Glebe Society Bulletin

A publication ofTHEGLEBESOCIETY INCPOBox100GLEBE 2037 10/2006 November/December attention to honoured Three GlebeSocietymembers Premier’s CommunityAwards- Y campaign, muckingaroundinboatsisnotquite While theGlebeSocietyisfullyinvolvedin and MarinaonthenorthernshoreofRozelleBay campaign againsttheproposedDryBoatStorage and paddlingclubsasapartoftheongoing This activityisbeingorganisedbytherowing November Premier andCabinetMinistersonMonday20 Balmain CommunityReceptionfortheNSW There wasaverypleasantsurpriseattheGlebe Bay at8-9amonSaturday the GlebeSociety than threeofthefourrecipientsaremembers community servicewereannounced,andnoless significant suburbofGlebe. working forthepreservationofhistorically community ofGlebewiththeSociety Bruce Davis lates themall. Drawing byDavidManderJones The proposedDryBoatS ou’ll findaninsertinthis W From lef Government Photo courtesyoftheS Bruce Davis;CrV Mannix; MinisterSandraNori; Iemma; JaneS ebb; The Premier . t toright: The MassingoftheBoats The Premier received hisawardforservicetothe The MassingoftheBoats www . pring; Joe The GlebeSocietycongratu- erity Firth. Ald Robert .glebesociety , Morris ’ s Community , 2 t ate Bulletin torage buildings.

December drawingyour onRozelle A . .org.au wards for , . Paul VIParkand numbers somewhereintheareaaroundPope The bestwaytodothisismeetinlarge groups istolendoursupportfromtheshore. our scene.Ourroleandthatoftheotherlocal towards the 8.30am movewiththemdownRozelleBay kayaks assemblingfrom8am.Then sculls, dragonboats,outriggers,canoesand Council The fourthawardwasgiventoLeichhardt tireless effortswithPublicHousingtenants. work attheHannafordSeniorsCentreandhis Seniors inPortJackson,particularforhis Joe Mannix promotion ofrowingasasport. achievements inrowingandherongoing Jane Spring Community intheinnerwesternsuburbs. the Aboriginal and Alderman on yourwayhomeafter9am? favourite GlebePointRoadcafé you takeyourbreakfastat May webesoboldastosuggest social activity are notorganisinganyrelated focus pointforourmembers,we involvement andtoserveasa banners inplacetoindicateour While TheGlebeSocietywillhave Annandale endofthebay was honouredforservicetothe was rewardedforhersporting Pavillions Rober T orres S t . W - JohnBuckingham trait Islander to ebb, - Bob

