Supplied by Penny Sharpe, Shadow Minister for Environment and Heritage
This is just a short note to thank those of you who were able to attend the forum this week celebrating World Heritage Day and the 40th anniversary of the NSW Heritage Act.
Opposition Leader Luke Foley outlined Labor’s Five Point Plan for Heritage Protection, which includes:
1. Develop and deliver the first-ever NSW State Heritage Strategy.
2. Remove the ability of the State Government itself to use the economic hardship provision of the Heritage Act to refuse a building heritage protection.
3. Stop a Heritage Minister ignoring out of hand a recommendation from the Heritage Council to protect a particular place, by introducing a public hearing to allow the advocates for preservation another opportunity to make their case.
4. Restore the Office of Heritage within the Department of Premier and Cabinet so that heritage issues are at the centre of government decision-making.
5. Relocate the Office of the Premier and the Cabinet room to one of Sydney’s pre-eminent public buildings, the Chief Secretary’s building on the corner of Bridge and Macquarie streets.
More detail of this plan can be found in his full speech here.
I also want to thank the other speakers at the forum. They have made available a copy of their speeches:
Meredith Burgmann spoke about the role of the green bans and community action to save buildings, bush and parks across Sydney.
Reece McDougall shared his views about the role of the Heritage Office and the challenges for the future.
Shaun Carter spoke about why the Sirius building court decision will set an important precedent for future heritage protection. Shaun also outlined just how little of our heritage is protected.
Paul Connell outlined how important keeping stonemason and heritage trade skills in the public sector will be into the future.
It was inspiring to see how much interest there was in the forum. I look forward to working with you in the lead-up to 2019 to put more meat on the bones of Labor’s Heritage Policy.