President's Report 2024 / 2025
Dear Members,
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.
We have some good news regarding the proposed Environment Education Centre (EEC) at Middle Head Fort, and Mosman Council's proposed development at Middle Head Oval (MHO). HPG, however, holds serious concerns over some aspects of the MHO development and the Harbour Trust's plans to demolish the heritage Barracks at Middle Head.
1. Environment Education Centre (EEC)
HPG is pleased to advise that the EEC, which the Department of Education proposed to build at Middle Head Fort within the curtilage of the former Soldiers Institute in the Sydney Harbour National Park, will not proceed.
HPG's concerns were that the bulk, scale and location of the proposed development would severely impact the heritage and environmental values of the precinct and require an amendment to legislation which currently prohibits the construction of new buildings in this precinct.
The Department of Education advised us that they received over 200 submissions from the community, with feedback highlighting the desire to preserve the area's cultural, historical, and colonial heritage. The Department investigated other potential options. However, they concluded that the proposed Middle Head/Gubbuh Gubbuh EEC would not proceed.
It was always HPG's desire that the EEC be located in the 10 Terminal precinct at Middle Head and adaptively reuse the existing vacant brick buildings at the site. HPG understood that the Department and the Harbour Trust were in discussions concerning the relocation of the EEC to this site. We are disappointed to learn that the proposal will not proceed at 10 Terminal. Meanwhile, 10 Terminal remains vacant, as it has for over 25 years.
HPG understands that funding for this project has been allocated to other priorities by the Department.
2. Middle Head Oval Development
As you may recall, in 2023, Mosman Council, as the licensee of Middle Head Oval, proposed a new amenities building and associated works at the Oval.
HPG supported the upgrading of facilities at Middle Head Oval by way of sympathetic and appropriate alterations and additions to the existing changing facility, or, only if necessary, the relocation and replacement of the facility.
HPG did NOT, however, support the building of the covered outdoor seating area (grandstand), the widening of Middle Head Road for a drop off area or the extended paved areas associated with the landscaping because of the impact of the bulk, scale and size of the development on the heritage and environmental values of the precinct.
HPG held numerous consultations with experts, including those in heritage and the environment, organised a public meeting, and conducted various communications to encourage the community to have their say.
We were pleased when, in November 2024, the Harbour Trust advised that:
The proposed demolition of the amenities building and construction of a replacement in the proposed new location is approved.
The proposed open-sided shelter (grandstand) is not approved.
The proposed vehicle layover bay is not approved.
The proposed landscaped areas should be redesigned to minimise hard stand areas and provide shade trees for park users.
Whilst HPG endorses the Harbour Trust's decision above, it is disappointed that there has been little attempt by Mosman Council, in conjunction with the Harbour Trust, to ensure that hard stand areas have been minimised, as required.
3. HPG's Major Concern
Harbour Trust's proposal to demolish the heritage Timber Barracks at Middle Head
The Harbour Trust, as outlined in the recent Middle Head / Gubbuh Gubbuh Master Plan, has declared its intention to demolish the three Timber Barrack buildings at Middle Head. The Harbour Trust also intends to alter and relocate the existing parade ground (presently used as a carpark), thereby removing integral elements of the heritage-listed military village.
In place of the Barracks, the Harbour Trust plans to landscape the open space to create new public open space for events, including concerts, gatherings and markets and to create a First Nations-curated Plateau walkway with an outlook to the Harbour.
HPG opposes the demolition of the Barracks on heritage grounds. Their important role in the evolution and operation of the Middle Head Military Base makes it imperative that the Barrack buildings be retained and adaptively reused.
HPG considers that, should the Barracks be retained, there is ample remaining land for the construction of a plateau walkway. The Harbour Trust has provided no evidence to suggest that retention of the barracks and the construction of a plateau walkway must be mutually exclusive.
Why are the Barracks important?
They are a demonstration in built form of 200 years of forward defence of Australia from the Middle Head location. Built in 1951, the Barracks provide a historical bookend to the first-ever construction of defences at Middle Head in 1801 in response to the French scare.
The Barracks are an important element of post-World War II military history. They were built in response to the perceived Communist threat to Australia from North Korea, Russia and China and are a recognised component of the Cold War that included the Korean War, Malayan Threat and Vietnam War operations.
The Barracks are described as an "exceptionally rare collection of such barracks at a national level".
The Barracks are also referred to in two Commonwealth Heritage Listings. In one, they are noted for their association with a historically significant site, being the location of major defence works for Sydney Harbour. The other listing recognises their contribution to the operation of a military base by providing housing for military personnel.
The social military heritage values of the Barracks are also of significance. The stories of those who resided there are important stories to tell. None is more important than the role of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam, which attended courses at the School of Military Intelligence at 10 Terminal, Middle Head. These men were trained in interrogation techniques, learned colloquial Vietnamese language, and completed the Code of Conduct course, including the School of Torture, conducted in the tunnels at Middle Head. Many attendees of the School of Military Intelligence lived in the Barracks.
It is probable that the Barracks, the associated 10 Terminal Headquarters building, and the 'tiger cages' in the tunnels at Middle Head (together) are one of the few tangible remnants of Australia's commitment to Vietnam.
Australia recently celebrated 50 years since the end of the Vietnam War. It is important to acknowledge and properly recognise the contributions of the servicemen and women who fought in this contentious war to protect their country, but did not receive the Nation's gratitude.
Can the Barracks be adaptively reused? The answer is YES!