see theskiffs, for serviceto Armstr . ong The State Cabinet comes to visit us The Glebe Society, CoGG (Coalition of Glebe Community Development Project. some State Government financial contri- Glebe Groups) and BCC (Blackwattle Bay This is a joint Project, funded by the bution to the replacement of the Sporting Coalition) were all well represented at University of and DOH. Current Complex walls. meetings in Leichhardt Town Hall with the funding finishes at the end of the year. To They then met with Sam Haddad (Director Premier and Cabinet Ministers – a first for date the Project has been very successful General of Planning) plus representatives the area - on Monday 20 November. Our for empowering DOH tenants and involv- from SHFA to press the Department of strong opposition to the Dry Boats ing them in the community. A request, to Planning to take the initiative in develop- ing an integrated plan for Wentworth Park Storage Development was put separately be followed up in writing, has been made and the whole Blackwattle Cove area to Minister (Planning) and to for ongoing funding. involving all the various authorities with Minister (Ports & Waterways), Collaboration with Council jurisdiction in the area. They received a with senior advisers in tow. re upgrade of Glebe Point Road and positive response from the Director Reports from these three groups are improvement of DOH properties on Glebe General of Planning and have followed up shown below. The outcome of all this Point Road. Given the amount of money with an immediate submission to this effect. lobbying? Few firm promises – but better City of Sydney is spending on the up- lines of communication have been estab- grade of Glebe Point Road, it was sug- Finally BCC met with Minister Tripodi (Ports and Waterways) on matters related lished and will be pursued. gested that DOH address the heritage and to the treatment of the area around the • - Bob Armstrong renovation of their properties. Coal Loader and the Fish Markets. Soon after, Minister Tripodi issued a press The Glebe Society: Implications of City of Sydney Council’s Urban Design Study for DOH property release announcing a $30 million redevel- The Glebe against Global Warming sub- holdings in Glebe. Some properties on opment of the Blackwattle Bay foreshore which in effect means the State Govern- committee raised questions about the Glebe Point Road sit within commercial ment has given its sanction to what the zones and close examination is required re government’s turn-around on extending NSW Maritime planned to do anyway, ie the BASIX energy efficiency target of suitability for domestic use. Also for put the B1 B2 and B3 sites out for Regis- 40% to high-rise residential buildings, consideration is the existing floor space trations of Interest in the hope that a $30 instead freezing it at the current modest ratio. million development will occur there (see target of 20%. We expressed our concern Additional matters raised include ongoing next page). The State Government are not actually developing the area themselves, that this was a missed opportunity to funding for Centipede (before school and but at least this means that they have at achieve better energy efficiency in high- after school care at Glebe Public School). rise apartments, which currently emit a last recognised the existence of this area This project supports underprivileged and raised its profile a little. For that it much higher level of greenhouse gases children living in Glebe. Glebe Youth per person than other forms of housing. has to be commended. Service also requires funding for the Year - Anne Fraser Frank Sartor claimed that for technical 10 program. reasons the 20% target was in fact achieving considerable positive change in It is still the intention of CoGG to seek a energy efficiency. However, he invited us meeting with the minister. In the mean- Terminal abandoned to meet with a senior member of his time, letters will be written to the Director- A plan to build a $31 million cement department to discuss the issue further, General and CEO of City of Sydney to terminal at White Bay in Balmain has and we’ll certainly take advantage of this seek confirmation of our requests. been withdrawn after the Minister, offer. - Jan Wilson Frank Sartor, raised “serious concerns” - Jan Macindoe with the developer, Independent Blackwattle Cove Coalition Cement and Lime Pty Ltd. The plan Coalition of Glebe Groups BCC representatives Anne Fraser, Eliza- caused public outrage. (SMH Monday beth Elenius (Pyrmont) and Mary 27 November, page 2.) Susie Cleary and Jan Wilson, on behalf of Mortimer (Ultimo) met with Minister Grant CoGG had an appointment to meet with McBride (Gaming & Racing) to try to get Is this a good omen for Rozelle Bay? Cherie Burton, Minister of Housing, to discuss public housing issues in Glebe. Owing to circumstances beyond our control we failed to meet with the Minister and in her place we met with Mike Allen, Director-General of NSW Department of Housing (DOH). Issues raised and discussed were: DOH Strategic Plan for Glebe. Response to date has been that there are no plans for Glebe, however DOH’s submission to City of Sydney’s Urban Study indicated that there was a plan in progress. The anomaly was raised and we are seeking further clarification. A very cluttered Blackwattle Bay. Photo: Edwina Doe 2 Glebe Society Bulletin A Blackwattle Cove Coalition update It is a very exciting time for the Black- Minister for Energy wattle Cove area. We seem to be poised on the cusp of interesting changes in the Minister for Ports and Waterways relatively near future. Minister Assisting the Treasurer on Business Here is a brief summary of what is happen- and Economic Reform ing. Media Release - 22 November 2006 Blackwattle Bay maritime precinct to be revitalised $30 million Redevelopment NSW State Plan Target P2: Maintain and Invest in Infrastructure in NSW of the Blackwattle Bay Ports Minister Joe Tripodi today called for registrations of interest in a multi-million Foreshore dollar project to revitalise the maritime precinct of Blackwattle Bay. Mr Tripodi, inspecting the site with the City of Sydney Councillor , said On 22 November, the Minister for Ports that the project involves the redevelopment of the former coal bunker wharf and and Waterways, Mr Joe Tripodi, released gatehouse building, as well as the adjacent commercial wharf and jetty. a press statement - see the box. “This new project, estimated to be worth $30 million, will transform the old coal The BCC are delighted with the state bunker wharf into a vibrant maritime precinct,” Mr Tripodi said. Government sanctioning such develop- “A foreshore access link will be built across the nearby shallow waterways to ment of the foreshore. We will still pursue provide improved public access and a link to the Sydney Fish Markets. our concern with the linkage area between “The proposed redevelopment, will transform the derelict wharf and coal bunker the Fish Markets and the Coal Bunker into a modern, visually pleasing maritime-related facility where current plans for development are “The site’s historic and maritime significance will be retained through the refurbish- inadequate. This little inlet area is affec- ment of the coal bunker and the reinstatement of the former coal unloader gantry tionately referred to as the cesspool. It crane. fills with rubbish largely blown in from the “In addition, the site on the foreshore next to the fish markets will see the construc- harbour. BCC are pushing to broaden it tion of a brand new maritime-themed commercial building,” he said. into a boardwalk running flush with the Cr Firth said that the announcement was great news. coal bunker site that would operate as a “This project will transform the old coal bunker and commercial wharves, providing true linkage from the Foreshore Walk to a significant visual improvement along the Bridge Road streetscape and from the the Fish Markets, passing the coal bunker Sydney Fish Market,” Cr Firth said. area and creating a spill out area and a “The new public access along the Blackwattle Bay foreshore, which will be “front door” for the Fish Markets. In incorporated into the Woolloomooloo to Glebe foreshore link, is also a great part of addition we are still trying to ensure that the project,” she said. the Foreshore Walk and foreshore access The registrations of interest are expected to close early next year, and redevelop- remain a viable part of any planning. ment is expected to be completed by 2009. However, the interest of the State Govern- ment is welcomed. Editor’s note: The headline to Kate Sullivan’s article on p5 of The Glebe, 23 November, is “Marina for Blackwattle Bay”. The word “marina” is not mentioned in the Press Release. See-through walls at Wentworth Park Wentworth Park Upgrade A feasibility study is to be carried out into Sydney City Council is to spend $400,000 the viability of replacing the ugly, gaol-like on upgrading the park in the southern and walls that surround the Sporting Complex northern ends and the list of works was at Wentworth Park and replacing them included in a previous Bulletin. That with see-through walls. This study is a work should get underway in the new response to the City of Sydney Council’s year. offer to contribute up to $500,000 to the Hopefully it is the beginning of a whole cost. The feasibility study is a joint new phase in the history of this much commission of the Council and the used and iconic area of Sydney. It is rich Sporting Trust. The results of this study with history and has much potential for should be available next March. The BCC the residents who live nearby and for is hopeful that this momentous step, in commercial and maritime interests. And it effect opening up the park visually and is just on our doorstep! The City of making the Dogs a part of the park instead Sydney Council is to be commended for of alienating themselves from it, will occur its commitment to the area and the state in the foreseeable future. It would have a government for its interest which we hope great impact in making it a visually more will flow on to a greater sense of commit- Room for improvement. attractive and user-friendly park. ment here also. Photo: Edwina Doe - Anne Fraser

