Heritage Strategy for South Australia

Heritage Workshop drafted the Heritage Strategy for South Australia, delivered for the South Australian Heritage Council and the State Aboriginal Heritage Committee.

This significant project reframes heritage in a modern, positive, and dynamic manner, establishing a unified purpose to protect and enhance South Australia’s unique heritage for strengthening communities, environments, and the economy.

The strategy spans deep cultural and geological time, covering built, natural, and Aboriginal heritage across 47 language groups, reflecting shared Aboriginal, colonial, and multicultural histories.

The strategy shows that heritage is a crucial economic powerhouse. A key proposal is to facilitate adaptive reuse of heritage places for housing and commercial uses, supporting quality housing and urban regeneration.

The draft plan is inherently future-focused, linking heritage to climate resilience and net zero emissions. Supporting the thoughtful reuse and retrofit of existing structures actively reduces carbon emissions compared to new construction, positively benefiting the environment and the circular economy.

This commitment supports the expansion of the heritage workforce and the development of green jobs.

A foundational principle is to Embrace Aboriginal Knowledge and Partnerships. Guided by Dhawura Ngilan (A vision for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage in Australia and the Best Practice Standards in Indigenous cultural heritage management and legislation), the strategy ensures that Aboriginal cultural protocols are implemented and utilises dual naming for places, such as Tarntanya/Adelaide.

Our comprehensive approach sets the direction for a dynamic and valuable heritage future for all South Australians.