Members and friends are invited to meet in restaurants in and around Glebe, usually on the first Thursday of each month at 7pm, to eat and talk with other people who live in Glebe. We visit a different restaurant each month, with varying cuisines.

Our next event will be on Thursday 4th April when we will share a meal at the Persian Room, 52 Harris Street, Pyrmont. The Light Rail is a suitable method of public transport for some people on this occasion.  Please email Edwina Doe or call her on 9660 7066 at least 24 hours before the dinner to let her know if you are coming, or if you are likely to be late.

The Glebe Society is actively pursuing the completion by Sydney City Council of the foreshore walk in front of the Blackwattle Campus of the Sydney Secondary College.

This final section of the Glebe foreshore walk had been scheduled to follow completion of the major section that ends at the rowing clubs. However delays occurred – a deal had to be made with the Department of Education, there were said to be problems over site contamination, and eventually the City deferred the project due to budget constraints.

Lesley Lynch raised the issue recently with council staff and was told that it was planned to include funding for the design stage in the 2010-11 budget and construction funds in the following year.

Our local member, Verity Firth has recently reaffirmed her commitment to this project and is working with the Society to move things along.

The original plan was for a land-based path, but it is possible that the final design may be a boardwalk over the harbour. The longer-term plan is to link the school section to a walkway through the Blackwattle Bay wharves which will join to the Fish Market promenade and foreshore park.

- Bruce Davis, April 2010

The announcement of Government assistance to the Fish Market redevelopment has prompted the Blackwattle Cove Coalition (BCC) to wonder what is happening with the adjacent Blackwattle Bay wharves.

Some time ago NSW Maritime sought registrations of interest in the development of sites known as B1 and B2 – the derelict coal bunker and the wharves from there up to, but not including, the concrete batch plant.

Last year saw an announcement that a company that runs harbour cruises was the preferred candidate to develop the wharves.  No details were released, but an artist’s impression given to the media suggested that the planned development was inconsistent with the planning parameters announced for the site.

Nothing has been heard publicly since.

The decision to designate a preferred developer on this site was seen as undermining the work of the CRG and almost led to a walk out of community groups. As it appears the Government intends to proceed with this development, (as it did with Bailey’s refuelling depot and the Cruise Passenger Termin al at White bay) the CRG members will now focus on ensuring any development is consistent with the CRG Principles for the Bays Precinct as well as the existing master Plan.

BCC believes planning for these two sites should be integrated with the rest of the precinct, and in particular with the concrete batch plant site and the Glebe and Pyrmont foreshores of Blackwattle Bay, and should take into account the site’s relationship to Wentworth Park.

- Bruce Davis and Lesley Lynch, 2010

A move to Pyrmont is on the cards for the Sydney Heritage Fleet.

For several years the Fleet has been under notice from NSW Maritime to move from its current site in Rozelle Bay. This site is quite valuable and clearly the Government would prefer to lease it to a commercial tenant.

The site suggested by Maritime is under the south-eastern approach to the Anzac Bridge. This area has long been proposed as a site for a park, and the dragon boat fraternity has been promised a home there. The site was increased not long ago when the Government acquired 1 Bank Street from a private owner.

There are a number of issues to be sorted out before any clear proposal emerges, including the impact of the Heritage Fleet’s water-based presence on rowers, the location of the Heritage Fleet and dragon boat facilities, and the impact of noise from ship repair work on nearby residents.

- Bruce Davis, April 2010

To assist residents to understand the site better Janice Cave, a Society member and President of the Save Rozelle Bay committee, has volunteered to lead a walking tour of the site and its surroundings. Note that not all parts of the site are accessible.

If you want to join the tour please phone Janice on 9692 0604 and turn up at the north end of Johnston Street, Annandale, at the intersection with Chapman Road, at 10 am on Saturday, 8 May. There is a parking area adjacent to the children’s playground off Chapman Road.

