Page 3911 - Week 12 - Tuesday, 29 November 2022
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I have released a copy of the key findings from the review that drew on the contributions of all members of the current council and several employees of the ACT Heritage team within the directorate. The review identifies a wide range of themes that are preventing the effective operation of the council and have led to a deterioration of the relationship between council members and ACT Heritage.
I am now consulting with the Assembly’s Standing Committee on Environment, Climate Change and Biodiversity about my potential decision in response to the review. This decision may include ending the appointment of council members. I will provide further advice on my final decision in due course once I have consulted with the committee.
What is clear is that to better position the council and ACT Heritage to meet the future challenges of managing heritage within a growing city, our approach to heritage needs reform. I will therefore be undertaking a comprehensive review of the ACT’s heritage arrangements. This review will examine the legislation and how the ACT’s approach to the conservation and management of heritage compares to best practice in other states and territories. It will examine the functions of the council and their role as either a decision-maker or advisory body. The outcomes of the review will help to guide and inform a potential reform agenda. I intend to provide further information to the Assembly and the public about what we have learnt from this review and the government’s future plans in response.
As Minister for Heritage, strengthening the ACT’s heritage arrangements and restoring trust and confidence in the Heritage Council and the Heritage Unit will be a priority for me in the coming 12 months. The comprehensive review and current work funded by the government to upgrade the ACT Heritage database will help build better, stronger and more effective heritage arrangements that best suit government and community needs within a growing city.
In closing, I would like to thank all members of the council and the ACT government officials who were involved in the initial review for their time and their transparency around the issues presented. I will continue to make information about the next steps for the council and the scope and parameters of the review that I am announcing today available on the ACT environment website.
I present the following paper:
ACT Heritage Council Review—Outcome—Ministerial statement, 29 November 2022.
I move:
That the Assembly take note of the paper.
MS LAWDER (Brindabella) (10.30): Pursuant to standing order 213, I move:
That the full report of the ACT Heritage Council Review, including recommendations, as referred to by the minister, be presented to the Assembly.
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