ANNUAL REPORT 2018–19 PORT ARTHUR HISTORIC SITE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY OUR VISION The Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority is globally recognised for excellence in telling the Australian convict story through outstanding conservation and tourism experiences. OUR PURPOSE To conserve and enhance the heritage values of our World Heritage convict sites and to share the stories of these places and the people connected to them. PORT ARTHUR HISTORIC SITE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY ANNUAL REPORT 2018–19 OUR VALUES UNITY We work as one to achieve PAHSMA’s Vision and Purpose. PEOPLE MATTER We acknowledge and show respect to our people – past, present and future. ACCOUNTABILITY We hold ourselves, and each other, accountable for our actions and behaviours. PASSION AND PRIDE We are committed to being world class. DIRECTORS’ CONTENTS STATEMENT Chair’s Review 4 To the Honourable Peter Gutwein MP, Treasurer and Minister for Environment, Chief Executive Officer’s Report 6 Parks and Heritage, In accordance with section 55 of the Government Business Enterprises Act 1995, THE YEAR AT A GLANCE 8–11 we hereby submit for your information and presentation to Parliament, the report of The Board 12 the Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority for the year ended 30 June 2019. The report has been prepared in Executive Team 14 accordance with the provisions of the Government Business Enterprises Act 1995. Governance 15 Signed in accordance with a resolution of the Board. Statement of Corporate Intent 16 Contribution to the State Economy 18 Our People 20 MICHAEL FIELD Tourism Operations 24 Director Marketing 28 26 September 2019 Conservation and Infrastructure 30 Cascades Female Factory Historic Site 36 PETER McKAY Financial Report 38 Director 26 September 2019 Auditor’s Independence Declaration 75 Independent Auditor’s Report 76 Declarations 80 Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (PAHSMA) ABN 38 430 446 928 PAHSMA is celebrating another year of for decision making in relation to tourism CHAIR’S success and recognition, receiving major opportunities in the area. PAHSMA remains awards and accolades at both the Tasmanian hopeful that the Federal Group will progress REVIEW and Australian Tourism Awards. Such awards development plans in the near future to create do not come easily, and can be attributed to a development that will both showcase and the dedication, excellent customer service be sympathetic to the Site’s status as part of focus and conservation expertise of our valued the Australian Convict Sites World Heritage people. So this year, I again thank each and Property. every individual and PAHSMA team that has Following the shocking and saddening contributed to our success. news of the Christchurch massacre, PAHSMA PAHSMA continues to focus on sent a letter of support and condolence to improvement in all aspects of our business, the New Zealand Prime Minister. This tragic as our people practice the PAHSMA Values event reminds the PAHSMA Board and of Unity, People Matter, Accountability, and staff of our responsibility to safeguard the Passion and Pride. It is these values that memory of the victims of the Port Arthur contribute to the consistently excellent service massacre, to sensitively tell the story of the that our visitors experience at our Sites. resulting gun law changes and to represent PAHSMA is entrusted with the the victims’ families in advocating that no conservation of the heritage values of the legislative changes in gun laws in Australia properties under our care and we aim to should weaken the effect of current statutes. ensure that our custodianship responds to Our thoughts of course go to the families and our growing visitor numbers so as to not community affected in Christchurch. threaten the Sites’ future sustainability. With The Board recognises that PAHSMA’s the support and expertise of our partners success relies on the support and assistance from the Getty Conservation Institute, Dr provided by our previous Minister and the Martha Demas and Dr Neville Agnew, we are Premier, the Hon. Will Hodgman MP, our new undertaking a sustainable visitation project Minister, the Hon. Peter Gutwein MP, and to ensure that our growing tourist numbers the Tasmanian and Australian Governments align with our World Heritage conservation generally, for which we are grateful. I would obligations and goals. As part of this project, also like to acknowledge the significant during the next financial year, we aim to contribution made by Sue Clark who after partner with other Tasmanian organisations 12 years has completed her service on the that face similar challenges, with the aim of Board as the local community representative. strengthening the conservation of the State’s