November /December 2006 3 The Foreshore Walk is open purchase of the site in 2004 be the complete restoration of the historic opened up this section of the Victorian Italianate Bellevue Villa, con- foreshore for public use. structed in 1892 at what is now Black- wattle Bay Park. Council had also finalised negotiations with the developer, After unveiling the official plaque, the Australand, to open a section of Lord Mayor left the stage and moved to the foreshore walk as part of their the red gravel pétanque courts, where she Glebe Harbour development. played the first game, under the tuition of Gary Hosie, of Boules Artistes. A The Walkway was officially pétanque court in Glebe has long been a opened by the City of Sydney dream of Bruce Davis and other Glebe Lord Mayor, , who Society people. paid tribute to the tireless work of the many community leaders who Judging by the level of interest on the had made the day possible. She opening day, the new Foreshore Walk will Waiting for the opening ceremony said “quite simply, the Glebe rival Bicentennial Park as a place to enjoy At last, the Glebe Foreshore Walk now foreshore would not be the magnificent our unique suburb. links over 27 hectares of open space with series of parks and walkways it is today if - Edwina Doe a wide, level paved pathway extending it hadn’t been for the more than two kilometres from the persistence and commit- Annandale end of Bicentennial Park ment of many local towards the Sydney Fish Markets at residents, particularly Pyrmont. Also, steps have been installed the Glebe Society, over that give access to the water and these many, many years. It is will be extended when the pontoons are their vision that has installed. delivered this wonder- On the afternoon of Saturday 11 Novem- ful, greatly improved, ber, hundreds of people of all ages, many foreshore while we at with their dogs, came from Glebe and the City of Sydney have beyond. They gathered in perfect worked hard to make weather, greeting old friends and making this vision come to life”. new ones as they queued for the free The Lord Mayor told us plants and sausage sizzle. that the next stage of The Lord Mayor makes the first toss. Gary Hosie of Boules The celebration took place on the Anchor- the City of Sydney’s Artistes is instructing and Judy Pearson (Glebe Society age Site on Rozelle Bay. Council’s foreshore work would member and “bouler”) is looking on. Photos: Bruce Davis

Last chance to book for the Christmas Party! The Come one, come all, to the Annual Glebe Society Christmas Party on Friday 15 December. Season’s The event should be lots of fun, with a sit down informal dinner, a great game of Greetings Trivia to find out just who knows Glebe best, and lots of dancing into the wee early hours. The venue is a mysterious little cottage in Jarocin Avenue which The management Committee of the Glebe surprisingly has a complete ball room and undercroft to the rear. It is a wonderful Society sends best wishes to all Members secluded piece of history in our midst. and friends for the Christmas holiday and the coming year. Come and celebrate the end of another year in Glebe and get to know other members of the Glebe Society. And the Bulletin Team sends greetings to all our readers. We will be back with you If you have not booked already, please send me an email ([email protected]) at the end of February for the first by Thursday 7 December. This is your last chance to book, as we must finalise Bulletin of 2007. the catering. - Cheryl Herden

