One of the last stages of implementing the heritage overlay moved a step closer this week with Council adopting the C101 Heritage Planning Amendment.
In 2003 the Shire of Campaspe undertook a heritage gap study to capture the gaps in heritage across the shire, picking up the townships of Ballendella, Bamawm, Burnewang, Girgarre, Gunbower, Gunbower Island, Kanyapella, Kotta, Kyabram, Kyvalley, Ky West, Lancaster, Lockington, Milloo, Patho, Pine Grove, Prairie, Rochester, Stanhope, Strathallan, Tennyson, Terrick Terrick, Timmering, Tongala, Wyuna and Yambuna.
Mayor, Cr Leigh Wilson, said the amendment is important to the shire.
“Council recognises that significant heritages places, sites and buildings help us understand the past. They enrich our lives now and will be of value to future generations. Heritage places are irreplaceable and precious,” he said.
“It’s this heritage that makes us what we are, it gives us identity. Whether it be a landscape, building, tree, garden, archaeological site, geological formation or fossil site, places of heritage add character, appeal and interest to townships.”
The amendment was adopted following an extensive process dating back to 2003, which included a gap study, exhibiting the planning amendment, public submissions, and an independent review. The process culminated in the Planning Panel delivering their report recommendations to Council in January. These recommendations now form the proposed changes to the Campaspe Planning Scheme.
“Council is responsible for the identification, protection and conservation of places or objects that are of scientific, architectural, historic or cultural heritage significance as detailed in the Planning and Environment Act 1987. The Heritage Overlay of the Planning Scheme provides the protection for those places of significance, which means that our stories are preserved for the years to come,” Cr Wilson said.
“From here, Council will write to the Minister requesting this change to the Planning Scheme. If you are affected by the overlay and are planning work on your property, call our statutory planning department and they’ll talk you through your options and how we can assist. Only some works require a permit.”