|
QS Conservation Plan 2000 - Part 10 |
|
QS Conservation Plan 2000 - Part 10 |
| Aboriginal Heritage |
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10.0
SHNP North Head Quarantine Station
Implementing
the Policies
The
NPWS Brief requirements for the NHQS Statement of Implementation Strategy and
'Actions' reads as follows:
'…
The conservation policies will need to be translated into general as well as
site specific actions organised in order of priority within given time frames
which can be incorporated into other District operational planning documents and
guide more detailed conservation plans. General strategies and actions should be
set out in 1, 3 and 5 to 10 year time frames with a section outlining ongoing
cyclical maintenance works. This [implementation]
strategy should also outline the various conservation actions and nominate who
will be responsible for their implementation'
Refer
Policy
Strategies
The
following program for phased strategy implementation responds to the NPWS Brief;
and is set out in alignment with the policy strategies at Section 9.0 above.
Refer
Section
2.0
Executive
Summary
The
overall objectives for the implementation of the Conservation Management Plan
are as follows:
•
That the Quarantine Station should be conserved and managed by NPWS in
accordance with its outstanding significance as a place that retains and evokes
powerful cultural meanings for a large number of indigenous, resident and
newly-arrived Australians.
•
That the natural features, cultural features and ambience of NHQS should
remain accessible to the local, state, national and international community.
•
That the NPWS, as manager, should be primarily focussed on the
conservation and public presentation of the place, and ensure that the requisite
skills for this task are available.
•
That the NPWS should ensure that the values expressed in the statement of
cultural significance will be retained and that the natural resources, historic
fabric, artefacts, sites and meanings of the place, which are essential to the
interpretation of its outstanding significance, will be conserved.
•
That the management of the Quarantine Station by NPWS should maintain an
appropriate level of community representation and public access, compatible with
the objectives of protecting and interpreting its many layers of significance
and efficiency in accordance with prevailing State Government policy
requirements.
•
That the Aboriginal, Colonial / Modern and Natural heritage values of the
Quarantine Station, which are integrally related to the values of North Head as
a whole, should be seen in that context. Conservation and management planning
for the Quarantine Station should be undertaken in conjunction with planning for
North Head as a whole.
•
That all periods of quarantine use should be respected, and that the
conservation approach for fabric of any given period should not diminish the
significance or ability to interpret the fabric of other periods and the
evolution of the place over time. On balance, the station should reflect its
form and appearance as it was in its final form in 1984; and
•
That more detailed supplementary conservation documents [such as discrete
conservation plans] for each functional area of the station, and for major
buildings and building groups should be developed and that such supplementary
conservation documentation should be consistent with the significance assessment
and policy directions within this conservation management plan
Adopt
this Conservation Management Plan as the policy basis for the conservation and
management of the North Head Quarantine Station.
Refer
Policy
for Condition
of
the Fabric
Undertake
urgent building stabilisation and maintenance works.
The
buildings and sites comprising the Quarantine Station range from good to poor
condition. There is a maintenance backlog on many buildings which has led to
deteriorating condition, and many sites [especially the inscriptions] are in
varying degrees of deterioration through weathering. The condition of the place
does not severely diminish its significance or limit its capacity to be used to
interpret its stories. It does, however, emphasise the need for a number of
policies and implementation strategies to improve regular maintenance and
monitoring of condition and threats to elements of the place.
Substantial
conservation works, often with 'one off' grant funding, have been completed, for
example, to the Asiatics block; the First Class ablutions; and the First Class
accommodation buildings.
There
is a need to undertake an urgent [one year] program to severely deteriorated
building and site element fabric. The NPWS holds scopes of works, for most of
the Quarantine Station buildings, pending available funding.
Refer
Strategy
for
Moveable
Heritage
Provide
protection for artefacts, sites, etc, under threat from severe environmental
factors.
The
artefact collections housed at the Quarantine Station are housed in a number of
locations, with many being housed in buildings A20, A2 and H15. With the
exception of one building [H15], these repositories are inadequate for artefact
storage, and the condition of the artefact collections are deteriorating
significantly. The management and housing of the station’s artefact
collections needs to be addressed as an immediate one year program.
Refer
Strategy
for
Heritage
Objects
Retain
all artefacts and heritage objects in their current location, and prepare a Heritage
Objects and Moveable Heritage Plan.
The
heritage objects planning document should include guidelines on: the
assessment of significance of objects in the context of the significance of the
place; the display and retention of objects on-site; the interpretation of
objects in the context of interpreting the place's significance; the storage of
objects; the acquisition and disposal policy; and the cooperative use and care
of significant objects owned by other organisations or individuals.
Refer
Strategy
for
Fire
Management
Carefully
reduce the level of fire hazard.
Develop
and implement a fire control and hazard reduction plan.
