Wollongong City Council has recommended that a draft Wollongong Heritage Strategy be placed on public exhibition.

A major recommendation of the draft Heritage Strategy is that Council seek community involvement in Heritage Management processes.

Council re-established its Heritage Advisory Committee in 2010 with an aim of providing a formal means of community involvement in the City’s heritage and history.

Council Administrator Robert McGregor AM said to plan for the City’s future we must also value its past.

“The City’s heritage is an important indicator of a City’s future,” Mr McGregor said. “The draft strategy has been developed using the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage guidelines. This will help Council in the future when it applies for heritage funding from the State government.

“The draft Heritage Strategy recognises that Council is the owner and manager of many of the City’s significant Heritage sites, such as the old Wollongong Court House, and Battery Park, Cliff Road.

“More importantly the draft Strategy’s first goal is to actively involve the community in the management of Wollongong’s heritage. It is important that we receive community comment on the draft and its goals.”

The draft Heritage Strategy includes nine strategies and each includes a series of goals.

The draft Heritage Strategy recognises the important role of the library in providing access to historical documents and plans, as well as Council’s role in supporting the museums sector and the local Aboriginal community.

The draft Heritage Strategy will be on public exhibition during August.

To view the draft Strategy and make a comment visit Council’s internet site at www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au.