CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) spice-throbbing beef folded into cheesy tacos are worth the wait and messy hands Remove items from your saved list to add more Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime ShareMay 2025 hit list See all stories.1 / 9 Jennifer Soo2 / 9Birria taco pack.Jennifer Soo3 / 9Corn elote.Jennifer Soo4 / 9 Jennifer Soo5 / 9 Jennifer Soo6 / 9Cheese melt.Jennifer Soo7 / 9Birria ramen.Jennifer Soo8 / 9 Jennifer Soo9 / 9 Jennifer SooPrevious SlideNext Slide13/20How we score If you’ve recently driven east along Parramatta Road just past Ashfield Bunnings and before the Marco Polo Motor Inn you may have noticed plumes of smoke coming from the car park at Metro Petroleum You may have clocked a queue leading to a mobile food trailer and festoon lighting above white-plastic garden chairs you may have also copped a whiff of carne asada the ancient aroma of steak grilled over searing heat – a cow sacrificed to the gods of all that is delicious It was certainly enough to make me pull over and see what the heck was going on at the Haberfield service station “There’s been a lot of hoo-haa about these tacos on Instagram.” I found a park and got in line Birria taco pack.Jennifer SooAdvertisementTwenty-four-year-old Lawrence Diaz opened Papi’s in August but its most common form globally is slow-cooked A cup of consomé made from the meat’s cooking juices and marinade is served on the side for sipping and taco-dunking Like “girl dinner” and beer-tanning (don’t bother Googling it) birria became wildly popular on TikTok a few years ago messy process of eating the tacos probably has something to do with it but his dedication to the craft means Papi’s is cuts above Sydney’s birria imposters who capitalised on the trend with cheat-code recipes during COVID times Birria consomé (one “m”) has as much in common with France’s clear clarified consommé as Master of Puppets does with Tubular Bells Diaz uses about 30 ingredients for Papi’s consomé including dried ancho and guajillo chillies rib and chuck is cooked in the shimmering broth for 16 hours; plus-sized tortillas kiss the copper-red liquid before hitting the grill where they blister and crisp and become ladles for the tender meat cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese; there is diced onion and coriander Cheese melt.Jennifer SooEach taco is almost a meal unto itself and you’ll want a liberal squeeze of lime to puncture the richness can also be jerry-rigged with instant ramen (very much a dish made to be eaten at the source) Sitting at one of the folding tables at sunset you might feel like you’re at a car park in downtown Los Angeles An Esky is on hand for help-yourself Mexican soft drinks Other highlights include a hunky birria cheese-melt on brioche resilient burrito that’s one of the thickest I’ve ever seen that’s not in Guy Fieri’s hands That carne asada taco featured juicy scotch fillet marinated in ancho chilli but Diaz expects it will return after he tries his hand at al pastor (pork) and tacos de tripas (calf intestines) I’ve found the consomé to be at its thickest and most hypnotic (There’s also a lot to be said for ordering the nachos to go and eating them on the couch with a midnight screening of Drive to Survive.) In February Diaz launched a taco truck in Carlton to service Sydney’s south brick-and-mortar sites in Five Dock and Marrickville I’m all for utilising unloved servo car parks Vibe: Car-park taco party on the edge of town Go-to dish: Birria taco pack ($20); cheese melt ($14); birria ramen ($18) Good Food reviews are booked anonymously and paid independently A restaurant can’t pay for a review or inclusion in the Good Food Guide This review was originally published in Good Weekend magazine This family-run cafe and pasticceria is an old Italian soul worth visitingIn a quiet suburban shopping strip, Maggio’s offers a cornucopia of maritozzi, sfogliatelle and excellent chicken schnitzel sandwiches. This seaside fish shop may sell the best fish 𝄒n𝄒 chips in the statePortions are generous but it’s good to get in early before fish sell out at this small, smart and no-fuss old-school British-style chippy. ‘The most refreshing scoop’: Visiting this dessert parlour is like taking a tropical holidayCabramatta dessert parlour Kreamu is a trove of flavours such as pink dragonfruit and longan, purple soursop and jackfruit. news and the hottest openings served to your inbox Share via...Gift this articleSubscribe to gift this article Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe We speak to the team behind the most intriguing recent property sale The property: A four-bedroom, renovated federation home at 13 Dudley Street, Haberfield SaveLog in or Subscribe to save articleShareCopy link Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe. Follow the topics, people and companies that matter to you. as ferocious Sydney auction blows upStephen Nicholls It was standing room only at the McGrath auction rooms as the 18 blocks at 140A Hawthorne Pde More than 60 bidders registered for Thursday night’s auction of 18 Department of Defence blocks in the inner west turned up to the McGrath auction rooms as the 18 lots at the former Haberfield Army Reserve Depot went under the hammer “The auction was a phenomenal success with all lots sold amid highly competitive bidding,” said McGrath national sales manager and auctioneer Troy Malcolm “Over 60 parties registered to bid underscoring the uniqueness and significance of this offering.” McGrath Inner West specialist Michael Tringali Deputy mayor’s $12m cash grab More than 60 parties registered to bid for the blocks National sales manager and auctioneer Troy Malcolm in full flight at last night’s auction “It demonstrated how highly sought-after vacant land “Last night’s auction illustrates the simple rule of demand versus supply.” The highest price paid was $3.06m for Lot 6 That auction was a battle of the locals after both the buyer and underbidder had tried to buy in Haberfield for more than two years The lowest price was $1.765m for a 571 sqm block The largest block offered was 1044 sqm – it sold for $2.25m The auction opened with multiple registered bidders placing 32 bids vying for Lot 2 MORE: They’re all wrong: RBA to cut rates again McGrath inner west specialist Michael Tringali at last night’s auction The blocks were popular due to their proximity to the CBD The Department of Defence offered 17 individually titled lots of prime vacant residential land and one lot was offered by a private owner McGrath CEO John McGrath had said: “This is one of the most significant residential land offerings to be released to the market in Inner Sydney in recent years “Haberfield is a coveted residential precinct and the opportunity to buy prime vacant land like this has rarely been available to buyers wanting to build their dream homes are less than 1km from Haberfield village and a five-minute walk from light rail The median price for four-bedroom houses in Haberfield is $3.5m Prices have risen 11.1 per cent over the past year MORE: Housewife’s $17m rejection third parties have written and supplied the content and we are not responsible for it completeness or reliability of the information nor do we accept any liability or responsibility arising in any way from omissions or errors contained in the content We do not recommend sponsored lenders or loan products and we cannot introduce you to sponsored lenders We strongly recommend that you obtain independent advice before you act on the content realestate.com.au is owned and operated by ASX-listed REA Group Ltd (REA:ASX) © REA Group Ltd. By accessing or using our platform, you agree to our Terms of Use. big backyards and consistency of architecture,” says McGrath agent and local resident Michael Tringali “But then we’ve got the Haberfield culture which comes back to a real food culture that was brought by the Italian immigrants who moved here in the 1960s and 1970s.” The names of the local eateries help to tell the story: Dolcissimo French and Chinese restaurants are also “fantastic”.) “It feels like a real slice of Italy just got plonked in Haberfield,” he says “There’s huge community spirit here because people shop and eat locally.” Victoria Morrison moved her family of four into the suburb in 2019 and says the character homes were definitely part of the appeal it’s been the neighbours who have made Haberfield a special home but it’s only strengthened our community ties,” she says welcoming people who are genuinely interested in chatting to you I love going to the local cafe and finding myself having coffee with friends I love having neighbours who drop over their home cooking fresh fruits from their gardens or just for a chat.” After living in Haberfield for more than 40 years Tringali figures he’ll probably be staying put “We’ve had the opportunity to move to lots of other great places but the community spirit and the food culture here makes it so difficult to leave,” he says “We’ve made enduring friendships with like-minded people who live in the area it would just be so hard to live anywhere else.” North Manly: Why this sister suburb is no second choice Killcare: ‘A perfect balance between the urban hustle and seaside calm’ Collaroy: The exclusive enclave known as The Basin continue to command the suburb’s highest prices with Michael Tringali from McGrath It’s almost impossible to get a bad coffee in Haberfield, says Tringali. Stop in at any of the cafes and find your fix. Tringali’s pick? The Hungry Grasshopper Cafe. Wander down to Timbrell Park on Haberfield’s northern border and walk or run the hugely popular Bay Run, a seven-kilometre loop around Iron Cove. “You can stop in for a coffee and puppuccino at the newly refreshed Haberfield Rowers Club.” With the light rail providing a 30-minute CBD commute and the WestConnex, Haberfield is surprisingly central. Tringali says the fast-route road systems greatly benefit both professionals and tradies who want to get in and out of the suburb. The information on this website is intended to be of a general nature only and doesn't consider your objectives, financial situation or needs. where we are privileged to live and operate After nearly two decades of bureaucratic delays the Department of Defence is finally set to sell its long-held land in Sydney’s sought-after Inner West suburb of Haberfield The old Army Reserve Depot covers 19 000 square metres of land and has remained undeveloped since the Department of Defence first tried to sell the land at $18.2 million for 21 lots before the sale was blocked by council officials who raised flooding concerns Four of the original buyers have retained their deposits meaning only 17 lots will go for sale this year The original sales ranged from $742,000 to $945,000 One of the original buyers has decided to sell their lot the Department of Defence’s appointed selling agent McGrath CEO John McGrath has called this sale “one of the most unique and exciting offerings” in his 40-year career The site at Hawthorne Parade (with entry from Darragh Lane) comprises 17 level lots ranging in size from 500 sqm to 1,044 sqm With McGrath national general manager of sales and auctioneer Troy Malcolm overseeing the action bids for the lots are expected to range from $1.6m to $2.85m at the auction scheduled for March 27 “Haberfield is a coveted residential precinct and the opportunity to buy prime vacant land like this has rarely been available to buyers wanting to build their dream homes,” John McGrath said Known as ‘The Garden Suburb,’ Haberfield is a heritage-listed area that has preserved its parks and beautiful Federation-era houses with gardens A 2020 profile of the suburb highlights its prime location Also, the 2023 Estimated Resident Population for Haberfield is 6681, with a population density of 2,788 persons per square km. The median house price in the ‘Garden Suburb’ is around $2.685 million, with a recent decrease of 9% and a 37% increase in buyer demand, according to Real Estate property data The Department of Defence’s appointed sales agent commenced an auction campaign on 11 February 2025 The auction is scheduled to occur on the 27 March at 6.00pm Level 2/19 Harris Street no McLovin muffins: So what can you get at wildly popular Happyfield’s new diner?New York-style “chopped cheese” sandwiches beignet doughnuts and soft-serve sundaes are set to put a smile on diners’ faces ShareHappyfield’s pancakes have been called the best in Sydney – but you won’t find them on the menu at their new diner, Happy Shop. “There won’t be pancakes. There won’t be McLovin muffins. There won’t even be eggs and sides,” says Chris Theodosi, co-owner of Happyfield and Happy