Harbour Trust: Planning
The Plan: Woolwich Dock and Parklands
Moocooboola (Woolwich /Hunters Hill peninsula)
The Place
Refer to Figure
4.1 (PDF 92kb) Plan Area.
The Woolwich Dock and Parklands Site is a clear example of some of the
patterns that have shaped the harbour: The maritime industrial activity
evidenced by the dock, sheds, factories and reclaimed hardstand, sit by
the water below the carved cliff face, interspersed with parklands and
residential uses.
Its centrepiece is an exceptional dry dock carved into the rock, concealed
from view, overlooking the meeting point between the Parramatta and Lane
Cove Rivers - Moocooboola.
The retail and commercial centre on the ridge grew to service the needs
of both the industrial workforce and the surrounding residential community.
The surviving elements of the original foreshore topography - sandstone
outcrops and cliffs, are now set back from the water by an apron of reclaimed
land defined by a sandstone retaining wall. The area's form and development
pattern have seen dramatic changes since the nineteenth century residential
development by the Clarke family. Pioneer settlers came to Hunters Hill
in the 1830s, followed by maritime industry (Atlas Engineering and Morts
Dock) and later the Army's marine transport operations.
More recently, the site has been used to assemble the 'sea creatures',
which formed part of celebrations for 1999/2000 New Years Eve on Sydney
Harbour and by the Water Police during the Sydney Olympics.
The subdivision and subsequent sale of the Morts Dock site has led to
the alienation of its slipways (located in Clarkes Point Reserve) from
the dock itself.
Remaining today is the magnificent dry dock and the sawtooth roofed building
that is a rare reminder of the scale of industrial buildings on the Parramatta
River.
From the army era the site contains metal prefab buildings, concrete
pier supports for a travelling crane (removed to Townsville) and an adjoining
bunded hardstand area.
The Woolwich lookout area and stone wall are the interface between the
dock area and the Woolwich village. An entry and new walking track now
provide a link to the sloping plane of the Goat Paddock, an excellent
harbour viewing area and a view corridor from the water up to Woolwich
Pier Hotel.
The legacy of the industrial past has resulted in areas of contaminated
fill material and the need to stabilise the dock's cut rock faces.
Adjacent to the Horse Paddock are a launching ramp at the end of Margaret
St, the Woolwich Marina and the Hunters Hill Sailing Club. The sailing
club has a launching ramp that is alongside an existing ramp within the
Horse Paddock.
How the Place Evolved
Refer to Figure
4.2 (PDF 159kb) Historical Development
Natural Forces
The dock at Woolwich cuts into Hawkesbury sandstone that was laid down
by an ancient inland river system. Weathering has resulted in a spur off
the Hunter's Hill/Woolwich ridgeline forming Clarkes Point at the meeting
of the Lane Cove and Parramatta Rivers. The cliff lines on the Horse Paddock
are part of the original land profile.
There are no apparent creek lines, although water seepage does occur through
the layers of rock, particularly on southern facing slopes. The original
open forest and woodland vegetation have been cleared.
Cultural History
Pre 1788
The Hunters Hill area was inhabited by the Wallumedegal clan and Aboriginal
people would have used the Woolwich area for thousands of years prior
to European settlement. However, due to industrial use of the dock and
parklands no evidence has been found of Aboriginal habitation although
evidence exists at Kellys Bush.
The Clarke family, Atlas Engineering and subdivision 1835 - 1898
The original grantees in the area were John Clarke senior and John Clarke
junior, in 1835. They built several houses on the site including 'Viewforth'.
The western portion of the grant was subdivided in 1880, creating Alfred
and Margaret Streets.
The 10 acre eastern portion remained in the family until 1883 when it
was sold to Davy & Co., iron founder and then to Atlas Engineering
Company. The site was favoured for its deep water frontage and proximity
to shipbuilding works on Cockatoo Island. One of the Clarke's houses was
used as an office and new workshops were erected. A floating dock was
imported from England. Areas of foreshore land were reclaimed and slipways
were created on the southern side (now Clarkes Point Reserve).
