Yirranma Place acknowledges that we work, live and play on the stolen land of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation, who are the traditional custodians of Darlinghurst. Yirranma pays respect to the elders past, present and future of the Eora Nation and extends that respect to other Aboriginal and Torres Strait people.
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Always was, always will be Aboriginal land.
Since opening in 2022, Yirranma Place has been a dedicated precinct for purpose—bringing together social enterprises, philanthropic initiatives, and community-focused organisations under one roof to drive meaningful change. It was created to be more than a workplace; it is a space designed to connect, collaborate, and support those working to make a difference in Australia.
To expand this impact, Paul Ramsay Foundation (the landlord) has proposed proposing some operational changes that will, among other things, allow organisations with a social and community purpose to access and benefit from the space. These changes have been proposed via a Development Application (DA) lodged with the City of Sydney Council. Accompanying the DA is a draft Plan of Management (PoM) that guides the day-to-day operations at Yirranma Place. The draft PoM incorporates feedback from members of the community and outlines how the proposed changes will be managed, ensuring responsible and considerate building operations are maintained into the future.
We are exploring the establishment of a Community Reference Group to provide ongoing input and advice into the operations and community engagement activities at Yirranma Place, including input into any further changes to the PoM. As part of this process a Terms of Reference (ToR) document will be prepared, which sets out the purpose, scope, roles, responsibilities, structure, and operating procedures of the group.
Key objectives would include:
• providing input on operational matters that affect the community (e.g. events, access, amenity),
• identifying community concerns and assist in developing practical responses, and;
• reviewing and providing feedback on community engagement opportunities.
We understand that residents value the quiet enjoyment of their homes and neighbourhood, and as such have undertaken broad community consultation, including a drop-in session on 30 April 2025, 1:1 meetings with local residents, and group roundtables. Following this, we’ve made a few amendments to our submission to address neighbour concerns, strengthen mitigation strategies, and formalise building operation ‘rules’ in the PoM.
Below is a summary of the key information available in the Development Application. We encourage residents who are interested, curious, or concerned about the proposed changes to read through the Development Application documents including the draft PoM - available on the City of Sydney portal.
Further questions and feedback can be directed to our community engagement team at Ethos Urban.
Proposed DA submission: Enable the use of the exhibition/breakout space by third-party for-purpose organisations or community groups with a focus on social and community purpose (not for private or commercial client events or parties).
Current DA condition: Third parties not permitted to host events in the ground-floor exhibition space.
Positive impact: This will enable for-purpose and community organisations to access a high-spec, low-cost space – allowing them to redirect operating funds toward core activities such as service delivery, staffing, and communications. It may also create additional opportunities for social enterprise partner Two Good Co. to generate revenue through mission-aligned events, directly increasing the number of women who can access and benefit from their Work Work employment pathways program.
How we’ll remain considerate of our neighbours: There will be no changes to existing capacity (maximum 79 attendees), approved operating hours (events will continue to conclude by 10 PM), or the nature of events held at Yirranma Place. A robust dual-screening process - by Two Good Co. and PRF - will ensure all events align with the precinct’s social purpose and have minimal, if any, local impact.
Most events take place midweek and typically conclude by 7 or 8pm. We will continue to ensure guests are encouraged to use rideshare/taxi, public transport, or active transport options, helping to ease local parking pressure, especially given the one-hour local parking restrictions in the area.
To support ongoing transparency and communication, we will:
• publish a calendar of events online;
• maintain a dedicated residents’ feedback email address; and
• establish a Community Reference Group to provide ongoing input into precinct operations.
Proposed DA submission: Allow up to 12 after-hours events per calendar month where food and beverages are served.
Current DA condition: up to 2 after-hours events per month where food and beverages are served. This applies to any meeting or event concluding after 6pm where food and beverage (of any kind) is served.
Positive impact: This change would enable a greater number of social impact and community-focused organisations — many of which are currently priced out of high-quality inner-city venues — to access an affordable, purpose-aligned space.
It also creates an opportunity for Two Good Co. to increase mission-aligned revenue, directly supporting the expansion of their Work Work employment program, which provides paid training and meaningful career pathways for women with lived experience of homelessness, domestic violence, or trauma.
How we’ll remain considerate of our neighbours: There will be no changes to existing capacity (maximum 79 attendees), approved operating hours (events will continue to conclude by 10 PM), or the nature of events held at Yirranma Place. A robust dual-screening process - by Two Good Co. and PRF - will ensure all events align with the precinct’s social purpose and have minimal, if any, local impact.
Most events take place midweek and typically conclude by 7 or 8pm. We will continue to encourage guests to use rideshare/taxi, public transport, or active transport options, helping to ease local parking pressure, especially given the one-hour local parking restrictions in the area.
To support ongoing transparency and communication, we will:
• publish a calendar of events online;
• maintain a dedicated residents’ feedback email address (to be shared via this site after the planning process has concluded); and
• establish a Community Reference Group to provide ongoing input into precinct operations and neighbourhood concerns.
Proposed DA submission: Permit outdoor seating for use by café patrons and staff during café opening hours.
Current DA condition: At present, no outdoor seating is technically permitted for the café.
Positive impact: Patrons will be able to enjoy enhanced café service, including table service on the portico during standard café hours (7am – 4pm, Monday – Friday).
In addition to improving the experience for customers (many of whom are local residents), the change would expand real-world hospitality training opportunities for women in the Work Work employment program, supporting their journey into sustainable employment.
How we’ll remain considerate of our neighbours: Café operations will continue to be responsibly managed to ensure a high-quality experience for both patrons and neighbours.
• Outdoor seating will be entirely contained within the Yirranma Place footprint (not on the public footpath);
• Café furniture will be reset daily by café staff and kept tidy throughout service.
