Future development within West Wallsend and Holmesville Heritage Conservation Area will be in keeping with the rustic village aesthetic after Lake Macquarie City Council adopted a planning proposal to protect its heritage values.
The Council says the plan will ensure any new development considers the area’s heritage values – primarily related to its mining history.
It will also prevent unsuitable demolitions and new exempt or complying developments that disregard the local context.
The targeted development controls echo those already applied to Heritage Conservation Areas in Catherine Hill Bay and Teralba.
Mayor, Adam Shultz said the plan offered a logical and consistent approach across the city’s three heritage conservation areas.
“Council has a responsibility to protect items of local significance and to recognise, value and protect Lake Macquarie’s heritage,” he said.
“This plan will better protect the heritage value of the area and guide appropriate development in these historic suburbs.”
The plan will extend the West Wallsend Heritage Conservation Area to include the West Wallsend colliery and parts of Holmesville, reduce maximum new building heights in select areas and revise the boundary of the heritage area.
Submissions received during public exhibition resulted in some changes to the revised area plan.
