Harbour Trust: Planning
The Plan: Middle Head, Georges Heights and
Chowder Bay
Caba- Caba (Middle Head), Koree (Chowder Bay)
The Site and its Context
The Place
Refer to Figure
7.1 (PDF, 121 kb  )
Plan Area.
The sheer sandstone cliffs and steep wooded slopes of Middle Head and
Georges Heights form the impression of a "green" entry to Sydney
Harbour.
The descending ridgeline of the peninsula links back via the Military
Road and the former villages of Mosman, Cremorne and Neutral Bay to North
Sydney. It forms the watershed between Middle Harbour and Sydney Harbour
with excellent views of both.
Cobblers and Obelisk Beaches reveal the marked climatic differences between
the northern and southern sides of the headland.
Middle Head and Georges Heights are characterised by natural bushland
on the steeper slopes and ovals, defence complexes and associated landfill
on the undulating plateau. The former army buildings are mainly barracks,
training facilities and workshops. Most are simple constructions with
lightweight frames and many are susceptible to deterioration. Some like
the Officers' Mess are valued landmarks while others detract from the
appreciation of the area's natural and cultural heritage.
The escarpment on the southern side of the headland is a natural rampart
along which a series of historic fortifications and associated buildings
have been built.
The Headland's strategic military importance has resulted in an unrivalled
collection of historic fortifications and associated buildings on the
escarpments.
At Chowder Bay, the former Submarine Mining Depot nestles on the harbour
foreshores at a sheltered cove that is characterised by calm, clear water
that supports a rich aquatic habitat.
Land clearing, landfill and altered drainage patterns have adversely
affected much of the natural environment.
The Plan provides an opportunity to integrate these separated, former
defence bases into a magnificent headland park, enveloped by an expanded
bushland above the slopes and linked with the neighbourhood and the foreshore
by a sequence of walks which provide superb views of the harbour.
How it Evolved
Refer to Figure
7.2 (PDF, 176kb )
Historical Development
Natural Forces
Warped, tilted and uplifted sandstone layers and flooding of the river
valley at the end of the last Ice Age have given rise to the steep cliffs,
ledges and rocky bays overlooking the Heads and the harbour with some
more moderate slopes towards Middle Harbour.
A volcanic dyke has helped to create the headland area.
There are areas of original Hawkesbury sandstone vegetation on the slopes.
The vegetation varies from angophora forest to wet gullies and on the
drier land, coastal heath, low woodland and open scrub.
The bushland provides habitat for a variety of common native animals
including water dragons, blue tongue lizards, ring tailed possums, kookaburras,
rainbow lorikeets, pacific white face herons and dollar birds. No endangered
species have been identified at Middle Head although the Common Bent Wing
Bat is believed to spend the winter months in the fortifications.
The remaining bushland areas on the defence lands are important in providing
a setting for and contrast to the defence building clusters and supplementing
the adjacent bushland of Sydney Harbour National Park.
The quality of the bushland has been affected by changes to drainage,
landfill and the introduction of weeds and feral animals such as rabbits
and foxes. Several areas of dieback are clearly visible. These areas are
predominantly in the adjoining National Park.
The surrounding waters are home to many marine plant and animal species.
Cultural History
Middle Head was the home of the Borogegal clan and middens and
rock engravings provide valuable evidence of their life on the peninsula.
In 1788 Captain Hunter's party was hailed from the clifftop at Middle
Head by Aborigines who pointed to the best landing place.
Bungaree's Farm, Governor Macquarie's experiment in trying
to introduce a selected group of Aborigines to the settled ways of European
agriculture, was sited on the peninsula. The most likely location is the
area now occupied by Georges Heights Oval.
Middle Head has played an extremely important role in the defence of
Sydney. Over the years a series of gun emplacements that reflect different
defence strategies, new threats and changed defence technology were constructed
along the escarpment.
The first gun emplacement was established in 1801 (north of Obelisk Bay)
in response to the Napoleonic wars.
From 1825 onwards, early land grants were made to Europeans who farmed
the area. The Middle Head peninsula was then left largely unoccupied until
the 1850s.
Four sets of fortifications were built on Georges Heights in the 1870s.
They were part of a network of 'outer harbour' defences designed to fire
at enemy ships as they entered the harbour. The fortifications were upgraded
in the 1880s on the advice of British experts.
The Submarine Miners' Depot was established at Chowder Bay in the 1890s
and operated until 1922 when the Submarine Mining Corps was disbanded.
Chowder Bay then became a depot and barracks for Army engineers. It was
used for the Army's Maritime Transport Wing from the 1940s and in the
1970s became the Army Maritime School. The School closed in 1997.
During World War I, the third largest military hospital in Australia
operated at Georges Heights. It continued to operate until 1923. Many
of the timber-framed hospital buildings remain today.
Just before the outbreak of World War II, three concrete fuel tanks were
built to the south of Georges Heights oval. In 1942, the tanks were camouflaged
with roofs to protect them from enemy attack.
During World War II, barracks were constructed on Middle Head for the
Army Signals Unit on land that had been cleared for a golf course. The
clubhouse became accommodation for married officers. By the end of the
war, the buildings housed Italians who were interned and employed as maintenance
workers.
In 1942 a submarine net was erected across the harbour between Georges
Head and Green Point. Quick firing guns were set up at Obelisk Point and
Georges Head. In May 1942 Japanese midget submarines penetrated the still
incomplete defences in a daring raid on allied shipping moored in the
harbour.
