Below is a 1973 newspaper advertisement by Hamden Developments promoting various villa and apartment developments at Bexley, Campsie, Dee Why, Lakemba and Queenscliff.
Below is a 1973 newspaper advertisement for a land release offered by Neeta Land Sales. Only $100 was required as a deposit, with blocks starting at $10,400. This is equivalent to spending around $123,500 in today's money (RBA Inflation Calculator).
Remember This? is back for January. Below is a 1973 aerial of Sydney and North Sydney as captured by photographer Ern McQuillan. The aerial places the Sydney Harbour Bridge at the centre of the image while capturing what was referred to as the "twin cities". The photo was featured on Page 1 of the Wentworth Courier in its edition of July 4, 1973.
Below is a 1973 newspaper advertisement for "Mintcol". It was a model home that was located at 176A Old Northern Road, Castle Hill. The home is still standing there today.
Below is a 1973 photograph of the Greater Sydney region taken from a Satellite in orbit 318 miles (599 kilometres) above the Earth. This photograph was published in The Daily Telegraph on May 15, 1973. The aerial photo also encompasses Gosford, Newcastle, and part of the Hunter Valley.
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| Photo taken by the Author (2023). |
Last week, I posted an entry relating to the construction of the Alfords Point Bridge. This week will focus on the opening of the bridge in 1973.
By February 1973, the span of the bridge had been built, and it was anticipated that the bridge would be open to traffic in June of that year. The photo below was taken at the northern approach to the bridge at Padstow Heights, looking south. Note the footings already in place for the future duplication of the bridge in 2008.
Source: Anon. 1973. "A $5 million bridge". The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader, February 28: 5.
It was announced in June that the bridge would open in September. The Lugarno Ferry, which operated downstream linking Lugarno and Illawong, would continue for "some time", before running its last service the following year.
Source: Anon. 1973. "New bridge to open soon". The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader, August 1: 11.
On 7 September 1973, the Alfords Point Bridge was officially opened to traffic by NSW Premier Sir Robert Askin. 2000 people were reported to have attended the opening ceremony, which included an opportunity for the public to walk across the bridge before opening to traffic. The final cost of construction was approximately $5 million.
Below is coverage from The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader from September 12 1973.
Source: Anon. 1973. "Road snarl ease: Bridge skirts trouble sports". The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader, September 12: 1.
The bridge, when opened, initially carried two lanes of traffic (1 lane each way). This was increased to three lanes with a tidal flow arrangement in place.
Duplication of the bridge occurred in the 2000s. Construction of the new bridge commenced in 2007 and was opened to traffic in 2008. The original bridge reverted to two lanes and carried northbound traffic only, while the new bridge carries two lanes of southbound traffic.
Related Entry
MILESTONE: Alfords Point Bridge turns 50 (1973) - Proposals and construction
This year, Alfords Point Bridge turns 50. The three-lane bridge was opened to traffic on 7 September 1973, while the second bridge was opened to traffic as part of its duplication in 2008.
Next week will focus on its opening, but this week, I will share some newspaper features relating to planning and construction.
The St George and Sutherland Leader in 1961 reported that Menai residents were prepared to fund the construction of a bridge at Lugarno to link the then semi-rural suburb with the rest of Sydney.
Source: Anon. 1961. "Menai folk suggest levy for bridge". The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader, November 16: 14.
In 1966, it was reported in The Sydney Morning Herald that the government intended to build a new bridge between Padstow Heights and Alfords Point. The location on the Georges River was selected because it was regarded as located halfway between the Milperra Bridge and Tom Ugly's Bridge. It was intended that contracts would be issued by mid-1968.
Source: Anon. "New bridge promised". The Sydney Morning Herald, October 7: 6.
At the end of 1969, it was announced that tenders would be called to build the new bridge as it was deemed a "high priority" in the Department of Main Roads building program. Apart from providing a third bridge to connect the Sutherland Shire with the St George region, it was to be built as part of a "bypass" or arterial road that would connect Heathcote and Hornsby (known today as the A6).
Source: Anon. 1969. "Bridge will connect by-pass". The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader, December 3: 1.
By February 1970, it was announced that work would start "almost immediately". In November 1970, it was announced that John Holland was the successful tender to build the bridge at an estimated $2.3 million, with a projected completion date of mid-1973.
Source: Anon. 1970. "Fast north-south: Early Start For Flyover". The St George and Sutherland Shire, February 25: 1.
Below is an article from The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader reporting on the progress of construction in 1972.
Source: Anon. 1972. "Vital North-South Link Stays on Schedule". The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader, February 9: 18.
A progress report from July 1972 (below) contains a photo on construction of the bridge plus the announcement that John Holland was also to build the bridge connecting the bridge with Davies Street, Padstow.
In the last post of our current series of Remember This? I share a newspaper advertisement to promote the Bennelong Restaurant at the Sydney Opera House from 1973. This year is fifty years since the restaurant first opened to diners, coinciding with the opening of the Opera House itself.
Source: Bennelong Restaurant. 1973. "Your guide to dining at the Opera House" (Advertisement). The Sun, October 17: 6.
Some will be aware that buildings in Sydney can and have acted as locations to monitor weather conditions.
In 1957, the MLC Building in North Sydney became the first building in Sydney to have a weather beacon installed on its rooftop.
Sixteen years later (1973), The St George Permanent Building Society in Hurstville became the second location in Sydney to have a weather beacon installed. Light colours and changes could give locals the latest weather conditions.
Below are two clippings from The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader from its unveiling in 1973.
Source: Anon. 1973. "Minister hit the right button". The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader, March 21: 11.
I believe that the weather beacon has since been removed; the date of which is unknown.
Westpac Place in Kent Street has a weather beacon atop the building, but it uses electronic lighting placed in bars to tell Sydneysiders the current air pressure reading.
