Overview

Planning process in detail

The Comprehensive Plan

Management Plans

Harbour Trust: Planning

The Plan: Background Material

Community Consultation and Communication

Community consultation and communication has been essential to the Trust in developing a shared vision for the future of the Trust lands. The Plan has therefore been prepared with extensive Community and Stakeholder consultation.

The Trust is mindful that it is not dealing with a single community. There are many different communities, groups and individuals with varying interests. The Trust needs to understand all of the issues associated with each of the lands and balance the interests of all the different communities to develop the best possible outcome for the lands and for the people of Australia. For this reason it was considered essential that the community was engaged in the planning process early and was encouraged to participate throughout the duration of the process.

Community consultation has been conducted since the Interim Trust began, and will continue into the future. As shown in Fig 1.2 Consultation and Communication during the Planning process, the community has so far helped the Trust understand the intrinsic values and significance of each site, the issues that need to be considered in developing concepts, developing ideas for proposed uses, and in giving feedback to the Trust during development of the Plan. The community will be further consulted during implementation of the Plan over the forthcoming years.

Consultation and communication has been conducted via a range of activities including:

Community Briefing

During the Interim phase of the Trust, a number of meetings were organised at each of the sites where representatives of community organisations and Councils briefed the Planning Team. This provided valuable background about the history of each site, issues, concerns, and expectations that community groups and stakeholders had.

Community Consultative Committees

During the interim phase of the Trust, four community consultative committees were set up to cover the sites. The committees met regularly with the Trust to discuss concepts and plans for the sites. Members provided valuable local knowledge of the sites and ensured ideas being proposed were viable and met community needs. These committees were informal with no statutory basis.

Community Advisory Committee

Under the Act, the Trust is required to have a Community Advisory Committee (CAC) to participate in the planning process. As the Trust is preparing one comprehensive plan for all the lands to ensure a Whole of Harbour approach is taken, it was decided to create one CAC. The CAC has around 80 members, drawn from a wide cross-section of people with skills and expertise relevant to the lands. The local Federal and State Members of Parliament are on the CAC as well as representatives from Local Government.

The role of the CAC is to act as a sounding board regarding:

• The form and content of the plan
• Specific land use issues
• Strategies for the management of the Trust lands
• Public access to the Trust lands
• Specific conservation issues
• The consultation process

The Trust will continue to seek the Committee's advice on the broad strategic framework as well as the site-specific issues that the plan must address.

Public Submissions

Under Clause 29 of the Trust Act, the Trust was required to give public notice of its intention to prepare a plan and to invite interested persons to make representations in connection with its proposal. Public Notice was given on December 1, 2001 and submissions were received until February 22, 2002. One hundred and three submissions were received and these were considered in the preparation of the draft plan.

Section 30 of the Act requires the Trust to exhibit its draft plan to invite the public to make submissions. The draft plan was exhibited from November 2, to December 20, 2002. A total of individual submissions and 2680 form letters were received. The matters raised in these submissions have been reviewed by the Trusts planners and incorporated in the plan where appropriate.

Workshops/Forums

The Trust recognises that many in the community have devoted significant amounts of time to investigating and considering these sites, and we wish to learn from these efforts. As such, a number of workshops and forums were held in order to determine the significance and values of each of the sites.

Open days and events

The Trust has held a number of open days and events to generate public awareness and to encourage community participation in the planning process. The events also provided the Trust's planners with insights into practical issues such as public access to and use of the sites.

Exhibitions and Displays

An Exhibition called "Sites Unseen" was staged at Customs House in 2001. The aim of the exhibition was to raise awareness of the Harbour Trust sites and to stimulate public discussion about their potential of these lands.

A permanent display on the Trust and planning concepts for all of the sites was also mounted in the former Sergeant Major's Cottage at Chowder Bay.

While specific displays were mounted at community events, including the Hunters Hill Fair, 'Moocooboola', the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service's Middle Head Open Day and the National Maritime Museum's Classic and Wooden Boat Festival.

Public Programs and Interpretation

The Trust has constructed a walking track and installed interpretative signage at Chowder Bay and Middle Head. These are designed to provide an enhanced experience for visitors to the sites, most notably emphasising their history and special features.

Guided tours of Cockatoo Island commenced in August 2001, with four tours every weekend.

The Trust's Public Programs officer also gives presentations to community groups such as Probus and Rotary Clubs.

Publications

The Trust has produced 'What's On' brochures to inform the community of upcoming events and activities, and opportunities for input into the planning process. These are distributed widely to museums, visitor centres, schools, libraries, and to some 3,000 people and organisations on the Harbour Trust's mailing list. The Trust's Update newsletter is also produced and distributed through the mailing list.

A general brochure outlining the role of the Harbour Trust and brochures on individual sites have also been produced.

Website

The Trust's website (www.harbourtrust.gov.au) is regularly updated with details of progress in planning, minutes of meetings, notice of open days, tours and events. An electronic feedback form is included on the website allowing for comments and suggestions to be instantly transferred to the Trust's Community Consultation Manager.

Market Research

Baseline qualitative and quantitative market research was undertaken to establish the level of community awareness, attitudes and values in relation to the responsibilities of the Harbour Trust.

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Whole of Harbour Background Material

The Prevalent Patterns that Characterise the Harbour and the Trust Lands

In order to plan for the future we must understand what is and was there so that we respond to the special qualities of the place and do not destroy its character. We are all awed by the sheer beauty of our harbour, yet seldom have its characteristics been articulated. As part of our planning for the Trust lands, we have attempted to identify some of the key patterns that make it so special.

The influence of ancient and vast processes are evident in the overall development pattern of Sydney and even in some of the most detailed elements such as the precise disposition of a gun emplacement, a flight of stairs cut in the rock or where a jetty comes to shore. They are opportunities provided by processes that may have taken millions of years.

The Influence of the Underlying Geophysical Form

The warping, faulting and lifting of the thick sandstone beds underlying the Sydney Basin millions of years ago resulted in the raising of the Blue Mountains and Hornsby and Woronora Plateaus, fracturing along the coast and a south westerly tilt in the layers.

The Trust and Harbour land sites are on the southern edge and lower parts of the Hornsby Plateau and consist primarily of sandstone and shale derived soils. Evidence of Jurassic aged basaltic dykes, Pleistocene terrestrial sand dunes and Holocene fluvial-deltaic sand and mud deposits are also present. The landform is one of a drowned river valley that has eroded into Hawkesbury Sandstone and in places into the underlying Narrabeen Group of sandstones and shales, in an incised meander pattern. The pre-holocene river valley was inundated by a transgressing sea about 10,000 years ago.

Warming of the earth since the last Ice Age has caused the sea level to rise to its present level 6000 years ago. It flooded the river valley to form one of the great harbours of the world with its characteristic sandstone block erosion pattern, fractured peninsulas, its broad bays on the south and higher, rockier and impassable shoreline on the north.

Maritime and estuarine influences

The flooded river valley has created two distinct places in the harbour.

The outer harbour is open and exposed to the influences of the marine environment, strong winds, salt and an inflow of clean ocean water. The remnant vegetation and the underlying landform are the dominant features. Plateau tops, dunes, cliffs, rock outcrops and steep slopes provide a rich contrast and diversity. Their exposure and succession of vantage points overlooking the entrance to the harbour made North Head, Middle Head and Georges Heights suitable locations for defence.

By contrast, the inner harbour is estuarine. It has a sense of enclosure provided by the surrounding, undulating ridges and relatively narrow water body. There is more intensive residential development down to the water's edge.

Where Cockatoo and Woolwich are located is the place where the rivers meet: - the Lane Cove and Parramatta Rivers, the harbour and Iron Cove. Cockatoo Island and Woolwich Dock, like so many of the peninsulas west of the bridge, were primarily places of industry, though the isolation of Cockatoo meant that it was first a place of incarceration and secure storage.

Fragmented Indigenous Vegetation

What is commonly regarded as natural bush around the harbour has been affected by human habitation including large scale clearance and fragmentation and by the introduction of increased nutrients, pest animals, weeds and plant pathogens, as well as the limits imposed by the soils and climate.

The Aborigines modified the vegetation primarily through "mosaic" firing to encourage particular plant and animal communities. We still have the legacy of this fire management in the particular plant communities on some of the headlands of the harbour.

Fire and hydrological regimes have since been altered and the vegetation has responded to these changes. The regular firing has ceased. Reticulated watering systems, altered landforms, exotic organisms and increased nutrients have left indigenous vegetation in a fragmented state within the Sydney Harbour catchment area. And yet, on some Trust lands the perception of native vegetation predominates (North Head, Georges Heights).

Aboriginal Use of Sites

The foreshores and intertidal zones were an important source of food for the Aboriginal inhabitants of Sydney and the marine areas around Middle Head, Camp Cove, Woolwich (Clarkes Point Reserve and the Horse Paddock) and the western shores of North Head were well frequented. Middens containing the remains of fish, shellfish and crustaceans are evidence of this. (eg Kellys Bush, Woolwich; Cobblers Beach, Balmoral Beach, Vaucluse). Overhanging rock ledges provided shelter. Islands like Cockatoo and Snapper may have been the destination of fishing expeditions but because of their extensively altered state there is no evidence to support this to date. The Trust will undertake further study to try and understand what role these islands played.

The elevated ridgelines and cliff edges would have provided useful vantage points and are the location of rock engravings at Middle Head and North Head.

Manly was observed as the scene of a large gathering which feasted on the remains of a stranded whale (1790) and North Head is known in Aboriginal oral history as a place of burial and medicinal practices carried out by Koradgee, medicine men, and also by female healers.

Settlement Pattern

The articulation of the social hierarchy in the first European settlement has had a lasting influence on the pattern of development around the harbour. Government and institutions were located to the east of the Tank Stream at Sydney Cove. Over time, mansions were built on the headlands eastward enjoying views and a northern aspect. The grand estates were of course subdivided over the years but some were taken over for institutional uses and conserved or were dedicated as parkland.

