Future Proofing Sydney Harbour

Future Proofing

Despite recognition as a truly iconic and magnificent harbour, arguably the finest in the world, with no primary legislation or heritage listing and no single authority, Sydney Harbour has significantly fewer protections than other nationally significant places.

It is also a resource with many competing demands, and under increasing pressure from the growth of our city.

We are concerned the very complex and fragmented management of Sydney Harbour makes sound, long-term planning, policy and protection difficult.

Why Sydney Harbour Needs Future Proofing

• Sydney Harbour is one of the world’s most iconic waterways. It has stunning natural features, internationally recognisable architecture and is the backdrop to Australia’s largest city.

• The harbour and its tributaries have significant cultural and heritage values and offer opportunities for a variety of recreational activities. It also holds working value for transport, maritime, defence and the tourism industries and is home for many residents living around its extensive foreshore.

• Sydney Harbour has no heritage listing – local, state or national – other than those parts of foreshore or islands under NSW NPWS, and the isolated ‘pieces’ of the jewel that have specific heritage designations.

• There is no overarching vision or plan of management for Sydney Harbour.

• There is no central or single forum through which the many stakeholder organisations, groups and individuals can have their voice heard. As a result, the Harbour is highly vulnerable to inappropriate and piece meal planning and decision making.

Snapshot of Sydney Harbour Stakeholders

• Sydney Harbour extends 19 kilometres from the entrance, between North and South Heads, to the most westerly point where the Lane Cove and Parramatta rivers enter. It covers some 55km2 with over 240 kms of foreshore.

• Sydney Harbour is a shared public space which should be able to be enjoyed by visitors and residents, both on the water, and on its foreshores.

• Sydney Harbour is highly significant to the Traditional Custodians and Owners of its lands, waters and sky: the Borogegal, Birrabirrigal, Cammeraygal, Dharug, Gadigal, Gayamagal, Wallumedegal and Wangal, Peoples.

• The waters, islands and at least 25 % of the foreshore of Sydney Harbour are owned by the State or Commonwealth Governments.

• Sydney Harbour adjoins 13 local government areas, 8 Federal electorates and 10 NSW electorates. The largest single ‘landowner’ is Transport for NSW, which manages the bed of the Harbour and significant portions of its foreshore.

• The next most significant resource managers are the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust and NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service (responsible for several harbour islands and Sydney Harbour National Park) NPWS managed lands and water have protection under the NSW NPWS managed lands and water have protection under the National parklands and marine reserves are protected by the National Parks and Wildlife Act, 1974, the Biodiversity Conservation Act and the Marine Estate Management Act. The Sydney Harbour Federation Trust Act contributes to the conservation, protection and amenity of lands of Sydney Harbour under the Trust.

• Sydney Harbour is home to two naval bases, HMAS Penguin and HMAS Kuttabul. The latter at Garden Island is the main defence base for the east coast of Australia and its adjoining waters are protected by the Control of Naval Waters Act 1918.

• Other entities / key stakeholders include NSW Port Corporation, Infrastructure NSW (driving state significant projects and foreshore precinct renewal including Blackwattle Bay), and the Marine Estate Management Authority (running a Sydney Harbour Strategic Initiatives Network). Together with Destination NSW, the Creative industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport sectors look to Sydney Harbour as a source of recreation and community well-being as well as economic prosperity.

• There are numerous statutory authorities such as the Taronga Zoo Conservation Society, Sydney Opera House Trust, Australian Museum, Australian National Maritime Museum, Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, Sydney Olympic Park and many NGOs including the Sydney Institute for Marine Science who like the NPWS have a heritage conservation, research and education focus, working in collaboration with numerous different faculties in each of Sydney ‘s Universities (Macquarie, UNSW, Sydney, UTS and WSU).

• The cruise ship industry (seeking a third terminal in Sydney), boating industry, and a host of other private enterprises, developers and residents have a range of vested interests.

Summary of Issues

• Despite the level of government control and recognition of its significance as an outstanding public asset, Sydney Harbour has fewer protections than other nationally significant places making it much more vulnerable. With the exception of the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust and National Parks administered lands, administration is fractured and often service focused.

• The waters are not part of the Crown Lands estate and do not have a local council to represent them. There is no overarching vision or plan of management for Sydney Harbour. And the community has no central or single forum through which it can have its voice heard. As a result, the Harbour is highly vulnerable to inappropriate and piece meal planning and decision making.

• As well as lacking a co-ordinated single vision for its protection and sustainable management Sydney Harbour is a complex and dynamic place under increasing pressure from the growth of our city and its own popularity. The harbour has many and varied users but is ultimately a finite resource. Our ability to deal with these growth challenges is negatively impacted by administrative complexity, competition for scarce space and public passion for the place. The Committee for Sydney (2019).

• Law enforcement on the foreshore and on the water falls mainly to the NSW Police and Marine Area Command and the Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority in relation to licenced premises, vessels and events, plus individual LGAs for local foreshore matters.

• The Greater Sydney Commission was the city’s strategic planning leader. With its expansion to become the Greater Cities Commission, this entity has recently been abolished, with Planning Minister Paul Scully noting there were too many agencies with overlapping responsibilities, meaning accountability was “blurred and confusing” (June 27, 2023). In our opinion this is the same problem facing Sydney Harbour, and it urgently needs to be addressed.

Friends of Sydney Harbour position

• Sydney Harbour is one of the most beautiful public spaces in the world.

• Friends of Sydney Harbour would like to ensure that the Harbour is "for all to share”, enjoy and care for.

• No one group should alienate others’ enjoyment of the Harbour or damage its outstanding values.

• Commercial interests need to be aware of public concerns.

Project to date:

• FoSH regularly consults with a number of harbour-wide community groups, residential groups and councils.

• We are in discussion with both the NSW and Federal government raising concerns about gaps in its management and the possibility of enhanced protection.

• FoSH has successfully represented the harbour community to authorities regarding general and localised concerns over safety, pollution, excessive noise, operating hours, anti-social behaviour.

• A government-led collaborative process could provide for a single vision and plan of management would accommodate input from the wider community. Importantly Traditional Owners would be afforded much greater involvement in protecting natural and cultural heritage values.

• FoSH respectfully draws the attention of the NSW government to the fact that the complexity and often competing interests of various portfolios with oversight for different aspects of the harbour is a recipe for ineffective management.

• Sydney Harbour is such a valuable asset driving many aspects of the Sydney economy. It deserves much greater protection and careful planning, essential if it is to be managed in a genuinely sustainable manner protecting all its values.

• We believe this could begin with State and National heritage listing as a mechanism to increase the level of protection and appropriate management to ensure its safeguarding.

Friends of Sydney Harbour welcomes the input and views of all stakeholders.

Sydney Harbour: our greatest asset The Committee for Sydney (2019).

Minns abolishes Sydney planning agency to bring control back in-house. Sydney Morning Herald (June 27, 2023)