In 1895 subdivision of the rest of Clarke's land resulted in 24 residential
lots and the formation of Edgecliffe Road, Fernbank, Charlotte and William
Avenues, the last three streets now lost within the Horse Paddock site.
The 100 feet foreshore reservation was acquired for incorporation into
the subdivision.
The Atlas Engineering Company went into liquidation in 1893 but work
at the site continued until final closure in June 1898.
Morts Dock 1898 - 1958
The site was purchased in 1898 by Morts Dock and Engineering Company which
began work on the new dry dock, reclamation work and sea wall construction.
The dock, some 30 metres wide, was cut 175 metres directly into the sandstone
point.
On 4 December 1901 the dock was officially opened and used for the repair
and fitting-out of large ships.
Several extensions were carried out between 1902 and 1918 by W. Solomon
& Sons, which had completed the dock after the termination of the
original contractor, and the dock was lengthened to 260 metres. To achieve
this William Street was acquired and a new road constructed - Franki Avenue,
named after the general manager and later managing director of the company.
The scale of the industrial enterprise influenced the character of the
surrounding development with the provision of the Woolwich Pier Hotel
and workers' housing.
The Invincible Motor Construction Company and the Wallace Power Boat
Company both set up near Clarkes Point around 1916-18 on leased land.
The latter started reclamation works between Margaret Street and the point
but went into receivership in 1923.
After the Depression of the 1930s, work did not pick up until the Second
World War. The original blacksmiths and machine shop were replaced in
the early 1940s by the current sawtoothed roof building. Other buildings
on the site date from around this period.
The company ceased operations in 1958 and then went into voluntary liquidation.
Army 1963 - 1997
The site lay idle until the Army purchased it in 1963 for its water based
transport operations. During this period the three oldest buildings on
the site were demolished, the relocated Atlas boiler shop, the pump house
and an old galvanised iron shed. The Army erected a number of metal prefabricated
buildings, added timber fender piers and timber wharves to the dock itself
and constructed a travelling boat crane beside the dock.
In 1997-8 the 35 Water Transport Division was relocated to Townsville.
Site Conditions Summary
Flora and Fauna
Although much altered, the Woolwich Dock and Parklands site retains important
natural features such as knolls and small cliff lines of the original
topography.
The original vegetation would have been forest on the lower alluvial
areas and ridge-top woodland on the rocky slopes, similar to the present
vegetation in the neighbouring Kellys Bush. The vegetation in the Horse
Paddock is now mostly exotic grassland, with high to moderate weed infestation
and little or none of the indigenous vegetation remaining. The Dock Area
has some remnant coastal shrubland along the cliff top south of the dock.
Ferns and fern allies including three uncommon species - Fork Fern (Tmesipteris
truncata), Scrambling Clubmoss (Lycopodium cernuum) and
Skeleton Fork Fern (Psilotum nudum) occur in the exposed sandstone
cliff. These fern are important ecologically and require sensitive management.
There are landscaped grasslands with planted native and exotic trees within
the Goat Paddock. The highly disturbed and modified nature of the bushland
within the site renders traditional vegetation classifications irrelevant.
The original open forest and woodland vegetation has been largely cleared.
Some native species have been planted in Clarkes Point Reserve and cultural
plantings of exotic species exist from most periods of occupation. Some
recolonising, mostly by Port Jackson Figs has occurred.
Two animal species that are listed as vulnerable in Schedule 2 of the
Threatened Species Conservation Act, 1995 have been identified
as visitors to the site - the Grey-headed Flying-fox (Pteropus poliocephalus)
and the Common Bent-wing Bat (Miniopterus schreibersii). The
Grey-headed Flying-fox uses the Port Jackson and Moreton Bay fig trees
located on the Horse Paddock for foraging.
Baseline flora and fauna studies of the site have been prepared.
Buildings and Services
All of the buildings on the Woolwich site are located in the dock area.
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 clad with
corrugated asbestos cement sheeting and is approximately five storeys
high. There is an asbestos management issue to be addressed with this
building.
There are a number of brick ancillary buildings at Woolwich that are
in serviceable condition requiring some basic maintenance. There are also
the former military mess buildings requiring major maintenance if they
are to be retained, and a number of Armco storage sheds on the site.
Mains sewer and water service the site, with Energy Australia providing
the electricity. Five of the buildings have water supply and sewerage
systems connected. The existing stormwater system is in a serviceable
condition and fire systems will require an upgrading. Power is available
to most buildings but switchboards will require upgrading and rewiring.
All of the services at Woolwich Dock and Parklands will require some level
of cleaning, repairs or upgrade to bring them up to existing standards.
A more detailed summary of the site conditions is located at Section 12.
Contamination
The site's history of industrial engineering, dockyard and defence use
has resulted in some elevated levels of contaminants in localised areas.
Apart from the Horse Paddock, no levels have been identified that would
require significant remediation or prohibit use of the site as parkland
or open space.
A large proportion of the Horse Paddock (approximately 40%) has been
reclaimed from the river by the placement of fill. The contaminant levels
in the Horse Paddock are considered to be safe for immediate parkland
use as long as a stable grass cover is maintained over contaminated areas.
The sea wall along the shore of the Horse Paddock is deteriorating, causing
erosion of the fill behind it during high tides. The Trust intends to
repair the sea wall for safety reasons and to limit the migration of contaminated
fill into the harbour.
The majority of the dockyard area has been cut out of a sandstone ledge,
including the dock itself; therefore this area generally consists of sandy
fill over shallow sandstone. The inclusion of small volumes of ash and
other process wastes in fill in the dockyard are responsible for elevated
and localized concentrations of heavy metals, PAHs and trace asbestos
in the dockyard. Previous studies have indicated that levels of these
contaminants meet requirements for parkland/public open space.
The dock area includes structures that may have been point sources for
contamination including diesel and waste oil tanks, workshops, a grit
blasting facility and chemical storage areas. It is possible that minor
soil contamination is associated with these structures. Other hazardous
materials associated with buildings in the dockyard area include asbestos,
synthetic mineral fibre, PCBs in light fittings and lead-based paints.
These are generally in good condition and will require continued maintenance.
A more detailed summary of Contamination Conditions is in Section 12.
Planning Context
Refer to Figure
4.3 (PDF 129kb) Planning Context
The Trust land is located in the Municipality of Hunters Hill. It is
on a peninsula, surrounded by a range of existing uses that need to be
considered in the integrated planning of the area.
Woolwich is accessed by a single ridge road and as with other Trust sites,
traffic management is an important issue. The ridge road is a bus route
terminating at the Valentia Street Ferry Wharf. Vehicular access to the
Trust site is via Franki Avenue and Clarke Road. Clarke Road also provides
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.
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 at some point west of
Gladstone Avenue (probably near Wybalena Road).
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 was opened in November
2002.
The plan recognises the potential for water-based access and the need
for such links to respond to the ferry and bus network, small-scale local
tours, boat operators and the public.
The main points where water and land interchanges are likely to occur
will be adjacent to the existing dock and jetty areas, Clarke's Point
Reserve carpark and the marina and boat ramp in Margaret Street.
State legislation and planning documents prepared by Hunters Hill Municipal
Council have specific implications for the Trust in formalising its plan.
State plans highlight the maritime potential of Woolwich Dock and Parklands
and the potential for open space and water access. This potential needs
to be explored with the adjoining State-owned land at Clarkes Point Reserve
and Kellys Bush.
The Trust site shares borders with Clarkes Point Reserve, which was an
integral part of the Morts Dock site and is under the care and control
of Hunters Hill Council. The Trust and Council will collaborate to produce
the best outcomes for public access and integration of these sites as
well as the Woolwich Lookout area.
