A Local Heritage Survey (LHS), formerly known as a Municipal Heritage Inventory, is a document that contains the history of a local government area and information on places that have been identified as being of cultural heritage significance to that area.

Under the Heritage Act 2018, the purposes of a Local Heritage Survey are to:

• Identify and record places that are, or may become, of cultural heritage significance
• Assist the local government to make decisions that are in harmony with cultural heritage values
• Provide a cultural and historical record of the area
• Create an accessible public record of places with cultural heritage importance
• Help prepare a Local Heritage List or heritage areas under the local planning scheme

Important: The Local Heritage Survey is a non-statutory document and does not in itself provide statutory heritage protection to properties.

The Heritage Act 2018 requires all local governments in Western Australia to prepare and maintain a Local Heritage Survey in accordance with the State’s Local Heritage Survey Guidelines (2022).

These guidelines recommend that regional local governments review their survey every 10 - 15 years.

The City’s current survey was:

• Originally adopted in 2001 (before the current guidelines)
• Partially updated in 2023 (additional places only, without a full review)

This review aims to align the survey with current State guidelines, reassess the suitability of the 2001 recommendations, and combine the 2001 and 2023 information into one document.

Each place in the Local Heritage Survey is assigned a management category, which reflects its level of heritage significance. This ranges from Category 1 (highest significance) to Category 4 (lowest significance).

A place’s significance is assessed using:

• The State’s Assessment of Local Heritage Places Guidelines (2022) - These guidelines provide a standard method for assessing places across Western Australia, including what criteria to consider and how to apply them.
• The Burra Charter - This is a nationally recognised guide used across Australia to assess and manage heritage places. It ensures decisions are based on a clear understanding of why a place is important before any recommendations are made.

These consider, aesthetic value (appearance), historic value, scientific value, social value, and spiritual value.

The 2001 survey used different categories, including:

• RHP – Register of Heritage Places
• TPS – Town Planning Scheme
• R&C – Retain and Conserve
• ADA – Assess at Development Application stage
• H – Historic Site
• S – Site

Some places are important because of historical events or former buildings, even if no structures remain.  A Category 5 – Historic Site is used to recognise these locations. This means:

• The site has historical significance
• Current buildings on the land are not part of that significance

While Category 5 is not included in the State guidelines, some local governments use it to clearly identify historic sites.

The Local Heritage Survey itself does not provide heritage protection. Heritage protection may apply through:

• The Local Heritage List
• Inclusion within a Local Heritage Area
• Recommended for inclusion on the State Register of Heritage Places

The Local Heritage Survey helps inform which places may be considered for these protections. After the Local Heritage Survey is finalised, the City will review the Local Heritage List. This review may consider feedback received during the LHS consultation and may also include a review of Local Planning Policy 6.2.

There are no direct financial benefits for being included in the Local Heritage Survey. However, if a property is formally heritage-listed (for example, on the Local Heritage List, in a Heritage Area, or on the State Register), the following may apply:

• A rates concession may be available to support approved conservation works.
• Development application fees may be waived (where approval is only required due to heritage listing)
• Free heritage advice from the City to assist with preliminary information on proposals or works schedules
• Places listed on the State Register may be eligible for grants through the State Heritage Council’s annual Heritage Grants Program.

Everyone, including property owners and community members, is invited to provide feedback. All submissions will:

1. Be reviewed by City officers and heritage consultants
2. Be presented to the Heritage Advisory Committee
3. Inform recommendations to Council

Council will make the final decision on the updated Local Heritage Survey.

Members of the public may also request to make a deputation at the Council meeting where the LHS is considered.