The current heritage study for Castlemaine (the Castlemaine Architectural and Historical Study) was published in 1981 as a prelude to preparation of the Planning Scheme for the (former) City of Castlemaine, and was used to identify places to be included in the Heritage Overlay. However, this study does not provide sufficient information regarding the significance of the place, and therefore leaves places vulnerable when developed as it does not allow planning and heritage officers to make an informed decision when assessing planning applications.
The Mount Alexander Thematic Environmental History (2016) recommends a review of the places included in the early Castlemaine study and preparation of citations, as well as inclusion of 20th century places which were not considered in the early studies, and are therefore not protected for their potential heritage values.
Our current Council Plan includes the following strategy: ‘protect and celebrate our Indigenous and European heritage’, which notes that this includes: ‘preparing heritage studies to ensure heritage protection into the future’.
We will be undertaking community engagement at various stages of the project – to learn more about this, head over to the project’s Shape Page.