Local Heritage Assistance Fund

Bellingen Shire Council

LOCAL HERITAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Information for Committee members

The Heritage Committee was originally formed in 1992 to administer the Local Heritage Assistance Fund. The funds were provided by the State government to provide small grants to assist in the conservation of privately owned buildings in the Shire. Up until 2004, the main function of the committee was to allocate those funds.

In 2004, the committee was reformed and took on additional roles such as assisting with the process of the Heritage Inventory, coordinating the distribution of plaques, organising brochures in conjunction with the Local Heritage Assistance Fund as well as organising Heritage Week in April each year

In 2008 further changes were made and it became the formal Council Advisory Committee with Council staff providing professional input although Committee decisions are not binding on Council.

Role of the Committee

The current role of the Heritage Advisory Committee is:

consider staff recommendations on Local Heritage Assistance fund applications
assist in the implementation of the Heritage Strategy for Bellingen
organise Heritage Week in April each year on behalf of Council
advise Council on other Heritage related matters that affect the Shire
to provide community input into Council's heritage role through its community representatives

Primarily the committee is to provide advice to Council on the recommendations made by staff to the committee concerning heritage matters. It is not the role of the committee to direct Council staff on operational matters or to become actively involved in operational matters. For instance, the committee cannot direct staff to prepare reports on specific matters, to issue media releases or correspondence, or to carry out particular works or duties.

The committee's community members should be willing to become actively involved in any work arising from the committee's operations.

Meeting frequency

In order that the Heritage Advisory Committee functions efficiently, the committee generally meets every 3 months (generally March, June, September and December).

Composition of Committee

The committee currently comprises one (1) councillor, (Chairperson) one (1) staff member, six (6) community representatives and the CEO of the Coffs Harbour Local Aboriginal Land Council.

Current composition:

Cr Desmae Harrison, Councillor (Chairperson)
Daniel Bennett, (staff member)
Brian Francis, community member (seaboard)
Susan Snodgrass, community member (plateau)
Community member valley (Currently vacant)
Community member valley (Currently vacant)
Chris Spencer, CEO Coffs Harbour Local Aboriginal Land Council
Teresa McKinnon, community member (seaboard)
Lorraine Edwards, community member (plateau)

To ensure adequate shire wide representation on the committee, there must be at least one community member from each of the 3 geographical areas in the Shire - the seaboard, plateau and valley. Council will call for expressions of interest to fill any positions that become vacant. It will be noted that committee members must want to be actively involved in work arising from the committee.

Quorum

In order for there to be a quorum at a committee meeting, there must be 50% of the total number of members on the Committee. The staff member will hold the position of executive officer, and will be responsible for the preparation of meeting agendas and meeting minutes.

The committee also requires a deputy chairperson, in addition to a chairperson, to ensure that the committee can operate effectively in the event that the chairperson is unavailable for a meeting. If the Chairperson cannot attend a particular meeting, a deputy chairperson is to be elected by the members present at that meeting. Ideally, the deputy chairperson should have a working knowledge of meeting procedures to ensure that meetings are run efficiently.

Conduct of Meetings

The conduct of Committee members and meeting procedures shall be in accordance with Council’s Advisory Committee Manual 2012.

Further information

Model Code Obligations for Committee Members

/ Council / Reports, Policies and Plans / Policies and Plans / Code of Conduct

NSW Heritage Branch website:

/ Heritage and /Heritage/publications

-A Guide to the Heritage System

-Heritage Listing Explained – What it Means for You

-How to Establish a Local Heritage Fund

-Local Government Heritage Guidelines

-Recommendations for Local Council Heritage Management

-Heritage Terms & Abbreviations

Heritage Listings (ie State, Local):

- Heritage Searches

Also Schedule 5 – Environmental Heritage of Bellingen Local Environmental Plan 2010:

/ Development / Local Environmental Plan / Bellingen Local Environmental Plan 2010 / Bellingen LEP 2010 / Schedule 5

National Trust of Australia (NSW) website:

See /Heritage Festival

ANNEXURES:

Application Form

Heritage Strategy for Bellingen Shire 2014-2017

Application for Membership of the

Bellingen Shire Local Heritage Advisory Committee

The purpose of the Local Heritage Advisory Committee is to provide local knowledge and advice to Council staff in relation to heritage matters that are of interest to the community and to promote awareness and appreciation of heritage in the Bellingen Shire.

