Heritage Council Report
on the Conservation Management Plan

History
Immigration

Carvings
on site

Residents
in the past

#

page

section

matters to be addressed

1

6-11*

1.3

The legal land title information for the ‘Quarantine Station proper’ (lot/DP numbers, parish and county names) needs to be included in this section.

2

84ff

5.3

This section appears very heavily based on the 1991 Godden Mackay report and has not been prepared by an archaeologist nor substantially revised. It lacks any systematic survey of archaeological sites or identification of zones of sensitivity, which had been present to a limited extent in the previous CMP (see pages 32-36 of the 1992 CMP for example). It would be preferable to have this integrated into the current CMP rather than as a standalone ‘archaeological management strategy’. The archaeological policies, however, while general in nature are sound.

3

95-102

5.5.2

The surviving fabric of the funicular railway needs to be identified, and the uses, dates, etc need to be included in the text.

4

113-118

5.5.5

The surviving fabric of the public telephones needs to be identified, and the uses, dates, etc need to be included in the text.

5

134

5.10

Inclusion of a map of the Berry’s Bay Depot precinct would be useful.

6

189-192

7.6

Attention is drawn to the sections on Australian quarantine stations in O’Keefe & Pearson Federation: a survey of heritage places (1998: 40) and Pearson et al, National Federation Heritage Project (1999: 23-25) for further comparative information.

7

200

7.8.3

Reference needs to be made to significant contents/movable items on the site.

8

205-207

7.8.4

A level of significance needs to be stated in the Statement of Significance: in s8.2.1 North Head is assessed, as being of National level significance – this section should support s8.2.1 with a similar level; reference to the significance of the views to the site should also be included in this section; the second-last paragraph on p207 should refer to racial segregation as well as class distinctions.

9

207

2.8.5

Spaces and spatial functions need to be included in this assessment.

10

209-212

7.8.6

The contribution of each threatened species to the significance of each precinct needs to be included.

11

213-217

8.2

A single, integrated statement of significance is required as well as the tripartite statements; and change terms such as ‘pleasing’ and ‘interesting’ to ‘significant’ or a degree of significance.  The text referring to functions and layouts in paragraph 1, s8.4.4 should be included in the Statement.

12

217-223*

8.3

Statutory obligations under the State Records Act 1998 with regard to the documentary collections held at the site need to be identified; with appropriate policy and implementation approaches developed (possibly as part of such approaches to movable heritage and heritage objects).

13

221

8.3.4

Paragraph 3: amend to read that …can exempt all works undertaken in accordance with this an endorsed conservation management plan…

14

227

8.4.2

‘Colonial/Modern’ – include reference to layout and spatial structure in first paragraph

15

228-230

8.4.3 & 8.4.4

At a casual reading policies 3 and 4 in section 9.5 could seem to be contradictory.  It is recommended that the this section and the policies be reworded to emphasise the distinction between reconstruction for interpretation purposes and new construction for development purposes – the Burra Charter definition of reconstruction is quite specific.  The purpose of a reconstruction needs to be clearly stated, and the possibility of a balance between the two purposes explored: group accommodation and conference/seminar facilities may not necessarily conflict with interpretation – the provision of services, however, may be an issue for such structures, and should also be considered.

16

230

8.4.4

Include new references to materials, bulk and height, as well as scale and form; and to renewconstruction as a means of reducing pressure for high impact changes on existing structures.

17

230-231

8.4.5

A reference must be included to preparing supplementary CDs (especially ‘high priority’ CDs, such as for precincts) before uses for the precincts and elements are determined, so that their significance guides their planning rather than proposed new uses.

18

233

8.5.5

Amend first sentence to read …the significance of the artefacts is are best understood…

19

233

8.5 (new)

Include a new ‘Other Elements…’ sub-section referring to historic roads, paths and other transport routes and surfaces, new roads, paths and car parks, including discussion of what conservation processes are most appropriate for each.

20

233

8.5 (new)

Include a new ‘Other Elements…’ sub-section referring to Threatened Species Recovery Plans, conservation of exotic flora and conservation of significant cultural landscapes and spatial layouts.

21

235

8.6.4

It would be useful to identify some priorities for future research: regarding site history, this should include connections with former Cowpers Wharf Quarantine Depot in Woolloomooloo, QS role in bubonic plague research, 20C associations with the military, 20C use for non-quarantine detentions (refugees, boat people), and local associations/affiliations with the place.

