Potential Sale Of Victoria Barracks Prompts Calls For Preservation

With the Albanese Government considering the divestment of Victoria Barracks and other military sites, community groups and representatives have emphasised the importance of its preservation.

Victoria Barracks in Paddington has buildings dating to 1841, with the sandstone main block having been constructed between then and 1846 by convicts. It is one of the most significant military sites in Australia, and was a hub of activity during the world wars as Sydneysiders flocked to enlist. Its buildings reflect a number of architectural styles, from Regency to Edwardian.

Now, the Commonwealth Government is set to rid itself of a raft of military properties, despite opposition inside the upper echelons of the Australian Defence Force. This is slated to court up to $68 billion for public coffers.

Sydney is in the midst of a housing crisis, which has spurred a drive for development. That, in turn, has fuelled concerns about the preservation of heritage, green space and community character. Whilst some are open to housing on the site, resident associations and councillors all stress that open space must be ensured, and that the historic buildings must be protected.

Cautions against destructive development

The Paddington–Darlinghurst Community Group told the City Hub that Victoria Barracks constitutes “probably the most important heritage in the whole of Paddington.”

“Defence would only sell Victoria Barracks for a lot of money. That lot of money would demand height and density to justify the price. Height and density would destroy Victoria Barracks.”

The Headland Preservation Group was formed to oppose private development on waterfront military sites now protected by the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust. It says that the government “should pause” before selling.

“Victoria Barracks should not be placed in the hands of the New South Wales Government or entities where planning controls are unlikely to protect its important heritage and environmental values, nor should such a precious asset be subject to destruction by sale to developers.”

“If Defence has no further use for the site, despite reports to the contrary, it must be retained by the Commonwealth Government and held in perpetuity for the benefit of all Australians.” The group suggests that the Harbour Trust could take over its management.

Wentworth MP Allegra Spender agreed with the sentiment, telling this masthead that “any changes should be carefully managed to ensure we protect that unique heritage while maximising the benefits to the community.”

“There is the opportunity to achieve a range of positive outcomes for the community with the site, including green space, increased housing, and community infrastructure” such as a new school, she said. 

“Any development needs careful planning and thorough consultation.”

Councillors unanimous on preserving heritage of Victoria Barracks

Victoria Barracks is heritage-listed at both the Commonwealth and local level. A City of Sydney spokesperson said that the federal government “must ensure that any redevelopment occurs within a robust heritage framework,” noting that the City “has recently sought community input on guiding principles for the future use of the site, which includes balancing heritage with any future adaption and community benefits.”

Greens councillor Sylvie Ellsmore said that the public “is right to be worried that it could be privatised, rather than kept in public hands.”

“This is the perfect site to deliver lots of public and affordable housing – alongside opening up green space and heritage for the whole community,” Ellsmore added.

“We need more housing, but we also need more accessible public spaces and green spaces, for all the new residents that will join our city in the future.”

“I have had the chance to visit an example of how this can be done in Paris – where a large old heritage barracks was sustainably developed to create hundreds of new homes, plus green space and a community centre.”

She stressed that it is simultaneously “possible to protect green space and heritage, and still deliver lots of new homes, if you do it the right way.”

Other councillors concurred. Independent Yvonne Weldon said she is “confident we can preserve the site’s significant heritage alongside potential additional uses.”

“It’s rare that a parcel of inner-city land of this scale becomes available for public benefit.”

Liberal councillor Lyndon Gannon called it “nonsense for anyone to claim that the location should remain as an active Defence asset.” He says he wants to see it “opened up in a sympathetic way to its heritage – exactly the same as the Darlinghurst Supreme Court site.”

With divestment of the barracks likely, the City of Sydney says it is establishing guiding principles for any potential development.