Council continues journey towards protecting important heritage sites (media release)

Council was pleased to take the next steps towards protecting heritage sites across Merri-bek, after endorsing the next phase of Amendment C174: Heritage Gap Study implementation at tonight’s Council Meeting (Wednesday 13 March 2019).

Councillors voted in support of requesting an independent panel to review the submissions received from community members to the Amendment and to make a series of recommendations to consider.

Over the last several years, Council has taken action in identifying a number of important heritage sites, predominantly in the south of the municipality, and working towards including them in the Merri-bek Planning Scheme within a Heritage Overlay. This work also includes reducing the conditions that trigger planning permits in a Heritage Overlay.

Moreland Mayor Cr Natalie Abboud said it was important for Council to be pro-active in protecting heritage sites across the municipality to ensure the unique history of the area remained for future generations.

“Moreland is growing and changing so quickly, so it’s more important than ever to ensure our uniqueness and our history is protected.”

“Council has a responsibility to identify places of heritage and do what we can to protect them.”

“We’re pleased to be continuing our work in this area and working together with our community to protect the identified sites.”

What has Council done so far?

• 2017 – Council endorses the Merri-bek Heritage Gap Study that outlines a number of recommendations for Council to consider, including applying a Heritage Overlay to a number of properties across the municipality.
• October 2018 – Council receives authorisation from the Minister for Planning to exhibit Amendment C174.
• November 2018 to January 2019 – Council places Amendment C174 on public exhibition for public comment, and over 2000 households are notified and encouraged to be part of the exhibition process.
• January 2019 – the Minister for Planning approves an interim Heritage Overlay applied to properties identified in Amendment C174.
• March 2019 – report is presented to Council to consider submissions received and recommendation to establish an independent panel.

Learn more about the Heritage Gap Study and Draft Amendment C174.