We share our community's passion for preserving local heritage and our Community Heritage Study will soon be entering its next stage comprising owner consultation and public exhibition. The study was endorsed by the Wingecarribee Local Planning Panel on June 29, 2023 and a motion to progress it was passed at the Council Meeting of July 19, 2023.
This marks a significant step in the progress of the study which aims to recognise and protect our Shire's heritage.
During the consultation process, Wingecarribee Shire Council will actively engage stakeholders and the wider community. The study gathered evidence for more than 450 proposed items, including 250 that were deferred by the Council in 2012, combined with other identified places of potential heritage significance.
"Through engaging the community in consultation, we will present the Study's discoveries and recommendations and offer property owners the opportunity to ask questions and present relevant information about their property," said Michael Park, Executive Manager, Strategic Outcomes.
"Council officers will listen to owners' concerns and furnish them with accurate information that addresses those specific issues," said Michael. Moreover, the Council will be seeking written feedback on the Study's findings and welcomes any additional information about any property of potential or actual heritage significance within the Shire. In addition, the consultations will provide information about the implications of being heritage listed or included within a heritage conservation area.
"It is important to identify a clear way forward through this process and ensure that the issues which arose following the 2009 survey are not repeated," Michael says. "This is a very large study that includes 607 potential heritage places. Of these, the study recommends around 80% be listed as heritage items"
Individual letters will be sent to property owners, summarising the Study's recommendation for their property and providing links to access the full report online, including heritage evidence sheets, and other supporting information. Owners will be able to book one-on-one sessions with Council's Strategic Outcomes Team at various locations across the Shire. These owner notifications and consultations will commence before the online release of information to the wider community.
For non-owner residents and the wider community, the Council will send letters to community and history groups, and make information available for download on the Your Say Wingecarribee website. It is noted that an independent peer review will be undertaken prior to finalisation of the study.
Information will be communicated to the community through various sources including letters, emails, Council's e-newsletters, media releases, Your Say Wingecarribee and Council's website, ensuring that stakeholders are updated throughout the consultation process.
For weekly updates on all that's happening in our Shire, and opportunities to get involved, join Council's Your Shire e-news wsc.nsw.gov.au/council/newsletters and follow us on socials.
