Local Issues and Initiatives

Giving students a voice, building their leadership skills and trust in democracy, and connecting schools across our community

The Government has released its report into Defence landholdings and recommended a full divestment from several sites including Victoria Barracks. The Government no longer feels it is in their strategic interests to keep the site in Defence hands.
 
Allegra has met with both the Deputy Prime Minister (in his capacity as Minister for Defence), the Assistant Minister for Defence, and representatives from Defence about this issue, to both hear the rationale behind the decision, and to also convey the concerns of community members to them. 
 
Allegra is proactively urging the Government to keep as much as possible of the site in public hands. Whether this is as space for social housing or for a second public high school, it’s important that the community, including veterans, are able to reap the benefits of this historic icon.
 
Allegra will also engage with the stakeholders to ensure that any future development is sympathetic to the history, architectural heritage, and existing green space of the site, and that constituents as well as the veteran community, are informed and involved at every step of the way.

This is a significant moment for our community, and it must be approached carefully.

There are four principles that will guide how Allegra engages on this issue:

1. Heritage protections that already in place must be respected to ensure the history and significance of the site is preserved.

2. Any future for Victoria Barracks should increase public access wherever possible. This is a remarkable and historic part of our community, and it should be something people can experience, not something closed off.

3. Long-term community value - not short-term revenue - must be at the centre of any decision. 

4. A large portion of the land should remain in public hands, especially the areas of heritage significance. 

Have your say

1. Public meeting on Thursday 7 May 2026 - The future of Victoria Barracks is in your hands - but only if you speak up. Please attend the Public Meeting conducted by the Defence Department at Paddington RSL, 220-232 Oxford Street Paddington, 5pm - 7.30pm
   • 05:00 pm – 07:30 pm | Defence address and Q&A from 5:30 pm
   • Paddington RSL, 220 - 232 Oxford St, Paddington
   • Link to register: https://www.defence.gov.au/about/locations-property/delivering-future-estate/defence-estate-audit-community-information-sessions/register
2. Survey - Allegra's priority is to listen to the community - particularly those in the Defence community - whose connection to the Barracks runs deep. Please fill out our survey to share your feedback so that Allegra can advocate for the community when she attends the stakeholder roundtable meeting on May 8th - Victoria Barracks survey

On 24 August 2025 the NSW Minns Government announced it will deliver a new train station in Woollahra, in the location of the partially built station, which commenced in the 1970’s but was not completed. 

The station’s completion is linked to a state-led rezoning project around the new Woollahra station and existing Edgecliff train station, with up to 10,000 new homes estimated to be built by 2051, including affordable housing; although the exact number is yet to be determined and the estimate is between 6,500 and 10,000. The development is labelled a State Significant Rezoning which bypasses Woollahra Council in the assessment and approval process. 

The proposed station has provoked strong reactions from the community. 

Although this project largely falls within local and state government domains, Allegra will share the community’s views with the State government and continue to share project updates with the community.

Allegra has written to NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Hon Paul Scully, and met with Transport NSW project managers, to communicate as follows:

• Constituent views on this proposal are diverse and need to be considered
• A severe housing shortage is driving up the cost of home ownership and rent across the country and areas such as Woollahra and Edgecliff must play their part in addressing this national challenge. 
• The amenity, heritage, and unique character of Woollahra is to be valued and considered and development must be undertaken thoughtfully, with appropriate planning and adequate supporting infrastructure. Specifically asking:
  • What are the plans for additional infrastructure to support increased population density, including schools, Sydney Water, electrical services, and measures to mitigate traffic congestion
  • How is the impact on existing heritage dwellings and the character of the neighbourhood being considered
  • How the target number of dwellings will be determined

The Site Investigation Area

The technical investigation areas around the stations are:

• 400m from Edgecliff Station
• 800m from Woollahra Station

This is to assess site constraints such as topography, utilities, flooding and services.

(Source: NSW Government)

Development Stages & Timeframe

As advised by NSW Government - to be managed by NSW Department of Planning - the key stages in the rezoning are as follows:

(Source: NSW Government)

1. Studies & Planning

Studies and investigations leading to a draft master plan and rezoning proposal have now commenced.

