1999 State Heritage Convention Report

OMBUDSMAN'S REPORT

Michele Payne

The Role of the Convention Ombudsman

I was asked to act as the Convention Ombudsman following a model that had been adopted at the National Heritage Convention in Canberra in August 1998 ('HERCON'). There, the Ombudsman was commissioned to: record and report on issues raised during the Convention which were not directly within the Convention's Terms of Reference; redirect issues within the Convention as necessary; and report on the issues and suggest ways to address them.

In Canberra delegates raised issues either in writing or in person, and some of these issues were dealt with by referral to Working Groups followed by draft resolutions presented on the Convention floor. Other issues were directed to officers or Commissioners of the Australian Heritage Commission. In most cases, issues raised on that occasion were received too late to be put through those processes.

Given the structure of these proceedings in WA, the number of different agencies involved and the diversity of the backgrounds of those attending in Midland, I adopted the course of encouraging attendees to use the process as a means of ensuring that those issues that were of concern or that there was insufficient time to address during the Convention are at least raised in the record of Convention proceedings as a source of ideas for future direction and an indication of how those might be dealt with.

Issues referred to the Ombudsman

One of the intentions of the Convention was to provide a forum for those concerned and involved with heritage conservation (in its broadest sense) in Western Australia to consider the draft principles and standards formulated at HERCON as part of the development of a National Places Strategy. Such a Strategy would be a precursor to the establishment of a more formal Commonwealth/State agreement aimed at encouraging or putting in place a more uniform approach to heritage conservation at local, state and national level. However, the opportunity afforded by such a gathering to stimulate discussion and debate has resulted in the raising of a variety of issues that while not directly commenting on the themes, do act as a reminder of the areas that the concept of 'heritage conservation' in WA has yet to accommodate in practical terms.

Manner in which issues were raised

Attendees were encouraged to use the forms provided, the format of which was based on the HERCON model. The Ombudsman's task was to encourage those who felt that their thoughts and ideas may not have been appropriate in the circumstances. The point of the exercise was to emphasise the inclusive nature of the proceedings and to acknowledge the inadequacy of the time and structures available for exploring all of the areas of concern. A list of the issues raised is set out below and the submissions and comments themselves are appended to the original of this report. Additionally, the Convention agenda was treated flexibly and accommodated a period for general discussion not originally provided for.

Recommended Responses

At HERCON, the focus was on the anticipated change in the role of the Australian Heritage Commission, and it was appropriate on that occasion that responses to the issues raised through the Ombudsman would be initiated through the Australian Heritage Commission. The orientation was principally towards the development of a new Commonwealth government policy and the responses directed accordingly.

At the WA Convention however, one of the matters for consideration is how, as a collective group, further initiatives can be taken to pursue and implement the recommended responses to the issues arising out of the Convention, including those not otherwise dealt with by means of formal recommendations arising out of the workshops.

My recommendation is that the themes and issues arising here should be circulated as part of the published proceedings which should include a fresh invitation seeking a wider community response to the question of how to integrate heritage conservation into a more consistent framework of assessment and decision making, including but not limited to the Commonwealth's Consultation Paper 'A National Strategy for Heritage Places'. It may also serve to encourage participants to consider incorporating the ideas raised at this Convention into their heritage related activities. In my view, it would be useful if one organisation or another (and hopefully more than one on a joint basis!) was prepared to host a follow up day-long seminar for general discussion, having first invited comment on an agenda format suitable to such an occasion and purpose. This is an event I contemplate could occur in addition to any future Convention which might be held to pursue the implementation of the principal themes discussed.

Integrating Heritage Conservation

Much discussed in the Convention workshops, and indeed the exploration of the HERCON themes now reflected in the proposed National Strategy, have proceeded on the assumption that it is desirable to integrate heritage conservation, to find a means of acknowledging the worth of disparate areas of things we want to keep which till now have been kept fragmented by distinctions based on administrative convenience and cultural and disciplinary boundaries. A principal theme underlying all the other proposed principles and standards rests on the basis that it is desirable to take a different approach to articulating how we are going to value and conserve out heritage without inadvertently emphasising or favouring one 'variety' of heritage over another due purely to institutional biases.

