2015 Questions and Answers: Gap Bluff Proposal and Review of Environmental Factors

A number of Priority Projects were identified in the 2012 Sydney Harbour National Park Plan of Management. NPWS is progressing these projects. Project 11, Gap Bluff Adaptive Reuse, aims to realise the potential to adapt and make best use of buildings within the precinct and increase opportunities for visitor appreciation and access.

Find out more about the Sydney Harbour Plan of Management.

An Expression of Interest for nine buildings in the South Head precinct was released in October 2013 in response to the actions in the Plan of Management.

Gap Bluff Hospitality Pty Ltd was the successful respondent to this EOI and has submitted a proposal for six of the properties:

• Gap Bluff Armoury
• Gap Bluff Officers Mess
• Gap Bluff Cottage
• Constables Cottage
• 33 Cliff Street
• Green Point Cottage.

The Assistant and Head Lightkeepers Cottages on South Head do not form part of the proposal.

Gap Bluff Hospitality (GBH) is a subsidiary of Dockside Group, a privately owned, family company founded over 25 years ago by Christopher, Theodore and Peter Drivas and business partner Robert Van Meer. Christopher Drivas is the Principal Partner and CEO and oversees all the businesses.

Dockside Group specialises in catering, business events, weddings, and restaurant and private dining. Dockside Group has eleven venues:

• Dockside - Cockle Bay Wharf
• L'Aqua - Ist floor Cockle Bay Wharf
• Star Room - Ist floor IMAX theatre
• Eat Love Pizza - Darling Harbour
• Waterfront - The Rocks
• Wolfies - Campbell's Cove, The Rocks
• Italian Village - The Rocks
• Waterview - Bicentennial Park
• Lilies on the Park - Bicentennial Park
• Dockside Pavilion - Darling Harbour
• Sydney Exhibition Centre - Glebe Island

• Officers Mess and Armoury: function centre
• Gap Bluff Cottage, Green Point Cottage, 33 Cliff Street: short stay accommodation
• Constables Cottage: restaurant

The Officers Mess

Proposed hours of Operation

The premises are proposed to trade 07.00 am to Midnight, Monday to Sunday.

The Armoury

Proposed hours of Operation

The premises are proposed to trade 06.00 am to Midnight, Monday to Sunday.

Constables Cottage

Proposed hours of Operation

• Monday Closed
• Tuesday to Saturday 08.00 am-11.00 pm
• Sunday 08.00 am-3.00 pm

All of the subject buildings have been vacated to allow for the planning of appropriate adaptive reuse proposals. The Gap Bluff Centre, including the Armoury and Officers Mess, most recently operated as event, function and conference spaces.

Constables Cottage and Green Point Cottage were used for short stay holiday accommodation, and 33 Cliff Street for staff accommodation.

Potential traffic and noise issues have been considered in detail as part of the Gap Bluff Review of Environmental Factors. The detailed assessment for parking was prepared by Ason group and is Appendix B (PDF 2.5KB) in the Review of Environmental Factors. The detailed assessment for noise was prepared by PKA Acoustic Consulting and is Appendix C (PDF 2.2KB) in the Review of Environmental Factors.

The adaptive reuse proposal has been developed to ensure that it complements and supports the natural and cultural heritage values of the Precinct, consistent with the Sydney Harbour National Park Plan of Management and Conservation Management Plan. The proposed alterations and additions to the buildings seek to maintain the form, appearance and fabric, and to provide for uses that are compatible with their significance. A Heritage Impact Statement and design plans are included in the Review of Environmental Factors.

Community input to the future of these sites is a key part of the planning process. Strategic opportunities for adaptive reuse within the Gap Bluff Precinct were initially canvassed during public consultation on the Sydney Harbour National Park Plan of Management.

A community information evening also occurred at the beginning of the Expression of Interest process. At that time it was agreed that there would be further opportunity for comment on proposals developed by the successful proponent, prior to any final decision to proceed.

Now that the detailed Gap Bluff proposal has been received by NPWS it will be put on public exhibition for comment from 20 August until 10 November. Community information and consultation meetings will be held on 19 August and 15 October at the Gap Bluff Centre. NPWS will use the public comments to inform assessment of the proposal and recommendations to the Minister for the Environment.

Woollahra Council is an important stakeholder in any future proposals for Sydney Harbour National Park. The National Parks and Wildlife Service regularly liaises with Council regarding a range of park management and surrounding land use issues. Woollahra Council has previously been briefed on the process and will be briefed on the detailed proposal and invited to provide comment.

The Minister for the Environment will consider whether to grant the lease after considering outcomes of the Expression of Interest process, the Review of Environmental Factors, and consultation with the community and National Parks and Wildlife Advisory Council.

This process relates to finding appropriate long term, sustainable uses for a number of the buildings within Sydney Harbour National Park. Leasing or licensing of buildings already occurs in many locations across the NSW national parks system. Examples include:

• Nielsen Park Café
• Fort Denison
• Audley Dance Hall in Royal National Park.

All revenue from the use of buildings within national parks is invested back into park management to support conservation and public use and enjoyment.