Sydney harbour heritage may be lost to the public

Historic indigenous and military landmarks on Sydney’s harbour are at risk of being shut to the public because of a funding crisis.

Ranger Guillermo Lunardi on Cockatoo Island. Picture: John Feder

Historic indigenous and military landmarks dotted around Sydney’s harbour are at risk of being shut to the public, amid warnings of a funding and legislative crisis that could result in private commercial developments blocking community access.

The Sydney Harbour Federation Trust, which restores forme­r military assets that have fallen into disrepair and opens them to the public, will ask the federal ­government for $300m for “rising react­ive maintenance costs”.

In a submission to an independent review into its funding, the Trust draws heavily on a Deloitte study it commissioned into its operations warning that “sites may need to be closed to the public” as early as 2021 if funding is not increased.

“Despite the level of operational and delivery competence demonstrated by the Trust, a significant funding gap exists,” the Deloitte study found.

“There is currently a significant level of capital works still outstanding on the sites,” it said.

The Deloitte study triggered the independent review into the Trust which will be submitted to Environment Minister Sussan Ley in the hope of securing a budget allocation boost.

North Head Sanctuary, which the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust oversees. Picture: Supplied.

The Trust, which oversees 10 sites including the world heritage listed Cockatoo Island, North Head Sanctuary and the recently opened Sub Base Platypus site, will also urge the government to make key legislative changes “ensuring the lands will remain in public ownership” while allowing businesses that rent space on the sites, like cafes, longer leases.

Set up by the federal government in 2001 to take control of sites held by the Department of Defence, the Trust was given $165 million for “the rehabilitation” of lands.

Since then, it has most notably converted the dilapidated and unsafe Cockatoo Island site, known as a former convict, military and manufacturing site with indigenous history, into a tourist attraction, museum and campsite that opened in 2007.

The Trust’s submission notes “already meagre cash reserves are steadily diminishing”, and it warns against relying on the private rentals of sites to generate revenue for maintenance.

In a letter accompanying the submission, Joseph Carrozzi, managing partner at PwC and chair of the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust’s board, noted the current threat to its “vital work”.

Sub Base Platypus site in North Sydney. Picture: Supplied.

He said when the Trust was established, there was a “prospect that these vitally important sites of national significance could fall into private hands, with access restricted.”

“We are now at a point where there are financial and operational headwinds which threaten our ability to both further advance the objects of our legislation and ensure that community expectations are met,” Mr Carrozzi said.

Speaking to The Australian, Mr Carrozzi said the parkland value of the Trust’s land is “far greater than private commercial development”.

“We don’t just want a city that’s got harbour views for the rich,” Mr Carrozzi said.

“We want the government to consider that the amount of money provided to us over the years was not sufficient, you’d be surprised if it ever was.”

“We need more funding.”

Mr Carrozzi says among a list of concerns, Cockatoo Island could be forced to close for safety concerns over tunnels in disrepair, rockfalls, and the rusted cranes possibly “falling down”.

“Cockatoo Island has a very special indigenous history. It’s where indigenous people from the west met those from the east. In much the same way, these sites act as a meeting place for today’s Sydney, for those from our western suburbs to the city and the tourists.” he said.

If it receives its ideal funding, Mr Carrozzi said the Trust could look into opening Snapper Island, another disused island, for public access.