This has resulted in a new Board member, heritage generally. Roseanne Heyward now filling this vital role. Our much needed plans to develop This will be my last Annual Report. I am the Cascades Female Factory History and retiring as the Chair of the PAHSMA Board Interpretation Centre are well underway in December 2019. I have cherished being with designs very close to completion and a part of PAHSMA for the past 20 years and applications for statutory approvals and a have seen significant and increasing change, fundraising program soon to commence. growth and improvement during that time. This will be another valuable major capital I have been immensely privileged to take project for PAHSMA’s future, and will part in these developments and I wish to enable us to better share the important and express my heartfelt gratitude for continuing undervalued story of the role of convict bi-partisan government support, and to our women in Australian history. people and volunteers, my Board colleagues, Responding to Climate Change CEO Stephen Large, the PAHSMA Executive, impacts are a focus for our conservation our Community Advisory Committees and the and infrastructure teams as we continue PAHSMA Conservation Advisory Committee to monitor, research and trial methods of who have made this progress possible by mitigation of erosion and salination at the passion, dedication and hard work. Coal Mines due to rising sea levels and As the PAHSMA team continue to focus increasingly severe weather events. In Port on ongoing improvement in all aspects of our Arthur we are also contending with the business, I will be leaving knowing that the concerns of low dam water levels which conservation, tourism and corporate aims of impact not only our Site but also surrounding the Authority are in good hands to ensure a water customers. Climate change work has sustainable and successful future. become business-as-usual as we aim to I wish you all well. protect our Sites for future generations. The Federal Group’s luxury hotel resort development plans were put on hold in December 2018 as the Group advised of their intention to revisit options for the existing property. This project was first proposed by Sharon Sullivan AO FAHA the Group over 14 years ago. The continuing delays in finalising planning for the project and setting a definite commencement Chair Professor Sharon Sullivan with PAHSMA CEO, Stephen Large 4 date are frustrating and present difficulties Image: Alastair Bett 5 The 2018–19 year has been one of to focus attention to maximise CHIEF consolidation for PAHSMA. Our tourism our employee experience. To teams have focussed on learning new ways this end, in May 2019 the Board EXECUTIVE of working in our new Port Arthur Historic commenced an Organisational Site Visitor Centre while our conservation Transformation Review (OTR) OFFICER’S and administration roles have been able to to gain insight into potential return to business-as-usual following the improvements to ensure we REPORT largest capital project in PAHSMA’s history are fostering an engaging and being completed last year. This consolidation sustainable future for our people. period has not detracted from the important This independent review has projects that have been progressed during included consultation with the the year, which are featured throughout this PAHSMA Board, Executive, report. Managers and employees and Our people have continued to provide we look forward to receiving the exceptional service to our visitors while recommendations in 2019–20. maintaining and conserving our Sites to the PAHSMA has many high standard expected of a World Heritage stakeholders, whom I would like listing. As always, the feedback received to acknowledge and thank for from visitors and other stakeholders is very their contribution during 2018–19 positive. PAHSMA’s success is, without including: doubt, attributed to the efforts of each and • PAHSMA Portfolio Minister every individual and team. and Premier, the Hon. Will The Port Arthur Historic Site won Hodgman MP awards at both the Tasmanian and the • PAHSMA Chair, Sharon Australian Tourism Awards, proudly Sullivan AO FAHA and PAHSMA bringing home gold for Cultural Tourism Board members for their Attraction and Major Tourist Attraction. ongoing support and guidance Visitation at the Site has remained strong • our professional and committed with 357 411 day time visitors being 3.96% employees and volunteers above the annual target. • the PAHSMA Executive The Cascades Female Factory in South • the Port Arthur and the Hobart welcomed 34 803 visitors, including Cascades Female Factory over 2 400 school children learning the story Community Advisory of the convict women and children who lived Committee members and there. This valued property has continued their respective Chairs,