Over 90 members enjoyed a wonderful evening at yet another magnificent home, “Allawah” at 10 Vernon Street. Our hosts David and Penny Griffith kindly opened their charming c1906 residence to members, who were thrilled to wander through the superb house and gardens and admire the stunning views on a lovely summer’s evening. A beautiful Federation home, Allawah was sympathetically restored and extended by heritage architect Howard Tanner in 2003.

Once again the Sydney Gypsies provided lively entertainment…..

 
Many of our members commented on how delightful it was to come together in such a beautiful venue, and enjoy a happy evening with excellent food, fine wine and engaging conversation!

The Trust has long been mindful of the significance of the historic and picturesque Gladesville Hospital site and been involved in conducting walks around the area to help raise awareness of this special place.
 

We were recently approached by a Journalist from ABC News Sydney who was writing an article on Callan Park and examining other former psychiatric sites in Sydney, including Gladesville Hospital.  She was interested in the Trust’s local perspective regarding the site’s historical, social, cultural and environmental value at a time when commercial interests are often prioritised.
 

With the current focus on housing development, we were pleased to contribute and emphasize the social significance and heritage of this beautiful area and the invaluable green space it provides for the community. 
 

Read the article here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-07/future-for-sydney-former-psychiatric-hospital-sites-callan-park/105829904
 

This article served as a timely reminder for us to revisit the importance of this area which has ancient significance as a site of Aboriginal occupation with evidence of open and shelter middens near the foreshore. 
 

Gladesville Hospital’s colonial history started in 1834 when a decision to establish an Asylum at Tarban Creek made it the first purpose-built mental health asylum on mainland Australia. It is architecturally significant with the original sandstone complex being designed by Colonial Architect Mortimer Lewis between 1836 and 1838 and the site contains many fine examples of classical sandstone architecture, quadrangles and stone walls.  Its subsequent brick built wards, formal gardens, escarpment terraces and vistas of early landscaping are equally impressive.
 

The Hospital’s social history is as important as its historical roots.  Dr Francis Campbell, the first Medical Superintendent, was appointed in 1848 and at his retirement twenty years later, wrote of his attempts to change the ‘hereditary system of inhuman expediency transmitted from one generation of unreflecting men to another’. 
 

However his successor in 1868, Dr Frederick Norton Manning a former naval surgeon, had much more success, making recommendations to Parliament for the extension of accommodation for patients and staff, the provision of a Superintendent’s house, improved recreation facilities for patients and the acquisition of an adjoining twenty-eight acre property for agriculture.  Large dormitories of wood and galvanised iron were erected in 1869 and a two-storey building for women in 1871.
 

Dr Manning minimised the use of restraints and introduced new reforms and radical improvements in the care of his ‘patients’, based on ‘moral therapy’ principles of psychiatric care and the belief that an environment where the patient was involved with nature, was beneficial.  He made provisions for patient activities with workshops, gardening and small scale farming to reduce the boredom of life in an asylum and improve the quality and variety of fresh food in inmates’ diet.  The landscape played a pivotal role in this method of treatment and during 1871-78 many native trees and exotic plants were sent from the Botanic Gardens to enhance the grounds.
 

Gas lighting was installed in 1887 and in 1888 The Priory, on the northern side of Victoria Road, was added to the Gladesville Hospital complex.  In 1892, after a connection to piped water was established, baths were built as part of the increasing use of hydrotherapy in the care and cure of the mentally ill.

Dr Manning pioneered mental health care in NSW and helped develop a sound legislative basis for the administration of public asylums. He sought to change attitudes, resulting in an opening up of the accountability and public image of the asylum system and laying the groundwork for future developments in mental healthcare in Australia.
 

Re-named Gladesville Mental Hospital in 1915, it was successfully used to rehabilitate WWI servicemen at that time but eventually closed as a standalone entity in 1993. The approach to the treatment of mental illness has progressed significantly since the 19th century with strong research demonstrating that people with mental health problems do much better in the community, if they are well supported.
 

The important buildings and structures on this site plus its grounds are listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.  The Asylum Cemetery, the final resting place for 1,228 inmates, has recently been specifically recognised as culturally significant, with its Cypress Grove typical of the Victorian-era as physical evidence of the burial ground and a particularly poignant reminder, given that most of the graves are without headstones.
 

