NEWS
AUSTRALIA ICOMOS NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2025
The Australia ICOMOS National Conference – Our Shared Heritage: Un-Settling Ground – was held between the 17–19 November 2025 and attracted over 270 delegates to the Traditional Country of the Wadawurrung Peoples, in the historic city of Ballarat.
This year’s themes, ‘Battlefronts’ and ‘Un-Settling’, invited critical examination of heritage through the lenses of disruption, resilience, and transformation. The insights of ICOMOS Members played a crucial role in fostering this dialogue, through sessions and presentations offering solutions-focused insights, innovative approaches, and thought-provoking case studies.
The discussions that arose not only enriched our understanding but also encouraged participants to think creatively about the complexities of heritage in today’s world.
A big thank you to all who participated in making it an engaging event.
You can find the online image gallery from the event at https://medadesignau.shootproof.com/gallery/icomos2025 Password: icomos
You can also see a short video here.
Mitch Cleghorn & Susan Fayad
Images by Me Da Design au
NEW Presenting our new and continuing members of the executive
Our Office Bearers are:
President: Dr Caitlin Allen, Vice President: Claire Nunez, Treasurer: Mitchell Cleghorn, Secretary: Pamela Hubert
Membership Secretary: Alana Jennings
Re-elected members 2025-27
Caitlin Allen (NSW), Alana Jennings (WA), Claire Nunez (NSW), Ross Stanger (TAS)
Continuing members 2024-26
Mitchell Cleghorn (WA), Pamela Hubert (TAS), Stephanie Johnston (SA), Richard Morrison (ACT), Hendry Wan (NSW)
New Incoming members 2025-27
Laura Gray (WA), Elizabeth Little (SA), Claire Miller (VIC), Emma Moore (VIC), Benjamin Petkov (VIC)
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ICOMOS MEMBERS
NEW World Heritage Impact Assessment Workshop Review by Prof Richard Mackay
In mid November, ICOMOS Australia and the City of Ballarat, with support from ICOMOS and the Australian Government, hosted a one-day training workshop: World Heritage Impact Assessment. The workshop presented and provided training in the use of the Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessments in a World Heritage Context, 2022, which was prepared by ICOMOS and the other World Heritage Advisory Bodies.
The Ballarat workshop, held in conjunction with the Australia ICOMOS Annual General Meeting and Annual conference was facilitated by Prof Richard Mackay – ICOMOS World Heritage Adviser and co-author of the Guidance. 16 workshop attendees, including site managers, government officials and heritage practitioners underwent an intensive program aimed at familiarising participants with best practice in heritage impact assessment. Officers from the City of Ballarat contributed a case study based on the ‘Victorian Goldfields’ property, which is on Australia’s World Heritage Tentative List.
The workshop was offered as a variation on the longer six session residential course that has been developed by ICOMOS to build capacity in World Heritage impact assessment.
If you are interested in hosting or attending either long or short form HIA training, please let us know – austicomos@deakin.edu.au so we can consider the need for future sessions
Image supplied: R.Mackay
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NEW Climate Crisis and Cultural Heritage International Symposium 18 November 2025 Review Jo Lyngcoln
I was thrilled to accept ICOMOS Australia recommendation to attend the Climate Crisis and Cultural Heritage International Symposium in Daejeon South Korea. The Symposium was organised by the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage Korea and ICOMOS Korea.
The focus for the Symposium was the sharing of information across nations immersed in the research and proactive response to climate change and the impacts we are already witnessing as acceleration occurs. Korea was especially looking for new initiatives that would support their work in protection of World Heritage in this ever-changing space.
Mario Santana Quintero, former Secretary General of ICOMOS and currently of Carleton University Canada was the keynote speaker. Mario spoke to potential opportunities and challenges of digital tools in the protection of cultural heritage. He examined the challenges posed by limited resources, technological disparities and policy gaps while highlighting opportunities presented by digital mapping, 3D modelling and community-based story telling.
