GEORGE TOWN needs to simplify the structure for managing its Unesco World Heritage Site.
New South Wales Public Works (Government Architect’s Office) senior heritage architect Mary Knaggs said there were many related bodies and departments but their roles weren’t clearly defined.
“There needs to be one body with more bite.
“Preserving intangible heritage is a challenge.
“Australia really started to look at heritage conservation only in the 1970s because the community demanded it,” she said during the recent ‘Heritage Explained: An Australian Perspective’ talk in Komtar.
Knaggs said managing heritage had many benefits, including environmental and economic sustainability, but many people see it as a burden.
She also said heritage conservation started with a listing by the government, preparing a management heritage plan, doing a heritage impact assessment and finally, preparing an assessment report or recommendation.
Stressing the importance of a management heritage plan, she said it must encompass every aspect including buildings, streets and maintenance.
“Study the fabric of your heritage through sources like documents, maps, physical structures and oral history.
“You must understand what you are trying to preserve before making any changes,” Knaggs said.
She added that energy efficiency, disabled access, fire hazards and health and safety issues were among the challenges of adaptive re-use of heritage buildings.
Peter Romey, who is a partner in Godden Mackay Logan, Australia’s largest heritage consulting firm, said all levels of the government — federal, state and local councils — had a critical role to play in setting a good example for private property owners.
“People are intimidated when they hear the words ‘heritage architecture’ but it’s just about getting the methodology right,” he said.
“There’s no reason why heritage and modern architecture can’t co-exist.
“What’s crucial is researching not just the history, but its significance such as the aesthetics, historic, scientific, social or spiritual values for the past, present and future generations,” Romey said.
He has over 30 years of experience in heritage conservation as a consultant.
Both Romey and Knaggs are Australian heritage specialists who have been involved extensively in their country’s heritage management.
Penang Heritage Trust president Khoo Salma Nasution said heritage conservation in Australia was handled “very professionally” as it involved various levels of the government, community and the private sector.
She said heritage conservation translated to improving the quality of life as it was a connection to our past.
“We should look at the Burra Charter (widely recognised as the standard for heritage conservation best practice in Australia), and apply it to our own cultural settings,” she said.
The recent two-hour event was organised by the George Town World Heritage Incorporated. - The Star
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