FAQs
What is the purpose of a Conservation Management Plan?
The purpose of a Conservation Management Plan (CMP) is to provide a structured and comprehensive approach for the management, preservation, and enhancement of cultural heritage sites, buildings, or landscapes. CMPs are typically developed for places of historical, architectural, archaeological, or cultural significance.
Overall, a Conservation Management Plan serves as a roadmap for the responsible and sustainable management of cultural heritage sites, enabling their preservation while allowing for appropriate change and development.
Why is the Conservation Management Plan being revised?
The first conservation plan for Fremantle Oval was prepared by Heritage and Conservation Professionals in 1996. This report needs to be revised and expanded to record the recent history of the oval and consider new challenges and opportunities that have arisen.
Important changes that have happened since 1996 include several conservation projects on site, the construction of new buildings and structures, the establishment of the Fremantle Dockers and their time at the oval and the inclusion of Fremantle Prison on the World Heritage List.
What does a CMP contain?
The process for preparing a CMP is described in the ICOMOS Australia Burra Charter, the primary guiding document for conservation practice in Australia. Essentially, this process can be broadly broken down into three parts:
1. Understanding the significance of a place
2. Developing policies to guide maintenance and change
3. Developing an action plan for conservation and maintenance including conservation and management schedules
A CMP is different to a Master Plan or a Place Plan as it is not a scheme to develop a place but rather a guide to conserve the heritage fabric and values of a place and manage change. A CMP guides the preparation of a Master Plan or Place Plan
How can the community contribute to CMP?
Preliminary community consultation undertaken before commencement of work on the draft CMP confirmed Fremantle Oval is a cherished cultural heritage site that contributes to the unique character of Fremantle and our sense of place. The stories and comments collected as part of this process were incorporated into the draft CMP.
The City is now seeking feedback on the draft plan. By providing your feedback either online or in-person your input will be considered by the consultants in their preparation of the final draft. Feedback could include comment on the heritage values of the place or the conservation policies or perhaps further information on the history of the place or even the identification spelling errors or difficult language. You can also contact us to provide clarification on certain points
Where can I find further information on CMP?
Heritage Council of Western Australia in conjunction with the Department of Planning Lands and Heritage have prepared an information guide to CMPs - An information guide to Conservation Management Plans (www.wa.gov.au)
How does the Oval Conservation Management Plan (CMP) being developed interface with the Fremantle Oval Precinct Redevelopment Masterplan project?
The Fremantle Oval Conservation Management Plan (CMP) has been developed independently of the oval Masterplan, over a period of more than two and half years. It has been developed over a much longer period of time and has closely informed the current Masterplan, rather than the other way around.
Community consultation concluded on the final draft of the CMP in December and recent months have focused on refining the CMP based on feedback received, including from the Fremantle Society. The consultant (Phil Griffiths) is a highly credentialled and respected heritage professional.