The Andrews Labor Government is cracking down on developers that flout Victoria’s heritage protection, with new laws coming into force this week.
The Heritage Act 2017 is now in effect, ensuring Victoria’s long list of heritage assets is appropriately protected and reserved for future generations.
Our heritage is our history and a celebration of Victoria’s suburbs and towns. It’s a big driver of tourism, and an educational trip through time for students.
But too often, developers flout the rules and write off meagre fines as the price to pay for doing the illegal works they want to do.
The Act sets out new compliance and enforcement powers and doubles the maximum penalties for unauthorised works to heritage places.
The maximum penalty for knowingly or recklessly removing, demolishing, damaging or excavating a registered heritage place will be $746,208 or five years prison for an individual, while body corporates could be hit with fines of up to $1.49 million.
The Act also gives local councils new powers to assess permits for works that may impact heritage assets.
There are more than 2,300 places and objects and 650 shipwrecks on the Victorian Heritage Register.
For more information, visit heritage.vic.gov.au/legislation.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Planning Richard Wynne
“A hundred years of history can be destroyed by one developer who has no regard for the rules. We’re putting a stop to that.”
“Our heritage is our history and it gives us all a great sense of pride. It’s a big driver of tourism and a rare chance to educate kids about our past.”
“These new laws will ensure our penalties are a deterrent, and not just the price of doing business in Victoria.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020