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Northern Grampians Heritage Asset Protection

Welcome to the Heritage Review at Northern Grampians Shire Council

As custodians of our community's rich heritage, we take pride in preserving the legacy left to us by generations past. Our mission is to strike a delicate balance within the Northern Grampians planning scheme, identifying and managing change to places of historical significance while fostering a deep appreciation of heritage.

About the Northern Grampians Shire Heritage Review

In 2004, Northern Grampians Shire Council initiated an extensive heritage study, uncovering numerous precincts and individual sites with the potential for heritage recognition across the Shire. Despite the valuable insights gleaned, the study faced delays in adoption due to concerns surrounding property rights. Nonetheless, in acknowledgment of the evolving landscape of heritage preservation, all municipalities in Victoria have since undertaken similar initiatives.

Looking ahead to 2041 and in line with Council’s 2021-2025 Council Plan, our vision revolves around fostering a thriving tourism sector that capitalizes on our region's rich history. We are steadfast in our commitment to driving economic growth by endorsing Victoria's Goldfields UNESCO World Heritage bid. Furthermore, we aspire to enrich our community's lifestyle and well-being by safeguarding and enhancing our heritage assets. This involves a strategic approach to preserving key heritage buildings and precincts, ensuring their continued significance to our collective identity and vitality.

In line with our commitments to heritage conservation, both the St Arnaud and Stawell Structure Plans have advocated for fresh heritage assessments. In response, a new phase of the heritage review has been initiated, with particular focus on the following priorities as a starting point:

Thematic Environmental History of the Shire (forming the basis of future heritage assessments)
Stawell Main Street area
St Arnaud Commercial and Civic area
St Arnaud Queens Avenue area

As is required by the Planning and Environment Act (1987), the Study will provide Council with the information it needs:

‘To conserve and enhance buildings, areas and other places which are of scientific, aesthetic, architectural, or historical interest, or otherwise of special cultural value’.

The Study will consider the Northern Grampians Heritage Study Stage 1 and 2 (Rowe and Jacobs, 2004), Northern Grampians Thematic Environmental History (Rowe & Jacobs, 2004) and new historical research, including input from traditional owner groups, historical societies, business and community groups, landowners and individuals with an interest in the project.

Through these efforts, we aim to acknowledge our past, enrich our present townships, and lay the groundwork for a prosperous future. We invite you to join us on this journey of preservation and celebration.

The Draft Thematic Environmental History

Introducing the new Draft Thematic Environmental History

A Thematic Environmental History provides an historical overview of an area, describing the factors that have contributed to the culture and development of the Shire to the present day, along with places, buildings and other features that demonstrate the themes of development. The Thematic Environmental History has regard to Traditional Owner history and subsequent development by migrant settlers.

Building on the 2004 Thematic History, Council commissioned an updated Thematic Environmental History which reflects the new methodology established by the Victoria’s Framework of Historical Themes (click here to view the Framework). The new draft Thematic History provides an improved community knowledge of the historical circumstances that have helped shape our Shire with input invited and received between 2022 and early 2024 from the Shire’s historical societies - the Stawell Historical Society and St Arnaud Historical Society - and Traditional Owners groups - Dja Dja Wurrung, and the Barengi Gadjun Land Council.

The Thematic History will inform future heritage studies, including the current review of Stawell and St Arnaud commercial precincts.

The new draft Thematic History is now ready for the community feedback. If you are interested in the history of the Shire’s development, download a copy here(PDF, 173MB).

We look forward to feedback by 15 June 2024.

For more information about Thematic Environmental Histories, (include link from Heritage Council website)

Heritage Precincts Review – St Arnaud

St Arnaud

The heart of St Arnaud, the Commercial and Civic precinct, is a much loved and tourist drawcard for the town and the Shire. We know through the St Arnaud Structure Plan consultation that the local St Arnaud community value their heritage streetscapes.

As part of the Heritage Review of the 2004 Study, St Arnaud’s Commercial and Civic precincts were shortlisted as the first areas to be reviewed.

Process

Stage 1 has commenced with the review of the 2004 Precinct background work, new historical research and a review of the intactness of the precincts. To date this has involved background information provided by the St Arnaud Historical Society.

A draft heritage citation and Statement of Significance is nearly prepared. When completed, this will include:

A history and description of the precinct
A list of features and buildings that are significant, contribute to the importance of precinct and those features or buildings that do not contribute to the precinct.
A map that shows the extent of the precinct
The review will recommend the extent of the precinct that ought to be formally recognised in the Planning Scheme under a Heritage Overlay.

