Heritage, in the form of local buildings, structures and places, plays an important role in our community and:

• Enhances our local character by providing a connection to the past
• Provides current and future generations an opportunity to understand, appreciate and value the important aspects of our social and cultural heritage
• Ensures our community's history and culture is preserved for future generations. 

We have over 300 heritage items and 3 Heritage Conservation Areas (HCA) that are listed in Schedule 5 of Council’s Local Environmental Plans.

A Heritage Item can be a building, work, place, artefact, tree, object or archaeological site. Information about Heritage Items can be found within the State Heritage Inventory.

A Heritage Conservation Area (HCA) is a precinct, streetscape, suburb or group of buildings that have particular heritage values that give it a distinct identity worthy of preserving.
 

Our HCAs include

• Penshurst Heritage Conservation Area
• O’Brien’s Estate Heritage Conservation Area
• Kogarah South Heritage Conservation Area.

Refer to our Heritage Conservation Area Assessment Guidelines under the Appendices of the Georges River Development Control Plan 2021 if you are thinking of making changes to your property.
 

When is a property exempt from requiring development consent? (Minor heritage works)

You may not need development consent (DA approval) if the work does not affect the heritage significance of a building, structure or place.

Clause 5.10(3)(a)(i) and (ii) of the Georges River Local Environmental Plan 2021 outlines what work may be carried out to heritage items or properties within HCAs without development consent, such as:

• Re-painting a building in an original or appropriate colour scheme;
• Repairing or replacing intrusive windows with appropriate timber framed windows;
• Restoring a verandah to its original detail; or
• Installation of solar panels that are not expressly visible from the street and do not involve the removal of important features. 

The Development Consent Requirement Exemption Form must be submitted to Council for approval of minor heritage work.

Please seek advice from our Strategic Planning team before submitting your application. In some cases, approval under Part 5 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 may be required for the relevant works.

If your request is approved, you will receive written confirmation that your works do not need consent. The works must not commence until you receive this written confirmation.
 

Additional services offered by Council

Heritage Advisory Service

Our Strategic Planning team and Heritage Advisor can provide advice on maintenance, restoration and development proposals for a heritage item or property within a HCA. 
 

Register of Heritage Conservation Management Plans (CMP)

A heritage CMP is a document explaining the significance of a heritage item, including a heritage conservation area, and proposing policies to retain that significance. It can include guidelines for additional development or maintenance of the place.

More information can be found on our Register of Heritage Conservation Management Plans page.
 

Heritage Building Grants Program

Council's Grants, Donations and Sponsorship Policy (2020) is due for review in April 2023. If you have any ideas about specific items in the Policy (which includes Heritage Building Grants) or general feedback, please visit the Your Say page. 

The Heritage Building Grants Program provides financial support to help conserve heritage listed buildings.
 
Owners of heritage listed buildings are eligible for financial assistance for specific restoration or conservation works on their property.

The 2021/22 Heritage Building Grants Program is now closed for submissions and applicants have been advised of the outcome. The next round of Heritage Building Grants is expected to be offered in the 2023/24 financial year (subject to budget). 
 
For further information, please refer to the Heritage Building Grants Program Guidelines or contact us. 
 

Interim Heritage Order over 28 Carlton Crescent Kogarah Bay (Lot 22, Section 15 DP 1963)

Council at its meeting held 22 May 2023 resolved to make an Interim Heritage Order over No. 28 Carlton Crescent Kogarah Bay (Lot 22, Section 15, DP1963) as the potential heritage item: 

a. Is likely to be of heritage significance;
b. Is under threat of demolition and unsympathetic alteration through any consent given to Development Application No. 2023/0025 lodged for the subdivision, demolition works and construction of new dwelling, outbuildings and ancillary works at No. 28 and 28A Carlton Crescent Kogarah Bay; and
c. Does not have statutory heritage protection under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 or the Heritage Act 1977.

The Interim Heritage Order (IHO) No. 2 over No. 28 Carlton Crescent Kogarah Bay was gazetted on 26 May 2023. The IHO will allow a detailed assessment of the heritage significance of No. 28 Carlton Crescent in accordance with the Heritage Council Guidelines.

 

Interim Heritage Orders over 80 Boronia Parade, Lugarno

Please refer to the Interim Heritage Orders over 80 Boronia Parade, Lugarno webpage for information. 
 

Useful Links

Heritage FAQ
Heritage Information Session Presentation Slides (2022)
Heritage Webinar Recording (2022)