VISIONS OF SYDNEY: Woolwich Redevelopment Scheme (1960)

An artists impression of the redevelopment scheme. Full citation below

Full citation below

Recently, I came across a 1960 newspaper clipping in The Daily Telegraph that mentioned plans to redevelop the Woolwich Dock, owned by Mort's Dock and Engineering Co. Ltd.

The redevelopment proposal was conceived in response to the company's liquidation, and the redevelopment of the site would enable creditors to recoup their losses.

It was envisaged that 2000 apartments would be built to house 5000 people. Around twenty high-rise towers would have been built under the scheme to accommodate the apartments.

In 1963, the Army purchased the site and occupied it until 1997. It was used for repairs and maintenance. In the late 1990s, plans were proposed to redevelop the site into housing.

Source: Anonymous. 1960. "Woolwich Development Scheme". The Daily Telegraph, August 26: 5.

Locals objected to any development and advocated for the land to be handed over for public use. In 2001, the Harbour Trust assumed control of the site and enabled public access. The privately owned Woolwich Dock continues to provide repair and maintenance services to boat owners.

The site as it looks today, with the St Leonards skyline rising in the background. Photo taken by the Author (2025).

Property Advert of the Week: Sienna Apartments, Rockdale (2002)

Below is a 2002 newspaper advertisement to promote apartments for sale in Tower 1 of the Sienna Apartments in Rockdale.

Apartments were on sale from $ 270,000, but a $ 1,000 deposit could secure the apartment, with no further payment until completion the following year.

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Source: Laing & Simmons. 2002. "Sienna Apartments" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, February 16: 13 (Homes Liftout).

NEVER BUILT SYDNEY: Strathfield Plaza Scheme (1969)

This is the last entry in the current batch of the Never Built Sydney series.

Strathfield Plaza opened in 1981. The completed retail complex incorporated mixed-use development above it, with a nine-storey office tower and a 13-storey apartment tower rising from a four-level podium containing the shopping centre and parking garages. This made it one of the earlier Sydney retail complexes to combine shopping, office and residential uses within the same development.

Source: Anonymous. 1969. "$13m plan awaits Minister's ruling". The Sydney Morning Herald, July 12: 8. 

In 1969, plans for the centre were more ambitious. An early scheme proposed two 25-storey apartment towers rising above a four-level retail podium. Even the plans for Strathfield Plaza were ambitious, with space to be allocated for a department store. 

Had the 1969 scheme been realised, apart from the high-rise towers themselves (and they would still have stood out at 29 levels), Strathfield Plaza might have emerged as a serious competitor to Westfield Burwood, particularly if a major department store had occupied the space. At the time, Farmers was the anchor tenant at Westfield, so its competitors - Grace Bros, David Jones and Waltons could have made a presence in the centre had the 1969 scheme been approved, and Inner West retailing would not be what it is today. 

Property Advert of the Week: Chelsea Court, Surry Hills (1992)

Below is a 1992 newspaper advertisement for Chelsea Court in Surry Hills. Two bedroom apartments were on offer from $260, 000. 

Source: Toga Building Company Pty. Ltd. "Chelsea Court, Surry Hills" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph Mirror, December 16: 5. 

NEVER BUILT SYDNEY: Milsons Point "Chirpy" Tower (2004)

Full Citation Below

The Metro Edgely Consortium (Multiplex and Edgely Family) were the owner of Luna Park in 2004. In January 2004, just over two months prior to reopening the amusement park, the park proposed a plan to renew the site. This included a 14-storey office tower on the hill adjoining the park, designed by architects Denton Corker Marshall.

The argument for the tower, to be built along with a cinema complex within the amusement park, would ensure the financial future of the park.

Source: Richards, S. 2004. "Dim view of latest Luna Park fun and games". The Daily Telegraph, January 30: 13. 

Residents opposed the project on the grounds that it would block views. There was also support towards the site acting as a park and a restaurant to be built alongside the park

Plans for the tower were rejected in 2005 by NSW Planning Minister Frank Sartor, who approved a seven-storey building on the site instead. 

No building was ever built on the site. It became Northcliff Park, which was opened in 2019.