The unruly area of the Rocks, where most of the convicts lived, was to the west of the Tank Stream. The west became the site of industry, commercial wharfage and the neighbourhoods where the workers lived. As the land close to the city became occupied, industry sought out the points of land further upstream that had deep water and the potential for anchorage.

A gentler topography and northerly aspect meant more intensive development on the southern side of the harbour and less on the north, which became a place of large land grants to the military and free-settlers. Whilst the southern shore has a romantic vista of the bushland across the Harbour, the northern shore views the city through a veil of vegetation.

The Harbour as a Fort

Fortifications to the east and industry to the west- the protector and the protected Sydney Harbour had the potential to be the fortification itself. In the time of square rigged ships, the difficulty of manoeuvring caused by the narrowness of the passage in combination with a signal station on South Head which could give the inner township time to prepare was thought to be sufficient defence. The form of the landscape and the nature of the water body itself were the primary fortification. Over time, defence has taken advantage of the strategic potential of the outer Harbour - the depth of water access, observation, safety and trajectory of cannon balls and shells. Generally the settlements are nestled in to the landscape. Buildings, cut and fill are relatively small-scale when compared with the topography. The system of gun emplacements on the succession of headlands into the harbour has been developed and re-configured a number of times until World War II, after which construction ceased. In addition to the fortifications, the Navy's support functions have similar needs to civilian industry and this resulted in the development of more remote sites further up the Harbour. These included victualling stores, graving docks cut into the sandstone at Garden and Cockatoo Islands and a variety of shore bases for mine laying, submarines and munitions. The need for access to deep water and the Heads has given rise to the shore bases at Chowder Bay, HMAS Penguin and HMAS Platypus.

Headlands, Landing Places and Ridge Roads

Where the spur or ridge meets the deepest water provides the connections in the land - water access network. On both north and south shores, the harbour is deeper at the points. These are the places of anchorage, strands, jetties and wharfs. From these points the ferries still serve the city. The interconnection of land and water at these points holds a vital key for the future planning of our maritime city. Examples: Woolwich (Clarkes Point), Chowder Bay, Cremorne Point.

Village-like Settlements Along the Ridges

Our winding arterial roads probably follow the line of the pathways of the original inhabitants. From the ridges, occupied by the main roads, such as the Pacific Highway, Victoria Road and those named Military Roads (leading to the fortifications), the spur roads fall down towards the points of the peninsulas. Village like settlements - now our retail strips, formed along these ridge roads, for example, Neutral Bay, Cremorne and Mosman along Military Road; Paddington and Bondi Junction along Oxford Street and Old South Head Road.

Institutional Settlement Pattern

There are two essentially different development patterns development that can be observed in the city. One is typical of residential areas where streets define blocks which are subdivided into individual lots for houses. The other is where large land holdings are developed for industry or institutional use.

One defines the open space - the public domain by fences and houses setback for front gardens - the other has buildings set in the landscape with plenty of space around them.

Industrial uses tend to develop organically over time as technologies change or the buildings are adapted to different uses to the ones for which they were constructed. In terms of building hierarchy there is usually a distinction between administration (white collar) and production (blue collar).

In military establishments the layout reflects the more diverse levels of rank as well as separation of functions - the higher the function and rank, the closer to the central axis. At the centre is always the main gathering space, the quarterdeck, the parade ground. This neutral field is where the relationship of the ranks is clearly expressed by the geometry of the parade and reinforced by the hierarchy of mess halls and accommodation.

These archetypal architectural arrangements are most clearly evident in the Artillery school on North Head, but are also evident in the WW1 hospital on Georges Heights and even the School of Pacific Administration at Middle Head.

Away from the central buildings, the support functions tend to resemble both the layout, in their more opportunistic siting, and function of industry. Detached married quarters are spread along internal roads.

Therefore, it is not just the obvious heritage items of sandstone barracks, gaols, gun emplacements and store houses that are important but the layout and the relationship between all these elements. Unlike the settlement pattern of residential and retail areas, defence bases are characterised by the rational overlay of military roads, hierarchical arrangement of buildings, the benching of sand dunes and the creation of waterfront hard-stand. Examples: School of Artillery, HQ Training Command.

Juxtaposition of use

The intense juxtaposition of uses is unique to Sydney industry, bushland and residential.

In many cases, including Woolwich, industry was the first activity from the almost pristine bush or cleared grazing land. The neighbourhoods that grew around these sites were quite isolated from the rest of the city and relied on water transport as the primary form of communication. It has resulted in the unique pattern of juxtaposition of smaller industrial areas with bushland and residential areas but which are also close (by water) to the main port and can integrate with its activity as happened at Woolwich.

In the early part of the century a variety of pleasure grounds were developed around the foreshores. Often these pleasure grounds were developed and served by ferry companies. At Clifton Gardens, these facilities co-existed with the submarine mining base at Chowder Bay.

Carved Sandstone

Cliff walls, aprons for factories and hardstand, cuttings for docks and slipways - adapting the natural form of escarpments and ledges.

Major cut and fill with large scale built elements are the dominant characteristics of the industrial and goods handling precincts of the harbour. The sandstone cuts of the hillsides are flanked by aprons of fill, constructed from and contained by walls of the quarried stone. The broad terraces of cut stone and concrete contrast with the undulating upper plateaux and ridges. Examples: Cockatoo Island, Woolwich Dock and Chowder Bay.

Reclaimed Land in the Bays

The wooded hillsides extending to the natural shoreline and the open grassed areas of the reclaimed land.

The counterpoint to the industrial developments on the headlands in the western harbour are the headwaters of the bays and the network of streams and watercourses. Being more difficult to build on and less accessible both by water and land, these bay side areas were the leftover spaces of little utility. Often they were "reclaimed" and used for industry or turned into parkland.

There is a clear differentiation between the generally open grassed flat lands of the reclaimed areas and the more densely wooded hillsides beyond the natural shoreline. Examples: Clifton Gardens and Mosman Bay (Reid Park).

Incremental Change

Although "industry" often implies large scale and homogenous landscapes, the opposite is often the case for 19th century complexes with many sites resembling small towns or villages. The industrial sites have grown over time and the interventions tended to be the minimum required for adapting existing infrastructure to a new or expanded function. The form of buildings and waterfront tended to be adaptable to a variety of uses. Their character is the end result of a myriad of small interventions and actions over time (eg Cockatoo Island).

The above patterns are embodied in different ways in the Trust lands and they need to be revealed to enable the sympathetic adaptation and interpretation of these formerly isolated areas to their new role as part of the public domain on Sydney Harbour.

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Woolwich Dock and Parklands - Background Material

Existing Heritage Listings

The heritage importance of Woolwich Dock and Parklands is reflected by listings in the following inventories

• Register of the National Estate Database No 002651 - Woolwich Dock
• Hunters Hill Municipal Council LEP No.1 lists the following
• Mort's Dry Dock (Woolwich Dock), Clarke Rd and Frankie St
• Site of Clarke's Houses, Clarke Rd, Army Reserve
• Clarkes Point Reserve, Clarkes Point
• The subject area is also within the Hunters Hill Conservation Area No.1
• The National Trust lists the Dock

The Heritage Values Figure 4.4 (PDF 126kb ) shows the ranking of buildings resulting from the Conservation Plan for Woolwich Dry Dock and the Horse Paddock carried out by Edward Higginbotham & Associates and others for the Department of Defence, March 2000 and surrounding heritage items.

The description of heritage values and statements of significance can be examined in the 'Heritage Issues' Background Report. (in preparation)

Planning Context

Most items are based on 'Planning Context Report - Harbour Trust Lands', MG Planning, July 2002:

State Government

A number of State Government Agencies have responsibilities and policies which are relevant to the future of Woolwich Dock. Plans and policies prepared by these agencies which have implications for the future of Woolwich Dock are outlined below:

Draft Sydney Harbour Catchment REP No. 32

The Sydney Harbour Catchment Regional Environmental Plan and associated Integrated Land and Access Plan may have implications for this area to be used as an access point to the Harbour Islands including Cockatoo and Snapper Islands. This will be reviewed when complete.

Sharing Sydney Harbour- Regional Action Plan

• Woolwich Dock is an identified site for a Framework Plan - the Harbour Trust's plan will fulfil this role
• Woolwich Dock is identified as part of the Working Harbour
• Woolwich Dock is identified as an opportunity for new open space and/or land and water-based access.

The Harbour Trust's planning is addressing these issues.

Sydney Harbour and Parramatta River Development Control Plan

The Horse and Goat Paddocks are within the area detailed by the DCP in terms of ecological communities and landscape character. These foreshore areas are designated as Landscape Character Type 12 that applies to the distinctive bays of the Parramatta River (flat to sloping open spaces). In both cases the Statement of Character and Intent and the Performance Criteria, which relate to development within the Type 12 landscape, are compatible with the content of this plan.

Hunters Hill, Lane Cove, Ryde and Willoughby Bush Fire Risk Management Plan (NSW Bush Fire Coordinating Committee, 2002)

Local Government

Zoning and Land Use
The Goat and Horse Paddocks are both zoned 5(a) Special Uses - Defence under Hunters Hill LEP No. 1. Surrounding landuses include Clarkes Point Reserve which is zoned 9(c) Reservation - County Open Space and Morts Reserve which is zoned 6(a) Open Space - recreation existing. These two pieces of land divide the two paddocks in addition to the access road Clarkes Point Road. Surrounding land is primarily zoned residential 2(a2) or 2(a3) with the exception of a small area of land zoned 3(c) Business Neighbourhood located on the northern side of Woolwich Road opposite Franki Avenue (refer Figure 4.3 (PDF 129kb ).

The whole of the area is identified as a Foreshore Scenic Protection Area under LEP No.1.

Adjoining Landholders

Clarkes Point Reserve is State-owned land under the care of Hunters Hill Council. Council also maintains the area above the head of the Dock known as the Woolwich Lookout, which it leases from the Department of Defence. A restaurant at 103 Woolwich Road forms part of the western boundary of the lookout area. Four residences and a Sydney Electricity sub-station share the northern boundary of the Goat Paddock. Consultation took place between the Harbour Trust and these residents over the Goat Paddock path.

