Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage

🔎 HERITAGE HIGHLIGHT 🔎

Standing strong since the gold rush days, the former Menzies Post Office is more than just a building – it’s a reminder of how people stayed connected in one of WA’s toughest and most remote regions. Built in 1896, this iron clad icon served miners, families and pastoral stations at a time when letters and telegrams were considered lifelines, not luxuries. 📬

Designed under the direction of renowned architect George Temple Poole, the post office reflects the ingenuity of Goldfields architecture, using corrugated iron that could be transported by camels across harsh desert terrain. It also carries the stories of postal workers who endured long hours and harsh conditions to keep the community connected. 💛

While it no longer operates as a post office today, the building remains a rare and important part of Menzies’ heritage and a quiet reminder of the resilience of this Goldfields community. 🏛️

Did you know we offer free interpreting and translating services to help you communicate with us? 🗣️

Support is available for people who are Deaf or hard of hearing, people with disability that affects communication, Aboriginal people who speak English as a second language, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

We are committed to accessible and inclusive services for everyone.

You can ask for support at any time. Find out more ➡️
https://www.wa.gov.au/government/document-collections/interpreting-and-translation-services-support

Built in 1901, the former Bank of Australasia, located at 18 High Street in Fremantle, stands proudly among its historic neighbours in the West End. With its bold stone façade and classical details, the building still carries the confidence and optimism of the gold rush era.🏛️

Step inside its story and you’ll find more than a bank. While ground floor housed the busy banking chamber, where fortunes were managed and futures planned, the upper floors served as the bank manager’s family home – reflecting a time when work and daily life were closely connected. 🔑

Today, this heritage place remains a familiar and comforting presence on High Street. Largely intact and full of character, the former Bank of Australasia continues to shape Fremantle’s strong sense of historic place. ❤️

EOI now open: Rockingham housing development opportunity 🏡

The State Government is inviting Expressions of Interest from the private sector to develop approximatley18ha of State-owned land in Rockingham, to deliver more homes, create jobs and support investment in the defence industry.

The EOI process will seek out responses from experienced developers to plan and deliver a range of housing and mixed-use outcomes for defence personnel and the community.

Located near the major defence investment area at Henderson Defence Precinct, along with planned Western Trade Coast expansion and the future Westport development, the site is well positioned to support jobs, population growth and long-term development in the region.

Developers – you’re invited to help shape Rockingham’s future, apply now via TendersWA ➡️ https://www.tenders.wa.gov.au/watenders/index.do
EOIs close at 4pm AWST on Friday, 3 July⏰

Six men. One risky escape. A ship waiting offshore. 🚢

150 years ago, Irish political prisoners held at Fremantle Prison made a bold break for freedom, slipping away from their work parties and racing south to meet the Catalpa, an American whaling ship bound for Boston, USA.

Their unforgettable story is being brought to life in a free outdoor exhibition at Fremantle Prison.

Flight of the Fenians: 150th anniversary of the Catalpa rescue
📅19 March – 1 November 2026
📍 Gardens at 14 The Terrace, in front of Fremantle Prison

For more information➡️https://fremantleprison.com.au/whats-on/flight-of-the-fenians-150th-anniversary-of-the-catalpa-rescue

🔎 HERITAGE HIGHLIGHT 🔎

Did you know the ABC Transmission Station at Minding helped connect the South West of WA to the rest of the nation? Built between 1935–36, this heritage listed site was purpose designed to broadcast radio across regional Western Australia. 📡

Raising above the surrounding farmland, the station is a striking example of Inter War Stripped Classical architecture and was once regarded the tallest and most powerful radio mast in Australia. Beyond its technical achievements, it served as a landmark and gathering point, symbolising progress, communication and resilience during challenging times. 🏛️

More than just infrastructure, it brought communities together through celebrations, emergency broadcasts, war and natural disasters. Today, it remains a reminder of how innovation shaped regional connection and identity in Western Australia. 🤝

The WA Planning Commission invites you to have your say on the proposed bulk earthworks in North East Baldivis Stage 2 🙋‍♀️

Located on St Albans Road and Telephone Lane, the Significant Development (Part 11B) proposal involves major earthworks to prepare a portion of the site for future urban development.

Share your thoughts by 7 June ➡️

https://haveyoursay.dplh.wa.gov.au/baldivisstage2earthworks

🚨 Calling all business owners in the South West and Lower Great Southern

The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage is undertaking its next Land Use and Employment Survey (LUES). We run this survey around every 5 years to support land use planning and help inform where people will live and work in the future.📍

Survey activity will take place across Albany, Bunbury and Busselton, and the shires of Augusta Margaret River, Boyup Brook, Bridgetown Greenbushes, Capel, Collie, Cranbrook, Dardanup, Denmark, Donnybrook Balingup, Harvey, Manjimup, Nannup and Plantagenet.

Trained Data Collection Officers may visit businesses located on commercial, industrial, public purpose and recreationally zoned land. All data collectors will carry relevant identification.

The short survey will ask about the type of business, the size of the premises and number of employees. Responses gathered will be collated and not identifiable to individual businesses.

If you have any queries about the survey or our data collectors, please email ➡️ [email protected]

As part of the Australian Heritage Festival, Fremantle Prison is hosting a compelling program of tours, exhibitions and behind-the-scenes experiences.

From prisoner-created artworks to powerful stories of escape and resilience, these events offer a unique window into life behind bars and shed light on the stories that have shaped the Prison.🔍

🗓️ Tours and exhibitions run April to May
📍 Fremantle Prison
🔗 More details, dates and bookings are available on our website. Key information is included in the tiles below ➡️ https://fremantleprison.com.au/whats-on/heritage-festival-special-tours-april-may-2026/

The WA Planning Commission invites you to have your say on the Draft Amendment No. 1 to the North Ellenbrook (East) District Structure Plan (DSP) 🙋

The draft Amendment identifies additional potential conservation areas and strategic transport network upgrades to provide enhanced guidance for local structure plans

Share your thoughts by 8 June 2026 ➡️ www.haveyoursay.dplh.wa.gov.au/neeastdspamend1