For mutual benefit: cultural materials conservation and local government—a case study

There are two challenges currently faced by communities in Australia in the protection and preservation of their cultural, historical and scientific heritage. An exploration of these serves as the basis for this paper. The first is the need to provide sustainable economic support for the preservation of built and movable cultural heritage. The second is the need to develop infrastructure that can support preservation activities. This paper examines how Bathurst Regional Council is addressing these significant issues. It examines the impetus for Council to develop a broader vision around its built and movable heritage and the strategic framework that is scaffolding current initiatives. This case study of Bathurst Regional Council’s response to the need to preserve, invest and best use its cultural heritage assets demonstrates why conservation partnerships are critical both for community development and for the development of the conservation profession.