Heritage

The Lithgow local government area contains Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal heritage items that are of local, state and world significance. These items are listed for aesthetic, natural, historic or social reasons and include items such as artefacts, grinding groove, carved/scarred trees, national parks, former industrial sites, commercial premises, dwellings, churches and cemeteries.

State of Heritage

The state of Aboriginal heritage during 2004/05 is illustrated using the following key indicators.

Within these 372 Aboriginal sites are the following number and type of features.

The state of non-Aboriginal heritage during 2004/05 is illustrated using the following key indicators.

*This figure includes the 96 heritage items already listed in the Lithgow City Local Environmental Plan.

Pressure to Heritage

The delay in the finalisation of the draft Heritage Study and amending Local Environmental Plan continues to be the greatest pressure on heritage. This delay has been ongoing due to information deficiencies with the Study.

Response to Heritage

The response to the state and pressure of heritage during 2004/05 includes:

• A significant amount of research work and data rationalisation has been undertaken by Council and Ian Milliss of the Lithgow Regional Branch of the National Trust (NSW) to complete the heritage inventory of the draft Heritage Study and enable the preparation of the draft Heritage Local Environmental Plan (Heritage LEP). It is expected that the Heritage LEP will be completed in 2006.
  
  
• Council's Heritage Advisor, Ms Barbara Hickson has continued to provide advice on matters relating to heritage conservation. Some of the activities undertaken during the year have included:
• Provision of site specific advice to owners proposing works to heritage items.
• Assessment of development applications proposing alterations or additions to properties of heritage significance.
• Facilitation of the Heritage and History Seminar which provided valuable information to owners on how to research the history, care for and ascertain assistance with your house.
• Assistance in preparing funding applications.
• Incorporated heritage items not previously listed in the draft Heritage Study.
• Member of Council’s Heritage Assets Working Party.
• Assisted with the administration of the Local Heritage Fund.

• The Heritage Assets Working Party was established by Council to care, maintain and guide the development of Council's heritage assets. Some of the Working Party's activities have included:
• Receiving reports and providing input into The Furnace, Fire and Forge program for the State Mine Heritage Park; Eskbank House Museum; Blast Furnace Park; National Trust activities; draft Heritage Study; the purchase, lease and development of State Rail properties throughout the local government area.
• The development of an Awnings Policy for Main Street .
• Planning for Heritage Week celebrations held in April 2005.
• Supporting the development and reuse of the Tin Shed, Union Theatre, Hoskins Building and stables site.
• The development of a Heritage Bike Plan for the local government area.

• During the Heritage Festival, Council presented its Heritage Awards for works carried out on buildings with heritage significance to the following recipients:
• The residential winners included the owners of 1 Lithgow Street , 7 Coalbrook Street and 99 Chifley Road , Lithgow. These homes have been restored and feature vibrant heritage colour schemes.
• The business and industrial winners were the ANZ Bank, Union Theatre and the Lithgow Tin Shed for their colour schemes and contributions towards improving the streetscape.
• The Rydal Village Association, Friends of St. Johns and the Crystal Theatre Management Committee received the community awards for their efforts in improving the appearance of Rydal and in securing funding and undertaking works at St. Johns the Evangelist Church and the Crystal Theatre .
• The tourism award was presented to the Zig Zag Railway for the relocation and restoration of the Cooerwull railway footbridge along the Great Western Railway.

• Council encourages the conservation and reconstruction of heritage and older items by granting monies through its Local Heritage Fund. In 2004/05, one project was funded for the reinstatement of a verandah railing on a dwelling to the value of $1,000.

• Council has supported the listing of the Portland Cement Works premises (excluding the quarries) on the State Heritage Register on the proviso that structural reports are obtained from an independent engineer experienced with heritage buildings prior to Workers Cottages No. 3 and 4 being excluded.

• A Collections Policy has been prepared for Eskbank House & Museum. This Policy aims to " acquire and store items of significance to the Lithgow Local Government Area (LGA), with particular emphasis on the development of a major collection of Lithgow Pottery from its production phase of 1874 to 1907" and "foster active interest in the regions heritage through making the collection available for research and educational programs".

• Works were undertaken on St. Johns the Evangelist Church to stabilise the tower and stonework of the building to regain safe public access.

• The major project for the Lithgow Tidy Towns Committee has been the murals on Eskbank Street Railway Bridge . These murals were painted by local artist Mrs Anne Christie and depict heritage scenes from Lithgow.

Current Actions 2005/06

The following actions are planned for 2005/06:

• Complete the draft Heritage Study and draft Heritage Local Environmental Plan.
  
  
• Continue the Heritage Advisor Program.
  
  
• Undertake works at Council owned heritage sites being the Blast Furnace, chimney and water tower at the Pottery Estate and South Bowenfels Gun Emplacements.
  
  
• Provision of the Local Heritage Fund.
  
  
• Complete the interpretive signage project.

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