Welcome to The Paddington Society Inc, a community association established in 1964 dedicated to celebrating the distinctive qualities of Paddington, an early Victorian suburb nestled in Sydney, NSW, Australia. The Society is incorporated in New South Wales and has a rich history of successfully safeguarding Paddington’s unique heritage.
Paddington’s distinct character is shaped by its historical development and growth during the 19th century, evident in the iconic terrace houses that dot its landscape and embody various architectural styles. Positioned atop the terrain, Paddington offers picturesque views overlooking Sydney Harbour. We have a collective duty to protect this historic suburb to ensure that its legacy lives on.
Join The Paddington Society today and be part of conserving our unique legacy for future generations.
MEMBERSHIP
Join The Paddington Society now. By becoming a member, you assist in safeguarding the rich history, architectural heritage, culture and community of Paddington for generations to come.
STAY INFORMED
Keep up to date with issues being addressed by the Society in our regular newsletter. Learn about planned events, committee meetings, specific campaigns and more.
MEMBERSHIP
Join The Paddington Society now. By becoming a member, you assist in safeguarding the rich history, architectural heritage, culture and community of Paddington for generations to come.
STAY INFORMED
Keep up to date with issues being addressed by the Society in our regular newsletter. Learn about planned events, committee meetings, specific campaigns and more.
MEMBERSHIP
Join The Paddington Society now. By becoming a member, you assist in safeguarding the rich history, architectural heritage, culture and community of Paddington for generations to come.
STAY INFORMED
Keep up to date with issues being addressed by the Society in our regular newsletter. Learn about planned events, committee meetings, specific campaigns and more.
160 Oxford Street – State Significant Development SSD-97528708
Update July 29th 2026 Read the Society’s Objection to the developers Response to Submission Report. We find that our 15 March objections have NOT been addressed, and we remain opposed to the development unless significant changes [...]
Victoria Barracks Proposed Redevelopment
Updated July 25th Community consultation continues. Community groups including residents, veterans, heritage groups, Defence representatives and elected officials have been coming together to discuss the proposed Divestment and sale of the historic site. The future of [...]
Juniper Hall 248-250 Oxford Street Update
Update 23 July 2026 Notifications indicate that restoration works to Juniper Hall have commenced in line with the National Trusts Conservation Management Plan. In late July 2026 signage was placed on the boundary fence of Juniper [...]
Community Consultation sought & Draft Proposed Statewide Community Participation Plan
Update July 27 2026 Read the Society’s submission on Woollahra Council’s Draft Woollahra Affordable Housing Policy 2026. Update July 20 2026 Community Consultation is invited before July 30 2026 on two further proposals that will affect [...]
Oxford and Verona Street Proposed Development – SSD-87245208 Approved
Updated 6 August 2026 The Affordable Housing Assessments Team has further advised that on 24 July 2026, the A/Director, Affordable Housing Assessments, approved the State significant development (SSD) application for the mixed-use development with infill affordable [...]
Oxford Street East Cycleway
The Moore Park Road pop-up cycleway was originally due to be retained until 31 May 2026, or “until the permanent Oxford Street Cycleway between Taylor Square and Centennial Park (to be constructed by the NSW Government) would be operational, whichever came first”. This has been changed to 31 December 2026.
Moore Park South Project and Golf Course
Update 1 July 26 Works commence at Moore Park South Works are now underway to open Moore Park South to the community, with the first stage of the transformation focused on enabling safe public access to [...]
NSW Government’s Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy
Update: 29 June 2026 Woollahra Municipal Council have advised that the Draft Woollahra Affordable Housing Policy 2026 is currently on public exhibition, and that the closing date for submissions has been extended from 12 July to [...]
“Views To Die For” Author Talk
On 16 April, the Paddington Society, in partnership with Paddington Library and Woollahra Council, hosted a talk by Mark Skelsey on his recently published book, Views To Die For. The book explores two questions: how did a [...]
Watch Your Back, You’re in Paddington
An Interview with Grahame Bond Paddington resident Grahame John Bond AM (born 21 November 1943) is an Australian architect, actor, writer, director, musician and composer, known for his many characters including Aunty Jack and The Ancient [...]
