asian appearance Anyone with information about Riyas's whereabouts is urged to contact Campsie Police Station on (02) 9784 9399 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 From Sydney’s eastern suburbs to regional Queensland the top investment locations across Australia for 2024 have been revealed Little Real Estate have released their annual report which shares their top locations for investing lifestyle and rental yield for each suburb Little Real Estate executive general manager of sales James Kirkland said the report spotlights the suburbs believed to be the top performers in Australia’s property market this year we anticipate a surge in property prices fuelled by the relentless demand for housing outpacing the available supply,” he said continues to exert upward pressure on house prices nationwide.” MORE: Australia’s richest streets revealed According to Little Real Estate these are their top suburbs to watch this year: Kensington is noted in the report as a “popular Eastern Sydney suburb,” notably for its proximity to the CBD and beaches which according to Little Real Estate was the top performing Sydney suburb for rent growth in 2023 Kensington is home to landmark institutions including the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and the National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA) The Bansal family are currently selling their home in Kensington as they spend more time overseas in the new year “The introduction of the new light rail service significantly enhances its connectivity reducing commute times to the city and amplifying its appeal for professionals and families alike.” The suburb has a 4.2 per cent rental yield for units and an impressive 24.9 per cent growth in rents over the past year MORE: ‘Iconic’ 1840s manor has well, servant quarters and Royals link Wiley Park has emerged as a suburb to watch in 2024 after experiencing the second strongest 12-month growth in rents in a capital city across the country Wiley Park has a median property value of $450,756 ranking in as the seventh most affordable suburb in Greater Sydney Edmondson Park situated in Sydney’s south west is notable due to it’s emergence in the long-term growth market With significant developments happening in the area the suburb is experiencing a population boom and rapid gentrification Rental returns are above average for Sydney with houses offering a gross yield of 3.4 per cent and a weekly median rent of $730 Units have a median price of $610,000 and a gross rental yield of 4.6 per cent the Melbourne north side suburb of Carlton stands out for multiple reasons Rental yield for units is at 7.2 per cent – among the highest in inner Melbourne Fuelled by its proximity to Melbourne University and the medical precinct it attracts a steady flow of students and healthcare professionals Carlton is popular among young professionals and students It is also considered a more affordable inner city suburb Carlton’s median unit price is down 15.6 per cent in the past 12 months sitting at $400,000 according to PropTrack data and high end multi-unit townhouses and apartments MORE: Simple trick could shave $60k off home loan Moonee Ponds is ideal for those seeking an inner-city lifestyle The median property prices range from $1.5m for houses to $490,000 for units Units are rented out for around $460 per week and have a yield of 5.3 per cent Over the last year it has seen an increase of rental prices by 11.6 per cent for houses and 15 per cent for units with a median time on the market of 17 days Houses in Point Cook in Melbourne’s South West have experienced a significant rise in rental prices with a 16.3 per cent increase over the past year reaching a median rental price of $500 per week Units have also experienced significant growth Point Cook has experienced significant rental price increases over the past year The median sale price for units sits at $489,000 with many lifestyle amenities available for residents Bulimba is named a “premier lifestyle suburb” situated just 4.1km from Brisbane’s CBD it is known for leafy streets positioned along the Brisbane River House prices dropped 7.5 per cent over the year unit rental prices jumped 14.1 per cent and have a rental yield of 4.6 per cent Bulimba is known for its leafy streets and premier lifestyle location The rapidly growing beachside suburb is popular among families efficient public transport links and easy access to the Bruce Highway Houses in Caloundra West have a median price of $755,000 while units are priced at $625,000 with a 6 per cent increase over the last 12 months with houses showing a 91 per cent 10 year price growth in rent and a 4.5 per cent rental yield Home to Australia Fair shopping centre and Griffith University as well as a range of public and private schools the suburb attracts both families and students Views of the CBD from a South Port