Message from the Mayor - 7 October 2026

Published on 07 October 2026

I am honoured to have been re-elected as the Mayor of Woollahra at a special meeting of Council on 28 September, and I would like to congratulate Councillor Hugh Woodgate on his election as Deputy Mayor.

Councillor Woodgate has shown great leadership in his first two years on Council, and I believe he will flourish in this new role, for the betterment of Woollahra.

We are looking forward to working together with our fellow councillors to enhance our municipality over the next two years, and fighting the government’s rezoning plans for Woollahra and Edgecliff, to protect the community and the place we love.

With new Deputy Mayor Hugh Woodgate

Final chance to have your say on Woollahra and Edgecliff rezoning

Friday 30 October is the final opportunity to have your say on the state-led rezoning proposal for Woollahra and Edgecliff.

I encourage everyone to let the NSW Government know what they think of its plan for 9,400 new apartments in the area, by making a submission before the 5pm deadline. There is no minimum requirement – whether a sentence in length or an attached submission.

Find out more, including how to make your submission via the NSW planning portal on our dedicated rezoning webpage.

Council has prepared a submission outlining its response to the rezoning plans including key concerns about the scale of the uplift, the lack of infrastructure to support the proposed growth and the potential impacts on housing diversity, local services, tree canopy, heritage, open space and more.

Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize winners and exhibition

Australian artist Mark Booth is the winner of the 2026 Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize. The Prize is celebrating its 25th anniversary and is Australia’s pre-eminent award for small sculpture.

Selected from 49 finalists, chosen from 724 local and international entries, Mark’s work, Nascent State: (hot pink) received the $25,000 main award and Francheska Coenraads received the Special Commendation Award of $2,000 for Palomo.

I selected BJ Kim’s sculpture do Geese see God? for the Mayor’s Award. I was captivated by its joyous sense of movement – inspired by the diving and soaring form of seagulls, this sculpture is strong, elegant and full of hope. It’s a clever reminder of our desire for freedom and humanity’s enduring questions about a greater power.

All finalists’ works will be on display at Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf in a free exhibition running until 29 November. Visit Woollahra Gallery for more info.

Commemorating 7 October

Three years on from the horrific events of 7 October, we are reminded of the enduring impacts on the Woollahra community and in particular, Sydney’s Jewish community, and of the need for all of us to be united in our opposition to hate and antisemitism.

I am proud of the resilience, connection and compassion our community continues to show, and our determination that this tragedy should never be forgotten.