HPG wants the Trust’s Renewal Project for Middle Head to be declared a ‘Controlled Action’ under the EPBC Act
The Trust’s Renewal Project calls for the Demolition of the three Timber Barracks Buildings on Middle Head
As part of the Middle Head / Gubbah Gubbah Master Plan 2023, the Trust has declared its intention to demolish all three Barracks buildings and alter and relocate the existing parade ground (presently used as a carpark), thereby permanently removing integral elements of the heritage-listed military village. Instead, they wish to landscape the open space to create a new public open space for events and a First Nations-curated plateau walkway.
The Harbour Trust referred their proposal for the ‘Middle Head / Gubba Gubba Renewal Project’ to the Federal Minister for the Environment and Water for a decision on whether assessment and approval is required under the EPBC Act. Public consultation is now open until Friday 5 December 2025.
See below for more information and how to have your say ➞
HPg's Position
HPG wants the Trust’s Renewal Project to be declared a ‘Controlled Action’ under the EPBC Act to ensure a higher level of assessment and consultation before permission is granted for the Harbour Trust to proceed with its proposed developments included in the plan for Middle Head.
HPG is of the opinion that demolition of the Barracks would have a ‘significant impact’ on the heritage of this nationally important site. The Harbour Trust has, in our view, failed to appreciate the heritage importance of the Barracks and to properly consider the possibility of restoration of the buildings and their appropriate adaptive re-use.
HPG is in receipt of expert advice that both restoration and adaptive re-use is achievable.
Your feedback is important, please help us to have this referral declared a ‘Controlled Action’ – see below for details about how to have your say ➞
Why should Harbour Trust’s Renewal Project be referred as a ‘Controlled Action’ under the EPBC Act?
The Trust’s project must be declared a ‘controlled action’ because the plans will have a significant impact on the Middle Head precinct. We have written at length about some of these impacts in our previous updates, they include:
The Barracks are of major significance because of varied military use since 1951, including the Cold War and the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Their heritage is detailed in three statutory plans and two Commonwealth Heritage Listings.
The Barracks are the ONLY remaining post-WWII Barracks of their kind in Australia.
The Barracks hold important social heritage, the stories of the men who occupied them and selflessly served Australia at War.
These Barracks are an integral element of the wider Middle Head Military precinct.
The Trust has allowed the Barracks to degrade over 25 years. They MUST be restored for adaptive re-use.
The Harbour Trust proposes to demolish the heritage Timber Barracks at Middle Head in favour of open space for public events.
The Harbour Trust proposes to demolish the three Heritage Timber Barracks and relocate the Parade Ground at Middle Head to create a pedestrian pathway, First Nations interpretation and landscaped open space for events.
The Harbour Trust justifies the demolition of the Barracks and relocation of the Parade Ground on the basis that “the buildings and Parade Ground occupy a parcel of land that is considered highly sensitive in terms of First Nations and natural heritage values of place.” In their place, a curated and heavily landscaped public event space, with infrastructure, will be constructed.
Concerts, festivals, exhibitions, conferences and open days are planned.
Traffic build-up, crowds and parking problems will follow with just one road in and out.
The serene natural environment at Middle Head will change forever.
The Harbour Trust has a statutory obligation to consider natural, military and indigenous values in equal measure. In proposing to demolish the Barracks and obliterate their military heritage in the interests of indigenous and natural values, HPG believes they are not fulfilling this obligation. There is ample room on the plateau for both the Barracks and the open public area with pathways.
Some useful links:
How to have your say
HPG will make a submission but it is vital that you – our members and supporters – also have your say. All comments / submissions will be read by the assessors and the number of community responses is taken into account as an indication of opposition or support.
Your submission and your feedback that this project should be declared a ‘contolled action’ must be made in the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) online portal (not to the Harbour Trust).
You can view the relevant documents and leave your comment on the EPBC Act Public Portal here ➞
To comment and/or make a submission:
Click on the blue ‘Make Comment’ button.
Enter your name and contact details.
Select ‘YES’ to the question: ‘Do you consider this is a controlled action?’
In the text box provided please enter the key reasons why you believe this project is a ‘controlled action.’ state your views of why this project will have major impacts on Middle Head.
Make sure you answer all the other questions.
To submit a document use the upload link at the end of the form.
Ensure you click the ‘Submit your comment’ button to complete.
Note – We’d value your feedback:
send your comments to HPG – hpg.team@hpg.org.au ➞
READ PREVIOUS News posts:
HPG requests that any decision to demolish the timber Barracks on Middle Head be delayed until further investigation is undertaken to properly assess the social heritage of the buildings.