Thank you to everyone who provided feedback on the draft Heritage Strategy.

Our Heritage Strategy will guide Council’s heritage work program over the next 10 years to ‘Know’, ‘Protect’, ‘Support’ and ‘Promote & Celebrate’ our heritage.

The final Strategy was adopted by Council (with amendments) on Monday 26 February 2024.

Amendments made to the Strategy as a result of your feedback include:

  • The use of ‘First Nations’ consistently throughout the document.
  • The inclusion of four additional actions – investigate a heritage assistance fund, statutory protection for places assessed as significant and two actions relating to diversity and inclusion.
  • The provision of paper (hard copy) options for processes involving the community and provision of materials and resources.
  • Adding local groups and specifically mentioning Waller House in an action relating to celebrating heritage.
  • Improved content throughout the Strategy i.e. additional information/explanation.
  • Updating the Strategy timeframe to 2024-2034.
To view the minutes from 26 February Council Meeting, go to Council's website and refer to Item 6.2 in the minutes

Community engagement

From 21 August to 31 October 2023 we consulted with the community on the priorities and actions in our draft Strategy.

60 people provided feedback through an online survey, paper surveys and emails.

View the full consultation report and take a look below at a summary of what we heard below.

  • 79% of participants supported the draft vision statement.

  • 84% of participants were supportive or very supportive of the proposed actions for 'Knowing our Heritage'.

  • 77% of participants were supportive or very supportive of the proposed actions for 'Protecting our Heritage'.

  • 84% of participants were supportive or very supportive of the proposed actions for 'Supporting our Heritage'.

  • 86% of participants were supportive or very supportive of the proposed actions for 'Promoting and Celebrating our Heritage'.

Heritage in Banyule

Banyule is proud of its rich natural, Aboriginal, cultural and built heritage. Our heritage contributes to our understanding of the past, sense of place and identity. We are working to ensure that our heritage continues to be a source of enjoyment, creativity and pride to our community, now and into the future.

A Heritage Strategy was developed to guide our heritage work for the next 10 years. The Strategy outlines our key achievements, identifies challenges and opportunities, and recommends key actions. It is based on four key themes:

  • Knowing - identification, assessment and documentation of heritage places.
  • Protecting - policy development, statutory protection, appropriate management.
  • Supporting - assistance, advice and incentives to help conserve heritage places.
  • Promoting and celebrating - measures to raise awareness and appreciation of the heritage of the area.

Project context

Heritage Strategy

The Heritage Strategy 2024 - 2034 builds on the previous Banyule Heritage Strategy 2013 and has been developed in line with Heritage Victoria’s Municipal Heritage Strategies: A guide for Councils 2012.

Reflecting a whole-of-Council approach to heritage, the Strategy has been developed by a cross-organisational team and has included:

  • Review of the previous 2013 Heritage Strategy
  • Understanding the historical, legislative, policy and strategic context
  • Meeting with Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Elders
  • Workshop with Banyule Council departments
  • Councillor presentation and discussion
  • Peer review by an expert heritage consultant to ensure industry best practice.

We will be embarking on a significant piece of work with our Traditional Owner group to develop a comprehensive Self-Determination Strategy in 2024-2025. Detailed actions relating to Aboriginal cultural heritage will be fully explored and addressed as part of this separate project.

FAQs