The Barracks and, in particular, Barrack B1 can be adaptively reused.
A committee of local Veterans, in association with Mosman RSL, proposes to establish a Defence Transition Centre (Transition Centre) in the Barracks. The Transition Centre is a response to the findings of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. It aims to provide Australian Defence Force (ADF) members separating from Defence with a learning centre that supports and empowers veterans to assimilate effectively back into society and reduces the risk of suicide.
Between 1997 and 2023, 1,840 serving and ex-serving ADF members have died by suicide. In 2023 alone, the most recent year of reporting, 73 members have died by suicide.
The proposed Transition Centre is a perfect use for the Barracks and would provide an enormous benefit to our veteran community. Demolition of the Barracks will result in a lost opportunity to help our Veterans.
It is an anomaly that the Harbour Trust, a Commonwealth entity, proposes the demolition of three Barracks buildings, which are currently being considered for a new Transition Centre, while the Commonwealth Government is trying to identify and implement new initiatives as soon as possible to help veterans transition into civilian life.
What's Next?
HPG believes that it is critical that the Barracks, an integral element of the Middle Head military precinct, be retained to preserve the irreplaceable military heritage of this nationally important military precinct and to provide a much-needed benefit for Veterans.
The Harbour Trust proposes to refer the DA to demolish the Barracks to Minister Murray Watt for approval within the coming weeks. Following the referral, the DA will be placed on public exhibition by the Department of Environment and Water for a period of 10 working days only. We anticipate that this will take place in the months prior to Christmas.
Should you agree with HPG that the Barracks or at least one of them should be saved, then we urge you to lodge a submission supporting their retention. We will provide all details of the consultation on our website and will email you with the submission dates when we are so advised. Please keep your eye out for these details in the coming weeks/months.
4. 1 Commando Company Memorial at Georges Heights
A highlight of 2025 was the unveiling and dedication of the 1 Commando Memorial at Georges Heights, which took place on 6 April 2025.
It was a very moving ceremony attended by dignitaries, including Lt General Ken Gillespie AC DSC CSM and the Australian War Memorial Director, Mr Matt Anderson PSM. The performance by the Australian Army Band signified the importance of the occasion.
It was wonderful to see many Commandos who travelled from afar to attend the ceremony, many adorned in their Green berets. It was obvious how much the ceremony, memorial, and recognition meant to them. They were recognised at last! Many of the Commandos who trained at Georges Heights formed part of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam.
HPG congratulates Allan Miles and his colleagues for their endeavours and achievements in obtaining appropriate recognition for the men who served in 1 Commando Company at Georges Heights. Their commitment to the defence of this Nation is now publicly acknowledged and will be forever remembered.
5. Taronga Zoo Sky Safari
As you are aware, Taronga Zoo proposes replacing its now-demolished cable car with a larger, upgraded Sky Safari. As a significant stakeholder of harbour foreshore lands, HPG has participated in many consultations with the Taronga Zoo Projects Committee since 2022 on the Sky Safari upgrade.
HPG is pleased that Taronga Zoo, in response to community consultations, has made some revisions to its original proposal for the Sky Safari upgrade and modified the plan to follow the same route as the old cable car.
HPG however continues to hold the following concerns:
The visual impact of the sky safari cannot be underestimated. The maximum pylon height proposed is 36.5 metres, equivalent to a 10-storey building, with 20–25 gondolas increased in size to accommodate 10 people, prams and wheelchairs. This will have an enormous visual impact from inside and outside the Zoo and particularly when viewed from the harbour and surrounding suburbs.
The development will require the removal of 13 important trees and put a further 100 important trees in danger. The impact on the natural landscape will be significant.
The new Lower Station entrance will be increased significantly in size and its construction will require the additional removal of 55 more trees.
Increased hours of operation (in some cases from 5 am to 12 am) will impact and urbanise the dark natural headland.
It is apparent that the key vision of the Zoo is to provide a new tourist experience to increase visitor attendance which will impact traffic and parking congestion on Mosman streets.
The Sky Safari upgrade is considered a State Significant Development and is likely to proceed in its current form. HPG will, however, continue to monitor the progress of the upgrade and keep you advised accordingly. *
6. HPG Committee
I am extremely grateful and proud to lead an organisation with such exceptionally talented and dedicated committee members. Their wide-ranging skills and many hours of commitment allow HPG to advocate to ensure that the statutory objectives of the Harbour Trust are fulfilled.
HPG is also very fortunate to be supported in its aims and vision by many in the community who offer freely their professional services and advice. We thank them for their invaluable assistance, support and generosity.
We have also welcomed the opportunity to consult with Mosman Parks and Bushland Association and Mosman RSL sub-Branch on many important issues that have arisen over the past year, and thank them for their support.
Importantly, I thank you, our members and supporters, without whose encouragement and support we would be unable to achieve our mutual aims and goals.
Sadly, this year we lost an ex-Committee member and great supporter of HPG, Barry Woods. Barry gave freely of his time and expertise to the preservation of the important values of Middle Head. He was greatly admired and respected, and is deeply missed by all.
Jill L'Estrange
President
Headland Preservation Group
17 September 2025
ABOVE L-R: Mayor of Mosman Council Ann Marie Kimber with HPG President Jill L’Estrange and HPG Vice-President Julie Goodsir at HPG’s 2025 Annual General Meeting.
* [postscript: on 19 September 2025, the Department of Planning and Environment advised that the application for the Taronga Zoo Sky Safari had been approved.]