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Eight-Storey Apartment Block Proposed for Barry Street

A development application has been lodged with North Sydney to demolish four existing houses at 54–64 Barry Street, Neutral Bay, and construct an eight-storey residential apartment building in their place.

Read: Neutral Bay Set for Major Redevelopment Under $191 Million Approval

The proposal, submitted by CE Project Ventures, seeks approval for a 45-unit residential flat building on a 1,660 square metre site. The building would include six one-bedroom, 24 two-bedroom, and 15 three-bedroom units, with eight of those dwellings designated as affordable housing.

Three levels of basement car parking would provide 62 spaces, along with communal areas on the ground floor and a rooftop terrace. The project carries an estimated cost of just under $52 million. The application also involves tree removal, basement excavation, and associated landscaping works. The site sits close to the Neutral Bay Club, Military Road, and the local village strip.

Community Feedback

The proposal has attracted a notable volume of community feedback. More than 650 people have signed an online petition opposing the development. Signatories have raised concerns spanning traffic congestion on Barry Street, impacts on parking, privacy implications from the proposed rooftop pool, and the building’s height relative to existing planning controls.

Barry Street — Photo credit: Google Street View

One petition signatory raised concerns about child safety near nearby schools and childcare centres, arguing the development would put pressure on the street at peak drop-off and pick-up times. Residents have also argued the proposal, if approved, could set a damaging precedent for future developments across the suburb.

The Case for More Homes

Not everyone sees the development as a threat. Sydney YIMBY, a grassroots advocacy group pushing for greater housing supply, has come out in support of the proposal. Spokesperson Emilie Dye said in a media interview that many of the concerns raised by opponents are unlikely to materialise once the building is in place, pointing out that the walkability of the location is precisely why new residents would be unlikely to drive to nearby schools.

Dye also pushed back on the affordable housing criticism, arguing that the needs of people struggling to find a home outweigh concerns about streetscape and neighbourhood feel.

Read: Neutral Bay Locals Face Fight To Save Waterfront Meeting Spot as Seizure Notices Appear

A Decision Still to Come

The development application remains under consideration by North Sydney Council. For now, Barry Street sits at the centre of a debate playing out in councils, community halls, and online petition pages right across Sydney.

Published 27-May-2026

Neutral Bay Set for Major Redevelopment Under $191 Million Approval

Sydney Build Expo/LinkedIn

Woolworths Group‘s development arm Fabcot has secured approval for a $191 million mixed-use project in Neutral Bay, bringing a 12-storey building to the Lower North Shore site that will bury the supermarket below ground and replace it with a new street-level plaza, retail, a medical centre and 97 apartments.

Approval was granted in May, three days after a Housing Delivery Authority rezoning lifted height controls on the 4,207-square-metre site, clearing the way for a project that caps a six-year push by Fabcot through a series of planning obstacles.

It is the first project in North Sydney to receive Housing Delivery Authority rezoning and State Significant Development approval at the same time, something Woolworths Group national general manager of mixed-use development Pierre Abrahamse said could help open the door for more projects across the area

The project is designed by Koichi Takada Architects and is scheduled to begin construction in 2026, with completion targeted for 2029.

Six years from proposal to approval

Fabcot first approached the planning process in 2020, engaging with the Military Road corridor and the Neutral Bay town centre with a scheme that was refused twice at the local level before being escalated to a state rezoning review and eventually the HDA pathway.

Photo Credit: Sydney Build Expo/LinkedIn

The earlier proposal had been shaped around a part-six and part-eight-storey scheme of approximately 62 apartments, a 1.8:1 minimum non-residential floor-space ratio and around 372 basement car spaces. The approved scheme is considerably more ambitious.

Height controls lifted from 26 metres and 31 metres to 31 metres and 44 metres under the HDA rezoning, and the minimum non-residential floor-space ratio fell to 1.5:1. The result is a taller, more mixed-use project with significantly more apartments, more commercial space and a stronger contribution to Neutral Bay’s public domain.

Local opposition remained strong throughout the process. Thirty of the 46 public submissions objected to the project, raising concerns about traffic, height, overshadowing, parking, affordable housing and the treatment of the Yeo Street boundary.

