Wednesday, 21 August | Time: 11:45am – 12:45pm

WORKSHOP: Management of NSW Government-owned heritage assets

Speakers:

• Dr. Wayne Johnson, Senior Archaeologist, Placemaking NSW
• Kate Napier, Principal Heritage Architect, NSW Public Works

Synopsis:

The NSW Government is one of the largest owners of heritage in the State. Government owners have the challenging task of balancing heritage conservation with delivering essential services to the NSW community. As custodians of a rich and varied asset base, NSW Government agencies have a responsibility to care for and conserve items and places that narrate the historical development of public administration and government services in NSW – a responsibility underscored by legislative requirements in the Heritage Act 1977.

In this workshop, the first building block of those legislative requirements – namely, the Section 170 Register – will come into focus with a presentation from the Forestry Corporation of NSW on their recent experience preparing their register. Changing tack slightly, delegates will then hear from Placemaking NSW on the conservation and recent adaptive re-use of White Bay Power Station. The workshop will conclude with a showcase of the heritage services and projects offered by NSW Public Works through their work with NSW Government asset owners. 

WORKSHOP: Heritage NSW repatriation and conservation programs

Speakers:

• Mark Simon, Team Leader Repatriation, Heritage NSW
• Shane Herrington, Aboriginal Heritage Officer, Heritage NSW
• John Duggan, Aboriginal Repatriation and Conservation Coordinator, Heritage NSW

Synopsis:

The Heritage Programs Branch within Heritage NSW is responsible for assisting Aboriginal communities to conserve their cultural heritage and repatriate Ancestors and sacred cultural material. Representatives from the Heritage NSW Conservation and Repatriation team will speak on the conservation and repatriation process, share examples of recent projects, and answer questions from the audience.

PANEL: Celebrating and fostering diversity in heritage

Facilitator:

• Natalie Vinton, CEO, Curio Projects

Panellists:

• Sara Korman, Learning and Outreach Coordinator, Albury City Council
• Stuart Read, Senior Heritage Officer, Heritage NSW
• Meggan Walker, Senior Heritage Officer, Heritage NS
• Adiba Rahman, Heritage Consultant, GML Heritage

Synopsis:

NSW is home to a thriving and diverse community. This workshop covers three projects that highlight diversity through activation, interpretation, and conservation. Speakers will include Sara Korman of Albury City Council, Adiba Rahman of GML Heritage and Senior Heritage Officers from Heritage NSW. Facilitated by Natalie Vinton from Curio Projects, this session will offer a practical roadmap for engaging and collaborating with multicultural and LGTBQIA+ communities in heritage projects.

Wednesday, 21 August | Time: 1:45pm – 2:45pm

WORKSHOP: National Trust: Success stories in heritage conservation

Speakers:

• David Burdon, Conservation Director, National Trust (NSW)

Synopsis: 

This workshop delves into the critical importance of built heritage conservation in NSW, with a focus on success stories from the National Trust. The session begins with an opening presentation that shares insights on the significance of heritage conservation and the integral role the National Trust plays in preserving the state’s heritage. Attendees will gain an industry-focused overview of how built heritage conservation contributes to cultural preservation and community identity.

Following the introduction, a series of case studies will outline the challenges faced during the conservation process across selected built heritage sites, lessons learnt and advice for those involved at all levels. The presentation will highlight innovative approaches and engagement strategies that can help deliver positive outcomes. By sharing lessons learned and providing practical advice, this case study aims to inspire and guide professionals in applying effective conservation practices to their own projects.

The workshop will conclude with an interactive Q&A session, allowing attendees to engage with the presenter and discuss various aspects of heritage conservation.

WORKSHOP: Best practice Aboriginal Heritage Impact Permits (AHIPs)

Speakers:

• Kym McNamara, Manager Assessments, Heritage NSW
• Bec Yit, Senior Assessments Officer, Heritage NSW

Synopsis: 

This workshop will enhance your understanding and skills on how to deliver successful Aboriginal heritage impact permit applications (AHIPs). Attendees will gain practical advice on achieving better conservation outcomes through collaboration with Aboriginal communities and better understand how quality applications lead to faster approvals through best practice case studies.

WORKSHOP: Heritage buildings and sustainability

Speakers:

• James Quoyle, Senior Assessments Officer, Heritage NSW
• Steven Barry, Heritage Specialist, Transport for NSW

Synopsis: 

Heritage buildings hold significant potential to contribute to the transition to a net zero future in NSW. There is a unique opportunity to capitalise on embodied energy already invested in existing buildings, and to build resilience to the changing climate through sustainable improvements.

This workshop will showcase approaches to improving the environmental performance of heritage buildings as detailed in a forthcoming Heritage Council publication, namely the Sustainable Heritage Buildings Guide. This will be followed by a session on solar panels and heritage buildings, including a discussion of potential criteria for installation of solar panels on State-listed heritage items.  

