1992: Boat Harbour is handed to the public

Thomas Holt purchased the land that encompasses Boat Harbour at Kurnell in 1861. Holt was a major landholder in the Sutherland Shire and owned the entire Kurnell Peninsula.

It meant that the beach at Boat Harbour was also privately owned, unlike other Sydney beaches. Access was only via 4WD.

In 1992, his descendants (still under the Holt family name) handed Boat Harbour to the public.

Below is an article from September 1992 announcing the news.

Source: Cramsie, D. 1992. "Beach free for all". The Daily Telegraph Mirror, September 7:4. 

There was mention of a proposed resort (never proceeded). This will be subject to a separate entry in the future.

Boat Harbour is now an Aquatic Reserve and remains pristine. Currently the reserve is managed by the NSW Department of Primary Industries. 4WD's can access the park but are banned from driving on the dunes at a cost of $30 per vehicle.

NEVER BUILT SYDNEY: Kurnell's highrise tourism resort (1989)

In recent times, there have been plans to build new housing estates on the Kurnell Peninsula in Sydney's south and a major shopping centre. There are plenty of locals across the Sutherland Shire that aren't happy about it. But if you look at those plans and like others here, it looks quite conservative. Imagine high rise buildings stretching across Greenhills through to Boat Harbour. This would have included hotels, apartments, a hospital and sporting facilities including an eighteen hole Golf Course, Tennis and Equestrian centres.

 

Source: Cook, D. 1989. "Kurnell go-ahead." The Sydney Morning Herald. October 24: 29. 

It actually makes any proposed housing or industrial estates seem mild compared to this. Barely any mention too of the airport flight paths which do cross over the peninsula. I don't think that would impress tourists at all as they relax with a drink in hand on the sand.