Heritage

Heritage

Our cultural heritage is made up of those aspects of the past and present that we want to share with future generations. This can include:

• the natural environment
• artefacts ('movable heritage')
• places
• our customs, language and beliefs.

These things help us form a sense of who we are. Heritage helps build communities. It provides tangible links with the people and events that have shaped our identity.

To conserve South Australia's heritage now and for future generations, different types of heritage are managed by various government agencies, peak bodies and legislation.

The significance of the heritage helps determine the type of protection needed, for example world heritage listings protect and conserve heritage of global importance. Then there are national, state and local listings.

The South Australian Heritage Council and DENR are responsible for non-Aboriginal cultural heritage of state significance, with a focus on built and maritime heritage within the context of relevant legislation. DENR also deals with natural heritage.

DENR manages the South Australian Heritage Register, on behalf of the South Australian Heritage Council. The Register lists places and related objects of state significance. It also records other heritage places in South Australia (including local, national and world heritage places) that are protected under other legislation. The South Australian Heritage Register also includes archaeological heritage and significant geological, fossil and cave sites.

More about:

• levels of cultural heritage protection
• types of heritage.