The state planning department backed the project, finding the site sat within the Neutral Bay town centre where greater height and mixed-use renewal were expected, noting that similar nine to 14-storey buildings already existed within 250 metres.

A closer look at the proposal

The approved scheme stacks a significant amount of program into a single building. At the base, a 1,100-square-metre plaza links Rangers Road, Yeo Street and Military Lane, creating a new piece of publicly accessible outdoor space in the heart of the commercial precinct.

Ten ground-floor retail tenancies activate the street edge, while the Woolworths supermarket moves to an underground position, freeing the street level for outdoor dining and movement.

Levels one to three house a medical centre providing a new health services anchor for the suburb. Above that sit 87 market apartments and 10 affordable apartments to be maintained at that tenure for 15 years, spread across a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom configurations.

The commercial component totals 6,575 square metres, while a covered through-site link from Yeo Street, eight metres wide and six metres high, provides weather-protected pedestrian movement through the site. The department accepted the covered link over the local preference for an open-to-sky break, finding the dimensions provided sufficient visual relief.

A suburb built around Military Road

Military Road became Neutral Bay’s commercial spine from the early 1870s, when a track running along the ridge from North Sydney towards Middle Head fortifications gradually attracted shops and businesses along its length. The suburb, known to the Cammeraygal people as Wirra-birra, was declared a neutral harbour by Governor Arthur Phillip in 1789 for foreign ships visiting Port Jackson.

The Military Road corridor has since evolved through trams, department stores, the Big Bear supermarket and decades of mixed commercial development, with mixed-use apartment buildings replacing earlier low-rise shopping strips across recent decades. The Fabcot project continues that long trajectory, this time at a scale made possible by the state’s housing fast-track framework.

The project will generate 263 construction jobs and 143 operational jobs on completion. Consent conditions include groundwater testing, wind, traffic, landscaping and construction management requirements before a construction certificate can be issued.

Published 18-May-2026

Young Street Traffic Review: What’s Changed, What’s Being Assessed, and How to Have Your Say

Neutral Bay’s Young Street has seen a series of significant traffic changes over the past couple of years, and now locals have a formal opportunity to say how those changes have affected them.

Read: Neutral Bay Young Street Plaza Set to Reopen After $2.749m Rebuild

North Sydney launched a comprehensive review of traffic conditions on Young Street following changes to the street network in the area. Those changes include the Young Street Plaza, a left-turn-only restriction from Grosvenor Lane onto Young Street, a raised platform intersection at Young Street and Grosvenor Street, and a new cycleway running between Military Road and Grasmere Road.

The review was triggered after feedback came in from residents, local businesses and Precinct Committees raising concerns about traffic movement, safety and amenity. At its meeting on 8 December 2025, the council resolved to take a closer look.

“Council received feedback from the community about traffic movement, safety and amenity within the area,” the consultation page notes, adding that the review “aims to ensure the street remains safe and functional for all users.”

The concerns raised span a wide range of users, from pedestrians and cyclists to local residents and businesses.

What the Review Will Cover

The review is broad in scope. It will examine traffic volume and flow at both peak and off-peak periods, pedestrian activity and crossing safety, impacts on residential amenity including noise, congestion and parking pressure, and whether current signage, line-marking and traffic-calming measures are adequate.

The process will not rely solely on community sentiment. Feedback received will complement technical traffic assessments and an independent road safety audit, and all feedback will be considered and reported back to council.

Once the consultation closes, the team will analyse technical traffic data and community feedback, identify any safety risks or operational issues, develop options to improve safety and traffic function, and bring recommendations to the council for consideration at the earliest practical meeting.

How to Have Your Say

Getting involved is straightforward. There is an interactive map where you can drop a pin on a specific location and share your feedback. There are also interactive media features focused on three key spots: the Young Street Plaza, the Young and Grosvenor Street intersection, and the Young and Sutherland Street intersection.

