Mr SETTER - 1995-10-12
The Territory government is investigating the possible heritage nomination of a range of significant properties in the Darwin CBD. When is the government likely to make an announcement about these nominations?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, the interest of the member for Jingili in heritage matters is supported by many people in the community. The government approved the preparation of a heritage masterplan for the Darwin CBD in 1994. The masterplan was approved to assess the worthiness of 123 sites in central Darwin that were nominated for protection and declaration under the Heritage Conservation Act. Members would appreciate that this is a most important process and one that gives us the ability to protect Darwin's heritage for the benefit of the current generation and to allow future generations to appreciate what happened before them.
In order to obtain an independent assessment of the nominations, a consultant was appointed. In turn, that consultant conducted a preliminary assessment of the historical sites in Darwin that the consultant believed should be included for consideration. The consultant has consulted with landholders whose interest in these properties might be affected. A few of them have not been consulted because it was not possible to contact them. The purpose of consulting with these people was to identify any concerns that they might have in relation to any possible listing of their properties.
A draft report has been produced and examined by the Heritage Advisory Council and, of the 123 sites that were first considered, some 42 places meet the assessment criteria of the Heritage Conservation Act. That process is being pursued. The buildings that meet the criteria include Brown's Mart, the former Naval Headquarters on the Esplanade, the Victoria Hotel, and 22 residential properties ...
Mr Bailey: And the Wesleyan Church which government members all pooh-poohed when it was suggested that it was a significant building.
Mr REED: ... across Darwin.
I pick up the interjection from the member for Wanguri in relation to the Wesleyan Church which has been declared a heritage site. If that offends the member for Wanguri, I am very sorry.
In terms of the process that is being pursued ...
Mr Bailey: Go back and read the comments you have made about ...
Mr REED: The lack of appreciation by members opposite ...
Mr Bailey interjecting.
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Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr REED: Others listening to the broadcast of this reply may be a little more interested than is the member for Wanguri.
Mr Bailey: I want to show how two-faced you are.
Mr REED: The statutory public review period of 28 days will now commence before final decisions are made by the government to declare any property a heritage place. Letters are going out to all of the affected property owners and the general public will be informed of the 42 sites concerned through media advertising over this coming weekend.
All public comment will be considered by the Heritage Advisory Council at its 24th meeting in December this year. In turn, it will provide advice to myself as minister and, in due course, Cabinet will make a decision in relation to declarations that will be pursued. The process is a complex one. It has to take into account the quite legitimate concerns of property owners and the views of the broader community. I dare say that, at the end of the day, some people will have differences of opinion over some buildings that will be declared and perhaps some buildings that will not be declared. They will hold those points of view for their own personal reasons and based on their own assessment of what comprises Darwin's heritage and how it should be protected.
As I say, the process is a long one but, in being long, it is also thorough. It follows the legislation rigorously. I hope that, early next year, the government will be able to announce to the people of Darwin and the Northern Territory which buildings in the Darwin CBD will be declared as heritage places.
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, the interest of the member for Jingili in heritage matters is supported by many people in the community. The government approved the preparation of a heritage masterplan for the Darwin CBD in 1994. The masterplan was approved to assess the worthiness of 123 sites in central Darwin that were nominated for protection and declaration under the Heritage Conservation Act. Members would appreciate that this is a most important process and one that gives us the ability to protect Darwin's heritage for the benefit of the current generation and to allow future generations to appreciate what happened before them.
In order to obtain an independent assessment of the nominations, a consultant was appointed. In turn, that consultant conducted a preliminary assessment of the historical sites in Darwin that the consultant believed should be included for consideration. The consultant has consulted with landholders whose interest in these properties might be affected. A few of them have not been consulted because it was not possible to contact them. The purpose of consulting with these people was to identify any concerns that they might have in relation to any possible listing of their properties.
A draft report has been produced and examined by the Heritage Advisory Council and, of the 123 sites that were first considered, some 42 places meet the assessment criteria of the Heritage Conservation Act. That process is being pursued. The buildings that meet the criteria include Brown's Mart, the former Naval Headquarters on the Esplanade, the Victoria Hotel, and 22 residential properties ...
Mr Bailey: And the Wesleyan Church which government members all pooh-poohed when it was suggested that it was a significant building.
Mr REED: ... across Darwin.
I pick up the interjection from the member for Wanguri in relation to the Wesleyan Church which has been declared a heritage site. If that offends the member for Wanguri, I am very sorry.
In terms of the process that is being pursued ...
Mr Bailey: Go back and read the comments you have made about ...
Mr REED: The lack of appreciation by members opposite ...
Mr Bailey interjecting.
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Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr REED: Others listening to the broadcast of this reply may be a little more interested than is the member for Wanguri.
Mr Bailey: I want to show how two-faced you are.
Mr REED: The statutory public review period of 28 days will now commence before final decisions are made by the government to declare any property a heritage place. Letters are going out to all of the affected property owners and the general public will be informed of the 42 sites concerned through media advertising over this coming weekend.
All public comment will be considered by the Heritage Advisory Council at its 24th meeting in December this year. In turn, it will provide advice to myself as minister and, in due course, Cabinet will make a decision in relation to declarations that will be pursued. The process is a complex one. It has to take into account the quite legitimate concerns of property owners and the views of the broader community. I dare say that, at the end of the day, some people will have differences of opinion over some buildings that will be declared and perhaps some buildings that will not be declared. They will hold those points of view for their own personal reasons and based on their own assessment of what comprises Darwin's heritage and how it should be protected.
As I say, the process is a long one but, in being long, it is also thorough. It follows the legislation rigorously. I hope that, early next year, the government will be able to announce to the people of Darwin and the Northern Territory which buildings in the Darwin CBD will be declared as heritage places.
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Last updated: 09 Aug 2016