Victoria Barracks would be turned into Sydney’s version of the Tower of London or the Louvre under competing visions thrown up after the federal government abandoned plans to sell the historic site.
Federal Labor’s decision to remove the 186-year-old barracks from its controversial $3 billion defence site sell-off has ended a battle to keep the site in government hands, but reignited the war over how the 15-hectare Paddington complex might be used in the future.
NSW Premier Chris Minns, who had urged the federal government to retain the barracks as a defence facility, said on Monday he “[didn’t] think housing would be part of the mix” for the site.
“Look, I think it’s a step in the right direction. I’m not sure what could be a replacement,” Minns said.
“I know it’s a hugely important part of Sydney’s and Australia’s history, and I’m glad people will be able to access it.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Defence Minister Richard Marles on Sunday announced Victoria Barracks, the colonial-era sandstone military headquarters, would remain in government hands, but it would no longer be used as an active Australian Defence Force facility.
Instead, it would be opened to the public and the space would be commercialised to fund the maintenance of the buildings. They said part of the site may also be developed.
The historic precinct was the most high-profile of 67 Defence sites that were due to be sold after an independent estate audit this year. The plan triggered widespread backlash from the Save Victoria Barracks group, veterans, former prime ministers Paul Keating, John Howard and Tony Abbott, federal and state MPs, and local councillors, from across the political spectrum.
Coogee Labor MP Marjorie O’Neill said the government’s change of mind was a “massive step in the right direction”, but the site could remain a defence asset while being opened to the public. She was among members of Save Victoria Barracks who on Monday urged for defence personnel to remain.
“We point to the Tower of London in England, which is an active defence base while it is also a tourist destination that’s open to the public. I would say to the prime minister, sit down with the British High Commission and talk to them about how they have done that. There are examples all around the world where you have an active defence site that is also open to the public.”
Federal Wentworth MP Allegra Spender said: “It is so important this site stays not only in public hands, but in defence hands.”
The City of Sydney Council last year released guiding principles for any future development of the barracks should they be divested by the Commonwealth.
The council plan included part of the precinct being converted into housing despite this proving the most contentious topic in public consultation. It raised the prospect of weekly farmers’ markets, outdoor concerts and community recreation.
Labor councillor Zann Maxwell, who has campaigned for the site to include “carefully integrated housing” to help ease supply shortages in inner suburbs, welcomed the decision to stop the sale and said enabling the public to see and experience the site would enhance its heritage significance.
“I think it’s a positive step because it takes off the table what has been one of the key concerns among the public: I don’t think they trusted a developer-led process.”
“I think a lot of people’s concerns about private interests muscling out public interests will be allayed, and we can focus on making this Sydney’s next great public place. I’m excited.”
Maxwell said he would be happy for the part of the site without heritage assets to be developed, but said the entire precinct should be master-planned by a single public authority, possibly the council.
He suggested the Save Victoria Barracks group should split, saying: “It’s now a debate about exclusive use by the army and giving it over to use by the community.
“I think the important thing now is that the conversation moves on to a positive vision for the [site]’s future.”
Liberal councillor Lyndon Gannon said the site should evolve and Sydney was “not a museum”.
“Just look at the enormous public benefit of opening up the Louvre in Paris or Somerset House in London to the public. This is what Victoria Barracks could be for Sydney,” he said. The Louvre museum is a former military fortress and Somerset House was used for military administration.
Gannon said the Australian War Memorial, which the government said would be engaged to help interpret and communicate the history of the barracks, would “do a great job”.
“I can’t wait to see the site opened up to the public,” Gannon said.
Deputy Mayor Jess Miller said the prospect of commercial use “[didn’t] fill me with loads of confidence”, and she was concerned the federal government lacked a clear plan for the site.
“There needs to be a bit more strategic clarity about what public land for public good means.”
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said: “We would welcome the opportunity to work with the government to ensure any future use is sensitive to heritage conservation and improved public access.”
Albanese said on Sunday there were limits on what could be done at the site due to the heritage listing, and the decision to keep it in public hands ensured its heritage significance would be retained. He did not rule out the possibility that parts of the site may be put out on a 99-year lease.
The barracks are used as the army’s Headquarters Forces Command. Defence has proposed moving administrative personnel to Defence Plaza Sydney.
RSL NSW President Vince Williams said halting the sale showed common sense, but the push to shift administrative personnel to Defence Plaza Sydney was “totally unacceptable”.
“Marles has been running roughshod over our people in his desire to have everybody evicted from the barracks as quickly as possible and pushed into that sterile, soulless office tower in Pitt Street.”
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