The National Trust of Australia (WA)

Under the National Trust of Australia (WA) Act (1964), the National Trust (Western Australia) was established as an educational institution with an advocacy role, a custodial role involving property management, and an ability to acquire property through vesting and other methods.

The National Trust uses its public membership to raise community awareness and appreciation of heritage values, and to identify, describe and - in some cases - manage vested heritage properties. Members of the National Trust also have access to a resource base of records, books, maps and other documents built up over the last 40 years.

With a strong volunteer ethos and a wide membership base, the National Trust represents the community and is a body corporation with a chairman and councillors elected by the membership. It can therefore comment freely on activities of government and private enterprise. While it does not have the power to impose preventative or restrictive conditions on listed places, it can lobby government on behalf of the community.

The Trust compiles and maintains a list of Classified places. It includes places of historic, natural and Aboriginal significance. Classification by the Trust has no legal implications, but can carry moral influence. Classification are made by resolution of the Trust Council, on recommendations from voluntary expert committees.

The National Trust of Australia (WA)
The Old Observatory
4 Havelock St
West Perth
PO Box 1162
West Perth WA 6872
Ph: (08) 9321 6088
Fx: (08) 9324 1571
Email: ntrustwa@iinet.net.au