The state government has approved an Alexandrina Council-initiated Code Amendment that applies added protection to the heritage of the river port town of Milang.

The Milang Local Heritage Code Amendment went to public consultation last year and was recently endorsed by the Minister for Planning, Nick Champion. 

Minister Champion granted approval to the council over a year ago to initiate the Code Amendment after comprehensive research revealed many of the residential and civic buildings constructed in Milang between the 1850s and 1900 – when the River Murray was a major trade route - remained intact.

The town has a small number of State Heritage-listed buildings, but no Local Heritage buildings or places have ever been listed.

The council’s Milang Local Heritage Code Amendment now lists several buildings, places and items, and establishes a Historic Area Overlay to protect the substantial heritage in this lakeside town.

“Protecting and promoting Alexandrina’s history is a priority for our council, and Milang is one of our towns that still retains much of its early architecture and this heritage contributes invaluably to the character of the town,” says Alexandrina Mayor Keith Parkes.

“The early character of Milang is evident in its original subdivision pattern and surrounding parklands, and the historic buildings which remain from the 1850s to the early 1900s when Milang was a town for the district and a thriving port for the growing River Murray trade.

“This main period of development in Milang has left a rich legacy of buildings, including prominent public buildings and churches and many private residences of varying degrees of scale and detail, which create the town’s heritage character."

Minister Champion says Milang had a rich history and that can still be seen today, with a number of buildings a reminder of the original township.

“Any future development should complement and celebrate these historic areas and buildings,” he says.

“This Code Amendment will ensure Milang’s distinctive character can continue to be enjoyed into the future with the Historic Area Overlay to protect the substantial heritage

in the lakeside town.”

According to Alexandrina Council, Milang was first surveyed in 1853 and in the ensuing decade, two hotels, a jetty, a steam mill, a store, a chapel and a post office and many homes were built.

With the advent of the railway, and the difficulties of safely navigating the Murray Mouth, the height of the River Murray trade had passed by the 1920s.

From the early days, the town has been involved in tourism, including cruising and regattas on the lake and River Murray, and the development of a caravan park and, in the early 20th century, shacks on the foreshore.

For further information about heritage in Alexandrina visit the council website.