MORE than 100 buildings in Hobsons Bay have been removed from the council’s heritage list, prompting concern that Williamstown’s character could be affected.

A review of the council’s heritage list that began in 2006 has found that 118 properties did not meet the council’s heritage requirements.

The review was undertaken independently of Heritage Victoria, but based on criteria and procedures supported by it.

Preserve Old Williamstown president Patsy Toop said to take more buildings off the list would “destroy the inherent fabric of the region”.

She is now worried that the group wasn’t consulted in the final draft.

“In terms of the transparency of the project, I‘m a little concerned because I don’t know whether we’re comparing apples with apples,” she said.

“I’m confident that there have been changes made that we have not seen.”

Hobsons Bay council has identified an additional six properties since Preserve Old Williamstown studied the review.

The council said they were not shown the review because the buildings were non-contributory in nature or had been demolished.

The initial Hobsons Bay Heritage Study 2006 attempted to identify and protect properties and ensure appropriate alterations, additions and in-fill developments occur.

Hobsons Bay Council initially identified 3000 properties for its heritage list.

The council’s Planning and Environment director Peter Gaschk said the integrity of the list was important when presenting information to VCAT in relation to planning approvals and applications.

The heritage study identified over 200 individually significant heritage places and 33 heritage precincts.

There were about 40 heritage precincts identified in the Hobsons Bay municipality, seven of these that did not have Heritage Overlays.

The council said local heritage group Preserve Old Williamstown supported the concept of amending the Hobsons Bay Heritage Study and Planning Scheme to preserve its accuracy and integrity.

But Ms Toop called for one heritage overlay across Williamstown.

“That’s a very hotch-potch, polka-dot preservation for heritage in our area,” she said.