The Sydney Harbour Federation Trust
The Sydney Harbour Federation Trust was established as a Commonwealth Trust. The plan was to transfer the lands to NSW once the Trust remediated them.
In 2019 the Commonwealth Government set up an Independent Review. Mosman Parks & Bushland and its members, the HPG and the public advocated strongly that the Trust should remain in Commonwealth hands in perpetuity.
The Independent Review
The Independent Review of the the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust heeded public opinion and recommended that the Trust should continue as a Commonwealth entity.
To reflect this, the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust Act required amendment. Mosman Parks & Bushland’s particular concern in the draft Bill was the length of leases. We feared that long leases would allow over commercialisation and loss of public access to the Trust’s significant sites and their heritage assets.
Read our submission the the exposure draft here >
The Sydney Harbour Federation Trust Act Amendment Bill was passed in June 2021, thereby extending the life of the Trust in perpetuity. It is appropriate that these iconic Sydney Harbour sites of such significance to all Australians should remain in Commonwealth hands.
We are relieved that the legislation will limit leases to 25 years or under particular conditions, to 35 years. MPBA is grateful to our sister organisation, the Headland Preservation Group, for working so hard to achieve this limitation to the leases.
All those who worked for this result, and all Australians, can be very pleased with this outcome for the Harbour Trust lands and their heritage, but vigilance will always be needed.
10 Terminal
10 Terminal, is an important part of Middle Head’s heritage.
In 2019 an allocation of $10 million was made for the renewal of 10 Terminal at Middle Head. This Harbour Trust site is rich in heritage and environmental values. There is Aboriginal heritage; there’s the contact with the colonisers through Bungaree and the farm; it is a beautiful natural area and the military history of Middle Head including the adjoining National Parks & Wildlife goes right back to 1801.
Planning for 10 Terminal is underway and Mosman Parks & Bushland is represented on the Stakeholders' consultative group.
Planning is also underway for North Head and Cockatoo Island, two iconic parts of Sydney Harbour for which which the Harbour Trust is responsible.