Progress towards a Sanctuary since 2002

2002 - Forum

In July 2002, the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust together with the National Parks and Wildlife Service organised a forum on North Head in the Artillery School buildings at which various participants presented the possibilities for the area to become an ecological sanctuary. The ways in which the community could participate were discussed.

The importance of integrated management of the whole of North Head, so as to protect and conserve this amazing place, with its natural, Aboriginal, built and cultural values, has long been recognised by those with an interest in North Head.

Much of its significance comes from the relative isolation derived from its uses, both before and since European settlement - a place of peace and tranquility, a place of refuge. As the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust has identified in its Draft Plan and subsequent work, North Head's relative peace and solitude, to be found on the doorstep of our largest city, are another important aspect of its 'sanctuary' value. North Head should, as the Trust proposes become "a retreat, place of contemplation and reflection".

Pressure for integrated management of North Head took a step closer to formalisation when the North Head Advisory Committee was set up under Section 22 of the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act in 1995.

In an August 1997 address on the State Government's vision for Sydney Harbour Foreshores, NSW Premier Bob Carr identified Sydney Harbour as "one of the most notable and renowned natural urban features in the World". In that same address, Premier Carr set down some important principles for the hand-back of Commonwealth land to the State - principles which he said were to "ensure that decisions are made in the best interests of the people of New South Wales."

In recent years local voices in support of integrated conservation management across North Head have strengthened, until in July 2002, the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust (SHFT), in conjunction with the National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) hosted the North Head Sanctuary forum. While the SHFT is currently responsible for planning for the School of Artillery site, the State Government controls most of the land on North Head.

A group of people from community, scientific, educational and other interests came together at that conference to champion the need for a North Head Sanctuary. From that group came the North Head Sanctuary Foundation - now incorporated as a not-for-profit community-based organisation that has obtained tax-deductible status and a place in the planning and management of a North Head Sanctuary.

2003 Sanctuary Concept Plan

In 2003 the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust (SHFT) commissioned New Zealander Jim Lynch (the champion and driving force of the Karori Sanctuary in Wellington) to prepare a draft Concept Plan. In January 2004, Andrew Woodmansey was appointed by SHFT to manage the North Head project and has added more detail to the draft Concept Plan.

The North Head Sanctuary Foundation had a place at the planning table, together with the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust, the National Parks & Wildlife Service (subsequently renamed as Dept of Environment and Climate Change - DECC) and Aboriginal interests.

2003 Plan of Management for seven former defence sites

The Sydney Harbour Federation Trust prepared a draft plan for management of all seven former defence sites in Sydney Harbour. This draft plan, which included an outline of a plan for a sanctuary on North Head, was available for public comment towards the end of 2002 and was adopted by the Federal Government by the end of 2003.

By July, 2004 SHFT had appointed a Scientific Committee to assist with biodiversity management planning and was recruiting a Natural Resource Manager for North Head's former School of Artillery site.

2003 - 2005 Planning processes

North Head Sanctuary Foundation, through its subcommittees, organised a series of workshops to define what the community meant by the word "Sanctuary" and to produce vision statements for aspects of the proposed sanctuary - Aboriginal heritage, Built Heritage, Natural Heritage. A further workshop produced a statement outlining criteria for uses for buildings and spaces on North Head that would be compatible with being part of a Sanctuary.

2006 Plan of Management for Sanctuary is adopted

The Concept Plan prepared by Jim Lynch was modified by Andrew Woodmansey and, during 2005, was used as a basis for the preparation of a Plan of Management for the School of Artillery site.

During 2005, Sally Hamilton was appointed by SHFT to manage North Head projects. These included bush regeneration, invertebrate survey, bird survey, bandicoot monitoring and rabbit control. NHSF members voluntarily assisted with some of these projects. In addition there were maintenance works and upgrades of buildings including the preparation of a Visitor's Centre.

Early in 2006, the Plan of Management for the School of Artillery site was ready for public comment. Via a workshop and subsequent collation of contributions, NHSF made a submission to this process. That Plan was eventually adopted by the board of SHFT as the official Plan of Management.

