Editor’s note
It's the time of year when Annandale suddenly remembers it has jackets :) With the season turning, I've been thinking about change more broadly and I wanted to suggest a challenge to our readers. Write us something short about what's changed in Annandale. What's gone that you miss? What's arrived that you love? A paragraph or two is plenty but feel free to do a longer piece too…Hit reply to submit, and we'll publish the pieces over the coming weeks for all to enjoy!
Village News
Young entrepreneur sets up shop at the light rail
If you were lucky enough to be around Rozelle Bay light rail on Saturday morning, you would have spotted Sunny sporting a big smile and a very cute (and on brand) yellow dress behind her lemonade stand. The stand was no amateur affair, with a beautiful ‘Sunny’s Lemonade Stand’ sign and EFTPOS available for her $2 lemonades that you can see a pic of here: (Annandale 2038 FB Group)
I unfortunately wasn’t around on Saturday morning to spot Sunny… but I hope she returns. If you have a budding young entrepreneur who wants to do something similar, let me know and I’d be more than happy featuring them in the Troll!
Annandale wants more action on Whites Creek Wetlands
It’s clear that locals feel as though more needs to be done regarding the state of Whites Creek Wetlands. Last week’s poll saw more than three quarters of the 133 votes want more done about the wetlands, whether through council properly resourcing it or reappointing a dedicated caretaker.
Community poll results, 133 votes
For a pocket of green tucked between Annandale's backstreets, the response was anything but quiet. We'll be sharing results with council, and have featured comments in letters to the editor at the bottom of the Troll.
Rozelle Parklands contractors hit with ‘slap on the wrists’ asbestos fine
Two years after the Rozelle Parklands asbestos debacle, contractors John Holland and CPB have agreed to pay $150,000 to SafeWork NSW. Mayor Darcy Byrne called it a ‘slap on the wrist’ and the equivalent of ‘loose change’ for firms that made billions from the project. Whilst the fine is small, the money will go directly to training workers on asbestos identification, bringing the long back-and-forth to a close. (Inner West Mayor media release, 31 March 2026)
Events
FEATURED EVENT
Annandale The Vic Sponsored Anzac Day at The VicTwo-up in the beer garden with Brendan, plus a karma keg to donate proceeds to Legacy. Skip the crowds and enjoy a laid-back Anzac Day.
ALL WEEKEND
Rozelle Culture The Admirable Crichton – St Joseph’s Church Hall. Classic comedy about class and survival when aristocrats are stranded on a deserted island. Various times. Tickets from $33.
FRIDAY 17 APR
Leichhardt Music Anoloko – Crowbar Sydney. Indie rock band launches new material with energetic live set and local support acts. 7 pm. Tickets $30.
Camperdown Music Sylva Quartet presents Ravel, Shaw and Haydn – Church Street Studios. Chamber concert featuring string quartets by Haydn, Ravel and contemporary composer Caroline Shaw. 7:30–8:45 pm.
Rozelle Music Art After Dark – Inner West Music – White Bay Power Station. Live bands alongside Biennale exhibitions with extended evening access and food offerings. 6–9:30 pm. Tickets from $10.
Camperdown Music Hands Like Houses – The Lotus Tour – Manning Bar. Rock band performs new and fan-favourite tracks on national tour stop. 7 pm. Tickets $56.
SATURDAY 18 APR
Leichhardt Music Wacken 35th Anniversary Pre Party – Crowbar Sydney. Heavy metal anniversary event with national acts delivering loud, high-energy live performances. 7 pm. Tickets $25.
Leichhardt Community Perfect Match Community Celebration – Boca al Lupo. Community gathering celebrating new street artwork with artist talk and refreshments. 12:30–1:30 pm. Free.
Camperdown Culture kol isha — Wild Woman – Church Street Studios. Experimental performance blending music, movement and storytelling in an intimate setting. 8–10 pm. Tickets from $30.
SUNDAY 19 APR
Leichhardt Kids Kids’ Proms: A Musical Adventure – Leichhardt Town Hall. Interactive concert introducing young children to music through songs, instruments and storytelling. 9:45–10:30 am.
Glebe Culture Glebe Town Hall – The People’s Place – Glebe Town Hall. Local historian explores the history and community role of this landmark building. 2–4 pm. Tickets $5.
MONDAY 20 APR
Leichhardt Kids Storytime at Leichhardt Library – Leichhardt Library. Stories and songs for preschoolers to build early literacy and social skills. 10:30–11 am. Free.
Rozelle Workshop Digital Photography Fundamentals Seminar – Hannaford Community Centre. Intro session covering camera basics, composition and lighting for beginners. 12:45–2:45 pm. Tickets $10.
