Heritage restoration
and conservation

No heritage restoration or conservation works are currently underway at – or scheduled for – Chowder Bay / Gooree, Mosman. Continue to check here for updates. 

Buildings 137 and 143 – repairs and restoration/conservation works

In late October, the Harbour Trust commenced repairs – as well as restoration and conservation works – within the Industrial Precinct. This area has previously hosted significant cultural events. These works are required to protect the precinct’s heritage values and ensure it can host events into the future. The works primarily relate to 2 structures. Building 137, also known as the ‘Iron & Steel Foundry’, was built circa 1856. Meanwhile, Building 143 – aka the ‘Boilers, Pumping Engines & Offices’ facility – dates to approximately 1845.

These buildings were modified throughout the island’s convict and dockyard eras. Both are now prone to water leaks due to deterioration of their fabric over time. To rectify this situation, we are restoring roofing, guttering, wall sheeting, windows and doors. This body of work will arrest their deterioration and ensure they are watertight for events.

During the works, temporary fencing will remain in place around Buildings 137 and 143 – as well as Buildings 138 and 145 – and there will be limited access to these structures. The industrial Precinct, including the Turbine Shop, will otherwise remain accessible to the public. It is anticipated these works will be completed during the third quarter of 2025.

Heritage crane restoration

The Harbour Trust will be undertaking restoration work to the many cranes on Cockatoo Island. This will help to preserve them for future generations to appreciate the important role they played on the island during its time as a shipyard. During the works, access to the cranes may be restricted at certain times with fencing. Building 141 will also be closed to the public, this is to accommodate the painting of the cranes.

Conservation of buildings 9 and 20

The Harbour Trust is undertaking work on Buildings 9 (B9) and 20 (B20) on Cockatoo Island. These heritage houses are being extensively repaired to allow the Harbour Trust to use the heritage homes as short-term accommodation for the public.

The project commenced December 2023 and is in its final stage. We encourage you to watch this space over the coming months as further updates and information becomes available.

No heritage restoration or conservation works are currently underway at – or scheduled for – Georges Heights, Mosman. Continue to check here for updates. 

Greenway Wall restoration

The historically significant Greenway Wall is undergoing conservation works. The wall is a remnant of the original Macquarie Lighthouse, which was designed by convict architect Francis Greenway and completed in 1818.

The works will restore the integrity of both the wall and the land terrace it retains. Further, the wall’s original length will be interpreted through a new landscaping design incorporating First Nations concepts. Traditional stone conservation methods will be used and the new work will involve materials, colours and finishes which will be sympathetic to the character of the wall and its surroundings. The intention of the conservation works is to restore the Greenway Wall, in part, to a known earlier form including the missing crenelated form. The wall has been previously damaged by the removal of some top course stones, as well as some erosion of the landscape behind it over time.

The Harbour Trusts commenced the work in August 2024 and it is anticipated to run until April 2025, subject to the findings from technical surveys and site conditions.

To limit the disruption to residents, members of the public and businesses around the site, the working hours will be strictly limited to between 7am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

No heritage restoration or conservation works are currently underway at – or scheduled for – the former Marine Biological Station at Camp Cove. Continue to check here for updates. 

No heritage restoration or conservation works are currently underway at – or scheduled for – Middle Head / Gubbuh Gubbuh, Mosman. Continue to check here for updates. 

North Fort tunnel repairs

From 19 May 2025, the North Fort tunnels at North Head Sanctuary will be closed for approximately 8 weeks while they undergo remediation and conservation works. The minor repairs will optimise the lifecycle of the assets, maintain their heritage value an increase public safety. Work includes repairs to sections of concrete in selected areas and the restoration of the steel ceiling in the munitions hoist room.

During the repairs, the Defence of Sydney Tour will follow a modified route. To account for the tunnels being inaccessible to tourgoers, Australia’s Memorial Walk will be incorporated into the tour. The modified tour will still lead tourgoers into the underground Plotting Room and the duration will remain 1 hour and 45 minutes. We look forward to reintegrating the tunnels into the Defence of Sydney Tour once the works are complete.

Restoration of historic walls

Image: Walls being restored, identified in yellow. Click image to enlarge.

The historic sandstone walls at North Head Sanctuary are currently being restored by the Harbour Trust.

This project will restore the structural integrity of the site’s walls – sections of which have been damaged by environmental factors – and ensure their heritage values are protected.

The works include repointing and recapping stones, replacing missing stones, strengthening and realigning sections of wall, some limited reconstruction, and improving stormwater drainage at key points along the walls.

The sandstone walls at North Head were constructed between 1880 and 1935.

The Harbour Trust anticipates minimal disruptions to public access to North Head Sanctuary during the works. However, instances where we need to limit access to any area, our website will be updated to provide notice. 

Restoration of gun emplacements

The Harbour Trust has been undertaking work on the gun emplacements at North Head Sanctuary to better communicate their historical purpose and heritage values. This work has involved the removal of hazardous materials and structural repairs and the restoration of gun emplacement 2.

The work commenced in December 2023 and has now been completed. The ground floor of gun emplacement 2 at North Head Sanctuary is now open to the public. Gun emplacement 1 will be kept as a historic relic site and can be viewed.

The final installation of safety railings to gun emplacement 2 is currently underway, once this is completed the upper level will be reopened for public access.

No heritage restoration or conservation works are currently underway at – or scheduled for – Woolwich Dock & Parklands. Continue to check here for updates. 

Restoration of historic sandstone wall (North Head Sanctuary)

Following extreme weather in March 2022, 2 sections of the sandstone wall at North Head Sanctuary collapsed. The Harbour Trust has been undertaking work to ensure that the sections of the wall can be repaired and reinforced to prevent this from occurring in the future.

One section of the wall has been repaired, with each stone replaced in its original position. Work is still underway to work in collaboration with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service to repair the second section.

The first section of the sandstone wall, located near the North Head Sanctuary Visitors Centre has been repaired and reopened to the public. Work is underway to repair the second section of the wall in collaboration with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. Further updates will be provided shortly.

Retort House repairs (Sub Base Platypus)

The Harbour Trust has finished repairing the Retort House and the space is now ready to serve the community in new and meaningful ways. The works included the preservation of the Retort House’s historic fabric, the removal of hazardous materials and activities to return the building to a watertight condition and prevent further deterioration. Constructed in 1886 using a rare type of prefabricated iron, the Retort House provides visitors with a window into the era when the site of Sub Base Platypus hosted a gasworks (1877 to 1937).

Replacement of timber structure near Camber Wharf (Cockatoo Island)

The Harbour Trust replaced a deteriorated timber wharf, known as the Patrol Boat Wharf, on the southern side of Cockatoo Island (map). The works have enabled us to access and repair a historic crane. 

New piles for the wharf have been installed and a new deck has been constructed as part of this project. The works began in July 2024 and were completed in December 2024.