More detailed information on these matters can be found in Section 12
- Background Material.
Consultation Outcomes Summary
Consultation with the community has revealed that the things that the
community most values about Woolwich Dock and the Parklands include their:
- Maritime and defence history
- Open space and links to Clarkes Point and Kellys Bush
The community also identified the need for a holistic approach to the
planning of the publicly owned lands (at the meeting of the rivers) as
very important.
Issues for consideration include identification and remediation of contamination,
provision of water access to the site, opening up the parklands to public
access and revegetating and linking the fragmented parks. Traffic and
parking were also identified as requiring consideration.
Potential future uses identified included revitalising the dock for maritime
use and a marine-oriented "village" - provided land wasn't alienated
from public use. There was strong opposition to the sale of land for private
housing and this reflected the history of the local community fighting
to protect Woolwich from sale for residential development in the past.
Qualities
Woolwich Dock is cut into the end of the peninsula that separates the
Lane Cove and Parramatta Rivers. The open space at the end of the peninsula
is a legacy of former industrial uses that relied on access to the waterfront
and occupied large areas of land. Now surrounded by gracious houses and
approached from the mainland thought tree lined streets, the remnants
of industry now appear out of place. In the past industry would have been
the predominant character of the area and although the vestiges are not
conspicuous, they relate to the original reason for the development of
the peninsula as one of a series of water-based industrial sites up the
Parramatta River.
The dock is largely concealed from view by being cut straight into the
bedrock, distinguishing it from the other dry docks in Sydney. The fill
was used to create reclaimed land for ship building activities. The buildings
are set well into the hill and the traces of shipbuilding in Clarkes Point
Reserve are subtle. This concealment adds to the surprise of the dock
from both the land and water.
The concentration of activity on the waterfront has meant that original
outcrops of rock ledges and the sandstone knoll on the upper part of the
sites have been left. The irregularity of these natural features contrast
with the functional geometry of the constructed water's edge and the relatively
flat aprons of the Horse Paddock.
The seawalls, jetties for the travelling crane, bunded work area, stubs
of original timber wharfs, the sawtooth roofed building and steps cut
into the dock itself all suggest maritime activity of various sorts.
The overall quality of the site is a hidden, compact maritime precinct
with a diversity of water edge conditions and built forms set into the
original rugged sandstone topography.
Horse Paddock
- Large informal open area by the waterfront
- Sloping area behind the flat apron overlooks the river - the view
gradually broadens moving down the slope
- Strongly defined at either side by sailing club and marina
Goat Paddock
- Informal but high quality passive recreation area
- Long views down the harbour are surprising after blockage by sandstone
fence
- Strongly directional - a relatively narrow passage straight out to
the harbour - the long view to Point Piper
Dock
- Sheltered from the strongest southerlies
- Scale of buildings: the landform is still dominant and the buildings
are hidden. Although the sawtooth roofed building is large, the views
are around it
- Nestled and close knit building group
- Mixed building scales - suggesting a mix of uses
- The aesthetic of the place can be contemporary and will emerge from
judicious juxtaposition of new and old - eg. Stainless steel and sandstone;
the old derricks directly fixed to the rock along the dock provide a
clue
- Military use was extravagant. The actual activity was very specific
and not as active as a private place would need to be in order to be
economically viable
- The quality of the waterfront space in front of the buildings derives
from its military use. Alongside the functional buildings, military
personnel invariably create personalised places which also distinguishes
it from private enterprise
Significant Values and Considerations
Refer to Figure
4.4 (PDF 126kb) Heritage Values and Figure
4.5 (PDF 174kb) Natural and Cultural Values
Natural Values
- A special space in harbour/river sequence; Lane Cove and Parramatta
Rivers, Iron Cove, Cockatoo, Spectacle and Snapper Islands
- Spur off main Hunters Hill/Woolwich ridge affording excellent harbour
views to and from the peninsula
