HMAS Penguin & Middle Head: A Critical Moment for Our Community
Middle Head, HMAS Penguin & Angophora Forest, part of a nationally significant Sydney Harbour precinct. Image: Skyepics.com.au
At a glance
What’s changed — Defence will partially divest HMAS Penguin land.
Still open — Boundaries, ownership and Angophora Forest protection.
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A packed Mosman Art Gallery heard directly from Federal Assistant Minister for Defence Peter Khalil MP regarding the future of HMAS Penguin, the Angophora Forest and the broader Middle Head precinct.
The meeting was facilitated by Zali Steggall MP, who played an important role in ensuring community questions were heard throughout the evening.
Senator Jess Collins, State Member Felicity Wilson MP, Mayor Ann Marie Kimber, Deputy Mayor Michael Randall, Councillors Carolyn Corrigan, Pip Friedrich, Roy Bendall and Colleen Godsell, former Mayor Peter Abelson and former Councillor Tom Sherlock, along with many concerned residents and community representatives, were also in attendance.
The strong turnout reflected how deeply the Mosman community cares about this nationally significant site.
There were thoughtful and important questions from right across the community regarding public ownership, heritage protection, environmental protection, military history, First Nations significance, public access and the long-term future of Middle Head.
The Minister’s message was direct:
“The decision has been made to partially divest HMAS Penguin land.”
However, he also confirmed:
“Where the actual line is drawn is still being determined.”
This is the key point for residents to understand: while Defence has confirmed that some form of partial divestment has been decided in principle, the final boundaries, future ownership arrangements and long-term stewardship outcomes remain unresolved.
That means the community still has an important opportunity to shape what happens next.
What Defence Confirmed
Defence confirmed that part of HMAS Penguin will remain in Defence hands due to ongoing Navy capability.
The Minister referred to operational functions including Navy diving capability and related facilities that are considered important to Defence. This means HMAS Penguin is not being fully divested and will continue to have an active Defence role.
However, Defence also confirmed that the final boundaries of any proposed partial divestment have not yet been determined.
This matters because the community does not yet have a final map showing precisely what land, buildings, bushland or access areas may be affected.
Defence indicated that further assessment work is underway and that another town hall style community meeting is expected once boundary work is more advanced.
In summary, Defence confirmed:
Part of HMAS Penguin will remain in Defence hands due to ongoing Navy capability
Final boundaries have not yet been determined
Future ownership outcomes remain unresolved
Another town hall style community meeting is expected
Community feedback and submissions remain important
What Does “Divestment” Mean?
One of the most significant moments of the evening came when the Minister acknowledged concerns regarding the current process and terminology being used.
“The EOI thing is misleading.”
Many residents had understandably interpreted the Expression of Interest process as a signal that land was simply being prepared for sale.
The Minister indicated that Defence and Finance were looking at changing the terminology.
Importantly, he also repeatedly clarified that “divestment” does not necessarily mean sale.
He stated that future outcomes could potentially include:
transfer to a public trust
another form of public ownership
retention of some land by Defence
alternative public stewardship arrangements
This is an important clarification.
It means the community’s advocacy should not only oppose private sale, but also clearly set out what positive future outcome residents want to see.
Many residents expressed the view that if land is no longer required by Defence, it should remain in public hands for future generations.
Public ownership models raised during the evening included the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust, National Parks or another appropriate public custodian.
Key Questions Raised During the Evening
Several important questions were raised by residents and community representatives throughout the evening, including by Mayor Ann Marie Kimber and Councillor Pip Friedrich.
The questions focused less on politics and more on practical matters that remain unresolved.
1. What land and buildings are actually proposed for divestment?
Residents repeatedly sought clarity around exactly what land and buildings may be affected.
The Minister confirmed that final boundaries have not yet been determined and remain under assessment.
This was one of the most significant unresolved issues raised throughout the evening.
Without a final boundary map, residents cannot yet fully understand what is proposed to remain with Defence and what may be transferred out of Defence ownership.
2. Could the land remain publicly owned?
This became one of the most important points discussed.
The Minister stated that “divestment” does not necessarily mean sale and could include transfer to another public entity or trust.
This raised the possibility that land could potentially remain in public hands through models such as the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust, National Parks or another form of public stewardship.
For many residents, this is now the central advocacy point.
If land is no longer required by Defence, the community wants it protected in public ownership, not sold off for private development.
3. How would the Angophora Forest be protected?
Defence officials indicated that the Angophora Forest is protected under Commonwealth and NSW environmental legislation, including EPBC protections.
