Tasmania’s rich heritage will benefit greatly from the actions outlined in the Australian Heritage Strategy announced by The Hon. Greg Hunt MP, Minister for the Environment.
Divided into three outcomes – National Leadership, Strong Partnerships and Engaged Communities, each with specific objectives, it highlights the need for heritage management to be a shared responsibility between national, state and local governments, private owners, businesses and the local community.
Of the 103 National Heritage Listed places, 13 are located in Tasmania, with 8 situated in Lyons.
Eric Hutchinson MP, Federal Member for Lyons and Chairman of Parliamentary Friends of Heritage and History believes the Australian Heritage Strategy will play an important part in improving the future of our heritage sites.
“Heritage is closely linked to tourism with 467,883 visits recorded to heritage sites across Tasmania in 2014-2015 which creates jobs and assists other local businesses. Further partnerships that will improve tourism in the state, as well as our cultural and environmental heritage assets, are very welcome.” Mr Hutchinson said.
“I have been advocating for a UK-style national heritage lottery to be established for over 12 months. It was therefore most pleasing to see the inclusion of this concept in the Minister’s strategy document launched this week.” He said.
“So many properties not on the national heritage register are ineligible for federal funding presently. These properties form part of who we are as a nation and should be preserved and conserved for future generations. A National Heritage Lottery would provide funding for these properties as well as add to current funding in place for those on the register.”
The United Kingdom National Lottery generated 375 million pounds ($780 million) for heritage projects ranging from small grants of a few thousand dollars to multi-million dollar grants for major heritage projects last year.
While the feasibility of a national heritage lottery is now being investigated, Mr Hutchinson is looking for community input.
FEDERAL Lyons MP Eric Hutchinson
