The Shire of Collie has adopted a local heritage list to protect places of historical importance within the shire after a motion was passed unanimously at the ordinary meeting of council on November 14.
The list currently contains 101 locations around the shire that were determined to have some level of historical significance and are therefore worthy of conservation.
The shire was required to maintain a heritage list under the state government’s Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015.
Although the shire didn’t previously have a heritage list, it did maintain a Local Heritage Survey list (formerly known as the Municipal Inventory) that noted historic places and properties around town. However, the survey list didn’t have the same legal obligations that the heritage list does.
Any properties listed on the heritage list will be required to be assessed by the Heritage Council of WA prior to receiving any development approval, to make sure all properties on the list maintain the existing fabric of the building.
The shire also has the power to compel owners of properties on the list to restore their buildings in order to protect the history of the building.
When the Municipal Inventory was created in 1995, the aim was to create a list of buildings and sites that would help future generations understand how Collie residents had lived their lives in the past.
The list was particularly focused on answering the questions about why people settled in Collie, how they traveled and communicated, how they earned a living and what they did to relax, along with noting the locations of any extraordinary events throughout Collie’s history.
The Municipal Inventory created in 1995 initially identified 148 locations of importance, mostly centred around Throssell Street, around the shire.
Since its creation the list has been reviewed several times, with the most recent review occurring earlier this year.
The 2017 survey included all 148 locations on the previous list while also assessing 11 extra locations, which included the Collie Courthouse, Soldiers’ Park and the All Saints Anglican Church.
Of the 159 locations considered in the most recent survey, 101 were selected for the heritage list.
The heritage value of these locations were assessed in relation to their aesthetic, history and social values.
During public consultations about the list, some property owners raised concerns about the effect being on the list would have on the value of their property.
However Shire of Collie Director of Development Services Andrew Dover said there was no evidence that being on the list had a negative impact on property values.
