North Head, Middle Harbour to be protected from privatisation under proposed new laws
Proposed legislation will protect North Head and Middle Harbour from privatisation, say the Harbour Trust, as it reveals plans are being drawn up for the Manly site.
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New legislation will ensure North Head and Middle Harbour will remain in public ownership and its assets will not be privatised off, says the Harbour Trust.
The proposed legislation will be introduced in Canberra on Wednesday and if it passes it will establish the Harbour Trust as an ongoing entity, as well as see stricter rules around leases longer than 25 years.
Joseph Carrozzi, chairman of the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust, told the Manly Daily the new legislation should reassure concerns around the future of the historic sites around the harbour which include Cockatoo Island.
Leases are 25 years to 35 years, but the community will have to be consulted on leases longer than 25 years.
Mr Carrozzi said it will mean locals will have more of a say over what happens at those sites, but longer leases will attract more private investment which will enhance the areas.
“None of the assets will be privatised,” Mr Carrozzi said.
“But leases will be long enough to attract private sector use and investment.”
He said a masterplan of the North Head site was currently under way to determine the “personality of North Head” and what its future may look like.
Whatever businesses are attracted to the many vacant properties at North Head, they must have community access and help highlight either its military or indigenous history or support the natural and unique flora and fauna.
Mr Carrozzi said its status as a sanctuary won’t change.
Minister for the Environment, Sussan Ley, said the proposed legislation came from the Morrison Government’s landmark review of the Harbour Trust in 2020, where there was extensive consultation with the Harbour Trust Board, local stakeholders and the State Government to map an integrated approach that will maximise future public access.
“We are ensuring the ongoing future of the Harbour Trust and delivering on our commitment to keep its wonderful sites in public hands,” Minister Ley said.
“Under the proposed leasing arrangements, commercial leases for appropriate sites will have a maximum term of 35 years with leases of longer than 25 years subject to a disallowance by Parliament.
“This addresses both community concerns and allows the Harbour Trust the framework it needs to develop commercial partnerships that can enhance public access.”
Before proposing a lease beyond 25 years, the Harbour Trust must:
- Develop a statement of reasons explaining why it considers the proposal is consistent with the objectives for Harbour Trust sites of public access and amenity, and the conservation of heritage.
- Consult with the community on the proposal, and seek advice from its Community Advisory
Committee.
- Reflect community feedback in the statement of reasons submitted to Parliament.
Senator for NSW and Warringah Liberal spokesman Senator Andrew Bragg said there was a growing sense of optimism among all parties about the future of the Harbour Trust and the ongoing protection of its former defence sites on Sydney Harbour.
“The local community is passionate about these sites and with very good reason,” Senator Bragg said.
“We have worked closely with all parties to reach a position that protects public access and ensures the Harbour Trust will be able to work with communities and the State Government’s master plan to encourage more people to enjoy its wonderful sites.”
Mr Carrozzi said 2021 will be North Head’s year.
He said the master plan will be ready for consultation by June and if the community supports it, the trust will go to Canberra to seek funding.
Mr Carrozzi has previously said he would like to see an educational or conference facility at the former Artillery School at North Head.
Last year 60 per cent of the bushland at North Head was destroyed by fire.
He added that while “it hurts” to see the damage it had not held up any plans for the site.
EARLIER
Inside vacant North Head military base for first time in 22 years
On October 21, 2020
In its heyday the School of Artillery at North Head was a hub of activity, home to 600 soldiers and staff, and where Manly’s high society would dance the night away in the ballroom for the annual Mayoral ball.
It seems like a tragedy that the 5550sq m building known as the Other Ranks Mess has been sat empty for the last 22 years, with its incredible art deco staircase out of sight, its ballroom silent and the only inhabitants being possums, that over the years have made the place their home.
But, at last, after more than two decades since the soldiers departed, it appears that the building’s future is about to be determined, with the help of the public.
The Sydney Harbour Trust, which are custodians of the whole site, is currently asking the community to have their say on how the building can be repurposed, while preserving its military history.
Chairman Joseph Carrozzi said one suggestion is to turn it into a conference centre, with public access, although he estimates it will cost $15m to make it a reality, and private investment will be needed.
Indeed the peeling paint and faded and stained carpets are minor issues compared to some of the major renovations needed to bring it up to an acceptable standard.
Although, as soon as you step through the door and see the beautiful art deco staircase and then the view from the rooftop, the potential is clear to see.
Mr Carrozzi said the beauty of North Head is that it has been preserved and not become the victim of ad hoc development.
“This is special because it’s still in its raw and real state,” Mr Carrozzi said.
“We haven’t concreted our history on North Head. And thank God for that.
“So now we’ve got to take advantage of it, and make this a destination site for tourists, school kids.”
He said there will be opportunities for lots of tenancies for businesses including food and beverage which will help attract people at the weekends, give people a reason to come to the grounds for a walk, a sandwich or a drink.
He said the site needed a prime leaseholder, to attract the small leaseholders.
Something like a conference centre would work and also provide an economic boost for Manly. Other options include it being an educational site, perhaps a university campus, although again it would have to allow for public access.
Mr Carrozzi said the main building at the School of Artillery was important because once it is reactivated it will bring other parts of North Head to life, including the military tunnels, which have been renovated to tell the story of North Head’s role during the war.
There are also plans to tell the story of the site’s indigenous history, which is one of healing and wellbeing, as well as highlight the area’s unique flora and fauna.
One person who has a keen interest in the future of the School of Artillery is Colonel John Platt, the last commander of the school before it shut in 1998.
He spent several long periods at the site during his career and considers it his “military alma mater”.
He remembers the strong community links the school forged with the Manly community.
Soldiers would often join local sporting teams and surf clubs and the Australian Army Band played in the annual jazz festival.
The school also supported Royal Far West.
Every year the soldiers entered the annual bed race which involved teams pushing a hospital bed up Darley Rd to Manly Hospital.
It was taken very seriously by the soldiers who would train for the event.
“We would try to make sure that every year we won it,” Colonel Platt said.
He said the barracks were built before the second world war as part of the defence of Sydney and the coast.
After the war the School of Artillery moved in and used it as a training establishment for officers and soldiers going into the Royal Australian Artillery.
Soldiers would stay six to a dorm, seven during peak times such as during the Vietnam War.
Then, stretched canvas camp beds were opened each evening in available floor spaces and further overflow accommodation was provided by erecting marquees on the lawn in the courtyards.
In later years, most rooms accommodated a maximum of four.
Interior decor was utilitarian and furnishings were simple, comprising a single bed, table, chair and small cupboard.
Colonel Platt said the site lends itself to a conference centre, with a mess room that can seat up to 175 and a commercial kitchen, a large 360 sqm hall, which was known as the ballroom, and the dorms which could be used for accommodation.
He said to have schoolchildren stay on site would be a fantastic way of educating young people on the site’s military history, which played a pivotal role in the war and the attack on Japanese submarines that came into the harbour on May 31 and June 1, 1942.
He said it was a sad day for him and the Manly community when the school closed in 1998.
New federal funding for the site was recently announced and will help with essential works, such as leaks and repairing or installing new pipes.
But the future of the former school will be down to money and whether anyone will want to invest in the building.
“Having dreams is one thing, but having the community say, ‘Yes, I’m prepared to do that and I’ll take the lease and I’ll finish improving the building is another,” Mr Carrozzi said.
To get involved and to have your say go to https://helloharbourtrust.typeform.com/to/CPK2TXac
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