Defending The Abbey site is also a popular cause. This particular campaign took just about a year, which is fairly typical for a major development proposal, and received favourable media coverage (the judgement was reported in The Glebe, 6 January). It was also welcomed by the neighbours, some of whom are Society members, and many of whom played a prominent part in the campaign and gave important evidence when the judge came to inspect the site. The nature of our objections was well understood, and the comments I received in the course of the year favourable and supportive.

The City Council also played an important role. The Society's concerns about Development Control Plan No 49, which Leichhardt Council had adopted for the site, were taken on board and the DCP was repealed. This created some anxiety, as it was not certain what the attitude of the Court would be if a DCP was repealed after an application was lodged. Fortunately, the view of the Court appears to be the same as that of Council, that the DCP did not sufficiently reinforce Town Plan 2000, and allowed an overdevelopment.

At the time of writing the written judgement is still not available. I hope I am being realistic in believing the decision will make any future proposal for the site one which preserves its heritage value and keeps new development to a reasonable level. I am personally very fed up with being faced by one outrageous proposal after another (I have lost count of exactly how many, especially taking account of revisions and variations, but it must be at least six), especially while watching the heritage buildings deteriorating and the general neglect of the site. However, it will be well worth all the trouble if we can see Reussdale restored, and possibly even Hamilton retained, and the site again nearly as beautiful as it was twenty-seven years ago.

Harold Park Hotel site, 115 Wigram Road

Work has begun on the partial demolition of this site that, although it has been a problem for less than half as long as The Abbey, must surely be one of the ugliest and most prominent in Glebe.

We had asked for total demolition, but it is difficult to achieve a completely new start when so much work has been done and so many approvals have been given. Nevertheless, a partial demolition entitles us to claim a partial victory, especially when it is accompanied by a reduction in the number of dwellings from 49 to 30 (about 40%) and removal of an entire floor.

The root of the problem was the original approval. Members are understandably amazed when they learn the original application was for serviced apartments in anticipation of the 2000 Olympics. They are also appalled to learn it was promoted by Larry Hand backed by Maire Sheehan, one of several developments in Glebe of which neither they nor their supporters can be proud, and which indicates a willingness to impose on a too-tolerant Glebe in a way they would not have attempted elsewhere.

Naturally the scheme was as unworkable as it was improbable, but it did not fail financially until the entire underground works and a level above ground had been constructed. Thereafter it was passed from one development company to another, clearly without any real understanding of its problems. The site enjoys the dubious distinction of a special amendment to the Leichhardt Town Plan, prepared by its strategic planners in the teeth of fierce opposition, and it is this amendment that made the approval given at the end of last year possible, albeit in a reduced form.

Approval has not been given for the revamped hotel, and this must be the subject of a separate DA. At the time of writing there is still no DA for the hotel, and a good deal has been demolished. If it transpires the completed work is of such poor quality it cannot form the basis for the new proposal, The Society will renew its call for total demolition and a clean slate.

City Council Acts on Bellevue

Bellevue, the derelict house in Blackwattle Bay Park, is proposed to be conserved by Sydney City Council at a cost of $1.2 million. This beautifully sited dwelling, built by Ambrose Thornley Jnr, who also designed Glebe Town Hall and the Gresham Hotel in Druitt Street in the City, was supposed to be preserved under an agreement with Parkes Development in 1978. However, it was vandalized by the developer instead and only saved by the prompt action of residents.

In 1983 the Heritage Council of NSW gave $30,000 for a new slate roof and copper guttering so the building would not deteriorate further. Bellevue was classified by the National Trust in that year and was placed on the State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999 (Item No 470).

However, apart from a couple of ill-conceived attempts to lease the site Leichhardt Council neglected Bellevue for twenty-five years, not even ensuring the protective fence remained intact. As a result there was further vandalism and widespread disillusionment.

Plans for the refurbishment are on display at Glebe Town Hall until 24 February. The use of the building, probably as a gallery/ café, will be the subject of a further application. The plans include some landscaping as well as restoration of the building. The President is coordinating a group with special skills to examine the proposal, and their deliberations will be included in The Society's response. Members are encouraged to write their own responses to Council, and if they wish they might like to furnish me with a copy.

Oxley Street Playground

Kirsova playground (December Bulletin) is not the only one to have new equipment. Oxley Street playground, part of Blackwattle Bay Park, has also been completely revamped. (A minor correction: there has never been a Development Application for Kirsova.)

Meeting with Deputy Mayor, John McInerney

The subcommittee has arranged a meeting to be held in Ben Ledi on Thursday, 17 March, at which Society members and precincts can hear the views of the Chair of Council's Planning Committee on a number of important issues affecting Glebe. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions and socialize over a glass of wine and a piece of cheese. A flyer for the event is included in this Bulletin. Please send the completed form to The Glebe Society. There will be an admission donation of $5 ($2 concession) to cover costs.

Former Tram Depot, Maxwell Road

Harold Park Paceway has initiated an application for the old Tramsheds, which unfortunately it now owns. The core of the proposal is 122 dwellings, designed to occupy a large part of the sheds and rise above them. Parking spaces for 222 cars would be built underground. The proposal also includes 1600 square metres of commercial studio space, a child care centre, and a small exhibition of trams that is called a museum.

The Society, and indeed other community organizations, have long regarded the sheds as having a lot of potential for community use, including artists' studios. The Society has already made some progress generating ideas for the site, and has also contacted other interested organizations. The purpose of the application seems to be to generate income for the Paceway rather than to address the needs of the community.

The proposal outlined above does not really restore the sheds, as a considerable part of them would be compromised by the dwellings. The site is currently zoned open space under which housing is prohibited, but the developer is claiming existing use rights. You can object until 18 March, and The Society strongly suggests as many people as possible object in writing.

The Society is holding a public meeting to discuss the proposal at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, 9 March at Benledi. Please attend if you can.

- Neil Macindoe

February 2005