Issues
Fish Markets CCC meetings continue to ‘raise more questions than they answer’
Posted on 3rd March 2025
Will there or won’t there be a ferry at the new Sydney Fish Markets on Pyrmont Bridge Road? It’s far from clear, says our representative on the Community Consultative Committee, Asa Wahlquist.
Waiting for a bus?
Posted on 3rd March 2025
The 370 bus has not been restored to its original route despite promises and even announcements that it would be. Janet Oakley looks at what’s going on with the buses that service Glebe.
News from the Blue Wren Subcommittee, March 2025
Posted on 3rd March 2025
The City of Sydney is now being asked to act on the recommendations of the study into biodiversity on Glebe’s Hill, next to Jubilee Park station. Also news from local Landcare and Bushcare groups.
Glebe Point Road Main Street Study, Stage Two
Posted on 26th February 2025
Conducted by Bechervaise and Associates in 1991. The two volume report, Glebe Point Road Main Street Study, Stage Two was published in November 1991. Objectives for the study related to conserving and enhancing the identified character and heritage items of Glebe Point Road, providing a clear Statement of Cultural Significance of Glebe Point Road; providing […]
Report: Glebe–Forest Lodge Spring Bird Survey 2024
Posted on 2nd December 2024
At least six native bird species including grey butcherbird, pied currawong and Australian magpie are breeding in the leafy parks and streets of Glebe–Forest Lodge. Tree martins are using air vents in a Ross Street building. One of the best results of the survey was the three willie wagtails down near the mangroves on Rozelle Bay.
Innovation and Ideas Grant: presentation by the University of Sydney
Posted on 2nd December 2024
On 29 November, biodiversity researchers at the University of Sydney presented the results of their study into Glebe’s Hill, the neglected piece of land between the Tramsheds and Jubilee Park station. They identified 31 plant species, 12 bird species, plus skinks and invertebrates, as well as foxes, domestic cats and brushtail possums. They made recommendations to transform this degraded site into a thriving greenspace. The research was funded by a City of Sydney grant to the Glebe Society.
Remembering Ian Stephenson (1955-2024)
Posted on 3rd December 2024
President Duncan Leys writes about Ian Stephenson, whose funeral was on 21 November. The Glebe Society and so many other people mourn his loss as a generous, funny and passionate man and a leading heritage thinker with huge standing in the cultural heritage space.
Oh, how Glebe has changed!
Posted on 2nd December 2024
A newly-digitised collection of photographs shows the Glebe waterfront in 1976. How it has changed!
Glebe Society and Council request Heritage Council to protect Bidura
Posted on 3rd December 2024
This is one of the last articles Ian Stephenson wrote on behalf of the Glebe Society, typical of his informed and passionate support for preserving Glebe’s significant architectural heritage. We could all see the dereliction; Ian proactively pursued action to address this. Let’s hope Ian’s efforts, which are clear from this article, successfully end Bidura’s trajectory towards demolition (by neglect).
Advice to cat management inquiry: Give Councils enforcement powers
Posted on 2nd December 2024
The NSW Parliament’s Animal Welfare Committee is inquiring into the management of cats in NSW to reduce their impact on threatened native animals. On Glebe’s Hill near the Tramsheds, wildlife cameras have caught domestic cats out hunting. The Society argues that Councils should be able to enforce mandatory microchipping and desexing of cats and 24-hour cat containment.
From the President: November 2024
Posted on 28th October 2024
President Duncan Leys reports on the sad and sudden death of Ian Stephenson in October. Always good-humoured, generous and funny with a wicked sense of humour, he was a stalwart of the Glebe Society as President for two years, then as Planning Convenor. In other news, the last Walk of the year is coming up, as is a presentation on the Glebe’s Hill project. Events were held to honour pioneering journalist Dorothy Drain (and her new Blue Plaque) and the heritage listing of Elsie Women’s refuge. Not to mention the Glebe Art Show that goes from strength to strength.
Our Main Street – Glebe Point Road
Posted on 28th October 2024
What’s to be done about Glebe Point Road? A common thread is emerging that Main Streets, such as Glebe Point Road, must return to being public places for people. To do that, they must have successful shops and businesses, outdoor places for a coffee or a meal in a safe and healthy environment. And not be clogged with cars. Brian Fuller looks at what could be done, including the idea of light rail on Broadway and Parramatta Road.
News from the Blue Wren Subcommittee: November 2024
Posted on 28th October 2024
The results of the research into the biodiversity of Glebe’s Hill, the piece of land between Jubilee Park rail station and the Tramsheds, will be presented on 29 November. Raptor alert – a goshawk was also spotted on The Hill in September, giving the resident noisy miners a bit of a scare.
