CONTENTS

Purpose...........................................................................................................................................................2

About the review..............................................................................................................................................2

How to make a submission..........................................................................................................................3

How to submit a case study.........................................................................................................................3

Disclaimer....................................................................................................................................................3

Useful resources..........................................................................................................................................4

About the Harbour Trust..................................................................................................................................4

Why the Harbour Trust was established......................................................................................................4

The planning framework for Harbour Trust sites..........................................................................................6

Snapper Island.............................................................................................................................................8

Progress in rehabilitating Harbour Trust sites..............................................................................................8

Management of Harbour Trust sites...........................................................................................................11

The future of the Harbour Trust.....................................................................................................................13

Discussion questions.....................................................................................................................................13

Harbour Trust sites.....................................................................................................................................13

Role of the Harbour Trust...........................................................................................................................14

Harbour Trust resources............................................................................................................................14

Harbour Trust activities..............................................................................................................................14

The future of the Harbour Trust..................................................................................................................14

Appendix 1—Harbour Trust sites...................................................................................................................15

Cockatoo Island.........................................................................................................................................15

North Head Sanctuary, Manly....................................................................................................................15

Sub Base Platypus, Neutral Bay................................................................................................................16

Headland Park, Mosman............................................................................................................................16

Woolwich Dock and Parklands, Woolwich.................................................................................................17

Macquarie Lightstation, Vaucluse..............................................................................................................17

Marine Biological Station, Watson’s Bay....................................................................................................18

© Commonwealth of Australia, 2019.

Independent review of the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust Public- consultation paper is licensed by the Commonwealth of Australia for use under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence with the exception of the Coat of Arms of the Commonwealth of Australia, the logo of the agency responsible for publishing the report, content supplied by third parties, and any images depicting people. For licence conditions see https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This report should be attributed as ‘Independent review of the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust—Public consultation paper, Commonwealth of Australia 2019’.

The Commonwealth of Australia has made all reasonable efforts to identify content supplied by third parties using the following format ‘© Copyright, [name of third party] ’.

Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Australian Government or the Minister for the Environment and the Minister for Energy.

Independent review of the Sydney Harbour Federation TrustPublic consultation paper

PURPOSE

The purpose of this consultation paper is to invite and encourage written submissions to the independent review of the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust (Harbour Trust). The paper provides background information on the Harbour Trust along with the historic sites around Sydney Harbour which it manages, and identifies the issues which will be considered as part of the review.

Discussion questions are provided at the end of the paper to assist interested parties in developing their input. These discussion questions are intended to be ‘thought starters’ only. They do not reflect any desired outcome from the review.

ABOUT THE REVIEW

On 30 October 2019 the Minister for the Environment, the Hon Sussan Ley MP, announced an independent review of the Harbour Trust.

Since the Harbour Trust was established in 2001, it has successfully rehabilitated former Defence sites around Sydney Harbour and opened them up for public use and enjoyment. But after 20 years it is timely to take stock and make sure the Trust’s arrangements are fit for the future.

The Minister has appointed Ms Carolyn McNally and Ms Erin Flaherty to undertake an independent review of the Trust. Ms McNally and Ms Flaherty bring to their roles extensive experience in a range of fields, including public sector management, governance and law. Ms McNally was nominated by the Commonwealth Government and Ms Flaherty was nominated by the New South Wales Government.

The independent reviewers have been asked to explore options for the future of the Harbour Trust and the management of its sites. Issues they will be considering as part of the review include:

arrangements for the future governance of the sites, including options for the sites becoming self-funding, and any other alternatives;

pathways for completing rehabilitation of Trust land which balance public benefit and commercial outcomes;

opportunities to enhance partnerships with the community, other interests, and between governments, to support the restoration and future use of Trust sites; and

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arrangements to ensure community aspirations for Trust sites are properly considered.