2006 - Plan for natural environment management

In April 2006, the Australian Wildlife Conservancy (who manage 14 Wildlife Sanctuaries in Australia) was the successful tenderer for the task of preparing a management plan for the natural environment of the School of Artillery Site.

2006 Heritage Listing

On May 12th, 2006, The Hon Tony Abbott formally announced that the whole of North Head has been added to the National Heritage List. The listing was triggered by a nomination prepared by NHSF, and provides another layer of protection for the area, including requiring that any new development at any of the sites on North Head cannot proceed without approval from the Federal Minister for the Environment. This may influence what is permissible at the Quarantine Station, North Fort and the Police College.
Sydney Harbour Federation Trust commissioned a Conservation Management Plan for the built heritage of the School of Artillery Site.

The Hon Tony Abbott, Federal MP for Warringah, said while announcing the National Heritage listing of North Head on 12 May 2006 that this Listing is especially important and timely given the State Government's refusal to agree to the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust's plan to protect former defence lands on North Head.

Federal-State impasse over the future of the Sanctuary

The Trust had proposed to spend $20 million restoring heritage buildings and establishing an ecological sanctuary subject only to the State Government providing title over the School of Artillery site to the Trust while the work was being completed.

This information backs up a previous media report in the Sunday Telegraph on 8th January 2006 that suggested the Federal Government might axe its $20 million plan for North Head if it cannot get a green light from the State Government for the rehabilitation and refurbishment of the site proposed by Sydney Harbour Federation Trust.

2007 Resolution and action

Eventually the disagreements between State and Commonweath were resolved. On 3 January 2007, Hon Greg Hunt MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment and Heritage, announced that the former School of Artillery site had been transferred from NSW State Government to Commonwealth control in a joint announcement with NSW environment Minister Bob Debus and the Hon Tony Abbott MP for Warringah.
The Hon Greg Hunt stated that the 72 hectare site will be managed by the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust who will create a wildlife sanctuary on North Head, the adaptive reuse of the Military buildings on this site will complement the sanctuary, the public will be able to access the site and the Indigenous heritage of the site will be preserved.

Click here to read the Media Release issued by North Head Sanctuary Foundation on 3rd January, 2007.

2007 Leasing process begins

In April 2007 the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust called for Proposals for leasing the Former School of Artillery, North Head. The proposals have to be compatible with the Sanctuary. and community groups were encouraged to apply to occupy spaces it their use was compatible with the Sanctuary.

North Head Sanctuary Foundation applied for lease space under Community Users guidelines.
Our focus is on a range of community-oriented actives
- North Head environmental and heritage study centre
- Community based indigenous plant nursery
- A Sanctuary outreach progam.

The closing date was 8 June 2007 and as of July 27th 2008, we have not been formally advised whether our application is being viewed favourably. We believe that the Nursery is being considered separately from the total application for space.

The Australian Institute of Police Management (AIPM) has leased some buildings in the former School of Artillery (now the Sanctuary) while the AIPM site in Collins Beach Road at Spring Cove is being considered for redevelopment. The site was originally part of the Quarantine Station. The AIPM now wish to redevelop the site by "replacement of residential blocks, so that the number of beds can be increased from 30 to 60, and administrative and academic office accommodation from 35 to 45 employers."

However this development puts at risk the Little Penguins, an Endangered Population, which use the Harbour foreshore cliffs as home. About 18 pairs of the colony of Little Penguins have their nests within metres of the proposed development. The site is also used by Long-nosed Bandicoots for foraging.

2007 Tender for wildlife management

The Wildlife Management Plan prepared by Australian Wildlife Conservancy was adopted by the Trust and suitably qualified organisations invited to tender for management of Natural Heritage. In 2008 Australian Wildlife Conservancy was selected as the successful tenderer.

2008 Successful Wildlife Management tenderer selected

As of July 27th, 2008, the news is that the successful tenderer has been selected but not yet announced.

2008 Partnership Agreement

We were delighted to report that a Partnership Agreement has been organised between Sydney Harbour Federation Trust and North Head Sanctuary Foundation.

