Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
INCLUSION OF A PLACE IN THE NATIONAL HERITAGE LIST
MURTOA NO 1 GRAIN STORE
I, Greg Hunt, Minister for the Environment, having considered in relation to the place described in the Schedule of this instrument:
(a) the Australian Heritage Council’s assessment whether the place meets any of the National Heritage criteria; and
(b) the comments given to the Council under sections 324JG and 324JH of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999; and
being satisfied that the place described in the Schedule has the National Heritage values specified in the Schedule, pursuant to section 324JJ of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, include the place and its National Heritage values in the National Heritage List.
Dated 9 July 2014
[signed by]
Greg Hunt
Minister for the Environment
SCHEDULE
STATE / TERRITORY: VICTORIA
Local Government: Yarriambiack Shire
Name: Murtoa No 1 Grain Store
Location / Boundary:
Approximately 3.7ha, Industrial Road, Murtoa, being an area enclosed by a line commencing at the most easterly point of Lot 5 PS337428 (approximate MGA point 632336mE 5946049mN), then south westerly via the south eastern boundaries of Lots 4 & 5 PS337428 to the most southern point of Lot 4 PS337428 (approximate MGA point 632188mE 5945977mN), then via the following MGA points consecutively: 632072mE 5945922mN, 632118mE 5945823mN, 632384mE 5945948mN, then north westerly directly to the commencement point.
Criteria / Values
| Criterion | Values |
(a) | the place has outstanding heritage value to the nation because of the place's importance in the course, or pattern, of Australia's natural or cultural history. | The Murtoa No.1 Grain Store is significant for its historic associations with the construction of emergency wheat stores during World War II. This emergency response is an indicator of the importance of the wheat industry to Australia's economy in the early to mid twentieth century. It demonstrates the impact of World War II on Australia, in particular, Australian Government and grower concerns about the loss of overseas markets. The store also influenced the wheat industry's adoption of bulk handling processes and later introduction of sub-terminals into the system of supply chain infrastructure used to export wheat. The features expressing these values include all of the building's fabric, its mechanical fittings associated with handling and storing of wheat, the grain elevator, its railway siding and its location near to the main railway line. |
(b) | the place has outstanding heritage value to the nation because of the place's possession of uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of Australia's natural or cultural history | The Murtoa No.1 Grain Store is the only remaining 'stick shed' emergency store in Australia; built to meet an emergency requirement for infrastructure on the home front during World War II. The store is a rare example of the use of rural vernacular building technology to meet a difficult engineering challenge on a very large scale. The interior space of the grain store is striking, aesthetically appealing and extraordinary in character. The features expressing these values include all of the building's fabric, its large size, aesthetically striking interior and its demonstration of rural vernacular building technology to meet the need for emergency storage of wheat. |
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For more information on the place search the Australian Heritage Database at http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/ahdb/search.pl using the name of the place.
Overview
The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (C2014G01633), enacted by the Parliament of Australia, aims to provide for the protection of the environment, particularly its biodiversity, and the conservation of heritage places of national significance. The Act was introduced to address the need for a unified framework to protect and manage the environment, including heritage sites of national importance. The 2014 Gazette, signed by Greg Hunt, Minister for the Environment, includes the Murtoa No 1 Grain Store in the National Heritage List, recognising its outstanding heritage values. The inclusion is based on the Australian Heritage Council's assessment and public comments, affirming the store's significance due to its historical importance in Australia's wheat industry and its role during World War II, as well as its unique architectural features. This action reflects the policy objective of preserving places that contribute to the understanding of Australia's natural and cultural history.
Scope and Application
The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 applies to a broad range of entities and conduct, with the purpose of protecting and conserving Australia's natural and cultural heritage. In this instance, the Act is used to include the Murtoa No 1 Grain Store in the National Heritage List, recognising its outstanding heritage value to the nation. The Act applies to places that possess significant natural or cultural history, and in this case, the Murtoa No 1 Grain Store is significant for its historical association with the construction of emergency wheat stores during World War II, and its role in demonstrating the impact of the war on Australia's economy and wheat industry. The Act applies on a national level and is administered by the Commonwealth government. However, the Act also allows for the delegation of certain powers to state and territory governments, and in this case, the inclusion of the Murtoa No 1 Grain Store in the National Heritage List was made by the Minister for the Environment, who is a Commonwealth Minister. There are no stated exclusions or thresholds in the Act that would prevent the inclusion of a place in the National Heritage List, although certain places may not meet the criteria for inclusion. The Act can be extended or restricted through the making of subordinate instruments, such as regulations or guidelines, but in this case, the inclusion of the Murtoa No 1 Grain Store in the National Heritage List was made through a legislative instrument rather than a subordinate instrument.
Key Provisions
The main operative section of this legislation, section 324JJ of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth), provides the authority for the Minister for the Environment to include a place in the National Heritage List. In this case, the Minister has included the Murtoa No.1 Grain Store in the National Heritage List due to its outstanding heritage value to the nation, as specified in the Schedule of the instrument. This decision is based on the Australian Heritage Council's assessment and comments received under sections 324JG and 324JH of the Act. The Schedule outlines the specific location, boundary, criteria, and values associated with the place being included in the National Heritage List.
The Act imposes certain obligations on the parties and entities it governs. Specifically, any activities affecting the Murtoa No.1 Grain Store or its heritage values must now comply with the requirements of the National Heritage List. This may include obtaining approval for any actions that may impact the place, such as alterations, demolition, or development. Additionally, any person or entity conducting activities within the listed area must take into consideration the National Heritage values of the place and avoid actions that may cause harm or diminish those values.
Breaching the provisions of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 can lead to both criminal and civil consequences. For example, contravening the Act may result in fines, imprisonment, or both. Under section 649A of the Act, an individual can be fined up to $66,600 or imprisoned for up to five years, or both, for knowingly or recklessly contravening a prohibition or requirement in the Act. Similarly, a body corporate can be fined up to $333,000 for a contravention of the Act. These penalties serve as a deterrent against actions that may harm or diminish the heritage values of places listed in the National Heritage List.