Sydney Eastern Suburbs — Recent News Round-upAs at Tuesday 25 August 2026
BONDI / WAVERLEY — Motorcycle thefts causing concern
A recent cluster of motorcycle thefts has been reported across Bondi, Waverley, Tamarama, Bronte and adjoining areas, with at least five bikes reportedly stolen within about two weeks. NSW Police have said they are aware of the problem, have increased visible patrols and are urging owners to improve security and report suspicious activity.
BONDI BEACH — Permanent memorial takes first stepWaverley Council has approved the first stage of establishing a permanent memorial at Bondi Beach for the 15 victims of the 14 December terror attack. The proposal was approved on 17 August and will now progress through further planning and consultation.
This deserves restrained but prominent coverage because of its significance across the Eastern Suburbs.
WOOLLAHRA / EDGECLIFF — Battle over proposed 10,000-home rezoningOne of the biggest long-term Eastern Suburbs stories remains the NSW Government proposal for substantial rezoning around Edgecliff and the proposed Woollahra railway station.
Woollahra Council has now released an alternative concept accommodating up to 3,650 dwellings, compared with the State proposal intended to facilitate up to 10,000 homes. Council argues its approach better addresses transport, infrastructure and urban design.
This isn't merely a Woollahra story: it could materially reshape the centre of the Eastern Suburbs.
ROSE BAY — New waterfront dining destinationRiva at Rose Bay Marina is now open, adding a significant new Italian restaurant above Ripples. Together the two restaurants have effectively created a new hospitality destination at the marina.
DOUBLE BAY — New traffic-safety works worth following
The complicated New South Head Road/Bellevue Road/Cross Street/Kiaora Road intersection remains one to follow after $594,000 in road-safety funding was allocated for improvements including traffic signals and lane markings.
Traffic-light changes, crossings, turning lanes and parking arrangements are precisely the sort of seemingly small stories that often become very highly read local news.
BRONTE — Bronte House closes for refurbishmentThe public had a final opportunity to visit the gardens of historic Bronte House on 22 August before the property undergoes refurbishment.
This could become a good continuing heritage story: what is being restored, how long it will take and when Bronte House will reopen.
BONDI JUNCTION — Major transformation now formally adoptedWaverley Council has adopted its long-term Bondi Junction Master Plan, envisaging around 3,000 additional homes, 9,000 square metres of extra public space and 10,000 square metres of new community infrastructure, as well as major changes to the mall and civic centre.
There is also work towards making Bondi Junction a Special Entertainment Precinct, potentially encouraging more evening activity.
This should probably become an ongoing “Changing Bondi Junction” series rather than a one-off story.
MAROUBRA — Road-safety upgrades underwayRandwick Council has begun safety works on intersections along Maroubra Road, describing them as an important upgrade to the corridor.
For publication, I would drill down into exactly which intersections change and what motorists/pedestrians will notice. The practical detail is more interesting than the council announcement itself.
MAROUBRA — New facilities for thousands of netballersA new amenities building has opened at Heffron Park, supporting the large Eastern Suburbs netball community based there. Randwick Council says thousands of players will benefit.
Very good positive community/sport material, especially if accompanied by photographs and a local player or club voice.
EASTERN SUBURBS RUGBY — Easts in the Shute Shield finals conversationEastern Suburbs Rugby has been among the clubs strongly tipped by coaches heading into the Shute Shield finals, alongside Sydney University, Warringah and Gordon.
For an Eastern Suburbs-wide publication I think we should deliberately include more local sport — not just professional sport, but Easts Rugby, Randwick Rugby, local league, soccer, surf clubs, bowls, sailing, netball and school competitions.
WOOLLAHRA — Local students get a look inside CouncilKambala students Georgie and Olivia recently spent several days shadowing Woollahra's Mayor and Council staff, including visiting the Rushcutters Bay Youth Recreation Area project. They discussed issues including housing, the environment and better use of council-owned spaces.
This is a good example of the lighter people-focused stories an Eastern Suburbs publication needs.
WOOLLAHRA — Sculpture Prize attracts 724 entriesThe 25th Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize attracted 724 local and international entries, from which 49 finalists have been selected. The exhibition opens at Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf on 2 October, with a $25,000 main prize.
COOGEE — 100 years since construction began on the famous pier
There is a wonderful local-history angle in Coogee this year: 2026 marks 100 years since construction began on the Coogee Pier. Randwick Council has also been revisiting the mysterious concrete pylons that occasionally reappear on the beach following heavy seas.
RANDWICK / MAROUBRA — Events this week
Among the coming community events are a Saddle Club Rainbow Rodeo at Randwick Town Hall on Friday 28 August, Book Week activities and a youth filmmaking workshop at Lionel Bowen Library in Maroubra.
