State Funeral and Local Planning Sessions Headline Sydney’s Political Agenda

Sydney Observes Day of Remembrance and Governance

Today, Wednesday, 4 February 2026, Sydney marks a significant convergence of state solemnity and local administrative activity. The city’s political landscape is highlighted by the final farewell to one of its most respected figures, alongside the resumption of key planning and legislative sessions that will shape the region’s future development.

State Funeral for Dame Marie Bashir

The most prominent event on today’s calendar is the State Funeral for Professor the Honourable Dame Marie Bashir AD CVO, held at St James’ Church on King Street at 10:30 am. Dame Marie, who passed away in late January at the age of 95, served as the 37th Governor of New South Wales from 2001 to 2014 and was the first woman to hold the position. Known for her immense dignity and advocacy for mental health and social inclusion, her service is expected to draw a large gathering of dignitaries and members of the public.

• A large public screen has been installed in Martin Place to allow those outside the church to view the proceedings live.
• The NSW Government is providing a live stream of the service on its official website for those unable to attend in person.
• In accordance with official protocol, the Australian National Flag is being flown at half-mast all day across New South Wales on all government buildings as a mark of mourning and respect.

City of Sydney Local Planning Panel

Following the morning’s state proceedings, local government attention shifts to the Council Chamber at Sydney Town Hall. The City of Sydney Local Planning Panel is scheduled to meet today at 5:00 pm. This session is critical for the city’s urban development, as the panel reviews various development applications and planning proposals that require independent assessment.

The agenda for today's meeting includes assessments of several significant residential and commercial projects within the local government area. These sessions provide a platform for community members and developers to observe the decision-making process regarding the city's built environment.

Legislative Sittings and Economic Updates

Political activity also continues at the state and federal levels today. Both the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council of the New South Wales Parliament are in session, marking a busy day for state legislators as they debate current policy and upcoming budget priorities. Concurrently, the Federal Parliament in Canberra is sitting, with sessions for both the House of Representatives and the Senate throughout the day.

On the economic front, following yesterday’s decision by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) to raise the cash rate target to 3.85 per cent, the Sydney-based central bank is scheduled to release its latest Chart Pack at 11:30 am. This data release will provide further context on the economic indicators that influenced the board’s recent unanimous decision to tighten monetary policy.