The core of HMAS Penguin Naval Base was built from 1941-45.
The batteries on Georges Heights and Middle Head were dismantled during
the 1950s. Training and barrack facilities, including the Army Intelligence
Centre and One Commando Company, moved into the area. The Australian School
of Pacific Administration was established at Middle Head in the former
weatherboard barracks buildings to train administrators of Australian
territories.
In the mid-1960s housing for defence personnel was constructed at Markham
Close, Imperial Close and Middle Head Road. These residences are considered
to have no significant heritage value.
In 1979 large areas of land covering the foreshore slopes and the Middle
Head headland were dedicated as part of the Sydney Harbour National Park.
Site Conditions Summary
Flora and Fauna
The Trust lands at Middle Head are characterised by Hawkesbury sandstone
geology, comprising steep slopes, sandstone rock outcrops and sandstone
cliffs, with some plateau areas above the cliffs. The drier plateaux contain
coastal heath, low woodland and open scrub while the moist and sheltered
slopes contain tall, open forest and gully forest. The characteristic
tree species are Angophora costata, Eucalyptus botryoides with
Eucalyptus gummifera, Eucalyptus piperita and Allocasuarina
littoralis. The coastal heath is restricted to the exposed eastern
edge of Middle Head. Preliminary results from a flora study of the site
have identified the threatened Acacia terminalis subsp. terminalis
in a number of locations on the site.
Weeds have invaded many areas as a result of disturbance, landfill and
altered drainage patterns with Crofton Weed, Lantana, Asparagus Fern and
Morning Glory particularly evident.
Areas of dieback are clearly visible along the slope to Chowder Bay Road.
However, despite the pressures of surrounding urban areas, some bushland
on the site remains in a relatively natural state. The bushland located
in the western section of HMAS Penguin contains a high diversity
of native plant species. This area has greater potential to support a
diverse range of fauna species.
Long term changes to fire frequency, increased isolation, predation and
competition from feral animals are considered to have resulted in the
local extinction or reduction in abundance of many native species. Despite
this, the area remains an important habitat for a number of species and
provides potential habitat for a number of threatened species.
Small bird species, such as Fairy Wrens and Scrubwren have been located
in dense vegetation that affords these species protection. The Green Tree
Snake (Dendrelaphis punctulata) is also likely to forage in this
vegetation. Further, the abundance of native fruiting species such as
Cissus hypoglauca and Acmena smithii provides potential
habitat for the threatened Superb Fruit-Dove (Ptilinopus superbus).
Vegetation within the study area is also likely to provide foraging habitat
for the threatened Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua), and may also
provide potential foraging habitat for the threatened Common Bent-wing
Bat (Miniopterus schreibersii).
Buildings and Services
There are over 150 buildings on this site. The range of functional and
constructional types includes the following:
- 10 Terminal - mainly single storey full brick and tile structures
and two timber framed two storey barracks buildings
- 30 Terminal - the majority of the buildings dating from World War
1 are single storey, gable ended small span structures, timber framed
and clad in metal sheeting or timber weatherboard. There are also a
number of service buildings constructed during World War II
- School of Pacific Administration - comprises a number of single storey
timber framed small scale buildings, predominantly clad in timber weatherboard
and arranged around a series of landscaped pathways
- Chowder Bay - structures range from a single storey Victorian cottage,
the 1890's submarine miners depot, two storey brick and timber barracks
buildings, two storey brick mess buildings and 1980's brick and FC sheeted
office accommodation
- One Commando Company HQ - comprises a mixture of single and two storey
buildings, typically steel framed and brick clad. There are also a number
of smaller scale structures and demountables
- 8th Brigade HQ, Cross Street - the main structure is a steel-framed
medium span hall clad in corrugated steel with sandstone piers. There
are also a variety of other smaller scale demountable buildings in the
grounds
- The James Barnet designed Officers' Mess is architecturally one of
the most impressive nineteenth century Australian military structures.
It demonstrates stone and iron workmanship of outstanding quality. However,
it has been re-roofed in corrugated asbestos cement and has some unsympathetic
additions. The building was in use as a mess until September 2002 and
it is assumed that it is in sound condition.
- The World War I Hospital and WRAAC buildings are typically single
storey metal roofed and clad in timber weatherboards and asbestos cement
sheeting. They are predominantly timber-framed structures supported
on brick piers.
- Housing - buildings are typically single storey brick and tile of
modest size dating from the mid 60s. There is also a group of 1950s
fibro houses on Middle Head Road
Although services are connected to all precincts, levels of servicing
vary across the site. Services to the precincts that are currently occupied
or only recently vacated including Training Command, One Commando Company
and Chowder Bay are all considered to be more or less in reasonable condition,
requiring some repairs and minor upgrades. In other precincts, where buildings
have been left vacant for longer periods of time, including Cross Street,
School of Pacific Administration, 30 Terminal and 10 Terminal, tree roots,
water leakages and termites have been the cause of degradation of pipes
and structural damage to buildings. The Trust has undertaken basic waterproofing
to stabilise some buildings, however, most buildings will require further
repairs prior to occupation.
