Victoria Barracks Sydney to be sold
Victoria Barracks, a Defence site for over a century, is being sold as part of a $3 billion property restructure.
Victoria Barracks Sydney, established in 1840 in Paddington, is being sold to fund Defence priorities. The barracks sit on 13 hectares of heritage-listed land and were mostly built from local sandstone.
Maintaining the site costs about $200 million per decade, the government says. The barracks is one of 67 Defence properties earmarked for sale, which could raise up to $3 billion.
Retired colonel Graham Fleeton, who chairs the Army Museum Foundation located at the barracks, says the decision is mind-boggling. Former Prime Ministers Paul Keating and John Howard, NSW Premier Chris Minns, and other politicians have opposed the sale.
Defence sources say staff are being moved out with the goal of everyone leaving by Christmas. The Army Museum's collection is being stored elsewhere with no permanent home planned.
- 1840
- Established
- 13 hectares
- Land size
- $200 million
- Maintenance cost per decade
- 67 properties expected to raise $3 billion
- Defence properties being sold
Why it mattersSelling this heritage site raises concerns about public access and preservation of a significant part of Australia's military history.
AustraliaAustralians lose access to a significant military heritage site, and the decision may affect other historic Defence properties.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 6 h ago
