Executive Summary. Conservation management plan for Government House and its precinct, Darwin

Made available by the Northern Territory Library via the Publications (Legal Deposit) Act 2004 (NT).On 19 March 1996 Government House was declared a "heritage place" under the provisions of the Northern Territory Heritage Conservation Act, because of its special significance for the Territory. The declaration as a "heritage place" formally recognised what had long been taken for granted by the general community -that Government House was a place of very special value and significance, because of what it symbolised, because of its architectural quality, and because of its contribution to the Darwin townscape. That significance has recently been lent emphasis by the debate about the Territory's constitutional position, because of all places Government House most powerfully expresses the Territory's past system of government, and symbolises hopes for the future. The Conservation Management Plan document, in several volumes, was completed earlier in 1998. This more general Executive Summary was therefore commissioned, in order to briefly and generally state why Government House is thought to be significant; to suggest a broad management philosophy and framework; and to summarise the thrust of the physical actions which are recommended.Introductory -- Historical perspective -- Significance - Why is Government House of special value? -- Management principles -- Conservation management plan - Summary of main recommendation