Local government

Local heritage places and areas are managed by local councils and are protected by being listed in a council's Development Plan.

A Development Plan may designate a place as being of local heritage value if it satisfies one or more of these criteria from the Development Act 1993:

it displays historical, economic or social themes that are of importance to the local area
it represents customs or ways of life that are characteristic of the local area
it has played an important part in the lives of local residents
it displays aesthetic merit, design characteristics or construction techniques of significance to the local area
it is associated with a notable local personality or event
it is a notable landmark in the area
in the case of a tree (without limiting a preceding paragraph) - it is of special historical or social significance or importance within the local area.

In managing local heritage places, councils are responsible for:

Heritage surveys

Local councils engage qualified consultants to survey their council area. They identify places of local heritage significance, potential historic (conservation) zones/policy areas and other items. Surveys are often carried out in conjunction with DENR and also identify potential state heritage places. More about heritage surveys (39kb pdf).

Heritage plan amendment reports

Local councils conduct heritage plan reports to amend their Development Plans. This formalises the protection of identified state and local heritage places, historic (conservation) zones/policy areas, and other items.

Development assessment

Under a council's statutory role as planning authority, they apply the relevant sections of the Development Act and Development Regulations, as well as heritage conservation policy, in their Development Plan.

Enquiries about local heritage listing should be addressed to the relevant council.