Barracks plan to turn off buyers

By the Editorial Team · Friday, August 7, 2026

NSW MP Anthony Roberts has introduced a bill requiring parliamentary approval for major planning changes to Victoria Barracks and other Sydney military sites, aiming to restrict private development of these defence properties. The legislation could delay or alter the federal government’s plan to sell 67 defence assets nationwide by imposing stricter oversight and public scrutiny on the use of these historically significant lands.

A New South Wales legislator has introduced a bill aiming to curb private development of Victoria Barracks and other military sites in Sydney, potentially complicating the federal government’s plan to sell defence properties nationwide. Anthony Roberts, a veteran NSW MP and former Coalition minister for planning and counter-terrorism, tabled the proposal on Thursday.

The bill seeks to amend the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 by requiring any significant planning changes to Victoria Barracks and four additional Sydney military locations to secure approval from both houses of the New South Wales Parliament. This comes amid the Australian federal government’s ongoing effort to divest 67 defence assets across the country, a strategy intended to raise approximately AUD 1.8 billion.

Roberts, who is recognized as the state’s longest-serving parliamentarian and often referred to as the “Father of the House,” outlined that the legislation’s principal aim is to deter investors whose business models rely on purchasing defence land at its current valuation and subsequently seeking rezoning or intensified development opportunities. He emphasized that ownership would not guarantee such planning changes, and that any proposed alterations to the land’s use would be subject to rigorous public scrutiny and parliamentary debate.

“The starting assumption should not be that the land must be sold first to the highest bidder and the public interest be considered afterwards,” Roberts said during parliamentary remarks. He also indicated that the bill might prompt the Commonwealth government to reconsider the overall strategy of divesting these assets.

Roberts appealed to the current New South Wales government, led by Premier Chris Minns, to recognize the significance of the issue, which has stirred community concern. He suggested that supporting the bill should not be interpreted as an act of opposition but rather as a responsible approach to managing sensitive defence properties.

The parliamentary debate over the proposed amendment is expected to take place in the coming month, as the state wrestles with balancing development prospects against preserving culturally and strategically important sites tied to Australia’s military heritage. The outcome could have implications for the Commonwealth’s broader asset sales program and the future of these historic locations.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.