Above: Northcliff Park. Photo taken by the Author (2021)

Property Advert of the Week: "Lani Gardens", Bexley (1971)

Below is a 1971 newspaper advertisement promoting the sale of homes in the "Lani Gardens" complex in Bexley. Prices for villas started from $19,750, which would be equivalent to around $272,000 today (RBA Inflation Calculator). 

 

Source: Brian A. Moore & Partners Pty. Ltd. 1971. "Lani Gardens" (Advertisement). The Sun, September 3: 58.

NEVER BUILT SYDNEY: Regent Hotel - Early Scheme (1978)

In 1978, the NSW Government announced plans to construct what would become the Regent Hotel (now Four Seasons Hotel), one of Sydney's most prestigious and famous hotels. The hotel was opened in 1982 with 531 rooms.

Did you know that the 30-storey hotel had a different design proposal when it was announced? Below is a 1978 article from The Sydney Morning Herald.

Source: Anonymous. 1978. "$40m luxury hotel planned for Quay". The Sydney Morning Herald, August 23: 10. 

Property Advert of the Week: Austral Farm Lots (1967)

In 1967, Carnegie Real Estate were selling 5-acre farm lots at Austral. One key selling point for acreage was that the lots were connected to Sydney's water supply.

  

Carnegie Real Estate Pty. Ltd. 1967. "5 acre farm lots on city water supply (Advertisement). The Daily Mirror, September 8: 53.

NEVER BUILT SYDNEY: Early Scheme for 1 O'Connell Street (1987)

Full Citation Below.

1 O'Connell Street, as we know it, was designed by Peddle Thorp Walker. The 36 level/166 metre tower was completed in 1991 and is topped of by a spire inspired by spires on other Sydney buildings such as the Queen Victoria Building and Lands Department Building. It replaced the CSR Building, built in the 1960's and was demolished to make way for the tower.

However, this may not have happened as an earlier design for the tower did not consider a spire, but rather a much more standard roof.

Not proceeding with this scheme was a good decision, as Sydneysiders were rewarded with a tower featuring a notable architectural feature. The site itself commands never to be built views, meaning that any tower built had to be a focal point. Peddle Thorp Walkers' design achieves it. 

Source: Chancellor, J. 1987. "Highest high-tech floors may notch $850 sq m". The Sydney Morning Herald, December 8: 33.

Property Advert of the Week: Mt Pritchard Land Release (1964)

 In 1964, homesites were on offer at Mt Pritchard for a deposit of £10 ($20) or £850 ($1700) each. According to the RBA Inflation Calculator, this is equivalent to about $ 30,000 in today's money.

Mulgoa Road likely refers to what is now known as Elizabeth Drive. 

Source: G. P. Grey Pty. Ltd. 1964. "Homesites at Liverpool" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, May 23: 36.

NEVER BUILT SYDNEY: 109 Pitt Street (1988)

Full citation below.

 

Never Built Sydney is back for another series. In this entry, I look at a 1988 proposal for a 26-level office tower at 105, 107, and 109 Pitt Street. The tower, which was to comprise 21,000 sq/m of office space, was never built. 

"Innovative engineering design" was to be a key feature of the tower, to be developed by Hooker Projects and the State Superannuation Board.

 

Source: Anonymous. 1988. "City block will feature major innovations in building and design". The Sydney Morning Herald, February 23: 65. 

In 2002, I photographed a model of the tower prepared for the City of Sydney Model. Thank you to Richard Braddish (Sydney City Council) for organising it at the time. 

105 Pitt Street, 107 Pitt Street and 15-25 Hunter Street are currently subject to an innovative development of its own - a 55 level office tower that when completed will be the worlds tallest hybrid building, It will beat the 39 level/183 metre Atlassian Central Tower at Central Station which when completed later this year or early next year will be the tallest hybrid timber tower in the world. As of April 2026, the demolition of buildings is in progress.

Source: Anonymous. 2024. “A $370m skyrise building has been given the green light in the heart of Sydney’s CBD.” Image in “City of Sydney pushes limits to add another CBD skyscraper”. The Daily Telegraph, August 29. Accessed April 19, 2026. https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/central-sydney/1525-hunter-st-and-105107-pitt-st-development-gets-green-light-for-55storey-skyscraper/news-story/a423d0a5fb8e5a0e0247b4c6289c6317

 

Property Advert of the Week: The Mill, Marrickville (2002)

Below is a 2002 newspaper advertisement promoting apartments for sale at "The Mill" at 11-21 Gordon Street, Marrickville. 

