Dear Members and Supporters,

Response to the Revised Draft Master Plan for Middle Head

HPG has been busy reviewing the Revised Draft Master Plan for Middle Head (Revised Plan) and supporting documents, which were placed on public exhibition on 24 August 2023.

While HPG supports many of the changes in the Revised Plan, it still has some concerns. In particular, HPG does not support the Harbour Trust’s proposal to demolish all three heritage timber barracks on the northern side of the Middle Head military village precinct. The barracks form part of the military village and have been recognised for their heritage values in two Commonwealth heritage listings and the Harbour Trust’s Conservation Management Plan 2007.

The Harbour Trust has an obligation ‘to protect, conserve, and interpret the environmental and heritage values of Trust land’. As such, it is obligated to investigate the retention and restoration of these heritage buildings. It could be argued it also had an obligation to maintain them properly over the past two decades.

HPG does not support the Trust’s reasons for demolishing the barracks and has sought independent specialist advice regarding the retention and appropriate adaptive reuse of the buildings. HPG suggests that, with further investigation, retention and adaptive reuse of at least one building, barracks B1 (nearest the oval), should be achievable. 

Read HPG’s position regarding the retention of barracks B1 and other matters of concern regarding the Revised Plan here >

‘Have your say’ Submissions to the Harbour Trust

Unfortunately, submissions must made by 5.00 pm Thursday 21 September. HPG has requested an extension of two weeks until 5.00 pm Thursday 5 October. This request has been been denied to the general public.

If you do not wish to read the hundreds of pages comprising the Revised Plan and its many supporting documents, read the Harbour Trust’s Revised Plan’s Summary Document here >

The only option to make your views known to the Trust is to lodge your submission via the Trust’s website – follow this link and click on the ‘Have your say’ Take the survey button at the bottom of the page >

Not able to make a submission?

Time is running out. If you support HPG’s position on the Trust’s Plan for Middle Head but don’t have time to lodge a submission please register your support by ticking YES in our short survey here >

As always, we are grateful for your support in assisting us to preserve our important heritage for future generations to enjoy.

Warm Regards,
Jill L'Estrange
President