Heritage Council of NSW

A message from Hazel Hawke
Chair of the Heritage Council
This year's Heritage Week was a busy time for the Heritage Council. It began with the launch of the NSW Government Heritage Trades Training Strategy (see page 9). This very worthwhile initiative will provide job opportunities for our young people, as well as saving our fine historic buildings from decay. A trade-off between youth and age!

The EnergyAustralia National Trust Heritage Awards ceremony later in the week demonstrated yet again that support for heritage projects runs right through the community. This was also an opportunity to hear our Minister outline the directions he wants to follow during the remainder of the Parliamentary term. Working with owners and communities is a very sensible way to get support for our programs I believe. At the end of this busy week we visited Newcastle for the second Heritage Council meeting for the year. We had the opportunity to meet the Lord Mayor, the General Manager and councillors, as well as representatives from the local Aboriginal community and other organisations with an interest in heritage matters. It was also a privilege to be shown around some of the fine heritage assets in the State's second city by council officers, Sarah Pearce and Jennifer Groman.

In April I also visited the Macquarie Marshes to launch a most interesting history of the region, Reedbed Country; The Story of the Macquarie Marshes by Kay Masman and Margaret Johnstone. I commend it to you - it is a fascinating read.

 

From the Minister
Andrew Refshauge MP
Deputy Premier
Minister for Urban Affairs and Planning
Minister for Aborignal Affairs
Minister for Housing

I was privileged to commence my term as Minister responsible for managing the State's heritage at a particularly important time with the Heritage Act amendments coming into effect and the creation of the State Heritage Register.

There are now more than 1400 items on the State Heritage Register, with listed items almost equally divided between items in public and private ownership.

The Register should be seen as much more than a list of items we want to protect from harm. It is a comprehensive list of all the places and objects recognised as State significant by the community.

During Heritage Week 2000, I took the opportunity of an invitation from the National Trust to outline my heritage priorities for the next three years. An edited version of this statement is being distributed as an insert with this newsletter.

Indigenous and multicultural heritage are key priorities. We need to expand the State Heritage Register so that it truly reflects the story of our past and our diverse cultural heritage. I anticipate being able to report significant progress on a more inclusive Register in Heritage Week 2001.

Rural and regional heritage is another priority. Our heritage assets are a vital part of achieving economic growth and sustainability in rural areas. We will be working with rural communities to expand heritage tourism and the spin off effects of more jobs and economic growth in rural NSW.

I am also keen to promote strong partnerships with local government and the community. It is important that we recognise the individuals and community organisations who do the hard work in preserving and maintaining our rich and diverse heritage.

Hazel Hawke and the Heritage Council have already done a great deal in terms of working with the community. Over the coming months we will be seeking to strengthen our partnerships with local government and the community so that we have a widely understood, truly effective and community- oriented heritage system in place.