Mike Baird

Member for Manly

NSW Shadow Minister for Finance, Energy, Commerce & Youth Affairs

It is hard not to wonder how common sense seems to consistently avoid the halls of power. I am not trying to pretend that I have any greater ownership of this important attribute than others but, when it comes to North Head I am just left shaking my head. Whether it be attributes of natural grandeur, aesthetic inspiration, unique habitats and species, Aboriginal sacred sites, first settlement significance or historically significant buildings – North Head has it all. With this sort of back drop it is almost impossible to understand how the Federal Government could be considering a $21 million redevelopment of its police college on this site at Spring Cove.

The symbol of the growing community unrest with this plan is the much loved “Little Penguins”. Spring Cove and surrounds are the only mainland breeding colony of Little Penguins in Australia and is already identified as a critical habitat area. The passion for these penguins is well voiced by 13 year old local Ellie Griffin who at a recent public forum said that Government needed to listen to her generation which is screaming out for environmental conservation and the saving of these penguins.

I do not want to denigrate the work of the Federal Police but, do we need a “Las Vegas Style” convention centre as a show case to police services of the world? Surely there are other sites – indeed they are currently using the artillery school on North Head and this seems perfectly suitable without the need for any further development.

As we have looked at this issue many locally have decried the relentless march of the bulldozer and I have to agree enough is enough for this site. What has also struck me is that we tend to look at sites such as this in isolation. If you look across the harbour many are concerned at the preservation of the colonial significance of the rocks and farm cove. Others are looking at preserving the history and function of Cockatoo Island and a world heritage listing is being pursued for the Harbour Bridge itself. The Bridge listing would join up with a stand alone listing for Sydney Opera House which was achieved in 2007.

So here is an idea – rather than try to fight these battles in isolation why don’t we link arms and try to world heritage list the entire Sydney Harbour and adjoining public buildings and land. This has had various moments of public support since 1990 but, I think it is time we got serious. Australia has 17 listings including 4 mixed natural/cultural sites which would be the most likely basis for a Sydney Harbour listing. The existing 4 are Kakadu, Willandra Lakes, the Tasmanian Wilderness and Uluru all of which sit very nicely besides Sydney Harbour and North Head.

I have written to both the Prime Minister and Premier on the issue so if you feel compelled join the fight – let them know yourself. It meets UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee’s selection criteria, would put pride back into our city and importantly passes the common sense test. I wonder whether the Federal Government would continue to pursue the re-development of the police college if they are seen rolling bulldozers into a world heritage site? Well here is the rub that is exactly what they are doing and my hope, together with anyone who cares about our history and environment, is that common sense prevails!