NSW · Eastern Suburbs (Sydney) · Local council, made simple
Woollahra Municipal Council
A compact, harbourside eastern-suburbs council of around 55,000 people across suburbs like Double Bay, Paddington, Woollahra, Rose Bay, Vaucluse and Bellevue Hill — one of the most densely populated and highest-value areas in NSW. The council runs the local services you use every week — waste, roads, parks, libraries, development — and sets your rates. Here's the snapshot, then the stuff that affects your week.
Everyday essentials
The things people actually need from the council — fast.
Open for your feedback
See all →Things Woollahra Municipal Council wants your say on right now. Your view counts for more before the deadline.
- Open — see source for the closing date
Youth Recreation Area at Rushcutters Bay Park
Have your say → - Open — see source for the closing date
Imagine Tomorrow: Our Woollahra
Have your say → - Open — see source for the closing date
Community Facilities Study
Have your say →
Get to know your council
The basics, in one tap — open any card for key facts and a link to the official source.
This year's rate rise, how it compares across NSW, and why bills differ.
2025–26 rate peg: 4.1%
Open →Budget & financesHow financially healthy the council is, measured against official benchmarks.
Meets 6 of 9 OLG financial benchmarks
Open →Crime & safetyWoollahra's recorded crime rates, side by side with the NSW average.
All 12 major offences below the NSW rate
Open →Mayor & councillorsWho represents you, by ward — and where to read their official profiles.
Mayor: Sarah Dixson (Liberal)
Open →Elections & votingWhen the next council election is, and how voting works.
Next election: Sat 9 Sep 2028
Open →Contact & servicesHow to reach the council and report a problem.
Customer service: (02) 9391 7000
Open →City profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: ~55,000 (2023–24)
Open →What's happening
23 updatesAuto-collected from Woollahra Municipal Council's public channels and drafted in plain language (pending review).
- Policy
Government’s luxury high-rise plans won’t solve the housing crisis
Published on 08 September 2026 Woollahra Mayor Sarah Dixson has warned NSW Government plans for 9,400 new apartments in Woollahra and Edgecliff will put housing affordability, local infrastructure and liveability at risk. Have your say now at the NSW Planning Portal.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Election
Message from the Mayor - 9 September 2026
Published on 09 September 2026 Victoria Barracks is one of Paddington’s most important heritage landmarks and has played a defining role in the history and character of our local area.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Development
What is a Development Application?
Find out what a Development Application (DA) is and when you might need one.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Woollahra App - The easiest way to report, request and track
Published on 08 September 2026 Need to report a missed bin, book a rubbish clean-up, or let us know about an issue with a local road or footpath? The Woollahra App is a quick and easy way to contact Council, wherever you are.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Development
DA Notifications and Determinations
View DAs on public exhibition and get details on exhibited projects.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
HSC Support: Free tutoring, extended hours, massages & more
Published on 27 August 2026 The Woollahra Library at Double Bay is the hottest spot in town to study, with extended hours, free drop-in tutoring and HSC support activities like massages for sore hands.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
2026 Youth Photographic Award and Short Film Prize winners announced
Published on 26 August 2026 Intriguing imagery, evocative creativity and insightful storytelling is showcased in the winning entries from student photographers and filmmakers in Woollahra Council’s 2026 Youth Photographic Award and Short Film Prize.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Free rehearsal spaces for HSC students
Published on 26 August 2026 Are you preparing for an upcoming HSC practical performance exam and looking for somewhere to rehearse? Woollahra Council is offering free rehearsal space for HSC students at selected Council venues from 25 August to 18 September 2026.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Council shares alternative to Govt rezoning for Woollahra & Edgecliff
Published on 13 August 2026 In response to NSW Government rezoning for 10,000 new apartments in Woollahra and Edgecliff, Woollahra Council has released a realistic alternate approach based on liveability and good urban design.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
New South Head Road (Double Bay to Rose Bay) Cycleway Project
Learn more Last updated: 4 Jan 2023 New South Head Road (Double Bay to Rose Bay) Cycleway Project The new cycleway is officially open! You can now ride away from car traffic from Rose Bay to Double Bay.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Children have the right to feel safe
Published on 03 September 2026 The theme for this year’s National Child Protection Week (6-12 September 2026), is “Every Conversation Matters, Shifting Conversation to Action," driving a stronger focus on shifting conversations into meaningful action.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Government’s luxury high-rise plans won’t solve the housing crisis
Published on 08 September 2026 Woollahra Mayor Sarah Dixson has warned NSW Government plans for 9,400 new apartments in Woollahra and Edgecliff will put housing affordability, local infrastructure and liveability at risk. Have your say now at the NSW Planning Portal.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
Your Park, Your Design: Dillon Street Reserve
Learn more Last updated: 24 July 2024 Your Park, Your Design: Dillon Street Reserve The first stage of improvements are complete, come visit soon!
