Macquarie Lighthouse, Watsons Bay Biological Station should remain in public hands
Macquarie Lighthouse and the former Marine Biological Station at Watsons Bay should remain in public hands and crumbling heritage items fixed before they are “damaged beyond repair”, according a powerful new review.
Wentworth Courier
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Macquarie Lighthouse and the former Marine Biological Station at Watsons Bay should remain in public hands and crumbling heritage items must be refurbished before they are “damaged beyond repair”, according a powerful new review.
The independent review of the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust identified the Greenway Stone Wall at Macquarie Lightstation in Vaucluse as among the “significant heritage assets that could be damaged beyond repair if no refurbishment is undertaken”.
It suggests $1.4 million be dedicated to the works in the 2022 financial year budget.
The review ensures there will not be any privatisation of the sites, which has been the Harbour Trust’s strongly-held position.
The review has been applauded by both Chair of the Trust, Joseph Carrozzi, and Wentworth MP Dave Sharma.
“The announcement means Macquarie Light Station will remain protected and in public hands, and continue to be open and accessible for the people of Australia in perpetuity,” Mr Carrozzi said.
“This is a big win for the community as all Harbour Trust parklands will remain open and accessible for all Australians to enjoy.”
Mr Sharma addressed Federal Parliament today on the importance of the review.
“This is a very welcome announcement for all those who care about the preservation and conservation of Sydney Harbour’s foreshore,” he told the Wentworth Courier.
“It confirms that the former Defence and Commonwealth lands held by the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust, some of the most beautiful and historic lands in all of Australia, will remain in Commonwealth hands for perpetuity, ensuring they remain open and accessible for all the public to enjoy for generations to come.”
The review detailed the vital work the Trust had overseen at the sites.
All nine buildings in the Lighthouse precinct and the biological station have been fully refurbished at a cost of almost $3 million.
Macquarie Lightstation has hosted regular open days and the Trust put in place long term tenancies across the portfolio, including for the former Marine Biological Station at Camp Cove, Watsons Bay.