Invitation to participate in the Heritage Policy and Gaps Review Project Reference Group
Do you have ideas for improvement of the heritage protection, policy and conservation in the municipality?
Are you interested in being part of a working group to discuss heritage issues, places and gaps?
Heritage is of critical importance to the Ballarat community and our city's future. In whole-of city consultations, the people of Ballarat said that of all the things they value about Ballarat, they love its heritage the most and want to retain it.
In order to better protect and conserve the heritage places and areas we have into the future, the City of Ballarat has embarked on an ambitious program over the next five years to address the existing heritage ‘gaps’ within our city, identify and protect new places and better protect those already included in the Heritage Overlay. The first step of this Heritage Gaps Study is to undertake a revised Thematic Environmental History. The Thematic Environmental History elaborates the information contained in earlier documents, and also undertakes new research and consultation to develop a thematic history of the highest standards which will be a useful tool to underpin future strategic heritage planning for the City. It identifies and explores the historical themes unique to the City of Ballarat which have shaped our environment, our culture and society in an interwoven manner which has regard to the experience and cultural heritage of both Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal people.
The new Thematic Environmental History will be a critical step in an extensive Heritage Gaps and Policy Review works program being undertaken by the City of Ballarat over the next several years. This will include a review of the current extent of the Heritage Overlay and associated policies, as well as assess new heritage precincts and individually significant places for inclusion in the scheme. An up-to-date shared values Thematic Environmental History will be critical to providing strategic context for historical significance when undertaking this.
The City of Ballarat is seeking to establish a Project Reference Group to provide input into the project.
What is the Project Reference Group?
We are looking for approximately six (6) people from a diverse range of backgrounds to contribute to a Project Reference Group.
What is the role of the Community Working Group?
- To provide input and feedback on the content, themes and arrangement of the Thematic Environmental History
- To represent community views on the project
- To provide input on specific themes such as living on country, goldmining, building the city, community life, commercial development, gaps and information
What is the commitment?
This group will meet three times, for an hour each meeting, over the next 12 months (approximately April, June, August 2024). These dates and times will be confirmed at a later stage.
Participation is voluntary and subject to agreement to the protocols (see the below protocols tab).
You will need to commit to attending all three meetings which will be held at the Ballarat Town Hall.
How to get involved?
Please complete the Expression of Interest form below and submit your application by 5pm Sunday 11 February 2024
Ideally the Project Reference Group will represent a range of people from across the whole municipality, a variety of age groups and interest groups and people with a positive contribution to make to the future of Ballarat’s heritage. Selection of representative working group members will be made by Project Control Group comprising of Council officers, Manager of Strategic Planning, Heritage Coordinator and Heritage Project Officer.
For more information please contact:
Azin Saeedi
Heritage Project Manager
City of Ballarat - 03 5320 5500