Read: Informal Seating to Be Removed From Hayes St Wharf as Neutral Bay Community Pushes Back

For those who prefer a more direct route, there is an online survey, or you can complete it by calling or texting 0480 892 613. Written submissions can go to yoursay@northsydney.nsw.gov.au, with ‘Young Street Traffic Review’ in the subject line, or by post to North Sydney Council, PO Box 12, North Sydney NSW 2059.

Whether your concern relates to traffic flow, parking pressure, pedestrian safety or the cycleway, this is the moment to put it on the record. Feedback closes 24 May 2026.

Published 30-April-2026

Neutral Bay Young Street Plaza Set to Reopen After $2.749m Rebuild

Photo Credit: NorthSydneyCouncil

The Young Street plaza in Neutral Bay is set to reopen as a redesigned village space, restoring vehicle access while introducing upgraded pedestrian areas, landscaping, and improved accessibility.

Neutral Bay Plaza Reopens After Years Of Change

The reopening of the Young Street plaza marks the conclusion of a five-year transformation that reshaped a public space long associated with strong community debate. The renewed area has been designed to support everyday movement, accessibility, and local activity within the village centre.

A formal opening will take place on Friday, 24 April 2026, beginning at 12 noon at the intersection of Young Street and Military Road, followed by a smoking ceremony and speeches at 1pm. The event marks the completion of a $2.749 million redevelopment that restores vehicle access for the first time since 2020.

Neutral Bay Young Street — Photo Credit: NorthSydneyCouncil

Design Guided By Community Feedback

The final layout reflects input gathered through multiple consultation phases, with residents identifying safety, accessibility, and comfort as key priorities. These elements have been incorporated throughout the updated plaza.

Non-slip surfaces, improved lighting, and accessible pedestrian areas have been introduced alongside additional greenery and seating. The design aims to support a wide range of users, including older residents and people with disability, while maintaining a practical and welcoming environment.

Connections between local businesses, surrounding streets, and shared public areas have also been strengthened, allowing for smoother movement through the village centre.

From Temporary Closure To Permanent Upgrade

The current plaza replaces a temporary traffic-free installation introduced in 2020, which became a focal point for ongoing community debate. That earlier version prioritised pedestrian use but limited vehicle access.

Subsequent planning led to a revised approach that reintroduced one-way traffic flow along Young Street and improved nearby lane access to address safety concerns. The project progressed through a tender process, with construction beginning in late 2025 ahead of the scheduled reopening.

Young Street plaza — Photo Credit: NorthSydneyCouncil

Revitalised Space Supports Daily Village Use

The finished Neutral Bay plaza combines pedestrian-friendly design with functional street access. New trees, landscaping, and seating contribute to a more comfortable environment, while maintaining its role as a central gathering space.

The upgrade also aligns with broader streetscape improvements, ensuring the area supports both local activity and public transport operations. Alongside the reopening, a consultation process is underway inviting the community to suggest a permanent name for the plaza.

With its updated layout and features, the Young Street plaza returns as a shared space designed to support connection, accessibility, and daily village life in Neutral Bay.

Published 22-Apr-2026

Neutral Bay Plaza Nears Completion as Name Submissions Open for New Space

Photo Credit: NorthSydneyCouncil

A newly upgraded public space in Neutral Bay is nearing completion, with residents invited to submit suggestions for the permanent name of Young Street Plaza following a proposal to begin community engagement.

Naming a New Space in Neutral Bay

As the transformation of Young Street Plaza approaches completion, attention has turned to giving the space a permanent identity. A proposal to begin a 28-day engagement period is expected to follow a meeting scheduled for 12 April 2026, with a formal report also presented on 13 April 2026, allowing the community to put forward name suggestions for the newly created plaza.

The naming process is intended to establish a clear identity for the space while supporting wayfinding within Neutral Bay village.

How to Take Part

Residents can submit proposed names by addressing them to the Property Officer via post at P.O. Box 12, North Sydney NSW 2060, or by email to council@northsydney.nsw.gov.au.

Guidance will be made available to ensure submissions align with established naming criteria, helping maintain consistency and relevance across the local area during the 28-day engagement period.

plaza naming — Photo Credit: NorthSydneyCouncil

Reflecting Place, History and Community

Suggested names will be assessed against principles that recognise local heritage, cultural diversity, and meaningful connections to place. Consideration will also be given to Aboriginal naming, environmental features, and notable people or events associated with the area.

