By Emily Laing and Matthew Sims
Local history and heritage buffs are concerned about the outcome of Casey’s Heritage Strategy, currently under review by the council, fearing changes could exacerbate the insufficient resources allocated to heritage conservation.
Former Casey Council heritage management staff member David Westlake said the upcoming review of Casey Council’s Heritage Strategy needs to represent a shift in how local governments value its heritage properties.
“A sense of place and belonging are essential for both council staff and community to understand where we have come from,” he said.
“Council needs to wake up and take rich local heritage seriously – both Aboriginal and European.”
Mr Westlake said there are a number of things local history enthusiasts want out of the updated Heritage Strategy, including a Casey-wide Aboriginal heritage study, an Aboriginal liaison officer role, a full-time heritage planner and stakeholder engagement via events and forums.
“A dedicated, full time heritage officer is a must to do justice to the education and community engagement on heritage – a role far beyond the planning role,
“The expected position of council in the new Heritage Strategy will be no different to that taken in recent years.”
Mr Westlake said the State Government needs to take action to ensure heritage properties were not left to be demolished.
“Planning compliance is unfortunately of little assistance once a heritage property is demolished,” he said.
“Maintenance is not covered in the planning controls.”
A former Casey Council heritage officer, who requested to not be named, said there are a number of properties within Casey which are being allowed to fall into disrepair as a method of ‘demolition by neglect’.
“Council would find it difficult to justify forcing them to keep the building,” they said.
They said neglected sites included Menenia Park at 71 Craig Road in Cranbourne North and Treeby at 31-35, Robinson Road in Narre Warren North.
The former heritage officer said heritage properties are more valuable than heritage properties in the CBD.
“Once you lose one place, it’s not like there’s another one around the corner,” they said.
“The pressure on heritage is coming from the housing demand.”
The former heritage officer said there needs to be more legislative protection put into place by the State Government to give local governments more power to be proactive instead of reactive.
“It really comes down to a lack of legislative power,” they said.
“You need to identify and protect your heritage and then you know where to go with development.”
Casey Council planning and building manager Tania Asper said the council has a number of procedures in place to protect heritage places.
“The City of Casey employs a Heritage Officer and utilises a panel of heritage consultants to help landowners manage heritage places across the municipality,” City of Casey manager planning and building Tania Asper said.
“Council’s Planning Compliance team monitors and investigates any concerns over breaches of the Casey Planning Scheme as it relates to heritage places.
“Landowners are encouraged to take advantage of our free Heritage Advisory Service or apply for funding to assist with the conservation of their heritage places via the Victorian Heritage Restoration Fund.”
Ms Asper said the council will consult with the local community regarding any significant planning scheme amendments to the Casey Planning Scheme relating to heritage places.
“Council is preparing a planning scheme amendment to update the Casey Planning Scheme to include reference to a new local heritage policy that will require due consideration be given to heritage conservation, in addition to current planning scheme requirements,” she said.
Last updated in October 2017, the City of Casey Heritage Strategy provides an action plan to identify, protect and maintain heritage places, support and assist owners of heritage places, and educate and promote Casey’s history and heritage assets for the benefit of current and future generations.
More than 180 places in Casey are controlled under heritage legislation (Casey’s Heritage Overlay).
Of these, three are precincts and three are included in the State heritage register.
For more information about heritage in Casey, visit casey.vic.gov.au/heritage-at-casey