Shop. Inside the cheerful Happyfield cafe in Haberfield.Jennifer SooThat news is bound to make some folks unhappy – but the new menu, which includes a New York-style chopped cheese sandwich and deep-fried beignet doughnuts, presents plenty of crowd-pleasers regardless. Happy Shop will take over the former site of Yiayia’s Gone Bad in Haberfield – just two doors down from Happyfield – and is expected to open towards the end of the year. Architect Matt Wood, who nailed the diner aesthetic at Valentinas in Marrickville and Flora in Newtown, will oversee the design, which will offer an elevated take on Happyfield’s cheerful aesthetic, with “lots of yellow”. The wedge salad at Happyfield. There will be two new salads on the menu at Happy Shop. Jennifer SooThe kitchen will take up the entire indoor area, with seating for 40 outside in a covered courtyard. “It will be a bit like a fancy fast food restaurant,” Theodosi says. “There will be an order window and a pick-up area. There will be no plates – everything will be served on yellow fast food trays.” The menu, which is currently in development, will revolve around past specials from Happyfield – “all those hot ticket items that we never had time to do because we were always so busy making pancakes,” Theodosi says. Instead of the McLovin muffin – Happyfield’s signature chicken sausage and folded egg roll – Happy Shop will serve two new brekkie muffins made from custom patties created by LP’s Quality Meats. Chris Theodosi and Jesse Orleans from Cafe of the Year, Happyfield, in Haberfield.Edwina PicklesAdvertisementThere will also be a stack of new sandwiches, hot and cold, including the New York-style chopped cheese, made from Whole Beast Butchery ground beef, onion and American cheese, smashed together on a hot grill and tucked in a hoagie roll. “It was probably our most popular sandwich special at Happyfield ever – we ended up bringing it back four times,” Theodosi says. Rounding out the menu will be two salads, including a fresh take on a classic caesar. The dessert menu will be all about the beignets – a deep-fried pastry from New Orleans, buried in powdered sugar and served in new custom Happy Shop beignet bags. Happy Shop will serve New Orleans-style beignets. SuppliedCoffee will be on tap, literally, with a self-serve drinks station featuring pour-your-own batch brew and cold brew coffee, as well as lemonade and iced tea. Theodosi and co-owner and chef Jesse Orleans had thought about opening Happy Shop in a different area of Sydney, but they also saw an opportunity to lessen the lines at Happyfield. “There’s so much overflow on the weekend. It was a two-hour wait before we added our second dining room and even now, it’s still a one-hour wait on the weekends.” No queues? Now that will make a lot of people happy. The property: A five-bedroom house on 638 square metres at 3 Ramsay Street, Haberfield were the site of the former Haberfield Army Reserve Depot Vacant land anywhere close to Sydney’s CBD is rare as hen’s teeth so when 17 house blocks go under the hammer at once it’s something crow about — particularly in this hot spot McGrath Estate Agents has been appointed by the Department of Defence as exclusive selling agent for one of its most prized residential land holdings in the popular inner west suburb of Haberfield McGrath CEO John McGrath describes the site of the former Haberfield Army Reserve Depot as one of the most significant residential land offerings to be released to the market in inner Sydney in recent years Chemist Warehouse boss buys “spare” $25m mansion McGrath CEO John McGrath says it’s one of the most exciting offerings in his 40-year career “I’ve been in real estate for over 40 years and this is one of the most unique and exciting offerings we’ve had the pleasure of bringing to the market,” he said With McGrath national general manager of sales and auctioneer Troy Malcolm presiding bidding for the lots is expected to range from $1.6m to $2.85m at the auction set for the evening of March 27 Mr McGrath said vacant land in the area was extremely rare “Haberfield is a coveted residential precinct and the opportunity to buy prime vacant land like this has rarely been available to buyers wanting to build their dream homes,” he said The 17 level lots range in size from 500sqm to 1,044sqm with bidding expected to range between $1.6m to $2.85m “Haberfield is one of Australia’s proudest heritage suburbs with almost all the original Victorian and Federation homes intact having been carefully preserved and now protected by a local heritage conservation order.” Haberfield was established in 1901 as a retreat from cramped inner city living tree-lined streets and large garden blocks a long-term resident of Haberfield and a property specialist in the area describes it as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” parks and surrounding cafes and restaurants make Haberfield one of Australia’s most liveable suburbs,” Mr Tringali said McGrath national general manager of sales and auctioneer Troy Malcolm will put the blocks under the hammer on March 27 The Hawthorne Parade site is a five-minute walk from the Light Rail and less than 600m from Haberfield’s Town Centre when accessed from the O’Connor Street walkway Leichhardt’s popular Norton Street Village and Market Place are four minutes’ drive away “We have a strong community culture that celebrates great coffee and amazing Italian food,” Mr Tringali said “This is a suburb that recognises its deep European ties and welcomes everyone.” PropTrack puts the median price for four-bedroom houses in Haberfield at $3.5m We speak to the team behind last week’s most intriguing property sale The property: A three-bedroom semi-detached home at 130 Ramsay Street, Haberfield He meets garden designer Kath Gadd to see the personal touches she has added to her patch of suburban paradise.  Kath describes her designs as ‘plant heavy’, which is a world away from the blank canvas of lawn with a couple of palm trees that originally sat around the Art Deco-style house. Her front garden has formal touches, with tiered water fountain and mounds of Lomandra ‘Mist’ outlining borders and paths, while the rear garden is a pocket of wildness.  In the back, a wide, circular gravel path leads to a seating area with firepit and there are other nooks and seating areas. With hidden spaces, it also serves as a discovery path for children. Stepping stones link other spaces together. Upright recycled railway sleepers create a vertical element used to visually separate other areas.  A mix of foliage creates interest, contrasting greys and greens, fine and broader leaves, and upright forms next to weeping ones. Kath loves using ornamental native grasses, including Austrostipa ramosissima, which is tall enough to create a screen and grows in both sun and shade.  Rocks for lizards to bask on and a bird bath were added to welcome wildlife.  A grass tree has pride of place has pride of place next to the fountain in the front garden. Another feature is a silver-leafed hakea bush, which is a nod to the many olive trees and Mediterranean feel of the neighbourhood. Many plants grow straight out of the wide stretches of gravel that blurs the lines between pathway and garden beds.  Standard forms have been grafted using unusual plant choices, such as Banksia spinulosa ‘Birthday Candles’ and an Acacia cognata ‘Limelight’. * Check before planting: this may be an environmental weed in your area Filmed on Wangal Country | Haberfield, NSW Clarence visits Australia’s first planned Garden Suburb of Haberfield in Sydney’s inner-west - designed to give people a greater connection to nature.  Kath describes her designs as ‘plant heavy’, which is a world away from the blank canvas of lawn with a couple of palm trees that originally sat around the Art Deco-style house. Her front garden has formal touches, with tiered water fountain and mounds of and credible horticultural and gardening advice inspiring and entertaining all Australian gardeners around the nation Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time It is the rarest of Sydney sights: more than a dozen vacant residential lots in a sought-after pocket of inner west suburbia hitting the real estate market ready to go under the hammer in one fell swoop The Department of Defence is selling a 1.9-hectare parcel of flood-prone land in Haberfield that has been empty and stuck in bureaucratic limbo since the army stopped using it more than 20 years ago The lots were first auctioned off in 2003 but have remained vacant largely due to flooding concerns.Credit: Rhett Wyman Residents and the Inner West Council had pushed for the site to be transformed into public housing or parkland which insisted it had to be sold at market value Seventeen of the Hawthorne Parade site’s 21 blocks ranging in size from 500 to 1044 square metres A central triangle of land will remain undeveloped Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne said: “What is going up for sale which is not the most immediate need that we have.” said the undeveloped lots were expected to fetch between $1.6 million and $2.85 million “It is absolutely super rare to find a release of 21 vacant parcels of land within 8.5 kilometres of the CBD.” known as the Haberfield Army Reserve Depot the former Ashfield Council gave development consent for the land to be subdivided into 21 lots including one site dedicated to the council for public open space But it has been locked in limbo since 2003, when the Defence Department sold 21 lots at auction for $18 million only for the buyers to discover that a subdivision certificate had never been issued All but four buyers rescinded their offers. The certificate was dependent on Defence installing a drainage system to ensure the land – which is situated below sea level and prone to flash flooding – was habitable. In 2021, council staff approved the construction of drainage works that paved the way for the subdivision to finally be registered last year All but four of the buyers at the original auction in 2003 rescinded their offers Haberfield Association army land convener Brett Burton said the site was affected by “three major issues”: “Unknown contamination “The flood remediation works reduced the maximum flood height by 15 per cent The drainage works that were approved by council will reduce flooding on the site by a maximum of only 20 per cent The council says the site has been remediated of contaminated soil and is suitable for residential use while Defence says all blocks are safe to build and live on The council said flood modelling conducted for the subdivision showed “no increase in hazard to the subject and surrounding properties” Seven properties would need to be built on concrete piers A Defence Department spokesman said it had upgraded the site’s stormwater drainage system and existing internal roads and fixtures and completed environmental and heritage investigative works “Prospective purchasers have access to a range of due diligence materials that demonstrate all conditions for the subdivision have been met,” the spokesman said “Prospective purchasers will need to comply with council’s planning and environmental requirements upon seeking development application approval for their future build.” only single-storey homes can be built and at least half the block must be landscaped Haberfield was planned as Australia’s first “garden suburb” Federation-style homes on large blocks predominate.Credit: Steven Siewert Referring to the suburb’s signature Federation-style houses Tringali said: “It’s so special because you know what you’re going to have next door and the big McMansions won’t be popping up and ruining your privacy.” Given the task of delivering 7800 new homes in the inner west local government area by mid-2029 Byrne said the standalone houses to be built within the heritage suburb represented a “very modest development” given Sydney’s housing supply and affordability crisis “Haberfield is one of the most expensive suburbs in the inner west because the lot sizes are so large You regularly see homes on the market for more than $4 million.” Byrne said there was more intense demand from buyers and renters for units with one to three bedrooms “That’s not going to be delivered here,” he said The department said residential development had been identified as the “optimum outcome” for the Haberfield site and it would contribute to the Commonwealth’s policy of unlocking surplus land for housing Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. It is the rarest of Sydney sights: more than a dozen vacant residential lots in a sought-after pocket of inner west suburbia hitting the real estate market, ready to go under the hammer in one fell swoop. The Department of Defence is selling a 1.9-hectare parcel of flood-prone land in Haberfield that has been empty and stuck in bureaucratic limbo since the army stopped using it more than 20 years ago. Residents and the Inner West Council had pushed for the site to be transformed into public housing or parkland, but were rebuffed by the department, which insisted it had to be sold at market value. Seventeen of the Hawthorne Parade site\\u2019s 21 blocks, ranging in size from 500 to 1044 square metres, are scheduled for auction on Thursday. A central triangle of land will remain undeveloped. Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne said: \\u201CWhat is going up for sale, and what has been approved, is fairly large homes, which is not the most immediate need that we have.\\u201D Real estate agent Michael Tringali, of McGrath Estate Agents, said the undeveloped lots were expected to fetch between $1.6 million and $2.85 million. \\u201CIt is absolutely super rare to find a release of 21 vacant parcels of land within 8.5 kilometres of the CBD.\\u201D The site, known as the Haberfield Army Reserve Depot, has a long history. In 2001, the former Ashfield Council gave development consent for the land to be subdivided into 21 lots, including one site dedicated to the council for public open space. But it has been locked in limbo since 2003, when the Defence Department for $18 million, only for the buyers to discover that a subdivision certificate had never been issued. All but four buyers rescinded their offers. The certificate was dependent on Defence installing a drainage system to ensure the land \\u2013 which is situated below sea level and prone to flash flooding \\u2013 was habitable. In 2021, council staff that paved the way for the subdivision to finally be registered last year. Haberfield Association army land convener Brett Burton said the site was affected by \\u201Cthree major issues\\u201D: \\u201CUnknown contamination, known flooding, and insurance. \\u201CThe flood remediation works reduced the maximum flood height by 15 per cent. It still floods.\\u201D The drainage works that were approved by council will reduce flooding on the site by a maximum of only 20 per cent. The council says the site has been remediated of contaminated soil and is suitable for residential use, while Defence says all blocks are safe to build and live on. The council said flood modelling conducted for the subdivision showed \\u201Cno increase in hazard to the subject and surrounding properties\\u201D. Seven properties would need to be built on concrete piers. A Defence Department spokesman said it had upgraded the site\\u2019s stormwater drainage system and existing internal roads and fixtures, and completed environmental and heritage investigative works. \\u201CProspective purchasers have access to a range of due diligence materials that demonstrate all conditions for the subdivision have been met,\\u201D the spokesman said. \\u201CProspective purchasers will need to comply with council\\u2019s planning and environmental requirements upon seeking development application approval for their future build.\\u201D Haberfield, which was planned as a \\u201Cgarden suburb\\u201D, is a heritage conservation area. Under the council\\u2019s rules, only single-storey homes can be built and at least half the block must be landscaped. Referring to the suburb\\u2019s signature Federation-style houses, Tringali said: \\u201CIt\\u2019s so special because you know what you\\u2019re going to have next door, and the big McMansions won\\u2019t be popping up and ruining your privacy.\\u201D Given the task of delivering 7800 new homes in the inner west local government area by mid-2029, Byrne said the standalone houses to be built within the heritage suburb represented a \\u201Cvery modest development\\u201D given Sydney\\u2019s housing supply and affordability crisis. \\u201CHaberfield is one of the most expensive suburbs in the inner west because the lot sizes are so large. You regularly see homes on the market for more than $4 million.\\u201D Byrne said there was more intense demand from buyers and renters for units with one to three bedrooms. \\u201CThat\\u2019s not going to be delivered here,\\u201D he said. The department said residential development had been identified as the \\u201Coptimum outcome\\u201D for the Haberfield site, and it would contribute to the Commonwealth\\u2019s policy of unlocking surplus land for housing. Start the day with a summary of the day\\u2019s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. . The property: A five-bedroom house on 765 square metres at 4 Gillies Avenue the unconventional bun wowed the Good Food office like no other Easter treat SaveLog in, register or subscribe to save recipes for later.You have reached your maximum number of saved items except a surplus of freshly baked hot cross buns sent to the Good Food mailroom every Easter from the classically spiced to the stale and strange but it’s the limited edition pistachio cream-filled hot cross buns from family-owned Sydney bakery Pasticceria Papa that our office can’t stop talking about The pistachio cream-filled hot cross bun at Pasticceria Papa in Five Dock.Thomas WieleckiI know what you’re thinking this is not a sponsored post (at Good Food it’s a public service announcement: this might be Sydney’s best unconventional hot cross bun this Easter “Oh my God!” and “Wow!” as one person after another took their first bite There was the quiet reappearance of people who were sneaking in seconds there was the dramatic response from my husband: “That is f----d,” he yelled from across the house having found (read: stolen) and eaten the remaining bun I’d stashed in my bag Hand-piping the batches of pistachio hot cross buns at Pasticceria Papa in Five Dock.Thomas WieleckiSo The bakers at Pasticceria Papa in Five Dock and Haberfield spend four hours making each hot cross bun generously hand-piping them with their house-made pistachio cream before topping them with a drizzle of white chocolate pistachio sauce and chopped pistachio nuts This hot cross bun may look like a bold explosion of flavour when pulled apart for social media but there’s just the right amount of filling to brighten each bite since Sicilian-born baker Salvatore Papa opened the first Pasticceria Papa in Haberfield 35 years ago that the bakery has ventured beyond standard sultana or chocolate chip hot cross buns says Papa’s daughter and head office manager is branching out for Easter this year with their range of flavoured hot cross buns.Thomas WieleckiAdvertisementInspired by the variety of buns appearing at major supermarkets over the past few years the production team (led by Salvatore’s brother Alessandro) underwent a long process of trial and error before new flavours pistachio and Belgian chocolate chip (another winner filled with salted caramel sauce) debuted in March “We were nervous about it – what if [the pistachio bun] was too heavy our regular customers went crazy for them,” says Carmelina “We decided to quickly put it on TikTok and it just went viral Quickly devoured.Thomas WieleckiThe entire range of hot cross buns will be available at the Five Dock and Haberfield bakeries throughout Easter but the pistachio buns may remain on the menu a little longer “We’re working on a way to keep it on the menu for at least a month,” Papa says SaveLog in, register or subscribe to save recipes for later.You have reached your maximum number of saved items ShareWhen Des Middleton tried to open a pub in Haberfield in 1948 the Metropolitan Licensing Board quashed his application A Herald report at the time noted 4238 Haberfield residents opposed Middleton’s proposed transfer of a Sydney CBD pub licence to their happy hamlet Given more than half of Haberfield’s then adult population of 7500 took time to object says something about the early residents of the suburb located just over six kilometres from the CBD Ashfield alderman Richard Stanton had conceived Haberfield as “slum-less lane-less” and – to the delight of the wowsers – “pub-less” but also without the inner west’s accoutrements de jour: a wine bar or small bar Haberfield was conceived as “slum-less, lane-less” and “pub-less”.Steven SiewertThis historical drinking quirk was brought into the now with the arrival of restaurateur Con Dedes, who last month added Haberfield Rowers Club, rebranded as Regatta Club, to his hospitality portfolio Dedes, whose hospitality group includes Pyrmont’s Flying Fish restaurant has armed the Haberfield venue with new menus and decked staff out in T-shirts with a cheeky nod to the suburb’s rather “dry” reputation “It says Regatta Pub Club with the pub crossed out,” Dedes says Dedes explains the venue’s unique position as Haberfield’s only club where you can grab an alcoholic drink probably morphed out of its sporting club lineage and the quirk of its more isolated location at the edge of Haberfield chef John Lanzafame felt the weight of trying to get a liquor licence when he opened a restaurant in the suburb two decades ago Ramsay Street in Haberfield.Steven SiewertLanzafame says the process became so arduous “In the end we had to open without a liquor licence,” he says unable to serve alcohol despite having a sommelier on the payroll When it was eventually granted six months later Lanzafame says his Haberfield restaurant (which has since closed) was the only one at the time with a full liquor licence aside from “a couple of places that could serve wine For all the talk of Haberfield’s heritage conservation zone it’s hard to find anything precluding the opening of either “I was told at the time it was an unwritten [mandate],” Lanzafame says Ashfield Council has since merged with Leichhardt and Marrickville councils to become Inner West Council in 2016 “there are no specific planning controls relating to restrictions on pubs opening in Haberfield” has decked staff out in T-shirts with a cheeky nod to Haberfield’s “dry” reputation.1oh1With no recent applications for either a pub or wine bar the suburb’s reputation could be behind the lack of attempts from operators to test the waters “Before we opened, people used to pop in and ask if we were going to be a wine bar,” says Chris Theodosi, co-owner of Haberfield’s award-winning Happyfield cafe “There might be a few residents resistant to it but I think most are screaming for one,” Theodosi says while conceding Happyfield “sells more merch than alcohol” “A wine bar or small bar seems to be one thing Haberfield needs,” Lanzafame says of his old stomping ground Until someone takes the temperature of residents on the issue, Haberfield restaurants are the best bet for a drink. Con Dedes says locals can grab a drink without eating at Regatta Club. Or they can pop over to neighbouring Summer Hill for a cocktail at The Temperance Society. ShareLicense this articleMore: Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter Seventeen of the Hawthorne Parade site\\u2019s 21 blocks Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne said: \\u201CWhat is going up for sale which is not the most immediate need that we have.\\u201D But it has been locked in limbo since 2003 when the Defence Department for $18 million All but four buyers rescinded their offers The certificate was dependent on Defence installing a drainage system to ensure the land \\u2013 which is situated below sea level and prone to flash flooding \\u2013 was habitable council staff that paved the way for the subdivision to finally be registered last year Haberfield Association army land convener Brett Burton said the site was affected by \\u201Cthree major issues\\u201D: \\u201CUnknown contamination \\u201CThe flood remediation works reduced the maximum flood height by 15 per cent The council said flood modelling conducted for the subdivision showed \\u201Cno increase in hazard to the subject and surrounding properties\\u201D A Defence Department spokesman said it had upgraded the site\\u2019s stormwater drainage system and existing internal roads and fixtures \\u201CProspective purchasers have access to a range of due diligence materials that demonstrate all conditions for the subdivision have been met,\\u201D the spokesman said which was planned as a \\u201Cgarden suburb\\u201D Referring to the suburb\\u2019s signature Federation-style houses Tringali said: \\u201CIt\\u2019s so special because you know what you\\u2019re going to have next door and the big McMansions won\\u2019t be popping up and ruining your privacy.