Greens make major heritage announcement in Kalgoorlie
Media Release | Spokesperson Scott Ludlam
Thursday 19th August 2010, 3:01pm
Share
in Australian Cultural Heritage Heritage
The Australian Greens are calling for a major investment to safeguard natural and cultural heritage while creating jobs in a sustainable industry.
Against the stunning backdrop of Kalgoorlie-Boulder at Mt Charlotte today (Thursday 19 August 2010), standing on the site where C Y O’Connor’s water pipeline ends its 650km journey from Mundaring Weir, Greens Senator for WA Scott Ludlam called for $25 million annually in grants to be made available from the Federal Government for heritage work across the nation.
“The Australian Greens successfully negotiated for $60 million to be allocated for job-creating heritage projects in last year’s economic stimulus package, and this created more than 2750 new ‘green’ jobs and new protection for hundreds of properties,” Senator Ludlam said.
“The money was allocated for National Heritage-listed places, National Trust properties, community heritage projects of local, state or national significance and natural heritage places, including those of world heritage significance.
“We were extremely pleased with this outcome but given the job-creating potential of heritage work – especially when you consider the flow-on benefits such as tourism, education and conservation – then clearly investing in job-creating heritage deserves needs to be more than just a one-off funding injection.
“Our package would create around another 1,130 jobs in these important areas – every year.
“A long term and more substantial funding arrangement through a recurring grants budget of $25 million is needed to build on the stimulus package,” Senator Ludlam said.
“In addition, the Greens are calling for the development and administration of a national heritage strategy through the Australian Heritage Council which we believe should have a stronger advisory and advocacy role than it does currently and we also believe Australia should seek to host the 18th Generally Assembly of the International Council of Monuments and Sites in 2014, which will be a great way to re-energise the heritage agenda in Australia.
“It is a pleasure to be making this announcement today at Kalgoorlie’s Mt Charlotte, Golden Pipeline site,” Senator Ludlam added.
“It is a fantastic example of how funding work to protect our cultural and natural heritage can transform a location and make it spot that attracts both visitors and residents.
“We are also still eagerly waiting for an announcement on the national listing of the Golden Pipeline to the National Heritage List from Minister Garret’s office.” Senator Ludlam concluded.
For more information or media inquiries, please call Fernando de Freitas on 0417 174 302
Greens Heritage Grants Initiative summary:
Regards the Greens’ proposed $25 million Federal recurring grants budget:
• The Australian Heritage Council will determine grants up to $5 million;
• The Heritage Minister will determine grants worth over $5 million;
• Priority will be given to projects with greatest conservation need;
• The program will give reasonable priority to projects that engage community organisations and non-government bodies;
• State and Territory National Trust organisations will receive an annually reviewable amount of up to $1 million each to manage heritage properties of greatest need.
National Heritage spending to date:
• The Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts currently provides funding of $4.4 million for the protection and conservation of historic built assets, and $3.6 million for Indigenous heritage conservation.
Last year’s stimulus package that included $60 million for heritage conservation through the Jobs Fund funded 190 projects and generated around 2750 jobs (see http://www.environment.gov.au/about/publications/budget/2010/budget-measures/index.html)
Recent Comments