Revised Middle Head / Gubbuh Gubbuh Draft Master Plan

I believe in the power of effective consultation and wanted to commend the Harbour Trust on their continuing efforts in relation to the Middle Head / Gubbuh Gubbuh Draft Master Plan. Such engagement helps improve efficiency, legitimacy and transparency of decision making. My brief comment in response to the revised draft master plan is focused on seeing the project move forward:

1. Be aware of the limitations of feedback and ensure the agency has agency

As a lifelong Mosman local, I’m concerned the feedback received during the first round of draft master plan public exhibition is not an accurate reflection of the community or wider Australian public. While the 75+ age group represents 11% of the local community (note: Mosman/nearby postcodes dominated first round submissions), this same age cohort comprised 31% of submitters.

As such, it’s important for the Harbour Trust to not vary their approach based solely on feedback. The Harbour Trust exists for a reason and should be afforded the agency to make decisions relating to its sites. While comments and viewpoints need to be duly considered, they shouldn’t be the source of needless roadblocks or delays.

Strategy and decisions must be done in a way that’s guided by the Harbour Trust’s objectives to protect, conserve and celebrate its sites.

Doing this takes the expertise of those employed and engaged by the Harbour Trust NOT a vocal minority with their own interests. While I respect the presence, importance and intention of local preservation groups, their approaches are often influenced by individual interests and are not always based on available factual information.

2. Maintain focus on Harbour Trust objectives to move headland revitalisation forward

On a related note to the point above, the Harbour Trust needs to move the Middle Head / Gubbuh Gubbuh project forward. For over 20 years, parts of the headland have been largely left dormant and the time is right to see the vision become a reality.

To reiterate: Decisions relating to the headland need to align with the Trust’s objectives to protect, conserve and celebrate it. This includes having a synergistic approach – where one interest or key value (i.e. First Nations, Military, Natural Environment) is not elevated above another. I believe the revised draft master plan put forward is well aligned to the objectives of the Harbour Trust and also the needs and wants of the Australian community.

3. Remind the community the draft master plan is not the beginning or the end of this project

This project has been around since I was at uni. I grew up knowing about it and have seen the plans evolve for the better. The revised draft master plan is a considered vision.

I understand it’s not detailed about the nuts and bolts of what’s going to happen but I recognise that’s not the point of such a document.

I’m reassured by the framework the Harbour Trust operates within and understand there will be plenty of opportunities along the way to provide further feedback (like when there’s actual DA plans to consider).

4. Balance key values, explore tensions and celebrate synergy

Some criticism about this project has been about the timber barrack buildings and their proposed removal. I am at a loss as to why this proposal comes as a surprise and why it’s not good news for everyone – it’s been the Harbour Trust’s position for years!

It’s important that one key value (i.e. First Nations, Military, Natural Environment) is not elevated above one another when considering the vision for Middle Head / Gubbuh Gubbuh – this includes the removal of the timber barrack buildings.

Simpleminded criticism about the physical buildings needing to stay so that social military stories can be told loses credence in today’s world.

The buildings were only built in the 1950s and they aren’t fit for any viable purpose.

Rather than keep the buildings for the sake of it, the Harbour Trust should use available technology and contemporary signage fabrications/design and architectural detail to tell the story of the military village in a more engaging way than physical buildings ever would. First Nations stories and the natural environment can also be shared with visitors in this
new parkland.

One of the Harbour Trust’s objectives is to establish and manage suitable [Harbour Trust] land as a park. There is no better place than Middle Head / Gubbuh Gubbuh to do this.

I can’t wait to enjoy the new green space that will be created following the removal of the timber barrack buildings. This is a viewpoint shared by the vast majority of my friends and family, of diverse ages and interests, who live in the Mosman community and beyond.

Appreciate the opportunity to provide more feedback.