Rose Bay Archives - Double Bay Today

Sydneysiders can soon trade the boardroom for a yoga mat at the Double Bay Sailing Club, which is hosting a free waterfront yoga series set to live acoustic music.

This new series, supported by Woollahra Council and run by the Sydney Harbour Yoga Club, invites locals to unroll their mats by the water. The free classes will run weekly from November 2025 to February 2026. Along with Double Bay, the initiative will also use waterfront spaces at Rose Bay Marina and the Vaucluse Yacht Club.

Trading the Daily Rush for a Harbour View

The “Harbour Flow” program encourages residents to swap their busy schedules for a moment of calm, turning these picturesque decks into community spaces for health. The goal is to make wellness accessible to everyone, from busy professionals to seniors, referred to as “golden warriors,” and mums after the school drop-off.

Participants can expect a unique experience that blends movement with the magic of the sea. Sessions are planned for sunrise and sunset, with special flows under the full moon. Many classes will feature live acoustic music or sound bowls to create a relaxing atmosphere, all set against the backdrop of Sydney Harbour.

More Than Just a Class

Each event includes a one-hour yoga class suitable for all levels, from total beginners to seasoned yogis. Following the session, attendees are invited to a casual coffee or tea social hosted by local cafés. This initiative is also designed to support the small businesses that give Woollahra its community spirit.

Karin Finlayson, founder of the Sydney Harbour Yoga Club, said the series is about bringing people together and helping them experience the harbour in a completely new way. She emphasised that the classes are for everyone, noting that attendees only need to be curious, not flexible, to join in.

How to Join the Flow

While the “Harbour Flow” sessions are free, spaces are limited, and both registration and booking are essential. Organisers have noted that as part of this specific community program, each person may attend one free class. Spots are expected to fill quickly.

The Sydney Harbour Yoga Club’s regular paid classes at all three locations will continue as normal throughout the summer. To register for the free series and receive the timetable, locals can visit the club’s website.

Published Date 28-October-2025

New planning laws have led to heightened developer interest in Double Bay, with property owners now reassessing the value and potential of their land.

Zoning Reforms Reshape Development Potential

The NSW government introduced new planning laws on 28 February as part of a broader strategy to address the state’s housing shortage. These laws apply to areas located within 800 metres of 171 designated train stations or shopping centres across Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong, and the Central Coast.

Under the new framework, buildings of six to eight storeys can be constructed within 400 metres of key hubs, while development of up to three storeys is permitted between 400 and 800 metres. Changes to floor space ratios and dual occupancy rules are also increasing development capacity across multiple lots.

How Double Bay Fits the Picture

Double Bay is among the suburbs impacted by the planning reforms. While the changes are intended to improve housing supply, local real estate agents anticipate that three-bedroom apartments in new developments around Double Bay may be priced between $5 million and $6 million—and even higher if properties offer views. This has raised questions about whether the policy will enhance housing affordability in high-end areas.

Developers are now targeting eligible locations for redevelopment, including amalgamated sites. In other parts of Sydney, some property owners have doubled their sale price by consolidating adjoining lots for larger-scale projects.

Wider Movement Across Sydney

Similar activity is unfolding in other eastern suburbs including Rose Bay, Edgecliff, Bondi Junction, and Maroubra. In Rose Bay alone, 28 homeowners have combined their properties, with at least 60 amalgamations reported in one three-block radius.

In Gordon, developers are securing options on homes near train stations, with some properties reaching prices of up to $12 million. Meanwhile, in Mosman, concerns have been raised over six-storey buildings being planned in low-rise areas near Balmoral Beach.

Mixed Sentiments Among Property Owners

While some owners welcome the financial benefits, others are facing limitations. In Gordon, heritage-listed homes are excluded from redevelopment despite being located in newly eligible zones. Affected residents have raised concerns about loss of privacy, overshadowing, and future property values.

Local councils, including Mosman, have indicated that developments meeting the new planning criteria cannot be rejected on the basis of height or density. However, objections may still be submitted on other grounds—such as view obstruction or privacy impacts—though how they will be assessed remains unclear.

Double Bay housing development — *Photo Credit: Google Maps Street View*

Policy Sparks Activity but Raises Questions

The new planning rules mark a major shift in development controls as the state government seeks to ease housing pressures. In areas like Double Bay, the reforms have triggered immediate developer activity and multi-million-dollar transactions. However, uncertainty remains around affordability outcomes, the inclusion of heritage properties, and long-term impacts on urban character.

Published 13-Apr-2025

Tag: Rose Bay

Find Your Flow: Free Community Yoga Comes to Double Bay