\\u201D Byrne said the standalone houses to be built within the heritage suburb represented a \\u201Cvery modest development\\u201D given Sydney\\u2019s housing supply and affordability crisis \\u201CHaberfield is one of the most expensive suburbs in the inner west because the lot sizes are so large You regularly see homes on the market for more than $4 million.\\u201D \\u201CThat\\u2019s not going to be delivered here,\\u201D he said The department said residential development had been identified as the \\u201Coptimum outcome\\u201D for the Haberfield site and it would contribute to the Commonwealth\\u2019s policy of unlocking surplus land for housing Start the day with a summary of the day\\u2019s most important and interesting stories Warwick Farm horseman Matthew Smith could be in for a big day at Goulburn on Monday with the trainer having a big team of runners accepted to race While Smith has a number of his Goulburn runners also in at Scone on Tuesday he looks to have strong claims of snaring a success when stablemates Haberfield and My Greek God clash in the Goulburn Christmas Cup 20/12 Maiden Plate (1600m) Haberfield debuted at Nowra with a fourth behind another Smith-trained stablemate in Super Sugoi and My Greek God contested the same race when finishing third “Both My Greek God and Haberfield are coming out of the same race in which they both debuted in and they have come through it in very good order,” said Smith “I was very happy with the way both of them raced that day and if they can repeat those efforts then they both should figure prominently again.” Jess Taylor rode Haberfield on debut and Molly Bourke was aboard My Greek God Both riders stick with the respective gallopers at Goulburn Bourke will also ride the Smith-prepared Dark Vador in the Electel Services Benchmark 58 Handicap – Heat Of The Rising Star (1400m) “We took Dark Vador down to Victoria to run at Kyneton last time out and he ran a better race so here’s hoping he can show that improvement again at Goulburn,” Smith said Invader filly Lady Memphis will represent Smith in the Goulburn Hay Supplies Maiden Plate (1000m) with Louise Day taking the ride and Smith is expecting the three-year-old filly to take plenty of beating “She’d shown some ability in her trials before she debuted at Newcastle and ran second,” said Smith “She’s drawn a good barrier and should put herself in a good position and take plenty of holdingout.” The Smith pair of Le Souci and Icon Dream are both acceptors in the Goulburn Carpet Court Class 1 & Maiden Plate (2145m) but they are also both in the fields at Scone on Tuesday Smith also has December Sky in the Emma Murphy Racing Benchmark 58 Handicap (1600m) with it also in at Scone on Tuesday Supplied by Racing NSWFull form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au \\u201CBoth My Greek God and Haberfield are coming out of the same race in which they both debuted in and they have come through it in very good order,\\u201D said Smith \\u201CI was very happy with the way both of them raced that day and if they can repeat those efforts then they both should figure prominently again.\\u201D Bourke will also ride the Smith-prepared Dark Vador in the Electel Services Benchmark 58 Handicap \\u2013 Heat Of The Rising Star (1400m) \\u201CWe took Dark Vador down to Victoria to run at Kyneton last time out and he ran a better race so here\\u2019s hoping he can show that improvement again at Goulburn,\\u201D Smith said \\u201CShe\\u2019d shown some ability in her trials before she debuted at Newcastle and ran second,\\u201D said Smith \\u201CShe\\u2019s drawn a good barrier and should put herself in a good position and take plenty of holdingout.\\u201D Supplied by Racing NSWFull form and race replays available at It’s been 22 years since the Sydney family moved into the home in the leafy surroundings of Haberfield in Sydney’s inner west.  When they took over the keys, the home was a rambling hippy commune. It was only after moving in that they noticed many of the home’s original, unusual features.  hallways and doorways were wider than usual Before the peace and love of the previous residents they learned the home was a former maternity hospital Their bedroom was the old hospital dining room “There was evidence of this history. The front door, hallways, and doorways into the main rooms are very wide to allow beds to be rolled through,” one of the owner’s daughters told Domain we had an elderly man visit us who had been born here.”  the owners have worked hard to make the home their own ‘Virtually untouched’: Grand Newtown house selling for first time in decades Twenty-something spends $2.15m on ‘really cheap’ home she only saw that day Grand mansion in Sydney’s eastern suburbs sells for $50m “My mother is an industrial designer and she worked with a colleague from UNSW to design the house,” the daughter said “They wanted to open it up and allow for indoor-outdoor living.” sprawling single-level that pairs ornate federation craftsmanship with high-spec contemporary architecture It boasts separate formal and informal living spaces, stone floors and timber frames that extend out to the decking. The abode also has a studio space as well as a separate dedicated home office. The home’s deliberate indoor-outdoor focus effortlessly weaves into the garden setting.  “Mum loves gardens and wanted them to be a part of the house. They are extremely happy with the house, it’s been the most amazing place to grow up in and fantastic for parties,” the daughter said. “As a child, we used to have enormous live Christmas trees that almost touched our 3.5 metre ceilings. The smell of pine would spread throughout the house and gathering around them on Christmas morning was like something out of a magical Hollywood Christmas movie.”  The owners are selling as they plan to downsize. They have been working on renovating a small semi in Glebe. “Haberfield was a perfect village for children to grow up in. But now that we have gotten older, all of us want a more inner-city living experience. Mum and Dad have also travelled to Japan many times and are drawn to a smaller house in a more urban environment,” she said. The home is on the market with BresicWhitney Inner West with a price guide of $4.7 million. Where to Find Australia’s Best Inner-City Bakeries By Katya Wachtel By Katya Wachtel By Matheus Happy Shop is a spinoff from the team behind Harberfield’s Hot-Listed American diner-inspired cafe Happyfield, serving some of Sydney’s best pancakes. The new spot is geared towards a more takeaway offering with a focus on breakfast and lunch classics. There’ll be counter service, plus courtyard seating. Here’s hoping the McLovin muffins make the jump over. Happy Shop will open at 68 Dalhousie Street, Haberfield in 2025. We do not seek or accept payment from the cafes, restaurants, bars and shops listed in the Directory – inclusion is at our discretion. Venue profiles are written by independent freelancers paid by Broadsheet. Knafeh, Charcoal Chicken and Rosewater Desserts: A Local’s Guide to Merrylands Where Chefs Eat: Peter Gilmore Really Knows Crows Nest, Willoughby and More First Look: At El Taco, Ex-Tradies Grill Hard-to-Find Mexican Street Snacks First Look: Berta’s Deli Knows “Everyone Loves a Sandwich” Melissa Haberfield (standing) has worked in elite sports for a decade and says she has experienced discrimination Federal government announces $200 million funding for women's sport Fewer Australian women are working part-time Here's how much more men are paid than women and the biggest industry gaps Workplace diversity battling unconscious bias ShareGet SBS News daily and direct to your InboxSign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.Your email address *Morning (Mon–Fri) File picturesIncoming Dennington A grade netball coaches Jess Haberfield and Krystal Roads won't be reinventing the wheel rather building on the Warrnambool and District league club's strong foundations in their first season in charge All articles from our website & appThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxInteractive Crosswords, Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe pair - who have played together in an A grade premiership with the club - replace esteemed mentor Sue Fleming in the hot seat They're ready to take on the challenge of guiding a list which finished narrowly short of finals over the past two seasons Haberfield and Roads at this stage will predominately be non-playing coaches but are expected to contribute on-court when or if needed The pair have both coached the club to A reserve premierships - Haberfield in 2015 and 2016 and Roads in 2017 I'm excited to see how it all goes," Haberfield told The Standard It would have been good to have been in the five this year so it should be interesting to see how far we can go but our main focus is that coaching role and if we do on-court we'll jump on." Haberfield, a star during the club's period of success between 2015-2017 said outgoing coach Sue Fleming's methods and philosophies as coach were ingrained after spending years under her mentorship I also work with her and her commitments have increased so it made sense in a way," she said a lot of structures are in place and if you do your basics right the rest will come they've lived the way we've also been coached by Sue Everybody knows the expectations when they jump on the court for Dennington." who has been a player and coach at Dennington for more than 15 years said she was excited to take on an A grade coaching role for the first time after spending some time away from the game especially to do it with a really good friend," she said travelled around Australia and then moved back and I got a message to do it on my own but Jess and I got in contact with each other and started talking "We've both been coached by Sue so it's ingrained in us her methods and we want to build on her foundations The experienced Roads said they would assess where the list was at what was needed from a recruitment perspective and build from there we'll kind of see but it'll be just to fill holes when needed," she said but we met with Sue to get her feedback on what was needed and that was experience "I haven't seen a lot of the girls play before but got sent a video of a game and they look pretty impressive "There's also a few A res players who are keen but we'll have some catch-up days in November and see what we need to do with recruiting." Newsletters & AlertsView allDaily Today's top stories curated by our news team Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters Keep up with netball news from across the region tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert Your digital replica of Today's Paper Test your skills with interactive crosswords A renovated four-bedroom house in Haberfield has sent shockwaves through the inner west community after it sold at auction for $2.02 million above the reserve The $7.02 million sale price for 17 Waratah St was achieved at a virtual auction that saw 20 buyers register to bid on the weekend MORE: Inside Karl Stefanovic’s waterfront mansion Nicole Kidman leads celebrities moving to this NSW region 18 year-old buys $5m Sydney mansion CoreLogic reports it also eclipsed the previous $6.25 million suburb record set in April by 11 Crescent St McGrath Leichhardt selling agent Michael Tringali who along with the vendors were left stunned by how the property managed to sell for $2.02 million more than the reserve “It was a total surprise to get a price like this to be honest,” he said “There is a lack of supply across the inner west of homes of this quality Mr Tringali said the property was a one off home for the area and as a result it attracted buyers who would not usually look in Haberfield The Waratah St residence surpassed the Haberfield record only set in April “This price looks like it will realign price expectations in Haberfield with many buyers showing an appreciation for the suburb with its big blocks and good size homes close to the city,” he said The Haberfield property was one of 796 homes that were scheduled to go under the hammer across Sydney CoreLogic reports the city had an 82.3 per cent clearance rate from 570 cleared results the clearance rate was above the 67.5 per cent recorded this time last year A total of six bidders took part in the auction after bidding opened at $4.75 million including the buyer — a local family upsizing The stunning four-bedroom property on 695sqm had manicured lawns a modern extension at the rear and a swimming pool a “scenic” upstairs terrace and a solar system with a Tesla battery and charger Haberfield house prices have soared 27 per cent over the past 12 months to $2.772 million More than 20 buyers registered to bid on 17 Waratah Street, which sold for $7.02 million – smashing the previous suburb record by $770,000. It was one of 569 properties scheduled to go under the hammer in Sydney on Saturday. By evening, Domain Group recorded a preliminary clearance rate of 83.7 per cent from 423 reported results, while 51 auctions were withdrawn. Withdrawn auctions are counted as unsold properties when calculating the clearance rate. The vendors and selling agent Michael Tringali, of McGrath Leichhardt, were shocked by the result, which soared past the $5 million reserve price and the price guide of $4.8 to $5.2 million. “This is a result that nobody expected and a result that is beyond even the vendor’s dreams,” Mr Tringali said. “There is just nothing on the market, it’s absolutely a one off and this is realigning prices for the entire suburb.” Sydney online auctions: Family splashes $4.82m on Avalon Beach house Sydney online auctions: Dilapidated Ermington house sells for $1,408,000 Sydney online auctions: First-home buyers pick up Alexandria house for $2.683m Haberfield house prices jumped about 14 per cent over the year to June to a median of $2,587,500. The 695-square-metre property last sold for $1.33 million in 2008, records show. Elsewhere, a three-bedroom house on the northern beaches sold for $5.1 million at auction, with competition from six bidders pushing the price $1 million above the reserve. Bidding on 30 Surf Road, North Curl Curl, just steps from Curl Curl Lagoon, opened at $4 million and quickly passed the $4.1 million reserve as six of the 10 registered bidders made offers on the beach house, which has a studio or fourth bedroom in the backyard. 