I wish to object to the proposed change from Co-proponency arrangements to Lessor/Lessee arrangement, as I believe it is important to maintain a shared responsibility for the implementation of the majority of the conditions. Co-proponency is more likely to ensure ongoing compliance with conditions.
Given the longevity of the lease, I would not like to see checks and balances removed, or conditions weakened, if this is likely to adversely impact on the environmental or heritage values of the Quarantine site.
This includes the proposed variation to maximum numbers on-site (600 at any one time, rather than 450 maximum) on up to 20 occasions each year.

I object to the change of conditions requested by Mawlands for their operation and use of the Quarantine Station within the national park at North Head.

1. Removal of NPWS at Q Station at North Head.

This proposal must be rejected, without the NPWS monitoring the use of the site there will be no protection of the site or oversight of the conditions of use. The Mawlands group cannot be trusted to self monitor. EG , in December 2015 they removed Critical Habitat ( trees sheltering the Little Penguins ) from the Little Penguin nesting area without permission , thus endangering the breeding colony's ability to keep breeding in this area, was this their intention ?
Without the presence of the NPWS we will not know what depredations are taking place till it is too late, they must remain in a partnership role on site.

2. Outdoor music events.

There should be no outdoor music events, The Q Station is in the middle of a National Park and animal habitats: Little Penguins, Bandicoots, birds of all sorts.
In addition, music reverberates and magnifies, carried by the water in the narrow bay across to the houses and apartments of Little Manly and Addison Road., this will cause great disturbance to the residents as well as the animal populations.

3. Increase in visitor capacity.

Why is there a need to increase visitor capacity ?
Mawlands knew when they relentlessly sought the use of the Q Station site , against the wishes of the Manly community, that it was a heritage site, that it was in the middle of a National Park and the there was an endangered and protected Little Penguin colony on site, they accepted the conditions that were imposed to preserve the Heritage values of the site, and the presence of the NPWS, to protect the natural environment and the wildlife on site and on North Head.

The preservation of these things is the prime responsibility of anyone granted use of this unique and precious site, and it is up to the Department of POlanning to ensure that this is the prime standard used in evaluating the Mawlands proposal.

There is no reason to grant any variations to the conditions of the approvals that were originally granted to Mawlands.

If Mawlands find that they are not able to make as large a profit as they would like at the Q Station, then they should either vacate the site or better manage this wonderful site within the conditions that they agreed to.

It is not ,and never should be, the task of Planning legislation or the task of the Planning Department to adjust, alter or change Planning conditions simply to suit the bottom line of any corporation.

See attached

I am concerned about the request by Q Station to play outdoor music as I believe this will disturb the Fairy Penguin nesting area.

I also think it unwise to consider the 'cessation of the existing co-proponency between NSW NPWS and The Mawland Group'
The two groups should be working together to maintain the site and specific responsibilities will/ should change as the environment and the business develops.
The Q Station has already cut back and poisoned vegetation near the Boilerhouse, exposing the fairy penguin nesting area- this act alone proves that Q Station needs continued monitoring and advice on how to protect the beautiful space in which the operate their business.

Re: The Quarantine Station
I object to the use of music in the outdoor dining area of the boiler house. The effect of the music will be to make the diners speak even louder and so the total volume of noise will escalate. The noise will disturb the native wildlife, bandicoots and penguins. The noise will also reverberate across the water to homes in Little Manly. Noise easily travels across water and the noise reverberates and the noise is amplified and in addition the noise is magnified by the amphitheatre shape formed by the bay and the homes around little manly. There is no data that could provide information about what the volume of noise would be at Little Manly. The Q Station have not notified their neighbours, i.e. the residents of Little Manly about this proposal and yet because sound travels across water, the homes of Little Manly are immediate neighbours with respect to noise.
For example last night a group of lads were chanting on Little Manly Beach. It sounded as though they were directly outside my house in my driveway but when I looked out of my front door I discovered that they were 200 m away on the beach, such is the amplification across water and reverberation around a bay.
Playing music beside Quarantine Beach is a bonkers idea. People would go there to enjoy the view across the water and to relax in the beautiful environment. They would listen to the lap lap of rippling waves over the shore and maybe hear the birds and insects and even be amused by the raucous cries of the penguins. The playing of music would destroy that experience, the playing of music is out of character for the area, it is as cringeworthy as when a young teenager walks on to a quiet beach with a ghetto blaster (a CD player). Why play music in an area of natural beauty. If customers wanted to listen to music they could go to a pub. If they want to enjoy the peace and tranquility of Quarantine Beach they don't want the peace and tranquility disturbed by music. It's a National Park area for goodness sake, not a pub! Perhaps the Marketing Department of Mawland is run by teenagers with rocks in their heads. I can think of no other reason why the playing of outdoor music would be suggested. Customers just won't go. The proposal states: "This proposal does not involve nor imply any proposal to increase visitor numbers on site," which is good because there wouldn't be any increase in visitor numbers because they just wouldn't go.
Already boom boxes are often being played at Collins Flat by people who think they are Clubbing and who do not see that it is just not appropriate for that environment. It is like looking at a beautiful work of art and then scribbling on it, (think Mona Lisa with a moustache!)
Is Spring Cove destined to become party central?
I would urge the Department of Planning to reject the proposal to play outdoor music.
your sincerely
Judy Brain

As founder of the Manly Environment Centre in 1991 and one of the organisations responsible for listing the Little Penguin and Bandicoot as Threatened Populations in Manly and a founding member of their Recovery Teams, as well as a founding member and a continuimg member of the executive of the North Head Sanctuary Foundation, I fully endorse the detailed submissions by Judy Lambert, North Head Sanctuary Foundation and that of Tony Garman on behalf of the Manly Penguin Wardens.

In the last 25 years, these threatened populations have survived many challenges but as Judy Lambert and Tony Garman point out, removing what I regard as essential safeguards to their survival and cannotbe supported at present..

As a member of the Recovery Teams I attended the consultation at the Quarantine Station on 20th February, Having witnessed firsthand and closeup the nervous behaviour of both species in these areas at night, it would be too great a risk, with their low population numbers to consider the changes put forward by the proponent.

Pleases see attached document.