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Dear Subscriber First Name, Your generous support at our 25th Anniversary fundraising dinner last November has meant that HPG can continue its work to fulfil our vision of protecting our precious headland. Thank you again for that support. With some of the funds raised, we have been able to forge ahead with our important 'Veterans Art for Mental Health' project. Art workshops led by renowned artist Richard Lewer will be held on 15-16 April 2023 at Georges Heights, with an exhibition of the veterans' artwork in The Landship on Anzac Day Tuesday 25 April 2023. We hope many of you will be able to drop by and view it. I'll take this opportunity to update you on some recent matters that have raised our concerns. Proposed new buildings for Middle Head Fort In January 2023, we became aware of a proposal by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service of a draft amendment to the Sydney Harbour National Park Plan of Management to allow new buildings for an Environmental Education Centre in the Middle Head Fort. HPG opposes this amendment due to the impact proposed new buildings will have on the precinct's heritage.
You can read more here > At a recent North Shore Electorate Candidates Forum, attended by Felicity Wilson (Liberal), Godfrey Santer (Labor), James Mullan (Greens), Helen Conway (Independent) and Victoria Walker (Independent), HPG asked each of the candidates their stance on the proposed amendment. The unanimous response from the candidates was to halt the planning progress, reassess the environmental and heritage impact and listen to the community. Unfortunately, HPG has not received written advice that the proposed amendment has been withdrawn. In the meantime, the NSW Department of Education has published their document A Project update / March 2023 advising that the Project is underway. Harbour Trust Draft Master Plan for Middle Head In February 2023, we were alerted by the grapevine that the Trust had informed the owners of the much-loved Middle Head Café, after ten years of hard work in building their business, that their lease would not be renewed. The building (the former Guardhouse) was slated for demolition to make way for new change facilities and toilets as part of plans that were yet to be made public. Then on 14 March 2023, the Harbour Trust released its Draft Master Plan for Middle Head. The Middle Head precinct comprises heritage assets, including military/colonial buildings, evidence of Indigenous occupation, natural environmental values and social/community activities. Our initial concerns are around the impacts of events, management of increased traffic volumes, demolition of barracks and proposed new buildings in this historic precinct. We will be providing our members and supporters with a detailed response soon. In the meantime, for more details and links to key documents.
You can read HPG's latest news post here > Should you share our concerns regarding the proposed Master Plan please make a submission (closing date is 18 April 2023) by post to:
The Sydney Harbour Federation Trust
PO Box 607
Mosman N.S.W. 2088 Warm Regards,
Jill L’Estrange
President
Headland Preservation Group If you prefer not to be kept abreast of these developments, please unsubscribe below
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