Officials stated that any future proposal affecting the forest would require environmental assessment and approval processes.
This was important, but many residents also expressed the view that legal protections alone are not enough.
The community concern is that the safest long-term protection is public ownership, strong stewardship and ongoing community vigilance.
4. What parts of the process remain open?
Questions were raised regarding what aspects of the process remain genuinely open to community influence.
The Minister indicated that while partial divestment has been decided in principle, important matters remain unresolved, including:
final boundaries
ownership arrangements
future use models
public access considerations
long-term stewardship outcomes
This means community voices can still play an important role, particularly on future ownership, public access, conservation and heritage protection.
5. Why was there not earlier consultation?
A number of attendees questioned why local communities and councils were not consulted earlier in the process.
Defence acknowledged frustration regarding timing and consultation, with the Minister indicating that further community engagement would continue as the process evolves.
This remains a concern for many residents, particularly given the significance of the site.
6. Is this fundamentally about revenue raising?
The Minister strongly rejected the suggestion that the process was simply about selling land for financial gain.
He stated that the primary driver was Defence capability reform and ensuring Defence infrastructure is “fit for purpose” for future national security requirements.
Nonetheless, many residents remained concerned about long-term pressures around public land and future redevelopment risks, particularly given the site’s location and value.
Why Middle Head Matters
HMAS Penguin and the Angophora Forest are not isolated parcels of land.
They form part of one of Sydney Harbour’s most historically and environmentally significant headland precincts.
The broader Middle Head area includes:
significant military history
native bushland and biodiversity corridors
the Angophora Forest ecological community
harbour foreshore connections
public walking tracks and open space
First Nations cultural significance
connections to Sydney Harbour National Park and Harbour Trust land
Residents repeatedly expressed concern that fragmenting the precinct could permanently alter the character and integrity of Middle Head.
The concern is not only about one parcel of land. It is about the long-term future of an interconnected harbour landscape.
Once public land of this significance is lost, it is very difficult, if not impossible, to recover.
The community message throughout the evening was clear:
This place matters deeply to Mosman, Sydney and future generations of Australians.
What Remains Unresolved
Despite the length of the meeting, many important questions remain unresolved.
These include:
the exact boundary of any proposed partial divestment
whether the Angophora Forest will remain in public ownership
whether any land could be transferred to the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust or National Parks
how heritage protections would be enforced under any future ownership model
how public access would be protected
what conditions would apply to any future transfer or ownership arrangement
how local community views will be weighed in the next stage of the process
This is why residents are encouraged to keep writing, asking questions and putting forward constructive ideas.
What Happens Next?
Defence confirmed that further assessment work is underway.
Final boundaries have not yet been determined.
Additional consultation is expected.
Future ownership outcomes remain undecided.
Community feedback remains important.
The Minister also indicated that another town hall style meeting is expected once further work on proposed boundaries has been completed.
That next meeting will be important because the community should expect clearer information about what land is proposed to remain with Defence and what land may be subject to future transfer or divestment.
Read the Defence Information
Further information from Defence regarding the HMAS Penguin process can be found here:
defence.gov.au/about/locations-property/delivering-future-estate/hmas-penguin
Your Voice Matters Now
Residents are encouraged to write directly to Defence and Finance.
Defence Estate Engagement
estate.engagement@defence.gov.au
Department of Finance
divestment.program@finance.gov.au
Even a short personal email can make a difference.
Please write in your own words and from your own perspective.
Suggested points residents may wish to raise include:
keeping HMAS Penguin land in public ownership
protecting the Angophora Forest
respecting the military, environmental, First Nations and heritage significance of Middle Head
preserving public access and environmental protections for future generations
supporting transfer to an appropriate public custodian if land is no longer required by Defence
ensuring any future use protects public access, conservation and heritage values
Residents are also encouraged to include any personal memories, concerns, community connections or ideas they may have regarding the future of this nationally significant precinct.
Please share this update with neighbours, friends and local community groups.
A Defining Moment for Middle Head
HMAS Penguin, the Angophora Forest and the broader Middle Head precinct form one of Sydney Harbour’s most significant environmental, First Nations, military and heritage landscapes.
The decisions made over the coming months could shape the future of this extraordinary place for generations.
If we want to see HMAS Penguin and the Angophora Forest remain as part of the nationally recognised and protected Middle Head precinct, now is the time for our community to speak up.
Thank you for standing with our community at this important moment.
Ann Marie & the Serving Mosman Team