Refer
Strategy
for
Security
Arrangements
Maintain
security over the site.
Maintain
and upgrade existing security arrangements and/or instigate additional security
arrangements, appropriate to the uses of the place, that enable 24 hour
security.
Refer
Policy
for
Interpretation
Plan
Undertake
the preparation of an Interpretation Plan, for implementation within a 2
to 3 year time frame, for the site as a whole.
The
Interpretation Plan would be based on the information contained within this
Conservation Management Plan; in the considerable amount of primary and
secondary source material relating to NHQS [previous studies, historical
information, etc]; and on previous interpretation plans produced for NPWS, e.g.
1997 Building Presentation Plan for NHQS.[1]
Refer
Strategy
for Documentation
Undertake
continued historical and documentary research; and the curatorial overhaul of
the NHQS Research Centre.
Files
should be maintained at the Quarantine Station for each building and site,
arranged within each area of the station for easy reference. New information,
such as documentary, oral or physical information, and records of works carried
out should be attached to the file as copies of documents, notes for file, or
references to the location of related documents, objects, photos etc. The
existing Research Centre at NHQS should be properly managed and curated. These
tasks need urgent implementation as the valuable resources of the Research
Centre are being compromised because of lack of adequate staff resources.
Refer
Strategy
for
Recovery
Plans
Provide
security for threatened species of flora and fauna.
Complete
and implement the Recovery Plan for the endangered Little Penguin population at
Manly; complete and implement the Recovery Plan for the Long-nosed Bandicoot,
North Head; prepare and implement the Recovery Plan for the Camfields
Stringybark species; the Red-crowned Toadlet; the Powerful Owl; and for Acacia
terminalis ssp terminalis. This work should be pursued immediately.
Refer
Strategy
for Aboriginal Consultation and Interpretation
Continue
liaison with the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Council and other Aboriginal
organisations. This liaison should encompass Aboriginal interpretative programs
and use the Aboriginal sites database.
The
NPWS Aboriginal consultation : Policy and Procedures [1989 and currently
being revised] are to be followed by the NPWS
[and any agent or contractors lessees] in relation to the Quarantine
Station site. A 'Framework of Consultation' has been prepared as part of this
consultancy and should be pursued by the Service.
The
‘database’ of NHQS Aboriginal sites prepared as a basis for ‘internal’
use by the NPWS and the MLALC should be actively pursued and expanded. The MLALC
should be encouraged to develop programs to provide an Aboriginal view of
Aboriginal history in Australia. This program could be centred at NHQS or at
Middle Head.
Refer
Strategies
for North Head and the former School of Artillery
Continue
liaison with Manly Council, Statutory Authorities and interested parties.
There
are a number of tasks involved in the implementation of this strategy. Each will
be considered in turn.
•
NPWS to provide active encouragement and input to the North Head
Liaison Committee in order to provide a workable forum for solving
'conflicts of interest' between 'corporate' managers of significant sites at
North Head. The NPWS should promote the committee's consideration of the
heritage significance of lands and structures at North Head and provide a forum
for solving land degradation problems within the North Head precinct.
•
NPWS to undertake discussions with the Interim Sydney Harbour Federation
Trust to explore conservation and development 'outcomes' for the NHQS and School
of Artillery sites in view of the Trust's acquisition of the former Defence
property at the end of the year 2000.
•
The Manly Council have provided substantial information towards this
Conservation Management Plan, in the form of consultant information gathered for
the nomination of North Head to the Register of the National Estate. The
dialogue between the Service and Council, which ahs continued for some years,
should be pursued through the North Head Liaison Committee.
•
The NPWS is required to liaise with several statutory authorities over
this Conservation Management Plan and ongoing conservation and management of
NHQS. The immediate task is to seek endorsement from the Heritage Council of NSW
[February 2000] to this Plan.
Refer
Strategy
for
Community
Consultation
•
NPWS to undertake liaison with the North Head Liaison Committee to
encourage community consultation and management and interpretation of the North
Head Quarantine Station. An Aboriginal employment program, including the
Quarantine Station and other areas of Sydney Harbour National Park, would
directly involve the Aboriginal community in the management of the place, and
provide a mechanism for increased liaison between the Service and the Aboriginal
community.
10.4
Implementation :
Intermediate
[Two to Three Year Program]
Refer
Strategy
for
NPWS
Management
NPWS
to determine appropriate conservation and management arrangements for NHQS
As
a result of this Conservation Management Plan process, and, if appropriate,
subsequent Environmental Impact Assessment processes, NPWS is to determine an
appropriate management option for NHQS. A number of management options have been
suggested within this Conservation Management Plan. The Quarantine Station
site's conservation and management has been, to a degree, 'in limbo'
whilst the current leasing proposals have been negotiated. It is important that
the site 'moves forward' with whichever management option is deemed most
appropriate.
