SIDING SPRING OBSERVATORY Heritage Management Plan Final June 2015 Prepared for Australian National University Context Pty Ltd 2015 Project Team: Geoff Ashley, Director Ian Travers, Associate Dr Georgia Melville, Heritage Consultant Jessie Briggs, Heritage Consultant Catherine McLay, Intern Report Register This report register documents the development and issue of the report entitled Siding Spring Observatory: Heritage Management Plan undertaken by Context Pty Ltd in accordance with our internal quality management system. Project Issue Notes/description Issue Date Issued to No. No. 1827 1 Draft HMP 1/12/14 Amy Jarvis, ANU Heritage Officer 1827 2 Final HMP 17/06/15 Amy Jarvis, ANU Heritage Officer Context Pty Ltd 22 Merri Street, Brunswick 3056 Phone 03 9380 6933 Facsimile 03 9380 4066 Email [email protected] Web www.contextpl.com.au ii CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY VIII FIGURE INDEX X 1 INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 Project Background 1 1.2 Study Area 1 1.3 Broad Project Methodology 2 1.3.1 Stakeholder Consultation 2 1.3.2 Site Investigation and Recording 2 1.3.3 Alignment with Site Masterplanning 2 1.3.4 GIS Based Inventory 3 1.4 Structure of the Report 3 1.5 Acknowledgments 4 2 HISTORICAL OVERVIEW 5 2.1 Introduction 5 2.2 Thematic Context 5 2.2.1 The Warrumbungles Region 5 2.2.2 Aboriginal Astronomy 7 2.2.3 Astronomy on an International Scale 8 2.2.4 Astronomy in Australia 9 2.3 Site History 14 2.3.1 First People of the Land 14 2.3.2 European Settlement 15 2.3.3 Commonwealth Solar Observatory at Mount Stromlo 19 2.3.4 The Australian National University and Mount Stromlo Observatory 20 2.3.5 The Siding Spring Observatory Field Station 21 2.3.6 Land Acquisition 22 2.3.7 Construction Begins at the Siding Spring Observatory 25 2.3.8 Late 1960s and 1970s 27 2.3.9 Australian Astronomical Observatory 28 2.3.10 Controlling Development and Light Pollution 30 2.3.11 1980s and 1990s 30 2.3.12 2000s, the Era of Robotic Networks 32 2.3.13 Fire at the Siding Spring Observatory 35 2.3.14 The Siding Spring Observatory Today 35 2.4 Associated people 35 2.4.1 Bart Bok, Director 1956-1966 35 2.4.3 S.C.B ‘Ben’ Gascoigne, Director 1966 36 2.4.3 O.J. Eggen, Director 1966-1977 37 2.4.4 Chronology of Directors 37 3 DESCRIPTION AND ANALYSIS OF THE PLACE 51 3.1 Introduction 51 3.2 Landscape Setting 51 3.2.1 The Broader Setting 51 3.2.2 The Setting of the Site 51 3.3 Site Areas 55 3.3.1 Visitor Arrival Area 55 iii 3.3.2 AAT/Administration Area 56 3.3.3 Eastern Telescopes Area 57 3.3.4 Residential Area 58 3.3.5 Lodges Area 59 3.3.6 Uppsala Area 60 3.3.7 Western Telescope Area 61 3.4 Building Forms and Types 63 3.4.1 Telescope Building Forms 63 3.4.2 Site Structures in General 64 3.5 Other Landscape Features and Site Elements 66 3.5.1 Landscape Changes within the Site 66 3.5.2 Infrastructure 67 3.5.3 Built Features 67 3.5.4 Memorials and Other Markers 68 3.6 Structural Remnants and Archaeological Potential 69 3.6.1 Pre-Contact and Early History – Before the Observatory 69 3.6.2 Relating to the Observatory 69 3.7 Moveable Heritage 71 3.7.1 Scientific Equipment 71 3.7.2 Other Items 72 4 ANALYSIS 74 4.1 Introduction 74 4.1.1 Consideration of Significance 74 4.1.1 Terminology 74 4.2 Historical Values 74 4.2.1 Prior Phase 74 4.2.1 First Development Phase 75 4.2.2 Second Development Phase 75 4.2.3 Third Development Phase 76 4.2.4 Fourth Development Phase 76 4.2.5 Summary of Development Phasing 76 4.2.6 Relevant Australian Historic Themes 77 4.2.6 Comparative Analysis 78 4.3 Social Values 82 4.3.1 Introduction 82 4.3.2 Approach 82 4.3.3 Techniques 84 4.3.4 Analysis and Findings 84 4.4 Community Aesthetic Values 87 4.4.1 Introduction 87 4.4.2 Approach 88 4.4.3 Techniques 89 4.4.4 Analysis and Findings 89 4.5 Indigenous Values 92 4.5.1 Introduction 92 4.5.2 Approach 93 4.5.3 Techniques 94 4.5.4 Analysis and Findings 94 4.6 Natural Values 97 4.6.1 Introduction 97 iv 4.6.1 Approach 97 4.6.2 Methodology 98 4.6.3 Techniques 98 4.6.4 Analysis and Findings 99 5 ASSESSMENT OF HERITAGE VALUES 103 5.1 Introduction 103 5.2 Existing Heritage Status 103 5.2.1 Previous Heritage Assessments and Recommendations 103 5.2.2 Previous Applications of Heritage Criteria 104 5.2.3 Previous Assessment of Aboriginal Heritage 105 5.2.4 Other Heritage Designations in the Vicinity of the SSO 106 5.3 Discussion of Heritage Values 106 5.3.1 Assessing Levels of Significance 106 5.4 Application of CHL Criteria 107 5.4.1 Criterion (a) History 