This analysis will be done acknowledging the need to increase future amenity, and to protect and conserve the significant environmental and heritage values of Harbour Trust sites. It is important that the community and all interested stakeholders have a say on these issues.

Submissions to the review will inform the reviewers’ report and recommendations to the Commonwealth Government in early 2020.

How to make a submission

Submissions can be directed to:

Sydney Harbour Federation Trust ReviewGPO Box 787CANBERRA ACT 2601, or

SHFTReview@environment.gov.au

How to submit a case study

The terms of reference require the review to include a small number of case studies that illustrate the potential of Harbour Trust sites, particularly in relation to Cockatoo Island and North Head. The independent reviewers are interested in receiving case studies as part of the submission process.

Case studies should include options for individual sites which take into account the short and long term costs of rehabilitating, maintaining and managing the site into the future. They should also take into consideration the protection of public amenity.

Case studies should not be specific business proposals. In the case that a business proposal is received in response to this consultation paper, it will be used to inform the development of the review report and for research purposes only, and will not be considered or relied upon for any current or future procurement or funding process.

How your submission will be treated

Your submission will be treated as a public document unless you indicate that all or any part of your submission is confidential and include an explanation of why. Your submission may be published in full or included in a published summary report of submissions.

Submissions will be published on the review website unless marked confidential, at:https://www.environment.gov.au/about-us/shft-independent-review

Please note that a request may be made under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 for access to a submission, including a submission marked ‘confidential’. Such requests, including determining whether information is exempt from release, will be handled in accordance with the provisions of the Act.

Disclaimer

Any information received in response to this consultation paper will only be considered for the development of the report on the independent review of the Harbour Trust and will not be considered as part of any current or future procurement or funding process.

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Useful resources

A range of reference materials are available to help in the preparation of submissions.

The Terms of Reference for the review are available here.

The Sydney Harbour Federation Trust Act 2001 is available here .

The Harbour Trust’s website, including the Comprehensive Plan, site-specific management plans and annual reports, can be found here.

ABOUT THE HARBOUR TRUST

Why the Harbour Trust was established

The Harbour Trust was established in 2001 by the Commonwealth Government to rehabilitate a number of former Defence sites around Sydney Harbour and open them up to public access and the benefit of current and future generations. Most of these sites had previously been off limits to the public and required significant remediation works to make them safe and accessible.

The Harbour Trust was set up as a transitional Commonwealth statutory body under the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust Act 2001 (the SHFT Act). The legislation explains that the objects of the Trust are to:

ensure that management of Trust land contributes to enhancing the amenity of the Sydney Harbour region;

protect, conserve and interpret the environmental and heritage values of the land;

maximise public access;

establish and manage suitable land as a park on behalf of the Commonwealth;

co-operate with other Commonwealth bodies with a connection to Harbour land; and

co-operate with New South Wales, affected councils and the community in furthering these objects1.

The sites currently vested in the Harbour Trust are:

Headland Park, comprising Georges Heights, Middle Head and Chowder Bay in Mosman;

Cockatoo Island;

North Head Sanctuary in Manly;

Sub Base Platypus in Neutral Bay;

Woolwich Dock and Parklands in Woolwich;

Marine Biological Station in Watsons Bay; and

Macquarie Light Station in Vaucluse.2

The map at Figure 1 illustrates their locations around Sydney Harbour.

1 Sydney Harbour Federation Trust Act 2001 s 62 Sydney Harbour Federation Trust Act 2001 Schedules 1 and 2

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Figure 1—The Harbour Trust’s portfolio

The Harbour Trust sites have all required remediation works to make them safe and accessible, protect heritage values and create valued public spaces. A large part of the Harbour Trust’s job over the last two decades has involved remediating sites of contamination, restoring and adapting buildings for a mix of suitable new uses, and revegetation and regeneration of natural ecosystems.

There is a rich history to the Harbour Trust sites, including of the First Nations peoples. There are also layers of colonial, military, maritime and industrial heritage, together with the diverse natural landscapes that exist across the portfolio of sites. Telling the stories of this multi-layered history is important today and will be important into the future.