This 25-hectare site is owned by the NSW Department of Health who have in previous years, stated their commitment to being a responsible and inclusive caretaker recognising the social and historical significance of the Hospital complex.
 

In current times, with more and more families living in apartments with limited room for physical play, green space is becoming increasingly valuable and this site is available for the public to wander through.   It is a well used area where many people come together to play sport, picnic, walk and enjoy outdoor pursuits in the open parklands, as well as appreciating the expansive water views over the Parramatta River from the network of paths around the shoreline.   The Bedlam Bay Swim Site is also now open and is another welcome community asset.
 

The Trust is not about preserving heritage at any cost but we consider that it is in the best interests of public health and wellbeing that, if a limited area of the site were to be considered for homes in the future, it should be for the sensible and respectful development of social housing (including Supported Independent Living) and affordable housing that can co-exist harmoniously within established green space, mature trees and heritage to preserve the charm and relevance of this site’s important and poignant history.
 

In this way, it can be preserved for the good of all and for the benefit of future generations.

 

Credit for some text and images: Nomination for State Heritage Register submitted by the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (NSW) 2018

See also the Gladesville Hospital entry under Conservation in HH https://huntershilltrust.org.au/archive/gladesville-hospital/

The 10-day Hearing in the Land & Environment Court commenced on Thursday 4 September with many residents turning out for the early morning LEC onsite visit at the Horse Paddock in front of Judge Beasley.
 

 
This was the opportunity for the public to air their views.  The speakers were impressive and their presentations compelling with detailed data and arguments being presented – each one unique and evidence based.  Speakers included the President of the Sydney Region of the National Parks Association, representatives from Sailing, Kayaking and Rowing Clubs and a Contamination Expert.
 
In addition a community member who had run a Charter Boat company and had a detailed understanding of the issues, gave a very compelling presentation as to how this will affect the community.
 
Another very graphic presentation was made by a resident who showed the Judge many images of vessels on fire at Marinas which dramatically highlighted the alarming risk of parked boats adjacent to Kelly’s Bush.
 

 
Council’s solicitors were delighted with the high level of community support and the well-thought out information presented by speakers.
 
The 10-day Hearing then moved into Court and the nine ‘Objector Parties’ supporting Council, including the Trust, were represented by our inspiring and hardworking lawyer who has been guiding us through this process since the beginning.  The Objector Parties’ Contentions were broadly grouped into 3 categories:

1.     Unacceptable adverse impact on visual qualities, landscape character and heritage
2.     Unacceptable adverse impact on use of the Inner Harbour by recreational sailors; and
3.     Unacceptable adverse impact on public use and enjoyment of the foreshores and waterways.

Detailed arguments from the Applicant’s and Council’s barristers, lawyers and experts were presented with our lawyer’s powerful submission being made on the last day.   Representatives from the Trust, the SOS team, the Sailing Clubs and the community were in court every day to observe the proceedings and reinforce the strength of our concern.
 
There has been considerable public interest in this case – a link to a recent ABC report is here https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-13/hunters-hill-council-battle-sydney-marina-expansion-kellys-bush/105752296  and below an article from the Daily Telegraph.
 
The Hearing has now completed and the judgement is awaited but may not be handed down for some months. However we remain optimistic that we will be successful in challenging this huge extension to a private Marina that will effectively occupy 26,100sqm of public waterways which are currently – and always should be – for the benefit and enjoyment of all.
 

Our various web posts below detail the sequence of events in the fight against the Woolwich Marina Expansion, which have now reached an important stage.
 
Whilst Hunters Hill Council continues to take the legal and financial lead in this battle, they have also asked us and other supporter ‘Parties’ to provide a backup in the form of experts in the fields of heritage, landscape character, navigation and water safety.
 
The Hunters Hill Trust and Friends of Kelly’s Bush as joint supporters, have been lucky in securing the services of a very experienced heritage and visual assessment expert, and both organisations have now undertaken to cover his costs from our cash reserves, as our contribution to the expense of the legal challenge.
 
