With the new Heritage Act 2018 and Heritage Regulations 2019, enhanced protections for Western Australian heritage assets will come into effect on 1 July 2019. The new legislation replaces the outdated Western Australian Heritage Act 1990, providing stronger protections for important heritage assets, particularly those falling under the category of "negligent destruction."
The Heritage Council provides technical and professional assistance and promotes public awareness and knowledge of the state's cultural heritage.
Key changes include:
- a simplified process for entering a site into the State Register of Heritage Sites;
- improving the protection of heritage sites at risk of 'destruction due to negligence';
- clarity for owners wishing to develop their heritage sites;
- increasing transparency by publishing the Heritage Council's recommendations to the Minister for Heritage on inclusion of a place in the National Register;
- timeframes for certain decisions to provide clarity to decision makers, industry and the community.
