Colleen Kenny

2014 candidate for District Council of the Copper Coast.
Heritage survey responses.

What do you think Council's role is in protecting and conserving heritage?
I have a Master's Degree in History and have come to value our heritage because once it is gone we will never have an opportunity of getting it back. If properly managed it can be a very useful tourism tool for cities and towns. By utilising its tourism potential also will help create further employment opportunities and give many people a sense of pride in their towns and heritage. I actually live in a house that was built in the late 1800's and have tracked down it's proud history along with the other homes in our street. It has taken over 25 years of hard work to restore it back to what it once was and there is still quite a lot more to do.
What measures and incentives do you support to protect and conserve local heritage?
Council's need to get back to being a grass roots organisation and the best way of doing that is by being more hands on with financial assistance, assist with funding and grant applications, promoting its heritage to visitors. There needs to be a Council committee that takes on local heritage and tourism, with all interested stakeholders as members.
What is the most important heritage protection issue in your local government area?
The Copper Coast has a rich mining, agricultural, marine and Indigenous history - all of which needs protection by restoration, signage and improved visitor centers. Currently so much of it is just dying/degrading away due to neglect. We should be proud of our history/heritage everyday of the year and not just 10 days out of every two years.
What policies and programs will you advocate to protect and conserve heritage in your local area?
Currently I am not aware of any policies for conserving our heritage as our Council seems to be moving away from protecting and conserving our history/heritage. It has lost touch to those things that matter and make our lives richer and more into 'glamouring' the district for potential business opportunities.
Do you support local Councils retaining development approval powers for projects over $3m in value?
This is something I have not heard about, and would definitely need to know more about before making any definitive comments, but I do believe Council's have obligations and responsibilities to its residents to know what development does take place and decides if it is appropriate within its boundaries.
Do you have any other thoughts about the protection of heritage in your Council area?
A committee for Heritage and Tourism with all relevant stakeholders as members to report to Council. Assistance in obtaining funds and grants to improve significant sites.