However, the extent of the funds needing to be raised to supply experts and support Council is estimated to be in the order of $60,000 which is beyond the reach of any of the Parties involved.    So, if you would like to support this initiative to oppose the marina expansion and donate to the fighting fund, you can do this now via the Australian Sports Foundation who have kindly set up a page for TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATIONS:

MARINA EXPANSION FIGHTING FUND

http://asf.org.au/campaigns/hunters-hill-sailing-club/marina-expansion-fighting-fund

All funds raised will go directly to the cause.
 
If you would like to donate directly to the Trust (not tax deductible) you can do so by bank transfer to: CBA Bank, BSB: 062000, Acct: 16211909, Acct Name: Hunters Hill Trust. Any and all donations would be gratefully received and carefully used for the above.
 
The arrangements for the onsite Land and Environment Court hearing on 4th September are being finalised – so watch this space!

The Hunters Hill Trust June 2025 Journal just published, introduces our new President and reports on the Members Evening & AGM and presentation from the Harbour Trust.  We feature the latest information on Planning & Development, the results of our Freedom of Information requests at Council and updates on previous news.  Another special ‘Hunters Hill Modern’ supplement from pages 3-6 gives a fascinating insight into the innovative mid-century modernist architect, Harry Seidler.

• A Message from our departing and incoming Presidents
• The Trust’s Members Evening & AGM held on 29 May 2025
• Update on Planning & Development:
  • Gladesville Shopping Village
  • Local Environmental Plan
  • Woolwich Marina Expansion
  • Development at Hunters Hill Village
• Hunters Hill Modern – Focus on Harry Seidler
• News Update:
  • GIPA (Freedom of Information) Requests for:
    • Boronia Park Sports & Community Facility
    • Figtree Park
• Update on 16C Vernon Street
• Update on Trees
• Gladesville Reserve

The community came together on the 15th June, a sparkling Sunday morning, to protest against the proposed extension of the privately owned Woolwich Marina.   At a well-attended and upbeat event on the beautiful harbour foreshore at Horse Paddock, the ‘Paddle Protest’ of canoes, kayaks, small boats and sailing yachts was held on sparkling water, with crowds of supporters gathered on the shore.
 
They came to highlight the devastating implications of an expanded marina three times larger than currently, with double the capacity including catering for 25+m 3-storey high super yachts, alienating this public, historic foreshore to the sailing community and to the users of Kelly’s Bush and the Parklands.
 
Below is a selection of photos from the event:

There has been much publicity around this issue which is capturing the public’s attention and outrage – particularly at the potential implications for Kelly’s Bush (see our web post of 1st June below for all the issues around this proposal).
 
The SOS Team delivered a petition to Council containing 535 signatures against the Woolwich Marina expansion, in time for Council’s next meeting on Monday 23 June.    The number of signatures continues to grow, with people registering their concerns about the dangers of the marina expansion and the significant losses incurred to the community should it go ahead.
 
Sign the petition at https://www.sossaveourshores.com.au/woolwich-marina-petition to add your name to the community’s resolve to defend public waterways and backing Council’s commitment to protect this important open space for future generations.
 
Submissions on the proposal close on Friday 27th June so make sure you Have Your Say at https://connect.huntershill.nsw.gov.au/woolwich-marina-proposed-Development 
 
The Protest also made the front page of The Weekly Times published on the 18th June and the ‘To the Point’ article by Jim Sanderson explains why this expansion is unacceptable on every level.
 

 

 

 

 

Following the unanimous rejection by Hunters Hill Council and the Sydney North Planning Panel of DA 20230094 Alterations & Additions to the Woolwich Marina (see our webpost of 3 March 2024) the Applicant appealed to the Land and Environment Court (LEC).
 
The Trust and other community groups joined with Council as ‘parties’ to oppose this development (see our webpost of 25 August 2024) and an onsite LEC Conciliation was held on 19 September 2024 with a second day planned for 1 November 2024.   That date was subsequently moved to allow the Applicant time to produce more documentation – but the day before this scheduled hearing – the Applicant advised of their intention to terminate the Conciliation Conference.
 
This has resulted in a move to a full appeal hearing at the Land and Environment Court from 4 to 17 September 2025.
 
