By Andrew Wood, Bulletin 9/2021, November 2021

The City of Sydney Council has released for community comments its Draft Plans of Management for Glebe’s crown lands (General Crown Reserves Draft Plan of Management, Wentworth Park Draft Plan of Management and Johnstons Creek Parklands Draft Plan of Management1). The Society will be responding to the draft plans and our letter will be published on the website.

Naturalised Johnstons Creek (photo: Phil Vergison)

Sydney Water’s naturalisation work on the Johnstons creek/canal has been completed and the wetlands are now filling again at high tide.  Creekside plantings, however, should be enhanced with a dense shrub layer and small native trees planted to replace what has been removed in the creek naturalisation process. More estuarine species are also needed. It is wonderful to report that fauna (fish, pelicans, turtles, eels, ducks and herons) have returned since the completion of the work. In a recent local survey, Nick and Janice Sangster counted 219 birds of 12 species.

The Orphan School Creek Bushcare Group has continued with essential weeding and a working bee/seed collection is planned for Sunday 21 November. Four enquiries have been received for membership of the Group. The City has given permission for shallow plantings in an unremediated site and volunteers will need to be given an induction to permit work on the site – induction is planned for early in 2022.

For John Street Reserve, Bob Richards reports:

The main news of course is the celebration that was held on Tuesday October 19 to celebrate Norma Hawkins’ 99th birthday and showing her guests the beautiful tree planted in her honour in the Reserve courtesy of the Glebe Society. I also recently liaised with Council re the maintenance of the Reserve. Hopefully, these discussions will result in action in the weeks ahead. Fingers crossed.

The Glebe Palmerston and Surrounds Landcare Group continue weeding the sites, removing leaves from the blocked drains and collecting litter. In order to attract new members, the City will be asked to install a new sign giving contact details for the Group; also the City will be requested to install an additional light to provide illumination under the large Morton Bay fig tree at the Lombard St steps. The Group is investigating a name change to reflect the Indigenous inhabitants of the area or a local identity.