The 10 Terminal Regiment and Parklands Renewal Project - Middle Head - Headland ...
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The 10 Terminal Regiment and Parklands
Renewal Project – Middle Head
Headland Preservation Group Feedback on the future of the 10 Terminal
Regiment Precinct at Middle Head
HPG has previously provided (13 October 2014) an imaginative plan to adaptively re-use the
former defence buildings of 10 Terminal Regiment on Middle Head for a multi-use centre that was
called 10 Terminal. That Plan was designed to protect heritage values; attract visitors to discover
the rich military and indigenous heritage of the area; obtain private funding for restoration of
these heritage-listed buildings; and be economically sustainable through a mix of public and
private functions.
The recent SHFT request to ‘Have Your Say’ seeks feedback on the future of the 10 Terminal
Regiment Precinct.
HPG is concerned that our previous proposal appears to have been ignored by SHFT in its current
Project Direction. Specific comments on the current SHFT proposal are developed further below.
You will recall that the HPG Vision for the future of the site was:
Shaping the future by preserving our heritage, demonstrating reconciliation, and exposing
visitors to enlightening and educational experiences.
CRITICAL IMPORTANCE OF THE INTERPRETATION CENTRE
The newly created SHFT Headland Park (including Middle Head, Georges Heights and Chowder
Bay) has the potential to become one of our nation’s most significant places. Nowhere else is
Australian history, from the First Fleet to the adaptive re-use successes of the Sydney Harbour
Federation Trust, so well integrated and visible in one compact location. Its existence is
remarkable providence – and reflects the wisdom of past governments having protected the land
and heritage sites from encroaching urbanisation.
The 10 Terminal Regiment Precinct is at the heart of this unique area at the road entrance to the
Middle Head Peninsular. The main brick building complex is described in the Trust’s Conservation
Management Plan for Middle Head (by Robertson & Hindmarsh, 2007) as:
“an exceptionally rare collection of such buildings at a National level.... retaining evidence
of its original layout…. Probably the only permanent school of military engineering erected
in NSW during World War 2…. The deliberate austerity of the design is typical of
permanent military buildings of the late 1930s and early 1940s.”
It is Commonwealth Heritage listed. As such, the fabric of the 1941 Building Complex should be
preserved in its adaptive re-use, to fulfil the stated heritage management commitments of the
Trust in its Strategic Plans and Heritage Strategy. Additionally, the Barracks Buildings and Parade
Page 1 of 5Ground (of moderate heritage value) as a whole represent a unique package. Demolition of all or
part of this complex requires careful consideration.
HPG considers that the adaptive re-use of the 10 Terminal complex should preserve and honour
the unique heritage.
The critical requirement, identified by HPG in its consultation with the community, involves
establishing a Cultural Interpretation Centre focusing on commemorating and interpreting the
military heritage of the surrounding areas, appreciating the environmental significance of Middle
Head at the gateway to Sydney Harbour, and learning about and celebrating indigenous culture,
particularly with respect to the Sydney region.
This is becoming increasingly important. New research is showing that the location of Bungaree’s
farm, established in 1815 by Governor Macquarie, is in all likelihood located on this part of Middle
Head under the oval, ASOPA complex, Barracks and the 10 Terminal complex itself.
Establishing this Centre is consistent with, and will further the objects and intent of, the Sydney
Harbour Federation Trust Act and the Trust’s own Vision and Strategic Plans for this significant
site.
THE CENTRE NEEDS TO REFLECT:
• The fact that the Aboriginal people occupied this entire headland prior to the arrival of the
First Fleet. It is essential that a vibrant living cultural centre with display space and gallery,
and areas for education of school children teaching dance, art, storytelling and traditional
arts and crafts is developed. Middle Head is very significant to the Aboriginal community
and the concept of an Aboriginal Cultural Centre is referred to in the Trust’s Strategic
Plans.
