Endangered species and heritage buildings are the newest front in the fight to save HMAS Penguin.
An independent ecological assessment commissioned by Mosman Council has found 16 threatened plant and animal species living within the Middle Head defence precinct, including the powerful owl, the endangered swift parrot, the white-bellied sea eagle and several threatened bat species. Nearby marine habitats, including seagrass meadows and White's seahorse populations, are also at risk. Mosman Council has separately commissioned a heritage assessment covering the Balmoral and Mosman Bay Sea Scout Halls, one dating back to a whaling station built in 1831.
Mosman Mayor Ann Marie Kimber says the findings strengthen the case for keeping the site in public hands and has written to NSW Premier Chris Minns pushing for its transfer to the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust.
As retired Major General Gus McLachlan put it: "The land belongs to the community and should be kept in public hands."