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Rose Bay Marina Proposal Refused Over Scenic Character Concerns

Rose Bay Marina will not be expanded under its latest proposal after Woollahra’s Local Planning Panel refused an application involving a new marina arm, connecting walkway and the relinquishment of 55 commercial swing moorings.

Read: COBLI Launches at Rose Bay Marina, Bringing Luxury Boating Closer to Home

The decision was made in September 2026, for the marina at 594-596 New South Head Road. The application, identified as Development Application 490/2025, was assessed in relation to the proposed marina infrastructure and its impact on the scenic character of Rose Bay.

Proposal sought new marina arm

Photo credit: Woollahra Municipal Council – 490/2025

The application sought approval for a new marina arm containing 32 fixed berths for vessels of up to 20 metres. It also included a walkway connecting the new arm to the existing marina.

Development material said the proposal was intended to help accommodate rising powerboat ownership and address a shortage of berths on Sydney Harbour.

The 55 commercial swing moorings were to be relinquished as part of the proposed changes. The application therefore involved a change in how boats would be accommodated at the marina, with fixed floating berths replacing the existing swing-mooring arrangement covered by the proposal.

A 3.5-metre height limit for vessels using the proposed new berths was also included. The measure was intended to help maintain harbour views over the new marina infrastructure.

The planning panel ultimately refused the application. Its determination found that converting the swing moorings to fixed floating berths would constitute an overdevelopment of the site and result in unacceptable impacts on the scenic character of Rose Bay.

Harbour views at centre of dispute

Existing promenade (Photo credit: Woollahra Municipal Council – 490/2025)

The planning panel’s reasons included concerns about the proposal’s effect on existing views and the scenic character of the area.

The assessment considered that the visual dominance of the proposed fixed marina infrastructure would favour a smaller number of berth holders over the broader community’s enjoyment of existing Rose Bay views. It also found that the proposal did not appropriately prioritise the public good over private interests.

Those findings formed part of the basis for refusing the application. The proposal had been presented as a response to demand for additional berthing facilities, while the 3.5-metre vessel height limit was intended to help preserve views across the harbour.

The refusal means the proposed marina arm cannot proceed under the application as determined. The latest decision follows earlier planning and court scrutiny of proposed changes to the Rose Bay Marina site, where visual and view impacts have also been considered.

For the current application, the planning decision centred on whether the proposed fixed infrastructure was appropriate for the site and compatible with the scenic character of Rose Bay.

Read: Rose Bay Homeowners Seek $40 Million From Development Site Sale

The September 3 refusal means the proposed 32-berth expansion cannot proceed in its current form. Any substantially different proposal would need to be considered through the relevant planning process.

Published 12-September-2026

Rose Bay Parish Project Advances After Modified Plans Approved

Photo Credit: DA215/2011/3

A development planned by the Greek Orthodox Parish of St George Rose Bay more than 14 years ago has cleared another planning step, with revised residential plans approved for its Newcastle Street property.

St George Rose Bay Plans Modified

The Woollahra Local Planning Panel approved the latest Section 4.55 modification on 6 August, after Antoniades Architects lodged the application in November 2025. Council records identify the modification as DA215/2011/3, linked to the original DA215/2011 development consent.

The changes cover internal and external modifications across all levels of the residential building and add another basement parking level. The parish has said the revised plans will ensure all apartments comply with Specialist Disability Accommodation design requirements.

The approval allows the Parish Council to progress the project towards its next stages, although construction has not yet been given a commencement date.

*Photo Credit: St George Church Rose Bay*/Facebook

Project Dates Back To 2011

The wider development at 88–96 Newcastle Street was approved by the Joint Regional Planning Panel in December 2011, with an estimated construction cost of $9.19 million.

The original proposal included a 34-place childcare centre and a four-storey residential building containing 20 apartments, together with basement parking, landscaping and associated works.

In April 2015, Woollahra Council approved a modification dividing the development into two stages. The childcare centre was designated as Stage 1, while the residential building became Stage 2.

Under that arrangement, the childcare and residential components were separated, with the latest August approval concerning modifications to the residential stage rather than a new development proposal.

The decision continues a planning process that has extended for more than 14 years since the wider project was first approved.

