Heritage properties

Converge Heritage and Community were engaged by Council to undertake a Heritage Study in late 2014. This study identified a comprehensive list of local heritage places across the region. The completed Heritage Study can be found here(PDF, 523KB).

This study led to the initial listing of 69 local heritage places into the planning scheme.

Stage 2 of the Heritage Study was undertaken in 2016. As a result of this work, 10 additional local heritage places were included within the planning scheme as part of a major amendment which was adopted by Council 21 January 2020.

Additional places of local heritage significance will be investigated over time to determine whether their significance warrants management through the planning scheme.

Residents are able to request the investigation of additional heritage places by contacting Council’s Regional Growth and Development team.

The General Exemption Certificate (GEC)(PDF, 515KB) is a document which provides upfront permission for owners of a local heritage place to undertake certain maintenance and minor work necessary to keep these properties in active use and good condition.

This means that works covered under this GEC does not require the lodgement of a development application with Council for assessment against the Heritage and neighbourhood character overlay code.  

The GEC applies to all local heritage places identified within the Heritage and neighbourhood character overlay of Council’s Planning Scheme.  

Only works strictly carried out in accordance with the conditions and limitations of the GEC document are permitted under this exemption.

Please note that this GEC does not exempt any other type of development which may be triggered by the Planning Scheme, Planning Regulation 2017, or the Building Act 1975.

If you are unsure whether your proposal can qualify for the GEC, please contact a duty planner within Council's Regional Growth and Development team.

View the General Exemption Certificate document(PDF, 515KB)

What type of works are covered under this GEC?

Below are some examples of works that may qualify for the GEC provided that the works meets relevant conditions and limitations of the document:

• Minor repairs to a local heritage place (e.g., minor repair or replacement of damaged or deteriorated material, minor repair or propping of structural elements, replacement of damaged or deteriorated timber, steel or concrete stumps).
•  Low-impact installation of services in unobtrusive locations (e.g., some types of air conditioning systems, water tanks, fire services, security cameras).
• Some interior alterations (e.g., changes to non-significant internal fit-outs, installation of lightweight partitions to building interiors).
• Pruning of significant trees and vegetation. 

Please refer to the GEC document to understand the works covered under this exemption, as well as the conditions and limitations that apply.  

Does my proposal qualify for the GEC? 

To find out whether your proposal can fit within the General Exemption Certificate:

1. Check whether your property is identified as a local heritage place within Schedule 2 (Mapping) of the planning scheme or by using Council’s interactive mapping system.
2. Understand the cultural heritage significance of the place to inform how works are planned and undertaken. There are local heritage place cards which provide a citation for each property including the historical context, physical description and statements of its heritage significance. These place cards can be found in Appendix SC6.2A of Schedule 6.2 – Planning Scheme Policy for Heritage and Neighbourhood Character (or can be accessed via the interactive mapping system).
3. Identify whether the proposed work is a development type that is listed in Column 1 of the tables in Section 5 of the GEC document.
4. Determine whether the proposed works can comply with the General Conditions in Section 4 of the GEC document, as well as the Conditions in Column 2 of the tables under each category of development, in Section 5. Works that can comply with the relevant conditions and limitations established within Section 4 and Section 5 of this document qualify for this General Exemption.

Note - Works that are assessable development and not listed in Tables 1 – 4 or works that do not comply with the limitations and conditions of this General Exemption Certificate may require Council approval via a development application or a Heritage Exemption Certificate.   

A Heritage Exemption Certificate (HEC) provides a streamlined application and approval process for low-impact development on a local heritage place that only affects the heritage values in a minor way.

Under the following circumstances, a HEC may be issued for development on a local heritage place:  

• Where the works will not have a detrimental impact, or will only have a minimal detrimental impact, on the cultural heritage significance of the place; or
•  Where the works is permitted under a heritage agreement. 

Prior to lodging the application, it is recommended that you contact a duty planner within Council’s Regional Growth and Development team to confirm whether the proposed works qualifies for a HEC and receive guidance about any supporting information required to accompany your application. 

You can also request to receive formal pre-lodgement advice prior to lodging your application. Information about pre-lodgement services is provided here.

View Application Form

What is the application process for a HEC?

An application for a Heritage Exemption Certificate must be completed using the prescribed application form and be accompanied by the supporting information listed on the form (i.e., scaled site plan, recent photographs of the local heritage place).

Technical reports or other information may also be required to allow Council to assess whether the proposal will have no more than a minor detrimental impact on the heritage values of the place. You may need to seek specialist advice (e.g., heritage consultant, qualified tradesperson with specialised experience in heritage conservation).

To apply for a HEC, you must be either:

• the owner of the local heritage place; or
• with the owner’s consent, another person who has interest in the place.  

Once the application is lodged, Council may request further information within 10 business days where required to decide the application. 

Where there is sufficient information, or once the applicant has provided the requested information, Council will then assess and decide the application within 20 business days.

 Where information is requested and the applicant does not provide this information within 60 business days, the application is taken to be withdrawn.

A decision about the application will be provided to the applicant through:

• An approval with conditions and timeframes for completion of the works; or
• A refusal including reasons for the decision.  

What type of works are covered under this HEC?

The HEC covers low-impact development on a local heritage place that only affects the heritage values in a minor way

Some examples of proposed works that may be suitable for the HEC are provided below:

• Conservation works such as maintenance and repairs using traditional materials and techniques (e.g., re-roofing a local heritage place with a roof that matches the existing in material, profile, finish, dimensions and fixing method).
• Works involving only minor changes to significant features and fabric.
• New building work that does not impact on significant features and heritage values.
• Changes to recent interiors or previously modified interiors of a local heritage place.
• Removal of a significant tree due to its irreversible health or hazardous nature (must be accompanied by a formal report from an appropriately qualified arborist).
• Upgrading or installing new services in unobtrusive locations with minimal impact on significant features.

What types of works are not covered under this HEC?

Some examples of types of development not covered under the HEC are provided below:

• Changes to, or removal of, significant features, original fabric or heritage values.
• Changes to the appearance of a significant building.
• Extensive building works and repairs.
• Upgrade or installation of services in visually obtrusive areas, or that result in changes to significant features of the local heritage place. 
• Major works, demolition or other more complex types of development on a local heritage place (e.g., reconfiguring a lot, material change of use) that require assessment under the Planning Scheme. 

Works that will have more than a minor detrimental impact on the heritage values of a local heritage place are not eligible to apply under this Heritage Exemption Certificate, instead requiring a development application to be lodged with Council providing assessment against the Heritage and neighbourhood character overlay code within the Planning Scheme.