Surry Hills and Redfern News

01/09/2026

🔥 Lithium-ion batteries are being blamed for garbage truck fires — and recently, there have been three truck fires in six days.

In Surry Hills, a discarded e-bike battery sparked a fire inside a garbage truck, forcing its burning load to be dumped onto Wemyss Lane. When lithium-ion batteries are crushed or damaged, they can ignite rapidly and be extremely difficult to extinguish.

The risk extends to batteries in phones, laptops, vapes and other rechargeable devices — and they should never go in household bins.

♻️ There are free disposal options around Sydney, but there’s also an important step to take before dropping batteries off.

👇 Find out where they can go and how to dispose of them safely.

Read more on SURRY HILLS NEWS.

https://surryhillsnews.com.au/e-bike-battery-sparks-garbage-truck-fire-on-surry-hills-street/

A discarded e-bike battery triggered a garbage truck fire on Wemyss Lane, Surry Hills, on Wednesday morning.

28/08/2026

🏗️ The world’s tallest timber-hybrid tower is now standing right beside Sydney’s Central Station.

At 8–10 Lee Street in Haymarket, on the edge of Surry Hills, the 39-storey Atlassian Central has topped out at more than 180 metres — around 100 metres taller than the previous record holder.

🌳 Timber, steel and concrete are coming together in a building unlike anything else on the Sydney skyline. Tell us what you think about this here.

Read more on SURRY HILLS NEWS. Link in the comments below.

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20/08/2026

Melbourne’s much-loved Sense of Self bathhouse is coming to Surry Hills — and we're counting the days until its September opening! 🛁

Think warm mineral pools, steam, cold water, quiet spaces and what could be the largest sauna in the Southern Hemisphere — all designed as a carefully considered sensory journey, right down to the texture underfoot and the way light falls across the brickwork.

Find out more about it on SURRY HILLS NEWS 👇
https://surryhillsnews.com.au/sense-of-self-expands-to-surry-hills/

Sense of Self’s new Surry Hills bathhouse is taking shape inside a former warehouse, with its Sydney opening expected in September 2026.

17/08/2026

🏙️ A 33-storey hotel is starting to take shape on one of Sydney’s tightest development sites.

Dubbed a “pencil tower,” the Haymarket project has a Pitt Street frontage of just 6.4 metres — an unusually narrow site for a tower of this scale.

After years of planning, early construction works have now commenced. See how architects plan to fit 33 storeys onto the site.

Read more on REDFERN NEWS. Link in comments below 👇

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14/08/2026

🏁 Greyhound racing at Wentworth Park will end on 16 October, closing the book on almost a century at the Glebe track.

The departure clears the way for a major transformation of the site, with plans for public green space, sports fields, a playground and walking and cycling paths.

And the historic track is set to go out with one of its biggest races.

Tell us what you think about this here. 👇

Read more on SURRY HILLS AND REDFERN NEWS
https://surryhillsnews.com.au/wentworth-park-greyhound-racing-to-end-as-glebe-site-moves-towards-redevelopment/

Almost a century of greyhound racing at Wentworth Park will end on 16 October as the Glebe site prepares for its transition to public open space.

10/08/2026

Demolition is progressing at Waterloo South, months after residents and supporters tried to stop fencing around homes marked for removal. At the same time, attention is turning to another major change: who will manage area once the ageing estate has been replaced.

Tell us what you think about this here. Read more on REDFERN NEWS
https://redfernnews.com.au/waterloo-south-enters-new-phase-as-community-housing-providers-step-in/

Demolition advances at Waterloo South as community housing providers prepare to manage social and affordable homes in the renewed Sydney estate precincts.

07/08/2026

🎬 Paddington’s iconic Verona Cinema site is officially set for a $97-million transformation.

The approved redevelopment will bring the cinema back to Oxford Street, alongside 64 new homes, shops and a boutique bar — while preserving and restoring the historic brick facade locals know.

Tell us what you think about this here. 👇

Read more on SURRY HILLS NEWS
https://surryhillsnews.com.au/redevelopment-of-paddingtons-verona-site-approved-as-oxford-street-revitalisation-gathers-pace/

Verona Cinema’s $97m revival brings 64 homes and four new screens to Oxford Street, but its affordable rental benefit faces closer scrutiny across Sydney.

05/08/2026

🚪 Another shake-up at Wunderlich Lane.

Two high-profile venues are set to close as the $500 million Redfern precinct continues to reshape its dining scene.

👇 What's your take on Wunderlich Lane? Tell us below.

📖 Read the full story on SURRY HILLS & REDFERN NEWS.
https://redfernnews.com.au/can-500m-wunderlich-lane-win-loyal-patrons-major-venue-closures-force-precinct-pivot/

Wunderlich Lane faces major operator changes as Liquid & Larder steps back and The Apollo Group moves to reshape two prominent Redfern hospitality spaces.

30/07/2026

Did you know that seniors now outnumber children and teenagers in both Surry Hills and Darlinghurst? 👵👴

New ABS figures show people aged 65 and over now outnumber residents under 20 in both suburbs—a complete turnaround from the early 2000s. Despite population growth, the number of young people has fallen while the senior population has continued to rise.

Have you noticed this change in your neighbourhood?

Find out more on SURRY HILLS & REDFERN NEWS. Link in the comments below👇

23/07/2026

🚗❌🌱 This isn't a car park anymore. It's a farm.
Hidden beneath Barangaroo, an underground commercial farm is growing fresh produce for Sydney restaurants—without paddocks or even soil.

For one week only, you'll be able to go behind the scenes during National Science Week in August.

👉 Find out how it works.
Read more on SURRY HILLS NEWS

https://surryhillsnews.com.au/the-hydroponic-farm-under-barangaroos-office-towers/
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Inside a Barangaroo car park, Urban Green Sydney uses hydroponics, LED lights and coconut coir to grow microgreens for nearby restaurants.