why didn't the government keep funding and operating the site?
The former Quarantine Station was leased to guarantee its long term conservation and improve public access. There was insufficient funds and government expertise to achieve this without the private sector's assistance. The NSW government decided that a lease arrangement offered the best way of bringing the expertise of the private sector to the renewal of the former Quarantine Station. For over a decade there has been a huge backlog of conservation works needing to be done.
There are many heritage sites needing public funds. The former Quarantine Station is one of the few heritage sites that can attract the private sector - most heritage sites must continue to be funded and operated by the public sector.
how does Q Station benefit from the private sector?
The private sector has the entrepreneurial skills to create a tourism business that meets the latest needs of tourists and makes enough money to conserve the site to best practice standards.
is this privatisation of a public asset?
The site has been leased - not sold. The former Quarantine Station remains part of the Sydney Harbour National Park, managed by the Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) for the benefit of the public.
Public access must be provided through a range of experiences at a range of prices.
what happens at the end of the lease?
At the end of the lease, the DECC can take back the site and operate itself, with the benefit of all the site improvements and increased public awareness and support for experiencing the site.
is the public getting a good financial deal?
The public is, for the first time, getting a contractual obligation for the private sector to invest $4M in catch up conservation works and then guaranteed maintenance to a prescribed standard, for the life of the lease.
The DECC's first priority is to ensure that the site is conserved, access is improved and interpretation is reinvigorated. In addition, the operation will pay the DECC a rental stream that will fund DECC's management of the site. The DECC commissioned independent consultants to determine what was a fair rent to be paid.
will leasing prevent a 'whole of North Head approach'?
We support the idea of North Head neighbours working together to create an integrated approach to the conservation, use and interpretation of North Head.
We support integrated transport to North Head, joint approaches to weed, fire and feral animal management, and avoiding duplication of visitor experiences. We would be happy to participate in the creation of a Sanctuary for North Head.
are you clearing native vegetation?
We are clearing native regrowth vegetation (it has been cleared before). The Conservation Plan requires the landscape to be presented as it looked in the final years of quarantine operation which means we are required to trim some of the recent regrowth, as directed by a landscape plan that is approved by the Department of Environment and Climate Change and the Heritage Office. We will also trim some vegetation around buildings, to reduce the chance of fire.
what is Q Station doing to minimise the threat to bandicoots?
To minimise threats we are:
- Reviewing water access to bring as many of our visitors to the site by water as we can
- Running a visitor shuttle into the site and requiring all day visitors to park just inside the entrance
- Offering valet parking to our guests
- Limiting our deliveries in the mornings when bandicoots are asleep.
If mortalities increase beyond an agreed threshold, we have set responses that we will introduce, including vehicle curfews.
how does activity at the site affect Little Penguins?
Some people think that additional activity will disturb the penguins, however, the Little Penguins near Manly are accustomed to people and activity.
We have introduced fences at either end of Quarantine Beach so visitors cannot access penguin habitat. The outdoor eating area has a fence to screen sound and light and the restaurant closes by 11pm.
what is the issue with seagrass?
Seagrass grows in the vicinity of Quarantine Beach and can die back as a result of propeller wash and associated sedimentation, as well as anchor damage. We have mapped all of the seagrass to determine seasonal distribution and to provide a benchmark to monitor from. Our ferry will use a set route into and out of Quarantine Wharf that avoids the main seagrass area.
will Q Station, as a private sector provider, reduce public access to the site?
Public access will actually be significantly increased. When we signed the lease there were just 19 of the 65 buildings open to visitor access. Once adaptation is complete there will be 53 buildings open to visitor access (an additional 34 buildings). Under the operation of the DECC you could not spontaneously visit - you must book a tour. The project will result in people being able to spontaneously visit - even just to have a look at the Luggage Store Visitor Centre and have a cup of coffee or lunch by the Harbour. Under the operation of the DECC you could only stay overnight as part of a conference group. The project will result in people being able to stay overnight in a range of accommodation that includes dormitory, authentic rooms, suites and self contained cottages.
how will the community have a say?
We have increased public input into the management of the site. Our Community Days are offering people the opportunity to visit the site and learn more about how it is being conserved, adapted, used and monitored - we have run three since November 2007. For the first time ever, there is an ongoing Community Committee, running for the life of the lease. The Committee meets regularly to provide feedback on what is proposed, what is being done, and what could be done. The Committee is always present and involved in our Community Days. We are constantly surveying visitors and the community to gain ideas of how we can further improve.
how will people know if the site is being looked after?
The Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) has employed environmental management staff on the site, for the duration of the lease. These people will continually check all activities and any environmental complaints. We have established world's best practice environmental monitoring and adaptive management. This monitoring checks the condition of the natural environment, the historic environment, Aboriginal heritage, visitor satisfaction, community attitudes and economic performance. Most of this information can be made publicly available.
We and the DECC engaged independent consultants to prepare an Environmental Audit to assess how well we are complying with the Conditions of Approval. The first Audit concluded that things were going really well, and after a positive review from the Community Committee is being approved by the Minister for Planning in early 2008. The approved report will be a public document. We and the DECC will prepare an Annual Environment Report on the condition of the site and how we have performed. This will become a public document.