e __ Let I S Go Downtown' The announcement by the Premier on Townson, of the Department of +- 8 September that the Government has Transport, briefed the Society on approved the cross-City tunnel recent developments in the light rail 6) linking the Western Distributor to system on 8 September. Kings Cross, opens up the prospect of While the company and the a second chance for the extension of Government are still negotiating the the light rail system to Circular Quay. finer points of the Inner West The Circular Quay extension was extension, it appears that an killed off, at least temporarily, at the announcement is only weeks away. time the extension to Catherine Street ,Mr Warrell indicated that the was approved because of opposition company is anxious to start work as from city shopkeepers already besieged soon as possible in order to complete by footpath widening and the construction of the Lilyfield link and construction of new office blocks and get any bugs out of the system before hotels in the pre-Olympics boom. the Olympics. The prospect of diverting thousands Details of traffic arrangements and of cars travelling east-west street improvements around the undergound, and the end of the stops in Glebe remain to be finalised present building boom, means that between Leichhardt Council, the construction of a new north-south Government and the company. It is public transport link is once again a planned that there will be serious prospect. The Society will community consultations on these e __ push for this extension at every issues and that the Society will be opportunity as it will make light rail a represented. (This will be a task for really useful means of transport to the my successor as light rail co- U CBD for Glebe residents. ordinator*.) o " The announcement by the Premier ... opens up the prospect of a second chance for the extension V) of the light rail system to Circular Quay. " A further western extension beyond Questioned about fares, Mr Warrell Catherine Street also seems to be a said the company must set fares at a possibility. While a link to the heavy commercially viable level as it has to rail system at Ashfield now seems cover costs and eventually make a unlikely, an extension to Leichhardt's profit. Market research indicates cafe strip might be economically that lower fares would not attract viable. sufficient additional patronage to The managing director of Metro Light cover reduced revenue. Rail, Kevin Warrell and Trevor Bruce Davis * If you would be willing to look after the Light Rail area, please contact the Secretary, Liz Simpson-Booker on 9518. 6186. 'RENEW AL DUE' - if these words appear on your Bulletin address label, we are waiting on your 1999/ 2000 subscription - please forward to PO Box 100 Giebe, or let us know if our records are incorrect. A publication of THE GLEBE SOCIETY Inc Box 100 Post Office Glebe NSW 2037 Australia The Master Plan for Blackwattle and Rozelle Bays The Glebe Society has made a g:(;. submission in response to the Master Plan for Blackwattle and /l/~/ '. Rozelle Bays. ...::'.:::<::;../ An overall impression of the . ,.,.,: consultant's document was that it faithfully recorded the wishes every residents' group put forward. However, among the listings of industry representatives consulted were the charter vessels, waterfront contractors and yachting associations. Shown under the subheading 'Accompanying Documents' was 'Maritime Industries' Demand for Foreshore Land and Water Space - J. T. The Glebe Island Bridge closed to shipping during CYCLESYDNEY19 September Rolls Pry Limited'. The subsection Photograph by Chris Korgemets. ends with the note that: "These studies do not form part of the adopted Master Plan, but are the RTA sponsored CYCLESYDNEY. Neil Macindoe has suggested that available in a Background Report The above photograph, taken by money once earmarked for and should be referred to, where Society member Chris Korgemets, demolition of the Glebe Island relevant." It is these groups and captured a group of the pedallers Bridge should be used to put it our knowledge of the powerful framed against the backdrop of the back into proper operating order, lobby they maintain, that causes Anzac Bridge and Blackwattle and then ownership of the great concern to community Bay. It takes very little vision to structure be vested in a body organisations. imagine the heritage-listed bridge which would be responsible for its being used more frequently for operation. Later in the month a The Society was able to influence cycle and pedestrian access in meeting brokered through Sandra the preamble of the submission accordance with Society policy. Nori's office will ask Transport prepared by Sandra Nori to express ... continued p3 residents' concerns