FAQs

The Heritage Act 2018 (external link) defines cultural heritage significance as:

“Aesthetic, historic, scientific, social or spiritual value for individuals or groups within Western Australia. Cultural heritage significance may be embodied in a place itself and in any of its fabric, setting, use, associations, meanings, records, related places and related objects. A place may have diverse values for different individuals or groups.”

The LHS, formerly known as the Municipal Heritage Inventory or Local Heritage Inventory (LHI), recognises and records places with cultural heritage significance, allowing us to better understand the places which contribute to the history of the City of South Perth. The LHS is a requirement of the Heritage Act 2018 (external link). 

The LHS helps local governments make decisions that reflect local heritage values. It supports the creation of a heritage list or heritage areas, which identify places to be protected under the local planning scheme. 

Further detail on the LHS can be found in the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage’s Guidelines for Local Heritage Surveys (2022) (external link). 

The Heritage Council recommends that local governments review their LHS every five to eight years. The City's LHS was last reviewed in 2017/18.

In February 2024, 49 nominations were received including new place nominations, amendments to existing place records and requests to amend the category of significance for existing places. 

Following assessment, the City recommended 15 new places for inclusion in the LHS, 3 reclassifications to the categories of significance, and 5 changes to existing records. The City is seeking feedback on these recommendations from Tuesday 21 January to 4pm on Tuesday 18 February 2025.

The Thematic History is a document which provides a broad overview of the evolution of the City to identify turning points in its history, the main periods of its development, and key stories, themes and influential factors that have all shaped the City’s distinctive character.

The Thematic History has been updated to reflect events since the last review of the LHS and updates to the planning framework such as the new Local Planning Scheme No. 7 and the COVID-19 pandemic.  

You can complete an online feedback form to provide your feedback. Hard copy forms are available at the Civic Centre and South Perth and Manning Libraries.

Step 1: The City reviewed information provided in the nomination form and assessed the place against the following cultural heritage values: aesthetic, historic, scientific, social or spiritual. For each place that demonstrates one or more of these values, a level of significance has been determined, giving due regard to the additional qualities of rarity and representativeness. This process is explained in greater detail in the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage (DPLH) Guidelines for the Assessment of Local Heritage Places (2022) (external link).

Step 2: Where a nominated place is considered to meet the threshold for inclusion in the LHS, a place record has been created with a classification identifying the contribution of the place to the City’s local cultural heritage. See “Table: Classification of significance” provided at "What are classifications of significance given to places on the LHS?".

Step 3: Prior to the Council meeting, the City has contacted all nominees and owners of new places proposed for inclusion in the LHS, and provided the officer recommendation.

Step 4: Council considered the draft LHS to go out for public comment at its December 2024 Ordinary Council Meeting (external link).

Step 5: The City will contact all landowners and nominees of new and existing placers requesting feedback on proposed changes.

Step 6: Once the public comment period has closed, feedback will be analysed and further amendments to the LHS may be proposed.

Step 7: The revised LHS will then be presented to Council to consider for final adoption.

All places recommended by the City to be included in the LHS will be given a classification of significance outlined in the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage Guidelines for Local Heritage Surveys (2022) (external link). These are important as they recognise the level of cultural heritage significance of the place and will be considered as part of the heritage list review, which is a separate statutory process to this LHS review.

Table: Classification of Significance

Where the information supplied on the nomination form was limited and additional information could not be located within the City’s local history collection, the City has not been able to determine whether a place has cultural heritage significance. Should additional supporting information be located, the City encourages renomination as part of a future review.

Yes, the previous categories of A-D used in the Local Heritage Inventory (external link) will change to categories 1-4, as outlined in the ‘Classification of Significance’ table in the question above.

This change is required to update the LHS in line with the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage’s Guidelines for Local Heritage Surveys (2022) (external link).

A heritage list is not the same as the Local Heritage Survey. The heritage list identifies individual places within the local planning scheme area that are of cultural heritage significance and worthy of conservation.

A heritage list is a requirement of the Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015 (external link).

Development approval is required for all works to properties on a heritage list, including proposed demolition. 

Places identified as Category 1 or 2 in the LHS will be recommended for inclusion on the City’s Heritage List which will be reviewed as part of a separate statutory process after this LHS Review is completed. Those with a Category of Significance 3 or 4 will not be recommended for inclusion on the Heritage List.

If a place identified as Category 1 or 2 on the LHS and is included on the Heritage List, it does not mean that a place cannot be changed, rather a development application is required to ensure changes proposed do not destroy cultural heritage significance. The City has developed LPP 8.1 – Heritage Conservation and Development to provide guidance on acceptable development. 

Places with Category 1 and 2 classification are generally not supported for demolition as this may permanently affect the cultural heritage significance of the place. Places with a Category 3 or 4 classification that are not included on the Heritage List have the same planning requirements that would apply to a place not on the LHS.

A heritage area is a group of places where special planning controls are needed to conserve and enhance the cultural heritage significance of the area. The LHS may assist the local government in preparing heritage areas under a local planning scheme. Identification of heritage areas is undertaken through a separate process to the LHS Review. The City does not currently have any heritage areas.

Yes, places of significance to Aboriginal peoples which are not solely connected to Aboriginal cultural heritage can be included in the LHS.

Place records have been updated to reflect Aboriginal Heritage sites and places recognised under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 (external link).

The Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 (external link) applies to all Aboriginal sites in Western Australia, whether they are registered or not.

• Ask us a question online and we’ll either answer you on the project page or email you directly
• Drop-in and talk to the project team on Wednesday 12 February 2025, any time between 4-6pm at South Perth Library.
• Make an appointment with a strategic planner by calling the City on 9474 0777 or make a request on the City's website (external link).