4 Glebe Society Bulletin Planning Matters

Home Again Involving Youth The Society is making an effort, through the Art and About program and also Thanks to Jan Wilson for holding the While in France we were fortunate to through its social events, to include both Society’s first line of defence while I was participate in not one, but two Harvest young people and new residents. These overseas. Imagine our pleasure when we Festivals (Fêtes des Vendanges). The first efforts deserve our strongest support arrived home to discover that the City was was to celebrate the vintage of the only because they will ensure the Society’s revegetating the kerb gardens in our remaining vineyard in Paris, and was held values do not die out with the current beloved Wigram Road, and there were on Montmartre, with every region of generation. applications, for 61 and 70, to restore two France participating. Quite different, but of its more prominent dwellings! We were equally spectacular, was the festival in the Light Rail also just in time to attend the opening of small seaside town of Banyuls sur Mer, the Foreshore Walkway and the Glebe near the Spanish border, where we stayed It was very noticeable, not only in major Gardens evening at the Rowing Club. with friends. This festival, spread over a cities such as Paris, Berlin and Dresden, whole weekend, began with the children but in all the major cities of the Rhine and There are no controversial developments from the local primary school treading the even in Spain, that public transport in Glebe at the moment apart from the new season’s grapes, brought from the systems are being extended and improved, Valhalla, and this is just as well, as the surrounding vineyards in panniers on the given fresh impetus by the looming fuel Society has its hands full with the Boat backs of mules. The whole town gathered crisis. Every large city has a metro or light Repair site and the Dry Boat Storage in outside the Post Office, the priest gave a rail system, and sometimes both. Seville is Rozelle Bay. Christmas is the favourite blessing and the older men made a great installing a light rail that operates as a time for developers to lodge controversial fuss of the children. The French were metro as well. Even ultra-capitalist Dubai applications, as most potential objectors acknowledging the importance of involv- in the Middle East has an extensive are away, so I will be keeping a close ing the next generation in maintaining system planned. Wake up, Sydney! watch over the next few weeks. their traditions. - Neil Macindoe Glebe Point Road upgrade On Monday 6 November at Glebe Town corridor and the RTA requires a maximum a need for standardisation. However the Hall, the City of Sydney Council gave a of 300 vehicles per day to consider a proposed Smart Poles, designed to detailed design presentation of the plans shared zone. remove clutter by combining several for the Glebe Point Road revitalisation. ♦The RTA plan to install traffic lights at functions (lighting, street names, parking notices, bike rings etc) on one pole, are After an introduction by Robyn Kemmis, the Primary School crossing is strongly very angular and not in keeping with Maren Parry, the Council Landscape opposed. Glebe’s architecture. Architect showed us an interesting series ♦ The “No Parking” zones near intersec- ♦ of illustrations of the proposed upgrade, tions could be replaced with wider There was much public support for the including very realistic digitally produced footpaths. Art Competition design by Nuha Saad for images of possible alternatives. You can a picket fence to replace the cyclone see this presentation on the City website - ♦The footpath opposite Foley Park fencing at the Glebe Public School. just Google Glebe Point Road. would be widened to meet Council However the Education Department has standards and the parking spaces there rules for school fences. Discussions are The main points to emerge from this removed. An extra nine parking places continuing. presentation were: could be created in Derwent Street. ♦Trees would be planted on the space at ♦Undergrounding of power cables from ♦Sandstone kerbing, which is being the intersection of Glebe Point Road and Parramatta Road to Marlborough Street restored in the rest of Glebe, is too soft for Parramatta Road. will start in February 2007 and be finished use in Glebe Pont Road, where bluestone ♦ by October 2007. Undergrounding the is proposed. The Jubilee Fountain would be restored whole length of Glebe Point Road immedi- and informal tree planting introduced in ately would take the greater part of the ♦Cobbles to be used at some intersec- the square. budget. tion, most notably at St Johns Road/Glebe Point Road, to calm traffic. Discussions continue over details of the ♦Other work will start in April/May 2007 upgrade. We must work together towards and finish in the third quarter of 2008. ♦The final choices for street furniture are achieving the most appropriate outcome. not yet made, but the alternatives shown As any home owner knows, a bad ♦Council will try to minimise disruption were criticised by some people as being renovation can cost as much as a good to businesses. Lessons have been too similar to those used in the rest of the one but can become a source of learned during upgrades of other areas. City. Council has some contracts to disappointment for many years. ♦A shared pedestrian zone is not possi- honour, for example the JCDecaux garbage ble. Glebe Point Road is a main bus bins, and for maintenance reasons there is - Edwina Doe and Bob Armstrong

November /December 2006 5 Carlton United Breweries site, 26 Broadway The Glebe Society is supporting the ing and loss of environmental amenity unreasonably busy at times) and in the Coalition of Chippendale Groups in its on the site with flow-on impact to the local streets both within Chippendale objections to the plans to redevelop the rest of Chippendale. Liveability and on the site itself. CUB site, which is on our doorstep. standards on the site are severally 6. The minimal public green space, such Although it is too late for you to lodge a compromised by the Expert Advisory as the “Main Park” which will be formal objection (closing date 27 Novem- Panel’s decision to allow hundreds of largely be in shadow (other than in ber), here are the main points the Coalition apartments without the minimal summer) and represents only about makes against the proposal. sunlight standards – this breaches the 2% of the gross floor area (based on intent and objectives of the Environ- 245,000 GFA). Allowing so much 1. The proposal is a gross overdevelop- mental Planning & Assessment Act, as parking on a site which is so well ment of the site. both the building it compromises the long-term social served by public buses and trains height and the density proposed are welfare and environment of the local goes against government policy to substantially over what is a reasonable area and is ecologically unsustainable. promote public transport use, instead development. 4. The loss of the “Sunlight” building promoting more car use. Large-scale 2. The building heights are unacceptably compromises the heritage retention of parking on the site only encourages high for a site which should provide a that group of buildings - leaving what day parking for city workers and transition from the CBD to the low-rise is left as tokenism. The loss of increases traffic locally. heritage and largely residential suburb buildings that should be readaptively The Coalition also objects to the proce- of Chippendale. The use of the widely used and absence of an appropriate dure whereby the Minister has taken over detested UTS Tower as a reference contextual interface with the heritage control of the site, and his conflict of point to maximise the height is repeat- conservation area of Chippendale interest as the Minister responsible for ing the very planning mistake which would be a travesty. approving the planning controls for the allowed that tower to be built in the 5. The excessive development will site, as well as Minister for Redfern first place. promote deleterious traffic effects on Waterloo, where the RWA benefits from 3. The excessive density proposed for surrounding main roads (already the CUB site redevelopment. the site creates unreasonable crowd-

