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As 2025 draws to a close, we reflect on a very busy year where our main focus has been on Middle Head. As you may be aware, HPG, together with Mosman Parks and Bushland, advocated against the construction by the Department of Education of new buildings at the historic Middle Head Fort in the Sydney Harbour National Park for an Environmental Education Centre. Whilst HPG supports the establishment of an EEC at Middle Head at an alternate location, the proposed development at Middle Head Fort would have irreparably damaged the heritage values of this very important precinct. HPG is very pleased to have received advice from the Department of Education that it will not now proceed with the development at this location. HPG has also been successful in having plans for the redevelopment of Middle Head Oval precinct amended to delete the proposal for a covered outdoor seating area (grandstand), and the widening of the Commonwealth Heritage Listed Middle Head Road, both of which would have had a substantial impact on the heritage values of this Commonwealth heritage protected precinct. Our main concern, however, continues to be the Harbour Trust's proposal to demolish the three heritage barracks at Middle Head. HPG has advocated extensively over the past 12 months that these heritage buildings must be retained not only because they are rare examples of post-WWII military accommodation, but because of their unique social heritage, and in particular, the role of the soldiers who lived there in the Vietnam War. The decision as to whether the Barracks will be demolished or retained now rests with the Minister for Environment and Water, Senator the Hon Murray Watt. Public submissions on this matter closed on 5 December 2025. Thank you to all of you who have written submissions in support of the retention of these Barracks and their appropriate adaptive reuse. The Minister was to make a determination by 23 December 2025; however, HPG notes that a revised deadline for a decision by the Minister has been extended to 12 January 2026. We hope that the Minister seriously considers the significant impact demolition of Barracks will have on the heritage values of Middle Head and takes note of the community voice on this matter. HPG has made various submissions to the Minister including the following: HPG's position on the Barracks is also supported in Linda Bergin's Opinion piece published in the Sydney Morning Herald “Indigenous history eclipses military heritage in Mosman” – read it here ➞ HPG thanks you for your continued support as we strive to protect the heritage importance of not only Middle Head but all Harbour Trust sites. On behalf of the HPG Committee, I send you Season's Greetings and wish you all good health and happiness in 2026. Kind Regards
Jill L’Estrange
President
Headland Preservation Group
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