No. 24 Aberdeen Street, Albany - HCWA Place No. 2
Historic Heritage in Albany
Albany’s historic places tell the stories of our community and culture. Many local properties are recognised for their heritage value, and the City works closely with owners to help conserve and adapt these places so they can continue to be lived in, used and enjoyed.
Explore the sections below for information on:
- What statutory protections apply heritage places
- Accessing information about a heritage-listed property
- How to propose changes or works to heritage places (development works and conservation projects)
- The local heritage framework and how you can nominate a place
- Additional local heritage and history references and resources
At a glance
- Check if your property is heritage listed:
Search the inHerit database (WA Government) to find out if your property is on the City of Albany Heritage List or the State Register of Heritage Places.
- Get advice early:
Book a Duty Planner appointment to discuss your proposal and receive preliminary advice, including heritage considerations.
- Need approval?
Lodge a development application Development approval is required before starting works on a heritage-protected place. Fees may be waived in some cases.
- Key resources:
- DPLH Historic Heritage– State Government resources, technical guides and policies on conserving and managing heritage places
What is a heritage-protected place?
This is a place that has legal protection because of its cultural or historic value. It includes:
- Places on the local Heritage List
- Places within a designated Heritage Area (or Precinct)
- Places entered on the State Register of Heritage Places
- Places under a Heritage Agreement or other statutory order
Because of this status, if you are planning works (internal or external alterations or additions, demolition) you must speak to the City first.
No. 24 Aberdeen Street, Albany - HCWA Place No. 15427
Find information about your heritage-listed property
Refer to the following to confirm if your property is on the City's Heritage List or State Register of Heritage Places:
| Search the inHerit database (WA Government)
inHerit
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City of Albany's Heritage List is the official record of places that are of local cultural heritage significance
Heritage List
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Thinking of doing works on a heritage-protected place?
You will generally need development approval for works on a heritage-protected place before starting works including demolition, additions, alterations, new structures, and some major repair, replacement or conservation works.
Examples of works that require approval:
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Demolition or removal of original or significant building fabric
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New additions or extensions
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Alterations that change the exterior appearance
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Significant internal works
Works that may not require approval:
Tip: Always confirm with the City before starting works. Fees are waived where an application is required solely because the property is on the Heritage List.
Before you lodge your application:
Review the City's development requirements
These documents explain what you need to provide and how to prepare your application for works at a heritage-protected place:
Heritage Development Application Checklist (PDF)
Heritage Information Sheet (PDF)
For more substantial or complex works, the City may request a Heritage Impact Statement to be prepared.
What goes in a Heritage Impact Statement (HIS)?
- The existing Level of Significance of the place (Exceptional / Considerable / Moderate)
- The place’s Statement of Significance (available from the entry on inHerit database or copy of the Place Record Form)
- A description of proposed works and why they are needed
- Assessment of how the works might impact the original fabric or heritage values
- How any impacts will be mitigated (materials, finishes (colours) and method to be used for the works
In certain circumstances where significant repairs, conservation works or development is proposed, the City may recommend the owners seek preliminary advice from a heritage architect or consultant.
For more information - access the inContact online directory of businesses offering heritage services across WA.
If your place is on the State Register
In some cases, your application will be referred to the Heritage Council of Western Australia or the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage (DPLH) for comment. Please include any preliminary comments or formal advice already obtained from DPLH when lodging a development application with the City for consideration.
Ready to lodge?
Use the link below to lodge your development application online - ensure all required plans and documentation are included.
Lodge a development application
Historic Heritage Framework
The City of Albany adopted its current Heritage List and Local Heritage Survey in October 2020, that identify and describe places that contribute to the history and cultural heritage significance of the locality.
State Register of Heritage Places
The State Register of Heritage Places is the official list of places that represent the story of Western Australia’s history and development and is managed by the Heritage Council of Western Australia.
There are over 90 places across Albany that are included on the State Register, including individual sites within the Stirling Terrace Precinct - identified in the City’s Heritage List and Local Heritage Survey as Exceptional – Registered.
State Register entry and assessment information is available from the inHerit database.
Local Heritage Survey
The Local Heritage Survey identifies and records places of local cultural heritage significance across the City of Albany.
Local Heritage Survey
The Local Heritage Survey helps the City to:
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recognise and record important heritage places;
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make planning and development decisions that respect local heritage values;
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provide a cultural and historical record of the district; and
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maintain a publicly accessible record of significant places.
Places listed only on the Local Heritage Survey (and not on the Heritage List) are not heritage-protected places under planning law.
However, the City encourages the conservation and adaptive reuse of these places wherever possible, as they contribute to the community’s shared history and character.
Please contact the City to discuss proposed works to a place included on the Local Heritage Survey.
Local Planning Policies
The following local planning policies outline relevant considerations for works proposed to heritage-listed places or for new development proposed within historic character areas:
Local Planning Policy 1.4 – Heritage Protection Policy
Local Planning Policy 4.1 Albany Historic Town Design
Refer the City of Albany Planning Policies page on the City's website for other local planning policies that may apply to a development proposal.
Want to nominate a place?
If you know of a place in Albany you believe has heritage significance — but it’s not yet listed — you can submit a nomination via our online form.
Nominate a Place
The nomination will be considered for inclusion in the Local Heritage Survey, which informs the Heritage List. A nominated place be approved for entry to the Local Heritage Survey, may also be considered for the Heritage List if it meets the required significance criteria.
References and Resources
Levels of significance
The level of significance assigned to places on the Heritage List and Local Heritage Survey are based on the outcomes of a heritage assessment.
A heritage place's level of significance along with other key details outlined in the place entry - such as the heritage values, the statement of significance, physical description and place history - are used to guide owners, the City and the community's understanding a place's individual heritage value, its contribution to local heritage and history and inform conservation works or proposed development.
| Level of Significance |
What it means |
| Exceptional |
A place that is rare or outstanding and essential to the heritage of Albany. |
| Considerable |
A place very important to Albany’s heritage. |
| Some/Moderate |
A place that contributes to the heritage of Albany. |
| Little |
A place that has some heritage value or community interest but makes a smaller contribution. |
In addition to the place entry details available from the inHerit database, for individual Place Record Forms prepared by the City are also available upon request.
Legislation
Refer Legislation WA website:
Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015
Heritage Act 2018
Heritage Regulations 2019
State Planning Policy 3.5 – Historic Heritage Conservation
Methodist Church and Manse - Wesley Church Group - HCWA Place No. 21
Local history & heritage information resources
Access the City's local history collection service History Great Southern - Kaartdijin Biddi Albany located at Albany Public Library.
The City of Albany Thematic Framework (2000) was prepared part of the City of Albany Municipal Heritage Inventory Review and is currently under review. Local heritage surveys and previous municipal heritage inventories are informed by a thematic framework.
External resources
DPLH Historic Heritage - State Government resources, technical guides and policies on conserving and managing heritage places
National Trust of Western Australia
The Burra Charter - Australia Branch International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS)
Contact Us
💬 Need help? Our Duty Planner service is available to support you with preliminary advice on planning proposals, including heritage considerations.
Book online: Duty Planner appointments
Phone: (08) 6820 3040
Office: 102 North Road, Albany (Mon–Fri, 9am–4pm)
We encourage you to get in touch early — working together helps achieve the best outcomes for both property owners and Albany’s heritage.
For queries about the current details of a heritage place or if have additional information you'd like to share about a heritage place email [email protected].
Yakkan Toort - Dog Rock - HCWA Place No. 4400
Old Post Office, Stirling Terrace - HCWA Place No. 30
Garrison Barracks building - Albany Forts - HCWA Place No. 26