Issues
The Land and Housing Corporation gets the details wrong
Posted on 7th March 2022
One on of the brilliant things about the project by the Federal Government, and later the NSW Government, to restore the former church estates was that they went to a lot of trouble to get the details right. Sadly, the NSW Land and Housing Corporation which looks after the former church estates seems to have lost its memory and its skills.
Re-submitted DA for Bidura still unacceptable
Posted on 4th March 2022
The Society has lodged a follow-up submission in relation to the Bidura development application (DA) which proposes a large scale apartment complex behind the heritage-listed building, replacing the concrete Metropolitan Remand Centre/Childrens Court built in the early 1980s. This follows a period of consultation between the City of Sydney and the developers, Visionland, and amendments to their original proposal. The Society believes that aspects of the proposed development will be alien to the architectural character of Glebe and should not be approved.
The most serious threat to Glebe’s scale and community in fifty years
Posted on 16th December 2021
In November, the Sydney City Council’s approved a Development Application by the NSW Land and Housing Corporation to erect two 8-storey apartment towers and five 3-storey terrace houses in the St Phillips estate in Glebe. This represents the most serious threat to the urban character and community of Glebe – what makes Glebe’s special – in almost fifty years.
The Glebe ferry is running again ‒ a faster and more convenient service
Posted on 17th December 2021
Great news! The ferry between the Blackwattle Bay wharf at the end of Leichhardt St and Barangaroo has been reinstated, now with a set timetable.
Glebe Island Bridge Slowly Falls Down
Posted on 9th December 2021
It is 12 months since the 25-year anniversary of the decommissioning of the Glebe Island Bridge and our rally calling for the restoration and rejuvenation of the Glebe Island Bridge. What has happened since?
News from the Blue Wren Subcommittee
Posted on 11th June 2022
Professor Dieter Hochuli from Sydney University’s School of Life and Environmental Sciences gave the Society’s 7th Annual Biodiversity Talk in May on how nature survives and thrives in urban environments, and why it matters to us humans. Research has shown that non-native plants and weeds are not all bad. Some can provide vital floral resources for urban pollinators and great habitat for small birds. Read also about the recent activities of the local bush/landcare groups.
Bridge Rd cycleway – updates
Posted on 17th December 2021
Access issues for residents and safety issues for cyclists remain unresolved. Lord Mayor Clover Moore’s statement about usage of the cycleway are challenged.
Conservation and Change in the St Phillips estate, a talk by Philip Thalis
Posted on 16th December 2021
The starting point for good urban design lies in a deep understanding of how an area has evolved over time,, said architect and urban planner Philip Thalis, in a recent talk about the evolution of the St Phillips area of Glebe and ways in which future development could echo existing streetscapes and foster social connections between residents.
News from the Blue Wren Subcommittee
Posted on 11th November 2021
The main news was the celebration on October 19 of Norma Hawkins’ 99th birthday and the planting of a tree in her honour. In other news, the Council has released for comment its Draft Plans of Management for Glebe’s crown lands and Sydney Water’s naturalisation work on the Johnstons creek/canal has been completed.
From the President
Posted on 11th November 2021
New Glebe Society President, Ian Stephenson, reports on a busy October for the Society. In this picture Ian stands to the left of Norma Hawkins at the tree planting ceremony in her honour.
Water tower heritage interpretation artwork
Posted on 6th November 2021
One of the requirements of the DA for the development of Harold Park was that the water tank associated with the Rozelle Tram Yards be reinstated. The tank has been reinstated as an artwork by Chris Fox called ‘Immerge’.
Fish Markets: no pedestrian crossing until late 2022
Posted on 6th November 2021
Pedestrians walking along the Blackwattle Bay side of Bridge Rd will have to wait until the fourth quarter of next year, 2022, for a temporary pedestrian crossing to be installed near Wentworth Park Rd. A permanent crossing is scheduled for 2024, when the new Sydney Fish Markets will open.
Glebe’s environmental assets
Posted on 6th November 2021
Eva Ancher, who is in Year 6 at school, lives in Glebe. Read her thoughts on the our local environment.
Tree planting ceremony to honour Norma Hawkins
Posted on 6th November 2021
On 19th October a commemorative tree was planted on behalf of the Glebe Society at John Street Reserve to recognise Norma Hawkins’ outstanding contributions to Glebe and the wider community. It was also the occasion of Norma’s 99th birthday.