The Comprehensive Plan (discussed in detail on page 9) highlights the inter-relationship between the sites, both physically and historically. The Harbour Trust reflects this through a whole of portfolio approach to the management of revenue and expenses, as well as from an interpretation perspective. An overview of each of the sites managed by the Harbour Trust can be found in Appendix 1.

The Harbour Trust’s portfolio of sites has grown over time, with Sub Base Platypus and North Head Sanctuary being formally transferred to the Trust in 2005 and 2006 respectively. These changes are illustrated in the timeline at Figure 2.

The SHFT Act provides flexibility for further Commonwealth land around Sydney Harbour to be vested in the Harbour Trust in the future. Whether this is appropriate and what sites it could entail are issues which will be considered as part of the review process.

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Figure 2—Key events for the Harbour Trust

Why does the Commonwealth Government own this land?

Sydneysiders are often surprised that so many parklands and public spaces around Sydney Harbour are owned and managed by the Commonwealth Government, rather than by the New South Wales Government or local councils.

For the most part, these sites are owned by the Commonwealth because they were once used for national defence. Some of the sites, such as Georges Heights (now part of Headland Park) housed fortifications and gun emplacements to defend Sydney Harbour. Other sites, such as Cockatoo Island and Sub Base Platypus, were used to construct armaments, and to house and repair naval vessels.

Naval and military defence is the responsibility of the Commonwealth Government, so each of these sites had to be legally acquired for their intended use. One reason why the Trust sites are so breathtaking is that they were selected by the Commonwealth for their strategic location—giving them commanding views of Sydney Harbour and, in some locations, the Pacific Ocean.

To this day, Sydney Harbour hosts active naval facilities, including HMAS Penguin in Balmoral, HMAS Waterhen in Waverton, and HMAS Watson, at South Head, near Watsons Bay.

The planning framework for Harbour Trust sites

Shortly following its establishment and through an extensive public consultation process, the Harbour Trust developed a Comprehensive Plan3 which sets out a vision, values, objectives and policies to guide activities at each site. The Plan was approved by the Commonwealth Environment Minister in 2003 and amended in 2009 to include Sub Base Platypus.

The Plan remains in force today, supported by a number of site-specific management plans. It details:

The history and a description of each site (plan area)

An environmental and heritage assessment

3 https://www.harbourtrust.gov.au/media/1368/comp-plan-full.pdf

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An assessment of the inter-relationship between each site and the surrounding region

Objectives and policies for conservation and management

An identification of proposed land uses and possible future owners

Estimates of the costs of remediation, rehabilitation of buildings and other infrastructure and conservation of the environment and heritage assets.

Any changes to the Plan are subject to extensive public consultation, including with community advisory committees established by the Harbour Trust to advise on planning and management of each site. They are also subject to approval by the Commonwealth Environment Minister.

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) also protects the heritage and environmental values of Trust sites. Under the EPBC Act proposed actions which have or are likely to have a significant impact on the environment require approval by the Commonwealth Environment Minister. There are a number of locations across Trust lands that appear on the Commonwealth Heritage List.4 Cockatoo Island and North Head Sanctuary are both on the National Heritage List and Cockatoo Island is on the World Heritage List.

It is notable that in addition to sites currently vested in the Harbour Trust, the Comprehensive Plan includes a vision and plan for repair, maintenance and enhancement of Snapper Island which is currently owned by the Commonwealth Department of Finance. This reflects the Harbour Trust’s anticipation at the time that it, and potentially other Commonwealth sites around Sydney Harbour, could be transferred to the Trust in the future. One of the questions which the review will consider is whether and where this might be appropriate.

