We thank our members and supporters for their continued support during 2018. It is important to be vigilant in our commitment to preserve public land to bring to fruition John Howard’s vision in gifting this land to the Nation of Australia – to make this headland park “the best headland park in the world.” The following is a brief update on the past year and HPG’s work.
There have been some important issues and developments this year.
The Trust now acknowledges that it cannot self-fund capital projects and will need to lobby for additional Commonwealth funding. There is a role here for Community Organisations to support this. The HPG has and is seeking more representations with politicians to lobby for more capital to rehabilitate 10 Terminal in particular. We have worked to establish a cooperative approach with the Harbour Trust on this funding need, including with the new Chair Joseph Carrozzi.
The HPG Committee has had meetings, with among others, Tony Abbott and the NSW Minister for Education, Rob Stokes, to assess and advance our desire to see the establishment of an Environmental Education Centre in 10 Terminal on Middle Head. Pleasingly, this received a commitment in the NSW Budget this year. Concurrently the Sydney Institute of Marine Science also has a proposal to share the location of 10 Terminal with a Centre for Urban Marine Innovation (CUMI). However, this is dependent on funds being forthcoming. It is being considered by State and Federal parliaments.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service has released its Master Plan for Middle Head. The plan is a balance between an array of interests. It includes details about possible income generation such as casement layout plans for events. At the same time, the Plan focuses on education rather than revenue generation and/or entertainment. You can download the plan here: https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/parks-reserves-and-protected-areas/park-management/community-engagement/middle-head-master-plan
The plan documents places of listed historical interest. Although retaining place heritage is fundamental, research shows a declining interest (by millennials) in historical assets as “museum pieces” but growing interest in experiential interest such as short-term accommodation. NPWS quoted the Quarantine Station as one of the most successful examples of this. We continue to press for a Visitors Centre on Middle Head as part of this plan.
Lights at the netball courts at Cross street on Trust land is another important issue. However this cannot be resolved by the Harbour Trust until, as requested by the Harbour Trust, Mosman Council addresses the parking and traffic issues. There has been considerable discussion regarding the need for additional courts.
All competition games are currently played at Willoughby, so Mosman’s need is currently for practice space. Council is looking for space and one recently proposed option before Council is the site of the Barracks buildings on Middle Head.
HPG’s position is that additional courts should not be constructed on either Trust or NPWS land given the significance and purpose of these unique public lands. It is up to Mosman Council and community to identify additional space for new courts or to negotiate better utilisation of existing space such as unused school capacity and the Drill Hall.
HPG is pleased that Mosman Council has recently undertaken the upgrade of Middle Head Oval with better drainage, tougher natural grass and watering system. This appears to be progressing as Council announced and planned.
In 2019 HPG plans to continue lobbying for funds for the Harbour Trust to complete the rehabilitation of all buildings on Middle Head and would like to present an alternate plan for 10 Terminal. With the newly announced 80 km Harbour Foreshore Walk it is important that Middle Head be part of this. This would be consistent with the Harbour Trust’s Comprehensive Plan.
We look forward to 2019 with even more determination to preserve the precious Middle Headland.