Thank you for your support to help save Middle Head Café.
On 14 March 2023 the Harbour Trust released its Draft Master Plan. Prior to the release of the plan the café owners Dany and Christelle were notified that their lease would not be renewed in order to make way for the proposed new sporting facility. The plan confirms that the Trust is proposing the demolition of the existing sports facility and build new sports facility resulting in the demolition of the building currently occupied by Middle Head Café. This is in spite of the fact that Mosman Council says it has repeatedly expressed its wish to retain and upgrade the existing building!
Dany and Christelle remain uncertain of their future, in a recent Mosman Daily article (22 March 2023) they say they are “vowing to do everything they can to keep their doors open.” Christelle said “We’ve been here for 10 years and to find out the café could be demolished has been a big surprise for us and the community as well. On the master plan we are not appearing, it’s like we don’t even exist.”
The Draft Master Plan is very long and complex, the accessible Word version runs to about 185 pages! In spite of its length the draft plan lacks critical information. It is a draft concept plan not a draft master plan.
Copies of the draft plan are available here > https://consult.dcceew.gov.au/middle-head-gubbuh-gubbuh-draft-master-plan we suggest you start by reading chapter 4 since this contains the most important details.
The Headland Preservation Group (HPG) has serious concerns in respect to the content of the Draft Master Plan as well the Trust’s consultation process. HPG is holding a public meeting for the community at 6pm on Wednesday 12 April 2023 (at the Mosman Senior Citizens Centre, Mosman Square, Spit Junction) to highlight key issues. Read more here > https://www.hpg.org.au/blog/draft-master-plan-hpg-public-meeting
The 'Have your say' portal for feedback on the Trust’s Master Plan provides a few tick box options but unless we submit additional documents there is no room at write any meaningful feedback that fully expresses the community’s concerns. HPG will be developing a guide for community members on key points that can be made in submissions to the Trust and we will provide you with updates to this information as it becomes available.
The closing date for submissions is 18 April 2023.