Harbour Trust: Planning
Planning process in detail
To plan, we need to understand the histories
of the lands and the features that make them so special. Only then
can we appreciate their potential.
Planning for the Harbour Trust's seven lands is occurring in tandem
to maintain the 'whole harbour' approach. The planning conforms to the
requirements of the Australian Natural Heritage Charter and the Burra
Charter and involves the following stages:
 1.
Significance
This stage involves describing the lands, their history and local context.
A statement of significant values (natural, cultural, harbour, community) will
be developed for each of the lands.
The Harbour Trust has spent considerable time reviewing existing reports
and studies about the lands and surrounding areas and carrying out further
studies into the condition of buildings, services, flora and fauna.
This 'gathering of knowledge' will continue right through the planning
process.
In November 2000 we published an 'appreciation study' of the Harbour
Trust lands. Titled Reflections on a Maritime
City the book combines our research with details of the principles
that will underpin the planning. It highlights the special and important
qualities of each of the lands, their relationship to the harbour, and
explains their history and what remains on them today.
The exhibition Sites Unseen:
Exploring the Future of Trust Lands on Sydney Harbour was displayed
at Customs House from 26 May to 5 August 2001. The exhibition explored
the history and significance of the lands and put forward some preliminary
planning ideas for their future.
Top of page
2. Policy
This stage involves setting objectives for the lands and for conservation and
management policies.
Top of page
3. Planning
A Draft Plan for all the lands was prepared and
placed on public exhibition from 2 November to 20 December 2002.
 The
Harbour Trust amended the plan following the receipt of submissions
and submitted it to the Federal Minister for Environment and Heritage
for approval in March 2003.
The Plan was approved by the Minister for Environment
and Heritage in September 2003.
The Plan:
- outlines the use of the lands
- details improvements to buildings, grounds
and the natural environment
- sets guidelines for any improvements / conservation
management works
-
takes account of local environmental issues.
Management Plans are now being prepared for specific sites and site
precincts.
Details of how the lands will be managed, the priorities for implementation
of the plan and the cost of implementation will be determined during
the planning stage.
Click here to read about these
management plans.
Top of page
4. Implementation
The Harbour Trust will implement the Plan over about 10 years. This involves
restoring the lands and adapting them for their future uses, before transferring
the lands to suitable public management agencies.
The lands are gradually being opened up to the
public so that people can visit and appreciate the lands and be more
informed during consultation on the planning.
Considerable conservation work is also being done
to stabilise buildings and structures and prevent further deterioration.
There are bush regeneration and environmental management projects underway
to improve the natural values of many of the lands.
Top of page
5. Monitoring
Implementation of the Plan will be reviewed during this stage to ensure the
planning objectives are being met. It may be necessary to revise the Plan accordingly.
Top of page
Guiding
principles
 A
range of values and philosophies are guiding the Harbour Trust's planning.
- Consider the whole harbour, not just each site in its local context,
as all the lands provide a unique opportunity to help sustain a great
maritime city.
- Diversity is an important characteristic of the harbour and can be
enhanced by the Harbour Trust lands.
- Conserve, enhance and interpret the natural and cultural heritage
of the lands, without emphasis on one aspect at the expense of others.
- Work with the Aboriginal community to gain a better understanding
of the Aboriginal heritage of the harbour and in planning the future
of the lands.
- Seek uses for the lands that fit with their special qualities and
heritage significance.
- Investigate the opportunity to restore facets that are disappearing
from the harbour, such as maritime industry.
- Enhance ecosystems within and around the lands, and apply principles
of ecological sustainability to ongoing management of the lands.
- Reveal and respond to the underlying character and patterns that have
shaped the harbour and the lands.
Top of page |