The Applicant’s new amended proposal has now been received by Hunters Hill Council and can be viewed at https://connect.huntershill.nsw.gov.au/woolwich-marina-proposed-development. Still missing are reports on aboriginal heritage, heritage, maritime archaeology and an updated preliminary site investigation.
 

 
These new plans now position the extended Marina completely around the Kelly’s Bush foreshore (as image above).  This represents an unacceptable takeover of a public amenity for private gain and is totally incompatible with the significance of Kelly’s Bush, the site of the world’s first Green Ban.  This change would monopolise public waters, risk turning our shared waterways into exclusive zones, and permanently impact on the vistas of the historic connection of Kelly’s Bush and Clarke’s Point across the water to Cockatoo Island.
 

We can protect our precious local parks, foreshore and amenities by actively opposing this unacceptable marina expansion.

 
Submissions close on 27 June 2025 and a Have Your Say form is provided on Council’s page, but if you prefer, submissions can also be sent via email to: info@huntershill.nsw.gov.au with the subject line Submission for DA20230094 Alterations and additions to the existing Woolwich Marina (please include your contact details).   This may be an easier option as it allows us to copy our objections to the mayor and councillors to register the strength of feeling on this issue:
 
Mayor@huntershill.nsw.gov.au
JuliaPrieston@huntershill.nsw.gov.au
MarcLane@huntershill.nsw.gov.au
TatyanaVirgara@huntershill.nsw.gov.au
CarlaKassab@huntershill.nsw.gov.au
CarolTannous-Sleiman@huntershill.nsw.gov.au
RossWilliams@huntershill.nsw.gov.au
 

The numerous problems with this proposal include:

• The lack of recognition of the social, historical and cultural importance of State Heritage Listed Kelly’s Bush and the unacceptable bulk and scale of large vessels having a devastating impact on Kelly’s Bush Park.

• The expanded Marina will be over 300% larger than currently and will more than double in capacity to 79 berths to accommodate larger vessels, which risks turning our shared waterways into exclusive zones.

• The significance of the visual connection between heritage items with natural, historical, cultural, social and aesthetic importance has not been recognised.   The obstruction of views to and from UNESCO World Heritage Listed Cockatoo Island and State Heritage Listed Kelly’s Bush, by moored yachts, some 25m+ in length and 3 storeys high, is unacceptable.

• The privatisation of over 24,000sqm of precious Sydney Harbour is incompatible with the social history and significance of Kelly’s Bush. The State Environmental Planning Policy (Biodiversity and Conservation) 2021 makes it very clear the consent authority must consider that Sydney Harbour is a public resource, to be protected for the public good. The protection of the natural assets of Sydney harbour has precedence over all other interests.

• The alienation of foreshores and waterways and loss of safe public waters for adult and junior sailing, kayaking and other small boats

• The very real fire danger posed by yachts with combustible material parked next to precious native bushland and local homes, with no easy access for fire-fighting equipment.

• Increased noise and light pollution on a fragile marine environment, kelp forests, seahorses and adjacent bushland wildlife.

• Dangerous disturbance to toxic seabed waste around Kelly’s Bush waters, formerly used for heavy industries

• The traffic congestion and loss of parking on narrow local streets

 
If you wish, you can also express your views to the following Ministers:
 
Federal Member for Bennelong Jerome Laxale: Jerome@jeromelaxale.com
Federal Minister for Environment Senator Murray Watt: senator.watt@aph.gov.au
State Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe: office@sharpe.minister.nsw.gov.au
State Minister for Transport John Graham: office@graham.minister.nsw.gov.au
State Minister for Planning Paul Scully: office@scully.minister.nsw.gov.au
 
And in addition you can contact the following supporters of heritage and the environment:
 
Chair of the Australian Heritage Council The Hon. Bob Carr: AHC.Secretariat@dcceew.gov.au
Senator David Shoebridge: senator.shoebridge@aph.gov.au
 
If you would like more information to assist you in preparing your submission the SOS team https://www.sossaveourshores.com.au are holding weekly community briefing sessions every Wednesday in June at the Hunters Hill Sailing Club at 7.30pm

Like the Kelly’s Bush Battlers who fought and won the battle to preserve Kelly’s Bush for the people

WE CAN STOP THIS NOW!

