Moved by Councillor Maxwell,
seconded by Councillor Ellsmore –
It is resolved that:
(A)
Council note:
(i)
the Victoria Barracks was built
in 1841. It was the third barracks built in Sydney and housed British soldiers
until 1870 when it was occupied by colonial forces and the Australian army. It
included accommodation, a hospital and prison;
(ii)
the site is on the State
Heritage Register, the Commonwealth Heritage List and is locally heritage
listed;
(iii)
the Victoria Barracks
precinct is seen as the finest complex of colonial barracks (pre-1850) in
Australia and is still currently in military use;
(iv)
it contains one of the most
important groups of Edwardian military buildings in Australia and is a good and
intact example of nineteenth century military barracks;
(v)
the site is the only
substantial military barracks complex built in Australia in the early Victorian
period;
(vi)
the precinct is also seen as
a valuable site for future archaeological investigation of past methods of
construction and ways of life;
(vii)
Audit of ADF Land: The 2024 National Defence Strategy (NDS) recommended an audit of
Australian Defence Force (ADF) land holdings, including the Victoria Barracks
site in Sydney. The audit report was submitted to federal ministers in December
2023 but has not been made public. The auditors, Jan Mason, former Managing
Director of Defence Housing Australia, and Jim Miller, Chair of Infrastructure
Victoria, were tasked with assessing whether Defence’s high-density urban
property holdings align with the military's current requirements;
(viii)
Plans for Victoria Barracks: During a Senate estimate in February 2024, Celia Perkins, Deputy
Secretary for ADF's Security and Estate Group, stated that the ADF regularly
reviews and manages its land holdings, balancing investments to support ADF
capabilities;
(ix)
Current Use: The Victoria Barracks is home to Forces Command (FORCOMD), which
oversees 85% of Army personnel, and the Australian Army Band Sydney;
(x)
Heritage and Redevelopment Potential: The barracks, including its green space, is listed on the Commonwealth
Heritage Register. About 30% to 50% of the site is heritage-protected, but the
remaining area could potentially be redeveloped if the site is divested;
(xi)
Land Area and Housing Potential: The site covers 0.15km². Given the density of surrounding Paddington,
it’s a site that could potentially accommodate the growing demand for new
housing and could provide housing solutions for City of Sydney residents in the
future;
(xii)
Location and Accessibility: The site is strategically located on Oxford Street near Moore Park,
which currently has limited public access. Redevelopment could improve
community access to green space and bike paths and would have public benefit in
a variety of domains;
(xiii)
Potential Public Benefit: If the Victoria Barracks site is divested, it could provide
significant public benefits, including housing and enhanced community amenities
for the diverse residents of the City of Sydney; and
(xiv)
it is in the City’s interests
to be prepared for the possibility that this land could be available for
alternate uses and should be proactive in its approach to this should the
opportunity arise in the future;
(B)
the Chief Executive Officer
be requested to:
(i)
ask City of Sydney staff to
establish a set of guiding principles for the potential use of the Victoria
Barracks site should the land be up for divestment. These principles will
provide the Council with a framework should divestment come up in future;
(ii)
recommend that these
principles should consider the high heritage value of the site and should also
be open to meeting the needs of the community. This should include prioritising
considerations of public greenspace, cultural uses and affordable housing, as
well as ensuring there is meaningful community engagement in decision making
processes; and
(iii)
prepare initial guidelines
for community consultation on potential land use of the site for maximum public
benefit. These and the guiding principles could be used in future for a study
or masterplan commissioned by the City of Sydney staff in relation to the use
of the Victoria Barracks site; and
(C)
the Lord Mayor be requested
to write to the Minister for Defence Richard Marles to request a briefing for
the City of Sydney Council on future plans for Victoria Barracks in Paddington
and other ADF owned land in our Local Government Area, and a commitment to
consult with the City of Sydney and the local community about future plans for
the site.
Carried unanimously.
X113762