Harbour Trust Draft Master Plan for Middle Head
HPG Response
HPG’s Conclusion
It was the actions of HPG 26 years ago to save Middle Head from development that the nationally important values of Middle Head have been afforded the protections they have today.
26 years on, HPG's purpose is to uphold the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust Act 2001 to 'protect, conserve and interpret' Middle Head's heritage and environmental values for future generations. In doing so, HPG is committed to working with the Harbour Trust towards this common goal.
In achieving this goal, it is important that the Harbour Trust listens to the community and engages in meaningful consultation. This is especially important in respect to issues as significant as the Master Plan for Middle Head which will inform activities and 'actions' on the Headland into the future.
While there are 'actions' in the Draft Master Plan that HPG does support, there are many that it does not. These include the re-orientation of the Middle Head Oval, relocation of the sports change facilities, demolition of the Guardhouse and the three Barracks buildings, large-scale events for up to 2,000 people and urbanisation of the landscape.
HPG concludes that due to the failure of the Draft Master Plan to include critical information to facilitate informed decision-making, the Harbour Trust should withdraw it.
HPG instead supports progressing the Concept Plan for 10 Terminal and Parklands, which commenced in September 2020. HPG suggests that the built heritage be activated as a priority to facilitate an income stream to support future projects within the Middle Head Precinct.
HPG looks forward to Middle Head receiving the recognition it deserves as an iconic place of National values.