HPG oOpposes The Harbour Trust's proposal to demolish three Timber Barracks at Middle Head
ABOVE: The three Timber Barracks on Middle Head are heritage listed and an important element of post-WWII military history.
Many of you who visit Middle Head may wonder about the fate of the three Timber Barracks buildings, which have remained empty for over 25 years. Once immaculate, under the Harbour Trust's management they have sadly degraded through neglect.
As part of the Middle Head / Gubbah Gubbah Master Plan 2023, the Trust has declared its intention to demolish all three Barracks buildings and alter and relocate the existing parade ground (presently used as a carpark), thereby permanently removing integral elements of the heritage-listed military village. Instead, they wish to landscape the open space to create a new public open space for events and a First Nations-curated plateau walkway.
The Timber Barracks hold much greater historical significance than the casual visitor would guess. HPG believes that at least Barrack B1 should be saved.
HPg's Position
HPG supports the retention of the three Timber Barrack buildings, B1, B2 and B3, at Middle Head due to their heritage significance. Whilst the adaptive reuse of Barracks B2 and B3 requires further investigation, HPG has obtained specialist advice that the adaptive reuse of Barrack B1 (the barrack building nearest Middle Head Oval) is viable and advocates for the retention of that building.
The Barracks are an important element of post-WWII military history. At least one Barrack building must be retained, and the stories told.
A renovated Barrack building could be adaptively reused for the community's benefit and as a source of income for the Trust.
HPG’S OPINION
Based on the significant heritage values of the Barracks outlined above, it is HPG's opinion that they are an integral component of the heritage-listed Middle Head military village and that, at the very least, Barrack B1 should be retained.
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The Timber Barracks have important heritage values
Since the formation of the Harbour Trust, the Timber Barracks have been assessed and given official heritage status, and their heritage is acknowledged in the Harbour Trust's statutory documents.
ABOVE AND ROIGHT: The three Timber Barracks Buildings are significant structures with important heritage values.
The Timber Barracks form part of two Commonwealth Heritage Listings:
Commonwealth Heritage Listing Place ID 105541 recognises the importance of the Barrack buildings as an integral component in providing housing for military personnel, leading to a wider understanding of the military site. The Barracks are specifically noted as significant sites and structures.
Commonwealth Heritage Listing Place ID 105587 specifically refers to the Barracks buildings as being part of the 10 Terminal Regiment Headquarters and being of particular significance due to their association with the Army Intelligence Centre, which played a notable role during the Cold War years, the Vietnam War, as well as associations with the more modern period of occupation by the Regiment.
The Harbour Trust's Conservation Management Plan 2007 rates the Barracks as 'moderate heritage' and states that they “form an exceptionally rare collection of such barracks at the National level…(and) should be conserved”.
The statutory Comprehensive Plan 2003 and the Middle Head Plan of Management 2017, whilst both Plans reference the possible demolition of the Barracks, they also explore the retention of one or more for appropriate adaptive reuse. The Comprehensive Plan requires "the totality of the heritage values of the area to be considered when deciding which buildings to be retained or demolished".
Graham Brooks, an eminent heritage consultant, states that "the proposed demolition of the Barracks building will have a major 'Significant Impact' on the statutory Commonwealth Heritage Values of Middle Head…."
ABOVE: The Harbour Trust’s impression of adaptive reuse design for one or more of the barracks from a leasing brochure for commercial spaces on Middle Head.
The Timber Barracks also have important social heritage values
Apart from the barrack structures having significant military heritage, the social heritage values of the buildings are significant.
The social heritage values of the Barracks have not been addressed in Middle Head /Gubbuh Gubbuh Master Plan 2023, nor in the Harbour Trust's Heritage Impact Assessment or expert reports, which inform the Harbour Trust's decision to demolish the Barracks.
LEFT: “…The quality and style of the accommodation that provided views of the sea, spacious shared bathroom facilities and innovative ground floor recreation facilities was a remarkable development at that time. It provided a model for a "military village", perhaps never bettered, even today.' – Brigadier Kevin O'Brien, CSC, Rtd
The social heritage is an important story to tell
Why were the three Timber Barrack buildings built?
who occupied them?
The Barrack buildings are a recognised component of the Korean War, Vietnam, and Cold War operations activities of the 10 Terminal precinct at Middle Head.
After the Chinese Revolution at the beginning of the 1950s, the government perceived a threat of communism in the 'domino effect'. Therefore, Prime Minister Menzies decided Middle Head would become the home of the first regular artillery regiment to be raised in Australia. Accommodation was needed for these defence personnel. Middle Head barracks represent the only physical construction reminders of that fear.
The Barracks were built for the newly raised Ist Field Regiment (Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery), 111 Light Anti-Aircraft Battery unit.
Brigadier Kevin O'Brien, CSC, Rtd has written extensively about the history of Middle Head, he says 'This was a major and expensive decision. It demonstrated strategic thinking for a permanent defence base with soldiers. In a short time, the new Ist Field Regiment base became a model "military village". Soon added was a small parade ground and a new cricket and sporting oval.'
