Heritage listed Places
The City of Fremantle recognises the importance of identifying, assessing and managing heritage places within its local government area. Heritage is important for the community and has environmental, economic and social benefits as a resource for present and future generations.
City of Fremantle heritage list
The City of Fremantle's heritage list comprises a list of places within the City, which are of cultural heritage significance and worthy of conservation. There are currently over 2500 properties on its Local Planning Scheme 4 (LPS4) heritage list.
The list as adopted by Council, identifies each place by name and address only and does not include any other data. To find out if you property is on the heritage list click here.
The objectives of the heritage list are to:
- facilitate the conservation of places of heritage value
- ensure that development occurs with due regard to identified heritage values in the interest of the community.
Inclusion of a place in the heritage list does not prohibit development of the place. However, changes made to a place should respect and be sympathetic to the heritage values of the place. Most types of development and/or maintenance of places listed on the City's LPS4 heritage list require council approval. Those places listed on the State heritage Office of Western Australia's Register of Heritage Places also require approval from the State Heritage Office.
As part of the planning application process and prior to the approval of any proposal for a development on a heritage listed place, council may prepare a heritage assessment in accordance with Local Planning Policy 1.6 Preparation of Heritage Assessments which identifies and considers the:
- heritage significance of the place
- impact of the proposed development on the heritage significance
- conservation needs and recommendations.
If you require additional information about heritage listings, contact the Service and Information centre on 9432 9999 or email planning@fremantle.wa.gov.au.
Municipal Heritage Inventory (MHI)
The Municipal Heritage Inventory (MHI) is a list of places and areas which the City of Fremantle considers are, or may become, of cultural heritage significance. Local governments are required under section 45 of the Heritage of Western Australia Act 1990 to prepare and maintain a Municipal Inventory to recognise the heritage importance of places to the local community.
The cultural heritage significance of the places on the MHI and heritage list have been determined in accordance with the Heritage of Western Australia Act 1990 as defined "in relation to a place, the relative value which that place has in terms of its aesthetic, historic, scientific or social significance, for the present community and future generations".
A 'place' means site, area, land, landscape, building or other work, group of buildings or other works, and may include components, contents, spaces and views (Burra Charter). Therefore, the MHI and heritage list, include buildings and places such as precincts or heritage areas, sites which may include buildings which have been demolished, limestone features and landscapes including trees.
The MHI is an ongoing database or collection of information that regularly evolves and requires amendment. It is not a static database. It provides an enormous and invaluable amount of information about the listed places and cultural heritage significance of the City of Fremantle. The Municipal Heritage Inventory is a database of information that does not have any legal implications for the development of land.
History of the MHI
The City of Fremantle first adopted the Fremantle Society's heritage list compiled during 1979-80 as its heritage database in 1987, in order to give consideration to conservation issues under its Town Planning Scheme No.3.
Over the years, places have been added to the list through heritage surveys and studies commissioned by the City. The City adopted the combined heritage database as its MHI in September 2000. In 2007, the City of Fremantle adopted the MHI as their Heritage List under Local Planning Scheme No. 4.
Management categories on the MHI
Under the MHI each place is assigned a Management Category. The management category assigned to a place is determined by the level of significance of the place i.e. exceptional, considerable or some significance and for its conservation.
Management category - Level 1a
Management Category Description (summary only) - The City of Fremantle has identified this place as being of exceptional cultural heritage significance in its own right within the context of Fremantle. This place is entered onto the State Heritage Office of Western Australia’s Register of Heritage Places. All development applications must be referred to the State Heritage Office for approval.
Management category - Level 1b
Management Category Description (summary only) - The City of Fremantle has identified this place as being of exceptional cultural heritage significance in its own right within the context of Fremantle and its conservation is required. It is recommended that this place be considered for entry in the Heritage Council of Western Australia's Register of Heritage Places.
