A push to give Point Lonsdale Lighthouse Reserve a National Heritage Listing has gained traction with the Borough of Queenscliffe agreeing to further investigate the move.
And the Federal Coalition has reinforced its commitment to help make it a reality, should it hold office.
CEO Lenny Jenner will prepare a report detailing “all relevant matters” associated with the reserve’s inclusion. The action is in response to a joint letter from a group of prominent locals urging Council commence community engagement with a view to ensuring the reserve is protected against inappropriate development into the future.
“At this time Council is yet to formally consider the possibility and the implications of applying for National Heritage Listing of significant places within the Borough,” said Phil Josipovic, Council’s General Manager Planning and Infrastructure.
“Before commencing community consultation, Council would need to understand the process of applying for National Heritage Listing status, the selection criteria as well as the benefits and restrictions of National Heritage Listing.
Environment Minister Greg Hunt sparked discussion of a Point Lonsdale listing during a pre-election visit by offering to “take forward” a community-supported bid. Both he and Corangamite MP Sarah Henderson have reinforced their strong support for the move in recent days.
The Rip last month revealed a secret committee of locals had been lobbying Federal and state governments for the site's inclusion for several months behind the scenes.
Councillors at June’s ordinary meeting were unanimous in their support for an investigation into the pros and cons of the heritage listing.
“This is a most interesting idea to put our town on the Heritage List, Broken Hill is there. We have some particular places here in the Borough of Queenscliffe [and] it would be a fabulous thing to have them on that,” said Cr Susan Salter.
“We need to have a look at how that impacts on our planning scheme but I’m really happy to see this move along.”
And the Federal Coalition has reinforced its commitment to help make it a reality, should it hold office.
CEO Lenny Jenner will prepare a report detailing “all relevant matters” associated with the reserve’s inclusion. The action is in response to a joint letter from a group of prominent locals urging Council commence community engagement with a view to ensuring the reserve is protected against inappropriate development into the future.
“At this time Council is yet to formally consider the possibility and the implications of applying for National Heritage Listing of significant places within the Borough,” said Phil Josipovic, Council’s General Manager Planning and Infrastructure.
“Before commencing community consultation, Council would need to understand the process of applying for National Heritage Listing status, the selection criteria as well as the benefits and restrictions of National Heritage Listing.
Environment Minister Greg Hunt sparked discussion of a Point Lonsdale listing during a pre-election visit by offering to “take forward” a community-supported bid. Both he and Corangamite MP Sarah Henderson have reinforced their strong support for the move in recent days.
The Rip last month revealed a secret committee of locals had been lobbying Federal and state governments for the site's inclusion for several months behind the scenes.
Councillors at June’s ordinary meeting were unanimous in their support for an investigation into the pros and cons of the heritage listing.
“This is a most interesting idea to put our town on the Heritage List, Broken Hill is there. We have some particular places here in the Borough of Queenscliffe [and] it would be a fabulous thing to have them on that,” said Cr Susan Salter.
“We need to have a look at how that impacts on our planning scheme but I’m really happy to see this move along.”