Traffic and Access

The Woolwich site is located towards the end of a peninsula adjoining Clarke's Point Reserve, is close to Kelly's Bushland reserve and to Valentia Street Wharf and provides the opportunity for the Woolwich area to become a strategic link in the regional open space network along the harbour foreshores.
Pedestrian access will be provided by a walking track via the Goat Paddock, across the Dock on a temporary bridge then into Clarkes Point Reserve and across the Horse Paddock. Stage 1 of this track is scheduled to open in November 2002.

As with other Trust lands, Woolwich is accessed by a single ridge road so that traffic is an important issue. Church Street links to the sub-arterial Ryde Road, which in turn links to the grade separated Burns Bay Road (arterial road). The ridge road is a bus route terminating at Valentia Street Wharf. Vehicular access to the Defence Lands is via Franki Avenue and Clarke Road. Clarke Road also accesses entry to an unformed road sloping down to the Horse Paddock and a 62-space car park serving Clarkes Point Reserve and the Hunters Hill Sailing Club. Margaret Street terminates in a boat ramp beside the Woolwich Marina. See Figure 4.3 (PDF 129kb ).

Traffic analyses carried out in 1997 for the Department of Defence showed capacity problems with morning peak traffic at the Ryde Road/ Burns Bay Road eastern ramps. Other intersections along the ridge road provided good levels of service. The environmental capacity of Woolwich Road as a collector road (500 vehicles/hour) is exceeded for the length at some point west of Gladstone Avenue (probably Wybalena Road). More detail is provided in the Background Report 'Transport Planning Review', Christopher Hallam & Associates.

A Sydney Ferries service operates between Valentia Street Wharf and Circular Quay about 22 services in each direction on weekdays, 18 on Saturdays and 5 on Sundays. The walk from the wharf is approximately 620m to the Goat Paddock. Sydney Buses provide a service between Valentia Street Wharf and Gladesville (No. 538) passing the Woolwich site, a stopping adjacent to Franki Avenue. There are some 20 services each way on weekdays and 11 each way on Saturdays. There is no bus service operating on a Sunday. Buses connecting to Ryde and the City are available at Gladesville.

Site usage

Servicing of 35 Water Transport Squadrons watercraft as part of Terminal Regiment

Services Conditions

Sewer

The site sewerage system consists of reticulation pipes, a pump station and a 50mm diameter UPVC rising main taking sewage from the pump station to a Sydney Water access chamber on Woolwich Road. The pump station and rising main are currently serviceable while the pipe reticulation network requires cleaning, repair and some replacement.

Water

The existing 100mm water mains are made up of a number of materials ranging from galvanised steel to DICL. These mains vary in condition from 'acceptable' to 'failure imminent'

Fire

The system is capable of supplying sufficient pressure to operate one hydrant only. A fire booster pump is required to bring the system up to standard to operate two hydrants concurrently

Electricity

Energy Australia provides HV power to a 200kVa pole mounted transformer on-site from which it is reticulated at 415V. this mains network is in acceptable condition. Electrical distribution boards and power outlets currently work but require upgrading to meet contemporary standards.

Stormwater

The stormwater system is in serviceable condition although some repair to pipe work and pits is required. The system discharges to the harbour and require a gross pollutant trap.

Building Conditions

Description

There are 16 buildings (excluding the concrete finger wharves and the historic dry dock). The buildings range in size and function with the largest being the sawtooth roofed industrial workshop that is asbestos cement sheet clad and approximately five stories high (Building 11). There are also a number of brick ancillary buildings, former military mess buildings and a number of Armco storage sheds.

Condition

The brick ancillary buildings are in serviceable condition requiring basic maintenance to roofs and joinery. There is an asbestos management issue to be addressed with Building 11, while the former mess buildings require major maintenance if they are to be retained.

Services

Five of the buildings have water supply and sewerage.
Power is available to most buildings but switchboards require upgrading and rewiring is necessary.

Compliance with Building Code of Australia and relevant Standards

The primary compliance issues are the absence of access for people with disabilities and the provision of appropriate amenities.

There are issues arising from the use of some asbestos cement wall and roof sheeting, lead based paint systems, non-compliant glazing and safety issues along dock edges.

Contamination Conditions

Resulting from its history of industrial engineering, dockyard and defence use this site has some elevated levels of contaminants in localised areas. Apart from the Horse Paddock, no levels have been identified that require significant remediation or would prohibit use of the site as parkland or open space. The requirements are summarised as follows.

A large proportion of the Horse Paddock (approximately 40%) has been reclaimed from the river by the placement of fill. Some of this activity has been relatively recent, taking place up to 1946. The reclaimed land extends about 75metres in from the current shoreline. While this part of the site has been used for industrial activities in the past, its assessment has focussed on contamination that may be associated with fill placed here. This includes elevated levels of mainly copper, lead, zinc, mercury, arsenic and Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs). These are generally associated with ash and grit blast waste in fill used to reclaim areas. Trace asbestos has also been identified. There is evidence that these elevated levels are affecting groundwater in the area, potentially causing offsite migration of some metals.

Contaminant levels in the Horse Paddock are considered safe for immediate parkland use, provided a stable grass cover is maintained over contaminated areas. This action would also reduce the potential for erosion of surface soils from the site. In the longer term, it may be desirable for a more robust cover to be installed over the reclaimed areas. This cover would take the form of a low permeability landscaped barrier.

The sea wall along the shore of the Horse Paddock is deteriorating, causing the fill from behind it to erode during high tides. The Harbour Trust intends to carry out repairs to the sea wall, for safety, and to limit potential offsite migration of contaminated fill to the harbour by this action.

The majority of the dockyard area has been cut out of sandstone ledge, including the dock itself. Therefore the lithology of this area is generally sandy fill over shallow sandstone. A strip of about 15metres adjacent to the waterfront was reclaimed by placement of fill early in the site's history. Ripped sandstone and sand from the dock construction is the major component of this fill. The dockyard area is paved with concrete or bitumen with small grassed and garden areas.

The inclusion of small volumes of ash and other process wastes in fill in the dockyard are responsible for elevated and localised concentrations of heavy metals, PAHs and trace asbestos in the dockyard. Previous studies have shown that levels of these contaminants meet requirements for parkland / public open space. The Harbour Trust intends to maintain the stable surface that exists and soils will also only be disturbed in accordance with an environmental management plan (EMP) for the site.

The dock area has included structures that may have served as point sources for contamination. These include diesel and waste oil tanks, workshops, a grit blasting facility and paint and chemical storage areas. It is possible that minor soil contamination is associated with these structures. This will need to be addressed as these structures are removed.

There is evidence of contamination of sediments within the dock itself. This includes elevated levels of cadmium, copper, mercury, lead, zinc and (mainly Tributyltin) TBT. These levels may have a direct impact on the ecological health of the sediment. Remediation of sediments within the dock has not been demonstrated at this stage as the risk to human health is considered to be low. The Harbour Trust intends to manage this issue through the implementation of a comprehensive EMP for the site.

Most of the remaining buildings are located in the dockyard area. Hazardous materials are associated with these buildings include asbestos, synthetic mineral fibre (SMF), Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in light fittings and lead-based paints. These are all generally in good condition. Continuing management of these materials only will be required.

The remaining areas of the site have low or insignificant levels of contamination. These areas are suitable for the uses planned by the Harbour Trust, without any requirement for remediation.

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Cockatoo Island - Background Material

Existing Heritage Listings

The heritage importance of Cockatoo Island is reflected by listings in the following inventories:

• Register of the National Estate
• National Trust

The Heritage Values Figure 5.3 (PDF 114kb ) shows the ranking of buildings resulting from the Conservation Management Plan carried out by Godden Mackay Logan for the Department of Defence dated May 1997.

The description of heritage values and statements of significance can be examined in the 'Heritage Issues' Background Report (in preparation).

Planning Context

State Government

A number of State Government Agencies have responsibilities and polices which are relevant to the future of Cockatoo Island. Plans and polices prepared by these agencies which have implications for the future of Cockatoo Island are outlined below.

Draft Sydney Harbour Catchment REP No. 32
This plan and the associated Integrated Land and Access Plan may have implications for Cockatoo Island, particularly with regard to proposed sites on the mainland to be used as access points to the harbour islands (refer section 2.1). The document will be reviewed when completed to identify any implications.

Sharing Sydney Harbour - Regional Action Plan
Under this plan, Cockatoo Island is identified as:

• a strategic site for the preparation of a framework plan (this will be satisfied by the Harbour Trust's plan)
• a maritime precinct ('working waterfront')
• a significant place in terms of 'harbour culture' (together with Spectacle and Snapper Islands)
• an opportunity for new open space and water-based access

Local Government

Cockatoo Island does not fall within any local government area. Notwithstanding it has a visual and historic relationship with Leichhardt, Canada Bay and Hunters Hill Local Government areas.

Zoning and Landuse - Canada Bay
Canada Bay Council has indicated that it does not anticipate any significant increase in density of land on the foreshore that has a visual relationship with either Cockatoo or Snapper Islands (i.e. the areas around Birkenhead Point and St Georges Crescent to Drummoyne Bay). These areas are either fully developed or are zoned for heritage conservation. There is some potential for redevelopment of single dwellings to a maximum of 2-3 storeys as the land is zoned Residential 2(b) which allows residential flat buildings.

In terms of potential uses for the islands, the council has indicated that its major concerns relate to access and parking at jumping off points. It accepts that some development will occur however this should be within the historical context and should retain significant buildings. Council is concerned to ensure that all appropriate contamination studies are undertaken and appropriate remediation completed.

Zoning and Landuse - Leichhardt
Leichhardt Council has advised that there is currently no significant potential for changes to the existing density or development form on the Balmain Peninsula. Some potential does exist for redevelopment of existing properties however this is likely to be at a similar scale to that currently existing. The area generally allows for development to a maximum floor space ratio of 0.7:1 with all major redevelopment sites having either already been developed or planned development approved and currently under construction (i.e. Balmain Shore site).

It is understood that there is a proposal to undertake some work on the Balmain High School site to increase the school's capacity in line with the State Government's rationalisation of schools within the inner west. The school is keen to gain direct access to the harbour via a pontoon used solely for school recreational purposes.

Council has advised that it is not aware of any proposed changes to the existing Department of Housing development in Elliott Street, Rozelle however this area is already developed to its maximum potential of three-storey walk up flats.

While some more major development is proposed further from the foreshore (e.g. Balmain Leagues Club and Callan Park) it is not considered that this would have any impact on development of Cockatoo or Snapper Islands. Council has indicated that the residents of Balmain / Rozelle have a longstanding historical relationship with these islands and any development proposals would therefore attract significant interest in the local area.

Adjoining Landholders

As an island there are no adjoining landowners. The Waterways Authority is responsible for the bed of the harbour.

Traffic and Access

As an island, access is a most important issue. With the disappearance of the previous land base at Balmain Power Station a new land base location is needed. Three categories of transportation will be required:

• transport of staff/employees
• transport of visitors
• transport of heavy material and removal of material, including sewerage

Island staff are expected to come from different directions using their employer's water transport, private water transport and ferries. Visitors will mostly arrive by ferry. Mooring facilities should be provided for private yachts and boats.

A suitable location for a land-base to serve the harbour's islands must be found that does not conflict with residential areas. It must be able to handle heavy vehicles, have a drive- on drive-off facility and a material storage area.

Detailed analysis of the traffic / access issues is contained in the background report 'Transport Planning Review', Christopher Hallam & Associates, 2002.

Site Usage

The Island was vacated in 1992. During its recent occupation, the site was used for shipbuilding and repair facilities including ancillary administrative facilities.

Building Conditions

There are eighty buildings on Cockatoo Island with examples surviving from each era of the island's history. The range of functional and constructional types includes the following:

• Convict era sandstone buildings
• Steel framed and clad industrial workshops dating from around WWI
• A number of individual residences built in timber, masonry and stone
• Brick administration buildings erected during the 1930s
• Concrete air raid shelters from WWII
• Masonry industrial buildings constructed during and after WWII

The current condition of buildings and other structures on Cockatoo Island can be gauged by the fact that the Island has been in disuse since 1992. There has been no maintenance of any description carried out until the Harbour Trust began undertaking repair and stabilisation works in 2001-2002. The decision to close the dockyard was taken in 1987 and it is assumed that regular maintenance of buildings was wound down during the final years of operation.

No maintenance occurred between 1992-2001 when the Harbour Trust began undertaking basic repairs to selected buildings. The lack of maintenance combined with the island's location (surrounded by saltwater), and demolition carried out after closure of the dockyard, has had a deleterious effect on many of the island's buildings and structures.

In addition to deterioration resulting from neglect, the condition of the island's buildings is reflected in the individual building's age, function, construction, type and setting.

Services Conditions

Sewer

The island's self-contained sewage system consists of a treatment plant, a pump station, and reticulation pipes most of which date from 1971. The treatment plant has been abandoned and would not adequately service any of the proposed future uses of the island

The pump station is structurally sound but the machinery is not serviceable.

Pipework is likely to be in poor condition with potential root infestation and structural cracking.

Water

The Cockatoo Island water reticulation system is in reasonably good condition with water supplied to virtually all buildings and apron areas. The two water reservoirs are out of service and not necessary for current operation of the island.

Electricity

The high voltage supply network is out of date and in very poor condition. New substations and mains reticulation are required for the future operation of the site.

Stormwater

Stormwater discharges to the harbour from outlets scattered around the island. Many of the existing lines are blocked with silt and debris and these may require renewal.

Fire

Existing sprinkler systems within buildings have been serviced and recommissioned. Further upgrading of sprinklers and hydrants is required to bring the site up to Building Code of Australia (BCA) compliance.

Buildings and Services Conditions

Convict Era Sandstone

Most of the convict sandstone buildings and structures are structurally sound requiring maintenance and restoration commensurate with their age and heritage status.

Industrial Buildings

The majority of the islands' buildings fall are industry-related and were constructed during the first half of the 20th century using steel, masonry and timber structural systems in combination with steel or timber cladding. They are structurally sound for the most part but require maintenance to roofing, rainwater goods, cladding and joinery.

Water is available to most of the industrial buildings but sewer and power services are not. There is some availability of telecommunications.

Residences

The houses are constructed of sandstone or brick masonry with timber used for verandahs, roof and floor structures and in some cladding. Roofs are either terracotta-tiled or corrugated steel sheeting.

The houses are structurally sound and in relatively good condition. Repairs to roofs and rainwater goods on three of the houses have been undertaken by the Harbour Trust. Further internal repairs to items such as plastering, floors and joinery will be required.

Water is available but sewer and power are not. Kitchens and bathrooms require restoration/upgrading and all houses will need new switchboards.

Other Structures

Cranes

There are forty cranes on the island dating from the 1850s through to the 1970s. The outdoor cranes require significant structural repair and conservation work. The indoor gantry cranes are in better condition but will require regular inspection and maintenance.

Wharves
The island has a number of wharves constructed from timber and concrete which all require major structural repair work. The Harbour Trust has begun this in the case of the timber patrol boat wharf.

The Powerhouse
This brick building and its contents, including historic pumping machinery, switchboards and rectifiers, requires maintenance and conservation work commensurate with its heritage significance.

Compliance with Building Code of Australia (BCA) and Relevant Standards

The buildings on Cockatoo Island have a range of features that do not comply with the BCA. Principal among these are stairs, handrails and balustrades. There are also issues of access and mobility for people with disabilities.

The use of hazardous materials in the form of asbestos-cement sheeting and lead-based paints was widespread on Cockatoo Island. The Harbour Trust has undertaken the removal / management of hazardous building materials in buildings on both the Southern Apron and the Eastern Apron.

Contamination Conditions

Cockatoo Island's rich history includes over 160 years of development, engineering and shipbuilding activity. Understanding this history provides a key to understanding the environmental condition of the island. Contamination on the island has resulted from the previous filling and waste disposal practices as well as the spillage and release of chemicals and materials that may have occurred on-site.

Various types of contaminants exist in soils, surface-water, groundwater and near shore sediments. Hazardous materials are also associated with the various buildings and structures that remain.

From the establishment of the penal settlement in 1839 and the development of stone quarries, stone waste (chippings and other quarry rubble) was disposed of by addition to the island's foreshore. After the completion of the Fitzroy Dock in 1857, the industrial component of this waste is likely to have increased. From 1910, industrial trade wastes were transported and dumped at sea, however the disposal of building rubble and other solid wastes continued along the foreshore.

From 1940-1960 barge disposal at sea was stopped and trade wastes were added to the rubble used for shoreline advancement. During this time reclamation was only taking place on the North Western apron area. As a result, fill in this area is includes sandstone, demolition rubble, slag, ash, coke, scrap metal, fibro cement and rubbish. Contamination in these materials is predominantly heavy metals, polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and asbestos. Historical evidence suggests that process wastes were routinely disposed in this area. These wastes may have included electroplating sludge (heavy metals, cyanides) and anti-foul wastes, mainly tributyltin (TBT).

Studies have shown that fill in other areas is likely to be composed of more natural materials, being mainly sandstone, marine sands and silt with some building rubble. There may have been other mechanisms for contamination in these areas.

Localised areas of contamination are associated with sumps, tanks and areas where chemicals were stored and used. For example, sub-floor pits containing oily wastes remain in the former heavy machinery and turbine workshop buildings. Soils in these areas are likely to be contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons and PAHs. Other areas where chemicals were stored or used may also have localised areas of contamination. These areas may be small in extent, but potentially related to a variety of chemicals. Examples include:

• Mercury residues that may remain in the power-house
• Grit blast waste containing heavy metals that remain in the coal bunker area
• Solvents in the former pipe cleaning area
• Cyanides in the former electrical assembly shop

All known underground storage tanks were removed during the Stage 1 Rehabilitation works carried out by the Department of Defence in 1999. This included the remediation of associated soil impact where possible. These tanks contained diesel, petrol, fuel oil and kerosene. It is likely that other unknown tanks remain on the site and will require removal. Two above-ground tanks also remain on top of building 106 (air raid shelter) and a number of septic waste tanks remain on the island. These will be a structural hazard and may also be a contamination source.

Contamination has affected areas of the island where there were no industrial operations, such as the residential precinct and garden areas. These areas have become contaminated largely due to the fallout of contaminated airborne dusts. The source of these dusts would primarily have been the powerhouse, incinerator and other furnace operations. Small volumes of fill may also have been placed in these areas for landscaping. Contaminants of concern in these areas are mainly lead, with some PAHs and benzo(a)pyrene, which exceed applicable guidelines for residential or public open space use.

Another important mechanism for contamination on the island is the deteriorating lead-based paints on buildings and structures. In many areas, flaking paint can be seen on walls and on adjacent ground. Lead, copper and zinc concentrations in these flakes can be very high. Addressing this issue is a high priority for clean-up of the site.

The same may be occurring for asbestos materials. While a large volume of asbestos is assumed to be present in fill, asbestos materials are also present in some remaining buildings. Most of this asbestos is in the form of asbestos cement sheeting, some broken or chipped and deteriorating. Small amounts of fibrous asbestos millboard, insulation or rope also remain on the island. These materials are generally isolated and stable. Much work has already been done to remove these materials, however this activity remains a priority for restoration of the site. Asbestos that has been disposed in fill material is less of a concern, although it will be important to manage these materials should they be uncovered to ensure that there are no unhealthy exposures or release of asbestos. Air monitoring carried out by the Harbour Trust to-date has not identified any levels that are unsafe for current visitation. These results have mostly been below detectable levels, or well below applicable guidelines in accessible areas.

