Planning
Planning Overview
In the 1960s, Glebe was viewed as a slum, ripe for demolition. Today it is a sought after residential suburb. The story of this transformation is not only a story of changing tastes and lifestyles, but also the story of a determined group of residents who saw the potential beauty and amenity of their suburb and fought to preserve it from the bulldozers.
Posts about Planning
New planning laws may backfire
Posted on 29th December 2025
Today’s regulatory push to cut planning red tape risks creating a significant decline in housing quality and community amenity, and opportunities for community input.
Wentworth Park decision up in the air
Posted on 2nd October 2025
In 2020, the NSW Government promised that Wentworth Park would become public open space when the greyhound racing lease ends in 2027. It now says no final decision has been made.
Recent Development Applications
Posted on 8th October 2025
Each week the Heritage Subcommittee reviews the City of Sydney’s website for DAs relevant to Glebe and Forest Lodge. A list is on our website.
Vale Neil Macindoe
Posted on 24th September 2025
Ted McKeown honours Neil Macindoe, former Society president and planning convenor, known for his role in the 1996 film Rats in the Ranks. Neil passed away in June.
Development applications in Glebe and Forest Lodge, from July 2025
Posted on 29th September 2025
The Heritage Subcommittee reviews the City of Sydney’s website for Development Applications (DAs) each week, to see if there are any heritage issues that should be commented on.
Vale Neil Pennell Macindoe (21 March 1945 – 27 June 2025)
Posted on 29th July 2025
We’re saddened by Neil Macindoe’s passing. His impact on Glebe through Leichhardt Council and the Glebe Society was immense. Memorial: Sat 5 July, St Helen’s Community Centre. All welcome.
Secondary dwelling at 32 St Johns Road – a ‘modern interpretation’ of heritage
Posted on 9th August 2025
Council approved a rear dwelling at 32 St Johns Road in the St Phillips Heritage Conservation Area (HCA). Neighbour Lyn Milton says it clashes with DCP rules for secondary/laneway dwellings in HCAs.
Have you seen one of these on a fence?
Posted on 13th June 2025
Do you want to submit a comment on, or objection to, a development application (DA)? Here’s a quick guide on where to find the DA and the local planning controls that apply to it.
Café DA approved for Bellevue
Posted on 30th May 2010
by Neil Macindoe, Planning Subcommittee Convenor, from Bulletin May/June 2010 Many thanks go to the gallant members, Jo Bastian, Graham Budd, Carole Herriman, Sue Ingram and Jan Macindoe, who spoke at the City of Sydney Planning Committee meeting on 3 May and persuaded the Councillors to approve a café at Bellevue with extended hours. We […]
Consent authority confusion: 2-32 Junction Street development
Posted on 13th June 2025
Corio Projects’ proposal to develop 2-32 Junction Street, Forest Lodge, as seniors housing has been submitted to Planning NSW as a ‘state significant development’. Affected locals with concerns about the proposal are wondering which body will assess the application when the time comes.
State significant development application for 2-32 Junction Street, Forest Lodge
Posted on 9th May 2025
Residents in Forest Lodge are concerned about the scale of a proposed development in Junction Street. The developers are seeking for it to be assessed as a ‘state significant development’.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 […]
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.
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.
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.
Council refuses DA for 181 St Johns Road
Posted on 5th October 2023
The development application for 181 St Johns Road has been refused. You can read the Society’s submission and the Council’s determination here.
Planning Subcommittee Annual Report 2022-2023
Posted on 27th August 2023
Ian Stephenson, who steps down as President of the Society at this year’s AGM, has had a busy year wearing his other hat as Convenor of the Planning subcommittee.
From the President, August 2023
Posted on 2nd August 2023
In his monthly report, Ian Stephenson, President of the Glebe Society, supports prominent architects who strongly favour the retention and repair of public housing, rather than its demolition and replacement with new construction.
Celebrating Peru Perumal, a major figure in Glebe’s conservation
Posted on 17th August 2023
The Glebe Society is delighted to have received a substantial donation in memory of Peru Perumal. Peru was elected our President in 1972 and was a major figure in the conservation of Glebe.
Updates on current DAs in Glebe and Forest Lodge: August 2023
Posted on 2nd August 2023
Updates about development applications (DAs) for a group of buildings in Forest and Ross Street Forest Lodge; and the R J Williams (Wesley Mission) building at 274-276 Glebe Point Road.
