Cockatoo Island is a unique heritage site, which has been closed to the general public for a century and a half. The island has witnessed convict iron gangs, the construction of dry docks and engineering workshops; the building of ships for the Royal Australian Navy and the Australian Shipping Board and even the manufacture of aircraft.
In 1986 the Federal Government considered that Cockatoo Island was no longer necessary as shipbuilding contracts could be handled by other yards throughout Australia. The need for large amounts of capital investment by the Government in retooling plus the exorbitant costs of building ships on an island meant that Cockatoo's days as a major maritime centre were coming to an end. In 1991 the Federal Government closed the site and demolition of major buildings took place. Due largely to the efforts of a Heritage Group called 'The Friends of Cockatoo' the island was saved from being sold as a site for high-rise apartment blocks.
The
story of this island is now being interpreted through public tours run by the Sydney Harbour Trust. The writer wishes to acknowledge the excellent History of Cockatoo Island, which has been written by Mr. John Jeremy, 'Cockatoo Island (Sydney's Historic Dockyard)'. This is a definitive work and this publication is recommended for anyone who seeks to learn more about this fascinating heritage site.
For the first time since 1839, the site has now been opened to the general public
who can now visit the island by means of public tours conducted by the Trust. Over the next decade the Trust will carry out extensive restoration and conservation works, which will eventually bring the island back to life and once again make it a part of a working Sydney Harbour. The project will see Cockatoo Island be the largest heritage restoration project in Australia and eventually a great asset to the city and harbour of Sydney.
This booklet is 50 pages, A4 size.
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