Other types of hazardous materials in buildings include synthetic mineral fibre, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in lighting capacitors and electrical equipment. Other materials may be present in specific buildings, including mercury vapour lamps, drummed chemicals and oils and solid and aqueous wastes. These materials present less of an immediate human health risk but require appropriate management during rehabilitation of the island.

Contaminated wastes from site operations have been either disposed of or washed into the stormwater and waste-water systems over the years. Much of this system is currently in questionable condition, with residual sludge and grit remaining in pits and lines. Assessment of these materials has shown elevated levels of heavy metals and occasionally high levels of hydrocarbon contamination. It is possible that these sediments may mobilise under high flow conditions and migrate into the surrounding aquatic environment.

The washing of process wastes and contaminated sediments into the stormwater or waste-water system, or directly into the harbour, has been the primary mechanism for contamination of near shore sediments surrounding the island. These have included formulations used as marine anti-foul over the years. Contaminants from this source include TBT, mercury and copper.

The erosion of contaminated waste fill from behind deteriorating seawalls has also been a significant source of contamination of near shore sediments. Priority seawall restoration carried out on the eastern and northern aprons in previous rehabilitation projects has largely addressed this problem. Seawall restoration in localised areas, and the maintenance of seawalls, is a continuing requirement.

Assessment of near shore sediments has identified elevated levels of heavy metals and hydrophobic organic compounds such as TBT and PAHs. The most significant metals in sediments are mercury, copper and lead. While a 'halo' of contamination may surround the island, the highest concentrations may be found in the region of the Sutherland Dock near where the main waste-water outfall for the island was located. Contaminated sediments are also likely to exist within the docks themselves. Elevated levels of similar contaminants are also present in other areas of the harbour.

Inherent in the required remediation and management strategy is its application on a staged basis, allowing for the island to be gradually opened up for public access and use. This will require consideration of the effects of non-remediated areas on any adjacent 'clean' areas. An important requirement is to conserve the heritage values of the site and find an effective balance between heritage and environmental concerns.

This approach is predicated on preparation and implementation of a comprehensive environmental management plan (EMP) that would include requirements for environmental monitoring and managing disturbed contaminated soils and other aspects.

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Snapper Island - Background Material

Existing Heritage Listings

Register of the National Estate

The Plan Figure 6.2 (PDF 104kb ), shows the ranking of buildings resulting from the Heritage Assessment carried out by Clive Lucas Stapleton and Partners for the Department of Finance and Administration dated 2000.

The description of heritage values and statements of significance can be examined in the 'Heritage Issues' Background Report. (in preparation)

Planning Context

Most items are based on 'Planning Context Report - Harbour Trust Lands', MG Planning, July 2002:

State Government

A number of State Government Agencies have responsibilities and polices which are relevant to the future of Snapper Island. Plans and polices prepared by these agencies which have implications for the future of Snapper Island are outlined below.

Draft Sydney Harbour Catchment REP No. 32
The Draft Sydney Harbour Catchment Regional Environmental Plan No. 32 and associated Integrated Land and Access Plan may have implications for this area, particularly with regard to proposed sites on the mainland to be used as access points to the harbour islands.

Local Government

Snapper Island does not fall within any Local Government area, although it has a visual and historic relationship with both Leichhardt and Canada Bay Local Government areas.

Zoning and Landuse - Canada Bay
Canada Bay Council has indicated that it does not anticipate any significant increase in density of land on the foreshore that has a visual relationship with either Cockatoo or Snapper Islands (i.e. the areas around Birkenhead Point and St Georges Crescent to Drummoyne Bay). These areas are either fully developed or are zoned for heritage conservation. There is some potential for redevelopment of single dwellings to a maximum of 2-3 storeys as the land is zoned Residential 2(b) which allows residential flat buildings.

In terms of potential uses for the islands, the council has indicated that its major concerns relate to access and parking at jumping-off points. It accepts that some development will occur, however this should be within the historical context and should retain significant buildings. Council is concerned to ensure that all appropriate contamination studies are undertaken and appropriate remediation completed.

Zoning and Landuse - Leichhardt
Leichhardt Council has advised that there is currently no significant potential for changes to the existing density or development form on the Balmain Peninsula. Some potential does exist for redevelopment of existing properties, however this is likely to be at a similar scale to that currently existing. The area generally allows for development to a maximum floor space ratio of 0.7:1 with all major redevelopment having either already occurred or is planned development approved and currently under construction (i.e. Balmain Shore site).

It is understood that there is a proposal to undertake some work on the Balmain High School site to increase the school's capacity in line with the State Government's rationalisation of schools within the inner west. The school is also keen to gain direct access to the harbour via a pontoon, solely for school recreational purposes.

Council has advised that it is not aware of any proposed changes to the existing Department of Housing development in Elliott Street, Rozelle. This area is already currently developed to its maximum potential of three-storey walk up flats.

While some more major development is proposed further from the foreshore (e.g. Balmain Leagues Club and Callan Park) it is not considered that this would have any impact on the development of Cockatoo or Snapper Islands. Council has indicated that the residents of Balmain and Rozelle have a longstanding historical relationship with these islands and any development proposals would therefore attract significant interest in the local area.

Adjoining Landholders

As an island there are no adjoining landowners. The bed of the harbour is the responsibility of the Waterways Authority of NSW.

Traffic and Access

Current users have their own arrangements to access the island.

Site Usage

The Island was previously used by the Training of Navy League Cadets as a training depot and to house a museum collection The site is currently occupied by the Sydney Training Depot Snapper Island Limited.

Services Conditions

Sewer

There is no operating sewage system on the island. An old defunct septic system exists.

Water

The island is not connected to town water. Collection of water is via water tanks. The collection and reticulation of water is sub-standard.

Electricity

A diesel generator provides power to the island. The standard and extent of wiring is unsurveyed but expected to be sub-standard.

There is no telephone connection to the island.

Stormwater

All stormwater is discharged into the harbour. There is no detention system for discharge.

Fire

There are no fire services on the island.

Building Conditions

Description

There are 13 distinct buildings on the island dating back to the 1930s. With the exception of one, these are all timber-framed structures clad and roofed in corrugated steel. The exception is a steel-framed structure. These structures are generally single storey with skillion or gable roof forms. They sit either on masonry piers or badly damaged timber piles.

Condition

The built structures on the island are all in poor condition having suffered from extensive termite, water and corrosion damage. No regular maintenance has been carried out on the island for at least 10 years. The Harbour Trust has undertaken no repairs to the structures to-date. Many of the structures appear not to be structurally sound or waterproof. The lead-based exterior paints are in poor condition.

The island also contains seawalls, retaining walls, two main wharves constructed of timber piles and framing, numerous timber walkways and decking, a boat ramp and various pathways. These are all in poor and unsafe condition, and in some cases, in a state of collapse.

Services

There are no essential or sanitary services on the island. The on-site diesel generator and the wiring have not been tested for safety.

Compliance with Building Code of Australia and Relevant Standards

The compliance issues on the island are many and include:

• Absence of safe access for all visitors, including those with disabilities
• Absence of all amenities
• Absence of all essential services
• Lack of structural compliance of structures
• Lead-based paints and non-compliant glazing

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Middle Head - Background Material

Existing Heritage Listings

The heritage importance of Middle Head /Georges Heights and individual items is reflected by listings in the following inventories (see Figure 7.4 PDF 149kb ):

• Registered on the National Estate Database No.101087
• Mosman Municipal Council LEP
• National Trust

The text of the above listings and the detailed breakdown and description of heritage values and statements of significance can be examined in the 'Heritage Issues' Background Report, which is in preparation.

Planning Context

Most items are based on 'Planning Context Report - Harbour Trust Lands', MG Planning, July 2002:

State Government

SEPP 56 - Sydney Harbour Foreshores and Tributaries
The former Defence sites are significant - on Schedule 1

SPEP 23 - Sydney and Middle Harbours
Middle Head/Georges Heights land around the foreshore zoned W3 with small section at Chowder Bay zoned W4 - Naval Waters No heritage items are noted.

Sydney Harbour and Parramatta River Development Control Plan
Most of the Defence Lands are within the area detailed by the DCP in terms of ecological communities and landscape character. The foreshore areas are designated as Landscape Character Type 2, which applies to the entry to Sydney Harbour. In both cases the Statement of Character and Intent and the Performance Criteria, which relate to development within the Type 2 landscape, are compatible with the content of this plan.

Sharing Sydney Harbour- Regional Action Plan
Middle Head is an identified site for a Framework Plan.

The naval facilities at Chowder Bay and HMAS Penguin are identified as part of the Working Harbour.

Bushland areas identified for linking and rehabilitation.

Middle Head /Georges Heights key site to be interpreted as part of the 'Sydney Harbour Dreaming' project.

Chowder Bay identified as part of part of possible new access link for Zoo to Balmoral Beach circuit.

Draft Middle and Georges Heads Model Interpretation Plan and Application (National Parks & Wildlife Service)
This Draft Interpretation Plan focuses on interpretation of the headlands and divides the headlands into 7 precinct areas linking them via a series of walking tracks plus a visitors and resource centre, carparking and restaurant/gallery. The centre and staff facilities are proposed on Trust land on the 10 Terminal Regiment site adjoining the Middle Head part of the National Park. The report recommends that this land be acquired by the NPWS.

Sydney Harbour National Park - Middle and Georges Heads Fortifications Conservation Management Plan
This Plan is a detailed conservation plan addressing the fortifications contained within the Sydney Harbour National Park at Middle and Georges Heads. The report identifies items of State and local heritage significance. Middle and Georges Heads themselves are identified as items of State significance which means that under State legislation a Management Plan must be prepared and endorsed by the NSW Heritage Council. The Plan proposed maintenance and management works.