8-10 New McLean Street State Significant Development SSD-80266208
Update 26 March 2026 The Society, Woollahra Council and community members are aware of the previous planning proposal submitted during 2024 by the same applicant for 8-10 New McLean Street. This sought to increase the maximum [...]
A New Approach to Strategic Planning – NSW Government
About the New Approach to Strategic Planning The NSW Government recently exhibited the Discussion Paper “A New Approach to Strategic Planning” that sets out a proposed three‑tiered planning framework for NSW – State, Region and Local, [...]
The Sydney Dance Company – Born In Paddington
The Sydney Dance Company was conceived in Paddington by dancer Suzanne Musitz and her husband Frank Davidson. The couple bought their small terrace at 1 Norfolk Street, Paddington in 1967 as the suburb was rapidly becoming [...]
Parklets in the Streets of Paddington
Woollahra Municipal Council supports and encourages footway dining as a means of creating vibrant streetscapes and creating opportunities for businesses to grow and prosper. Businesses with existing Footway Approval for footway dining can apply to use [...]
Planning Reforms Must Deliver Housing Quality and Affordability
Clover Moore The Lord Mayor of Sydney presented a Minute at the CoS Council meeting on October 27th 2025 addressing housing quality and affordability. The CoS states that NSW Government’s Environmental Planning and Assessment (Planning System [...]
Youth Recreation Area at Rushcutters Bay Park
In July and August 2025, the Heritage Council of NSW invited public submissions on Woollahra Council’s proposal to build a Youth Recreation Area (Skate Park) in Rushcutters Bay Park listed on the State Heritage Register. The [...]
Modern Buildings for Local Heritage Listing
Woollahra Municipal Council (WMC) seeks to conserve buildings in our Local Government Area (LGA) that have heritage significance. This includes buildings dating from the 19th and early 20th centuries, as well as outstanding buildings from more [...]
The Paddington Society 2024 AGM Documents
Current Paddington Society Members, can download copies of the 2024 AGM Minutes and the 2024 Accounts.
Dorothy Ward’s Paddington 1931 – 1952
Have you ever wondered about the E.J. Ward Community Centre on Underwood Street? Read about Dorothy Ward's reminisces about life in Paddington, and her father Eddy Ward, the member for East Sydney who represented the electorate for more than 30 years and held ministerial posts under Prime Ministers John Curtin and Ben Chifley [...]
Selwyn Street Boarding Houses – Affordable Housing Loss
Update: 4 September, 2025 Learn more about what is happening and read the excerpt from ‘save_our_neighbours’ “On the final day of the appeal window the developer lodged another appeal against the Commission’s decision to reject the [...]
160 Oxford Street – State Significant Development SSD-97528708
Update July 29th 2026 Read the Society’s Objection to the developers Response to Submission Report. We find that our 15 March objections have NOT been addressed, and we remain opposed to the development unless significant changes [...]
Victoria Barracks Proposed Redevelopment
Updated July 25th Community consultation continues. Community groups including residents, veterans, heritage groups, Defence representatives and elected officials have been coming together to discuss the proposed Divestment and sale of the historic site. The future of [...]
Juniper Hall 248-250 Oxford Street Update
Update 23 July 2026 Notifications indicate that restoration works to Juniper Hall have commenced in line with the National Trusts Conservation Management Plan. In late July 2026 signage was placed on the boundary fence of Juniper [...]
Community Consultation sought & Draft Proposed Statewide Community Participation Plan
Update July 27 2026 Read the Society’s submission on Woollahra Council’s Draft Woollahra Affordable Housing Policy 2026. Update July 20 2026 Community Consultation is invited before July 30 2026 on two further proposals that will affect [...]
Oxford and Verona Street Proposed Development – SSD-87245208 Approved
Updated 6 August 2026 The Affordable Housing Assessments Team has further advised that on 24 July 2026, the A/Director, Affordable Housing Assessments, approved the State significant development (SSD) application for the mixed-use development with infill affordable [...]
