Glebe Island Bridge may face the chop

By Anne von Ferhn
One of Sydney’s oldest bridges is under threat of demolition in favour of more big-spending development of the Rozelle and Blackwhattle Bay.

Glebe Island Bridge, underneath the busy ANZAC bridge, is rumoured to be taken off the map leaving many locals concerned that commercial bidding will result in more water traffic and environmental issues.

A credible source, who wished to remain anonymous, has been told by a senior NSW politician that the Government has a plan to demolish the bridge and increase commercial activity in the bay for high-paying tenants.

Local activist Raymond Tai says the Government needs to come forward and clarify where it stands. ‘We don’t want to see the bay turn into yet another Circular Quay or Darling Harbour.’

If the bridge is to be removed, he said the Government needs to hold proper community consultation. ‘I want to be assured that safety of rowers and paddlers in the bay won’t be compromised,’ he said.

But increased water traffic will pose a serious danger to rowers and paddlers, who are barely a metre above the water level. Jane Spring, President of the Sydney University Women’s Rowing Club, wants the bridge to stay. ‘It is a natural barrier for boat traffic in the bay, everyone coming through needs to slow down and have a good look.’

The bay is currently used mainly for recreational boating, with a rowing club history of more than a century. One of Sydney’s biggest boat repair and maintenance facilities, Sydney Slipways, is adjacent to the bridge and has unsuccessfully applied for more water space for its speedboats and yachts.

‘There is enormous pressure to develop this area,’ Ms Spring said. ‘Removing the bridge would make it all the easier to do so.’

City of Sydney Councillor Marcelle Hoff wants the bridge to be recognised for what it is ‘ a heritage item. ‘The bridge is on the Register of the National Estate as well as the NSW Roads and Traffic Heritage and Conservation register ‘ and I know it is also listed on two Sydney Regional Environmental Plans and Leichhardt Council’s LEP 2000.’

The swing bridge opened in 1903 and was closed for road traffic more than a decade ago. Its owner, the Roads and Traffic Authority NSW, agrees it is ‘an important item of infrastructure in the history of Sydney’ going back to 1862.’ It is one of the first swing bridges in the world to have used electrical power. ‘The bridge has heritage value to many people and it would be a huge loss that could lead to a disruption of recreational boating in the bay,’ Ms Hoff said.

But rowers have witnessed the decline of the bridge, increasing their fears this might be used as a convenient excuse to demolish it. ‘If the RTA doesn’t look after it that means they won’t put in much effort to get it heritage-listed,’ Ms Spring said.

A spokesperson for NSW Maritime Authority said the bridge was owned by the RTA and would not comment on the matter.