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Expressions of Interest are sought in the membership of the Heritage Council's Technical Advisory Group (TAG).

The Technical Advisory Group advises the Heritage Council, the Heritage Branch and the community on best practice in the conservation of materials in heritage items, buildings and sites.

New members are being sought for 2010-2012 across a wide variety of backgrounds.

See the Expressions of Interest Notice for further information. [PDF 24 KB].

Posted 10 December 2009

"New historic shipwreck Tuncurry 1916 being surveyed off Sydney's Northern Beaches

A private recreational dive group located a new historic shipwreck off Barrenjoey on Sydney's Northern Beaches, early this year. The timber coastal steamer Tuncurry capsized and sank in 60 meters of water on a voyage from Sydney to Brisbane. The divers found the wreck sitting upright on sand with key features being a Scotch Boiler, compound steam engine, four-bladed propeller, and part of the cargo which included some 1500 bags of cement.

A recreational dive team is undertaking some preliminary archaeological mapping of the site, which is a protected Historic Shipwreck under the Commonwealth Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976. Additional 3D modelling of the site is being initiated by the Heritage Branch with a specialised team from Sydney University's Australian Centre for Field Robotics. The Heritage Branch has day-to-day management of the wreck on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Canberra and the Federal Government.

View the Tuncurry Shipwreck Information Sheet here [PDF 220KB].

Visit the NSW Government's Maritime Heritage Online database here.

Posted 27 October 2009

"Illustrated glossary of Australian rural fence terms" by John Pickard

Do you know your "rough-and-tumble" from your "Virginia" fence? Would you recognise a "dolly" or a "lightning dropper"? The following publication will be a useful resource for anyone working in agricultural heritage or just interested in the history of rural fences in Australia.

"Illustrated glossary of Australian rural fence terms" by John Pickard (Free download, 7.5MB .pdf)

For all our publications and guidelines click here

Posted 05 August 2009

M24 midget submarine exhibition launched

An innovative web exhibition featuring the Japanese midget submarine M24 has been launched by the NSW Minister for Planning, The Hon Kristina Keneally MP. The interactive web site provides a valuable opportunity for the whole community to learn more about this fascinating part of Australia’s wartime history. The site has been developed by the Heritage Branch, NSW Department of Planning and showcases the history and mystery of the 1942 submarine attack on Sydney Harbour with feature interviews, underwater footage and unique 3D animation of the submarine. It will be a valuable way of ensuring that the heritage significance of the midget submarine attack is preserved, together with the physical remains of the M24 wreck site.

View the Minister's media announcement on the M24 web exhibition here

Click here to visit the new M24 website

Posted 29 July 2009

Do you know of an individual or organisation who has contributed to the conservation, management or promotion of heritage in your local community?

Would you like to pay tribute to the men and women who have volunteered their time and personal commitment to ensuring that our State’s unique history and heritage are protected for future generations?

The Heritage Council of NSW and the NSW Government invite you to nominate your ‘heritage hero’ as a recipient in the 2009 NSW Government Heritage Volunteer Awards.

Notice: The closing date for nominations is now Friday 4th September 2009.

Download the Nomination Form in WORD or PDF

Click here to view the "call for nominations"

Click here for more information on the Heritage Volunteer Awards

Posted 10 July 2009

On Saturday 27 June, Integral Energy, Comber Consultants and Casey & Lowe hosted a public open day at 15 Macquarie Street, Parramatta. Archaeological excavations are being undertaken at this site to uncover evidence of Aboriginal and colonial occupation before it is redeveloped as Integral Energy’s new Parramatta West Zone Substation.

The site was open to the public from 10am to 2pm, and archaeologists from Casey & Lowe and Comber Consultants were on hand to guide the public through the different layers of history, some of which could be seen for the first time in over 150 years. Eighty Six people from as far afield as the Blue Mountains and Canberra, took this opportunity to view structural remains of buildings and artefacts that were constructed over 200 years ago.

Foundations from an 1804 house which was occupied into the later 19th century	View to the southwest including the c1850s drain which curved around the perimeter of the 1860s house which was on site
Archaeologist Robyn Stocks introducing the public to the types of material found on archaeological sites in Parramatta	Some of the Artefacts uncovered in the first 4 weeks of excavation at 15 Macquarie Street

For more information about this Parramatta Archaeological Management Unit click here

For information about the Breaking the Shackles archaeology exhibition at the Parramatta Heritage Centre click here

Posted 08 July 2009

A 30 kilometre section of the 180 year old Great North Road between Mount Manning and Wollombi has been listed on the State Heritage Register. This brings a total of 64 kilometres of the convict built road now under State heritage protection.

