Latest news with #Parramatta
ABC News
18 hours ago
- Business
- ABC News
Why buyers are fearful of Sydney's housing market right now
Sydney's rising house prices have long been a thorn in the side of prospective buyers, given that the most expensive in the country has experienced sustained growth over the past 25 years. A new Domain report suggests that trend is set to continue, with the median house price in Sydney forecast to rise by 7 per cent in the 2025-26 financial year. The record-high $1.83 million median price tag is inhibitive to most, considering national median earnings are $67,600, as per Australian Bureau of Statistics data. Broderick Wright, a Western Sydney real estate agent who shows homes in Oatlands and Parramatta, said lower interest rates, strong demand, and a limited supply of homes were fuelling price rises. "We're finding now that buyers are having to become savvy in what they buy in terms of compromise," he said. "They're happy to make a compromise and just try and get in, whether that means they move suburbs or move further afield in terms of away from the CBD." The ABC went to three open homes in Sydney's west to see how people trying to enter the property market are really feeling. Kathryn McCorkindale is a young mother of two who is trying to find more room for her growing family. "I have an apartment nearby, two bedrooms and two small kids, and at some point we'll need to upsize, but it's tricky," she said while looking at a property in Parramatta. "It's frankly terrifying, and I feel really angry about the state of housing in Sydney." Ms McCorkindale, who is an architect, believes the solution lies in planning and density. "I think successive governments have given lip service to show that … they want to appear like they're doing something, but they're not actually doing anything. "People are going into a lot of debt trying to make the dream happen; you wonder if staying put is the better option." Kim Lam is in her early 30s and has been looking for a home for more than six months. "It's difficult — anyone who's a first-home buyer with interest rates coming down, it's great, but then you know there'll be a surge in housing prices," she told ABC while viewing a Parramatta apartment. Ms Lam believes the government incentives to help first-home buyers are good but not effective for buyers like herself. "I tend to fall just outside the people who benefit from any of these incentives. Every year it just gets more difficult. "It must be working, otherwise there would be an uproar of some sort," she said. "People sitting in my kind of bracket, it's still kind of difficult to go at it by myself, and you don't have bank of mum and dad to assist you." Despite renting and living in Leichhardt, Warrwick Smith fought rush hour traffic to check out homes in Parramatta. He's looking for a two-or three-bedroom place with two bathrooms but does not believe he will find anything under $2 million. Mr Smith has found himself disappointed with the market pushing more people towards higher-density housing. Pointing at Parramatta's nearby CBD, he said: "My concept of a home has a little to [do] with this Hong Kong style of this place. "It is the stacking up of humanity, which I don't think bears much scrutiny unless you enjoy that sort of lifestyle, and I'm afraid I don't." He is inspecting a heritage-listed home, which means there will be limits on what he can change about the property if he buys it. While he has owned many properties over the years — and therefore is not severely impacted by the increasingly difficult market — he does fear for the future generations. He said he would not mind if house prices came down. "I'd be perfectly happy about that, because it won't all come down together."
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Former cop who shot dead 19-year-old Aboriginal man during arrest attempt reveals his surprising next move
A former NT police officer who fatally shot an Indigenous teenager during an arrest attempt will speak on a panel for an upcoming networking event. Zachary Rolfe, who was acquitted of murder in 2022 after shooting Kumanjayi Walker three times in 2019, is among eight speakers at the Frontline Summit: Purpose in Service and Beyond being held in Parramatta, west of Sydney, on Saturday. The event held at Parramatta Barracks between 9am to 5pm promises 'expert speakers, practical sessions, and networking opportunities'. Announcing the summit, organisers said it aimed to 'create a community, helping our colleagues find purpose in service and transition when leaving the job'. Mr Rolfe described the event in a post online as a 'solid day with the right people, pushing the culture in the right direction', as reported by The Guardian. The former NT officer could reportedly be paid up to $10,000 for talks on 'leadership, crisis management and ethical decision-making'. Online ticket sales for the summit appear to have been suspended on Tuesday. A protest calling for an end to black deaths in custody is being held at Parramatta Square on the same day, with the march scheduled to finish at the Barracks. The rally is calling for justice for Kumanjayi White – a 24-year-old man from Yuendumu who died in an unrelated incident while in police custody inside Coles in Alice Springs on May 27. No charges have been laid, no cause of death has been determined, nor have the officers allegedly involved in the incident been stood down. In November 2019, Mr Rolfe fatally shot Mr Walker during a botched arrest attempt in the rural town of Yuendumu, 290km northwest of Alice Springs. Mr Rolfe was stabbed with scissors during the arrest. He was found not guilty of all charges following a high-profile five week trial in the Supreme Court in 2022. The former police officer is now represented by by Robert Joske Management whose clients include former Foreign Affairs minister Alexander Downer and former Queensland premier Anna Bligh. In an online bio for Mr Rolfe, it reads his life 'took a dramatic turn' following Mr Walker's death. 'Throughout this gruelling process, he (Mr Rolfe) exhibited remarkable resilience, navigating legal complexities with the same focus and determination that characterised his military and policing careers,' the bio read. '(Mr Rolfe) will offer compelling insights into critical aspects of modern corporate leadership through his engaging talks.' The inquest into Mr Walker's death began following Mr Rolfe's acquittal. When Mr Rolfe gave evidence at the inquest, he claimed there was 'racist awards' within the NT Police Force. Meanwhile, Ian Freckleton, representing the NT Police, alleged Mr Rolfe was a 'racist', reported NT News. Coroner Elisabeth Armitage is due to declare her findings on July 7. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mr Rolfe and a representative for the Frontline Summit for comment.