Contamination
In general across all of the precincts of this site, contamination sources
include:
- Existing structures such as above ground and below ground fuel storage
tanks, grease traps, service pits, workshop areas, transformers, drainage
and pollution control pits
- The disused camouflaged fuel tanks and the operational navy marine
diesel tanks at Chowder Bay
- Shallow fill materials in various areas that contain boiler or furnace
ash, or other fill types related to former operations. Some fill types
may also have been sourced from off-site. Contaminants in this fill
are mainly lead, zinc, copper and PAHs, and are generally below levels
applicable for parkland/open space use. However, in some localised areas
these levels are exceeded
- Hazardous materials in buildings and structures, particularly deteriorating
lead based paints or asbestos
- Previous pesticide use
The Planning Context
Refer to Figure
7.3 (PDF, 234kb )
Local Planning Context
Middle Head, Georges Heights and Chowder Bay are located in the Municipality
of Mosman.
There are various State planning policies and local plans that apply
to this locality and these are summarised in Figure
7.3 (PDF, 234kb ).
There are also a number of management plans that have been prepared by
neighbouring land managers - like the National Parks and Wildlife Services
that are relevant to the planning of the Trust's land.
Transport Management and accessibility by motor vehicle are issues that
are particularly important at Middle Head. The headland is served by a
single ridge road that is a constraint on traffic flows. Peak hour performance
of the main intersections Military/Spit, Military/Raglan and Military/Middle
Head is satisfactory (Geoplan Study 1998) but Saturday morning is near
capacity for the Military/Spit intersection. Middle Head Road is within
its environmental capacity (500 vehicles/hour) for a collector road during
weekday peak hours but exceeded this slightly during the Saturday morning
peak (525 v/h), (Traffix Study 1996). With the relocation of HQ Training
Command (2002) and other units (1997) and the closure of informal car
parks there has been a significant decrease in the traffic generated from
the Plan area. However, the Trust will monitor traffic flows as part of
its detailed planning for the area.
Conservation of bushland and scenic qualities is also extremely important.
State and Local plans and policies acknowledge the need to:
- Improve flora and fauna habitats
- Connect pathways and provide foreshore links
- Connect with neighbouring parklands
- Ensure that any development is subservient to the bush setting
The Trust will work closely with the NPWS on matters such as bushfire
management, flora and fauna management and the interpretation of fortifications.
Similarly the protection of the marine habitat and the quality of the
water for recreation have been identified in both state and local plans
as important. The waters of Chowder Bay are currently the subjects of
research by the Centre for Research on Ecological Impacts of Coastal Cities
at Sydney University.
Other managers of adjoining lands are the Navy and Mosman Council. The
Navy has the ongoing responsibility for two facilities - HMAS Penguin
and the Chowder Bay re-fuelling tanks. HMAS Penguin is to remain
and will include new accommodation for One Commando Company. The Trust
will collaborate with the base to improve its landscape setting, its vehicular
entry arrangements and the opportunities for public access between parklands
particularly the possibility of a walking track between Middle Head and
Balmoral Beach.
The naval refuelling facility at Chowder Bay - the wharf, tanks, pipeline
and pumps, will remain in use for some time. This will restrict some water
access.
Mosman Council manages three areas of parkland that adjoin the plan
area - Rawson Park, Clifton Gardens Reserve and Balmoral Park. The Council
is currently preparing a Management Framework and Landscape Masterplan
for Clifton Gardens Reserve and it is important that the planning work
of the Council and the Trust is integrated.
The plan area also has common boundaries with residential areas to the
south of HMAS Penguin and along Middle Head Road. Residents of
the former have raised concerns relating to the proposed extension of
the Chowder Bay to Middle Head Road walking track connection to Balmoral
Park. Others have raised concerns about traffic issues.
More detailed information on these matters can be found in 'Background
Material' in Section 12.
Consultation Outcomes Summary
Consultation over the past two years has identified that at Middle Head
and Georges Heights the:
- Protection of bushland, biodiversity and open space and
- Conservation and interpretation of Aboriginal and Defence heritage
is very important to the community
Matters that the community would like the Trust to consider included
the restoration, conservation and interpretation of existing buildings,
improving the natural ecosystems through revegetation and allowing for
open space, recreational and sporting facilties. The community also considered
it important that the social and environmental aspects of the site such
as visual amenity, water runoff and traffic controls are improved.
Chowder Bay was highlighted as having an important marine biology that
should be conserved.
Uses that have been proposed include a mix of open space, walkways, parklands,
recreation, educational facilities, museums and an Aboriginal cultural
centre. A number of representations were also made supporting the provision
of sporting facilities.
During the preparation of the plan the provision of a purpose built,
indoor sporting facility at Georges Heights emerged as a significant issue
and as a consequence the Trust undertook specific consultation with the
various sporting groups regarding this.
Commercial and residential development - particularly in new buildings,
is not supported by the community.
Qualities
Middle Head is at the end of the ridge separating Middle Harbour from
Sydney Harbour. The bluff at its end and the knolls on its heights command
the entrance to the harbour. It is part of the subtle ramping up of the
strata underlying the city towards the east. Compared to points westward,
this increased height of the ridge and defined brinks that follow the
line of outcrop, as at Dobroyd Point and North Head, provide an unusual
perspective of the harbour - the water plane is laid out flat below while
the height also allows glimpses of the ocean horizon.
Its extensive natural vegetation is a major part of the impression of
green headlands at the entry to the harbour.
Its initial reservation for defence purposes used the salient knolls
for fortifications with support functions set behind the ridge out of
the line of fire.
The headland was extensively cleared of vegetation and when the perceived
threat of attack lessened, other Army activities were located on the flatter
areas on the ridge as a series of clusters of buildings. At Training Command,
formerly the World War I hospital, the ridge-top cluster of buildings
extended down the slope. Each 'village-like' cluster has a distinct character
derived from its age and style of building, function and relationship
to the topography. Within each cluster the internal streets and spaces
have a sense of containment and there are occasional glimpses of the harbour.
This is because the clusters on the ridge are actually set back from the
edge of the steeper slopes which provide the most panoramic views of the
harbour. There are a series of brinks which result from the outcropping
of harder strata running around the slopes.
One exception to this pattern of ridge top development is the Submarine
Miners' Depot at Chowder Bay which sits on a knoll not visible from the
heads. Over time it was expanded as the Army Maritime School along the
contour on excavated side slopes.
The original defence uses were related very closely to the potential
of the topography for fortifications both on the ridge and at Chowder
Bay. Later uses related less to the topography but took advantage of the
existing facilities with minor modifications such as HQ Training Command,
30 Terminal Squadron and the School of Pacific Administration. Chowder
Bay however continued with maritime uses.
All of the building clusters have institutional military characteristics
that distinguish them from surrounding suburbia. The layout of buildings,
road dimensions and ways of getting around the sites and from building
to building is different to suburbia or other parts of the city. Generally
there is external access to buildings, sometimes via covered ways and
to rooms within buildings via verandahs. In the clusters the roads tend
to be narrower, more closely follow the topography, the distance between
buildings less and there may not be footpaths because the roads have always
been shared zones.
The road pattern is also quite different and derives from the need for
control and security. Roads spread out from a single entry point and are
less interconnected than suburban roads.
The main connection between the clusters is Middle Head Road.
The main qualities of Middle Head are the sense of departure from normal
suburbia first by the emergence of a park-like setting along Middle Head
Road and Clifton Gardens that then changes to mature native forest. These
areas of bush set the clusters of buildings apart from the city. The clusters
have a sense of containment and identity with the sequence of entries
from Middle Head Road. Surrounding them is the coherence of bushland overlaying
a strong topography that provides extraordinary views over both Middle
and Sydney Harbours. These viewing points correlate closely with the original
disposition of fortifications so the relationship between the bushland
walking tracks and the reason for the original occupation of the land
is repeated at a number of points.
Chowder Bay
- Tiered buildings stacked on the side of hill
- Maritime village - perched, nestled low on the slope but having a
commanding position
- A narrow strip of road and buildings following the contour finishing
on a knoll occupied by the parade ground with sweeping views which look
back to Clifton Gardens
- Intricate paths and spaces between buildings
- Varied operational facilities whose use is obscure
HQ Training Command and Georges Heights fortifications
- Stepping down the hill
- Internal courts between buildings, open air circulation
- Civic square
- Lightweight buildings
- Fortifications fed by the military road from Mosman
Fortifications and 1872 barracks
- A direct relation to bare rock and the potential for modification
for fortifications with minimal effort - a balancing of cutting and
building up with stonework
- The fortifications are a savage intervention in a harsh cleared area,
as evident in contemporary photographs
- A single integrated facility the barracks and the gun emplacements
they serve
- At the farthest end of the road - a destination
- Clear functional logic underpinning the layout
30 Terminal Squadron
- Dramatic opening to views of the heads and the ocean horizon over
the ridge from Middle Head Road
- Scattered objects and buildings in the landscape
- Humble buildings sheltered by ridge
- Little formality
- The only defined contained space is between buildings facing Middle
Head Road
10 Terminal Regiment
- The provision of kitchens and common facilities relies on barracks
on north side of road
- Architectural style is art deco, simple with some minimal decoration
including soldier and projecting header courses
- A coherent group of buildings around a service court with poor amenity
- Former offices have a formal presentation to road - with a single
point of entry
- The mess presents a formal face and terrace to the harbour side
- Gesture is as much towards the harbour as it is to the road
- Ragged arrangement of outlying buildings and areas
- Side courts between wings have garden quality
Australian School Of Pacific Administration
- Lightweight and off ground buildings
- Tropical appearance of internal pathways and courtyards
- Internal but with some places of outlook
- Street frontage along road - informal and multiple
Top of page
Significant Values and Considerations
Natural Values
Refer to Figure
7.4 (PDF, 149kb )
Heritage Values and Figure
7.5 (PDF, 181kb) Natural and Cultural Values
Natural Values
- The geology of the headland has created a dramatic peninsula with
a sinuous falling ridgeline opposite the entry to Sydney Harbour which
provides superb harbour views
- With other headlands it helps create the impression of a bush covered,
undeveloped harbour entry and is the subject of important harbour views
from many external vantage points
- Middle Head is the watershed between Middle Harbour and Sydney Harbour
- Foreshore area boasts clean water and a rich inter-tidal and marine
habitat
- The appearance of and species diversity within the HMAS Penguin Angophora
forest has great aesthetic appeal
Cultural Values
- Middens and stone engravings provide valuable evidence of Aboriginal
use of the area prior to 1788
- Governor Macquarie's experiment in setting up Bungaree's Farm - an
important post-contact initiative
- Defence initiatives and their legacy are the main theme of the peninsula's
European heritage. Its strategic military importance has resulted in
a wealth of defence installations from the 1801-3 fort near Obelisk
Beach, to the present
- The 1870s fortifications of gun batteries and buildings, particularly
James Barnet's barracks, resulted in items of great heritage significance.
