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UNESCO World Heritage listing

Inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2004, the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens reflects the global influence of the great International Exhibitions of the nineteenth century that intensified industrialisation and international trade.

Managing the Property

The Royal Exhibition Building is managed by the Victorian Government through Museums Victoria. The City of Melbourne manages the Carlton Gardens.

The World Heritage Steering Committee was established in 2004. It prepares the World Heritage Management Plan for the property. Members are appointed by the Minister for Planning. Heritage Victoria's Executive Director chairs the committee. It meets at least four times a year. Members are:

  • Steven Avery, Executive Director, Heritage Victoria (Chair)
  • Vacant, representative for City of Melbourne
  • Lynley Croswell, representative for Museums Victoria
  • Richa Swarup, representative for City of Yarra
  • Simon Ambrose, representative for the National Trust of Australia (Victoria).

Contact the Steering Committee

The Steering Committee welcomes your feedback. Email us about the conservation of the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens. The Steering Committee will review matters raised.

Draft World Heritage Management Plan

The Steering Committee intends to submit the revised draft World Heritage Management Plan (the Plan) for the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens to the Minister for Planning for approval. Submissions on the Plan closed on 3 March 2023. Before submitting the Plan, the Steering Committee will consider all submissions received and may hold a hearing on matters raised.

The Chair of the Steering Committee, Steven Avery, would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the significant contribution that has been made during public consultation on the Plan. The insights that have been shared since our first consultation in 2013, and again more recently, have played a critical role in conserving and protecting this World Heritage site.

The current World Heritage Management Plan was approved in 2013.

Page last updated: 21/12/23