Heritage – Strathfield-Homebush District Historical Society

Submission to Strathfield Council – draft Heritage Development Control Plan 2025

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

Strathfield History talk – February 2025

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A talk on the history of Strathfield will be held on Sunday 23rd February 2025 from 2.30pm to 4.30pm at the Ironbark Room at Strathfield Library. The talk will discuss many historic topics and include a Question and Answer session at the end.

Afternoon tea will be served at 2.30pm. This is a free event with support of Strathfield Council. Everyone is welcome.

The speaker is Cathy Jones, Secretary Strathfield-Homebush District Historical Society.

If you have any questions, email: strathfieldhistory@gmail.com

To book a place at the talk, please scan this QR code

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

Condition of property June 2024

Fencing at 40 Abbotsford Road

Photo of site post demolition June 2024

Talk on Victorian Italianate Architecture

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Ethelstone 60 Broughton Rdjpg A talk on Victorian Italianate architecture will be held on Sunday February 18^th from 1.30pm to 3.30pm at Strathfield Library.

The speaker is Mark Sabolch who will be speaking on the ‘Italianate’ architectural style. Mark is from the inner west’s Ashfield and District Historical Society and has been studying the Italianate style in detail for the last half decade and recently visited England to investigate early examples of the style. The “Italianate” architectural style is one of the dominant styles for substantial Victorian period dwellings throughout Sydney. Mark will explore some fascinating questions: Where does the Italianate style come from? How have our places been influenced by English traditions? How did the Italianate style transition into the Federation style that shortly became so popular in Australia after the Victorian period?

This event is open to all members of the public. An afternoon tea will be served. Admission free.

Please book your attendance to help us with organising and catering.

https://events.humanitix.com/talk-on-victorian-italianate-architecture

Free talk – history of Strathfield Town Hall

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The Strathfield Town Hall is 100 years old in 2023. For over 100 years, the Strathfield Town Hall has brought together the members of the local community, whether debating issues of the day, attending joyous social events, participating in civic defence and emergency services, celebrating arts and performance or commemorating wartime service and remembering the passing of loved ones.

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of Strathfield’s Town Hall, Strathfield Council has been hosting a number of events to commemorate the milestone. One of these events is the Town Hall exhibition, which will open at Strathfield Library from Wednesday 1 November 2023 to 10 December 2023. This exhibition was organised by Strathfield Council in collaboration with the Strathfield-Homebush District Historical Society.

Free talk

On Sunday 19 November 2023, a talk and afternoon tea will be held with Jenny MacRitchie and Cathy Jones as they highlight stories of the Town Hall’s rich history.

When: Sunday 19 November 2023, 2pm to 4pm

Where: Strathfield Library, 65-67 Rochester Street, Homebush

Registrations are essential for catering purposes. Attendance is free.

Bookings: https://events.humanitix.com/strathfield-town-hall-exhibition-and-talk

For more information, please contact me at strathfieldhistory@gmail.com

Celebrating Strathfield Town Hall Centenary

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The Strathfield Town Hall celebrates the 100th anniversary of its opening on October 9 2023. The Town Hall has recently had significant restoration works.

The celebrations include an official opening dinner, a morning tea with a historical talk and a historical exhibition. The Town Hall History Exhibition will be open to the community from 10 – 14 October and will also be exhibited at the Ironbark Gallery at Strathfield Library in late 2023. This exhibition was organised in collaboration with the Strathfield-Homebush District Historical Society.

Morning Tea Historical Talk

Council, in collaboration with the Strathfield-Homebush District History Society, will exhibit and host a historical morning tea.

Join us for a historical talk with Jenny MacRitchie and Cathy Jones as they highlight stories of the Town Hall’s rich history.

When: Wednesday 11 October, 10am to 12pm
Where: Strathfield Town Hall
Registration: Registrations are essential for catering purposes. Please register via this link or by emailing Council’s Events team on events@strathfield.nsw.gov.au

Historical Exhibition

This exhibition is open to the community at the Town Hall from Tuesday 10 October to Friday 13 October from 9am – 5pm, and Saturday 14 October from 10am to 2pm.

Official Opening Dinner

The event promises a special evening including live music performance by the Strathfield Symphony Orchestra, an enlightening historical discussion, and an engaging panel discussion.

When: Monday 9 October 2023
Cost: Tickets for this event will be $75 per person with all proceeds being donated to Suicide Prevention Australia.
Registration: Registrations are essential.

’Understanding Heritage’ talk

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Thanks to everybody who attended the ‘Understanding Heritage’ talk yesterday at Strathfield Library. The afternoon session was opened by the Mayor of Strathfield Karen Pensabene followed by the talk by Alin Almasan, Strathfield Council’s Heritage Advisor, on heritage in the Strathfield area.

The talk provided an overview of heritage in the Strathfield area, many tips on maintaining older buildings and processes for development consent for alterations to heritage properties. The session was presented by the Strathfield Homebush District Historical Society, with support from Strathfield Council.

Watch this space for future events.

Talk – Understanding Heritage

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Update: 22 September 2023

The booking system is not working properly. If you want to come, please attend on the day. There should be space. Any problems, contact Cathy on 96421345 or email strathfieldhistory@gmail.com

A talk ‘Understanding Heritage’ will be held at 2pm Sunday 24 September by Strathfield’s Council’s Heritage Advisor.

Bookings: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/understanding-heritage-in-strathfield-tickets-709248590627?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Join us for a talk that discusses the diversity of Strathfield’s cultural and built heritage and provides tips on how to maintain residential heritage properties. This in-person event will take place on Sunday Sep 24 2023 at 2pm.

We invite you to attend an interesting talk and afternoon tea. This is a free event.

Also submit any history questions (relating to the Strathfield district) prior to the talk and hopefully we may have the answers!

Location: 65-67 Rochester Street, Homebush

Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to expand your knowledge and gain a fresh perspective on our shared heritage. Mark your calendars and join us for an afternoon of learning. We can’t wait to see you there!

This event is organised by the Strathfield-Homebush District Historical Society. Thanks to Strathfield Council for their support.

Any inquiries, contact Cathy Jones at strathfieldhistory@gmail.com or phone 96423145