Figure 3—Hierarchy of governance and planning5

4 The Commonwealth Heritage List (https://www.environment.gov.au/heritage/places/commonwealth-heritage-list ) lists Indigenous, historic and natural heritage places owned or controlled by the Commonwealth Government. These include places connected to defence, maritime safety, communications, customs and other government activities that reflect Australia’s development. These places must have Heritage Strategies, a Heritage Register, and Heritage Management Plans.

5 There are several sub-plans for Headland Park.

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Snapper Island

Snapper Island, at just 1.65 hectares in size, is the smallest island on Sydney Harbour. It is located at the entrance to Iron Cove, in close proximity to Cockatoo Island and Birkenhead Point, and comprises a grouping of buildings, slipways, boat storage, and jetties arranged in the pattern of a ship.

Historically, the island acted as a training base for naval cadets. Activity on the island ceased in the late 1990’s. It remains closed to the public and the historic buildings on the site are falling into disrepair.

Snapper Island is included in the Harbour Trust’s Comprehensive Plan, but remains under the ownership of the Commonwealth Department of Finance. A capital outlay is required to make the island accessible to visitors, including decontamination, remediation of buildings and the provision of amenities, such as sanitation.

Snapper Island is an example of a Commonwealth property that could potentially be transferred to the Harbour Trust in the future. However, without additional funding this change of ownership would be of limited benefit. Under current settings the Harbour Trust does not have the resources to commence works on the site.

Progress in rehabilitating Harbour Trust sites

The Comprehensive Plan includes estimates of the costs of rehabilitating Harbour Trust sites. The Commonwealth Government provided initial funding of $127.5 million for capital works, followed by a number of subsequent funding allocations to finance remediation and rehabilitation works at specific sites.

The Harbour Trust has used this funding to open up approximately 90% of its lands for public enjoyment and restored approximately 74% of suitable buildings on Trust sites. It has won numerous awards for its work and now welcomes over 1.8 million visitors to the sites each year with a mix of recreational activities, events, visitor accommodation, cultural partnerships and commercial enterprise.

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However, remediation remains incomplete, with the extent of outstanding works varying between sites:

Cockatoo Island has been opened to the public but requires significant investment and work if the Comprehensive Plan vision is to be realised.

The Barracks at North Head require significant investment to make them available for contemporary use, and some heritage features such as gun emplacements and tunnels have been restored by volunteers but further interpretation works are required.

Work at Sub Base Platypus and 10 Terminal at Headland Park has been funded in the 2019–20 Commonwealth Budget, although the full restoration of Sub Base Platypus will require further funding.

Woolwich Dock and Parklands and Macquarie Lighthouse need relatively minor investments.

The former Marine Biological Station is fully restored.

The independent reviewers have been asked to advise on potential pathways for completing rehabilitation of Harbour Trust lands. Key considerations are:

The potential cost to taxpayers, which could be in the order of hundreds of millions if the vision of the Comprehensive Plan is to be fully realised.

The most important things to rehabilitate.

The scope to partner with the private sector, philanthropists or others to share the costs while still delivering good public amenity outcomes consistent with community aspirations.

Figure 4—Reason for visiting6

6 Sourced from the Harbour Trust using 2018–19 figures. There were 226,782 visitors to Cockatoo Island, 1,162,355 visitors to Headland Park and and 365,679 visitors to North Head.

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Figure 5—Where do visitors come from?7

Figure 6—Who is visiting?8

7 Sourced from the Harbour Trust using 2018–19 figures8 Sourced from the Harbour Trust using 2018–19 figures.

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Management of Harbour Trust sites

Upon its enactment, the SHFT Act stated that the Harbour Trust would complete its work as soon as practicable after 10 years. During debate on the bill, its proponents emphasised that the Trust would be a transitional body that would cease operations in 2011. New management arrangements for the sites were to be negotiated when the Trust wound up.

