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My place has been listed on the State Heritage Register

Listing on the State Heritage Register means that your place or object has been recognised as having particular significance to the people of NSW. It has been identified by the community as an important place that enriches our understanding of NSW's history.

More information on the item and its heritage significance can be found by searching the NSW heritage databases.

Financial assistance and support

If your property is listed on the State Heritage Register, you are eligible for funding and other support opportunities. This includes:

• free heritage advisory services through your local council. Most councils in NSW have this service;
• 47% rebates on land tax and local rates to assist you to undertake conservation work;
• grants and interest free loans of up to $50,000 under our 2-year conservation work program;
• kick-start funding of up to $10,000 for groups running tax deductible fund raising appeals for major heritage projects;
• dollar-for-dollar grants of up to $2,500 for the preparation of conservation management plans.

Heritage Valuation

When a place is listed on the State Heritage Register, the Valuer General is automatically requested to make a heritage valuation for that item. In almost all cases this will result in lower council rates and land tax.

A heritage valuation is based on the existing use of the land rather than its zoned development potential. For example, a house would be valued as a dwelling house, even if that property is located in a commercial or residential flat zone. The greater the difference between the existing and zoned use, the greater the level of benefit for the owner.

Can I sell my property?

Yes. Listing on the State Heritage Register does not place any restriction on the sale or lease of a property.

Can I change or add to my property?

Yes. Listing a land or building on the State Heritage Register does not stop you from making changes to your property or undertaking additions or new work. The listing is simply a way to ensure that the new work or new use is compatible with, or complements, the heritage place.

If you are planning to undertake work or change the use of a place listed on the State Heritage Register, you will need to submit an integrated development application to your local council, or a section 60 application directly to the Heritage Council.

What about maintenance and repair work?

You do not need approval to carry out normal maintenance on a property listed on the State Heritage Register. Like-for-like repair work, such as the replacement of damaged roof slates, also does not require formal approval.

Standard Exemptions for Works Requiring Heritage Council Approval - download the Heritage Branch guideline for full details of these standard exemptions for items listed on the State Heritage Register.

In addition, the Minister can grant further exemptions from the need to obtain Heritage Council approval for specified activities to items listed on the State Heritage Register.

Good property management practices

Inspecting places regularly, and securing and protecting them against weather, fire and vandalism are prudent management practices for any property. These basic measures will also avoid expensive "deferred maintenance". The Heritage Act has identified these practices as the minimum standards required to ensure a property does not deteriorate.

Minimum Standards of Maintenance and Repair - download the guideline for more information on these minimum standards for places or objects listed on the State Heritage Register.

State Environmental Planning Policy (Seniors Living)

The State Environmental Planning Policy (Seniors Living) 2004 does not apply to land which is listed on the State Heritage Register.

Benefits for owners

The main reason people purchase heritage buildings is because they like them - for all sorts of reasons. But there are other benefits to owning a heritage place, ranging from potential savings to the everyday enjoyment of living or working in a special environment.

Heritage Listing: Benefits for Owners - download this brochure to find out more.

Free subscription for owners

You can subscribe for a free printed copy of Heritage NSW by emailing the Heritage Branch at heritage@planning.nsw.gov.au.