FAQs

The Heritage Act 2018 defines cultural heritage significance as:

“aesthetic, historic, scientific, social or spiritual value for individuals or groups within Western Australia. Cultural heritage significance may be embodied in a place itself and in any of its fabric, setting, use, associations, meanings, records, related places and related objects. A place may have diverse values for different individuals or groups.”

Heritage places that have undergone an evaluation process that considers and analyses documentary and physical evidence relating to the cultural heritage significance of the place may be registered on the Local Heritage Survey or the State Register of Heritage Places.

In September 2018 the Western Australian Parliament passed the Heritage Bill 2017 effectively giving Western Australia a new Heritage Act. It replaces the Heritage of Western Australia Act 1990. 

The Town’s updated Local Heritage Survey (LHS) was prepared according to the Draft Local Heritage Survey Guidelines released in March 2019 to assist the preparation of Local Heritage Surveys in accordance with Heritage Act 2018.

 Key changes to the new Act include amended processes for entering a place in the State Register; guidelines for the development of heritage places; better protections for important heritage places; and increased transparency by publishing the Heritage Council’s advice to the Minister for Heritage on the inclusion of a place in the State Register

A Local Heritage Survey (LHS) identifies local heritage places in a systematic manner and provides base cultural and historic information for the community and local authority. Heritage Surveys can assist local governments to develop local conservation policies and provide information about local heritage required under Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015. 

Section (104) of Heritage Act 2018 states that: The purposes of a local heritage survey by a local government include - 

(a) identifying and recording places that are, or may become, of cultural heritage significance in its district; 

(b) assisting the local government in making and implementing decisions that are in harmony with cultural heritage values; 

(c) providing a cultural and historical record of its district; 

(d) providing an accessible public record of places of cultural heritage significance to its district; and (e) assisting the local government in preparing a heritage list or list of heritage areas under a local planning scheme. 

The original Town of Victoria Park MHI was adopted in 2000. The 2021 LHS review was the first major review since 2000.

Places and heritage areas from the LHS can be included on the Heritage List affording them legal protection. This level of heritage listing is legally binding and Council is able to refuse demolition on heritage grounds.

The Heritage List has statutory implications. The LHS is a register database only and is not legally binding.

Yes you can. Heritage listing or inclusion on the LHS does not mean that a property cannot be changed. In fact, works that ensure a place is appropriate for contemporary use is seen as positive, promoting continual use and appreciation of the property. Each application is assessed on its own merit. The Town of Victoria Park needs to approve works involving significant changes to any building whether it is heritage listed or not. Go to https://www.victoriapark.wa.gov.au/ Build-and-develop/Building to find out further information about applications for changes to your property. The Heritage Council of Western Australia provides a ‘Guide to Developing Heritage Places’ following the link below for more information on developing Heritage Places. 

https://www.wa.gov.au/system/files/2021-04/HER-GuideToDevelopingHeritagePlaces-2019. pdf