Author: strathfieldhomebush

Strathfield Boundary Proposal

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Deju Vu – Again. Another proposal to expand the Strathfield suburb boundary!!!!!

Another proposal to rename Homebush as Strathfield has been released with the addition of parts of Homebush West (or as most people call it Flemington)! Are there limits to the potential boundaries of the suburb of Strathfield?

You can make comments on the proposal until  5pm Sunday 17 May 2026 at Have Your Say Strathfield  

We have lodged our objection to Strathfield Council yet again. 

Submission Objection To Strathfield Boundary Changes April 2026

The Strathfield–Homebush District Historical Society has lodged an objection to the amended proposal to rename parts of Homebush and Homebush West (south of the railway line) as “Strathfield”.

The Society argues that suburb names and boundaries are long-established place identities shaped by historical development and community identity.  The idea that there is an infrastructure divide in 2026 is bizarre, given the railway infrastructure was built in 1855, long before there was any residential development.

The submission also questions whether consultation has been adequate given the impacts across the multiple local government areas of Strathfield, Burwood and Canada Bay Councils. The submission disputes claims that the current suburb arrangement is “confusing”, arguing instead that the proposed changes would create greater confusion for residents and for long-standing institutions that use the Strathfield, Homebush and Homebush West names.

In relation to Homebush or Homebush West, the Society argues it is illogical to rename areas whose neighbourhood centres and station connections are oriented to Homebush or Flemington rather than Strathfield.

Submission Objection To Strathfield Boundary Changes April 2026Download

Update to Homebush Boundary proposal

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The Society lodged a submission to Council in September 2025 regarding a proposal to rename parts of Homebush as Strathfield. See post – Proposal to rename parts of Homebush as Strathfield

Many people have asked about the status of this proposal as there didn’t appear to have been a public notification issued.  We contacted Council this week and received the following response:

“The issues raised in your submission, including heritage considerations, impacts on local identity, resource allocation, and concerns regarding the basis of the proposal, were noted and considered alongside broader community feedback.

Following this evaluation, Council resolved not to proceed with the original boundary change proposal, noting it did not receive overwhelming community support. This resolution was made at the 25 November Council meeting and is recorded in the meeting minutes.

A revised boundary proposal has since been developed for consideration at the upcoming Council meeting. Should this proposal progress, further community consultation will be undertaken. In the meantime, the area remains part of Homebush.”

 

Submission to Strathfield Council – draft Heritage Development Control Plan 2025

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The Strathfield-Homebush District Historical Society has submitted detailed comments on the draft Heritage Development Control Plan (DCP) 2025. A primary focus of the submission is the mapping and classification of Heritage Conservation Areas (HCAs).

The Society questions the criteria used to assess properties, particularly the broad definition of ‘neutral’ properties, which uses the same definition for historic buildings with minor modifications as those that are substantially altered or new development. This may undermines incentives for property owners to restore or maintain heritage features. There are examples in Strathfield where properties have been restored from poor condition to significant heritage status, highlighting the need for a more nuanced and dynamic approach to classification.

The use of the term ‘intrusive’ for non-original properties is also challenged, as it carries negative connotations. The Society suggests ‘infill’ as a more appropriate term, noting that some new developments are sympathetic to the heritage character and should not be automatically deemed detrimental. They advocate for clearer guidelines on how infill properties can be designed to support HCAs and call for stricter enforcement against unsympathetic developments and violations such as illegal demolitions.

Submission Strathfield Heritage DCP draft – November 2025

Request to preserve historic street lettering

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A letter was sent to Strathfield Council to request that historic street lettering be preserved with upgrades or replacements to footpaths.

The Society expresses concern over the removal of historic street lettering, a feature dating back to around 1926, which involved embedding red street names into concrete footpaths. This practice was not unique to Strathfield and has been preserved in other areas, but recent upgrades in Strathfield have led to the loss of these historical markers. The Society requests that the Council restore the removed lettering and adopt a policy to preserve and reinstate existing historic street name lettering, emphasizing its cultural and historical value to the community.

Letter Historic Street Lettering 20-11-2025

Objection to proposal to redevelop Carnarvon Golf Course and Coleman Park into a cemetery extension

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The Strathfield-Homebush District Historical Society has formally objected to the proposal to redevelop Carnarvon Golf Course and Coleman Park in Lidcombe as an extension of Rookwood Cemetery. They also oppose any suggestion to convert Hudson Park in Strathfield into cemetery land. Their objections are based on several key points:

Carnarvon Golf Course and Coleman Park are Crown Land designated for public recreation, and converting them to cemetery land would contradict their intended purpose. These areas provide vital recreational opportunities for the community, including sports, walking, and family gatherings. The loss of these spaces would negatively impact the health, social, and cultural well-being of local residents, especially as population growth and unit developments reduce private open space.

While acknowledging the need for more burial land in Sydney, the Society contends that repurposing these parks would only offer a temporary solution. We urge the government to seek long-term alternatives further west, rather than taking away land currently used for recreation.

