His achievements during his time in the Council include the widening of George Street North and the erection of new cattle sale-yards at Homebush.

[4] In 1889 he was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly as a Free Trade member for West Sydney,[5] serving only one term before his defeat in 1891.

[6][7] Playfair was a generous benefactor to several charities, including the Sydney Ragged School, the Sisters of St Joseph's Providence and the Boys' Brigade.

[1] Playfair died at his home in Darlinghurst Road, Kings Cross on 15 November 1893, following an attack of rheumatic gout.

[9] His estate, which included approximately thirty properties in the city, Eastern Suburbs, North Sydney and Manly, was divided between his four surviving children, Thomas Arnold, Edmund John Baily, Jessie and Alfred Donald.