Save Middle Head Sydney Harbour public land from residential development

Save Middle Headwww.savemiddlehead.org

Presentation Updated 19 January 2014

DisclaimerThis presentation has been prepared by the Save Middle Head Group. It was originally used for the public meeting held in Mosman on 5 December 2013. Any opinions expressed in this presentation constitute our judgement at the time of issue and are subject to change. The information has been compiled from documents made available to us and whilst we strive for accuracy no warranty is made as to the accuracy or reliability or other information contained in this presentation. To the maximum extent permitted by law, we disclaim all liability and responsibility for any direct or indirect loss or damage which may be suffered by any recipient through relying on anything contained in or omitted from this presentation. The Save Middle Head Group [email protected] www.savemiddlehead.org

Middle Head – A Brief History

1815 Bungaree’s Farm

1861 Land resumed for defence

1871 First defensive batteries built

1915 Mobilisation Camp

1923 Mosman Golf Club

1935 – 1945 Wartime construction: ASOPA & 10 Terminal

1996 Headland Preservation Group formed by Linda Bergin to Save Middle Head, Georges Heights and other defence lands from sale and development

1998 Interim Sydney Harbour Federation Trust (SFHT) formed

2001 SFHT formed as a statutory body

1815 Bungaree’s Farm

1915 Mobilisation Camp

1935 – 1945 Wartime construction: ASOPA & 10 Terminal

“To provide a lasting legacy for the people of Australia by helping to create one of the finest foreshore parks in the world and provide places that will greatly enrich the cultural life of the city and the nation.”

Page 12 Sydney Harbour Federation Trust Plan 2003

The Trust’s Vision

“The plan proposes the creation of an exciting Headland Park at Middle Head… The park will link the natural and cultural assets of the site…. facilities and buildings will be adapted for educational, community and recreational uses.”

Page 6 Sydney Harbour Federation Trust Plan 2003

The Plan (2003) for Middle Head

“This plan recognises the pivotal relationship between Sydney Harbour and each of the seven sites managed by the Trust. It is the harbour - natural feature, strategic port and colonial lifeline - that determined the location of Trust sites and their uses.”

Page 8 Sydney Harbour Federation Trust Plan 2003

The Plan for Middle Head

As outlined by the then Prime Minister:' ... [the establishment of the Trust] will prevent any ad-hoc treatment of the return of the land to the people and it will ensure that there is maximum weight given to the desire of all Australians that the maximum advantage be derived in open space and recreational purposes in relation to the land.' ”

Page 11 Sydney Harbour Federation Trust Plan 2003

The importance of establishing the Trust

The Proposed Development

A large-scale two-storey new private commercial development of a residential (24/7) health care facility to be built on the Middle Head ridgeline on public land on both sides of Middle Head Road.

The site (as shown in proposal) occupies an area approx 25,000 sq metres(approx 6 acres)

The Proposed Development

Will require demolition of existing buildings and result in a substantial increase – almost double – to the existing footprints.

Existing Footprint

Proposed footprint – buildings only

Proposed footprint – buildings + fenced open space + access roads & parking

Includes:● spaces between buildings filled in● addition of 2nd storey to 10 Terminal Buildings● removal of existing open space for

enclosed gardens● increased car parking● excavation and access to a large underground car

park ● new access road and loading dock

for deliveries and waste removal (including medical waste).

The Proposed Development

Proposed footprint – buildings + fenced open space + access roads & parking

access road

access road

fenced off areas

parking

parking

parking

parking under

drive through

loading dock

Compare this with the existing footprint!

Other key points:● Estimated construction cost of $33 million● No tenders or expressions of interest for a development

of this type● Proponent company (formed 1 year ago) has no prior

experience● 25 year lease but due to use will it be there in perpetuity?● Residential 24/7 operation● Destruction of approach to Sydney Harbour National Park ● Loss of public access and views from Middle Head

SFHT Development Proposal

Built area to increase from 4,200 sq metres to 9452 sq metres.

Currently the site has an open aspect.

Perspective drawings clearly show fenced areas.

Loss of open space to access road and more car parking.

Models show full scope of new footprints and large scale of the development (note no fences!)

Barracks

New Barracks building with drive-in basement parking and substantial changes to the surrounding landscaping.

10 Terminal Buildings

Proposed Fire Buffers for 10 Terminal

Heat barriers made of steel to be erected on southern and eastern boundaries of 10 Terminal up to approx 1800 mm (almost 6 ft) high.

Side Elevations 10 Terminal buildings

Existing buildings

Proposed new buildings

10 Terminal

10 Terminal

“The Draft Amendment and the Development Application would both facilitate the construction of a large, commercial development for private purposes... in a manner that would exclude the vast majority of the public.”

SFHT Development Proposal

Legal Advice – Baker & McKenzie

“The scale, form and type of the proposed development are all inappropriate for a site that is required to be conserved and preserved for the benefit of present and future generations of Australians.”

Proposed Development Inappropriate

Legal Advice – Baker & McKenzie

“The form of the proposed development means that public access and use would be actively discouraged for an extended period of time while ever the site is used for private residential/aged care purposes…”

“There will be no opportunities for the public to walk through the site or to have general casual access.”

Public Access

Legal Advice – Baker & McKenzie

Proposes change to the SHFT Act

“The Draft Amendment and the Development Application propose a built form and development that would be contrary to the intention of the SHFT Act as well as the Objects of the Trust.”

Legal Advice – Baker & McKenzie

Next Steps

1. Write letters to Tony Abbott MP Warringah, Greg Hunt Minister for Environment

2. Write submissions to the SHFT3. Email a copy of your submissions to us at

[email protected] 4. Register for updates at: www.

savemiddlehead.org5. Spread the word6. Talk to us