Council is seeking nominations from individuals that possess the personal attributes, experience and skills required to make a positive contribution to the working of the Committee. Community members are chosen from a range of backgrounds and/or professions from across the Shire. Council is seeking nominations from individuals who hold an interest in heritage matters and who would like to contribute to protecting and preserving heritage within the Bellingen Shire.

Name:______

Organisation:______

(if applicable)

Address:______

______

Telephone:______

Email:______

Why would you like to be part of Council's Heritage Committee?

______

What are your strengths and how would they add value to the operation of the Committee?

______

What professional skills and experience do you have relative to the Committee's requirements?

______

List details of membership or involvement with relevant interest or community groups:

______

Please outline key personal attributes addressing the following criteria:

Demonstrated ability to contribute in a constructive way to an advisory group, including through the exercise of skills such as leadership and community networking:

______

An ability to effectively listen to, and co-operate with community members holding similar or different points of view:

______

An understanding and tolerance for community-government committee processes, and an understanding of the role of local government:

______

A commitment to the consultative process:

______

Demonstrated extensive knowledge of and interest in the local heritage of the Bellingen Shire:

______

Demonstrated experience in providing a positive contribution within a committee group or related to heritage:

______

Demonstrated practical experience in promoting and protecting heritage:

______

Sufficient time to devote to the role and availability to become actively involved in activities arising from the Committee's operation:

______

Signature of Applicant:

I, the undersigned, hereby apply to join the Heritage Committee.

Signature……………………………………….Date ………………………

Please send completed form to:

The General Manager

Bellingen Shire Council

PO Box 117

Bellingen NSW 2454

BELLINGEN SHIRE COUNCIL

HERITAGE STRATEGY FOR BELLINGEN SHIRE

2014 - 2017

1.0INTRODUCTION

This document has been prepared to set the future direction for heritage initiatives in the Bellingen Shire. It is also prepared to meet the requirements of the NSW Heritage Office in association with the Three Year funding agreement to support local government heritage management in NSW.

Bellingen Shire includes the villages of Dorrigo and Urunga, as well as substantial rural and coastal areas focussed on those villages and the town of Bellingen.

The purpose of this document is to provide a summary of the strategies Bellingen Shire will employ to guide heritage management for the financial years 2014/2015, 2015/2016 and 2016/2017. The NSW Heritage Office publication Recommendations for Local Government Heritage Management has been reviewed and utilised in the preparation of this summary heritage strategy.

2.0CONSERVATION & MAINTENANCE

Aim:To promote the conservation and maintenance of Bellingen Shire’s heritage

Actions:

Continue to offer a Heritage Advisory Service to the Bellingen Council area.
Support the Heritage Committee in providing continuing advice to Council.
Continue to offer a Local Heritage Assistance Fund each year to encourage owners to undertake conservation and maintenance works.
To formulate Main Street upgrade programmes for the Bellingen Conservation Area and Dorrigo CBD (having regard to the Bellingen Main Street Study 2001 and the Dorrigo Landscape Master Plan 2007) and investigate appropriate opportunities for funding.

3.0EDUCATION & COMMUNITY AWARENESS

Aim:To raise community awareness and education on issues related to heritage conservation and management within Bellingen

Actions:

To encourage community involvement in the National Trust annual Heritage Festival.
To contribute appropriate information to the Council newsletter for the community, informing them about heritage issues and events through the Tourism Manager.
To continue to liaise with and involve community groups, such as the business community, National Trust, local historical societies, Family History Group and Aboriginal Elder Groups in issues affecting heritage conservation in the Bellingen Shire.
Continue to promote the Heritage Inventory throughout the community.
To promote better knowledge and understanding of correct heritage maintenance practices through Council's Heritage Advisory Service and utilisation of the NSW Department of Environment & Heritage 'Maintenance Series' information sheets.
To provide opportunities to Council staff to attend relevant training courses.
To facilitate through the Heritage Advisor related heritage training courses and seminars for relevant Bellingen Council staff.
Raise community awareness of the significance of the historic cemeteries by development of an interpretive project such as the development of a brochure, trail or erection of informative panels or signs.
Maintain a local heritage services and suppliers directory and provide link to NSW Department of Environment & Heritage 'Services Directory'.
To encourage local historical societies to record local stories, the history embodied in the elder members of their communities and the relationships with their local historic environment.