apartment with houses showing a 115 per cent 10-year price growth and a 4.4 per cent rental yield The median house price is $903,000 and units have increased 9 per cent annually to $556,000 Having experienced healthy growth over the past year this Gold Coast suburb has a diverse community the median price for units has risen over 9 per cent in the past year the median unit price now sits at $540,000 The rental market for houses is also strong with a 4.8 per cent yield and an average weekly rent of $680 Coomera’s significant population growth and its large proportion of parks and open spaces make it an attractive location for families and investors in 2024 Coomera is picked to be a great investment with a rental yield 4.8 per cent for houses or a professional seeking the ideal work-life balance these suburbs are the ones to watch for growth and potential in the upcoming year,” Mr Kirkland said MORE: Million dollar dump: big price hopes for neglected gem well-connected suburbs to get biggest price rises in Sydney over 2023: HotspottingAidan Devine Sydney’s “bridesmaid” suburbs are set to shine in what will be a challenging year ahead for the housing market Prices across most of the market are expected to continue falling as cost of living pressures and interest rate rises drain household budgets So-called “bridesmaid” suburbs – areas with more affordable prices than their neighbours along with good amenities and improving infrastructure – will record the biggest surge in home prices over 2023 The data from property research group Hotspotting showed that relative affordability will be a key determinant of which markets still record growth in the midst of the ongoing downturn Among the markets expected to grow were a range of suburbs in the Canterbury-Bankstown area where average house prices ranged from $900,000 to $1.5m MORE: McDonald’s worker: ‘How I bought a home at 22’ Chili Peppers’ secret Aussie hide-out for sale The suburbs included Croydon Park and Wiley Park where property sales volumes were rising over the second half of 2022 despite waning buyer demand across Sydney as a whole There were an additional 15 Canterbury-Bankstown suburbs where sales volumes were rising – in some cases due to an influx of buyers who had originally been looking in the inner west or St George region Parts of the Liverpool and Campbelltown areas were also identified as growth regions Wollongong was another market set for further growth due to the more affordable prices relative to Sydney along with its enduring appeal for remote workers employed with Sydney-based companies The suburb is expected to be attractive for apartment buyers in 2023 Units were tipped to outperform houses in many locations due to the better price accessibility and skyrocketing rents encouraging investors back into the market Suburbs with some of the biggest gaps between unit and house prices – where unit prices were expected to grow – included inner west suburbs Ashfield Other suburbs with a similar price gap of more than $1m between unit and house prices were Canterbury Traditionally popular suburbs that boomed over 2021 and early 2022 would be among the most likely to see further price drops as the market recalibrates following recent rate hikes Hotspotting director Terry Ryder said prices were expected to continue falling over most of the NSW market over the first half of 2023 Many of the houses and townhouses for sale in Punchbowl are under $1m Suburbs offering more affordable prices relative to other usually more popular nearby markets were a prime candidate for price rises in 2023 and some had already started to grow “People are searching for affordability,” Mr Ryder said “The affordable end of markets are still holding up well and some are thumping “Apartment sales in middle areas are also starting to rise and first homebuyers are becoming more willing to settle for an apartment purchase rather than a house because of the big price difference.” Reece and Kristen Tilbrook recently bought a home in Padstow in the Canterbury-Bankstown area after realising they would get much better value relative to the quality of housing and block sizes were much lower than in neighbouring areas such as the St George region Buyer demand in comparatively more affordable areas has held up The difference was that prices were not dropping and properties were selling quickly “Once you go below $1.3m it gets pretty competitive It feels like that’s where a lot of the other buyers are.” Mortgage Choice Revesby broker Michael Saliba said recent interest rate hikes hadn’t dampened serious buyers’ plans to purchase in 2023 and there were still many waiting for the right property to come up for sale He added that most buyers were adjusting to recent interest rate rises by branching out from their preferred location “Often they’re not willing to compromise on the type of house they want