Wednesday, 21 August | Time: 3:05pm – 4:05pm

WORKSHOP: Heritage and disaster management

Speakers:

• Mal Ridges, Team Leader Cultural Science, NSW DCCEEW
• Catherine Forbes, Principal, GML Heritage

Synopsis: 

The effects of climate change on heritage is an emerging area of policy inquiry receiving increasing attention. While much is known about climate change impacts on human populations, housing, built infrastructure, human health, biodiversity, water availability and food security – the effects of climate change on heritage is a nascent field of inquiry with more work to be done. Key to this will be marshalling an evidence-based understanding of the threats to heritage posed by phenomena such as coastal erosion, bushfires, flood, drought and increasingly extreme weather patterns.

This workshop will feature two recent contributions to this area. The first examines work commissioned by NPWS to develop a framework for assessing bushfire risk vulnerability for historic (non-Aboriginal) heritage items on all different land tenures in NSW. The second explores climate change risks and adaptation as they relate to Aboriginal cultural heritage, landscape management and caring for Country, by spotlighting recent work by DCCEEW’s Cultural Science Team.

WORKSHOP: Government Architect: Designing with Country

Speakers:

• Brindha Kugan, Principal Design Advisor, Government Architect
• Rose Davies, Senior Design Advisor, Government Architect

Synopsis: 

This workshop will delve into the significance of integrating Designing with Country principles in planning and delivering built heritage works and projects. This session will provide a comprehensive framework for heritage professionals to enhance their engagement with Country, particularly in the context of built heritage sites in NSW.

Representatives of the Government Architect will share insights on the importance of engaging with Country, emphasising its relevance to built heritage sites. This workshop aims to equip heritage professionals with the knowledge and tools necessary to incorporate Designing with Country principles into their projects, fostering a deeper connection with Country and promoting sustainable heritage practices.

WORKSHOP: Reforming the Heritage Act: update and workshop

Speakers:

• Matthew Clark, Director Policy and Strategy, Heritage NSW
• Dr Caroline Ford, Manager Policy and Reform, Heritage NSW

Synopsis: 

The NSW Government is looking to implement the findings of the 2021 Upper House Inquiry into the Heritage Act 1977, including recommendations for legislative reform. This session is an opportunity to hear about and share your ideas on some of the key proposals being investigated to modernise the Heritage Act and improve its operation.  

Thursday, 22 August | Time: 10:10am – 11:10am

WORKSHOP: Positive heritage outcomes: Heathcote Hall and Parliament House

Speakers:

• Lyndall Smith, Senior Program Manager, Parliamentary Services
• Rob Nielsen, Director of Capital Works, Parliamentary Services,
• Tasman Storey, Principal, Tasman Storey Architects

Synopsis: 

Two very different case studies will demonstrate positive outcomes in heritage conservation:

With a small budget and a tight timeframe, the project managers of the Parliament House restorations will share the lessons learned from this exemplar heritage renovations of the People’s House. 

The development at 1-21 Dilwynnia Grove, Heathcote, showcases the conserved and restored State-listed Heathcote Hall and its pleasure garden, now integrated into a new medium density housing enclave. The presentation by the project’s heritage consultant will provide insight into the collaborative efforts and processes that contributed to its success. 

WORKSHOP: Exploring the AHIMS and SHI: Practical advice and pointers

Speakers:

• Stewart Watters, Manager Information Systems, Heritage NSW
• David Gordon, Aboriginal Senior Information Systems Officer, Heritage NSW

Synopsis: 

The Aboriginal Heritage Management System (AHIMS) and the State Heritage Inventory (SHI) are the cornerstone heritage information systems in New South Wales. This session will navigate you through both systems, demonstrate search techniques, provide tips to get the best from your searches, understanding search results and other practical advice and pointers. A short period of time will be available for questions.

WORKSHOP: Aboriginal Affairs NSW: Aboriginal Cultural Heritage workshop

Speakers:

• Jonathon Captain-Webb, Director Aboriginal Cultural Heritage and Land Strategy, Aboriginal Affairs NSW
• Cheryl Kitchener, Principal Policy Officer, Aboriginal Affairs NSW
• Dr Hilary du Cros Senior Associate, ACH Operational Programs, Aboriginal Affairs NSW

Synopsis: 

The Aboriginal Cultural Heritage (ACH) and Land Strategy Directorate of Aboriginal Affairs NSW (AANSW) will share the latest news about their exciting projects in an interactive workshop. The session will include an overview of AANSW’s work, programs and provide insights into the broader work of Aboriginal Affairs NSW.

The session will start by using this opportunity to give an outline of our approach to Culturally Centric Design. This approach was first used in the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Information System (ACHIS) project and is an illustration of this philosophy in practice, as are AANSW’s projects on Cultural Knowledge Standards and Cultural Mapping.

Also covered will be AANSW’s experience with establishing a community of practice for ACH within the local government space and some of the issues it has raised for improving ACH outcomes across local government, as well as an overview of AANSW’s work on Closing the Gap, Healing, Repatriation, and the Aboriginal Land Rights Act (ALRA), Treaty and the work our Regional Teams do within communities.

Join this session for a good yarn about how to improve ACH processes and practices in NSW.

Thank you for registering for the Heritage Forum 2024. You will receive a confirmation email confirming details of your registration.

We look forward to welcoming you at The Grace Hotel Sydney for the Heritage Forum.

Questions? Please see our FAQs page. Alternatively, reach out to our team at heritagemailbox@environment.nsw.gov.au with your queries.