City of Sydney

Crown Street deserved a lil zjoosh, don’t cha think? Here are a few of the things we did: • upgraded footpaths, kerbs and pedestrian ramps • new alfresco dining areas • new garden beds, bubbler, bike racks and seating • 40 more trees • underground electrical cables to replace timber poles and overhead cables • plus new smartpoles with LED streetlights [Video description: Footage of Crown Street under construction cuts to Crown Street today with new garden beds, greenery, full of people and sunshine. Tile 2: A before and after photo of new footpaths. Tile 3: A before and after photo of new alfresco dining areas, surrounded by greenery and full of people. Tile 4: A before and after photo of new garden beds. Tile 5: A video going down Crown Street showing all the tree canopy cover. Text reads ‘40 trees planted (That’s 50% more canopy cover).]

Can I recycle that? Save this post so you've got the answer handy next time you're trying to dispose of items sustainably. Or visit our recycling help guide - link is in the bio - where you'll find tips for recycling hundreds of common items. [Image description: A table showing common household items on the left, with ticks indicating whether that item can be recycled or not. A heading above the table reads "Can I recycle that? A guide to getting rid of our most-asked-about items". The table continues over 4 images. On the final image, text below the table reads, "find out how to recycle all kinds of household items using our recycling help tool - link in bio."]

Clothing in bad condition is among Sydney’s top 10 searched items for how to recycle. So, here’s what you need to know. If you can’t repair your clothing, you can: 1. Book a free doorstep recycling collection 2. Book a doorstep recycling collection or attend a Recycle It Saturday event 3. Check out local textile collection programs [Video description: A woman stands next to a green table with a big recycling logo on it while she holds up a worn-out pair of jeans to the camera. The text on screen reads, “This is one of the most searched items for recycling in Sydney”.]

Beer vs coffee? It wasn’t always a friendly choice 🍻☕️ In the late 1800s, the Temperance movement turned the two into rivals - fuelled largely by women who were shut out of public bars. Their answer: coffee palaces. Elegant, alcohol-free spaces designed for everyone. 🏰 Chances are, you’ve walked past a few without even realising. Follow City Historian Laila as she pours a fresh brew of local history. 🫖 [Video description: A scene from the TV show The Simpsons - the characters are seated inside a pub. In the next frame, City Historian Laila is sat at a desk as she speaks to camera. The video follows Laila as she stands in front of several historical buildings, which used to be coffee palaces. They are located around Sydney’s city centre as well as Woolloomooloo. Throughout the video - archival images illustrate various events that occurred during the 19th and 20th century, which led to the rise of the Temperance movement and eventual changing of liquor laws. The video ends with Laila sat outside at a metal table. She grabs a large mug and drinks from it.]

Every city has a memory. Meet the people who keep Sydney’s. Get a sneak peek inside the day in the life of one of our archivists. They’re busy preserving the records, stories, and history that make this city what it is. We’re celebrating 50 years of our archives! 🎉 Want to explore the collection yourself? You can check out the 1 million plus records at the link in our bio. ✨✨✨ [Video description: A woman holds archival boxes and talks to camera. We see close up details of different physical records include photographs of demolished houses, old yellowed letters, volumes of council meetings, and giant maps. The presenter is shown in different scenarios such as talking to a crowded room and presenting in front of a projector. Video ends with the presenter in front of a framed map.] #CityOfSydney #Archives #BehindTheScenes #Sydney

May we suggest a few fun things to do this month? (Like what we did there?) As always, head to What’s On for more great events happening in our area. You’ll find the link in our bio.    [Image descriptions: 1. People raise their hands at a live concert. Overlaid text reads, “What’s on in Sydney, May 2026”. 2.  An image of people browsing books on tables. Text rears “Sydney Writers’ Festival. 17-24 May, various locations. Storytellers and book lovers come together! Hear from bestselling authors and literary stars, sharpen your skills at a writing workshop and get creative with the kids at the free family fun day.” Image descriptions continued in comments below].

A sprinkle of Sydney magic this morning. [Video description: The Sydney Harbour Bridge is shown with the sun rising behind it. Ferries move across the water. The camera pans to the left to reveal a rainbow over the harbour. Text on screen says “Did you see this perfect Sydney moment this morning? Sunrise rainbow!”]

Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You’re my only hope... of putting pizza boxes in the yellow bin. In the City of Sydney, you can recycle your empty pizza boxes, even if they’re greasy! #MayTheFourth be with you [Video description: A man tries to throw pizza boxes in the red bin. His friend stops him and they argue about which bin it belongs in. They have a light sabre duel. The friend wins and the pizza boxes go in the yellow bin.] #StarWars #sydney #Recycling

Who else got their steps in this morning? 🏃 🏃‍♀️ 🏃‍♂️ #RunawaySydneyHalf #TheStreetsAreYours @runawaysydneyhalf [Video description: a group of runners running in a race around a waterside reserve on a clear blue sky day]

Sunset cycle through Surry Hills, anyone? 🚲 [Video description: A point of view shot of a bike in the sunshine with text on screen that reads “Come enjoy a ride through Surry hills to Hyde Park”. Video the show the same POV shot of person cycling on the Bourke Street separated cycleway with various commentary that pops up.]

Two-up has deep roots in Australian history. Played by soldiers during wartime and still played today, it remains closely tied to Anzac Day traditions. Lest we forget. [Video description 1: A close-up of a hand flipping 2 coins using a kip. The Anzac Memorial can be seen in the background. Text on screen reads “Why do we play two-up on Anzac Day?”] [Image description 2: A close-up of a hand holding a kip with pennies in it. Text on screen reads, “What is two-up? Two-up is a gambling game in which coins (traditionally pennies) are spun in the air using a ‘kip’ and bets are laid on whether the coins land on heads or tails.”] [Image description 3: A beige-coloured tile featuring an old black and white image of soldiers huddled in a circle playing two-up. The text on screen reads, “Where did it come from? Two-up has deep roots in Australian history. Popular among the labouring poor in England and Ireland in the 18th century, the game was brought to NSW by transported convicts. It later became closely associated with Australian soldiers, who played it extensively during World War 1 (1914–1918) to relieve boredom. The tradition continued through World War 2 and in many conflicts since. Over time, gambling games like two-up became a regular part of Anzac Day commemorations for returned servicemen and women.”] [Image description 4: A beige-coloured tile featuring a video of a pub where patrons are playing two-up. The text reads, “Isn’t it illegal? Two-up is strictly regulated in NSW. By law, it can only be played in NSW on Anzac Day (25 April), Victory in the Pacific Day (15 August) and Remembrance Day (11 November). Today, the tradition continues as an enduring reminder of the spirit, service and sacrifice of Australians who served during World War 1”]

House prices in our area have risen by 29% in the past 5 years, making owning or renting a home unaffordable for many. But the answer isn't simply more apartment buildings. Meeting the housing challenge needs a strategic approach - diverse housing, at a wider variety of pricepoints, and different tenures, in the right locations. We've just released our Housing for All discussion paper with our ideas for how we can increase housing supply while also creating great neighourhoods. We'd love your feedback. After all, this conversation is going to shape our city in the decades to come. Hit the bio link now to read the paper and have your say till 22 May. Sound on for audio descriptions.