Series
Best city news from the Herald
News that explains the decisions shaping Sydney and its future — from transport to housing, planning to public services.
From tacky tourist trap to treasure: What’s next for Darling Harbour?
For years, the divisive harbourfront west of the city centre has been derided as drab and outdated. There are plans to make Sydneysiders fall in love with it again.
- Megan Gorrey and The Visual Stories Team
- Exclusive
- For subscribers
Revealed: Plans for new passenger train lines across Sydney
A new train line linking Parramatta to Kogarah is among secret plans being worked on by senior transport officials as they look to expand Sydney’s rail network.
- Matt O'Sullivan and Anthony Segaert
‘Time to stop talking and start building’: The plan for 8000 new homes along Parramatta Road
Thousands of new homes could be delivered along one of the city’s most important corridors, after the state government announced a new partnership with a Sydney council.
- Ellie Busby
The Paddington pub, the $50k ‘parklet’ and the neighbourhood planning row
A 150-year-old pub has sparked a planning row with neighbours with fears a new outdoor dining “parklet” will lead to rowdy crowd behaviour and mental health impacts on surrounding residents.
- David Barwell
- Updated
‘Single front door’: The biggest overhaul of NSW planning laws in 50 years revealed
Labor said the biggest rewrite of the legislation in nearly five decades was designed to make the planning system quicker and simpler to navigate.
- Max Maddison, Megan Gorrey and Jessica McSweeney
- Exclusive
Secret warning of Sydney rail overload and need for $10b in upgrades
A leaked table reveals where bureaucrats are pushing for imminent upgrades to the city’s ailing rail network.
- Anthony Segaert and Matt O'Sullivan
Not everyone is a fan of Sydney’s off-leash dog zones and it’s dividing our city
Some councils are making more off-leash park plans while others are winding them back.
- David Barwell
The Sydney emergency departments where one in 10 patients wait 19 hours
The Sydney hospitals where the sickest patients wait for almost a day in emergency departments.
- Kate Aubusson
Revealed: The Sydney suburbs bracing for sweeping housing changes
More than 100 major housing proposals have been advanced by a three-person authority since its first meeting in February. This is where they could be built.
- Daniel Lo Surdo
- Exclusive
A new lawn, events for 1500: The $27m plan to reinvent a Sydney landmark
The state government wants to hold more events at the sandstone building. Nearby residents say it will disturb their peace and create “traffic chaos”.
- Megan Gorrey
‘Downsizer territory’: Who’s moving into Hyde Park’s apartment boom?
Luxury CBD living is popular in other world cities but Sydneysiders have largely shied away from living in the city’s centre.
- Mary Ward
- Exclusive
The suburbs where police are using new powers to fight knife crime
More than 18,000 wanding searches have been performed by NSW Police this year in the fight against knife crime.
- Daniel Lo Surdo
- Exclusive
The Sydney developer, the failed airport towers and the $587,200 land-clearing fine
Jomon Varghese wanted to create a new World Trade Centre 10 minutes from the new airport. Things have not gone to plan.
- Anthony Segaert and Ellie Busby
Central Station’s $11bn revamp ‘risks repeating Barangaroo’s mistakes’
The City of Sydney council argues the state government’s ambitious proposal to reshape land around Central Station features “too many towers, too close together”.
- Megan Gorrey
So you think trucks are taking over Sydney street parking? You’re not alone
A sharp rise in trucks clogging residential streets is leading to simmering tensions across the city, but bold solutions are being considered.
- David Barwell
Other series
Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2026
This year’s laugh fest has kicked off, with more than 2000 performers stepping up to the mic. Here, our writers take a closer look
- 9 stories
Hate of origin: Inside football’s most intense rivalry
Essendon and Hawthorn have hated each other for more than 40 years, from some old-fashioned thuggery and a fake drug scandal in the mid-80s to last year’s failed bid by the Hawks to poach the Bombers’ captain.
- 5 stories