Editor's Note

Folks, we’re in the final stretch of the school holidays before Term 4 starts on Tuesday 13 October. Between now and then we may squeeze in four seasons too: the forecast runs from a mild Friday to a hot Monday, with cooler temperatures later in the week. Don't put those winter woollies away just yet.

Next week will be the first edition by Penny who's been a local here for 30+ years. Please give her a warm welcome and, as always, keep the great letters and suggestions coming in!

This Week in Leichhardt

What do we want? A direct bus to Newtown!

The results from last week's poll are in. Of 126 votes, the standout choice among readers who responded was a direct bus to Newtown, drawing the biggest share of votes by a wide margin. Rapid transit along Parramatta Rd came in second, with the remaining options bunched behind. The old 370 route came up again and again in written responses ("Bring back the 370!"). Thanks to everyone who answered. We're working on ways to feed this sort of input to the council to help shape decisions.

As always, the full list of comments is in letters below and is well worth a read.

A Good Week for Good Deeds

I loved reading two reminders of community spirit this week. On Norton St, a woman became stuck on a pedestrian crossing and passing nurses and restaurant staff stepped in while locals called paramedics. Reports are she's now doing well. Then, at the Plaza, a local passer-by returned a dropped lotto ticket to the newsagent where it was bought. It got me wondering...what other stories of benevolence are out there in the community...? Let me know! (Source: Leichhardt FB Page - 1, Leichhardt FB Page - 2)

Tree vandals strike at Pioneers Memorial Park

Ongoing tree vandalism has been flagged at Pioneers Memorial Park, where someone has severely damaged several trees. It's been reported to the Council, who took no further action after a brief investigation. If you see anything, lodge a report via Snap Send Solve - it only takes a couple of minutes. (Source: Leichhardt Community Group)

Most Leichhardt streets now 40 km/h

You might have spotted the new signs going up on Marion St and elsewhere. Speed limits across most Leichhardt roads have dropped to 40 km/h, with Parramatta Rd and City West Link keeping their current limits. You can check which streets the new limit covers on the Transport NSW page.

Real Estate

JUST SOLD

Address Price Beds Baths Garages
55 Hay St - 3 2 -
44 Foster St $2.05M 3 2 -
2/68 Foster St $1.36M 2 1 1
8 Mackenzie St $1.42M 2 1 -

Letters to the Hardt

We asked which transport fix should come first. Here is what you said.

A direct bus to Newtown

"Bring back the 370 bus route. We need this bus back on its full Leichhardt to Coogee Beach route."

"It's actually insane that there's no route to Newtown the 469 is the most nothing bus ever either extend it to Newtown or add another service that runs Down misenden road or crystal street"

"Particularly if it has a fast route close to train stations on the way. And it needs to be reliable and regular."

"A route to Newtown / Alexandria"

"Make the bus go through Newtown to get to Marrickville. It's insane how hard it is to get to Marrickville from Leichhardt!"

"Bring back the 370!"

"We used to have a bus to Newtown, the 370, which for someone unknown ridiculous reason ends at Glebe now. Bring back the old route for the 370!"

More light rail at peak hour

"Increase transport options (especially light rail) when demand is highest"

More bus routes

"A bus that goes directly down Norton St to east/west link. More regular buses on Parra Rd!"

New rapid transit on Parramatta Rd

"We need more housing. Parramatta road is a great place to start. But buses won't cut it. They're already full and difficult to get on. We need a light rail extension or something now."

Safer, separated bike lanes

"A good network of bike paths on busy roads and bike lanes on quiet roads would allow many Leichhardties to get to places like Newtown and Summer Hill or Balmain and Marrickville easily. Probably more bang for buck than other transport initiatives, though light rail down Parramatta Rd must rate."

Something else (tell me)

"Transport to the city is great, transport between Inner West suburbs (like to Marrickville and Stanmore) definitely needs improvement."

"Reopening of 445 to east Balmain. We've been begging for years"

"More services on the 438X route, especially during peak hours"

"As our community ages more people will be reliant on mobility scooters and wheel chairs to get around. There is no mention of improving dangerous street corner ramps, improving footpaths that are impossible for these vehicles to drive on. Remove power poles from narrow footpaths."

What's On

Friday 9 October

Leichhardt Culture me you we us - 385 Parramatta Rd, Leichhardt NSW 2040. Artists draw on their communities and personal worlds to explore me you we us in a group exhibition spanning diverse media, materials and techniques. 12:00pm - 6:00pm. Free Entry.

Saturday 10 October

Stanmore Culture Open Studio: Noc Noc Workshop - 176 Parramatta Rd, Stanmore NSW 2038, Australia. Watch Jem Nockles create kiln-formed glass, chat about the craft and bespoke projects, and browse finished pieces available to purchase. 10:00am - 4:00pm. Free Entry.

Annandale Culture Mad Day Out - Annandale Neighbourhood Centre. MAD DAY OUT is a one-day arts, music, and writing event centred around community, expression, and navigating the world with a brain that hates you. 10:00am - 4:00pm. Free Entry.

Annandale Workshop Market Studio Workshops & Airr Made Ceramics Open Studio - 131 Booth St, Annandale NSW 2038. Explore local craft through clay handbuilding, ceramic painting and linocut workshops, and visit Airr Made Ceramics’ working pottery studio. 10:00am - 4:00pm. Free Entry.