Later works resulting from the advice of British experts, Jervois and
Scratchley, produced more technologically sophisticated results
- The former Golf Clubhouse, now officers' married accommodation, is
a significant landmark
- Military/institutional settlement pattern that offers a different
experience and potential for civil/community activities unlike what
is generally available in the prevailing suburban areas of our city
- A pedestrian friendly internal street pattern
- The juxtaposition of barracks, fortifications, industrial infrastructure
(such as fuel tanks) and bushland
Significant groups of buildings that reflect military institutional
planning are:
- Submarine Miners' Depot at Chowder Bay (1890-3)
- World War I Military Hospital buildings (1916-22, now part of HQ
Training Command)
- World War II barracks converted to the Australian School of Pacific
Administration in 1949
- Army School of Intelligence built in the late 1950s (former 10 Terminal
Regiment)
Figure 7.4
(PDF, 149kb )
Heritage Values shows the ranking of buildings resulting from the
Heritage Assessment carried out by Godden Mackay Logan for the Department
of Defence dated December 1998 and includes heritage items in the National
Park.
Heritage Items at HMAS Penguin that are identified in Mosman
LEP 1998 have also been included.
Top of page
Outcomes
Vision and Benefits
Refer to Figure
7.6 (PDF, 660kb )
Outcomes
The Plan for Middle Head-Georges Heights and Chowder Bay proposes the
creation of a Headland Park. A place of beauty, solace and respite.
The Headland Park would unify all the elements of the Middle Head peninsula,
natural and cultural, bringing to the fore the connecting ridgeline of
the peninsula running from Rawson Park and Georges Heights to the headland
itself.
The regeneration and expansion of the bushland slopes of the peninsula
would reinforce the strong sense of a 'green' gateway to Sydney Harbour.
Under the Plan, an area previously little known and closed off to the
public would be opened up and experienced - the Aboriginal use of the
area prior to 1788, early Aboriginal and European contact and the long
defence history of the peninsula.
The configuration and institutional character of the Defence facilities,
set in parkland, would contrast with the more usual urban/suburban pattern
of the city and provide insights into the history of Sydney. The use of
these facilities would contribute both to their appreciation and maintenance.
A Place to Experience the Wonder of the Land and Water
The Plan for Middle Head-Georges Heights and Chowder Bay proposes the
retention and strengthening of a diverse bushland environment, and the
protection of the rich aquatic habitat.
Passive and active recreation in a spectacular outdoor setting will be
enriched by the interpretation of the area's natural and cultural history.
Under the Plan, the establishment of an Aboriginal Cultural Centre, to
explain the indigenous history of the Sydney region and to mark Bungaree's
farm, Governor Macquarie's model farm experiment, would be investigated
in collaboration with the Aboriginal community.
There will be opportunities for involvement in bush regeneration and
cultural and educational activities.
The adaptive re-use of facilities and buildings for formal and informal
education, and recreational and community uses will enrich and extend
the experience of the Headland Park.
The buildings and services of the area require repair and upgrading prior
to reoccupation. Remediation of contaminated sites will be undertaken
in accordance with a Remediation Strategy.
Headland Park
Park Entry
The Plan for Middle Head-Georges Heights and Chowder Bay proposes the
construction of an entry point to the Headland Park at the former 30 Terminal
site. This location provides many magnificent vantage points over land
and water and easy access to examples of all of the main elements: panoramic
views, bushland, fortifications and military establishments.
The Trust will work with the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
to integrate the interpretive experience of Trust land and the National
Park.
Regenerate and enhance the bushland.
The Plan for Middle Head-Georges Heights and Chowder Bay proposes the
creation of a viable bushland park, a place in which natural features
such as rock ledges, knolls and open spaces are protected, augmented and
defined by new plantings and regeneration. The Plan proposes to more than
double the area of bushland on Trust land. Bush regeneration will be extended
up onto the plateau.
Drainage and stormwater runoff from the defence bases will be addressed
to minimise its adverse impact on adjoining bushland and the harbour.
A particular objective of the Trust's stormwater management will be to
ensure that nutrient rich runoff from disturbed areas does not occur.
This will assist in the abatement of Phytophthora cinnamomi. Other measures
will also be adopted to limit its spread.
Large open areas such as Georges Heights Oval will be treated like glades
within a grove, circled by trees but not fenced.
Paths and access
The balance between encouraging public access and maintaining the bushland
character of the Headland Park will be achieved by a network of access
points and paths. The network will form a link with the existing harbour
foreshore walk from North Head to Taronga Zoo. This includes a proposed
track linking Balmoral Beach with the Trust's existing Middle Head Walking
Track along the perimeter fence line of HMAS Penguin. This track
is proposed to be located in the Asset Protection Zone and will be subject
to Defence security requirements.
Within the Headland Park itself, the network will reinstate historical
access routes and reconnect the various military bases. Interpretive signage,
picnic areas and seating will be designed to meld the natural and cultural
landscape.
Education and Interpretation
The Plan for Middle Head-Georges Heights and Chowder Bay proposes cultural
and educational activities to explain the heritage values of the area
within a whole of harbour context.
