Why conserve?
Places of cultural significance enrich people’s lives,
often providing a deep and inspirational sense of
connection to community and landscape, to the
past and to lived experiences. They are historical
records, that are important expressions of
Australian identity and experience. Places of
cultural significance reflect the diversity of our
communities, telling us about who we are and the
past that has formed us and the Australian
landscape. They are irreplaceable and precious.
These places of cultural significance must be
conserved for present and future generations in
accordance with the principle of inter-generational
equity.
The Burra Charter advocates a cautious approach
to change: do as much as necessary to care for the
place and to make it useable, but otherwise change
it as little as possible so that its cultural significance
is retained.