Leichhardt Music Perutonazo: La Jarana Criolla en Sydney - Leichhardt Town Hall. A celebration with Peruvian music, traditional dance, food and drinks, contests, raffles and prizes. 7:30pm - 12:00am. $30.

Annandale Culture Natural Fibres & Clay: An Open Studio Weekend - 31 Bayview Cres, Annandale NSW 2038. Explore Ruth Shteinman’s ceramics, weavings and natural fibre works, watch free demonstrations, try hands-on weaving and purchase works at her studio sale. 11:00am - 4:00pm. Free Entry.

Leichhardt Culture me you we us - 385 Parramatta Rd, Leichhardt NSW 2040. Artists draw on their communities and personal worlds to explore me you we us in a group exhibition spanning diverse media, materials and techniques. 12:00pm - 6:00pm. Free Entry.

Leichhardt Kids Bugsy Malone - The Musical - Teatro at the Italian Forum. Bugsy Malone is a family musical featuring a young cast, songs, dancing and laughs as rival gangsters battle with custard pies and splurge guns.

Leichhardt Workshop Writing Fiction From Life with Kavita Bedford - Balmain Rd, Leichhardt NSW 2040, Australia. Join Kavita Bedford for a course on drawing from personal experiences to shape fiction, characters and a unique literary voice. 10:00am - 4:00pm. $145.

Stanmore Community Textile Trivia! - 74 Parramatta Rd, Stanmore NSW 2048. Join a light-hearted night of fabric-themed trivia with snacks, drinks and prizes, and meet other craft enthusiasts. 6:00pm - 10:00pm. $20.

Sunday 11 October

Petersham Music Spectra Jazz Orchestra’s 10th Birthday! - The Petersham Bowling Club. Celebrate Spectra Jazz Orchestra’s 10th anniversary with jazz and jazz-adjacent works, plus sets from Monstress, Kali Gillen and Patchwork. 1:30pm - 5:00pm. $22.73.

Annandale Culture Natural Fibres & Clay: An Open Studio Weekend - 31 Bayview Cres, Annandale NSW 2038. Explore Ruth Shteinman’s ceramics, weavings and natural fibre works, watch free demonstrations, try hands-on weaving and purchase works at her studio sale. 11:00am - 4:00pm. Free Entry.

Leichhardt Kids Bugsy Malone - The Musical - Teatro at the Italian Forum. Bugsy Malone is a family musical featuring a young cast, songs, dancing and laughs as rival gangsters battle with custard pies and splurge guns. 6:00pm - 8:00pm. $65.

Stanmore Culture Open Studio: Noc Noc Workshop - 176 Parramatta Rd, Stanmore NSW 2038, Australia. Watch Jem Nockles create kiln-formed glass, chat about the craft and bespoke projects, and browse finished pieces available to purchase. 10:00am - 4:00pm. Free Entry.

Annandale Workshop Market Studio Workshops & Airr Made Ceramics Open Studio - 131 Booth St, Annandale NSW 2038. Explore local craft through clay handbuilding, ceramic painting and linocut workshops, and visit Airr Made Ceramics’ working pottery studio. 10:00am - 4:00pm. Free Entry.

Monday 12 October

Annandale Workshop Heels classes for beginners at Tropical Soul Dance Studio - Tropical Soul Dance Studio. Tropical Soul offers beginner heels dance classes teaching balance, technique, musicality and confidence with experienced instructors. 6:30pm - 7:30pm. $20.

Leichhardt Culture me you we us - 385 Parramatta Rd, Leichhardt NSW 2040. Artists draw on their communities and personal worlds to explore me you we us in a group exhibition spanning diverse media, materials and techniques. 12:00pm - 6:00pm. Free Entry.

Tuesday 13 October

Summer Hill Kids The Side Quest Society - Little BIG House. A space for teens to connect, make friends and build confidence through tabletop games, team-building, improv and other activities. 4:30pm - 5:45pm. $25.

Wednesday 14 October

Leichhardt Culture me you we us - 385 Parramatta Rd, Leichhardt NSW 2040. Artists draw on their communities and personal worlds to explore me you we us in a group exhibition spanning diverse media, materials and techniques. 12:00pm - 6:00pm. Free Entry.

Thursday 15 October

Stanmore Culture Journey: BirdLife Australia Bird Week Exhibition - The Corner Gallery. An exhibition exploring over 48 artists’ connections to Australian birds, with 20% of sales donated to BirdLife Australia. 11:00am - 5:00pm. Free Entry.

Lilyfield Books Talking Writing: Debut Authors 2026 - Balmain Rd, Lilyfield NSW 2040. Samantha W. L. Lee, Jessy Wu and Glenn Orgias discuss their writing practice, pathways to publication and the highs and lows of being debut authors. 6:30pm - 8:30pm.

Leichhardt Culture me you we us - 385 Parramatta Rd, Leichhardt NSW 2040. Artists draw on their communities and personal worlds to explore me you we us in a group exhibition spanning diverse media, materials and techniques. 12:00pm - 6:00pm. Free Entry.

Sincerely,

The Hardt

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