2023-04-19
A new Heritage Council has been appointed by the Minister for Heritage under the Heritage Act 2004 for an interim period to lead the protection and management of natural, historic and First Nations heritage in the ACT.
Minister for Heritage, Rebecca Vassarotti said that appointing a new council is a significant step within the context of current broader heritage reforms and will allow important heritage activities to resume as needed.
“Following a rigorous recruitment process I am excited to have appointed a diverse group of qualified and experienced Canberrans to form the new Heritage Council. This new council will deliver its functions under the Heritage Act 2004 with a focus on strengthening the ACT’s heritage arrangements,” Minister for Heritage, Rebecca Vassarotti said.
“The new council will be in place for a minimum of one year, while a comprehensive and independent review of heritage arrangements in the ACT is conducted by Stenning & Associates.”
“Future heritage laws, frameworks and arrangements must be fit for purpose in the ACT and reflect best practise from other jurisdictions. With this in mind I’m pleased to announce the appointments of the nine members of the new council including the Chairperson, Duncan Marshall, and Deputy Chairperson, Catherine Skippington. Duncan and Catherine bring with them a wealth of national and international experience in heritage protection and management and extensive board leadership”.
"All of the Council members bring unique expertise in diverse areas of heritage, including architecture, natural resource management, Aboriginal and European cultural heritage, archaeology, and nature conservation, as well as community and Aboriginal representation”.
The new Heritage Council members are:
- Duncan Marshall AM, Chairperson and member with expertise in architecture
- Catherine Skippington, Deputy chairperson and community representative
- Karen Demmery, Aboriginal community representative
- Rachael O'Neill, Property ownership, management and development sector representative
- Doug Williams, Member with expertise in archaeology and Aboriginal culture
- Kate Clark, Member with expertise in archaeology
- Alanna King, Member with expertise in architecture
- David Hobbes, Member with expertise in architecture
- Alistair Henchman, Member with expertise in architecture and nature conservation
“With the Canberra and Region Heritage Festival in full swing, and World Heritage Day this week, there is no better time to engage with and celebrate heritage in the ACT. I look forward to formally inducting each of the council members in the coming weeks, and continuing the work with them to embed ACT’s unique heritage values as a vital part of our growing and dynamic city.”
For more information on the ACT Heritage Council functions and interim council members, visit the ACT Heritage Council webpage.
To explore the Heritage Festival Program, visit the Heritage Festival webpage.
Quote attributable to Duncan Marshall, Chairperson of the ACT Heritage Council:
“The ACT’s rich and layered heritage is appreciated not just by the local community but by many around Australia. This heritage is entwined in the fabric of the everyday city and its landscapes which bring reflection, enjoyment and a deeper understanding. The new Council has a great deal of expertise and strong connections to the community, and it is determined to deliver an effective heritage system for the ACT, and to work with the ACT Government through the reform process.”