Mayor's Message
I know I’m not alone in looking forward to some warmer weather and sunshine as the flowers start blooming again during this eagerly awaited season of rejuvenation.
The one thing the entire City of Ryde community anticipates more than anything else in spring is our beloved Granny Smith Festival, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary on Saturday 18 October in the heart of Eastwood.
This wonderful annual event – which takes place from 9.00am to 8.30pm – has rightly taken its place as one of Sydney’s largest and most popular street fairs, regularly drawing crowds of more than 80,000.
This year’s Festival will showcase classic favourites, including amusement rides, market stalls, food trucks, live performances, a youth zone, and kids’ activities, as well as some exciting new activities. The day will conclude with an action-packed finale show and a spectacular fireworks display.
What makes the Granny Smith Festival truly special is its strong community spirit, with over 200 stallholders, 500 performing artists, and up to 1,000 local participants proudly taking part in the grand street parade. We have a comprehensive guide to all the day’s happenings in this issue.
So come along and help us celebrate the life of Maria Ann ‘Granny’ Smith and the history of the world-famous Granny Smith apple.
I look forward to seeing you all there!
Sincerely
Trenton Brown – Mayor
Customer Service Centre: 9952 8222
TMayor@ryde.nsw.gov.au
NEWS
Ryde continues to beat housing targets
New figures released by the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) show that the City of Ryde continues to do the heavy lifting in easing Sydney’s crippling housing crisis. The UDIA figures show that City of Ryde has already achieved 57 percent of its five-year target of supplying 11,600 new homes by mid -2029. This is far ahead of LGAs with similar housing targets.
At the same time, Council has significantly exceeded the Development Application (DA) determination requirements set by the State Government’s Ministerial Statement of Expectations Order, which came into effect on 1 July 2024. During 2024/25, Council determined DAs within an average of 106 days, easily beating the required target of 115 days. It lodged applications within nine days, well ahead of the 15-day requirement, and referred regionally significant development applications to Sydney North Planning Panel within 216 days, well inside the specified 250 - day requirement.
TG Millner fight goes on as rally draws big crowd
The City of Ryde has stepped up its fight to retain TG Millner Fields as active open space following a community rally that drew hundreds of people to Marsfield Park protesting the potential rezoning of the iconic 6.2ha site for a housing development.
City of Ryde Mayor Trenton Brown has appealed to both the state and federal governments to support Council’s bid to compulsorily acquire TG Millner, which is desperately needed to support an exponentially growing population.
Ryde currently has a deficit of 15 sports fields which could increase to 21 by 2040 as our City undergoes a once-in-ageneration housing boom. At the rally, the community showed up in force, waving placards and homemade signs and loudly chanting their disapproval at the decision by the Sydney North Planning Panel (SNPP) to proceed the proposed rezoning
Devlin Street update
Council is progressing plans for the previous Ryde Civic Centre site at 1 Devlin Street, Ryde which will allow for a long-term leasehold
The leasehold will ensure public ownership of the site is retained while securing longterm financial sustainability with the funds reinvested into facilities and infrastructure across the City, to deliver meaningful, lasting benefits for the Ryde community.
Council is committed to keeping the community informed about its progress and the latest updates are available at www.ryde.nsw.gov.au/1DevlinStreet
NEWS
Our remarkable history revealed
Ryde and Gladesville’s rich history can now be explored one step at a time with updated heritage trail booklets and new interactive maps.
A morning tea was held to thank the Ryde District Historical Society for their valued contribution, ongoing research and support in making Ryde’s heritage available to the community.
The Ryde Heritage Trail and Gladesville Heritage Trail booklets are available in local libraries or to view the digital booklets and interactive maps, visit: www.ryde.nsw.gov.au/HeritageTrail
Sustainability Festival
It was wonderful to see so many passionate community members attend the Sustainability Festival at Ryde Wharf Markets in Anderson Park.
This event was held as part of Keep Australia Beautiful Week and resulted in many sustainable outcomes, including dozens of bikes being donated to those in need or fixed for safer riding, and 60 people collecting rubbish from the scenic Meadowbank foreshore.
The event featured dozens of stalls offering pre-loved goods, sustainable products, and local artisan fare and families were able to enjoy the animal shows.
Shop Ryder discontinued
City of Ryde Council has made the decision to discontinue the Shop Ryder free bus service from 20 December 2025. The service has become increasingly challenging to deliver with the legislative constraints and liabilities imposed by the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) guidelines and increased operating costs. There is already a high degree of overlap with existing Transport for NSW public transport services, and the provision of public transport is not a core function of local government. Council has information on alternative transport options for the community, which can be found at www.ryde.nsw.gov.au/ShopRyder
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
Catch the Ryde Eastwood Leagues Club Parade on Rowe Street from 9.30am, with bands, dance groups, cultural performances, vintage cars, and vibrant floats.