• The fact that the Australian military has been associated with the area for over 220 years,
starting with the defence of the NSW Colony and later playing its part in the defence of
critical Australian assets. The 10 Terminal Precinct is ideally located to interpret the
extensive fortifications and military history of the area — the earliest and historically most
extensive coastal defence network in Australia dating back to the 1801 fort directly below
the 10 Terminal site. The story of our Aboriginal Defence personnel should also be
recognised in the military history displays.
HPG notes that NPWS is currently implementing a link to the Bondi to Manly walking trail and is
intending to extensively signpost and interpret the many coastal military fortifications that
surround Middle Head and are located along Chowder Bay Road. Development of the
Interpretation Centre is essential to capitalise on the proposed innovative work of the NPWS. It
can be envisaged that the number of visitors to Middle Head by car and foot will increase
considerably with this initiative.
It is understood that Mosman Council also strongly supports the development of an Interpretation
Centre on this site.
The centre must be developed in close consultation with NSW National Parks and Wildlife
Service, Mosman Council, and HPG.
THE 10 TERMINAL PRECINCT NEEDS TO BE A MULTI-FUNCTION SITE. IT SHOULD:
• Lease cafes / restaurant / bar and shops catering for visitors.
• Develop an information centre (in close consultation with NSW National Parks and Wildlife
Service) where visitors can obtain information about Middle Head SHFT assets and Sydney
Harbour National Park assets as well as arrange tours and other activities.
Page 2 of 5• Offer serviced and un-serviced office accommodation utilising the existing and original
military offices whose size and layout suit “small office/home office” applications.
• Promote reconciliation by cultivating greater understanding of indigenous culture through
displays, activities and programs.
• Provide a rotating gallery for indigenous and local artists on the extensive wall space in the
10 Terminal buildings. Provide space for ‘artists in residence’. Sale of artwork will generate
sales commission.
• Provide a range of locations and facilities for school visits, with opportunities for
indoor/outdoor learning about military and indigenous history, ecology and marine life.
• Provide an accessible and convenient destination for tourists seeking to see an indigenous
centre in conjunction with seeing Australian animals at nearby Taronga Zoo.
• Conserve and interpret the rich history of the Middle Head area as envisaged in the Trust
Act, for the benefit of the community, both present and future generations.
• Provide a tangible demonstration of appropriate adaptive re-use of heritage-listed
buildings.
SITE PLAN
The 10 Terminal complex and its surrounds are ideally suited for multiple uses rather than a single
‘compound’ style purpose.
The aim of the Site Plan is to create a ‘permeable’ design integrating indoor and outdoor spaces to
achieve the educational, interpretive and commercial objectives of 10 Terminal. That will be
realised by:
• Conserving the heritage values of Buildings 1,3,6 & 7 as far as practicable, by minimal
alteration of the fabric of the buildings.
• Using the different buildings in the 10 Terminal complex and their surrounds creatively for
purposes described in the Trust’s Comprehensive Plan and Management Plan for Middle
Head.
• Linking the buildings to their surrounds - creating places and opportunities to inform and
inspire by combining indoor and outdoor activities for education, indigenous cultural
programs, ecological appreciation in the adjacent national park and visits to and
exploratory tours of the nearby military fortifications and heritage sites.
• Providing practical ways in which interested parties could best be accommodated in a
unique working location, while preserving flexibility to adapt to evolving circumstances
and requirements.
• Maximising public access to the 10 Terminal site and buildings.
It is recognised that the design concepts would be subject to modification as the Proposal is
developed in consultation with the Trust and the community, as contemplated in the Trust Act.
HPG considers that preservation of most or all the existing structures, without increasing the
building footprint, best meets the objectives of the Trust Act and the Trust’s Strategic Plans and
that this will govern the final appearance of the precinct.
There is a strong appetite among a range of future users to see a plan that meets the above
objectives. All parties wish to work with the Trust to produce a widely communicated, considered
and consulted upon plan.
Page 3 of 5FUNDING OF INTERPRETATION CENTRE DEVELOPMENT COSTS
The Interpretation Centre has the potential to become an inspiring symbol of commemoration and
reconciliation such that it would appeal to a wide cross section of donors.
