Goat Island plan is more than one man's vision
Sydney Morning Herald
Saturday December 26, 2009
As a member of the Goat Island Reference Group,I want to point out that 12 of 13 members of the group (including Paul Keating and myself) reached enthusiastic consensus on the vision, guiding principles and specific recommendations for the future of the island ("Keating attacked for 'fairytale' view of the past", December 18-20).Those members come from a wide variety of backgrounds and interests - including maritime, environment, heritage, planning and government. That vision restores, preserves, or brings to full glory the best of its indigenous, European and natural heritage.Those 12 people were all prepared to be flexible and accept that none could get everything they wanted in terms of protection of heritage or removal of buildings. That's how the consensus - a very good one - was reached.Those categorising this as the "Keating vision" are being deliberately misleading. The group (bar one member) owns and is proud of the vision. The only"fairytale" going around is the National Trust's story that fulfilment of the vision will remove the shipyardand wharves.The historic small-boat building section of the shipyard will remain (not interfering with other features and activities on the island), as will some of the wharves. The return of the natural shoreline where possible will add immeasurably to the attractiveness and heritage value of the island. Many wharves are already irreparable and are falling into the harbour.Goat Island is a fantastic piece of the magnificent mosaic of Sydney Harbour. The industrial/working harbour heritage element primarily sits - and should be appropriately protected - elsewhere in that mosaic.Simon Balderstone Manly
© 2009 Sydney Morning Herald
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