Dear Members and Supporters,

LAST OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE YOUR SAY!
A Bill to amend the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust Act 2001 is scheduled to be introduced to Parliament the week commencing 15 March.

HPG understands that the aim of the Bill is to provide that the Trust become an ongoing entity, a key recommendation of the 2020 Independent Review of the Trust which HPG supports. The Bill will also amend important leasing provisions. 

Whilst the final Bill is not yet in the public domain, the Exposure Draft of the Bill provides for long leases of more than 25 years, without adequate Parliamentary scrutiny. 

HPG has made representations to the Minister and to the Trust regarding these provisions.  HPG supports leases of between 25 and 35 years with adequate community and Parliamentary oversight, but is OPPOSED TO LEASES OVER 35 YEARS.

Why?

1. Leases of 35 years or more with no cap may result in leases of terms of up to 99 years, which is the effective sale of public land. 

2. The advantage of a lease ceiling of 35 years is that the Trust will not be burdened with a use which over time may become inappropriate or fail to meet the objects of the Trust Act. 

3. There is no need for leases over 35 years. The Trust has many existing successful tenants all of whom have leases of terms of 25 years or less.

4. Long leases are not in the best interests of the Trust as they risk alienating the land from the public and the Trust also risks losing control of its lands.

Hear Peter Barnes, HPG member and experienced property adviser, explain why long leases are inappropriate →

It is important to have your say before it is too late. Email either Zali Steggall at zali.steggall.mp@aph.gov.au and/or Senator Andrew Bragg at senator.bragg@aph.gov.au.  If you wish to, copy HPG at hpg.team@hpg.org.au, it will help us understand our members' views better.

Yours in support of public lands,
Jill L’Estrange
President Headland Preservation Group
hpg.org.au