North Sydney Council Archives

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

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

Locals Rally to Preserve Historic Bydown Terraces in Neutral Bay

Photo Credit: Change.org

Residents in Neutral Bay are rallying to save a row of century-old terraces from demolition after a development application proposed replacing them with an eight-storey apartment block.

Historic Terraces at Risk

A proposal lodged with North Sydney Council seeks approval to demolish six adjoining properties at 27–37 Bydown Street, Neutral Bay, and replace them with a 28-metre-high residential building containing 25 apartments, including six affordable housing units. The $30 million project, designed by PBD Architects for developer Bydown Street Residence DM Pty Ltd, also includes three basement levels of parking.

The 1211.7-square-metre site is zoned R3 Medium Density Residential. The existing cottages, built around 1908, are believed to have housed tram workers and are considered part of Neutral Bay’s early working-class heritage.

Bydown Terraces Neutral Bay — Photo Credit: Change.org

Community Effort to Save the Cottages

Local residents have launched a campaign titled Save Bydown Terraces from Demolition – Neutral Precinct to prevent the redevelopment. The online petition calls for an Interim Heritage Order to protect the six adjoining homes, describing them as a rare and intact example of federation workers’ cottages that reflect the suburb’s cultural and architectural history.

The campaign has gained more than 180 signatures, with residents voicing concerns over increased congestion, loss of historical character, and the scale of new developments reshaping the lower north shore. Many argue that once historical homes are demolished, the suburb’s unique identity will be permanently altered.

Council Considers Heritage Protection

A motion was presented at the North Sydney Council meeting on 13 October 2025, following strong community advocacy. Councillors voted unanimously to appoint a heritage consultant to assess whether the Bydown Street cottages are eligible for protection under an Interim Heritage Order.

This decision followed community representations citing the buildings’ historical associations with builder Frank Harpham and architect Thomas W. Hodgson, both linked to significant early 20th-century developments in the area. Harpham was a founding member of the Middle Harbour Yacht Club, while Hodgson served multiple terms as a North Sydney mayor.

Heritage and Planning Context

The proposed eight-storey project is part of the NSW Government’s Low and Mid-Rise Housing reforms, which allow increased height and density if developments include affordable housing. The Neutral Bay site meets this criterion, proposing six affordable units within the 25-apartment complex.

Recently submitted design renders revealed the new structure’s scale, sparking further concern among residents. Community members claim the building would dominate its surroundings and impact nearby heritage landmarks such as the Neutral Bay Fire Station and Public School.

heritage protection — Photo Credit: Change.org

SIGN THE PETITION NOW

Continuing Campaign

The Neutral Precinct group continues to encourage public submissions and correspondence with council representatives before a final decision is made. While supporters of the redevelopment cite the need for increased housing, many residents argue that heritage conservation should take precedence in maintaining Neutral Bay’s historic character.

The development application (DA 310/2025) remains open for community submissions through the North Sydney Council Planning Portal, with a final outcome pending the heritage consultant’s assessment.

Published 15-Oct-2025

Coles Steps Into Neutral Bay With New Store at Former Woolworths Site

Neutral Bay residents have a new place to shop after Coles opened a store on Grosvenor Street, replacing the Woolworths that shut down just 10 weeks earlier.

New Coles Brings Fresh Life to Neutral Bay Site After Woolworths Exit

Coles has stepped into Neutral Bay with a new supermarket on Grosvenor Street, transforming the site left vacant by Woolworths and giving the community a familiar, yet refreshed place to shop.

*Photo Credit: Mosman Collective/Facebook*

The new store began trading in April, just 71 days after Woolworths shut its doors. While the layout closely resembles its predecessor, Coles has made some upgrades to bring more variety and local flavour to the shopping experience.

More Than Just a Fill-In

Coles has bigger plans for the site, including future housing above the supermarket, a public underground car park and a plaza linking to Grosvenor Lane. The company is working with North Sydney Council to develop the concept.

Council issued an Expression of Interest in December 2024 to explore the plaza project, with submissions closing in February 2025. The proposal is still in the early stages, and for now, the supermarket is being treated as a “stop-gap” location while planning continues.

Familiar Faces, New Features

Inside the new Coles, shoppers will find a Snowfox sushi bar, a flatbread station with fresh baked goods, and a freezer stocked with mochi, mini ice creams and desserts.

*Photo Credit: KweePhaik Lim/Google Maps*

A new Liquorland has also replaced the former BWS, offering a selection of beer, wine and spirits, including products from local producers such as Manly Spirits, Nomad Brewing and Lord Nelson Brewery.

Coles says the store focuses on quality produce and well-stocked essentials, with food donations to SecondBite supporting people in need.

Neighbourhood Impact

The Big Bear Shopping Centre store, just 500 metres from the new site, will remain open. Coles confirmed it has no plans to close that location, giving locals more options as the neighbourhood continues to grow.