However, an amendment to the SHFT Act in 2007 extended the life of the Trust to at least 19 September 2033. The Act now requires that as soon as practical after 19 September 2033, the Minister must make a declaration specifying the date on which the Act will be repealed and the Harbour Trust wrapped up. This occurred because the Trust had recently acquired the North Head Sanctuary and was committed to managing it until 2032.9

While originally contemplated to be a transitional body with the job of rehabilitating sites, the Harbour Trust has evolved into a quasi-permanent agency, responsible for a diverse range of activities to meet its obligations under the SHFT Act. This includes day-to-day management of sites as well as longer term planning and actions to protect, preserve and enhance the sites.

For example, the Harbour Trust undertakes the remediation of sites and rehabilitation of buildings, as well as providing stewardship over the diverse natural environments that exist on Trust sites. The Trust acts as a property manager, overseeing the leasing of both commercial and residential properties, as well as regulating all actions on Trust lands that are exempt from New South Wales legislation. This includes activities like strategic planning, assessing development applications, liquor licensing and enforcing parking regulations.

The Harbour Trust plays an educational role in interpreting and understanding the history of Trust sites, and provides a suite of experiences for people visiting the sites. This includes managing holiday accommodation at Cockatoo Island, providing interpretive and wayfinding signage, and offering tours and activities that respond to the needs of different visitor groups. These actions are actively supported by the Harbour Trust’s volunteer base. The Trust also plays a curatorial role in supporting cultural, commercial and community activities across the portfolio of sites, such as the Biennale at Cockatoo Island and the recently launched Middle Head Market.

The array of activities undertaken by the Harbour Trust is illustrated in Figure 7.

9 Sydney Harbour Federation Trust Amendment Bill 2007, Second Reading Speech, the Hon Malcolm Turnbull MP, 16 August 2007

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Figure 7—Summary of Harbour Trust activities

The Harbour Trust’s day-to-day costs in carrying out its activities are funded by the revenue it raises across the portfolio of sites which it manages—around $18 million in the 2018–19 financial year. This includes revenue generated from commercial and residential leases of buildings, along with events and programs.

Headland Park, the most mature of the Trust sites, has successfully balanced public access with commercial enterprise and become self-funding. The Harbour Trust has re-activated the majority of buildings at the site, with 92% of suitable buildings being utilised. The site generates a self-sustaining revenue stream from a range of activities, including cafes, exhibitions, childcare and small business tenancies. The space is also a valuable community asset, with 5km of walking tracks, regenerated bushlands and harbour lookouts. Headland Park is also home to the Sydney Institute of Marine Science through a long term lease arrangement with the Trust.

There are also examples of other sites around Sydney which have achieved self-sustainability. For example, the Western Sydney Parklands Trust is a self-funded

New South Wales government agency that manages a 5,280 hectare open space that includes facilities such as native bushland, playgrounds, and cycling and walking tracks. The business hubs located in the Parklands provide a sustainable funding base, with the revenue derived from two per cent of the Parklands generating income to manage and enhance the remaining 98 per cent.10 A key distinction between the Parklands and Harbour Trust sites is that the Parklands does not have any heritage buildings and infrastructure which need to be protected and conserved in accordance with the EPBC Act and other legislative controls.

While Headland Park has become self-funding, this goal has not been achieved across the Harbour Trust’s portfolio. Current Harbour Trust revenue is not sufficient to operate and properly maintain all of its sites, nor to complete the outstanding remediation and capital works to implement the vision of the Comprehensive Plan. As a result, in the absence of change, the condition of the sites may progressively deteriorate. In some cases, and over time, this might lead to some areas needing to be closed to the public.

10 Further information on the Western Sydney Parklands is available at: https://www.westernsydneyparklands.com.au/about-us/our-story/

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One of the ways this issue might be addressed is through financing models which don’t rely on the Harbour Trust sites becoming self-funding. Another is to look at whether the revenue generating capacity of the Trust can be improved. Ultimately, a combination of the two approaches may be required.

For example, the SHFT Act imposes a range of controls on commercial activities. While these were originally intended to ensure the right balance between public benefit and commercial use of Harbour Trust sites, in practice, and in today’s context, they may be unduly restricting revenue opportunities. The controls include:

Ministerial approval is required for contracts exceeding $1 million.

Ministerial approval is required to enter into a lease or licence for a period that ends after 19 September 2033.

A disallowable legislative instrument is required to enter into leases longer than 25 years (i.e. Parliamentary approval).

Analogous domestic and international sites which have achieved or are on track to achieve self-sustainability have benefited from the ability to provide long-term leases. Such leases offer third parties the certainty they need to de-risk investment/leasing decisions and provide a sufficient period to generate a return from investment.

THE FUTURE OF THE HARBOUR TRUST

The Harbour Trust was originally intended as a transitional body. The SHFT Act contemplates that the Harbour Trust will be wrapped up some time after 2033, with sites kept in public hands but managed by others.

The finite life of the Harbour Trust is becoming an increasing impediment to its operations. Determining what its long-term future will be is a fundamental consideration in addressing the challenges of completing rehabilitation of the sites and putting in place a sustainable financial model for their ongoing management.

Scenarios for the future management of Harbour Trust lands could include:

Establishment of the Trust as an ongoing entity.

Expansion of the Trust’s site remediation and management role to other sites around Sydney Harbour or beyond.

Wrap up of the Trust’s role in or before 2033 with its lands transferred to the New South Wales government, local councils or another Commonwealth entity.

In all cases it will be important to consider the protections needed to preserve public access and amenity and the significant environmental and heritage values.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Harbour Trust sites

1. Are you familiar with the vision, objectives and policies for Harbour Trust sites set out in the Comprehensive Plan and management plans? Do you think these are still appropriate? Why? Why not and what would you like to see changed?

2. Do you think there are any barriers to the full potential of Harbour Trust sites being realised, such as accessibility? If yes, how do you think these might be addressed?

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3. Are appropriate consultation processes in place to capture and respond to community aspirations for Harbour Trust sites? If not, how might these be improved?

4. Do you think the Harbour Trust or governments should put more investment in one site over another? Why?

5. What balance do you think should be struck in retaining the natural environment and heritage value with commercialisation of old buildings to cover the costs of further rehabilitation?

6. Who do you think should maintain and rehabilitate the land around Sydney Harbour that is currently managed by the Harbour Trust?

Role of the Harbour Trust

7. How effective do you think the Harbour Trust has been in performing its role to date? Do you think the Commonwealth should have an ongoing role in managing its sites?

8. What barriers, if any, do you think the Harbour Trust faces to achieving its objectives? How might these barriers be overcome?

9. Do you think the Harbour Trust has achieved the right balance between public benefit and commercial outcomes in managing the sites vested in it? If not, what should change?

Harbour Trust resources

10. Do you think it is an appropriate or realistic expectation for the Harbour Trust to become self-sufficient through the revenue it obtains from commercial activities? If not, what alternate financing and/or governance models should be considered?

11. How do you think the Harbour Trust should prioritise rehabilitation at sites with outstanding works to be completed? For example, the Barracks at North Head?

Harbour Trust activities

12. How do you think the Harbour Trust might encourage greater private and philanthropic investment in the sites it manages without risking impacts on public access or amenity? What do you think are the key barriers to the Trust achieving this?

The future of the Harbour Trust

13. What mechanisms should be put in place to protect and enhance the environmental and heritage values of the Harbour Trust?

14. How could the Harbour Trust enhance its role as the custodian of the rich and multi-layered history of Trust sites, including in relation to the First Nations peoples?

15. Do you think the land vested in the Harbour Trust should be returned to the New South Wales Government or local councils to manage?

16. Should the Harbour Trust’s role be expanded to include other areas of Commonwealth land? If yes, what sites should be considered?

17. Do you think there would be general acceptance of changes to legislation to allow the Harbour Trust to pursue more commercial avenues to fund its operations?

