The City of Ballarat has received a prestigious 2011 Heritage Council of Victoria Award for the Preserving Our Heritage Strategy. 

On Friday night, the City of Ballarat became the first Council ever to be recognised by the Heritage Council of Victoria for their work in preserving heritage. The Heritage Council award is not given out annually but given on merit to groups and organisations that have made an exceptional contribution to Victoria's heritage.  

Cr Samantha McIntosh said the City is delighted that the Heritage Council sees the Preserving Our Heritage Strategy as a model for other councils around the State.

“The Preserving Our Heritage Strategy outlines positive initiatives and actions that we are undertaking, in partnership with the community, to assist owners of heritage properties preserve a significant part of Ballarat’s identity”. 

“The strategy was earmarked in the Council Plan 2009-13 to minimise the incidence of ‘demolition by neglect’ and encourage conservation of heritage buildings” said Cr McIntosh.

This award originates from all the work put in by many people across Council, the Ballarat Heritage Advisory Committee and our community, culminating  in the adoption of the Preserving Our Heritage Strategy and its continued implementation. 

“We should be very proud of the recognition of our dedication, persistence and hard work from such a distinguished authority”. 

The Heritage Council of Victoria award was presented to Council at Council’s meeting on Wednesday 10 May 2011 by Cr McIntosh.