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ISSUE 15 | September 2026

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HE annual Riverston e Festival has once again brought the community together to celebrate the people, culture and local spirit that make Riverstone one of the fastest growing communities in North Western Sydney. Member for Riverstone Warren Kirby was joined by NSW Premier Chris Minns, Australian Atorney-General and Federal Member for Greenway Michelle Rowland, and Blacktown City Council Mayor Brad Buntng at this year’s festval, which showcased local businesses, community organisat ons, performances, exhibits and family actvites. More inside.

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Our sister publication covers the high growth area of Sydney’s North West, bounded by Blacktown, Hills and Hawkesbury Councils, including: Kellyville Ridge, Marsden Park, Riverstone, Schfields, The Ponds, Plumpton, Stanhope, Collebee and more.

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September 2026 | ISSUE 15 | 3

Salon celebrates 20 years of care

RIVERSTONE hair salon that started with just three chairs in a tiny Riverstone shop has celebrated 20 years in business and two decades of giving back to the North West community. The Cutting Room was established by Penny Whitmore in Riverstone Market Town in August 2006, operating from an 18-square-metre salon with three chairs and two basins. As the business grew, it outgrew its original home and in 2018 relocated to Grantham Farm. Today, The Cutting Room operates from a 100-square-metre salon featuring 14 chairs and four basins. The milestone was recently recognised by Federal Member for Greenway and Attorney-General Michelle Rowland, who visited the salon and presented a certificate marking its 20th anniversary. The business has also previously been recognised in NSW Parliament through a Community Recognition Statement from State Member for Riverstone Warren Kirby. But The Cutting Room's story extends well beyond hairdressing. Its Community Clause Christmas present drive has provided 4,963 gifts to local families over six years, while the salon has offered 72 work experience placements to girls from local schools and sponsors

the Riverstone Razorbacks girls' rugby league teams. Supporting women experiencing domestic and family violence has also become an important part of the salon's community role. It provides free hair services and products to women supported by Flourish Australia who are rebuilding their lives.

The salon was also invited to contribute a hairdressing industry perspective to consultation for the NSW Common Risk Assessment and Management Framework for domestic and family violence. The consultation explored the unique position hairdressers can find themselves in when clients disclose domestic violence and what resources could assist salons in responding appropriately. Two years ago, The Cutting Room became a women-only salon, providing greater privacy and comfort for women from different cultural and faith backgrounds, including clients who wear hijab. Environmental sustainability is another priority, with the salon recycling about 95 per cent of its waste. It is also participating as a Pharmacycle blister-pack recycling drop-off point. The Cutting Room has won the Blacktown City Local Business Award for Best Hairdresser four times and has been a finalist every year it has not won since 2009. It has also received a Sustainability Award and been a finalist in the Australian Women's Small Business Champion Awards. 20 years after opening its doors in Riverstone, the business remains firmly connected to the community that helped it grow.

Agents fined in covert property crackdown

SW Fair Trading has fined 10 real estate agents a total of $20,900 following a covert crackdown on underquoting and property sales breaches. Inspectors from the Strata and Property Taskforce posed as buyers at almost

80 open homes over two months, also issuing five warnings and 16 education directives. The operation comes ahead of the spring selling season and six months after the launch of the NSW Government’s Name and Shame Register, which

has attracted 118,000 visits. The $8.4M taskforce is targeting misconduct and strengthening consumer confidence by ensuring property price information is accurate, transparent and consistent with agency records.

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Lenders move on Bathla sites

HE collapse of Western Sydney property giant Bathla Group continues to deepen, with administrators given more time to untangle billions of dollars in debts as lenders take control of individual developments, including sites at Kellyville. The NSW Supreme Court has extended Bathla’s voluntary administration period until September 13, 2027, giving administrator Teneo additional time to investigate the sprawling group, secure funding and determine which developments can be completed. But the extension does not guarantee construction will continue, with further lender funding required to maintain operations. Bathla has around $3.4B in known consolidated creditor claims, including approximately $3.08 billion claimed by secured lenders and $145M owed to the Australian Taxation Office. Administrators are dealing with a complex portfolio involving 219 projects, including 45 that were under construction when Bathla entered administration. The North West has already been directly affected. Private credit fund manager Woodbridge Capital appointed FTI Consulting as receivers over a completed Kellyville townhouse development, placing 65 completed properties held as residual stock under

receivers’ control. Receivers have also been appointed over other Bathla assets as secured lenders increasingly move to protect their positions. The trend raises the prospect of Bathla’s vast

Western Sydney portfolio being progressively broken up and dealt with project-by-project rather than preserved as a single development business. Teneo has secured $4.7 million in initial funding from six lenders, but longer-term financial support remains critical. The scale of the challenge has become clearer as administrators investigate Bathla’s financial records. Teneo’s preliminary work has reportedly identified about $736M in potentially overstated inter-company receivables and payables, subject to further reconciliation. Administrators are also examining Bathla’s presold properties and associated purchaser deposits. More than 200 Bathla employees have been stood down as administrators concentrate available resources on developments where funding can be secured. For Kellyville and the wider North West, attention will now focus on what happens to Bathla’s local developments as receivers and administrators work through the group’s extensive property holdings. The Supreme Court extension gives Teneo more time to find a way forward, but for homebuyers, contractors, suppliers and creditors, significant uncertainty remains.

