Issues
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.
The Glebe Society’s latest planning submission
Posted on 31st July 2024
The Glebe Society’s recent submission to Council on a development application in Forest Lodge.
Recent transport and traffic issues in Glebe–Forest Lodge
Posted on 1st July 2024
Knock-on effects of Rozelle Interchange problems in Glebe–Forest Lodge; transparency concerns about building the Bridge Road Permanent Cycleway; and it never rains but it pours when it comes to local bus arrival times!
Glebe’s Hill: Bunyip Tails? What the cameras saw
Posted on 1st July 2024
Join us for the next instalment of the Innovation and Ideas grant project on the biodiversity of Glebe’s Hill – a ‘walkshop’ with Prof. Dieter Hochuli and Genevieve Heggarty titled: Exploring Glebe’s wild spaces – the fauna and flora of The Hill and Johnstons Creek.
More green time, less screen time – better health outcomes
Posted on 1st July 2024
The Society’s 8th biodiversity lecture in May was an informative and entertaining lecture entitled Regenerative Cities and Flourishing Communities: why more trees might mean less loneliness and better health by Professor Thomas Astell-Burt. He shared his knowledge and enthusiasm for the importance of nature and well-designed green space for improving the health of the world’s city-dwellers.
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.