Names are expected to be distinct and appropriate, ensuring clarity and avoiding duplication across the local area.

community engagement — Photo Credit: NorthSydneyCouncil

From Temporary Trial to Permanent Plaza

The site has evolved significantly since its early use as a temporary trial. Young Street was closed to traffic as part of a trial that opened on 23 December 2020, testing the viability of a pedestrian-focused plaza and improving conditions linked to nearby transport access.

Following consultation and design development, the project progressed to a permanent upgrade. Construction began on site in October 2025 and was substantially completed in March 2026.

The finished plaza includes new trees, seating areas, a children’s play space, and a pedestrian thoroughfare designed to improve safety and accessibility. A section of the street has also been reopened to allow one-way traffic exiting onto Military Road.

A Name Ready for Community Input

With works largely complete as of March 2026, the naming stage invites the community to define how the space will be recognised. The proposed engagement period will provide an opportunity for residents to contribute to the identity of this newly established public space in Neutral Bay.

Published 15-Apr-2026

Informal Seating to Be Removed From Hayes St Wharf as Neutral Bay Community Pushes Back

Thirdi Group

Tables and chairs that have become a beloved fixture of the waterfront foreshore at Hayes St Wharf in Neutral Bay are set to be removed following an enforcement decision, drawing strong community opposition from residents who describe the informal gathering space as one of the suburb’s most cherished spots.

Rangers recently attached removal notices to the furniture placed on the public plaza at the wharf, triggering immediate reaction across local social media and prompting a flood of community comment from residents who have long used the waterfront seating as a casual meeting place. The decision has since been confirmed, with removal proceedings to go ahead.

The furniture’s origins are a mix of contributions. Around 40 per cent of the tables and chairs belong to Thelma and Louise, the cafe operated by Marilyn Nohra at the wharf site for 21 years. The remainder has been brought to the foreshore by locals themselves, many of whom have made it a habit to pull a chair to the water’s edge, particularly older residents from the nearby Lansdowne Gardens who have found the back-supported seating valuable. Nohra pays outdoor dining fees to the local authority and holds public liability insurance for the cafe’s use of the outdoor space.

A 21-Year Relationship With the Community

Nohra has run Thelma and Louise at Hayes St Wharf since 2004, building the business around its location and the community that gathers there. She also operates Mum and Dad’s Place nearby and organises the Hayes St Pizz Up, a bi-annual event where food is provided free to local residents. The cafe’s longevity has been built on exactly the kind of informal, neighbourhood-scale connection that the waterfront seating has reinforced over time.

Thelma & Louise at Hayes St Wharf, Neutral Bay — Photo Credit: Google Maps

She describes Hayes St as a gem, a place with the feel of a country town in the middle of the city. From her perspective, the seating arrangement has functioned as an extension of that character, a practical response to a waterfront plaza that lacks sufficient formal public furniture and that draws an ageing local population who value the comfort and community the informal setup provides.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the seating was extended onto adjacent public land when indoor dining restrictions applied, a move that normalised the outdoor furniture’s presence in the space even further. The arrangement has remained without formal incident since, with the local authority having recorded only one formal complaint, submitted twice by the same resident, prior to the enforcement action being initiated.

What Residents Are Saying

The community response to the removal decision has been substantial. Residents on local pages have described the seating as providing culture and a genuine gathering place, and have pushed back on what many see as a disproportionate response to a well-used informal arrangement. Others have described the location as a magical place to sit, enjoy and support local businesses.

Concerns raised in favour of removal centred on the condition of some of the furniture, with some pieces described as rusty and old, as well as hygiene issues including dirty cups and plates left overnight and food waste that has contributed to a bin and pest management problem in the area. Nohra has indicated she would be willing to pack the cafe’s furniture away each evening, though she notes she cannot be responsible for chairs brought independently by locals.

The question of accessibility has also featured in the debate, with some residents noting that the placement of informal furniture creates difficulties for people with mobility issues trying to move through the foreshore area.

