By Andrew Wood, Convenor Blue Wren Subcommittee, Bulletin 4/2025

Inspecting John Street Reserve (left to right): Jacqui Brooks, Bob Richards, Anne Sherriff and Joel Johnson (Photo: Andrew Wood)

At 10 am on Monday 5 May, the Society and local residents met with Joel Johnson (Manager, City Greening and Leisure) and Jacqui Brooks (Parks Assets and Service Manager), and inspected some of Glebe’s parks and reserves. Those attending were the President, Duncan Leys, members of the Blue Wren Subcommittee (Judy Christie, Nick Sangster, Ros Vaughan and Andrew Wood) and local residents who live adjacent to John Street Reserve (Bob Richards and Anne Sherriff).

In John Street Reserve, the urgent need to reestablish the biodiversity garden was discussed. At Glebe’s Hill it was agreed that a copy of the University’s research report (Glebe’s Hill. Unravelling its biodiversity secrets and potential) should be sent to the City’s CEO, Monica Barone and at Harold Park we saw how the City had at last commenced removing unwanted Casuarinas. The City was impressed by the many hours of work by the Glebe Palmerston and Surrounds Landcare Group; the recently planted native flora are thriving.

Here is Joel’s email to Duncan and Andrew of 9 May 2025 regarding the meeting:

Thank you for your time on Monday to discuss park management across a number of sites in Glebe. Please find below a summary of notes and actions. If we have missed anything please let me know.

John Street Reserve

  • Infill planting is proposed to increase understory planting and diversity. Planting will be undertaken in July. Planting species will be informed by the urban ecology strategic action plan and original design. Over 400 natives were infill planted in 2023 and we continue to trial different species to see what is best suited given the site constraints of shade, drainage and dog use. Metal hoop fencing will also be installed in July to help protect new planting from dogs.
  • Green by Nature (Skyline) will continue to work with Bob in relation to achieving the requested tight pruning and existing height of the plumbago and understory plantings.
  • The City will convert some of the bollards at the top of the reserve to removable to improve access in July.
  • Trees
    • There are no current plans to remove or replace trees within the reserve. Tony Fisher from the tree team is available to meet Bob Richards on site to understand any specific issues or concerns with these trees.
    • Pruning of the Chinese Elm will be arranged so that it does not suppress Norma’s tree. Tony Fisher can also meet Bob Richards on site if necessary.
  • Possum Box: City staff will investigate installing a possum box within the reserve subject to identifying a suitable tree.
  • Off-leash dogs/waste: Rangers will increase patrols and education in the park.

The Hill

Casuarinas

  • Staged removal works are underway. A number of small saplings have been removed and smaller trees poisoned for future removal. Larger trees have been sign posted with tree removal notifications today. The current focus is on the removal of the self-sown casuarina seedlings. Infill planting will be arranged following removal of casuarinas with a diverse selection of natives guided by the City’s Urban Ecology Coordinator inline with the Bush Restoration Management Plan. Other self-seeded weed species will be removed following these works.

Orphan School Creek and Palmerston Ave Steps – Bushcare Groups

  • To improve communications, quarterly meetings are to be established by Jen Beer with each group. Other key city staff such as Charlotte Fletcher (urban ecology and contract manager for Apunga) and Tony Fisher (Trees) will also be in attendance. This meeting will present an opportunity to discuss potential solutions to any operational/site issues, ensure upcoming works align with the UESAP and bush restoration management plan and identify any support required from the City. The City can assist with donations of materials (eg materials, plants, hoses etc) and facilitate support from the City’s specialised bush restoration contractor (Apunga) to help support each groups activities where requested (eg work in specific areas, tasks, education etc). We are keen to work with each group to identify and tailor what level of support you would like from Apunga.
  • We apologise for the damage caused by tree pruning work performed by our contractor at Palmerstone Ave Steps and the impact to the bush restoration area. We will be enforcing the conditions of our contract with them to ensure any risk of any future damage is minimised. Replacement plants and materials can be arranged through Jen Beer.
  • The City only prunes private trees if there is an immediate safety risk to users of City managed public space. We suggest they contact and engage with the property owners directly if possible.

Federal Park

  • City staff have been working on the project scope to undertake silt removal in Federal Park Wetland and are aiming for on ground works to progress in FY26, pending development application outcome and licence for working in Fisheries and Marine Protected Area being issued from Department of Primary Industries.

For any ongoing/outstanding issues please reach out to Jacqui or myself if commitments are not being met.

Regards, Joel 

Joel Johnson (Manager, City Greening and Leisure)