Proposed technical studies

• Connecting with country
• Urban design: urban design and character, master planning plus specialist studies for biodiversity, heritage, social infrastructure needs assessment, sustainability, wind assessment, view assessment, noise and vibration
• Engineering: contamination, geotechnical, structural buildability and infrastructure delivery plan
• Flooding, stormwater and utilities
• Market feasibility and economics: including Affordable Housing and Commercial Needs Analysis
• Traffic and transport: led by Transport for NSW

Investigation and technical exploration of the Woollahra train station area have commenced, including surveying ground conditions and the location of underground utilities

Design Process

• Interactive and collaborative co-design workshops to build a shared vision across the precinct
• Involves key state and local government stakeholders, technical specialists and engineers

2. Exhibition & Community Engagement

• During exhibition period, for example advertising in print and social media, direct mail to residents and businesses withing the precinct, electronic mail to subscribers, stakeholder meetings and feedback via a planning portal.
• Exhibition is targeted for the second half of 2026.

3. Finalisation of Rezoning

• The rezoning process is expected to take around 2 years and be completed ahead of the new Woollahra station opening in 2029
• State led rezoning to facilitate 6,500 to 10,000 new homes is anticipated, though the final number will be subject to the rezoning process 

4. Construction

• Works on the station are estimated to start in 2027, and the estimated opening date is 2029 
• The first new housing developments resulting from the rezoning are anticipated within a couple of years of the station opening, i.e. 2029 to 2031. However, the timeframe for building completion is expected to extend well beyond that to 2051. 

Key Information

• Building apartments over the station itself will not occur 
• Compulsory residential property acquisition by the NSW Government is not anticipated 
• Station entrances on Edgecliff Rd and Wallaroy Rd are planned
• It’s estimated construction of the station will cost around $186 million 

More Information

NSW State Government

For Community updates on the train station development, please see this Transport NSW site,  Woollahra Station Activation | Transport for NSW and the (NSW Government’s Edgecliff Woollahra Precinct page) Edgecliff Woollahra Precinct | Planning Portal - Department of Planning and Environment

You can also contact Transport NSW,

Phone: Project Infoline 1800 684 490

Email: [email protected]

Woollahra Council

For more information, visit Woollahra Council’s page, State-led rezoning around Edgecliff and proposed Woollahra Stations | Woollahra Municipal Council

Household energy upgrades including efficient electric appliances, rooftop solar and batteries could slash Sydney energy bills by 94%. This is because modern electrical appliances are much more efficient than their gas counterparts, and Australian rooftop solar is the cheapest home energy anywhere in the world. It’s a climate and a cost of living imperative.

Wentworth’s first Climate Summit in 2023 showed there is huge desire in our community to accelerate action on electrification, so this is one of my top priorities. At the federal level, I’ve been advocating for a Permanent Energy Bill Relief Plan to support homeowners, renters and those in community housing improve energy performance and take control of their electricity. I welcome the Government’s Cheaper Home Battery Program to help more people install batteries.

I’m particularly interested to see what we can achieve together in Wentworth. That’s why I’m engaging with Councils, businesses, homeowners, landlords and strata managers to support new and existing electrification initiatives. These include accelerating rooftop solar uptake on our schools and our community organisations, installing more EV chargers, and getting a community battery in Bondi.

Reducing Power Bills - How You Can Save Money Electrifying Your Home

There are already a range of government programmes that can support households with some of the costs of electrifying their homes and installing solar and batteries. People often tell me they’re confused about the different options that are available, so below I’ve summarised some of the federal, state, and local government incentives that Wentworth households may be able to access.

Installing solar

To calculate how much money your household or business could save on energy bills with a solar system installed, please click here. The SunSpot calculator uses Google Earth imagery to assess the viability of your roof and asks for your latest energy bill cost, along with a summary of your home appliances to calculate your estimated total savings.

If you live in an apartment, the NSW Solar for Apartment Residents provides a 50% rebate up to $150,000 for an owner’s corporation or strata manager to install a shared rooftop solar system for the benefit of all apartment residents. Allume technology enables (word-first!) fair sharing of shared solar systems. They’ve compiled resources to guide through the grant submission process.

Households and small businesses that install a small-scale renewable energy system may be able to receive support to help with the purchase cost. This is obtained through creating small-scale technology certificates. Check your eligibility and apply via the Clean Energy Regulator. 

If you're a club or organisation looking for guidance on installing solar, our fantastic councils have also combined on a free initiative to help clubs and community organisations save on energy bills with solar power, by providing support from start to finish. You can learn more here. 

Installing a battery

The Federal Government’s Cheaper Home Battery Program provides households, businesses and community organisations a discount of ~30% on the upfront cost of installing a small-scale battery system connected to a new or existing solar system.

