Proposal
We are currently undertaking a review of our Local Heritage Survey (LHS), formerly known as the Municipal Heritage Inventory (MHI), and Local Heritage List which were previously reviewed in 2018.
The 'General Review' of the LHS and Heritage List has been principally guided by a review of current local heritage places, public nominations and a review of the cultural heritage values of local heritage places. We have also recommended changes to the Management Categories applied to local heritage places in the LHS and Heritage List, based on the Heritage Council of Western Australia's 2021 Guidelines for Establishing a Heritage List.
New Management Categories
The 2018 MHI was based on 'A, B, C, D or E' ‘Management Category’ system, which has been adapted to a '1, 2, 3 or 4' system. This revised ‘Management Category’ system, included in the City's Local Planning Policy 3.3.26 - Guidelines to Establishing a Heritage List, has guided the draft LHS and Heritage List review.
The table below outlines the new Management Categories, which recognise the level of significance of local heritage places, proposed to be implemented within the revised LHS and Heritage List.
| Level of Significance | LHS Management Category | Description | Heritage List |
|---|
| Exceptional Significance | '1' (former 'A') | Essential to the heritage of the locality. Rare or outstanding example. | All places included in the Heritage List. |
| Considerable Significance | '2' (former 'B') | Very important to the heritage of the locality. | All places included in the Heritage List. |
| Some/Moderate Significance | '3' (former 'C') | Contributes to the heritage of the locality. | Places may be included in the Heritage List. |
| Little Significance | '4' (former 'D' or 'E') | Has elements or values worth noting for community interest but otherwise makes little contribution. | Below the threshold for inclusion in the Heritage List. |
Local Heritage Survey (LHS) and Heritage List
The review of the LHS and Heritage List included an assessment of 102 places, comprising of the following:
- 95 places from the 2018 MHI.
- Four new places as nominated by the public (Corry Lynne House, Former Rockingham Townsite, Larkhill Homestead, and The Rockingham Fishing Company).
- One City Officer nomination (Baldivis Tramway Reserve).
- One nomination from the City's Aboriginal Advisory Group (Dixon Road Scar Trees).
- One existing place (Rockingham Oval and Memorial) being split into two separate place records.
A total of 100 places have been recommended for inclusion in the draft LHS, which has increased by five places compared to the 2018 MHI. Of the six new places nominated, only four places were supported for inclusion in the LHS, together with one existing place being split into two (Rockingham Oval and Memorial). Accordingly, most of the existing places that are already included in the 2018 MHI are proposed to be carried over to the draft LHS.
Of the 100 places proposed for inclusion in the LHS, 52 are recommended for inclusion in the City's Heritage List, which identifies places that are of ‘cultural heritage significance’ and worthy of consideration for built heritage conservation under the City's TPS2. The Local Heritage List is proposed to be reduced from 63 current places to a total of 52.
The draft LHS and Heritage List have been the subject of extensive heritage investigation, which include site visits to each place, including an inspection of Places on Garden Island and Penguin Island. The draft LHS represents a significant review of the City’s existing MHI which includes an extensive number of photographs and relevant commentary of the heritage places in the City.
The comments received during the public advertising process for the draft LHS and Heritage List will assist Council in shaping the final documents. Please refer to the documents available below for further information in relation to the draft LHS and Heritage List.