BONDI / WAVERLEY — Motorcycle thefts causing concern
A recent cluster of motorcycle thefts has been reported across Bondi, Waverley, Tamarama, Bronte and adjoining areas, with at least five bikes reportedly stolen within about two weeks. NSW Police have said they are aware of the problem, have increased visible patrols and are urging owners to improve security and report suspicious activity.
BONDI BEACH — Permanent memorial takes first stepWaverley Council has approved the first stage of establishing a permanent memorial at Bondi Beach for the 15 victims of the 14 December terror attack. The proposal was approved on 17 August and will now progress through further planning and consultation.
This deserves restrained but prominent coverage because of its significance across the Eastern Suburbs.
WOOLLAHRA / EDGECLIFF — Battle over proposed 10,000-home rezoningOne of the biggest long-term Eastern Suburbs stories remains the NSW Government proposal for substantial rezoning around Edgecliff and the proposed Woollahra railway station.
Woollahra Council has now released an alternative concept accommodating up to 3,650 dwellings, compared with the State proposal intended to facilitate up to 10,000 homes. Council argues its approach better addresses transport, infrastructure and urban design.
This isn't merely a Woollahra story: it could materially reshape the centre of the Eastern Suburbs.
ROSE BAY — New waterfront dining destinationRiva at Rose Bay Marina is now open, adding a significant new Italian restaurant above Ripples. Together the two restaurants have effectively created a new hospitality destination at the marina.
DOUBLE BAY — New traffic-safety works worth following
The complicated New South Head Road/Bellevue Road/Cross Street/Kiaora Road intersection remains one to follow after $594,000 in road-safety funding was allocated for improvements including traffic signals and lane markings.
Traffic-light changes, crossings, turning lanes and parking arrangements are precisely the sort of seemingly small stories that often become very highly read local news.
BRONTE — Bronte House closes for refurbishmentThe public had a final opportunity to visit the gardens of historic Bronte House on 22 August before the property undergoes refurbishment.
This could become a good continuing heritage story: what is being restored, how long it will take and when Bronte House will reopen.
BONDI JUNCTION — Major transformation now formally adoptedWaverley Council has adopted its long-term Bondi Junction Master Plan, envisaging around 3,000 additional homes, 9,000 square metres of extra public space and 10,000 square metres of new community infrastructure, as well as major changes to the mall and civic centre.
There is also work towards making Bondi Junction a Special Entertainment Precinct, potentially encouraging more evening activity.
This should probably become an ongoing “Changing Bondi Junction” series rather than a one-off story.
MAROUBRA — Road-safety upgrades underwayRandwick Council has begun safety works on intersections along Maroubra Road, describing them as an important upgrade to the corridor.
For publication, I would drill down into exactly which intersections change and what motorists/pedestrians will notice. The practical detail is more interesting than the council announcement itself.
MAROUBRA — New facilities for thousands of netballersA new amenities building has opened at Heffron Park, supporting the large Eastern Suburbs netball community based there. Randwick Council says thousands of players will benefit.
Very good positive community/sport material, especially if accompanied by photographs and a local player or club voice.
EASTERN SUBURBS RUGBY — Easts in the Shute Shield finals conversationEastern Suburbs Rugby has been among the clubs strongly tipped by coaches heading into the Shute Shield finals, alongside Sydney University, Warringah and Gordon.
For an Eastern Suburbs-wide publication I think we should deliberately include more local sport — not just professional sport, but Easts Rugby, Randwick Rugby, local league, soccer, surf clubs, bowls, sailing, netball and school competitions.
WOOLLAHRA — Local students get a look inside CouncilKambala students Georgie and Olivia recently spent several days shadowing Woollahra's Mayor and Council staff, including visiting the Rushcutters Bay Youth Recreation Area project. They discussed issues including housing, the environment and better use of council-owned spaces.
This is a good example of the lighter people-focused stories an Eastern Suburbs publication needs.
WOOLLAHRA — Sculpture Prize attracts 724 entriesThe 25th Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize attracted 724 local and international entries, from which 49 finalists have been selected. The exhibition opens at Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf on 2 October, with a $25,000 main prize.
COOGEE — 100 years since construction began on the famous pier
There is a wonderful local-history angle in Coogee this year: 2026 marks 100 years since construction began on the Coogee Pier. Randwick Council has also been revisiting the mysterious concrete pylons that occasionally reappear on the beach following heavy seas.
RANDWICK / MAROUBRA — Events this week
Among the coming community events are a Saddle Club Rainbow Rodeo at Randwick Town Hall on Friday 28 August, Book Week activities and a youth filmmaking workshop at Lionel Bowen Library in Maroubra.