Source: Landbiz. (2002). "The mill" (Advertisement). The Sydney Telegraph, October 27: 8 (homeowner liftout). 

1986: The return of the Green & Yellow on Sydney Ferries

Did you know that 2026 marks 40 years since Sydney Ferries revived the green-and-yellow livery that adorned the ferries in earlier decades of the 20th century?

The reason for its introduction was that the First Fleet Ferries, to replace the older Lady Class Ferries, were funded by the Australian Bicentennial Roads Development (a misnamed fund) as part of transport upgrades for the Bicentennial, which was held in 1988. It was meant to symbolise that the Federal Government funded the ferries, not the State Government.

Source: Coultan, M. 1986. "Ferries let us see colour of their money". The Sydney Morning Herald, February 19: 4. 

They would replace the dark blue and off-white livery of existing ferries.

The successor Lady Class Ferries (post-1968), along with the Manly Freshwater Class Ferries, would eventually be repainted green and yellow.

Ferries introduced during the 1990s and 2000s, including the Jetcats, Rivercats, Harbourcats and Supercats, did not adopt the green-and-gold livery during their working lives.

Since the introduction of the Emerald Class Ferries in 2016, every new Sydney ferry entering service has adopted the green and yellow livery along with the Minicat, River and Parramatta River class ferries. In 2026, 100% of Sydney's ferry fleet will be adorned in green and yellow.

Property Advert of the Week: Long Homes (1985)

Below is a 1985 newspaper advertisement from Long Homes. Display Homes could be inspected at Edensor Park (Fairfield), Macquarie Fields, St Andrews and Kingswood.

Source: Long Homes. 1985. "No repayments until June '85" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, January 12: 27.

2002: Feature Article on Wharf Redevelopments

In 2002, The Sunday Telegraph supplement homeowner published a feature article on the redevelopment of Sydney wharves into apartment complexes.

At the time, the finger wharf at Woolloomooloo had already been redeveloped into "The Wharf", while at Walsh Bay, the former piers were in the process of redevelopment. Darling Island, once a wharf itself, was also in the process of undergoing redevelopment. 

The Walsh Bay redevelopment would be completed in stages from 2003, while Darling Island would be completed in 2004.

A key selling point for apartments in those projects was "absolute waterfront", though that term can be applied to any home that adjoins the water, i.e. you can step from your property onto the water. Many harbourside homes can boast about absolute waterfront. 

Source: Wills, J. 2002. "Reclaim the sea". The Sunday Telegraph, July 7: 10-11 (homeowner liftout). 

Property Advert of the Week: 'Highpoint on the Park', Parramatta (2003)

Below is a 2003 newspaper advertisement promoting apartments for sale at 'Highpoint on the Park' in Parramatta. Two and three-bedroom apartments were on offer.

 

Source: Moxham's Real Estate Pty. Ltd. & Raine & Horne Parramatta. (2003). The Sunday Telegraph, April 27: 14 (homeowner liftout).

Royal Easter Show Flashback: 2001 (Part II)

This is part two in our Royal Easter Show Flashback, focusing on 2001. Last week, I posted admission prices, transport arrangement and showbag advertisements.

This week, I share several newspaper clippings focusing on the Easter Show itself. 

Opening Day - Friday April 6

Source: Banham, C. 2001. "Show's opening brings out all creatures small and great". The Sydney Morning Herald, April 7: 1. 

By 5 pm, 25,886 had attended the first day of the show, which was just over half of the previous year's opening-day attendance. In 2001, the Easter Show began one week before the start of the school holidays, whereas the previous year, the first day of the show coincided with the last day of Term 1 for school students. 

In the main arena, crowds were entertained by Bluey, "the helicopter who thinks he's a sheep dog". There would be lunchtime and evening performances.

25 years later, we have Bluey the sheep dog who has his own TV show and is loved by kids around the world, and yes, you can even get a Bluey Showbag.

The Sun Herald captured the first day of the opening weekend in a full-page feature on April 8 2001.

Source: Smyth, T. 2001."Hardly a no-Show". The Sun Herald, April 8: 9.

