They’re at it again – risking the unique and intrinsic value of Middle Head
HPG is not opposed to active team sport on Headland Park (Middle Head, Georges Height and Chowder Bay). In fact we lobbied Mosman Council to upgrade drainage and re-turf Middle Head Oval with natural turf to ensure a better playing surface for sporting groups.
However, commercial, sporting interests and Mosman Council appear to be putting renewed pressure on the Harbour Trust to accept a range of proposals that could seriously damage the core objectives and amenity of Headland Park.
A Mosman council report considered on 5 March 2019 says there is “ample spare land” on Trust land.
Increased capacity, lighting and synthetic turf: Council wants to increase sporting field capacity and associated facilities at Cross Street, Middle Head Oval and Georges Heights Oval, including by changing playing surfaces and installing new/more lighting.
The Trust will consider ‘Increased active recreation’: the Harbour Trust’s Draft Recreation Strategy states the Harbour Trust is prepared to consider any formal request for initiatives that may include floodlighting at Georges Heights Oval and the Drill Hall Netball courts, and it has NOT ruled out the installation of synthetic turf on Middle Head Oval.
Middle Head is a unique Australian asset: HPG understands the need for additional sporting facilities for Mosman residents, and the pressure from other suburbs (e.g. Balmain junior soccer) to utilise Mosman’s perceived ‘ample unused land’ at Middle Head.
However, the land is Commonwealth land. It is not Mosman Council land. Let us not forget the original and binding intent. The intent was as a gift to the whole nation, reflecting the Headland’s unique heritage, historic and environmental value for all Australians.
Middle Head Oval and Georges Heights Ovals are special: both ovals are special places, and that is why HPG supported Mosman Council’s re-turfing and drainage improvements for Middle Head Oval. However, increased usage and new/additional lighting puts this substantial investment at risk and raises the prospects of renewed calls for synthetic turf, let alone likely traffic congestion. The environmental, health, traffic and national amenity value of Middle Head will need vigorous defending in the face of any such pressure.
HPG opposes any tampering with the intent of the Harbour Trust Act: the ovals and surrounding environs are not Council land but rather an integral part of one of Australia’s historic sites. They are a Commonwealth Listed Place, have National Environmental Significance, and are protected in terms of their usage and status by the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust Act.
HPG will hold a public meeting to discuss this critical issue: The meeting will be held on Tuesday 30 April in the Seniors’ Centre, Spit Junction starting at 6:30 pm.
Please come and voice your opinion. We recognise there are alternative points of view regarding synthetic turf and increased oval and court lighting.
Additional Information:
The Draft [and updated final] Recreation Strategy can be downloaded from this page: https://www.harbourtrust.gov.au/en/community/public-consultation/
Attachment 1: Summary of Draft Recreation Strategy Recommendations summarises the Strategy’s recommendations and HPG’s position as they affect Headland Park.
Attachment 2: Background & HPG Position Re Draft Recreation Strategy provides detailed background and how recommendations for additional lighting and retaining the option of synthetic turf do not comply with the Harbour Trust Act and why HPG cannot support them.
On another matter HPG is pleased to advise that Tim James (prev HPG President) has been appointed to the Board of the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust. This meant he resigned from the Headland Preservation Group Inc. effective 8 April 2019.