Heritage FAQ's
How do I know if my property is affected by a heritage listing?
The best way to identify whether your property is affected by a heritage listing is by obtaining Section 149 (zoning) certificate from the Council.
A Section 167 application to The Heritage Office, Department of Planning can be used to obtain can provide an evidentiary certificate stating whether a place is listed on the State Heritage Register. Please note that this form will not provide advice about whether a place is affected by a local or regional planning instrument.
What are the different types of heritage listing?
Places can be affected by heritage listings under one or more planning instruments including a Local Environmental Plan, a Regional Environmental Plan or the State Heritage Register.
The most common type of heritage listing in Blacktown City Council is listing on the Blacktown Local Environmental Plan 1988. A few places in Blacktown City Council area are also listed as heritage items on Regional Environmental Plans and on the State Heritage Register.
Places listed on a local environmental Plan or a Regional Environmental Plan are considered to be significant to the local community. Places listed on the State Heritage Register are recognised as being significant to the whole of New South Wales as well as to the local community.
Does a heritage listing mean that I cannot do anything with my house?
Heritage listings do not mean that you cannot do anything to your house.
Maintenance of heritage items and places in a conservation area does not require development consent providing no new materials are introduced as part of the maintenance work. i.e. roof tiles may be replaced with roof tiles that match the colour, finish and details of the existing roof tiles without development consent but cannot be replaced with metal sheet roofing without development consent.
Minor work to a heritage item or to a place in a conservation area or special character area might be considered to be exempt development in some circumstances. You will need to consult with Council's Heritage Advisor for advice on whether proposed work is considered to be maintenance or minor work that would be exempt from a development application.
Council does require that alterations and additions to a place that is listed as a heritage item are designed to be in keeping with, and sympathetic to the important features of the heritage item. Council's Heritage Advisor is available to discuss proposals for alterations and additions and other new development before they are submitted as a development application.
