Document
Index
1999-2000 Ministerial Statements
Investing in our Natural and
Cultural Heritage
Chapter 10
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Index |
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The Commonwealth is working with State, Territory and local governments and the community to identify and protect Australia's National Estate. Australia's National Estate comprises all those natural, historic and indigenous places that should be kept for the future and that have aesthetic, historic, scientific or social significance or other special values for this and future generations. The Register of the National Estate (RNE), maintained by the Australian Heritage Commission, is Australia's premier list of such places.
Contact: Australian Heritage Commission -- 02 6274 2160
In 1998-99 the Commonwealth developed the `Australian Heritage Website' with links to
the web sites of State, Territory and non-government heritage agencies.
In 1999-2000 the Government will continue to develop a central database for all Australian
heritage data from the `Australian Heritage Website'. The database, called the Australian
Heritage Places Inventory, is intended to act as a `one-stop-shop' for Australian Heritage
Registers. It will hold key information from the Register of the National Estate and the
various heritage registers maintained by the States and Territories with a link to the
originating database. To date the RNE data has been placed in the Inventory, and work is
progressing on other State Registers.
Contact: Environment Australia, Australian & World Heritage Group -- 02 6274 2119
Following the Council of Australian Governments agreement in November 1997, the
Commonwealth Government is developing a National Heritage Places Strategy in order to
improve intergovernmental arrangements for the identification, protection and management
of places of heritage significance.
A consultation paper has been released to enable comment from industry and business
groups, State and local governments, and conservation groups. Intergovernment negotiations
to develop details for the implementation of the strategy are continuing.
Contact: Environment Australia, Australian & World Heritage Group -- 02 6274 2115
The National Heritage Coordination programme represents a major commitment by
Commonwealth and State and Territory Heritage Ministers aiming for a more efficient and
effective system of national heritage administration.
The programme focuses on the historic environment, is long-term, and encompasses several
projects. Achievements include accreditation agreements in assessment procedures with
Victoria and the ACT; placing the RNE on the internet and establishing database links with
several States and national research projects on Federation sites; assessment standards
and heritage advisory services.
Following an audit of the `National Heritage Coordination Strategic Plan 1996-98' a new
joint workplan is being developed which focuses on education, research, national standards
and resourcing. The programme will be a key factor in implementing the National Heritage
Places Strategy.
Contact: Australian Heritage Commission -- 02 6274 2138
The Commonwealth Government will establish a Sydney Harbour Federation Trust to manage and rehabilitate five Sydney Harbour foreshore properties when the Department of Defence relocates. The Trust will be a statutory authority with six members, four of which will be nominated by the Commonwealth and two by the Government of New South Wales.
Contact: Environment Australia, Australian & World Heritage Group -- 02 6274 2128
The Government is preparing its response to the recommendations of a Committee of Review into the management of Commonwealth-owned heritage properties.
Contact: Environment Australia, Australian & World Heritage Group -- 02 6274 2128
In 1999-2000 the Commonwealth will provide $6.3 million for the identification and conservation of the National Estate.
Contact: Australian Heritage Commission -- 02 6274 2185
The Commonwealth Government is providing $70.4 million for the four-year period
from 1998-1999 to 2001-2002 to fund the Federation Cultural and Heritage Projects
Programme (FCHP) of which a total of $18 million will go toward heritage conservation
and restoration work throughout Australia in 1999-2000.
The Government will also provide from the Federation Fund a further $22.8 million
funding for heritage conservation and restoration of significant heritage buildings and
precincts across Australia for the 1999-2001 period.
Contact: Environment Australia, Australian & World Heritage Group -- 02 6274 2185
The Commonwealth has created the Cultural Heritage Projects Programme. This programme, which subsumes the Taxation Incentives for Heritage Conservation Scheme, will provide funds of approximately $4 million per annum for the next three years to community, non profit organisations and private owners for heritage conservation projects. The programme encourages and enhances community ownership and responsibility for preservation of our heritage and increases funds available for heritage conservation.
Contact: Environment Australia, Australian & World Heritage Group -- 02 6274 2185
The Government is providing grants to support activities that increase public awareness, understanding and appreciation of Australia's cultural heritage, and enhance and promote its conservation and assist the National Trusts to work for heritage protection.
Contact: Environment Australia, Australian & World Heritage Group -- 02 6274 2185
The Heritage Protection and Environment programme seeks to:
In 1999-2000 the Commonwealth will contribute approximately $4.2 million for the
protection, preservation, acquisition and management of cultural property by the
indigenous community and for the participation of indigenous people in environmental
management and conservation policies and programmes.
In 1998-99 responsibility for the administration of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984 was transferred from the Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander Commission to the Department of the Environment and Heritage.
Contact: Environment Australia, Australian & World Heritage Group -- 02 6289 3350
The Commonwealth will provide $500,000 in 1999-2000 for the Historic Shipwrecks Programme. Through this, the Commonwealth Government in cooperation with the States, the Northern Territory and Norfolk Island, aims to conserve Australia's maritime heritage as a cultural resource of the nation.
Contact: Environment Australia, Australian & World Heritage Group -- 02 6274 2128
The Commonwealth is continuing to support the conservation and management of the penal settlement in the Kingston and Arthur's Vale Historic Area on Norfolk Island by contributing $400,000 in 1999-2000. The Norfolk Island Government also provides funding for this area.
Contact: Environment Australia, Australian & World Heritage Group -- 02 6274 2128
