Mayor Jenny Whitney said after months of public consultation, 51 properties in the Whitsunday
region have been included on the Local Heritage Register.

“It has been identified that the 51 properties provide a sense of identity for the local community and also reflect the unique history of our region,” she said.

“They reflect the important historical themes of the Whitsunday region such as sugar, mining,
settlement and tourism.

“Some significant local buildings which have been included in the register include war memorials, lighthouses, pubs, cemeteries, Council Chambers, Courthouse and homesteads to name a few.

“Council will now investigate opportunities for incentives and grants that may be available to
local heritage places,” she said.

Council made public a list of properties recommended for inclusion on the register in June, with
public submissions on the proposed places for inclusion open until 25th July.

The Local Heritage Register is not a finite list and additional places may be recommended by the local community or Council for admission onto the Local Heritage Register.

Council recognises that the conservation of significance local heritage places requires flexibility
and a sympathetic approach to development applications. In most cases it is possible to conserve heritage significance whilst allowing development that ensures the ongoing use and viability of a place.

There are no obligations to undertake special maintenance on a local heritage place. The only time this does not apply is in the case of places also entered on the Queensland Heritage Register.

Council also resolved to work with property owners of sites that sought to be excluded in their
submissions from the Local Heritage Register to investigate the potential removal of the sites from the Local Heritage Register under the criteria listed in the Queensland Heritage Act 1992

The current list of properties on the Local Heritage Register and Factsheets explaining the process can be found at: http://www.whitsunday.qld.gov.au/local-heritage-register

Ends

For media enquiries, contact:
Kate Lennox, Communications Manager
Phone: 07 4945 0614, 0427 458 369 or Email: kate.lennox@whitsundayrc.qld.gov.au