Report helps to fill heritage gaps

THE City of Ballarat’s Thematic Environmental History Report has been published as the first step of the Heritage Gaps Review program.

The report is available for community review and includes historical themes which have shaped Ballarat such as the landscape, impact of colonisation, layout of the city, towns and villages, transport and industry, and communities and activities.

The report was created with a range of resident feedback and submissions collected from April to May 2024, as well as work with stakeholders.

Walking and driving tours were also conducted in Ballarat, Learmonth, Buninyong and Miners Rest.

Mayor Cr Des Hudson said the report will inform the heritage gaps review program over coming years.

“This report helps us to ensure that heritage planning decisions are made with a clear understanding of the history of the land use and development within Ballarat,” he said.

A thematic environmental history is designed to ensure heritage planning decisions are made with an understanding of past land use.

Further projects will include a review of heritage overlays and associated policies across, and an assessment of new heritage locations.

Residents can review the thematic environmental history report on MySay until Sunday 15 September.