At Council’s meeting on 28 April, a resolution was passed to escalate the Planning Proposal for the Gladesville Shopping Village through to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) for a Gateway Determination BEFORE a public exhibition period is held for community comment.
 
The two Independent Councillors argued that, as this was a new Planning Proposal for building heights already rejected by the community, and by Council when a 16 storey tower was proposed, the Proposal should not proceed to Gateway but be put on public exhibition for community comment.  This argument was disappointingly rejected and residents have not been given the opportunity to comment until after the Gateway approval process, by which time any suggested modifications could prove difficult to implement.

Council has now pushed through a Planning Proposal, with no provision for affordable housing, which will increase the density, population and building heights in Gladesville, a total change of character with the surrounding mainly low-rise neighbourhood. The increased population density without adequate increases in infrastructure will be detrimental to the amenity of all current and future residents.

The following issues remain unresolved:

1. The proposal enables overdevelopment of the site but with no provision for affordable housing

Council’s Planning Proposal does not address the pressing issue of affordable housing or provide the promised improvements to Victoria Road and the shopping strip. Neither does it address the site as a whole, as anticipated in the Gladesville Masterplan and as specifically requested by the Local Planning Panel. The Proposal only addresses one area of the site (Block 4) adding two 19 storey towers above a 2 storey retail podium. The proposed layout could even allow up to 23 storeys, completely out of context with the surrounding mainly low-rise established neighbourhood.
 

2. The population density for this site will approximately double

Even with this density there is no information as to how new residents from the 522 apartments will be absorbed into the local infrastructure and already congested peak hour traffic on Victoria Road and surrounding streets. Council’s own Transport impact Assessment states: “It is anticipated that the future Gladesville Development would generate a total of 565 [car] trips in the AM peak and 829 trips in the PM peak”.  The recent announcement of the reinstated bus route to and from Parramatta, Ryde and the City will provide more public transport, but once buses reach Gladesville with many more residents needing to board, this may not be sufficient.
 

3. Amendment of our Local Environmental Plan

Council proposes to amend our Local Environmental Plan via “additional site-specific provisions” to incentivise development and allow increases to height and floorspace ratios in order to facilitate favourable developer financial returns.  This sets a dangerous precedent for the rest of our LGA.
 

4. Parking issues have not been fully resolved

Only “a review of on-street parking patterns” will be undertaken by Hunters Hill Council.
 

5. Overshadowing of Gladesville Public School

There has been no thought given to the right to sunlight for primary school children.   In addition, the potential reduction of green space is concerning when this proposal could allow the 3400sqm open space to be reduced to 1800sqm.
 

6. Demolition of a protected heritage building

The cottage at 10 Cowell Street is a loss to the community and its demolition is of great concern to the Trust.

 
Council seems to believe it can outsource all risks associated with this project to developers, but the community has a long memory and will continue to hold  Council accountable for the outcomes on this site. If you would like to express your own views, please contact The Hon Paul Scully, Minister for Planning & Public Spaces at
https://www.nsw.gov.au/nsw-government/ministers/minister-for-planning-and-public-spaces 
 
You can contact the Mayor and Councillors at:
Mayor@huntershill.nsw.gov.au
JuliaPrieston@huntershill.nsw.gov.au
MarcLane@huntershill.nsw.gov.au
TatyanaVirgara@huntershill.nsw.gov.au
CarlaKassab@huntershill.nsw.gov.au
CarolTannous-Sleiman@huntershill.nsw.gov.au
RossWilliams@huntershill.nsw.gov.au

On 9th April, Council held a ‘Library Consultation’ meeting inviting community feedback on the functional spaces required for a library building. The proposal is to demolish the Croquet Clubhouse, the Respite Care cottage, the Community Hall and Community Services building (pictured below) between 40-46 Gladesville Road at Hunters Hill Village, and replace them with a two storey (and potentially higher) development that includes a library and some of the functions of the existing buildings.  Neither traffic congestion nor parking were covered in the presentation.
 
The consultant architects have stated that the building is being designed to comply with the current LEP and – as Hunters Hill Village was not included in the recent planning reforms introduced by the NSW State Government – we will be looking for Council’s reassurance that the current LEP restrictions on height and density in this location will be maintained.
 
