Public exhibition of the Review of Environmental Factors and the section 60 application provided an important opportunity for community members to have a say about the proposed ongoing operations at Quarantine Station at North Head, Manly. Opportunities to comment closed 3 September 2024.
Keylan Consulting, on behalf of North Head Sydney Pty Ltd, has submitted a Review of Environmental Factors to the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, and a section 60 application to Heritage Council of NSW, for the ongoing operation of the Quarantine Station. The existing approval, valid for 21 years, will end in December 2024.
The current planning approval permits the site to be used for a range of 'Key Site Activities', including restaurants, tourist accommodation, visitor centre and museum, guided tours, environmental and cultural study centre, and functions and events.
The review of environmental factors seeks approval for ongoing operations that align with the current approval's permitted activities, uses, and operational scale, and does not include any physical works or changes to its current commercial activities.
What is a review of environmental factors?
A review of environmental factors documents the environmental impact assessment of proposed activities on lands managed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. It examines the significance of the proposal's likely environmental impacts and the measures required to avoid, minimise, and mitigate adverse impacts on the environment.
North Head Sydney Pty Ltd is the proponent and the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service is the determining authority for this activity under Part 5 (Division 5.1) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. The review of environmental factors will assist the determining authority to decide whether an activity should be approved and assist in the development of appropriate conditions should approval be given.
What is a section 60 application?
Under the Heritage Act 1977, you need to apply for approval for works or activities that may impact heritage-listed items. The standard section 60 works application is for works and activities that will have, or have the potential to have, a moderate or greater impact on the significance of a State Heritage Register listed item.
Notice is hereby given, under section 61 of the Heritage Act, that the Heritage Council of NSW has received an application (HMS ID 6869) for development at North Head Scenic Drive, Manly NSW 2095, which is within the curtilage of the State Heritage Register item, North Head Quarantine Station and Reserve (SHR no. 01003) made under the Heritage Act.
The section 60 application includes the Heritage Impact Assessment submitted as part of the review of environmental factors application – appendix 4.
What happens next?
At the end of the public exhibition period in September 2024, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and Heritage NSW will review all submissions, prepare submissions reports and, if necessary, request further information from the proponent.
The submissions will be used by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and Heritage NSW to assess the likelihood of the proposed activity causing a significant impact and if approval should be granted for the proposal under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 and the Heritage Act 1977.
How can I get more information about the proposal?
To find out more about the proposal, contact the Project Team by emailing [email protected].