By ANNA USHER

HMAS Penguin will remain untouched after the Federal Government sensationally scrapped plans to sell part of the Mosman naval base following community backlash.

The military site was one of 67 Defence bases due to be sold after an independent estate audit in February this year, in a bid to generate $1.8 billion for the government.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Defence Minister Richard Marles announced the plan at a press conference at Victoria Barracks over the weekend, ending a feud that began when Mosman Collective revealed the sale plan in February.

Defence will keep the parts of the 16.64-hectare Middle Head site that support “critical ADF capability”, and will not sell any part of the land.

The rest of the site, the Angophora forest above Balmoral, goes to the Harbour Trust, “which will be responsible for its stewardship”, the Government said.

Mosman Mayor Ann Marie Kimber said it was a great outcome for a site of national significance.

“The voices of the community have been heard, and we thank the Federal Government for the consideration given to the many written submissions, meetings, public forums and other advocacy that highlighted why public land should remain in public ownership,” Mayor Kimber said.

“This decision shows what can happen when a community stands up and makes itself heard,” Zali Steggall, Federal Member for Warringah, said.

“I want to thank residents, veterans, community groups, Mosman Council and everyone who pushed so hard to protect HMAS Penguin. Many people put in an enormous amount of time and effort to make this happen.”

Campaigners hail “a great outcome” for Middle Head forest.

The Headland Preservation Group, which led the local campaign, said it was “delighted” at the news.

“It is important that no part of the land will pass into private hands or be sold for profit. This means that the site’s heritage and environmental values will be protected for future generations,” the group said in a statement signed by President Jill L’Estrange. “This is a great outcome!”

The group said the forest “will now be accessible for the enjoyment of all visitors to Middle Head”.

It credited the 7,000 people nationally who signed the “Not for Sale” petition, and everyone who turned out to the public meetings and the October 11 rally at Balmoral, which drew thousands of protesters.

Convoy to Canberra called off after the win.

The victory now means Cr Michael Randall’s Convoy to Canberra, set to take the fight to Parliament House on 23 November, will no longer take place.

“We have shown that people power works and the increased pressure has delivered an incredible outcome for our community,” Mosman Parks and Bushland President Kate Eccles OAM said.

She congratulated Mayor Kimber, “who successfully and respectfully engaged with the federal government and persuaded them to protect this precious site for our community”, and thanked Cr Randall “for the Convoy work”.

“Together we have protected our land, our history and our future,” she said.

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