Unique in its heritage and history, the Cockatoo Island / Wareamah Draft Master Plan presents a new vision for reactivation and transformation – for the island to become the vibrant and connected heart of Western Sydney Harbour. It’s now time to have your say.
The Cockatoo Island / Wareamah Draft Master Plan is now available for feedback on the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) consultation hub and members of the public have until 5pm AEDT on Wednesday 13 December 2023 to comment on it. Visit the DCEEW hub to view the draft master plan in full as well as a summary document.
The draft master plan examines the island’s cultural and natural heritage values in detail and presents a long-term vision of place. Specifically, it identifies guiding principles for the island’s future revitalisation, guided by the dialogue we’ve had with the community since 2019 and the Cockatoo Island Management Plan.
In releasing this draft master plan, we acknowledge the Traditional Custodians and Owners of the lands, waters and sky of Sydney Harbour, including Cockatoo Island / Wareamah. The island connects to the waterways and homelands of the Wallumedegal, Wangal, Cammeraygal and Gadigal peoples.
Want to learn more about the draft master plan? Engage with us at our community forum or one of our drop-in sessions and watch our webinar
Four informal drop-in sessions were held so members of the public could learn more about the draft master plan. These sessions were scheduled on various dates throughout November:
The public was invited to join our project team for a formal presentation on the draft master plan, followed by a Q&A session, on Saturday 18 November.
This community forum was held at Cockatoo Island between 12pm and 2pm (AEDT).
On Monday 6 November, the Harbour Trust hosted a webinar to provide further information about the draft master plan. The recording is now available to view.
Consultation on the Cockatoo Island / Wareamah Draft Master Plan is a continuation of a conversation we began with the community in mid-2019. The ‘Cockatoo Island Dialogue’ ran from 29 May to 30 June of that year and saw us invite feedback about the island, including how it is experienced and opportunities for sustainable change.
This process involved a letterbox drop to more than 22,000 homes, an online survey, a series of yarning-style interviews with First Nations communities, interviews and workshops with key stakeholders, walk-shops and an ideas board on Cockatoo Island, pop-up booths at Barangaroo and Parramatta, a webpage and social media posts.
This conversation progressed further in 2021 with the release of a draft concept vision for public exhibition. The consultation period ran from 4 May until 11 June. To see the exhibited and post-exhibition materials for the ‘Cockatoo Island Dialogue’ and subsequent Draft Vision Concept, refer to our Have your say page.