Heritage at Risk Endangered Places

What can you do to save valued historical buildings, heritage collections, sites and
natural places

1. Find out if it is heritage listed. If not, nominate it for relevant registers:

• State and Territory National Trust classified lists (except SA)
• Commonwealth Heritage List http://www.environment.gov.au/heritage/commonwealth/index.html
• Register of the National Estate (RNE)
• Heritage Registers-State/Territory government heritage agency/heritage council
• Local Council's heritage list or plan
• Lists kept by Royal Australian Institute of Architects and Institution of Engineers
• State Registers on Internet:; NSW Heritage Office; Heritage Victoria; NSW & VIC National Trusts

2. Determine if the place has heritage significance:

• Check histories, heritage & scientific studies; collect written, visual and oral evidence
• Gather physical evidence: survey, describe, map, photograph
• Prepare a brief history of the place: origins; sequence of changes; context; significance to local/other communities; comparison with other places of similar type
• Assess against standard heritage criteria, for example it has: importance to the course of our cultural/ natural history; rare or endangered aspects; significant technical or aesthetic characteristics; special associations with an important person or group
• Prepare a short statement of heritage significance

3. Identify the threat and alert relevant agencies:

• National Trust in your State or Territory
• If subject to a Development Application, lodge opposition with Local Council
• State/Territory heritage agency or the Australian Heritage Council
• Apply to Local Council and to State heritage agency/council for an order to halt demolition

4. Contact the owner and explain your concern. Owners can get conservation and funding advice from heritage agency/heritage council or the National Trust.

• Government-owned: contact that department and relevant government heritage agency

5. Seek publicity.

• Contact Local Councillors and staff, local historical society and other community groups
• Write to local MP and heritage/environment Minister
• Form a local action group ('Friends') to carry out these activities and maintain public interest, and ask for support from the National Trust
• Notify media; letterbox; arrange public meetings: explain the significance of the place, the advantages of retaining it, the threat and alternative uses
• Compile the information collected and nominate the place to the National Trust in your state or territory (Note some Trusts no longer classify places but will be able to help you)
• Our Heritage at Risk Program: ( http://www.heritageatrisk.org.au/ ) each year a new list of  our heritage at risk draws national attention to heritage places under threat.

6. Follow up agency actions and keep watch.