The City is currently reviewing its Character Areas and Heritage Areas policy, to include two new areas in Mount Hawthorn. These are:

• Wilberforce Street; and

• Kalgoorlie Street (between Ashby and Berryman Streets)

What is a Character Area?

A Character Area is a collection of houses (street or suburb) that has aesthetic value to the community. It may also contain buildings that have designs that reflect the City’s development over time. The Character Area process is community guided and encourages us to think about what parts of the area are great. If successfully supported by the community, a Character Area would have an assessed level of character (Character Area Guideline) which will apply to that area for development that faces the street.

What does this mean for landowners within Character Area?

Character Areas contain bespoke planning controls for the area but are very different to a heritage listing as they still allow for demolition of the house.

Character Area designation and the associated guidelines are designed to complement the existing development requirements when you look to build on your land. They provide specific guidance on key elements that are valued by the community, and that the community would like to see supported. These elements can include encouraging low style fencing at the front of dwellings and/or car parking areas at the rear of dwellings.

As part of the Character Area process, some changes to development requirements are proposed. These are done to enhance desirable character elements within your street and are considered and determined in consultation with the community as part of the consultation process.

Should no changes be requested by the community as part of this consultation process, the draft guidelines will be recommended to be adopted by council at a later date.

Share your thoughts

We are keen to hear what our community thinks about the Draft Amended Policy.

To share your thoughts, fill out our quick online survey below. Alternatively, you can send your feedback to us directly at mail@vincent.wa.gov.au

The City will be holding a Community Forum on 9 March 2022 at Mount Hawthorn Lesser Hall (197 Scarborough Beach Road) 5.30pm to 6.30pm with the nominated Character Areas to discuss the proposed guidelines and policy changes.

Submissions have now closed.

For more information, contact Cameron Hartley on 6112 5825 or mail@vincent.wa.gov.au