Well. That’s that, then. Donald Trump is back in the White House and Herald readers are glued to our coverage, bracing for what happens next.
Trump’s inauguration and swift implementation of his election agenda have kept our newsroom busy – particularly outgoing US correspondent Farrah Tomazin, incoming correspondent Michael Koziol, world editor Nick Ralston and blogger extraordinaire Jess McSweeney – who have done a great job staying across the twists and turns of Trump 2.0.
Our recent reporting on the political earthquake in Washington, the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, and raging wildfires in Los Angeles has coincided with some terrific journalism about our city and our state (the Saving Sydney series has been particularly brilliant). This fortnight has been a great example of how the Herald gets the balance right between covering global affairs and local news. Both matter deeply to our audience.
The new light rail winds through the booming Parramatta CBD.Credit: Janie Barrett
A big part of the Herald’s success of late has been our exceptional coverage of Sydney, and with this in mind I’m pleased to tell you we will soon open a bureau in Parramatta.
As I told the newsroom this week, this move is a logical extension of our recent enhanced coverage of the issues and developments playing out in western Sydney. However, we can no longer adequately cover a thriving part of the city from offices in North Sydney. Parramatta is the geographical heart of Sydney, but we don’t have a presence there. This strategy will also allow us to better reflect the diversity of our city.
Parramatta is booming, and the potential for the Herald and our journalism is huge. Parramatta’s population is forecast to hit nearly 500,000 by 2040. Apartment towers are springing up, filled with aspirational families, young professionals and essential workers. The population of the City of Parramatta and its 22 surrounding suburbs is forecast to climb from 516,000 to 892,000 by 2041. The Powerhouse Parramatta, which will open in 2026, represents the largest cultural investment in Sydney since construction began on the Opera House. Other major infrastructure projects include Metro West, which will have stations in Westmead, Parramatta, and potentially Rosehill. Light rail is in full swing, and the $3.5 billion Parramatta Square project highlights the dramatic transformation of the suburb’s professional services sector. The area’s food scene is also exploding.
In short, this part of Sydney is undergoing a rapid transformation, and we should be part of it.
The bureau will open in March with three to four reporters, with plans for those ranks to grow over the coming years. They will cover urban affairs, education, health, culture, sport, politics, transport and any other issues worthy of coverage. This is a huge opportunity for dynamic journalists to make their mark and really own something new and exciting.
The opening of our new bureau is one of a number of new investments across our publishing business designed to drive growth. The investment includes funding for office space in the Parramatta CBD, and a marketing budget to make sure people know about the Herald’s presence and our journalism.
Read the full article here
