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John Byrne Court under construction in 1960.View is from Wentworth Park. Cowper Street is next to the vacant land at the extreme left. Image courtesy of the City of Sydney Archives.
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Terrace Houses near John Byrne Court and Cowper Street redevelopments. Image by Catherine Stuart, 2021.
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John Byrne Court I. Image by Catherine Stuart, 2021.
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John Byrne Court II. Image by Catherine Stuart, 2021.
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Plaque memorialising the Cowper and Bay Street Housing Commission flats. Image by Catherine Stuart, 2021.
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Bay and Cowper Street Housing Commission flats in 2005, viewed from Bay Street. Mark Stevens Photograph Collection, courtesy of the City of Sydney Archives.
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View from Bay Street towards Cowper Street. Image by Catherine Stuart, 2021.
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View up Cowper Street with the new buildings on the left and nineteenth century terraces on the right. Image by Catherine Stuart, 2022.
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Glebe Youth Centre (current premises). Images by Catherine Stuart, 2021.
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Mitchell Street Hall. Image by Catherine Stuart, 2021.
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92 Cowper Street. Image by Catherine Stuart, 2021.
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Flats on the corner of Wentworth and Cowper Streets, 2005. Soon to be demolished. Mark Stevens Photograph Collection, courtesy of the City of Sydney Archives.
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Wentworth Street side of the flats on the corner of Wentworth and Cowper Streets. Image by Catherine Stuart, 2021.
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Graffiti on the development proposal placard. Flats on the corner of Wentworth and Cowper Streets. Image by Catherine Stuart, 2021.
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View of Franklyn and Bay Street building designed by Philip Cox I. Image by Catherine Stuart, 2021.
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View of the Franklyn and Bay Street building designed by Philip Cox II. Image by Catherine Stuart, 2021.
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Placard in the window of the Franklyn and Bay Street building. Image by Catherine Stuart, 2021.
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Banner on the Franklyn and Bay Street building. Image by Catherine Stuart, 2021.
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Social housing, heritage and the Glebe Estate

Ted, Denis and Emily discuss the social housing areas of Glebe. They talk about how the ideas of community and heritage that defined these areas fifty years ago are now under threat.

This story centres on Bay, Cowper, Wentworth and Elger Streets shown in the map below.

Extra info

The photo described in the podcast can be viewed online in the City of Sydney Archives. There is a second photo that shows the Bay and Cowper Street Housing Commission flats more clearly. This photo may be mis-dated in the City of Sydney Archives.

Early maps of Glebe can also be viewed online in the City of Sydney Archives.

Stop the theft of public housing in Glebe (Social Justice and Socialism: Video) – 2 min video of the protest against the sale of 92 Cowper Street

Social Housing In Glebe Sydney, 1970s – Film 98458 (Video) – This 5 min long video has no sound track. It appears to be a promotional film about the purchase the Glebe Estate by the Federal government in the early 1970s.

Save Social Housing in Glebe (Social Justice and Socialism: Video) – this 4 min video discusses the Bay and Cowper Streets redevelopment as well as the two other social housing buildings that are proposed to be redeveloped.

Max Solling, Grandeur and Grit: A history of Glebe, Ultimo, Halstead Press, 2007.

Roll your mouse over the photos to see descriptions and credits

Acknowledgement of Country

I acknowledge the Gadigal and Wangal people, the Traditional Owners of Glebe and recognise their continuing connection to land, water and community. I also acknowledge the Dharawal and Gandangara people on whose land I live and work. I pay respect to elders past, present and emerging.