David Barwell
David Barwell is an urban affairs reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald
‘Freak accident’: Rose Bay villa partially collapses during luxury rebuild
A century-old harbourside villa has been partially reduced to rubble – the latest casualty in a development surge sweeping Sydney’s suburbs.
- David Barwell
Latest
More than 5000 rooms are planned in these Sydney suburbs. None will count as a home
It was marketed as a solution to the rental crisis, but a Sydney council warns that the co-living housing “monoculture” is doing more harm than good.
- David Barwell
- Exclusive
- Property development
This idea would save apartment owners $333m. Strata managers took ‘high offence’
A system of payments that has inflated the cost of apartment living is facing an overhaul, as the NSW government considers a historic ban.
- David Barwell
End of the black roof? The overhaul coming to Sydney’s heat-trapping suburbs
Developers could soon be required to prove how new housing projects will withstand future climate risks as part of an overhaul of NSW planning laws.
- David Barwell
Inside the battle to save Sydney’s rooftop go-karting track
A clash between entertainment and Sydney’s obsession with parking has left 156 jobs in the balance at the Entertainment Quarter.
- David Barwell
- Updated
- AFL 2026
Swans chair apologises for Bondi tribute that failed to mention Jewish community
Andrew Pridham has taken responsibility for the omission after Swans legend Gerard Healy criticised the pre-game speech delivered by club chief Matthew Pavlich.
- Jon Pierik, Jonathan Drennan, David Barwell and Andrew Wu
Junior soccer players ‘locked out’ of toilet block in suburban turf war
A bitter governance dispute at a football ground has left up to 600 junior players caught up in a standoff over access to toilets, change rooms and a canteen.
- David Barwell
- Exclusive
- City life
Revealed: The developer supersizing tactic rewriting Sydney’s skyline
At Concord West, 698 units have turned into 1300. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
- David Barwell
SMH Schools Summit 2026 as it happened: Prue Car, Sydney university academics, principals speak at annual conference
The state’s top education leaders, principals, and teachers are gathered at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth for an annual summit.
- Cindy Yin and David Barwell
A Sydney school, a paddock, and a $123 million question
A plan to build on a block of undeveloped land has ignited debate about education and limits of infrastructure.
- David Barwell