HMAS Penguin will remain in Defence hands. The precious Angophora forest will be transferred to the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust, protecting it for future generations.
Following this successful outcome, the Convoy to Canberra planned for 23 November will no longer go ahead.
The material below is a historical record of earlier Defence proposals, recorded heritage protections and the questions raised by our community. It is retained to explain the campaign’s background, rather than as a statement of the current sale proposal.
Defence identifies HMAS Penguin for partial divestment. Clearance diver training and the underwater medicine unit are to remain onsite. Defence says the exact portions will be finalised through the divestment process.
02 · Recorded protections
What protection was recorded?
Defence reports one Commonwealth Heritage listing covering the whole site, including multiple buildings. It identifies obligations under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 to protect Commonwealth Heritage values as part of any sale.
Questions raised during the campaign
Which exact areas would be divested, and who would own them?
How would the Angophora forest, wildlife habitat and heritage values be protected over time?
What public access would be secured for future generations?
These questions formed part of the campaign before the 8 November outcome. They are retained as historical context, separate from Defence’s earlier published position.
Defence identifies Victoria Barracks Sydney for full divestment. Its published plans include relocating office administrative personnel to Defence Plaza Sydney and keeping cadets in the region at another location.
02 · Recorded protections
What protection was recorded?
Defence reports 12 Commonwealth Heritage listings, with most buildings covered by one or more listings. It identifies EPBC Act obligations and says heritage arrangements would be explored with future owners as conditions of sale.
Questions raised during the campaign
What future ownership and uses would be proposed for the site?
Which heritage safeguards and public access arrangements would be legally secured?
How would the museum and the site’s military history be retained and presented?
These questions formed part of the campaign before the 8 November outcome. They are retained as historical context, separate from Defence’s earlier published position.
Heritage listing does not itself guarantee public ownership. Commonwealth guidance allows a listed place to be sold or leased, while requiring steps to protect its heritage values after disposal.
That is why our campaign asks for both continued public ownership and lasting protection of the places communities value.
