Editor’s Note

I was down at the pub on the weekend when I got chatting with a fellow local about something readers have been raising for a while now… a proper little wine bar in Annandale, like the ones they’ve got in Summer Hill. Wouldn't it be great? But the conversation took a turn I didn't expect: instead of just wishing for one, we started wondering whether a neighbourhood like ours could actually help make it happen.

Here's the idea. Opening a small bar is a terrifying financial leap for any one person. But what if the Troll and its readers could take some of the risk off the table? A community that pledges support up front, or chips in to get the doors open. To be clear, this isn't me trying to open a wine bar. It's about making it less daunting for someone local who does. This is just a kite I’m flying for a bit of fun, if nothing else but please vote and let us know what you think.

Village News

Have your say on where e-bikes can park

Three months after the Troll flagged the state government's draft e-bike rules, council has opened its own local strategy for feedback. The consultation asks residents to weigh in on three things council controls: designated parking spots for shared bikes, go-slow zones in busy pedestrian areas, and zones where bike power would cut out. The draft names Booth St as one location council is considering for dedicated e-bike parking. Enforcement would use geofencing technology built into the bikes themselves. Feedback closes Wednesday 24 June. (Source: Inner West Council, Annandale 2038 FB Group)

Our competition closes this Sunday

I've been reading the entries for our first kids' writing comp this week, and honestly, I'm floored. The Johnston St Troll has never been written about so well.

Entries close this Sunday, 21 June, so there's still time. It's open to every primary schooler in Annandale and surrounds, across two age brackets, with $50 Messina vouchers for six winners. We'll publish the entries and announce the winners next week. Details on how to enter here.

IWC election chatter starts early

With council elections on the far horizon, a local has opened conversation about who might stand. The post asked where the independents are, and many comments followed, split between those crediting their Labor councillor's work and those frustrated that party politics crowds out community priorities. Former councillor Stamolis noted that ballot paper design in Sydney gives parties a structural advantage over independents, which isn’t present in other states. Six months on from Mayor Darcy Byrne taking the presidency of Local Government NSW, the question of who runs the council next is clearly live. (Source: Inner West Council Watch FB Group)

One Callan Park pitch approved, one refused

On 9 June the independent planning panel considered two synthetic field DAs in Callan Park. They approved one field: the Balmain Rd pitch, with conditions. The panel unanimously refused the Waterfront Drive field, due to concerns pollutants may enter the harbour during flooding. (Source: Inner West Council Watch FB Group)

Half of house fires had no working alarm

I don’t know about you, but my house is cold and the oil heaters are well and truly out. I didn’t realise that there is a service where the local Fireys will come to your place, check your alarms, give tailored advice, and install a free 10-year alarm if you need one. Book through the Fire and Rescue NSW website or ring your local station.

Local Business Spotlight

Keeping Annandale moving since 2007

Most people find Susie and the team at Activate Physio Pilates on Johnston Street the same way: a sore back, a niggly knee, or something that's been quietly getting worse. What they tend to stay for is the care. Every person starts with a proper one-on-one assessment and treatment is built around them, not a generic programme. Physiotherapy, clinical Pilates, Onero and a lot of local faces who've been coming back for years. If you've been putting something off, it's worth having a look here.

Events

Council Watch

Address Description DA Number
177 Parramatta Road Annandale Change of use of the first floor from residential accommodation to office premises, including internal fitout works. DA/2026/0475
232 Annandale Street Annandale Alterations and additions to an existing attached dwelling, including partial demolition of existing structures and construction works across the lower ground, ground, first and second floors. DA/2026/0481

Real Estate

BEN’S WRAP sponsored by Ben Southwell , Cobden Hayson

There’s a feeling of stability beginning to creep back into the property market. The cash rate remains on hold, and auction clearance rates have now spent eleven consecutive weeks hovering around the mid-30% range. Whether that marks the bottom of the cycle remains to be seen, but after months of movement, consistency is a welcome change.

A bigger shift is coming for buyers. New rules around quoting, price guidance and visual price indicators are designed to bring greater transparency to the purchasing process. Frankly, it’s probably overdue. For years, some agents have built careers on apparently having little idea what homes were actually worth, which has always seemed a little comical.

Technology is helping too. Apps like Homer are giving buyers access to price changes, campaign history and agent quoting performance, making it easier than ever to navigate the market with open eyes.

JUST SOLD

Address Price Beds Baths Garages
3/151 Trafalgar Street $1.94 m 3 2 2
33 View Street $1.57 m 1 1 —
18/258 Johnston Street — 1 1 1
18 Pritchard Street $3.15m 4 2 1

Sincerely,

Mark (resident of Annandale)

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We are building a closer Annandale community, so please invite your neighbour: just forward this email or share our website link via message: annandaletroll.com.au

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