Heritage Planning

Council is responsible for planning and protection of locally significant heritage places. The State Government- Heritage Victoria and Heritage Council of Victoria are responsible for the State heritage and historical archaeology.

What is the Heritage Overlay?

The Heritage Overlay is part of Victoria Planning Provisions and is contained in every planning scheme across Victoria.  It is a planning tool that protects the locally significant heritage places listed in the overlay through the Planning and Environment Act 1987.

The purpose of the Heritage Overlay is:

  • To conserve and enhance heritage places of natural or cultural significance.
  • To conserve and enhance those elements which contribute to the significance of heritage places.
  • To ensure that development does not adversely affect the significance of heritage places.
  • To conserve specified heritage places by allowing a use that would otherwise be prohibited if this will demonstrably assist with the conservation of the significance of the heritage place.

The planning provisions of the Heritage Overlay are set out in Clause 43.01 of the planning scheme, while the Shire’s heritage places are listed under the Schedule to the Heritage Overlay. The Central Goldfields Planning Scheme can be accessed here.

What is a Heritage Precinct?

Heritage Precincts (otherwise known as ‘Heritage Area’) are defined by a combination of heritage places that are historically related or share common characteristics. The Heritage Precincts of the Shire are primarily defined by significant heritage building stock, streetscape fabric, views, landmarks, early layout patterns and surrounding open cultural landscapes of high historic and aesthetic value.

There are seven Heritage Precincts in the Schedule to the Heritage Overlay of the Central Goldfields Planning Scheme: