VISIONS OF SYDNEY: Widening George Street Footpaths (1986)

Source: Nicholson, L. & Mulligan, M. 1986. "City to open up for pedestrian network" (1986). The Daily Telegraph, December 9: 3.

Visions of Sydney is back for the next five weeks, as I explore some of the visions that never quite became a reality in Sydney, or were an early scheme or proposal for an eventual project or scheme. This focuses on transport and public spaces, as Never Built Sydney encompasses buildings and architecture.

In this entry are two newspaper clippings from December 1986, when the NSW State Government proposed widening footpaths on George Street by removing one lane in each direction from use by vehicular traffic. It was even considered to convert George Street to one-way traffic.

Three decades later, the construction of the Sydney CBD Light Rail project would see the street converted into a pedestrian boulevard, initially from Bathurst Street to Hunter Street, before being extended to cover George Street from Rawson Square to Bridge Street.

Pedestrians would eventually claim control of George Street; however, if the original scheme had been implemented and nothing else had changed, it would have paved the way for George Street as it exists today. The outcome we see would still have eventuated.

Source: Glascott, J. 1986. "Unsworth promises pedestrians a fair go in new city plan." The Sydney Morning Herald, December 9: 6.

Property Advert of the Week: Hitter Homes Newspaper Advertisement (1969)

Below is a 1969 newspaper advertisement from Hitter Homes promoting a new estate at Wentworthville, along with house and land packages. It promotes "luxury homes" at Bass Hill, but cannot confirm if they are house and land packages or display homes. According to the RBA Inflation Calculator, house and land packages equate to spending as little as $ 163,000 in today's money.

Source: Hitter Homes. 1969. "Your new 3-bedroom home" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, July 13: 28. 

Remember This? Winter Swimming at Bondi Icebergs (2004)

In recent times, there has been an increasing appeal of immersion in cold water, such as ice baths, due to the health benefits it can bring to a person and its potential to aid in the healing of muscle injuries. However, this has been disputed by some. 

Our mild winters and warm coastal waters, even in cooler months of the year, make swimming in Sydney a year-round activity. The biggest challenge of swimming in Sydney during winter is not the water itself. It's being out of it that's a problem, i.e. exposure to the cold air. 

Water temperatures in winter average from 19 to 21 degrees. The coldest month for ocean waters is usually August, but it can be in September.

In our coastal suburbs, air temperatures on the coldest mornings are around 5 degrees, which makes being in the water more appealing than braving the cold on land.

Below is a 2004 feature on Bondi Icebergs and its increase in membership numbers associated with an increase in Sydneysiders opting to brave the cold temperatures for their early morning swim.    

Source: Creighton, L. 2004. "Dawn patrol as winter swimmers splash out". The Sunday Telegraph, June 6: 20-21. 

Property Advert of the Week: Oakford, Sydney CBD (1997)

Below is a 1997 newspaper advertisement for the Oakford complex at 252-258 Sussex Street (right at the corner of Sussex and Druitt Street), opposite the Darling Park Complex. It is presently the YEHS Hotel - Sydney Harbour Suites. This was geared towards investors as opposed to home occupiers, given that they are being managed as serviced apartments. 

Source: Metroland Development Pty. Ltd., Premier Realty Pty.Ltd & PRD Realty. 1997. "Invest in the Best" (Advertisement). The Sydney Morning Herald, May 24: 17RE (Real Estate Liftout).

Remember This? Sunday Afternoon Football (2005)

I recently came across this feature from The Daily Telegraph that was published in its Monday sport section Final Score on July 25, 2005. In the middle of the liftout (and the newspaper itself) is a two-page photo spread and article on the AFL and NRL fixtures played the previous day, which attracted large crowds

The main photo is from the Round 20 NRL match between Wests Tigers and South Sydney that was played at Leichhardt oval. The photo features the hill at full capacity with the match proceeding under shade in the foreground. A ground record was set that day - 22,877, which still remains in 2025. Wests Tigers won 42-20 and would go on to become the NRL premiers that year

Source: Hooper, J. 2005. "Sydney's day in the sun". The Daily Telegraph, July 24: 36-37. 

On the top right is a photo of Sydney Swans fans cheering their team onto victory against the West Coast Eagles at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Round 17 of the AFL Premiership. Sydney won (13.10 ) 88 to West Coast (9.13) 67. Just over 37,000 were in attendance, and for the West Coast Eagles, it was just their second loss of the 2005 AFL Season. 

The Sydney Swans would also go on to become AFL Premiers in 2005, their first in Sydney and their first in 72 years since they were known as South Melbourne. Coincidentally, they defeated the West Coast Eagles in the 2005 Grand Final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. 

Below that photo, there are two photos from the St George Illawarra vs Cronulla NRL match at Kogarah Oval. Another "full house" with 17,000 attending the local derby and grudge match between the two southern suburbs sides. St George prevailed 16-10. 

On the left are two photos from the Wests Tigers vs South Sydney match. At top left are fans sitting on the roof of a home backing onto the stadium, and below a group of youngsters captured by a photographer in the crowd. 

Property Advert of the Week: 63 Helen Street, Lane Cove (1971)

Below is a 1971 newspaper advertisement promoting the sale of two- and three-bedroom apartments in an apartment complex located at 63 Helen Street, Lane Cove.

Two-bedroom apartments were available for sale from $17,400, and three-bedroom apartments from $20,750. According to the RBA Inflation Calculator, this would equate to spending either $232,500 or $ 274,000, respectively, in today's money. 

 

Source: Shead Pty. Ltd. 1971. "63 Helen Street, Lane Cove" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, June 12: 42.