Barrenjoey Headland statement

Attributable to a NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) spokesperson:

• Adaptive re-use of heritage buildings is common and consistent with best practice for the management and presentation of heritage assets and generally permissible in all parks subject to obtaining required environmental and heritage approvals.
• There are dozens of heritage buildings in national parks that are used for accommodation or other uses.
• These are often booked out 12 months in advance, demonstrating how visitors to national parks appreciate access to these buildings, and rental costs are reasonable and competitive.
• All proceeds are re-invested in park management.
• In relation to the 2 buildings at Barrenjoey:
  • The 2002 plan of management states that "Adaptive re-use of buildings at Barrenjoey Head will be investigated and implemented subject to environmental assessment processes and approvals under the NSW Heritage Act."
  • The draft revised plan of management released in 2022 does not change the position that adaptive reuse may be considered in future.
  • The draft plan was exhibited between 23 September and 22 November to allow the public to comment on the proposals.
• However, even under the plan of management, there are several additional steps that must be undertaken before either of the buildings can be re-used for accommodation. These steps include:
  • feasibility assessment
  • capital funding for assessment, planning approvals and upgrade works required to be consistent with maintaining heritage values
  • environmental impact assessment through a Review of Environmental Factors
  • approval under the Heritage Act (given the site is State Heritage Listed any works require a Section 60 Approval from Heritage NSW)
• These steps mean that no re-use will occur before 2025 at the earliest.
• A dedicated community consultation process will be established to support consideration of any proposals and to ensure community views about the potential future use of the buildings are carefully considered.
• NPWS currently has a bigger budget than at any time in its history.

Background

Comments about impacts on access to the site and impacts of any proposed use of heritage buildings for short term accommodation would be considered as part of these assessment processes as well as opportunities for community feedback during the dedicated community consultation process. The Headland is listed on the State Heritage register and as such would require Heritage Council approval to make any changes to any buildings.

NPWS has repurposed several historic buildings across Sydney to open them for public use/access including Hilltop Cottage, Middle head officers quarters, and Gardeners cottage.