Management category - Level 2
Management Category Description (summary only) - The City of Fremantle has identified this place as being of considerable cultural heritage significance in its own right within the context of Fremantle and its conservation is a priority.
Management category - Level 3
Management Category Description (summary only) - The City of Fremantle has identified this place as being of some cultural heritage significance for its contribution to the heritage of Fremantle in terms of its individual or collective aesthetic, historic, social or scientific significance, and /or its contribution to the streetscape, local area and Fremantle. Its contribution to the urban context should be maintained and enhanced.
Heritage Incentives
Technical Advice
The City offers free on site advice for up to an hour from accredited architects and heritage stonemasons for property owners of places on the MHI and Heritage List who require conservation and development advice.
Technical conservation advice includes initial technical, architectural and/or conservation advice from either a heritage architect or stonemason. It may include a site visit, telephone conversations, or a meeting.
Contact the City's Heritage planning officer on 08 9432 9578 or email planning@fremantle.wa.gov.au for further information or to arrange a meeting.
Heritage loans
Heritage listed properties within the City of Fremantle are eligible for subsidised loans through the Heritage Loan Subsidy Scheme. The scheme subsidises interest rates on loans by 4% for conservation works, offering owners significant savings. Loans can be arranged through the financial institution of the owner’s choice.
Conservation works undertaken through the scheme are wide-ranging and may include works to:
- verandahs
- fencing
- chimneys
- tuck-pointing
- wall restoration.
The Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA) and the State Heritage Office administer the Heritage Loan Subsidy Scheme.
Lotterywest Grants
Lotterywest invites grants submissions from non-profit community groups or local governments. Grants are available for conservation plans, interpretation or conservation works on places or objects of significant heritage value.
State Heritage Office of WA Grants
The State Heritage Office Grants Program provides financial assistance to private owners of state registered places. Grants are available through an annual competitive application process to undertake a conservation plan or conservation works.
Other Heritage Listings
State heritage listing
The State Heritage Office is responsible for maintaining the State Register of Heritage Places under the Heritage of Western Australia Act 1990 to recognise and protect places of cultural heritage significance within Western Australia. The state register provides statutory protection to maintain cultural heritage values are respected, where developments of a listed place is proposed. The list includes buildings, structures, gardens, cemeteries, landscapes, and archaeological sites. Inclusion on the state register is assessed on:
- aesthetic
- historic
- scientific and social values
- rarity
- representativeness
- authenticity and integrity.
Owners of places on the state register are eligible and are given preference for grants and incentives regarding conservation and maintenance. Funding for heritage conservation is available from sources such as the State Heritage Office, LotteryWest and the Commonwealth Department of the Environment and Heritage.
Visit the State Heritage Office website for more information.
National heritage
The Australian Heritage Council (AHC) is the principal adviser to the Australian Government on national heritage matters. The AHC assesses nominations for the National Heritage List and the Commonwealth Heritage List. AHC also maintains the Register of the National Estate.
The National Heritage List was established to recognise places of outstanding heritage significance to Australia, these include places of natural, historic and Indigenous significance.
Fremantle Prison was placed on the National Heritage List in 2005 in recognition of the contribution this site makes as a physical reminder of our nation's convict history. Western Australia's Ningaloo Coast is another of our state treasures listed on the National Heritage List.
The National Heritage List is available on the Australian Heritage Council's website.
World heritage
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) works to encourage the protection and preservation of world heritage, both natural and cultural that is identified as being of significant value to the international population.
On the 1 August 2010, the Fremantle Prison was officially placed on the World Heritage List as one the 11 convict sites of Australia, in recognition of its outstanding cultural heritage significance as one of the world's greatest landmarks and the best surviving example(s) of large-scale convict transportation and the colonial expansion of European powers through the presence and labour of convicts.
Fremantle Prison is one of 11 Australian Convict Sites included on the World Heritage List, which also includes Norfolk Island and Tasmania's Port Arthur. Visit UNESCO's World Heritage listings on their website.