COMPETITIONS
There are lots of fun competitions to enter, with great prizes up for grabs for this year’s Granny Smith Festival. Competitions include The Big Apple Singing Competition, the Apple Pie Eating Contest or design your own Granny Smith Apple Sticker, plus more. Register online now!
from 10.00am with live entertainment and drinks like Apple margaritas, cider, and Granny’s mule. Then head to the Bizzo Lane Way bar off Hillview Road for a BBQ and more refreshments.
There will be up to 230 stallholders with something for everyone across the day!
Check our webpage to find your favourites.
Ready for some footy fun? Join the AFL PLAY Team for some epic inflatables, skill challenges, giveaways, footys, a chill-out zone for parents and you might even spot a mascot or two! It's the ultimate PLAY pit stop. Located in Eastwood Public School.
Join the carnival fun on the Oval and West Parade with rides and games for all ages! Grab ride coupons from the ticket booths, and don’t miss the fan favourite ferris wheel celebrating 40 years!*
Enjoy our incredible talent from Ryde and the wider community across six Festival stages with singers, dancers, bands, and multicultural acts. Catch Kangaroo Beach live on the Oval Stage at 12.00pm and 2.00pm!
Enjoy family fun at the school with face painting, pony rides*, an animal farm, and Optus’s interactive Granny Smith Mural. Shoot some hoops with HCF’s netball stars.
Snap a pic with Granny, grab an apple, and unwind in our shaded food hub!
Visit our Gold Sponsor, Nongshim on West Parade. Spin the wheel to win a free Nongshim prize or taste test one of their yummy samples.
CARNIVAL FUN
AFL PLAY FAMILY ZONE
EASTWOOD PUBLIC SCHOOL
Unwind at the Kubarz Garden Bar
FESTIVAL BARS
NONGSHIM
FOOD HUB, SEATING AND INTERACTIVE MAP
The Festival features not one, but two food hubs for you to explore! One is located on West Parade, next to the station and the other at Eastwood Public School. Both hubs have a delicious mix of cuisines, from Festival classics to gourmet bites. There is sure to be something for everyone’s taste. To find your favourite cuisine or to look up your dietary requirements, check out the online interactive map at ryde.events/GSFmap
PLAN YOUR TRIP
The Festival attracts a large crowd which can limit parking options. Leave the car at home and catch a bus, train or the free Shop Ryder shuttle service. Visit Trip Planner at www.transportnsw.info to organise your journey or visit ryde.events/GettingtoGSF
Once you arrive at the Festival visit one of our information stalls or St John tents at Eastwood Public School or the Oval to collect your free Community Bank Homebush and North Ryde lost child wristband, you can also visit their stall on Rowe Street for a free home loan health check.
ACCESSIBLE DROP OFF ZONE
If you have a mobility parking permit and require close access to the Festival, use our Drop-off zone. Entry is via Trelawney Street, located on the map. There is limited mobility parking located at Eastwood Shopping Centre and Glen Street carpark. Contact the City of Ryde Events team if you require further accessibility assistance or information: events@ryde.nsw.gov.au
Scan the QR code to access the Granny Smith Festival Interactive Map.
Scan the QR code for more information on getting there.
GSF MERCH, COUNCIL STALLS AND ZONES
To celebrate the Festival’s 40th year, come down to the oval and find the Merch Stall to purchase your own apple themed socks, T-shirt, hat and more! Limited stock available, so make sure you visit from 10.00am on the day.
Visit our City of Ryde stalls along Rowe Street on the day. Have your say, spin the wheel with our Waste team or talk bushcare with our friendly staff. Complete our Festival survey and receive a free reusable bag.
Stop by the Youth Zone on West Parade. Chill with mates, enjoy live music from young local artists, get creative with arts and crafts, meet the 2RRR youth team, snap pics in the photobooth, and grab FREE fairy floss!
OVAL STAGE PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS
Head to the Oval for these Festival highlights
The Granny Smith Festival is gearing up to celebrate its 40th anniversary! This massive community event, held annually, honours Maria Ann Smith, better known as Granny Smith, who ‘accidentally’ cultivated the first Granny Smith apple in Eastwood. The Festival has grown into one of Sydney’s largest, drawing crowds from all over with its vibrant atmosphere and diverse attractions.
This year’s 40th anniversary celebrations promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a special focus on the Festival’s history and the legacy of Granny Smith. Expect to see enhanced historical displays, showcasing the Festival’s evolution over the past four decades. Celebrate the history of Granny Smith and her Festival at Eastwood Library! This exhibition will showcase photos, memorabilia and memories of the founding and 40 year history of the Granny Smith Festival. Add your own stories and memories to our apple tree and take a photo dressed as Granny Smith herself!