Other NPWS Initiatives
The NPWS is currently in the process of preparing detailed plans for Middle Head. Changes to the current pedestrian access is proposed and the Service is also relocating its office from North Head to Middle Head. In the short term this will involve additional access through 10 Terminal for staff vehicles entering the National Park. This is a matter which the Service would like to discuss further with the Trust. Whilst no formal plan is currently available of the Service's proposals for Middle Head, a range of concept plans are in the process of being prepared. These are not currently available but will be synthesized into a Precinct Plan in the next financial year. The Precinct Plan will use as a base the existing Draft Interpretative Plan, Draft Conservation Plan for the Fortifications and Draft Conservation Plan for Buildings (currently being prepared). In addition the NPWS, Mosman Council and the Trust are currently in the process of commissioning an Aboriginal Heritage Study which will cover the whole of Mosman LGA.

Within the North Harbour area, five formal bush regeneration areas exist. One is located within the local area at Chowder Head.

Stormwater drainage is also an issue within the Park. Stormwater currently runs onto the site from inadequate pre-existing structures. While this situation is unsatisfactory, the NPWS focus is on preventing new development impacting on the Park in terms of stormwater drainage.

Manly-Mosman District Bush Fire Management Plan
A lookout tower for the whole region is located at Imperial Place at Georges Heights on Trust land. Access needs to be maintained.

Local Government

Zoning and Landuse - Mosman
The whole of Middle and Georges Heads bounded by Middle Head Road, Cobbittee Street and Balmoral Park is deferred under Mosman LEP 1998 including the residential properties at Markham Close so that Mosman LEP No. 1 1982 continues to apply to Middle and Georges Heads. Various zonings apply to surrounding land and 10 heritage items on defence land are listed and the former sewerage works in HMAS Penguin.are listed as an archaeological site.

Mosman Council has prepared a draft LEP Mosman LEP 1998 (Amendment No. 9) in respect of Acid Sulphate Soils and Wetlands. The draft LEP has been finalized and is currently with the Minister awaiting gazettal. The LEP shows area containing wetlands the definition of which includes marches, saltmarshes, mangroves, seagrasses, etc. The Planning Context map for the area (Figure 7.3) shows areas of 'wetlands' adjacent to Chowder Bay, Obelisk Bay, Cobblers and Balmoral Beaches. The LEP requires that Council must not consent to the carrying out of works on land containing wetlands or within a wetlands buffer area (100m around wetlands), unless it has made an assessment of the predicted environmental impacts of the proposed works.

Adjoining Landholders

Mosman Council has a number of management plans for nearby parks and open space areas. These are as follows:

Rawson Park and Surrounds - Plan of Management (Oct 2001)
See Planning Context for Middle Head for the location (Figure 7.3). The plan provides for the upgrading of drainage within the Park and Bradleys Bushland Reserve and provides for the conversion of the existing netball courts into multi use facilities. Proposals for upgrading of the Park are likely to result in increased usage. The plan notes existing pathways through Bradleys Bushland Reserve and recommends continued liaison with the Trust in regard to the future use of 8th Brigade land and 1 Commando site and its potential links to Rawson Park and the development provision of complementary facilities (such as parking and the potential relocation of the netball courts and provision of an improved multi-purpose facility).

Balmoral Reserves - Plan of Management
See Planning Context (Figure 7.3 - PDF 234kb ) for location. This Plan outlines proposed management arrangement and action plans for the Balmoral Reserves. It also proposed a landscape management plan for the reserves. Relevant recommendations include reducing the visual impact of the boundary with HMAS Penguin by:

1. Providing appropriate native planting to screen the southern boundary
2. Negotiating with HMAS Penguin to increase the amount of planting at the boundary on their side. Plan also includes proposal for weed removal in bushland areas

Clifton Gardens Reserve
See Planning Context Map for location (Figure 7.3 - PDF 234kb ) . Council is also in the process of preparing a Management Framework, Landscape Masterplan and Implementation Plan for Clifton Gardens Reserve. The aim of the Plan is to improve generally the level of recreational amenity currently provided in this reserve, whilst maintaining the historical and natural features associated with the site.

Plan of Management: Natural Areas (Bushland)
This plan of management (POM) applies to all land within Mosman zoned 7(a) Environment Protection (Bushland). The objectives of this zone are to retain and manage bushland areas for their scenic and environmental values; conserve native plant and animal species through the maintenance of suitable habitats; and contribute to the scenic quality of Mosman and the Harbour. All development is prohibited in the zone other than bushland regeneration, bushfire hazard reduction and pedestrian access to facilitate recreational use of the bushland. The plan applies to small areas of bushland within the LGA including Bradley Bushland Reserve. The plan includes proposed works to conserve bushland including a weed removal program, creek rehabilitation, stormwater quality improvement devices, community education program etc.

Recreational Needs Assessment (January 2000)
This study provides a detailed assessment of recreational needs within the Mosman area. The main areas of need identified relate to the lack of an existing aquatic facility within the LGA. A public facility (25m swimming pool) has recently been approved within a development in Vista Street, Spit Junction to meet this demand. In addition the study refers to the need to retain use of the Georges Heights and Middle Head Ovals and the need to improve these facilities. The study also suggests the need to link open space through land negotiation and pedestrian and cycle links to National parks. The study also identified a potential cycle/triathlon track in the area and the desire for a walking track linking Clifton Gardens with Balmoral Beach.

Recreation Strategy Action Plans (July 2001)
These Action Plans follow on from the Recreational Needs Assessment referred to above, and propose implementation measures. The Action Plans relate to actions on the 0-5 year timeframe. Relevant actions include liaison with the Harbour Trust on retaining the use of Georges Heights and Middle Head Ovals and obtaining one or more additional ground/s to cater for sports, particularly junior cricket, junior soccer and junior rugby as well as development if land obtained. In addition it is proposed to undertake a review of paths (walking and cycle) in Mosman in order to address issues and improve the provision. Another action is to "in consultation with hockey associations/clubs, investigate the opportunities to establish an indoor hockey facility possibly as part of Sydney Harbour Federation Trust planning for Georges Heights and Middle Head."

Traffic and Access

The report by Traffix titled Traffic Assessment Report of Proposed Redevelopment of Middle Head and Georges Heights, prepared in October 1996 provided information on the existing functional use of roads in the Mosman area. The "major through route" is Military Road (West)-Spit Road, acting as an arterial road which has been a longstanding concern to Mosman and the other northern peninsula Councils. A parallel "major through route" is along Ourimbah Road and roads to its east. Military Road between Spit Junction and the roundabout at its intersection with Middle Head Road, Bradleys Head Road and Prince Albert Street is the "Main Street" of Mosman, with a high concentration of retail activity, with resulting high pedestrian concentration and kerbside parking turnover.

The report Assessment of Existing Traffic Situation in Mosman Council Area prepared for Mosman Municipal Council by Geoplan in April 1998 defined Military Road through the Main Street area and Bradleys Head Road as a "regional" road, and Middle Head Road as a "collector" road.

As with other Trust lands, Middle Head /Georges Heights is a peninsula with access restricted to Middle Head Road (except for 8th Brigade site). More detailed analysis of the Traffic/ access issues is contained in the Background report 'Transport Planning Review', Christopher Hallam & Associates, 2002 .

Defence Housing - Site Usage

Site Usage: Defence Housing
Status: Occupied

Defence Housing -Services Conditions

Site Services

Generally the majority of the houses at Middle Head have direct service connections to the consumer network of water, sewer, gas and electricity. The relevant authorities maintain these services. The reliability of the services for those houses located within or immediately adjacent to Training Command is limited by the existing condition of this infrastructure.

Defence Housing - Building Conditions

Description

The main housing type is single storey brick and tile of modest size.

They typically date from the mid 1960's and are located in three distinct areas. Markham Close to the north west of Training Command has 19 houses. 6 are located on Middle Head Road to the east of 30 Terminal and there are a further 3 houses located south of the sports oval on Imperial Place. There are in addition to these main housing groups a number of individual houses across the site as varied as 1950's fibro housing on Middle Head Road, weatherboard housing adjacent to Commandos Training and pre WWII brick housing attached to Training Command

Condition

The houses have been continually occupied and as such benefited from regular maintenance, their condition is consistent with their age. The building fabric is in reasonable condition but in some houses the kitchens and bathrooms require upgrading.

Services

Services within the allotments have been regularly maintained and upgraded as required.

A number of the houses located on or adjacent to Middle Head Road are connected directly to the general consumer network.

However, those houses connected to the site infrastructure of Training Command experience reduced levels of serviceability. (Refer Training Command services assessment)

Compliance with Building Code of Australia and relevant Standards

The houses predate the BCA, but the essential safety actions would be the installation of smoke alarms, electrical safety switches as required and an assessment of non-compliant glazing.

The use of lead based paints poses a risk that requires management.

10 Terminal - Site Usage

Site usage: Vehicle servicing, garaging and ancillary administrative functions for 10 Terminal Regiment. Vacated in 1997.

10 Terminal - Services Conditions

Sewer

Sewage discharges via a 150mm pipe to an access chamber located on HMAS Penguin from where it flows to the Sydney Water pumping station at Balmoral. The system is untested since Defence vacated the site. CCTV survey revealed extensive root blockage and some structural failure of pipe work.

Water

The site is fed from a 150mm diameter Sydney Water pipe along Middle Head Road.

Site reticulation is via a 100mm CICL ring main. The pipe work is approximately 50-60 years old.

The system has suffered a number of pipe failures since the Trust assumed responsibility.

Electricity

Existing supply is adequate and is via a 415V 300kVa overhead supply feed from a pole transformer located approx 200m west of the site. This line also supplies AusAid. Reticulation is a ring main with two points of attachment on Middle Head Road and an overhead supply to all buildings. The transformer requires upgrading and additional switchboards installed.

Stormwater

Roof and surface water is collected via an under ground pipe work. There is an uncontrolled discharge from the site to the southeast into surrounding bushland. There is no detention system for discharge.

The pipe conditions are similar to sewer.

Fire

The system is capable of supplying water for both domestic and fire demands directly from pressure supplied by Sydney Water.

10 Terminal - Building Conditions

Description

The majority of the buildings are single storey full brick and tile structures. Part suspended flooring and part slab on ground; they are of a small scale. They are located around a central hardstand space associated with vehicle servicing.