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APPENDIX 1—HARBOUR TRUST SITES

This Appendix provides an overview of each of the sites managed by the Harbour Trust. Further information on the sites is available on the Trust’s website at https://www.harbourtrust.gov.au/en/

Cockatoo Island

Cockatoo Island is situated at the confluence of the Parramatta and Lane Cove Rivers. At 18 hectares it is the largest island on Sydney Harbour. It connects to the waterways and homelands of the Wallumedegal, Wangal, Cammeraygal and Gadigal Peoples, and also has sites of significant convict and maritime value. For example, the convict precinct, which dates back to the 1840s, is one of 11 significant Australian convict sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List, with landmark buildings including a sandstone Mess Hall and Military Guardhouse overlooking the Parramatta River.

Of all the Harbour Trust sites, Cockatoo Island has the most outstanding remediation works still to be completed. At present, around ten percent of the buildings have been renovated for commercial or public use. Restoration and decontamination work is required at locations across the Island, with some areas cordoned off due to safety concerns. Other areas require urgent maintenance to maintain safe public access.

In recent years, the Island has operated as a ‘glamping’ tourism accommodation site, and hosted major cultural events such as the Sydney Biennale and New Year’s Eve celebrations. However, limited facilities available on the Island and boat-only access influence the type and scale of such activities that can be supported.

The Harbour Trust is currently undertaking work to refresh the vision for the Island. This has involved significant stakeholder consultation which will result in further work to consider revisions to the management plan and more detailed costings for priority projects.

‘The Plan proposes the revitalisation of Cockatoo Island as a landmark harbour attraction with the creation of maritime activities, the interpretation of its rich colonial and industrial heritage, and the creation of parklands and spaces for cultural events.’

Comprehensive Plan 2003, p 6

North Head Sanctuary, Manly

North Head Sanctuary is located on the peninsula at the northern entrance to Sydney Harbour and is home to the Gayamagal People.

North Head comprises 72 hectares of natural bushland, with significant investments made in improving accessibility, bush regeneration and the management of native flora and fauna. There are approximately 80 buildings across the site, many of which have significant heritage value as a crucial part of Sydney’s coastal defence system in World War II. For example, the site features the former School of Artillery complex, which comprises a grand parade ground, army training structures such as the 5,700 square metre barracks building, and individual suburban dwellings for senior army personnel. The site also features North Fort complex, which comprises a network of gun replacements, underground tunnels and a former army base.

Twenty eight houses originally from the former School of Artillery are leased to a range of tenants, including businesses, artists, community groups and residents. The Harbour Trust operates guided tours of North

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Fort and the Third Quarantine Cemetery and the site offers several walking trails which highlight both its cultural and natural assets.

Like Cockatoo Island, there is significant outstanding work to be completed to realise the Comprehensive Plan vision for North Head. For example, works are required for restoration and reinterpretation of heritage assets and to restore the remaining vacant buildings to enable their adaptive re-use.

A 2006 Deed between the Commonwealth, New South Wales and the Harbour Trust resulted in North Head vesting in the Trust. The deed requires that the site be transferred back to New South Wales on 1 January 2032 or at the repeal of the SHFT Act, whichever is the earlier. As a consequence, the Trust may not enter into any lease at the site that extends beyond 31 December 2031.

A pathway for the transfer back to New South Wales is yet to be established.

‘North Head lends itself to be planned and managed as one entity aimed at creating an environmental sanctuary. The Trust proposal for the former Artillery School is for the adaptive re-use of buildings and facilities with uses that will complement the proposed sanctuary balancing this with public access for experiencing and learning about the headland’s remarkable natural and cultural heritage.’

Comprehensive Plan 2003, p 6

Sub Base Platypus, Neutral Bay

Sub Base Platypus is a former submarine base located at North Sydney, the homeland of the Cammeraygal People. The base comprises a gasworks, torpedo facility and submarine base.

