The Glebe Society has had a strong commitment to environmental issues since its foundation, but the emphasis has changed over the years, in line with changing concerns in society generally. In the early years the focus was on ‘greening Glebe’ with encouragement of both public parks and private gardens. More recently, issues of sustainability and biodiversity have taken prominence.

As shown in photographs of Glebe from the early years of the 20th century until the mid-70s, Glebe was very much an urban landscape, with little tree cover. Early in the life of the Society, the Garden Committee encouraged interest in gardening by organising a number of garden and flower competitions between 1970 and 1974. Campaigns to increase parkland in Glebe continued over many years and have resulted, most spectacularly, in the waterfront parks of Bicentennial Park, Blackwattle Bay Park, and the Glebe Waterfront Walk, none of which existed when the Glebe Society was established.

The focus of the current Environment subcommittee covers a range of issues that are both local and broad-based. These include opportunities for our local community to promote energy efficiency, waste management, water and air quality, as well as ensuring that our local area is pedestrian-friendly, attractive and well-maintained. 

The Glebe Society Strategy 2013 – 2019, Engaging Glebe, includes goals of: 

  • Ensuring principles of sustainability and community rights are promoted, and
  • Promote Green Glebe as a cultural hub.