Purpose
Local heritage surveys (formerly local heritage inventories or municipal inventories) identify and record places that are, or that might become, of cultural heritage significance.
The local heritage survey (LHS) is a starting resource for local heritage planning and in itself has no statutory role. The LHS helps local governments make decisions that reflect local heritage values, and supports the creation of a heritage list or heritage areas, which identify places to be protected under the local planning scheme.
By uploading the LHS to the inHerit online database, local governments contribute to a central heritage resource that can be searched by the public.
Standards
The Heritage Council has adopted the Guidelines for local heritage surveys to assist local governments in developing and compiling a LHS according to best practice. Compliance with the guidelines is not mandatory, but working to them will help to make local heritage decisions more consistent and better understood across WA’s local communities.
Assistance in understanding and applying the guidelines is available from the Department.
Where to find completed surveys
Heritage data for all local governments is contained in inHerit. Each local government should also provide access to its heritage information at its main office.
Useful publications
- State Register of Heritage Places
- Guidelines for local heritage surveys
