In Review: Advocating for Heritage The National Trust acted as a strong voice for heritage, engaging with communities and government to identify, conserve and protect important built, cultural and natural heritage.
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Election candidates were called on to make commitments to heritage conservation in the run-up to both the local and federal elections in 2021/22. The National Trust sought to ensure heritage was given a voice through proactive involvement in Legislation Reviews, draft Bills and new State Environmental Planning Policies (SEPP).
Championing better natural and built heritage outcomes, the National Trust made over 40 major submissions, multiple letters of support and more than a dozen comments on heritage nominations. Working together with the community, the National Trust’s work has seen a number of wins this year.
Campaigning aimed to ensure the review of the Heritage Act would strengthen, not weaken, the Act. This included a detailed submission, a response to the submissions paper, meetings with relevant Ministers and Parliamentary members and engagement in the Draft Heritage Bill targeted consultation. Once tabled, the National Trust will review and respond to any changes to the Act.
• An unsolicited proposal for the former Chief Secretary’s building in Sydney was denied following scathing submissions from the National Trust, Sydney City Council and ICOMOS Australia.
Submissions were also made on the Greater Sydney Parklands White Paper, including the draft Exposure Bill and the Inquiry into NSW Biodiversity Offsets, and also the proposed Design and Place SEPP. Working with the National Trust Branches, key Local Election Heritage Priorities were developed. The branches canvassed support from local candidates on heritage issues and built ongoing relationships with Councillors and Mayors for better outcomes. A national “2022 Federal Election Heritage Priorities Statement” was also developed by the Australian Council of National Trusts. This shared the Trust’s perspective on threats facing heritage and presented solutions to current and prospective governments.
• The NSW Education Department reversed unsympathetic changes to the Fort Street Public School design. •N ational Parks and Wildlife Services reconsidered the West Head Lookout upgrades to reflect the significance of the landscape. • ‘ Glenlee’ on the Georges River was locally listed and is currently recommended for the State Heritage Register in response to an application to demolish the homestead and subdivide the land. •T reo Resources withdrew its mining application once aware of the Bylong Landscape Conservation Area listing on the National Trust Register, reinforcing the importance of listing significant places, items and landscapes. •N SW Premier responded to calls for heritage to be elevated into the portfolio title, appointing the Hon. James Griffin MP as Minister for Environment and Heritage.
‘In the committee’s view, the next steps for the review of the Heritage Act 1977 should give greater priority to the principles of protection, conservation and celebration as the bedrock principles to guide any review of heritage legislation.’ Standing Committee, Social Issues Inquiry on the Review of the Heritage Act 1977.
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