About the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust

Harbour Trust: The Trust

Overview of the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust

Eight unique lands on Sydney Harbour are to be returned to the people:

The sites...
Cockatoo Island	Georges Heights, Chowder Bay and Middle Head
Former School of Artillery, North Head	Woolwich Dock and Parklands
Macquarie Lightstation	Snapper Island
Former Marine Biological Station, Watsons Bay	HMAS Platypus

These are former Defence and other special Commonwealth lands, most of which have been hidden away from the community for many years.

Original Pastel by Nick Hollo The lands are not to be sold and will remain in public ownership forever.

The Harbour Trust wants to create something truly special for these lands - to enhance the harbour and leave a lasting legacy for Sydney.

The lands provide an amazing opportunity for Sydney. They contain historic buildings and areas of pristine natural vegetation, magnificent views of the harbour and a record of our city's Aboriginal, maritime and defence heritage.

The cultural heritage of the lands will be conserved, the environment protected and maximum public access provided.

The Sydney Harbour Federation Trust

The Harbour Trust was set up by the Australian Government to plan the future of these lands.

The Sydney Harbour Federation Trust Act 2001 was passed by Federal Parliament in March 2001.

The Act establishes the Harbour Trust to conserve and preserve land in the Sydney Harbour region for the benefit of present and future generations of Australians.

Click here to read about the Trust.

The Comprehensive Plan

A Draft Plan for the lands was placed on public exhibition towards the end of 2002.

Following receipt of submissions, a revised plan was submitted to the Minister for Environment and Heritage in March 2003.

The Plan was approved by the Minister for Environment and Heritage in September 2003.

The Plan sets out a vision for these sites and includes a process for preparing more detailed management plans for specific precincts, places or buildings.

Click here to read the Comprehensive Plan.

The Future of these Lands

The Harbour Trust is currently preparing detailed site management plans and the outcomes of these are being implemented through on-ground work that opens sites up to the public and rehabilitates buildings and facilities.

Click here to read about the management plans.

Tours and Events

The sites are gradually being opened up to the public. While some sites are publicly accessible from sunrise to sunset every day, others are accessible by guided tour only.

Click here to find out about events, tours and walking tracks.

Get Involved

Community involvement is vital to the Harbour Trust’s work and the only way that the Harbour Trust can produce effective and representative plans for the future of these lands.

Click here to read about how you can get involved.

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