What Comes Next

Whether any formal public seating replaces the informal arrangement is likely to depend on funding decisions yet to be resolved. The local authority has indicated that foreshore improvements, including the installation of new public seating, may form part of broader upgrades if additional funding is secured. If that funding does not come through, the foreshore plaza is likely to remain without additional furniture for the foreseeable future, leaving a gap that the community has been filling informally for years.

For Neutral Bay residents who use Hayes St Wharf regularly, the outcome of that funding question will determine whether the removal of the informal seating represents a temporary gap or a permanent change to the character of one of the suburb’s most popular waterfront spots.

Thelma and Louise cafe is open daily at Hayes St Wharf, Neutral Bay. More information about the cafe is available by visiting the wharf directly or following the cafe on social media.

Published 18-March-2026.

Neutral Bay Cycleway Consultation Open For Proposed Street And Bike Path Changes

Photo Credit: NorthSydneyCouncil

Community consultation is underway for a proposed Neutral Bay cycleway that would introduce a new bike route and several street changes between Neutral Bay and Mosman.

Consultation Period Now Open In Neutral Bay

Residents and commuters are being invited to provide feedback on the proposed Neutral Bay cycleway, which outlines upgrades along several local streets between Bent Street in Neutral Bay and Rangers Avenue in Mosman.

Submissions are open until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, 29 March 2026. Feedback can be submitted online, by email or by post as part of the consultation process.

Several information sessions and pop-up engagement stalls have also been scheduled during March 2026 along parts of the route to provide further project details.

Mosman cycleway route — Photo Credit: NorthSydneyCouncil

have your say

Proposed Neutral Bay Cycleway Route

The proposal outlines a 1.5-kilometre two-way cycleway linking Neutral Bay and Mosman through a corridor of local streets.

The planned route would follow Yeo Street, Wycombe Road, Harrison Street, Rangers Road and Spofforth Street. The cycleway would run from Bent Street in Neutral Bay to Rangers Avenue in Mosman.

Concept plans show the cycleway typically measuring around 2.4 metres wide in several sections. A wider two-way section of about 2.8 metres is proposed near the Yeo Street and Bydown Street intersection, with a 3.4-metre shared path connection near Neutral Bay Public School.

Neutral Bay cycleway consultation — Photo Credit: NorthSydneyCouncil

Street And Traffic Changes Proposed

The Neutral Bay cycleway proposal also includes several traffic and street layout changes.

Barry Street is proposed to become one-way northbound, while Harrison Street would become one-way eastbound to allow space for the cycleway and relocated parking.

Peak-hour right-turn restrictions are proposed at the intersection of Yeo Street and Wycombe Road. The restrictions would apply from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday, affecting eastbound Yeo Street and southbound Wycombe Road movements, with buses exempt.

Two bus stops on Spofforth Street are also proposed to be removed to accommodate parking changes and a pedestrian and cyclist crossing.

Walking And Streetscape Improvements

In addition to the Neutral Bay cycleway, the proposal includes several upgrades aimed at improving walking connections along the route.

Works outlined in the plan include pavement renewal and new tree planting. New or upgraded pedestrian crossings are proposed at Watson Street, Bydown Street, Spofforth Street and Rangers Avenue.

Continuous footpaths are also proposed across Palmer Street, Bydown Street, Barry Street, Rangers Lane, the Harrison Street and Rangers Road intersection, and outside Sydney Life Church on Yeo Street. Pavement and pram ramp upgrades are proposed at Ben Boyd Road, Wycombe Road and Murdoch Street.

Neutral Bay transport upgrades — Photo Credit: NorthSydneyCouncil

Parking And Tree Changes Along The Route

Under the current design, 57 parking spaces would be relocated within the project area, with no net loss overall.

Twenty-six parking spaces are proposed to be added on Barry Street following its conversion to one-way traffic. The plan also indicates five trees would be removed while ten trees would be planted, resulting in a net gain of five trees.

Project Context

The Neutral Bay cycleway proposal is intended to improve local cycling connections between Neutral Bay and Mosman and strengthen links within the surrounding cycling network.

