Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2015L00160:body:0:p13
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2015L00160
Segment Type: other
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Character Range: 33178–36149

Fabry-Perot spectrometer measures temperatures and vector winds in the lower thermosphere for investigation of small-scale processes in this region of the Earth's environment. Continuous automated measurements of geomagnetic variations and ionospheric opacity and structure are used in various operation and research activities related to the near-Earth space environment.
Meteorological measurements made at Mawson provide one of the longest continuous records of weather and climate in East Antarctica. In addition to daily surface and upper air sounds, air samples are periodically obtained for trace gas analysis. Furthermore, an underground seismometer and a radionuclide atmospheric sampler contribute to monitoring associated with the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.
All the buildings that are in use are maintained in accordance with an AAD seasonal maintenance and capital works program. Buildings found to be inappropriate for one reason or another have been extended, relocated or undergone significant renovation or modification in order to meet new demands such as the housing of new equipment. The relocation of operational activities to new buildings has also prompted the movement of some buildings to more convenient locations. Despite such changes, the old station cluster presents, somewhat, as a small village battling the elements.
Just as the buildings and their fittings have not remained static, the heritage values of Mawson evolve; they are not aligned with a single point in time. It is not necessary or even desirable, therefore, to maintain or restore buildings to their original use but rather to manage them so that, where possible, they continue to be useful, working structures for future programs.
Prior to heritage assessments undertaken in the 1990s, the station had not been assessed as a place of cultural or heritage significance. A draft heritage plan (Rando 1996) proposed the retention of a nucleus of eighteen of the older station buildings. Specifically, the proposal sought to preserve: (a) examples of the key ANARE building types; (b) the hub of the old station; (c) the buildings relocated from Heard Island; and (d) something of the village atmosphere of the old station core. It optimistically envisaged that the old station could exist as a heritage precinct and uses would be found for all the retained buildings. The assessments and draft heritage plan formed the basis of listings on the Register of the National Estate listing in 2001, and the Commonwealth Heritage List in 2004.
Notwithstanding the station's existence as a Commonwealth Heritage place for some years, few expeditioners and AAD head office staff have much knowledge of the station's history beyond the significance of its name.

Figure 2. Mawson buildings and structures.

3. Assessment of Commonwealth Heritage values

Mawson's heritage 'significance' forms the foundation upon which conservation policy for the place is developed. The EPBC