Associated with 10 Terminal are three timber framed simple two storey barracks buildings. They are timber clad and arranged parallel to the car parking north of 10 Terminal proper.

Condition

The Trust has undertaken basic waterproofing to stabilise the buildings. The buildings require some structural repair resulting from water penetration. Extensive floor repairs are required to suspended floors resulting from poor ventilation and termite damage. The predominantly timber joinery is in poor repair. There is evidence of minor footing failure and spreading of the tiled roofs. The timber barracks buildings have suffered some structural damage from termites and water damage.

Services

The condition of internal water and sewer systems is unknown but partial inspection suggests that water reticulation requires renewal and waste points have collapsed in some instances.

Power is available to most buildings but switchboards require upgrading and internal cabling replaced.

Compliance with Building Code of Australia and relevant standards

The primary compliance issues are the absence of access for people with disabilities and the provision of appropriate amenities.

Dependent on building classification there is potential difficulties with fire services and paths of travel.

There are issues arising from lead based paint systems and non-compliant glazing.

30 Terminal - Site Usage

Site usage: Vehicle servicing, garaging and ancillary administrative functions. Vacated: 1997.

30 Terminal - Services Conditions

Sewer

Discharge from site is predominantly to the Board's sewer on Middle Head Road with a secondary discharge to the pumping station at Clifton Gardens. The lines are in poor condition and are heavily choked with tree roots. There is localised collapse of risers and pits and structural damage to pipe work.

Water

The site is fed from a 150mm diameter Sydney Water pipe.

Reticulation network is mainly CICL pipe work approximately 40-60 years old.

It appears to be in useable condition but has not been fully loaded since Defence vacated the site.

Electricity

Existing supply is adequate and is via a single 11kV/415V, 400kVA transformer substation located on Suakin Drive. The substation is 30-40 years old. Reticulation is via overhead cabling.

A separate switchboard would be required for the site.

Stormwater

Main discharge of majority of the buildings located to the west is via a direct connection to the drainage system on Middle Head road.

There is an uncontrolled discharge from eastern buildings to the surrounding bushland. There is no detention system for discharge.

The pipe conditions are similar to sewer.

Fire

The system is capable of supplying both domestic and fire water demands directly from pressure supplied by Sydney Water. The fire booster pump installed is not required under existing pressure profiles.

30 Terminal - Building Conditions

Description

The majority of the buildings on the site are single storey, gable ended small span structures, timber framed and clad in metal sheeting or timber weatherboard.

The majority of the structures date from World War I with a small number of service buildings constructed during World War II and later.

Condition

The Trust has undertaken basic waterproofing to stabilise the buildings. The buildings require some structural repair resulting from water and termite damage. The predominantly timber joinery is in poor repair. The lead based exterior paint system is in poor condition.

Services

The buildings have minimal sewer and water systems. Power is available to most buildings but switchboards require upgrading and internal cabling replaced.

Compliance with Building Code of Australia and relevant standards

The primary compliance issues are the absence of access for people with disabilities and the provision of appropriate amenities.

There are issues arising from the use of some asbestos cement wall and roof sheeting, lead based paint systems and non-compliant glazing.

School of Pacific Administration - Site Usage

Site usage: Educational facility and associated administrative functions. Vacated: 1996.

School of Pacific Administration - Services Conditions

Sewer

Sewerage discharges via a 150mm pipe to an access chamber located on HMAS Penguin from where it flows to the Sydney Water pumping station at Balmoral. The lines require water jetting.

Water

The site is fed from a 150mm diameter Sydney Water pipe located in Middle Head Road with a branch line feeding the site. There is an additional minor line connected to 10 Terminal that feeds the Northeastern corner of the site. The reticulation network is mainly CICL pipe work approximately 40-50 years old.

It appears to be in useable condition but has had a number of leaks develop since the site was vacated.

Electricity

Existing supply is adequate and is via a single 415V 300kVa overhead supply feed from a pole transformer located approx 200m west of the site. This line also supplies 10 terminal. Reticulation is via overhead cabling to the eastern sector and then underground reticulation running east/west. The supply requires upgrading and additional switchboards installed.

Stormwater

There is no record of an underground stormwater system. All roof water discharges direct to ground and both roof and ground flows are overland to the bushland south of the site. There are no detention systems installed.

Fire

The system is capable of supplying both domestic and fire water demands directly from pressure supplied by Sydney Water.

School of Pacific Administration - Building Conditions

Description

The site comprises a number of single storey timber framed small-scale buildings. Predominantly clad in timber weatherboard and arranged around a series of landscaped pathways, the facility is approximately 40-50 years old.

Condition

The Trust has undertaken basic waterproofing to stabilise the buildings but progressive additions to the structures over its life have resulted in an unreliable roof design prone to water penetration. The buildings require some structural repair resulting from water and termite damage. The predominantly timber joinery is in poor repair.

Services

The buildings have a number of toilet facilities but there has been damage to both sewer and water reticulation internally and requires extensive upgrade.

Power is available to most buildings but switchboards require upgrading and internal cabling replaced.

Compliance with Building Code of Australia and Relevant Standards

The primary compliance issues are the absence of access for people with disabilities and the provision of appropriate amenities.

There are significant issues associated with large expanses of non-compliant glazing and the existing fire services in particular paths of travel.

Chowder Bay - Site Usage

Short course training and accommodation for the Army Maritime School. Currently partially occupied by the Trust Offices. Vacated: 1997 by Defence.

Chowder Bay - Services Conditions

Sewer

Discharge from the site is via a 225mm pipe to the Sydney Water pumping station at Clifton Gardens. There is no sewer on the lowest level of the site (West) due to the pump station invert levels. The lines are in reasonable condition.

There is however structural failure of the line from Training Command in the Navy fuel depot that causes frequent surcharge upstream.

Water

Water is supplied to the site from pressure reducing tanks (break tanks) located in training Command. The tanks are prone to valve failure and leaking.

Reticulation at the site is via a 150mm CICL pipe that appears to be in reasonable condition. There is localised leaking at a number of landing valves.

Electricity

Existing supply is adequate and is via a single 11kV/415V, 500kVA substation located in Building 1. The substation is 30-40 years old. The HV supply is susceptible to brownouts. 415V reticulation is via underground cabling.

Stormwater

The site is the lowest point on the southern side of the peninsular. Surface run off from hardstand is collected in a series of pits and along with roof water discharges into the harbour.

Overland flows are not collected and discharge direct to the harbour.

The major part of the stormwater system is 30- 40 years old and in reasonable condition. The system is unable to handle peak flows during heavy rain.

Fire

The supply rate from the break tanks is adequate, however; the unreliability and possible failure of the break tanks could result in loss of hydrant capabilities.

Chowder Bay - Building Conditions

Description

The structures on the site range from a single storey Victorian cottage, the heritage listed submariners building, two storey brick and timber barracks buildings, and two storey brick mess buildings and contemporary brick and FC sheeted office accommodation.

Condition

The Trust has undertaken substantial repair and modifications to the later period structures and they are in good condition. Major conservation works have been undertaken on the Submariners building and cottage.

The remaining buildings are generally in good condition with only minor repair works required to maintain structural stability.

Services

The buildings are well serviced and the internal systems are relatively intact.

Compliance with the Building Code of Australia and Relevant Standards

The primary compliance issues are the absence of access for people with disabilities and the provision of appropriate amenities. The topography of the site presents particular issues with access to the buildings.

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North Head - Background Material

Existing Heritage Listings

Figure 7.4 (PDF 149kb ) shows the ranking of buildings on the Defence Lands resulting from the Heritage Assessment carried out by Peter Freeman Pty Ltd in association with Peter McLaren for the Department of Defence, August 2000 and includes surrounding heritage items from Manly Council's LEP.

The heritage importance of North Head is reflected by listings in the following inventories:

• Registered on the National Estate Database No 101621
• Sydney Harbour National Park, Manly. Register of the National Estate - Database No.002584
• State Heritage Inventory - Quarantine Station and Reserve

Manly Municipal Council LEP lists the following Architectural and Archaeological Items:

• Various houses
• St Matthew's Anglican Rectory (1 Darley Road)
• St Patrick's College Seminary and associated buildings (Darley Road)
• St Patrick's College Complex (Darley Road)
• Cardinal's Palace (Darley Road)
• Manly District Hospital - former principal buildings (Darley Road)
• Site of Gas Works (Little Manly Point)
• North Head Fortifications (Artillery School, North Head)
• Stone Walls (North Head)
• North Head Scenic Drive, Parkhill (North Head)
• The School of Artillery (North Head)
• The Australian Police Staff College North Head)
• Quarantine Station (Sydney Harbour National Park)
• Cemetery (Sydney Harbour National Park)
• Group of Institutional Buildings (Commonwealth Military Reserve)

Landscape Items:

• Various street trees
• Cardinal's Palace Grounds (Darley Road)
• St Patrick's College Grounds (Darley Road)
• St Patrick's College Stone Walls (boundary of St Patrick's College)
• Ocean Foreshores (boundary of Municipality adjacent to the ocean)
• Harbour foreshores (boundary of Municipality adjacent to the Harbour)
• National Park (North Head)
• Obelisk (North Head, Sydney Harbour National Park)
• Quarantine Station Stone Cairn
• Quarantine Station Stone Walls
• Quarantine Station
• Park Hill Reserve Gateway

The following items are either within the School of Artillery site or immediately adjacent:

• North Head Fortifications
• Roadway: North Head
• Walls: North Head
• School of Artillery
• Cemetery: North Head

Register of the National Trust:

• North Head Quarantine Station
• St Patrick's College Seminary and Associated Buildings, Darley Road
• St Patrick's College Complex, Darley Road
• Cardinal's Palace, Darley Road
• North Head Fortifications
• Cemetery, School of Artillery
• Sydney Harbour Entrance

The description of heritage values and statements of significance can be examined in the 'Heritage Issues' Background Report. (in preparation).