Presentations by Mairi Davies, Historic Environment Scotland, Professor Ji-soo Kim from the Korean Research Institute, Dr Dong-hyun Kim from Jeonju University and Dr Young-jae Kim from Korea National University of Heritage, along with the Australian Perspective by myself all indicated that while resourcing varies greatly across Canada, Australia, Scotland and Korea the drive is very similar and depending on the environmentally driven threats of wildfire, storms, flooding, freeze and landslip is reflected in the nature of urgent focus. A visit to two World Heritage sites demonstrated current threats of flooding and potential landslip and the increase in insect infestation due to temperature and humidity rises.
On reflection it is clear that Australia, while significantly under resourced throughout all government levels addressing climate change impacts on cultural heritage, historic and Aboriginal, is still through the research efforts of institutions such as Aus ICOMOS, CSIRO, AFAC and AIDR progressing with new initiatives that with international collaboration with progressive countries such as Korea and Scotland could move faster to implement meaningful and pragmatic strategies. During my research for the presentation, it became clear that while from a government response the Commonwealth is addressing some of the challenges for World Heritage properties, the States are all at very different levels of commitment to this work, and are largely driven by budget constraints, complacency and acting on the immediate impacts of disaster events as they unfold. It is critical that State governments understand that a consistent resource is required through dedicated teams within their heritage sections to respond at times of crisis but also to undertake research and strategic planning during benign periods, while supporting local council level emergency management.
Image: J. Lyngcoln -Monitoring of the Temple condition and movement through Digital recording.
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NEW INFORMATION ON NATIONAL AND STATE LEGISLATIVE REFORMS
Many of you will be aware of significant changes proposed to some of Australia’s key planning and environment laws, which have implications for heritage conservation processes and outcomes at the Commonwealth level and in Victoria and NSW. Some of these reforms have come upon us suddenly and with no public consultation. Others have provided mechanisms for public input.
Australia ICOMOS is closely monitoring these changes and where possible participating in consultation processes and making representations. This update is to provide information about currently proposed or recently enacted changes and where relevant to let you know how you can participate in public consultation.
ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AND BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION ACT REFORMS BILL 2025
On 30 October the Commonwealth Minister for Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water Murray Watt, introduced a package of bills to reform the EPBC Act. This includes the EPBC Reform Bill 2025. This Bill addresses a few of the concerns, but not all, raised by the heritage industry during the consultation for the Samuel’s Review of the EPBC Act in 2020, which you can read here. Section 3 of the review is a useful reference point.
The Bill, which is likely to be supported with amendments in the Upper House this week, includes some changes that would improve the heritage provisions of the EPBC Act, including for National Heritage, not Commonwealth Heritage places:
- amending boundaries;
- listing non-contiguous areas of land as one place;
- adding to or amending the official values;
- name changes (such as adding Indigenous names);
- fixing factual errors in existing listings;
- terminating assessments which are ‘blocked’ (eg where Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) is unobtainable);
- allowing for a call for nominations when the Minister determines (not necessarily ‘annually’).
The EPBC Act Reforms seek to reduce duplication and increase certainty for proponents. The current reform package represents a second attempt to legislate these commitments after earlier proposals stalled in 2024.
There are other reforms related to referral, development and approvals processes. Many of them focus on environmental protection and natural heritage, but some relate to cultural heritage, including:
- the Environment Minister can make National Environmental Standards to help protect the environment, give businesses clear rules to follow, and make sure decisions are made fairly and consistently;
- embeds First Nations involvement in assessment and planning processes, and in the development of Standards and bioregional plans;
- establishment of a National Environment Protection Authority (NEPA) as an independent body responsible for producing State of the Environment (SOE) reports every two years. Providing the Minister, NEPA, and the public with access to high quality environmental information and data, while maintaining environmental economic accounts and a public register of national environmental information assets.
- a new streamlined assessment process to replace three of the current environmental impact assessment pathways. Actions with ‘unacceptable impacts’ on protected matters will not be approved. The Minister will have the power to approve ‘national interest proposals’ (such as social housing and renewable energy projects) which do not have to strictly comply with the Standards;
- establishes Environmental Information Australia as an independent body responsible for producing State of the Environment reports every two years. It will also provide the Minister, NEPA, and the public with access to high quality environmental information and data, while maintaining environmental economic accounts and a public register of national environmental information assets.
