General Overview:
‘North Head / Car-rang-gel is a place of sanctuary and connection, an invaluable community destination rich with history’ (Joseph Carrozzi).
The vision for North Head Sanctuary must be informed by the legislated objects of the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust Act 2001. They are to Preserve, Conserve and Interpret these lands. The core values of North Head Sanctuary that must be preserved, conserved and interpreted are its Aboriginal, Cultural, Military, Environmental and Geographical values.
The Sanctuary concept for North Head is the fundamental vision detailed in the Trust’s Comprehensive Plan and Management Plan for North Head Sanctuary. Whilst North Head Sanctuary is a sanctuary for wildlife, it is also a sanctuary for people. We understand that traditionally it is a place of healing for First Nations people.
‘The natural environment forms the heart and soul of the sanctuary concept’ and is one of the main reasons visitors come to North Head’ (Management Plan p87)
‘A healing place and place of tranquillity are ideas that have been generated and supported by the community’ (Comprehensive Plan p147)
‘North Head is also a place of importance for the Gayamaygal clan as a special place of ceremony, healing and burial’ (Comprehensive Plan p149)
Download a PDF of the Management Plan here →
Download a PDF of the Comprehensive Plan here →
HPG welcomes this long-overdue impetus to rehabilitate and properly interpret North Head Sanctuary but cautions the Trust to maintain a balance of the core values. The built environment at North Head, a legacy from the Military, is a soft footprint upon the landscape, and this should remain, ensuring that any adaptive reuse or new use is not intrusive on the landscape.
The focus of the consultation is on two precincts of North Head Sanctuary: North Fort and the Artillery Barracks.
North Fort Precinct
Briefly, the draft concept vision for North Fort is to enhance the interpretation of military installations at the precinct and to establish a world-class interpretative centre, an environmental education centre and a First Nations welcoming space. Pedestrian access and amenity will also be improved.
HPG’s comments on the draft concept vision for the North Fort Precinct are as follows:
1. Site for a new ‘world class’ interpretative centre
HPG supports the construction of a new world-class Interpretative Centre, providing interpreted experiences of the site’s military history, its ancient culture and natural ecology. There should be an emphasis on an experiential focus on displays and exhibits. The building should be of such design and fabrication that it blends into the natural environment. The overriding value of this precinct is that it is nestled into an area of highly significant flora and fauna, creating a sense of healing and respite. The image provided in the consultation document of the proposed Interpretative Centre appears to be a building in stark contrast to its gentle surrounds. HPG does not consider that the roof sails respond to the concept of place.
Since it is proposed to remove existing sheds to allow for the construction of the proposed interpretative centre, the sheds could be relocated and repurposed for use by veterans as a men’s shed.
2. Gun Emplacements
The gun emplacements are a stark reminder of the vulnerability of Sydney Harbour during WW11 and are evidence of the defences put in place to secure the populace of Sydney from invasion. The gun emplacements should be repaired and made accessible to the public. These are a built reminder of the purpose of this military base.
Since the School of Artillery was located on North Head, it would enhance the interpretation of the military values of North Head if the Trust could facilitate the return of many of the guns and weaponry that were removed from this site and either reinstall them in their original positions, if possible or make them available for public viewing. The existing hangar-style shed at North Fort where they were previously housed, being perfect for this purpose, could be relocated to a suitable location for this purpose.
3. Accessible Path Network & Native Garden
The planned path has the appearance of a built scar on the precinct. An accessible path that leads and meanders through native vegetation would be much more in keeping with the natural environment and the spectacular native flora of the surrounding landscape.
A proposed garden of edible and special plants representative of our Indigenous culture to be located near the Environmental Education Centre will provide an important educational resource.
4. Existing Car Parking Reconfiguration
The activation of North Head Sanctuary will mean that traffic management and parking will be a significant issue. It not only puts at risk the amenity of North Head Sanctuary but the village of Manly and its surrounds.
Public transport should be encouraged. HPG encourages a partnership between the Trust and NPWS and the Q station to allow ferries to berth at the Q station wharf so that visitors to North Head could be shuffled in a dedicated small bus from Q wharf to the information centre at North Fort. It would also be beneficial to have a dedicated bus that runs frequently (perhaps every 30 minutes) on weekends and in school holidays to transport visitors directly from Manly Wharf to the Trust sites on North Head.
