The Federal Member for Mackellar, Dr Sophie Scamps MP, announced on Tuesday April 8 her plan to nominate Pittwater to the National Heritage List to protect and conserve the area’s unique heritage values and significance for future generations, should she win a second term as the MP for Mackellar.
"Pittwater is a breath-taking natural wonder and an area of profound historical, natural and cultural significance for Australia that warrants protection on the National Heritage List," Dr Scamps said.
Pittwater’s sites represent a direct link to First Nations’ ancestors and traditions, and remarkable figures like Bowen Bungaree of the Garigal Clan, who lived in Pittwater with his family.
The area also reflects Australia’s colonial history, dating back to its naming by Governor Arthur Phillip in 1788. On Easter Saturday 1891, a day was even spent drafting the Australian Constitution at the Basin, onboard the Lucinda.
“Pittwater is a cornerstone of our nation's story - from its sacred Indigenous heritage sites to iconic landmarks like Barrenjoey Lighthouse and the remnants of stone jetties on the Western foreshores, which represent the early maritime functions of the area. This underscores the importance of preserving these legacies,” Dr Scamps said.
“Pittwater is an iconic region of Sydney and Australia, attracting visitors from all around the globe, yet the character and unsurpassed beauty of the place is under threat from inappropriate development and excessive excavation.”
The nomination aims to secure federal protection under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, ensuring any actions impacting Pittwater's heritage values require ministerial approval.
Pittwater's natural landscapes, including its bushland reserves, coastal headlands, wetlands and Norfolk Island pines, all illustrate Australia's rich biodiversity, necessitating the importance of conservation efforts to maintain the region’s ecological heritage and cultural continuity.
Pittwater also holds special cultural resonance across generations from its evolving role as a maritime hub to a retreat for leisure, including its contribution to the development of surf lifesaving in Australia, underlining its continuous connection with the Australian people," Dr. Scamps said.
Station Beach, Pittwater, circa 1879
The National Heritage List nomination has the support of the Member for Pittwater Jacqui Scruby MP.
"Protecting Pittwater through a National Heritage Listing helps safeguard its unique cultural, natural and historical legacy. From the stunning biodiversity of Ku-ring-gai Chase to the iconic Barrenjoey Lighthouse and ancient rock art, this landscape is a treasure we must defend from encroaching development and environmental degradation,” Ms Scruby said.
“I strongly support Dr. Scamps’ nomination to the National Heritage List as a crucial step toward preserving our shared history for future generations."
With nominations to the National Heritage List due to open during the next term of Parliament, Dr Scamps will work with the community, cultural historians and conservationists on the nomination, to ensure Pittwater receives the national recognition and protection it deserves.
"Working on this together, we can embrace a vision of preservation and recognition of the integral part Pittwater has played in our nation’s history,” Dr Scamps said.
Festooned Lucinda cruising on the Brisbane River. Image No.: StateLibQld 1 270485, courtesy State Library of Queensland
The Federal Convention. DRAFTING THE CONSTITUTION.
The members of the Federal Constitution Bill Drafting Committee, at the invitation of Sir Samuel Griffith, on Friday night (March 27th) went on a cruise in the Queensland Government yacht Lucinda to Broken Bay and the Hawkesbury. The object of the cruise was to obtain absolute privacy and quietness for the work of drafting the measure. By dint of hard work the bill was drafted into shape late on Saturday night, and on the vessel returning to Sydney last evening, it was forwarded to the Government Printer. During to-day the draft will be considered by the constitutional machinery committee, and it is probable that the bill will be submitted to the convention to-morrow afternoon. The Federal Convention. (1891, March 30). Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931), , p. 5. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article114314795