Lachlan Leeming, The Australian, quotes Peter Garrett at the 11 October rally at Balmoral, who lashed out at the Albanese government‘s plan to sell defence bases as “poor politics” reeking of “laziness”.
Read moreLatest news items on HMAS Penguin and Defence divestment
Stay up to date on news updates about HMAS Penguin and the divestment of Defence lands, here are the lates stories.
Read moreSenate inquiry interim report — management of Defence estate assets
The Senate inquiry into the management of Defence estate assets interim report, tabled on 16 September 2026, is critical of the Government’s decision to sell part of HMAS Penguin, describing the decision as “contested and unsupported.”
Read moreNot For Sale: Join us at Balmoral—Stop the sell-off of HMAS Penguin
On Sunday 11 October, the Headland Preservation Group is bringing the community and like-minded organisations together at Balmoral to say so — loudly, publicly, and in person.
Read moreSIMS does not support the transfer of any part of HMAS Penguin for private development.
The Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS) has lodged a submission with the Senate Inquiry into the Sale of Defence estate assets. The SIMS submission states: “SIMS does not support the transfer of any part of HMAS Penguin for private development.”
Read moreNot For Sale: Stop the sell-off of Middle Head harbourside bushland & HMAS Penguin
The Headland Preservation Group (HPG) and like-minded organisations have come together to launch the Not For Sale campaign to stop the proposed sale of approximately 11 hectares of public land at HMAS Penguin, Middle Head.
Read moreSydney Morning Herald: "Why this slice of land on Sydney Harbour might be harder to sell than expected"
An independent ecological assessment commissioned by Mosman Council has found 16 threatened plant and animal species living within the Middle Head defence precinct.
Read moreIn the Media: Labor faces revolt over Defence sell-off plan
The Albanese government is facing a well-organised campaign against its plans to sell off historic defence land, with a new bill before the NSW Parliament and a growing community campaign both pushing back on the proposed divestment of HMAS Penguin
Read moreABC News story highlights growing pressure over HMAS Penguin sale
A recent ABC News report focuses on the Federal Government’s plan to divest HMAS Penguin. The story notes that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese previously opposed the sale of Sydney Harbour foreshore land.
Read moreOverwhelming support for HMAS Penguin to remain in public hands
The public meeting held at the Mosman Club, Thursday evening, 21 May 2026, was attended by an estimated 500 people with many turned away when the venue reached capacity.
Read moreRSL Australia and RSL NSW to support and collaborate to preserve our military and community heritage.
RSL Australia and RSL NSW presented a statement supporting HPG at the recent Public Meeting (held on Thursday 21 May at the Mosman Club, Mosman NSW). You can download a PDF copy of the statement here and/or read the full statement below.
Read moreProposed divestment of HMAS Penguin – HPG submission to the Senate Inquiry
The proposed divestment of HMAS Penguin raises serious concerns about the potential loss of public land and the decline of heritage and environmental values. Read HPG’s submission here.
Read moreProposed sale of HMAS Penguin – Position Paper
The Federal Government has confirmed the partial divestment of HMAS Penguin, a site of 16.64 hectares at Middle Head, Mosman.
Read moreHarbour Trust’s Renewal Project determined to be a ‘Controlled Action’
The Minister for the Environment and Water, Senator the Hon Murray Watt, has determined that the Harbour Trust’s Renewal Project for Middle Head is a ‘Controlled Action’.
Read moreHPG opposes demolition of the Timber Barracks on Middle Head
HPG requests that any decision to demolish the timber Barracks on Middle Head be delayed until further investigation is undertaken to properly assess the social heritage of the buildings.
Read moreHPG's response to the Trust's 'Middle Head / Gubbuh Gubbuh Renewal Project' EPBC Referral
HPG’s response to matters raised in the 'Middle Head / Gubbuh Gubbuh Renewal Project' referred by the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust (Harbour Trust) to Minister Watt for approval
Read moreAnnual General Meeting 2025: President's Report
As always, HPG is dedicated to the preservation and conservation of the cultural and environmental heritage of all Harbour Trust sites. Over the past 12 months, however, our focus has been particularly on matters at Middle Head.
Read moreHPG Annual General Meeting 2025
Guest speaker Brigadier Kevin O’Brien, CSC, (Rtd.), will introduce his new book, “Long Tan Memories, Myths and Reality”, a battle described as “an epic victory in South Vietnam in the biggest battle involving Australian troops since the Korean War.”
Read moreVietnam Veterans Day has great significance for the Middle Head military precinct
Vietnam Veterans Day has great significance for the military precinct of Middle Head. It is where our first troops to be deployed to Vietnam, the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV), were trained.
Read moreHPG's response to the Taronga Zoo Sky Safari Amendment Report
Taronga Zoo made some revisions to their plan after the last public consultation, including new construction requirements, which has resulted in further visual impacts. Read our submission here.
Read more