Rose Bay Parish — *Photo Credit: St George Church Rose Bay*/Facebook

Parish Prepares For Next Steps

Parish President Spero Raissis described the approval as an important milestone for the parish and said it would allow the Parish Council to continue progressing the project.

The parish has linked the development to its long-term financial sustainability and its ability to continue its mission and serve the community into the future.

It also thanked those who had contributed to the approval process. No construction commencement date has been announced, with further updates expected to cover the start of works and other key project milestones as details become available.

Published 31-August-2026

Major Rose Bay Apartment Proposal Includes 433 Homes

Photo Credit: SSD-108773958

A Rose Bay housing proposal spanning more than 20 properties along Dover Road and Hamilton Street has been declared State Significant Development following a recommendation from the Housing Delivery Authority (HDA).

The HDA record identifies three residential flat and shop-top housing buildings ranging from eight to 12 storeys, with an indicative yield of 433 homes. Five per cent of the residential gross floor area is proposed as affordable housing in perpetuity, across a site covering 11-31 Hamilton Street and 36-56 Dover Road.

The signed ministerial order formally includes the Rose Bay land among the latest developments declared State Significant. State Significant Development status allows the project to proceed through the state assessment pathway but does not constitute development approval.

Proposed height exceeds existing planning controls

The HDA noted the proposal seeks a maximum height of 44 metres, compared with existing building controls of between 22 and 24 metres. The authority said further refinement would be required through merit assessment and noted the eventual development standards and dwelling yield could be lower than those put forward in the expression of interest.

HDA records identify Hewlett Property Rose Bay Pty Ltd and Perifa Pty Ltd as the proponents and state that the proposal involves a concurrent rezoning process.

Earlier proposal covered a smaller Rose Bay site

An earlier scoping report prepared for part of the development area covered 36-56 Dover Road and 27-31 Hamilton Street. The 5,987.6-square-metre site comprised 15 lots containing development including detached houses, four townhouses and a five-apartment residential building.

The current NSW Planning Portal entry for SSD-108773958 covers the broader address range of 36-56 Dover Road and 11-31 Hamilton Street. The application is at the Prepare EIS stage, with an Environmental Impact Statement to be prepared before the project moves to public exhibition and subsequent assessment.

Hewlett Property Group separately publishes details for a Dover Road and Hamilton Street project comprising about 315 apartments across a 9,192-square-metre consolidated site, with multiple nine-storey residential buildings above two basement levels.

Dover Road & Hamilton Street
Photo Credit: Hewlett Property Group

Other Rose Bay developments move through state assessment

A separate State Significant Development at 23-31 Dover Road remains under assessment and proposes demolition of existing buildings for apartments, including in-fill affordable housing, above basement parking. The Planning Portal records 85 submissions, including objections raising concerns about traffic, parking, excavation, groundwater and the scale of development.

23-31 Dover Road
Photo Credit: SSD-86017721

Another apartment development at 2-16 Spencer Street received State Significant Development approval on June 29, 2026, after attracting 61 submissions during its assessment. Published objections included concerns about parking, traffic, building scale and cumulative development in Rose Bay.

2-16 Spencer St
Photo Credit: SSD-86122958

SSD-108773958 must still proceed through preparation of its Environmental Impact Statement, public exhibition, assessment and determination before development consent can be granted. The Planning Portal currently lists the proposal at the third stage of the State Significant Development assessment process.

Published 31-Aug-2026

Rose Bay’s Lost International Airport: When Sydney’s London Flights Took 10 Days

Long before Sydney Airport became the city’s international gateway, passengers were beginning journeys to Britain from the waters of Rose Bay. In 1938, flying boats operated by Qantas Empire Airways and Imperial Airways turned the harbour suburb into a departure point for international air travel.

Read: When Smallpox Struck Sydney Harbour In 1789

Qantas began international passenger operations in 1935, initially connecting Brisbane with Singapore. The Sydney-London flying-boat service followed in 1938, when Rose Bay became the city’s international gateway for flights operated by Qantas Empire Airways and Imperial Airways.

The location was practical. Flying boats did not require a conventional runway, instead using suitable stretches of water for take-off and landing. Rose Bay offered calm harbour waters and was close to central Sydney, making it a useful base for long-distance services.

