Horsham Rural City Council has a program to identify, assess and document places of heritage significance, as part of its work to preserve and protect the municipality's unique character and cultural history.
As a result, Council is recommending the inclusion of 31 new individual heritage sites, among a suite of proposals to recognise the value of these properties and sites which characterise our rural landscape and towns and provide a sense of place.
The Planning Scheme Amendment for heritage purposes affects sites in Brimpaen, Clear Lake, Dooen, Haven, Horsham, Jung, Kanagulk, Kewell, Murra Warra, Mitre, Natimuk, Pimpinio, Polkemmet, Quantong, St Helens Plains, Vectis and Wail.
Based on findings from expert heritage studies, the Amendment proposes to:
- Apply the Heritage Overlay to 31 individual heritage sites
- Identifies 319 properties across 10 new heritage precincts to which heritage controls will apply to protect the character of these streetscapes.
- Include six sites as part of a new grouped, serial listing, being some of the concrete silos that demonstrate our strong agricultural history.
- Remove the Heritage Overlay from two sites no longer considered significant due to demolition.
"Our region's heritage reflects the diversity of the Horsham district and it is important to recognise these heritage places," said Acting Mayor Brian Klowss.
"These protections are important to preserve our living history for both ourselves and for future generations."
The Amendment is informed by the Horsham Heritage Study Stage 2 (2014), the Review of Horsham Heritage Study (2025), and Volume 2: Heritage Citations and Mapping (2025).
The Heritage Ammendment (c85hors) will be on public exhibition from Monday 10 November 2025 until Monday 22 December 2025. Submissions on the heritage amendment must be received during this period.
