Under the Heritage Act 2004, the ACT Heritage Council ensures that changes to heritage places do not reduce heritage significance.

Development or works that may affect the cultural values of heritage places include:

  • demolition
  • building additions and alterations, earthworks, removing mature plants, re-landscaping, unapproved burning or land clearing
  • a change in use of the land
  • greenfield development, including new infrastructure
  • archaeological excavation

Find out about requirements for development and works at heritage places and objects, and at greenfield site

The Guide to Lodging Applications with the ACT Heritage Council for Development & Works [PDF 1.2 MB] explains the process and requirements for proposed development and works.

Find out about heritage places or objects

When considering a development, you should:

  • check if a place or object is afforded protection by the Heritage Act, by checking the ACT Heritage Register and Heritage map on ACTmapi
  • get a copy of the Heritage Register entry and heritage guidelines, which set out heritage requirements that may affect proposed development (such as alterations, additions, new buildings, demotion, landscaping, site coverage and setbacks)
  • get a copy of the Conservation Management Plan for the place if applicable
  • consider getting specialist advice when still deciding on your proposal, such as from the Heritage Advisory Service or from heritage consultants
  • seek advice about whether the proposed activity will require Heritage Act approval or development approval
  • seek advice about whether the proposal will be consistent with the heritage values of the place by emailing heritage@act.gov.au

More information

Find out more about Development at heritage sites.