In the reform Bill, the relevant National Environmental Standard that impacts cultural heritage is about Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES). You can read the standards here: National Environmental Standards – consultation documents. The draft was developed with input from stakeholders, but Australia ICOMOS was not included in these consultations, and this is something we will be addressing with the Commonwealth Minister.
The Minister’s media release and speech to the National Press Club on 30 October are here:
Making a submission
Public consultation is open for the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act reforms, with a deadline of December 5, 2025, for submissions to the Senate committee. You can find more information, including how to make a submission on the inquiry page.
Additionally, public consultation on the draft National Environmental Standards (NES) closes on January 30, 2026. You can make a submission here.
We encourage individual members to make their own submissions.
Although the Bill is likely to go through the Upper House this week, Australia ICOMOS will still be making a submission focussing on issues that need to be considered in implementation of the Bill.
If you are making a submission on the EPBC reform Bill or on the National Environmental Standards and would like us to be aware of the issues you have raised, please send your submission to Caitlin Allen – president.australia@icomos.org
We will circulate the Australia ICOMOS submissions to members as soon as they are completed.
VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT’S PLANNING AMENDMENT (BETTER DECISIONS MADE FASTER) BILL 2025
The Victorian Government’s Planning Amendment (Better Decisions Made Faster) Bill 2025, introduced to Parliament earlier this month, represents the culmination of a rapid reform agenda throughout the year.
Australia ICOMOS’ advocacy on these reforms has been consistent and evidence-based. In May 2025, we wrote to the Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny warning that new housing provisions (VC257) risked overriding protections for World Heritage environs and cautioned against “deemed to comply” standards that bypass heritage expertise. In August 2025, our submission on Local Heritage Criteria highlighted concerns, specifically the lack of reference to the Burra Charter and our view that the criteria could consider integrating Aboriginal and natural values into local heritage definitions.
Aspects of the new Bill exacerbates these established risks. Proposed reforms include:
- a revised objective in Section 4(1)(h): “to conserve and enhance those buildings, areas and places that are historically, architecturally, culturally, aesthetically, scientifically or socially significant or otherwise of special significance”;
- a 10-day determination pathway for planning applications;
- introduction of three categories of low (single-dwelling), medium (low-rise- multi-residential and high (medium to high-rise multi-residential) complexity to decide how much consultation and review an amendment receives. The Minister can re-assign an amendment to a lower category. Mandatory notification will occur for high complexity projects (Stream 3) to the National Trust and Royal Historical Society;
- the introduction of ‘deemed to comply standards’ for residential development;
- the removal of Parliamentary oversight and third-party appeal rights.
Some elements will be achieved through the legislation, while others will be through the two-year implementation programme
We join leading industry voices including the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) and Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV), as well as the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) and the Royal Historical Society of Victoria (RHSV) in advocating around aspects of the reforms that reduce transparency including expert and community inputs, establish approaches that undermine thoughtful and place-based planning, and introduce timeframes that are operationally challenging for Heritage Overlays, leaving no time for site visits, fabric analysis, or the negotiation or goo heritage outcomes. Australia ICOMOS’ latest representation on the reforms will be circulated to members once it is finalised.
NSW PLANNING SYSTEMS REFORM BILL 2025
The NSW government rapidly passed a Bill though Parliament in October with no public consultation, to substantially amend the NSW Environment Planning & Assessment Act. Many details of the implementation are yet to be finalised. Key changes include:
- the revised EP&A Act establishes the NSW Development Coordination Authority (DCA). This will provide advice and approvals on Development Applications and planning proposals on behalf of all NSW Government agencies, instead of the current system where each relevant agency (including Heritage NSW) does its own independent assessment to the State and local planning authorities. The DCA will issue all concurrences, integrated development General Terms of Approval and referrals from one central point. It’s likely this will involve pulling heritage approvals staff out of Heritage NSW into this centralised authority.
