HPG 25th Anniversary Fundraising Dinner
Tuesday 8 November 2022
Latest News
Harbour Trust Act Amendment Bill caps leases at 35 years
Following HPG’s vigorous campaign to stop leases over 35 years, Sussan Ley, Minister for the Environment has announced that leases will not extend beyond 35 years. READ MORE →
The provision that leases will not extend beyond 35 years is a positive outcome for both the community and the Harbour Trust. The community can be assured that there will be no long-term alienation of public land, and the Trust can be assured that it will not lose control of lands it is entrusted to manage.
Peter Barnes, Member of HPG, Independent Director and Advisor to the Property Industry, explains why long leases are not appropriate for Harbour Trust sites.
Jill L’Estrange, President Headland Preservation Group, calls on the community to help preserve our previous Harbour Trust lands.
HPG says NO to proposed amendments to the Act to allow leases over 35 years. This video highlights some of the iconic sites managed by the Harbour Trust.
In February 2020 Zali Steggall OAM MP, Federal Member for Warringah, called on the Government to fund the Trust on an ongoing basis to rehabilitate and maintain the sites.
The Headland Preservation Group was established 25 years ago
We campaigned to create the finest foreshore park in the world, this was achieved by returning former Defence sites on Sydney Harbour to the people of Australia.
Ongoing purpose
The Headland Preservation Group (HPG) together with a coalition of other organisations ran a successful campaign to protect Department of Defence sites on Sydney Harbour that led to the formation of The Sydney Harbour Federation Trust in 2001 by an Act of Federal Parliament. These sites include Cockatoo Island, Woolwich Dock, Sub Base Platypus, Chowder Bay, Georges Heights, Headland Park, Middle Head, North Head and Macquarie Light Station.
HPG is a non-profit association incorporated in NSW. HPG advocates for, and facilitates efforts to achieve, natural and cultural heritage preservation; the prevention of the inappropriate development of public lands; and to raise money from the community to facilitate these efforts.
“…[the establishment of the Trust] will prevent any ad-hoc treatment of the return of the land to the people and it will ensure that there is maximum weight given to the desire of all Australians that the maximum advantage be derived in open space and recreational purposes in relation to the land.”
— JOHN HOWARD, FORMER PRIME MINISTER, SEPTEMBER 1998
HPG’s focus is to save and protect public land around Sydney’s harbour foreshore from inappropriate development. The Sydney Federation Harbour Trust was tasked with rehabilitating these former Defence lands and conserving their natural and built heritage.
In October 2013 the Headland Preservation Group was reactivated and re-formed, and successfully defeated a large commercial development for a private residential aged care complex on the Ten Terminal site on Middle Head.
HPG members continue to work hard to ensure the Harbour Trust and politicians remain true to the original vision and ensure public foreshore land is protected in perpetuity “To provide a lasting legacy for the people of Australia by helping to create one of the finest foreshore parks in the world and provide places that will greatly enrich the cultural life of the city and the nation.”
READ ABOUT OUR RECENT CAMPAIGN TO SAVE TRUST LANDS FROM INAPPROPRIATE DEVELOPMENT →
Originally formed in November 1996 the Headland Preservation Group was reactivated in October 2013 to save Middle Head from an inappropriate development.
Vision and Mission
Our Vision
That Sydney Harbour Trust lands of natural, cultural and heritage values be conserved, protected, and interpreted in perpetuity for the benefit of all Australians.
Our Mission
To protect public land and heritage sites from inappropriate use and development.
To engage with the community and Local, NSW and Federal governments to advocate for protection of the lands through appropriate legislation, plans and policies.
To work proactively with the Harbour Trust to fulfil the Objects of the Trust Act.
40,000+ years
Indigenous history
200+ years
Military history
25+ years
Active campaigning by the Headland Preservation Group
Headland Park incorporating Georges Heights, Middle Head and Chowder Bay is recognised as a beautiful oasis in the midst of a city of 4.3 million people.
READ MORE →
Linda Bergin OAM addresses a HPG public meeting in May 2014 to update community members of the campaign to save 10 Terminal.
Get Involved
Help us save and protect our beautiful headlands and parklands. All office bearers of the HPG are volunteers. We rely on our members and supportive community for our continued advocacy of the Harbour Trust and for financial support.
The Annual General Meeting will be held at 6.30 pm on Wednesday 7 September 2022 at Mosman Square Seniors Centre, Spit Junction, Mosman NSW 2088.