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Heritage Program

The City of Perth, in conjunction with relevant stakeholders, has adopted a comprehensive and coordinated approach to address the ongoing issues relating to heritage management and conservation - an approach which goes above and beyond that normally undertaken by a local government authority.

From researching the implications of heritage listing, to providing development-based and financial incentives for heritage conservation, each component of the City’s Heritage Program has been researched and developed over several years to complement the necessary processes required under heritage and planning legislation.

The City of Perth has created a series of brochures that incorporates information on the individual components of the Heritage Program. 
These components are briefly addressed under the following headings, together with related brochures containing more detail available for download: 

Download the latest edition of our Heritage Newsletter - "Talking Heritage".

History of the City of Perth  Overview 

Image of Heritage Program History of Perth

As a young city, Perth is in the ideal position to preserve its irreplaceable heritage for future generations. Many of its links to the past still exist and serve as valuable assets to the city's built form. This brochure provides a brief overview of the history of Perth and where to obtain further information on history and heritage in the city.

History of the City of Perth Brochure

Heritage Grants*  Overview 

Image of Heritage Program Grants

In an effort to conserve our irreplaceable heritage, the City of Perth is offering grants of up to $30,000 to assist with the undertaking of heritage projects within the city. If you or your organisation are planning to conserve or restore a culturally significant building within the City of Perth then you may be eligible for a heritage grant.

This brochure provides information on the Heritage Grants Program and outlines the criteria for a project to be eligible for funding. The next round of Heritage Grants will open in July 2008. Please contact the Heritage Hotline on 9461 3333.

Heritage Grants Brochure

Heritage Award*  Overview 

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The Heritage Award Program has been established to recognise the efforts made by individuals and groups in the conservation, promotion and enhancement of the city’s heritage.

This brochure provides an explanation of the processes involved in submitting an application for the Award program and incorporates the criteria for which the awards will be judged.

* Applications for the current Heritage Award are now closed.

Heritage Award Brochure

Development Based Incentives - Bonus and Transfer Plot Ratio  Overview 

Image of Development Based Incentives

Two development-based heritage incentives have been adopted into the City Planning Scheme No.2. The Transfer of Plot Ratio and Bonus Plot Ratio provisions enable the Council to offer incentives to developments involving heritage places by either awarding additional plot ratio to developments or enabling the transfer of unused plot ratio from one site to another. 

Click here for more information on Development Based Incentives.

Click here to view the City of Perth Register of transferred Plot Ratio.

Development Incentives Brochure

Organisations and Registers  Overview 

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The main types of heritage listings impacting on places located within the City of Perth are:

  • Municipal Inventory
  • City Planning Scheme
  • State Register of Heritage Places
  • National Trust
  • National Estate

A brief overview of the benefits and implications of each form of listing is provided in this brochure. More information may be obtained from the individual organisations; contact details for each are also provided.

Organisations and Registers Brochure

Heritage Funding Sources  Overview 

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There are various forms of funding assistance available from Lotterywest, Heritage Council of WA and the City of Perth Heritage Appeal for heritage projects within the city.

This brochure provides details of each of these grant options. For further information the relevant organisation should be contacted directly as the information provided in this brochure is subject to change.

Heritage Funding Sources Brochure

Ongoing Development of Incentives  Overview 

Image of Heritage Program Ongoing Development of Incentives

Like all local governments, the City of Perth is restricted in what incentives it can legally or financially offer its ratepayers for heritage conservation, and as such has identified ways in which the other levels of government may assist. In addition, the research currently being undertaken by the City into the implications of heritage listing will provide further opportunities to develop the Heritage Program.

The information in this brochure outlines the additional initiatives the City of Perth is undertaking to assist in the protection of our cultural heritage, through ongoing lobbying and research.

Ongoing Development of Incentives Brochure

Rate Relief  Overview 

Image of Heritage Program Rate Relief Scheme

The City of Perth is inviting application for a 10% rate relief for any current property listed within the Register of Cultural Heritage Places in the City Planning Scheme.

To be eligible for the concession a range of criteria must be met and this is outlined on the form attached. 
Applications are now closed as of 25 April 2008.

Rate Relief Form

Heritage Loan Subsidy Scheme   

The Heritage Loan Subsidy Scheme provides an interest rate subsidy of 4% lower than standard rates from financial institutions capped at $50,000 for conservation works.

The scheme encourages you, the owner of a heritage place, to undertake conservation works by offering significant savings in the cost of taking out a loan with your financial institution. These loans can be used in conjunction with grants received from the City of Perth to undertake conservation works.

To be eligible, your property needs to be listed in the Register of Places of Cultural Heritage Significance in the City Planning Scheme No 2 at www.perth.wa.gov.au/CPS2 . Please check the application form at the Heritage Council’s website, www.heritage.wa.gov.au or the WA Local Government Association’s website, www.walga.asn.au for more details.

City of Perth Heritage Appeal   

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The City of Perth Heritage Appeal was established to address the growing issue of heritage conservation within the city. Its vision is to encourage a culture that values, conserves and celebrates our city’s unique heritage.

Through the Heritage Appeal you can assist in the preservation of our collective heritage from colonisation to present day, including some of the oldest and most important places in the state.

The Appeal is established under the National Trust Act and all donations over $2 are tax deductible. All monies raised from the Appeal will be dedicated to assisting in the restoration, interpretation and conservation of our irreplaceable built heritage.

Case for Support

Tax Benefits Brochure

Heritage Program FAQ   

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Answers to frequently asked questions can be found by clicking the image to your right.

For easy access the FAQ information is categorised into the following headings:

  • General
  • Development-based incentives
  • Economic impact of heritage listing
  • Heritage grants
  • Heritage rate relief

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