Malabar Headland remains a 2015 election issue

By Lauren O’Connor
The future of Malabar Headland in Sydney’s eastern suburbs continues to be uncertain after decades of federal indecision on its status.
The reserve is a controversial and recurring topic in federal, state and local politics. Randwick Councillor Brendan Roberts, who will stand as Liberal candidate for the marginal seat of Maroubra in March, says he hopes the land will be opened up for general recreation following a remediation period. He did not rule out the headland’s potential development but said pursuing the government over the potential sell-off was purely speculative.
“There is no possibility of that happening in the next twelve months and there’s every chance it won’t happen at all,” he said.
The 17.7 metre western portion of the headland was designated a national park in December 2012 by Labor under the steam of Peter Garrett, then member for Kingsford-Smith. The eastern portion and leased rifle range continue to be managed by the Commonwealth.
Michael Daley Shadow Treasurer and State minister for Roads and Freight says he would consider redevelopment of the land a ‘shocking grab for cash’ and would like to see full remediation of the site.
“All these contamination issues have to be sorted out. The former Labor government was slowly cleaning up the Malabar Headland and when Tony Abbott got elected they stopped cleaning up,” Mr Daley said. “…They were the ones who contaminated it, they need to clean it up.”
The NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) says landfill, asbestos materials and general waste removal are the responsibility of the Commonwealth but volunteer group Friends of Malabar Headland assist on a weekly basis with community clean up days. As one of the few headlands on Sydney beaches to retain its native vegetation, endangered bird-life and evidence of indigenous habitation, the OEH says care should be taken to preserve the eastern portion.
“One such ecological community is the endangered eastern suburbs banksia scrub, of which less than 3% of its original distribution remains,” a spokesperson said, “the Malabar Headland is a culturally significant area, with evidence of early occupation in the area by Aboriginal people including grooves and shell middens.”
Randwick Greens Councillor and former Mayor Murray Matson said he hopes the remaining Banksia scrub would be classified national park and that site will continue to be a local, state and federal election issue.
“We are concerned that the federal government has a consultant looking at potential redevelopment of the headland…the Greens have asked for more information,” he said.
Clr Roberts pointed out the limited influence local councils and State Labor have on the issue and highlighted the complex history of Malabar Headland.
“Michael Daley will conduct a scare campaign based on Malabar Headland and I would hope the media call him on it. The only federal government that tried to sell it off was the Labor party, they tried to make it a Club Med resort.”
Under Labor in 1989 Bob Hawke proposed a Club Med resort be built on the headland, an idea quickly shot down by his opponents. Labor has since changed its stance and advocated it be fully designated National Park, by attempting to evict the NSW Rifle Association and the South East Equestrian Club from the grounds in 2012. Since his instatement as Liberal Environment Minister Greg Hunt has made two moves, advocating that horses be allowed access once again and suggesting the Rifle Association be relocated in the Sydney Basin. The future of Malabar Headland remains uncertain but Clr Matson believes there may be development plans.
“Under all this there is an undercurrent of ‘is there some background or backroom plan for development?’ and that is what is worrying a great many people including the friends of Malabar Headland,” Clr Matson said.