Milang Local Heritage Code Amendment

In November 2023, Alexandrina Council endorsed the first written heritage strategy by a regional Council in South Australia.

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For further information about Heritage Alexandrina and to read the strategy, please visit www.alexandrina.sa.gov.au/heritage.

The Strategy guides the management and activation of heritage within our region, including preserving our built heritage. In response to one of the actions relating to Milang, Alexandrina Council are proposing an amendment to the Planning and Design Code as it relates to numerous parcels of land located in the township of Milang. The purpose of this Code Amendment under section 73(2)(b) of the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016 (the Act) is to apply the Local Heritage Place Overlay to twenty-five (25) properties and to introduce an Historic Area Overlay to the part of the town that exhibits the original survey and and historical township pattern of the town. A Heritage Adjacency Overlay is also proposed to apply to those properties within a certain distance from a Local Heritage Place that is ultimately approved.

The township of Milang, situated on the western shore of Lake Alexandrina was first settled by Europeans in the 1840s. Prior to this the area had been occupied by the Ngarrindjeri people who lived in semi-permanent settlements, taking advantage of fresh water, fish, birds, game and local plants. A government survey of the township was undertaken in 1853 with a view to establishing a service town for the district and a port for the growing River Murray trade. With the clearing of farmland in the surrounding region, and the arrival of business people and tradesmen, land was taken up and the town became established. This included, in the 1850s, two hotels, jetty, steam mill, store, chapel and post office, and then between 1860 and 1880 Milang became a thriving port. With the advent of the railway, and the difficulties of safely navigating the Murray Mouth, the height of the River Murray trade had passed by the 1920s.

From the early days, the town has been involved in tourism, including cruising and regattas on the lake and River Murray, and the development of a caravan park and, in the early 20th century, shacks on the foreshore.

The early character of Milang can still be readily discerned through original subdivision pattern and surrounding parklands, and the historic buildings, which remain from the 1850s to the early 1900s. The main period of development in Milang, from 1855 to 1900, has left a rich legacy of buildings, and the prominent public buildings and churches are supported by a large number of private residences of varying degrees of scale and detail, mostly constructed of stone. It is this clear representation of the history of Milang through these remaining early buildings that creates the township’s particular heritage character, which this Code Amendment is seeking to maintain, as well as the original township survey.

We are currently seeking feedback on the proposed Code Amendment.

Any further queries can be directed to either Team Leader Planning Policy, Connie Parisi or Senior Town Planner, Sarah Longden.

How to submit feedback:

• Online Survey - https://mysay.alexandrina.sa.gov.au/embeds/projects/93788/survey-tools/105656

• By Mail - please direct written submission to alex@alexandrina.sa.gov.au or
  by post to Att: CEO, Alexandrina Council, PO Box 21, Goolwa SA 5214, or
• In Person - where you can complete a hard copy survey at the Strathalbyn or Goolwa offices.

Submissions regarding the proposal will be accepted by Council until 5 pm Friday 12 July 2024.