All local governments are required, under the Heritage Act 2018, to compile and maintain a Local Heritage Survey (LHS) and Heritage List of places that are, or may become, of local cultural heritage significance.
Stage 1 of the review (Midland, Woodbridge and Bellevue) took place in 2023 and 241 new properties were nominated. Stage 2 of the review (all areas outside of Stage 1 and Guildford) took place in 2024 and 53 new properies were nominated.
These properties, along will all existing properties were then assessed by an independant consultant and the final draft LHS will be considered by Council for adoption after the owners and occupiers of the impacted properties are notified and given the chance to provide submissions.
Thank you to all who participated and submitted nominations of places with heritage significance.
If you have received information regarding your property's proposed inclusion on the LHS and have any questions, please get in touch.
Document Library
Frequently asked questions
- Anyone can nominate any place in the City
- You do not need permission from the landowner to nominate a place
- Nominations are anonymous and the City will not share any details of who nominated a place.
Any type of place can be nominated for the local heritage survey except for Aboriginal historic sites. Examples include:
- archaeological remains
- buildings, structures, other built forms, and their surrounds
- equipment, furniture, fittings and other objects (whether fixed or not) that are historically or physically associated or connected with the land
- gardens and man-made parks or sites, and
- a tree or group of trees (whether planted or naturally occurring) in, or adjacent to, a man-made setting.
Identification of Aboriginal heritage is controlled by the State under different legislation. Places that only reference Aboriginal history are protected under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972. The purpose of this Act is to manage and protect sites of Aboriginal importance in WA.
The City has hired an independent heritage consultant to assess the nominations.
The Heritage List only includes category one and two places of cultural heritage significance recorded in the Local Heritage Survey. These places are automatically legally protected under the Local Planning Scheme and Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015. This means that there are planning controls are applicable to the property and development approval will be required for the demolition or modification of the place.
A Local Heritage survey on the other hand is an information only document and does not have any legal powers. It is a requirement under Part 8 of the Heritage Act 2018 that local governments prepare, maintain and review a local government survey of places in its district that are, or may become of cultural heritage significance.
The City has several incentives for people who retain heritage places, which include:
- Rate concession; and
- Development incentives.
Residential Heritage Rate Concession
A 50 per cent residential rate concession is available for properties on the City’s Heritage List (category one or two), upon eligibility criteria being met and depending on the City of Swan’s budget. Building insurance and pest control certificates must be provided as part of the application for the rate concession.
The value of the rate concession will be adjusted if the owner is already receiving another type of concession. This will mainly apply to seniors and people receiving a pension.
For more information about eligibility and how to apply, please visit:
https://www.swan.wa.gov.au/services-and-community/council-rates/your-rates-explained/residential-heritage-rate-concession-eligibility
Development incentives
Under the City’s Local Planning Scheme No.17, the Council may, to conserve or enhance the place, give a special approval, benefit, allowance, or incentive, including but not limited to, the granting of density bonuses and the transfer from a place of cultural heritage significance or a conservation precinct to another place within the district of unused development rights.