ATO targeting shadow operators

HE Australian Taxation Office has increased prosecutions targeting shadow economy operators who fail to lodge tax returns, with successful cases jump-

ing more than 80 per cent. Over the past two years, the ATO successfully prosecuted more than 350 individuals and entities, secured more than 305 convictions and prompted

courts to impose more than $2.7M in fines. NSW accounted for 20 per cent of successful non-lodgment prosecutions in 2025–26. ATO Assistant Commissioner Tony Goding warned

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deliberately avoiding tax and super obligations undermined legitimate businesses and reduced funding available for essential community services.

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September 2026 | ISSUE 15 | 5

Book Week brings stories to life

AGES came to life and imaginations ran wild as students at Australian Christian College Marsden Park celebrated the joy of reading during the school’s annual Book Week activities. Students and staff embraced one of the most anticipated events on the school calendar, with a program featuring author talks, a Books Fair and the popular Book Week Parade. The parade transformed the Marsden Park campus into a colourful collection of much-loved literary characters as students arrived dressed as heroes, adventurers and personalities from their favourite books. Staff and the school principal also joined the celebrations, helping create an event involving the wider school community.

While the imaginative costumes provided plenty of fun, Book Week carried an important educational message about encouraging young people to read, think creatively and discover new ideas through books. Australian Christian College Marsden Park Head of Primary said the celebrations provided students with opportunities to explore reading, imagination and creativity. “The Book Parade was a particular highlight, with an array of imaginative and colourful costumes on display as our students proudly brought their favourite books and characters to life,” the Head of Primary said. “Bathed in sunshine, it was a wonderful opportunity for our whole school community to come together and celebrate the joy of books.”

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The Head of Primary said Book Week was particularly valuable because reading could have an influence extending well beyond the classroom. “Book Week is a special event because it brings every part of our school community together around something truly important: nurturing our students’ love of reading and helping them discover the power of books to inspire imagination, creativity and a lifelong love of learning.” For students, the week demonstrated that books can be much more than words on a page. Through stories and characters, young readers can discover different places, perspectives and ideas while developing literacy skills that will support their education for years to come.

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Garfield Road upgrade powers ahead

HE long-awaited duplication of Garfield Road East between Riverstone and Box Hill is moving closer to construction, with a contract awarded as part of almost $3B in major Western Sydney road upgrades. Fulton Hogan has been awarded the contract for the $440M Garfield Road East project, which will widen the busy corridor to two lanes in each direction between Piccadilly Street, Riverstone, and Windsor Road, Box Hill. The upgrade is particularly significant for the rapidly growing North West, where major residential development around Riverstone, Box Hill and surrounding communities has increased pressure on the existing road network. Construction is expected to begin later this year. NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car said the investment was aimed at ensuring infrastructure kept pace with the region’s population growth. “The Minns Labor Government is working with the Commonwealth to upgrade roads across Western Sydney so families can spend less time in traffic and more time together,” Ms Car said. “This investment delivers what the Liberals and Nationals failed to do when they allowed development to run rampant across Western Sydney without the essential roads and infrastructure needed to keep up.” Garfield Road East is one of five major projects jointly funded by the Albanese and Minns governments where contracts have now been signed. Other projects include the $1B Mamre Road Stage 2 upgrade, covering 6.1 kilometres between Erskine Park Road and Kerrs Road, and the $1B widening of Elizabeth Drive between Devonshire Road and Badgerys Creek Road. A $247 million upgrade of Henry Lawson Drive will deliver about 1.8 kilometres of dual carriageway between Auld Avenue and the M5 Motorway, while $190M will be spent widening a section of The Horsley Drive between the M7 Motorway and Wallgrove Road. Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King said the investment would unlock road capacity and improve access to Western Sydney International Airport. “With contracts locked in for these five major road projects, the Australian Government is delivering on its promise to build a better traffic and transport future for Western Sydney,” Ms King said. Further North West improvements are also progressing, with designs for the Windsor Road upgrade at Rouse Hill expected to go on public display in coming months. NSW Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison said construction on the five contracted projects was on track to begin by the end of the year.

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Screen limits for North West classrooms

ORTH West public school students will spend less classroom time on laptops and tablets under new NSW Government limits designed to reduce digital distractions and strengthen reading, writing and learning outcomes. From Term 1, 2027, public schools across the North West and NSW will begin introducing daily limits on individual student device use, with the guidelines becoming mandatory in 2028. Kindergarten to Year 2 students will be limited to 15 minutes a day on laptops, tablets or desktop computers, increasing to 30 minutes for Years 3 and 4 and 45 minutes for Years 5 and 6.

For Years 7 to 10, individual screen use will be limited to one-quarter of lesson time per subject across the week, while Years 11 and 12 will have a maximum of half their subject time. Public preschools will have no individual student device use. Schools will also be encouraged to provide at least one hour each day of learning using pen and paper. Digital

devices will not be recommended for homework before Year 5. The changes could have a significant impact on classroom practices across Hawkesbury primary and secondary schools as teachers increasingly balance traditional learning methods with digital resources. The Government says Australian students are almost twice as likely as the OECD average to spend more than two hours a day using digital devices for learning, while reading and writing results have declined, particularly among 12 to 15-year-olds. Government-funded research also found half of surveyed students reported being distracted by screens in class. Education Minister Prue Car said

technology would remain important, but should not become the default teaching method. “An entire generation of students are increasingly living in an online world,” Ms Car said. “We have a responsibility to ensure their health and education isn’t adversely affected by excessive screen use.” Digital literacy will remain part of the curriculum, while exemptions will apply for students with disability, additional needs, English-language requirements or personalised learning plans. The initiative follows the 2023 public school mobile phone ban and new restrictions on take-home HSC assessments aimed at limiting inappropriate use of artificial intelligence.

Apprentice growth boosts pipeline

HE North West’s growing construction sector could benefit from an increase in apprentices entering key trades, as new figures show NSW apprenticeship commencements have risen for three consecutive quarters. National Centre for Vocational Education Research data shows apprenticeship commencements across NSW increased 2.4 per cent in the 12 months to March 31, 2026, outperforming the national trend. The growth is particularly significant for areas such as the North West, where housing development, infrastructure projects and an expanding

population are creating demand for skilled tradespeople. Construction trade apprenticeship commencements across NSW increased by more than 12 per cent over the year, while electrotechnology and telecommunications trades rose almost nine per cent. Quarterly figures also showed strong growth in trades essential to residential construction, with carpenter commencements increasing 16 per cent, electricians 11 per cent and plumbers 10 per cent. Overall apprenticeship completions increased 22 per cent in the March quarter.

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The NSW Government says more skilled workers will be required to support housing and infrastructure delivery across Sydney’s growing regions. The 2026-27 State Budget includes a record $3.46B investment in skills and training, along with $11.6M to expand the Education Pathways Program. The program is designed to connect secondary students with vocational training and employment opportunities and has delivered a reported 30 per cent increase in school-based apprenticeship and traineeship commencements at participating schools.

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Showcasing a region ready for growth FAZILA FARHAD

ELCOME to our first monthly column with CBN (publisher of The Blacktown News). We sincerely appreciate their support in helping elevate the profile of Western Sydney’s visitor economy and our members. Western Sydney Tourism Taskforce NSW is the region’s leading tourism industry association, bringing together businesses, attractions, accommodation providers, hospitality operators, tour companies, clubs, and key stakeholders to promote Western Sydney as a premier visitor destination. As the region’s peak tourism advocacy body, we work to strengthen collaboration, attract investment, increase visitation, and drive economic growth across one of Australia’s most dynamic and diverse regions. With the opening of Western Sydney International Airport, the region is entering an exciting new chapter. From its rich cultural heritage and multicultural dining experiences to major events, natural attractions, and worldclass visitor experiences, Western Sydney is preparing to welcome the world. We are also pleased to announce a media partnership with Community Broadcast Network (CBN), Western Sydney’s leading publisher. Through its extensive network of

print and digital publications, including Northwest News, Parramatta Times, Western Sydney Express, Hawkesbury News, Macarthur Advocate, and Blacktown News, this partnership will help showcase the region’s tourism opportunities, industry achievements, and future growth.

Supporting Future Talent We have recently teamed up as a ambassador of Western Sydney University (Friends of Western Sydney Initiative) to support student work placements across the visitor economy. This initiative will strengthen industry pathways, provide valuable practical experience for students, and help develop the next generation of tourism and hospitality professionals.

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As an ambassador for the program, I am proud to support this important partnership, which will deliver longterm benefits for both students and industry across the region.

Industry Forums Events and Tourism Awards From industry forums focused on hotels, aviation, business events, and tourism development to the delivery of our annual awards program, our mission is to position Western Sydney as a leading domestic and international destination. The Western Sydney Tourism Awards 2026, now in their third year, recognise and celebrate excellence, innovation, leadership, and achievement across the visitor economy.

The awards have become a premier industry event, bringing together tourism operators, business leaders, government representatives, educators, and industry stakeholders to celebrate the success of our growing sector. Research and Advocacy We recently launched our landmark white paper, Greater Western Sydney Unlocked, highlighting the region’s hotel accommodation capacity, conferencing infrastructure, transport connectivity, and the opportunities created by Sydney’s two airports and expanding public transport network. This research has been submitted to Destination NSW, BE Sydney, Premier Minns, Minister Kamper’s office WSI and local councils. Join Us. We invite you to join us in celebrating the outstanding achievements of Western Sydney’s tourism industry and to be part of the exciting future that lies ahead. More information: www.visitwesternsydney.com/ Western Sydney Tourism Awards 2026. Date: Friday, 16 October 2026. Time: From 6:00 PM. Venue: Western Sydney Convention Centre (WSCC), 81 Mulgoa Road, Penrith NSW. Tickets: www.westernsydneytourismawards.com.au/ More to follow next month. Fazila Farhad is Chair and Founder of the Western Sydney Tourist Taskforce.

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HILDREN’S dentist and educator Dr Bethany Fisher has launched Tooth Tales On Demand, described as the world’s first premium digital streaming platform dedicated to children’s oral health. Targeting preschool children in regional and rural Australia, the platform combines songs, stories, science experiments, arts and crafts and play-based learning with resources for educators and parents. Dr Fisher said the initiative aims to address poorer oral health outcomes and reduced access to dental education outside metropolitan areas.

End-of-life pathways could be better

GEING Australia and Palliative Care Australia have welcomed a Senate recommendation to remove funding and time restrictions from the Support at Home End-of-Life Pathway. The peak bodies say older Australians with life-limiting illnesses should receive clinically guided care based on individual needs rather than fixed funding periods or life-expectancy predictions. They argue greater flexibility would help more people remain at home, support families and reduce unnecessary hospital admissions and pressure on the health system.

Research detects counterfeit alcohol

DELAIDE University researchers are developing laser technology capable of detecting counterfeit alcohol, wine fraud and hazardous chemicals inside sealed bottles. Using Raman spectroscopy, the system identifies the chemical “fingerprint” of liquids through packaging, including coloured glass. Research has shown it can detect toxic methanol at concentrations well below international safety limits. Scientists are now exploring applications including wine authentication, pesticide detection in olive oil,

counterfeit perfumes and hazardous chemicals, with potential uses across food, agriculture, law enforcement and manufacturing industries.

Records of sexual assault need protecting

HE NSW Government has commissioned research into better protecting counselling records of sexual assault victim-survivors during criminal proceedings. Led by University of Sydney Professor Rita Shackel, the study will examine how often counselling notes are subpoenaed, their impact on survivors and alternative protection models. The research follows concerns that accessing counselling records can retraumatise survivors or discourage them from seeking support. Findings will be reported to the Department of Communities and Justice in June 2027.

The long journey of assistance dogs

SSISTANCE Dogs Australia is celebrating 30 years of providing life-changing support during International Assistance Dog Week. The organisation breeds and trains accredited assistance

September 2026 | ISSUE 15 | 11 dogs for Australians with physical disabilities, autism and PTSD. Each dog costs more than $60,000 and takes around two years to prepare. With demand exceeding availability, ADA aims to increase the number of Australians it supports by 50 per cent by 2028.

Call for ban on gambling advertising

AMILY First’s Lyle Shelton has called on federal and NSW governments to introduce a complete ban on gambling advertising across television, streaming, radio, social media, online services and sporting venues. Shelton said gambling had become increasingly normalised through sport, exposing children to betting messages. He argued partial restrictions were inadequate and compared gambling advertising with tobacco promotion, saying governments should prioritise protecting families from financial, social and mental health harms.

Bank’s digital feature a customer hit

ENDIGO Bank’s new Community Link feature has attracted 1,113 new customers since launching in April, combining digital account opening with connections to local branches. Around 70 per cent nominated a Community Bank as their home branch, supporting the bank’s community-focused model. Bendigo Bank says the uptake demonstrates demand for convenient digital banking while maintaining local connections. Community Bank Upwey and District currently leads Community Link registrations nationwide.

Public invited to comment on energy

SW electricity and gas customers are being invited to share their experiences as IPART reviews the state’s retail energy markets. The regulator is examining prices, competition, affordability and consumer participation, including the growing use of virtual power plants. IPART says energy prices have risen faster than inflation in recent years, placing pressure on households and businesses. Its 2025–26 Energy Market Monitoring Report will be submitted to the Energy Minister in November.

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Tax Debt Matters

12 | ISSUE 15 | September 2026

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HOW PERSPECTIVE CHANGES EVERYTHING

And not just with tax debt

er remission would have changed the shape of the problem first.

MICHAEL MOON

HERE’S an old line in medicine. Go to a surgeon, you'll end up with surgery. Go to a psychiatrist, you'll end up with pills. It's not that either of them is wrong. It's that whoever you walk in to see, that's the toolkit your problem gets solved with, whether or not it was the only tool that fit. In tax debt, the pills and the surgery are usually funding and formal process, a new loan to make the number disappear, or a restructure to manage it from the outside. Both can be exactly the right call. But neither one starts by asking whether the underlying debt itself can shrink. That's the piece that sits closer to what we do, remission and a payment plan that holds, and stopping any legal action from escalating further while that gets sorted. It's a different question to the one most advisors are set up to ask first. Most business owners don't realise this until they're holding two or three answers that don't add up.

Same debt, different outcomes Two businesses can carry the exact same debt, same industry, same size, and end up in completely different places within six months. Not because one had better luck. Because one saw that number from a single angle and one saw it from several. An accountant sees a compliance and cash flow problem. A lawyer sees exposure and risk. A broker sees serviceability and funding, refinancing it, consolidating it, borrowing around it. An insolvency specialist sees a solvency question and a set of formal options. Every one of those is a real, useful, professionally sound answer. None of them is wrong. Each is just running the

A conversation last week

debt through the lens they're trained and licensed to use.

The lever that goes missing without a negotiation lens in the room None of those specialists is set up to check whether the debt itself can shrink before anything else is decided. Remission, interest and penalties coming off the debt, can run anywhere from 20% to 70% or more of what's owing. On a debt of any real size, that's often the biggest lever on the table, bigger than the funding, bigger than the payment plan restructure. It's also the lever most likely to be missed, not through anyone's fault, but through absence. If nobody in the room is looking through a negotiation lens, nobody asks the negotiability question. Skepticism plays a part too. Business owners who've been burned by an overpromise elsewhere sometimes assume any mention of debt reduction is a sales pitch rather than a checkable fact, which is exactly what lets a real, sizeable reduction go unexplored.

This is also part of why funding tax debt has become a more common answer lately. Since GIC is no longer tax deductible, the true cost of carrying ATO debt has gone up, and lenders have grown more willing to fund it. That's a legitimate option in the right circumstances. But it still tends to arrive before remission has been checked, which means a business can end up financing a number that was larger than it needed to be.

Speed matters, but not the speed people think Business owners under pressure chase the fastest path to a number going away. What actually matters is the speed of finding the right solution, not the speed of clearing it. The right solution depends on the whole picture, the business, the personal debt exposure behind it, and exactly where compliance and enforcement currently stand. Move too fast toward the first option offered, and you can lock in a path before anyone's checked wheth-

I sat with a business owner recently, whose situation had gone further than we could help with. It involved a matter that required going to court with the ATO, not negotiation, it was beyond that now, so it sat outside what we do. We told him that directly, and pointed him to who it actually belonged to. He said afterwards that it was the clearest conversation he'd had in weeks. He'd already spoken to four specialists, and had no idea what was up from down or who to believe from those conversations. Not because he wasn't smart. He was. Not because he didn't understand his business. He did, he likely had some finance or accounting background of his own. It wasn't a knowledge gap. It was that four capable people had each answered from their own patch, and nobody had told him that's what was happening. Not because we hadn't tried to sell him anything, that's not really the point, and it shouldn't be the thing that earns trust. The point was simpler. We were clear about what we could and couldn't do, and specific about where the line sat. That's the actual issue underneath all of this. Deciding who to trust with a problem this size shouldn't come down to a gut read on who feels genuine. It should be something you can check. Does this advisor tell you plainly what's inside their scope and what isn't. If they can't answer that clearly, that's worth noticing before anything else they tell you. Michael Moon is Director at Tax Assure, Australia's leading tax debt negotiation firm. Visit: www taxassure.com.au

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At HomE

September 2026 | ISSUE 15 | 13

BEFORE A LARGE TV GOES ON THE WALL…

Checks homeowners commonly miss MICHAEL MOUSSA

ARGE TVs are no longer just for dedicated theatre rooms. Retail pricing has dropped, screen sizes have grown, and it is now common for a customer to walk into a store planning to buy a 65-inch TV and leave with an 85-inch model instead. That is not a bad thing. But it does mean more Sydney apartment owners in particular are mounting bigger, heavier screens than the wall behind them was ever built to expect. Freestanding houses are usually less of an issue: brick or timber studding tends to give a bracket something solid to grip. Apartments are a different story. Steelframe internal walls make up a large share of Sydney's apartment stock, and a few checks get missed more often than people realise. 1. Not every wall is the same

wall: The type of wall behind the plaster matters more than most people expect. Brick and concrete are usually the most forgiving. Timber-framed walls work well when the bracket lines up with solid studs. The harder cases are newer apartments and townhouses, where steel studs, shared walls, or limited cavity depth behind the plasterboard can all affect where, and how, a TV can be safely fixed. Before buying a large TV, it is worth investigating what is behind the wall rather than assuming it will go exactly where you picture it, without any issues. 2. Bigger screens mean more leverage, not just more weight: An 85-inch or 98-inch TV is not simply a heavier version of a 55-inch TV. The extra size creates more leverage across the bracket and wall, especially with tilt or full-motion mounts. A fixing method that is perfectly safe for a

mid-sized screen is not automatically safe for a much larger one. 3. Frame-style TVs bring their own bracket, and their own constraints: Samsung Frame-style TVs are usually supplied with a proprietary Slim Fit mount, and it is not a simple two-piece system. There is a left and right bracket that attach to the back of the TV, and a separate left and right mounting plate that go on the wall, four pieces in total. Each wall-side plate needs to land on a stud in its own right, on both the left and the right, not just somewhere in the middle. That can limit exactly where the TV ends up on the wall, in much the same way the wall structure itself does. It is worth knowing before deciding on a position, not after. 4. Cable concealment and power need planning before drilling: Bigger screens usually give more room to hide cables behind the panel, which helps. But the cable often has to travel further to reach ports on the side or underside of a wider TV. Power points, One Connect Box placement (for Framestyle TVs), and cable length should be

worked out before the bracket goes on the wall, not after. 5. Viewing height and soundbar position are part of the same decision: The best mounting height depends on seating distance, couch type, and whether a soundbar is being fitted underneath. Get this sequence wrong and even a technically perfect installation can feel uncomfortable to watch every day. The short version: A large TV can look excellent on a Sydney wall when the wall type, bracket, cabling and viewing position are checked together, rather than one at a time after the TV has already arrived. Michael Moussa is the owner of Easy TV, which has provided TV wall mounting and installation services across Sydney and Western Sydney for more than 21 years. More information: Visit: www.easy-tv.com.au/wall-mount-tv

CommenT

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MORE PARKS FOR OUR COMMUNITY

Quality solaces for local families MICHELLE ROWLAND

NE of the issues raised with me most often by local families is the need for more quality outdoor spaces. As the mum of two young girls myself, I know access to safe and quality playgrounds is a basic expectation in a growing community like ours. That is why I was proud to secure $12.8M from the Albanese Government for my Better Local Living plan, working with Blacktown City Council to deliver new and upgraded community infrastructure across Greenway. Through this plan, we have already delivered new play spaces in Grantham Farm, Tallawong and Riverstone, an upgraded play space in Lalor Park and a new off-leash dog park in Riverstone. More projects are on the way, including new and upgraded playgrounds, fencing and walking trails. A few weeks ago, I was particularly pleased to officially open Yarra Park in Tallawong. Residents had been calling for a new park at Boundary Road and Hill Street, and it was fantastic to see so many families out enjoying the new playground. I also recently visited Schoﬁelds Park, where work is well underway on