Official Opening - Wednesday April 11

The 2001 Royal Easter Show was officially opened by Governor General Sir William Deane and was followed by the first Grand Parade, where 1000 of the finest livestock were paraded in the Main Arena

Good Friday - April 13

Traditionally, it's the busiest day of the show. 140,000 made the trek on the first day of the Easter Long Weekend, and it was the busiest day for Sydney Olympic Park since the Olympic Games held several months earlier.

Ticket limits are in place for each day of the show in 2026, so we will not see crowds like this again on Good Friday. That is why tickets must be bought for a specific day. 

Source: Jackson, A. 2001. "Show stopper: 140,000 drop in to say howdy". The Sydney Morning Herald, April 14: 1.

Easter Saturday - April 14

Another bumper crowd through the turnstiles

Source: Smyth, T. 2001. "A once a year, 'only at the Show' time". The Sun Herald, April 15: 9. 

On April 20, The Sydney Morning Herald posted a photospread in its main news section, along with a summary of the show

Source: Dennis, A. 2001. "Thanks a million for coming folks, and it'll be even bigger next year". The Sydney Morning Herald, April 20: 8. 

• Around 1.05 million attended the Royal Easter Show in 2001
• 16500 animals were exhibited
• 149 000 Dagwood Dogs were sold
• 400 cups of coffee were sold
• 500 children were lost, then found

Planning had already begun for 2002. There were plans to expand it onto Olympic Boulevard (they followed through) and to improve parking accessibility for those who elected to drive. Concerns about pre-booked parking may have deterred some.

Related Entry

Royal Easter Show Flashback: 2001 (Part I)

Property Advert of the Week: Captain Cook Towers, Brighton-Le-Sands (1971)

Below is a 1971 newspaper advertisement for Captain Cook Towers, located on The Grand Parade at Brighton-Le-Sands.

Two bedroom apartments were eon offer from $22 000 and three bedroom apartments from $35 000. This is equivalent to $303 000 and $481 500 in todays money as based on the RBA Inflation Calculator.

 

Source: J. R. Baker Pty. Ltd. & Whiteman's Real Estate Co. 1971. "Captain Cook Towers" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, June 12: 42.

Royal Easter Show Flashback: 2001 (Part I)

Next week marks the start of the annual Royal Easter Show at Sydney Olympic Park. The year of focus is 2000 and will be presented in two entries.

This week, I will focus on key facts and the showbags.

Date:         April 6-19, 2001

The Easter Show ran for 14 days (Down from 16 days in 2000) and it will run for 12 days in 2026. 

Theme: The Great Australian Muster

Admission

Show Only entry ticket prices increased by $3 for adults and $2 for children. This was also the first show where the GST (10%) had been charged, being introduced on July 1, 2000, and would have attributed for much of the increase.

Adults: - $20
Concesions (Tertiary Students and Pensioners) - $15.50

Children: - $11.50

Showlink tickets were also available and could be pre-purchased at train stations for use on any one day of the show, including show buses. Prices below were for the Sydney Suburban Area with higher prices for those in the outer metropolitan area.

Adults: - $25.50
Tertiary Students - $18.50

Children: - $14.50

In 2026, ticket options are broader, but at the time of preparing this entry general prices were not listed:

Only early bird prices are listed

Adults - $ 48.00 

Concession - $36 

Child - $29.50 

PWD - $29.50 

Tickets in 2026 include free return travel on public transport on the day of the visit, and the date of the visit must be pre-booked. In 2026, it has broken down ticket purchases further where you have to locate the date and the type of ticket you want given each day has multiple options.

Source: NSW Department of Transport. 2001. "The only way to go to the Royal Easter Show" (Advertisement). The Sun Herald Official Sydney Royal Easter Show Magazine, April 1: 8. 

Showbags

All showbag advertisements were sourced from "The Sun Herald Official Sydney Royal Easter Show Magazine" published on April 1, 2001.

In 2001, Showbags ranged from $2 to $18.50. A total of 260 showboats were on offer. In 2026, 418 showbags are on offer.

Coca Cola

A constant best seller at the time. The backpack also kept up with the trends.

Pepsi

Like Coca Cola, they offered the sling bag or body bag as they called it but for just $12.00.