Changes to City of Sydney planning controls: Have your say
Posted on 28th October 2024
The Council has invited feedback on proposed changes to the planning controls for Pyrmont-Ultimo. While they wouldn’t directly affect Glebe, they are likely to have an impact on Glebe, especially the parks and waterways between.
Removal of restrictions on drinking alcohol in Glebe’s parks
Posted on 2nd October 2024
The City of Sydney Council’s decision not to renew the outdoor alcohol restrictions in Glebe’s parks has angered many local residents. Duncan Leys, the Society’s President, is concerned that the decision was taken without proper community consultation.
Bays and Foreshores Subcommittee annual report 2023-2024
Posted on 2nd October 2024
In the Annual Report of the Bays and Foreshores subcommittee Convenor John Sergeant recalls the Society’s efforts to secure a continuous area of public land along the Glebe foreshore. But more needs to be done to ensure the safety of all users, who move at different speeds and with varying levels of mobility and attentiveness and so on.
Annual report from the Glebe Society’s representative on the Community Consultative Committee for the new Sydney Fish Market
Posted on 2nd October 2024
In her Annual Report, Asa Wahlquist describes the Fish Market Community Consultative Committee’s monthly meetings with the builder, Multiplex, and highlights major concerns about looming traffic and parking issues that are likely to have a major impact on Glebe.
Transport and Traffic Subcommittee Annual Report 2023-2024
Posted on 2nd October 2024
The Annual Report of the Transport and Traffic convenor expresses the Society’s concerns with the Rozelle interchange, local bus schedules, and e-bikes and bike shares
News from the Blue Wren Subcommittee, October 24
Posted on 2nd October 2024
A walk along Johnstons Creek gives insights into Glebe’s bird life. The Society’s Spring Bird Survey is coming up, as is a presentation on the Glebe Hill biodiversity project.
Planning submission re Denman Lane, Glebe
Posted on 2nd October 2024
The Society made a submission to Council on a development application to erect a two-storey dwelling in Denman Lane behind 32 St Johns Rd.
The Slippery Slope
Posted on 28th August 2024
In recent years some of Glebe’s buildings deemed important to maintaining the character of its heritage conservation areas have been demolished or approved for demolition, despite planning laws that are meant to prevent this. Planning Convenor, Ian Stephenson, wants more rigorous control by the City of Sydney Council.
News from the Blue Wren subcommittee: September 2024
Posted on 28th August 2024
Recognition for the volunteers from the Orphan School Creek Bushcare Group and reports on the well-attended talk and walk in July about The Hill research project. A male brush turkey has built a mound in the Wood Street lands area in Forest Lodge. It’s obviously impressive as he has had two female Brush-Turkeys inspecting the condition of his mound.
‘Going to the Dogs’, by Max Solling and John Tracey
Posted on 28th August 2024
Richard Cashman’s review of ‘Going to the Dogs; A History of Greyhound Racing in New South Wales’, by Max Solling and John Tracey, says the authors have undertaken a thorough interrogation of what many have regarded as a sport on the margins of respectability.
Kanangra’s restoration is progressing
Posted on 28th August 2024
At Rozelle Bay some dedicated volunteers are restoring the Kanangra, a ferry built in 1912 that served Sydney Harbour for more than 70 years. The volunteers are keeping alive the old shipbuilding skills that were once a feature of docks on the Harbour foreshore.
Planning Submission: 1-7 Bellevue St
Posted on 28th August 2024
The Glebe Society has recommended some modifications to the development application including the retention of an external door.
Walkshop on 8 Sept: What bird is that?
Posted on 31st July 2024
Join an interpretative walk on 8 September along Johnstons Creek where birds have previously nested and been observed.
Some special visitors: Blue wrens at Rozelle Bay
Posted on 31st July 2024
We thought they’d left us, but a keen-eyed observer discovered two Superb Fairy-wrens at Rozelle Bay.
Blue Wren Subcommittee Annual Report 2023–2024
Posted on 31st July 2024
A busy year for the Blue Wren Subcommittee. The project sponsored by the Subcommittee has made successful observations of some of the fauna resident in ‘The Hill’. It’s just one of this year’s notable achievements by the Blue Wrens.
Letter to the Editor, August 2024
Posted on 31st July 2024
On the never-ending saga of the Bridge Road cycleway
Planning Subcommittee Annual Report 2023-2024
Posted on 31st July 2024
In his annual report, Ian Stephenson, the Glebe Society’s Planning Convenor, recommends that the State Government exempts the Sydney Local Government Area from the proposed Low- and Mid-Rise Housing State Environmental Planning Policy, but sets housing targets for the LGA to ensure the City does its bit to alleviate the housing crisis.