40 YEARS OF GRANNY SMITH FESTIVAL
SPONSORS
PRESENTED BY
GOLD SPONSOR
SILVER SPONSORS
BRONZE SPONSORS
A big thank you to our emergency services from St John Ambulance, SES, Fire & Rescue and NSW Police for contributing to the success of the Granny Smith Festival.
Special shout out to our SES volunteers who are celebrating their very own 70th anniversary in 2025. Congratulations!
COMMUNITY
Celebrating local heroes
City of Ryde proudly honoured the contributions of its volunteers at the 2025 Volunteer Recognition Awards at Curzon Hall, Marsfield. The winners this year included:
Individual Volunteer of the Year: George Ganiatsas
Young Volunteer of the Year: Emma Richard
Volunteer Group of the Year: 4GreaterGood
To find out more go to: www.ryde.nsw.gov.au/VRA
Have Your Say
Building a more inclusive community
The City of Ryde is proud to have developed a diverse range of programs that support people living with disability in our community.
Right now, we’re calling for participants to enter two exciting competitions.
The Ryde Shine Ability Talent Competition offers a supportive platform for participants to sing, dance, act or play a musical instrument.
For those passionate about painting, drawing, or collaging – the Ryde Inclusive Arts Competition is an opportunity to shine.
To find out more visit: www.ryde.nsw.gov.au/Disability
Get in early for Summer Learn to Swim
With Summer not too far away, now is a great time for parents to consider enrolling their children in a Learn to Swim program at the Ryde Aquatic Leisure Centre (RALC).
There is also good news for adults, with the introduction of a Lunch Time Adult Drop in Squad. To find out more go to: www.ryde.nsw.gov.au/LearntoSwim
We invite you to share your ideas and suggestions to help shape the future of our community.
Visit our Have Your Say page at www.ryde.nsw.gov.au/HaveYourSay or scan the QR code to share your thoughts on topics open for feedback, including:
• Meadowbank Skate Park Lighting Extension Trial – closes 6 October
• Draft Integrated Transport Strategy 2045 – closes 6 October
Mayor and Councillors
Trenton Brown | Mayor 0435 652 272 TMayor@ryde.nsw.gov.au
West Ward
Clr Cameron Last 0478 262 851
CameronL@ryde.nsw.gov.au
Clr Justin Li 0412 614 174 JustinLi@ryde.nsw.gov.au
Clr Dr Felix Lo 0478 917 195 FelixLo@ryde.nsw.gov.au
Clr Kathy Tracey 0478 264 615 KathyT@ryde.nsw.gov.au
East Ward
Clr Sophie Lara-Watson | Deputy Mayor 0481 282 880
SophieLW@ryde.nsw.gov.au
Clr Keanu Arya 0478 817 320 KeanuA@ryde.nsw.gov.au
Clr Roy Maggio 0418 299 347 RMaggio@ryde.nsw.gov.au
Clr Penny Pedersen 0435 697 314 PennyP@ryde.nsw.gov.au
Central
Ward
Clr Shweta Deshpande 0481 282 875 ShwetaDe@ryde.nsw.gov.au
Clr Daniel Han 0478 908 381 DanielHan@ryde.nsw.gov.au
Clr Lyndal Howison 0478 915 675 LyndalH@ryde.nsw.gov.au
Clr Tina Kordrostami 0478 907 974 TinaKo@ryde.nsw.gov.au
Upcoming Events
Visit www.ryde.nsw.gov.au/Events for latest information on upcoming events.
DIWALI CELEBRATIONS
Our Diwali celebration on 1 November will include cultural performances and food stalls. Residents will also again be encouraged to light up their apartments or houses for City of Ryde’s Festival of Lights competition which opens on 26 September. Competition winners will be announced at the Diwali celebration. For more information visit: www.ryde.nsw.gov.au/Diwali
RYDE PRIDE
City of Ryde has a monthly social group for LGBTIAQ+ young people aged 12 to 17 years. This group will aim to provide young people a safe place to be themselves and connect with like - minded people. They can find out about key services, resources and explore new activities or interests. For more information including upcoming events visit: www.ryde.nsw.gov.au/RydePride
REMEMBRANCE DAY
The City of Ryde will be commemorating Armistice on Tuesday 11 November 2025 at 10.15am for a 10.30am start, at Memorial Park Meadowbank.
Customer Service Centre
Phone: 9952 8222 (24 hours) Email: cityofryde@ryde.nsw.gov.au
Address: 1 Pope Street, Ryde (within Top Ryde City shopping centre)
Postal address: Locked Bag 2069, North Ryde NSW 1670
Report an issue online: www.ryde.nsw.gov.au/Report www.ryde.nsw.gov.au
Social media: /CityofRyde
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