Aeroplane hangar in Rose Bay for flying boats, 1939 (Photo credit: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales)

The Rose Bay flying-boat operation officially opened in August 1938. The first full Sydney to Southampton service had already departed the previous month aboard the Empire flying boat Cooee.

The journey to Britain was nothing like today’s long-haul travel. The early “Kangaroo Route” could take around 12 days. The Rose Bay flying-boat service to Southampton in 1938 took about 10 days and involved roughly 30 stops.

From 12 days to five

Two Qantas Empire Airways flying boats at Rose Bay (Photo credit: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales)

The Kangaroo Route connected Australia with Britain through a series of stops across Asia, the Middle East and Europe. By 1947, the Sydney-London journey had been reduced to about five days, although passengers still had to make several stops along the way.

The change becomes even more striking when compared with modern air travel. Today, a typical Sydney-London journey with a stopover takes about 24 to 25 hours, depending on the routing.

The next major change is already on the horizon. Qantas is scheduled to begin non-stop Sydney-London services in October 2027 as part of its Project Sunrise program. The new service is expected to take around 19 to 21 hours depending on conditions, while the aircraft is designed for flights of up to 22 hours.

The aircraft and passenger experience have changed almost beyond recognition. The flying boats carried relatively small numbers of passengers and were designed around long-distance comfort. There was a galley for preparing meals, while passengers could move around the aircraft during the journey.

Smoking was also permitted. The aircraft had a dedicated smoking cabin, something that would be unthinkable on a modern commercial flight. For passengers making a journey lasting several days, it was simply part of the onboard experience.

War, changing aircraft, and the end of Rose Bay’s airport

Photo credit: Max Dupain/Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

The international flying-boat era at Rose Bay was interrupted by World War II. Commercial services were suspended during the conflict, while the flying boats were used for wartime purposes, including transporting supplies and conducting reconnaissance operations.

After the war, passenger services returned, but the aviation industry was already moving in another direction. Long-range land-based aircraft increasingly challenged flying boats as improvements in aircraft technology made conventional airliners more practical for international routes.

Qantas discontinued its flying-boat service in 1955 and sold its aircraft to Ansett Airways. Ansett continued operating flying boats to destinations in the South Pacific, including Lord Howe Island.

The final flying-boat services from Rose Bay ended in 1974, marking the close of an era in Sydney’s aviation history. The terminal and remaining airport infrastructure were later removed, leaving little obvious evidence of the suburb’s former role as an international gateway.

Yet the connection has not disappeared entirely. Seaplanes still operate from Rose Bay, offering a modern echo of the aircraft that once landed on the harbour. The numbers tell the story. An international journey that could once take around 12 days was reduced to five by 1947. Today, Sydney to London can be completed in about a day with a stopover, while Qantas’ planned non-stop service is expected to cut the journey to around 20 hours.

Read: Rose Bay Tower Bid Would Stand Three Times the Height Limit

Rose Bay was once where travellers began the long journey to Britain aboard a flying boat, with dozens of stops along the way and a dedicated smoking cabin on board. It remains a remarkable chapter in the history of Sydney’s international aviation.

Published 22-August-2026

Art Bridges Generations At Rose Bay Public School

Photo Credit: Eventbrite

Rose Bay art sessions will bring local seniors into Rose Bay Public School to create alongside Year 1 students, giving older residents and children a regular space to share stories, make art and build connections within their community.

The school is partnering with Dementia Friendly Woollahra to run four free sessions during September, inviting seniors from the surrounding community to take part regardless of their previous art experience.

Together, the older participants and Year 1 students will create artwork for Rose Bay Public School’s Annual Art Fair.

Rose Bay Art Sessions Connect Local Generations

The sessions will be held at the school in Albemarle Avenue from 10am to 11am on Wednesday 2 September, 9 September, 16 September and 23 September.

The format gives local seniors an opportunity to spend time inside a neighbourhood school while working directly with younger members of the community. Shared stories, new connections and a sense of local belonging are among the reasons given for bringing the generations together.

No artistic background is required. The sessions are intended to be relaxed, with seniors able to participate simply through an interest in being creative and spending time with children.

The artwork created across the four weeks will also give participants a direct connection to the wider Rose Bay Public School community through the Annual Art Fair.

