Buckland Hill cultural landscape management plan

Challenge

Buckland Hill is a complex site where natural, Aboriginal, and historic heritage values intersect, creating a culturally significant landscape. Listings include the State Register of Heritage Places, the National Trust, Aboriginal Heritage, and Engineering Heritage. In addition, Buckland Hill is designated as an ‘A’ Class Reserve and a threatened ecological community.

Solution

The team was engaged to develop a new cultural landscape management plan for the site, which included identifying the diverse and multifaceted values before developing a range of management policies.

The complexities of this project involved reference to 12 statutory frameworks and standards. Following extensive community and stakeholder consultation, the team achieved an equitable balance among Aboriginal, environmental, and historical heritage significance. The team provided specific policies on tourism, trails, and future use to align with the client’s vision to manage Buckland Hill as a sustainable heritage tourism and recreational destination.

Impact

The military, environmental, and Aboriginal aspects of the place’s history hold equal value to the community and statutory stakeholders. The team balanced these and delivered a practical cultural landscape management plan that was unanimously supported and adopted by the Town of Mosman Park.