More help please for the Glebe Youth Service While it is providing vital support for the City of Sydney could have a great effect from TAFE under a start-up program. The young people in Glebe, the Youth Service too! school gained a teacher and some is forced to expend energy fighting for To help you write, a form letter is on our support staff under the Outreach 0-TEN funds. After battering at some funding website (www.glebesociety.org.au). Or program. doors, financial support has been found ask me for a copy. to keep the Year 10 program going into ♦Enrolments grew to 35 during the next next year in a limited capacity, but for the - Sue Ingram two years and the course is full at that vital day per week of computer training at number. The great majority of the stu- TAFE, funding has not been forthcoming. dents are from Glebe although there are A summary of the GYS some referrals from outside the area, and This hand to mouth existence is draining most are Koori. for everyone connected with the Youth situation ♦ Service. Focus should be directed at ♦The Glebe Youth Service Year 10 The TAFE funding ended in June 2006, providing support for GYS clients rather schooling program began when 14 but representations to DET and TAFE than on the undermining distraction of regulars at the youth centre persuaded saw an extension until the end of 2006. fighting for funds. the co-ordinator to introduce a course Despite further representations and a hope for Federal funding under their Roelof Smilde is on the board of directors. that would help them gain the School DEST POEM program no positive results He has provided some background Certificate. The youths involved had, for have been achieved. information, as well as a form letter to a number of different reasons, ceased inspire a letter- writing campaign to target attending high school and had marked ♦The GYS program is of great value to various funding bodies. gaps in their literacy and numeracy. the disadvantaged youth of Glebe and to the Glebe community at large. As a pilot If you are able to send off letters to the ♦At that stage, late in 2003, the course in this educational field it has become NSW Minister for Education, The Hon Ms was unfunded. The co-ordinator, Dorothy known and admired in the larger Sydney , it would be a great help. Bottrell who was a trained teacher, ran the area. It is also great value for money - Letters to the Premier’s Department, school with the help of volunteers and $120,000 per annum covers all aspects of DOCS, the Department of Housing, the material from Distant Education. the course. Attorney-General, the Juvenile Justice ♦In mid 2004 the course gained funding Department, NSW Health, Centrelink and - Roelof Smilde

6 Glebe Society Bulletin The Environment Glebe against Global Warming Walk against

Things move quickly in the global warm- with quite simple techniques. We can use Warming ing debate. There has been a minor our legs and public transport instead of epiphany on this issue in the Federal our cars, we can acquire solar hot water International Day of Action Government, and particularly for John systems, we can turn down or turn off on Climate Change, Howard. John has finally agreed that appliances, particularly air conditioners, Saturday 4 November something needs to be done about global when they are not needed, and we can warming. However, he has decided to use encourage energy efficiency in our Perversely, there was not much warming in a debate on nuclear power as a means to workplaces, in our schools, shopping evidence as 40,000 concerned but chilly delay development of a comprehensive centres and in public buildings. We can Sydney folk congregated at strategy to combat the problem. Even his spend less time in the shower, fit a water on a cool and rainy Saturday recently to own experts agree that nuclear power is at efficient shower head and turn down the join in the Nature Conservation Council’s least 15 years away and is only economic temperature of our hot water systems. We “Walk against Warming”. The purpose of if carbon trading on a large scale is can insulate our houses and we can sign the walk was to send a message to implemented. up for accredited “green power”. We can Canberra that many, if not most, of us are seriously concerned about the alarming If we wait 15 years for nuclear power (and join tree planting programs and plant trees speed of global warming and about the it can only supply 30% of our energy ourselves in our yards. disastrous consequences lying in wait for needs) we will have waited too long. It is There are elections coming up for our us. therefore very important for all of us to State and Federal politicians. We should Judging by the sentiments expressed on press our politicians to implement other make it clear to our candidates that only T-shirts and placards, and the enthusiastic sources of alternative energy in the next those who have comprehensive and response given the various speakers, 10 years, ie to initiate massive solar, wind mandatory environmental policies will there seems to be a fair amount of concern and geothermal energy developments, receive our vote. while undertaking research and develop- also that the Federal and State Govern- ment on clean coal technologies. Further- Many environmental organisations have ments are asleep at the wheel regarding more, there should be a moratorium on any developed policies to combat global climate change, failing to ratify the Kyoto further coal-fired power plants until zero warming. We should do what we can to Agreement, cheerfully exporting vast emission technology has been developed. support these organisations. amounts of coal to China, and failing to - Bill McCarthy, Convenor, GaGW adequately address Sydney’s growing As individuals, we can make substantial transport and air pollution problems. contributions to reducing CO emissions 2 There was widespread rage about the ongoing reluctance to extend the light rail to – OK, just me is it? Selecting suitable plants for your garden It was a very civilised and positive protest, although there were no doubt The Sydney Water website has a plant strong sentiments behind the waggish topography. It is coincidental that it also placards proclaiming “Howard is a Fossil selector to assist people with appropriate happens to be one nation. plant selection. Fool”, “Abandon the coal-ition” and Other important points for consideration “Sequestrate the PM”. It is a very comprehensive list of trees, are the availability in local nurseries of After some stirring speeches from Greens shrubs and groundcovers, which includes plants that have been listed and checking Senator Bob Brown, NSW ALP MP exotic plants and native plants suitable for appropriateness with a qualified Anthony Albanese, John Robertson the Sydney basin. However, it is impor- horticulturalist. (Unions NSW) and Cate Faehrmann, Walk tant to remember that within Glebe there Against Warming organiser and director are variations of soil types, aspect and How to use the website - of the Nature Conservation Council, we microclimates. It is also important to www.sydneywater.com.au/ marched, brollies aloft, around to the remember that when using the term SavingWater/PlantSelector Tarpeian Way via George and Alfred “Australian native plants”, it must refer to Streets, where more speeches were made, a specific region of our vast continent. Select a suburb and then choose the including one by Greenpeace campaigns Plants from Western are as category you are interested in, such as manager, Danny Kennedy. The success of exotic to the east coast of NSW as plants tree, shrub or groundcover. It is then the Walk in gaining media exposure for the introduced from anywhere else in the possible to compile a list of suitable cause seemed to be evident in the number world. Australia is firstly a continent, with plants. It is not an infallible method and is of TV helicopters and camera crews a diverse range of climates, soil types and only suggested as a guide. present - Cate Blanchett and your Glebe - Jan Wilson reporter keeping an equally low profile. - Helena Klijn

