Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2018L00053:body:0:p55
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2018L00053
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 154699–159151

h: Significant people                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Criterion h: Significant people
N/A                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Cockatoo Island is important for its association with the administration of Governor Gipps in the 1840s, the construction of Fitzroy Dock from 1851-57 under Gother Kerr Mann, Federation in 1901, the formation of the Royal Australian Navy in 1911 and the construction of the first steel warship built in Australia, HMAS Heron.

Management of External Impacts on Cockatoo Island Convict Site
Potential impacts from development in NSW on the Cockatoo Island Convict Site would be assessed under relevant planning instruments such as Local Environmental Plans, State Environmental Planning Policies and the Sydney Regional Environmental Plan (Sydney Harbour Catchment) 2005. In addition, development that may have a significant impact on the heritage values or environment of Cockatoo Island, could also trigger the requirement for approval under the EPBC Act.

Condition of Values
The cultural significance and statutory heritage values of Cockatoo Island are embodied in the fabric of the place, its setting, records, related places, objects and moveable heritage. Intangible aspects of the island's heritage - previous uses, associations and meanings also find expression in the site's physical attributes. For example, the sandstone in the convict-built buildings help to tell the story of forced convict labour on the island. The discussion of the condition of the values therefore focuses on the physical attributes to which the values are inextricably linked.
The various uses of the island since the convict era have resulted in the layering of fabric and some destruction and adaptation of original fabric. As the whole island was deserted from early 1992 to 2001, there was considerable deterioration of the remaining building stock, machinery and cranes during that period. Since 2001 the Harbour Trust has carried out remediation and repairs to some infrastructure and services and some conservation works to make the Island accessible to the public.
Despite the demolition of buildings and removal of machinery, cranes and other equipment by Defence prior to the transfer of the site to the Harbour Trust, the Island remains predominantly industrial in character. This value is reinforced through the retention and interpretation of physical evidence, such as rails, slipways, cranes and building footprints.

The Plateau
The most significant physical fabric on the island is the remaining convict origin sandstone elements, the legacy of the administration of Governor Gipps who was responsible for the establishment of the Island as a prison. Most of the sandstone buildings, quarried cliffs, underground silos and the Fitzroy Dock represent evidence of convict hard labour.
The majority of the convict-built structures are located within the Plateau precinct and in the Workshop complex within the Eastern Apron. These have been surveyed in detail for a stonework conservation program. Despite being exposed