The network of paths and access routes would themselves be interpretive
signposts, linking the various precincts and highlighting the natural
beauty of the area.
The legacy of defence initiatives and installations are directly related
to the defence of Sydney from early Colonial days to World War II.
The whole defence heritage of Middle Head and Georges Heights is to be
interpreted through the conservation of significant buildings and structures,
re-instating or conveying previous patterns of land use and access to
the gun emplacements. Provision of an interpretative centre will also
be investigated. Partnerships with other agencies, historical societies
and museums in Sydney and elsewhere could extend the educative and interpretive
reach of the area.
The development of an Aboriginal Cultural Centre will be investigated
with the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council. It could serve as
a focal point for the Aboriginal people of the Sydney region to pursue
cultural interests, to conserve and protect heritage sites and to interpret
the headland and early contact between the Europeans and Aboriginal people,
such as Bungaree's farm.
Activities in the park
The Plan proposes that certain areas of the Headland Park be used for
ceremonial purposes by virtue of their historical significance or the
vantage points they offer of the harbour.
Sport and recreation facilities have the potential to enhance the diversity
and accessibility of the Headland Park. The provision of such facilities,
requiring levelled playing areas adjacent or near sloping terrain and
bushland needs to be carefully managed. A number of sporting facilities
exist on the Trust lands and they will continue. Improvements and additions
to these facilities will be accommodated subject to the following criteria:
- They fit in with the objective of providing visual connection and
continuity between the parkland areas along the plateau
- They can be integrated into the overall landscape design of the park
as attractive open spaces
- They require minimal land disturbance and provide opportunities for
easing of slopes, improvements to drainage and bush regeneration on
existing disturbed areas
- They have minimal adverse visual impact
- They complement the network of paths and access routes
- They are able to meet a range of sporting use requirements to an
adequate standard within the given area
- Being on or near the plateau, they are designed to be sheltered from
the wind
- They have good proximity to public transport and other sporting venues
to minimise reliance on private car use
- The facilities would have a generous landscape buffer and be designed
to have minimal impact on adjacent areas and the local amenity
- Car parking and other ancillary facilities can be on existing disturbed
areas that are not intended for bush regeneration
- Car pooling arrangements would be encouraged as part of any use by
sporting and organised visitor groups
Within the Headland Park, the reliance on private vehicle use will be
minimised in favour of public transport, shuttle services and water transport.
Adaptive reuse of buildings
The adaptive re-use of former defence buildings will assist in the conservation
and interpretation of their heritage values. The primary objective is
to find uses that:
- Complement the Headland Park
- Enhance our understanding and appreciation of the natural and cultural
heritage of the area and each former base
- Provide exceptional venues for people to appreciate the park, the
headland and the harbour
- Suit the basic and simple character of buildings, ie. do not require
extensive additional services or amenities that would inevitably alter
and diminish the heritage value and character of the places
- Are compatible with public access through the areas around the buildings
and will open significant heritage items to occasional public access
- Are compatible with the campus-like setting and provide an interface
with the public domain that is welcoming and invites interaction
- Are able to operate within constraints of limited parking on existing
disturbed areas that are not required for bush regeneration
- Retain the pedestrian friendly internal carriageway network of shared
traffic zones characterising defence bases
- Respond to the particular characteristics of the place eg. calm,
clean water and limited land-water access opportunities due to the heritage
sea wall and fence at Chowder Bay, by providing opportunities for leisure,
educational and marine research activities
- Have minimum reliance on private vehicle use at times of peak traffic
flow in the neighbouring areas and are compatible with development of
public transport, shuttle services or water transport
Uses that would fulfil the above requirements may include a range of
leisure, recreational, cultural, informal educational and community uses.
Other uses (such as residential in existing dwellings) may be acceptable
subject to their compatibility with the primary objectives of creating
a Headland Park.
Building retention and demolition
The Plan for Middle Head-Georges Heights and Chowder Bay requires the
totality of the heritage values of the area to be considered when deciding
which buildings are to be retained or demolished. The relationship of
the buildings to each other and to the site, are important considerations.
The decision to retain or remove buildings has to be made through careful
consideration of a broad range of values both natural and cultural.
Protection of the headland's landform and natural vegetation is a major
consideration but the Trust lands are primarily the 'cultural' areas along
the plateau, above the bushland slopes.
In applying the criteria outlined in 'Section 3, Policies and Objectives',
the first priority will therefore be to remove highly intrusive buildings
and pavements where this is required for the rehabilitation of bushland
and drainage. These buildings are the ones that would remain intrusive
even when landscape improvements are carried out.
These include most notably:
- The 1950-60 Officers' barracks adjacent to the Officers' Mess and
the fortifications on Georges Heights
- The last two houses on the south eastern side of Middle Head Road
- Most of the fibro cottages along Middle Head Road
- The One Commando Company HQ at Georges Heights
- A number of demountable buildings at 10 Terminal, Training Command
and 30 Terminal
Once the park improvements and expansion of bushland is well under way,
the removal of additional buildings of low heritage value will be re-considered
subject to further detailed heritage assessment.
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Outcomes for Specific Precincts
Refer to Figure
7.7 (PDF, 247kb )
Middle Head Outcomes, Figure
7.8 (PDF, 146kb )
Concept Sketches and Figure
7.9 (PDF, 170kb )
Middle Head Concept Sketches.
