People of the Murray Mallee region, which straddles the border conjunction of South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales, have been asked to help identify the region’s place in our national heritage. Chairman of the Australian Heritage Commission, Peter King, said the Murray Mallee is a unique part of the Continent but is yet to be fully appreciated by many Australians.
Earlier this year the Commission launched a study to identify and assess the cultural and natural heritage places which could qualify for listing in the Register of the National Estate, Australia’s list of special heritage places.
The area being assessed encompasses large tracts of mostly public land. It includes the Bookmark Biosphere Reserve and Ngarkat complex in south eastern South Australia, Victoria’s Murray Sunset and Wyperfeld National Parks and a mixture of nature reserves, conservation parks and wilderness reserves.
Earlier this year, three workshops were run at Mildura, Berri and Bordertown to gather local ideas and knowledge.
“We were keen to hear from people who knew the area best,” Peter King said.
The workshops were highly successful, attracting over 130 local people keen to offer their insight on the area. Participants included members of the local Indigenous community, landholders, tourist operators, Local Government and others.
“These people, who live and work in the area, value it highly and were keen to donate their invaluable knowledge,” Peter King said.
The outcome of the submission for Heritage Listing will be known later this year. Inclusion in the register will affirm the region’s place in Australia’s heritage; enable conservation projects to be eligible for funding under the National Estate Grants program; and oblige the Commonwealth to avoid damage from its own activities to the listed areas.
For further information contact Michele Parsons, at the Australian Heritage Commission, telephone (02) 6217 2181.
