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Harbour Trust: The SitesCockatoo Island: Projects and ActivitiesThe following list in an summary of current and completed projects and activities on Cockatoo Island. The list is not exhaustive.
Projects and Activities
A Visual Identity for Cockatoo
Graphic design students from around NSW have created some striking concepts for Cockatoo Island. They were set the task of creating a visual identity for the island as part of a joint project by AGDA NSW and the Harbour Trust in 2006.
View the results of their work on the Design Hub website.
Power House is Pumped Out
In June 2005, the Harbour Trust completed the removal of water from the basement of the Power House to enable future conservation works to early dock pumping equipment. The pump out has allowed access to two floors underneath ground level and a first look at the two huge turbines that used to pump water out of the Sutherland Dock.
Sydney Writers' Festival Event on Cockatoo Island
 Sydney Writers' Festival, 2005On 28 May 2005, the Sydney Writers' Festival held the "War on Cockatoo" event on Cockatoo Island, as part of the Festival program for 2005. Authors Peter Cochrane, Gwynne Dyer and Paul Ham read extracts from their books and answered questions before a crowd of around 70 assembled guests. Harbour Trust volunteers were also on hand to provide free guided tours of the island following the main event. This was the second such event held on the island, and the Harbour Trust is keen to see this become a permanent annual event.
Friends of Cockatoo Island Plaque Unveiled on the Island
 Unveiling the Plaque, 2005As a tribute to the late Mary Shelly Clark and Jack Clark, the Harbour Trust unveiled a commemorative plaque honouring the role of the Clarks' and the entire Friends of Cockatoo Island committee. The unveiling was held on Sunday 15 May 2005, and was held in conjunction with the Friends of Cockatoo Island Annual General Meeting. Family and friends of the Clarks were in attendance for the unveiling and to honour the long running dedication of the Clarks to Sydney Harbour, and especially in the battle to save Cockatoo Island for the public.
Cockatoo Island Festival a Huge Success!
 Crowds flock to hear The WaifsOver the Easter Long Weekend in 2005, over 20,000 ventured out to the island for three days of music, art and a range of other entertainment. The Sydney Harbour Federation Trust - in conjunction with festival organisers Mixed Industry - were 2.5 years in the planning for the event. Over 120 acts, 2 cinemas, exhibitions and galleries, and a range of food and drink outlets were available, as well as the hugely popular camping grounds, allowing up to 2,000 people to camp right on the harbour! Click here to read more about the Festival and see more pictures from this special event.
Cockatoo Island Scrubs Up for the Festival
 Cleaning up the Turbine HallIn the lead up to the Cockatoo Island Festival, Cockatoo Island has a hive of activity as work was undertaken to accommodate 20,000 festival-goers. Recent works to the island include the installation of a high voltage distribution centre and four high voltage substations to provide the island with electricity; waste removal and landscaping of the Eastern and Northern aprons; upgrading of the Parramatta Wharf; and the decontamination and remediation of the Turbine Hall. The clean up of the Turbine Hall and industrial workshops involved the removal of:
The process was overseen by an independent EPA-accredited Contaminated Land Auditor and waste was removed and disposed of in accordance with appropriate land regulations.
Cockatoo Island lights up!
 Lights along the cliff faceOn 18 May 2004, the then Minister for Environment and Heritage, Dr David Kemp MP, flicked the switch, lighting up the cliffs on the north eastern side of Cockatoo Island. Every night cliffs will be lit up and should be visible from surrounding suburbs like Greenwich, Woolwich, Birchgrove and Balmain, as well as by passengers on the inner harbour ferry and rivercat. The lighting project has been made possible by the restoration of power to the island. The existing high voltage supply to the Island was in poor condition and at a non-standard voltage. The Harbour Trust engaged Meinhardt to design a new 11Kva ring main system for the Island. After the purchase of a number of substations, a section of HV trenching was completed. The original 1918 Powerhouse is now open to the public via the regular guided tours. This is a unique example of early electrical and industrial technology. Click here to find out more about tours of Cockatoo Island.
Cleaning the sheds Machine
Shop 1914Decontamination works have been completed in the convict workshop, the heavy machine shop, turbine shop and adjoining industrial workshops on Cockatoo Island in preparation for re-use. The work removed and contained hazardous materials while protecting the heritage of the buildings. Work was also completed to survey the vast amount of heritage equipment in the large workshop buildings on Cockatoo Island. The equipment dates from World War I and was used in the manufacturing of parts for ships that were built or repaired on the island. The collection includes large lathes and presses. When Defence left the island in the early 1990s a great deal of machinery was sold off or 'broken-up'. Fortunately some items have remained and the Harbour Trust wants to ensure this equipment is documented and preserved.
Conserving the island’s heritage
Two teams of consultants began work on a conservation management plan for Cockatoo Island during 2002. One team was analysing convict remains on the island while the other was examining areas used by the dockyard. The conservation management plan will guide the Harbour Trust in conserving important heritage items and advise on how best to treat adaptations such as the convict stone buildings that were converted into World War II air raid shelters.
Eastern Apron is Cleaned Up
Civil works and rehabilitation work were undertaken on Cockatoo Island’s Eastern Apron to provide a safe and available space for the holding of events and functions. During the Cockatoo Island Festival, the Apron acted as a camping ground for around 500 campers.
Entry precinct upgrade
The main room on the ground floor has been set up as a classroom to accommodate students for the popular Schools Excursion Program on the island. Click here to learn more about the Schools Excursion Programs.
Wharf repairs
Repairs have been completed on the Parramatta Wharf, including work on corrosion to concrete structures. The fender system on the pontoon has also been improved to ensure safe public access to Cockatoo Island.
Repairs to Fitzroy Dock caisson
At the shutdown of Cockatoo Island the historic caisson used to seal the Fitzroy Dock was flooded and left almost submerged in the dock. Guided by Mr George McGoogin, the retired dockmaster, a comprehensive underwater survey was carried out with a view to refloating and repairing the caisson. While suffering some corrosion and general damage the caisson was refloated, towed and repaired by Australian Defence Industries (ADI) at Garden Island. The repairs involved installation of doubler plates, valve blanking boxes, water blasting and the application of a antifouling paint system. The caisson has been fitted with an extensive system of cathodic protection that will give it a service life of five years. The caisson has been towed back to Cockatoo Island and is now moored in the Fitzroy Dock.
Convict building repairs
 Repairs to Convict BuildingsDuring 2001-02, Cockatoo Island had a number of significant convict era structures that have required careful assessment and stabilisation to the sandstone fabric. Heritage architects from the Harbour Trust have worked closely with Jackson Teece Chesterman Willis to analyse and record the existing stonework. This documentation will provide the blueprint for future repairs to the sandstone. The Harbour Trust engaged the services of Traditional Stone to remove damaging cement renders and apply sacrificial renders to vulnerable surfaces to repair and minimise future salt damage. International Conservation Services undertook a project to conserve the metal fixtures attached to the convict precinct buildings.
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Sydney Harbour Federation Trust · PO Box 607 · Mosman NSW 2088 Australia · Tel 02 8969 2100 · Fax 02 8969 2120 · TTY 02 8969 2152 Business Hours: Mon to Fri, 9am to 5pm This page last modified 5 September, 2007 |
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The
administration building near the Parramatta Wharf entry to Cockatoo Island
has been rehabilitated and adapted to hold offices and associated facilities,
including a multi-purpose room with audiovisual capacity.