Protecting cultural heritage
Protecting our cultural heritage places is as important as looking after the natural environment. Once they're gone, they can never return.Queensland's cultural heritage is protected by the Queensland Heritage Act 1992, administered by the Environmental Protection Agency, to protect historical heritage places throughout the state. The Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003 and the Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage Act 2003 are administered by the Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy.
Other organisations protecting our heritage are the Australian Heritage Council, local governments, the National Trust of Queensland, International Council on Monuments and Sites and local Indigenous Communities and Organisations.
Queensland Government
The Environmental Protection Agency conserves and protects Queensland's cultural heritage through the Queensland Heritage Act 1992 .
The Queensland Heritage Act establishes the Queensland Heritage Council which:
- advises the Minister for Environment and Heritage on the conservation of Queensland's cultural heritage
- encourages public interest and understanding of heritage issues
- regulates the management of places of Queensland cultural heritage
- maintains the Queensland Heritage Register.
Australian Heritage Council
Established by the Commonwealth Government in February 2004, the Australian Heritage Council is the principle adviser to the Australian government on heritage matters. The Commission's responsibilities include:
- assessing nominations in relation to the listing of places on the National Heritage List and the Commonwealth Heritage List
- promoting the identification, assessment and conservation of heritage
- compiling and maintaining the Register of the National Estate
Local governments throughout the state use planning schemes and development control plans to protect cultural heritage places. Some local councils have created Registers that list places of cultural heritage significance in their area.
Some councils also hold public meetings to identify and discuss heritage areas with residents.
The Guidelines for Cultural Heritage Management published by the Environmental Protection Agency are available to assist local governments and others responsible for planning for the management of cultural heritage resources.
National Trust of Queensland
The National Trust of Queensland is a non-government organisation that aims to identify conserve, and promote the state's heritage. The Trust's main activities include
- conserving and displaying places of cultural heritage significance
- providing community education programs to encourage community awareness of cultural heritage
- updating the Trust List which records significant heritage places
Formed in 1965, ICOMOS is a non-government organisation concerned with conservation philosophy and techniques. Members participate in conservation activities. Australia ICOMOS drafted the Burra Charter, which is an important document on conservation techniques. It's been widely accepted as the standard for heritage conservation practices in Australia.
Indigenous communities and organisations
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people work with the Environmental Protection Agency's Cultural Heritage Unit to manage and protect Indigenous places on National Parks and Forests. Throughout Queensland, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are helping protect heritage places through projects such as building visitor boardwalks, removing graffiti, and interpreting places. These projects protect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander places and help the wider community recognise the cultural value of Australia's first peoples and their heritage.
Last updated: 25 May 2006
