Mitchell residents invited to comment on draft Australian Heritage Strategy

Federal Member for Mitchell, Alex Hawke MP, encourages the residents of Mitchell to have a say in the future of our nation’s heritage.

The Australian Government had released a draft Australian Heritage Strategy for public comment until 9 June 2014.“It’s an opportunity for all Australians to discuss what heritage icons should be protected, and how best to manage and maintain these places, Alex Hawke said. 

 “The aim of the Strategy is to provide outcomes, priorities and actions that effectively recognise, manage and celebrate Australia’s unique heritage.

“Every day, residents across Mitchell devote their time and energy to preserving our heritage. The draft Australian Heritage Strategy contains a range of commitments and proposed actions that recognise this work and aim to support and strengthen community engagement with our heritage, said Alex Hawke. 

The draft Strategy is built around a central vision of our natural and cultural heritage being valued by all Australians, protected for future generations and cared for by the community.

Essential to achieving this vision are three key elements:

National Leadership

·         Improve support for Australia's iconic world heritage sites

·         Capture a representative National Heritage List

·         Pursue greater recognition and protection of our natural and cultural heritage

·         Contribute to international standard setting and guidance

Innovative Partnerships

·         Greater heritage policy and process alignment across all levels of government

·         Build capacity through workforce support, education and training

·         Alternative funding, resource sharing and creative partnerships

·         Foster collaboration between heritage and tourism sectors

Community Engagement

·         Creating incentives to care for our heritage

·         Greater knowledge and engagement with our heritage

·         Appropriate timing for the national celebration of Australia's heritage

·         Management of heritage places

·         Models for greater recognition of heritage champions

“The protection of Australia’s heritage is central to the Australian Government’s Plan for a Cleaner Environment and is a fundamental pillar of our vision for Australia—a society that protects and improves its environment for future generations”, concluded Alex Hawke. 

The draft Australian Heritage Strategy is available for comment on the department’s website at:  http://www.environment.gov.au/australian-heritage-strategy