Australian Heritage Strategy

Australian Heritage Strategy
Name	Australian Heritage Strategy
Established	2000s
Jurisdiction	Australia

Australian Heritage Strategy The Australian Heritage Strategy is a coordinated approach to identifying, conserving, and promoting Indigenous and non-Indigenous heritage across Australia. It integrates national instruments such as the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 with state and territory mechanisms including the New South Wales Heritage Act 1977, the Victoria Heritage Act 2017, the Queensland Heritage Act 1992, and the Heritage Act 2011 (ACT). The Strategy responds to recommendations from inquiries such as the Australia ICOMOS reports and the Burra Charter principles while engaging stakeholders like National Trust of Australia, Australian Heritage Council, and Local Government Association of Queensland.

Introduction

The Strategy frames heritage as encompassing Aboriginal rock art sites, Tasmanian convict sites, Sydney Opera House, Ningaloo Reef, and industrial places such as the Port of Melbourne precinct, linking conservation practice to instruments like the World Heritage Convention listings for Kakadu National Park and the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia. It sets priorities influenced by inquiries such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization evaluations and advice from advisory bodies including the Australian Heritage Council and the National Trust of Australia (Victoria). Implementation relies on collaboration among agencies such as the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Heritage NSW, and the Victorian Heritage Council.

Historical Context and Development

Origins trace to postwar heritage movements influenced by events such as the conservation debates over Old Parliament House and the rise of organisations including the National Trust of Australia (New South Wales) and the Australian Council of National Trusts. Landmark developments include state heritage legislation in the 1970s and 1980s, the proclamation of World Heritage sites in Australia such as Tasmanian Wilderness, and national policy milestones like the establishment of the Australian Heritage Council under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Indigenous heritage recognition advanced following reports by bodies such as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission and inquiries into native title like the Mabo v Queensland (No 2) decision, shaping strategy elements that address sacred sites and cultural heritage management.

Policy Framework and Legislation

Core legislative instruments include the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, state acts such as the Heritage Act 1995 (South Australia), the Heritage Act 1980 (Tasmania), and regulatory tools like local planning schemes administered by councils such as the City of Sydney. International obligations derive from conventions including the World Heritage Convention, the UNESCO Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples which inform consultation protocols with parties like the Chairperson of the Australian Heritage Council and agencies including the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies. Policy instruments also reference standards from ICOMOS and professional bodies such as the Australasian Institute for Maritime Archaeology.

National and State/Territory Roles

At the national level, coordination involves the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, the Australian Heritage Council, and cross-portfolio committees that include representatives from agencies like the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications. States and territories exercise responsibilities through statutory authorities—examples are Heritage Victoria, Heritage NSW, the Queensland Heritage Council, Heritage Tasmania, and the Australian Capital Territory Heritage Council—working with municipal bodies such as the City of Fremantle and the Brisbane City Council to apply registers, permits, and conservation management plans for sites like Port Arthur Historic Site and Royal Exhibition Building.

Implementation and Management Practices

Implementation uses tools including heritage registers, conservation management plans, archaeological assessments, and heritage impact statements prepared following guidance from Australia ICOMOS and professional standards such as those of the Australasian Society for Historical Archaeology. Management practices involve partnerships with Indigenous custodians including councils like the Northern Land Council and the Anindilyakwa Land Council, site stewardship models exemplified at K'gari (Fraser Island), and adaptive reuse projects in precincts such as the Old Melbourne Gaol and the Darling Harbour redevelopment. Funding mechanisms combine grants from the National Heritage Trust, state grant programs, and philanthropic support from organisations including the Ian Potter Foundation.

Key Programs and Initiatives

Signature initiatives tied to the Strategy include the national listing processes administered by the Australian Heritage Council, the National Heritage List and the Commonwealth Heritage List systems under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, Indigenous cultural heritage programs run with partners such as the Australasian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, and capacity-building projects like the Heritage Grants Program and regional surveys coordinated with local groups such as the Darwin City Council. Conservation campaigns have protected places including the Blue Mountains National Park, Lord Howe Island Group, and industrial heritage such as the Cockatoo Island shipyard, often informed by academic research from institutions like the Australian National University and the University of Sydney.

Challenges and Criticisms

Critiques of the Strategy address tensions highlighted in cases like development disputes at James Price Point and controversies over listings exemplified by debates about the Great Barrier Reef pressures from industries represented in submissions by bodies such as the Minerals Council of Australia. Other challenges include resource constraints experienced by agencies such as Heritage NSW, inconsistent application across jurisdictions like Western Australia and Northern Territory, gaps in protection for intangible heritage noted by the Australian Heritage Council reviews, and concerns raised by advocacy groups including the Australian Conservation Foundation and the National Trust of Australia (Queensland). Calls for reform reference reports from commissions like the Productivity Commission and proposals drawing on international practice from ICOMOS and the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Category:Heritage of Australia