No images? Click here We have been saddened by the tragic loss of life and property caused by the bushfires that broke out in the Adelaide Hills last week. This a time of significant hardship and stress for many within the region, and we offer our deepest sympathies. We also would like to pay tribute to the volunteer firefighters who work in dangerous conditions to save lives and limit property losses. Please consider donating to a fire appeal this festive season and show your support to individuals, businesses and communities impacted by the fire. Summer Newsletter 2019After another busy year behind the scenes, 2020 is shaping up as a defining one for the Mount Lofty Ranges World Heritage Bid. See below for all the latest on the project and what's in store for the year aheadProject UpdateYes the Project is still very much alive although things seem to have gone quiet over the past 18 months. The Project Management Group (PMG) of the ten Collaborating Councils have been busy in the background focusing their efforts on obtaining an external expert review of the work undertaken to date to inform the next steps, the strength of the bid and future project stakeholders (with whom to engage). The review confirmed that a potential case for World Heritage listing exists, however, further research and analysis is required. For more details in this regard – read on. The PMG have also been working on the establishment of a Digital Knowledge Bank (DKB) for which $40,000 matched grant funding was received from the Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF). The DKB is a website based central repository of project information for strategic planning and knowledge sharing of the World Heritage bid project. This project was completed recently. For more details about this project – read on.The PMG have also had the Project website completely revamped and engaged a consultancy to build the new website, and a copywriter to prepare content for the site. To view the new website please go to www.mountloftyranges.orgCrucial to the Project’s success is obtaining support from the State Government, specifically the Department of Environment and Water (DEW) and the Minister for Environment and Water, the Hon. David Spiers. Encouragingly, DEW have actively participated in the expert review which has assisted with building mutual understanding and identifying opportunities to refine the bid’s value proposition, or in world heritage terms, the strength and clarity of the ‘statement of significance’. It is anticipated that this will enhance understanding and provide a strong foundation for ongoing engagement with the next goal being to seek the Minister for Environment and Water’s support to put the bid forward for World Heritage listing at a future Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Meeting of Environment Ministers.Lastly, you may have seen in the media recently that the Adelaide City Council (ACC) is seeking World Heritage listing of the Adelaide parklands and city layout plan. The PMG have since met with staff of ACC in order to explore opportunities for collaboration between the two bids, something that Minister Spiers has encouraged. Further meetings in this regard will occur in the New Year. For more details about this opportunity – read on.In summary, the Project Team wish to acknowledge the ongoing support of the partnering Councils through the combined efforts of the Project Steering and Management Groups, as well as the efforts of our Project Consultant (whose contract ended in June 2018). It is however noted that the Project governance arrangements will be reviewed in 2020. Next year provides an exciting opportunity to take the findings of the expert review forward and to collaborate with the State Government in progressing our bid. In this regard it is noted that DEW is pursuing a new Heritage Tourism agenda to which the World Heritage bid could be a major contributor in attracting tourists to Adelaide and our region and we look forward to progressing our bid in 2020.Building Better Regions Funding for a Digital Knowledge BankIn early 2018 the project team successfully applied for a $40,000 Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF) matched grant to establish a digital knowledge platform (a website based central repository of project information) for strategic planning and knowledge sharing of the World Heritage bid project. At its meeting in February 2018 the PSG agreed to allocate $20,000 of consortium funds to the DKB project. Subsequently the Centre for Global Food Studies at the University of Adelaide, Light Regional, Clare and Gilbert Valleys and Mid Murray Councils all agreed to financially contribute to the project, enabling the consortium councils to match the $40,000 BBRF grant funding.Adelaide Hills Council as the eligible Grantee took the lead and assumed full responsibility for the execution and delivery of the project on behalf of the other funding parties. The project formally commenced in April 2018 with Dialog Information Technology engaged in August 2018 to undertake the project. The project was completed in March 2019 and the front end website/portal was completed in December 2019 and is now operational.Independent World Heritage Expert ReviewFollowing receipt of advice that the nomination for National Heritage listing had not been shortlisted for further consideration, the PSG in May 2018 recognised that the development of both National and World Heritage listing nominations is an iterative process of debate, research and refinement with input and guidance from heritage experts. However, the PSG also noted that the project has always been funded on the basis that there is a World Heritage case and after seven years of research and discussion, it was time to assess the strength of that case. The PSG determined that the project had reached a point where an independent review and consolidation of where the project ‘sat’ would greatly assist in informing both the next steps and who the future project stakeholders are.In February 2019 a contract was awarded to Duncan Marshall (B.Arch (Hons) BA MICOMOS ) and Dr Jane Lennon AM (MICOMOS) to undertake the review and to present a report that clearly communicates the rationale for the Mount Lofty Ranges World Heritage proposal and to outline the work required to progress the project to the level required to be considered by the State and Federal Government for Tentative Listing.In particular the expectation was for the report to assist with:· the preparation of a clear narrative and core message for the bid· clarifying which National Heritage criteria the nomination should focus on· identifying which WH criteria are best addressed to match that narrative· identifying research gaps, potential comparative sites and key exemplar sites· refine and confirm the Mount Lofty Ranges NHL bid boundaryThe consultants presented their final report in June 2019 (a copy of which can be found on the Project Website), concluding that the core of the current rationale for pursuing a World Heritage listing for parts of the Mount Lofty Ranges reflecting the 19th century model of systematic colonisation appears sound at this stage and importantly that there is a good case for seeking World Heritage listing. However, a number of issues were identified that will need to be addressed.The report concludes that the core narrative previously developed is helpfully structured according to the World Heritage criteria and contains key text which also speaks clearly to the possibility of World Heritage value or Outstanding Universal Value. It notes that while at this stage such text looks promising, again much depends on the supporting and detailed justification that needs to be provided.The report also considered the question of the possible name for the ‘property’, and proposed the “Systematic Colonisation Settlement Landscape of South Australia”. The report noted that it is not yet clear whether the property (i.e. the region) is best presented as a single component or serial property (i.e. exemplary sites within the region), and the scale of the property is also not yet established. Once the values and attributes are clear, and drafts of these are provided below, then these can be mapped, their integrity and authenticity assessed, and boundaries can be developed. The scale and character of the property (i.e. single component or serial) will then emerge.The report advises that with regard to what further research is needed to support the development of the Tentative List submission, in one sense it might be possible to proceed with a submission based on current information. However, in practical terms stakeholders and the local community will probably be keen to know the likely boundaries and management implications, and the submission may trigger criticism if these matters are not outlined, even in a draft form.A detailed suggested work plan was included in the report including further required research to:- strengthen the understanding of Outstanding Universal Value as much as possible, noting this task will continue through the development of the nomination dossier- refine the understanding of attributes- give some indication of possible draft boundaries, noting these are subject to further refinement, and- develop initial information about likely management implications.The report will be presented to project partners in late 2019 to determine the next steps. The report will also be presented to the State Minister for Environment and Water seeking a letter of support and collaboration to progress the World Heritage bid.Adelaide City Council World Heritage BidThe Adelaide City Council (ACC) is seeking World Heritage listing of the Adelaide parklands and city layout plan. The PMG met with staff of ACC in November in order to explore possible opportunities for collaboration between the two bids. Minister Spiers stated in the media that collaboration between the two bids is encouraged, and it is noted that both bids hinge on the same systematic colonisation story.It is also noted that the Expert Review identified that there are strong linkages between the City and its surrounding hinterland due to the systematic colonization model which involved ownership of a 1 acre city block as well as an 80 acre property in the rural hinterland on which to undertake agricultural pursuits. One of the recommendations of the Expert Review is to “Develop an understanding of the role of the city of Adelaide (eg. the town acres) and its role in the systematic colonisation story.” It is noted that ACC are having an expert review undertaken of their bid proposition and the Project Team looks forward to reviewing the outcomes of this review early in the New Year. With all this in mind, further meetings with ACC will occur in 2020 in order to pursue possible collaboration between the two bids.GOVERNANCEMemorandum of UnderstandingAn initial step in the World Heritage Bid project was the creation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which confirmed the support/ buy-in from those Councils that supported the project. The MOU contained no provision for extension and expired on 13 June 2018, five years after coming into effect.The MOU also established a specific project oriented governance structure. Despite the MOU expiring, project management and activities continued during 2018/19 as indicated below. Note that a new governance arrangement will be explored in 2020 in order to progress this iconic project.Project Steering GroupThe Project Steering Group (PSG) which comprised Mayors and CEOs of the participating Councils met once, in May 2018. At that meeting the PSG discussed future resourcing and management options for the project, acknowledging the imminent expiry of the MOU; the expiry of the contractual arrangement with the then Project Consultant on 30 June 2018; and also the fact that the Feasibility Study (2012) did not envisage council funding being required beyond Stage 1.The PSG agreed that an external review of the project be undertaken to refine the project ‘narrative’, to validate the work undertaken to date, and to confirm that a strong case for listing exists. In addition the PSG resolved to pursue further discussions with the State Government to jointly manage a resource to progress the project to the next level. The PSG will meet in early to mid-2020 to discuss the aforementioned matters as well as possible collaboration with Adelaide City Council’s World Heritage bid.Project Management GroupThe Project Management Group (PMG) was responsible for governance, management and progression of the Project. Despite the expiry of the MOU members of the PMG continued to meet as required to monitor and manage ongoing projects and actions, and to ensure ongoing advocacy with State government officials in particular. Meetings were on six occasions between August 2018 and December 2019.Project ConsultantGiven the current status of the Project it was determined that the contractual arrangement with the Project Consultant, Stephanie Johnston, was no longer required and came to an end on 30 June 2018. The PMG and representatives of non-member Councils expressed their appreciation and gratitude to Stephanie for her commitment and dedication to the project, including many pro-bono hours that she committed to the World Heritage Bid project over the previous seven years, including prior to the formal bid project being instigated.Advisory GroupsThe six advisory groups established in April 2014 did not meet in 2018 or 2019. The future role and function of the groups will be reviewed in the context of any future governance structure review.Project Partners:CONCLUSIONThe bid process is at a crucial point in terms of State and Federal Government advocacy, planning for Stage 2, investigating governance arrangements, potentially seeking external funding and establishing new alliances and partnerships.A key conclusion drawn by the project partners, in consideration of the independent review and government feedback, is that State Government support is now critical if the bid is to progress. Gaining this support will be a key focus in 2020.If you have been forwarded this email and wish to subscribe to this newsletter please email mail@mountloftyranges.org If you wish to discuss the Project with someone, then please contact Marc Salver, Chair of the Project Management Group for the Mount Lofty Ranges World Heritage Bid at msalver@ahc.sa.gov.au or call (08) 8408-0522. |