1981: A long wait for the call from the AMP's minaret (Newspaper feature)

Sydney Tower is just weeks away from celebrating its 45th Birthday, but this 1981 newspaper feature focused on delays in its opening. 

It was not meant to open in September 1981, but plans had it opening early that year, except that it was too windy and rainy to warrant an opening. July was also considered as an opening date. 

For retailers in Centrepoint, it was frustrating that they wanted the tower to open as soon as possible to lure tourists to their shops, but they were still optimistic. Sydney Tower would open, and the hordes would come.

Fast forward 45 years, ownership has changed hands. AMP sold the centre and tower to Westfield in 2001, and it was rebranded as Westfield Centrepoint. In 2009, a major redevelopment project merged Westfield Centrepoint, Imperial Arcade and Skygarden into one retail complex. Westfield also acquired Sydney Central Plaza in 2003 and, in recent years, under the Scentre Group, purchased the former David Jones Market Street store, which is now a mixed-use retail, commercial, and residential complex, to expand its footprint in central Sydney. 

Westfield Sydney is regarded as a flagship retail complex within the Scentre Group and has been highly successful in attracting major labels and luxury brands into the centre. A total of 269 retailers trade in the complex

And, as in 1981, the overwhelming majority still have to reach the entrance to Sydney Tower through the centre and navigate the escalators and shops en route. 

Source: Lawson, L 1981. "A long wait for the call from the AMP's minaret". The Sydney Morning Herald, February 28:42. 

Property Advert of the Week: Horningsea Park (2000)

Below is a newspaper advertisement from 2000 promoting a land release at Horningsea Park. The suburb is located between Hoxton Park and Edmondson Park.

 

Source: Anonymous. 2000. "Land Release Horningsea Park". The Daily Telegraph, October 28: 21. 

1969: Grace Bros Roselands Fire

Myer at Roselands Shopping Centre was meant to close in July, but will remain in the shopping centre until January next year, when its lease concludes. By its closure, it would have traded for 61 years, opening originally as Grace Bros, before rebranding in 2004 (alongside all Grace Bros Stores). Grace Bros was also the original owner of the centre.

During its decades of trade, its lowest moment was on June 13 1969, when a fire broke out at the store, estimated at $3 million. The top floor of the department store and roof caught fire. The roof also collapsed. There was water and smoke damage to the rest of the store and the shopping centre itself.

The fire began around 4:15 pm and was likely triggered by an electrical fault in the switchbaord.

Above: Coverage from The Daily Telegraph, June 14, 1969.

Source: Anonymous. 1969. "Roselands store wrecked by fire". The Sydney Morning Herald, June 14: 1 & 9. 

"The smaller shops on the lower floors" (The Sun, June 14 1969) were reported to have reopened the next day, while Grace Bros was able to resume trading exactly one week after, even if it was a partial reopening.

Source: Davis, G. 1969. Sprinklers off as fire raged. The Sun, June 14: 2. 

Source: Anonymous. 1969. "Back to Business". The Daily Telegraph, June 17: 3

The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader (June 18 1969) also featured good coverage of the fire along with photographs.

  

Property Advert of the Week: Aquarelle, Milsons Point (2003)

Below is a 2003 newspaper advertisement promoting the launch of Aquarelle at Milsons Point. The complex is located at 7 Northcliff Street. The image itself is not from the building. 

Source: Cramer Property Agents. 2003. "Aquarelle" (Advertisement). The Sunday Telegraph, June 8: 11 (homeowner liftout). 

1974: The Manly Daily & Ferry Overcrowding

Last week, I posted newspaper clippings related to the 1974 fire that damaged the Manly Ferry South Steyne and consequently led to cuts to Manly Ferry services, as only two ferries were available to transport commuters.

The Manly Daily, concerned by the cuts to ferry services as a result, decided to report on overcrowding after claims by the Minister for Transport, Milton Morris, denied any claims of overcrowding.

One reporter and two photographers travelled on the ferries. As the pictures show from The Manly Daily (September 5, 1974) , it was standing room only and even commuters were sitting on the stairs, scenes normally reserved for our rail network. 

The Manly Daily also raised concerns that patronage figures were being underreported as season ticket holders were not required to access turnstiles, as reported on page 1 on September 7, 1974 

The Minister Responds.

   

On September 11 1974, the Transport Minister wrote to The Manly Daily to rebut the newspaper's claims. This included the claim that weekly and season tickets were not available and that those people identified had discounted daily tickets (bought in bulk in advance)

The following day (September 12, 1974), The Manly Daily published a second set of images and provided the service run and dates. In the minister's view, the initial photos were "isolated incidents".

 

The outcome 

To address overcrowding, two Lady Class Ferries - Lady Northcott and Lady Wakehurst were modified for the Manly run with their bows built up to manage the swells as they navigated the heads and gangways were built on their upper deck. 

