Pittwater Online News

HMAS Penguin's angophora forest not to be sold off: Huge Community Win

On Sunday November 8 2026 the Hon. Anthony Albanese announced ''The Australian Government is acting on the independent Defence Estate Audit, and progressing the most significant reform to Australia’s Defence estate in our nation’s history.''

''Keeping Australians safe is the Government’s priority, and as part of that we must ensure the Australian Defence Force (ADF) has access to facilities that are fit for purpose.''

''In response to the independent Audit, the Government agreed to divest or partially divest 67 sites that were underutilised by Defence, not fit-for-purpose, and costly for Defence to maintain.''

''The Audit found many of these sites had no direct contribution to current or future capability outcomes for the ADF and that “urgent interventions are needed to correct the unsustainable trajectory that has resulted from decades of deferred decisions on contentious estate issues.”

''Today, the Government is providing the first significant update to the Defence Estate Audit since February, and announcing the next steps for a number of sites.''

''Defence has now transferred 11 sites to the Department of Finance for divestment, and the remaining sites are progressing towards transfer.''

''As previously announced, Defence will vacate each of these sites and hand them over to the Department of Finance as soon as practicable. By the end of 2026 Defence will have relocated the workforce from a total of six sites to suitable, alternative locations.''

''The Government has been working to identify optimal outcomes for sites, including those that should be maintained in public hands for broader community use as well as working with governments, stakeholders and communities to identify future use opportunities. This includes sites with limited ownership options or opportunities for community return.''

''While work is ongoing across many of the sites, the Government has made the following decisions in relation to the first phase of the divestment program.''

Custodians identified for sites 

HMAS Penguin in Mosman in Sydney was identified for partial divestment. While Defence retains ownership of parts of the site which support critical ADF capability, the Government will transfer the remaining site of the Angophora Forest to the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust, which will be responsible for its stewardship.

Additionally, the Stokes Hill Fuel Installation in the Northern Territory will be transferred back to the Larrakia people, the traditional owners of the lands. The southern portion of the site is a registered sacred site and is protected by the Northern Territory Aboriginal Sacred Sites Act 2012.

Maintaining public ownership at four sites

The Government was clear from the outset that preserving the history and heritage of sites would be closely considered as part of any future use and has listened to the views that have been raised.

Victoria Barracks Sydney, Victoria Barracks Melbourne, Fort Queenscliff (Victoria), and RAAF Williams – Point Cook (Victoria) hold deep significance for our nation, ADF members, both current and former, and local communities.

The heritage at all four will be protected by remaining in public hands.

The heritage of each of these sites is protected by law and public ownership will further guarantee this heritage is appropriately protected and preserved for current and future generations.

The Australian War Memorial will be engaged to help interpret and tell the history of these sites – a history that will be able to be shared with the Australian public.

Defence will continue to vacate these sites as planned and the Government will undertake a divestment process that protects their heritage through public ownership, under conditions that will ensure they are opened for community access and allowing opportunities for commercial use.

Due diligence on these sites, including specific assessments of environmental, heritage and contamination investigations, will continue.

The Government has also identified a preferred divestment pathway across a number of other sites undergoing due diligence (subject to final negotiations).

The Government will provided further updates as work progresses. The below table outlines key updates on intentions, discussions and plans for a number of sites.

Properties with significant historical importance or heritage value

Site: Key updates for site

Victoria Barracks Sydney, NSW:  The Government is committed to retaining the historical and heritage parts of this site in public ownership while maximising community, heritage and appropriate commercial opportunities. The Australian War Memorial will be engaged to tell the history of this historically significant site.

Victoria Barracks Melbourne, VIC: The Government is committed to retaining the historical and heritage parts of this site in public ownership while maximising community, heritage and appropriate commercial opportunities. The Australian War Memorial will be engaged to tell the history of this historically significant site.

Fort Queenscliff, VIC: The Government is committed to retaining the historical and heritage parts of this site in public ownership. Finance will consider alternate models for the site, including heritage trusts, concurrently with due diligence activities. The Australian War Memorial will be engaged to tell the history of this historically significant site.