The Queens Avenue precinct will be considered following the completion of the work described above.

The review of the St Arnaud Commercial, Civic and Queens Avenue precincts will be informed by the revised draft Thematic Environmental History (link), the Northern Grampians Heritage Study Stage 1 and 2 (Rowe and Jacobs, 2004), the Victorian government’s Planning Practice Note 1 Applying the Heritage Overlay, additional historical research and site visits, previous planning and building permits and changes since the 2004 Study was undertaken, and new historical information. The review will also include comparative analysis, which compares how significant the precinct is compared with similar examples within the Shire.

Consultation

We look forward to providing the community and landowners with the results of the revised precinct and recommendations and seeking feedback.

Consultation sessions will be held during June and early July 2024. If you would like to register your early interest in this project, please email Jennifer.Hinwood@ngshire.vic.gov.au

Heritage Precincts Review – Stawell

Stawell Main Street

Main Street is the commercial heart of Stawell and contains many buildings of historical significance to the town.

The Heritage Review of the 2004 Study, shortlisted Main Street as one of the first areas in Stawell to be reviewed as it hosts the largest concentration of heritage value, as well as having the highest visibility for both locals and tourists.

At this stage Pleasant Creek on Western Highway (location of former Shire office) is not part of the early phase of the Heritage Review as it is mostly included within the Heritage Overlay already.

Process

A new heritage citation and Statement of Significance will be prepared. This will include:

A history and description of the precinct
A list of features and buildings that are significant, contribute to the importance of precinct and those features or buildings that do not contribute to the precinct.
A map that shows the extent of the precinct
The review will recommend the extent of the precinct that ought to be formally recognised in the Planning Scheme under a Heritage Overlay.

The review of the Main Street Stawell precinct will be informed by the revised draft Thematic Environmental History (open here)(PDF, 173MB), the Northern Grampians Heritage Study Stage 1 and 2 (Rowe and Jacobs, 2004), the Victorian government’s Planning Practice Note 1 Applying the Heritage Overlay, additional historical research and site visits, previous planning and building permits and changes since the 2004 Study was undertaken, and new historical information. The review will also include comparative analysis, which compares how significant the precinct is compared with similar examples within the Shire.

Consultation

In preparing the Review, an early consultation phase will be held to seek feedback on the concept of a heritage precinct in Main Street Stawell, and feedback based on the 2004 study.

In person appointments will be available on afternoon and evening of Monday 27 May 2024, 2pm – 7pm.

Online appointments will be available on Wednesday 29 May 2024, 11am to 6pm.

To book, please email by clicking here.

In mid-June 2024, we look forward to providing the community and landowners with the results of the revised precinct, recommendations and seeking further feedback.

If you would like to register your early interest in this project, please email Jennifer.hinwood@ngshire.vic.gov.au.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Curious about Heritage Overlays and why they matter? Let's dive in:

What is heritage?

Heritage isn't just about old buildings—it's the fabric of our community, encompassing everything from historic landmarks to our customs, language, and beliefs. It's what we inherit, cherish today, and strive to preserve for future generations. Our heritage shapes our sense of place and community identity, connecting us to our roots and guiding us toward a brighter future.

heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/heritage-protection/heritage_info_pack/

Why is heritage important?

Our heritage places are cherished links to the past, enriching our present and enhancing the character of our surroundings. They embody our unique goldfields heritage and cultural identity, from St Arnaud's historic precincts to individual residential and non-residential sites. Preserving these places isn't just about nostalgia - it's about respecting our shared history and safeguarding the essence of our community for generations to come.

What is a Heritage Overlay?

Heritage Overlays are planning controls designed to protect places of significant heritage value. If your property falls under a HO, you may need a planning permit from Council for certain activities, such as building alterations or demolition. These controls ensure that changes to heritage places are carefully considered to preserve their cultural significance.

heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/heritage-protection/heritage-protection-explained/

Understanding heritage terminology:

Heritage place: Any site, building, structure, or natural feature with recognised heritage value.

Heritage precinct: A designated area containing multiple heritage places that share common characteristics.

Group listing: Similar to a precinct but with elements spread across a geographic area.

Significant heritage place: Individually important at the local level, with notable historical, aesthetic, or cultural value.

Contributory heritage place: Contributes to the overall significance of a heritage precinct.

Non-contributory heritage place: Located within a heritage precinct but does not significantly contribute to its character.

Still have questions? Feel free to reach out to Council's Strategic Planning Department for assistance. We're here to help navigate the ins and outs of heritage preservation and planning.