The Lady Wakehurst commenced operations on the Manly Run in October, followed by Lady Northcott in January 1975. However, they were smaller than the 1200 that could fit on the Baragoola and North Head, with room for only 800. However, it meant that four ferries could operate on the run. Also, Baragoola and North Head were taken off the run (one at a time), meaning only a two-ferry service operated in the short term, keeping services limited. Express buses supplemented ferries.

This would act as a short-term solution until new ferries (Freshwater Class) commenced operation in 1982, when the Freshwater entered service, followed by Queenscliff (1983), Narrabeen (1984) and Collaroy (1988). Except for Collaroy, the Freshwater ferries continue in service, alongside three specially built Emerald Class ferries - Balmoral, Clontarf, and Fairlight. The Emerald Class ferries are significantly smaller than their predecessors - they can carry 400 commuters. One benefit of the Emerald Class ferries is that they complete the run in 20 minutes, allowing them to operate more services.

The NSW Government proposed retiring the Freshwater Class ferries several years ago, and the public backlash that followed ensured they continue to operate today. The same spirit shown by commuters, Manly locals and the media in 1974 when services were under threat (to the point wre Manly ferry services could have been abolished completely), ensured the survival of the Freshwater Class. The NSW Government (now under Labor) are working towards building a new fleet that will replace the Freshwater Class and retain the experience and vibe associated with a ferry commute to and from Manly.

Property Advert of the Week: The Cascades Estate, Kellyville Ridge (2004)

Below is a 2004 newspaper advertisement for The Cascades Estate at Kellyville Ridge. The homes on the estate are located within walking distance of The Ponds Shopping Centre. The four-bedroom and "2 1/2" bathroom homes were on sale from $460 000.  

 

Source: Mirvac. 2004. "The Cascades at Kellyville Ridge". The Daily Telegraph, April 10: 17. 

1974: South Steyne Ferry Fire

For decades, the Manly Ferry South Steyne was regarded as the flagship of the Manly Fleet. It was the largest ferry itself, with a capacity for 1700 and had entered service in 1938

On Sunday, August 25, 1974, while berthed at Mort Bay in Balmain, it caught fire. It is believed the fire started in a boiler room before 5pm, and firefighters were called to fight the fire.

Source: "Biggest ferry burns, solving Govt selection problem". The Sydney Morning Herald, August 26: 1. 

The ferry was extensively damaged. 

At the time of the fire, the Manly Ferry route was operated by the Port Jackson and Manly Steamship Company and was to be taken over by the NSW Government in December 1974. Given the cost of repairs (estimated at $1 million at the time), the NSW Government decided to focus on operating a two-ferry service upon handover.

Given the damage sustained, it was anticipated that the ferry would be scrapped. It never returned to service as a commuter ferry. It was restored n the 1980s and was recommissioned in 1988. 

During the 1990's it spent part of the decade as a floating restaurant before moving to Darling Harbour, where it served as the Olympic Information Centre and, post-Olympics (2000), as a function centre.

In 2016, it was moved to Berry's Bay as it could no longer be accommodated at Darling Harbour and has remained there since.

Impact on Commuters

Commuters were severely impacted by the fire and withdrawal of South Steyne with services reduced. Frequencies were reduced from 30 minutes to 45 minutes. It had added to service cuts due to the retirement of another two ferries - Dee Why (1968) and Bellubera (1974).  

Source: Anonymous. 1974. "Ferry Chaos! Hundreds stranded as new timetable starts". The Manly Daily, August 27: 1. 

Next week, I'll look at the overcrowding concerns that stemmed from it as The Manly Daily saw it and mentioned in the book Manly Ferries of Sydney Harbour.  

Property Advert of the Week: Killarney Heights Land Release (1964)

Below is a 1964 newspaper advertisement promoting 150 homesites on offer at Killarney Heights. The homesites on offer started from £2100 ($4200), which, according to the RBA Inflation Calculator, was equivalent to spending around $74 200 today.

Source: Hooker-Rex (Sales). 1964. "Killarney Heights Middle Harbour Foreshores" (Advertisement). The Sun, June 5:55. 

2001: Top of the Town Restaurant Closes

Before conversion to apartments in 2003, the Top of the Town Motel (Originally Top of the Cross Motel) at Darlinghurst operated between 1966 and 2001. 

It was famous for its restaurant on the 14th floor with expansive views into central Sydney, Sydney Harbour and the eastern suburbs. 

In July 2001, the famous restaurant closed. In its final years (1998-2001), it had evolved into a "Manhattan-style nightspot" and was trading as a restaurant bar. Businesswise, the venue had done well, but the motel itself had fallen victim, like its nearby competitors, to competition from central Sydney CBD hotels and a post-Olympics oversupply of hotel rooms. 

Source: McCabe, K. 2001. "Nightspot to close". The Sunday Telegraph, June 10:20. 

Property Advert of the Week: Orchard Hills Estate, Kingswood (1982)

Below is a 1982 newspaper advertisement promoting land for sale in the Orchard Hills Estate at Kingswood. 

Blocks were on sale from $22,500, which is equivalent to spending around $100 000 today (RBA Inflation Calculator).

Source: Landcom. 1982. "Orchard Hills Estate." (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, September 17: 26.