The NSW Virtual Power Plant Incentive provides an upfront payment (up to $1,500) to households and small businesses that connect an eligible solar battery to a VPP, allowing stored energy to be shared with the grid during periods of high demand. This can be combined with the Federal Cheaper Home Battery Program.

Buying and charging an electric vehicle

The Federal Government provides a fringe benefit tax exemption for the purchase of zero or low emissions vehicles below the luxury car tax threshold. From 1 April 2027, the full discount will only apply to EVs costing $75,000 or less. From 1 April 2029, the discount will be reduced to 25%.

If you’re in an apartment in Waverley, Woollahra or Randwick, you may be eligible for a 50% rebate (up to $10,000) on the cost of installing a Smart Plug EV charger. 

Other upgrades

The NSW Home Energy Saver provides zero-interest loans of up to $15,000 and discounts of up to $4,000 to help households and eligible strata properties pay for solar, batteries and other energy savings home upgrades. Additional discounts apply to install an energy efficient air conditioner or hot water system.

The Federal Government's Household Energy Upgrades Fund provides discounted finance (through participating lenders) to help households upgrade the energy performance of their homes. May be used to finance solar, batteries, appliances and renovations.

Randwick households, businesses and schools can receive up to $5,000 in rebates for eligible purchases of solar, EV chargers, insulation and other sustainability initiatives.

City of Sydney residents can access free expert advice to reduce energy and water use in apartment buildings. New grants are launching soon.

If you're a sporting club, you may be eligible for a grant to upgrade facilities to improve energy efficiency and climate resilience through the Federal Government's 'Game On: Team Up for Climate Action' program. Applications close 28 July or as soon as funding is exhausted.

The Oxford Street Cycleway is a long-running project to create a new separated bi-directional cycle path along Oxford Street, connecting the Sydney CBD to Bondi Junction.

The NSW Government, through Transport for NSW (TfNSW) are pursuing this as part of their broader Oxford Street Revitalisation Project, which aims to transform the thoroughfare into a safer, greener, and more people-friendly place. In addition to the cycleway, central elements of this project include wider footpaths, more street trees, improved lighting, outdoor dining spaces, pedestrian crossings, seating, public art, and events to increase activation of the street.

Allegra herself believes that active transport, such as cycling, has many benefits not just for the individual but for the broader community, and separated cycleways are an important safety aspect in encouraging bike use. In that vein, Allegra supports a cycleway that connects the city to our Eastern Suburbs.

Nevertheless, she appreciates that many in the community are concerned about the selected route along Oxford Street, and the impact it may have on local businesses, as well as parking, congestion, public transport, and emergency access.

These are all valid concerns and ones that Allegra and her office have shared directly with TfNSW. She has also met several times with concerned residents from both the Oxford Street side and the Moore Park Road side, as well as local business owners and cycle groups, to better understand all perspectives of this project.

While the cycleway is not a federal matter, as responsibility sits with TfNSW in collaboration with the City of Sydney Council and Woollahra Council, Allegra and members of her team will nevertheless continue to engage with TfNSW on behalf of the people in the community who have questions and concerns about this project.

Please feel free to email Allegra with any feedback, or you might like to get in contact with the Oxford Street Revitalisation Project Team directly – you can email [email protected] or call 1800 684 490.

Please see below for more information about the project. You can also view details on the Revitalising Oxford Street page on TfNSW’s website.

What is the proposed route?

(Source: NSW Government)

Consultation Undertaken

TfNSW has undertaken multiple rounds of consultation. Early engagement was conducted in 2023 regarding the Oxford Street East cycleway, including information sessions and opportunities for written feedback. In 2024, consultation was undertaken on the draft Oxford Street Public Domain and Activation Strategy through the NSW Government’s Have Your Say portal. Feedback was sought from residents, businesses and stakeholders, and summary reports have been published outlining key themes raised during consultation.

Next Steps

The project is progressing through detailed design and environmental assessment. A Review of Environmental Factors (REF) will be prepared for the proposed works and placed on public exhibition. Following consideration of submissions and completion of the approval process, final design elements and construction timelines will be confirmed. TfNSW is continuing to work with relevant local councils on the project.

Community Feedback Opportunities

Community members can provide input during formal consultation periods, including the public exhibition of the REF. Information about consultation timelines, project updates and contact details for the project team are available on the TfNSW project webpage. Interested stakeholders may also subscribe for updates through the NSW Government’s online engagement platforms.