November /December 2006 7 A bone of contention – the Wireless House in Foley Park

The Wireless House in Foley Park was More information and details can built by Glebe Municipal Council in be obtained from the Foley Park 1934, and the wireless set installed and Working Group: launched in February the following David Mander Jones - 9552 4172 year (see Bulletin 8/2003 pp5-6). Ian Jones - 9660 2451 The Design Report on Foley Park prepared by Aspect Sydney for the Bobbie Burke - 9692 0343. City of Sydney Council and presented You can email your opinion to in July 2006, included a preferred Mukesh Malhotra, Project option for the Wireless House which Manager, would create a plinth on the existing [email protected]. site, with the top surface containing Contact him by phone - 9246 interpretive text explaining its former 7768, fax - 9265 9116 or mail - function. The plinth would have an GPO Box 1591 Sydney NSW 2001. audio installation (possibly movement Graphic from the Design Report on Foley Park, July or touch activated), and a wireless 2006, courtesy of City of Sydney Council modem to allow free internet access for park users. The audio installation would stated their reasons persuasively, and no include broadcasts from the 1930s. opinions were altered! “This preferred option allows the location There was, however, general concern that and function of the Wireless House to be the public art proposals had come after recognised/understood, whilst removing the detailed design for the Park which had the visual obtrusion of the existing been through many community consulta- building. Views over the proposed plinth tions; and the view was expressed that a Object gardens - sculpture will be possible to all parts of the park. park should be designed in conjunction “garden”, Queen Street The plinth will provide additional inciden- with a work of art, rather than the artwork tal seating opportunities” (Design Report, being imposed on the park’s (near final) Aspect Sydney Pty Ltd). design. This draft design for the Park was dis- There was unanimous agreement to there played for comment at a community being an audio installation connected with meeting on 29 July (see Bulletin 7/2006, the Wireless House. It was felt by some p2). The Foley Park Working Group that if Council decided to keep the advised Council of its “wholehearted” structure for historical reasons, it should approval and support for this preferred be retained as it is, without any embellish- Roof garden, St Johns Road option, as it retained both the history and ment or disguise. the function of the 1930s Wireless House, I think I can say that collectively we updated to the 21st century. agreed that Council’s design team should The Council received 13 other responses first decide whether or not to retain the in relation to the Wireless House: eight existing Wireless House structure in situ – were strongly against its demolition, three and if so, its close proximity to the supported the interpretative plinth Hereford House interpretation, and its proposal, and two suggested relocation place in the general park design, should within the park. The objections were be resolved. heartfelt, and based primarily on its To date, the D/A for the upgrade of Foley Big effect with one plant, unique function, and its historical signifi- Park has not been lodged. Cowper Street cance to Glebe. - Bobbie Burke, for the Foley Park Photos: Jan Craney Then came the Glebe Point Road Upgrade Working Group Public Art project and, at the community meeting on 6 November, we were advised that a proposal from Dr Nigel Helyer to “retain and refurbish the original struc- ture” was being recommended to Council, though comments were still being invited. Subsequently there was a small meeting on 16 November of concerned advocates and objectors to replacing the Wireless Ross Ingram House structure with an interpretative speaking at the plinth, as well as members of the panel Garden Forum. advising Council on public art. Everyone Photo: Bruce Davis