Coles’ regional team thanked locals for their patience and said they’re committed to revitalising the site. In the meantime, the new store keeps a key Neutral Bay spot active for daily use.

Published 21-April-2025

Young Street Plaza Delay Frustrates Neutral Bay Residents as Council Plans Partial Reopening

Photo Credit: North Sydney Council/Facebook

Young Street Plaza in Neutral Bay, once a lively pop-up space for locals, has sat in limbo for more than three years—its long-promised upgrade now sparking fresh frustration as council finally sets a timeline for partial reopening.

A Plaza in Pause

Young Street Plaza was closed to traffic in late 2020 for a short-term trial to test its use as a pedestrian space. It soon became a well-used spot with seating, greenery and pop-up events. But the temporary setup dragged on for years, and with little upkeep or clear updates, the space gradually declined.

*Photo Credit: North Sydney Council/Facebook*

In October 2024, North Sydney Council agreed to partially reopen Young Street to one-way traffic, while upgrading the rest into a permanent plaza. Work is set to begin mid-2025 and finish by year’s end.

The Original Idea That Inspired Locals

ASPECT Studios designed the temporary plaza with a people-first, low-cost approach, using playful seating and native-inspired graphics to liven up Neutral Bay. At first, it worked, drawing events, meet-ups and steady foot traffic.

Over time, with no upgrades or clear plans, the plaza lost momentum. Locals raised concerns about its worn-out state and questioned why places like Lane Cove had progressed while Young Street stalled.

Community Feels Left in the Dark

Despite pop-ups and online consultations, some residents feel left out due to patchy updates. Local businesses also worry about foot traffic and vague timelines, with many unsure if the plaza will ever fulfil its original goal.

What’s Next for the Plaza

The final plan includes new trees, benches, kids’ play areas and safer walkways, using materials that match North Sydney’s design standards. Funded by Transport for NSW, the upgrade stems from a 2018 deal linked to the B-Line bus route.

The design strikes a balance, keeping part of the street for traffic while upgrading the plaza. Locals were invited to give feedback during consultations in May and June 2024.

Despite progress, delays have worn thin. Locals want action, not more plans, and are watching to see if the project finally turns into real change.

Published 17-April-2025

Smoking Ban in Neutral Bay, North Sydney LGA Public Areas Eyed

Smoking in public areas in Neutral Bay, including parks and footpaths, could soon be banned if North Sydney Council succeeds in passing an ordinance that will impact all public places governed by the local government area (LGA).

Mayor Jilly Gibson plans to introduce the blanket initiative at the Council meeting in April. However, all residents in this LGA will have a chance to vote on the ban at the council elections in September 2021. Ms Gibson said that the smoking ban could be included in the referendum questions that will need the inputs of the voters on the ballot.

In 2019, North Sydney Council voted to ban smoking in the CBD but Gibson now wants to expand this law across various suburbs like Neutral Bay, Cammeray, Milsons Point, Crows Nest, St Leonards and the rest of North Sydney.

If this proceeds, this LGA will be the first in all of Australia to impose a smoking ban in all public places. However, some suburbs whose areas are partly under the Willoughby Council will not be fully covered by the ban, such as Crows Nest and St Leonards.

Ms Gibson is anticipating the criticisms from the public but she stands firm in the belief that streets and public places should be smoke-free. She also doesn’t want the city streets to be riddled with cigarette butts. The mayor said that there are street workers who leave traces of their cigarettes on the ground and this initiative is one way to make public places cleaner.

Businesses in Neutral Bay, on the other hand, wonder how this rule will be enforced when there are plenty of venues with spacious outdoor areas that people use to pop a ciggie break.

Meanwhile, rangers across the LGA are not yet issuing smoking fines despite the smoking ban in the CBD. A spokesperson said this will be enforced in the second stage of the ordinance’s rollout, which will likely already include the other suburbs.

Forsyth Park in Neutral Bay Receives Council Grant to Fix Flooding Problems

Photo Credit: Glenn Stewart/Google Maps

Forsyth Park in Neutral Bay will undergo a much-needed upgrade as the North Sydney Council committed to funding the project to fix its flooding problems.

MP Trent Zimmerman confirmed in a Facebook post that the Council will provide $135,000 for the drainage overhaul of Forsyth Park. Part of the money will also be used to upgrade the upper oval to “competition standard.”

The upper oval, one of two sporting and recreational grounds at Forsyth Park, is a popular area where plenty of Neutral Bay sporting clubs and other school or recreational activities take place. In recent years, however, the site has been limitedly used because of the flooding even during light rain.

“[The upgrade] will mean it can be used more often and with less risk of injury,” Mr Zimmerman said.

*Photo Credit:* *Last Man Stands Sydney/Facebook*

North Sydney Junior District Cricket Club president Karl Riseborough welcomed the good news.

“Better use of the current facilities will take the pressure off the grounds in general and that means better schools and facilities for the children, and a safer playing environment,” Mr Riseborough said.

Details to the construction and drainage upgrade, however, have not yet been laid out as of press time.