Property Advert of the Week: Carrington Green, Seven Hills (1995)

Below is a 1995 newspaper advertisement promoting a townhouse complex - Carrington Green with townhouses on sale from just $166 000. It is located at the end of Bogan Place, Seven Hills, though it was advertised as Toongabbie. Click here to view the location on Google Earth.

   

Source: Portland Homes. 1995. "Carrington Green" (Advertisement). The Sydney Morning Herald, June 24: 95.

NEVER BUILT SYDNEY: Mid City Centre Office Tower (1989)

For the next ten weeks, I will present a new series of "Never Builts" in Sydney. My collection in this area continues to grow.

Source: Chancellor, J. 1989. "Developer shelves $350m Mid City tower". The Sydney Morning Herald, April 18: 25. 

This week, I have selected the Mid City Centre Office Tower that was proposed in 1989. The current 34 level office tower at 420 George Street was completed in 2010 along with a new retail complex in its podium, bearing the same name as its predecessor.  It replaced the original Mid City Centre retail complex which opened in 1982 and was designed to accommodate a future highrise tower.

In 1989, plans for a 36 level office tower were shelved due to "oversupply" in the Sydney CBD Office Market and it led to disputes between the owners of the complex, City Freeholds Pty. Ltd and their tenants over the state of the complex.

Source: Totaro, P. 1989. "Brawl over Mid City Centre redevelopment plans. The Sydney Morning Herald, April 19: 8. 

It was not the first highrise tower that was proposed for the site. In 1971  a 46 level office tower was proposed by Tjuringa Securities Ltd. Click here to view an entry on that proposal which was published last year. 

Property Advertisement of the Week: TriBeCa, Chippendale (1999)

Below is a newspaper advertisement from 1998 to promote warehouse style apartments in TriBeCa which is located at 82 Abercrombie Street, Chippendale.

Source: Sydney Prime Realty. 1998. "TriBeca" (Advertisement). The Sydney Morning Herald, May 2: 28RE (Real Estate Liftout). 

1970: One Way tolling introduced on The Sydney Harbour Bridge

Source:  Anon. 1970. "One-way bridge toll from July 4". The Sydney Morning Herald, June 20: 5. 

From the opening of The Sydney Harbour Bridge in 1932 until 1970, vehicles crossing the bridge had to pay a toll in both directions. By the start of 1970, the toll cost ten cents, equivalent to $1.22 today. Relative to 2022, it was inexpensive, but still attracted complaints from motorists.

One way tolling began on July 4, 1970 with the purpose of improving the flow of northbound traffic especially during peak periods. To compensate for the loss of revenue from north bound traffic, the toll was increased to 20 cents (equivalent to $2.44 today), and would remain at that level until 1987. 

Source: Anon. 1970. "Evening Peak Tests The Bridge". The Sydney Morning Herald, July 7: 4. 

The shift to one way tolling saw the introduction of movable toll barriers that could be folded to allow for the free flow of northbound traffic in the evening, while serving southbound traffic during the morning peak. 

Source: Yeomans, J. 1970. " The Bridge gets concertina gates for one way pay". The Sun Herald, June 7: 51 & 84. 

However the doubling of the southbound toll to twenty cents saw a drop in revenue as some drivers sought to save money travelling via the Gladesville Bridge. This was anticipated as reported by The Daily Mirror.

Source: Anon. 1970. "One-way charge on Bridge". The Daily Mirror, June 23: 24.

The Daily Telegraph (21 July 1970) reported that revenue from the tolls had decreased by an average of $600 per day, meaning that annual loss of $200 000 in revenue was projected.

Source: Anon. 1970. "$600 Toll Loss Daily". The Daily Telegraph, July 21: 1.

The toll booths operated until 2009, when e-tolling was made compulsory for motorists crossing the Sydney Harbour Bridge. However they were not removed until 2016. Below is a video from "Ventia" that was posted on Vimeo.

The RBA Inflation Calculator was used to determine the equivalent value of the tolls in 1970 against that of 2022, adjusting for inflation. 

Property Advert of the Week: Gayson Homes - Baulkham Hills House and Land Packages (1969)

Below is a newspaper advertisement from Gayson Homes, promoting the sale of house and land packages at Baulkham Hills in 1969 for a $2500 deposit.

   

Source: Gayson Homes Pty. Ltd. 1969. "Baulkham Hills House & Land" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, July 5: 43.

1987: Tunnel vision making us 'rats' (The Sun Article)

In 2016, I posted the entry Underground Sydney which focused on the development of an underground network of pedestrian walkways to connect retail complexes in central Sydney with major rail stations such as Town Hall. 

   

Source: Trembath, M. 1987. "Tunnel Vision Making Us 'Rats'". The Sun, June 22:2. 

While this plan was largely fufilled, the underground walkway in Hyde Park did not eventuate to allow for a person to walk unimpeded from The Domain carpark to Town Hall Railway Station.

NSW Opposition Leader Nick Greiner was concerned that people would become "tunnel rats" and lose the opportunity to enjoy the "magnificent weather". However, I think anyone who would use the network of pedestrian tunnels, does so out of convenience. I do for instance. 

As I pointed out in 2016, any negative impact would be on foot traffic at street level, though the opening of the Sydney CBD light rail line in 2019 has resulted in the closure of George Street to private vehicles and buses from Bathurst to Hunter Street allowing for pedestrians to utilise the street. George Street was already experincing a revival prior to its opening as high end retailers begun to make their present felt at street level. 

Property Advert of the Week: Bonnet Bay Land Release - Stage 4 (1967)

In 1967, Parkes Developments had blocks of land for sale in the "Woronora Gardens" estate in what is now Bonnet Bay in the Sutherland Shire. It was their first release of blocks in Stage 4.