The project is also aimed at reducing traffic on local streets used by drivers avoiding Military Road and improving safety for children travelling to Neutral Bay Public School and Redlands Junior Campus.

The design sits within a broader Walking and Cycling Strategy covering 2022 to 2027 and is funded through the Transport for NSW Get NSW Active grant.

If the proposal proceeds following consultation, an application for construction funding is scheduled for October 2027.

Published 16-Mar-2026

Neutral Bay Locals Face Fight To Save Waterfront Meeting Spot as Seizure Notices Appear

Photo Credit: Google Maps

North Sydney Council rangers have placed seizure notices on community furniture along Hayes Street in Neutral Bay, sparking outrage among residents who use the waterfront area as an informal meeting spot.

At least 20 notices were affixed to tables and chairs at 5pm on Wednesday, 27 February, warning that the outdoor furniture would be removed by council on 13 March at 5pm.

The move has drawn sharp criticism from locals who regularly use the seating near Hayes Street Wharf to socialise, work remotely and watch the harbour.

Residents have expressed their frustration on social media, with some describing the council’s actions as heavy-handed. The furniture, much of which has been donated by community members over the years, has become an established feature of the area where neighbours gather to play cards, enjoy coffee and watch the sunset.

Several residents using the space have indicated they plan to continue meeting there despite the notices. One local described the area as vital for mental health and community connection, particularly for those working from home.

“This quiet area is used daily by the community,” said one woman who lives nearby. She noted the space is frequented by parents with prams, elderly residents and remote workers.

North Sydney Councillor Jessica Keen told local news outlet Mosman Collective she was surprised by the sudden enforcement action. Councillor Keen has indicated she will move an urgency motion at Monday’s council meeting to reverse the decision.

Published 5-March-2026

Neutral Bay Land Identified For Post-Construction Transfer After Freeway Upgrade

Photo Credit: NSW Gov

Land used during construction linked to the Warringah Freeway Upgrade in Neutral Bay has been identified as likely candidates for transfer for ongoing care, control and management once construction activities conclude.

Neutral Bay Sites Identified

Six sites across the North Sydney local government area have been identified for potential transfer following construction, with two located in Neutral Bay.

The Neutral Bay sites are Rose Avenue Reserve, at the corner of Alfred Street and Rose Avenue, measuring 975.2 square metres, and Merlin Street Reserve, at the corner of Merlin Street and McIntosh Lane, measuring 1,054 square metres.

Both areas were used during construction and are now being reviewed as the project moves toward completion.

Background And Project Context

The Warringah Freeway Upgrade involves works along a four-kilometre corridor between High Street in North Sydney and Willoughby Road in Naremburn. Early works for the project began in March 2021, with construction commencement listed as December 2022. The project is scheduled for completion in 2026.

Works include interchange upgrades, bridge construction and widening, road realignments, and changes to pedestrian, cycling and bus infrastructure. Multiple locations were used as temporary construction support sites throughout the project.

Merlin Street Reserve — *Photo Credit: NSW Gov*

Construction Sites And Local Impacts

Several locations in and around Neutral Bay were used to support construction activities associated with the freeway upgrade.

Merlin Street Reserve included a construction support site known as WFU7, which occupied approximately 1,700 square metres within the reserve during construction. The site supported works linked to the realignment of Alfred Street North and construction of a new southbound bus lane bridge off Falcon Street. It is located on the eastern side of the Warringah Freeway and is bordered by residential properties, local roads and the freeway corridor.

Construction support activities generally occurred during standard construction hours, with some bridge and surface works requiring out-of-hours activity at times.

Beyond individual support sites, construction works also affected surrounding road corridors. Along Alfred Street North, including sections between Rose Avenue and Kurraba Road, works associated with bridge construction, road widening and interchange upgrades resulted in changes to access and parking during construction.

Warringah Freeway Upgrade — *Photo Credit: NSW Gov*

Traffic And Parking Impacts

Assessment of the Merlin Street support site indicated a worst-case scenario of up to 150 light vehicle movements per day on Merlin Street south of Falcon Street, with traffic impacts anticipated to be minor due to existing low traffic volumes.

