Harbour Trust’s Draft Master Plan – Middle Head Oval
HPG’s views
At Mosman Council's meeting on 4 April 2023, HPG President Jill L'Estrange outlined HPG's views on the Harbour Trust's Draft Master Plan with particular emphasis on what was proposed for Middle Head Oval.
HPG has deep concerns regarding the content and direction of the Trust's Draft Master Plan and the process of community consultation. HPG supports the Council regarding the impact of the proposed reconfiguration of the Middle Head Oval and the existing sports pavilion.
Jill L'Estrange said, "This is not a Master Plan – it's an architect's vision at most it is a Concept Plan – it lacks critical detail. The Draft Master Plan provides no details of how the oval will be reconfigured."
"The Draft Master Plan mentions relocating the changing facility – but the proposed new site is a few dotted white lines amongst the trees on a computer generated plan on the south-eastern side of the oval – no dimensions, size, elevations, costings etc. Will this include a café function? This is yet to be decided!!"
It was not until HPG read Mosman Council's Report for the Council Meeting, including attached correspondence from the Harbour Trust, that HPG realised that there was another story:
The size of the oval will be decreased.
New walking tracks will encroach on the existing playing field.
The proposed changing facility / pavilion will also encroach onto the existing playing field.
Why are these details not in the Draft Plan?
HPG agrees with Mosman Council's Report that:
Appropriate details are not provided in the Plan regarding Middle Head Oval and relocation of the pavilion.
The existing pavilion's impact on views is minimal – there are many other superior view corridors in the precinct.
The existing pavilion has the benefit of being close to parking and service access.
The existing pavilion could be extended and renovated, and that an attractive design solution could be achieved as was achieved at Georges Heights pavilion many years ago.
No traffic study
A consequence of the proposed relocation of the pavilion is the introduction of an arrival / meeting place in its stead. This concept is problematic – it is proposed to remove the roundabout at the nearby intersection – no traffic study has been undertaken.
HPG has been informed that as a consequence, the proposed arrival / meeting place will be required for use as part of the turning circle for large truck movements in and out of HMAS Penguin.
The Harbour Trust has clearly failed to adequately consult all stakeholders when preparing the Plan.
Proposed new pavilion
HPG does not support the building of a new pavilion on the South Eastern corner of the oval:
It would require the removal of the guardhouse, part of the military village, and also result in the removal of the thriving Middle Head Café, which provides a significant public benefit.
A new building in the middle of a Commonwealth Heritage Listed precinct, the only intact military village in Australia, would severely impact the heritage of this military precinct.
Sporting groups also expressed their dismay at the proposed changes to Middle Head Oval and said that the Draft Master Plan would not work and they support upgrading the existing pavilion.