Middle Head
- A gateway to Middle Harbour from land and water
- Investigate with NPWS the possible improvements to the access to
Cobblers Beach including the opportunity for access by water
- Create a continuous band of parkland that straddles the ridge and
envelopes the buildings
- Create an open area which reveals the clarity of the fortification
wall and defensive trench in the National Park on Middle Head
- Provide clear view lines to Middle Harbour and Sydney Harbour and
places for people to sit and enjoy the scenery.
- Provide for the continued use of the Oval for sports and emergency
helicopter landing.
- Improve the setting of the oval with tree planting similar to other
attractive ovals in Mosman such a Rawson Park and Alan Border Oval
- Work with sporting groups and Mosman Council to relocate intrusive
elements and to improve the usability of facilities at the oval and
adjacent park
- Improve the management of stormwater
- Arrest the spread of Phytophthora root rot
HMAS Penguin
- Improve road safety and sense of entry to the naval base
- Enhance the landscape setting of the base and the park curtilage
- Work with HMAS Penguin to provide pedestrian links between Balmoral
Beach, Middle Head and Georges Heights
- Continue to work in close co-operation and consultation with HMAS
Penguin to ensure that the establishment's redevelopment is consistent
with, and sympathetic to the Trust's vision
10 Terminal and Former School of Pacific Administration
- Removal of demountable buildings at 10 Terminal and in the longer
term removal or modification of the 3 northern barracks. See Figure
7.9 (PDF, 170kb )
- Improve drainage and envelop the precinct with bushland
- Create a sense of permeable access through the building clusters
- Potential for uses that suit the buildings' character and location
in the Headland Park including visitor facilities, places for refreshment,
education and cultural studies and accommodation for visiting school
groups
Refer to Figure
7.10 (PDF, 425kb )
Training Command and 30 Terminal Outcomes and Figure
7.11 (PDF, 146kb )
Concept Sketches
30 Terminal
- Create sense of arrival at Headland Park
- Maximise the potential of 30 Terminal as representative of the values
of Middle Head as a whole - topography, harbour defence, military training
and natural heritage
- Realise potential for easy access including disabled access
- Create visitors' facilities, picnic areas, wetland, lookout
- Remove five of the fibro houses in Middle Head Road subject to further
heritage investigation, revegetate and expose rock ledges
- Adaptively re-use of buildings for information, interpretive and
community uses
- Incorporate the route of the original military road into network
of paths and access routes to Training Command and fortifications
- Remediate stormwater run off to help arrest the spread of phytophthora
root rot
- Extend the pathway from Georges Heights to Balmoral Beach and to
Middle Head in a manner that retains the integrity of the Angophora
forest and minimises the risk of the spread of phytophthora root rot
- Remove two of the brick houses in Middle Head Road and reveal the
views to the harbour
Training Command and former Hospital complex
- Bring the bushland to the edges of building clusters
- Remove demountable structures, redundant security fences and hardstand
- Improve pedestrian entries from Middle Head Road through Training
Command
- Create a pedestrian connection between Georges Heights Oval, the
central square formed by the former hospital buildings and a new look-out
at the gun emplacements at 30 Terminal
- Re-grade the edges of the ceremonial Parade Ground to facilitate
enhancement and regeneration of bush
- Remove the visually intrusive 1950-60 Officers' barracks behind Georges
Heights batteries
- Investigate the adaptive reuse of the WW1 Hospital buildings, the
Officers' Mess and Gunshot Alley as a matter of priority so as to minimise
deterioration whilst unoccupied
- Remediate stormwater runoff to help arrest the spread of phytophthora
root rot
Refer to Figure
7.12 (PDF, 328kb )
Commandos and 8 Brigade, Cross Street Outcomes and Figure
7.13 (PDF, 187kb )
Concept Sketches
One Commando Company Headquarters
- Remove all buildings, hardstand and security fencing
- Open up the site as part of a continuous belt of parkland along the
plateau
- Provide a ridge walk beneath a canopy of trees from Rawson Park to
Training Command, combining bushland scenes and corridors through which
to view Middle Harbour and Sydney Harbour
- Provide a landscape buffer to the housing in Markham Close
- Improve pedestrian connection with the Bradley Bushland Reserve
- Interpret the Military use, including One Commando Company and the
early road to the fortifications at Georges Heights
Georges Heights Oval
- Ease slopes, improve drainage and plant trees around the Oval so
that it is similar to other attractive ovals in Mosman
- Reduce the visual intrusion of the change facilities
- Improve oval surface to allow better sports usage
8th Brigade Drill Hall, Cross Street
- Remove the non heritage demountable and ancillary buildings as well
as security fencing
- Expand bushland and incorporate area in network of paths and access
routes
- Provide multi-purpose courts behind the 8th Brigade Drill Hall near
Rawson Park
- Make the former Drill Hall available for community uses while conserving
its heritage values
- Investigate the upgrading of part of the proposed multi-purpose courts
to a purpose-built community sporting facility in consultation with
the local community
- Remediate stormwater runoff to help arrest the spread of Phytophthora
cinnamomi
Camouflaged Fuel Tanks
Refer to Figure
7.14 (PDF, 186kb )
Concept Sketches
Although some in the community view the tanks as unattractive, rehabilitation
will reduce their visual impact while maintaining their heritage value.
