OLD PARLIAMENT HOUSE AND CURTILAGE HERITAGE MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008–2013

H. Risk Analysis
Part D – Appendices
Old Parliament House and Curtilage Heritage Management Plan 2008–2013
327
5.1.3 Identification of Risks
Risks Comment Likelihood Consequence Risk Management
Strategy
The building
and/or its setting
may be put
to a use that
diminishes their
symbolic value.
Government
may become
disengaged from
the heritage
values of
OPH, resulting
in a lack of
commitment
by government
to its ongoing
conservation.
There may
be a failure
to effectively
communicate
the place’s many
stories and to
interpret the
heritage values
to the public.
The building
may become
accommodation
for the current
parliamentary
officers, to the
exclusion of
the public.
Appropriate
management will
require treading
the fine line
between keeping
OPH a ‘living’
building through
ongoing popularly
supported use,
and ensuring
that uses are not
incompatible
with the place’s
symbolic value.
This risk increases
in likelihood as
the generation of
politicians, public
servants, media
etc that used OPH
in the past retire
or pass away.
The aversion of
some Australians
to politics, and the
tendency to see
government/history
as boring, may
dissuade people
from engaging
with the place.
Use of parts of
the building by
parliamentary
officers may
enhance the
place’s heritage
values through
continuity of use.
However, the
place must also
remain accessible
to the public.
Possible
Major to
catastrophic
Ensure a valuesfocused
impact
assessment process
is in place for all
proposed uses.
Unlikely Major Establish appropriate
stakeholder
involvement and
patronage programs.
Possible Major Monitor and evaluate
the success of
interpretation and
visitor programs.
Develop/redraft
interpretation plan
Ensure a diverse
range of high quality
on site exhibitions,
programs and events,
and off site strategies,
to communicate the
stories etc... in a
manner appropriate
to identified target
audiences.
Unlikely Major Ensure a valuesfocused
impact
assessment process
is in place for all
proposed uses.
Ensure policy
framework reflects
importance of
accessibility.
Opportunities
Enthuse broad
sections of the
public (Australian
and international)
through engaging
and exciting
education and
interpretation
programs.
Reinforce in
the minds of
Australians that
OPH represents
their history.
Enhance the
symbolic value
of the place, and
perceptions of
the processes
and history it
represents, by
communicating
its history to
the public in
an engaging
and exciting
manner. Use
the fascinating
history of the
place, and its
symbolic values,
to increase
visitor numbers,
which in turn
can generate
resources for
its ongoing
maintenance and
conservation.
Use the symbolic
associations of
OPH to promote
the success of
the Australian
democratic
system.
Use the
Human Impact
Management
Program to
inform and
positively
influence visitors,
staff and tenants.