- The much modified cliff/knoll topography still retains pockets of
remnant vegetation
- The original cliff line is still visible and the dramatic dock cutting
has revealed the sandstone strata
Cultural Values
- The site is integral with Clarkes Point Reserve for understanding
the cultural evolution of this part of Woolwich
- The form and scale of the sawtooth roofed building (building.11)
provides a strong visual reminder of the increasingly rare maritime
industrial activity on this part of the Parramatta River
- Archaeological remains and the subdivision pattern of the Clarke
family's occupation of the site are still evident and could be interpreted
to explain the site's European pre-industrial heritage
- The influence of the dockyard enterprise on the development of the
surrounding neighbourhood with small lot subdivision for workers' housing
and the hotel and shops
- Visual and maritime industrial links with Cockatoo Island
- Theme of excavation/land reclamation as the dock spoil has modified
the topography in creating the apron; sandstone, excavation/fill, seawalls,
slipways, dock
- The dock, caisson, slipways, reclaimed land and sea walls are reminders
of Morts Dock and Engineering Company, the largest shipbuilding and
repair enterprise in Australia from the late 19th to the mid 20th century
and are important statements of the maritime heritage of this area
- The Dock and slipways are an excellent example of the theme of peninsula/deepwater/industry
location
- Community involvement in fighting to protect the site's natural, cultural
and aesthetic qualities and recreational potential from high rise development,
expansion of defence activities and sale of the land, and also the fight
to save nearby Kellys Bush
- The Horse Paddock name most probably relates to the pasturing of
work horses there by the firm of W. Solomon and Sons, a leading Hunters
Hill and Sydney contractor, who finished the construction of the dock
and complete the later extensions
Figure 4.4
(PDF 126kb) Heritage Values 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 dated March 2000 and surrounding items from the Council LEP.
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Outcomes
Vision and Benefits
Refer to Figure
4.6 (PDF 330kb) Outcomes and Figure
4.7 (PDF 171kb) Concept Sketch.
The plan for Woolwich proposes the consolidation of parklands to create
a unified place at the meeting of the rivers with a maritime hub as its
centrepiece.
The dock area and associated maritime facilities could be adaptively
reused and a new water arrival and gathering place created. This could
include studios, maritime repairs and the storage of boats including heritage
vessels, café or restaurant facilities and other places of interest.
The dock could also be the starting point for tours of Hunters Hill and
the harbour that would enable people to experience the rich contrasts
of maritime industry, the bushland and heritage of the area.
The dock, adjacent parklands and neighbourhood could be integrated through:
- A network of circuit pathways - with the dock as the centrepiece
- The provision of pedestrian access across the dock
- The modification of the existing carparks, access ways, paths and
landscaping to unify the sites
- The re-opening the cutting that originally ran from the dock to the
slipway in Clarkes Point Reserve
- The extension of the bushland character of Kellys Bush along the
slopes and the remnant knoll above the southern edge of the dock
- The landscape treatment of the horse paddock to relate to the northern
apron on Cockatoo Island
It will be important to retain, enhance and re-instate views such as
the:
- Dock, the water and the city from the hill top and Goat Paddock
- Water and Cockatoo Island from the approach roads
- Woolwich Pier Hotel from parts of the shore and the water
The Dock
The remarkable cutting of the dock will be revealed, explained and become
operational again as the centre of a maritime hub.
This will be a new water arrival and gathering place where maritime functions
including boat building and maritime services and repair are complimented
by a diversity of activities and attractions including café and
other refreshment outlets.
The cutting (now filled in and with the road constructed over it) that
originally connected the slipways in Clarkes Point Reserve and the dock
could be reinstated.
The dock has the capacity for alongside berthing for vessels being repaired,
short stay visiting vessels and possibly permanent berths for small boats
and/or heritage vessels.
The concrete piers could be re-used as part of the working maritime hub.
The lifting crane could be re-instated or the piers could be used to accommodate
an adjustable boat ramp/slipway or water arrival/berthing.