The creation of more car parking areas risks destroying native bushland. This should be avoided if possible. Parking areas should be in discrete locations and softened with natural plantings.
5. Site for a ‘Welcome Place’ and Improved Precinct Entry
HPG is concerned that a ‘transparent pavilion’ in the style portrayed in the consultation document at the entry to North Fort is at odds with the style of military buildings of this precinct and the natural environment of North Fort.
A construction more sympathetic with the values of the precinct is required.
We note that the construction of the Welcome Place may take the place of the existing Visitor’s Centre which building may be repurposed as a volunteer’s facility.
6. New / Upgraded Walking Trails
It is most important that good signage be installed on the walking trails.
The Third Quarantine Cemetery should be included in the walk and interpretation of this be installed. The fact that this area was the quarantine base for the whole of Sydney is a most important and interesting part of the history of this site. The plaques on the gravestones should made legible and some of the stories of those buried here told in the Interpretative Centre; for example, the grave of the only Indigenous person buried on North head is found in this cemetery and his/her story should be told.
The walking trails between the different sites on North Head should be upgraded, well signed and designated as walking-only trails, with cycling not permitted. Currently cyclists use the paths, sometimes at high speeds, putting pedestrians at risk. Perhaps there should be a separate dedicated cycle way provided it does not detract from the natural environment.
Many visitors want to see the Australian bush and the natural environment. This is one of the most important aspects of North Head and it must be celebrated. There must be adequate protection of the environment and re-vegetation with flora native to the area, where it is required.
7. Environmental Education Centre
HPG supports the refurbishment of existing buildings as an Environmental Education Centre. Native bush gardens could be used as an educational resource and entry sequence to the Education Centre. Is it intended that the Educational Environmental Centre be run by the Department of Education or a local authority?
The amenities block seems to have been removed from the precinct plan. Its relocation has not been shown on the plan. It is most important that adequate amenity facilities be non-intrusively located.
Artillery Barracks Precinct
The Artillery Barracks Precinct comprises the School of Artillery with magnificent Art Deco buildings surrounding an expansive parade ground. ‘The School of Artillery includes a headquarters, accommodation units, messes for different ranks, and gymnasium and it ‘has outstanding significance as the most intact and comprehensive barracks complex and military training institution in Australia.’
HPG’s comments on the draft concept vision for the Artillery Barracks precinct are as follows:
1. More Legible Precinct Gateway
The gatehouse of the School of Artillery is a grand Art Deco building and should be conserved and refurbished as the formal entrance way to the precinct. Its grandeur could be enhanced by an avenue of trees leading from the main entrance road to the gatehouse. The roadway itself should not be widened but remain a soft imprint on the landscape, retaining its historical character.
The approach to the Artillery Barracks Precinct could also be made clearer as the main public access by appropriate signage.
The Montessori school currently occupies this gateway complex. With the proposed activation of this precinct HPG considers the continued use of this site for a school may be inappropriate. As the precinct is open to more general public use, children may be at risk due to traffic movements and child protection issues.
An interpretation / visitor’s centre for the Artillery Barracks Precinct could be located at the gatehouse to orientate visitors to the site.
2. Public Event Space
‘The overall qualities of the School of Artillery are of a formalised habitable space created in a natural environment that has a feeling of quietude, reflection and humility’ (Comprehensive Plan p148)
The centerpiece of the precinct is the Parade Ground. The Parade Ground is an open space on a grand scale. It announces loud and clear that this was a military base where army parades, ceremonies and honours occurred. It must be retained in its existing form and be celebrated. It not only holds enormous cultural and ceremonial importance but also is a place of contemplation and healing.
It is noted that it is intended in the Draft Concept Vision that the Parade Ground ‘will be reactivated for periodic public and community events consistent with the heritage status of the precinct. These curated events may include evening outdoor cinema, food and arts markets, cultural festivities and music recitals that complement existing offerings in Manly CBD’.
As an event space, the Parade Ground must be carefully monitored with strict guidelines in place and enforced as to the frequency and type of events to be held. There should be strict limits as to the length of time that an event can be permitted to remain. For example, if an event is successful it should not be allowed to become semi-permanent.
Events must not detract from or impact upon existing and potential uses of the surrounding buildings.
It is proposed that many of the buildings surrounding the parade ground could be adaptively reused as ‘education, conference /function facilities, commercial / office space and appropriate accommodation uses that support the idea of sanctuary and Healing Country’.
