Local Councils Heritage Powers Increase The important role played by local councils in heritage management has been recognized in a recent initiative to streamline the approvals process. On 1 February 2002 the Minister for Planning, the Hon. Dr Andrew Refshauge, consented to the Heritage Council's delegations of certain of its approval functions to all councils in NSW. The approval functions being delegated to councils include: a) for items listed on the State Heritage Register to determine whether public notice of an application under s60 of the Heritage Act 1977 should be given under s61 of that Act; b) for items listed on the State Heritage Register to approve under s63 of the Heritage Act 1977 an application made under s60 and all incidental powers, functions and duties thereto. The Minister also authorised nominated councils in NSW to make Interim Heritage Orders under s25 of the Heritage Act over items of local significance under threat. Previously councils had to rely on the intervention of the Heritage Council of NSW and the Minister when unlisted items of local heritage significance were threatened. The authorisation has been provided to all rural councils, some regional councils and some Sydney metropolitan councils. The authorisation extends local council's existing powers to manage their local heritage and allows them to quickly respond if items are threatened. The Local Government Heritage Guidelines, a web-based resource to aid with practical application of the delegations is available via www.heritage.nsw.gov.au. For further enquiries ask for your Local Government Liaison Officer at the Heritage Office.

NEW PUBLICATIONS Twentieth Century Heritage: Marking the Recent Past This new publication asks what we should keep from the recent past. Which buildings and structures should we save as symbols of our changing Australian culture over the last century? Beautifully illustrated with examples of 20th century items, this thought-provoking book was produced as a joint venture by Australia's heritage agencies. Twentienth Century Heritage can be ordered for $14.95 plus $3.00 postage. Go the Publications List to download an order form Migration Heritage Toolkit The Migration Heritage Centre and the Heritage Office have developed some new tools and resources to help people preserve and share their migration heritage. The toolkit is available through the website at www.migrationheritage.nsw.gov.au/toolkit and will help communities to identify gems of migration that may vanish, such as special landscapes, places, stories, memories, activities or objects. Tracking the Dragon; A Guide for Finding and Assessing Chinese Australian Heritage Places Hundreds of thousands of Chinese people have arrived in Australia since the early 19th century and have made it their home. Where did they live, work and worship? Where are the places they cared about? This new guide by the Australian Heritage Commission provides both communities and those working in the heritage field with ways of finding out more about the heritage places of a particular migrant group - Chinese Australians. Contact the Australian Heritage Commission on 1800 020 652 for a copy or go to their website to access its sister internet toolkit: www.ahc.gov.au/chineseheritage Generate A new report by the Migration Heritage Centre and the Institute for Cultural Research looks at youth culture and migration heritage in Western Sydney. It is the first in-depth exploration of identity and popular culture among Middle Eastern and Asian youth. While young people from these communities, the largest migrant communities in NSW, are often negatively portrayed, this research has focused on their social practices of cultural invention, opening up new and creative means of mobilising cultural difference. Find information on Generate at http://www.migrationheritage.nsw.gov.au/projects/5.html