Work at Sydney Fish Market site is putting pedestrians at risk
Posted on 2nd October 2021
Work at Sydney Fish Market (SFM) site is putting pedestrians at risk. It has been described as ‘an accident waiting to happen’. The footpath next to the new SFM site is frequently blocked, with pedestrians told to cross Bridge Rd, but with no assistance to do so.
Our new video series ‘In Sydney, it’s Glebe’
Posted on 1st October 2021
‘In Sydney it’s Glebe’, six Glebe Society videos about our suburb, its history and heritage and the risks it faces from overdevelopment, have now been released.
How the Glebe Youth Service is supporting our community during COVID
Posted on 4th October 2021
The Glebe Youth Service (GYS) is currently supporting many households affected by COVID-19. Broadway Shopping Centre has set up a Community Donation and Food Drive bin on the ground floor of the shopping centre. Please contribute items for GYS to distribute – a list of suitable items is provided in this article.
Position vacant – environment convenor
Posted on 4th October 2021
The Glebe Society is looking for a new convenor for the Environment Subcommittee. Are you interested?
Cash donations to Glebe Youth Service
Posted on 4th October 2021
Glebe Youth Service are providing vital support to young people and families in Glebe affected by Covid or having to isolate. With the help of Glebe Society members and others, donations have reached $20,000 with a goal of $40,000. Support provided includes food, cleaning products and other essentials, phone/data credit, phone support and advocacy.
Trauma Teddies for COVID-affected people in 2037
Posted on 4th October 2021
October 2021, Bulletin 8/2021 Glebe Society member, Edwina Doe (seated), co-ordinates Red Cross’s Trauma Teddy program. On Monday 27 September, Edwina delivered a donation of 50 Trauma Teddies to GYS. (Photo: Red Cross)
COVID19 in Glebe / Forest Lodge – How you can help
Posted on 13th September 2021
In response to the current Covid19 situation in Glebe/Forest Lodge, members and others are asked to consider making a financial donation to Glebe Youth Service (GYS). GYS is providing food and other essential items to families who are positive or who are having to isolate.
Blue Wren sighting in Glebe!
Posted on 7th September 2021
In May this year two Superb Fairywrens were spotted at Glebe Point, the first confirmed sighting since 2016
Blackwattle Bay State Significant Precinct Study
Posted on 13th September 2021
Blackwattle Bay opens Glebe up to the sky and water, and gives the suburb a wonderful aspect and the opportunity for water sports like rowing, dragon boating and canoeing. The incredible popularity of the foreshore walk is due to its proximity to the water and the sense of space and relaxation that it brings. All this is threatened by the Blackwattle Bay Precinct Plan.
Inspirational artwork from the students of Glebe Public School
Posted on 13th September 2021
The students of Glebe Public School provide the community with some inspirational words during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Protecting our environment – sewage pumping stations serving Glebe
Posted on 14th September 2021
Four low level sewage pumping stations serve Glebe and surrounding areas, part of a network constructed at the end of the 19th and early 20th centuries in response to the outbreaks of typhoid which plagued Sydney from the 1870s to 1890s. Built at a time when small-scale utilitarian buildings were given as much careful attention as public buildings.
From the President, August 2021
Posted on 2nd August 2021
Glebe Society President, Janet Wahlquist, provides an update on the Society’s recent activities and what’s new in Glebe and Forest Lodge
Proposed development at 7 Franklyn St and 49-51 Greek St, Glebe
Posted on 5th August 2021
A DA under consideration for these sites, involves demolishing two former warehouses and replacing them with 84 self-contained boarding rooms. The proposed development is out of character with the neighbouring houses. Adaptive reuse of the warehouses would be a better solution.
Bidura: The Bitter Sweet DA
Posted on 3rd August 2021
The DAs for the demolition of the Metropolitan Remand Centre and construction of a new housing development behind the heritage-listed Bidura House are now on public exhibition. We explain the plans and why we are concerned about them.
Coming soon: Exciting new videos on Glebe
Posted on 6th August 2021
Watch out for a series of six videos on the history of Glebe and threats to its future. Coming later in August.
New artwork on Glebe Foreshore Walk
Posted on 11th August 2021
A wonderful new artwork highlights the special place of Glebe Rowing Club on Blackwattle Bay and adds a new point of interest to the foreshore walk.