but they will go further out to somewhere cheaper if it means they can still get the kind of property they’re looking for,” Mr Saliba said “Another thing is that buyers are being more cautious with how much they spend because rates could go up again buyers were willing to stretch themselves .. Now they would rather buy in a much cheaper area that’s well within the range of what they can afford.” For almost 20 years since the first building was purchased at Edge Street Ashabul Kahfi Islamic Centre (AKIC) is now preparing to begin the construction of its community centre in the Wiley Park area This statement was uttered by the Ashabul Kahfi founder Dr Teuku Chalidin Yacob during the 2022 Kids Ramadan Intensive Course at Wiley Park After conducting a symbolic groundbreaking ceremony to mark the beginning of the construction at the end of 2021 AKIC`s original plan to demolish its premises in February 2022 turned out to be delayed due to some building design issues AKIC project manager for this construction project mentioned that based on the previous meeting with the councillor and town planner of the Canterbury-Bankstown Council AKIC has to improve the basement design of the building in order to accommodate the Sydney water pipe that passes just below the construction site of the AKIC building AKIC`s consultant has accommodated those suggested improvements and the new basement design concept has been sent to Sydney Water for further review Once the concept is approved by Sydney Water a proper application modification consent (s4.55 form) will need to be resubmitted to the Canterbury-Bankstown Council and this approval process will take another 2-3 months process AKIC has to wait couple more months before starting the construction or demolition said Nurhakim via phone correspondence Ramadan 2022 could be the final Ramadhan AKIC can organize at both of its properties before the construction begins Since the approval of AKIC Development Approval (DA) in 2017 AKIC only has five years to start the construction or the permit will expire at the end of 2022 Proposed design for the new Ashabul Kahfi Islamic Centre in Wiley Park AKIC is still struggling to collect enough funding to begin the construction With the construction stage divided into three phases the cost of building and developing the centre is estimated to reach AUD$ 2 Million Each of which will cost around AUD$500,000 with an additional AUD$500,000 for planning and finishing AKIC has initiated more activities than ever before these new activities are to promote Ashabul Kahfi Islamic Centre to a larger community in Sydney and Australia Among them; AKIC has organized a series of Islamic lectures and talks and an International webinar on Islamic economics AKIC has also partnered with Crescent Wealth and assisted by Launchgood to run capacity building and crowdfunding programs at the community level And has also been recommended to be among the 10 crescent community champions for the local community engagements AKIC has set up a crowdfunding page to allow people to donate during this Ramadhan “Many Australian Indonesian youths have graduated from the Islamic studies programs run by the Centre and the Crescent Foundation is delighted to support them in their bid to build their purpose-built facilities for the community,” said Dr Syad Farooq the Executive Director of Crescent Foundation during the launching of AKIC crowdfunding page by launchgood.com Launchgood.com itself is a fundraising platform for Muslim communities Being nominated among the 10 crescent Champions opens new opportunities for AKIC to raise funds this Ramadan using the Launchgood platform people are given many options to donate or make wakaf to AKIC this Ramadhan; either via the basic bricks donation of $25 to $100 or via the wakaf package of ¼ sqm to 5 sqm “We hope, the Muslim community in Australia and around the world will take part in making this centre into reality,” said Dr Teuku Geumpana the head of Ashabul Kahfi Islamic Centre. “To help is as easy as clicking the link of www.launchgood.com/ashabulkahfi and potential donors or wakif will be taken to the AKIC crowdfunding page” Ashabul Kahfi started as a small school with only 6 students who wish to learn to read Quran in the Wiley Park area the Ashabul Kahfi Language School has served more than 500 students to study Al Quran In its journey to becoming an Islamic Centre AKIC has purchased two properties that were used to conduct its community activities AKIC `s properties at Wiley Park also function as a mushalla a training centre for different Islamic courses the functions of both of these properties have not been optimally used due to the building permit restriction which is still under residential status AKIC organized public talk on Medicine of the Prophet The permit constraint has a direct impact on the operation activities AKIC has to rent or