Middle Head had already had a long association with artillery, dating back to the 1801 Fort, which was continuously occupied by artillery from 1870 until WWII.
Brigadier Kevin O'Brien says 'This military village at Middle Head is now the only remaining intact establishment of its kind in Australia. The whole of Middle Head contains the oldest and most complete array of coastal defence facilities in Australia. Except for almost all the early accommodation buildings, much of the construction survives, making the retention of these last two-storey timber accommodations essential.' Read more in ‘Submission Draft Master Plan” by Brigadier KJ O'Brien, CSC, Rtd. here >
Brigadier Kevin O'Brien also says "The raising of the 1st Field Regiment, as Australia's first ever regular regiment, meant that the Army needed to develop the location of Middle Head to support the permanent accommodation of soldiers, house and maintain their equipment, provide facilities for classroom training, provide parade grounds for drill; provide HQ offices and conference facilities; and provide suitable recreational and training facilities.
“Before this time, Army unit facilities were only purpose-built for training, not accommodation, as the Army relied on part-time citizens (who lived at home) or in tented camps for collective training activities.
“So evolved the "military village" that is intact today. This included the creation of a first-class sporting oval and parade ground. The quality and style of the accommodation that provided views of the sea, spacious shared bathroom facilities and innovative ground floor recreation facilities was a remarkable development at that time. It provided a model for a "military village", perhaps never bettered, even today.”
Read this HPG news post from 2023 on the history of the Barracks by Brigadier Kevin O'Brien →
After the artillery moved out in 1957, the occupants of the Barracks were soldiers from:
1958 – 1968 The School of Military Intelligence, which taught aerial photo interpretation, foreign army tactics, and combat intelligence, played an important role during the Vietnam and Cold Wars. One important story is that of the officers and soldiers who undertook interrogation and language training there in preparation for deployment to Vietnam.
1969 – 1999 10 Terminal Regiment 'These soldiers were responsible for manning the regimental equipment used for delivering stores ashore over a beachhead. One of their most significant operations was the support given to the Australian Antarctic Research establishments'. – Brigadier Kevin O'Brien
What are the stories of the timber barracks occupants?
It is said that all units retain fond memories of their occupation and the important role played by their soldiers who lived there.
One important story is the role of the School of Military Intelligence during the Vietnam War and the role of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam, which attended the courses. The men were trained in interrogation techniques, learned colloquial Vietnamese language, and completed a Code of Conduct course, including the 'The School of Torture', which was conducted in the tunnels at Middle Head Fort.
ABOVE: Training included being locked in special cages in the tunnels beneath the Middle Head Outer Battery Gun emplacements. The soldiers were subject to intensive interrogation, being part of the training for resistance to interrogation should they be captured by the enemy. This training was colloquially called the 'School of Torture'.
Australian Army Training Team Vietnam – an example of significant social military heritage
ABOVE: Group portrait of the First Contingent, 1962-06, including reserves, for the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV) assembled at the Intelligence Centre (10 Terminal Building), Middle Head, Mosman. Image: Australian War Memorial. Sergeant Ray Simpson, VC DCM pictured above (front row on the left) and RIGHT.
From 1958 – 68, 10 Terminal became the Army Intelligence Centre, and the Barracks provided accommodation for all soldiers attending courses. Historically, the most important of these courses was for the first team deployed to South Vietnam in 1962. This team was specially chosen from the best available and formed the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam.
These men assembled at Middle Head for all their briefings and were given high-intensity training in the colloquial Vietnamese language. They also completed the Code of Conduct Course that was designed to prepare them for interrogation and torture if captured. The Code of Conduct Course included 'The School of Torture' conducted in the tunnels at Middle Head Fort.
A significant attendee on that course was Sergeant Ray Simpson, who was later awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Victoria Cross. HPG understands that 5 recipients of a VC medal served at Middle Head and resided in the Barracks.
It is probable that their accommodation Barracks, the associated HQ building and training rooms, and the 'tiger cages' in the tunnels at Middle Head (together) are now the only tangible remnants of Australia's commitment to Vietnam.
Demolition of any part of the complex (such as the guardhouse, accommodation Barracks, or the parade ground) would destroy the 'military village'.
Australia recently celebrated 50 years since the end of the Vietnam War. It is important to acknowledge and properly recognise the contribution of the servicemen and women who fought in this contentious war to protect their country but who did not receive the Nation's gratitude.
Say NO to the downgrading of heritage values
The Harbour Trust has sought to downgrade the heritage values of the Barrack buildings, arguments that HPG contends have no or little merit. HPG's view is supported by eminent heritage architect Graham Brooks.
In particular the Trust says that because the buildings were used as barracks and associated functions only, their contribution to military history in Australia is low. This statement is contrary to the Commonwealth Heritage Listings outlined above, the Conservation Management Plan 2007, and the opinion of heritage architect Graham Brooks. The statement also highlights the failure to address the social heritage of the Barracks.