3 Baths2 ParkingView listing Interested local families dropped out of the race as the bidding climbed, leaving the competition to two downsizers. A couple from the lower north shore made the winning bid for the 322-square-metre block. The home also drew interest from buyers from the inner west, upper north shore and Darwin. The result was more than three times the $1,475,000 that records show the home last traded for in 2006, and well above the property’s initial $3.7 million price guide, which was scrapped by selling agent James Eyden of Clarke & Humel Property as stronger buyer feedback came in during the campaign. Mr Eyden had thought the unique floor plan of the three-storey home – part of which was used for short-term holiday stays – may have held back the sale price, but it went well above expectations. He said prices in the suburb had jumped more than 30 per cent over the past year, with solid interest still being seen from out-of-area buyers prioritising lifestyle over proximity to the city centre, amid the pandemic. 1 Bath2 ParkingView listing In the eastern suburbs, an original-condition North Bondi semi on the market for the first time in decades sold for $600,000 above the reserve. Bidding for the three-bedroom home at 20 Wairoa Avenue was quick to start, with a US-based Aussie expat kicking off proceedings with an offer of $3.02 million – topping the $3 million reserve, which buyers were given upfront. From there, bidding climbed quickly, jumping in increments ranging from $50,000 down to $5000, with auctioneer Clarence White of Menck White Auctioneers taking offers from six of the 11 registered bidders. A family upgrading from an apartment in Rushcutters Bay made the winning bid of $3.6 million. The vendor was delighted with the result for the property, which had been first purchased by her mother-in-law and held in the family for decades. Records show it traded for £2350 in 1957. Selling agent Mary Anne Cronin of PPD Real Estate said interested parties had been looking to spend anywhere from a few hundred thousand dollars to $1 million to renovate the property.   The 292-square-metre property had been on the market for just over two weeks, with the auction brought forward due to strong buyer demand. On the north shore another tightly held home – owned by the same family since 1954 – drew strong interest, with 16 bidders tuning in for the auction of 12 Toongarah Road, Waverton. 2 Baths2 ParkingView listing The four-bedroom property, currently configured as two self-contained residences, drew an opening offer of $3.4 million. The bidding rose in $100,000 and $50,000 jumps to start, with competition from six of the bidders pushing the sale price up to $4.2 million – $405,000 above the reserve. Buyers were looking to spend an extra $500,000 to $2 million on top of the sale price to renovate the largely original home, which sits in a conservation area. The 500-square-metre block sold to an investor through Tom Scarpignato, of Belle Property Neutral Bay. Further west, a six-bedroom house on a 557-square-metre block set a new price record in North Ryde, just slipping past the previous suburb record by $10,000. 4 Baths2 ParkingView listing Eight buyers registered to bid on 8 Berryman Street, with five actively competing to push the price from an opening offer of $2.9 million – bang on the auction price guide – to a sale price of $3.44 million. The result was $290,000 above the $3.15 million reserve, and just eclipsed the previous suburb record of $3.43 million, set by a newer five-bedroom house on a 614-square-metre block in Wilson Street in July. Both were sold by Phillip Allison of Belle Property Ryde. Mr Allison said the winning bidder, and a couple of the underbidders, had previously missed out on at least three properties auctioned with the team. The property last sold in 2014 for $1.3 million, when it was the site of an original-condition three-bedroom house. In the inner west, a three-bedroom semi at 187 Denison Road, Dulwich Hill, sold for $1,815,000. 1 Bath− .css-12a1b0h{position:absolute;width:1px;height:1px;margin:-1px;padding:0;-webkit-clip:rect(1px,1px,1px,1px);clip:rect(1px,1px,1px,1px);border:0;overflow:hidden;-webkit-clip-path:inset(100%);clip-path:inset(100%);-webkit-clip-path:none;display:none;}ParkingView listing Five of the 10 registered bidders took part in the auction, which opened with an offer of $1.4 million. They pushed the price $265,000 above the reserve. The 189-square-metre block sold through Luke Northcott of Ray White Petersham. The semi last traded for $126,000 in 1991. In the inner city, a three-bedroom terrace in Chippendale traded for $1,625,000, after drawing interest from 14 parties. 1 Bath− ParkingView listing Bidding on the 70-square-metre block at 27 O’Connor Street kicked off at $1.4 million, with six parties making offers. The result was $125,000 above the reserve. The property sold through Brad Gillespie of The Agency Eastern Suburbs to an investor from Eastwood. The terrace last sold for $512,500 in 2006. Lockdown is pushing prices up, rather than the reverse, as workers lucky enough to keep their jobs take advantage of low interest rates to buy lifestyle properties they can enjoy while spending almost all their time at home. BresicWhitney head of sales Thomas McGlynn said buyers were keen and willing to compete for the few homes for sale to get a better lifestyle while staying home. “Lockdown has shone a light on the quality of life you have living in your home,” he said. “It’s driving people to pay a lot more for property than they would if they were out, on holidays.” Ray White NSW chief auctioneer Alex Pattaro said properties taken to auction were achieving prices about 13 per cent higher than their best pre-auction offers, and there were about 10 registered bidders per auction on average. He said buyers are confident to make decisions because interest rates are so low, and the Reserve Bank has repeatedly flagged plans to keep rates low for some time. “Money’s cheap – even with the property prices the way they are now, it’s still significantly cheaper to own property per month now than it was a couple of years ago,” he said. Time might have forgotten the $18 million development site that has stood idle for nearly two decades in the middle of Haberfield The 1.9-hectare paddock, six kilometres from the CBD, has remained undeveloped since the Department of Defence sold it to 21 parties in 2003 because engineers have been unable to come up with an affordable and effective way of draining the site It sits below sea level and within 100 metres of Hawthorne Canal and collects the suburb’s accumulated stormwater Alison Casey on the Department of Defence land that is proposed to be developed.Credit: Edwina Pickles watched her backyard disappear under water last weekend when a severe local downpour funnelled stormwater through her property and onto the army land An architect once said it appeared her house had been built on an old creek bed “Geography is not on our side,” Ms Casey said “What normally happens is the stormwater comes down our driveway in through our gate and down both sides of our house and the backyard fills up like a bathtub.” Alison Casey’s backyard on O’Conner Street in Haberfield which disappeared under water in the recent storms When Defence used its land for an Army Reserve Depot all the buildings were crowded in the centre Her husband was posted there with the Reserves 20 years ago “They didn’t put their buildings anywhere else because if they parked their cars there Last weekend the Defence land was submerged under a 10-centimetre film of water but the latest storms had a less dramatic effect because Haberfield’s heaviest rainfall did not coincide with a high tide Inner West councillor Marghanita da Cruz said while the western suburbs were being inundated by rising river levels the inner west generally suffered more from flash flooding caused by local downpours the stormwater quickly distributed into the harbour when you get a high tide in the Hawthorne Canal that water will back up through that natural stream and come up through everything,” Ms da Cruz said Defence recently engaged civil engineers and consultants to construct upstream drainage works council can approve the subdivision of the site Seventeen contract holders have rescinded their offers since the 2003 auction and their lots will go back to the open market Ms da Cruz said if the site was to be developed there would need to be a flood study and the houses would need to be built appropriately “They may not build habitable rooms [at ground level] They would perhaps build concrete garages underneath using the old Queenslander idea of a house on stilts.” But the prospect of a Little Brisbane inside the greater suburb of Haberfield was remote because the building design would need to align with the suburb’s Federation architecture Residents may also be required to put in rainwater tanks less for drought-proofing than for flood-proofing to collect excess water after heavy rainfall Our Morning Edition newsletter is a curated guide to the most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here It sits below sea level and within 100 metres of Hawthorne Canal and collects the suburb\\u2019s accumulated stormwater \\u201CGeography is not on our side,\\u201D Ms Casey said \\u201CWhat normally happens is the stormwater comes down our driveway and the backyard fills up like a bathtub.\\u201D \\u201CThey didn\\u2019t put their buildings anywhere else because if they parked their cars there but the latest storms had a less dramatic effect because Haberfield\\u2019s heaviest rainfall did not coincide with a high tide \\u201CThe problem with the Defence site is that water will back up through that natural stream and come up through everything,\\u201D Ms da Cruz said \\u201CThey may not build habitable rooms [at ground level] using the old Queenslander idea of a house on stilts.