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Bizarre twist to Labubu craze sweeping Australia
The latest craze sweeping the country has taken a step towards the bizarre, with Aussies now paying to get their Labubus professionally tattooed. The Labubu, a furry plushie featuring a bizarre grin and sharp teeth, has taken Australia and the world by storm. Designed by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung, the product is sold by Chinese toy company Pop Mart following a collaboration with Lung on his story series book The Monsters, released in 2015. While the Labubu hit the market in Asia in 2019, the slightly scary-looking plushie only took off after Blackpink's Lisa, a popular K-pop singer, was spotted with a $32 keychain version of the doll attached to her handbag in April 2024. And in just 12 months, the whole world has become hooked. Massive queues have been spotted outside stores as customers clamber to get their hands of the gremlin-looking item. Customers have also been buying tiny outfits for the toys. And now, collectors have taken the trend further by personalising the toys, with some paying for professional tattoo artists to add facial designs. On Tuesday night a Sydney tattoo artist was working on two Labubu toys, adding intricate designs to the face of the monster, each tattoo costing $25. And she is not alone. A tattoo studio in Parramatta has put a call out to customers wishing to personalise their toys. 'Your collection is not complete without a Labubu tattoo. Calling all Labubu lovers! 'Get your Labubu tattooed today,' the post read. What is a Labubu? The small, bunny-like toys with a doll's face are sold via 'blind boxes', meaning customers don't know which style they've secured. The demand has led to huge lines forming outside stores before they even open.
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Parramatta have granted Bryce Cartwright an immediate release to join his former club
Bryce Cartwright is heading back to where it all began with the veteran forward leaving Parramatta immediately to link up with the St Mary's Saints. The move could draw a curtain on the 185 game NRL career of Cartwright who played for Penrith, Gold Coast and finally the Eels. Cartwright, 30, played juniors for St Mary's before being signed by the Panthers and his departure continue the list overhaul at Parramatta being conducted by first-year coach Jason Ryles. 'I'm really thankful to the Eels for the opportunity to be part of this club, it always felt like a home away from home,' Cartwright said. 'I'm leaving with positive memories, lifelong mates and gratitude for everyone's support, especially the passionate fans who have always shown me love. 'While I've loved my time at Parramatta, this decision is about making the best choice for my family and our future.' Parramatta general manager of football, Mark O'Neill said Cartwright, who hasn't played an NRL game in 2025 despite the battles for the ..-placed Eels, was a 'wonderful person' and wished him well. 'He has played some of his most consistent football with the Eels, and we wish him and his family all the best as he transitions to the next chapter of his life,' O'Neill said. Cartwright move from the Titans to Parramatta in 2021, where he has made 73 first grade appearances, including 44 in 2023 and 2024. But he's been out of favour with Ryles and a career that's been plagued with injuries and the odd off-field issues is now over.
The Guardian
3 days ago
- The Guardian
Zachary Rolfe offered speaking services on ‘leadership, ethical decision-making' for up to $10,000
Zachary Rolfe, the police officer who was acquitted of murder in 2022 for the shooting death of Kumanjayi Walker, has been offering his services on the speaking circuit, where he could be booked for $5,001-$10,000 to deliver talks on 'leadership, crisis management and ethical decision-making'. Rolfe is named as a speaker at an event for first responders in Parramatta in Sydney on Saturday called Frontline Summit Purpose in Service and Beyond alongside other former first responders. Rolfe posted about the event online, saying: 'It will be a solid day with the right people, pushing the culture in the right direction.' A protest calling for the end to black deaths in custody is planned in Parramatta Square on the day of the event, with the advertisement referencing Rolfe's presence at the event. The organiser of the Frontline Summit has been contacted for comment. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email Rolfe, a former soldier and police officer who now runs a private investigations company, was listed as a speaker on the website of Platinum Speakers, which has nearly 2,000 speakers advertised. His speaker profile appeared to have been removed from the Platinum Speakers website after the company was contacted by Guardian Australia on Monday afternoon. Platinum Speakers said they had never booked a speaking gig for Rolfe, adding: 'We do not work with him.' Before it was taken down, Rolfe's profile on the site described him as 'Soldier Policeman Hero' and said that in his talks he 'speaks from the heart and is backed with experiences very few will endure. He is decorated for bravery and stands tall on the principles of fair play and ethical behaviour.' Walker's death was referenced in Rolfe's speaker biography, which said: 'Zach's career took a dramatic turn following a fatal shooting during an arrest, leading to his arrest and a high-profile murder trial. 'Throughout this gruelling process, he exhibited remarkable resilience, navigating legal complexities with the same focus and determination that characterised his military and policing careers. Acquitted in a landmark decision, Zach's experience offers profound insights into the intersection of law enforcement, justice and media perception. 'Zach Rolfe's journey from soldier to police officer, through a high-profile trial, and on to a new career as a private investigator, underscores his enduring commitment to service, bravery and the pursuit of justice.' Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion Rolfe was found not guilty of murder in relation to the shooting death of Walker in the remote community of Yuendumu, about 300km from Alice Springs. He was also cleared of the alternative charges of manslaughter and engaging in a violent act causing death. The verdict came after an almost five-week trial in the supreme court in Darwin, which heard Rolfe shot Walker, a 19-year-old Warlpiri man, while trying to arrest him. Rolfe defended the charges on the grounds he feared for the life of his partner Adam Eberl and was acting in good faith and 'the reasonable performance of his duties'. A coronial inquest into Walker's death was due to return its findings earlier this month, but has been delayed at the request of the local community, following the death of Kumanjayi White in Alice Springs in May. It will now be handed down on 7 July. Rolfe's manager, Robert Joske, did not reply to requests for comment. Rolfe was contacted for comment.
