Public consultation for the proposed removal of the Hammerhead Crane, Garden Island, NSW

Defence will conduct a period of public consultation for the proposed removal of the Hammerhead Crane located at Fleet Base East, Garden Island in Sydney, from Monday 21 January to Monday 18 February 2013.

The proposal to remove the crane is being assessed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). While not heritage listed, the crane is known to have Commonwealth Heritage values and is located outside the Commonwealth Heritage Listed Garden Island precinct.

The crane has not been used since 1996 and presents a range of ongoing costs, risks to workplace health and safety for Defence personnel and contractors, and limitations on ship berthing options.

Workplace health and safety hazards associated with the deterioration of the crane have required the permanent placement of scaffolding to capture any objects that fall from it. Maintenance of the Hammerhead Crane costs Defence some $770,000 a year.

The 2009 Defence White Paper established the importance of enhanced amphibious capabilities, delivered by acquiring two new Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) ships, the first in late 2013. The presence of the crane located on the wharf where the LHDs will be berthed will restrict the Royal Australian Navy’s berthing capacity and flexibility at Fleet Base East.

The proposal to remove the crane can be downloaded from www.gml.com.au/hammerhead-crane-public-consultation or viewed at the following locations:

• Customs House Library, 31 Alfred Street, Circular Quay, NSW
• The State Library of NSW, Macquarie Street, Sydney, NSW
• The library of the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities at John Gorton Building, King Edward Terrace, Parkes, ACT.

Godden Mackay Logan Pty Ltd (GML) has been engaged by Defence to conduct the public consultation process. 

Written comments can be submitted via:

Media contact:

Defence Media Operations (02) 6127 1999