Heritage, in the form of local buildings, structures and places, plays an important role in our community. Heritage:
- Enhances our local character by providing a connection to the past.
- Provides current and future generations an opportunity to understand, appreciate and value the important aspects of our social and cultural heritage.
- Ensures our community's history and culture is preserved for future generations.
We have over 300 heritage items and 3 Heritage Conservation Areas (HCA) that are listed in Schedule 5 of Council’s Local Environmental Plans.
A Heritage Item can be a building, work, place, artefact, tree, object or archaeological site. Information about Heritage Items can be found within the State Heritage Inventory.
A Heritage Conservation Area (HCA) is a precinct, streetscape, suburb or group of buildings that have particular heritage values that give it a distinct identity worthy of preserving.
Our HCAs
Refer to our Heritage Conservation Area Assessment Guidelines under the Appendices of the Georges River Development Control Plan 2021 if you are thinking of making changes to your property.
When is a property exempt from requiring development consent? (Minor heritage works)
You may not need development consent (DA approval) if the work does not affect the heritage significance of a building, structure or place.
Clause 5.10(3)(a)(i) and (ii) of the Georges River Local Environmental Plan 2021 outlines what work may be carried out to heritage items or properties within HCAs without development consent. Examples include:
- Re-painting a building in an original or appropriate colour scheme.
- Repairing or replacing intrusive windows with appropriate timber framed windows.
- Restoring a verandah to its original detail.
The Development Consent Requirement Exemption Form must be submitted to Council for approval of minor heritage work.
Please seek advice from our Strategic Planning team before submitting your application. In some cases, approval under Part 5 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 may be required for the relevant works.
If your request is approved, you will receive written confirmation that your works do not need consent. The works must not commence until you receive this written confirmation.
Solar Panels
Under the State Environmental Planning Policy (Transport and Infrastructure) 2021 (SEPP), solar energy systems may be exempt development in certain circumstances. The requirements are set out in sections 2.20(2) and 2.41(4) of the SEPP.
If your solar energy system is NOT exempt development under the SEPP, solar panels will be supported in HCAs and to heritage items only where they:
- Are not expressly visible from the street.
- Do not involve the removal of important features.
You will need to submit the Development Consent Requirement Exemption Form to Council for approval.
Additional services offered by Council
Heritage Advisory Service
Our Strategic Planning team and Heritage Advisor can provide advice on maintenance, restoration and development proposals for a heritage item or property within a HCA.
Heritage Building Grants Program
This Program provides financial support to help conserve heritage listed buildings.
Owners of heritage listed buildings are eligible to apply for financial assistance for specific restoration or conservation works on their property. Heritage listed items are listed in Schedule 5, Part 1 of the Georges River Local Environmental Plan 2021.
Applications for the 2024-25 round of Heritage Building Grants are now closed. Successful and unsuccessful applicants will be advised of the outcome in early 2025.
For further information, please refer to the Heritage Building Grants Program Guidelines or contact us.
Register of Heritage Conservation Management Plans (CMP)
A heritage CMP is a document explaining the significance of a heritage item, including a heritage conservation area, and proposing policies to retain that significance. It can include guidelines for additional development or maintenance of the place.
More information can be found on our Register of Heritage Conservation Management Plans page.
Interim Heritage Orders
Useful Links
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