Photo of Cockatoo Island courtesy of Sydney Harbour Federation

It was recently announced; the Executive Director of the Sydney Harbour Federation Mr Geoff Bailey has declared that Cockatoo Island a site worthy of world heritage status. Cockatoo Island was used as a goal for 30 years from 1839 to 1869 while the buildings where used for a further 100 years.
In order for a site to achieve world heritage status, several steps need to be satisfied. A given country first needs to take stock of all properties that have natural or cultural significance, this list is known as the ‘tentative list’. A property from the list is placed into a nomination file. The country’s nomination file is then evaluated by the International Council on Monuments and Sites and the World Conversation Union, who in turn make recommendations to the World Heritage Committee who met once a year to decide if a property is worthy of world heritage status.
“To be recognised by UNESCO with ten other Australian convict sites highlights how Cockatoo Island plays an important part in the story of transportation and the European settlement of Australia” Mr Bailey commented.
The other sites that were nominated include: Kingston and Arthur`s Vale Historic Area, Old Government House and Domain, Hyde Park Barracks, Brickendon and Woolmers Estates, Darlington Probation Station, Old Great North Road, Cascades Female Factory, Port Arthur Historic Site and Fremantle Prison