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Strathfield’s Local Environmental Plan (LEP) – the blueprint for the municipality’s growth over the next decade – has finally been approved by the NSW State Government.

The result of one of the largest consultation exercises in Strathfield’s history, the plan paints a fascinating picture of the changing face of one of Sydney’s oldest suburbs.

Strathfield schools have scored significant success in this year's HSC results, and are punching well above their weight.

Of the Sydney Morning Herald’sTop 100 schools, four are from the Strathfield Local Government Area. Meriden School, Santa Sabina College, St Patrick’s College and Strathfield Girls High School all made it to the prestigious list.

The State Government is reportedly considering giving its backing to a report which calls for amalgamations of councils in the Inner West, with speculation that Strathfield, Ashfield and Burwood could be on the block.

According to The Daily Telegraph’s state political editor Andrew Clennell, Local Government Minister Don Page considers the current 152 councils unsustainable.

As reported on Ourstrathfield last week, an independent panel on restructuring councils is expected to report in March, and could outline which councils should merge.

After Saturday's angry protests in Sydney, an Inner West crowd estimated at 104,300 heard messages of tolerance and peace this weekend.

"Today has been a shining example of how communities in Sydney can come together from all walks of life to enjoy themselves and appreciate one another’s culture, quirks and entertainment," said Mayor John Faker, a Lebanese Christian, in opening the Burwood Festival.

Tuesday, Sept 4 - Fourteen more trains to the city and the possibility of an M4 East extension will be among the highlights of the State Government's long-awaited transport blueprint, to be announced today.

The announcement will highlight the number one issue in the local government elections on Saturday. A poll of Strathfield voters by The Scene  puts transport and traffic at Number One on a voters' list of concerns.

A Sydney Sunday newspaper recently claimed in a leading article about Saturday’s poll for councillors that it was “ A complete waste of time and money”.

The Sunday Telegraph called for reform, and suggested the O’Farrell government “re-draw the boundaries and set up a system that actually works for the people and the state”.

The paper cited the Sydney Business Chamber’s push to cut the state’s 152 councils.  In particular, it suggests 10 “super” councils to run Sydney.

The three main contestants battling for seats on Strathfield Council in the upcoming September elections have now announced the majority of their candidates – and the Strathfield Scene asked them to spell out their stance on the major issues.

One new group, Strathfield First Action Group, is leading the charge for the independents’ ticket with a team including the Mayor, Cr Paul Barron and his deputy, Cr Helen McLucas.

Two academics have uncovered a major opportunity to put Strathfield on the tourist map and present Australia with a bold new international image of the municipality. According to Professor Jock Collins and Dr Joon Shin of the University of Technology Sydney’s Business School, Strathfield could become the “little Korea” of Sydney, reaping benefits in tourism, employment and investment.

Strathfield’s leading position in the inner west as a commercial and transport hub has prompted a council move to seek city status  – a significant step in ensuring the area’s assets are fully recognised.

This weekend marks an important milestone for Strathfield.

It will see the first in a series of big events designed to transform Sydney’s view of the municipality – and hopefully position it as one of the movers and shakers of the inner-west.

It is, in effect, the launch of Brand Strathfield. Expect to hear much more of this in the coming weeks.

Strathfield Council is taking a pre-emptive strike to try and head off the threat of more traffic gridlock on the Parramatta Road.

It is looking for transport experts to help advise them on the increasing traffic flow on Parramatta Road.

Council and the State Government are wrestling with major new development that will mean hundres more cars and buses may need to use one of Australia's worst highways.

Columbia Lane, for instance, will see 650 new residential apartments which will have a major impact on traffic in Strathfield.

A group of teens have made a heroic rescue after they dragged a woman from a sinking car after she ran off a road in Sydney Olympic Park. 

The four youths aged between 14 and 20 were riding on a bus when they saw the Commodore station-wagon drive off Edwin Flack Drive. 

The continued down a flight of steps down a hill and rolled into a large pond and the teens stopped the bus, ran into the after and dragged the driver to safety as the car sank.