PDF - 1.62 MB - Sydney Harbour Federation Trust

Annual Report 2006-0716The Trust assisted the Department of theEnvironment and Water Resources in the nominationfor World Heritage Listing of the convict precinct ofCockatoo Island, one of 11 convict sites aroundAustralia included in the serial listing.Snapper IslandSnapper Island is Sydney Harbour’s smallest islandand comprises simple buildings, slipways, boatstorage and jetties. No major works were carried outduring the year following the upgrade of wharf andpontoon in the previous year.Macquarie LightstationMacquarie Lightstation is prominently situated on theharbour’s southern headland and is still used as anavigational aid. The management plan will overseethe interpretation of the site’s heritage and improveboth public access and the site’s visual qualities.Former Marine Biological StationThe former Marine Biological Station is a residentialhouse at 31 Pacific Street in Watsons Bay. Thestation includes a foreshore park connectingsuburban streets with Camp Cove beach. During theyear the selected tenant continued work to restorethe residence.HMAS PlatypusThe HMAS Platypus site contains buildings andworkshops adapted and used by the RoyalAustralian Navy since 1942. The wharf was built toaccommodate the berthing of submarines when thesite was officially commissioned in 1967 as the basefor the navy’s submarine fleet.During the year, the community was consulted on thepreparation of an amendment to the Trust’sComprehensive Plan to include the site. A key aspectof the amendment was the development of aremediation strategy for the site’s contamination. Toinform the strategy, a review of all existingcontamination reports was carried out and asupplementary environmental assessment wascompleted involving a program of site drilling,sampling and analysis.Environmental ManagementRemediationThe Trust undertook a range of projects to manageand remediate contamination on its sites.On Cockatoo Island, remediation action plans wereimplemented for the northern apron and plateauprecinct, and prepared for the eastern and southernapron precincts. The decontamination of buildingscontinued as part of major projects to conserve andrefurbish the building stock.At Woolwich, stage 1 of the remediation of this sitewas implemented with works carried out on theHorse Paddock and the lookout area.At Georges Heights, remediation works in line with anenvironmental assessment and remediation plans areclose to completion. These works dealt with Defencerelatedsoil contamination and preparation of areas forlandscaping. Remediation work was also carried outin the vicinity of the new childcare centre in the former1913 Barracks building on Suakin Drive and newcarpark areas, to meet planned environmentalobjectives and environmental audit requirements. Anenvironmental assessment was carried out at the siteof the former 1 Commando Company Headquartersin preparation for extensive landscaping.At North Head, work required to decontaminate theunderground plotting room was scoped andhazardous materials assessments were undertakenfor various buildings prior to leasing.Contaminated land audits were carried out forvarious remediation projects.Bushland ManagementBushland management continued at Middle Head,Georges Heights, Chowder Bay and North Head.This included extensive control of noxious and otherbushland weeds, bush track repairs, andrevegetation of degraded areas using localprovenance seedlings. Approximately 0.5 hectares ofpreviously mowed grass has been left to regenerateat North Head. An area of 0.5 hectares has beenrevegetated in an area where two houses weredemolished at Markham Close, Mosman. Thevolunteer Bushcare program continued fortnightly atArtillery Drive, North Head and CommonwealthAvenue, Georges Heights. The Trust worked withTAFE, Local Councils and NSW National Parks and