\\u201D because the building design would need to align with the suburb\\u2019s Federation architecture Our Morning Edition newsletter is a curated guide to the most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here Happyfield is a brand new cafe in Haberfield on the corner of Ramsay and Dalhousie streets This bright yellow cafe has created an enormous buzz with their breakfast and lunch menu with a sky-high pancake stacks burgers and McLovin Muffins by Canadian chef Jesse Orleans formerly of The Grounds Then came the flood on social media of friends that are Haberfield locals visiting Happyfield The duo behind Happyfield are Chris Theodosi (front of house) and Jesse Orleans (chef) Jesse is from Toronto in Canada and has worked at The Grounds for four years which is where the pair first met They originally looked in other inner west areas like Balmain before settling on this location in Haberfield They got the keys at the beginning of March when COVID-19 first hit but officially opened on the 9th of October Getting a table can be tricky (and forget weekends unless you are prepared to queue try for a weekday at least for this first while) As it is so new they're developing systems Soraya and I both arrive just after 1:30pm and want a table outside and it's a short wait Inside looks gorgeous with the yellow pressed tin seating yellow leather booths and a slightly retro happy feel to it which was all done themselves The menu is a fold out menu with breakfast and lunch options There's a whole bunch of sides that you can add to any main meal as well as a Happy Platter for Two but that is really for elite athletes or people with enormous appetites "I'm just letting you know that we're probably going to over order but we'll take anything we don't eat away So we'll probably need another table," says Soraya It has been a while since she and I had eaten out (hello COVID) and the last time I saw her was at our Erotic Book Club zoom meeting Basically Soraya lets me order lots of things and we both enjoy the hell out of this style of eating We order two drinks from opposite ends of the spectrum strawberry and mint and is delightfully refreshing We also try the Sticky Date shake which is made with dates dulce de leche vanilla ice cream and milk and while it sounds like it might be sweet and rich Pancakes are their thing at Happyfield and there are four options including a menu item where you can ordering a stack ranging from 4-15 pancakes in size Pepe Saya butter with 100% Canadian maple syrup With Jesse's Canadian background the maple was always going to be the real stuff and this Grade A maple syrup is from the first extraction or pressing that makes for a lighter coloured light and fluffy but not thick or dry as I sometimes find them This whole dish is simple in concept but perfect in execution Eggslut and McDonalds and the McLovin is their take on a sausage and egg McMuffin chipotle mayonnaise and chicken and herb salt Soraya and I are completely taken by this and the balance of flavours I'm going to eat my entire half," says Soraya which is a big call because we've got four dishes in front of us Oh and the potato hash brown on the side is presented as a slender crispy potato hash brown with a side of chilli mayo and is another must order Soraya and I can see this pairing being very popular on weekends as a hangover cure The Good Burger is named after the 1997 movie of the same name and is only available from 12pm It's a chuck and brisket beef patty with lettuce onion and "Happy sauce" with a side of spiced fries We managed to nab the very last A La Mortadella sandwich because a big table of Italian customers (one of whom is a friend of mine) all ordered this sandwich It's normally on a salted ciabatta roll but they had run out so our is served on a focaccia with Haberfield mortadella romesco sauce and rocket with cornichons on the side and house cut potato chips The potato fries are crunchy and we love the herbs on it too - Jesse has to make these potato chips fresh every day "The chips have more spices than KFC," quips Chris The sandwich is best eaten if you add the cornichons and chips inside and I think I'd prefer more mortadella inside The sweets are sourced all from good local bakeries (for the moment at least) There are big plans ahead as they want to be open for dinner soon as they are one of the few restaurants in Haberfield with a liquor license do you mind queueing for a table or would you rather visit a place during a quieter time Which dish do you like the look of the best ShareThis venue appears in the cafes open on Anzac Day in Sydney. See all stories.1 / 6Inside the ridiculously popular Happyfield cafe in Haberfield.Jennifer Soo2 / 6“The Happiest Meal” comprises two hash browns and three pancakes.Jennifer Soo3 / 6Italian beef sandwich.Jennifer Soo4 / 6Inside the cheerful cafe.Jennifer Soo5 / 6Old Bay grilled cheese with Nik’s tomato soup.Jennifer Soo6 / 6Wedge salad.Jennifer SooPrevious SlideNext Slide14/20How we score I’m certain that Sydneysiders have lined up at Happyfield more than at any other cafe or restaurant this year. The queue for ramen can be longer at North Strathfield’s Kosuke, and the midday rush at Malay-Chinese Noodle Bar in Circular Quay is reasonably mad but for perpetual customer turnover across breakfast and lunch Happyfield leaves all other joints that don’t take bookings for dead The Haberfield cafe opened in late 2020 and specialises in pancakes “That sounds an awful lot like a McDonald’s breakfast,” you might say The Golden Arches has spent half a century fine-tuning North American diner classics to provide the best crowd-pleasing breakfast of all the fast-food giants Elevating that menu with better produce and technique is hardly a new chef trick but I’ve rarely seen it done with so much polish Of course Happyfield is ridiculously popular Go-to dish: The Happiest Meal comprises two hash browns and three pancakes.Jennifer Soo“The Happiest Meal” Thirty-five dollars buys you a silver tray sporting two outrageously crunchy hash browns a “McLovin Muffin” overflowing with velvety folded egg and three pancakes of maximum sponginess ready to absorb as much butter and maple syrup as you want to throw at them Did you ever see those towering piles of pancakes in the John Candy film Uncle Buck and think I wish I could order a stack like that in Australia” at Happyfield you can: up to 15 of the oversized pikelets for $5 each You could also add a few strips of precision-grilled Canadian bacon ($5.50) at this point Foie gras for lunch and a schooner of caviar for dinner you can avoid the queue for all this by giving your phone number to co-owner Chris Theodosi on the door but always enough time to pick up the week’s salami and pasta from delicatessen-lined Ramsay Street Most soon-to-be customers choose to huddle near the entrance regardless and weekend mornings are a broad congregation of dads in trucker caps mums in all-day sweatpants and young couples just keen for a reliable brunch A quick survey of tables tells me that eggs “your way” on toast ($13) is a popular order bolstered by $5.50 sides such as dukkah-spangled avocado and house-cured salmon Old Bay grilled cheese with a cup of tomato soup.Jennifer SooAfter the pancakes I’m most drawn to the soup and sandwich ($23): a classic American combination of salty-sweet tomato soup and toasted cheese rarely seen in Sydney Owner-chef Jesse Orleans loads his toasted sanger with smoked scamorza mozzarella and Old Bay-spiced bechamel; it’s most definitely cheesy but not to the point where your nose starts sweating and you need to worry about weird dreams There’s also a cheeseburger ($25) fat with miso-glazed onions and two smashed patties dripping meat juices and 1950s nostalgia A heavy prawn katsu sandwich ($23) is punched up with fermented yuzu aioli on a squishy potato roll Fried egg-topped sirloin ($34) is cooked well beyond medium-rare as requested Wedge salad.Jennifer SooOrleans was born and raised in Toronto which means he also knows his way around that steakhouse staple crisp iceberg is doused in bacon fat and apple cider vinaigrette that’s so delicious and silky it feels indecent green beans and baby cucumbers provide extra crunch and the whole shebang might be good for you if it weren’t for the big lug of ranch dressing Theodosi and Orleans increased Happyfield’s capacity by 50 per cent after taking over the site next door The new dining room is decked out in the same banquettes exposed brick and egg yolk-yellow paint job as the rest of the place but I sense the brunch spot is set to become even busier and the staff are warm and engaged and know how to make everybody feel like somebody a syrup-drenched pancake stack is placed in front of a boy celebrating his fifth birthday and a whole-room sing-a-long of Happy Birthday ensues You don’t get that at McDonald’s every day; heck I don’t think I’ve seen it at another Sydney cafe Vibe: American diner meets Australian cafe Drinks: First-rate coffee from flat whites to batch brews This review was originally published in Good Weekend magazine The taste of summer holidays at Cut Lunch Deli in RandwickDreams of childhood summer sandwiches have turned into reality for this former fine-dining chef. Valentinas turns on the all-American charm in MarrickvilleTime to raise an Arnold Palmer to the pursuit of unfussy, morale-lifting comfort food with panache. you might spot an elderly Italian man standing at the front window’s brass counter inside the cafe might be someone at their laptop the new Haberfield cafe is representative of the shift in neighbourhood demographics that’s happening in communities all over Sydney “It’s really interesting how people have been interacting with the space,” says menu consultant Amanda Chebatte and there are also a lot of young families.” travel spots and more – curated by those who know Business partners Joshua Harrison and Sebastian Shearman opened Little West in August. It’s on one of the heritage suburb’s pretty residential streets, blocks away from the bustling bakeries and delis of Ramsay Street. The quaint six-seater (with a handful of outdoor tables, too) is part of a movement of new venues in the suburb, including American-style diner Happyfield adding outstanding coffee and food options to the traditional The cafe serves a rotating roster of Market Lane single origins Espresso and milk coffee are currently made with Marimbus a Brazilian single origin with toasty chocolate and hazelnut flavour notes that’s grown on a third-generation family farm Pour-overs are made with a fruity single origin from La Llama a farm operated by a father-daughter team in Bolivia “We chose Market Lane because of their fantastic flavour and we love that family-run farms around the world are serving families in Haberfield,” Chebatte tells Broadsheet Chebatte’s menu features unexpected versions of cafe classics and dishes that acknowledge the suburb’s Italian heritage often incorporating native Australian ingredients “People love their cheese and charcuterie here,” she says layer the ingredients and press it for 24 hours so the flavours marry overnight.” Smoked brisket sausage rolled in all-butter puff pastry is another popular dish made from small native tomatoes that are dried to enhance their umami flavour The chocolate and golden syrup damper is a refined version of the primary school classic “We didn’t want it to be like the doughy damper you got at school,” says Chebatte “Chunks of chocolate are incorporated in the dough drizzled with golden syrup and served warm with cultured butter and often come share one together while they have a coffee “Josh and Seb appeal to Haberfield because they offer an old-world hospitality: welcoming It’s something people from all generations really appreciate.” @littlewesthaberfield Charcoal Chicken and Rosewater Desserts: A Local’s Guide to Merrylands Where Chefs Eat: Peter Gilmore Really Knows Crows Nest Ex-Tradies Grill Hard-to-Find Mexican Street Snacks Nobody in the neighbourhood remembers the exact date in 2003 when 1.9 hectares of disused army land was put to market in the heritage suburb of Haberfield but they all remember that it was Mother’s Day Sydney’s property market had started to twitch The Block aired on television for the first time that year auctions were turning in dizzying results and real estate had become a city obsession The release of 21 undeveloped blocks within six kilometres of Sydney’s CBD in a suburb known for its Federation homes The most fashionable auctioneer of the day was recruited to run the sale and hundreds of bidders and stickybeaks turned out The 1.9 hectares of land sold by the Department of Defence today - 18 years after it was sold the Australian Defence Department had raked in $18 million and all but four of the buyers have rescinded their offers popped over the back fence with her husband and extended family who were in town for her mother’s 80th birthday her brother from Wagga Wagga noted the prices with incredulity Prices ranged from $742,000 for a 530sqm lot to $1.151 million for a 1046sqm lot which was bought by the then recently retired NSW police minister Paul Whelan I think I’ll be subdividing my paddocks and selling off the blocks,’ ” Mrs Hiley says via a laneway to the east and a footpath to the west are blocked off with fencing and barbed wire Occasionally neighbours have stumbled upon hypodermic needles or people having sex in the laneway the paddock is used by children and dogs whose homes back onto the block Agents value the land at up to $50 million “I don’t think there’s anything like it,” says real estate agent Arthur Paschalidis referring to the size of the undeveloped site in a suburb so close to the city “It ought to be used for something else if it can’t be developed What the buyers did not know was Ashfield (now Inner West) Council had not yet signed off on the subdivision when