Local Dementia-Friendly Program Joins School Partnership

Dementia Friendly Woollahra is led by Holdsworth in partnership with Woollahra Council and community members. The initiative works to improve understanding and inclusion for people living with dementia and their carers across the local area.

Its activities include sharing information about dementia and healthy ageing, helping local businesses better understand dementia, and providing opportunities for residents to become Dementia Friends.

The Rose Bay Public School sessions extend that local community work into an intergenerational setting, bringing older residents and primary school students together around a shared activity.

Transport Helps Seniors Take Part

Participation in all four sessions is free, and community transport can be arranged for seniors who need help reaching Rose Bay Public School.

Transport requirements can be raised when registering, while Beverley can be contacted on 1300 882 962 for questions or assistance getting to the sessions.

The final gathering will be held on Wednesday 23 September, with the artwork produced by seniors and Year 1 students intended for the school’s Annual Art Fair.

Published 21-August-2026

Lyne Park Playground Crowned NSW/ACT’s Best New Playground

Lyne Park Playground in Rose Bay has claimed top honours at the 2026 Parks and Leisure Australia NSW/ACT Awards of Excellence, taking out the award for Best New Playground and earning a place in the national finals later this year.

Read: Future of Lyne Park Tennis Centre Sparks Strong Community Response in Rose Bay

The recognition celebrates the redeveloped harbourfront playground, which is popular with local families. The annual Awards of Excellence recognise outstanding parks, recreation spaces and community projects that deliver social, environmental and economic benefits.

In announcing the win, Woollahra Municipal Council said that while local parents already knew Lyne Park Playground was a winner, it was pleasing to receive official recognition from the industry. The organisation also thanked the project team behind the redevelopment and said the playground was designed for children of different ages and abilities.

A Playground Inspired By Rose Bay’s History

Set on the Sydney Harbour foreshore, Lyne Park offers a diverse range of recreation opportunities for the community. Alongside open lawns, sporting facilities, picnic areas and waterfront access, the upgraded playground has become a popular destination for families.

Its centrepiece is a large flying boat play structure, created as a tribute to Rose Bay’s aviation history. The aircraft-themed feature acknowledges the site’s past as the former Rose Bay International Airport for flying boats while providing opportunities for climbing, imaginative play and exploration.

The playground offers a variety of play experiences beyond the flying boat. Children can race along a double flying fox, cool off in the water play zone, explore the sensory walkway or enjoy the nature play area designed for older children. There is also a bike track, inclusive play equipment and an intergenerational activity trail designed for people of different ages.

The playground is fully fenced and includes inclusive play elements. It also features natural and sail shade, organic and rubber softfall surfaces, picnic seating and nearby amenities, making it a comfortable place for families to spend time outdoors.

Recognition On The National Stage

The Parks and Leisure Australia Awards of Excellence recognise projects and professionals that create meaningful social, environmental and economic benefits through parks, leisure and recreation.

According to Parks and Leisure Australia, the awards celebrate outstanding initiatives and innovative public spaces that contribute to healthy and inclusive communities. Regional winners automatically progress to the national stage, where they compete against projects from across Australia.

Lyne Park’s win means it will represent the NSW/ACT region at the national Awards of Excellence later this year.

More Than A Playground

Lyne Park field (Photo credit: woollahra.nsw.gov.au)

Beyond the award-winning playground, Lyne Park offers a wide range of outdoor recreation opportunities. The foreshore park includes large grassed areas, shady trees, basketball and tennis courts, sporting fields, picnic facilities and a café. Visitors also have access to the Rose Bay boat ramp, public and commercial ferry services, a commercial seaplane base and launching facilities for non-motorised watercraft beside Woollahra Sailing Club.

With its combination of waterfront scenery, recreation facilities and inclusive play opportunities, Lyne Park continues to serve as a popular destination for residents and visitors alike.

Read: Monster Jump Brings Giant Inflatable Obstacle Course and New Sports Arena to Rose Bay

Now recognised as the NSW/ACT’s best new playground, Lyne Park will head to the national Awards of Excellence in November, where it will compete for the title of Australia’s best new playground.

Published 31-July-2026

When Smallpox Struck Sydney Harbour In 1789

Photo Credit: National Museum Australia

The Sydney smallpox epidemic began around the harbour in April 1789. New modelling suggests it may have continued for up to 21 years and killed between 40,000 and 220,000 Indigenous Australians.

