ROSE BAY LANEWAYS SPRUCED UP

A colourful laneway makeover has further rejuvenated Rose Bay, attracting more visitors. Vibrant murals, colourful new paint, seating, plants and lighting now highlight the variety of shops and cafes that inhabit Collins and Percival Laneways, which lead to Paradise Beach.

Initiated by a nd contributed to by locals’ efforts, the major part of the makeover was obtained by Woollahra Council through funding assistance from the NSW Government’s Streets as Shared Spaces program.

In Percival Lane, the building mural on the beach corner with Percival Park was inspired by the banksia and created by Sharon Billings, the 2022 artist-in-residence at Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf. Percival Park features large banksias that form part of the important Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub. As part of this project, IndiGrow, a First Nations Social Enterprise which plays an active role in regenerating this crucial habitat on Country, was invited to develop shrubs, trees, heaths and grasses in the park.

Over in Collins Lan eway, its exciting new jewel colours were inspired by the Venetian

We’re island of Burano. Ambling along the laneway, one comes across the Concrete Carpet pavement design by artist Alice McAuliffe. Born and raised in Rose Bay, McAuliffe’s artwork “encourages people to engage playfully and thoughtfully with their environment”.

“I love th e la neway,” Vivian Meca, hairdresser/owner of Meca Cuts salon, told Eastern Suburbs Life. “On the way to the beach, all my clients and dog friends come in and the dogs get their treats. It’s a very friendly, beautiful community. Since they’ve done all the colour work and planting, it’s become a happier place.”

Renowned for its shaksh uka, Reuben sandwiches and tasty salads, Moshiko café opened two years ago and sells popular coffee brand Campos.

“People sit outsid e in the laneway with the right music, and it has a lovely European atmosphere. We get beautiful air coming from the beach nearby,” observes Moshiko owner Moshe Simantov.

“We designed the who le place, then two months ago the council came and saw how it looked with all the plants and … decided to spend money. Since then, this place has been attracting so many people.

"Tourists come from all over – especially to take photos. This morning, two girls said: ‘We saw this laneway on the Internet; we live around Penrith and came all the way and we’re taking photos.’ Look at our Instagram,

FB. They just love it. We’re flat-out on weekends.

“They never used to stop. Thi s lane, here, they now stop – they want to see what’s happening.”