Did you know that the name ‘Green Square’ was taken from a small park that once stood in Alexandria? The tiny park was named in honour of the late Frederick Green. Get to know Mr Green and a brief history of Green Square, also known as Sydney’s oldest industrial heartland.
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Frederick Green
Mr Green, born in Sydney, received his elementary education from state schools. He was the son of a metal dealer and worked in different jobs such as a brick carter, concrete labourer, and law clerk.
In 1927, he became a member of the Labor Party and later served as an alderman on the Alexandria Municipal Council from 1934 to 1948.
In 1938, the small park in the area was named after Mr Green, who at the time was the mayor of Alexandria. The park was formerly located at the intersection of Bourke Road, Botany Road, and O’Riordan Street.
A member of the Australian Labor Party, Frederick Green served in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1950 until 1968 as a politician.
History Of Green Square
The Green Square area in Sydney includes the suburbs of Alexandria, Beaconsfield, Rosebery, Zetland, and parts of Waterloo.
The Gadigal people of the Eora nation were the traditional owners of the land where Green Square is located. It is likely that the area formed the southern boundary of their territory.
The abundant food, fresh water creeks and wetlands in the region made it a particularly attractive location for the Gadigal people.
Green Square became a market garden area after European settlers arrived, due to its abundant water supply from the south Sydney wetland corridor.
Since 1815, Green Square’s industrial heritage has been evident, with the arrival of grain mills, wool-washing, tanneries, and fur traders, who were drawn to the area’s reliable water supply. The area’s water was also used to feed the growing city and diverted into tunnels and dams.
The early 1900s saw the area rise to prominence as a manufacturing powerhouse, with an impressive 500 factories and 22,238 workers, making it the largest industrial municipality in Australia at the time.
Green Square’s Urban Renewal
In 30 years, Green Square is anticipated to become the focal point of inner south Sydney.
The City of Sydney is committed to revitalising the heritage and charm of this inner-city area through the use of innovative and sustainable design, in order to establish a thriving hub for living, working, and visiting.
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The city has dedicated $540 million towards constructing an inventive new library and plaza, an aquatic centre, numerous parks and playgrounds, a childcare centre, and a creative hub, as part of Green Square’s Urban Renewal.
Published 14-April-2023
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