2Day FM

Followed Coca Cola and Pepsi with their own bodybag or slingbag. It included two mugs, one for each of the Morning Crew members, Wendy Harmer and Peter Moon.

Triple M

They offered an "Extra Large" backpack for those who wanted a traditional backpack as opposed to the slingbag or bodybag on offer from its competitors. 

Nestle

Bertie Beetle Showbags were just $2. 2001 also marked the debut of the Wonka Showbag.

 

Bensons

The traditional (and best-selling) Cadbury Showbag was just $6. In 2026, still the same price but a victim of shrinkflation, i.e. focus on bite-sized bars as opposed to full-size.

Gag Magic

The showbag retailed for $8 in 2001. In 2026 it is $20 but you get $89.90 worth of goodies.

Extended Sampling

A Little Luxury was a bestseller in its time and sadly no longer is sold at the show. In 2026, Girlfriend and Men's Health Magazines are still in print, but no showbags on offer. 

Mega Showbags

New Concept

They sold Mars-branded showbags plus themed showbags from television shows and films.

Next week, I will post a selection of newspaper clippings from the 2001 Royal Easter Show.

Property Advert of the Week: Merimbah, Hunters Hill (1986)

In 1984, the Hunters Hill property 'Merimbah', built in 1864, was converted into an eight-unit complex. One, two and three-bedroom apartments were available. 

Source: J.L. Manning Marketing Pty. Ltd. 1986. "'Merimbah' 1864" (Advertisement). The Sydney Morning Herald, February 1: 5. 

1969: The Chairlift debuts at the Sydney Showgrounds

At the former Sydney Showgrounds site at Moore Park, those attending the Easter Show had the option of moving across the showgrounds by either Chairlift or gondola and not needing to worry about navigating through the hordes below. 

The chairlift was first used for the Royal Easter Show in 1969, and remained there until the final show at Moore Park in 1997.

It was also the first horizontal chairlift to be installed in Australia

 

Source: Anon. 1969. "Exciting "Lift" for Royal". The Sun, March 12: 25. 

Leading into the Royal Easter Show on April 2, I will post two entries on the Royal Easter Show focusing on 2001. This will take us through the next two Mondays. 

Property Advert of the Week: Zenith Apartments (2003)

In our main entry this week, I shared a newspaper advertisement associated with the opening of the Boulevard Hotel on William Street in 1973. 

The Boulevard Hotel continues to operate to this very day. Another hotel, located at the top of William Street, also opened in the 1970s. 

The hotel, known as Kingsgate and later the Hyatt Kingsgate, Hyatt and Millennium, opened in 1971. It operated until 2003, when it was closed to be converted into the Zenith Apartments, which were completed in 2005. 

Below is a 2003 newspaper advertisement promoting the sale of apartments, which commenced prior to their conversion into apartments.

 

Source: Jones Lang LaSalle. 2003. "Zenith" (Advertisement). The Sunday Telegraph, April 5: 19 (Homeowner liftout). 

1973: Boulevard Hotel Opening

The Boulevard Hotel on William Street was opened in 1973. At the time of opening, it was one of the leading hotels to stay in Sydney, despite being on the fringe of the Sydney CBD. At the time of opening, it had a five-star rating and, for years, attracted celebrities and "A"- listers in search of a Sydney abode. 

Famous guests who have stayed at the hotel include Frank Sinatra, Muhammad Ali, Sammy Davis Jr., and John Wayne. 

Below is a newspaper advertisement from the time of opening in 1973. It was reported to have opened in late April, but I could not find any items confirming a fixed opening date.

Source: The Boulevard Hotel. 1973. "The Boulevard. Sydney's new international hotel" (Advertisement). The Wentworth Courier, June 27: 25.

The Boulevard Hotel, five decades later, is no longer a five-star hotel and is currently a four-star hotel, managed by ACCOR. The swimming pool, once available to guests, has since been removed, and Level 25 has been converted to a function room.

Property Advert of the Week: Hooker Housing Group Home Display Centre Ad (1988)

Below is a 1988 newspaper advertisement by the Hooker Housing Group promoting their Home Display Centres at Prospect, Casula and Castle Hill.

 

Source: Hooker Housing Group. "Your first step to a richer family life" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, March 5: 15.