Heritage Summit Report

The President, Dr Sue Graham-Taylor represented the History Council of Western Australia at the WA History Summit held at Fremantle Prison on 29/30 May 2008.  The Summit had been coordinated by the National Trust of Australia (WA) and the Heritage Council of Werstern Australia at the request of the Minister for Heritage, the Hon Michelle Roberts.

The History Council appreciated the opportunity to be involved and believed that the Summit was a most worthwhile exercise and also that its recommendations will soon be acted upon. Of the recommendations of the Summit, the History Council identified the following as being the most important:

• new legislation that takes a holistic approach to heritage, including indigenous, built, archaeological, and environmental heritage;
• increased incentives for property owners to conserve heritage properties;
• increased financial penalties for property owners who damage heritage properties;
• increased public education to improve the public's understanding about the value of heritage, both material and spiritual, to the community; and,
• increased teaching of heritage in architectural schools in WA universities.

The Advocacy position of the History Council is: