Horsham Rural City Council has resolved to progress its proposed Heritage Amendment to the next stage of the process, requesting the Minister for Planning appoint an Independent Planning Panel (Planning Panels Victoria) to consider the remaining unresolved submissions.
At its meeting on Monday, Council considered the outcomes of further community engagement undertaken with submitters to Planning Scheme Amendment C85hors and endorsed a recommendation to refer unresolved matters to an independent panel for review.
The amendment is based on more than a decade of heritage research and consultation, including the Horsham Heritage Study in 2011 and subsequent Heritage Study Review in 2025, and seeks to recognise and protect places of local heritage significance across the municipality.
Mayor Cr Brian Klowss said Council’s decision reflected its commitment to heritage protection and ensuring all community feedback is properly considered through the statutory planning process.
“Progressing the amendment to an independent Planning Panel will provide an opportunity for all submissions to be carefully considered by an expert panel – which gives Council the benefit of the Panel’s findings and recommendations before making a final decision.”
“Earlier this year, Council committed to undertaking further consultation with affected landholders before making a decision regarding referral to an independent panel,” Cr Klowss said.
“That additional engagement has now been completed and has helped resolve some of the concerns raised and clarify issues raised by submitters and ensure Council has a clear understanding of the matters that remain outstanding.”
The amendment proposes heritage protection for 574 properties within identified heritage precincts, 31 individually significant heritage places and six properties in a serial heritage listing because of their shared historical significance.
More than 800 property owners and occupiers were notified during the formal exhibition process, which also included public notices, information sessions, online resources and individual discussions with affected landholders.
A total of 25 submissions were received during exhibition. Following further engagement requested by Council in May, 15 submissions have now been resolved, while 10 were not withdrawn and will therefore be considered by the panel.
Cr Klowss said Council had invested considerable time and effort in ensuring affected property owners had opportunities to ask questions and understand the proposed heritage controls.
“We have listened carefully to community feedback throughout this process and provided multiple opportunities for people to discuss their concerns directly with Council officers,” he said.
“Where issues can be resolved, we want to resolve them. Where concerns remain, the Planning Panel process provides an independent and transparent forum for those matters to be considered.”
Council officers undertook additional meetings, phone discussions and correspondence with submitters following Council’s decision in May to undertake further consultation. The discussions covered matters including proposed heritage protections, permit requirements, property values, building costs and historical information contained within the heritage study.
Cr Klowss said the municipality’s heritage places played an important role in preserving the stories, character and identity of local communities.
“The Horsham Heritage Study represents many years of work to identify places that reflect our history and contribute to our sense of place,” he said.
“Seeking the appointment of an Independent Planning Panel is the appropriate next step under the planning process. It allows unresolved submissions to be independently assessed and provides Council with expert advice before any final decision is made on the amendment.”
The Independent Planning Panel will consider the unresolved submissions, relevant post-exhibition changes and any additional information provided through the consultation process before making recommendations to Council.
Council officers will continue to engage with submitters where opportunities remain to resolve or narrow issues ahead of the panel hearing.
