FAQs
What is the Hill 60 Master Plan?
A Master Plan allows Council to identify and prioritise the community’s vision for an area, then plan and implement the agreed improvements. The Hill 60 Landscape Master Plan applies to the Hill 60 Reserve, which includes MM Beach, Boilers Point, Fisherman’s Beach, and the Headland (Hill 60 Park).
This area is recorded on the State Heritage Register for both its Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal heritage significance. Council adopted the Hill 60 Landscape Master Plan in 2015 after a period of community engagement and feedback.
What works have already been completed under the Master Plan?
Hill 60
A major public artwork "Eye on the Horizon" by Braham Stevens has been installed on Hill 60 in the lower carpark area. It was funded by the Australian Government under the Saluting their Service Commemorative Grant Program. The artwork recognises the site as a part of a military precinct and key location in the country’s coastal defence network. This artwork responds to one of the identified themes within the Ngaraba-aan Interpretation Plan, that is guiding the artwork themes and stories along the Ngaraba-aan Trail.
Eye on the Horizon artworkMM Beach
In 2018, the MM Beach carpark was upgraded. We installed outdoor fitness equipment, wayfinding signage and planted feature trees with artwork panels.
Artwork panels on tree guardsThe steel sculptural work, “Magari”, was designed by Lorraine Brown and Narelle Thomas from Coomaditchie with fabrication by Edwards Clarke. It represents the rich fishing lifestyle and middens along MM Beach and at Hill 60 and was also installed.
Fishermans Beach
This year (2023), we completed rebuilding the beach access ramp that was damaged in the 2016 East Coast Low with the assistance of a grant from the Port Kembla Community Investment Fund.
The access road from Gloucester Boulevarde was also improved with a new gate and interpretive signage. We also created a space for an artwork to be finalised, in consultation with the local Aboriginal community, in the coming years. We will be installing some bike racks in the coming weeks near this entry.
Fishermans Beach from Red Point
How is Council working with the Aboriginal community to implement the Master Plan?
Consultation with Aboriginal stakeholders has been ongoing throughout the planning stages, and will continue as we implement all the stages of the Master Plan.
The cultural significance of Hill 60 to the local Aboriginal Community will continue to be recognised throughout the rollout of works under the Hill 60 Master Plan.
The heritage approvals have conditions in place to protect the significant Aboriginal heritage values of the area. This includes ongoing communication by our Heritage staff with Registered Aboriginal Parties about any upcoming works. Site monitors are also employed when works are being carried out.
The Ngaraba-aan Trail links MM Beach to Hill 60 and across to Coomaditchie Lagoon. It has been supported by Council since the mid 1990’s when four local Aboriginal groups worked together with the support of the Southern Rivers Catchment Management Authority and Council to make plans for the trail.
An Interpretation Plan was developed for artwork and interpretive signage along the Trail, and this plan is still guiding these components of the Master Plan. In 2016, we employed Chris Edwards of Wirrimbi Designs to consult with the Aboriginal community to check that the themes and locations for artwork and interpretive signage were still relevant. In 2017, an Expression of Interest process ran for artists to design and produce artworks for the trail.
The steel sculptural work, “Magari”, was designed by Lorraine Brown and Narelle Thomas from Coomaditchie. It represents the rich fishing lifestyle and middens along MM Beach and at Hill 60 and was installed in 2018. Due to the harsh seaside environment, the works have been corroded and are no longer considered safe. We will be removing the sculptures and working with the artist and fabricators to recreate the sculptures and return them to the existing location.
Additional artworks designed by local Aboriginal artists are planned to be finalised, in consultation with the local Aboriginal community, in the coming years. Interpretive signage will also be developed in consultation.
What approvals did we need to undertake works?
Due to the site's heritage significance, we needed to gain two separate heritage approvals for the full program of works to commence. As part of this process, a Conservation Management Plan and Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment Report were prepared, and community consultation was undertaken with Aboriginal stakeholders and the community more broadly.
The NSW government has granted approvals for most of the works to proceed. This was a major milestone for our long-term project to protect, restore and better manage this important heritage landscape.
Approval was not given for any works on Boilers Point, but we are able to undertake vegetation management in this area.
When will new amenities be provided at Hill 60?
New amenities will not be provided in this stage of works. We plan to construct a new amenity in future stages.
The existing amenities will remain open during the construction works.
When will the works commence and will access to Hill 60 be closed?
Works are expected to commence in the first quarter of 2024 and take 2-3 months, depending on weather conditions.
Access to the amenities will be maintained. We will minimise disruptions in access to other areas of Hill 60 outside the construction area.
What is planned for the old miltary tunnels?
The tunnels are closed to public access.
Council is investigating potential future uses of the military tunnels and will consult the community about usage. Assessment has been done on making the tunnels structurally safe but until a future use is agreed no budget has been allocated for any work needed.