The Harbour Trust's reasons for demolition
The Trust says the Barracks are at the end of their life
When does heritage cease to become heritage? Is it when it is too costly to repair the structure? HPG refutes this argument on the following basis:
The Barracks were continuously occupied until 1998, when the defence departed. They were handed over to the Harbour Trust in pristine condition, but they have deteriorated through the Harbour Trust's neglect.
Similar timber buildings, the ASOPA buildings, which were severely dilapidated, have been successfully restored and adaptively reused to provide a valuable source of income for the Harbour Trust.
The Trust says the Barracks were only meant to be temporary – a justification for demolition?
The Barracks were purpose-built due to the lack of permanent soldier accommodation at Middle Head / Georges Heights. "The quality and style of the accommodation that provided views of the sea, spacious bathroom facilities and innovative ground-floor recreation facilities was a remarkable development at that time." ( Kevin O'Brien "Social Heritage of Timber Barracks buildings at Middle Head")
The Harbour Trust has not produced any evidence to justify its statement that the Barracks were meant to be temporary only.
Even if the Barracks were temporary, demolition is not justified. For example, the ASOPA buildings and the WWI hospital at Georges Heights are both temporary buildings classified as heritage.
The Trust says that the Barracks occupy land that is highly sensitive to natural heritage
HPG considers this statement to be incorrect.
The buildings occupy a site that was Beilby's Farm in the 1830s. It was subsequently resumed for military use and, during the interwar years, used as a golf course. The land on the plateau where the Barracks are located has been greatly disturbed, and no original vegetation remains.
The Trust says the Barracks occupy land considered highly sensitive to First Nations values of place
The Harbour Trust argues that retaining the buildings for adaptive reuse would erode or set aside these First Nations values. The buildings are said to be 'blocking visual connection to the harbour and preventing use of the land parcel'.
HPG considers the Trust's argument not reason enough to facilitate the demolition of heritage buildings. If Barrack Building B1 is retained, a large expanse of land will remain where the visual connection to the Harbour can be enjoyed.
The Trust says that demolition of the buildings will provide significant public domain benefit that supports and enhances the core heritage values of place
The core values of the precinct are Indigenous, military heritage and environmental values. The Harbour Trust has an obligation to protect, conserve and interpret these values. The public domain benefit must be secondary to these core values.
HPG is of the opinion that it is improper for the Harbour Trust to demolish the Barrack buildings. However, if two Barrack buildings are demolished and Barrack B1 is retained, the land available for a public domain benefit would be substantial.
The Trust says that the bushfire risk constrains the use of the Barracks and that considerable change to adjacent vegetation would be required if adaptive reuse was to be considered
HPG has commissioned independent ecology and bushfire assessments. The assessments conclude that an asset protection zone could be cleared to protect the heritage-listed Barracks and that viable adaptive reuse for Barrack B1 would include Class 5-8 uses such as offices, shops, and kiosks.
We must protect precious heritage
Middle Head is steeped in this Nation's earliest military history, and this heritage must not be diminished or compromised.
The Timber Barrack buildings are an important and integral component of the Middle Head military village. They are not just 'derelict timber buildings,' as the Trust refers to them. They form part of the 10 Terminal headquarters and their heritage significance is unquestionable.
It is not good enough to demolish existing heritage, replace it with a photograph and deem this an appropriate interpretation of military heritage. Let us not compromise our military heritage.
Should Barrack B1 be retained, there will remain ample space at Middle Head for First Nations interpretation and community events.
Demolition of the Barracks is a lost opportunity
There is an opportunity for the restored Barracks, particularly Barrack B1, to be adaptively reused for community and/or commercial purposes.
One proposal for the adaptive reuse of Barrack B1 and the adjoining Parade Ground is a new Middle Head Veterans' Transition Centre (MHTC). The aim of the MHTC is to respond to the findings and recommendations of the recent Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. It will facilitate support for members separating from the Australian Defence Force through a learning centre that supports and empowers veterans to effectively assimilate back into society and reduce the risk of suicide. The MHTC makes good and compatible use of the building and would provide a much-needed and invaluable community benefit. Heritage architect Graham Brooks considers the MHTC an important opportunity for the Australian Government. He supports a "Stay of Demolition for the three barracks, to facilitate the consolidation of this new initiative of National Significance."
We will publish more about this great opportunity soon.
HPG URGENTLY REQUESTS
HPG urgently requests that the Harbour Trust delay any decision to demolish the three Timber Barracks buildings until further investigation is undertaken to properly assess:
the social heritage of the buildings and
the feasibility of restoring the buildings for appropriate adaptive reuse.
During the consultation period for the Draft Master Plan, HPG argued for the retention of the Barracks. The Trust said they would consult on specific projects before execution.
NOW is the time to speak up.
We must save Middle Head's heritage and not allow the Trust to bulldoze the Barracks.
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