The Shire of Ashburton will set aside $5000 within the 1998/99 Budget to complete the Conservation Plan for the Old Onslow Townsite to the standard required by the Heritage Council of Western Australia.

At its June Meeting Council received a report entitled "Old Onslow Townsite – A Conservation Plan" which outlined a series of principles and recommendations to sufficiently develop the site and address urgent conservation matters in the interim.

Shire Chief Executive Officer, Mr David Carey said that upon finalisation of the Old Onslow Conservation Plan, Council will seek the listing of the Townsite on the register of the National Estate and the Register of Heritage Places.

"Once it is listed on the respective registers the Council will actively seek funding through public grants for the restoration and associated works for the police station building in Old Onslow," said Mr Carey.

In the meantime Council has adopted a policy using the recommendations of the report to offer guidance in dealing with the more pressing matters of conservation in the Townsite, especially the stabilisation of the remnant structures associated with the Police Station complex and other repair works needed.

Mr Carey added that the townsite represented a significant insight into the pastoral and pearling heritage of not only Western Australia but of Australia. In addition it offers valuable evidence of the interaction between early settlers of the northwest and the indigenous inhabitants of the area.

For further information please contact Council’s Senior Planning Officer, Mrs Stacey Towne on (08) 9189 1029.

16 February, 2000

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