Australia announces $439,928 funding for Historic Shipwreck protection

On 20/11/2009
In Underwater Archeology
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Shipwreck coast of Victoria

From Sail the World

Federal Heritage Minister Peter Garrett today announced funding of $439,928 for projects that will protect the nation's underwater cultural heritage. A total of 25 projects across Australia will receive funding under the Historic Shipwrecks Program.

'The Historic Shipwrecks Program provides important financial assistance to state and territory agencies who manage, protect and raise awareness of historic shipwrecks on behalf of the Commonwealth,' Mr Garrett said.

'This annual funding helps protect shipwrecks and their relics and promotes activities which encourage people to visit shipwreck sites and gain a better understanding of conservation issues.

'It also promotes better understanding of the stories associated with the wrecks and gives us a fascinating insight into Australia's significant maritime past and the often treacherous journeys undertaken in the past.'

Projects to receive funding include:

* New South Wales — historic shipwreck survey, recording and monitoring of Commonwealth Historic Shipwrecks to expand the inventory and knowledge of known sites and newly detected or reported sites. This includes continuing investigations at the M24 Japanese midget submarine site and the convict transport shipwreck site of the Hive (1835) and its associated survivor’s camp near Jervis Bay.

* Victoria — funding will support Heritage Victoria staff to support the National Historic Shipwrecks Research Project which will focus on the preservation and reburial of historic shipwreck artefacts. The Victorian historic shipwreck Clarence (1850) has been selected because of its archaeological potential.