Planning Context

This section draws from the particular sections of State and local government legislation and planning documents that specifically have implications for the Harbour Trust in formalising its Plan and is summarised from the 'Planning Context Report - Harbour Trust Lands', MG Planning, July 2002.

State Government

A number of State Government agencies have responsibilities and policies which are relevant to the future of North Head. Plans and policies prepared by these agencies which have implications for the future of North Head are outlined below:

SEPP 56 - Sydney Harbour Foreshores and Tributaries
The North Head Defence lands are listed in Schedule 1, Sites of State Significance, of this Plan (see Whole of Harbour section for more detail).

SREP 23 - Sydney and Middle Harbours
See Whole of Harbour section for more detail. No heritage items are noted on Defence Lands.

Sydney Harbour and Parramatta River DCP
The Defence site and the Australian Institute of Police Management are within the boundary of the Plan which deals with land fairly closely related to the waterline. As a result the upper part of North Head is not detailed for ecological communities and landscape character. The Police College is designated as Landscape Character Type 1; Type 2 applies to the entry to Sydney Harbour. In both cases the Statement of Character and Intent and the Performance Criteria are compatible with the content of this Plan.

Sharing Sydney Harbour - Regional Action Plan
North Head and the western part of St Patrick's Estate are shown as strategic sites requiring the preparation of a framework plan.

Bushland areas are identified for linking and rehabilitation.

North Head is identified as a key site to be interpreted as part of the 'Sydney Harbour Dreaming' project and is identified as an opportunity for new open space

North Harbour Aquatic Reserve (NSW Fisheries) see Figure 8.3
The North Harbour Aquatic Reserve applies to the water area from Mean High Water Mark including the majority of North Harbour with the exception of the area from Manly Point to Forty Baskets Beach and Little Manly Cove. Within the Reserve a person may not wilfully disturb, injure or interfere with fish or wilfully damage, destroy or interfere with marine vegetation. Fin fish are able to be taken by hook and line.

Manly Council has applied to have the North Harbour Aquatic Reserve extended to include the whole North Harbour area north of Dobroyd Head to Cannae Point. The application is currently on hold.

The marine importance of this area has implications for any potential water access.

Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve (NSW Fisheries)
The area from Manly Surf Life Saving Club to the north end of Shelly Beach headland known as Cabbage Tree Bay has been identified as an Aquatic Reserve. This area is also listed on the Register of the National Estate. The area is designated as a no take aquatic reserve.

Little Penguin Critical Habitat Declaration and Recovery Plan (NPWS)
On January 1, 2003 the Minister for the Environment made a declaration under the Threatened Species Conservation Act in respect of the critical habitat for the Little Penguin colony at North Head. The critical habitat declaration describes the current understanding of the Little Penguin population and documents the critical significance of the areas around Manly Point and from Collins Beach to Cannae Point for the survival of the colony. It also includes an assessment of the social and economic consequences of the declaration. The area declared as critical habitat is shown at Figure 8.3. The declaration identifies three classes of critical habitat - critical habitat area A, critical habitat area B and potential habitat areas. The following restrictions apply to each category of area:

Area A regulations

• No Companion animals (except for assistance animals) in Critical Habitat
• No fishing in Critical Habitat between sunset and sunrise during the Little Penguin breeding season (from July 1 through to February 28)

No tampering with or damaging Little Penguin nest boxes, nesting burrows, moulting penguins or approaching within 5m of a Little Penguin on land

Area B regulations

• No companion animals (except for assistance animals) in Critical Habitat (residential back yards excluded)
• No fishing in Critical Habitat between sunset and sunrise during the Little Penguin breeding season (from July 1 through to February 28)
• No tampering with or damaging Little Penguin nest boxes, nesting burrows, moulting penguins or approaching within 5m of a Little Penguin on land

Potential habitat area regulations

• There are currently no regulations that apply to potential habitat areas

The Little Penguin Recovery Plan include measures such as those above to protect the existing Little Penguin colony in the area.

Draft Recovery Plan - Grey Nurse Shark (NSW Fisheries)
Council has advised that a monitoring station for Grey Nurse Sharks has been installed by NSW Fisheries at Little Manly Point. Grey Nurse Sharks are on the endangered species list under the NSW Fisheries Management Act and the eastern coast species is listed as "critically endangered" under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. NSW Fisheries has prepared a Draft Recovery Plan (currently on exhibition) for the Grey Nurse Shark. The Plan proposes 13 areas of critical habitat although the area within the North Harbour Aquatic Reserve has not been identified. The Conservation Lobby is currently proposing that the Reserve be included as critical habitat.

Draft Long Nosed Bandicoot Recovery Plan (NPWS)
This recovery plan notes that the Long Nosed Bandicoot population at North Head is listed as endangered under Part 2 Schedule 1 of the NSW TSC Act 1995. The Long Nosed Bandicoot population on North Head faces a number of key threats. These include threats that affect habitat (habitat loss, habitat fragmentation, habitat modification and/or degradation), threats that have a direct impact on individuals (i.e. predation, road mortality, disease) and threats which result from the small population (i.e. inbreeding depression, loss of genetic variability and the ability to recover from stochastic events such as catastrophic wildfire).

The objective of the Recovery Plan is to maintain the population of Long Nosed Bandicoots on North Head at a secure status in the wild, ameliorate threats and de-list the population as an engendered population under the NSW TSC Act. The Plan outlines actions targeted at achieving this objective.

The Recovery Plan indicates the need to revise the existing plan for the management of Long Nosed Bandicoot population and implement plans to address matters of habitat management and enhancement (i.e. weed control, fire management and bushland rehabilitation), threat reduction (predator control and road mortality), education of occupants and monitoring of bandicoots.

Draft North Head Planning Strategy (North Head Advisory Committee - Section 22 Committee)
The Strategy proposed a number of strategies for the headland, which related to five management areas under the following headings:

• Planning and administration
• Land use and built environment
• Cultural heritage
• Natural systems
• Circulation and access
• Recreation Tourism and Leisure
• Image and Quality

The Strategy remains in draft form as it has never been finalised however it is good base document which drew together all available information in 1996. The recommendation of the study while valid proved controversial with landholders with conflicting interests unable to commit to strategies which required a holistic view of planning and management of the headland.

Buffer Zones around Sewerage Treatment Works
A Section 117 Direction under the EP&A Act provides for a 400 metre buffer zone from the source of the odour to be taken into account when preparing new plans (see Figure 8.3).

Community Approach to Recording Aboriginal Heritage: North Head (NPWS and Metropolitan Aboriginal Land Council)
The National Park and Wildlife Service in conjunction with the Metropolitan Aboriginal Land Council had a study prepared by Darwala-Lia Archaeological Services of Aboriginal places at North Head (Feb. 2001). The Study involved a detailed survey of the western side of North Head particularly focusing around the Quarantine Station. The study provides a fascinating view of North Head from an Aboriginal perspective and provides a statement of significance written in the form of an Aboriginal oral history. The study identifies significant sites however these are not mapped given the sensitive nature of the sites and the desire to ensure that their location does not become public. The study recommends further detailed survey work be undertaken for the remainder of North Head and in particular the School of Artillery.

Manly Mosman Bush Fire Risk Management Plan (NSW Bush Fire Coordinating Committee, 2002)

Local Government

Zoning and Landuse - Manly
The site falls within the Manly local government area and is zoned special uses 5(a) School of Artillery under Manly Local Environmental Plan 1988. The surrounding Sydney Harbour National Park is zoned 8(a) National Park with other special use zonings in the headland including the Hospital, the Sewerage Treatment Works (note the actual works are not including within the local government boundary although part of the site is zoned special uses).

The residential area of Eastern Hill is fully developed (with only minor increases in density foreseeable) with the exception of land identified for residential development within the St Patrick's Estate site. Part of the St Patrick's land is currently the subject of a draft LEP to allow residential development. The gazettal of the LEP should finalise the long dispute over the appropriate amount of residential development on this land. In total 115 dwelling were previously allowed and the current LEP will allow a further 37 dwellings. Further residential development on the headland can therefore be expected to an approximate maximum additional 150 dwellings. The draft LEP requires the provision of "reasonable public access and including pedestrian connection from Spring Cove to Shelly Beach via the Estate lands". It is unclear at this stage whether a formal pedestrian pathway will be provided or whether the current informal arrangements will continue. Planning NSW has indicated that an existing stone wall separates the Estate lands from the Harbour foreshore at Spring Cove therefore this connection appears doubtful.

Implication: Existing road system will be put under additional pressure as a result of future residential development and development of the Quarantine Station site. Possible pedestrian connection to be provided from Spring Cove to Shelly Beach via Estate lands although existence of stone wall separating Estate from Harbour foreshore may preclude this.

Stormwater Management Plans
Manly Council in conjunction with Warringah Council, Pittwater Council and a range of other government bodies has prepared the Northern Beaches Stormwater Management Plan (July 1999) for the northern beaches area. The plan covers the North Harbour catchment and the Manly Lagoon catchment on the ocean side of North Head. The Plan identifies general and specific proposals to improve stormwater within the catchments. Specific recommendations which are relevant include the provision of gross pollutant traps at various locations and the provision of sediment basins/mini wetlands to control runoff. In particular it proposes a sediment basin/mini wetland to treat stormwater runoff discharge from school/hospital areas into the National Park at North Head. However the Plan also includes an Action Plan for Manly Council which does not include the provision of a sediment basin/mini wetland in this location. Other measures included in the Plan are general and do not have any specific implications for Trust lands.

Public Open Space
Council does not currently have a Plan of Management for Little Manly Point (former Gas Works).

A Management Plan has been prepared for Cabbage Tree Bay (October 2000), which comprises the area between Manly Point and Fairy Bower Headland including Shelly Beach. The Plan proposes the Bay as a "no take" marine sanctuary area. The area has since been declared as a No Take Aquatic Reserve. The plan proposes terrestrial measures including management consistent with whole of North Head, bush regeneration consistent with requirements of Long Nosed Bandicoots and other various measures. The Plan has no specific implications for Trust Lands other than ensuring consistency.

Bush Regeneration