Horsham Rural City Council has resolved to undertake further consultation on its proposed heritage amendment, reaffirming its commitment to listening to residents and working collaboratively on decisions that shape the municipality's future.
At its meeting on Monday, Council requested that more work with impacted community members be undertaken, including additional consultation and a future report to be presented to council.
Council completed the Horsham Heritage Study in 2014 and undertook a comprehensive review and consultation over the past two years as part of its ongoing efforts to preserve and protect the municipality's unique character and cultural history. This work informed the development of Planning Scheme Amendment C85 (Heritage Amendment), which aims to recognise and protect places of heritage significance across the region.
The amendment proposed increasing the number of individually protected heritage sites, alongside a suite of measures to highlight properties that contribute to the identity of local towns and the broader rural landscape. This included sites across Brimpaen, Clear Lake, Dooen, Haven, Horsham, Jung, Kanagulk, Kewell, Murra Warra, Mitre, Natimuk, Pimpinio, Polkemmet, Quantong, St Helens Plains, Vectis and Wail, as well as a new serial listing for six silos and 10 proposed heritage precincts.
Mayor Cr Brian Klowss said Council remains firmly committed to balancing heritage protection with community perspectives.
"While the amendment has not progressed to the next stage", this outcome reflects Council's willingness to listen and allow time for to landholders input," Cr Klowss said.
"We recognise there is more work to do alongside our community to ensure we get this right. The additional consultation period will provide further opportunities for affected landholders to have their say and help shape the next steps."
Council undertook extensive consultation during November and December, including writing to more than 800 property owners and occupiers, publishing notices in local newspapers, hosting drop-in sessions and holding individual meetings as part of the Planning Scheme Amendment Process. A total of 25 submissions were received and following discussion with landholders many of the issues were addressed and only 11 submissions remain unresolved.
Cr Klowss said the process so far had demonstrated strong community interest in heritage matters.
"Protecting places of heritage significance is important in maintaining our region's unique character and cultural history for future generations," he said.
"Council is dedicated to continuing this conversation with our community and revisiting the amendment once further feedback and analysis has been completed."
