IntroductionIntroduction

Introduction

The Australian War Memorial (AWM) is a place included in both the National Heritage List (NHL) and the Commonwealth Heritage List (CHL). This means it is protected under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) (EPBC Act). As a National Heritage place, the AWM is also considered a matter of national environmental significance (MNES).

As an organisation, the Memorial has a responsibility to protect the National and Commonwealth Heritage values by making sure that all AWM staff and contractors avoid impacts to the heritage values.

Information about the heritage values of the AWM and their management can be found in the Heritage Strategy, the Heritage Register and the Heritage Management Plan. These documents can be found on the Memorial’s Intranet under the Buildings & Services Section.

This form is to be completed when any works or activities (known as an ‘action’) are proposed at the AWM that may have an impact to the heritage values. It describes the type of action being undertaken, identifies the heritage values that may be affected by the action and outlines the measures being undertaken to avoid or lessen any impacts.

Completing this form is an important step in meeting the Memorial’s legislative obligation to identify if an action has, will have, or is likely to have a ‘significant impact’ on the Commonwealth and/or National Heritage values of the AWM. A significant impact is described in further detail below.

However, completing this form is not the only step. If, after completing this form, a ‘significant impact’ is identified as a possibility, a Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) should be prepared by a qualified heritage practitioner familiar with the EPBC Act. Once completed, this form is to be submitted to the Head, Buildings and Services for initial assessment and advice.