Local Heritage Survey

Denmark Streetscape circa 1960's

The Shire of Denmark is embarking on a process to review and update our Local Heritage Survey (previously known as the Municipal Heritage Inventory) and are calling on our community to nominate places they believe are significant to our heritage story. Nominations are open until 25 July 2025.

Background to the Shire’s existing Local Heritage Survey (2011)

The Shire’s original Local Heritage Survey (the Survey) was compiled between 1994 and 1999 and consisted of 61 heritage places. The second iteration of the Survey commenced in 2005 and concluded in 2011. It involved an update of the historic overview of the Shire and identified and additional 64 places with a total of 124 places.

A lot has happened since 2011, and it is timely that the Shire update our heritage story and provide the community with an opportunity to nominate new places they feel has heritage value.

What is a Local Heritage Survey?

A Local Heritage Survey aims to ‘tell the stories’ of our region – it provides an understanding of the history and development of our community, highlights the key themes and storylines that have shaped us and provides information on places that are important to our cultural heritage and identities their values and significance.

By including buildings and places in the Local Heritage Survey this is an acknowledgement of a place’s heritage value.

What is heritage value?

The heritage value of a place is not determined by age but relates to how and why it is important and to who. It is defined by the notions of aesthetic, historic, research, social and spiritual values. A place my represent one or all of these heritage values.

A heritage value is also determined by the rarity of a place and what distinctive qualities and characteristics it may represent, as well as issues such as integrity (e.g. still used for the purpose it was built), authenticity (e.g. how much original fabric and detailing still exists) and condition.

What happens if my place is nominated?

The Shire’s Heritage Consultant will provide an assessment on whether the nomination should be considered for inclusion in the Local Heritage Survey and make a recommendation as to its significance/ classification level. The Shire will contact you if your property is nominated and is being considered for inclusion in our Local Heritage Survey.

While property owners are invited to participate, the assessment of a place must be determined based on its ‘cultural heritage significance’.

Council will make the final decision as to the inclusion of places in the Local Heritage Survey and Heritage List.

What happens if my place is already on the Local Heritage Survey?

This review provides an opportunity to reassess any changes made to the place and its condition. Proposals to change information associated with a place that is listed in the current Heritage Survey can come from new research, completion of approved development works, or updated information from the owner, community or other source.

In some cases, this may require reassessment of the heritage values of a place to inform changes to its level of significance/ classification. Should any changes be proposed that impact the classification level of your property or result in a proposal to include your property on the Survey, you will be contacted by the Shire.

Can I still make changes and improvements to my property if it is in the Local Heritage Survey?

Being included in the Survey does not impose any additional building or planning approval requirements beyond what is normally required for any property owner.

The Shire encourages owners of places in the Survey to discuss their plans for major changes as part of the normal process of seeking planning approval. Sensitive development and new compatible uses of heritage places are the best way of ensuring that heritage significant elements are retained and its heritage values are preserved and even enhanced through development.

What is a Heritage List?

A Heritage List is prepared from information and recommendations contained within the Local Heritage Survey relative to the level of significance of each place. Not all places in the Local Heritage Survey will be included on the Heritage List.

The Heritage List is intended to recognise those places that are most important to the heritage of the locality. Where a place is included in the Heritage List, this provides a mechanism to protect the heritage value of that place through the planning process.

Although the preparation of the Local Heritage Survey is separate to that of the Heritage List, Council may choose to advertise both draft documents concurrently as one will be used to inform the content of the other.

What happens if my place is included on the Heritage List?

This would affect owners who propose to alter or develop their property, including demolition. An application seeking Development Approval is required to assess the impact of any proposal on the heritage values. The place must also be maintained to ensure that there is no actual or imminent loss or deterioration of the structural integrity of the local heritage place.

Can I still make changes and improvements to my property if it is in the Heritage List?

Inclusion on the Heritage List will result in additional protection and planning controls being applied as outlined in the Shire’s Local Planning Scheme. Appropriate and well-designed changes and additions will be considered and able to be carried out.

Sensitive development and new compatible uses of heritage places are the best way of ensuring the elements that are significant are retained and its heritage values are preserved and enhanced through development.

How is Noongar Cultural Heritage reflected?

Noongar heritage is important to the history of the Shire of Denmark and will form part of the storyline contained within the Local Heritage Survey.

Places of significance and value to Aboriginal traditions and culture are protected under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972, so the Heritage Act 2018 does not request the inclusion of places within the Local Heritage Survey.

Historic sites can be nominated within the Local Heritage Survey, but it needs to be demonstrated that the cultural significance is not based solely on connection with Aboriginal tradition or culture.

