Less red tape for heritage properties
Minor works and improvements to heritage listed homes in WA no longer require Heritage Council advice, according to Heritage Minister John Castrilli.
Investors with state registered properties can now avoid the usual red tape when it comes to maintaining their properties, Mr Castrilli explained yesterday.
“This will allow owners to get on with the job of looking after their heritage places without unnecessary paperwork and delay,” he said.
A new website has been launched simultaneously to this change, which will provide easier access to information for property owners and will show examples of conservation and adaptation of heritage buildings.
“These changes are necessary to meet the growing challenges of conserving and promoting the sensitive development of heritage places during this period of rapid change and population growth,” he said.
Yet to be released this year include a ‘one-stop-shop’ list of local heritage sites and a new directory of heritage specialists.
This may encourage investment in the heritage property market, as activity in this sector has typically been low across Australia, according to a Heritage Office report.
“Players in the market, given a choice between investing in a heritage listed property and a non-heritage listen property, may in instances “shy away” from the heritage listed property,” it said.