Photo credit: Wendy Slater

Heritage

The Shire of Coolamon is rich in both European and Aboriginal cultural heritage.

The Coolamon Local Government Area has traditionally been inhabited by the Aboriginal Wiradjuri tribe (also: Wiradhuri, Waradgery, Waradjery, Wuradjeri).  The Wiradjuri tribe were nomads inhabiting the area bounded by the Lachlan and Murray Rivers, and from Goulburn to Hillston. Coolamon Shire Council therefore acknowledges the traditional owners of the land - the Wiradjuri. The NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) is responsible for managing places of Aboriginal significance. Further information can be sourced from their website.

European Settlement

A property "Coleman" was first settled there by a Mr J. Atkinson in 1848. The town was surveyed prior to the coming of the railway in 1881.

Cowabbie Post Office opened on 1 May 1881 and was renamed Ganmain on 1 July and Coolamon on 1 November of that year.

For further information:

Heritage Advisor
Heritage Items & Heritage Conservation Areas

Heritage Advisor

Coolamon Shire Council has for many years engaged the services of a heritage advisor. The Heritage Advisory Service is a free service provided to the public. This is achievable through the support of the Heritage Branch of the Office of the Environment and Heritage.

Council utilises the services of the Heritage Advisor for two main services. One is to offer heritage advice to the general public for possible renovations and additions to buildings which are either identified as an Item of Environmental Heritage or located within the conservation area. The second service is for comments on development applications that are lodged for items of Environmental heritage or located within the conservation area.

Such advice could include:

  • Suitable materials and colours for restoring old buildings  (commercial or residential)

  • Appropriate styles and shapes of extensions and additions to old buildings (or new buildings in older areas)

  • Help in negotiating heritage issues on your projects with the Council (Public or private)

  • Urban Design advice and how buildings and their context are addressed in Council applications.

For those looking at undertaking future work on heritage items or work within the conservation area the heritage advisor is available for appointments every 6 weeks.

Enquiries for heritage advisory visits are to be made to Planning and Environment Section by calling 6930 1800. The customer will be advised on when the next Heritage Advisor visit will be and details will be recorded for a return phone call approximately 1 week prior to the visit to allocate an appointment time.

Heritage Items & Heritage Conservation Areas

A schedule of Locally Listed Heritage Items in the Coolamon Local Government Area and can be accessed via visiting the following link to Schedule 5 of the Coolamon Local Environmental Plan.

Minor Works to Heritage Items and Items Within Conservation

Under Clause 5.10(2) of the Coolamon Local Environmental Plan 2011 development consent is required for the demolition, movement, or alteration of the exterior (including, in the case of a building , making changes to its detail, fabric, finish or appearance) of a heritage item or a building, work, relic or tree within a heritage conservation area.

However, Clause 5.10(3) permits some minor works to be undertaken without the requirement of development consent if:

  1. the applicant has notified the consent authority of the proposed development and the consent authority has advised the applicant in writing before any work is carried out that it is satisfied that the proposed development:

    1. is of minor nature or is for the maintenance of the heritage item, or a building, work, relic, tree or place within the conservation area, and

    2. would not adversely affect the heritage significance of the heritage item or heritage conservation area.

What works are considered minor?

Works listed below are considered to be minor works subject to the provisions of Clause 5.10 of the Coolamon Local Environmental Plan 2011:

  • Replacement of building elements on a "like for like" basis

  • Repairs and maintenance of buildings

  • Works that are not visible from a public place and would otherwise be Exempt Development under the provisions of an Environmental Planning Instrument

  • Reinstatement of original building features of dwellings within the conservation area

  • Any other proposal, which may include written advice from Council's heritage advisor, that the responsible officer considers is unlikely to adversely affect the significance of the heritage item or conservation area

All applications for consideration pursuant to this process must be made on Council's Minor Works application form which can be found within the forms page.