The stone sea wall would be retained, Mort's timber jetties reinstated
and additional works carried out for small boat and possibly ferry moorings.
The waterfront lawn area has the potential for a café or reception/function
facility.
The sawtooth roofed building is suitable for maritime uses, boat storage,
studios or to be adapted for community uses.
The dock could also be used as an occasional base for the transfer of
supplies to Cockatoo Island.
Woolwich Lookout
The plan proposes the creation of a 'Village Green' at the lookout. This
would be the culmination of the parkland extending down the hillside,
once more linking the ridge with the waterfront.
Goat Paddock
It is proposed the Goat Paddock is developed as a park that will provide
magnificent views of the harbour and special events. It will also give
access to the dock with a walk that can be taken along the dock cutting.
Neighbouring properties to be screened from the path, while retaining
views toward the dock and harbour.
Horse Paddock
It is proposed that the Horse Paddock is remediated and developed as
a place for passive recreation and community events.
It is proposed that the patterns of past uses, including changes in the
shoreline, subdivision patterns and the sites of significant buildings
are interpreted in a simple and subtle manner that allows the feeling
of informal parkland to predominate. For example, the former shoreline
could be interpreted through a new pathway and revegetation of the hillside.
There is potential to improve the area around the sailing club by landscaping
and reconfiguring the existing carpark and boat ramps. To facilitate this
the benefits of combining the boat ramp in the Horse Paddock with the
one in front of the sailing club will be investigated.
Existing car parking and road alignments within the parklands require
investigation to cater for the expanded park and boat ramp facilities.
The location and appearance of the car parking is to be subservient to
the landscape and will be resolved in consultation with the council.
The existing ramp located in the Horse Paddock, adjacent to the Sailing
Club, could be used as an occasional access point for vehicles being barged
to Cockatoo Island. This would be subject to a detailed management plan
that recognises the primacy of the site as a public place and protects
the environmental values and amenity of the park and local area.
A small boat basin could be created at the edge of the Horse Paddock,
adjacent to Woolwich Marina. This will be investigated with NSW WaterWays
Authority and the council.
Possible Uses - summary of principles
Future uses at Woolwich must contribute to the:
- Working maritime hub: the dock, sheds and associated hardstand eg
boat building, repair and courses, commercial business, storage of historic
vessels and associated workshops and boat storage
- Water gateway: potential for ferries, charter vessels, day visit
private boats
- Diversity of attractions and activities: e.g. café, restaurant,
functions, cultural facilities, related office studios
- Protection of the local amenity through environmental controls for
matters such as hours of operation, noise, etc
- Public access network
- The significance of the dock, rock cuttings and benchings
Principles for Building Retention, Removal and New Buildings
The existing configuration of paired piers, bunded hardstand, sawtooth
roofed workshop and other buildings is not ideal for maritime operations.
The priority is to:
- Retain the significance of the dock, cuttings and benchings
- Retain the site's character - its 'grain'
- Create a viable maritime hub and public gathering place
New buildings will only be permitted on the site if they:
- Are necessary for the viability of a desirable activity such as the
maritime hub
- Interpret or reinstate significant elements of the site's history
- Do not obstruct significant views and vistas
- Are located and have a footprint, scale, form and finishes that are
sympathetic with the setting
The alteration or demolition and replacement of the Army sheds could occur
subject to any alterations or new building:
- Remaining below the adjacent rock face
- Not interfering with the reinstatement of the link via the cutting
between the slipways in Clarkes Point Reserve and the dock
- Being consistent with the existing building line along the edge of
the dock apron
Repairs and Remediation
Services and buildings in the dock area all require basic maintenance
and upgrading. The sawtooth roofed building requires asbestos management
while the sea wall is in need of repair for both safety reasons and to
limit the migration of contaminated fill into the harbour.
A remediation strategy and an environmental management plan will be prepared
for the site to ensure the continued management of hazardous materials.
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