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Independent review of the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust

Update on the Government’s response to the independent review September 2020

The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment is working with the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust (the Harbour Trust) to implement the recommendations made by the independent review of the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust.

Announcements about opportunities for community engagement will be published on the Department's Have Your Say portal and the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust website.

This consultation closed on 31 January 2020. Documents remain available for reference only.

The Sydney Harbour Federation Trust (the Harbour Trust) was established in 2001. Its role is to rehabilitate prominent former Defence sites on Sydney Harbour and open them for public access as per the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust Act 2001.

The sites managed by the Harbour Trust are Cockatoo Island, North Head Sanctuary in Manly, Headland Park in Mosman, Sub Base Platypus in Neutral Bay, Woolwich Dock and Parklands, the former Marine Biological Station at Watsons Bay, and Macquarie Lightstation in Vaucluse. These sites are unique places, each possessing extraordinary natural beauty, rich heritage values and stories which need to be protected and preserved for future generations.

The Australian Government initiated an independent review of the Harbour Trust and its legislative, financial and governance arrangements to ensure that these arrangements are fit for the future.

The final report of the review was released on 18 June 2020.

Read the final report

The independent reviewers’ final report makes 21 recommendations on the future of the Harbour Trust and the management of sites under its control. The final report is available for download below.

Independent review of the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust - final report (PDF - 3.58 MB)
Independent review of the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust - final report (DOCX - 15.44 MB)

The Government has announced its intention to take forward the recommendations of the review. This process will involve further opportunities for community engagement.

Terms of reference

The Federal Minister for the Environment, the Hon Sussan Ley MP, announced the terms of reference for the review on 30 October 2019. 

Terms of reference (PDF - 35.04 KB)
Terms of reference (DOCX - 47.17 KB)

Media releases

Who undertook the Review?

The Minister for the Environment, the Hon Sussan Ley MP, appointed Ms Carolyn McNally and Ms Erin Flaherty to lead the Review.

The independent reviewers were supported by a secretariat team provided by the Department.

The independent reviewers worked closely with the Harbour Trust, the community and relevant experts to identify and address the challenges, constraints and opportunities facing the Trust.

Public forums

As part of the review, the independent reviewers held four public forums:

  • Cockatoo Island, Tuesday 19 November 2019
  • Headland Park Mosman, Monday 25 November 2019
  • North Head Sanctuary Manly, Tuesday 26 November 2019
  • Sydney CBD, Tuesday 18 February 2020

A fifth public forum, planned to be held on 19 March 2020, was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Consultation paper

A consultation paper was released inviting public submissions to the review . The documents below are available for reference.

Independent review of the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust - consultation paper (PDF - 3.56 MB) - replaced 20 December 2019
Independent review of the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust - consultation paper (DOCX - 867.47 KB) - replaced 20 December 2019

Submissions

A total of 177 public submissions were received over the consultation period. Below is a list of non-confidential submissions received in alphabetical order.

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Submissions disclaimer

The submissions published on this webpage are presented by the Department for the purpose of disseminating information to the public.

The views contained in published submissions are the responsibility of the authors and should not be taken to represent the views of the Australian Government. Publication does not in any way constitute endorsement of the views of the authors.

The Department does not verify the information contained in published submissions and makes no representation or warranty about the accuracy, reliability, currency or completeness of any material contained in submissions.

The Department disclaims liability, to the extent permitted by law, for any liability, loss, damage or cost arising from any information contained in published submissions.

While the Department values public consultation highly and seeks to be transparent, it is under no obligation to publish submissions it receives and reserves the right not to publish submissions on its website that raise legal or other concerns.

Submissions received