17 Cultural Heritage Council recognizes the importance of maintaining _ Additionally, there is the problem that customary sites, and buildings and their settings, of heritage law prevents knowledge about sacred sites being significance to the people of Townsville. passed on to even some members of the aboriginal community, let alone to outside planners. This means The Issues: that the aboriginal community does often not advertise Townsville can be divided into key geographic the presence of sites until the sites are under some regions with readily apparent heritage value. Five threat of modification. Council needs to consult with distinct time periods can also be identified to help indigenous people and heritage professionals to reduce define Townsville's cultural and built heritage: the both the possibility of damaging significant cultural periods of aboriginal and archaeological significance, sites and of getting involved in expensive delays and the colonial period, turn of the century - WWII and litigation due to inadequate planning. State legislation post WWII. Within each of these periods can be listed in place to facilitate the conservation of indigenous many sites and buildings with heritage importance and cultural significance allows for certain areas of Crown each can be prioritized in importance by considering land to be claimed under Land Rights legislation. The them relative to the following criteria: Commonwealth enables listing of the most significant places on the National Estate. • Aesthetic and social significance • Architectural and building significance Conservation of the built heritage can be partly managed through the local planning scheme, which • Typical representative sample (e.g. workers recognizes numerous, although not all, sites and cottages) precincts such as Flinders St East and South • Connection of place with major historical event or Townsville. Provisions will be made within the person Strategic Town Plan and Development Control Plans • Information content (e.g. archaeological site) to facilitate the conservation of their heritage value. The Planning Scheme provides guidelines and • Uniqueness incentives for the conservation and appropriate reuse • Degree of preservation alteration practicality of of such heritage sites. reversal of alterations • Past usage (e.g. industrial buildings) energy expended in creation of the site. Flinders St East – an integral part of Townsville’s Cultural Heritage The environment that greeted the eyes of the early Much of the built heritage is privately owned, and European settlers to the Townsville region was one thus necessary maintenance costs of these old that had been evolving for tens of thousands of years buildings are borne by the private sector in such with aboriginal land management systems. The instances. Council never the less recognizes that some Townsville area was home for a large number of development is warranted, and has recently initiated a people and still shows evidence of this long pre- number of policies and guidelines for developers so European occupation. However, many significant sites that development can be achieved without e.g. story sites, have no visible signs of cultural compromising heritage conservation values to any importance that could alert outsiders to their presence. significant extent. 36. The State Government recently enacted the Encourage local archaeologists to model areas Queensland Heritage Act (1992), which enables the likely to be of significance to aboriginal communi- general community to nominate places of (no ties, so planners could ensure high levels of Aboriginal) heritage significance to the Register of the consultation if development was suggested for such Heritage Council, a body created to carry out the Act, areas. (PD: CS:OA) which is administered, by the Dept of Environment Encourage proactive liaison with the aboriginal and Heritage. Whilst the criteria required to be met by community. (PD: CS:OA) nominated places in order to be listed is quite broad in scope, the Objects of the Act state the intention to Promote community awareness of issues of cultural control the nature of development, rather than prohibit heritage significance. (CS:OA) it. It is understood that development plans for In liaison with the other groups encourage and nominated or listed places are to be submitted to the assist the Heritage Council to implement the Heritage Councilor delegated authority for Heritage Act in an effective, efficient and equitable determination on the suitability of the plans. manner. (PD: ENV :OA) The objectives for achieving Cultural Heritage Determine the cultural heritage significance of conservation is to: specific areas such as the Ross River environs to Preserve the ambiance and integrity of historical guide sound urban planning. (PD: CS:OA) precincts and buildings in Townsville; and, Encourage research by community groups into Protect aboriginal significant places from damage Townsville's maritime history, including research or modification. into wrecks around the coastline. (PD:OA) Initiate community involvement in the conservation of cultural heritage, such as the restoration of the West End Cemetery. (CS) Liaise closely with the DEH and the National Trust and other relevant groups when issues of cultural and built heritage arise. (PD: CS) Areas for Community Action: Find out about the history of the area, houses and suburbs. Join the National Trust. Visit the National Trust Houses in West End; contact the National Trust for opening times. Get a copy of the Historic Trails booklet and do some of the self-guided walls, contact National Trust or Council for information. A Classic Queenslander Areas for Research: Areas for Council Action: Special areas that need further research or collation To manage and facilitate the conservation of cultural of existing material include the West End cemetery, heritage places, Council should consider the following houses in the inner city historical precincts, the actions: 1930's houses behind Strand Park, and the pa_ of hotel development in Townsville. Addition. The Document historical precincts in Townsville. (PD) archaeological value and status of the south bank of Develop a set of guidelines for landscape design the Ross River area needs investigation. with respect to the landscape context of historical Knowledge of aboriginal cultural heritage areas. (PD) significance in the Townsville region is limited and Support the production of a map and coordinated requires coordinated investigations involving information about the important historical features indigenous people, professional archaeologists and of the Townsville's individual precincts. (PD: CS) Council. 37. 18 Tourism Planning Council recognizes that responsible planning is to Magnetic Island is arguably Townsville's eminent develop an ecologically sustainable tourism in tourist attraction. Its unique, distinctive character as an Townsville. "island suburb" with a relatively small local population living alongside a National Park which covers some The Issues: 55% of the island, and World Heritage Area Marine The recently developed Tourism Concept Strategy Park where fringing reefs literally adjoin the "suburb" - (Kinhill, Cameron, McNamara, 1991) provides a all of which is readily accessible is a great asset which, framework for tourism development in the Townsville with careful and considered management, can sustain region. The report identified Townsville as unlikely to economic and environmental benefits for generations become a mainstream tourist destination like Cairns or to come. To this end, Council jointly commissioned the Whitsunday area, but being located between those the’ Magnetic Is. Management Plan to guide two tourist attractions, it is well "placed to attract management and development of the Island. people as a secondary stopover. The potential exists to There is considerable scope to develop eco-tourism major capital out of the fact that the different character oriented facilities both on the Island and on the of the area and its attractions can provide a diversity of mainland. High-quality interpretation centers are experience for the traveller. The City's location in the needed at potential or existing draw cards such as the dry tropics, with clean, dry air and reliable, extended Town Common and Magnetic Is. Both facilities should periods of sunshine can be an advantage if utilized be integrated with the Wonderland Complex so that sensitively. Tourism development needs to provide visitors can be drawn from one to the other to both people with economic and environmental benefits enhance their experience and stimulate the economy compatible with local lifestyles. Poorly planned through lengthened or more active visits. tourism can destroy the very resource upon which its success is based, and therefore, unsustainable. Townsville needs to foster adequate planning, and an environmental awareness and appreciation to achieve the long-term security and integrity of its natural resources and its economic well-being. 38. The provision of natural history information and The nature of development associated with the field guides to visitor information centers (e.g. tourism industry can be a cause for concern where Coppertop-in-the-Mall and Community Information there is likely to be impact to the natural or cultural Center) to promote natural attractions. (ENV:OA) environment. Certain types of development are re- quired to have an Environmental Impact Statement Development of a more efficient