Oxford Street East Cycleway
The Moore Park Road pop-up cycleway was originally due to be retained until 31 May 2026, or “until the permanent Oxford Street Cycleway between Taylor Square and Centennial Park (to be constructed by the NSW Government) would be operational, whichever came first”. This has been changed to 31 December 2026.
Moore Park South Project and Golf Course
Update 1 July 26 Works commence at Moore Park South Works are now underway to open Moore Park South to the community, with the first stage of the transformation focused on enabling safe public access to [...]
NSW Government’s Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy
Update: 29 June 2026 Woollahra Municipal Council have advised that the Draft Woollahra Affordable Housing Policy 2026 is currently on public exhibition, and that the closing date for submissions has been extended from 12 July to [...]
“Views To Die For” Author Talk
On 16 April, the Paddington Society, in partnership with Paddington Library and Woollahra Council, hosted a talk by Mark Skelsey on his recently published book, Views To Die For. The book explores two questions: how did a [...]
Watch Your Back, You’re in Paddington
An Interview with Grahame Bond Paddington resident Grahame John Bond AM (born 21 November 1943) is an Australian architect, actor, writer, director, musician and composer, known for his many characters including Aunty Jack and The Ancient [...]
8-10 New McLean Street State Significant Development SSD-80266208
Update 26 March 2026 The Society, Woollahra Council and community members are aware of the previous planning proposal submitted during 2024 by the same applicant for 8-10 New McLean Street. This sought to increase the maximum [...]
A New Approach to Strategic Planning – NSW Government
About the New Approach to Strategic Planning The NSW Government recently exhibited the Discussion Paper “A New Approach to Strategic Planning” that sets out a proposed three‑tiered planning framework for NSW – State, Region and Local, [...]
The Sydney Dance Company – Born In Paddington
The Sydney Dance Company was conceived in Paddington by dancer Suzanne Musitz and her husband Frank Davidson. The couple bought their small terrace at 1 Norfolk Street, Paddington in 1967 as the suburb was rapidly becoming [...]
Parklets in the Streets of Paddington
Woollahra Municipal Council supports and encourages footway dining as a means of creating vibrant streetscapes and creating opportunities for businesses to grow and prosper. Businesses with existing Footway Approval for footway dining can apply to use [...]
Planning Reforms Must Deliver Housing Quality and Affordability
Clover Moore The Lord Mayor of Sydney presented a Minute at the CoS Council meeting on October 27th 2025 addressing housing quality and affordability. The CoS states that NSW Government’s Environmental Planning and Assessment (Planning System [...]
Youth Recreation Area at Rushcutters Bay Park
In July and August 2025, the Heritage Council of NSW invited public submissions on Woollahra Council’s proposal to build a Youth Recreation Area (Skate Park) in Rushcutters Bay Park listed on the State Heritage Register. The [...]
Modern Buildings for Local Heritage Listing
Woollahra Municipal Council (WMC) seeks to conserve buildings in our Local Government Area (LGA) that have heritage significance. This includes buildings dating from the 19th and early 20th centuries, as well as outstanding buildings from more [...]
The Paddington Society 2024 AGM Documents
Current Paddington Society Members, can download copies of the 2024 AGM Minutes and the 2024 Accounts.
Dorothy Ward’s Paddington 1931 – 1952
Have you ever wondered about the E.J. Ward Community Centre on Underwood Street? Read about Dorothy Ward's reminisces about life in Paddington, and her father Eddy Ward, the member for East Sydney who represented the electorate for more than 30 years and held ministerial posts under Prime Ministers John Curtin and Ben Chifley [...]
Selwyn Street Boarding Houses – Affordable Housing Loss
Update: 4 September, 2025 Learn more about what is happening and read the excerpt from ‘save_our_neighbours’ “On the final day of the appeal window the developer lodged another appeal against the Commission’s decision to reject the [...]
The Paddington Society acknowledges that we are on the land of the Gadigal and Birrabirragal people, the Traditional Custodians of the land. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.