they bought their lots from Defence; that certification was based on stormwater works being completed; and the land they had secured was a sump “We were under the impression that there was a lot that we were bidding on,” says Sue Pedri who was pregnant with her second son when she and her husband bought one of the sections hoping to upsize from their two-bedder in Leichhardt This year her son will graduate from high school And we have continuously followed up ever since.” The former Army Reserve Depot site is situated below sea level 100 metres from a canal that runs its banks when a big weather event coincides with a king tide it also collects stormwater run-off from the local street network a local historian and president of the Haberfield Association said the suburb’s founder Richard Stanton considered converting the site from a market garden to a housing estate as far back as 1901 Bill and Carolyn Hiley in their Haberfield garden which backs onto the disused army land.Credit: Kate Geraghty “I assume he didn’t build it because of the drainage problem because I’m sure that if Stanton could build on it and make money out of it Stanton offered the site to Ashfield Council for a park Six months after the 2003 auction Defence had largely completed its remediation two independent hydraulic engineers retained by the council reported the design of the subdivision had underestimated the size of the catchment Even minor storm events would cause homes to be inundated The pronouncement set off a furious back-and-forth between the council and Defence with mayors claiming to have been heavied and legal threats levelled Defence considered selling the land to a property developer Defence presented to the council a new stormwater design but the engineers were unable to guarantee it would not require the removal of several established trees lining O’Connor Street which residents argued were intrinsic to the character of the street The engineers also raised concerns about access constraints given the site is almost entirely boxed in and the proposed works might compromise the footing of the adjacent houses Councillors rejected the plan and the site remained in purgatory The Defence department says in a statement it is working with the council to enable subdivision of the site and has agreed to complete stormwater works to the standard required by the council It declined to comment on the cost of those works But Defence told the council on Tuesday it had contracted engineers and draining works would commence in April or May subject to council approval The remaining 17 lots would then be sold by the end of the year Some residents recently proposed turning the site into parkland They are cynical about any time frame given by Defence given they have been promising for 18 years to complete the works “as expeditiously as possible” Inner West councillor Lucille McKenna says even the houses that surround the site might not be allowed to be built today handed the site an even worse flood rating than before Mrs Hiley would be happy for the land to remain vacant “You can go out and wander on the army land.” Sue Pedri eventually renovated her Leichhardt home to accommodate her family but she has not given up on her Haberfield lot And it’s always been our dream to build on that site.” At the end of each day, we’ll send you the most important breaking news headlines, evening entertainment ideas and a long read to enjoy.  Sign up here but they all remember that it was Mother\\u2019s Day It was the mother of all Mother\\u2019s Days Sydney\\u2019s property market had started to twitch The release of 21 undeveloped blocks within six kilometres of Sydney\\u2019s CBD who were in town for her mother\\u2019s 80th birthday I think I\\u2019ll be subdividing my paddocks and selling off the blocks,\\u2019 \\u201D Mrs Hiley says \\u201CI don\\u2019t think there\\u2019s anything like it,\\u201D says real estate agent Arthur Paschalidis \\u201CIt ought to be used for something else if it can\\u2019t be developed \\u201CWe were under the impression that there was a lot that we were bidding on,\\u201D says Sue Pedri And we have continuously followed up ever since.\\u201D said the suburb\\u2019s founder Richard Stanton considered converting the site from a market garden to a housing estate as far back as 1901 \\u201CI assume he didn\\u2019t build it because of the drainage problem because I\\u2019m sure that if Stanton could build on it and make money out of it but the engineers were unable to guarantee it would not require the removal of several established trees lining O\\u2019Connor Street given they have been promising for 18 years to complete the works \\u201Cas expeditiously as possible\\u201D \\u201CAnd there it still sits,\\u201D she says \\u201CYou can go out and wander on the army land.\\u201D \\u201CWe really like the area,\\u201D she says And it\\u2019s always been our dream to build on that site.\\u201D At the end of each day, we\\u2019ll send you the most important breaking news headlines, evening entertainment ideas and a long read to enjoy. \\u00A0Sign up\\u00A0here. You might have thought that large but affordable houses with lush backyards and proximity to old-fashioned suburban shops no longer existed within 10 kilometres of the Sydney city centre But that's exactly what the overlooked suburb of Haberfield offers sandwiched between Leichhardt and Five Dock is full of large blocks and historic homes the likes of which command top dollar in other inner-city locations Latest In PropertyFetching latest articles The photo on the left was generated after the Guildford attack, while the photo on the right depicts the suspect from Haberfield. (Supplied: NSW Police) Link copiedShareShare articleDetectives from the New South Wales Child Abuse Squad now believe the same man is responsible for two sexual attacks on children more than six months apart. In May last year, a man indecently assaulted one young girl and assaulted two others in a stairwell during school time at Haberfield Primary School in Sydney's inner-west. A strike force was formed to investigate the incident but no arrests were made. Last month two sisters, aged two and six, were indecently and sexually assaulted by a man in a public toilet in Guildford in Sydney's west. A security guard was brought into Haberfield Public School after the attack. (ABC News: Rachel Baker) The girls had been at a park on Campbell Hill Road with their family. A separate strike force was formed to investigate, however police have today revealed that they believe the incidents are directly linked, with the description of the offender very similar in both cases. Police have released identification images of a man who they believe can assist their enquiries into both incidents. The say the man in the Haberfield attack was described as tanned, with a medium to thin build and wearing a blue and white checked shirt, jeans, dark sunglasses and a baseball hat. The man in the Guildford attack is described as having olive or tanned skin, being of medium to thin build, with dark hair. Police have also renewed their call for a key witness in the Guildford incident to come forward. Detective Inspector Peter Yeomans says a woman with a green cardigan and head scarf had been confronted by a man in the same toilet block earlier that day. Inspector Yeomans is calling for that witness and any others to contact police. "It's terrible and we need to solve this and as I said we're very very concerned about what might happen in the future," he said. "We've had police working around the clock to solve this - this is why we're coming forward again, any person with any sort of information to come forward to police." Detectives believe the suspect was wearing a black hoodie with a distinct white stripe down one side, and blue pants. Anyone with information is urged to come forward to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. National counselling helpline: 1800 737 732 Bravehearts counselling and support for survivors of child sexual abuse: 1800 272 831 Child Wise Lifeline 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention: 13 11 14 Care Leavers Australia Network: 1800 008 774 PartnerSPEAK peer support for non-offending partners: (03) 9018 7872 Find support services in your state or territory. The four-bedroom Federation house at 46 Waratah Street drew a crowd of more than two dozen, including six registered bidders, but the parties were wary of overpaying as Sydney house prices rocket to record heights. It was one of 762 homes scheduled for auction in Sydney on Saturday. By evening, Domain Group recorded a preliminary clearance rate of 84.8 per cent from 584 reported results. It was well below the initial price guide of $2.7 million and the revised guide of $3 million during the campaign – just one indication of buyers’ reluctance to pay too much. The sell-off stalled at $2.65 million before a vendor’s bid of $3 million bumped up the price. Agents were pacing the auction floor between the two interested buyers in an effort to draw out big bids to hit the reserve. One party bid against themselves, and the house was still not called on the market, prompting them to start walking away. Housing crisis: Byron rents soar; now more expensive than most of Sydney Bondi Beach legend Hersz Friedman’s home sells at auction for $3.6m Sydney median auction house price jumps more than $100,000 in March alone The original reserve price of $3.25 million was revised down to $3.15 million to meet the market, although once it passed that mark, two buyers picked up their feet. The sellers got the result they hoped for when the hammer eventually fell at $3.255 million to downsizers from Concord, who almost walked away from the auction altogether. Buyer Sharon Teran said the auction was drawn out. “I think they weren’t realistic. They were not putting it on the market,” Ms Teran, adding that in the end, they did pay a fair price for the property. The buyers hoped to restore the home to its former glory rather than knocking it down after other parties eyed its development potential because it was on a wide block. More homes had trickled onto the market in Haberfield in the days leading up to the auction, which may have been a factor in the buyer hesitation, according to Cooleys Auctions auctioneer Michael Garofolo. But another reason was the rate of price growth, which was “unsustainable”, Mr Garofolo said. “Maybe everyone is saying the demand is still there, but we’re pulling up the handbrake on the price,” he said. “It is statistically the most expensive time to buy in Sydney, so it’s fair enough. “There comes a point where everybody has a limit. Even if interest rates go to zero, you can only borrow so much.” The sale through selling agent Ross Musso of Raine and Horne – Concord netted a tidy result for the family who bought it for $32,000 about five decades ago, according to the children of the owners. The median house price in Haberfield reached $2.215 million in December 2020, on Domain data. 2 Baths3 ParkingView listing In Arncliffe, 15 buyers registered to bid on a three-bedroom bungalow at 7 Mount Street. Bidding opened at $1.29 million – almost at the top end of the price guide of $1.3 million. Eight parties vied for the keys to the property before it whittled down to just three buyers at the $1.5 million mark. It eventually sold for $1.57 million – $220,000 above the reserve – to a young couple who had been priced out from the inner west, selling agent Sam Abbas of Stone Real Estate Rockdale said. He said while this result was still a premium for the property, many buyers were thinking twice before buying. “There are still a lot of active buyers out there, but they are thinking twice before going in all guns blazing.” The owners who were hoping to upsize to the Northern Beaches bought the property for $656,000 in 2011, records show, with the price more than doubling in less than a decade. The median house price in Arncliffe reached $1.196 million in December 2020, Domain data show. 2 Baths1 ParkingView listing In Waverton, a two-bedroom apartment at 9/19-21 Crows Nest Road sold for $1.451 million to an investor, outbidding a downsizer from Beecroft. Seven buyers registered to bid, with five actively raising the price from the $1.3 million opening – above the $1.25 million price guide from the outset. The reserve was $1.35 million. Belle Property Cammeray’s Tom Scarpignato said the sheer number of buyers against the backdrop of limited stock and low interest rates continued to fuel competition. It last sold for $730,000 in 2013, records show. the entire suburb of Haberfield is a heritage conservation zone – and its population is ageing alongside