Questions and concerns were raised about the justification for this major new project as Council appears to have gone straight to a ‘Building Brief’ before standard preliminary steps such as the Business Case and Needs Assessment, Financial Risk or Cost/Benefit Analysis, have been made available to the community.
 
We are concerned that Council is producing this before the community has been given the rationale or full understanding of the drivers for this development.
 
We wrote to the Acting General Manager, Mayor and Councillors HERE to express our concerns and to request they seek further community input regarding the wider implications of this project, which would be a massive undertaking by Council. The General Manager replied that this is the initial step in developing the scope of the project, which will be costed and progressed to the DA stage, but we are concerned that Council is already spending $200,000 on the ‘Building Brief’.
 
June 2025 Update:
It was revealed at Council’s 23rd June meeting that this project could have a $30m price tag so it is even more vital that residents are fully informed of estimated build costs.
 
It is important to remember that a similar multi-storey development with residential units in this location was proposed as part of Council’s Property Strategy in 2020, and the community’s objections were clearly expressed at that time.  The Strategy was not supported at Council’s meeting of 26 April 2021 with a motion that ‘options and associated financial modelling be investigated prior to its adoption’ (See HHT JOURNAL December 2020 and our webpost of March 28, 2022).
 
We note the priority areas expressed by the community in the Community Plan 2022-2032 rated the need for Library services (not a Library building) in last place behind Managing financial sustainability:

• Footpaths
• Roads
• Traffic management
• Managing development and the development application process
• Managing parks, playgrounds and open spaces. Innovation in sustainability.
• Managing financial sustainability
• Library services

Therefore we ask – what would the community’s views be if:

In order to deliver this facility, height limits were increased to three, four or more storeys along Gladesville Road.

There was the inevitable additional traffic adding to the congestion in this already popular zone.

The potential build cost of $30m meant Council had to take on a large amount of debt, rely on a developer or increase its recurrent deficit to staff and run a Library?

 
The Trust supports the principles of open and transparent communication enshrined in Council’s recently endorsed Community Engagement Strategy and this process appears inconsistent with these principles.

The tragic news of the recent poisoning and vandalism of mature trees, including a significant 120 year old Moreton Bay Fig plus several mature Casuarinas and Eucalypts at Horse Paddock in Woolwich, was a devastating blow to residents. The article below appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald on 4 January 2025.

The area is managed by the Harbour Trust who reported that eight trees were poisoned and approximately 30 trees damaged Tree Vandalism at Horse Paddock Woolwich
 
The Harbour Trust is working with both the NSW Police and the AFP to investigate this crime and signs have been erected at the site of the destruction. This is yet another deplorable attack on the mature trees so valued by the community, by selfish individuals who are determined to destroy anything that stands in the way of their view.

 

A Vigil for our Trees

The SOS team www.saveourshores arranged a Vigil near the site on 9 February and their message was:

Trees don’t have a voice but we do!

Parkland trees are precious natural assets protected by law.

They belong to the community and provide invaluable amenity, beauty, shade ad wildlife corridors for many species of birds, mammals and other biodiversity.

Over 75 residents gathered to hear passionate speeches about the immeasurable benefit provided by canopy trees and listen to Indigenous elder Aunty Mary’s powerful message that our social and physical wellbeing is wholly dependent on our respect for nature.  Her heartfelt speech was delivered and appreciated by her audience, in spite of the deliberately deafening music being played by a nearby resident.

Urban Forest Management Strategy

The subject of tree loss was included in Council’s recently exhibited draft Urban Forest Management Strategy prepared by consultants for community feedback and the Trust’s submission to Council is HERE
 
The known benefits of maintaining tree cover, particularly large mature canopy trees, which it has been estimated provide 16 times the value to the community compared to small trees over their lifetime, is a major component of our urban forest.  Their role in mitigating the effects of climate change and providing clean air and amenity to the community is immeasurable.
 
Given the recent horrific experiences of tree loss via unlawful removal and deliberate damage, the Trust regards the robust protection of our highly valued trees, both in private hands and in the public realm, as an immediate focus.  We are urging Council to ensure there is much more effective monitoring and rapid response to the rash of deliberate destruction that is harming the environment and distressing our community.