The City of Mitcham is reviewing its Development Plan to protect historically important buildings in the Council area. 

The vision for the City of Mitcham is not just about future development. It is about protecting our heritage and cultural assets. 

Mitcham is one of the oldest Councils in South Australia and it is important that our history, including historically important buildings, is recognised and preserved for the enjoyment of future generations. 

Council has been undertaking a review of the many heritage assets within its area aware of the pressure to subdivide properties and demolish older buildings. 

Whilst Council is supportive of subdivision in appropriate areas, it has a responsibility to protect the history that can often be seen in a building that stands as a proud reflection of the City of Mitcham at a particular time in its history. 

Protecting Heritage through our Development Plan 

Council’s Development Plan is the key legal document that identifies these important local heritage places.

The way to include historic or unique properties in the Development Plan is to assess them against heritage classification criteria. Places are first provisionally entered in the Development Plan and after a period of public consultation, the provisional entries are either confirmed or removed. 

The Minister for Planning will place an interim protection order on the property whilst the owner is consulted as to whether the details on the survey are correct and the property is worthy of protection. This is needed to protect against inappropriate demolition and unsuitable new development. 

Even if your property is listed, it is likely it can still be modernised to meet today’s standards, while preserving the external fabric of the building. 

Some Advantages Worth Considering 

For those considering renovations or additions to a heritage listed property there are some benefits of listing: 

• Free Heritage Advice

Council has a specialist heritage architect who can provide limited free architectural advice in relation to local heritage places. 

• Cash Grant

Council has set up a Heritage Fund to provide a cash grant incentive for heritage conservation work. Details can be obtained from Council’s website. 

How will you be Notified? 

Once the Minister has agreed to the process, the changes to the Development Plan will be released for community consultation. Consultation is likely to commence in the first quarter of 2012. Directly affected property owners will be notified by letter and public notices will be placed in local newspapers. 

The Heritage Development Plan Amendment, as it is known, will be available for inspection at the City of Mitcham Civic Centre and Blackwood and Mitcham Libraries. A copy of the Heritage Development Plan Amendment will be also available on Council's website at www.mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au 

Where to from Here? 

Council will undertake an eight week consultation period, during which time written representations will be welcomed. This will be followed by a public hearing. 

Council will consider all representations made and review submissions before finalising the Heritage Development Plan Amendment including refining the list of the proposed local heritage places. 

For more information on the Heritage Development Plan Amendment or consultation process please contact Ben Hignett, Senior Planner on 8372 8888.