Victoria Barracks in Sydney and Melbourne to remain in public hands after partial backtrack on defence property selloff
News Source
โขSun, 08 Nov 2026 00:17:28 GMT
๐ฐ What Happened
The federal government has reversed part of its plan to sell off old defence land. Four heritage sites will stay in public hands, including Victoria Barracks in Sydney and Melbourne. Fort Queenscliff and RAAF Base Point Cook in Victoria are also staying public. The sites had been marked for sale to raise $3 billion in the budget.
Defence Minister Richard Marles denied the decision would weaken Australia's defence. He said the buildings were mostly used by office workers. The government says the sites will be kept for community use after defence staff move out, and that some parts could be rented out to pay for upkeep.
๐ The Backstory
The push came from an audit finished in 2023. It found 67 defence properties were underused, costly to keep, and not fit for purpose. Sydney's Victoria Barracks was built between 1840 and 1848 and first held British troops. It is also home to the city's oldest wine cellar. Veterans and former prime ministers John Howard and Paul Keating opposed the sales.
The Sydney and Melbourne barracks were expected to bring in $1.3 billion because of their prime locations. The RSL called the news a partial victory. Some sites will still be partly sold, and a fuel site in Darwin will be handed back to the Larrakia people.
๐ฏ Why It Matters
These are some of the oldest military sites in the country, and their future affects local communities. The fight also shows how hard it is to sell public land once people notice.
The federal government has reversed part of its plan to sell off old defence land. Four heritage sites will stay in public hands, including Victoria Barracks in Sydney and Melbourne. Fort Queenscliff and RAAF Base Point Cook in Victoria are also staying public. The sites had been marked for sale to raise $3 billion in the budget.
Defence Minister Richard Marles denied the decision would weaken Australia's defence. He said the buildings were mostly used by office workers. The government says the sites will be kept for community use after defence staff move out, and that some parts could be rented out to pay for upkeep.
The push came from an audit finished in 2023. It found 67 defence properties were underused, costly to keep, and not fit for purpose. Sydney's Victoria Barracks was built between 1840 and 1848 and first held British troops. It is also home to the city's oldest wine cellar. Veterans and former prime ministers John Howard and Paul Keating opposed the sales.
The Sydney and Melbourne barracks were expected to bring in $1.3 billion because of their prime locations. The RSL called the news a partial victory. Some sites will still be partly sold, and a fuel site in Darwin will be handed back to the Larrakia people.
These are some of the oldest military sites in the country, and their future affects local communities. The fight also shows how hard it is to sell public land once people notice.