• Outdoor service will be limited to weekday café hours only (7am–4pm) — no weekends or evenings.
To support ongoing community engagement, we will:
• Share a resident feedback email on this site once the planning process is complete; and
• Establish a Community Reference Group to provide regular input on operations and neighbourhood concerns.
Proposed DA submission: Permit low-level amplified music in select outdoor areas - limited to the portico, rooftop, and Level 2 terrace, during daylight hours only.
Current DA condition: amplified music is not allowed in outdoor spaces.
Positive impact: This change would allow café patrons and guests to enjoy a warmer and more welcoming atmosphere, particularly during daytime events or visits. Background music contributes to a sense of connection and place without disrupting neighbouring properties.
How we’ll remain considerate of our neighbours:
• Outdoor music will be ambient only and limited to approved spaces (portico, rooftop, Level 2 terrace).
• Professionally installed, discreet low-powered speakers will be used.
• Music will be pre-set to a maximum volume of LAeq 65 dB at 1 metre — equivalent to lift music/ safe headphone level.
• Playback will be controlled centrally by the Yirranma Place Facilities team and cannot be operated live from the outdoor space.
• Café music will be limited to standard weekday café hours (7am–4pm).
• Music on the rooftop or Level 2 terrace will only be played when:
- The space is booked for a pre-approved event; and
- Background music/musical group has been specifically requested.
Strict limitations include:
• No DJs, no external sound systems, no microphone speeches.
• No amplified live bands. Small instrumental groups (e.g. jazz trio, string quartet) may perform using the pre-set speakers only.
• Musical groups are prohibited from bringing their own sound equipment.
Additional neighbour commitments:
• A resident feedback email is active and will be shared on this site once the planning process is complete.
• A Community Reference Group will provide regular input on operations and address any concerns around sound or amenity.
Proposed DA submission: Permit early morning deliveries from 5:00 a.m., ahead of café opening at 7:00 a.m. Deliveries will be limited to Liverpool Street access only.
Current DA condition: The café cannot currently receive deliveries before 7:00 a.m.
Positive impact: Allowing earlier deliveries will help streamline café operations, enabling staff to focus on setting up for the day and supporting Work Work trainees during their morning training and service preparations.
This flexibility supports the café’s social enterprise model and helps maintain a calm and organised kitchen environment for women building confidence and skills through the employment pathway program.
How we’ll remain considerate of our neighbours:
• This change applies to only one for-purpose supplier, The Bread & Butter Project.
• All early deliveries will occur via Liverpool Street only, chosen for its better truck access.
• Vehicles will deliver parallel to the kerb, avoiding the need for reversing or use of roller doors.
• No vehicle idling in the street will be permitted.
• Suppliers will be subject to strict service-level agreements to minimise disruption.
• The landlord reserves the right to revoke early delivery access if operations are not neighbour-friendly.
Ongoing neighbour commitments:
• A dedicated resident feedback email is active and will be shared via this website once the formal planning process has concluded.
• A Community Reference Group will be established to provide continued input on precinct operations and neighbour amenity.
The proposed changes aim to strengthen Yirranma Place as a Precinct for Purpose — a place that enables collaboration, removes barriers, and amplifies impact for social-purpose organisations, both within the building and in the broader community. We value our relationship with the local residents and are committed to transparency, respect, and ongoing communication.
Thank you to everyone who participated in our Community Drop-in Session (Wednesday, 30 April 2025), as well as the 1:1 meetings and group discussions. Your feedback has been carefully considered and integrated into our final submission.
Your contributions have been invaluable in helping us balance the needs of a thriving and inclusive precinct for social purpose with the ongoing amenity and wellbeing of our neighbours.
For further questions, please contact our community engagement team at Ethos Urban.
The Development Application is now on public exhibition for the community to provide feedback before the City of Sydney Planning Committee makes its determination.
If you have questions after reviewing the information above or would like further clarification on the draft Plan of Management, please contact our community engagement team at Ethos Urban via email on consultation@ethosurban.com or call 1800 870 549 (during business hours).
The team would be happy to assist with any enquiries.
For more details and updates, please visit keep an eye on this page or to access the full suite of documents, visit the City of Sydney planning portal detailed submission.
Thank you for being a part of our community.
Yirranma Place is a hub of diverse for-purpose organisations, social enterprises, and philanthropic initiatives, offering affordable space, shared resources, and a supportive community of change makers.
By embedding purpose into its operations—through partnerships with Two Good Co. and ARA Indigenous Services—it fosters collaboration and innovation while serving as a welcoming space for the local community to connect, engage, and learn.
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Two Good Co exists to believe in people until they believe in themselves again. Through the creation of beautiful, high-quality food and products, we support, empower and employ women with lived experience of homelessness, domestic violence and complex trauma.
PRF is a philanthropic foundation.
We work for a future where people and places have what they need to thrive.
With organisations and communities, we invest in, build, and influence the conditions needed to stop disadvantage in Australia.
Proposed
Changes
The proposed operational changes will directly benefit social enterprise Two Good Co., creating more training and employment opportunities for women who have experienced domestic and family violence, while enabling the organisation to serve more people in need.
Contact our Community Engagement TeamThese changes will also allow a wider group of for-purpose and community-focussed organisations to access Yirranma Place, fostering greater community impact.
Yirranma Place is not about making a profit. It’s about providing opportunities for more for-purpose organisations to create positive impact – not only through connection and collaboration, but also through maintenance and supplier contracts, café and catering services, and subsidised work and meeting spaces.
Our intention is, and always has been, to foster a thriving and inclusive precinct for social purpose, while ensuring amenity for our neighbours – a balance we are committed to maintaining.