Management plans for Commonwealth heritage places
What is a management plan?
A management plan is a tool intended to help managers to conserve and protect the Commonwealth Heritage values of places included in the Commonwealth Heritage List. It is a written document identifying in detail the values of a heritage place and conservation policies to be followed to ensure that the identified heritage values are protected and conserved. A management plan seeks to achieve good heritage conservation outcomes within the real management situation of the place.
Management plans must be prepared for Commonwealth Heritage places in accordance with the matters prescribed in the Act (s.341S) and Regulations (10.03B, Schedule 7A) and must not be inconsistent with the Commonwealth Heritage management principles.
If a management plan has not yet been prepared for a Commonwealth Heritage place, then the agency must manage the place in line with the Commonwealth Heritage management principles.
A management plan for a heritage place under the Act is comparable to a conservation management plan that heritage practitioners are familiar with preparing. The term 'management plan' is used for consistency with other parts of the Act.
Do I have to prepare a management plan?
Management plans must be completed in a timely manner for all Commonwealth Heritage places. It is recommended that agencies prioritise the preparation of management plans and allow for their preparation in all forward planning processes. Priority may be based on:
- anticipated future development proposals;
- divestment proposals; and
- the absence of a guiding heritage management document for a place.
The agency must review its plan for managing a Commonwealth Heritage place at least every five years. Public comments on the plan must be sought.
Preparing a management plan
Early steps in management plan preparation may need to include review of the current assessment information for the place in addition to a description of any other heritage values, to ensure it includes the most recent version of the statement of significance.
What to include in your management plan
Find out about the requirements that a management plan must address.
Accreditation of management plans
The Act provides for the Minister to accredit a management plan. Certain specified classes of action may be taken if they are approved in accordance with an accredited management plan without requiring approval.
A copy of a management plan must be tabled by the Minister before each House of the Parliament together with a notice that the Minister proposes to accredit the plan. The Minister must not accredit a management plan if either House of Parliament passes a resolution opposing accreditation.
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