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HPG supports the retention of all three Timber Barrack buildings, B1, B2 and B3, at Middle Head due to their heritage significance. HPG believes that at least Barrack B1 should be saved. Whilst the adaptive reuse of Barracks B2 and B3 requires further investigation, HPG has obtained specialist advice that the adaptive reuse of Barrack B1 (the barrack building nearest Middle Head Oval) is viable and advocates for retaining that building. A renovated Barrack building could be adaptively reused for the community's benefit and as a source of income for the Trust. The Timber Barracks have important heritage valuesSince the formation of the Harbour Trust, the Timber Barracks have been assessed and given official heritage status. As well as forming part of two Commonwealth Heritage Listings their heritage is acknowledged in the Harbour Trust's statutory documents. Graham Brooks, an eminent heritage consultant, has reviewed the heritage of the Barracks. He states that "the proposed demolition of the Barracks building will have a major 'Significant Impact' on the statutory Commonwealth Heritage Values of Middle Head…." Read more about the heritage values of the Timber Barracks here ➞ The Timber Barracks also have important social heritage valuesThe social heritage values of the Timber Barracks buildings are significant. The social heritage values of the Barracks have not been addressed in Middle Head /Gubbuh Gubbuh Master Plan 2023, nor in the Harbour Trust's Heritage Impact Assessment or expert reports, which informed the Harbour Trust's decision to demolish the Barracks. Brigadier KJ O'Brien, CSC, Rtd, says, "This military village at Middle Head is now the only remaining intact establishment of its kind in Australia. Middle Head contains Australia's oldest and most complete array of coastal defence facilities. Except for almost all the early accommodation buildings, much of the construction survives, making the retention of these last two-storey timber accommodations essential." Read more about the social heritage here ➞ The Middle Head Timber Barracks form part of important stories of Australia's military historyIt is said that all units retain fond memories of their occupation and the important role played by their soldiers who lived there. One important story is the role of the School of Military Intelligence during the Vietnam War and the role of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam, which attended the courses. The men were trained in interrogation techniques, learned colloquial Vietnamese language, and completed a Code of Conduct course, including the 'The School of Torture', which was conducted in the tunnels at Middle Head Fort. Read more here ➞ Say NO to the downgrading of heritage values The Harbour Trust has sought to downgrade the heritage values of the Barrack buildings, arguments that HPG contends have no or little merit. HPG's view is supported by eminent heritage architect Graham Brooks. In particular, the Trust says that because the buildings were used as barracks and associated functions only, their contribution to military history in Australia is low. This statement is contrary to the Commonwealth Heritage Listings outlined above, the Conservation Management Plan 2007, and the opinion of heritage architect Graham Brooks, and highlights the failure to address the social heritage of the Barracks. For further details of the Harbour Trust's reasons for demolition, read more here ➞
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