107 5.4.2 Criterion (b) Rarity 108 5.4.3 Criterion (c) Research Potential 109 5.4.4 Criterion (d) Representativeness 110 5.4.5 Criterion (e) Community Aesthetics 110 5.4.6 Criterion (f) Creative and Technical Achievement 111 5.4.7 Criterion (g) Social 112 5.4.8 Criterion (h) Associations 112 5.4.9 Criterion (i) Indigenous Tradition 113 5.5 Statement of Significance 113 5.5.1 Statement of Significance for the Siding Spring Observatory 114 5.6 Potential for Inclusion on Heritage Lists 117 5.6.1 Inclusion on the Commonwealth Heritage List 117 5.6.2 Potential for Inclusion on Other Heritage Lists 117 5.7 Attributes of Heritage Values 117 5.8 Relative Significance of SSO Site Elements 119 5.8.1 Elements and their Relative Significance 120 6 DEVELOPMENT OF POLICY - CONSTRAINTS AND OPPORTUNITIES 127 6.1 Introduction 127 6.2 Implications Arising from Significance 127 6.3 Heritage Listing 129 6.3.1 Commonwealth Heritage List 129 6.3.2 NSW Heritage Designations 129 6.3.3 Possible Other Listings 130 6.3.4 Commonwealth Heritage Management Principles 131 6.4 Legislative Requirements 131 6.4.1 Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 132 6.4.2 NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 134 6.4.3 Building Code of Australia 134 6.5 Management Organisations and Other Stakeholders 135 6.5.1 ANU Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics 135 6.5.2 ANU Facilities and Services Division 135 6.5.3 Australian Astronomical Observatory 135 6.5.4 Research Organisations 136 6.5.5 Other Stakeholders 137 6.6 Heritage Management Framework 137 v 6.6.1 ANU Heritage Program 137 6.6.2 AAO Heritage Mechanisms 139 6.7 Current Management Context and Requirements 139 6.7.1 Communication and Decision Making 139 6.7.2 Maintenance Activities – Operational Elements 140 6.7.3 Maintenance Activities - Non-Operational Elements 141 6.7.4 Capital Works 142 6.7.5 Visitor Services 142 6.8 Future Use of the Site 143 6.8.1 Astronomy Context for Future Use of the Siding Spring Observatory 143 6.8.2 RSAA Plans for the SSO Site 144 6.8.3 AAO Plans for the SSO Site 144 6.8.4 Visitation 145 6.9 Condition and Integrity 145 6.10 Current and Future Management Issues 149 6.10.1 Site Management Issues 150 6.10.2 Site Use Issues 151 6.10.3 New Works Issues 151 6.10.4 Conservation of Heritage Fabric Issues 152 6.10.5 Setting and Natural Values Issues 152 6.10.6 Community Connection Issues 153 6.10.7 Interpretation Issues 153 6.10.8 Visitation Issues 154 7 MANAGEMENT POLICY AND IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES 156 7.1 Introduction 156 7.1.1 Bodies Subject to the HMP Policy 156 7.2 Summary of Policy and Implementation Strategies 157 7.3 Policies 162 7.3.1 Lead Conservation Policy 162 7.3.2 General Policies 163 7.3.3 Site Management Policies 165 7.3.4 Site Use Policies 169 7.3.5 Conservation of Heritage Fabric Policies 169 7.3.6 Setting and Natural Values Policies 173 7.3.7 New Work Policies 174 7.3.8 Connection to the Community Policies 174 7.3.9 Interpretation Policies 175 7.3.10 Visitation Policies 177 7.4 Implementation Plan 177 7.4.1 Responsibility 177 7.4.2 Commitment to Best Practice 177 7.4.3 Works Program 178 7.4.4 Criteria for Prioritising Work 178 7.4.5 Resolving Conflicting Objectives 178 7.4.6 Annual Review 178 7.4.7 Resources for Implementation 178 7.4.8 SSO Asset Management Plan 178 8 REFERENCES 180 Primary Resources 180 Secondary Resources 180 vi Online Resources 182 PLANS 185 Plan 1 Site Plan 185 Plan 2 Site Elements and Areas 186 Plan 3 Significance of Buildings and Structures 187 APPENDICES 188 Appendix 1 Commonwealth Heritage List Criteria 188 Appendix 2 Online Survey Results 189 Appendix 3 Interview Data 190 Aileen Bell 190 Amanda Wherrett 194 David Baker and Cameron Wylie 198 Frank Freeman 199 John Whitehead 200 Joy Pickett 202 Judy Over 203 Nancy Wiese 203 Narelle Andrews and Merv Sutherland 204 Appendix 4 Existing Materials Review Data 207 Image examples of Aesthetic Value Expression in the Public Domain 207 Text Examples of Aesthetic Value Expression in the Public Domain 211 Appendix 5 Species Recorded at Siding Spring Observatory 213 Appendix 6 EPBC ACT Compliance 214 vii SIDING SPRING OBSERVATORY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This Heritage Management Plan (HMP), prepared by Context Pty., is the first comprehensive and integrated assessment of the built, natural and Indigenous heritage values of the Siding Spring Observatory (SSO) against the Commonwealth Heritage List (CHL) criteria.