The outbreak appeared shortly after the First Fleet arrived in January 1788 and established a British settlement at Sydney Cove.

Many colonists had already encountered smallpox and developed some resistance. Aboriginal communities around the harbour had not previously been exposed to the disease and faced severe illness and high death rates.

Early colonial accounts described Aboriginal people found dead on beaches and in rock shelters between Sydney Cove and the Heads. Some were discovered beside small fires, with water left within reach.

Smallpox virus viewed through electron microscopy — *Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons/National Museum Australia*

Smallpox Reaches Sydney Harbour

Smallpox caused fever, severe illness and a rash of pus-filled sores. Survivors were often left with permanent scarring, while some also lost their sight.

The disease spread easily between people. Once someone became seriously ill, however, travelling long distances became difficult.

How smallpox entered Sydney’s Aboriginal communities remained disputed for more than two centuries.

One theory blamed French visitors who stayed at Botany Bay after the British arrived. However, an outbreak caused by that visit would probably have appeared much earlier than April 1789.

Another theory suggested Makassan visitors introduced the disease in northern Australia before it travelled south through Aboriginal trade routes.

A third possibility involved preserved smallpox material carried with the First Fleet. Before vaccination was developed, doctors used infected material to deliberately give patients a milder form of the illness and build immunity.

The precise cause of the outbreak remains unknown. The research does not establish whether the preserved material caused the epidemic or whether any release was accidental or deliberate.

Aboriginal people near Port Jackson in historical artwork — Caption: *View of the Heads, at the entrance into Port Jackson* by Joseph Lycett.
*Photo Credit: National Museum Australia*

Modelling Tests The Competing Theories

Research published in Nature Human Behaviour on 10 July 2026 tested whether the disease could realistically have travelled from northern Australia to Sydney.

The model combined knowledge of smallpox with Aboriginal movement routes used for water, food, family connections, trade and ceremony.

Researchers allowed for faster travel and greater contact between communities, but the northern route still did not fit the timing of the 1789 outbreak.

The modelling instead strongly supported a Sydney origin linked to the British settlement.

Sydney Smallpox Epidemic Moves Inland

The disease may not have remained around Sydney Harbour for long.

The model suggests smallpox followed coastlines, rivers and established travel routes through south-eastern Australia. Major waterways such as the Murray and Lachlan rivers may have connected affected communities.

Under some scenarios, the epidemic reached as far north as Townsville and as far west as Adelaide. It did not spread to every part of Australia.

The outbreak may have continued for up to 21 years as it moved between communities across thousands of kilometres.

Using an assumed fatality rate of 60 per cent, researchers estimated that between 40,000 and 220,000 Indigenous Australians may have died.

The upper figure is a modelling estimate, not a recorded historical death toll.

Historical map showing the Sydney Cove settlement — Caption: *Sketch & Description of the Settlement at Sydney Cove, Port Jackson* by Francis Fowkes.
*Photo Credit: National Museum Australia*

Losses Extended Beyond The Death Toll

The deaths of Elders, children and pregnant women affected entire communities.

Families were separated, while languages, cultural knowledge and systems for caring for Country were disrupted. Survivors were often left without relatives or community leaders.

The study was conducted through the ARC Centre of Excellence for Indigenous and Environmental Histories and Futures in collaboration with the Gujaga Foundation of the Dharawal Nation.

The researchers said the modelling was designed to sit alongside Aboriginal knowledge, memory and oral history rather than replace them.

Historical accounts and Dharawal knowledge record Aboriginal people returning to Sydney Harbour within weeks of the outbreak’s peak.

Communities continued fishing, living around the harbour, speaking their language and practising culture throughout the following century.

During the 1880s, remaining descendants were forcibly relocated to the government reserve at La Perouse. Dharawal culture and language continued to be practised and passed on there.

Published 13-July-2026

Monster Jump Brings Giant Inflatable Obstacle Course and New Sports Arena to Rose Bay

Monster Jump

Monster Jump is setting up at Rose Bay’s Lyne Park Mini Fields, bringing not only its giant inflatable obstacle course but also a brand new Monster Sports Jam arena — giving the Eastern Suburbs its own home-ground version of Sydney’s most popular school holiday attraction.