A Western Australian Response To The Proposed National Heritage Places Strategy

While the Convention workshops discussed the principles and standards arrived at HERCON, attendees were also supplied with the Commonwealth Consultation Paper entitled A National Strategy for Australia's Heritage Places, issued by the Commonwealth Minister for the Environment and Heritage, and invited to respond to the proposals. The information and discussion arising out of the WA Convention will doubtless form a basis for informed response.

The particular issues identified in this report add a further dimension to the way in which such a strategy, once finalised between the Commonwealth and the State government, might be implemented in a manner appropriate to the requirements of the West Australian context, as well as identifying ways of promoting new relationships between previously disparate disciplines and heritage interests.

(Signed)
Michele Payne
Convention 'Ombudsman'

Issues Raised through the Ombudsman

OMBUDSMAN FORMS

Comment, concerns and FEEDBACK

Are you concerned that the Convention structure and agenda don't adequately reflect or allow for a proper exploration or discussion of matters that you consider ought to be included at a forum of this sort?

The Convention contemplates that there may be many areas that are inadequately covered in the short time that has been made available for everyone who wants a say to have one. The major themes of the Convention may end up emphasising some areas of heritage concern to the possible detriment of others.

To try to ensure that eveyone has the opportunity to raise issues that have not either been included in the agenda or which are not adequately reflected in those topics that are, you are invited to use this form to note your views and indicate the thoughts you have had particularly as the conference has progressed and the time limited for formal discussions on a particular area has closed.

The conference proceedings will include a summary of the issues raised that were not otherwise dealt with during the conference.

Please feel free to us as many of these forms as you wish. While anonymity is respected, it would be helpful if you are prepared to include you name and a contact address for the purpose of follow up at some stage in the future.

A summary of the concerns expressed will be discussed by the Convention 'ombudsman' at the conclusion of the formal proceedings on Friday afternoon.

Please leave your completed forms at the Registration desk in the marked basket.

OMBUDSMAN FORMS

ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION GROUPS

Add your name and your area of interest!
Feel that the Convention programme doesn't include things you think should be addressed or gives insufficient time to them?

Want to make the most of the opportunity of having so many people involved in heritage matters to explore some areas of concern?

1. Add a topic you want to discuss and a time and a place that would be convenient to hold the discussion. (Think of the possibilities of lunch or early in the morning prior to the commencement of formal proceedings).

2. If you see a topic here and would like to join, add you name so that there can be some indication of how many people might turn up to the discussion. don't worry if anyone is late, get started and use what time you have (General guide:Allow half an hour and give everyone an opportunity to have a say before proceeding to make a second point)

3. Use the feedback sheets that have been distributed to record the thoughts and ideas that will come up, and deliver them back to the registration desk or the Convention Ombudsman.

OMBUDSMAN FORMS

EVALUATION SUMMARY

47 responses (45 direct, 2 by mail)

Question 1: OBJECTIVES Did you think the objectives of the Convention were achieved?

Comment:
Overall it appears there was a high degree of satisfaction and the objectives of the Convention was achieved. However, caution needs to be expressed for the following reasons:-

1. Less than 33% of the participants completed the evaluation forms (despite being requested several times during the Convention). Specific time could be allocated at a future convention to ensure a greater response.
2. The broad nature of the objectives were not easily evaluated by a yes/ no response. -perhaps a scale of evaluation needs to be considered.

Question 2: ATTENDANCE

If not, what days?

Comment:
Response was evenly spread - out of the answers, all attended at least two days.

Question 3: RELEVANCE

If No, why?
A few queried whether the topics were actually addressed.

Question 4: OMBUDSMANS ROLE

Comment:
The negative one felt it probably wasn't needed but this point appears to be overwhelmed by the positives. Many attendees commented on their interest in the Ombudsman's Report.

Question 5: WORKSHOPS
Which workshops did you enjoy the most?

Comment:
Answers varied considerably, only one expressed dissatisfaction with all workshops attended. This question could be considered as not useful and should be omitted or changed in future convention evaluations so that each individual workshop could be evaluated independently.

Question 6: WORKSHOPS
Which workshops did you enjoy the least?

Comment:
Again, answers varied and no sound conclusions could be reached. Comments ranged from those whose presenters were unaware of the audience requirements or background or problems with noise, etc.

Question 7: MIDLAND TOWN HALL VENUE

Comment:
Noise problems, distance of breakout rooms (1), 'heritage' toilets (1).

Question 8: MIDLAND ENTERPRISE CENTRE VENUE

Comment:
Poor signage to venues, noisy, too far away and smells.