Four heritage defence sites to stay in public hands after backlash

The Albanese government has confirmed that four heritage-listed defence sites will remain in public hands, after backlash against a plan to sell them. The sites are Victoria Barracks in Sydney, Victoria Barracks in Melbourne, Fort Queenscliff and RAAF (Royal Australian Air Force) Base Point Cook in Victoria. The Guardian

The original plan covered a far larger group of properties. An independent audit identified 67 defence sites around Australia as underutilised, not fit for purpose and costly to maintain. Those 67 sites were earmarked for sale to recoup $3bn in the federal budget. The sales of the Sydney and Melbourne Victoria Barracks alone were expected to raise $1.3bn.

Opposition to selling the heritage-listed sites came from the campaign group Save Victoria Barracks Sydney, from veterans, and from former prime ministers John Howard and Paul Keating.

The Sydney Victoria Barracks was built between 1840 and 1848 and was originally occupied by the British army. The multi-year defence estate audit was completed in 2023.

The government will work with the Australian War Memorial to transform the retained sites into public spaces telling Australia's military history. That will happen after defence personnel vacate them.