| |
|
|
Media Releases |
Media Release - Minister's Office Sydney: 30 March 2009 NSW GOVERNMENT PROTECTS THE ENVIRONMENT, SUPPORTS POLICE AND CREATES JOBS NSW Planning Minister, Kristina Keneally, and Federal Minister for Home Affairs, Bob Debus, today announced the approval for the redevelopment of the Australian Institute of Police Management site on North Head. The $21 million redevelopment will deliver improved modern facilities for the Australian Federal Police and benefit all Australian police forces, create 30 construction jobs, 10 extra training jobs and increase environmental protection for both the Fairy Penguin and Long nosed Bandicoot populations. Ms Keneally said the decision to approve redevelopment of the current training facilities police would gain use of larger more modern facilities and the local population of Fairy Penguins and Long-Nosed Bandicoots would be protected. “There would be no arguments that North Head is one of Sydney and Australia’s most iconic and environmentally valuable sites, that police should have the best available facilities possible and that the Government should continue to support and create jobs,” Ms Keneally said. “The extensive feedback received during the 66 day public exhibition led to significant amendments to the original proposal and as a result we have a far superior redevelopment plan that will benefit the site, the training facilities, the community and the local environment. “The new development will now be located in the southern portion of the site away from areas critical to the threatened local populations of both the Fairy Penguin and the Long-nosed Bandicoot. “In particular, the local Long-nosed Bandicoot population will now have an additional 470 square metres of foraging area than is currently available on the site. “The demolition of existing accommodation buildings on the northern boundary of the site will ensure a far greater buffer zone between the development and the endangered habitat of the Fairy Penguin population while delivering new modern training facilities for Australian and Oversees police forces. “The redevelopment will also deliver significant heritage benefits, including opening up important views from the harbour to the historic former Seaman’s Isolation Hospital.” Mr Debus said the approval was a win for the local environment and a win for Australian police who would be able to continue to benefit from the Australian Institute of Police Management’s operations with improved facilities. “This has been a great example of how the Federal and State Governments work together to ensure the needs of the local environment and local community are met,” Mr Debus said. “The proposed new facilities and buildings do not exceed two storeys in height and will lead to an overall net increase in floor area on the site of just 604 square metres to a total of 4,368 square metres. “The construction of new accommodation, with a total 54 beds, a new library extension, an administration building and new toilet and facilities building will help create a new modern facility for the Australian Institute of Police Management. “The introduction of an integrated stormwater and drainage solution for the site means the redevelopment is also likely to improve the quality of stormwater run-off – enhancing the water quality of Spring Cove and the Fairy Penguin’s foreshore nesting and breeding areas.” Other works that will occur on the site include: • the demolition of a number of existing buildings; • the retention and refurbishment of a number of heritage-listed buildings, including the Axial Hospital Group Building and all the existing heritage cottages on the site – Spring Cove Cottage, Kookaburra Cottage, Garden Cottage and Harbour Cottage; • retention of the existing alignment of Jetty Road and Quarantine Station Road; • the reconfiguration of car parking on the site for 35 vehicles; and • landscaping works to embellish the development and associated site works. Key State and Federal Government agencies including the Federal Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, the NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change, the Rural Fire service and others have all advised on the amended proposal. As part of the Government’s major projects assessment system, the proposal was subjected to extensive community consultation and bought about strict conditions of approval, including: • the improvement of tree canopy coverage and extent of landscaping on the site; • that the materials and finishes for new buildings complement the native landscape; and • the integrity of the foreshore and tidal areas adjacent to the site are fully protected during construction works by requiring that no construction access or deliveries to the site are carried out via the waterway/foreshore. The proponent also opened the site to the public on 28 February this year to facilitate further discussion on the proposal and to allow the public to view the existing facilities.
|