Perth Voice Interactive

ASTOR THEATRE owner Bruno Zimmermann has the Alanis Morissette lament Ironic swirling through his head.

Stirling city council is set to hand owners of heritage-listed properties a rates concession, but the Astor is in the section of Mt Lawley that shifts to Bayswater in council mergers in July.

Bayswater offers heritage grants of up to $4000, but no rates concessions.

“Ever since I took over the Astor 18 years ago I have been asking Stirling for a concession in rates,” Mr Zimmermann sighs. “Now they do it when I’m moving shires—it’s too little, too late. It’s very expensive to own a heritage-listed property because of all the restrictions and special regulations you have to abide by when doing any changes or developments.”

Stirling officers calculate 39 heritage-listed properties will remain in the city’s boundaries following mergers.

The city is considering a 50 per cent rates concession for residential heritage-listed properties and a lesser concession for commercial properties. The concession is subject to council budget approval. It will be reviewed after a two-year trial.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK