At its Ordinary Council Meeting on 11 March 2025, Council resolved to endorse a revised draft Heritage List for advertising. Whilst the State Planning Framework generally provides for cyclical review timeframes, the review was initiated in advance of the scope within the Shire's Council Plan 2024-2034 which identifies the next review as being due during the 2026/27 and 2027/28 financial years.

The draft Heritage List was advertised during 2025, with the advertising period concluding in October 2025.

The Shire received a large number of submissions from landowners and community members. These submissions provided thoughtful and constructive feedback on the proposed changes, as well as valuable suggestions about how an updated Heritage List could be implemented.

Following a detailed review of all submissions, it is clear that any changes to the Heritage List should be supported by appropriate incentive measures, which may include development application fee exemption criteria. The Shire considers this an important step to ensure that affected landowners are not unreasonably constrained, especially where minor works may previously have been exempt from planning approval under earlier classifications.

In response, the Shire is now focusing on developing an incentives framework to sit alongside an updated Heritage List. The aim of this work is to recognise the role of heritage properties, while ensuring owners retain reasonable flexibility to undertake works on their properties without facing unnecessary costs or administrative burden.

At this stage, it is anticipated that the incentives framework to support the implementation of an updated Heritage List will be progressed in the latter part of 2026. Further updates will be provided as the project progresses.

The Shire thanks all residents and property owners who took the time to make a submission, and we appreciate the community’s ongoing interest and involvement in this important process.