The Society specifically objects to suggestions about converting Hudson Park into cemetery land, noting its historic, environmental, and recreational significance.  The Society highlights the investments made by Strathfield Council to upgrade Hudson Park for current and future needs.

The Society warns that repurposing these lands sets a dangerous precedent, undermining the integrity of public open spaces. That the proposals be rejected  alternative solutions for burial space be investigated that do not involve the loss of parkland.

Submission objection to Cemetery land expansion Sept 2025

Proposal to rename parts of Homebush as Strathfield

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The Strathfield-Homebush District Historical Society is a community-based, incorporated organisation dedicated to conserving, protecting, and promoting the history and heritage of the Strathfield–Homebush district. Due to the impact of the proposal to rename parts of Homebush as Strathfield, the Society opposes the proposal and urges Council to withdraw it.

Letter objection to Homebush renaming proposal – SHDHS September 2025

The key reasons for our position are:

  • Homebush is one of Sydney’s oldest suburb names, dating back to the early 19th century, and has been part of the Strathfield Municipality since its incorporation in 1885. Removing or replacing this name would blur the historic and geographic distinction between neighbouring suburbs and risk erasing an important part of Sydney’s heritage.
  • Council’s notification does not provide background studies, costings, or a balanced analysis of the proposal’s impacts. Further, the notification information appears to assume that the impacts are wholly positive, despite clear and significant consequences for community identity, local institutions, and heritage.
  • Claims of “confusion” regarding location are not substantiated. On the contrary, renaming an area serviced by Homebush Railway Station and containing long-established institutions such as Homebush Public School, Homebush Boys High School, Homebush Village Shopping Centre and Homebush Post Office as Strathfield would increase confusion for residents, businesses, and visitors.
  • If clarity of location is the actual concern, a more obvious issue is the shared postcode (2140) for the distinct suburbs of Homebush and Homebush West. This anomaly regularly causes misreporting in postal, demographic, and statistical records and is more deserving of correction.  Council could also consider restoring Flemington as the suburb name of Homebush West, which would provide greater differentiation with the suburb of Homebush.
  • The Society has no objection to the inclusion of the isolated property ‘Strathbelle’ on Beresford Road (which does not contain an address on the notification) being included in the suburb of Strathfield which is consistent with other properties in this street location.
  • Renaming a suburb involves significant practical costs, from updating signage, maps, and government records to requiring businesses, schools, and households to amend their documentation and communications. These resources could be better directed towards improving community facilities and infrastructure

Demolition of heritage property 40 Abbotsford Rd Homebush

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The Strathfield-Homebush District Historical Society have written to Strathfield Council to demand action on the demolition of a heritage property at 40 Abbotsford Road, located within the Abbotsford Road Heritage Conservation area

.Complaint demolition of 40 Abbotsford Road – Historical Society

History 40 Abbotsford Road Homebush 

Real Estate advertisement 2023 – contains photos and floor plans

Recently approval for extension of a rear addition was granted.  However, local residents have observed, behind large black fencing, the increasing demolition of the front of the house facing Abbotsford Road which was supposed to remain in-tact.  Last weekend, the rest of the house appeared to be demolished.

The house ‘Kiloyth’ was built in 1915/16 and is a late Federation bungalow.  It shares a history with 38 Abbotsford Rd, both built by the same owner/builder and both contribute to this much loved heritage conservation area of Strathfield and Homebush. They are located close to the Strathfield Library.

Please contact Strathfield Council and Jason Ya-Sen Li, State MP for Strathfield to support our actions.

  • Strathfield Council, phone: 02 9748 9999, email: council@strathfield.nsw.gov.au, mail: 65 Homebush Road Strathfield.
  • Jason Yet-Sen Li MP,  Phone 9747 1711, email strathfield@parliament.nsw.gov.au
‘Kiloyth’ 40 Abbotsford Road (pre-demolition)
40 Abbotsford Rd. Photo Cathy Jones 2019
40 Abbotsford Rd. Photo Cathy Jones 2019

Condition of property June 2024

Fencing at 40 Abbotsford Road
Photo of site post demolition June 2024

Historical Plaques in Strathfield

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The Strathfield-Homebush District Historical Society has installed historic plaques throughout Strathfield to commemorate historical places.  These plaques were installed by the Historical Society:

  1. Plaque located in Cotswold Road Strathfield outside ‘Strathfield Gardens’ (formerly ‘Fairholm’ built c.1880)
  2. Plaque located in Strathfield Avenue Strathfield where the house ‘Strathfield’ was formerly located
  3. Plaque located at 24 Homebush Road Strathfield outside the house ‘Verani’
  4. Plaque located at 65 Homebush Road Strathfield outside the Strathfield Council Chambers built 1887
  5. Plaque located on Homebush Road near where ‘Seven Oaks Farm’ first house on the 1867 Redmire Estate was located

Seven Oaks Farm plaque. Photo Cathy Jones 2022
‘Fairholm’ brass plaque installed on naturestrip outside the former house ‘Fairholm’ c.1880. Erected 2000
Plaque erected in Strathfield Avenue near the site of the original Strathfield House x.1868. Erected in 2000
Picture taken by Cathy Jones 2001