The Save Middle Head Group coordinated by Linda Bergin is fighting to prevent a large-scale two-storey new private commercial development of a residential (24/7) health care facility to be built on the Middle Head ridgeline on public land on both sides of Middle Head Road. Go to www.savemiddlehead.org for more information.

1. Save Middle Head
www.savemiddlehead.org
Presentation
Updated 19 January 2014

2. Disclaimer
This presentation has been prepared by the Save Middle Head Group. It was originally used for the public meeting held in Mosman on 5
December 2013. Any opinions expressed in this presentation constitute our judgement at the time of issue and are subject to change. The
information has been compiled from documents made available to us and whilst we strive for accuracy no warranty is made as to the accuracy
or reliability or other information contained in this presentation. To the maximum extent permitted by law, we disclaim all liability and
responsibility for any direct or indirect loss or damage which may be suffered by any recipient through relying on anything contained in or
omitted from this presentation.
The Save Middle Head Group
savemiddlehead@gmail.com
www.savemiddlehead.org

3. Middle Head – A Brief History
1815 Bungaree’s Farm
1861 Land resumed for defence
1871 First defensive batteries built
1915 Mobilisation Camp
1923 Mosman Golf Club
1935 – 1945 Wartime construction: ASOPA & 10 Terminal
1996 Headland Preservation Group formed by Linda Bergin to Save
Middle Head, Georges Heights and other defence lands from sale and
development
1998 Interim Sydney Harbour Federation Trust (SFHT) formed
2001 SFHT formed as a statutory body

4. 1815
Bungaree’s Farm
1915
Mobilisation
Camp
1935 – 1945 Wartime
construction: ASOPA & 10 Terminal

5. The Trust’s Vision
“To provide a lasting legacy for the people of
Australia by helping to create one of the finest
foreshore parks in the world and provide places
that will greatly enrich the cultural life of the city
and the nation.”
Page 12 Sydney Harbour Federation Trust Plan 2003

6. The Plan (2003) for Middle Head
“The plan proposes the creation of an exciting
Headland Park at Middle Head… The park
will link the natural and cultural assets of
the site…. facilities and buildings will be
adapted for educational, community and
recreational uses.”
Page 6 Sydney Harbour Federation Trust Plan 2003

7. The Plan for Middle Head
“This plan recognises the pivotal relationship
between Sydney Harbour and each of the
seven sites managed by the Trust. It is the
harbour - natural feature, strategic port and
colonial lifeline - that determined the location
of Trust sites and their uses.”
Page 8 Sydney Harbour Federation Trust Plan 2003

8. The importance of establishing the Trust
As outlined by the then Prime Minister:
' ... [the establishment of the Trust] will prevent
any ad-hoc treatment of the return of the land
to the people and it will ensure that there is
maximum weight given to the desire of all
Australians that the maximum advantage be
derived in open space and recreational
purposes in relation to the land.' ”
Page 11 Sydney Harbour Federation Trust Plan 2003

9. The Proposed Development
A large-scale two-storey new private
commercial development of a residential
(24/7) health care facility to be built on the
Middle Head ridgeline on public land on
both sides of Middle Head Road.

10. The site (as shown
in proposal) occupies
an area approx
25,000 sq metres
(approx 6 acres)

11. The Proposed Development
Will require demolition of existing buildings
and result in a substantial increase – almost
double – to the existing footprints.

12. Existing Footprint

13. Proposed footprint –
buildings only

14. Proposed footprint
– buildings
+ fenced open space
+ access roads &
parking

15. The Proposed Development
Includes:
● spaces between buildings filled in
● addition of 2nd storey to 10 Terminal Buildings
● removal of existing open space for
enclosed gardens
● increased car parking
● excavation and access to a large underground car
park
● new access road and loading dock
for deliveries and waste removal (including medical
waste).

16. parking und
er
acces
s road
parking
h
drive throug
load
ing
doc
k
parking
access road
Proposed footprint
fenced
parking
off are
as
– buildings
+ fenced open space
+ access roads &
parking

17. Compare this
with the existing
footprint!

18. SFHT Development Proposal
Other key points:
● Estimated construction cost of $33 million
● No tenders or expressions of interest for a development
of this type
● Proponent company (formed 1 year ago) has no prior
experience
● 25 year lease but due to use will it be there in perpetuity?
● Residential 24/7 operation
● Destruction of approach to Sydney Harbour National Park
● Loss of public access and views from Middle Head

20. Built area to increase
from 4,200 sq metres
to 9452 sq metres.

21. Currently the site has
an open aspect.

22. Perspective drawings clearly
show fenced areas.

23. Loss of open space to access road
and more car parking.

24. Models show full scope of
new footprints and large
scale of the development
(note no fences!)

25. Barracks

26. New Barracks building with drive-in basement parking and
substantial changes to the surrounding landscaping.

27. 10 Terminal Buildings

28. Proposed Fire Buffers for 10 Terminal
Heat barriers made of steel to be erected on southern and
eastern boundaries of 10 Terminal up to approx 1800 mm
(almost 6 ft) high.

29. Side Elevations 10 Terminal buildings

30. Existing buildings

31. Proposed new buildings

32. 10 Terminal
10 Terminal

33. SFHT Development Proposal
“The Draft Amendment and the Development
Application would both facilitate the
construction of a large, commercial
development for private purposes... in a
manner that would exclude the vast majority
of the public.”
Legal Advice – Baker & McKenzie

34. Proposed Development Inappropriate
“The scale, form and type of the proposed
development are all inappropriate for a site that
is required to be conserved and preserved for
the benefit of present and future generations of
Australians.”
Legal Advice – Baker & McKenzie

35. Public Access
“The form of the proposed development means
that public access and use would be actively
discouraged for an extended period of time
while ever the site is used for private
residential/aged care purposes…”
“There will be no opportunities for the public to
walk through the site or to have general casual
access.”
Legal Advice – Baker & McKenzie

36. Proposes change to the SHFT Act
“The Draft Amendment and the Development
Application propose a built form and
development that would be contrary to the
intention of the SHFT Act as well as the
Objects of the Trust.”
Legal Advice – Baker & McKenzie

37. Next Steps
1. Write letters to Tony Abbott MP Warringah,
Greg Hunt Minister for Environment
2. Write submissions to the SHFT
3. Email a copy of your submissions to us at
savemiddlehead@gmail.com
4. Register for updates at: www.
savemiddlehead.org
5. Spread the word
6. Talk to us