MOSMAN DAILY BY JULIE CROSS
19 January 2020
TEXT:
Warringah MP Zali Steggall is calling for the public to have their say on the future of Manly’s North Head and Mosman’s Georges Heights if they don’t want another “Barangaroo on their doorstep”.
She said the state government has set up an independent review of the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust which currently manages the two iconic spots.
It also manages other historic foreshore locations including Middle Head, Chowder Bay, Cockatoo Island, Sub Base Platypus, Woolwich Dock and Parklands, the former Marine Biological Station at Watsons Bay and the Macquarie Lightstation in Vaucluse.
The review announced by the Minister for Environment Sussan Ley, will consider the trust’s “legislative, financial and governance arrangements” and identify pathways to maximise public access to its sites on Sydney Harbour.
Joseph Carrozzi, the chairman of the Harbour Trust, said it is an opportunity for the agency to “take stock of our achievements and ensure arrangements for our places are fit for the future”.
Ms Steggall said if the state government decides to take back responsibility for the land many fear some spots could be commercialised.
“These precious parcels of land are iconic,” Ms Steggall said. “Being on the harbour they speak to all Australians, especially to us as local residents who are very concerned about what might happen.
“If we don’t want a Barangaroo development on our doorstep people should be interested in this issue.”
She said the land should be preserved and the trust properly funded, citing the poor state of some army buildings at North Head and the naval heritage buildings of 10 Terminal in Mosman.
“These places should remain available to the community not become commercialised, that’s the biggest concern,” she said.
Jean Hay, former mayor of Manly and Deputy Chairman of the Harbour Trust, said the board welcomed the independent review and believed there was no “ulterior motive” behind it.
She encouraged people to attend the review panel’s public forum on February 18 from 6pm to 8pm at Pullman Sydney Hyde Park, 36 College St, Sydney.