Glebe Society Bulletin 2011 Issue 08
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Anzac Bridge maintenance It is 15 years since the Anzac Bridge opened to traffi c and the RTA has pre- pared a maintenance program to ensure its effective operation in the future. The RTA proposes to: * Install temporary lifts, scaffolding and work platforms to undertake the maintenance work. * Install permanent access systems (gantries) to hard-to-reach parts of the bridge, such as the underside of the deck and bridge towers. Anzac Bridge from the end of Glebe Point Road. Photo: Rod Holtham * Improve the bridge’s stay cables (this will help prevent vibratory ‘strum’ The Society is also concerned about the noise which occurs in light rain or wind conditions). impacts of the project and seriously disap- pointed that the project does not go any way to * Replace the fence along the shared pathway mitigating the existing ambient noise impact on the northern side of the bridge with an anti- of the bridge which recent noise measurements climb fence. indicate is in the region of ‘serious annoyance’, * Install new two metre high anti-climb fencing as specifi ed by the World Health Organisation along the southern side of the bridge (currently Guidelines for Community Noise (1999). there is a double rail). As Glebians well know, sound travels unabated The RTA proposes that standard work hours across water. The ambient noise can be broadly would be 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday and classifi ed as (a) general bridge traffi c noise and 8am to 1pm Saturday. Some work will involve (b) the noise generated as tyres hit the large 8/2011 September/October 2011 lane closures on the bridge and this work would expansion joint at the western end of the bridge. be carried out at night or out of peak hours This latter noise can be heard in many parts of when traffi c volumes are lower. The RTA antic- Glebe. The general traffi c noise is expected to ipates that the work will take around 26 months worsen as traffi c increases and sound walls are to complete, and will be fi nished in time for the not considered aesthetically or structurally suit- Anzac Centenary celebrations. able for the bridge (although we note anti-climb fences are). The Society calls for the RTA to The Glebe Society has prepared a submis- erect signage to help minimise the noise caused sion protesting that the new fencing along the by large vehicles using compression braking as southern side of the bridge and the permanent they come off the bridge. gantry will signifi cantly detract from the linear- ity, elegance and beauty of the bridge. The nett Despite the lack of any noise mitigation meas- effect is that the bridge deck will look signifi - ures in the RTA proposal, the Society under- cantly heavier and more cluttered. stands that the RTA has separately taken noise measurements at the expansion joint. There are no simple remedies but the RTA has indicated it What’s coming soon is exploring options. Sunday 16 October, 11am - 2pm – Went- The Society also notes that the proposed work worth Park Community Games. is scheduled to commence in October 2011. We question the seriousness with which the commu- Thursday 20 October, 5.30 - 7pm – Benl- nity consultation outcomes will be considered in edi – Talk on the Town Hall Restoration. See the green fl yer. the light of this time-frame. Saturday 29 October, 11am - 2pm – Mitchell Street Fair. Vale Bernard Smith Monday 31 October, 5 - 7pm – Malt Shovel Brewery, 99 Pyrmont Bridge Road. 1916-2011 See the gold fl yer. The fi rst President of the Glebe Society, Art Wednesday 9 November, 9.30am - 12 Historian Emeritus Professor Bernard Smith, noon – Working Bee, Paddy Gray Reserve. died in Melbourne on 2 September, aged 94 See page 4. years. Saturday 19 November, 1.30 - 4.30pm – Max Solling has written about his good ISSN 1836-599X Art Gallery Walking Tour. See page 13. Glebe Society Bulletin friends Kate and Bernard Smith. See page 5. A publication of THE GLEBE SOCIETY INC PO Box 100 GLEBE 2037 www.glebesociety.org.au Exhibition of plans to rejuvenate Foley Park landscaping Paddy Gray reserve and the chil- The second stage of the landscaping a pergola. The 2006 Plan envisaged dren's playground in Jubilee Park of Foley Park has been approved by that these would be relocated. Locals These plans have been generally well Council. Tenders will be called for the supported the removal of these facilities received. The plans for Paddy Gray re- works involved, and Council intends on the understanding that they would serve include further planting to encour- that the work will commence early next be replaced in more attractive locations age small birds, as well as improved year. Council papers list the scope of and form. The lack of picnic settings the upgrade