Organized by The Glebe Society as part of the National Trust’s 2010 Heritage Festival

Venue: Lyndhurst, 59 Darghan Street Glebe

Date: Sunday 18th April, between 2 pm and 4.30pm

Visit the house and gardens of Lyndhurst, a grand Regency villa designed by colonial architect John Verge, built in the 1830s, saved from demolition in the late 1960s, used by the Historic Houses Trust until 2004, and now in private ownership and recently restored. Lyndhurst is on the State Heritage List.

Enjoy afternoon tea on the wide verandahs overlooking beautiful gardens.

Cost: $27 per person including afternoon tea.

Bookings and payment essential by 9 April. Click here for Booking Form.

Enquiries to 9660-7873

The Glebe Society Management Committee has called two meetings to discuss the future of Harold Park.

1. Tuesday, 8 April, at 6:30 pm at Benledi: This will be a meeting of Society members held to decide the Society’s position. As you will recall, the City Council has held several meetings, culminating in presentations on a concept for Harold Park developed by the Government Architect. This plan has not been greeted with a great deal of enthusiasm.

The Harold Park Working Party, chaired by Neil Macindoe, has identified a number of principles (see below) for the future development of Harold Park. It is proposed that these should form the basis of discussion and a resolution agreed by Society members.

2. Wednesday, 21 April, at 6:30 pm at St Scholastica’s. This will be a public meeting open to everyone. The resolution from the Glebe Society’s members’ meeting will be put to this meeting.

The way ahead

Planning for the future of Harold Park is at an early stage, and for this reason we can hope to influence the final outcome. The steps leading to the submission of a development application are:

• A draft rezoning plan is due to go to Council in June.
• The final plan is expected to be exhibited about September 2010, allowing a final round of comments.
• Once the plan is approved and the broad planning controls are in place, the Club can sell the site and a developer can submit a detailed development application (DA). We will need to remain engaged during this entire process.

The Glebe Society believes the consultation process to date has been inadequate, mainly because a lot of essential information arrived too late or was not provided. There is time before June for the Glebe community to get together and have a better discussion of the issues, and hopefully produce a better result, and the Society is providing a forum to make this possible.

Draft Principles

1. No building should be higher than the cliff face.
2. Public Open Space should be at least one third of the site.
3. The density should be lowered in accordance with 1 & 2.
4. Access should not be across parkland.
5. Layout should encourage easy access for pedestrians and cycles.
6. Access to surrounding areas should be improved.
7. Open Space should be secure and sunny and connect with existing Open Space.
8. All development should be sustainable and energy efficient and protect privacy and amenity.
9. There should be no dwellings within the 100 year flood limit.
10. Provision should be made for affordable housing, including student housing.
11. The Tramsheds, including the forecourt, should be restored to include community use, garden and bird habitat.
12. Public transport should be upgraded and include integrated ticketing.
13. The Harness Racing Club should not profit from the sale of the Tramsheds.
14. A design competition should be held at the DA stage to ensure the most creative result.

Dr. Nigel Helyer is the renowned sound artist who is responsible for the redevelopment of the Wireless House at Foley Park.  An event was held at Foley Park on 21st March to mark its opening and Nigel Helyer spoke about how it was saved from demolition and then brought back to life.

You can listen to his talk by clicking here.

A cocktail party was held at Wentworth Park on Thursday, 25 March, to raise funds for the annual Christmas lunch for the less privileged members of the Glebe community.

The Wentworth Park Trust made the terrace and lounge on level 1 available between 6pm – 8pm.  Dog trials were held on the night and.viewed from the Terrace, adding something different to the occasion.

A re-launch of the Foley Park Wireless House was held on Sunday 21st March for people to enjoy food and entertainment, and to hear the artist talk about the Wireless House.  It was a celebration of the re-opening of this most unique facility.

Nigel Helyer is the artist who created the modern artwork around the Wireless House and developed the concept of using the building as a free internet hotspot and a place to play old audio recordings including oral histories relating to Glebe.