2009 April - Nursery ready for plants

The first Nursery Bay was completed, benches installed and seeds planted.

2009 June - First seedlings planted out

The first seedlings from the Nursery were planted in the grounds of the former School of Artillery in consultation with staff of Sydney Harbour Federation Trust.

2009 August - Official opening of Nursery

An official function was held to celebrate the opening of the Nursery. The local Member of Parliament, the mayors of four local councils and senior staff of Sydney Harbour Federation Trust attended.

2009 November - Second Bay of Nursery completed

Volunteers helped to complete the second bay of the Nursery. The second bay is designed to be a "hardening up" area for seedlings before they are ready to be planted out. During the year more than 12 benches were built by volunteers to support the trays of plants. Planting out continued as seedlings matured.

2012 February - North Head Sanctuary recognised with new signage

New signage was erected near the archway across the road from Manly Hospital - this signage advertises the various uses of North Head and gives a prominent place to "North Head Sanctuary".

2013 September - Begin year-long citizen science survey of echidnas on North Head

At its conclusion in August 2014, the photo location survey resulted in at least 18 different echidnas being identified across North Head and adjoining areas of Eastern Hill.

2014 - Reintroduction of Bush Rats to North Head

After extensive research, Australian Wildlife Conservancy began reintroduction of shy, nocturnal Bush Rats (Rattus fuscipes) to North Head.

2015 - Impacts of rabbits on plant recovery after fire

As part of studies of recovery of Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub after planned fire, results of excluding rabbits from the study area show that even in relatively low numbers, rabbits do impact adversely of the bushland.

2015 July - Gardening guru Costa Georgiadis spent a day with Nursery volunteers

Exploring plantings in the old Oval area, this show attracted considerable positive feedback when it went to air.

2016 - Award winning botanical art

We are proud to count botanical artist Julie Nettleton (Holcombe) among our long-time members. Julie won the Gold Medal at the UK’s Royal Horticultural Society’s Botanical art exhibition for her entry of six painting of Xanthorrhoea (Grass trees), with her Xanthorrhoea with Antechinus painting winning Best Painting in Show.

2018 May - Ecological study of bushland response to fire

Working with staff from Fire &Rescue NSW, the Harbour Trust's Peter Jensen, and fire ecologist Dr Kate Hamill, NHSF volunteers documented the responses of plant species across quadrats burnt at differing intensities during a planned Hazard reduction burn.

2018 June - Taxidermy displays introduced to Bandicoot Heaven

With assistance from Northern Beaches Stop Roadkill and former Australian Museum taxidermist George Hangay, a Powerful Owl, Tawny Frogmouth, juvenile Brushtail and Ringtail Possums and a slightly scrawny Long-nosed Bandicoot were added to Bandicoot Heaven's displays.

2019 April - Liaison with Indigigrow re shared interests

As part of recognition of NHSF's achievements during the first decade of Nursery and Community education activities, information and visits were exchanged with the LaPerouse-based Aboriginal plant Nursery, Indigrow.

2019 May - 10 years of volunteering at North Head

As part of our agreement with the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust, we regularly record our volunteer effort, both in the native plant Nursery and in Bandicoot Heaven & community outreach, as well as in our opportunistic 'citizen science' projects. Taking 2018-2019 as a fairly typical year since our agreement with the Harbour Trust was established, our Nursery volunteers contributed 3144 hours of plant propagation, planted 2260 plants of 63 different species and maintained these across numerous sites agreed with the Harbour Trust. Community education volunteers interacted with 5128 visitors, and our volunteers also conducted approximately 150 hours of citizen science research.

2020 - Restoration work on 'Bandicoot Heaven community education room

COVID resulted in a shut-down of all activities except critical maintenance of Nursery plants. This provided an opportunity to refresh and do minor restoration work and repainting of Bandicoot Heaven community education room, taking care to respect the significance of the building as part of North Head's built/cultural heritage.

