Heritage and Development

Inner West Council is unique and rich with a diverse range of heritage sites and properties that contribute to the heritage significance of the Local Government Area (LGA).

Heritage significance means that the building and/or site has special historical, scientific, cultural, social, archaeological, architectural, natural or aesthetic value.

Heritage sites can be classified as:

Heritage item - can be the main building, other built structures, landscapes, trees etc. which are listed for their heritage significance. Items may be Local or State heritage listed.
Heritage Conservation Area (HCA) – the subject site contributes to the collective significance and value of the area.
Archaeological heritage site – a site which contains ‘relics’
Aboriginal place of heritage significance

If land has been identified as any of the above, then special heritage planning controls will apply to all development on that land.

Does my property have heritage significance?

All sites of heritage significance within the Inner West are listed under Schedule 5 of the Inner West Local Environmental Plan 2022.

You can also find out if a site has heritage value using the following:

Can I make changes to a site of heritage significance?

Before you undertake any works to a site with heritage significance, you will need to determine if any approvals are required. Depending on the type of heritage significance, some works can be undertaken as Exempt Development under the State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008 (Codes SEPP) and Schedule 2 of the Inner West Local Environmental Plan 2022. Please see the Are any approvals required page for further information on Exempt development.

However, if the works alter external or internal built elements, you will need to seek consent for the works. This is to ensure that changes are in keeping with the style of the building and do not result in adverse impacts to the building and the streetscape.

There are three main pathways for consent:

Heritage Exemption Certificates
Development Applications
Complying Development Certificates

Before commencing any works, contact Councils Duty Planning Service to seek advice on whether consent is required or not.

Heritage Exemption Certificate (HEC) for minor heritage works

Under Section 5.10(3) of the Inner West Local Environmental Plan 2022, Development consent is not required for certain works provided that Council advises the applicant in writing prior to the work being carried out that the proposed development:

i) is of a minor nature or is for the maintenance of the heritage item, Aboriginal object, Aboriginal place of heritage significance or archaeological site or a building, work, relic, tree or place within the heritage conservation area, and

ii) would not adversely affect the heritage significance of the heritage item, Aboriginal object, Aboriginal place, archaeological site or heritage conservation area, or

Council facilitates this through HEC applications which must be submitted for review by Councils Heritage and Urban Design Team.

Generally, works which may be supported under a HEC include:

Painting - repainting or re-rendering existing painted or rendered surfaces in a colour scheme appropriate for the area and the age of the building
Repointing – repairing brickwork or masonry
Repair works – including the replacement of deteriorated or damaged roofing or stormwater systems with like material
Conservation and maintenance work - essential maintenance work to heritage features
Fence repairs – not demolition or new construction
Tessellated tile repairs - to front verandahs and paths
Internal fabric repairs - timber floorboard repairs, replacement of damaged fabric
Verandah and balcony repairs
Timber window, door, and joinery repairs
Improving accessibility – installation of accessible handrails.

Please see the Lodging Applications Page for a step-by-step guide on how to lodge the application using Councils online self-service portal.

Your application should be accompanied by information about the works including photos, a description and if relevant, plans or sketches.

Please see Inner West Councils Fees and Charges policy for the current fee applicable to the application

When do I need a Development Application (DA)?

When works cannot be approved by a Heritage Exemption Certificate (HEC), they will require the lodgement of a development application (DA). See Councils DA Process Pages for more information on what is required and what to expect during the application process.

New alterations and additions to heritage properties should:

Be compatible with the existing building
Be sympathetic to the streetscape in terms of scale, form, character, materials and finishes.
The relevant objectives and controls within the Development Control Plan (DCP).

It is recommended that you undertake research into the history of the property to help understand what features are significant (See Councils heritage research guide).

Any DA for a property identified as a heritage item must be accompanied by a Heritage Impact Statement (HIS) and Council may also request a HIS for sites in Heritage Conservation Areas (HCA) prior to granting consent. For items of State Significance or works to an item of Archaeological Heritage Item, a Conservation Management Plan (CMP) is required.

Complying Development Certificates (CDC) within HCAs

In some circumstances within a Heritage Conservation Area (HCA), consent can be given via a Complying Development Certificate (CDC) for certain works subject to compliance with the criteria within the State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008 (Codes SEPP). Please see the Are any approvals required page for further information on complying development.

CDCs can be approved by a Private Building Certifier or Councils Building Certification Team whose contact details are HERE if you have an enquiry.

Tree Removal

Development consent is required for works to trees (removal and pruning) on sites of heritage significance.

Only some minor tree works can be completed as exempt works (no formal consent required). Please find further information on the Trees on you Property page.

The following documents must be submitted with Development Applications (DA) for tree works and are available under the building and development forms:

Development Application Form
Statement of Environmental Effects – Trees

Visit the Lodging Applications Page to find out how to lodge a development application.

Solar Panels

Depending on the proposed location of the solar panels, in some circumstances solar installation on a property which has heritage significance can be completed as exempt development, which does not require planning approval. See the page below for detailed information on where solar panels can be installed as exempt development and what is required for a development application (DA) when you cannot met the exempt criteria.

Development Approvals for Solar

Sustainable heritage buildings guide

In August 2024, the NSW Government released the Sustainable heritage building guide to support owners in transitioning buildings to be more energy efficient, especially for sites with heritage significance. This guide presents various methodologies and interventions which can be explored to improve building sustainability while protecting heritage significance and benefiting off the existing embodied energy invested in their structures. You can access the guide below:

Sustainable heritage buildings guide | NSW Environment and Heritage