Government agencies have responsibilities under Section 170 of the Heritage Act 1977 (NSW). Section 170 requires agencies to identify, conserve and manage heritage assets owned, occupied or managed by that agency.
Section 170 requires government agencies to keep a register of heritage items, which is called a Heritage and Conservation Register or more commonly, a S.170 Register. A S.170 register is a record of the heritage assets of a government agency.
A S.170 register consists of a list of heritage assets and an assessment of the significance of each asset. It may also include a thematic history of the agency.
The register identifies buildings, but may also include natural, movable and Aboriginal heritage.
S.170 registers are prepared on the Heritage Branch's free database software and form part of the State Heritage Inventory. State significant items identified in a S.170 register are considered for listing on the State Heritage Register. Over 780 State significant items are currently listed on the State Heritage Register.
The progress of agencies in preparing registers and managing their heritage assets is monitored by the Heritage Council.
S.170 Registers are submitted to the Heritage Council of NSW for endorsement.
To view an example of a government agency's Heritage and Conservation Register follow this link to the Roads and Traffic Authority's website.
For more information on your responsibilities as heritage managers of government-owned assets contact Tim Smith, Senior Heritage Officer of the Listings Team:
email tim.smith@planning.nsw.gov.au
State Government & Heritage
