Council launches the Greater Shepparton Heritage Plaques Pilot Program

Posted on Thursday 9th of May, 2024,

Greater Shepparton City Council, in association with the Greater Shepparton Heritage Advisory Committee, is pleased to have officially launched the first plaque in the Greater Shepparton Heritage Plaques Pilot Program at an event held at Foresters Hall in Shepparton this morning.

In Summary

Greater Shepparton City Council launches Heritage Plaques Pilot Program.
First plaque unveiled at Foresters Hall, marking the program's commencement.
62 plaques to be installed on diverse heritage sites across Greater Shepparton.
Program aims to celebrate and promote cultural significance of region's historic buildings.

At a Heritage Advisory Committee meeting held in March 2020, the Committee agreed to investigate a Greater Shepparton Heritage Plaques Pilot Program as a cost-effective way of identifying and promoting buildings and structures of cultural heritage significance within Greater Shepparton.

Plaques are one of the most effective and visible means of celebrating our historic built environment, with the Pilot Program aiming to install interpretive plaques on places within the region’s Heritage Overlay.

A total of 62 heritage plaques will be installed on buildings and structures which reflect the wide diversity of heritage places evident across Greater Shepparton, with the first plaque installed at Foresters Hall to kick off the program.

Speaking at today’s event, Mayor, Councillor Shane Sali, praised the work of the Heritage Advisory Committee to establish the Pilot Program in the region.

“The Heritage Advisory Committee have put in a mountain of work, dating back to 2020, to get this program underway. The history of these assets is a really important part of our region and we are proud to be able to promote the buildings and structures of cultural significance within Greater Shepparton,” he said.

“I look forward to the 61 other plaques being installed throughout the region. The significant research and effort undertaken by the Heritage Advisory Committee is something to be proud of.”

The installation of the remaining plaques is expected to be undertaken by a Council contractor with Council’s Heritage Advisor in attendance to ensure significant fabric is not impacted upon and the placing of the plaque aligns with the standards included in the Pilot Program Guide.

The Foresters Hall plaque is the first to go up in the region with the remaining to start appearing over the next few weeks. Following the completion of the Pilot Program, the Committee will consider formalising an annual program to promote plaques for all buildings and structures in the Heritage Overlay across Greater Shepparton.

Find out more about the Greater Shepparton Heritage Plaques Pilot Program here.