The Shire of Denmark is embarking on a process to review and update our Local Heritage Survey (previously known as the Municipal Heritage Inventory) and are calling on our community to nominate places they believe are significant to our heritage story. Nominations are open until 25 July 2025.

Background to the Shire’s existing Local Heritage Survey (2011)

The Shire’s original Local Heritage Survey (the Survey) was compiled between 1994 and 1999 and consisted of 61 heritage places. The second iteration of the Survey commenced in 2005 and concluded in 2011. It involved an update of the historic overview of the Shire and identified and additional 64 places with a total of 124 places.

A lot has happened since 2011, and it is timely that the Shire update our heritage story and provide the community with an opportunity to nominate new places they feel has heritage value.

What is a Local Heritage Survey?

A Local Heritage Survey aims to ‘tell the stories’ of our region – it provides an understanding of the history and development of our community, highlights the key themes and storylines that have shaped us and provides information on places that are important to our cultural heritage and identities their values and significance.

By including buildings and places in the Local Heritage Survey this is an acknowledgement of a place’s heritage value.

What is heritage value?

The heritage value of a place is not determined by age but relates to how and why it is important and to who. It is defined by the notions of aesthetic, historic, research, social and spiritual values. A place my represent one or all of these heritage values.

A heritage value is also determined by the rarity of a place and what distinctive qualities and characteristics it may represent, as well as issues such as integrity (e.g. still used for the purpose it was built), authenticity (e.g. how much original fabric and detailing still exists) and condition.

What happens if my place is nominated?

The Shire’s Heritage Consultant will provide an assessment on whether the nomination should be considered for inclusion in the Local Heritage Survey and make a recommendation as to its significance/ classification level. The Shire will contact you if your property is nominated and is being considered for inclusion in our Local Heritage Survey.

While property owners are invited to participate, the assessment of a place must be determined based on its ‘cultural heritage significance’.

Council will make the final decision as to the inclusion of places in the Local Heritage Survey and Heritage List.

What happens if my place is already on the Local Heritage Survey?

This review provides an opportunity to reassess any changes made to the place and its condition. Proposals to change information associated with a place that is listed in the current Heritage Survey can come from new research, completion of approved development works, or updated information from the owner, community or other source.

In some cases, this may require reassessment of the heritage values of a place to inform changes to its level of significance/ classification. Should any changes be proposed that impact the classification level of your property or result in a proposal to include your property on the Survey, you will be contacted by the Shire.

Can I still make changes and improvements to my property if it is in the Local Heritage Survey?

Being included in the Survey does not impose any additional building or planning approval requirements beyond what is normally required for any property owner.

The Shire encourages owners of places in the Survey to discuss their plans for major changes as part of the normal process of seeking planning approval. Sensitive development and new compatible uses of heritage places are the best way of ensuring that heritage significant elements are retained and its heritage values are preserved and even enhanced through development.

What is a Heritage List?

A Heritage List is prepared from information and recommendations contained within the Local Heritage Survey relative to the level of significance of each place. Not all places in the Local Heritage Survey will be included on the Heritage List.

The Heritage List is intended to recognise those places that are most important to the heritage of the locality. Where a place is included in the Heritage List, this provides a mechanism to protect the heritage value of that place through the planning process.

Although the preparation of the Local Heritage Survey is separate to that of the Heritage List, Council may choose to advertise both draft documents concurrently as one will be used to inform the content of the other.

What happens if my place is included on the Heritage List?

This would affect owners who propose to alter or develop their property, including demolition. An application seeking Development Approval is required to assess the impact of any proposal on the heritage values. The place must also be maintained to ensure that there is no actual or imminent loss or deterioration of the structural integrity of the local heritage place.

Can I still make changes and improvements to my property if it is in the Heritage List?

Inclusion on the Heritage List will result in additional protection and planning controls being applied as outlined in the Shire’s Local Planning Scheme. Appropriate and well-designed changes and additions will be considered and able to be carried out.

Sensitive development and new compatible uses of heritage places are the best way of ensuring the elements that are significant are retained and its heritage values are preserved and enhanced through development.

How is Noongar Cultural Heritage reflected?

Noongar heritage is important to the history of the Shire of Denmark and will form part of the storyline contained within the Local Heritage Survey.

Places of significance and value to Aboriginal traditions and culture are protected under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972, so the Heritage Act 2018 does not request the inclusion of places within the Local Heritage Survey.

Historic sites can be nominated within the Local Heritage Survey, but it needs to be demonstrated that the cultural significance is not based solely on connection with Aboriginal tradition or culture.

Page published: 27 Jun 2025, 12:03 PM