Defence land grab ignites local furore
Mosman Mayor Ann Marie Kimber has labelled a Department of Defence proposal to sell off part of HMAS Penguin ‘extremely concerning.’
In early February, Minister for Defence Richard Marles announced a defence estate audit had identified 67 sites for full or partial sale across Australia, including Balmoral’s historical 1942 HMAS Penguin Navy base.
The government is seeking to modernise historical sites and make defence ‘fit for purpose,’ with an expected $1.8 billion windfall.
Noting the ‘critical capability’ of Penguin, which hosts the navy clearance diver unit, the site has been earmarked for ‘partial divestment,’ with the exact amount of land to be sold still not determined. A large accommodation unit overlooks the harbour, with underwater medicine and a weapons training simulations system also at the site.
Mayor Kimber said there was a ‘long-standing and significant bond between our Defence personnel and the Mosman community.’
Navy personnel participate in community events such as the upcoming Balmoral Swim – winning the teams relay for several years straight.
“Any sell-off of valuable public land is extremely concerning,” Mayor Kimber told NL. “It is of some consolation that the core functions of the Navy and Diving School will be retained at the HMAS Penguin site.”
Mayor Kimber was set to conduct a site inspection in late February with Penguin Commander Ian Walker. No timeline has been set for sales, with Minister Marles saying that ‘over the next couple of years,’ relevant properties (or parts of) would be transferred to the Department of Finance who would finalise the details. The government has committed to a ‘site-by-site consultation’ before plans are finalised.
“We strongly advocate that any proposals for the future use of the site are developed in genuine consultation with the community and include public space,” Mayor Kimber said.
At a press conference on 6 February, Minister Marles said that “Given the strategic circumstances that our nation faces today, Defence simply cannot continue to operate in ways which don’t make sense.
“The most significant reform to Australia’s Defence estate in our nation’s history is about garnering that political will, so that we are focusing our Defence estate in a way which enables it to be the foundation that our Defence Forces need.”
Warringah MP Zali Steggall, whose electorate encompasses Penguin, also has concerns about the partial divestment. The Independent was briefed by the government on 9 February, and said sites would be sold at ‘full market value.’
“Pursuing full market value means they are likely to be purchased only by well-resourced private developers, rather than ensuring land is used to meet pressing community needs.
“At a time of acute housing shortage, there must be serious consideration given to whether surplus Commonwealth land can support community use, affordable or social housing, or other uses with a broad public benefit – rather than being lost entirely to the private market.”
Ms Steggall added that she raised with the government the importance of heritage values and connection to veterans and the local community.
“I conveyed concerns raised by constituents, including war veterans, who fear that important military history could be lost through any divestment process. The government has indicated it will engage with historical organisations such as the Australian War Memorial to ensure military history is preserved.”