Planning decisions to be made this year will be of major significance to Glebe and surrounding suburbs. The first relates to the future development of Harold Park and the associated Tramsheds. The second, the Bays Precinct, is less specific to Glebe but has the potential to reshape the waterfront of the inner-west. The Glebe Society encourages residents to inform themselves about what is proposed for Harold Park and give their views to the City Council.  The replacement of the trotting venue will be the biggest and most important urban development in Glebe for many years, and is an opportunity to do something imaginative with practical benefits both for Glebe and for Sydney. Follow the links below to:

• read planning convenor Neil Macindoe’s report on the concept plan for Harold Park presented to community workshops recently;
• read President Lesley Lynch’s appeal to Glebe residents to “have your say” on Harold Park; and
• read Lesley’s report on the last meeting of the Community Reference Group on the future of the Bays Precinct, and its surprisingly positive outcomes.
• click here to email your comments on the proposed planning scheme for Harold Park to the Glebe Society.
  

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The City of Sydney is preparing planning controls for the Harold Park Site in Glebe. A Community workshop was held on:

Wednesday 17 February 2010, 6.30pm till 8.30pm

AND

Saturday 20 February 2010, 2.00pm till 4.00pm

At St Scholastica’s College, 4 Avenue Road, Glebe

Further information on the project can be found on the City’s Harold Park web page at: www.haroldparkfuture.com.au

The Society arranged a dinner at the Glebe Point Diner on 16 March at which well-known Glebe writer John Newton discussed the evolution of eating out in Glebe.

This event was over-subscribed, and the Society will try to arrange a similar event later in the year at which people on the waiting list will be given preference.

The Australia Day Honours List 2010 has recognized Robin Lawrence for her work as an artist by awarding her the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).  Robin is a member of The Glebe Society.

 For service to the arts through the establishment of the Glebe Art Prize and as an artist.

    An artist in her own right, Mrs Lawrence is responsible for the establishment of the annual Glebe Art Prize in 1997 and has served as the Organiser since this time. The Prize is currently in its 12th Year and currently exhibiting 200 works by 100 artists.   

Congratulations to Robin.

The Australia Day Honours List 2010 has recognized Robin Lawrence for her work as an artist by awarding her the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).

 For service to the arts through the establishment of the Glebe Art Prize and as an artist.

An artist in her own right, Mrs Lawrence is responsible for the establishment of the annual Glebe Art Prize in 1997 and has served as the Organiser since this time. The Prize is currently in its 12th Year and currently exhibiting 200 works by 100 artists.  Robin is a full-time artist herself.ing every 2 years 

Dinner at the Glebe Point Diner with John Newton, Glebe resident and food writer

The Glebe Point Diner opened specially for us on Tuesday 16th March for dinner and a “conversation” with John Newton.   

John Newton, a food critic, food writer and co-editor of the annual Sydney Eats and the Foodies’ Guide to Sydney, talked about food and the history of Glebe’s cafes and restaurants.  It was a great evening.

The 2010 Sydney Shakespeare Festival featuring Twelfth Night and The Merchant of Venice is taking place in Bicentennial Park, Glebe Foreshore every Thursday to Sunday at 8pm from 7 January until 14 February 2010.

Check out our website: http://www.sydneyshakespearefestival.com.au/ for all the details including what’s on, the performance dates for each play, how to book tickets, how to get there and what to bring.

If you'd like to take a look at our media release, have a read of the Sydney Shakespeare Festival blog: http://sydneyshakespearefestival.blogspot.com/

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This year's Christmas Party was a celebration of the season and a final knees up occasion to mark the end of the Glebe Sesquicentenary year and the Glebe Society’s 40th Anniversary. 

For more information go to www.haroldparkfuture.com.au

Glebe Public School Trivia Night

A Trivia Night was run by Glebe Public School’s P&C on Friday 4 December 2009 to raise funds for a stove and Year 6 class camp.

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 The Homework Helpers Club is seeking extra volunteers.