HPG would support SHFT seeking public fundraising and sponsorship for the development of the
displays in the Interpretation Centre.
PUBLIC SPACE
HPG notes that Middle Head has considerable public space. Less than 5% of the entire Middle
Head peninsular is occupied by the remaining built heritage. A considerable proportion of space
that is under SHFT management has been already been converted to car parks. HPG recommends
that creating additional public space in SHFT lands be afforded a low priority.
OPERATING COSTS
As the only facility in Headland Park with a principal focus on meeting the Trust’s statutory object
of interpreting the environmental and heritage values of the Trust lands in the area, the
Interpretation Centre will be somewhat different from the commercial operations elsewhere on
those Trust lands. As such, it should be assessed differently in respect of its revenue generating
potential for the Trust.
The objective is that the overall operations of the precinct become self-sustaining as soon as
possible, with the aim of generating an operating surplus over time as Middle Head becomes well
established and as tourism and other income generating activities develop.
It is the belief that Middle Head, like similar institutions such as Taronga Zoo, museums, art
galleries and historic houses, will attract a significant number of volunteers to assist in its
operations and contribute to keeping staffing costs to a minimum. HPG notes that SHFT already as
a system of volunteers that can readily be expanded.
RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE SHFT PLANNING DIRECTION
The SHFT ‘Have your say’ document proposes that:
1. Heritage Buildings re-imagined and activated for community and commercial uses. HPG is in
general agreement with this proposal as it accords with our original proposal. However, we
would not like to see a further proliferation of small business /offices. Rather HPG sees the
development of a high-quality interpretation centre as being essential. Commercial uses
should generally be aligned with or support the Interpretation Centre.
2. Additional Parkland with views opened up over Middle Harbour. HPG sees this action as a low
priority because there are ample and better views of the harbour afforded by the NPWS
walking trail. Secondly, there is only a restricted view of Middle Harbour that is created from
the Parade Ground rather than the walking trail. The view is severely restricted by the
vegetation regrowth on the cliff edge at that location. Finally, as already described, the
additional parkland created by the further demolition of heritage barrack buildings amounts to
just a tiny percentage of the available parklands on Middle Head.
3. A new easy grade path around Middle Head. HPG suggests that as NPWS is already developing
an easy grade path around Middle Head, that will take in all the significant Aboriginal and
Military points of interest. (The NPWS pathway must connect to the Trust pathway otherwise
it stops at the boundary). HPG recommends that SHFT work closely with NPWS to determine
the entry point for tourists arriving at Middle Head by car. This entry point needs to be clearly
signposted to direct visitors to the location of the Interpretation Centre, and then from the
Interpretation Centre to the start point of the NPWS walking trail.
Page 4 of 5Apart from a pathway on Trust land connecting to the NPWS walk to complete the missing link
of the 80 km walk, there is no immediate requirement to provide additional paths. Any
proposed additional paths should be of a low priority.
4. Story telling of its multi-layered heritage. HPG agrees. As NPWS is doing a detailed
interpretation on the many Aboriginal, Military and lookout sites, SHFT needs to complement
this with a world class Interpretation Centre.
CONCLUSION
HPG welcomes the opportunity to have a community voice in the project direction of the 10
Terminal precinct on Middle Head. HPG fully supports the development of a world class
Interpretation Centre in the most appropriate heritage building. HPG suggests that SHFT and
NPWS jointly consider the need for any additional paths (funded by SHFT) so that there is an
overall economy of effort. HPG does not see any need to consider further additional open space in
the area managed by SHFT.
This Proposal for a truly adaptive re-use of 10 Terminal will bring heritage alive and maximise
public access consistent with the Trust’s Vision and charter. It is over 200 years since Governor
Macquarie made the first land grant to an indigenous Australian, Bungaree, on Middle Head.
It is timely that such a living heritage centre should now be established at 10 Terminal where this
aboriginal land grant was made.
It will honour all Australians and particularly those with a connection to this iconic place. The
collaborative multi-use activity will generate interest, support and patronage for generations to
come.
Headland Preservation Group
9 January 2021
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