Heritage is what we inherit from previous generations and recognise as something that we want to pass on to future generations.
Heritage helps us to understand the story of both Western Australia and the local community – our history, identity and diversity. Heritage is wide-ranging and consists of buildings, structures, gardens, cemeteries, landscapes, heritage areas, shipwrecks and archaeological sites. The City wants to protect and pass on significant examples of these places to future generations so they will be able to enjoy a rich and diverse cultural environment and understand what came before them. Because heritage is not only about buildings, the term ‘heritage place’ is used.
Aspects of heritage
A Local Heritage Survey (previously called a Municipal Heritage Inventory) is a list of places which, in the opinion of a local government, are, or may become, culturally significant to the local community.
The Local Heritage Survey does not have a statutory implication for planning and development. If a place is included in the Local Heritage Survey, there are no changes to the normal development processes and requirements.
The City’s current Local Heritage Survey (PDF) was endorsed by Council at its 28 May 2024 meeting.
A Heritage List is a smaller list of only the most significant places from the Local Heritage Survey. Including a place on the Heritage List gives the place recognition and protection under Local Planning Scheme No. 3.
If a place is included in the Heritage List, this does have implications for owners who propose to demolish, alter, or develop, as development approval is required in order for an assessment to be made on the impact of the proposal upon the heritage value of the place.
Importantly, including a place on a heritage list does not limit or restrict how a local government is to determine an application or prohibit building works or other development from occurring.
View the City’s Scheme Heritage List (PDF).
Separate to a local government’s Local Heritage Survey or Heritage List, the State Register of Heritage Places (State Register) is a statutory list of places prepared under the Heritage Act 2018 and managed by the Heritage Council of Western Australia. Inclusion in the State Register is reserved for places of State cultural heritage significance and is the highest recognition afforded at the State level. Heritage places are entered in the State Register after an assessment and registration process which includes consultation with owners, local governments and other stakeholders.
There is currently one place located within the City on the State Register, being Luisini Winery, Kingsley.
For more information or to see the State Register, please visit the Heritage Council of Western Australia’s website.
The Heritage Act 2018 does not apply to places that have cultural heritage significance solely on account of their connection with Aboriginal tradition or culture. These sites have therefore not been considered as part of the Local Heritage Survey or Heritage List.
Aboriginal heritage sites are administered under separate legislation and require both specialist archaeological and anthropological skills, as well as cultural sensitivity, which may preclude the disclosure of information to the public.
The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage and the application of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 will ensure that significant aspects of Aboriginal history and culture, relating to the period before colonial settlement, are recorded and preserved.
More information and contact
For more information contact the City's Planning Services on 9400 4000 or via info@joondalup.wa.gov.au.