The Haberfield Association acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land the Gadigal and Wangal peoples, and pay our respects to their elders, past, present and emerging.
The Haberfield Association (HabAs) was formed in 1980, as a result of increased public awareness, of the need to maintain Haberfield’s seminal Garden Suburb values and the character of its houses, streetscapes, neighbourhood shops and institutional buildings. .
The Association started as a protest against the development excesses of the Askin-era 1960’s and 70’s. We now have a long-standing record of constructive input, consistently working for the community for over 40 years. We assisted with the original O’Connell Inquiry of 1981-82 which found that Haberfield had a unique heritage integrity that should be protected.
HabAs undertakes community projects and information sessions. It contributes to the annual Heritage Festival and History Week activities, organises guided walks, a suburb-wide garden competition, various displays, seminar sessions on topical matters, and collaborates with other local organisations and groups in Haberfield and the Inner West .
In 1985 Haberfield was declared as the first Conservation Area in NSW.
HabAs members and supporters have expertise and knowledge of heritage, community and planning matters. The Association contributed to the framing of the Development Control Plan which guides Council planners and residents on renovation and renewal in the suburb. It remains in active use for the Haberfield Conservation Area.
HabAs made a major contribution to the revised Ashfield LEP, approved and gazetted 23 Dec 2013, and has stayed involved as an active resident group in the amalgamated Inner West Council.
We keep track of all Haberfield DA’s and critique them as appropriate; we offer advice to residents; we prepare submissions to Parliamentary and Council inquiries or requests for community comment; we address Council and Independent Planning Panels in support of submissions; we attend as a witness at Land and Environment Court hearings in support of Council decisions; we join with other resident groups to support protests against inappropriate proposals or decisions affecting the suburb and its surrounds.
Our ongoing voluntary work in maintaining the Yasmar Reserve is testament to the fact that the Haberfield Association cares for its community’s heritage assets and that we are committed to practical solutions. With the transfer of ownership of Yasmar to the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, the Association will be supporting the Council to conserve the site and its historical assets.
The Haberfield Association is for sustainable, heritage sympathetic development supported by the community.
