NSW Aboriginal Heritage Consulting

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Aboriginal Heritage Consulting

There is a requirement by many Local Municipal Councils across New South Wales for Aboriginal heritage assessments as part of the process when applying for a Development Application (DA). Typically, these requirements are stipulated in the council’s Development Control Plan (DCP) and Local Environment Plan (LEP).

An Aboriginal Heritage Due Diligence Assessment is also required as part of the Review of Environmental Factors (REF) in Part 5 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act). View our Aboriginal Heritage Due Diligence Assessment page for more information on REFs.

Aboriginal Heritage Due Diligence Assessment

A request by a Local Municipal Council for an Aboriginal Due Diligence Assessment (also known as a Preliminary Assessment; Preliminary Report; Aboriginal Archaeological Heritage Assessment; Indigenous Heritage and Archaeological Report or Desktop Assessment) can be made before or after a DA has been lodged. This can be part of a ‘Request for Information’ or as a ‘Conditions of Consent’.

Aboriginal Heritage Impact Assessment

In some circumstances, particularly if your development is in, or near, an area of Aboriginal heritage significance you may be requested to provide an Aboriginal Heritage Impact Assessment (AHIA) (also known as a Heritage Impact Statement (HIS) and Statement of Heritage Impact (SOHI)).

Municipal Councils

Here is a list of every Local Government Area (LGA) that we service in Greater Sydney. Click on your LGA to learn more about the Aboriginal heritage assessment service that we offer.

Do you need a heritage consultant?

Here’s an overview of heritage consulting in NSW:

Legislation and Regulatory Framework:

• The primary legislation governing heritage in NSW is the Heritage Act 1977. This Act establishes the framework for the identification, conservation, and protection of items of environmental heritage.
• The State Heritage Register lists items of state significance.
• Local councils also have local environmental plans (LEPs) which list locally significant heritage items and heritage conservation areas.

Role of Heritage Consultants:

• Heritage consultants provide specialist advice on the management, conservation, interpretation, and development of heritage places.
• They undertake heritage impact assessments, conservation management plans, interpretive strategies, and historical research.
• Heritage consultants help in navigating the regulatory process, ensuring developments and changes respect and preserve heritage value.

Key Tasks:

• Historical Research: Understanding the significance of the site or item by delving into its history.
• Heritage Assessments: Evaluating the potential impacts of a proposed development or change on a heritage item or area.
• Conservation Management Plans: These provide guidelines on how to manage and conserve heritage places.
• Liaising with Stakeholders: Working with government agencies, local councils, community groups, and property owners to find outcomes that respect heritage values.

Challenges in NSW:

• Balancing development pressures, especially in the state’s economic hubs, with the need to conserve heritage.
• Addressing and integrating the values and concerns of Indigenous communities regarding heritage places.
• Keeping up with changing community values and perceptions regarding what constitutes ‘heritage’.

Key Institutions:

• NSW Heritage Office: An office of the NSW Government responsible for heritage matters. They maintain the State Heritage Register and provide guidelines and resources.
• Heritage Council of NSW: Provides advice to the Minister on heritage matters and approves changes to listed items.
• Local Councils: Each local government area in NSW has its own approach to heritage, often with heritage advisors and lists of locally significant items.