A REVISED Local Heritage Survey retains Wanneroo’s Rotary Heritage Wall and the Waugal Monolith sculpture park in Two Rocks.
Wanneroo Council adopted the survey at its August meeting, replacing the previous Municipal Heritage Inventory.
The council was originally due to consider adopting the survey earlier this year, but reports were withdrawn from the agendas for the March and July meetings following concerns about removal of the sculptures and wall.
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READ NOWThe City’s staff undertook community consultation in the interim, with seven submissions lodged, and revised the draft list following feedback about both sites.
The August council report said three submissions raised concerns about removing the Rotary Heritage Wall, built in 2001, from the list.
“The outcomes of the heritage assessment for this place deemed it to have no heritage value,” it said.
“(However) given the demonstrated community interest in the retention of this place, it could be seen to have substantial social significance, and it is therefore considered to be suitable for inclusion.”
The wall features relief sculpture panels representing indigenous Australians, early settlers and multiculturalism, transport, education, the coastline and Wanneroo Agricultural Show.
A February draft of the Local Heritage Survey had proposed to downgrade the heritage status of some places in Two Rocks, including the shopping centre and Mark Le Buse’s Waugal Monolith sculpture garden.
However, the report said after consultation with the City’s heritage services advisory group and a 66-signature petition opposing de-registration, those sites would retain their heritage status.
“With the closure and approved demolition of the Club Capricorn Resort in Yanchep in May 2016, there has been concern from community members over the future of the Le Buse sculptures,” it said.
“The Le Buse sculptures previously formed part of the Atlantis Marine Park in Two Rocks.
“When the park was closed, 15 of the sculptures were relocated to Club Capricorn, with the remainder staying in the Two Rocks Shopping Centre.
“All of the sculptures are currently located on privately owned land that is subject to future redevelopment plans.
“Both landowners have agreed to work with the City to ensure that the final location of the sculptures is accessible to the public for enjoyment into the future.
“Through the process of determining the future location of these sculptures, the City will also consider how the sculptures might be restored, and the cost implications of doing so.”
Other sites added to the heritage survey include Wanneroo Recreation Centre, Bert Togno Park and Limelight Theatre in the Wanneroo Civic Precinct, and a portion of Old Wanneroo Road in Carabooda.
Subject to consultation with owners and occupiers, the City plans to remove from the list Edwards House due to its poor condition, the Two Rocks limestone retaining wall because it does not meet heritage thresholds and the old St Anthony’s Church site because it was demolished.
“Administration will engage with affected owners and occupiers, review any submissions received and prepare a subsequent report to Council,” it said.
The City consulted the Wanneroo and Districts Historical Society to prepare the heritage survey, and society secretary and Pioneer Margaret Cockman praised the document at the August council briefing session.
“This is the first one that I’ve really been able to understand and follow from an index,” she said.