HPG’s submission for the Harbour Trust’s Draft Middle Head Management Plan (Amendment 2) 2016.

 

HPG’S POSITION

HPG examined the Draft Management Plan in the context of the Comprehensive Plan (2003), the original Management Plan (2007) and the Amended Management Plan (2014).

CORE VALUE

HPG is seeking to work with the Harbour Trust to find a use for 10 Terminal and Barracks buildings on Middle Head that is consistent with the Harbour Trust’s Comprehensive Plan.

CONCLUSION

HPG supports in large measure the vision and outcomes of the Draft Management Plan but would like to see more detail on their collaboration with NPWS, clearer guidelines on how 10 Terminal might be adapted and reused, and clear rejection of synthetic turf on Middle Head oval.

 

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This submission by HPG addresses the Draft Sydney Harbour Federation Trust Management Plan – Mosman No 7 (Middle Head) Amendment No 2 (the “Draft Management Plan”), which was released for public comment on 3 November 2016.

Management Plans are a requirement of the Comprehensive Plan (2003) that provides the strategic direction and planning context for all Harbour Trust lands. The Draft Management Plan describes specific outcomes for the Middle Head precinct.

READ HPG’S SUBMISSION HERE →

 
ABOVE: Middle Head’s 10 Terminal dates back to 1941, it was designed not to be visible above the ridgeline and camouflaged with special green roof tiles. Image Michael Mangold

ABOVE: Middle Head’s 10 Terminal dates back to 1941, it was designed not to be visible above the ridgeline and camouflaged with special green roof tiles. Image Michael Mangold

 

Key points

1.

The Introduction of the Trust’s Draft Management Plan reads:

The Comprehensive Plan proposes the creation of a Headland Park that integrates Middle Head, Georges Heights and Chowder Bay. The Headland Park will unify all of the elements along the Middle Head ridgeline, from Rawson Park to Middle Head.

The vision for the park is a place where the area’s rich natural and cultural heritage, including its early Aboriginal and military occupation will be protected and interpreted and where access will be provided to areas that have long been inaccessible to most people.

2.

HPG whole-heartedly supports the Trust’s Vision but has five principal concerns in respect of the Draft Management Plan that need clarification and/or further information:

  • Interpretation for visitors to understand and appreciate the totality of the Headland Park’s heritage lacks detail on how this will be achieved.

  • For visitors to experience and learn about this unique cultural heritage, the Headland Park will require effective collaboration between the Harbour Trust and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, not just words in a plan.

  • The proposed adaptive reuse of 10 Terminal to increase functionality raises a number of questions.

  • Transport to and through the Headland Park remains insufficient to maximise public access.

  • The issue of synthetic turf on Middle Head Oval remains unresolved.

3.

The Draft Management Plan (under Implementation of the Action Plan, Outcome on Page 93) reads:

improved interpretation of site’s natural and cultural heritage by providing interpretive material and signage.

However, the action element “Investigate providing a visitor’s centre as part of a new Pavilion” is only given a medium priority and no supporting detail.

In short, after 13 years since the statutory Comprehensive Plan was approved there has been minimal action addressing education and interpretation of the unique combination of military and indigenous history of the area and no action on a visitors’ centre. This is totally unacceptable. There must be a specific location set aside to acknowledge the Headland Park’s importance in Australia’s indigenous, military, natural, cultural and built heritage.