Victoria Barracks in Paddington is one of Australia’s most important heritage sites — and it is now at risk. We call on the Australian Government to reverse its decision to sell Victoria Barracks and instead explore alternative uses that preserve this nationally significant place for future generations.

The Australian Heritage Database (1978) identifies Victoria Barracks as “one of the most important groups of Georgian military buildings in Australia.” Architectural historian Graham Jahn describes it as “one of the finest untarnished examples of late Georgian architecture in Sydney and the finest example of colonial military architecture in Australia” (Sydney Architecture, 1997).

Selling this site for residential development would:

Destroy buildings dating back to 1841
Permanently damage the site’s heritage significance
Remove precious green space in a densely populated area
Erase an irreplaceable part of Australia’s military and architectural history

Instead of selling this historic precinct, the Government should consider adaptive re‑use options that keep the site in public hands while helping to fund its maintenance — such as cultural, educational, community, or civic uses that respect its heritage values.

Victoria Barracks is a rare and intact piece of Australia’s past. Once it is gone, it is gone forever.

We urge the Australian Government to protect Victoria Barracks and keep this national treasure in public ownership.