Rose Bay Archives - Rose Bay Today

Rose Bay Year 1 Students Sew Felt Hearts With Local Seniors in Loneliness Pilot

Photo Credit: NSW Department of Education/ Facebook

Year 1 students at Rose Bay Public School have spent four weeks sewing felt hearts beside local seniors, including people living with dementia, in a pilot program aimed at easing loneliness among older residents.

A Council Finding Sets Things in Motion

It began with a meeting. According to the school, Woollahra Council had looked into how older locals were faring and found that many felt lonely. The school teamed up with Holdsworth, an aged care provider based in Woollahra, to trial a response. The school calls it the Intergenerational Project, and Holdsworth ran the sessions as part of its Dementia-Friendly Woollahra program. A single Year 1 class became the first group to take part.

Why Felt Hearts?

The craft was kept simple on purpose. Each heart needed two pieces of felt, a basic running stitch and some stuffing, so nobody had to worry about getting it perfect. Sew a Softie, a global sewing initiative founded by Sydney sewing teacher Trixi Symonds, helped the teachers prepare. The school also saw the shape as meaningful, since people living with dementia often face isolation.

Chatting, Stitching and a Quicker Walk

Each week, the seniors sat alongside the children and got to work. They sewed, swapped stories and lent each other a hand.

Teacher Sarah Skelton said the difference showed up early. By the final session, one senior was moving down the school hallway much faster than at the start.

What made this class a good fit? Hannah Hatzi, the school’s relieving assistant principal for curriculum and instruction, said the students enjoy a good conversation. Staff were also surprised by how easily the children settled into the sessions, she said.

For Felicity, one of the seniors, the best part was the mix of ages. Her grandchildren have grown up, so time with young children had become rare, and she called the experience wonderful. Jan, who never had children, said she had not enjoyed anything this much in years and that it gave her a fresh view of life.

What the Children Took Away

*Photo Credit:* *NSW Department of Education/ Facebook*

The class got more from it than sewing skills. One Year 1 student said the group had tried to cheer up people who might be lonely, using sewing, chatting and plenty of laughter. Another said everyone helped each other learn new things and shared stories about the past. Talking with friends matters, the student said, and the sessions showed why.

Where the Hearts Will End Up

The finished hearts will be assembled into one combined artwork for the school’s Art By The Bay 2026 exhibition, which also features individual and class pieces from Kindergarten to Year 6. The school’s Family Fair runs Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Entry is ticketed, with adults paying $10 and children free, though every child needs a ticket. The exhibition also opens for weekday viewing from Oct. 26 to 28.

Published Date 01-October-2026

$86.6m Rose Bay Apartment Project Approved After 83 Objections

Photo Credit: SSD-86017721

An $86.6 million apartment development has been approved for 23–31 Dover Road in Rose Bay, bringing 49 homes to a consolidated site beside the suburb’s town centre after a planning process that drew 83 objections.

The NSW Planning Portal records the State Significant Development application as approved on 14 September 2026. The consent allows a nine-storey residential building above two basement levels, with nine apartments to be managed by Bridge Housing as affordable housing.

The affordable component will make up 14.9 per cent of the residential floor area. Across the 2,657-square-metre site, the approved building will contain 7,587 square metres of gross floor area and reach a maximum height of 30 metres.

Rose Bay apartment development — Photo Credit: SSD-86017721

A Taller Plan Than The One Put On Exhibition

The project changed during assessment. The Environmental Impact Statement placed on public exhibition proposed an eight-storey building with the same total of 49 apartments, but 11 of those homes were identified as affordable housing.

Architectural material lodged with the original application described a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments across eight residential storeys, with two basement levels beneath. The earlier plans also listed 66 car spaces and 54 bicycle spaces.

Parking increased as the proposal moved through assessment, with the approved scheme providing space for 69 cars as well as 54 bicycles, motorcycle parking and car-share spaces. About 585 square metres of communal open space is proposed at rooftop level.

The project progressed under the NSW Government’s Low and Mid-Rise Housing and in-fill affordable housing provisions. Earlier design material identified a 22-metre base height control, with the affordable housing provisions allowing an uplift to 28.6 metres under the proposal then being assessed.

NSW Planning Portal — Photo Credit: SSD-86017721

Scale, Traffic and The Ground Beneath Dover Road

Public response was heavily weighted against the proposal during exhibition, with 83 objections among 85 submissions and two submissions in support. Concerns raised included the building’s scale, traffic and parking, excavation, groundwater conditions and the cumulative effects of increased development across Rose Bay.

The architecture itself was designed with the surrounding streetscape in mind. MHN Design Union’s design report drew on the nearby Rose Bay Hotel, using recessed balcony forms, framed façades and arched elements as references, while upper levels were stepped back and landscaping was carried through terraces and building edges.

Earlier plans also included a landscaped communal rooftop with barbecue areas, informal seating and vegetable gardens, alongside planting intended to soften building edges and provide privacy screening.

