Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2019L00148:reg:2017:p64
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2019L00148
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 2017 (pt 64/81)
Character Range: 250281–254172

preparation of a heritage impact statement.  It is also worth noting that on some occasions, changes may be justified even if they involve an attribute of high sensitivity.

The level of sensitivity to change is based on the vulnerability of the attribute to loss of heritage values through change.

              High sensitivity High sensitivity to change occurs where a change would pose a major threat to a specific heritage value of the attribute affected, or the Library as a whole.  A major threat is one that would lead to substantial or total loss of the heritage value.

              Moderate sensitivity Moderate sensitivity to change occurs where a change would pose a moderate threat to a specific heritage value of the attribute affected, or would pose a threat to an attribute of heritage significance in another part of the building.  A moderate threat is one that would diminish the heritage value, or diminish the ability of an observer to appreciate the value.

              Low Sensitivity Low sensitivity to change occurs where a change would pose no appreciable threat to a specific heritage value of the attribute affected, and would pose no appreciable threat to heritage significance in another part of the building.  Attributes of the Library with no individual identified heritage values are likely to have a low sensitivity to change, rising to moderate if the proposals affect adjacent areas having values.

The level of sensitivity will depend on the specific values of the space or attribute involved, and any one space or attribute might have a range of heritage values that have high, moderate or low levels of sensitivity to the same proposal.  Assessment of proposals should therefore consider all values.

An example would be a proposal to refurbish a significant reading room.  The heritage values of the reading room might include its long-term historical use as a reading room, the design values of its wall cladding and fitout, and its being part of a rare suite of rooms reflecting the original design of the Library.  If a proposal to reclad the reading room in new materials were made, the room would have high sensitivity to change in relation to the design of its wall cladding, high to moderate sensitivity in relation to its impact on a suite of rooms, and low sensitivity in relation to use, which would remain unchanged.  Understanding the relationship between values and impacts of change will help in modifying proposals and avoiding loss of significance.

Table 9.  Levels of sensitivity to change of attributes of the Library

Component                                                                                                                                                                                                  Level of Sensitivity                                                                                                                                                                  Nature of change impacting Heritage Values

National Library building                                                                                                                                                                                  High                                                                                                                                                                                       * changes to façade materials and design
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      * reduction of the all-round visibility of the building and