22

238

8.9

Reference needs to be made to managing the archival resources in the Resource Centre in accordance with the State Records Act 1998. – also applies to s9.9, policy 1.

23

238

8.9

Reference must be made to preparation of an annual report by any lessee or, if not leased, then by the site managers, to the DG of NPWS on implementation of the CMP and effectiveness of s57 exemptions in conserving heritage significance of the whole item and its elements, with the annual report to be tabled at the Heritage Council.  This needs to be linked to s9.9, policy 4.

24

242

9.3, policy 7

Reference should be made to the Heritage Council’s Aboriginal Heritage Committee as a body to be consulted.

25

244

9.3, policy 13

The Landscape Management Guidelines should also cover any divergence from species recovery plans to conserve culturally or aesthetically significant exotic plantings and other landscape elements – this needs to be linked to s9.4, policies 5 and 6

26

245

9.4, policy 2

Amend sentence listing supplementary conservation documents from …may include… to …must include at least…; and include in the list ‘Aboriginal Heritage’ and ‘Geoheritage’.  Some hierarchy of priorities needs to be established: precinct CDs should be a ‘high’ or first priority.  Also, include a reference to briefs for the supplementary CDs being prepared in co-operation with the Heritage Office.

27

245*

9.4, policy 2

The listing of supplementary conservation plans should also include ‘quarantine cemeteries’ or, if these are to be included within the archaeological management plans, then this should be specifically stated.

28

245

9.4, policy 2

The listing of supplementary conservation documents refers to ‘archaeological management plans’ – it needs to be specifically stated in this and all subsequent references to such plans that they are to include the Marine Precinct and potential maritime archaeological resources in that precinct.

29

247*

9.4, policy 8

A site plan needs to be included that shows …those sites where former buildings were located, as well as any other sites where new buildings and works are permissible.   Also, reference needs to be made to bulk, materials and height as well as scale and form (see also comments on ss. 8.4.3 and 8.4.4)

30

248

9.4, policy 9

The proposed guidelines for heritage objects should also include:

assessment in the context of rooms/spaces and other objects/arrangements; in context of historic themes identified for the site; re-use and interpretation of objects; management strategies during site conservation works; consultation as part of preparation of planning documents for objects; acquisition and disposal policies; cooperative use/care of objects owned by other organisations/individuals; and concordance with Burra Charter.

31

250

9.5, policies 3 & 4

Each policy must include a clear definition of ‘optimum adaptive reuse’/’optimum compatible adaptive reuse’ to enable a proper evaluation of what constitutes each.

32

252

9.6, policy 1

Reference needs to be made to balancing the need to provide security for movable objects and historic inscriptions with the opportunity to provide public access.

33

251

9.6, policy 2

A further dot-point could be included referring to connections between the site and the Berry’s Bay and Cowper’s Wharf depots within the context of the site’s historical themes.

34

252

9.6, policy 2

Reference needs to be made to use/reuse of rooms/spaces and movable objects as part of interpretation programs.

35

253

9.6, policy 5

Reference should also be made in this section to maritime archaeology potential.

36

255

9.9, policy 4

Reference to implementation of the annual reporting requirement needs to be included here (see comment on s8.9).

37

259

10.3, ‘recovery plans’

Include within this strategy or as a separate (new) strategy the establishment of baseline data for biodiversity (flora & fauna) and geodiversity to enable future impacts to be assessed – to be included in One Year Program.

38

257-260

New

Include a reference to the development of a strategy to assess visitor carrying capacity, with reference to the CRC for Sustainable Tourism – to be included in One Year Program.

39

258

10.3 ‘movable strategy’

Reference needs to be made to basing conservation of movable objects on Burra Charter principles, and include the impacts of removal and storage of objects on the significant spaces/rooms and relationships.

40

258

10.3 ‘interpretation plan’

Reference needs to be made to NPWS Interpretive Policy Guidelines, and to including Aboriginal, natural and cultural values and significance; as well as reference to educational approaches.

41

260-264

10.4

Include reference to a strategy to identify and assess the significance of the site to relevant ethnic communities.

42

New*

New

A policy regarding public accessibility of the endorsed CMP is needed (e.g. copies will be lodged in State Library, Manly Library, NPWS Library, QS Resource Centre)