Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2021L01869:reg:2021:p2
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2021L01869
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 2021 (pt 2/55)
Character Range: 563769–568254

providing a deep and inspirational sense of connection to community and landscape, to the past and to lived experiences. They are historical records, that are important expressions of Australian identity and experience. Places of cultural significance reflect the diversity of our communities, telling us about who we are and the past that has formed us and the Australian landscape. They are irreplaceable and precious.

  These places of cultural significance must be conserved for present and future generations in accordance with the principle of inter-generational equity.

  The Burra Charter advocates a cautious approach to change: do as much as necessary to care for the place and to make it useable, but otherwise change it as little as possible so that its cultural significance is retained.

Article 1. Definitions
  For the purposes of this Charter:

Article   Explanatory Notes
1.1       Place means a geographically defined area. It may include elements, objects, spaces and views. Place may have tangible and intangible dimensions.                                                                              Place has a broad scope and includes natural and cultural features. Place can be large or small: for example, a memorial, a tree, an individual building or group of buildings, the location of an historical event, an urban area or town, a cultural landscape, a garden, an industrial plant, a shipwreck, a site with in situ remains, a stone arrangement, a road or travel route, a community meeting place, a site with spiritual or religious connections.
1.2       Cultural significance means aesthetic, historic, scientific, social or spiritual value for past, present or future generations.                                                                                                The term cultural significance is synonymous with cultural heritage significance and cultural heritage value.
          Cultural significance is embodied in the place itself, its fabric, setting, use, associations, meanings, records, related places and related objects. Places may have a range of values for different individuals or groups.   Cultural significance may change over time and with use.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Understanding of cultural significance may change as a result of new information.
1.3       Fabric means all the physical material of the place including elements, fixtures, contents and objects.                                                                                                                        Fabric includes building interiors and sub- surface remains, as well as excavated material.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Natural elements of a place may also constitute fabric. For example the rocks that signify a Dreaming place.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Fabric may define spaces and views and these may be part of the significance of the place.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         See also Article 14.
1.4       Conservation means all the processes of looking after a place so as to retain its cultural significance.
1.5       Maintenance means the continuous protective care of a place, and its setting.                                                                                                                                                  Examples of protective care include:
          Maintenance is to be distinguished from repair which involves restoration or reconstruction.                                                                                                                                       * maintenance – regular inspection and cleaning of a place (for example, mowing and pruning in