On the face of it large events such as market, theatrical and musical performances are at odds with the concept of sanctuary and Healing Country. It is also most likely that events held on the Parade Ground will impact the quiet enjoyment and businesses of the tenanted buildings surrounding the Parade Ground and those within the Artillery Barracks precinct generally including local residents.
For example, it is HPG’s understanding that 20 concerts proposed to be held on the Parade Ground from 14 October to 14 November 2021, with up to 2,500 in attendance at each concert, has the potential to detrimentally impact existing long-term tenants and as such is an inappropriate use.
Staging of regular noisy events on the Parade Ground may also deter prospective tenants from reactivating the currently vacant buildings in the precinct, as they would have no voice in the scale of permitted events, the number of attendees, scheduling or duration of events. Legal auditory limits of events would need to be monitored. It may be that to activate the Parade Ground prior to securing tenants for the buildings is putting the cart before the horse.
The impact on the surrounding natural environment by events proposed to be held on the Parade Ground must be closely monitored and independent environmental impact statements, particularly the impact of light and sound, must be available for public scrutiny. As we know the precinct is home to threatened species including the long-nosed bandicoot and native rats highlighting the need for appropriate protections.
Events proposed for the Parade Ground also raise issues in relation to traffic management.
As North Head is at the end of a peninsula with single road access, land access is constrained. The sensitive marine environment surrounding the Headland also restricts water access. In addition, parking facilities are extremely limited. These access limitations pose difficulties in managing large numbers of visitors to the precinct without severely impacting the village of Manly and local residents.
HPG suggests that large events proposed for the Parade Ground will in most instances be inappropriate.
The planting of the trees in each corner is a desecration of the site and original purpose of this ground and they should be removed.
It is also proposed to ‘improve pedestrian comfort’ at the Parade Ground but there are no details of the proposed improvements to be made. Any improvements must not detract from the interpretation of the parade ground and its important ceremonial role. The Parade Ground is a wonderful open space that reinforces the relationship between the buildings that surround it and joins them together.
3. Adaptive Reuse and Conservation of Other Ranks Mess (Building 1)
This building is majestic in scale and boasts impressive function areas, including a magnificent dining room and ballroom linked by an elegant two-storey art deco staircase. These rooms could be used for concerts/chamber music/ theatrical performances and other cultural events. The building lends itself to adaptive reuse as a function, conference, educational and accommodation complex. Any proposed use must ensure that public access is retained to the site.
4. Adaptive Reuse of Officers Mess
This building with its elegant art deco decor, sits directly across the Parade Ground from the Other Ranks Mess. It must be preserved and conserved. This building would make an ideal conference and function centre utilising the accommodation on the first floor and the adjacent building.
5. Walking Trail to North Fort Precinct
It is noted that the road between the Artillery Barracks Precinct and the North Fort Precinct is proposed to be upgraded to become a shared road and walking track to improve pedestrian access across Harbour Trust lands. It is important that any upgrade of the road does not result in a widening and kerbing, which creates an access road that is not in keeping with the existing historical character of military precincts, i.e. existing military villages connected by minor access routes that have a light impact on the environment.
6. Veterans
It is an excellent opportunity at North Head to provide facilities for our veterans. The number of Australian veteran suicides is a damning indictment on our country. Men were trained and sent to war from this base. Now we have an opportunity to use part of this complex as a healing place for those who have returned and suffered unspeakable horrors and mental anguish. HPG suggests that part of the complex could be used to provide a healing sanctuary for our veterans.
7. Gym and Tennis Courts
There are three tennis courts and two gyms on North Head. With the shortage of sporting facilities in the local area it would be desirable for the gyms and tennis courts to be upgraded for use by the general public.
A Final Word:
In conclusion, HPG urges the Trust to work with the NSW government to provide dependable and frequent public transport to North Head, as well as to all the Trust sites. Unfortunately, very few of the Australian people (and overseas visitors) know about the Harbour Trust and the rich experiences offered by Trust sites around the harbour. There should be a wide publicity campaign by the Trust on Federal and NSW Government websites, at Circular Quay and on social media. As some sites are not easy to get to, a ferry service linking Trust sites such as North Head, Chowder Bay, Platypus, Woolwich and Cockatoo Island would facilitate easy access to the Trust sites by visitors and alleviate traffic tensions in local communities.
Jill L’Estrange, President
Headland Preservation Group
10.6.2021