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Wednesday August 26, 2026 
24 August 2026
Transport for NSW has been accused of making misleading claims that North Sydney Council supports its continued occupation of Bradfield Park South for Sydney Harbour Bridge maintenance work.
Kirribilli precinct chair Michael Bracka told North Sydney Council on Monday night that statements made by the agency to the NSW Ombudsman directly implicated the council in endorsing its use of the park.
Speaking for the Save Bradfield Park South Combined Precinct Working Group and more than 1300 petition signatories, Bracca said the community disputed Transport for NSW’s account of its dealings with the council.
He quoted an Ombudsman’s letter stating that North Sydney Council was “aware of and supportive of” Transport for NSW’s continued occupation of the land and that the two organisations had worked closely for 18 months to identify a long-term solution.
The letter also said a proposed approach was awaiting the necessary ministerial and mayoral endorsements under the Local Government Act.
“The community questions the assertion that council is aware of, accepts and supports the ongoing occupation of the lands, including the northern and hazardous materials compound located on our trust land,” Bracka said.
He said the community was unaware of any proposed agreement awaiting endorsement by Mayor Zoë Baker and the relevant minister.
“We put to council that that doesn’t exist,” he said.
Bracka said Transport for NSW’s vesting of part of Bradfield Park South should have expired in June 2023, after which the land should have been rehabilitated, decontaminated and landscaped at the agency’s expense.
Transport for NSW has cited heritage, planning and roads legislation in support of its continued occupation, including an assertion that Bradfield Park South forms part of a road corridor.
“Frankly, it’s only a road corridor for their trucks,” Bracka told councillors. “It’s certainly not an area for the public and pedestrians.”
He said the working group would table a letter to Baker containing the full Ombudsman response so councillors could assess Transport for NSW’s statements.
“Our motivation is to ensure council, as our trustees, is fully informed and aligned with the community, the beneficial owners of the park,” Bracka said.
The group has praised the council and councillors for seeking the return of the land to the community. Baker is due to speak on the council’s position at a community town hall meeting on Tuesday evening.