The Headland Preservation Group (HPG) continues to work behind the scenes to protect and enhance Headland Park (the area that integrates Georges Heights, Middle Head and Chowder Bay) and its cultural, military and environmental heritage. We are working co-operatively with the Trust to achieve the very best outcome for the whole of Headland Park - this unique headland willed to all Australians both present and future as a Federation gift.
Approved Middle Head Management Plan
The Sydney Harbour Federation Trust (the Trust) released the Draft Amended Middle Head Management plan late last year and approved it this June following extensive community feedback including a detailed response from HPG. HPG considers the new Middle Head Management Plan a considerable improvement and much more aligned to the Trust's Comprehensive Plan. However, HPG is concerned that there is much general wording, with some ‘motherhood statements’, and a lack of detail and progress on some important matters.
Download HPG’s comprehensive response to the Plan here >
Interpretation Strategy, Headland Park, Mosman
Two HPG Committee Members, Jill L’Estrange and Julie Goodsir, participated in a stakeholders’ consultation with GML Heritage in June. The Trust commissioned this group to develop an Interpretation Strategy for Headland Park using innovative methods that immerse visitors in the themes and stories of this place.
10 Terminal Field Study Centre
HPG has developed a proposal to establish a NSW Department of Education Environment Centre in the 10 Terminal complex on Middle Head. Although 10 Terminal is under Commonwealth jurisdiction and controlled by the Trust, there is scope for both Federal and State governments to co-operate in this venture.
A group from HPG has held a productive meeting in June to present this proposal to the NSW Minister for Education, the Hon Rob Stokes. He instructed his officers to conduct a feasibility study to explore the proposal in more detail. The concept is progressing. Discussions are taking place with the Trust and Sydney Institute of Marine Science.
Middle Head Oval
Mosman Council still intends to lodge a development application for synthetic turf on the Middle Head Trust Oval. HPG is lobbying the new Council and Harbour Trust to retain a natural but much better maintained grass playing field. In addition to health and environmental concerns about synthetic turf there remain legal concerns under both the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust Act and the federal EPBC Act. Although Trust lands are not subject to NSW law, the Oval abuts the Sydney Harbour National Park and this raises issues. HPG is seeking additional legal advice from the Environmental Defenders Office (EDO NSW).