an upgraded play space featuring new water play elements. Supported through my plan, it is set to open by the end of this year, and I have no doubt it will be a hit with local families over the warmer months. While my Better Local Living plan is being delivered in partnership with Blacktown City Council, I am also very conscious of the need for more quality parks in the Hills Shire Council. The Hills Shire Council has recently opened a new park and community hall on Nelson Road and acquired land on Stockhorse Avenue. I will continue advocating for further investment by the Council and working wherever I can to ensure families in communities like Box Hill and The Gables have access to the outdoor spaces they deserve. There is always more to do, and I welcome your ideas and feedback about the parks and playgrounds our growing community needs. As always, please reach out to my office with any questions, feedback or concerns. Michelle Rowland MP is the Federal Member for Greenway and Attorney-General of Australia. If you need assistance with any Federal issue, you can contact Michelle by phone on 02 9671 4780 or by email at Michelle.Rowland.MP@aph. gov.au

As your Federal Member for Greenway,

I'm here to help. Please don't hesitate to contact my office.

Michelle Rowland MP Attorney-General Federal Member for Greenway PO Box 8006, Rouse Hill NSW 2762 Michelle.Rowland.MP@aph.gov.au Shop 48, Level 1, Tallawong Village Tallawong NSW 2762

(02) 9671 4780 @mrowlandmp michellerowland.com.au

Authorised by Michelle Rowland MP, Australian Labor Party, Shop 48, Level 1, Tallawong Village, Tallawong NSW 2762

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September 2026 | ISSUE 15 | 15

The End of Oak Street - Review JACOB RICHARDSON

HIS throwback Spielberg-like dino flick will have you thrilled at the nostalgic vibes, dino scares and pacy, fun time in the cinema. Denise (Anne Hathaway) and Greg (Ewan McGregor) are going through relationship troubles. Their kids, Audrey (Maisy Stella) and Brian (Christian Convery) can tell. But all of that goes out the window when blinding lights transport them, and their entire neighbourhood, millenia in the past. One minute, it’s 1982 - the next, they find their little 80’s slice of suburbia invaded by dinosaurs, and they have to fight to stay alive. The End of Oak Street feels like a movie from a different era. And that’s not just the costuming (which is remarkably nostalgic with its 80’s vibes), or the setting, or the performances and dialogue. No, this film feels like a movie from another period. A time when a good original idea could get made, and find an audience. When movies didn’t need to be 5 hours long (this is only 1 hr 40 mins and flies). When you could just have a good time and lose yourself in someone’s imagination. Ewan McGregor and Anne Hathaway are great in this film. They play a struggling married couple who are forced into cooperation by their uniquely prehistoric circumstances, and both have moments to shine. Hathaway in particular takes the cake, but she has a lot more to work with given some of the events of the film. The dinosaurs are also rendered in fun ways. Sure, there are questions about whether the neighbourhood is too staged for the film, whether the

dinosaur behaviour is designed to keep our main characters alive, and how hard exactly can Greg swing that baseball bat. But if you suspend your disbelief and enjoy the film for what it is, there’s enough tension here to keep you on edge. Outside of a handful of minor side plots (the lesbian relationship for Audrey, and Brian’s bully saga, both feel unearned and unnecessary), the film keeps itself tightly on a single track and benefits

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from that choice. It’s funny when it needs to be, scary and tense in spades, and occasionally heartwarming. Above all, it feels fresh and original - and for a movie so steeped in throwback nostalgia, that’s saying something.

An absolute blast in the cinema. The End of Oak Street is a winner. Four stars.

WITH FAMILY SAVER SESSIONS Bring the whole family to the movies and SAVE! Cinebuzz members enjoy Family Saver pricing on select films before 5pm. Buy now in cinema or online at eventcinemas.com.au

*T&Cs apply. Online booking fee applies. Available on select family films before 5pm. Must be a Cinebuzz member. See website for full details.

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September 2026 | ISSUE 15 | www.thenorthwestnews.au | Edited by Emma Wilson | travelwellwithemma@gmail.com

Slowing down in Stanley, Tasmania BY THE OUT OF OFFICE SISTERS (JORJA LEROY AND CANDACE GIBB)

HERE are some places you visit and immediately understand why everyone is talking about them. Stanley was one of those places. Recently named Australia’s number one History and Heritage Town by Australian Traveller, Stanley sits beneath the unmistakable Nut on Tasmania’s northwest coast. And after a few days there, we completely understood the fuss. For two corporate sisters used to rushing between meetings, Stanley gave us a very different kind of agenda: climb something, eat something delicious, drink something local, watch the penguins come home and, most importantly, slow down. And then there was the Bond Store.

The Bond Store The Bond Store is the sort of accommodation that makes you notice every single detail. Set right on Stanley’s original wharf, the building dates back to the 1850s and has been beautifully restored, retaining its original bluestone walls and timber beams while adding all the little luxuries you didn't know you needed. Fresh eggs waiting in the fridge. Local milk. Beautifully considered interiors and amenities. Gorgeous Tasmanian touches. A wood fire. A deep bath. And, as if that wasn't enough, a sauna tucked away in the courtyard. It felt luxurious without being flashy. Everything had a purpose and everything had been thought about. Sitting right on the water, the views become part of the experience. We could wander back after exploring the town, pour ourselves a drink and simply watch the light change across the bay. It was also incredibly quiet, which we quickly realised was exactly what we needed. At the Bond Store, we were quite happy to stay in, make breakfast, drink coffee and debate whether walking to the next café technically counted as an activity.