4.0DEVELOPMENT ASSESSMENT

Aims:To provide policies and plans appropriate to the assessment of applications involving items of environmental heritage and land within the Bellingen Conservation Area

Actions:

To continue to seek the input of Council’s Heritage Advisor in the assessment of applications likely to impact on the heritage significance of buildings/places.
Adopt and implement Heritage chapter in the 'Bellingen Shire Development Control Plan 2010'.

5.0IDENTIFICATION & PROTECTION

Aim:To identify and protect all buildings and places within the Bellingen local government area that are considered to be of heritage significance

Actions:

To progressively update the Bellingen Shire Heritage Inventory with assessment of further site nominations from Council staff and the general community.
To ensure that ‘Schedule 5 – Environmental Heritage’ of Bellingen Local Environmental Plan 2010 is reviewed and amended as necessary.
Identify further items of heritage significance for potential inclusion in 'Schedule 5 – Environmental Heritage' of Bellingen Local Environmental Plan 2010.
To progressively improve the spatial recording of the location of heritage items, through use of technologies such as Global Positioning Systems (GPS).
To record this information within an enhanced Geographic Information Service (GIS) platform that improves public access to heritage information.

6.0MANAGEMENT OF COUNCIL’S ASSETS

Aim:To develop a Bellingen Council Heritage Asset Register and to then prepare appropriate plans to conserve those properties into the future

Actions:

To seek funding for the preparation of Conservation Management Plans where appropriate for historical themed assets.
To prepare an inventory and mapping of Council owned historic structures and items within the Local Government Area.
Develop a GIS layer of Council owned assets.
To develop and implement due diligence awareness in Council processes involving Council's heritage assets.
To ensure that standard procedures are followed in the management of Council heritage sites. Council’s outdoor staff are to be made aware of the historic features for future works programs and to encourage the works crews to notify the Land Use Services Department of any items of significance within road reserves and public parks.
To identify sites where interpretive signage should be prepared to convey the historic significance of the Council owned site or place.

7.0 TOURISM & MUSEUM DEVELOPMENT

Aim:To promote cultural heritage and museum development opportunities

Actions:

Foster strong links between Council's economic development and heritage protection units.
To continue to participate in the development of tourism opportunities related to Bellingen heritage assets.
To improve the interpretation of aboriginal heritage within the Shire through liaison with the Land Council and through implementing interpretation at appropriate sites.
To continue to provide support to community and tourism groups in the development of cultural heritage tourism projects and programs.
To continue to promote and identify new opportunities for cultural heritage tourism through the ongoing promotion and identification of sites and tours at the Shire’s Visitor Information Centres.
To improve and develop the promotion of the Shire's natural heritage attractions.
To continue to promote and maintain the various heritage walking trails and identify opportunities to expand these trails including use of website material and 'apps'.
To upgrade Council's website to provide links to heritage trails and tourism information.
To develop information package with the assistance of local historical societies for local schools and encourage awareness of local history and heritage education.
To develop an appropriate signage prototype, such as plaques, for the identification of heritage items throughout the Shire.
To progressively install approved identification material on heritage items throughout the Shire, upon identifying funding avenues to implement the program.

8.0 PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Aim:To promote heritage and sustainable development opportunities

Actions:

Promote energy efficiency and water saving measures within Conservation areas and heritage places.
Encourage the adaptive re-use of existing redundant heritage sites and buildings and places within Conservation Areas.
Promote appropriate endemic and other landscape planting within heritage places and the Conservation area.
Encourage regeneration of places within Conservation Areas and to discourage development which may detract from the viability of Conservation areas and listed heritage places.

Council endorsed 23 July 2014