Why is Council preparing a Heritage Study?

The Shire of Kempsey has an extraordinarily rich and varied history that is still evident in its buildings and places. This history is important to the community because it provides a rich basis for future lifestyles and a significant foundation to develop heritage-based tourism.

Who prepared the Draft Community Based Heritage Study?

Kempsey Shire Council, with the New South Wales Heritage Office, commissioned the Macleay River Historical Society to undertake preparation of the Community Based Heritage Study. This Study has
investigated the historical context of the Kempsey Shire. The draft study has recommended protection of Items of Environmental Heritage and Heritage Conservation Areas.

What is a Community Based Heritage Study?

A community Based Heritage Study allows the community to be actively involved in researching and nominating items of heritage significance and consider recommendations for their future management and promotion.

During 2004, the Macleay River Historical Society staged a number of public meetings throughout the Kempsey Shire to obtain community input into determining what items should be considered for listing as heritage items. The identified items were included in a preliminary Inventory list. The Historical Society then undertook research on these items to document as much as possible the heritage value of these items.

Kempsey Local Heritage Committee

Council has appointed a Local Heritage Committee which provides advice and guidance to Council on developing the Community Based Heritage Study. The members of this Committee are Billie Crawford, John Russell, from the Macleay Valley Historical Society, Councillor Janet Hayes, Dean Saul and Ellis Walker. Councillor Terry Hunt regularly attends as an observer.

Where is the Community Based Heritage Study up to?

The draft Study is to be exhibited for a period of 8 weeks. During this period, any person may make a submission on the draft Study. Landowners are invited to inspect the Heritage Inventory and may object to their property being listed. At the end of the exhibition, all submissions will be considered by the Heritage Committee. All objections will be reported to Council. At this time, Council will determine what items will be recommended for inclusion in a final inventory list for protection. A draft Local Environmental Plan (LEP) will then be prepared to list the recommended items for formal protection.

The draft LEP will be exhibited for further public submissions, before being reported to Council again, for final endorsement and submission to the state government to formalise the LEP. It is only at this time that listed properties will be formally protected.

Exhibition Period

The Draft Study will be exhibited from Wednesday, 14 June to Friday, 12 August 2006 to allow full consideration by land owners and residents.

Exhibition Documents and Locations

The Draft Study and Recommendations, and the Draft Inventory of Heritage Items are available during the exhibition period, at the following locations, during normal opening hours:

• Council's Customer First Centre, Tozer Street, West Kempsey
  
• Council Libraries in Kempsey, South West Rocks, Hat Head and Stuarts Point
  
• Macleay Valley Development and Promotion Office, Forth St Kempsey

These documents can also be viewed here.

Information Sessions

During the exhibition period, Council will be holding information sessions at the following venues, where a presentation on the Study will be given.

If my property is finally listed, does it mean that I can't carry out any building works?

No. If after exhibition of the Study and subsequent further exhibition of the draft LEP, the property is listed, then, building works may be carried out provided they don't detract from the heritage significance of the item.

Council provides financial incentives to carry out restoration works on listed heritage items. A number of other incentives exist to assist in the protection and restoration of heritage items.

For Further Information contact:

Kate Alberry
Acting Manager of Planning and Natural Resources
Kempsey Shire Council
22 Tozer Street, West Kempsey NSW 2440

Phone: (02) 6566 3200
Fax: (02) 6566 3205
Email: kate.alberry@kempsey.nsw.gov.au