Refer
Strategy
for Compatible Adaptive Re-use
Introduction
of compatible adaptive re-uses
Any
one of the Leasing options outlined in this Conservation Management Plan
may provide an appropriate mechanism to allow compatible adaptive reuses to be
implemented. The primary responsibility for management and conservation should
rest with [currently the NPWS] which is charged with the conservation and public
presentation of the place and the day-to-day oversight of management, including
of the auditing of any head or sub lessees activities
The
following compatible adaptive reuses are deemed appropriate:
•
Accommodation, as a
compatible use of the former accommodation blocks and staff cottages/quarters.
The significance of the Quarantine Station buildings includes a modest
institutional style of accommodation, and the general use of communal ablutions
and dining areas. The most recent configuration of accommodation should
determine the nature of acceptable uses and the nature of associated adaptation.
•
Interpretation, as a
compatible use of many of the buildings and sites, generally requires little or
no adaptation. Interpretation should be guided by a conscious desire to present
a range of buildings and sites that can contribute most effectively to
illustrating the quarantine story. In accordance with an interpretation plan.
•
Conference / functions
centre, as a compatible use of larger rooms, and which may operate with
associated accommodation. Such uses may limit or deny public access to important
spaces for interpretation purposes, but the importance of key spaces must be
presented.
•
Other uses that are
determined to be compatible in particular circumstances. Such uses might be
identified during the preparation of supplementary conservation documents.
Restaurant or other food outlets might, for example, be compatible uses
including former kitchen or dining spaces. Associated requirements such as
vehicle access and outside activities areas should be considered when
determining compatibility of a potential use.
Refer
Strategy
for
Conservation
Philosophy
The
restoration or reconstruction of buildings/site elements
The
Conservation Management Plan sets out comprehensive requirements and guidelines
for the restoration and/or reconstruction of buildings and site elements.
Restoration
or reconstruction of components of the place, including new paint schemes and
internal reconstruction, to a well documented earlier form may be acceptable for
clearly stated interpretative purposes, but the overall impression of the
Station should be one reflecting its final form in 1984. The changes made to the
place since 1984 are considered to be of little or no significance, and the
removal of any constructions or works created since that date should be
considered, if appropriate.
Refer
Strategy
for Supplementary Conservation Documents
The
preparation of supplementary conservation documents.
The
preparation of supplementary conservation documents will be required if
restoration or reconstruction proposals proceed. These supplementary
conservation documents may include site, building or area-specific conservation
plans, conservation implementation strategies specific to the building or area,
or conservation guidelines to assist in appropriate practices consistent with
established policies and implementation strategies.
Refer
Strategy
for Infrastructure
Control
Plans
The
preparation of infrastructure control plans.
The
active restoration or reconstruction of buildings and/or site elements will
necessitate the rationalisation or major upgrade of existing services throughout
the station and this work should be guided by the infrastructure control plan.
Ad hoc changes to services or the installation of new services should be subject
to the infrastructure control plan, and that plan as a whole should be reviewed
if the proposed works are not covered within its existing scope.
Refer
Strategy
for Interpretation
Implementation
of the Interpretation Plan.
Once
an appropriate management arrangement has been determined, the Interpretation
Plan [refer One Year implementation] can proceed. It is recommended that the
Plan be implemented gradually so that its performance and appropriateness can be
tested empirically.
Refer
Strategy
for Visitor and
Use
Capacity
Visitor
and use capacity arrangements.
Once
an appropriate management arrangement has been determined, visitor and use
assessments should be undertaken. A review of site usage, visitor numbers and
maintenance expenditure since 1984 should be undertaken prior to the full
consideration or adoption of any activities or increased number of visitors to
the site, in order to establish a background context for the site. The condition
of the fabric in each area of the Station should be systematically
monitored, as part of the maintenance program, and action taken to remediate
damage and to reduce impacts found to be unacceptably high.
Refer
Strategy
for
Inscriptions
Monitoring
and restoration of the inscriptions.
The
inscriptions should be preserved and documented. Reconstruction, by
re-inscription of original inscriptions or re-painting of surfaces, is generally
not considered to be an appropriate conservation approach, though in specific
cases it might be determined to be appropriate.[2]
Returning
moveable heritage to NHQS
Once
an appropriate management arrangement has been determined, the NPWS should
actively seek the return of heritage objects and moveable heritage to the NHQS
site.