2020 October - Hazard reduction burn escape

A planned Hazard Reduction burn near Sydney Water's Sewerage Treatment Plant escaped despite extensive preparation. It burnt approximately 62ha. Australian Wildlife Conservancy did outstanding short-term recovery work following this fire.

2021 April - Planting of a new 'Lone Pine' beside Memorial Walk

Nursery volunteers participated in the planting of a Lone Pine which they had cared for fir the Royal Australian Artillery History Company, as a replacement for a Lone Pine lost during the escaped fire.

2021 May - Biennial national bushfire conference North Head Field Day

NHSF volunteers assisted with planning for and conduct of the field day as part of the NSW Nature Conservation Council's biennial bushfire conference.

2021 December - Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub upgraded to Critically Endangered

After an extensive review process the New South Wales Scientific Committee upgraded the status of Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub from Endangered to Critically Endangered.

2022 February - Preparing frog habitat

In February Nursery volunteers began putting rocks and logs in place to improve the habitat for frogs in a 'soak' area off the end of Bluefish Drive. Heavy rainfall followed quickly and frogs were soon living in this new 'Frog Habitat'

2022 March - Huge rainstorm causes North Fort stone wall to collapse

A torrential rain event on 9 March (in which more than 130mm fell in one hour) caused lots of damage, including that caused by a wall of water that rushed down the track from near the Third Cemetery. It crashed into the sandstone wall near the Harbour Trust's Visitor Centre, then continued on past Bella Vista café, laden with rocks and debris. Over time, heritage contractors to the Harbour Trust did a good job of restoring the wall.

2022 July/August - Nursery support for National Parks plantings in Fairfax Lookouts area

Nursery volunteers diligently propagated and cared for substantial numbers of seedlings of several local species to assist NPWS in restoring the work areas below the North Head car parks and on the way to Fairfax lookouts. In all, around 1,000 seedlings were provided for planting out in this area.

2023 February - Award-winning 'North Head Scenic Area' opened

After a long process of design, planning and construction new sandstone lookouts and surrounding walking tracks at North Head were opened by then State Environment Minister and Manly MP James Griffin. It is pleasing for NHSF volunteers to know they played a part in the restoration of the area by providing appropriate local plants for the area.

2023 March - Signing of new Lease & Licence to operate

After almost three years of intermittent dialogue, NHSF was pleased to sign with the Harbour Trust both a 3-year lease and a licence to operate our native plant Nursery, Community Education and occasional Citizen Science projects. While much more detailed than the original Memorandum of Understanding, the agreement enables continuation of our conservation activities on North Head, with leasing costs offset by the volunteer hours we work.

2023 September - Botanic Gardens Sydney and National Herbarium plant survey of Harbour trust land at North Head

After considerable background research, preparation, and a familiarisation visit, a team of botanists and other professional staff from the Botanic Gardens and National Herbarium spent an intense day of field surveying and specimen collection to document the plant-life on the Harbour Trust's North Head site. A small number of long-time NHSF members were fortunate enough to be invited to guide and assist the visiting team in this endeavour, which greatly enhanced knowledge of the plant life on the site.

2023 - Survey of echidna population 10 years on

A repeat of the citizen science survey of echidnas living on North head in 2013-14, suggests an increase in the population of these spiky little monotremes, from an estimated 18 adults in 2013-14 to 34 in 2022-23.

2024 - Renewal of plant identification labels along bush tracks

After more than five years in place, it was time to replace damaged and fading name tags on 40 of the Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub species that are found on track edges across the Harbour Trust site. Each sign includes a QR code which takes the visitor to an information page on our website about that species.

2024 - Farewell to Australian Wildlife Conservancy: Welcome to Anderson Environment & Planning

After many years of collaboration, we were sad to farewell Australian Wildlife Conservancy from North Head as a result of changes to the Harbour Trust's leasing arrangements, which saw the environmental management role put out to tender. The contract was taken up by Anderson Environment & Planning.

2025 January/February - a new bushland 'restoration' project

Nursery volunteers are in the early stages of planning a new restoration planting project for the degraded bushland area opposite houses along St Barbaras Avenue.