To read the media release click here

For more information about the Great North Road click here

Posted 17 June 2009

STOP PRESS
Due to the level of community interest in the proposal to consider de-listing the former Manly ferry Baragoola from the State Heritage Register, the closing date for written submissions has been extended until Monday 22 June 2009.

Members of the community have up to Monday 22 June 2009 to provide written submissions on the Heritage Council's consideration of de-listing the Baragoola ferry from the Register due to its deteriorated state and potential impact on integrity values.

For information on how to make a submission click here

To read the independent structural engineering report on the MV Baragoola click here

Please note: The independent structural engineering report on the Baragoola ferry was commissioned by the Heritage Branch, NSW Department of Planning, on the recommendation of the Heritage Council of NSW. The 6 page report remains the copyright of Boat Check Pty Ltd. and the Heritage Branch and should be referenced appropriately. Care should be taken not to quote content out of context. The document should be read and retained in its entirety.

The New South Wales Government does not necessarily endorse any opinions in the report, neither does it take responsibility for the content.

Posted 27 May 2009

STOP PRESS
Due to the level of community interest in the nomination of the six Ben Hall sites to the State Heritage Register, the closing date for written submissions has been extended until Wednesday 8 July 2009.

Members of the community have up to Wednesday 27 May 2009 to provide written submissions on the serial nomination of the six Ben Hall sites to the State Heritage Register.

The colourful past of bushranger Ben Hall is being remembered by a nomination of six sites related to his life and death. Ben Hall was active through the Cabonne; Blayney; Goulburn Mulwaree; Upper Lachlan and Forbes Shires. The Ben Hall Sites are of historical significance in demonstrating the impact of bushranging on mid nineteenth century New South Wales.

The nominated sites are: Escort Rock, Cliefden, Wandi, the Bushranger Hotel, Ben Hall's Death site and Ben Hall's Grave.

For information about the Ben Hall sites click here

For information on how to make a submission click here

Posted 05 May 2009

The Currawong site on Sydney’s northern beaches has been placed on the State heritage list, following a report by a Ministerial review panel to examine the site.

Click here for the media release

Click here for the Ministerial review panel report

Click here for the project application determination on the Department of Planning website

Click here to view information in the online database

Posted 30 April 2009

The Heritage Council of NSW and the Heritage Branch, Department of Planning were standouts at the 16th EnergyAustralia/National Trust 2009 Heritage Awards, picking up three plaques:

Category: Energy Australia Award Conservation – Energy Management
"New Uses for Heritage Places – Guidelines for Adaptation"
Heritage Council of NSW & The Australian Institute of Architects (NSW)
For more information on adaptive reuse guidelines click here

Category: Conservation Maritime Heritage – Corporate/Government
"Managing the Missing Midget Submarine"
Heritage Branch, NSW Department of Planning
For more information on the M24 click here

Category: Education – Corporate/Government
"Salt Attack and Rising Damp: A Guide to Salt Damp in Historic and Older Buildings"
David Young OAM, and the Heritage Council of NSW, Heritage Victoria, South Australian Department for Environment and Heritage, Adelaide City Council
For information on this publication click here

The 16th EnergyAustralia National Trust Heritage Awards were presented by the Minister for Planning, Kristina Keneally MP at a gala lunch held at the Westin Sydney on Monday 6 April.

For more information on the 2009 Awards click here

For a list of the Awards click here

Posted 30 April 2009

The NSW Planning Minister, Kristina Keneally, today announced $5.3 million of funding for heritage projects and programs across NSW for 2009 - 2011.

Click here for the media release

Click here for the full list of projects funded under the 2009-2011 NSW Heritage Grants program.

Posted 29 April 2009

The Chair of the Heritage Council of New South Wales, Gabrielle Kibble, invites the community to come forward with their personal recollections of the Japanese midget submarine attack on Sydney Harbour, 31 May / 1 June 1942.

Submitted stories (1-3 A4 pages) will be added to a new web exhibition on the Heritage Branch's work conserving the historic M24 submarine wreck site off Newport, Sydney.