RAAF Williams – Point Cook, VIC: The Government is committed to retaining the historical and heritage parts of this site in public ownership. Finance will consider alternate models for the site, including heritage trusts, concurrently with due diligence activities. The Australian War Memorial will be engaged to tell the history of this historically significant site.

Properties for divestment with cultural significance or a particular purpose

Site:  Key update for site

Stokes Hill, NT:  Transfer the site back to the Larrakia people, noting the Indigenous significance of the site.

Kowandi North, NT: The divestment pathways being explored for this site will support the delivery of more housing in Darwin.

HMAS Penguin, NSW: Defence will retain ownership of parts of the site which support critical ADF capability, the Government will transfer the remainder of the site comprising the Angophora Forest to the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust.

Fairbairn Golf Course, ACT: The Government intends for the site to continue operating as a golf course and will explore divestment pathways that support this outcome.

Swan Island Golf Course, VIC: The Government intends for the site to continue operating as a golf course and is exploring divestment pathways that support this outcome.

Sites for divestment on the open market

Site: Key update for site

Carlton Training Depot, VIC: The site will be listed on the open market in early 2027.

Geelong (Air Force Cadet Unit), VIC: The site will be listed on the open market in early 2027.

Kyneton Depot, VIC: The site will be listed on the open market in early 2027.

Bathurst Training Stores Depot, NSW: An open-market process to commence in 2027, subject to completion of due diligence and transition planning.

Sandringham Training Depot, VIC: An open-market process to commence at the end of 2027, subject to completion of due diligence activities and transition planning.

Scottsdale – Defence Nutrition Site, TAS: An open-market process to commence during the third quarter of 2027, subject to completion of due diligence and transition planning.

Sites for divestment in partnership with state or territory governments

Site: Key update for site

Derwent Barracks, TAS: In May 2026, the Prime Minister and Tasmanian Premier announced the plan to redevelop and transform Tasmania’s Dowsing Point to provide more housing, open space and community infrastructure.

Hampstead Barracks, SA: In September 2026, the Prime Minister and South Australian Premier announced formal negotiations to cooperatively progress the divestment of the site to support delivery of more homes in Adelaide.

Zali Steggall, MP for Warringah, stated:

''I am delighted and relieved that the Albanese government has announced HMAS Penguin will not be partially sold. This is a huge win for the thousands of people who campaigned relentlessly over many months for this precious public asset to remain in public hands.''

''Partial divestment will proceed only by way of divesting the angophora forest to the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust. This is a welcome move, and one that I have been strongly advocating for. We must ensure what little native vegetation remains on Sydney Harbour is conserved.''

''The final boundary of the naval base is to be determined. However, no part of it will be sold for profit.''

''I want to thank local residents, veterans, community groups, Mosman Council and everyone who pushed so hard to protect HMAS Penguin. Many people put in an enormous amount of time and effort to make this happen.''

''In particular, I acknowledge the efforts of Mosman Parks & Bushland Association, Headland Preservation Group and Mosman Mayor Ann Marie Kimber.''

''HMAS is a working Defence facility and an important part of our naval history. The area is also rich in ecological significance and Indigenous history.''

''As the Prime Minister himself has said in the past, the Sydney Harbour foreshore belongs to all Sydneysiders and all Australians. It should be preserved for public use and enjoyment, how and into the future. Once it is sold to private interests, it is lost forever.''

''This decision shows what can happen when a community stands up and makes itself heard. I will continue to fight to ensure HMAS Penguin and Middle Head are protected in the long term.''

For Background - See February 2026 report: Sale of Bulk of HMAS Penguin Site Approved - Pristine Angophora forest Likely to be destroyed, wildlife Killed, Another People's Parkland stolen: Pittwater Annexe will be retained

Flowering now in Pittwater: Angophora Costata. Photos: A J Guesdon, November 12 2026