Planning
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.
Read more about our Planning overview or view our Planning posts below.
‘Housing for All’: opportunities and challenges in inner-city development
Posted on 5th June 2026
Duncan Leys outlines the City’s housing ideas for Glebe—renew Broadway, Parramatta Rd, high streets and lanes—and urges residents to speak up so growth doesn’t overwhelm neighbourhood scale.
Bidura development applies for state significant development assessment
Posted on 22nd April 2026
If successful, this would bypass the previous consent granted by the Council of the City of Sydney. The new proposal would be some 30% larger.
City of Sydney makes changes to heritage planning controls
Posted on 14th March 2026
We gave Council feedback on heritage impacts of proposed DCP changes. The amended controls, largely supporting strong heritage values, took effect on 23 January. We will continue to critically review advertised DAs.
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.
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.
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.
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’.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Updates on current development applications (DAs) in Glebe
Posted on 30th June 2023
Updates about development applications (DAs) for Bidura, St Scholastica’s College, Wesley Lodge and 82 Wentworth Park Road, currently being referred to the Local Planning Panel by the City of Sydney.
Renewal of outdoor dining at The Friend in Hand
Posted on 30th May 2023
The Society recently lodged a submission in relation to an application for renewal of outdoor dining at The Friend in Hand Hotel. The key issue was whether, given its close proximity to houses, footpath dining should cease at 8 pm rather than 10 pm.
Having your cake and eating it too
Posted on 28th March 2023
Is it possible to build new social housing to fit in with a heritage conservation area? In this article Ian Stephenson, President of the Glebe Society, argues that the plan for the demolition of 82 Wentworth Park Rd is a case of not managing public assets in an intelligent manner.
The Glebe Society’s submissions to City of Sydney Council, 2023
Posted on 1st March 2023
The Management Committee believes Glebe Society members benefit if they are informed of the Society’s submissions concerning development applications that may impact local Heritage Conservation Areas, the streetscape, the public domain or local amenity. This article contains links to recent submissions, and is updated monthly.
Switch off the lights, a step in the right direction
Posted on 6th October 2022
The recent decision by the Independent Planning Commission regarding the advertising on the Glebe Island Silos, to have the lighting switched off at 11 pm, is a welcome improvement.
Planning Subcommittee Annual Report 2021-2022
Posted on 11th September 2022
The Society has been working to nurture Glebe’s special magic for over fifty years. Active engagement with the planning process is an important part of this. The Planning Subcommittee has been very busy in this area over the last year. Our work has included making submissions on development applications, participating in meetings with the City of Sydney and the NSW Land and Housing Corporation, Infrastructure NSW and making detailed submissions on State Significant Developments.
Early photographs wanted
Posted on 12th June 2022
Do you have any old photographs of 39 Lodge St showing its original verandah?
