Australian Heritage Council
Australian Heritage Council welcomes National Heritage listing of the Great Ocean Road
Media release
08 April 2011
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The Australian Heritage Council has welcomed the addition of the Great Ocean Road and Scenic Environs to the National Heritage List. The official announcement was made by Australian Government Heritage Minister, Tony Burke, from the Great Ocean Road, on 7 April, 2011.
Professor Carmen Lawrence, Chair of the Australian Heritage Council, said the Council were delighted that a site with such historical and natural significance to Australia had been recognised in this way. The Minister’s decision to list the Great Ocean Road and Scenic Environs supports the Council’s recommendation, following a detailed study of the heritage values of the area.
“The Great Ocean Road includes some of Australia’s most well-known icons, including the Twelve Apostles and Bells Beach, famous for playing host to the world’s longest running surfing competition, the RipCurl Pro, celebrating its 50th anniversary later this month,” Professor Lawrence said.
“In addition, the Great Ocean Road is also a war memorial, constructed in honour of Victoria’s First World War servicemen and women. It also has a rich shipwreck history with the remains of many shipwrecks of migrants seeking a new life in Australia.”
The Great Ocean Road and Scenic Environs contains many significant dinosaur fossils, shedding light on life in the period when Australia was closer to the South Pole and includes Australia’s most famous polar dinosaur site, Dinosaur Cove. The fossils continue to yield important information and with natural erosion, further discoveries will be protected.”
“The National Heritage listing of the Great Ocean Road and Scenic Environs provides a wonderful example of the diversity of Australia’s Heritage. This is timely, given that the inaugural Australian Heritage Week is only one week away. We encourage all Australians to get out and explore their local and national heritage places and enjoy the many events scheduled throughout Australian Heritage Week, between 14-20 April,” Professor Lawrence said.
The National Heritage listing means the heritage values of the Great Ocean Road and Scenic Environs, Bells Beach and the Twelve Apostles will be protected under national environmental and heritage law.
The National Heritage List recognises and protects our most valued natural, Indigenous and historic heritage sites. Places listed in the National Heritage List are protected under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. For more information visit www.heritage.gov.au
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