The Turpentine(Syncarpia glomulifera) in Victoria Park
26 January 2020

Could this tree be tapping into Blackwattle Creek?

According to Sydney Barani: "Blackwattle Creek was once a tidal watercourse that extended from its marshy headwaters at Glebe towards the suburbs of Redfern and Waterloo to the south. Lake Northam within Victoria Park is a remnant of this creek. It was one of a number of watercourses in the vicinity of the former Grose Farm Estate and the nearby suburb of Chippendale, and is a tangible reminder of the natural environment inhabited by Aboriginal people before the arrival of the Europeans." - https://www.sydneybarani.com.au/sites/lake-northam/ (viewed 19 August 2025)

Located between City Road, Broadway and Lake Northam

"Lake in Victoria Park at Camperdown near Sydney University. It is a remnant of Blackwattle Creek which was once a tidal watercourse that extended from Glebe towards the suburbs of Redfern and Waterloo.
The lake is in Victoria Park, an 1000 acre area in the vicinity of Petersham Hill an also known as Kangaroo Grounds. " - https://archives.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/nodes/view/1971154 (viewed 19 August 2025)

"In the meantime, Dr. Harris commenced the erection of that large rambling building, still standing, on the southern side of Harris street, and known as Ultimo House. This building was for many years the only residence in that neighbourhood, and was generally described as being “in the bush." For many years the Ultimo estate was a white elephant to its proprietor. .The land had no marketable value, and was entirely unproductive. Taking advantage, however, of a slight improvement in the condition of the colony in 1830 and 1832, Dr. Harris placed a portion of the estate in the hands of Mr. Samuel Lyons for sale by auction. "The land offered to the public in 1830 was a portion of the frontage to George and Parramatta streets, commencing at the top of the hill opposite No. 2 Police Station, and terminating at Blackwattle Creek. " -Sydney Morning Herald & Edward Hordern and Sons. 1882, Old and new Sydney Edward Hordern and Sons, Sydney viewed 19 August 2025 http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-754630143

Bid to Include is City of Sydney - Significant Tree Register (August 2025)

Deaexternal linkr Committee,


I cannot attend Mondays meeting to Speak. I will watch until item is 
dealt with or it is time to go to an appointment until 3pm via Zoom.


I wish to make this submission to committee members


The tree. I nominated is The Turpentine(Syncarpia glomulifera) in 
Victoria Park near the corner of Broadway and city road and Broadway Bus 
stop.


This mature tree, is particularly well pruned, over many years, and may 
not be recognisable as a Turpentine. So, Photo attached. The tree has 
significance for trees planted and benefits of good maintenance 
(iespecially good pruning)


Turpentine Trees are local provenance(indigenous) to Sydney but the 
pruned form of this tree does not conform with descriptions of this 
tree. But leaves, flowers and seed pods are evidence that it is a 
Turpentine Tree. Turpentine wood is significant in the development of 
Sydney since the settlement by the first fleet.


Note,"Sydney Turpentine-Ironbark Forest in the Sydney Basin Bioregion 
Conservation status in NSW: Critically Endangered Ecological Community" 
-Source https://threatenedspecies.bionet.nsw.gov.au/profile?id=10789 
(link viewed today)


I have made previous submissions/reports to the city council about this 
tree. However, I note this tree is not in the Draft map of Significant 
Trees, though other trees in Victoria Park (adjacent to Sydney Uni) are.


I suggest this Turpentine Tree be included in the Draft "Register of 
significant trees" before it is put on public exhibition. 

Also, not sure of the status of Booth St, Forest Lodge figs and Brick 
wall at footpath. But please see Stonewall trees 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stone_wall_trees_in_Hong_Kong

Marghanita


On 8/13/25 14:05, Sydney Your Say wrote:

*If you cannot attend in person*, you can make a written submission 
which will be circulated to Committee members. Please email any 
submissions to secretariat@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au 
<mailto:secretariat@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au>by 10am on the day of the 
meeting.

-- 
Marghanita da Cruz

Telephone: 0414-869202

Email:  marghanita@ramin.com.au

Website: http://ramin.com.au

attachment: turpentine-victoria-park-26Jan2020.JPG

Unfortunately the Commitee did not include in Draft Significant Tree Register on 18 August 2025.

But this feedback was received on 22 August:

Thanks for your interest in the Register of Significant Trees. The Secretariat has forwarded me your email regarding the trees in Victoria Park and along Booth Street.

Regarding the Turpentine in Victoria Park, we’ve checked the location and found that the tree is listed as a Holm Oak (/Quercus ilex/) in the Register. These two species share similar characteristics and can sometimes be misidentified. I’ve attached the relevant information from the Register for your reference - please let me know if this isn’t the tree you were referring to.

I’ve also asked our consultants to review the trees along Booth Street and the Bridge Road boundary. We’ll update the Register where required based on their assessment.

Tupentine Trees (Syncarpia glomulifera) and the timber does not rot, when wet. Hence the Timber was used extensively. The footings of the Annandale via Duct, now carrying the Inner West Light Rail, rely on this timber. Sydney Turpentine–Ironbark Forest is on the threaten species list for its ecosystem.

"Turpentine is extremely durable in above ground applications, where its life expectancy is in excess of 40 years. In-ground life expectancy ranges from 15 to 25 years. The timber of this species is termite-resistant, and untreated sapwood is immune to lyctid borer attack.

Turpentine is the main Australian species for marine pilings, as its high silica content makes it resistant to Teredinidae marine borers. Other engineering applications include wharf and bridge construction (as both sawn and round timber), railway sleepers, and mining timbers. Construction applications include general house framing, flooring and decking, lining and cladding. Turpentine is an excellent timber for dance floors. It is also used in the construction of plywood, laminated beams and bench tops, and for joinery and parquetry. Other applications include boatbuilding (knees, gunwales, planking, decking) and the production of oyster stakes, wine casks, mallets, and bearings.

Untreated timber of this species is equivalent to 'fire retardant treated timber' when tested in accordance with AS/NZS 3837. The bushfire rating of this species is expected to remain unchanged if assessed in accordance with proposed changes to the standard." - https://www.woodsolutions.com.au/wood-species/hardwood/turpentine (viewed 19 August 2025)

Threatened Species: Best practice guidelines: Sydney Turpentine–Ironbark Forest -DECC 2008/528, ISBN 978 1 74122 990 5,November 2008, https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/threatenedspecies/08528tsdssydturpironforestbpg.pdf