Issues
War and no peace – the never-ending saga of the Bridge Road cycleway
Posted on 1st July 2024
The new cycleway design does not improve safety;, eg. footpaths will be accessible to cyclists via ‘pram ramps’ to avoid cycleway sections with merged cycle and general traffic lanes. Eight months of night-time construction will generate noise levels exceeding industry standards. Recommended Industry-standard noise mitigation measures will not be used due to cost or effect on construction time.
News from the Blue Wrens: June 2024
Posted on 29th May 2024
Work continues on the Innovations and Ideas Grant and there is noticeable activity of small birds around ‘The Hill’. Bushcare volunteers attended a planting day held by the Orphan School Creek Bushcare Group (led by Judy Christie) and more activities are planned. Anna Szanto, leader of the Glebe Palmerston and Surrounds Landcare Group, reports on the state of the Palmerston Street area and Nick Sangster notes that in Harold Park the Casuarinas on the eastern side of Johnstons Creek have still not been removed.
Glebe in the news for all the wrong reasons!
Posted on 29th May 2024
Duncan Leys reports that Glebe was in the news for all the wrong reasons last month. There have been reports of incidents allegedly involving young people which have been addressed in meetings with the police and Council, reported in the next article. A meeting with Kobi Shetty canvassed issues around transport, the new fish market, the Glebe Island Bridge and housing issues. More positively, Duncan noted the continuing removal of asbestos and expressed his enthusiasm for the Glebe Society Guided Walks program.
Recent planning submission by the Society
Posted on 1st May 2024
Whenever necessary, the Planning Convenor makes submissions to Sydney City Council on behalf of the Glebe Society about proposed developments in Glebe and Forest Lodge. This is the latest submission.
From the President: May 2024
Posted on 1st May 2024
The Glebe Society is dealing with a number of substantive issues involving the State Government which were discussed with local MP Kobi Shetty before the last meeting of the Society’s Management Committee. These include WestConnex, the upheavals due to asbestos contamination, zoning laws, housing shortages and the new Sydney Fish Market. The Society is interested in the Bidura redevelopment and restoration of the Glebe Island Bridge. Duncan also wants to encourage attendance at our popular guided walks.
DA: 417 Glebe Point Road, ‘Durham Court’
Posted on 15th February 2008
By Neil Macindoe, Planning Convenor, February 2008 (from Bulletin 1/2008) This development application was lodged just before Christmas, a time favoured by those wishing to avoid public scrutiny. Located between Cook and Leichhardt Streets, Durham Court, originally a large private house, was extended ca 1920 into a large block of flats, but there is still […]
News from Blue Wren Subcommittee: May 2024
Posted on 1st May 2024
The Society’s 8th Annual Biodiversity Lecture will be given by Thomas Astell-Burt. Blue Wren members met with Charlotte Fletcher who is City of Sydney’s new Urban Ecology Coordinator who oversees natural resources. She is also the Grant Relationship Manager for the Society’s Innovation and Ideas Grant, which is funding the University of Sydney’s study of Glebe’s Hill. There are concerns about an invasion of casuarinas on the eastern side of Johnstons Creek.
Wentworth Park revisited
Posted on 27th March 2024
Will greyhound racing depart from Wentworth Park when the Greyhound Breeders Owners and Trainers Association’s lease expires? Ted McKeown, Glebe Society member and former chairman of the Wentworth Park Sporting Complex Trust, revisits decisions about Wentworth Park and examines the Park’s possible futures.
Society’s 8th annual biodiversity lecture
Posted on 27th March 2024
The Society’s annual biodiversity lecture will this year be delivered by Professor Thomas Astell-Burt on Wednesday 29 May 2024. His talk will be on ‘Regenerative Cities and Flourishing Communities: why more trees might mean less loneliness and better health’. Book now.
Planning matters
Posted on 27th March 2024
The Glebe Society has made several presentations and submissions to planning authorities in the last month or so. These include responding with our concerns about the State government’s plans to increase the number of low- and mid-rise multi-dwelling residences, and the Society’s opposition to a developer’s attempt to demolish an early cottage in the Hereford and Forest Lodge Heritage Conservation Area. There’s also good news: the Glebe Society’s efforts to stop the demolition of 181 St Johns Road have been successful.
Work underway on the Glebe’s Hill biodiversity project
Posted on 27th March 2024
The grant cheque is in the bank and the Glebe’s Hill biodiversity research project is ready to go. Andrew Wood sets out the work plan for the project, including opportunities for local community members to get involved.