Refer
Strategy
for
Public
Access
Provision
of public access
Public
access
should be planned and modified within this period. Access should be related to
changing uses and the state of development of the interpretations programs,
parking and traffic management programs, and water access program;
Disabled
access should be addressed
within this period. Some buildings can provide disabled access in their
historical form, others will need adaptation for some forms of disabled access,
while some would be difficult to make disabled accessible without unacceptable
impact on significance;
Virtual
access to the Quarantine
Station, by way of published material and an internet site should be pursued by
the NPWS [cf Parks Canada 'virtual access' for Grosse Ile] and would provide
innovative and alternative means of presenting the place to permit those who are
not planning to visit the site to appreciate its significance; and
Visitor
facilities, such as toilets
and refreshment / rest facilities should be provided within this period to
existing buildings, consistent with the conservation of the values of these
buildings.
Refer
Strategy
for Archaeological Relics
Preparation
of an Archaeological Management Plan
An
Archaeological Management Plan should be prepared for the Quarantine
Station within this period. This Plan will be prepared in accordance with the
guidelines from the NSW Heritage Council as a high priority. The Plan will
identify the location of known and predicted archaeological evidence and its
significance and identify appropriate strategies for the management of
archaeological evidence including assessment of proposed work activities,
monitoring short and long term impacts on sites, interpretation of
archaeological evidence in situ, and sampling management of artefact
collections and archaeological data.
Refer
Strategy
for Natural Bushland Areas
Liaison
with North Head Liaison Committee to ensure protection of North Head bushland
The
NPWS should work with the North Head Liaison Committee to ensure compatible
natural bushland management across North Head, and to ensure appropriate
conditions for species and habitat conservation, and a unified approach to
natural landscape management.
Refer
Strategy
for the
Aquatic
Reserve
The
monitoring and management of the aquatic reserve
The
NPWS should work closely with the NSW Fisheries and the north Head Liaison
Committee to monitor commercial fishing activities in the Reserve and to ensure
the protection of the Aquatic Reserve. NPWS should discourage all activities in
the immediate vicinity of the Quarantine Station that could have a negative
impact on the Aquatic Reserve.
Refer
Strategy
for
Archaeological
Management Plan
Preparation
of an Archaeological Management Plan
An
Archaeological Management Plan should be prepared for the Quarantine
Station within this period. This Plan will be prepared in accordance with the
guidelines from the NSW Heritage Council as a high priority. The Plan will
identify the location of known and predicted archaeological evidence and its
significance and identify appropriate strategies for the management of
archaeological evidence including assessment of proposed work activities,
monitoring short and long term impacts on sites, interpretation of
archaeological evidence in situ, and sampling management of artefact
collections and archaeological data.
Refer
Strategy
for natural Bushland Areas
Liaison
with North Head Liaison Committee to ensure protection of North Head bushland
The
NPWS should work with the North Head Liaison Committee to ensure compatible
natural bushland management across North Head, and to ensure appropriate
conditions for species and habitat conservation, and a unified approach to
natural landscape management.
Refer
Strategy
for the
Aquatic
Reserve
The
monitoring and management of the aquatic reserve
The
NPWS should work closely with the NSW Fisheries and the north Head Liaison
Committee to monitor commercial fishing activities in the Reserve and to ensure
the protection of the Aquatic Reserve. NPWS should discourage all activities in
the immediate vicinity of the Quarantine Station that could have a negative
impact on the Aquatic Reserve.
Refer
Strategy
for
Flora
and Fauna
Preparation
and implementation of [Native and Exotic] Flora and Fauna Guidelines and
Programs
The
NPWS will prepare guidelines and programs for the protection of native flora and
fauna [in addition to specific Recovery Plans]; and for the design and
management of works, including landscape management, to ensure that exotic or
new native species are not introduced to the place.
Review
of this Conservation Management Plan
NPWS should undertake the review [after five years] of this Conservation Management Plan, and subsequent approval by the NPWS Director General, and endorsement by the NSW Heritage Council.
Refer
Strategy
for
Scientific
Research
Scientific
research
NPWS
should undertake a program of scientific research [in conjunction with other
bodies, e.g. universities, statutory authorities] into the geodiversity and
biodiversity of North Head and the North Head Quarantine Station. This research
should be carried with appropriate safeguards concerning destructive sampling
and reporting of results.
Refer
Strategy
for
Conservation
Programs
Completion
of the majority of the conservation programs, and the implementation of
maintenance cycles
Within this period undertake the majority of the conservation programs for natural and built fabric heritage [including site element restoration and reconstruction].
[1] NPWS, Building Presentation Plan, Maisy Stapleton Projects, 1997
[2] Note that the NPWS has completed substantial documentation of the inscriptions since 1984 [Thorp et al, 1984, etc]. Note also that a trial documentation of inscriptions has recently been carried out at Old Mans Hat and the Wharf area which could serve as a documentation model [NPWS, Lambert Report, 1996].
| Aboriginal Heritage |
History |
Buildings in 1999 |
Carvings |
Residents |
Natural Environment |
Conservation Plan |
This
page was created 23rd January, 2000, by Judith Bennett,
Friends of Quarantine Station,
|
Manly Quarantine Station