its houses By Michael Koziol Vincent Crow remembers the exact date – December 8 1974 – he wrote to the National Trust asking it to consider heritage listings in his home suburb of Haberfield the Trust began listing parts of Haberfield the Haberfield heritage conservation area was gazetted in the local environmental plan it is within a heritage conservation zone.Credit: Janie Barrett all of Haberfield – a suburb of 6500 people about 6.5 kilometres from the CBD – remains a heritage conservation area (HCA) where development is strictly limited to preserve its form and character That makes it enemy number one for so-called YIMBY (yes-in-my-backyard) housing advocates who want to see greater density around the city especially in areas well-connected to transport Sydney YIMBY co-founder Justin Simon says the demographics tell the story of a suburb slowly growing older and richer alongside its houses Census data shows Haberfield’s population barely changed between 2006 and 2021 while the number of dwellings dipped from 2505 to 2388 and median weekly household income leapt from $1291 to $2761 Half of Haberfield residents own their home outright while just 17 per cent are renters – less than half the Greater Sydney average “It is a suburb that gets one or two years older in terms of median age every census,” Simon says Then there is the median price of a three-bedroom house: “The cost of entry to Haberfield is $2.5 million.” Haberfield is at the pointy end of a debate about whether heritage protection – especially broad heritage conservation areas that span entire streets or suburbs – is unreasonably prohibiting development pushing up prices and making it harder for young people to buy or pay the rent Unlike many parts of the inner west or eastern suburbs where HCAs contain rows and rows of Victorian terraces Haberfield is significant as it was Australia’s first planned “garden suburb” real estate agent and Ashfield alderman Richard Stanton conceived it as an antidote to other parts of Sydney The standard lot size was 695 square metres with setbacks to provide front gardens and brush box street trees out the front though most were built in the Federation style there are hardly any houses that by themselves are outstanding architectural masterpieces,” says Crow “It’s just the fact that it’s a single-storey garden suburb.” has lived at his three-bedroom Dudley Street property since he was eight who has been president of the Haberfield Association three times says arguments to sacrifice heritage for more housing density are illogical “Heritage areas in the inner west are heritage because they are old you are going to destroy part of Australia’s heritage.” He also argues it’s important to preserve family homes with a backyard for those who want one “If you demolished the houses in Haberfield and built apartments you’d only be building more of what you’ve already got elsewhere.” Celebrating Australia’s first garden suburb: an illustration from the website of the Haberfield Association Crow conceded cost was an impost in Haberfield Asked whether heritage protection had the effect of squeezing out younger people he said: “I haven’t really given that much thought Crow said the answer to Sydney’s housing woes may lie in decentralisation: people could move to places such as Albury “It’s up to the government to provide incentives like jobs to attract people out there,” he said says Haberfield’s heritage value is obvious and ought to be respected But he notes the large lots and homes set it apart from the municipality’s other heritage areas “By definition that prices a lot of people out,” he says “There’s obviously an equity issue in maintaining houses that are that big.” Byrne says Haberfield suffers from having such little shop-top housing which has helped other suburbs in the inner west thrive “It’s a downside to keeping things precisely as they are but we should be honest about the tradeoffs,” he says “I personally think Haberfield could benefit from having a pub or a small bar I don’t think you can just rip up the heritage conservation zone but I also don’t think you can just wrap the place up in glad wrap and preserve it indefinitely as it was 100 years ago.” Haberfield’s heritage controls have come back to the fore this year as Inner West Council grapples with a vacant 1.9-hectare block of land – a former Army Reserve depot – on Hawthorn Parade The block was subdivided 20 years ago for new residential development but remains vacant due to flooding concerns The vacant ex-army land just off Hawthorn Parade in Haberfield has been subdivided for residential development.Credit: Janie Barrett the Department of Defence said it intended to put the other 17 on the market in early 2024 Due diligence on alternative uses was completed in January 2022 and came up with nothing Because the current rules do not contemplate the construction of new homes in Haberfield Inner West Council is currently exhibiting site-specific development controls to ensure any new homes constructed on the site match the surrounding Queen Anne-style Federation houses including a requirement that at least 50 per cent of each block is landscaped area such as mandating garage doors to be “simple timber or metal cladding in a recessive dark colour” which wants the country to build 1.2 million homes in the next five years should just gift the site to the NSW government for public housing units Labor councillor Philippa Scott said the council had advocated that exact position to Defence Crow and the Haberfield Association want the block converted to a public park Crow is upset his federal MP – Prime Minister Anthony Albanese – has not yet met with the Haberfield Association’s army land subcommittee about the issue “We’d only be too happy for him to come down and talk to us,” Crow said Vincent Crow remembers the exact date \\u2013 December 8 1974 \\u2013 he wrote to the National Trust asking it to consider heritage listings in his home suburb of Haberfield \\u2018The houses here are being destroyed\\u2019 all of Haberfield \\u2013 a suburb of 6500 people about 6.5 kilometres from the CBD \\u2013 remains a heritage conservation area (HCA) Census data shows Haberfield\\u2019s population barely changed between 2006 and 2021 while just 17 per cent are renters \\u2013 less than half the Greater Sydney average \\u201CIt is a suburb that gets one or two years older in terms of median age every census,\\u201D Simon says Then there is the median price of a three-bedroom house: \\u201CThe cost of entry to Haberfield is $2.5 million.\\u201D Haberfield is at the pointy end of a debate about whether heritage protection \\u2013 especially broad heritage conservation areas that span entire streets or suburbs \\u2013 is unreasonably prohibiting development Haberfield is significant as it was Australia\\u2019s first planned \\u201Cgarden suburb\\u201D there are hardly any houses that by themselves are outstanding architectural masterpieces,\\u201D says Crow \\u201CIt\\u2019s just the fact that it\\u2019s a single-storey garden suburb.\\u201D \\u201CHeritage areas in the inner west are heritage because they are old That\\u2019s what heritage is,\\u201D Crow says you are going to destroy part of Australia\\u2019s heritage.\\u201D He also argues it\\u2019s important to preserve family homes with a backyard for those who want one \\u201CIf you demolished the houses in Haberfield and built apartments you\\u2019d only be building more of what you\\u2019ve already got elsewhere.\\u201D he said: \\u201CI haven\\u2019t really given that much thought Crow said the answer to Sydney\\u2019s housing woes may lie in decentralisation: people could move to places such as Albury \\u201CIt\\u2019s up to the government to provide incentives like jobs to attract people out there,\\u201D he said says Haberfield\\u2019s heritage value is obvious and ought to be respected But he notes the large lots and homes set it apart from the municipality\\u2019s other heritage areas \\u201CBy definition that prices a lot of people out,\\u201D he says \\u201CThere\\u2019s obviously an equity issue in maintaining houses that are that big.\\u201D \\u201CIt\\u2019s a downside to keeping things precisely as they are I\\u2019m not proposing that has to change but we should be honest about the tradeoffs,\\u201D he says \\u201CI personally think Haberfield could benefit from having a pub or a small bar I don\\u2019t think you can just rip up the heritage conservation zone but I also don\\u2019t think you can just wrap the place up in glad wrap and preserve it indefinitely as it was 100 years ago.\\u201D Haberfield\\u2019s heritage controls have come back to the fore this year as Inner West Council grapples with a vacant 1.9-hectare block of land \\u2013 a former Army Reserve depot \\u2013 on Hawthorn Parade such as mandating garage doors to be \\u201Csimple timber or metal cladding in a recessive dark colour\\u201D \\u201CIt\\u2019s a done deal,\\u201D she said \\u201CWe don\\u2019t live in a perfect world.\\u201D Crow is upset his federal MP \\u2013 Prime Minister Anthony Albanese \\u2013 has not yet met with the Haberfield Association\\u2019s army land subcommittee about the issue \\u201CWe\\u2019d only be too happy for him to come down and talk to us,\\u201D Crow said extradited from Victoria on Friday in connection with the cold-case death of a lecturer and antique collector in Sydney's inner west who taught Italian at the University of Sydney was found dead on the back verandah of her house in Dudley Street was a professor in Italian at the University of Sydney.Credit: Police Media A post-mortem examination found she died from head injuries and strangulation NSW Police arrested the man in a car park in Melbourne's north-west about 4pm on Thursday He faced extradition proceedings in the Melbourne Magistrates Court Police said they would take him to Surry Hills police station to be charged with murder over Dr Sokoloff's death I love art," he told reporters at Sydney Airport on Friday morning denying he was a violent person and that he had killed Dr Sokoloff of the NSW homicide squad's unsolved homicide unit "During the course of the break and enter Forensic technology led to a breakthrough in the 33-year-old case in 1986 described her to the Herald as "a wonderful teacher A university news clipping from September 25 said she was killed by an "intruder she disturbed in the rear verandah" of her home The premises had been "ransacked" and in an appeal to the public for information then-detective senior constable Peter Beszant described her killing as a "particularly brutal crime" News reports said she had been repeatedly bashed on the head with a lump of wood and strangled with the cord of an iron The Herald reported in 1986 that Dr Sokoloff was found in a pool of blood by her 87-year-old mother Tatiana Sokoloff's Dudley Street home as it appeared in the Herald in 1986.Credit: Sydney Morning Herald The NSW government offered a $50,000 reward for information about the person responsible but police did not find any close friends of Dr Sokoloff to assist with inquiries The Herald wrote: "Hardly anyone knew her well cut off from almost everybody but her students in class and her mother at home .. jewellery and manuscripts she collected in her home nor of her love for the roses that grow tall and vigorously in her front garden." Police detectives from the homicide squad's unsolved homicide unit started to reinvestigate the circumstances surrounding Dr Sokoloff's death in August 2018 extradited from Victoria on Friday in connection with the cold-case death of a lecturer and antique collector in Sydney's inner west A post-mortem examination found she\\u00A0died from head injuries and strangulation NSW Police arrested the man in a car park in Melbourne's north-west about 4pm on Thursday Police said they would take him to Surry Hills police station to be charged with murder over Dr Sokoloff's death I love art,\\\" he told reporters at Sydney Airport on Friday morning of the NSW homicide squad's unsolved homicide unit \\\"During the course of the break and enter in 1986 described her to the Herald as \\\"a wonderful teacher said she was killed by an \\\"intruder she disturbed in the rear verandah\\\" of her home The premises had been \\\"ransacked\\\" and then-detective senior constable Peter Beszant described her killing as a \\\"particularly brutal crime\\\" The Herald wrote: \\\"Hardly anyone knew her well nor of her love for the roses that grow tall and vigorously in her front garden.\\\" Police detectives from the homicide squad's unsolved homicide unit started to reinvestigate the circumstances surrounding Dr Sokoloff's death in August 2018.