A new strategy to protect and manage Australia’s national and world heritage
The potential for a UK-style national lottery to benefit Australia’s magnificent heritage is among a range of new opportunities outlined in the Australian Heritage Strategy, released today.
The strategy sets out the Australian Government’s priorities over the next decade and the actions it will take to support and promote our remarkable natural, historic and Indigenous heritage.
I am proud to release the Strategy today at the iconic Sydney Opera House.
Commitments in the Strategy include a more creative online presence for national heritage listed sites to raise awareness of the fascinating stories connected with our heritage places.
There will also be renewed focus on encouraging partnerships to boost tourism opportunities in the heritage sector and on fostering heritage skills and training to address the shortage of skilled workers.
A range of innovative new funding sources will also be explored, including the feasibility of adapting the United Kingdom’s national lottery model, which this year alone generated a staggering $780 million (375 million pounds) for heritage projects across the UK.
Protection of Australia’s national and world heritage is a fundamental pillar of the Government’s environment policy and support for the development of an Australian Heritage Strategy was announced in November 2013, just two months after the Coalition took office.
Our natural, Indigenous and historic heritage enhances our sense of place and national identity and makes a positive contribution to the nation’s wellbeing.
Australia’s world and national heritage places also create strong economic returns for their owners and managers, as well as surrounding communities.
A study of 15 World Heritage sites in Australia found that the economic benefit of these sites amounted to $15.4 billion in annual turnover and over 79,000 direct and indirect jobs.
This strategy highlights the need for heritage management to be a shared responsibility between national, state and local governments, private owners, businesses and the local community.
The Australian Heritage Strategy reflects the time, ideas and passion of the many people who contributed to its development and I thank them for their considered contributions.
The 103 places on our National Heritage List reflect our journey as a nation. It contains places that capture the diversity of stories that have helped shape our nation and inform our sense of self.
I am pleased to announce that nominations for new places to be included on the National Heritage List are now open.
I encourage communities to look at their most significant heritage places and consider if they would like to make a nomination. Nominations close on 18 February 2016.
For a copy of the strategy go to http://www.environment.gov.au/heritage/australian-heritage-strategy
For information on the National Heritage List nominations process go to http://www.environment.gov.au/heritage/places/national-heritage-list
(ENDS)