”Today I spoke with both Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Environment Minister Sussan Ley on behalf of the community and also delivered a speech on the Review in Parliament. “ [see video]
Read moreCommunity consultations concerning public land
There are currently two community consultations concerning public land, an exciting development regarding the Environmental Education Centre, and information about the new walking track and weekly market.
Middle Head Oval update
Middle Head Oval is currently undergoing the planned improvements promised by Mosman Council. Council voted to upgrade the oval rather than cover it with plastic grass.
Read moreBarry Peterson’s book “Tiger men: An Australian Soldier’s Secret War in Vietnam”
Lieutenant-colonel Barry Peterson is a Vietnam veteran who was trained at 10 Terminal Middle Head. His book, “Tiger men: An Australian Soldier’s Secret War in Vietnam” tells of his training at Middle Head. It is gripping reading.
Read moreHeadland Park Interpretation Strategy – deadline for comment extended
Following an approach by HPG the Trust has agreed to extend the deadline for responses to the Harbour Trust's draft Interpretation Strategy for Headland Park until Monday 16 October 2017.
Read moreSydney Harbour Trust Public (open) Board Meeting
It is not too late to show your opposition to the approval for the aged care development, the almost total demolition of the 10 Terminal buildings, and the complete alteration of the natural landscape with the creation of 2 to 3 metre high earth berms on Middle Head.
Read moreMosman Daily WRONG! Lease NOT signed!
In an email response to a question from Phil Jenkyn, a member of the Trust's Community Advisory Committee, Geoff Bailey, stated "The lease has not been signed. The Mosman Daily, which I presume is your source of information, appears to have assumed that to be the case. It is not."
Read moreSave the date – SHFT Public (open) Board Meeting Tuesday 9 December
The Harbour Trust knows the community has serious questions about the process, especially with regard to community consultation.
Read moreNext Save Middle Head Public Meeting 11 November 2014
The September 16 Board Minutes, which records the approval of the aged care decision facility by the Board Members, have now been published.
Read morea sad day for all Australians
The Headland Preservation Group is extremely troubled by today's decision by the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust and the federal Liberal government to approve the development of a residential aged care facility on the 10 Terminal site on public land in Headland Park, Middle Head.
Read moreThere is still time to email decision makers and say you object!
The proponent wants to build a private residential aged care facility in national parkland on Middle Head. A decision that goes against the Act and the Trust's Plan of Management set up to protect and preserve the heritage and the environment of this area.
Read morePetition Drive to Save Middle Head
HPG volunteers will be at Balmoral Beach with iPads on Sunday 21st September from 11am to 3pm for the public to sign the online petition to stop the almost total demolition of 10 Terminal for a proposed private residential development on public parkland at Middle Head.
Read moreStatements by MPs in support of preserving Middle Head from redevelopment
In 1997-8, Prime Minister John Howard said: “I find it [the idea of the Middle Head area being "cut up and sold off to private development"] very unattractive … the Harbour foreshores of Sydney [are] a jewel in the Australian crown.”
Read moreMosman Council unanimously rejects proposal August 5, 2014
…. Strongly recommends to the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust to reject the proposed aged care facility on the site of the 10 Terminal Regiment building on Middle Head.
Read morePublic comment Submissions on proposed aged care facility due Sunday 3 August 2014
This page lists the significant adverse impacts of the proposal we have identified under both of the Acts. The assessments of the proposal will deal with the worthiness/merit of the proposal.
Read morePublic Meeting Thursday 8 May 2014
A private developer is closing in on a very long lease of Commonwealth public parkland on Middle Head to build a large private residential aged care home.
Read moreTell Minister the new proposal IS A CONTROLLED ACTION
As a result of community reaction to the original proposed development application for an aged care residential home on Middle Head the proponent, Middle Head Health Care, has submitted a revised development application.
Read moreUrgent – new Aged Care Home Development announced
There is now a new aged care home development proposal, and instead of first seeking approval from the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust, the aged care home applicant has decided to first seek approval from the Department of Environment.
Read moreAged Care Selection Process Explained by Geoff Bailey...
As a result of a question from Linda Bergin about the Trust’s “Boutique Hotel Leasing Opportunity ... and ... Expressions of Interest” (2012) document, Geoff Bailey explained how the aged care proposal, which was also given a green light in 2012, came before the Trust.
Read moreSave Middle Head Urgent Public Meeting 10 April 2014 – Please attend!
When: 6:30 – 7:30 pm Thursday April 10 2014Where: Mosman Council Senior Citizen’s Centre (next to Mosman Town Hall, Mosman Square, Spit Junction)The Headland Preservation Group will have its 4th public meeting next week, continuing our campaign against an aged-care home on Middle Head. We will also discuss other threats to public parkland.Special Guest Speaker: Colonel Geoff Brown PhD RAASC/RACT (retired) on the military heritage of the Middle Head precinctAgenda:
- Latest news - aged care home campaign
- Speaker to be confirmed – “Public Land Under Threat”
- Guest speaker Colonel Geoff Brown
- 7:30 pm light refreshments
Dear Sydney Resident,There has been much publicity lately about the alienation of public parkland on Sydney Harbour, particularly on Middle Head, which is owned by the Commonwealth Sydney Harbour Federation Trust.Back in 1996, there was a fierce battle to prevent Defence lands around the Harbour from being sold off for private development. The Headland Preservation Group was formed at that time.That battle was successful and the outcome was the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust, a new Commonwealth agency to rehabilitate former Defence lands and turn them into public parkland, and to conserve and re-use/lease the heritage buildings.No doubt you have visited some of the Trust lands around the Harbour and seen the amazing parkland the Trust has created over its 16 year existence.Unfortunately the Trust is now considering a proposal for the development of an aged-care home on the ridgeline of Middle Head. I believe that this is an inappropriate use of public parkland that would exclude the public from enjoyment and understanding of the site’s significant aboriginal and military heritage.Following on from this, several weeks ago we discovered a 2013 NSW government sales brochure which earmarked (but has been withdrawn) several other Trust sites for development, including a 'greenfields' site for a boutique hotel on the ridgeline on Middle Head. Then last week, NSW announced it will release a white paper to audit and value all its land (42% of the state) and to consider "when to change use or realise value".The creation of the Harbour Trust was a bold and visionary step by the former Howard government. Prime Minister Tony Abbott said in a speech in 2012:
"My next campaign was against the Keating government's proposed sale of former military land around Sydney Harbour. Largely at my instigation, the Howard government committed more than $115 million to the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust to preserve the natural and built heritage of places like North Head and Middle Head."
I hope you can join me at our meeting next week!Yours in support of public land.Linda Bergin OAMPresident Headland Preservation Group Inc.savemiddlehead@gmail.com(02) 8091-7743 (please leave a message)
Take Action Now!
It is important that you write to our elected representatives and the Trust to let them know your views. For their contact details, read the Take Action Now page.