Heritage Standards for the Mount Schank, Mount Gambier Thugi / Cave Garden and Civic Centre, and Mount Gambier Volcanic Complex State Heritage Areas

Have your say on the draft Heritage Standards for the Mount Schank, Mount Gambier Thugi / Cave Garden and Civic Centre, and Mount Gambier Volcanic Complex State Heritage Areas.

What's being decided?

We’re seeking community feedback on the draft Heritage Standards for three State Heritage Areas to ensure future development respects the heritage values of the areas. The three State Heritage Areas are:

  • Mount Schank
  • Mount Gambier Thugi / Cave Garden and Civic Centre
  • Mount Gambier Volcanic Complex.

Once approved, the final Heritage Standards will be used by Heritage South Australia to guide development decisions in the State Heritage Areas. Your feedback will help inform the final Heritage Standards.

Background

We’re developing Heritage Standards for all South Australian State Heritage Areas to ensure that each area has a standard that is fit for purpose, consistent with the Planning and Design Code and reflects each area’s Statement of Heritage Significance.

Mount Schank is a rare example of volcanic activity in recent geological time and was declared a State Heritage Area in 1992. It is significant for representing one of the most recent occurrences of volcanic activity on mainland Australia.

The Mount Gambier Thugi / Cave Garden and Civic Centre is a major landmark to the town of Mount Gambier and was declared a State Heritage Area in 2001. The area consists of mid-late 1800s and early 1900s buildings and structures that surround the Cave Garden. The area demonstrates the development of the town and the natural beauty afforded to Mount Gambier.

The Mount Gambier Volcanic Complex was declared a State Heritage Area in 1992 as an example of one of two of the youngest volcanic eruption centres in Australia. The Mount Gambier Lakes Area, and in particular the Blue Lake, is also significant as an important tourist destination since the 1880s.

Each Heritage Standard includes:

  • a description of the heritage features of the State Heritage Area
  • principles guiding how the heritage values of properties, open spaces and the character of the area can be managed.

The Heritage Standards will:

  • guide Heritage South Australia when assessing development applications that may impact on the heritage values of the area
  • provide advice to property owners planning to restore, alter or develop their property within the State Heritage Area.

Get involved

Find out more:

If you want more information, you can:

Have your say by:

  • taking our survey
  • emailing a submission to DEW.StateHeritageDA@sa.gov.au
  • posting a written submission to:
    Department for Environment and Water
    Heritage South Australia
    GPO Box 1047 ADELAIDE SA 5001

Please note: We may make your submission publicly available on the Department for Environment and Water’s website unless you indicate on your submission that you wish it to remain confidential. Surveys do not identify individuals however text responses may be made publicly available. Any responses that are made on a confidential basis may still be subject to access under Freedom of Information laws.

What are the next steps?

We will consider your feedback in finalising the draft Heritage Standards for the Mount Schank, Mount Gambier Thugi / Cave Garden and Civic Centre, and Mount Gambier Volcanic Complex State Heritage Areas. They will help ensure development in the area protects the identified heritage values.

We will submit the final drafts, including feedback, to the Chief Executive, Department for Environment and Water.

We will publish the Heritage Standards on the Department for Environment and Water website and this page, along with a consultation report. It will guide development in the State Heritage Areas, under the Planning and Design Code.

Photo credit: South Australian Tourism Commission/Adam Bruzzone

Have your say on the draft Heritage Standards for the Mount Schank, Mount Gambier Thugi / Cave Garden and Civic Centre, and Mount Gambier Volcanic Complex State Heritage Areas.

What's being decided?

We’re seeking community feedback on the draft Heritage Standards for three State Heritage Areas to ensure future development respects the heritage values of the areas. The three State Heritage Areas are:

  • Mount Schank
  • Mount Gambier Thugi / Cave Garden and Civic Centre
  • Mount Gambier Volcanic Complex.

Once approved, the final Heritage Standards will be used by Heritage South Australia to guide development decisions in the State Heritage Areas. Your feedback will help inform the final Heritage Standards.

Background

We’re developing Heritage Standards for all South Australian State Heritage Areas to ensure that each area has a standard that is fit for purpose, consistent with the Planning and Design Code and reflects each area’s Statement of Heritage Significance.

Mount Schank is a rare example of volcanic activity in recent geological time and was declared a State Heritage Area in 1992. It is significant for representing one of the most recent occurrences of volcanic activity on mainland Australia.

The Mount Gambier Thugi / Cave Garden and Civic Centre is a major landmark to the town of Mount Gambier and was declared a State Heritage Area in 2001. The area consists of mid-late 1800s and early 1900s buildings and structures that surround the Cave Garden. The area demonstrates the development of the town and the natural beauty afforded to Mount Gambier.

The Mount Gambier Volcanic Complex was declared a State Heritage Area in 1992 as an example of one of two of the youngest volcanic eruption centres in Australia. The Mount Gambier Lakes Area, and in particular the Blue Lake, is also significant as an important tourist destination since the 1880s.

Each Heritage Standard includes:

  • a description of the heritage features of the State Heritage Area
  • principles guiding how the heritage values of properties, open spaces and the character of the area can be managed.

The Heritage Standards will:

  • guide Heritage South Australia when assessing development applications that may impact on the heritage values of the area
  • provide advice to property owners planning to restore, alter or develop their property within the State Heritage Area.

Get involved

Find out more:

If you want more information, you can:

Have your say by:

  • taking our survey
  • emailing a submission to DEW.StateHeritageDA@sa.gov.au
  • posting a written submission to:
    Department for Environment and Water
    Heritage South Australia
    GPO Box 1047 ADELAIDE SA 5001

Please note: We may make your submission publicly available on the Department for Environment and Water’s website unless you indicate on your submission that you wish it to remain confidential. Surveys do not identify individuals however text responses may be made publicly available. Any responses that are made on a confidential basis may still be subject to access under Freedom of Information laws.

What are the next steps?

We will consider your feedback in finalising the draft Heritage Standards for the Mount Schank, Mount Gambier Thugi / Cave Garden and Civic Centre, and Mount Gambier Volcanic Complex State Heritage Areas. They will help ensure development in the area protects the identified heritage values.

We will submit the final drafts, including feedback, to the Chief Executive, Department for Environment and Water.

We will publish the Heritage Standards on the Department for Environment and Water website and this page, along with a consultation report. It will guide development in the State Heritage Areas, under the Planning and Design Code.

Photo credit: South Australian Tourism Commission/Adam Bruzzone

Page last updated: 07 Jul 2025, 11:16 AM