Traditional owners
Prior to European settlement, the areas of White Bay and Glebe Island were inhabited by the Gadigal and Wangal people. Wangal territory began at Memel (Goat Island) and covered the Balmain Peninsula and continued west along the Parramatta River. To learn more about the Aboriginal heritage of Sydney, please visit State Library of NSW.
Credit: Thomas Watling 1762, State Library of NSW
Late 1700s
The land of Glebe Island was originally granted to Richard Johnson, chaplain of the First Fleet. Land given to the Church of England was known as a 'glebe'.
1854
The first Sydney timber and joinery works John Booth's Steam Saw Mills stretched along the White Bay and Balmain shoreline for 50 years.
Credit: Australian Town & Country Magazine 1870-1919, National Library of Australia
1860
The colony's first public abattoir opened on Glebe Island. Wharves were built to service the meat canning and export trade.
Credit: Holtermann Collection, State Library of NSW
1857
The first bridge between Glebe and Pyrmont was built, called Blackbutts Bridge made from Tasmanian blackbutt timber.
Credit: National Library of Australia
1895
British soap manufacturer William Level of Lever Brothers established a production site and reclaimed some of the White Bay shoreline during this period.
Credit: Lever Brothers, Balmain Soap Manufacturing
1899
Blackbutts Bridge collapsed, reportedly due to an unsecured ballast.
Credit: Australian National Maritime Museum
1903
A new four-lane swing bridge opened, which was amongst the first electrically operated opening bridge in the world.
Credit: State Library of NSW
1912
The New South Wales Railway Commissioners commenced construction of the White Bay Power Station, to power the local rail network. The White Bay site allowed for rail and dock facilities for coal delivery and had unlimited access to circulating water. The power station is now over 100 years old and remains historically significant as the only existing power station with machinery and equipment to demonstrate how electricity was produced prior to the 1950s.
Credit: City of Sydney archives, Graeme Andrews collection
1918
The grain silos were built to assist with processing grain, handling bagged and bulk wheat. These silos are now currently used as a cement terminal.
Credit: City of Sydney archives, Graeme Andrews collection
1942
Glebe Island became the principal staging area for thousands of US troops during World War II. Australian troops leaving to join the British Commonwealth Occupation Force also departed from Glebe Island and White Bay.
Glebe Island Berth 8, farewelling troops on the HMAS Manoora headed to Japan in 1946. Credit: Australian War Memorial
1966
The Maritime Services Board developed a ten-year plan for the development of new container berths.
1969
The container facility opened at White Bay and processed car imports for many years until the facility was relocated to Port Kembla in 2008.
Credit: Australian Photographic Agency, Inge Sandal
1975
The White Bay Power Station began decommissioning units, with their last usage being in 1982.
Credit: City of Sydney archives, Graeme Andrews collection
1982
Some lots of land from the original John Booth's Steam Saw Mill were transformed into White Bay Park by the Leichhardt Council. The park opened in 1982 but was later renamed as Birrung Park, acknowledging the original owners of the land.
1995
The old Glebe Island bridge was replaced by Anzac Bridge, a new cable-stayed structure.
2000
Original 1921 grain silos demolished.
2003
Approval obtained for the construction and operation of a gypsum import and handling facility adjacent to the 1974 silos.
2008
Processing of car imports at Glebe Island was relocated to Port Kembla in 2008.
2013
White Bay Cruise Terminal opened. The terminal is also used on non-ship days for functions, exhibitions, filming and other events.
2021
Bay West Place Strategy, including Glebe Island Silos, adopted.
2022
Construction of station box for Sydney Metro West begins, close to the western boundary of Glebe Island Silos.
2022
The Bays West Stage 1 master planning and rezoning completed ((White Bay Power Station (and Metro) Sub-Precinct), adjacent to the Glebe Island Silos). The rezoning outlines planning controls to guide the development of a new centre for Bays West around the future Bays Metro station and White Bay Power Station.