(8/2/2019) Streamlined approvals to benefit West End property owners

Property owners in Fremantle’s historic West End will benefit from a streamlined approvals process for minor works on their buildings.

Under a new legislative framework approved this week, the City of Fremantle will now be able to approve minor works to heritage-listed buildings in the West End without needing to refer the proposal to the Heritage Council.

Fremantle Mayor Brad Pettitt said cutting red-tape for property owners was another benefit of having the entire West End of Fremantle included on the State Register of Heritage Places.

“The largely intact gold rush-era streetscapes in the West End are something that really make Fremantle special and differentiate the city from the rest of Perth,” Mayor Pettitt said.  

“The City of Fremantle nominated the West End for inclusion on the State Register and worked very closely with the State Heritage Office and property owners for more than a year to make it happen.

“It was always part of that plan to streamline the heritage assessment and approvals process to make it quicker and easier for West End property owners to look after their buildings and put them to good use.”

The West End became the largest single place to be permanently included in the State Register of Heritage places in July 2017.

The Heritage Council’s Delegations Framework grants the City of Fremantle authority to assess minor or routine works to heritage buildings, in accordance with Section 11 of the Heritage of Western Australia Act 1990.

Proposals for moderate to major works to a heritage building will still be referred to the Heritage Council for advice and comment.

The heritage listing of the West End also gives property owners the opportunity to access state government funding through the Heritage Council of WA grants program.

Recipients in the latest round of heritage grants included St John’s Anglican Church in Kings Square and the commercial building at 3 Pakenham Street.