TUESDAY 21 APR
Camperdown Comedy Daniel Kitson – Work in Progress – Manning Bar. Stand-up comedian previews new material in an intimate work-in-progress show. 6:30 pm. Tickets $25.
WEDNESDAY 22 APR
Glebe Community Creative Writing Space – St Helen’s Community Centre. Casual weekly session for writers to work independently in a shared, quiet space. 12:30–1:30 pm. Free.
Camperdown Culture Sydney Ideas – Conversations for Good – University of Sydney. Panel discussion on digital platforms, public discourse and shared understanding in society. 6:30–7:30 pm. Free.
THURSDAY 23 APR
Camperdown Culture More than a publication – a movement: Launching Blue Art Journal – Chau Chak Wing Museum. Launch event for a new publication focused on First Nations art, writing and contemporary cultural practice. 6 pm. Free.
Council Watch
| Address | Description | DA Number |
|---|---|---|
| 162 Nelson Street | Demolition of existing structures and construction of a three-storey dwelling with a detached double garage and studio above, including tree removal. | DA/2026/0293 |
| 307 Young Street | Alterations and additions to an existing dwelling, including partial demolition, construction of ground and first floor rear additions, and associated landscaping. | DA/2026/0295 |
| 7/236 Johnston Street | Alterations and additions to an existing townhouse, including construction of a third-floor balcony. | DA/2026/0271 |
Real Estate
BEN’S WRAP sponsored by Ben Southwell , 
A slight shift this week, moving away from market noise and focusing on something far more within control, presentation. In a suburb like Annandale, where streets are rich in character and history, curb side appeal carries real weight. It’s the streetscape that creates the first emotional pull, drawing people in before the home even has a chance to speak.
Your home is a living, breathing thing with its own personality, and this is where it starts to show. A proper clean, fresh paint where needed, attention to timberwork and some thoughtful greenery can make a meaningful difference. It’s the first impression, and often the one that sets the tone for everything that follows.
JUST SOLD
| Address | Price | Beds | Baths | Garages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 230 Johnston Street | $3.00 m | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| 114 Johnston Lane | — | 4 | 3 | 1 |
Letters to the Troll
Responses to last week’s poll question:
How do you feel about the state of White's Creek Wetlands and council's responsibility?
“It took years to get this incredibly important eco system up & running !!! it’s an absolute shame it is no longer regarded (evident thru due to it’s recent decline & sacking of the long terminated employee) that it is no longer valued as a vital ecosystem of the inner west”
“Council has been working hard on the wetlands but are limited by resources. The weed now present is 70% duckweed. This, despite the name, is a native plant and provides food for the fish in the ponds. The wetlands are not really natural environments given the ponds are lined with plastic and rely on pumps. I think the focus should be on Sydney Water changing the stormwater environment as per Johnstons Creek but this is costly and not on their radar. The other focus should be on council rehabilitating the section of land with 'native plants' adjacent to the north of the wetlands and south of the community garden. This is heavily impacted by a variety of weeds. The heavy lifting carried out by the food forest and the community garden volunteers should be acknowledged. These areas are an important community asset.”
“This park is an exceptional asset for the community. Many locals and visitors from other area’s enjoy this park as it really does feel like a completely natural environment. The turtles alone give so much joy to young and old. Please let the wetlands survive for us all. ”
“I have been very involved in trying to get the wetlands cared for. I contacted Kobi Shetty some months ago and met with her and our Greens Councillor Ismet Tastan and also with managers from the Council as the ponds almost dried out over the Christmas holiday and there was no contingency plan in place. Council brought in 1,000 litres of water but no more could be added owing to the chlorine. This temporarily saved the ponds. On 1 February there was a public meeting with council arranged by Friends of Whites Creek to discuss the future of the wetlands, where we were promised that things would improve. This has not happened. The previous caretaker kept the ponds in excellent shape and was always careful of the wildlife. We need Peter back (and some sort of succession planning) so that the wetlands will continue to thrive and be a beautiful place to visit rather than the overgrown mess that they have been allowed to become.”
“I feel very strongly about this. I was the one that posted over Christmas about the ponds being empty and completely dried up. I feel the council is projecting one image but nothing is actually being done. I’ve lived by the creek for 13 years and have never seen them in such poor condition. However! I have a local friend with a PHD in the area and she believes it is normal for the area to go through cycles. Who knows, I’m certainly no expert, but it has damaged my view of the current council”
Picture of the Week
Hunter Baillie Church preparing for ANZAC Day, courtesy of Mark Leary
Sincerely,
Mark (resident of Annandale)
Share the Troll, bring back community
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