Cultural Landscape Management - Australian Alps National Parks

6.7 Assessing the interpretive value of Alps cultural landscapes6.7.1 BackgroundAssessing the interpretive values of a cultural landscape is necessary, for the purposes of choosing the landscape likely toyield the greatest interpretive benefits, and in deciding where scarce interpretive resources should be deployed. Assessmentof interpretive value should be undertaken as part of the conservation management plan for the landscape.6.7.2 GuidelinesThe following table sets out the basis for determining which landscapes and features have the best interpretive potential.High interpretive value, suitable forinterpretationSignificant Alps themes, features, historicperiods presentOther significant themes features and historicperiods present, eg regional, state or nationalWide range of themes, features and periodsrepresentedThemes and features easily discernibleFeatures in good conditionLandscape and its features well integratedRelationships between features, or betweenfeatures and themes, easily discernibleMuch information available on the landscape andits significance eg historic documents localhistoriesLandscape and features robust, able to toleratehigh degree of useLandscape and features secure (eg presence ofeasily removable items)Landscape is easily accessibleHigh visitor numbers existing or predicted-Low public safety risksLow cost of providing facilities and managinglandscape for interpretative and protectivepurposesOriginal uses and activities persisting (continuinguse landscape)Proximity to other visitor destinationsLow interpretative value, not suitableSignificant Alps themes, features and historicperiods not representedOther significant themes features and historicperiods not present, eg regional, state or nationalNarrow range of themes, features and periodsrepresentedThemes and features not easily discernibleFeatures in poor conditionLandscape and its features poorly integratedHard to discern relationshipsLittle or no information on the landscape and itssignificanceLandscape and features vulnerable, not robustLandscape and features not secureAccess poor or difficultLow visitor numbersHigh public safety risksHigh cost of providing facilities and managinglandscape for interpretive and protectivepurposesOriginal uses and activities discontinued (relictlandscape)Distant from other visitor destinations71