- the recently created Housing Delivery Authority has been enshrined in legislation;
- community consultation will happen using statewide consultation plans rather than on individual applications. No detail on how this will work.
- there will be a targeted a ‘Targeted Assessment Pathway’ (between full DA and Complying Development) where strategic planning and community consultation has already occurred.
- proportionate assessment requirements will be introduced
- there will be no more regional planning panels
In terms of the functions of the current heritage system:
- there is no change planned to the Heritage Act for the moment, but this will inevitably come;
- Heritage NSW/NSW Heritage Council will no longer provide general terms of approval for integrated development, advice on State significant projects or rezoning proposals, unless requested by the DCA.
- once a development application has been determined by the DCA, any subsequent approvals under the NSW Heritage Act or National Parks and Wildlife Act have to be determined in line with the General Terms of Approval (GTAs) issue by DCA. This is similar to what happens now, the difference being that Heritage NSW/Heritage Council currently have the ability to issue GTAs that have to be taken into consideration in determining an Integrated Development Application.
- the NSW Heritage Council Approval Committee may no longer exist as the majority of high impact approvals will run through the DCA.
There are still many unknowns, but there is significant risk relating to the quality of heritage advice and outcomes in this new system and of splintering co-ordination of heritage policy and approvals functions within the NSW Government. Now the Bill has passed, the new system will be implemented over the coming months. Many detailed aspects are yet to be determined.
NSW ABORIGINAL CULTURAL HERITAGE REFORM PROCESS
The latest attempt to reform the NSW Aboriginal Cultural Heritage system is progressing. Over the last few months, Australia ICOMOS has been pleased to participate in very productive stakeholder consultations on the Draft Aboriginal Heritage Bill 2025. These have been closed consultations on the draft with key stakeholders including community and industry bodies, but we anticipate the Bill will be made available for public consultation soon. We will update you when this happens.
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CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS / GRANTS / NOMINATIONS / EOI
EOI | Heritage Advisory Service | Broken Hill City Council
Broken Hill City Council is currently advertising Expression of Interest – Heritage Advisory Service via Vendor Panel.
Council is seeking to appoint a heritage advisor to positively promote and manage heritage and urban design in the Broken Hill Local Government Area (Far West NSW). Services can be delivered by a mix of remote and onsite visits to Broken Hill (bi-monthly – quarterly).
If you are interested in submitting an Expression of Interest, the required method is via Vendor Panel. Further information about the EOI for the Heritage Advisor service, can be found through the Vendor Panel listing (VP486876).
As part of our ongoing effort to work better with our suppliers Broken Hill City Council manage procurement through the Vendor Panel Marketplace.
Registration is easy:
Once registered, your business profile will be visible to buyers searching in your category and region of service. This means when we advertise consultancy services, once registered, you should automatically receive these as we select applicable categories for this region.
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PhD scholarship opportunity in railway heritage
Deakin University is offering a new PhD scholarship opportunity ‘Representing Rail: Railway Heritage in Transnational Contexts’ as part of a multi-disciplinary Australian Research Council-funded research project ‘Derailing Empire: A Transcultural and Gendered History of Australian Rail’ (DP250101888). Applications will remain open until a candidate has been appointed.
Further details are here: https://www.deakin.edu.au/study/fees-and-scholarships/scholarships/find-a-scholarship/hdr-scholarship-australian-railways-in-heritage-and-museums
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World Heritage Cities and Climate Action – Call for Case Studies
UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok is pleased to announce that the Call for Case Studies is now open for the upcoming Asia-Pacific Regional Conference on World Heritage Cities and Climate Action, which will be held in Kyoto, Japan, from 7 to 9 March 2026.
The conference aims to take stock of the current situation and challenges faced by the World Heritage Cities in the region in the context of climate change; to share academic and practical research findings with a wider range of stakeholders; and to explore feasible solutions applicable to these cities.
We invite heritage professionals, researchers, and city managers are invited to submit short case-study abstracts on how World Heritage Cities across the region are responding to the growing impacts of climate change.
