OUR HERITAGE AT RISK 

What YOU can do to save valued historical buildings, sites and natural places

1. Find out if it is heritage listed. If not, nominate it for relevant registers:

• State and Territory National Trust classified lists (except SA)
• Register of the National Estate (RNE) Australian Heritage Council(for more information see www.ahc.gov.au/register)
• Heritage Registers-State/Territory government heritage agency/heritage council
• Local Council's heritage list or plan
• Lists kept byu the Royal Australian Institute of Architects or Engineers Heritage Australia
• Registers on the internet: CHL, RNE, NSW Heritage Office, Heritage Victoria, NSW and Victoria National Trusts

2. Determine if the place has heritage significance:

• Check histories, heritage & scientific studies; collect written, visual and oral evidence
• Gather physical evidence: survey, describe, map, photograph
• Prepare a brief history of the place: origins; sequence of changes; context; significance to local/other communities; comparison with other places of similar type
• Assess against standard heritage criteria, for example it has: importance to the course of our cultural/ natural history; rare or endangered aspects; significant technical or aesthetic characteristics; special associations with an important person or group
• Prepare a short statement of heritage significance

3. Identify the threat and alert relevant agencies:

• National Trust in your State or Territory
• If subject to a Development Application, lodge opposition with Council
• State/Territory heritage agency or the Australian Heritage Commission
• Apply to Council and to State heritage agency/council for an order to halt demolition

4. Contact the owner and explain your concern. Owners can get conservation and funding advice from heritage agency/heritage council or the National Trust.

• Government-owned: contact that department and relevant government heritage agency

5. Seek publicity.

• Contact Councillors and staff, local historical society and other community groups
• Write to local MP and heritage/environment Minister
• Form a local action group ('Friends') to carry out these activities and maintain public interest, and ask for support from the National Trust
• Notify media; letterbox; arrange public meetings: explain the significance of the place, the advantages of retaining it, the threat and alternative uses
• Compile the information collected and nominate the place to the Australian Council of National Trusts
• Our Heritage At Risk Program: each year a new list of the Top 10 Most Endangered places (State Level 1 July) National Level - 18 October)  draws national attention to heritage places under threat.

6. Follow up agency actions and keep watch.