Hon Albert Jacob BEnvDes M.Arch JP MLA — International win for two WA heritage projects

Two Western Australian heritage projects have been recognised in this year’s UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation.

Heritage Minister Albert Jacob said Rottnest Island World War ll Coastal Defences and Cape Inscription Lighthouse Keepers’ Quarters in Shark Bay received Honourable Mentions in the prestigious international awards.

“This is the third consecutive year that WA heritage projects have been honoured by UNESCO, clearly showing the world-class standard of conservation work being undertaken in this State,” Mr Jacob said.

The two WA projects were among just three from Australia to be honoured, with Exeter Farm in Glenwood, New South Wales, also receiving an Award of Merit.

“The UNESCO judges said the conservation of the costal defence network at Rottnest Island – involving 12 buildings, four gun emplacements and two sets of tunnels across four isolated locations – was an exemplary achievement in research, planning and execution,” the Minister said.

“In honouring the 1910-constructed Cape Inscription Lighthouse Keepers’ Quarters, the judges said its meticulous restoration and repair from a severe state of neglect set new standards for heritage efforts in Australia.”

According to the judges, overcoming the remote setting was in itself a ‘noteworthy conservation achievement’ because of the building’s location at Dirk Hartog Island, off the most westerly point of Australia.

Mr Jacob said the two WA projects were shortlisted for nomination for the UNESCO Awards following wins at the 2014 Western Australian Heritage Awards in April. Other WA Heritage Award winning projects to receive UNESCO Honourable Mentions are Broome’s Sailmaker’s Shed in 2013 and Northbridge’s William Street Precinct in 2012.