150 pounds or three hundred dollars was needed to secure your deposit.

Note that with the introduction of decimal currency in 1966, goods and services could still be advertised in pounds, shillings and pence for two years as part of the changeover.

 

Source: Parkes Developments. 1967. "magnificient waterviews...Jannali" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, January 28: 41

Related

Woronora Gardens, Bonnet Bay (1965) 

Royal Easter Show Flashback: 1997 (Last Show at Moore Park) - Part II

In Part I last week of our Royal Easter Show Flashback from 1997, I provided a general overview of the dates, pricing and showbags. Given the significance of the show that year, I could not fit everything into one entry. I even weighed up an third entry.

This week focuses on feature articles, as reported by The Daily Telegraph focusing on key highlights during the sixteen day show.

Opening Day - 21 March

This article was published in the second afternoon edition of The Daily Telegraph, focusing on opening day.

 

Source: Anon. 1997. "The Show goes on, for the very last time". The Daily Telegraph, March 21: 3. 

Good Friday - 28 March

The Daily Telegraph (29 March) reported on traffic chaos on roads around the Showgrounds as an estimated 100 000 attended on the holiday.

 

Source: McKenchnie, C. &Birch, S. 1997. "Show's a traffic stopper". The Daily Telegraph, March 29: 2. 

The Sydney Morning Herald (29 March) managed to capture an aerial view of the showgrounds on that day and reported that an estimated 160 000 attended that day, falling just short of the 1985 record of 174 000.

 

Source: Totaro, P. 1997. "Bird's eye view of sky-high crowds". The Sydney Morning Herald, March 29: 5. 

The last Grand Parade at Moore Park - 4 April

On the evening of 4 April, the last "inner city" Grand Parade was held in the main arena.

Source: Tsavdaris, N. & Stevenson, A. 1997. "The last show in town". The Daily Telegraph, April 5: 9. 

The final day - 5 April

The Sun Herald (6 April 1997) ensured that the end of the Royal Easter Show at Moore Park was front page news along with an accompanying feature of the last day. At 9pm the Main Arena was blacked out and 10 000 candles lit to pay tribute to the final show. Police patrols were stepped up to ensure that showgoers did not steal show memorabilia. 

 

 I remember reading the original print article in The Sunday Telegraph (6 April 1997)  at the time and felt that it probably warranted bigger coverage in the main newspages. However there was a larger feature in its "Insight" (News Review) section

 

Source: Stuart. S. 1997. "A sombre end of an era". The Sunday Telegraph, April 6: 13.

The extra four days for the 1997 Royal Easter Show did not result in what the RAS wanted - A new all time attendance record. 1.17 million attended the 1997 show, falling short of the 1.23 million that attended in 1947. 

 

Source: Tsavdaridis, N. 1997. "Show is over but fun lives on". The Daily Telegraph, April 7: 16. 

The Sydney Morning Herald, (7 April 1997) reported on the packing up on the day after the final show at Moore Park concluded.

Source: Gripper, A. 1997. "Lambs leave the showground to the Fox". The Sydney Morning Herald, April 7: 5. 

General Features

Below are general feature articles that appeared in Sydney newspapers relating to the 1997 The Royal Easter Show.

Source: Stephens, T. 1997. "The Last Hurrah". The Sydney Morning Herald, March 21: 17.

Source: Gripper, A. 1997. "Gone with the wind of change...but the memories live on". The Sydney Morning Herald, April 5: 4-5.

Source: Condon, M. 1997. "Heads and tales of the Royal". The Sun Herald, March 23: 44 & 73.

Source: MacMillan, S. 1997. "It's Showtime". The Sunday Telegraph, March 16: 137.

Source: Anon. 1997. "Farewell old friend". The Sunday Telegraph, April 6: 121.

The Sunday Telegraph (April 6, 1997) published a series of special features including the new showgrounds at Sydney Olympic Park. Good construction photo of the Main Arena (Spotless Stadium) under construction.

End of a showground institution - Chair lifts and Cable Cars

One element of the Easter Show that I miss is the chair lifts and cable cars that could transport people from one side of the showgrounds to the other side. One advantage of Sydney Olympic Park is the ability to easily navigate the showgrounds with a grid like layout and that could work against them. It's success was also dependent on users being able to travel over the main arena, but the stands at Sydney Olympic Park are bigger and the infrastructure would interfere with sporting events.

Source: Tsavdaris, N. 1997. "Chair ride's last stand". The Daily Telegraph, April 4: 25. 

The New Home - Sydney Olympic Park

Construction was underway on the showgrounds. The design was unveiled in October 1996 while preliminary works had commenced and while the last show was on at Moore Park, considerable progress had been made as shown below. 

 

Source: Anon. 1997. "New show site has a ring to it". The Daily Telegraph, March 20: 2. 

The Future at Moore Park

With 20th Century Fox gaining control of the soon to be former Sydney Showgrounds, Sydneysiders were informed of what the future would be. A quarter of a century later, and the precinct is now facing redevelopment.

Source: Dasey, D. 1997. "Time to start cloning around". The Sun Herald, April 6: 32. 

I hope you have enjoyed this two part series on the final Royal Easter Show to be held at Moore Park. Next Year, I will focus on 1998 with the first Royal Easter Show to be held at Sydney Olympic Park. 

Property Advert of the Week: Seapoint, Bondi Junction (1995)

Below is a 1995 newspaper advertisement by Mirvac promoting apartments in the twin tower Seapoint complex. No prices were advertised but note that it was advertised as being located in Woollahra when technically it was located in the Bondi Junction CBD.

A fantastic location that offered great city views, shops and transport at the door.

 

Source: Mirvac. 1995. "Your Passport to an International Lifestyle" (Advertisement). The Sydney Morning Herald, June 24: 84.