The Sydney Morning Herald opens new Parramatta bureau

The Sydney Morning Herald is setting up a new bureau in Parramatta, marking a significant move to engage Sydney’s growing western suburbs and drive subscriber growth.

With dedicated office space in Parramatta’s CBD and an upcoming marketing push, the bureau will cement the Herald’s presence in the heart of a city undergoing rapid transformation. The team, launching in March, will cover a wide array of topics, including urban affairs, education, health, culture, sport, politics, and transport.

Parramatta’s population boom and major developments, such as the Powerhouse Parramatta - the biggest cultural investment since the Opera House - alongside Metro West and light rail projects, are reshaping the region’s identity. The food and culture scene is also thriving, further highlighting the area’s growing influence.

The bureau will report to associate editor Kathryn Wicks, with a mix of newly recruited and rotating North Sydney journalists driving coverage.

Bevan Shields, Editor of The Sydney Morning Herald

"The opening of our Parramatta bureau is part of a broader investment strategy to fuel growth," said Herald editor Bevan Shields. "Our success comes from exceptional local coverage, and this expansion lets us double down on that formula. Sydney readers want quality, localised reporting, and we’re here to deliver."

This move is also aimed at better reflecting Sydney’s diversity, with the Herald positioning itself at the forefront of editorial innovation in one of Australia’s fastest-evolving regions.

Pictured: The Sydney Morning Herald

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