Environment
From Greening Glebe to Sustainability
The Glebe Society has had a strong commitment to environmental issues since its foundation, but the emphasis has changed over the years, in line with changing concerns in society generally. In the early years the focus was on ‘greening Glebe’ with encouragement of both public parks and private gardens. More recently, issues of sustainability and […]
Posts about Environment
Nature-based pre-school opens in Camperdown
Posted on 8th August 2026
A new early childhood program at St Joseph’s Camperdown provides nature‑rich learning, supporting children’s inquiry into ecosystems, seasons and outdoor discovery in nursery, toddler and preschool spaces.
Improvements to outdoor dining in Glebe
Posted on 22nd April 2026
The Glebe Society has recommended amendments to the City of Sydney Draft Outdoor Dining Guidelines, and that parts of Glebe Point Road should be upgraded for permanent outdoor dining.
Community unites for climate action in Glebe
Posted on 9th August 2025
Over 50 locals gathered at the old Sydney City Mission Hall on St Johns Road for a UTS-backed climate action event, highlighting practical, inclusive solutions—especially for public and social housing.
City of Sydney’s draft environmental strategy 2025–2030
Posted on 13th June 2025
City of Sydney is updating its environmental strategy and has sought feedback on its draft Environmental Strategy 2025-2030. In its submission, the Society suggested the City set more ambitous targets for environmental measures in the existing strategy and introduce additional environmental measures in line with innovations elsewhere.
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 […]
‘The Hill’ as a future wildlife refuge: Meeting with City of Sydney
Posted on 8th September 2022
Representatives of the Glebe Society and City of Sydney met recently to inspect ‘The Hill’, a fenced-off area of contaminated land between the Tramsheds and Jubilee Park station. While it currently contains a lot of weedy trees and rubbish, it has great potential to become a flourishing urban wildlife refuge.
News from our volunteer bushcare groups
Posted on 9th August 2022
A round-up (no pun intended) of the activities of the Glebe Society’s Bushcare Groups.
What and where is ‘The Hill’?
Posted on 9th August 2022
‘The Hill’ is a fenced-off area of contaminated Crown land on the northern side of the Tramsheds near the Jubilee Park light rail station. The site of a local garbage tip in the 1890s, the Glebe Society has recommended that it should become an undisturbed urban nature refuge.
Environmental news from the Blue Wren Subcommittee
Posted on 6th April 2022
The Glebe Society’s annual biodiversity lecture will this year feature Professor Dieter Hochuli talking on ‘How nature survives and thrives in urban environments, and why it matters for the future of our cities’. It is on 25 May. Also read news from the Glebe bushcare groups.
Report from Glebe Public School on the outcomes of their 2021 Craney Small Grant
Posted on 7th March 2022
The Craney Small Grants Program has generously provided Glebe Public School with the opportunity to inform, educate and enact sustainable practices and programs across our school.
Pedestrian safety still at risk at new Sydney Fish Market site
Posted on 7th March 2022
Transport for NSW officials have responded to urgent concerns over pedestrian safety along Bridge Rd, next to the construction site of the New Sydney Fish Market. Transport for NSW plans to improve signage ‘within a few weeks’, and that they were currently undertaking a pedestrian safety review, which they aim to implement ‘sooner rather than later’. The results of the review will not be publicly available.
Update: proposed eco-corridor as part of the future for Bays West
Posted on 7th March 2022
A wildlife corridor is being proposed for the foreshores of our bays. The corridor, which would link to similar corridors in Glebe, Annandale, the Greenway and Callan Park, should be included in the government’s Bays West plans.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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
Glebe needs a nursery for local native plants
Posted on 17th July 2021
On 1 May, Janet Wahlquist, President, wrote to the Lord Mayor on behalf of the Blue Wrens Subcommittee which has identified a need for a native plant nursery in the LGA. See the Lord Mayor’s response.
What about wildlife corridors in the Bays West area?
Posted on 15th July 2021
Balmain resident and Society member Keith Stallard argues that establishing eco-corridors in the Bays West area could help with badly-needed ecological regeneration.
2021 Craney Small Grants to support biodiversity projects in local preschools and schools
Posted on 11th July 2021
Small grants awarded to SDN Preschool Glebe, Explore and Develop Preschool, Annandale and Glebe Public School. to foster biodiversity. Thanks to the late Jan Craney, former convenor of the Society’s Blue Wren Subcommittee.
Glebe Society goes in to bat for the Bay
Posted on 5th June 2021
A report from the Community Consultative Committee for the construction of new Sydney Fish Market. Issues with dust, noise, heavy metal pollution, traffic and the impact on rowers were raised.
Opposition to proposed Glebe Island concrete batching plant
Posted on 4th June 2021
The Glebe Society has objected to a proposal for a Concrete Batching Plant and Handling Facility at White Bay. Among other things, it could have a negative impact on the desirability of restoring the Glebe Island Bridge as a pedestrian and cycleway.
Draft Greening Sydney Strategy
Posted on 22nd May 2021
City of Sydney is currently consulting on their draft Greening Sydney Strategy. It would aim to increase overall green cover to manage urban heat, create more opportunities to connect with nature and create greater biodiversity.
News from Blue Wren Subcommittee
Posted on 7th March 2021
the Glebe Society has made a comprehensive submission to the City of Sydney on our Crown Lands.
Progress on Johnstons Creek naturalisation
Posted on 27th February 2021
Construction started in January 2020 and is expected to finish mid-2021, weather permitting (according to Sydney Water’s website).
‘On the verge’ – it’s not easy being green
Posted on 2nd January 2021
“Some days I wish I had full PPE, as my days seem so long and the onslaught unrelenting. I live on the street, I have no money, few resources. I accept I am low in the pecking order.” Who am I?
The next big thing in recycling is here
Posted on 1st January 2021
City of Sydney is partnering with RecycleSmart to make it easier for us to recycle items that can’t go in the yellow lid recycling bin.
Society’s 8th Annual Spring Bird Survey
Posted on 1st January 2021
This year’s annual bird survey took place on Sunday 1 November. A total of 16 people signed on at 6.45 am in Paddy Gray Reserve in Hereford St and were allocated to ten survey sites across Glebe and Forest Lodge including streets, parks and along waterways.
News from the Blue Wren Subcommittee
Posted on 29th December 2020
Updates about recent activities of the Society’s busy Blue Wren subcommittee and volunteers.
