Development at heritage sites

Under the Heritage Act 2004, the ACT Heritage Council makes sure that changes to heritage places do not reduce their heritage value.

If you are thinking about making changes to a heritage place, it is best to contact the ACT Heritage Council early. Early advice can help you avoid delays and extra costs later.

Penalties apply for unapproved works that reduce heritage significance.

Development or works that can impact heritage places

Development or works that may affect the cultural values of heritage places include:

• demolition
• building additions and alterations, earthworks, removing mature plants, re-landscaping, unapproved burning or land clearing
• a change in use of the land
• greenfield development, including new infrastructure
• archaeological excavation.

Approvals process

If you want to carry out work at a heritage place, you may need approval. There are two main pathways:

1. Development Application

   You must lodge a Development Application to the Territory Planning Authority, if the work needs approval under the Planning Act 2023.

2. Exempt Development

Some works may be exempt development. This means:

• the proposal meets planning rules.
• it does not conflict with the Heritage Act 2004.
• the ACT Heritage Council agrees to the works.

Applying for Heritage Council endorsement (Exempt Development)

Single Residential Development

The application process has changed for single residential developments on heritage-registered blocks.

• You must use the Heritage Clearance For Exempt Development Application form to apply.
• Email applications are no longer accepted for single residential development.

Other types of Exempt Development

For all other types of exempt development (not single residential) email your application to Heritage@act.gov.au if Heritage Council endorsement is required.

Changes to the Exempt Development Process

To make the process clearer and faster, changes have been made for heritage-registered residential blocks:

• Development proposals are grouped into three assessment tiers.
• Each tier has a set assessment time of 5 to 40 working days.
• Clear documentation requirements are listed for each tier in the Advisory Note.

For more detail, read the Advisory Note: Exempt Development at Heritage Properties.

You also need to follow all relevant guidelines in the Guide to Lodging Applications with the ACT Heritage Council for Development & Works [PDF 1.2 MB] and ACT Heritage Council policies.

Application checks and timeframes

All applications go through a completeness check first.

• The assessment does not begin until your application is complete and accepted.
• The advertised assessment timeframe (5 to 40 days) starts only after the application is complete.

Guidance on the approvals process

All development types

The Guide to Lodging Applications with the ACT Heritage Council for Development & Works [PDF 1.2 MB] explains the process and requirements for proposed development and works at heritage places and objects, and at greenfield sites.

Exempt residential approvals process

Detailed guidance on the exempt single residential development can be found in the Advisory Note: Exempt Development at Heritage Properties [PDF 4.1 MB].

• Every application must be placed in the correct tier.
• Use the documentation requirements in the Advisory Note to check what is required for your application based on the tier proposed.
• Application will go through a completeness check and assessment will not begin till the application is considered complete and accepted. The assessment time lines of 5 to 40 working days will commence only once the application is complete.
• All applications are required to be supported by a Letter of Lessee Authorisation [DOCX 109.8 KB].

Heritage Statements

Some applications must include a Heritage Statement Report.

• These reports must be prepared by an appropriately experienced person
• You must follow the guidelines and policies for your block
• Guidelines can be found in the ACT Heritage Register.

Guide to Lodging Applications with the ACT Heritage Council for Development & Works [PDF 1.2 MB] explains when a Heritage Statement is required and why it is needed. See Part A, Section 1, page 12.

Heritage Statement Templates

If your property is in one of the housing precincts below, use the matching template

• Heritage Statement Template – Alt Crescent Housing Precinct [Word 45.5 KB]
• Heritage Statement Template – Barton Housing Precinct [Word 46.0 KB]
• Heritage Statement Template – Blandfordia 4 Housing Precinct [Word 57.0 KB]
• Heritage Statement Template – Blandfordia 5 Housing Precinct [Word 46.3 KB]
• Heritage Statement Template – Braddon Housing Precinct [Word 47.4 KB]
• Heritage Statement Template – Corrobboree Housing Precinct [Word 46.6 KB]
• Heritage Statement Template – Forrest Housing Precinct [Word 45.4 KB]
• Heritage Statement Template – Hall Village Precinct [Word 36.1 KB]
• Heritage Statement Template – Kingston and Griffith housing Precinct [Word 47.8 KB]
• Heritage Statement Template – Redhill Housing Precinct [Word 34.5 KB]
• Heritage Statement Template – Reid Housing Precinct [Word 45.9 KB]
• Heritage Statement Template – Tocumwal Housing Precinct [Word 32.9 KB]
• Heritage Statement Template – Wakefield Gardens Housing Precinct [Word 46.6 KB]

If your block is not located in any of the above listed precincts or not a residential block or you are not proposing a single residential development the Heritage Statement Template – General [Word 28.7 KB] form should be used.

Statement of Heritage Effects

A Statement of Heritage Effects is different form a Heritage Statement. The Guide to Lodging Applications with the ACT Heritage Council for Development & Works [PDF 1.2 MB] explains in detail why and when a Statement of Heritage Effects application is required in section 2 page 13 of Part A. If you determine that such an application is required for your proposal the Statement of Heritage Effects Report Template [Word 32.7 KB] should be used.

Further advice on a proposed development or works

Heritage Advisory Service (HAS)

For preliminary heritage advice, contact HAS on 02 6295 3311. HAS is an independent service provided by Philip Leeson Architects on behalf of the ACT Government. HAS can assist with:

• identifying heritage requirements for your property
• advising on acceptable development
• providing architectural and materials advice.

HAS advice does not constitute formal approval under the Heritage Act.

ACT Heritage

If you need advice once you have prepared an application, email plans and documentation to heritage@act.gov.au, or call 13 22 81.

ACT Heritage Council processing delays

With a high number of submissions, there are current delays in processing applications. We aim to process enquiries and applications within the following timeframes:

• General enquiries about heritage status and requirements: 10 working days
• Statement of Heritage Effect Applications: 120 working days
• Work Proposals, including development or conservation works: 5–40 working days
• Cultural Heritage Assessment Reports: 100 working days
• Restricted Information Applications: 60 working days
• Excavation Permit Applications: 120 working days
• Conservation Management Plan Applications: 180 working days

Urgent applications

Please advise if your application is about public safety or urgent conservation requirements.

Contact