Yarra City Council has prepared a unique heritage study that identifies places of historical importance to the LGBTIQA+ community.
The LGBTIQA+ Heritage Study recommends mechanisms for improving the documentation and protection of these sites so they can be promoted and celebrated.
“This Study is a demonstration of the City’s appreciation of not just our built heritage, but our cultural heritage,” said City of Yarra Mayor, Stephen Jolly.
“The LGBTIQA+ community is an intrinsic part of the richness of our community, and the area has served as a cultural hub for decades. The sites we recognise in this study hold historical and social significance.”
The Study has identified 91 places within the City of Yarra as being significant to the LGBTIQA+ community – many of these are for intangible values associated with activism and advocacy; events; community services, and business activities.
Of these, three places were found to meet the threshold for local heritage significance – The Laird O’Cockpen Hotel, the former Morning Star Hotel and 3CR Community Radio – and have been recommended for inclusion as individual Heritage Overlays in the Yarra Planning Scheme.
In addition, for three existing individually significant heritage places – the Sir Robert Peel Hotel, the Glasshouse Hotel and the former Naughton’s Hotel, the statements of significance have been updated to recognise LGBTIQA+ heritage values. The Study recommends the incorporation of these values be updated into the Yarra Planning Scheme.
Other key recommendations from the Study include establishing an LGBTIQA+ cultural precinct and prioritising new public art for the identified places and precincts. The City of Yarra will also collaborate with neighbouring municipalities to celebrate LGBTIQA+ heritage across boundaries.
The Study has been prepared following consultations with community organisations, Heritage Victoria, and the Australian Queer Archives. The City of Yarra’s Rainbow Advisory and Heritage Advisory Committees also contributed to the Study.
For more information about the City of Yarra LGBTIQA+ Heritage Study, visit: www.yoursayyarra.com.au for details.