A different kind of demolition
The Eastern Suburbs is dense, old and valuable. Victorian and Federation terraces, interwar semis, apartment blocks from the 1920s and 1930s, and large houses on tight blocks around the harbour.
Here, full demolition is the exception. The typical job is taking off a rear extension, removing an internal structure, or clearing behind a retained façade.
Heritage conservation areas
Large parts of Paddington, Woollahra, Centennial Park, and sections of Randwick, Waverley, Bondi and Coogee are heritage conservation areas. In these areas:
- Complying development is generally restricted or unavailable.
- Demolition of contributory buildings is closely assessed through a development application.
- Keeping the street frontage and building behind is a common outcome.
Party walls
Terraces and semis share walls with neighbours. Demolition beside a party wall is done by hand, the wall's condition is recorded first, and temporary support goes in where required. See partial demolition.
Access
Rear lanes make a huge difference — small machines and skips can reach the back. No lane can mean carrying demolished material through the house. Street parking is scarce, so trucks and skips often need council permits for road or footpath occupation.
Construction
Sandstone foundations and walls, heavy double brick, slate and terracotta roofs, and timber floors. Salvageable sandstone, bricks and timber are common. Later 1950s–70s additions are frequently fibro and need an asbestos survey. See asbestos-aware demolition.
Three councils
Randwick City Council (Randwick, Coogee, Kensington, Kingsford, Maroubra, Matraville), Waverley Council (Bondi, Bronte, Waverley, Dover Heights) and Woollahra Municipal Council (Paddington, Woollahra, Double Bay, Bellevue Hill, Vaucluse). Controls differ between all three.
Suburbs covered
Randwick, Coogee, Clovelly, Kensington, Kingsford, Maroubra, Matraville, Bondi, Bondi Junction, Bronte, Waverley, Paddington, Woollahra, Double Bay, Bellevue Hill, Rose Bay and Vaucluse.
Typical jobs
- Partial demolition of rear extensions.
- House demolition where approval allows.
- Garage removal from rear lanes.
Costs
Hand work, protection and access drive Eastern Suburbs prices well above the metro bands. See the 2026 cost bands.
Call 02 6422 2428 or send the job details through.
Questions people ask before they commit
Can I demolish a terrace in the Eastern Suburbs?
It depends on the property's heritage status and zoning. Much of Paddington, Woollahra, parts of Randwick, Waverley and surrounding suburbs are heritage conservation areas where demolishing contributory buildings is heavily restricted. Rear additions are more often approved for removal than original street-facing fabric.
How is a party wall protected?
The condition of the shared wall is recorded before work, demolition next to it is done by hand rather than by machine, temporary support is provided where needed, and the neighbour is notified in line with the approval. Structural advice is sought where the retained wall carries load.
Is rear-lane access helpful?
Very. Many terraces and semis back onto service lanes, which lets small machines and skips reach the rear of the property without going through the house. Without lane access, material may need to be carried through the building, which adds significant time.
Which council approves demolition?
It depends on the suburb: Randwick City Council, Waverley Council or Woollahra Municipal Council, or an accredited certifier where complying development is available. The three councils have different heritage and development controls.