HERITAGE groups hope the “essence” of Moorabool’s towns will be
better protected from population growth after the West Moorabool
heritage study received state government funding.
A $119,000 grant will allow the council to take the study to the second stage and provide landowners with heritage advice.
Ballan Shire Historical Society secretary Richard Biden said
groups had previously been advised that no funding would be received
until a Bacchus Marsh heritage study was completed.
He emphasised the importance of identifying heritage locations in
towns such as Ballan, where the population is expected to increase
significantly in coming years.
“Fisken Street is virtually a heritage precinct,” Mr Biden said.
Stage one of the West Moorabool study was funded by council and
identified a thematic history of the main influences that shaped the
area’s settlement.
These findings formed the basis of an initial survey of potential heritage places.
Bungaree and District Historical Society president Dennis Spielvogel said the study would ensure there was no “unfettered development”.
“This second step is about sorting through that extensive list, to
keep the essence of what makes up our country towns,” he said. “As
Gordon and Ballan become ‘dormitory suburbs’ to Melbourne, we don’t want to lose our unique character.”
Heritage advisory committee chairman Cr Paul Tatchell said he was
thrilled the council could continue development of the project.
“This will help council by providing more certainty to planners
and landowners – but it is much bigger than that,” he said. “Local
historical societies will participate and have access to a wealth of
quality reference documents. It will be used to develop and promote
heritage tourism in the region.”
It is expected tha ta heritage overlay will be applied as part of the project’s third stage.