The Rose Bay site runs from 5 to 19 July 2026 at Lyne Park Mini Fields, with sessions daily from 10am to 4pm. It is the first time Monster Jump has come directly to the Eastern Suburbs, making this a school holiday option that does not require a trip across the city.

The Monster Jump obstacle course is the foundation of the event, a 280-metre inflatable playground with more than 30 challenges including climbing walls, dark tunnels, sky-high slides and bounce zones. At Rose Bay this year, the course takes on a rabbit-themed twist, adding a distinct flavour to the iconic purple monster mouth entrance that regular Monster Jump fans will already know.

The sports jam arena adds something new

What makes the Rose Bay location distinct is the addition of Monster Sports Jam, an adrenaline-fuelled second arena featuring basketball shootouts, medieval jousting and a wrecking ball zone, among other sporting challenges. It is a genuinely fun add-on for families with competitive kids, or for parents who want to have a crack themselves.

Two-hour session ticket options at Rose Bay cover a range of combinations. An Obstacle Course Only Pass for ages five and over costs $30, while Full Access combining the obstacle course and Monster Sports Jam is $40. Toddler passes for children under five are $45 for the course only and $55 for full access, with one parent or carer included in both cases.

Children under five must be accompanied by an adult on the course at all times. The All Day Super Pass, which covers both the obstacle course and Monster Sports Jam for the entire day, is $60.

Spectators enter free of charge.

Planning your visit to Lyne Park

Socks are compulsory on the inflatables. Shoes and bare feet are not permitted on the course, but if you forget socks you can buy a pair at the gate. Comfortable clothes, sunscreen and a water bottle round out the packing list. Cabanas are also available to hire as a shaded base for the day, seating up to six people, with sessions aligned to the 10am–midday, 12:10pm–2pm and 2:10pm–4pm blocks.

Sessions sell out regularly in advance, so online booking at monsterjump.com.au/sydneyrosebay is the safest approach. Tickets are available at the gate on the day subject to availability, but there are no guarantees once sessions fill.

Monster Jump operates through light rain but may pause or close during heavy weather or high winds. The Monster Jump Facebook page posts cancellation or delay updates by 9am each morning if wild weather impacts the day.

For tickets and full session times, visit monsterjump.com.au or contact info@ofa.net.au for booking changes or queries.

Published 25-June-2026

Future of Lyne Park Tennis Centre Sparks Strong Community Response in Rose Bay

Photo Credit: LyneParkTennisCentre/Facebook

A proposal to place Lyne Park Tennis Centre under new management has sparked a heated debate across Rose Bay, with thousands of residents backing the longtime local operator while Woollahra officials move towards awarding the lease to a larger multi-venue company.

The future of the popular waterfront facility came into focus in early June after Woollahra’s finance committee recommended accepting a tender from Tennis Nation, which operates multiple sites across Sydney. The recommendation would replace the current management team, which has run the centre for more than three decades, sparking immediate backlash from players, families, and community members who view the venue as a vital social hub.

A Tennis Centre That Has Served Generations

For many Rose Bay residents, Lyne Park Tennis Centre has been a staple of daily life for generations, hosting coaching programs, social competitions, and school holiday camps. General manager Anthony Bennett has worked there for 32 years, and many locals who learned to play under his guidance now enroll their own children.

Supporters argue the centre’s value extends beyond sport, serving as a foundational space for lifelong friendships. The level of local passion became clear after news of the tender recommendation emerged, when an online petition garnered more than 2,000 signatures in just 24 hours.

Considering a New Operator

The controversy stems from a formal tender process where Council staff assessed competing submissions to balance community sentiment with fiscal responsibility.

According to council documents, Tennis Nation secured the staff’s recommendation by proposing a substantial $2-million investment in facility improvements, alongside a rental structure guaranteeing higher revenue for Woollahra over time.

While the council’s finance committee endorsed the infrastructure upgrades and financial returns, a final decision remains subject to approval by the full council.

Photo Credit: LyneParkTennisCentre/Facebook

Pickleball Emerges as a Key Point of Difference

One of the most contentious aspects of the proposal involves pickleball, a rapidly growing racquet sport. Tennis Nation plans to create additional pickleball facilities at Lyne Park by adding line markings to two of the six existing tennis courts and converting an unused toilet block into a dedicated pickleball space.

