Letters to the Editor, Sydney Morning Herald about the Harbour Trust Draft Master Plan for Middle Head

15 March 2023

Weasel words
Proposed changes to Middle Head will be “small and careful” claims Sydney Harbour Federation Trust executive director Janet Carding, (“Headland no longer out on a limb as master plan evolves”, March 14), who follows up with, “We’d like people to be able to stand here on the plateau ... and understand that they’re on a promontory ... surrounded by water.” Followed by more weasel words like.“Weddings, markets, festivals, concerts, for up to two thousand”. What next? We already know who’ll be first along the new road to “you’ve arrived somewhere special”. Developers, and glitzy apartment blocks with spectacular views of other apartments. What is it with this Sydney mentality, forever lusting to despoil the natural beauty of the harbour with its own ephemeral notion of beauty? Barangaroo is now Barangaruined. Is Middle Head about to become Muddle Head? 
– Kent Mayo, Uralla

Middle Head’s former dormitories for soldiers should be refurbished and repurposed as housing for the homeless. To demolish them as proposed in the Draft Master Plan currently on exhibition would be irresponsible, both socially and economically, and a missed opportunity when the waiting list for the homeless to get accommodation in Sydney is growing rapidly. 
– Adrienne Kabos, Lane Cove

The words ‘small and careful’ seem inappropriate to the scale of change proposed in the Master Plan for Middle Head - much of which will be welcome after decades of neglect. Small and careful would mean renovating/expanding the existing change facilities at Middle Head Oval and NOT demolishing the former Regimental Guardhouse at the entrance to the military precinct, occupied by the very popular Middle Head Café. The Plan leaves room for consultation on this major change. So I hope the Harbour Trust meets its legislative obligation and does just that. 
– Barbara Sullivan, Neutral Bay

16 March 2023

Historic headland
The community has been waiting for more than 20 years for this site to be appropriately invigorated. The site will always be hard to access because it is at the end of a peninsula with one road access. If it is “unwelcoming”, this is only because the Harbour Trust has allowed the heritage buildings to fall into disrepair and has failed to interpret their rich heritage values.

It is no excuse to demolish certain buildings now because of their derelict state or a perceived better use for the site. This is a military village steeped in heritage and stories. All the buildings tell the story of how the military base operated from World War II until 1998, and it is still intact.

The harbour views from Middle Head are spectacular and will always attract visitors. However, in rejuvenating this land with other activities, let us not diminish its military, Indigenous and cultural importance. 
– Jill L’Estrange, President, Headland Preservation Group

Your correspondents are right to be concerned about development at Middle Head (Letters, March 15). Look what’s happening to Blackwattle Bay. A huge section of the bay is being filled in for the new fish markets. The old market, on actual land, will then be sold for high-rise buildings, completely overwhelming what’s left of the bay. Of course, the new market could have been rebuilt on the existing site or moved west like the Sydney fruit and vegetable market. But, hey, never miss a chance for more high-rise development around the harbour. Be on high alert, Mosman residents.
– Richard Spencer, Glebe