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Woollahra Libraries Five Year Strategic Plan 2021-2026
Learn more Last updated: 4 Jan 2023 Woollahra Libraries Five Year Strategic Plan 2021-2026 The final Strategic Plan was approved by Council in June 2021.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Draft Delivery Program and Operational Plan 2019-20
Learn more Last updated: 28 Nov 2022 Draft Delivery Program and Operational Plan 2019-20 Draft Delivery Program and Operational Plan 2019-20 Learn more
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
Youth Recreation Area at Rushcutters Bay Park
Learn more Last updated: 17 Aug 2026 Youth Recreation Area at Rushcutters Bay Park Construction of the Youth Recreation Area began in May and is expected to be completed in spring 2026.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
Imagine Tomorrow: Our Woollahra
Learn more Last updated: 25 Nov 2022 Imagine Tomorrow: Our Woollahra Imagine Tomorrow: Our Woollahra Learn more
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
Community Facilities Study
Learn more Last updated: 20 Dec 2022 Community Facilities Study Community Facilities Study Learn more
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
New Pathway along Gap Park Historic Tramway
Learn more Last updated: 23 Dec 2022 New Pathway along Gap Park Historic Tramway The new pathway is now open for everyone to enjoy – come visit soon.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
New! Multi-purpose courts for Christison Park
Learn more Last updated: 4 Jan 2023 New! Multi-purpose courts for Christison Park The new multipurpose courts at Christison Park are now open to the public.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
2026–27 Operational Plan and budget take effect
The council's Delivery Program, Operational Plan and budget for 2026–27, together with the Long Term Financial Plan, take effect from 1 July 2026, setting the year's services, works program and rates and charges.
What this means for you: This is the plan that funds the council's services and capital works for the year and sets your rates and annual charges; the documents are published on the council's integrated planning and reporting pages.
Source: Woollahra Municipal Council — Delivery Program and Operational Plan
- Policy
Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2026–2030 adopted
The council adopted its Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2026–2030 on 22 June 2026, setting out commitments to remove barriers so people with disability or age-related access needs can take part in local life, services and events.
What this means for you: The plan guides council actions on accessibility across services, facilities, events and employment over the next four years; you can read the plan and its actions via the council's Your Say page.
Source: Your Say Woollahra — Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2026–2030
- Development
Council seeks temporary suspension of low- and mid-rise housing changes in Rose Bay and Double Bay
At its 24 March 2025 meeting, the council considered a report on the NSW Government's low- and mid-rise housing reforms and moved to seek a temporary suspension of the changes in parts of Rose Bay and Double Bay while it reviews local planning controls.
What this means for you: If you live in Rose Bay or Double Bay, this NSW Government planning reform (not a council decision) could change what can be built nearby; the council has asked the state to pause the changes in these areas — the council report and links set out the state process.
Email alerts aren't switched on yet
We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from Woollahra Municipal Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.