Temora Shire Council Protecting Our Local Heritage

Published on 10 August 2020

Temora Shire Council has recently completed a process to amend the Temora Local Environmental Plan 2010 to list an additional 47 local heritage items and formally recognise the main street of Ariah Park village as a Conservation Area.

Council already had 111 items of local heritage that are recognised, including public buildings such as churches, schools, court house, police station, fire station, railway station, ambulance station, post office, hospital, banks, war memorial and Council Chambers, as well as some privately owned hotels, shops, residences and homesteads. Existing Conservation Areas also covered Hoskins Street and De Boos Street, from Polaris Street to Austral Street. However, it was found that there were some important items that were not listed, and a thorough review identified a range of additional items that were also worthy of listing. This process has added notable items including local cemeteries, grain silos in Temora, Ariah Park, Gidginbung, Pucawan, Quandary, Reefton and Combaning, Temora Showground and Bectric Hall.

“Listing of these items as local heritage recognises the importance of these buildings and places to the history of the Temora Shire community and protects these items into the future,” said Council’s Town Planner, Claire Golder.  

“The listing as a local heritage item does not prevent all development of these sites, but instead allows both the owner and Council to consider the heritage importance of the site as part of the development assessment process. It is also requested that Council’s Heritage Advisor provides comments and input to any relevant development applications,” she continued.

“Property owners may also be considered for support funding from Council’s Heritage Committee to assist with restoration and repair projects associated with local heritage items. Overall, the process has been very positive and those involved have welcomed the additional protection of our local heritage into the future,” Mrs Golder concluded.

Council’s Heritage Committee meets on the first Thursday of every month. If you would like to find out more about protecting and enhancing Temora Shire’s local heritage, contact Council’s Environmental Services Department on 6980 1100.