Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2015L00160:body:0:p15
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2015L00160
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 38818–41904

values

There are two different methods of analysing the condition and integrity of heritage values:
       * the condition of the significant heritage fabric; and
       * the condition of the Commonwealth Heritage values themselves.
An assessment by each method is presented below.
The condition of the fabric has been evaluated using the terms below which are consistent with State of the Environment guidelines for assessing the condition of heritage places (see Pearson and Marshall 2006:31-32):
       * Good:  Structurally sound, weather tight, important features well maintained, no significant repair needed.
       * Fair:  Structurally sound, retains major features, needs minor repairs.
       * Poor:  Damaged, structurally unstable, erosion, disturbance, walls or floors missing or dilapidated.
Three levels of judgement have been used to indicate the 'integrity' of the value, or in other words the intactness of the fabric reflecting the value:
       * High:  Features largely intact, no significant removals, modifications or additions.
       * Medium:  Some important elements lost, retains enough significant fabric to be understood and interpreted.
       * Low:  Significant elements destroyed, removed, replaced, rearranged or altered.

4.1 Condition of significant heritage fabric
Mawson station buildings, like any in Antarctica, are subject to extreme weather conditions. They will, without a high degree of regular maintenance, deteriorate rapidly.
Maintenance of the early buildings has focussed on those still serving an operational role.  Thus while obvious damage to vacated buildings has been repaired, work on these structures has been directed at maintaining them at a safe standard. The condition of many of the old station buildings in recent years has also been affected by the disconnection of site services.

External cladding
The external cladding of the early buildings is in various stages of disrepair and decay; some contain asbestos. Abrasion from wind, seasonal freezing and thawing has caused the external skin to delaminate, paint to flake, and tie rods to rust and corrode. These actions have resulted in a loss of external integrity of some PTB buildings.
The operational AANBUS buildings are subject to regular maintenance, and the integrity of their external cladding is high.

Internal spaces and fixtures
Many of the early buildings have been altered to accommodate new functions. The degree of internal modification varies from little or no internal alteration (e.g. Shackleton) to a comprehensive refit to accommodate a different purpose (e.g. Old Auroral Observatory). As noted by Rando (1996:80):
    Very few of the old station buildings at Mawson remain entirely unaltered, with a complete set of original building components. Even a cursory glance through the annual station reports reveals the regularity with which individual building parts have been changed, replaced or rearranged. Internal building alterations associated with changes in use have often been dramatic. The partial or wholesale gutting and refitting of