Heritage assistance and benefits

We provide a free heritage advisory service to owners of heritage items and properties in conservation areas.

Our Heritage Advisor can give information and advice about:

• whether changes to heritage properties need Council approval
• whether the changes are likely to be supported by Council
• what information will be required to accompany a development application.

Owners are encouraged to meet with our Heritage Advisor before lodging a development application.

Note that detailed design is not part of this service and owners should consult appropriate professionals if this is required.

Book an appointment

To make an appointment with our Heritage Advisor, call our Development and Traffic Services Unit, on (02) 9806 5559.

We may waive development application fees for work on privately owned heritage properties where an application is only required because a property is heritage listed.

Statement of heritage impact

A 10% reduction in application fees may be granted when a statement of heritage impact is required to accompany an application.

In certain circumstances, planning controls may be able to be relaxed if a heritage item is protected. For example, it may be possible for Council to give consent for an existing house to be used as small commercial offices or a gallery within a residential area even though the office or gallery may not be a permitted use in the land use zone.

It is important to note that Council will need to be satisfied that the conservation of the heritage item is helped by the granting of consent.

You must also meet a number of other tests, such as showing that the amenity of the area will not be affected by the proposal.

Details of planning concessions are set out in the various local environmental plans.

Heritage NSW has information on some benefits of heritage listing, including possible reductions in Council rates and land tax.