MHN Design Union is the architect, with Urbis leading the planning application for Dover Street (Rose Bay) Developments Pty Ltd and Bridge Housing responsible for the affordable housing component. The full assessment and determination record can be found on the NSW Planning Portal under SSD-86017721.

Published 25-September-2026

Beau Maestro Brings Rose Bay Harbour Views to a New Level of Living

Photo Credit: Black Diamondz

A brand-new residence in Rose Bay is turning heads — and it is not hard to see why. Perched on an elevated 485-square-metre block in the suburb’s quieter eastern precinct, Beau Maestro offers sweeping Rose Bay harbour views that stretch all the way from the Eastern Suburbs rooftops to the CBD, the Harbour Bridge and the North Sydney skyline. It is the flagship home within Beau Rose Bay, a boutique collection of four Torrens Title residences at 53A Beaumont Street, just 400 metres from Rose Bay village.

The project is a collaboration between Marchese Partners Architects and Pure Interiors, and the result is a home that wears its ambition plainly. A custom oversized iron pivot entry door sets the tone on arrival — an architectural statement that doubles as a serious security feature. Inside, the five-bedroom, five-bathroom home unfolds across two distinct living zones, separated by an internal courtyard. One zone is a formal sitting room; the other is an open-plan kitchen, lounge and dining space that spills out to a compact garden and a heated magnesium plunge pool.

The kitchen is appointed with Italian-made Giellesse and Arrital cabinetry and a four-metre island bench in Flaviker Corchia gold Italian porcelain, anchored by pendant lights from Occhio. Appliances are top-shelf throughout: a Gaggenau oven and cooktop sit alongside integrated Miele fridge, freezer and dishwasher. The material quality carries through every room — herringbone European oak floors in the living areas, wool carpet in the upper-level bedrooms, high shadowline ceilings and full-height doors.

The main bedroom suite is a particular highlight. The north-facing balcony makes it an ideal spot for morning coffee, with harbour light filling the space from the early hours. Inside, a walk-through wardrobe leads to an en suite featuring a free-standing bath and a twin vanity surfaced in Italian porcelain. All five bathrooms include heated towel rails and a Paco Jaanson multifunction shower system — incorporating rain shower, waterfall outlet and handheld options.

One feature that genuinely distinguishes Beau Maestro in today’s Sydney market is the secure basement garaging for six vehicles, each bay fitted with electric vehicle charging capability. It is a level of parking provision rarely found in a newly built Rose Bay home, and the space has been designed with flexibility in mind, lending itself to conversion as a wine cellar, home gym or private cinema. A lift connects the garage to both upper levels.

The location complements the lifestyle the home promises. Rose Bay village’s cafes, boutique retailers and everyday services are a short walk away, while the harbour foreshore, local parks, beaches and some of Sydney’s most sought-after schools are all within easy reach.

Published 18-September-2026

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

Point Piper Waterfront Sells After About 40 Years With Same Family

Photo Credit: Sydney Sotheby's International Realty

A waterfront home in Point Piper has changed hands after remaining with the same family for about 40 years, in a suburb where property turnover sits well below the Sydney average.

The property at 31 Wunulla Road sold for around $35 million after initially reaching the market with a $50 million asking price, leaving a difference of about $15 million between the two figures.

Michael Dunn of Richardson & Wrench Double Bay and James Dunn of Sydney Sotheby’s International Realty jointly handled the sale, with the property marketed by expressions of interest.

waterfront homes — Photo Credit: Sydney Sotheby’s International Realty

Rare Change Of Ownership In Point Piper

Homes in Point Piper change hands relatively infrequently.

Cotality’s 2025 Best of the Best report recorded a property turnover rate of 2.3 per cent for the suburb. That compares with 4.3 per cent across Sydney and 4.8 per cent nationally.

The suburb has 218 properties, while its median house price was recorded at $17,313,502.

Against that backdrop, the sale of 31 Wunulla Road brings an approximately four-decade period of ownership by the same family to an end.

The property last changed hands for $343,000 in 1977 before returning to the market decades later.

Point Piper waterfront — Photo Credit: Sydney Sotheby’s International Realty

Waterfront Home Overlooks Rose Bay

The four-bedroom, four-bathroom residence occupies about 1,139 square metres overlooking Rose Bay.

Its waterfront features include terraced gardens, a private jetty, boatshed and swimming pool. The home also has several living and dining areas, two parking spaces and a separate annex.

The main bedroom includes an ensuite and private terrace with views across the water.

These property details remain secondary to a sale that represents an uncommon change of ownership within a suburb where relatively few homes are sold each year.

Sydney Sotheby's International Realty — Photo Credit: Sydney Sotheby’s International Realty

$15 Million Gap Between Asking And Sale Price

The Wunulla Road property had been offered at $50 million before selling for around $35 million.

The approximately $15 million difference between the initial asking price and reported sale price was one of the most notable aspects of the transaction.

Point Piper was also ranked by Cotality as Australia’s most expensive suburb, placing the sale within one of Sydney’s smallest and least frequently traded residential pockets.

The buyer of 31 Wunulla Road was not identified.

Published 7-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

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

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