raised at a public meeting she called. It reads "... there is a strong view that Blackwattle/Rozelle Bay should not Super Yachts on Rozelle Bay be a home oflast resort-for A pamphlet prepared by the Waterways Authority indicates what is industries that are already housed proposed for Rozelle Bay from October, 1999; it deals with the water, and in other bays and which face is distinct from the Bays Master Plan, which deals with the land. opposition from their local community. The residents of The pamphlet shows construction in two stages to accommodate a total of Blackwattle/Rozelle Bay believe 25 vessels between 30 and 70 metres long. (The Sultan of Brunei, one of they already carry more than their the world's richest men, owns at least two vessels of this size.) Nine of the fair share of the burden of noise berths are to be completed by November, for the Millenium New Year and traffic associated with harbour celebrations, and the remainder by April, well in advance of the Olympics. industries. " The pamphlet (which includes a scale of charges) can be obtained by contacting the Authority on phone: 9563. 8690, fax: 9563. 8699, email: Potential for the bay area was <[email protected]> The information is also available at the shown on 19 September, when the Authority's web site: <www.waterways.nsw.gov.au> Glebe Island Bridge - which is actually out of the Master Plan's Last June I successfully moved that Council approach the Minister for area - was 'dosed (to shipping) to Ports, Carl Scully, to ensure that the works are in sympathy with the allow passage of the five or six Master Plan, and do not adversely impact on the Bays or disturb their thousand cyclists who took part in current use. Neil Macindoe 2 ... continued from p2 FROM THE PRESIDENT Minister Scully's staff for As I said at the Annual General site, and our project to establish a information about remaining funds Meeting, I reluctandyagreed to Foreshore Walk and Cycleway to to pursue this possibility. Very be nominated as President. the city, indicate that we will be preliminary investigations suggest vitally concerned with planning the Heritage Fleet may be Unlike most previous Presidents, I and development issues over the interested in such a deal, in am a newcomer to Glebe and next year or so. conjunction with the Sydney don't have the background in Tramway Museum. Glebe Island heritage and community affairs of The Society's strategic planning Bridge was one of the first in the many other members of the process has shown that we need to world to use electricity for its Society. I am honoured by the work on two levels: operation and tram motors were faith you have shown in me, and I used to power the rotation. will do my best to justify it. I am • we must continue to address the Society's reassured that I will have the help Protection of the workshop area traditional concerns, such of my colleagues on the for the Heritage Fleet will remain a as protecting the built Management Committee, and top priority for the Society as environment and the other long-standing members of pressure from other groups mounts the Society, and I will rely heavily amenity of the suburb, and for waterside accommodation. on their guidance. fostering interest in our The Fleet's largest vessel, the James history, and Craig, has found a new home in The death of John Hoddinott the vicinity of the National • we must also take on new highlighted our need for Maritime Museum. But its interests and embark on experienced people on the spectacular restoration could not imaginative new projects, Management Committee. have been achieved at this public Monitoring development in Glebe such as the Foreshore Walk site. Refitting ships is a messy and Cycleway. business which must be carried out is a core activity of the Society and in a suitable area and the Heritage John was always on top of the The chalIenge is to keep the Fleet's most rewarding restoration issues. We are fortunate that Neil Society relevant. While we must period has been in its Rozelle Bay Macindoe, with his experience in keep one eye on the past, we must location. The Fleet's workshops local government and knowledge also have an eye to the future. We are being pushed to the western of Glebe, has agreed to become need to attract new members, end of Rozelle Bay, to make way our planning 'watchdog'. particularly younger members, as for the 'Super Yachts' which will well as maintain the interest and The publication of the Master visit throughout the new enthusiasm of present members. Plan for Government-owned land mi11ennium and Olympic Games. And if we are to attract younger on Rozelle and Blackwattle Bays, The Society will be working hard members, we need to become to ensure this site is not lost.