By ANNA USHER

Mosman residents will get their first chance to grill the Department of Defence over the sale of HMAS Penguin next Friday, when Australian Government officials front a public meeting at Allan Border Oval Pavilion.

And it’s not the only fight locals need to show up to.

Mosman Council has thrown open a three-week consultation on its long-term Masterplan, the suburb’s response to the NSW Government’s Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy. Submissions close on Monday 19 May.

Two consultations. Two weeks. The biggest decisions Mosman has faced in years.

What the HMAS Penguin meeting means for Mosman

The Defence session has been locked in for Friday 8 May at 5pm at the Allan Border Oval Pavilion in Mosman.

It is the first time residents will be able to put questions directly to Australian Government representatives about the proposed sale of approximately two-thirds of the 16.64-hectare Middle Head Rd base.

Mosman Collective first revealed the divestment last month.

The base, which opened in 1942, sits on land widely regarded as one of the most environmentally and historically significant parcels left on the lower north shore.

Federal Warringah MP Zali Steggall has pressed Finance Minister Katy Gallagher for a guarantee the site will deliver affordable housing rather than luxury apartments.

“It is not simply an asset to be sold off in a fire sale,” Ms Steggall told the minister.

Mosman Mayor Ann Marie Kimber has said Council “remains unequivocally opposed to the sale of HMAS Penguin land”.

“Decisions about its future must not be made behind closed doors or driven by short-term interests,” Mayor Kimber said.

“Genuine community consultation must be at the centre of any decision-making process.”

Friday week is exactly that opportunity.

Why the Mosman Masterplan matters

The Masterplan is the suburb’s local response to NSW Government housing reforms that are about to reshape every street in Mosman.

Mayor Kimber says the consultation is the chance for locals to shape “a community-led response to the State Government’s Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy”.

Council has engaged consultants SJB, the same firm that worked with Ku-ring-gai Council on its response to the same NSW policy.

• Friday 8 May, 5pm: HMAS Penguin community session, Allan Border Oval Pavilion.
• Closes Monday 19 May: Mosman Masterplan consultation submissions.

“I know this has been an uncertain time for many,” Mayor Kimber told residents.

“Our sustained advocacy has been critical in securing agreement from the State Government to develop a long-term Masterplan for Mosman.”

The principles and options are now on public exhibition before a final plan is prepared.

In other words: the time to shape it is now, not later.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU: Going to the HMAS Penguin meeting or making a Masterplan submission? Email [email protected] or DM us on Instagram.