Heritage
What is heritage?
Heritage is those items and places that are valued by the community and is conserved and preserved for future generations. People commonly equate heritage with historic buildings but the concept is much wider and includes items and places with natural heritage significance and Aboriginal heritage significance. Although these categories are covered by different pieces of legislation, in reality they often overlap.
Heritage values can be ranked at different scales from local to world significance. Individual items or places may be valued according to their rarity or because they are a particularly good example of their kind. Judging these qualities is inevitably subjective but professional guidelines are provided in the Australian Natural Heritage Charter and The Burra Charter: The Australia ICOMOS Charter for places of cultural significance.
Why does heritage matter?
Heritage is valued by the community because it provides links to the past and contributes to our sense of place. Heritage provides reference points in history, it illustrates natural processes, and it presents opportunities for education and research.
We all value places for different reasons and heritage is expressed in our collective sense of value. Heritage enriches our lives and the loss of any item makes us all poorer.
Heritage listings
Lachlan Shire Council has 1item of State significance and 31 items of local significance listed in the Lachlan Local Environmental Plan 2013. Properties that possess a unique historical, scientific, cultural, social, archaeological, architectural, natural or aesthetic value are recognised through heritage listing as being worthy of conservation and retention. A list of all items of Heritage in NSW can be viewed here: http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/heritagesearch.aspx
Heritage items are listed on the State Heritage Register if the item is of State heritage significance or in a Local Environmental Plan if the item is of local heritage significance. The only additional obligation which heritage listing imposes on property owners is to obtain Development Consent for some types of development that would otherwise not require consent.
What does the heritage listing of a property mean?
- Heritage significance is recognised by law.
- Brings greater certainty that future changes will be sympathetic.
- Physical changes may need approval.
- Conversion to new uses may need approval.
- Does not oblige owners to restore or open their place to the public.
- Owners can apply for heritage grants.
Local Heritage Grants
Lachlan Shire Council invites all to apply for a grant from our Local Heritage Fund to assist with conservation and restoration work. Applications, including quotations for the proposed work, close on Tuesday 19 October 2021.
The aim is to maintain, preserve or restore elements that contribute to the item’s heritage value. Council staff in consultation with Council’s Heritage Advisor are available to assist with colour schemes and provide free advice on proposed works.
This scheme rewards meritorious applications with a dollar for dollar grant that benefits the heritage of the Shire. Detailed guidelines and application forms are provided below:
LHF Guidelines 2021-2022
Application Form Local Heritage Fund 2021-2022
Applicants can contact Council’s Environment, Tourism and Economic Development Department on 6895 1953, to discuss the proposal and, if necessary arrange an inspection of the property by Council staff.
Heritage Advisory Service
The Heritage Advisory Service offers free professional advice from Council's Heritage Advisor, who visits Lachlan Shire Council for two days every second month.
Free advice is available to owners who want to renovate or redevelop private homes or commercial buildings. This advice can include the topics of colour scheme, extensions, verandahs, awnings and fences as well as more comprehensive advice on the integration of new development in older areas. The advice is of a general nature and should be considered as the starting point for more extensive work that may require an architect, builder or designer.
For more information, or to make an appointment, please contact Council’s Planning & Environment Department on (02) 6895 1950.
Heritage Advisory Committee
The Heritage Advisory Committee is to lead the development and delivery of a strategic focus, identification of opportunities for community inclusion, assessment of Council and community performance and financial outcomes of grants and identifying and development of strong community relationships across the Shire.
The Committee's functions are to advise and make recommendations to the Council.
Lachlan Heritage Strategy
This Heritage Strategy has been linked to Councils Community Strategic Plan (CSP) to allow for the community and Council to work together to achieve viable long term outcomes and to develop the community. Heritage is a link to our past and a link to our future.
