Sustaining the outstanding—working with World Heritage values
From uncovering rare remains at the Sydney Opera House to management plans for convict sites, GML’s work at World Heritage properties highlights our expertise in protecting heritage values while supporting life in the community through sustainable change.
GML has recently been engaged by the National Trust (NSW) to provide historical archaeological and heritage services at Old Government House, Parramatta Park. Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2010 as one of eleven Australian Convict Sites, the House and Domain contains highly significant archaeological resources. GML has a long association with the site, having undertaken investigations there between 2010 and 2015.
Our team has extensive experience at World Heritage–listed sites across Australia, providing advice that responds to heritage values at local, state, national and international levels. We collaborate with governments, organisations, communities and Traditional Owners to conserve heritage values while ensuring these places remain meaningful for the future.
At the Sydney Opera House, we have provided heritage advice since 2005, carefully balancing conservation of this World Heritage icon with innovative approaches to interpretation. Most recently, the Utzon Escalators project offered an opportunity to investigate and record rare remains of Fort Macquarie Tower, an early Gothic building designed by Francis Greenway, uncovered during construction works.
Since 2016, GML has supported the Hyde Park Barracks, another of Australia’s Convict Sites, providing archaeological and heritage services for construction, upgrades and signage projects while ensuring the site remains accessible and relevant.
On Norfolk Island, our team prepared a Heritage Management Plan and Cultural Landscape Management Plan for the Kingston and Arthur’s Vale Historic Area (KAVHA), contributing to the ongoing conservation and sustainable management of this significant World Heritage Convict Site.
More recently, in Victoria, GML was engaged to review and update the 2013 World Heritage Management Plan for the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens. This work also included a Traditional Owner and First Peoples Cultural Values assessment, ensuring Indigenous perspectives and values are embedded in the future care of this important place.
Together with our clients and partners, GML helps ensure World Heritage places are conserved, understood and adapted with care—so their values endure for generations to come.
