Local Heritage

The Shire has a rich and colourful history. Local heritage needs to be understood, and is vital to the community’s sense of place and wellbeing.

The original inhabitants of the area were the Noongar Aboriginal people. The name 'Mundaring' is thought to come from an Aboriginal word meaning "a high place on a high place".

European settlement dates from the late 1820s with the land initially being used mainly for timber cutting, quarrying, vineyards and orcharding. Many of the early industries have been replaced by the arts, eco-tourism, small businesses and hobby farming.

The Munda Biddi Trail starts here, and Railway Reserve Heritage Trails stretch almost the entire length of the Shire from west to east.

The rich history of the Shire is embedded in the fabric of the many heritage buildings and places. The Shire of Mundaring is committed to conserving and promoting its local heritage to ensure that its history is preserved for generations to come.

The Shire:

  • Has a Heritage Strategy, a Heritage List, a Local Heritage Survey and a Heritage Requirements for Planning Proposals Local Planning Policy.
  • Provides financial support to the Mundaring and Hills Historical Society,
  • Staff support a Cultural Advisory Group, which includes Heritage representatives.

In accordance with its Heritage Strategy, the management of heritage within the Shire is based upon the themes Knowing, Protecting, Supporting and Celebrating.

This site is your opportunity to provide input on current heritage-related Shire projects, and obtain information on general heritage matters. Please check this page to keep up to date with the Shire’s heritage news and projects.

Updates on heritage related Shire projects are provided in the Latest News and Timeline sections below when necessary.

We thank you for your interest and valuable contribution. If you have any queries please contact the Shire's Planning Services on 9290 6740 or via shire@mundaring.wa.gov.au

Mundaring Cultural Precinct

The Mundaring Town Centre Revitalisation project is currently underway, being a transformative initiative designed to reimagine our town centre as a welcoming and vibrant community hub.

As part of this project a Cultural Precinct Improvement Plan is being prepared, a key consideration of which is to strengthen sense of place - "highlight spaces within the Precinct that reflect the area's significant heritage and cultural value."

Updates, and details regarding who to contact about this project, can be found here

Local Heritage List Review

The Shire has commenced the process of reviewing its Heritage List (HL), which was first adopted in March 2016. The Shire's current HL can be found in the Document Library section of this site.

The Planning and Development (Local Planning Scheme) Regulations 2015 require local governments to establish and maintain a HL to identify places in the district that are of cultural heritage significance and worthy of built heritage conservation.

A HL is an instrument that is afforded powers under the Planning and Development Act 2005 and therefore carries statutory weight when determining planning outcomes for heritage places. The Shire in considering an application for planning approval is to have due regard to the conservation of any place which is included in the Shire’s HL.

The HL relies on the Local Heritage Survey (LHS) to identify the most significant heritage places in the Shire that warrant protection. The draft (updated) HL will be prepared once the Shire's draft LHS has been adopted. This will involve including additional places in the HL which are identified in the LHS as having a significance category 1 or 2 (being places which are essential or very important to the heritage of the locality).

Updates will be provided in the Latest News and Timeline sections of this site when necessary.

Should you have any queries please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions section on this site, or contact the Shire’s Planning Services on 9290 6740 or via shire@mundaring.wa.gov.au

The Shire of Mundaring is committed to conserving and promoting its local heritage to ensure that its history is preserved for generations to come, therefore, it is preparing (or has completed) the projects below. The anticipated completion dates (if shown) being in accordance with the Shire’s Council Plan 2024-2034 which can be viewed here

  • Heritage Strategy

    Adopted by Council in July 2024

  • Heritage Requirements for Planning Proposals Local Planning Policy

    Adopted by Council in September 2024

  • Local Heritage Survey Review

    Anticipated to be completed by the end of 2025/2026

    Stage 1

    Invite nominations for new places, for existing places to be removed, and for amendments to current places in the Local Heritage Survey (LHS) - Completed October 2023

    Stage 2 

    Establish LHS Review Working Group - Completed December 2023

    Stage 3

    Appoint Heritage Consultant - Completed January 2024

    Stage 4

    Review of current LHS and preparation of draft (revised) LHS - Completed August 2024

    Stage 5

    Council endorsement (for consultation) - Completed September 2024

    Stage 6

    Public advertising - Completed October 2024
    Stage 7

    Where necessary, modifications made to draft LHS as a result of comments received during the advertising period - Completed November 2024

    Stage 8 

    Council consideration for adoption - Current stage

     

     

  • Local Heritage List Review

    Stage 1

    Preparation of Heritage List (HL) document in format consistent with Heritage Council WA Guidelines - Current stage

    Stage 2

    Preparation of draft (updated) HL, once revised LHS is adopted by Council.

    Stage 3

    Council endorsement (for consultation)

    Stage 4

    Public advertising 

    Stage 5

    If necessary, modifications made to draft HL as a result of comments received during the advertising period.

    Stage 6 

    Council consideration for adoption 

Idea Wall

Do you have any suggestions about preserving, promoting and/or celebrating heritage within the Shire of Mundaring? If so, we would like to hear from you. Suggestions can either be:

  • provided on this Idea Wall; or
  • posted to Shire of Mundaring, 7000 Great Eastern Highway, MUNDARING WA 6073; or
  • sent via email to shire@mundaring.wa.gov.au

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