The Nut- when the chairlift says no You can't go to Stanley without tackling The Nut. The enormous flattopped volcanic plug rises 143 metres above the town and is its defining feature. There is a chairlift for those who prefer to admire it without too much exertion, but unfortunately for us, the chairlift was closed. So, we walked. The track is steep enough to get the heart rate going, particularly after a slow breakfast, but once at the top it is absolutely worth it. The summit circuit gives you sweeping views across Stanley, Bass Strait and the surrounding coastline. The town began as an important centre for the Van Diemen's Land Company, established in 1824, and its historic buildings and fishing heritage remain central to its character. We came down feeling pleased with ourselves. We also decided that if the chairlift had been operating, we absolutely would have taken it.

Whisky at Angels Share One of the things we loved about Stanley was how easy it was to turn an ordinary afternoon into something memorable. At Angels Share, we found ourselves looking out over the coastline with a local whisky in hand, chatting with the couple who owned and ran

it. There are worse ways to spend an afternoon. With big skies, rugged coastline, Bass Strait stretching out in front of you and The Nut looming behind, the landscape around Stanley is dramatic without trying too hard. With a Tasmanian whisky to taste and nowhere we needed to be, we finally settled into holiday mode.

wander down the road, find yourself in a game of pool and suddenly you're chatting to people who actually live there. For two sisters normally surrounded by corporate conversations, spreadsheets and meetings, talking rubbish over a pool table with locals was exactly the kind of evening we didn't know we needed.

Penguins at dusk

Why Stanley?

We had heard Stanley was a great place to see little penguins, but there is always a bit of scepticism when someone tells you wildlife will conveniently appear at a particular time. At dusk, we headed towards the waterfront and waited. And then they appeared. Tiny little penguins making their way back from the water, waddling towards shore as the light faded. We stood quietly and watched, completely absorbed. It felt very Stanley: wildlife, water, history and a town that still feels like a real community rather than somewhere that exists purely for tourists.

Stanley was ranked 17th overall in Australian Traveller's 2026 list of Australia's 100 Best Towns and took out the number one spot in the History and Heritage category. But rankings don't really explain Stanley. It has history without feeling like a museum, incredible scenery without the crowds, and beautiful accommodation and great food while still feeling relaxed and genuine. And the Bond Store somehow captures all of that. We arrived in Stanley as two corporate sisters who had promised ourselves we were going to slow down. We left having perfected the art. Our out-of-office was on. Our walking shoes were dirty. We'd climbed The Nut, watched penguins, tasted whisky, played pool with locals and eaten very well. And, for once, there was absolutely no rush to get back to the office.

Dinner, pool and meeting the locals That night we headed to the Stanley Hotel for dinner. What we hadn't expected was to end up playing pool afterwards with some of the locals. The town has a wonderfully unpretentious feel. You can have a beautiful dinner,

Visit: https://stanleybondstore.com.au bookings@stanleybondstore.com.au

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with Emma Wilson

NEW ECO-RETREAT: THE CEPHALOPOD

Opens on Cocos (Keeling) Islands

USTRALIA’S most remote islands, The Cocos (Keeling) Islands is welcoming a rare addition to its tiny accommodation offering with The Cephalopod opening on West Island. Set among the palms and just metres from the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, The Cephalopod is a new eco-retreat hand-built by local couple Emma Washer & Pete Wicks who own the island's gallery café, The Big Barge Art Centre. New accommodation is a rarity on Cocos. The opening of a new property is a significant addition for travellers looking to visit the islands as the atoll can host just 144 visitors at any one time. The owners have brought the same creative,

hands-on approach seen at The Big Barge to their newest project, designing and building The Cephalopod themselves and giving careful thought to how - and what - they built. Far from sales yards and the likes of Bunnings, the couple repurposed what they could find wherever possible. Beautiful timbers salvaged from original island bungalows along with interesting washed-up beach timbers were collected and given a second life. Re-purposed interiors including a pendant light fashioned from a flotsam buoy, a woven rope welcome mat and walls adorned with local artist work, add to the pod's calming, maritime feel. A favourite is a large log that washed up on a sandbar in the Cocos Lagoon, likely having drifted across the ocean from Indonesia, salvaged using a portable mill and boat to be transformed into The Cephalopod's kitchen bench. It's an approach that makes sense on Cocos, where almost everything must travel thousands of kilometres before it arrives.

Sustainability extends beyond the materials used in the build too. A rainwater tank and eco-toilet are designed to reduce The Cephalopods environmental footprint, a considered approach to water and waste - important in a remote island environment where resources are finite. The result is an eco-style retreat that feels very much at home in its surroundings. The Cephalopod is quiet and private, with a soft palette of blues and greens, high-quality linens, handmade ceramics and a focus on simplicity and slowing down. Just steps from the property is the tropical landscape that makes Cocos so special. Twenty-seven coral islands form a horseshoe around a vast turquoise lagoon with white-sand beaches, coconut palms and warm Indian Ocean waters providing a natural playground for swimming, snorkelling, diving, fishing, kitesurfing and exploring by bike. Only West Island and Home Island are inhabited and, with limited tourism and just two flights each week from Perth via Qantas, days here remain uncrowded.

For its owners, The Cephalopod is a continuation of their philosophy to create something unique and beautiful from what is already available, rather than buying more. It's a thoughtfully built, distinctly Cocos place to stay in a destination where new places to stay don't come along very often. Just like a washed-up nautilus shell, a rare but great Cephalopod find when you stumble across one! Visit: www.cocoskeelingislands.com.au

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September 2026 | ISSUE 15 | 19

with Emma Wilson

A different way to do Queenstown? WORDS BY EMMA WILSON

Y husband and I had been to Queenstown before, so this time we wanted to base ourselves away from the town centre and use our accommodation as a base for exploring the wider Otago region. Here’s what we recommend. That’s the thing about Queenstown, you can come here ten times and have ten completely different holidays. You can base yourself right in the centre and spend your days shopping, eating, drinking and wandering the lakefront. You can come for skiing or bike riding, make it an adventure holiday, disappear into the wine country or simply use Queenstown as a base for exploring everything around it.

Explore Queenstown’s Surrounds We had a couple of days, so we decided to see how much of the surrounding area we could squeeze into a full day. Our first stop was Jack’s Point Golf Course, around the other side of the lake from central Queenstown. It’s worth the drive to check it out and send cheeky photos to your golfing mates, pretending you’re teeing off at this exclusive club. You can have a coffee and enjoy the views, and it was actually the barista who gave us our next recommendation. “You have to go to Ayrburn,” he told us. So that's where we checked out next, it's well worth it.

Ayrburn I’d describe Ayrburn as a scenic, historic precinct and definitely worth at least an hour wandering in and out of its collection of bakery, bistro, bar, restaurant and cellar door buildings, with low-lying scrub, water fountains and ancient trees. Ayrburn gets this so right, covering the breakfast crowd with families, an awesome kids’ play park, morning coffees and pastries, lunches, tasting paddles, ice creams and delicious dinner options. So much so, we circled back a few hours later for an early dinner on our way home. We’ll be back.

Arrowtown Our next stop was Arrowtown, and it was every bit as busy as we’d expected on a Saturday morning, but for very good reason. The old gold-rush buildings, boutique shops, pubs and restaurants sit beneath a spectacular mountain backdrop, and wandering the historic streets is an

easy way to spend a few hours. If you want to splash the cash, the boutiques are incredible. We stopped for lunch in the sunshine at one of the pubs and it was divine.

Arthur’s Point From there, we headed towards Arthur’s Point to eyeball the incredible view from Coronet Ridge Resort, the view is to die for and we drove up to Coronet Peak to see what all the fuss is about with this popular ski resort. I hadn’t been to Coronet Peak for 20-plus years, when I visited driving around NZ on a motorhome driving holiday with a boyfriend. At the time I was a snowboarder and we loved to go night skiing. I quickly saw that night skiing is still popular, the terrain is expansive and its reputation as a cool place for young people is still evident with DJ nights and a young vibe for group travel. This little Otago day trip was so easy. For us, it was tacked onto a week in Wanaka skiing with mates for my husband’s 50th, but it’s so easy to add a night or two and pick away at Queenstown and its surroundings.

So… The Accom? On previous visits, we’d stayed closer to the town centre action, and it’s a fun way to experience this stunning natural beauty of a town. This time, we wanted a little less action. Instead of being surrounded by bustling shops and restaurants, we headed a little further around Lake Wakatipu to Platinum Villas. This was exactly the change of pace we were looking for.

Space to slow down The villas are perched on the hill, close enough to Queenstown that you can still walk into town, but once you’re back at the property, the feeling is completely different. Instead of looking out at restaurants, traffic and people, our view was Lake Wakatipu and the mountains. It feels like you’re all alone in the region, and the vista makes you visualise Queenstown 200 years ago. Or at least I did, I love thinking about how areas were long ago. That became one of the biggest pleasures of staying there. Step outside and you’re on the lawn, with the property regenerating more native grasses out the front and drawing in local visitors such as ducks and birdlife. The villa itself was spacious and

incredibly comfortable, particularly because we had been travelling with friends all week and this was our final night together. We had space to breathe. On our first of two nights, rather than head back into town, we bought takeaway Chinese food, opened a bottle of New Zealand red and settled around the coffee table in front of the fireplace. It felt more like being in someone’s very comfortable holiday home. The décor was warm, with lampshades and comfy couches, and for families, I think this is where the villas really make sense. I pictured our kids running around on the front lawn burning energy before heading in for a bath and dinner, rather than being under your feet in the kitchen while you cook. And you can’t beat the lake view while you cook. It’s a proper kitchen, with a gas cooktop, full-sized fridge, island bench and everything you need to make breakfast, lunch or dinner rather than eating out for every meal. After travelling for a while, eating out gets tiring. It’s nice to mix it up. You can still easily walk into town, with the property around 1.5km from the town centre and 500m from the lake edge.

A very useful Queenstown tip If you’re flying out early, don’t be put off by a 6.30am departure. We left Platinum Villas at around 4am expecting airport traffic, but there was practically nobody on the road and we breezed it. We were at Queenstown Airport in just 15 minutes and back in Sydney in time for our daughter’s 11.30am rugby match. I mean… it’s all so painless! Visit: www.platinumqueenstown.co.nz

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