Up to 10 on-street parking spaces were temporarily removed near the Merlin Street site during construction, with nearby streets providing alternatives.

Separate works along Alfred Street North resulted in the permanent removal of approximately 96 on-street parking spaces across two sections. About 23 new spaces were provided following completion, resulting in a net reduction in on-street parking serving North Sydney and Neutral Bay, with no nearby alternatives identified.

Temporary long-term closures of sections of Alfred Street North were also required during construction, with access to properties maintained through alternative routes and existing turning facilities.

Neutral Bay land transfer — *Photo Credit: NSW Gov*

Next Steps

A meeting scheduled for Monday 9 February 2026 is expected to consider a motion enabling the Chief Executive Officer of North Sydney Council to begin formal discussions with Transport for NSW regarding future care, control and management of the identified sites.

No land has been formally transferred at this stage. Any transfer would occur following completion of construction activities, compliance processes and agreement on management arrangements.

Published 5-Feb-2026

Australia Day 2026 Honours Recognise Contributions Across Law, Community And Arts

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

Neutral Bay residents have been recognised in the Australia Day 2026 Honours, acknowledging long-standing service across law, social welfare, corporate governance, arts and education.

Neutral Bay In The Australia Day 2026 Honours

The Australia Day 2026 Honours List recognised 949 Australians across the Order of Australia, meritorious awards, and recognition for distinguished and conspicuous service.

Within the General Division of the Order of Australia, honours included appointments as Officers, Members, and recipients of the Medal of the Order of Australia.

Mr Graham John Bradley AM

Graham John Bradley was listed in the northern Sydney honours coverage as an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to corporate governance, arts leadership, and to sport and education.

Neutray Bay Honours List — Photo Credit: Infrastructure NSW

His leadership roles include serving as Chairman of Infrastructure NSW, appointed in July 2013. He is also chair of Virgin Australia International Holdings Pty Ltd, Waveconn Group Holdings Management Pty Limited, and Symphony Infrastructure Partners Pty Limited, and a Director of Tennis Australia.

He is also chair of Shine Justice Limited and the Ensemble Theatre, and devotes time to non-profit organisations including the State Library of NSW, through council membership from 2004 to 2013 and ongoing foundation board involvement since 2004. He was previously made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2009.

Mr Maxwell James Connery OAM

Maxwell James Connery was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to social welfare and to choral music.

He is listed as Co-Founder of Stepping Stone House (1989) and Founder and Trustee of the Stepping Stone Foundation (2003), serving as Chair from 2003 to 2021. He has also been a member of the Stepping Stone House Aboriginal Advisory Committee since 2017, and is associated with Bawaga Angus Fergusson House (2021).

Mr Connery is also involved in the community through membership of the Sydney Cove Rotary Club, and musical participation with the Sydney Male Choir since 2002, as well as the Sydney Philharmonia Festival Choir. He previously received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2000.

The Honourable Peter Lind Johnstone AM

The Honourable Peter Lind Johnstone was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to the law and the judiciary, to legal standards, and to Indigenous youth.

His judicial service includes roles as Chief Magistrate of the Local Court of New South Wales (2021–2024) and President of the Children’s Court of New South Wales (2012–2021), as well as Judge of the District Court of New South Wales (2006–2021) and earlier acting appointments.

Australia Day 2026 — *Photo Credit: The Law Society of NSW*

He oversaw the establishment and expansion of the Youth Koori Court in 2015. His career also includes extensive roles connected to professional standards and legal administration, including involvement with rules and procedure committees and legal profession bodies.

Before entering full-time judicial service, he held senior roles at Ashurst (Blake Dawson Waldron), including Partner from 1977 to 2005, and multiple leadership positions. His publications include authorship of the NSW Civil Practice and Procedure Service (2005–2012), along with contributions to bench book materials and legal writing.

Outlook

The inclusion of multiple Neutral Bay residents in the Australia Day 2026 Honours reflects long-term service across professional and community sectors, with recipients recognised at a national level for sustained contributions.

Published 27-Jan-2026