as: currently reduces the potential use of facilities for children, and a small area for a community garden. Perhaps the (a) A new public toilet comprising one the Park, with families in particular most contentious issue seemed to be female WC, one male WC, one accessi- needing this facility. the proposed elimination of some car ble WC with baby change facilities and * Decomposed granite area as fl exible parking spaces to expand the size of the a common hand-wash area. stage. This element was incorporated park. Although welcomed by most park (b) Planting and new terracing around as part of the Village Green concept, users, some local residents may by un- and to make the Park more usable for the War Memorial. happy. The Jubilee Park plans seemed public activities requiring a stage or to be generally welcomed. (c) Terracing, planting and sandstone service area. seating steps along the Glebe Point - Jan Macindoe Road frontage near the bus stop, to im- * Above ground water tanks – subject prove the available space on this very to adjacent land owner's approval narrow footpath. for connection to roof water. This proposal would be in keeping with Meeting with (d) A new curved sandstone retaining Council's sustainability priorities. wall to replace the failing wall at the Jamie Parker, MP Glebe Point Road entrance, adjacent Although these elements have not been to the mature fi g trees. included in the 2011-12 Council budget, for Balmain we would like to see a timetable to The Glebe Society has a tradition of (e) Interpretive signage and a timeline indicate when this further stage is to be working closely with local Members for the original Hereford House. completed. of Parliament. With the election of These enhancements to the Park are Jamie Parker of the Greens as the new welcome, but they are far from encom- Note: While the landscaping works are member of the lower house of the State passing the full range of landscaping Parliament we sought a meeting to that was covered in the original Land- due for completion in April 2012, con- struction on the new public toilet is not establish a working relationship with scape Plan for the Park, developed him. Subsequently, four members of in 2006. More seriously, there is no scheduled to begin until July 2012, with completion in December of that year. the Management Committee had a mention of a timetable for completion of very productive exchange of views and the other elements of the 2006 Plan. The - Jan Macindoe ideas with Jamie on Friday 23 Septem- reduction in the scope of the works has Environment Coordinator ber. not been subject to community consulta- tion, and the Glebe Society has written The discussion covered the full range to Council expressing its concern for of issues impacting on Glebe at the these changes and the lack of consulta- More Environment moment including the Glebe Afford- tion. able Housing project, Harold Park Matters (particularly traffi c implications) and The key aspects of the original Plan that planning for development of the Bays Bicentennial Park – palm trees and we are keen to see implemented are: area. saltmarsh * Interpretive overlay of Hereford We also received an update from Jamie The proposal to remove palm trees House. It was envisaged that the on the delays regarding the Light Rail along the canal in order to improve the footprint of the original Hereford House project including the GreenWay proj- would be outlined, along with inter- habitat for saltmarsh species created ect. Jamie mentioned that fi ve local pretive information. An archeological a small furore, but the outcome, as councils are organising a rally for 28 investigation has already been carried reported in the Bulletin, was positive. October. Details will be made avail- out to determine the location and layout Not only were the palm trees saved but able on the GreenWay website (www. of the house. This feature would add an we have become aware of the existence greenway.org.au), where there will also important historical depth to the Park of endangered saltmarsh species and the be opportunity to sign a petition. and ensure that archeological research plan to enhance their habitat. was put to good effect. The Committee members present Response to Draft Street Tree Master concluded that we can be confi dent our * Decorative concrete plinth in Plan new representative will be active at location of former Hereford House State level in prosecuting issues vital A submission in response to the Coun- verandah with tables and seats. Pic- to the preservation and enhancement of cil's Draft Street Tree Master Plan has nic seating under arbour structure. our locality. Before the recent landscaping, the Park been sent to Council. A copy of this included picnic tables and chairs, and submission is on the Society’s Website.