We would like to hear where you were on the night? How old were you? What did you see or experience? What impact did the raid have on you or your family? Did you see any of the action in the harbour that night? Please describe the sounds and scenes. Do you know of anyone who was involved in the detection, recovery and examination of the two recovered submarines? Did you go and visit them when on public display in NSW?

'Unlocking the secrets of the M24 Japanese Midget Submarine', will showcase the historical setting behind the raid, the archaeological survey work conducted to date, and ongoing research into the raid and its legacy. Your stories could be a valuable addition to this exhibition and our remembrance of the important night in Sydney's history.

You can send your typed personal accounts by email to heritage@planning.nsw.gov.au, or post them to:

Tim Smith
Deputy Director
Heritage Branch
NSW Department of Planning
Locked Bag 5020
PARRAMATTA NSW 2124

Should you have photographs of the event, or yourselves in 1942 that might be of interest, please do not send any originals. Photocopies or electronic scanned copies will be accepted.

Please indicate in writing whether you give approval for your stories to be used for publication on the web site.

Provide your contact details (name, postal details, phone number and email address) so that we can contact you.

Thank you for getting involved in this exciting initiative. The web site will ensure that the social significance of the Japanese midget submarine attack is preserved, together with the physical remains of the M24 wreck site.

Click here to view M24 Information Sheet and Preliminary Archaeological Survey Report

Posted 23 April 2009

Goulburn's two landmark cathedral buildings, St Saviour's and Saints Peter and Paul's Old Cathedral, have gained permanent protection with their listing on the State Heritage Register.

The Cathedrals and their associated buildings are regarded as outstanding examples of Victorian era religious architecture in NSW and highlight Goulburn's significant role as a religious and commercial hub during the mid to late 19th century.

Minister for Planning the Hon. Kristina Keneally MP announced the listings Thursday 16th April while touring the two cathedral sites.

For more information on their heritage significance, vist St Saviour's Cathedral and St Peter and Paul's Old Cathedral

For church news and latest information on restoration works click on the images below:

St Saviour's Cathedral

St Peter and Paul's Old Cathedral

Posted 17 April 2009

Descendants of Florence Taylor's family were in the audience on Wednesday 1 April 2009 when leading businesswoman and philanthropist Janet Holmes à Court AC officially launched the biography at the Museum of Sydney.

The biography of Australia's first female architect, who was also a publisher, townplanner, socialite and feminist, Florence Taylor's Hats: Designing, Building and Editing Sydney is written by Dr Bronwyn Hanna of the Heritage Branch, Department of Planning and Prof. Robert Freestone from the University of NSW.

The launch was jointly hosted by the Museum of Sydney, Master Builders Association and publishers Halstead Press.

Pictured from left: Prof. Robert Freestone; grandniece of Florence Taylor, Heather McCullah; grandnephew David and Mrs Kerrie March; Dr Bronwyn Hanna and Janet Holmes à Court AC.

Florence Taylor's Hats: Designing, Building and Editing Sydney
By Robert Freestone and Bronwyn Hanna. Published by Halstead Press 2008.
Copies may be purchased from the Library Shop, NSW State Library and other selected retailers.

Posted 08 April 2009

Penrith City Council is running the 2009 Penrith Excellence in Design Awards. The awards seek to encourage, reward, and promote quality design in the City of Penrith. The awards ceremony will be held at the Twin Creeks Country Club at Luddenham. The awards will acknowledge architects and designers who have contributed to the City’s built environment via architectural design.

Entering the Penrith Excellence in Design Awards is an opportunity for you and your design team to be publicly recognised for your contribution to design in Penrith City.

Successful nominations will be promoted in the local and metropolitan print media and will be given an award acknowledging their achievement.

For further information, guidelines, criteria and Award Entry Kit please visit http://www.penrithcity.nsw.gov.au/ or contact Development Services Administration on 4732 7991 or via email: baep@pencit.nsw.gov.au.

Posted 19 March 2009

Waverley Council is now accepting entries for the 2009 Civic Pride Awards Heritage & Design. These awards are part of a wider civic pride program, celebrating and supporting the two award categories of contemporary design and heritage conservation in Waverley.

Nominated projects go in the running to win not only a prestigious heritage and design award, but also recognition within the industry of building and design excellence.

Guidelines, criteria and nomination forms are available at www.waverley.nsw.gov.au or from our Customer Service Centre at 55 Spring Street, Bondi Junction.

Posted 12 January 2009

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