PRAUSTRAIAISTE
FOR PRESS: R. I. No. 96/ 1972
RELASEOF COMMONWAEALTH LAND ON SYDN4EY
HARBOUR FORESHORES
Statement by the Prime 1Hinister, the Rt. Hon. William
Mclalon, C. H. MP.
For some time n~ ast the Commonwealth has been
discussing with the State of New South Wales the release of
substantial areas of Commonwealth land on Sydney Harbour
foreshores, so far held mainly for defence purposes.
The nature of the Commonwealth use has tended to
keep the areas relatively undeveloped, at least in comparison
to neighbouring lands so intensively developed commercially.
The Commonwealth has been conscious of the growing
community awareness of the need for open parkland in a crowded
metropolis, particularly such scenic Land as much of the
Commonwealth foreshiore land is. A critical examination of
the use to wqhich the land is beinci out has been made to see
to what extent it can be released for community use and
benefit. I had previously announced that, as a result of
this review, the Commonwealth was willing to release to the
State a total of about 550 acres of land at ' North Head,
South Head, Dobroyd Point and Middle Head.
The land is to be used only for creating natural
parkland and the Commonwealth will retain the right to resume
possession in an emergency.
Following further consideration by the Government,
I am now able to say that the firm basi3 of the Commonwealth's
offer to the State, which the Premier has advised is
acceptable to him, is as follows:
2.
NORTH HEAD: The Commonwealth will make available aporoximately
half of its holding of 639 acres, including a strip for a scenic
drive between the land retained and the ocean front. The
Commonwealth will retain the balance of the quarantine station
and the School of Artillery.
SOUTH HEAD: The Commonwealth can release immediately an area
of about eight acres on the headland, plus a narrow strip to
provide access from Cliff Street. The Commonwealth is also
prepared to make a further area available on leasehold bringing
the total to about 33 acres of the 78 acres held by the
Commonwealth. DOBROYD POINT: The Commonwealth will transfer its entire
holding of some 115 acres to the State.
MIDDLE HEAD: About 80 acres can be transferred now and a
further 35 acres may be released later, subject to continued
occupancy by the Commonwealth's School of Pacific
Administration. Most of these lands are available now for public
use. It will, however, take a little time to complete
transfers to enable the State to include these lands in the
proposed Sydney Harbour Foreshores Iational Park.
I am sure that my fellow residents in Sydney, and
the many visitors to the city, will welcome the availability
of these lands as natural parkland.
I am also able to say that the Commonwealth has
also agreed to return to the State another harbour facility.
I refer to the Man O'War steps at Bennelong Point to be used
for ferry services to the Onera House.
CANBERRA, November 1972