About 160 small shrubs were planted in the park at Orphan School Creek on 3 and 10 May, and the next event will be on Sunday 22 June from 9.30 to 11.30am (for further details, please contact Judy Christie – 9660 8309). The Glebe Bushcare Group continues its regular Wednesday 8.30 am gatherings with grasses and small shrubs being planted near the corner of Chapman Rd and Johnston St, and close to the wetlands (for further details, please contact Sue Copeland – 9692 9161). Members of the Society are always welcome to attend and help at these planting days.

The rebuilding of the eastern tennis court in St James Park will be completed next month. Work will then commence on the western court with the excavation of the site for construction of an 80,000 litre water tank beneath the court; the retaining wall on the western side of the court adjacent to St James Ave will be removed and rebuilt. The water will be used to irrigate St James Park. Local residents are concerned about the adverse impact of a proposed increase in use by St James School of St James Park and John Street Reserve as playgrounds during school hours. The school is no longer using all its onsite playgrounds as sections have now been made available for the parking of staff cars.

St James Park tennis amenities building (image: Sam Crawford Architects)
St James Park tennis amenities building (image: Sam Crawford Architects)

Melanie Flanagan, Custom and Corporate Relations Manager, Transdev Sydney (the operators of the light rail system) attended the May meeting of the Subcommittee to discuss future plantings at the Glebe light rail stop and how they could be coordinated with similar wren-friendly plantings in Palmerston Ave and Sarah Pennington Reserves. Melanie spoke of the difficulties in working to improve the plantings at the Glebe light rail stop including access to the site and the need for a shutdown of light rail operations; Transdev outsources its landcare maintenance and plantings. The company will be establishing environmental plans for the land in its care and when necessary will appoint environmental consultants. It was agreed that:

  • an onsite meeting at the Glebe stop be held between Transdev Sydney and the members of the Subcommittee to establish a work plan for the progressive removal of noxious trees and weeds, and their replacement with native plants.
  • Transdev will look into Transport NSW’s bush care protocols with the aim of establishing a local voluntary group that could work on the light rail stop and the adjacent Reserves.
  • Transdev will investigate future operational shutdown dates during which work could commence on the land around the light rail stop.