HERITAGE protection loomed as a major issue for the Perth City Council at its 29 November annual general meeting.
Much of the criticism levelled at council came from National Trust representative Ian Boersma and heritage activist Jim Richards.
They and other heritage supporters believe council has been tardy in its handling of its Municipal Inventory of Heritage Places.
This inventory was supposed to have been completed in 1995.
Lord Mayor Peter Nattrass said the break up of the old Perth City Council had interfered with the preparation of the inventory.
Yet the Town of Vincent, one of the new burghs created by the PCC break up, had its Municipal Inventory completed on time.
Dr Nattrass said it was a priority of council to protect heritage but it was also important to protect the rights of individuals who owned property in Perth.
He said, in some cases, these old houses were bought as part of people’s superannuation plans.
Earmarking them for heritage listing could damage the value of the investments, Dr Nattrass said.
“We are considering offering incentive packages for people to protect their buildings if they have heritage significance,” he said.
There are currently 760 buildings on council’s draft municipal inventory.