Selected authors will be invited to present their work at the Regional Conference in Kyoto. They will also join an emerging regional network helping to shape the research and policy agenda for climate action in World Heritage Cities. UNESCO will provide travel and accommodation support for one author per selected case.
Submissions should focus on one specific World Heritage city in the Asia-Pacific region and relate to at least one of the following themes:
- Diverse knowledge systems: Integrating local, traditional, and Indigenous wisdom in managing climate risks.
- Loss, damage, and vulnerability: Understanding how heritage sites and communities are affected by climate change.
- Culture and heritage as drivers of transformation: Demonstrating how cultural identity, creativity, and memory can support low-carbon, resilient futures.
How to apply
- Submission type: 500-word abstract (case-study summary) in English, PDF format
- Include: Title; author(s) with affiliation(s) and country; corresponding author’s email; 150-word bio describing the author’s role in the city; main text (up to 500 words, with captioned images if relevant)
- Deadline: 30 November 2025
- Send to: culture.bgk(at)unesco.org
- Notification: Selected authors will be communicated by the conference secretariat by early January 2026
Further details, please see the following UNESCO website.
https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/contribute-your-research-new-unesco-initiative-climate-action-world-heritage-cities?hub=66925
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Australian Heritage Grants Round 8 (2025-26) is now open for applications
The Australian Heritage Grants Round 8 (2025-26) is now open for applications. The application period is open until 5pm on Friday 5 December 2025 AEDT.
The Australian Heritage Grants Program provides up to $5.347 million per year with an annual call for applications. Funding is available for activities focusing on the listed values of all places on the National Heritage List. Funding of between $25,000 and $400,000 per grant is available under this program.
National Heritage List places will be supported to protect and promote their listed values by strengthening the conservation, management and recognition of these places.
The Australian Heritage Grants Guidelines, and additional information about the program, are available through the DCCEEW website at:
Australian Heritage Grants – DCCEEW
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WORKSHOPS / COURSES / EVENTS / EXHIBITIONS
NEW ACCU Nara international conference | Conservation and Interpretation of Archaeological Sites and Authenticity: Approaches to ‘Reconstruction’ through Asia’s Diverse Practices and Rationales,” | 17–18 December 2025
The conference will bring together practitioners and researchers from across Asia to discuss emerging approaches to archaeological site conservation, interpretation, and the reconstruction of architectural remains. This year’s event will be held in a hybrid format, with both in-person participation in Nara and simultaneous online streaming.
Title: Conservation and Interpretation of Archaeological Sites and Authenticity: Approaches to ‘Reconstruction’ through Asia’s Diverse Practices and Rationales
Dates and Times:
- December 17, 2025 (Wednesday), 14:00–17:00
- December 18, 2025 (Thursday), 9:30–17:00
Registration link https://event.nara.jp/entry/sviVeFz
Conference Languages:
English and Japanese (with simultaneous interpretation)
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University of Canberra Short Course | Materials for Heritage Engineering | Online & Fremantle | Nov – Dec 2025
Registrations are now open for the Materials for Heritage Engineering short course to be held online with a two-day workshop at the Fremantle Port site. This course is designed for engineers, conservators, architects and other heritage professionals, offering the chance to explore traditional materials, understand site deterioration and apply practical conservation techniques. It’s a unique opportunity to deepen your expertise, connect with specialists and take the next step forward in your career. Registrations close 1 October though late registrants may be considered.
Register now at https://www.canberra.edu.au/discover-fad/materials-for-heritage-engineering
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SURVEYS
Review & Results of PhD survey – historic building information modelling (HBIM) University of Birmingham UK
For those interested, the results of the survey have now been published and are available to read for free at the following link:
Https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/20/11159
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PhD Survey for a project titled: Representations of Immigrant Women in Heritage Tourism
The aim of this project is to investigate to the representation of immigrant women in heritage tourism. The reason that we are conducting this research is that it forms part of Torrens University research training coursework and provides student researchers with an opportunity to conduct small scale research studies as part of their Higer Degree by Research qualification.
You are eligible to participate in this research if you are an expert or professional working in cultural heritage, particularly with immigrant communities. If you do not meet the above criteria then this study will not be suitable for you.