borrow other buildings in the Wiley Park area The organization of two Eid prayers often changes locations and the madrasah services have to be offered in the public school building with the council’s permission The lack of location integration has overburdened the members to participate in many activities held by AKIC When AKIC was granted approval to build and function as a community centre in 2017 AKIC is hoping to concentrate all its religious activities in one location Teuku Geumpana is the Head of Development for the Ashabul Kahfi Islamic Centre (AKIC) Sydney Technology Australia) and a lecturer at the University of Newcastle Australia and website in this browser for the next time I comment Australasian Muslim Times, AMUST is a community newspaper for all presenting news and views using multimedia technologies. Read more Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress Link copiedShareShare articleFour men remain in custody over an alleged terror plot to bring down a plane using a homemade bomb A senior police source has told the ABC the four being held include Khaled and Mahmoud Khayat with one taken into custody at Wiley Park and the other at Lakemba The anti-terrorism raids in Sydney on Saturday related to a threat to bring down a plane with an "improvised device" The ABC understands police are confident they have arrested all members of the alleged terrorist cell The men were arrested after the Australian Federal Police, New South Wales Police and ASIO raided five properties in Sydney's inner city and south-western suburbs on Saturday night. Police said they would not comment on media reports the men had not been on their radar. "What we need to focus on is that when we got that information ... we were able to act very quickly and stop that plan," AFP Commissioner Andrew Colvin said. Police received information about the alleged plot on Wednesday and decided to act on Saturday. (AAP: Sam Mooy) No. They are being held under special terrorism powers which allow for the men to be held without charge for up to 12 hours with authorities set to review their detention every 12 hours beyond that. The men could be in custody for days before knowing the specific allegations against them, as investigators gather evidence for any potential case against the group. They are being held at the Sydney Police Centre in Surry Hills. Mahmoud Khayat, left, and Khaled Khayat were arrested by police as part of their counter-terrorism raids. (Supplied) Police will search their homes for documents, computers and electronic devices in order to gather evidence. ASIO as well as federal and state police officers have been combing five properties in the suburbs of Surry Hills, Lakemba, Punchbowl, and Wiley Park. Counter-terrorism police search a unit on Renown Ave at Wiley Park in Sydney's south west. (ABC News: Jessica Kidd) Police found materials and items that could be used to make a homemade bomb during raids on a house near Goodlet Lane at Surry Hills, the ABC has been told. Other raids were held at Renown Avenue in Wiley Park, at Sproule Street in Lakemba, and at Victoria Road in Punchbowl. Forensic police dig in a garden bed at a unit block on Sproule Street at Lakemba. (ABC News: Jessica Kidd) There were counter-terror raids in Wiley Park, Lakemba, Punchbowl and Surry Hills. July 31, 2017. (Open Street Map) An entire Sydney school is made up of students who did not grow up speaking English All of the students at Wiley Park Public School in Western Sydney have a 'language background other than English' according to the Daily Telegraph. Between the school's 520 students, 39 different languages are spoken from 31 countries, including Arabic, Bengali and Vietnamese. Education experts have warned that students at public schools will suffer due to the creation of a two-tiered education system.  At another west Sydney school, Hampden Park Public School, 99 per cent of students have a 'language background other than English'. Seven other schools in the area have 98 per cent of students in the 'language background other than English' category, including Punchbowl Boys' High School, Punchbowl Public School, Greenacre Public School and Belmore Boys' High School. In west Sydney 63 schools have more than 90 per cent of students who have grown up speaking a language other than English. The average for schools in New South Wales is 52 per cent, in north Sydney it rises to 59 per cent, 60 per cent in the city's southwest and 65 per cent in the west. St Andrew's Cathedral School principal John Collier told the Telegraph schools needed to allocate significant resources to literacy programs for students who do not have English-speaking backgrounds. 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No students at Sydney school speak English as a first languageCommenting on this article has endedNewest{{#isModerationStatus}}{{moderationStatus}}