On Friday 19 December 2025 we received the exciting news that after three months of deliberations, Justice Beasley of the NSW Land & Environment Court, dismissed the Appeal for an expansion to Woolwich Marina! 
 
The determination is posted on the NSW Caselaw website at https://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/decision/19b2ef05f2f3a461ce8de209

The proposed site of the expansion into public waterways between Kelly’s Bush and Cockatoo Island


Following the previous unanimous rejection of the expansion to the Marina by Hunters Hill Council and the Sydney North Planning Panel (see our web posts below), the Applicant appealed to the Land and Environment Court.
 
After a hard fought campaign by community groups supporting Council, including the Trust, the Friends of Kelly’s Bush, several sailing organisations, the boating community and committed individuals, the Court has now rejected this Appeal.
 
Part of Justice Beasley’s judgement quoted here, was the strongest argument for the refusal of this proposal:

“I have ultimately reached the conclusion that, from foreshore locations within the public domain, the visual impacts of the Proposal would be such that development consent should not, and cannot, be granted. These visual impacts are closely linked to what I also consider to be significant impacts on heritage items within Sydney Harbour.”

Thank you to everyone for supporting this critical community issue and upholding the principles of equity and fairness. It was of vital importance to the continued protection of the heritage precinct of historic State Listed Kelly’s Bush and the UNESCO world heritage site of Cockatoo Island.
 
This proves that community can make a difference to ensure our hard won public spaces and waterways remain for the benefit and enjoyment of all.
 

State Listed Kelly’s Bush (bottom right) – the forerunner of the new heritage listed ‘Green Necklace’ sites.