Message from the Mayor - 18 February 2026

Published on 18 February 2026

Celebrate Double Bay this weekend 

What are your plans this Saturday and Sunday, 21-22 February? Whether you’re a foodie, fashion lover or a family, I encourage you to join me at the inaugural Celebrate Double Bay Festival, hosted by Council in partnership with the Bay Street Initiative. 

It will feature offerings from the area’s best eateries and local designers, plus live music, street performances and a variety of family-friendly activities including a dog parade and creative workshops for kids. 

For more information including a full program of events, visit Celebrate Double Bay. 

Cross Street Car Park proposal: last chance to have your say 

Thank you to everyone who has shared their feedback during the community consultation on our proposal to redevelop Cross Street Car Park in Double Bay. It was fantastic to see such a good turnout at the community information session on 3 February at Double Bay Library. 

The car park is so important for local businesses, residents and visitors but due to its age, faces the prospect of either expensive repair works or a rebuild. Our proposal involves building a new 5-storey car park and subdividing the site, with 38% sold to pay for construction of the new car park, which would ensure there is no cost to Council or ratepayers. 

I encourage anyone yet to do so to share their thoughts on the proposal before the consultation closes on 25 February at Your Say Woollahra.

We’re proposing to redevelop Cross Street Car Park

Booking our community spaces just got easier 

I’m pleased to announce the launch of a new online booking and payments system for Council-managed community spaces, making it easier than ever to find, book and pay for local facilities. 

There’s plenty to choose from - with more than 23 parks and reserves, 18 sportsgrounds and 25 community halls and event spaces, we have your next event sorted. 

Whether you’re planning a child’s birthday party, wedding, fitness class, corporate program, cultural event or community group activity, it’s now much simpler to explore each venue’s features and make the right choice. Simply log in, browse the features of each venue, view real-time availability and reserve your space at Woollahra Bookable. 

Rose Bay Marina Development Application 

In recent weeks I have heard from members of our community who hold concerns regarding a new Development Application (490/2025) for Rose Bay Marina.

The DA involves the addition of a new marina arm, comprised of 32 berths capable of mooring boats up 20m in length, and relinquishment of 55 commercial swing moorings (currently held by the Marina) which would result in a net decrease in the boat storage capacity of the Marina of 23 boats, plus a new connecting walkway.

While the marina is not Council-owned, it’s an important piece of infrastructure within our LGA and I encourage anyone who holds an interest in its future to make a submission. You can do so by emailing records@woollahra.nsw.gov.au. You can learn more about objecting to, or commenting, on Development Applications here Building and Development.

The DA is on public exhibition until 20 February and will be determined by the Woollahra Local Planning Panel.