Management plans for national heritage places
What is a management plan?
A management plan is a tool intended to help managers to conserve and protect the heritage values of heritage places. It is in an owner's interests to prepare a management plan to guide daily management issues, assist in decision-making and to support local, State and Commonwealth approvals processes.
The aim of a management plan is to:
- identify, protect, conserve, present and transmit the heritage values of a place to all generations
- ensure that the use of the place is consistent with its heritage values
- provide a process for ongoing monitoring, reviewing and reporting of the heritage values.
The management plan will achieve these aims by:
- using professional, experienced, expert resources and best practice models
- arranging for community and interested party consultation in the identification and management process
- involving relevant Indigenous people in the identification, assessment and management of places with Indigenous value, where this is relevant.
Do I have to prepare a management plan?
A management plan must be prepared for every Commonwealth-owned National Heritage place (EPBC Act, s324S).
For places not wholly in Commonwealth ownership, the Australian Government must endeavour to ensure that a plan is prepared and implemented, in co-operation with the State or Territory jurisdiction where the place is located.
What if I already have a management plan?
If a management plan is already in place then that plan should be assessed to determine if it recognises and protects National Heritage values. If it does, then it should include a suggested time for review. If it does not, then it should be reviewed at the first available opportunity. In the interim, the National Heritage management principles should be used to guide decisions affecting the place.
How to write a management plan for a National Heritage place
A methodology, tips and resources to guide you through the process of writing a management plan.
Preparing a management plan for a National Heritage place
What to include in your National Heritage place management plan?
Find out about what information you need to include in your management plan.
What to include in your National Heritage place management plan
Accreditation of management plans
A management plan may be accredited by the Australian Government Minister for the Environment and Water Resources (the Minister).
The management plan and the law of the State or Territory in which the place is located, must meet the criteria prescribed by the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2000.
In accrediting a management plan and entering into an approvals bilateral agreement, the Minister delegates his approval powers under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) to the relevant State/Territory Minister. This means any action proposed to be taken in accordance with an accredited management plan will not need to be referred to the Minister for a decision.
Before the management plan can be accredited, the Minister must cause it to be laid before each House of the Australian Parliament for a disallowance period of 15 sitting days. Following accreditation of the plan, the approvals bilateral agreement may be signed.
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