Sydney architect unveils plan to revamp the Garden Island naval base

$20 billion makeover involves a holiday resort, restaurant precinct and homes

Malcolm Turnbull says it would cost too much to move the navy out

Future uses of the facility to be outlined in the 2015 Defence White Paper

A $20 billion proposal to end the Navy’s 227-year association with Garden Island and reclaim harbourside land for the public has been circulated to key figures in both the NSW and Federal Governments.

The vision, created by Surry Hills-based urban designer and landscape architect David Vago, includes plans for a new overseas passenger terminal, 16.6 hectares of parklands, a Naval history museum, 100-berth marina, holiday resort, ferry wharf, restaurant precinct and a mix of residential, serviced and affordable apartments.

To be known as “Bayinguwa”, the proposal has been generated to “start the conversation, generate ideas, to have an opinion on something sitting right in front of their face”.

media_camera Let’s have a conversation about Garden Island, says architect David Vago. Picture: John Appleyard

Mr Vago, whose firm Habit 8 has carried out work for Mirvac and Australand, told the Wentworth Courier he had circulated his detailed sketches to MPs and been met with “mixed reactions”.

“But they cannot deny that something like this would be incredible for Sydney,” he said.

“What a great park this could be, it must be 10 times better than Barangaroo and a much better aspect, cleaner water, everything,” Vago said.

“This could all be done quite sensitively, it’s all about blending in with the topography, the shape of the island, the harbour’s character and providing a variety of amazing uses.”

media_camera What Garden Island looks like today (left) and an artist’s impression of the naval history museum that would replace current facilities. Picture: Supplied/Habit 8

Mr Vago said that after more than two centuries a discussion about whether a working naval base was suited to Sydney Harbour must be had.

“Is this really the best place for it?,” he asked.

His alternative would be to relocate the naval base south to Port Kembla, or north near Newcastle.

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media_camera On the left is Garden Island today and on the right are designs for a resort, marina and a combination of residential, serviced and affordable apartments. Picture: Supplied/Habit 8

“Those regions need employment, they need investment — it could be transformative for those communities and the harbour,” he said.

Indeed, tensions between the local community and the Navy have been strained in recent months with the introduction of its largest ever ship — the landing helicopter dock HMAS Canberra.

Later this year, the Canberra will be joined by its sister ship, the HMAS Adelaide.

media_camera HMAS Canberra pictured on Monday, is the largest ship to be based at Garden Island. Picture: John Appleyard

To relocate Garden Island is not a new idea. Before the 2013 election, then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced that if he were re-elected he would decommission the base and relocate it interstate.

But it is an idea not supported by either Wentworth Federal Liberal MP Malcolm Turnbull or Sydney State Independent MP Alex Greenwich.

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“Sydney was founded by the Navy and it would be a very sad day if that 227-year link was broken,” Mr Turnbull said.

“There have been many proposals by many people to move the Navy from Garden Island with a view to redeveloping the precinct for other uses.

“However I have never seen any evidence that the huge cost of finding an alternative home for the Navy, and the dockyard, would be justified by the benefit of using the area for different uses.”

media_camera Garden Island has been a base for the Navy for 228 years. Picture: Cameron Richardson.

Mr Turnbull noted the Captain Cook Graving Dock alone would “cost an enormous amount to replicate in another location”.

Investment in the facility is still high, with the 2015-16 federal budget earmarking improvements on the base to the cost of more than $32 million.

Mr Greenwich said the contribution of the armed forces personnel in the local community and to the local economy could not be overlooked.

“There’s a historic significance of having a naval base within our community, but we need to make sure the balance is right.”



He said if Garden Island was opened up it would need to be for more public recreation space, not residential development.

media_camera HMAS Kuttabul which was sunk at Garden Island in Sydney during World War II by a Japanese midget submarine. Picture: State Library of NSW

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the land could provide vital public open space for the densely populated suburbs of Potts Point, Elizabeth Bay, Kings Cross and Woolloomooloo, and could assist Australia’s $3 billion cruise ship industry.

“The future of Garden Island must protect its maritime heritage and should also support the cruise ship industry, which ... is largely based around Sydney Harbour.

“Garden Island is one of the last remaining accessible dock facilities near Sydney, and a serious opportunity for expanding deepwater berths for ships east of the bridge.”

media_camera An undated photograph of Garden Island. Picture: Supplied/State Library of NSW

media_camera Another undated photograph of Garden Island before it was linked to Woolloomooloo. Picture: Supplied/State Library of NSW

A Defence spokesman would not be drawn on the Navy’s future plans for the base and instead pointed to a review currently underway.

“The Force Structure Review is currently looking at a broad range of capabilities for the development of a balanced and affordable future force, including posture requirements,” he said.

Recommendations out of that review will be considered in the 2015 Defence White Paper.

“More detailed advice on the way forward for individual capabilities will be available following the release of the White Paper,” he said.

SHOULD GARDEN ISLAND BE DECOMMISSIONED AND TURNED INTO PUBLIC LAND? Tell us what you think.