North Head: Northern Beaches Council’s bid for open air concert venue, outdoor cinema, university
Up to 80 former defence buildings and 75ha of land at North Head should be reappropriated for use as a uni campus, open air concerts, outdoor cinema or sport venue, according to a council report shaking up the Harbour Trust.
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North Head could be turned into a world class destination with open air concerts and an outdoor cinema.
A proposal by Northern Beaches Council revealed for the first time, also suggests it could fund the cost of upgrading some of the 80 neglected and unused buildings on the 75 hectare site to provide much needed indoor sporting facilities.
It also supports attracting a university to set up a satellite site at the main barracks.
However, Joseph Carrozzi chairman of the Sydney Harbour Trust that looks after the land, said it wasn’t the role of the trust to facilitate a “land grab” by local councils needing more space.
Council officers assessed the site last year and among their suggestions was an interactive educational and sustainability centre to be renovated and run by the council.
Mayor Michael Regan said the report titled North Head Activation Proposal was put together in July 2019 to show how the council could help regenerate the site following concerns it could be sold off for housing.
It has not been put before councillors yet.
“The site has extraordinary military and first people’s history,” Cr Regan said.
“We wanted to show how the council could play an active role in protecting the site and enhancing it for the benefit of the public.”
He said the parade ground was an obvious spot to host special events or concerts, such as opera or other live bands, as well as a perfect setting for an outdoor cinema similar to the one at Mrs Macquarie’s Chair.
He said the council was also keen to encourage any university that wanted to set up a satellite site at North Head as long as there was suitable public access.
He said the International College of Management Sydney already has a base at North Head and in Manly and had previously expressed interest in expanding to North Head.
He said buildings with indoor basketball and squash facilities had been left empty and unused since 2006. There were also possibilities to create indoor netball courts and make it the “home of women’s netball”, as well as indoor cricket nets, not available anywhere else on the northern beaches.
“It would be of enormous public benefit,” he said.
Mr Carrozzi said nothing could be decided until a Federal Government review of the trust had concluded, but warned that it wasn’t the trust’s role to “get involved in a land grab”.
“Our dilemma is protecting the history, heritage and storytelling of our sites,” he said.
“It’s about making sure the character of the sites don’t change.
“I know council’s need more football ovals, that’s their job.
“Don’t use our land to do your job.”
Meanwhile, Warringah federal independent MP Zali Steggall and Manly’s Liberal State MP James Griffin both said they wanted the trust to consult the public on the future of North Head.
“We know there is a lack of live music or arts venues on the northern beaches, so maybe the parade ground could host festivals or an outdoor arts/entertainment space?” Ms Steggall said.
“I am open minded but it is important before any decisions are made that the community be consulted.”
Mr Griffin said he was keen to hear more ideas from “big thinkers” in the community including how to make the most of a former ballroom at the barracks.
“It’s a grand space,” he said.
“We need something that would respect the history of the site as well as allowing it to be a place for people to enjoy.”
He said the site was “world class” and could attract international visitors.
“It needs to be protected and made into something for people to enjoy for generations to come,” he said.
Mr Griffin said while he agreed that it was best to await the conclusion of the review the site which had sat mainly vacant since 2006 was a hidden gem.
“It’s been long enough that these buildings have been in the shape they have,” he said.
“It’s time to get going.”