Defence personnel based at Victoria Barracks in Sydney have begun "packing boxes" for a Christmas eviction, despite the NSW premier calling on the federal government to reverse its move to sell the historic site.
The 176-year-old Australian Army base, located in Paddington, is one of 67 underused or vacant Defence properties that have been earmarked for sale by the federal government.
The nationwide initiative, which would also see HMAS Penguin on Sydney's Middle Head sent to market, was prompted by a recent independent audit and is expected to generate up to $3 billion in revenue.
Figures from across the political spectrum, including former prime minister John Howard, state Labor MPs, One Nation supporters and members of the Greens, joined thousands of protesters at a rally in Sydney over the weekend calling for the sale of the barracks to be scrapped.
Despite the outcry, Defence sources told the ABC on Monday there were currently "people packing boxes", with the goal of having everyone moved out by Christmas.
Defence personnel expect to be out by Christmas. (ABC News: Paul Pandoulis)
NSW Premier Chris Minns on Monday again criticised the proposal and said it would be a "big missed opportunity" for his federal Labor counterparts to go against what the community wants.
"There's a good chance here to say, we've listened to the public, clearly Victoria Barracks should stay both in government hands and be used by the Australian Defence Force," Mr Minns said.
"I just think they need to rethink it. [It would] be an easy one to make and I'd love to see it reversed."
Minister vows to protect buildings
Around 500 people currently occupy the 13-hectare site including members of numerous army commands and other support units.
Under the current relocation plan, the majority of those personnel will be shifted to the Randwick Barracks, while others will be temporarily moved to Defence Plaza Sydney, a commercial office tower located 2 kilometres from the barracks in the CBD.
Richard Marles has defended the move to sell the Victoria Barracks site. (ABC News: Matt Roberts)
During question time, Defence Minister Richard Marles defended the move and assured the public that every building on the site would be protected even if the site were to be sold.
"Victoria Barracks Sydney is not fundamental to the defence of the country and what we face in respect to Victoria Barracks Sydney specifically is a bill of $200 million over the next decade to secure it as a defence site," Mr Marles said.
"The fundamental function of what happens at Victoria Barracks Sydney is office work.
"Given the strategic landscape that we face, we simply cannot afford to be wasting money, and that's what we're doing, in this way."
Victoria Barracks, which also contains the Army Museum of NSW, was built by convicts in the 1840s and originally occupied by the British Army.
Mr Marles said Defence Plaza Sydney, which was established by the former Coalition government, currently sat 60 per cent empty.
In a statement, the Defence Department said Victoria Barracks' personnel were given an update about their future workplace locations last week.
"To minimise the length of disruptions, keep units together, and provide certainty for future postings, Defence is working to relocate units from Victoria Barrack Sydney as quickly as possible, and it is expected that the majority of personnel will move off site before the end of 2026," a Defence spokesperson said.