FAQs

A Thematic Environmental History is a strategic planning document that is used to identify and justify the protection of heritage places in Victoria under the Planning and Environment Act 1987. 

A Thematic Environmental History is different to a heritage study. A Thematic Environmental History provides a historical overview of an area, whereas a heritage study makes a detailed analysis of individual properties or places. The preparation of heritage studies is outside of the scope of this work and will need to be prepared as separate projects.

The Thematic Environmental History will describe the factors that have contributed to the culture and development of the municipality to the present day. It will have regard to our First Nation’s history and subsequent development by European settlers.  

When completed, Manningham’s Thematic Environmental History will have improved Council and the community’s knowledge of the historical circumstances that have helped shape our municipality. The Thematic Environmental History will be written in themes informed by the Victoria's Framework of Historical Themes. You can find out more about how Thematic Environment Histories work on the Heritage Council of Victoria website. 

The themes likely to be used in Manningham's Thematic Enviornmental History include:

• Understanding our historical landscape
• First Nations occupation of land
• Settlement
• Adapting and exploiting the land and its resources
• The establishment of villages, towns and suburbs
• The architectural styles of buildings
• Commercial development
• Industries and manufacturing
• Transportation and communication networks
• The administration and governance of land
• The shaping of community life
• Education
• Health and welfare services
• Sport and recreation
• Our cultural and creative past

These themes may evolve and be refined as the Thematic Environmental History is prepared.

The content of the Thematic Environmental History will be sourced from 

• The Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation.
• The Historical Societies of Manningham.
• Council’s previous heritage studies, typological studies, review of primary resources (e.g. early maps and plans, newspaper articles, historic photographs), publications; and 
• Two stages of community consultation.  

A Thematic Environmental History is different to a heritage study. A Thematic Environmental History is a historical overview of an area, whereas a heritage study makes a detailed analysis of individual properties or places. 

The preparation of heritage studies is outside of the scope of this work and will need to be prepared as separate projects.