Rebecca Vassarotti, ACT Minister for Heritage, has dissolved the ACT Heritage Council, citing “wide ranging and complex structural issues impacting the performance and relationship of the Heritage Council and ACT Heritage”, and announced a comprehensive reform of heritage in the ACT.

Ms Vassarotti suspended the council last week, following the Nous Group’s review, tabled in the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, which found that the Council’s strained relationships with the supporting government agency, ACT Heritage, as well as ACT Heritage’s own inefficiencies, threatened heritage sites.

The review has not been published in full; only a public report, containing key findings, has been made available.

• ACT minister loses confidence in Heritage Council (29 November)

Several Heritage Council members have resigned since the findings of the initial review were published. Ms Vassarotti “ended the appointment” of all remaining Council members.

“This has been a difficult decision to take,” the minister said.

An interim Heritage Council will be appointed early in the new year to deliver the council’s responsibilities under legislation, including accepting heritage nominations and formally registering places/items as outlined in the Heritage Act 2004. It will also provide expert advice to support the review.

The application process will be open in coming weeks. Ms Vassarotti anticipates that the interim Heritage Council will be in place for at least one year while a review into heritage is conducted, and any recommendations or changes are put into place.

The heritage review will examine how the ACT Government works with heritage, including both the workings of the ACT Heritage and the structure and statutory functions of the Heritage Council under the Heritage Act 2004.

The review will look at the legislative framework in which the Council and staff operate, processes and procedures for heritage across the ACT, and the systems that support their work – such as the ACT Heritage Database.

“I want to ensure that the future framework presents the best way forward not only for the Heritage Council, for our government officials and for Canberrans,” Ms Vassarotti said.

“As Canberra continues to grow, the community and the government now more than ever require well-functioning heritage arrangements to ensure that the ACT’s natural, cultural and First Nations heritage are recognised and conserved for future generations.”

Ms Vassarotti said this reform to strengthen heritage arrangements will be a priority for her as Minister for Heritage over the coming year.

A jurisdictional review, beginning shortly, will examine how heritage matters are dealt with across the country, the role of Council equivalents, and enhancing protections for First Nations heritage.

Canberra Liberals MLA Nicole Lawder, Shadow Minister for Environment, Heritage, and Water, said the government was being secretive.

“The Canberra Liberals have had serious concerns about the ACT Heritage Council for years, and we now have the Minister’s dismal response to this crisis. The Minister’s failure to release the Nous Group review in its entirety is in stark contrast to the promises on integrity and transparency that she got elected on.

“Last week in the Assembly, the Canberra Liberals moved a motion calling on the government to table the review in full, which was voted down by Labor and the Greens. It is deeply concerning that a review with such damning findings is being deliberately withheld from the public.

“Residents and community councils have a right to know what is going on within the ACT Heritage Council. It’s time the Minister quits the secrecy and remembers that heritage at its core belongs to Canberrans.”

Ms Vassarotti thanked both Heritage Council members and ACT Government officials involved in the initial review for their time and transparency around the issues presented. She also thanked members of the Heritage Council for their service to the community.

Further updates and announcements will be made in due course.