Australia’s barracks sale risks losing a historic public site permanently

The Albanese government plans to sell Victoria Barracks in Sydney as part of a wider Defence property sell-off expected to raise about $1.8 billion. The opinion piece argues that directing the proceeds to the military does not make up for permanently giving up public land and control of a historically significant site.

Victoria Barracks was established in 1840, and its main buildings were completed in 1848; the site covers 13 hectares in Paddington. The article says government materials describe sales with heritage obligations to be negotiated, but no 99-year lease has been announced for the barracks. It also argues that land no longer needed by Defence could still serve public needs such as schools, health facilities, parks or other infrastructure.