National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) sought comments on the Gap Bluff Hospitality (GBH) Review of Environmental Factors (REF) proposal for adaptive reuse of 6 buildings within Gap Bluff, South Head, Camp Cove and Green Point Precinct of Sydney Harbour National Park for:
- functions – Officers Mess and Armoury (Gap Bluff, Watson Bay)
- short stay holiday accommodation – Gap Cottage (Gap Bluff), Green Point Cottage (Green Point), 33 Cliff Street and Constables Cottage (Camp Cove).
The proposal included revisions by GBH following consideration of comments received and issues raised during public consultation dated 20 August to 10 November 2015.
All submissions received during the public exhibition period 8 August to 6 September 2018 were considered as part of a detailed assessment of the proposal.
A total of 1531 submissions were received. 1505 of the submissions opposed the proposal. The majority of submissions raised strong concerns about the impact of the development on the environment and the local community.
As a result of strong public opposition, the Minister has decided not to proceed with the expression of interest or review of environmental factors process any further.
What has happened so far?
The NSW Government sought expressions of interest to enhance the public use and presentation of nine existing buildings and locations with Sydney Harbour National Park in October 2013.
In August 2015 the community was invited by the NPWS to comment on a proposal by Gap Bluff Hospitality to reuse 6 buildings in Sydney Harbour National Park at Watsons Bay, Camp Cove and Green Point for functions, short stay holiday accommodation and dining.
The proposal by Gap Bluff Hospitality included a draft Review of Environmental Factors (REF) assessing the impact of its proposal with supporting documentation including a statement of heritage impact, sustainability assessment and specialist consultant reports.
The proposal was on public exhibition from 20 August to 10 November 2015. During the exhibition period, 2 letterbox drops were undertaken and 2 open community meetings were held, as well as several meetings with individual community members and representatives, HMAS Watson and Woollahra Council.
A total of 164 submissions were received. The comments raised concerns including the impact on traffic and parking, the potential noise which could be generated by the proposal, visitor numbers and the potential impacts on public access. A summary of the submissions was provided to GBH to enable issues raised to be considered and provide GBH with the opportunity to examine ways to modify and improve the proposal.
GBH revised its proposal, which was on public exhibition until 6 September 2018.
As a result of strong public opposition, the Minister has decided not to proceed with the expression of interest or review of environmental factors process any further.
The Review of Environmental Factors and supporting documents are available to download:
- Letter from Gap Bluff Hospitality (PDF 85KB)
- Gap Bluff Review of Environmental Factors – Revised Exhibition Draft (PDF 10.2MB)
- Appendix A Architectural and Landscape Plans – Revised Exhibition Draft (PDF 39.5MB)
- Appendix B Traffic Impact Assessment and Draft Traffic Management Plan – Revised Exhibition Draft (PDF 9.9MB)
- Appendix C1 Acoustic Report – Revised Exhibition Draft (PDF 51.5MB)
- Appendix C2 Construction Noise Assessment – Revised Exhibition Draft (PDF 1.5MB)
- Appendix D Heritage Impact Statement – Revised Exhibition Draft (PDF 5MB)
- Appendix E Aboriginal Archaeology Assessment – Revised Exhibition Draft (PDF 8.5MB)
- Appendix F Access Report – Revised Exhibition Draft (PDF 825MB)
- Appendix G Building Code of Australia Capability Statement – Revised Exhibition Draft (PDF 931KB)
- Appendix H Operational Plan of Management – Revised Exhibition Draft (PDF 822KB)
- Appendix I Construction Management Plan – Revised Exhibition Draft (PDF 18.6MB)
- Appendix J Ecologically Sustainable Development Report – Revised Exhibition Draft (PDF 8.7MB)
- Appendix K Waste Management Plan – Revised Exhibition Draft (PDF 947KB)
- Appendix L Sustainability Assessment – Revised Exhibition Draft (PDF 1.7MB)
- Appendix M Consistency with Clause 228 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000 – Revised Exhibition Draft (PDF 1.3MB)
- Appendix N Flora and Fauna Impact Assessment – Revised Exhibition Draft (PDF 11.3MB)
- Appendix O Letter from La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council – Revised Exhibition Draft (PDF 151KB)
- Appendix P Response to Public Submissions Table – Revised Exhibition Draft (PDF 513KB)
- Appendix Q Response to Flood Letter – Revised Exhibition Draft (PDF 245KB)
- Appendix R Hazardous Building Materials Report – Revised Exhibition Draft (PDF 2.8MB)
- Appendix S Preliminary Site Investigation – Revised Exhibition Draft (PDF 25.2MB)
- Appendix T Proposed Graphics and Signage Plans – Revised Exhibition Draft (PDF 2.8MB)