The tanks are identified on the Interim List of the National Estate.
They were built just prior to the outbreak of WW 11 and in the panic that
followed the bombing of Pearl Harbour it was decided that they should
be camouflaged to protect them from aerial attack. Consequently a false
roof structure supported on massive timber posts was constructed over
them. This is described in Register of the National Estate as "the
first large-scale example of camouflage in Australia". More importantly
it is most probably the only surviving example in Sydney.
The tanks are also a valuable asset with the potential to contribute
to the Trust's ESD outcomes. Each tank has a capacity of approximately
5ML and have great potential for the storage of water - either collected
or recycled on site, for fire fighting and the irrigation of the neighbouring
ovals and parkland.
The Trust will investigate the:
- Potential to use the tanks for water storage for irrigation and fire
fighting
- Potential to use the tanks as walled gardens interpreting successive
changes in the natural environment of the headland
- Construction of a rooftop lookout that is linked to the pathway network
The Trust's primary objective is to rehabilitate this area by:
- Remediating the fuel remaining in the tanks
- Stabilising hazardous materials such as the asbestos cement roofing
- Regenerating the bushland around tanks
- Utilising the location and features of the site - such as the existing
bunding, to form a wetland to improve the quality of the stormwater
draining from Georges Heights
Markham Close Residences
There are nineteen houses - built in the 1960's as Officers' married
quarters, and a Scout Hall in the Markham Close precinct. The Scout Hall
is no longer used and is in a generally dilapidated condition.
All of the houses are identified in Schedule 2 of the SHFT Act, 2001,
while the Scout Hall is in Schedule1.
The Trust cannot sell or otherwise transfer any land identified in Schedule
1 of the Act or any other land identified as having significant environmental
or heritage values. However, the Trust can sell land that is mentioned
in Schedule 2 of the Act provided:
- It does not have any significant environmental or heritage values
- The Minister has approved of the sale, the terms and conditions of
the agreement and the transferee
The Markham Close houses are the first part of the Defence lands to be
encountered travelling along Middle Head Road. In appearance they relate
more to the prevailing residential area despite differing from the other
houses in design, siting and landscaping. They are on the Middle Head
Road side of the ridge and in viewing the site they merge with the overall
residential slope above Balmoral.
The heritage value of the houses was reviewed as part of the 1998 Godden
Mackay Logan Heritage Assessment. It described them as a group of buildings
"which are unexceptional architecturally but they are a consistent
group of single storey brick bungalows of low scale and low visual impact."
The relative heritage value of the cottages was assessed as 4 - the lowest
ranking. The Scout Hall was also assessed by Godden Mackay Logan and was
also given a low heritage value.
Similarly, the precinct has no known biodiversity value nor does it contribute
to the biodiversity values of any adjoining areas.
What environmental value the precinct has is derived from its visual
relationship with the adjoining ridgeline and the proposed headland park.
The importance of maintaining the visual integrity of the ridgeline is
a fundamental objective of the plan. However, the relationship between
the precinct and the ridge and adjoining parkland is not equal. The land
fronting Middle Head Road and the land near the Scout Hall derive very
little significance from this association. However, the two houses immediately
adjacent to One Commando Company HQ have a much clearer relationship.
The highest of these two cottages is already prominent when viewed from
Rawson Park. Accordingly the Plan proposes that both should be demolished
and the top part of this land integrated with the park.
It is proposed that the rest of the precinct, including the Scout Hall
site, is sold and that the revenue from the sale is used to fund the implementation
of the plan. To facilitate this and to ensure that any redevelopment melds
into the landscape, specific planning controls will be developed for the
precinct. These controls will address the layout, location and form of
residences in Markham Close to allow continuing residential use without
having adverse impacts on the environmental and cultural significance
of the place. The controls should address the:
- Retention of view corridors from Rawson Park
- Scale and form of the housing to enable landscape screening of buildings
without losing the sense of openness from Georges Heights Oval and Rawson
Park
- Provision of an adequate space for a landscape curtilage to the Oval
and Rawson Park
- Provision of a streetscape design in keeping with the prevailing
streetscape character of Middle Head Road
- Measures to protect the Bradley Bushland Reserve
It is also proposed that the detailed planning controls prepared for
the precinct are reinforced by appropriate covenants on the title of the
land to be sold. This could include the protection of any vegetation.
Chowder Bay
Refer to Figure
7.15 (PDF, 276kb )
Chowder Bay Outcomes and Figure
7.16 (PDF , 134kb )
Concept Sketches.
- Create a sense of arrival and make the road and parking areas less
visually dominant
- Expand the hillside bushland to screen the barrack buildings
- Improve the amenity of the surrounding parkland including landscaping
- Use the existing wharves for ferry and charter vessels
- Adaptively re-use the Sergeant Major's Quarters and Submarine Mining
Depot for either maritime orientated uses or uses that contribute to
the public enjoyment of this harbourside location
- Adaptively reuse the barrack and mess buildings for short term accommodation,
functions or similar uses
- Create opportunities for leisure, recreation, and education
- Create opportunities for marine research
- Reinstate the parade ground and enhance the setting of the existing
memorial
- Control the quality and quantity of stormwater run off
- Modify the barrack and mess buildings to ameliorate their visual
prominence (See Figure
7.16 (PDF, 134kb )
- Retained the existing fuel tanks and refuelling facilities for use
by the Navy
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