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). 

Places entered in the LHS generally do not have legal protection unless they are also listed on a heritage list, or have been separately entered in the State Register of Heritage Places or located within a heritage area. 

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.

You can nominate a place for possible inclusion in the LHS by providing as much information as possible. Nominate a place using the City’s Place nomination form.

Step 1: The City will review the evidence and information provided in the nomination form and assess the place against the following cultural heritage values: aesthetic, historic, scientific, social or spiritual. These values are explained in greater detail in the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage (DPLH) Guidelines for the Assessment of Local Heritage Places (external link).

Step 2: Where a nominated place is considered to meet the threshold for inclusion in the LHS, a place record will be 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: The City will then prepare a report to Council on the LHS. The report will be presented to Council to endorse the draft LHS for a 21-day public comment period. The City will contact all owners of new places proposed for inclusion in the LHS prior to the Council meeting. The City will also write to existing and proposed place owners, occupants and relevant stakeholders providing opportunity for comment during the 21-day public comment period.

Step 4: Once the public comment period has closed, the feedback will be analysed and further amendments may be proposed to the LHS.

Step 5: 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 (external link). These are important as they recognise the level of cultural heritage significance of the place.

Table: Classification of Significance

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.

Categories 1-4 will be used in the LHS, and in any subsequent updates to the City’s Heritage List.

A 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 (including proposed demolition) to properties on a heritage list. 

Places identified as Category 1 or 2 in the LHS will be included on the City’s Heritage List.

Review of the Heritage List is a separate process and will occur after this LHS Review is completed.

Places with a Category 1 or 2 classification will most likely be added to the City’s Heritage List. This does not mean that a place cannot be changed, however, a development application will be required. 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 have the same planning requirements that would apply to a place not on the LHS.

If your place is nominated by someone else, the City will assess your place as per the assessment process.

The City will contact you prior to the Council meeting to endorse the draft LHS for public comment, to advise that your property has been nominated and whether or not it is supported by the City for inclusion in the draft LHS. 

Comments can then be made during the public comment period on any proposed new inclusions to the LHS, which will be considered before the LHS is put to Council for final adoption.

You can complete the Update an existing place record form to:

• Provide additional information to be included about an existing place
• Request a change to the classification category of an existing place
• Request a place be removed from 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.

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

Yes, trees or vegetation can be nominated for the LHS if they are identified to have cultural heritage significance. Cultural heritage significance for a tree is not tied to its age or size. An example of trees with cultural heritage significance are two pine trees located in Perth Zoo, which were planted by the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall in 1901.

Find out more about trees in the City of South Perth at southperth.wa.gov.au/residents/home-and-neighbourhood/trees-and-verges (external link).

Ask us a question online and we’ll either answer you on the project page or email you directly

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).