Context Landscape Architecture and TKD Architects have prepared a masterplan for the redevelopment of Sydney’s South Head peninsula, one of two headlands that mark the entrance to Sydney Harbour.
South Head, on Birrabirragal Country, is dotted with historic navigation and military buildings, along with a number of Aboriginal cultural sites. The draft masterplan, published for public comment in May, focuses on adaptively reusing heritage buildings to meet visitor need and generate revenue for ongoing maintenance.
It also calls for historic interpretation to be embedded within the design of walks and places. At Camp Cove, where the first landing of European settlers is believed to have taken place in 1788, new interpretive elements will acknowledge the Birrabirragal people.
“Central to the unique history of South Head is the fusion of its Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal heritage,” the masterplan reads. “To best recognise this history, the South Head Master Plan proposes to build on the existing South Head Heritage Trail to improve its legibility and recreational offering. The Trail will be supplemented with a Country-led approach to acknowledge the complete history of the headland.”
South Head is dotted with historic navigation and military buildings, along with a number of Aboriginal cultural sites.
Image: Context Landscape Architecture and TKD Architects
The adaptive reuse of the existing buildings across South Head would seek to responds to their history while enabling new uses. The masterplan notes that the development would seek to “not over commercialise or lead to significant intervention that is irreversible.” It also notes, however, that “without a bold approach there may not be a viable use for some elements.”
Constables Cottage at Camp Cove could be adapted to accommodate a kiosk and café, or a base for cultural or ecological tours. The armoury and officers mess at Gap Bluff could be transformed for an Aboriginal cultural centres, museum or education centre. And the two lighthouse keeper cottages could be used for short-stay accommodation.
The masterplan also calls for the rehabilitation and revegetation of native vegetation and the staged removal of weeds and exotic plant species.“A significant place that is cared for and shows a deep understanding of Country will demonstrate that one of the key markers for entry and exit from Sydney Harbour is valued,” the report notes.
