Local Heritage in our District

Do the proposed historic themes accurately capture our district's social, environmental and economic history?

Background

The District Council of Grant are undertaking a multi-staged Local Heritage Survey Project to identify structures and places of historical significance within the district. The Project builds on work from previous Local Heritage Survey (Heritage of the South East) conducted in 1984 by former Councils District Council of Mount Gambier and District Council of Port MacDonnell.

The new Local Heritage Survey Project will be undertaken in the following four stages:

• Stage 1 - Thematic Heritage Framework Study
• Stage 2 - Council wide local historic site identification survey and listing recommendations
• Stage 3 - Detailed assessment of recommended Local Heritage sites
• Stage 4 - Code Amendment to formally list identified Local Heritage sites

As part of Stage 1 of the Local Heritage Survey Project, a Draft Thematic Heritage Framework Study has been created which tells a succinct story of the district's development history from early Western settlement through to the present day. The final document will be used to inform how Local Heritage places in the District Council of Grant are categorised and listed in future stages of the Project.

The completion of the Local Heritage Survey Project is identified as a short-term focus area within Council's Strategic Plan 2024-2034, contributing to achieving the Environment goal of a sustainable district that values the natural qualities and heritage that underpin our health, liveability and economy.

What is proposed?

The Draft Thematic Heritage Framework Study proposes four key themes to accurately reflect significant periods in the district’s historic timeline in consideration of South Australian and National historic theme frameworks:

• Theme 1: Foundation and Consolidation (1836-1885)
• Theme 2: Depression, Prosperity and Development (1885-1914)
• Theme 3: War and Industrialisation (1914-1945)
• Theme 4: The Modern Era and Beyond (1945<)

Each theme also details several sub-themes which more specifically encapsulate local historic activities. These sub-themes include, but are not limited to:

• Social Life and Organisations
• Primary Production
• Local Government
• Work, Secondary Production and Service Industries
• Transport and Communications
• Land, Settlement and Housing

It should be noted that throughout the Draft Thematic Heritage Framework Study, there is limited narration of the history of the Boandik People’s pre-colonial occupation of the land – recognising that the Boandik heritage and stories, are to be shared by Boandik People with their own voices.

Find out more

• Review the proposed key themes and sub-themes in the Draft Thematic Heritage Framework Study
• Read the Draft Thematic Heritage Framework Study Summary of Themes document
• Read the Frequently Asked Questions

Get involved

The District Council of Grant is now asking the community if the themes identified in the Draft Thematic Heritage Framework Study accurately capture our district's social, environmental and economic history.

Provide your feedback on the proposed key themes and sub-themes by:

• Completing the online feedback form below
• Emailing feedback to info@dcgrant.sa.gov.au
• Submitting a hard copy feedback form or letter to:
  • Principal Office: 324 Commercial Street West, Mount Gambier
  • Port MacDonnell Community Complex: 5-7 Charles Street, Port MacDonnell
  • Post: PO Box 724, Mount Gambier SA 5290

Hard copies of the Draft Thematic Heritage Framework Study and feedback form are available at the:

• Principal Office: 324 Commercial Street West, Mount Gambier; and
• Port MacDonnell Community Complex: 5-7 Charles Street, Port MacDonnell.

Feedback on Stage 1 will be accepted in writing until 5:00pm Wednesday 16 October 2024.

Next steps

District Council of Grant staff and the Limestone Coast Heritage Advisor will review feedback received and amend the Draft Thematic Heritage Framework, where appropriate, to present to Council on Monday 18 November 2024. Once endorsed, Stage 2 of the Local Heritage Survey Project will commence, in collaboration with key stakeholders and property owners, to identify specific locations, buildings, structures and/or natural features for future Local Heritage listing.