Glebe Island Bridge temporary fender

The Glebe Island Bridge is located in Sydney Harbour between Johnstons Bay, Rozelle Bay and Blackwattle Bay. The Gadigal and Wangal peoples of the Eora Nation are the traditional custodians of the land. The Gadi and Wangal people are two of the 29 clans that make up the Eora Nation. ‘Eora’ means ‘here’ or ‘from this place’. 

Wangal and Gadigal culture continues to survive despite the impacts of colonisation. Overtime these areas became more diverse with First Nations peoples from around NSW moving to the area to live, work and forge relationships that built the urban, yet culturally grounded community hub it is today. 

The Glebe Island Bridge was designed to provide a route from the city to the northern and western suburbs. Construction of the bridge began in 1899 and was opened to traffic in 1903. 

In December 1995 the bridge was decommissioned following the opening of the Anzac Bridge. Glebe Island Bridge currently remains in a permanent open position to facilitate the passage of vessels between Blackwattle and Rozelle Bays and Sydney Harbour. 
The Bridge was placed on the State Heritage Register (SHR) in November 2013 as it demonstrates one of the earliest examples of an electric-powered swing bridge in Australia. 

Since the closing of the bridge in 1995, it has fallen into disrepair and has deteriorated to the point where it has become a safety concern to vessels. 

Transport for NSW is continuing to work with key stakeholders to identify the long term options for the Glebe Island Bridge. This includes the rehabilitation and re-activation of the Bridge to reconnect the historic movement corridor between White Bay in the west and Pyrmont and the city to the east. While options for the broader project are being developed, the Glebe Island Bridge temporary fender project will ensure safe navigation for vessels and protect the existing heritage listed bridge until the future renewal plans are resolved. 

By starting with Country, we recognise and acknowledge the past and make plans to partner with Aboriginal people, restoration of language and culture through planning. In doing so, enhancing sustainability in the area and addressing social inequity. We are committed to valuing, respecting, collaborating and being guided by Aboriginal people, who know that if we care for Country – it will care for us.

Planning approval was granted in February 2023, enabling us to progress to detailed design and construction of the temporary fenders. 

Geotechnical investigations are planned over the coming months to help inform the project design.

Detailed design is planned to start mid 2024 and will take up to six months to complete. Construction of the temporary fenders is planned to be completed by mid 2025.

Additional measures between now and late 2025 are required to provide navigation markers to improve safe passage.

All navigation restrictions will be advertised on the NSW Marine Notices webpage. Marine notices provide vessel operators safety advice about potential hazards, special events, and closures.

The eastern channel may be temporary closed at times during our work and the western channel will be re-opened to maintain maritime access

Navigational markers, signage and lights will be repositioned as needed to ensure that the work can be completed safely.

After the work is complete, navigation in the area will return to its original configuration with the eastern channel open and the western channel closed.

For the safety of workers and the community, we ask vessel operators to please follow any directions of navigational aids in place.

Larger vessel operators are advised to carefully plan any trips through this channel, navigate with caution and, if in doubt, avoid the trip entirely. Please don’t hesitate to contact us should you need more information to plan your trip.

For any urgent matters concerning navigation restrictions, please contact the Maritime Infoline by calling 13 12 36. For all other enquiries, please contact us by calling 1800 684 490 or emailing pyrmontpeninsula@transport.nsw.gov.au.

Transport for NSW with our maintenance partner ConnectSydney will continue to undertake essential maintenance work on the Glebe Island Bridge, to remove two deteriorated fender structures in the eastern channel. 

In late 2022 and early 2023, concrete blocks were successfully removed from the structures. The remaining piles have been painted white and fitted with lights to ensure safe vessel passage. 

We are currently looking into permanent options to replace the protective fender system. Regular inspections of the bridge and associated structures will continue to be carried out by our maintenance partner Connect Sydney to ensure safety of vessels travelling in this area and to protect the iconic heritage-listed bridge. Safety is our main priority, and these work activities will be carried out with all physical and essential mitigations in place. 

We will continue to keep the community informed as we learn more. We thank you for your patience whilst we undertake this important work.

• Community update - October 2023 (PDF, 353.75 KB)
• Community update - March 2023 (PDF, 158.24 KB)
• Community update - February 2022 (PDF, 645.6 KB)

• S60 and S65A Delegated Approval Letter (PDF, 197.94 KB)
  February 2023
• Review of Environmental Factors (PDF, 49.07 MB)
  October 2022