Victoria Barracks must stay in public hands, with greater public access

Victoria Barracks is one of the jewels in Sydney’s crown. Convict labour built the elegant buildings quarried from Hawkesbury sandstone and the site, regarded as the spiritual and historical home of the Australian Army, is poised to begin an uncertain new life.

Following an independent audit of the national defence estate, Defence Minister Richard Marles last February announced Victoria Barracks was part of a plan to divest the government of 67 Defence properties, including other Victoria Barracks in Melbourne and Brisbane.

The aim was to raise $3 billion and avoid $100 million annual upkeep costs, with savings ploughed back into the Defence budget.

Marles said Victoria Barracks needed to be returned to Sydneysiders and Australians, and dismissed objections to the sale by retired generals – including former governor general Sir Peter Cosgrove – by likening the historic facility to a glorified wine cellar that was a watering hole for old officers. “It is not my priority for Defence to be a heritage organisation. It’s not my priority to see Defence manage the oldest wine cellar in Australia,” he said. “It’s nice that it’s at Victoria Barracks Sydney, but it’s not core interest in terms of defending the country.”

His comments caused an uproar and followed heavy and sometimes orchestrated pushbacks from veterans’ groups, former prime ministers Paul Keating, John Howard and Tony Abbott, Premier Chris Minns and federal, state and local politicians from across the spectrum, business and respected military leaders and heritage bodies.

RSL NSW said Australia could not afford to permanently surrender such an important piece of military heritage – particularly at a time of increasing global uncertainty. Its location close to the Sydney CBD also gave the site continuing strategic value, including the potential to support Defence operations and responses to future security incidents or emergencies affecting the nation’s largest city.

The Herald’s Matthew Knott reported Marles was aiming for the Australian Army to be out by Christmas.

On Sunday, the Save Victoria Barracks Alliance will rally to pressure Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to intervene and stop the sale and keep it a Defence facility over concerns about losses of public land, military heritage and morale among serving members.

At present, the site houses the Headquarters Forces Command, Headquarters 2nd Health Brigade, offices, a museum, cadet training facilities and residential accommodation.

While Victoria Barracks remains an active military establishment, the public currently has limited access to the museum or to undertake guided tours. High sandstone walls and a strong security regimen keep the site mostly locked away from citizens.

The value of the site to the modern defence forces is debatable. But its value to the community is undeniable. The only way it can be truly protected in perpetuity is to ensure it does not pass into private ownership.

The magnificent architecture and elegant grounds are a singular and great link with Sydney’s past; a torch passed down the generations. The barracks must remain in public hands, and the public given far greater access to this historic gem.

Get a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up for our Opinion newsletter.

The Herald's View – Since the Herald was first published in 1831, the editorial team has believed it important to express a considered view on the issues of the day for readers, always putting the public interest first.