Village News

The Troll’s hungry.

The Troll’s feeling hungry this week. I’ve been stuck in a rut in terms of cafe and food options… so tell me, dear readers: what is the best specific menu item in Annandale, and where? Click to answer below, and I'll share some tips next week.

Can you share the best menu item in Annandale?

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What’s left of Annandale House

We ran this one back in issue 9 but it's the sort of suburb history most people who've lived here for years still don't know, so it's worth a second outing:

Annandale House was the 1799 home of First Fleet officer Major George Johnston and Esther Abrahams, on Eora country. The pair farmed over 600 acres across what is now Annandale and Stanmore. The house itself stood near what's now the corner of Macaulay Rd and Albany Rd in Stanmore – built by convicts from 250,000 bricks made on site, with a drive lined by 14 Norfolk Island pines (among the first planted on the mainland) and four iron gates bearing the Johnston coat of arms. It stood until 1905.

Three pieces of it are still in the suburb: the old gatehouse, relocated to 96 Corunna Rd in Stanmore; the original sandstone gates, re-erected at the entrance to Annandale Public School; and Weekley Park, which marks part of the old paddocks. Thanks again to Mayy for the original tip.

Sharp response to angled parking

Last week's "hit reply" on the Johnston St angled parking struck a nerve. Letters came in through the weekend with diagrams, maths and more than one "heart in the mouth" story, we’ve dropped the raw takes in Letters at the bottom of the email.

Crime watch

I don’t love to share this stuff, but sometimes it pays for our tight-knit community to be alert and not alarmed. A local has reported an attempted break-in this week, with intruders caught on her cameras. Others have flagged a car stolen from a nearby apartment carpark, another on Trafalgar St home invasion where a car was taken and later recovered damaged. Plate theft is up across neighbouring police commands too. Police are aware. Crime is normal and has been throughout human history, but it is never welcome nor something people should put up with. Please look after each other out there. (Annandale 2038 FB Post 1, Post 2)

Whites Creek's missing middle

A local has raised concerns about the empty laneway between the north and south sections of the Whites Creek Community Garden, fenced off for years. Plots are assigned one per gardener, with a long waiting list. The post argues the corridor could hold new beds, and questions the recurring spend on fencing over a decision on what the land is for. Seems like a solid idea, but who knows the legal implications? In any case, this local has written to our local leaders. (Annandale 2038 FB Group)

Local Business Spotlight

A New Blend Every Day, a Quiet Moment Just for You

Soul Universe (Cnr of Booth and Trafalgar) is brewing a different tea blend every day, and you're invited to try it, complimentary. Sip while you browse their range of crystals, aromatics, and gifts, or take a quiet moment before a massage or wellness treatment. Their teas come from an Australian boutique brew merchant crafting premium hand-blended teas. It's a gentle reason to stop in, slow down, and see what calls to you. Browse the full range here.

Events

Council Watch

Address Description DA Number
4 Mayes Street Modification to approved works involving alterations and additions to the existing dwelling, including a ground floor extension and removal of the first floor addition. MOD/2026/0176
10 Kentville Avenue Alterations and additions to an existing semi-detached dwelling, including partial demolition of existing structures and construction of ground and first floor additions. DA/2026/0406
160 Annandale Street Alterations and additions to an existing carport. DA/2026/0412
252 Johnston Street Modification to approved alterations and additions to the existing building under the original development consent. MOD/2026/0162
256 Trafalgar Street Modification to approved works involving minor amendments to the ground floor, first floor and retention of a tree. MOD/2026/0146

Real Estate

BEN’S WRAP sponsored by Ben Southwell , Cobden Hayson

In a city growing increasingly fast and disconnected, Annandale still feels unusually human. It’s one of the few pockets where people still seem to know their neighbours, stop for chats at the gate, and bump into familiar faces multiple times a week without planning to.

Perhaps it’s the walkability, the village feel of Booth Street, or simply that many people who move here tend to stay. Kids still gather in parks and laneways, café staff remember names, and there’s a sense that the suburb is shared rather than just lived in.

In a world moving increasingly online and behind closed doors, there’s something comforting about a place that still feels genuinely connected.

JUST SOLD

Address Price Beds Baths Garages
6/139-141 Trafalgar Street $1.1 m 1 1 1
1/2 Hutchinson Street $715 k 1 1 —

Letters to the Troll

Responses to last week’s chatter about Johnston Street’s angled parking

❝

What do you think of the angled parking on Johnston St?

"I've had the same experience in both directions, worse northbound from about Annandale North Public School. The left lane has about 2.6 metres remaining. Cars vary from 1.7 to 2 metres, maximum 2.5m for a light vehicle plus side mirrors. The right lane is a bit over 4 metres wide. There's a pinch point just north of Rose St where the pedestrian refuge reduces all lanes, and I've had a few near misses when vehicles in front are forced out of a narrow lane."

"Almost no one angle parks at 45 degrees. Most park between 60 and 90, some manage 135 (facing the other way). A car is longer diagonally than front to back, so the angle of parking doesn't reduce the protrusion much. Angle-parked cars protrude least at 90 degrees and more at 45, because the protrusion is the length of the diagonal."

"There absolutely should be lines on Johnston Street since some people park almost 90 degrees, which makes their cars stick out further than they should if they were more angled. It would also enable more people to park, as gaps would be limited."

"We live on the eastern side of Johnston St, so 45 degree parking, more like 80 if you look at most parked cars. People commonly get abused when they stop and wait for traffic to pass before reverse parking, but you take your life in your hands if a small truck, SUV or tradie vehicle parks beside you, as you can't see the traffic to your right coming up the increasingly busy Johnston St. Painted lines would be a good start."

"Hate that quick merge. It's as if people never passed angles in primary school maths."

"I actually find the process of pulling out into traffic without being able to see past the bonnet of an SUV or other large vehicle parked next to me on my right far more terrifying. We've had some 'heart in the mouth' moments."

Sincerely,

Mark (resident of Annandale)

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