By Janet Wahlquist, President, 5 November 2020

 

The Glebe Society has long been concerned about the destruction by neglect of the Glebe Island Bridge. The Bridge has been closed since December 1995 and heritage listed since 2013.

We are keen to see the bridge restored and used as a pedestrian/cycleway providing an attractive and convenient access between Balmain/Rozelle, Pyrmont and the city. We would also like to see it become part of a walk/cycleway around Blackwattle and Rozelle Bays. There has been talk of this occurring, most recently in conjunction with the new Sydney Fish Market and the Revitalising Blackwattle Bay Plan, and the Foreshore Loop proposed by the McKell Institute as part of their Opera House to Parramatta Pathway.

But so far there has been no commitment to doing this. We want the restoration of the bridge as soon as possible. It should not wait for the Fish Markets or Blackwattle Bay development to be built.

The building of Westconnex has made pedestrian and cycle access between Glebe/Annandale and Rozelle/Balmain much more difficult. It has also seen huge amounts of money and land go to the benefit of motor vehicle traffic. We think it’s about time that money was spent on better facilities for pedestrians and cyclists and that restoring the Heritage listed Glebe Island Bridge would go some way to restoring the balance.

Picture: Martin Lawrence

 

Be part of action to restore the Bridge

 

On 3rd December 2020 it will be 25 years since the bridge closed. We have contacted other interested groups and people with a view to forming a coalition with them to lobby for this to happen. We thought it would appropriate to have the first meeting of interested parties on 3rd December 2020 at one end (or both) of the bridge at 5.30pm. We will provide further details closer to the event.  We intend to have a COVID Safe Plan. Please let us know if you are interested in being involved and can attend, by email to admin@glebesociety.org.au

See also article in the November Bulletin and the Glebe Island Bridge website.