The Ramin Communications Blog

In 1857, in response to demand on the Abattoir, the the first the Blackbutt bridge, constructed from Tasmanian Blackbutt replaced the Punt to Glebe Island. This Bridge incorporated a hand-cranked manual lift-span, which allowed shipping to pass through to the bays.

In 1903, demand for public transport saw the opening of a new bridges across Darling Harbour, to Glebe Island and further along the road to ryde at Drummoyne and Gladesville. The swing span of these bridges allowed two ships to pass through simultaneously on either side of the central pivot. Source: http://dictionaryofsydney.org/entry/glebe_island_bridge (viewed 26 January 2013)

The ANZAC Bridge, the third bridge across the mouth of the Rozelle and Blackwattle bays opened in 1995.

More at Annandale to Sydney (Self Guided Walk)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glebe_Island

Threat to State Heritage Listing of Glebe Island Bridge

This vital piece of Sydney's transport infrastructure is under threat, with the draft down grading of Glebe Island Bridge from "NSW State Heritage" to "Likely to be of NSW State Heritage".

As a walking/cycling bridge, it could still be opened/close at particular times of day to allow water traffic (from super marina) to pass on both sides of the central span as well as providing a pedestrian, cycling and emergency vehicles (including ambulances from Callan Park) route to Sydney University, UTS and the city.

A revised heritage listing, currently in draft, states "The Glebe Island Bridge, across Johnstons Bay, is likely to be of State significance as it demonstrates one of the earliest examples of an electric powered swing bridge in the world"
http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=5051118

Whereas the current listing states "The bridge has been assessed as being of State significance."
http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=4301666

Nominations for the State Heritage Register
Glebe Island Bridge (Draft) on Exhbition for public comment until 12 Jun 20113
http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/nominationsofstateheritageregister.aspx

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St Marys lies across the Great Western Highway, to the North of the M4 and south of the Railway Line.

As you turn off the M4 you encounter "South Creek Railway Station" now the base for the South Creek Vietnam Veterans Association http://ramin.com.au/travel/south-creek-vietnam-vets.shtml

South Creek was the previous name of the township now known as St Marys. St Marys is named after St Mary Magdalene Church which sits on the hill in St Marys.

The family of the third Governor of NSW Philip Gidley King are buried in the cemetery adjoining the Church.



"In the late 19th Century...The major difficulties were related to the high cost of transporting goods to and from the markets in Sydney (the tanning and timber industries); the dwindling local supplies of timber (the sawmills); and the impact of new technology in the form of motor transport (the coach and waggon works)... the Bennett coach and waggon works achieved national renown for their production of sturdy table-top wagons." - Establishment of the Village of St Marys viewed 4 March 2013 http://www.penrithcity.nsw.gov.au/index.asp?id=1648

"James Bennett, of Finsbury, was the inventor of a two-wheeled carriage called the Dennett, which was a great improvement on the whisky or gig of 1790." - Coach Making viewed 4 March 2013 http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=22174



"The outing was on Saturday last, the picnic party leaving St Marys by train at half-past nine and picking up en route. The party were in a happy mood, young and old casting aside dull care, and being intent on enjoying to the utmost an Australian holiday in true Australian style...." - 1914 'St. Marys Outing.', Nepean Times (Penrith, NSW : 1882 - 1962), 21 February, p. 3, viewed 4 March, 2013, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article86172076

Just came across the NSW Transport Planner widget and added it to my webpage
http://ramin.com.au/annandale/annandale-heritage-festival.shtml

"You can link to the Trip Planner using either an integrated search box or with a standard banner. Please choose from the designs below...."
http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/tripplanner