The site was transferred to the Harbour Trust in 2005 and significant funds have been spent on remediating and repurposing the site to create public spaces.

In May 2018, the first public areas were opened including a shaded BBQ area, a playground and an over-water walkway linking Sub Base Platypus to Kesterton Park. The second phase of works will be completed shortly.

The former HMAS Platypus site will be rehabilitated to provide a sequence of terraces, streets, squares and gardens for public enjoyment by the waterfront. The sequence of public spaces will culminate in an urban park that will provide greenery and shade as well as a place to appreciate the whole of the site’s heritage.

Comprehensive Plan amendment, 2009, p. 24

Headland Park, Mosman

Located on the Middle Head peninsula, homeland of the Borogegal People, Headland Park comprises three precincts—Georges Heights, Middle Head and Chowder Bay.

Headland Park is made up of six former defence bases across the three connected sites, comprising 40 hectares of bushland, a network of paths, and 106 adaptively reused buildings used for cafes, restaurants, an artists’ precinct, childcare and other small business tenancies.

Headland Park is the most mature Harbour Trust site, attracting over 930,000 visitors a year. It is also the largest revenue generator for the Trust, with the majority of income sourced from commercial revenues.

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‘The Plan proposes the creation of an exciting Headland Park at Middle Head, Georges Heights and Chowder Bay. The Park will link the natural and cultural assets of the site. Regeneration will double the area of bushland, a network of tracks will link the various military precincts, and facilities and buildings will be adapted for educational, community and recreational uses.

Comprehensive Plan 2003, p. 6

Woolwich Dock and Parklands, Woolwich

Built in 1901 and used for ship repairs during both World Wars, Woolwich Dock and Parklands is a large sandstone dry dock on the Hunters Hill peninsula, the homeland of the Wallumedegal People.

The Dock was built in 1901 and used for ship repairs during both World Wars. It is bordered by Goat Paddock and Horse Paddock and located at the junction of the Parramatta and Lane Cove Rivers.

Woolwich Dock includes a working dock, restaurant and function centre and public parklands. The commercial investment in the site has enabled private investment in the upgrade of the facilities and facilitated the construction of a new café and function centre.

Woolwich requires minimal additional investment to complete the Comprehensive Plan, with outstanding works able to be achieved through an enhanced program of maintenance and renewal.

The Plan proposes the creation of a maritime village at Woolwich Dock and Parklands with the adaptation of existing facilities for maritime activities. In addition, the consolidation of fragmented park pockets and a network of circuit paths would integrate the industrial and parkland aspects of the site.

Comprehensive Plan 2003, p. 6

Macquarie Lightstation, Vaucluse

Macquarie Lightstation is located in Vaucluse, in Birrabirragal Country. The Lightstation consists of the head lighthouse keeper’s quarters, the semi-detached assistant keeper’s quarters and 2.2 hectares of land adjoining a public walkway on Sydney Harbour’s southern headland.

Macquarie Lightstation is Australia’s oldest lighthouse, and is still in operation. It offers lighthouse tours to the general public.

There are minimal outstanding landscaping and repairs works at the Lighthouse. The restoration of the historic Greenway Wall is one of the works required at the site.

At Macquarie Lightstation, the Plan proposes ongoing conservation of the Lightstation and interpretative activities and tours. The relationship of the Lightstation to nearby coastal walks and adjacent parks will be improved.

Comprehensive Plan 2003, p. 7

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Marine Biological Station, Watson’s Bay

The Marine Biological Station is located in Watsons Bay in Birrabirragal Country, and was the first laboratory of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. It was built by Nikolai Miklouho-Maclay, a Russian scientist studying marine life, and later used as housing for army officers.

Today, the Station is managed by the Harbour Trust and leased as a private residence. The heritage cottage is accessible to the public via a program of open days.

There are no outstanding rehabilitation works at the Station.

The former Marine Biological Station is to be repaired, conserved and interpreted.

Comprehensive Plan 2003, p. 7

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