Sydney Harbour historic buildings under threat from holiday rentals ... - Sydney Morning Herald

Historic buildings on Sydney Harbour could be turned into holiday rentals and hostel-type accommodation for more than 50 people under plans that have been labelled “creeping privatisation”.

A new wharf at Nielsen Park and jetty at Milk Beach in Vaucluse are also proposed under a draft master plan from the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Former Australian Heritage Commission chairman Peter King criticised the proposed redevelopments of the Strickland Estate and Nielsen Park, calling them Airbnb-type rentals that would turn over the park to business purposes at the expense of locals and park users.

Historic buildings at Nielsen Park and the Strickland Estate could be turned into holiday rentals and hostel-type accommodation for more than 50 people under a draft master plan from the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.Credit:Rhett Wyman

The 1851 Greycliffe House in Nielsen Park is one of several heritage buildings that have been proposed as holiday rentals under the master plan.

The Gardeners Cottage and Steele Point Cottage in the park, which is part of Sydney Harbour National Park, are already used as short-stay accommodation.

But the redevelopment of neighbouring Strickland Estate could turn the Women’s Ward, Nurse’s Quarters and Caretaker’s Cottage into holiday rentals, while the Men’s Ward would be transformed into hostel-type accommodation, with dormitories sleeping more than 50 people.

Greycliffe House in Nielsen Park is one of several heritage buildings proposed as holiday rentals under plans to redevelop the Sydney Harbour National Park.Credit:Rhett Wyman

An NPWS spokesman said the master plan identified upgrades for visitor facilities, walking tracks and public safety to enhance the visitor experience.

“There is no push to commercialise national parks; rather, NPWS is looking to find appropriate uses for the buildings so they do not stand empty and unused,” he said.

The spokesman said adaptive reuse of historic buildings was common and consistent with best practice for the management and presentation of heritage assets.

“Most accommodation is very low-key and has limited impact on neighbours or visitors – like the existing cottages at Nielsen Park,” he said.

Similar plans to turn historic buildings at Barrenjoey Head into short-stay accommodation have also raised concern among residents who fear they will attract unruly people making noise and playing loud music.

Labor heritage and environment spokeswoman Penny Sharpe said heritage and conservation values had taken a back seat to the privatisation of public space and buildings.

“Whether it is at Nielsen Park, Blue Mountains, Middle Head or Barrenjoey Lighthouse, there are plans to monetise almost every blade of grass,” she said.

King, a former Woollahra mayor and Wentworth Liberal MP, said the commercialisation of national parks was deeply concerning.

“Cash-strapped park authorities should not be authorising ventures such as zip wires, bike trails, luxury cabins and helicopter pads by private sector businesses,” King said. “Creeping privatisation detracts from the recreational use by members of the public.”

The master plan follows the bungling of the rebuilding of the seawall at Nielsen Park, which caused the closure of a swimming enclosure at Shark Beach for almost 12 months.

“The management by NPWS of the Nielsen Park seawall has only added to concerns due to the works being delayed and running over budget,” King said.

The NPWS spokesman said a new contractor had been hired to protect the beach from coastal erosion while the national parks agency was seeking a tender to complete the seawall works.

Woollahra councillor Merrill Watt said the amount of short-term rental accommodation proposed in the master plan seemed excessive, with up to 56 beds in the Men’s Ward and seven suites in Greycliffe House.

“[These] uses will likely create additional parking and traffic congestion problems,” she said.

Watt said wildlife was likely to be disturbed by light and noise pollution from visitors staying overnight.

The master plan also envisages the redevelopment of other buildings on Strickland Estate, including Carrara House as a museum with dining facilities, The Stables restored for community activities and more car parking.

Watt said some changes “look promising” but were a big change for Strickland Estate that could potentially ruin the historical ambience of its grounds.

“No one will be able to enjoy the parklands if the over-activation leads to overcrowding,” she said. “We need to be careful about not overdeveloping our parks and historical sites.”

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