82 Wentworth Park Road Glebe DA approved
Posted on 27th March 2024
The Glebe Society submitted innovative proposals for improving public housing at 82 Wentworth Park Road. The State Government had other plans and their proposal to demolish and replace the existing housing was approved. It is discussed in this article.
NSW Government Planning Proposals
Posted on 28th February 2024
Two recent proposals will have impacts on Glebe. ‘Transport Oriented Development’ is for eight priority high growth areas which have been identified for accelerated rezoning. ‘Diverse and Well-Located Homes’ proposes increased densities within 800 metres of light rail stations, mixed use zones and local centres.
From the President: April 2024
Posted on 27th March 2024
Duncan reports some positive developments for the conservation of Bidura House and the Glebe Island Bridge. Less positive are the State government’s latest announcements on parking at the new Sydney Fish Market and plans to rezone parts of Glebe.
A nymph at Orphan School Creek!
Posted on 28th February 2024
Have you spotted one of our colourful denizens? Amorbus Alternatus.
From the President March 2024
Posted on 28th February 2024
Duncan Leys with news from The Glebe Society.
From the Blue Wrens, March 2024
Posted on 28th February 2024
An update from the busy Blue Wren’s group and Bushcare volunteers.
Heritage and the housing crisis: higher density must respect amenity
Posted on 28th November 2023
What’s the common ground between YIMBYs and NIMBYs? This article is reproduced with the permission of the Marrickville Heritage Society.
King Parrots discover Orphan School Creek
Posted on 28th November 2023
Rare visitors to Glebe and Forest Lodge. King Parrots discover Orphan School Creek
Submission regarding outdoor dining at hotels
Posted on 28th November 2023
The Society has made a submission about regulations for outdoor dining at Glebe’s hotels.
Update on Innovation and Ideas Grant: The Hill project
Posted on 28th November 2023
By Andrew Wood, convenor, Blue Wren subcommittee, Bulletin 10/2023, December At last, some good news – on Wednesday 15 November the final contract (Approval Temporary Access over Council Land) to permit the start of work on the Innovation and Ideas Grant was signed by the City of Sydney and the Society. It will enable the […]
From The President: November 2023
Posted on 29th October 2023
In his message to members, the Society’s President calls for volunteers to fill important roles on the Management Committee
Glebe Forest Lodge Bird Survey Report 2023
Posted on 30th October 2023
The bird watchers of the Blue Wren Subcommittee were out early for the Glebe Forest Lodge annual bird survey. The brush turkeys went missing.
Council debates Bridge Road cycleway
Posted on 1st November 2023
Deletions, amendments and additions – all in a night’s work for a City of Sydney Council meeting. But a motion to request greater concern for safety in the construction of the Bridge Road cycleway took a very different form after one Councillor took his pen to it.
The Craney Grant – helping bees thrive!
Posted on 1st November 2023
At the Crescent Early Learning Centre kids are learning about the birds and the bees, with the support of a Craney Grant.
The Villas of Glebe: A Glebe Society Walk
Posted on 29th October 2023
Another successful Glebe Society Walk in October took participants on a tour of the grand villas of Glebe, some still extant, others a matter of history.
Crane crash at the new Sydney Fish Market
Posted on 30th October 2023
Oops! How the mighty are fallen. Miraculously, no one was killed when a huge crane jib crashed to the ground at the Fish Market building site. Now the problem is how to remove and replace it.
A message from the new President, Duncan Leys
Posted on 5th October 2023
Duncan Leys, the Society’s newly-elected President, offered his thanks at the AGM for the advice and support of members of the Management Committee. He said that the Presidency was an honour which he felt he had not yet earned, but committed to ‘earning his stripes’ by reaching out to people and organisations who shared common goals with the Society.
Transport and Traffic Subcommittee Annual Report 2022-2023
Posted on 5th October 2023
Continuing complaints by residents about the Bridge Road cycleway, and concern about the extra traffic generated by the new Sydney Fish Market, are issues covered in this report.
News from the Blue Wren Subcommittee, October 2023
Posted on 5th October 2023
Glebe Public School reports a great outcome from the Craney Small Grants Program. They’ve been able to purchase new bush tucker plants and gardening equipment, resulting in a transformed outdoor space that will benefit students’ education and connection with nature.
