Sandstone and travertine care in South Coogee

South Coogee lies between Coogee, Kingsford and Maroubra, with a coastline of cliffs around Lurline Bay, a rocky basin reached only by the coastal walk from Seaside Parade or Marine Parade. Inland, Malabar Road carries two small shopping strips, one near the boundary of Randwick Cemetery, which opened in 1874 as Long Bay Cemetery, and another at Torrington Road. Latham Park, with its sports fields, tennis courts and bowling greens, sits beside the Navy's Endeavour House. Housing is evenly mixed: about 42 per cent flats, 39 per cent separate houses and 18 per cent semis and townhouses. Expect sandstone on unit block fences and front steps, in garden walls, and as paving or pool surrounds on the ocean-facing houses.

The coastal strip takes the brunt of the weather. Homes along Seaside Parade and the streets above Lurline Bay face the open Tasman, and on onshore days fine spray drifts over terraces and pool decks, leaving salt that crystallises as the stone dries. On sandstone that shows as fretting edges and a crumbly surface; on travertine, as pitting along the coping. Pools add their own chlorine or salt load. Further inland, the conditions are milder but still coastal: wind-blown grit, algae on shaded side paths of unit blocks, and rust staining from balustrade fixings. Exposed garden furniture also leaves rust rings on pale paving (inferred from the setting and housing mix).

South Coogee is in Randwick City Council. Randwick lists twenty-one heritage conservation areas, and none is named for South Coogee, so area-based heritage controls are unlikely to apply to most properties here. Individual buildings can still appear on the council's heritage schedule, and Randwick can confirm the status of any address. Where a property is listed, the local plan's heritage clause, 5.10, normally requires consent, though Randwick may sign off small maintenance jobs in writing. For the many unit blocks, strata law gives the owners corporation the duty of looking after shared fences, steps and pool areas, and a lone lot owner needs its permission before booking us.

Allow around 22 minutes for us to reach South Coogee from Double Bay, either through Randwick or by the coast road. Parking is usually manageable away from the beachfront, but on clifftop streets we confirm a driveway or nearby space in advance. Many coastal blocks slope toward the ocean, so equipment is carried down terraced gardens and a bund is set at each level to keep rinse water on the property. On windy days we leave sealing for another time rather than let mist drift over neighbours or the cliff. Unit block work is staged with the strata manager so residents keep a clear, dry path, and every bit of run-off is recovered and taken away.