Because pickleball courts require less space than traditional tennis courts, the shift allows operators to maximise participation and revenue. However, traditional tennis players are deeply concerned about losing court availability.

Supporters of the current management argue that demand for tennis in Sydney’s eastern suburbs already exceeds available infrastructure. They contend that shrinking tennis capacity will price out or crowd out players seeking lessons, competitions, and casual court bookings.

The clash mirrors wider disputes across Sydney, where councils struggle to accommodate the growing popularity of pickleball while maintaining facilities for traditional racquet sports.

Community Connections Versus Commercial Opportunity

Ultimately, the standoff highlights two competing views of public asset management: prioritising longstanding local relationships versus maximising commercial capability.

Supporters maintain that local knowledge, established coaching relationships, and community trust are irreplaceable, regardless of financial projections. Conversely, the council’s tender process is bound to prioritise concrete operational capability, facility improvements, and financial return.

The finance committee’s recommendation must still proceed through the council’s decision-making process before a final outcome is reached.

Published 15-June-2026

Rose Bay Tower Bid Would Stand Three Times the Height Limit

A developer has lodged plans for a $28 million, eight-storey residential tower in one of Rose Bay’s most coveted streets, seeking to build a structure more than three times higher than what local planning rules allow.

Read: Hillcrest Collapse Renews Focus on Rose Bay Redevelopment Approval

The proposal, submitted to Woollahra Council in May 2026, targets 35-37 Wilberforce Avenue, a quiet residential street roughly 400 metres from the Rose Bay Town Centre that connects Old South Head Road and New South Head Road. The street sits within easy walking distance of Rose Bay Beach and the Royal Sydney Golf Club, and is well known for some of the most expensive real estate in Sydney.

Photo credit: Woollahra DA Tracker – 187/2026

The proposed tower would rise to 28.35 metres, well above Woollahra’s 9.5 metre height limit for the area. The 31-apartment building would also require excavation of more than 5,447 cubic metres of soil, against a council limit of 1,345 cubic metres.

Neighbours on both Wilberforce Ave and nearby Albemarle Ave would also experience reduced sunlight. Planning documents submitted with the application acknowledge that properties at 28 and 28a Albemarle Ave would see reduced solar access, though the documents argue the overshadowing would generally be limited to less than three hours on adjoining properties. The documents also acknowledge that any reasonable development on the site would create some adverse amenity impact on neighbouring properties.

The developer is relying on relatively new state housing policies that allow mid-rise apartment development in Sydney’s wealthier suburbs, provided a portion of units is set aside as affordable housing. Under the proposal, five of the 31 apartments would be allocated to low-income tenants. The affordable housing component is the mechanism through which the developer seeks to bypass Woollahra’s existing planning controls.

Two penthouses would each have access to private rooftop terraces, while ground-floor units would feature plunge pools. A two-level basement carpark with 31 spaces is also included in the plans.

Planning documents prepared on behalf of the developer describe the design, by Mark Shapiro Architects, as one that responds thoughtfully to the character of the Rose Bay area, pointing to what they describe as a diverse mix of architectural styles across the precinct.

What the rules allow in Rose Bay

Under the Woollahra Local Environmental Plan (LEP) 2014, maximum building heights in Rose Bay vary by zone. In low-density residential areas, the height limit sits at 9.5 metres, roughly equivalent to three storeys. In the commercial village centres, that rises to a maximum of 17.2 metres, or about five storeys. The Wilberforce Ave site falls under the lower residential limit, meaning the proposed 28.35 metre tower would exceed even the most generous height allowance in the area by more than 11 metres.

The application is one of a growing number of significant residential proposals across Sydney as the state moves to address a housing crisis marked by a relentless rise in rents and property prices.

Read: Inside Delta Goodrem’s New Luxury Home In Rose Bay

Earlier in 2026, the Independent Planning Commission approved the $1.5 billion Timberyards project in Marrickville and signed off on a 46-storey, $163 million rental tower on Victoria Avenue in Chatswood that will deliver 260 rental dwellings above commercial space.

The proposal affects one of Sydney’s most expensive residential streets, where a four-bedroom home on Wilberforce Ave sold for $6 million in 2023. The application is now before Woollahra Council for assessment.

Published 12-June-2026