To register your interest to participate please follow this link.
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SITUATIONS VACANT
NEW SITUATION VACANT | Big Island Research | Senior Archaeologist | Perth WA | Applications assessed on submission
We’re looking for senior archaeologists to join our growing team at BIR.
Full-time and casual opportunities are available, depending on experience and project requirements.
We offer a competitive salary package, commensurate with skills and experience.
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Full-time: $120,000 – $140,000 p.a. (including superannuation)
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Casual: $80 – $90 per hour
Finding the right fit for our team is important to us, and we’re open to discussing relocation support for the right candidate.
You’ll work on diverse and meaningful projects across Western Australia, contributing to archaeological fieldwork, research, analysis, and reporting (including desktop analysis and GIS). We also offer tailored development pathways for your career through a structured Professional Development Plan, to achieve research goals or move into more advanced positions.
Further information can be found here.
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NEW SITUATION VACANT | Big Island Research | Archaeologist | Perth WA | Applications assessed on submission
We’re looking for archaeologists to join our growing team at BIR.
Full-time and casual opportunities are available, depending on experience and project requirements.
We offer a competitive salary package, commensurate with skills and experience.
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Full-time: $85,000 – $110,000 p.a. (including superannuation)
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Casual: $60 – $75 per hour
Finding the right fit for our team is important to us, and we’re open to discussing relocation support for the right candidate.
You’ll work on diverse and meaningful projects across Western Australia, contributing to archaeological fieldwork, research, analysis, and reporting (including desktop assessments and GIS). We also offer tailored career development through our structured Professional Development Plan, supporting research goals and progression into advanced positions.
Further information can be found here.
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NEW SITUATION VACANT | GML Heritage | Graduate Heritage Consultant – Archaeology | Sydney | Applications assessed on submission
This entry-level position, based in our Sydney office (near Central station), is ideal for a recent archaeology graduate seeking to launch their career. You’ll gain hands-on experience across all aspects of consulting while working alongside industry-leading archaeology and heritage professionals.
This role will feed your passion for historical and Aboriginal archaeology, and cultural heritage. You’ll build technical proficiency in these areas along with project management skills that will help GML deliver quality outcomes for heritage, clients, Traditional Owners, and community stakeholders.
Support a range of archaeological work and projects including due diligence assessments, cultural heritage management plans, archaeological assessments and impact statements, Aboriginal cultural values assessments, investigation and research, site inspections/fieldwork and archaeological monitoring, GIS mapping and more.
Further information can be found here.
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Senior Project Specialist | Getty Centre Los Angeles USA | FT – 4 yr contract | Applications close 1 December 2025
Getty are seeking an experienced professional with expertise in the conservation and management of the built and urban heritage, including heritage of marginalized/underrepresented communities, to fill a four-year, limited-term position of Senior Project Specialist in the Getty Conservation Institute’s Buildings and Sites Department. As Senior Project Specialist, you will oversee projects—from visioning and designing to implementing and monitoring—aimed at addressing current conservation challenges of local, regional, and international relevance.
The position will be based in our offices at the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Initially in person full-time, the opportunity to telework may be available after an initial period of training and orientation will be discussed and approved by your supervisor. Typically, staff with approved telework schedules at the Getty Conservation Institute are in the office more than half of the time.
Further information can be found here
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SITUATION VACANT | Heritage 21 | Senior Heritage Consultant | Alexandria NSW | Applications assessed on submission
Heritage 21 is a firm of dedicated heritage practitioners based in Alexandria NSW with expertise in built heritage, urban planning, history and architecture.
We are on the lookout for a talented individual who is ready to take on a leadership role in our expanding team. You will bring your years of heritage experience and knowledge to a range of projects in the private and public sectors, building strong relationships with clients and supporting junior staff in their professional growth. A proven ability to manage complex projects efficiently and familiarity with heritage architecture and construction techniques are essential.
If you are passionate about preserving history and shaping the future of heritage in Australia, email your resume and cover letter to reception@heritage21.com.au
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