Heritage Review Alert!

The Secret Review: Background

Last July Planning Minister Frank Sartor announced a review of the NSW Heritage Act. Submissions were invited but to date they have not been released, and no interim discussion document was published. The review panel's report was due to be handed to the Minister at the end of December 2007. After public outcry the review was finally released on 19 March and can now be viewed on the Heritage Branch's website. Click here

Sydney Morning Herald writer Elizabeth Farrelly's article on 26 March gives more information on the background and the changes to the Heritage Office. Click here

The Secret Review: What Next?

One of the recommendations of the Review is to remove the RAHS and other representatives from the Heritage Council, and to fill it with people appointed by the Minister.

Already the number of staff in the Heritage Branch has been reduced to half, and there are real fears that the outcome of the review will mean a weakening in heritage protection.

What You Can Do

You can write letters to your local paper or telephone your radio station. Tell them what heritage means to you and your community. Heritage is one of the things that makes local communities special. Your streets, museums and heritage places are important to tourism and the local economy. You can also write to your local member of Parliament urging the retention on the Heritage Council of community representatives nominated by the RAHS, National Trust, Unions NSW and Planning Australia.