Matt Alexander and Jane Ainsworth at the National Trust of Australia (NSW) 2009 Heritage Awards
Our belief is that all Heritage and Archaeological work should be undertaken to Best Practice standards or better, no matter the situation. Some would regard this as impractical and biased towards preventing development of any kind. This is not that case however, as our record shows. Ainsworth Heritage bases our Best Practice approach upon the ICOMOS Australia Burra Charter.
The Burra Charter provides guidance for the conservation and management of places of cultural significance (cultural heritage places), and is based on the knowledge and experience of Australia ICOMOS members. The Charter states that:
Conservation is an integral part of the management of places of cultural significance and is an ongoing responsibility.
The Burra Charter goes on to state:
The Charter sets a standard of practice for those who provide advice, make decisions about, or undertake works to places of cultural significance, including owners, managers and custodians.
Ainsworth Heritage is totally committed to ensuring all our work is undertaken to the best practice methods as outlined by the Burra Charter and to educating those who we work with and for about its principles and ideals.
As the Burra Charter is a guiding document of principle and cannot hope to give advice for every situation, we also consult numerous government and industry Best Practice documents that provide details, methods and recommendations for a wide variety of heritage projects and works.
Best Practice in heritage does not necessarily mean hands off, don’t touch. It means that where development is to proceed or is planned, a well designed and balanced plan that takes heritage into account from the earliest stage will ensure a minimal impact upon both heritage and the development can be attained.
This does not mean that every development should be allowed, as some are patently destructive and can threaten rare or unique heritage items. In these cases, Ainsworth Heritage always outlines the importance of the item or site to the client and clearly details why the site is important and why it cannot be altered, removed or destroyed. By presenting options for alternatives in these cases to our clients, we seek to educate and guide them to a better understanding and appreciation of the heritage under their control.
However, when encountering those who do not value heritage, see it as an obstacle to be removed or who desire a certain outcome, regardless of heritage values, Ainsworth Heritage follows a Walk Away Policy.
We believe that Heritage and Archaeological consultants should, Under No Circumstances ever be party to the wilful altering of reports or research to reach client required conclusions that are detrimental to heritage.
As the leading voices of heritage conservation, Consultants have an obligation as a group to ensure we hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards of our industry. When we fail to live up to the standards set for ourselves, all heritage is endangered, especially in more recent times as heritage legislation comes under attack from groups desiring its weakening.
