Harbour Trust: Vote held on future of North Head and Middle Head
Around 200 people were at a public forum to vote on the future of some of Sydney’s most iconic harbour spots including Manly’s North Head and Mosman’s Middle Head.
Manly
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More than 90 per cent of people at a public forum voted for Sydney Harbour’s most iconic sites including Manly’s North Head and Mosman’s Middle Head to remain in the hands of the Commonwealth.
The meeting on Tuesday attracted about 200 people.
Joseph Carrozzi, chairman of Sydney Harbour Federation Trust which is currently under review by the Federal Government, said it was encouraging that so many people supported their work.
“It seems the public wants the Government to consider our future very carefully and that we have a long term future and are able to keep custody of these public spaces,” Mr Carrozzi said.
But he acknowledged that the trust needed to be more active in making the sites must-see destinations for tourists and locals.
He also understood that the government had financial constraints and did not have an unlimited amount of money.
Other concerns raised included development of the beauty spots if the sites were handed back to the State Government.
Warringah MP Zali Steggall has previously warned that if the trust is wound up residents could end up with another “Barangaroo on their doorstep”.
Ms Steggall, said she intended to “represent the community views that call for the preservation and conservation of the lands protected under the current harbour trust”.
In her submissions she said the trust should remain custodian of the lands in perpetuity and remain a Commonwealth entity, as well as receiving more funds on an ongoing basis to rehabilitate and maintain these sites.
She also wrote that existing legislative protections must be maintained and not diluted to ensure these sites are kept safe from redevelopment.
She also called for the trust board to be modified and depoliticised with identified positions assigned to people with experience in indigenous culture, military history, heritage and the environment.
Meanwhile NSW Senator Andrew Bragg, the Liberal spokesman helicoptered into Warringah to represent the party on a federal level, told the Manly Daily he also wanted to see the trust preserved in perpetuity.
But he wanted it to have the power to allow long leases on its land so it could raise more revenue for its work.
“It was an opportunity for me as a Senator for NSW to listen to residents of North Sydney,” he said.
“Some are for or against leases.
“I will meet with more community groups before I make any further comment.”
Mr Carrozzi said he welcomed the idea of longer leases as it would encourage private business to spend money on old buildings knowing that they will have a decent lease and get their money’s worth.
He said if the trust retained the land it would ensure that any tenants were “passive” users of the site.
He said current tenants at North Head included a fitness centre, cafe, artists and architects.
The trust also manages other historic foreshore locations including Middle Head, Chowder Bay, Cockatoo Island, Sub Base Platypus, Woolwich Dock and Parklands, the former Marine Biological Station at Watson’s Bay and the Macquarie Lightstation in Vaucluse.