Heritage Guidelines

Statement of Heritage Impact

When you are proposing to change an old place you may need to prepare a statement of heritage impact. The statement explains how your changes to that place will maintain what makes the place special. The statement will also present your case to Council to approve changes to an old place.

A statement of heritage impact may be required for changes proposed to:

  1. a heritage item listed on the local environmental plan (LEP);
  2. places located within a heritage conservation area;
  3. places nearby to a heritage item or older buildings in a heritage conservation area;
  4. unlisted properties that are over 50 years of age and considered to be of heritage significance; or
  5. demolish a building which contributes to the heritage significance of the Bathurst Region.
  6. Where Council is of the opinion that the proposal may impact on the significance of that building or site or its streetscape or setting the statement will be required to assess the extent to which the carrying out of the proposal would affect the heritage significance of the property concerned.

Council has prepared a template guide to assist in the preparation of statements of heritage impact.

The NSW Heritage Division's Statement of Heritage Impact guidelines can be downloaded here.

Heritage Interpretation Strategy

Heritage Interpretation may be required:

  • To attract visitors.
  • For educational and recreational purposes.
  • When the use changes or when works are undertaken. This usually occurs as part of the development application process.
  • For landscapes, so people can appreciate the significance of the place.

The aim of interpretation is to tell the stories about what makes a place significant. A Heritage Interpretation Plan aims to guide the development of what stories to tell and in what format will reach the most audience.

The following resources can assist in developing your Heritage Interpretation Strategy

Heritage Interpretation Plan Template
Interpretation Planning Flow Chart
National Trust ‘Sharing our Stories’
NSW Heritage Office ‘Interpreting Heritage Places and Items Guidelines’

Construction Heritage Management Plan

When undertaking development in areas of high or moderate archaeological potential such as those areas indicated on Map 35 of Bathurst Regional Development Control Plan, Council may request a Construction Heritage Management Plan to be submitted.

Demolition Guidelines

In accordance with Section 10.3 of Bathurst Regional Development Control Plan 2014, Council consent is required prior to demolition where a building is:

  • within a heritage conservation area,
  • listed as a heritage item under the LEP,
  • included in the Bathurst Region Heritage Study, or
  • over 50 years of age for which demolition is not exempt development.

A Development Applications involving the demolition of a building which contributes to the heritage significance of the Bathurst Region is to be supported by:

  • A Statement of Heritage Significance which includes a Structural Assessment to ascertain the structural and constructional integrity of the building with a view to determining the extent and cost of remedial work that is considered either essential or desirable if the building is retained.
  • Details of the infill development and compliance with the relevant sections of the DCP.

The Residential and Commercial Infill forms below will need to accompany the Development Application for demolition of a building within a heritage conservation area.

  • Residential Infill Application Form - Within the Conservation Area of Bathurst and the historic villages, all infill development must complement and enhance the local character by relating to the predominant scale, massing, colours and materials of the area. This does not mean a developer must mimic the buildings nearby, it is acceptable to relate to the above factors, and yet produce a contemporary design.
  • Commercial Infill Application Form - Within the Conservation Area of Bathurst and the historic villages, all infill development must complement and enhance the local character by relating to the predominant scale, massing, colours and materials of the area. This does not mean a developer must mimic the buildings nearby, it is acceptable to relate to the above factors, and yet produce a contemporary design.
  • Photographic Recording Guidelines - These guidelines provide guidance for the photographic recording of historic sites for which approval has been granted for demolition.