8 Glebe Society Bulletin Glebe Matters Another successful Glebe Street Fair

Jan buys a raffle ticket from Jeanette Knox

A happy crowd. Photo: Jan Wilson

Once again the Glebe Society had a A very positive response was gained to another meal. The centre is supervised by presence at the Fair Day, on Sunday 19 the sale of raffle tickets for Centipede, a paid staff and managed by a board of November. The aim as always was to before-school and after-school centre volunteers. The organisation is con- promote the positive work that members which runs at Glebe Public School. stantly seeking financial support and any of theSociety do in the community. Money raised at our Fair Day stall ex- donations would be greatly appreciated. This year there were display boards ceeded $500. For more information please contact Susie demonstrating achievements over the Centipede is a centre that provides Cleary on 9660 4189. years, in addition to the Glebe Point Road breakfast for underprivileged children to I would like to thank the volunteers who hessian bags, promotional material and enable them to learn. Then, in the after- set up the stall and worked tirelessly in membership information. noon, it provides after-school care and promoting the Glebe Society’s efforts. - Jan Wilson Forum - Glebe Gardens 1820 – 2010 “Your garden is whatever you want it to ♦ James Broadbent, an architect/histo- design for particular purposes, be” was the common message from the rian and restorer of the garden of The including for children. three panellists at the Garden Forum Retreat in Glebe, suggested that people ♦ Jan Craney’s photographs of tiny organised by the Glebe Society at the should look at what is already growing Glebe gardens - humorous and well in the gardens and parks nearby, Glebe Rowing Club on 15 November. Each insightful - delighted the audience. speaker stressed individuality, appropri- those plants and trees that have a ateness to the site and aspect, and history of survival - including the Lively discussion, chaired by Anne Fraser creating your own space. However, the frangipani! He also advocated simplic- and summarised by Maren Parry, land- ity, and plants as individual features practicalities were also outlined, from the scape architect at the City of Sydney rather than over-kill. Council, raised issues of the use of water choice of trees for small gardens to the ♦ importance of soil, and options for saving Ross Ingram, horticulturist at Mt tanks, trees that might frame rather than Tomah Botanic Gardens, gave an and storing water. block water views, and plant homogene- overview of the steps in designing and ity/variety. A local Glebe resident, at the end of the planting a garden, with many great evening, reinforced the theme of individu- practical suggestions. He also took us The Glebe Garden Forum was organised ality, through a series of photos illustrat- through a photographic tour of Glebe, to: ing the wonderful, idiosyncratic nature of pointing out good and bad examples of • inspire individual garden owners plantings, especially trees. (Ross left small Glebe gardens. • enhance the greening of our Glebe behind the bushfire threat at Mt Tomah village an to More than 70 Glebe Society members and to participate in the Seminar, returning • encourage the use of water saving friends attended the Forum in a beautiful to the area late that same night – we systems, as responsible citizens. setting at Glebe Rowing Club overlooking really appreciated his effort). ♦ We plan to hold further seminars on Blackwattle Bay and the city skyline at Matt Cantwell, a landscape designer, garden themes. Please let us know if you dusk, with vases of Australian wildflowers commented on the relationship are interested. in the foreground. between the client/garden owner and the designer and the lack of proscrip- - Dorothy Davis The panellists spoke from historical, tion on what a garden should be. He PTO for details of the raffle prize horticultural and design perspectives: showed beautiful examples of garden winners.

November /December 2006 9 News and Notes Thirsty Thursdays Business Census Underway All members are invited to meet for dinner in Glebe on the first The City of Sydney commenced the largest and most compre- Thursday of each month, to eat and talk with other people who hensive census of buildings, businesses, floor space uses and live in Glebe. employment numbers ever conducted in the CBD and neigh- The next Thirsty Thursday is at La Tavolaccia Garden Restau- bouring suburbs on Monday 20 November. rant, 355 Glebe Point Road (near the Toxteth Hotel) on 7 Decem- The Floor Space and Employment Survey is conducted every ber at 7pm. There is no need to book, so just turn up and BYO five years to provide detailed information on the amount of wine. commercial space and types of businesses. We will try something new next year - a different restaurant or Research from the Floor Space and Employment Survey will hotel each month. On Thursday 1 February we will have dinner guide the City’s strategic planning activities, Sydney 2030 at Almustafa Lebanese Restaurant, 23 Glebe Point Road. The Strategy and will create a profile of the social, economic and restaurant is BYO only, and does not charge corkage. physical structure of land use and populations. Welcome to New Members 2RPH - Radio Print Handicapped The following people were accepted as members of the Glebe Every day, volunteers at Radio Station 2RPH read from the day’s Society at the November Management Committee meeting. We newspapers. Our listeners include people with vision problems look forward to seeing them at future Glebe Society functions. or who can’t hold a newspaper or are driving their cars. Radio 2RPH broadcasts from the St Helen’s Centre in Glebe, next • Heather Barclay door to Benledi. • Anthony Barham If you would like to take part in an audition to become a volun- Robert Curry • teer on-air reader, or work behind the scenes as a bookkeeper or • Annette & Joseph Fliegner to help in any other way, please contact the Station Manager, • Alanna O’Meara Noel Castley, on 9518 8811. • Lisa Mulligan • Arran Pearson Bulletins by email • Gregor & Dinh Ptok If you would like to receive your Bulletin by email instead of • Debra Stewart snail mail, please tell [email protected].

Garden Forum raffle winners City of Sydney Councillors Congratulations to the winners, drawn at thge event. And many Lord Mayor thanks to the individuals and businesses who donated the prizes. Clover Moore MLA * Cheryl Herden, Glebe: Three day stay at a Leura cottage Councillors (donated by Anne Fraser) Phillip Black * Annabel Davis, Marrickville: Wollemi Pine (Annandale Verity Firth Garden Centre) Chris Harris * Cheryl Herden, Glebe: Floral design lesson (Yuga) Marcelle Hoff * Joe Fleigner, Glebe: Spring flowers - (Pearsons Florist) Robyn Kemmis * Margaret Jones, Annandale: Voucher for flowers or plants Michael Lee (Michael’s Flowers + Supermarket ) John McInerney * Cynthia Jones, Glebe: Picnic hamper voucher (Blackwattle Tony Pooley Deli) For enquiries: * Sheryn Craig, Glebe: Worm Farm (City of Sydney Council) Please contact the City of Sydney on 9265 9333.

Local Area Traffic Meeting, Thursday Forest Lodge Public 7 December There will be a Community Forum at Glebe Town Hall on Thurs- School day 7 December, 6-8.30pm, to discuss the local area traffic plan. Home of The Glebe This meeting is timely, as the Glebe Point Road upgrade and Society Archives changes to local traffic are interlinked and can’t be considered separately. Members are urged to attend. Phone 9660 3530

10 Glebe Society Bulletin For your diary ... Saturday 2 December, 8 - 9am - The Massing of tthe Boats. Meet other Glebe Society members near Pope Paul VI Park.

