By
Ruth Duffy
Volume 48, No. 6, April 20, 2006
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Natural
and indigenous heritage sites are set to be recognised with
the new Defence Heritage Strategy.
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Photo by AB Helen Frank
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THE
launch of a new Defence Heritage Strategy is a significant step
towards recognising all heritage sites within the Defence Estate,
including those with indigenous and natural heritage values.
The Defence Heritage Strategy was officially launched on March
27 at Duntroon House in Canberra, and looks at understanding the
range of heritage values that exist in the Defence Estate.
In the past, the more obvious heritage places, such as buildings,
have been acknowledged but the new Strategy includes a focus to
ensure natural and indigenous heritage sites are also recognised
by the ADF.
Defence plans to improve the management of both the natural and
indigenous heritage-listed sites, not just the built heritage
sites, in accordance with the new heritage legislation.
A considerable amount of Australian land and property is used
and Defence is responsible for numerous heritage-listed places.
These places are not only significant for their connection to
Defence but also for their cultural, historical, indigenous, natural
and social heritage values.
More than 200 Defence sites are listed on the Register of the
National Estate and 125 properties recorded on the Commonwealth
Heritage List. In addition, Defence training areas and properties
are in, or adjacent to, world heritage-listed sites.
The vision for Defence Heritage Management, as identified in the
Defence Heritage Strategy, is to “be a leader in the management
of its properties with heritage values. Defence will seek to provide
a sound balance between Defence capability and the conservation
of heritage values”.
The Defence Heritage Strategy aims to assess all Defence properties
for possible heritage values by 2015. This will ensure all heritage
sites are identified and managed appropriately on behalf of the
Australian people.
The introduction of the Defence Heritage Strategy enables Defence
to be a leader in the management of these heritage-listed properties.
Defence recognises the importance of openly managing and caring
for the sites.
With the support and trust of the broader Australian community,
the ADF will be able to ensure that the sites will remain a legacy
for future Australians.
The Defence Heritage Strategy also outlines an initiative to improve
access to certain ADF sites with heritage values. A program of
events is being scheduled, including more open days, and improved
regular public access to certain sites.
