Queensland Heritage Register facts for kids

The Queensland Heritage Register is a special list of important places in Queensland, Australia. These places are protected by a law called the Queensland Heritage Act 1992. Think of it like a VIP list for buildings, bridges, and other sites that tell a big part of Queensland's story! The list is looked after by the Queensland Heritage Council.

As of June 2019, there were 1,769 places on this register. Some famous examples include the amazing Story Bridge in Brisbane and the old Ross River Meatworks Chimney in Townsville.

How Places Are Chosen

For a place to be added to the Queensland Heritage Register, someone first needs to suggest it. Then, experts check it carefully to see if it's special enough. There are three main types of places that can be added:

• State Heritage Place: This is the most common type. An example is the Charters Towers Courthouse.
• Archaeological Place: These are places where old things might be buried underground, like the First Brisbane Burial Ground in Brisbane. These hidden items can teach us about the past.
• Protected Area: These are very important places, like the shipwreck of the SS Marloo near Fraser Island. It's harder to visit these places because they need extra protection.

Why a Place Becomes a State Heritage Place

To be listed as a State Heritage Place, a site must meet one or more of these reasons:

• It shows how Queensland's history has changed over time.
• It's a rare or unusual part of Queensland's cultural heritage.
• It helps us understand Queensland's past better.
• It's a great example of a certain type of building or place.
• It's important because it looks beautiful or unique.
• It shows amazing creative or technical skills from its time.
• It's important to a group of people for social, cultural, or spiritual reasons.
• It's connected to important people, groups, or organisations in Queensland's history.

Why a Place Becomes an Archaeological Place

An Archaeological Place is added to the register if it might have old objects or remains hidden underground. These hidden items can give us clues and information about Queensland's history. If a place is already listed as a State Heritage Place, it can't also be listed separately as an Archaeological Place.

What Are Protected Areas?

Protected Areas are declared by special rules because they are super important to Queensland's history and culture. It's often hard to enter these areas, and you might need a special permit. This gives them a very high level of protection to keep them safe.

What the Register Shows

Each entry on the Queensland Heritage Register includes important details about the place:

• Where it is located.
• Its history and how it has changed.
• A description of what the place looks like.
• If there are any special agreements about its heritage.
• For State Heritage Places, it explains which reasons (criteria) it met to be listed.
• For Archaeological Places, it explains why it's important for archaeology.
• For Protected Areas, it states why its cultural heritage is so significant that it needs protection.

Other Heritage Lists

Besides the Queensland Heritage Register, places can also be listed on other important lists. One example is the Commonwealth National Heritage List, which is looked after by the Australian Heritage Council. This list protects places that are important to all of Australia.

Also, a law in Queensland says that every local council must keep its own local heritage register. The Brisbane Heritage Register is a good example of one of these local lists.