Heritage in the City

Acknowledgement to Country

The City of Rockingham respectfully acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of the land on which Rockingham stands today, the Nyoongar people. The City pays its respects to their elders both past and present.

Nyoongar people successfully managed and nurtured the land and water for thousands of generations and an enduring spiritual and physical connection remains today. By showing respect for the land and water in the same way, the City can continue to work towards the sustainability of the environment for future generations.

Introduction

The City of Rockingham has a proud history. The Traditional Owners of the area now known as Rockingham are the Nyoongar people. The City sits on the boundary of the Whadjukopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new window and Binjarebopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new window Nyoongar peoples territories and is also completely encompassed by the Gnaala Karla Booja Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) area of the South West Native Title Settlement (SWNTS). 

The City was first settled by Europeans when Sulphur Town was established on Garden Island in 1829, with the East Rockingham area also containing a number of early pioneers. Rockingham Town developed as a timber port in the 1870s, however, when the viability of loading timber declined, Rockingham became known as a tourist destination for day-trippers from Perth. Rockingham began to grow steadily in the 1950s following the development of nearby Kwinana as a major industrial area.

The history of Rockingham is celebrated by the Rockingham District Historical Society which manages the Rockingham Museumopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new window.

A more detailed historical overview of Rockingham is contained within the Local Heritage Survey (formerly known as the Municipal Heritage Inventory).

We use three devices to record and maintain places having local cultural heritage significance: its Local Heritage Survey, Heritage List, and Heritage Development and Design Policy.

Heritage Strategy

The Heritage Strategy is a new item that aligns with the City's Strategic Community Plan 2019-2029. Council granted approval at its February 2020 meeting for the City to seek public comment on the draft Heritage Strategy. The strategy was available for public comment until 17 April 2020. The final version of the strategy was adopted by Council at its 23 June 2020 meeting.

Heritage strategies are an important tool that help to identify items of significant heritage value in the community.

The Heritage Strategy will help shape our approach to the conservation, management and promotion of heritage within the City. It will also play a role in improving the public's understanding of local heritage and will encourage the protection of vital heritage assets.

Importantly, the strategy will guide the City in how we prioritise our heritage projects according to a five-year plan. The community's value on heritage will be central to this, and will dictate the areas that require the greatest action urgently.

In creating the Heritage Strategy, we have focused on the connected nature of both Aboriginal and European heritage, as well as the stunning natural landscape that is on display throughout the community.

The strategy includes references to natural, maritime, Aboriginal and European heritage, and it's intended that all of these elements are celebrated and recognised equally as a "shared heritage".

Heritage Development and Design Policy

In March 2023 Council adopted Local Planning Policy No.3.3.21 - Heritage Development and Design.

The policy:

• provides general information and policies applicable to the conservation and development of places in the Heritage List;
• explains the City's application of the heritage provisions contained within the Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015;
• applies the development control principles contained in the State Planning Policy 3.5 - Historic Heritage Conservation and the Burra Charter;
• explains heritage development considerations within the framework of the City's Heritage Strategy 2020-2025;
• details the process and procedures for making a Development Application for heritage listed places when a Development Application is not required; and
• does not apply to local heritage places not deemed worthy of built heritage conservation.

The Policy objectives are:

• to conserve and protect places of cultural heritage significance within the City, as identified under the Heritage List (including those entered onto the State Register of Heritage Places);
• to assist property owners and managers to conserve the cultural heritage significance of their heritage places;
• to ensure that future development, including conservation or adaption of existing buildings and construction of new buildings does not adversely affect the significance of heritage places and respects and enhances their identified heritage values; and
• to ensure that heritage significance is given due weight in decision making for applications for Development Approval.

What advice or assistance is available?

Our Planning Services team can answer any queries relating to the Local Heritage Survey or Heritage List.

Publications from the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage website have been used as the source for some of the above information. Additional details and other general and technical information can be downloaded from this site.