Thursday 7 December, 7pm - Thirsty Thursday - Dinner at La Tavolaccia, 355 Glebe Point Road.

Thursday 7 December, 6-8.30 pm - Community Forum - Local Area Traffic Plan - Glebe Town Hall.

Wednesday 13 December, 7.30pm - Glebe Society Management Committee Meeting - The Old Fire Station, 115 Mitchell Street. All members are welcome

Friday 15 December, 7pm to whenever - Glebe Society Christmas Party Dinner, 11 Jarocin Avenue.

Monday 25 December - Happy Christmas.

Monday 1 January - and a busy New Year.

Friday 26 January - Australia Day. Hold a Street Party.

Thursday 1 February, 7pm - Thirsty Thursday - Dinner at Almustafa Lebanese Restaurant, 23 Glebe Point Road. BYO.

Wednesday 14 February, 7.30pm - Glebe Society Management Committee Meeting - The Old Fire Station, 115 Mitchell Street. All members are welcome.

Contacting The Glebe Society Inc The Glebe Society Established 1969 Mail Management Committee: President Bob Armstrong 9660 4189 All correspondence should be addressed Vice-president Bruce Davis 9660 7873 to: Immediate Past President Andrew Craig 9566 1746 Secretary Liz Simpson-Booker 9518 6186 The Glebe Society Inc Treasurer Bruce Davis 9660 7873 PO Box 100, Glebe NSW 2037 Website Committee Members: Dorothy Davis 9660 7873 Anne Fraser 9660 7560 Simon Fraser 9660 7560 Jan Macindoe 9660 0208 Jan Wilson 9660 2698 The Society has a growing website Sub-committee Convenors: (www.glebesociety.org.au) for the informa- All sub-committee convenors are ex officio members of the Management tion of members and anyone with an Committee interest in Glebe. Arts, Culture and Media Sue Ingram 9692 8534 Bays and Foreshores Tony Larkum 9660 7030 The website will only flourish if members Wentworth Park Anne Fraser 9660 7560 use the site. Send contributions or Environment and Open Spaces Bill McCarthy 9660 5119 comments to Glebe againstGlobal Warming Bill McCarthy 9660 5119 [email protected] Heritage David Mander Jones 9552 4172 The Bulletin Infrastructure Defect Reporting Margaret Sheppard 9660 4121 Membership Cheryl Herden 9660 7371 We are glad to publish letters or articles Planning Neil Macindoe 9660 0208 on any matters of interest to Glebe, any Transport and Traffic Chris Hallam 9660 3670 topic raised in the Bulletin, or any issues Adopt-a-Park Contacts: relating to the Glebe Society. Write to Foley Park: Bobbie Burke (9692 0343) Kirsova: Fay & David Mander Jones the address above or email Paddy Gray Park: John Gray [email protected] Other Contacts: Archivist Lyn Milton 9660 7930 Disclaimer Blackwattle Cove Coalition (BCC) Anne Fraser 9660 7560 Views expressed in this Bulletin are not Bulletin Editor Edwina Doe 9660 7066 necessarily those of the Glebe Society History of Glebe Max Solling 9660 1160 Inc. History of the Glebe Society Jeanette Knox 9660 7781 Liaison with CityRags Bob Armstrong 96604189 Bulletin Deadline Liaison with CoGG Bruce Davis 9660 7873 The next edition of the Bulletin will be Liaison with FLAG Jan Wilson 9660 2698 Publicity Sue Ingram 9692 8534 published in February. The deadline for Social events Jeanette Knox 9660 7781 contributions is 21 February. Website Cynthia Jones 9660 2451 November /December 2006 11 In this issue lll Community Awards - p1 lll Massing of the Boats - p1 lll State Cabinet visit - p2 lll Blackwattle Cove - p3 lll Foreshore Walk opening - p4 lll Planning Matters - p5 lll Glebe Point Road Upgrade - p5 lll The Environment - p7 lll Foley Park - p8 lll Glebe Matters - p9

The GLEBE SOCIETY Inc POSTAGE PAID PO Box 100 Glebe 2037

Membership of the Glebe Society Community Contacts Individual member $45 Manager-Neighbourhood Services Centre ; Glebe, Forest Joint (2 people, one address) $55 Lodge, Camperdown, Ultimo & Pyrmont: Baharak Household (more than 2 adults and/or Sahebekhtiari, Phone: 9298 3191, Mob: 0417 426 201 children, one address) $60 Email: [email protected] Concession (student or pensioner) $20 Glebe Town Hall Office: 9298 3190 8.30am-5.30pm Mon- Fri Business or institution $110 Sydney City Council Customer Service Download a Membership Form from our website (http:// Telephone (24 hours): 9265 9333 www.glebesociety.org.au/AboutTGSI/Membership/ email: Membership_application.pdf). council@cityof sydney.nsw.gov.au website Or write to PO Box 100, Glebe, 2037 or phone the Secretary, : www.cityof sydney.nsw.gov.au Liz Simpson-Booker, on 9518 6186. Dumped Shopping trolleys: Bi-Lo - 9281 4511. Most other If you have a matter that you would like to discuss with the major stores - 1800 641497. Pacific Services Management Committee, please phone the Secretary. - 0500 847 000 or [email protected]. Waterway Garbage: NSW Maritime response - 9563 8592

12 Glebe Society Bulletin