The Renewal Project Must be a ‘Controlled Action’HPG wants the Trust’s Project to be declared a ‘Controlled Action’ under the EPBC Act to ensure a higher level of assessment and consultation before permission is granted for the Harbour Trust to proceed with its proposed developments. The Trust’s project must be declared a ‘Controlled Action’ because the plans will have a significant impact on the Middle Head precinct. We have written at length about some of these impacts, including the demolition of the Timber Barracks, in our previous updates. Including: The Barracks are of major significance because of their varied military use since 1951, including the Cold War and the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Their heritage is detailed in three statutory plans and two Commonwealth Heritage Listings. The Barracks are the ONLY remaining post-WWII Barracks of their kind in Australia. The Barracks hold important social heritage, the stories of the men who occupied them and selflessly served Australia at War. These Barracks are an integral element of the wider Middle Head Military precinct. The Trust has allowed the Barracks to degrade over 25 years. They MUST be restored for adaptive re-use.
The Harbour Trust proposes to demolish the three Heritage Timber Barracks and relocate the Parade Ground at Middle Head to create a pedestrian pathway, First Nations interpretation and landscaped open space for events. The Harbour Trust justifies the demolition of the Barracks and relocation of the Parade Ground on the basis that “the buildings and Parade Ground occupy a parcel of land that is considered highly sensitive in terms of First Nations and natural heritage values of place.” In their place, a curated and heavily landscaped public event space, with infrastructure, will be constructed. Concerts, festivals, exhibitions, conferences and open days are planned. Traffic build-up, crowds and parking problems will follow with just one road in and out. The serene natural environment at Middle Head will change forever.
The Harbour Trust has a statutory obligation to consider natural, military and indigenous values in equal measure. In proposing to demolish the Barracks and obliterate their military heritage in the interests of indigenous and natural values, HPG believes they are not fulfilling this obligation. There is ample room on the plateau for both the Barracks and the open public area with pathways. Read more information about the Timber Barracks and why we should save them here ➞
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