Posted 02 March 2023
Local Heritage Survey
In accordance with Part 8 of the Heritage Act 2018 and the Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015, the Shire, in conjunction with Laura Gray of Heritage Intelligence has completed a review of its existing Municipal Heritage Inventory (updated term is now Local Heritage Survey). It is a requirement under the former and revised Heritage Act to undertake a review of the Local Heritage Survey every five years.
A requirement of the Heritage Act 2018 is that the Shire prepares and maintains a survey of places within its district that in its opinion are, or may become, of cultural heritage significance. Cultural heritage significance is defined as meaning ‘aesthetic, historic, scientific, social or spiritual value for individuals or groups within Western Australia.’
The purposes of a local heritage survey include:
1. Identifying and recording places that are, or may become, of cultural heritage significance in its district; and
2. Assisting the local government in making and implementing decisions that are in harmony with cultural heritage values; and
3. Providing a cultural and historical record of its district; and
4. Providing an accessible public record of places of cultural heritage significance to its district; and
5. Assisting the local government in preparing a heritage list or list of heritage areas under a local plan.
The survey itself does not have statutory force and effect in terms of planning controls, although provides guidance to the Shire as to the importance of a place’s cultural heritage significance and thereby providing information on which places may be worthy of built heritage conservation, and should be afforded statutory protection for conservation and retention, by inclusion on a heritage list or within a heritage area.