Apply to carry out works to an item on the state heritage register or under an interim heritage order

To cut red tape and reduce assessment times, the Heritage Council of NSW has delegated a range of functions to the City of Sydney.

When you need to do this

If your item is on the state heritage register, in a state heritage conservation area or under an interim heritage order, you’ll need to lodge a works application under section 60 of the Heritage Act 1977.

You can also apply for a modification of approval under section 65a if you were the original applicant of the works application.

What you need to do

Check if you need to lodge an application

We accept Section 60 applications to carry out works to minor or major works to state heritage items or other sites within state heritage conservation areas in the City of Sydney’s area that don’t qualify for a site-specific or standard exemption under section 57(2) of the Heritage Act 1977.

Applications for a section 60 must be lodged with the City of Sydney:

where the City of Sydney assessed and determined an integrated development application on behalf of the Heritage Council of NSW
before lodging any heritage works confirmation applications for minor works under the Sydney LEP 2012, where those works aren’t exempt under section 57(2) of the Heritage Act 1977.

If your works are likely to reach the material threshold and may impact state heritage significance, lodge your application directly with Heritage NSW. For more information, read the Heritage NSW material threshold policy.

Find the item on the state heritage inventory

Search the inventory to confirm the item is on the state heritage register or under an interim heritage order.

Some items have site-specific exemptions that can be found in the inventory listing.

Review the standard exemptions

Standard exemptions apply to all state heritage register or interim heritage items. This aims to make it easier for owners of heritage items to maintain their property.

Confirm the site is in our area

The item must be in the City of Sydney's boundaries to fall under our delegation.

Development applications
Get advice from the City of Sydney for your development
We can provide guidance for your proposed works.

Lodge your application

Applications under the City of Sydney delegation should be lodged online using our ePlanning service.

We no longer accept email applications using the Heritage NSW PDF forms.

Fees will apply.

Start your application

State heritage works applications

Complete the state heritage works application online for fast track and standard approvals. Our ePlanning smart form will guide you.

Fast track pathway

Fast track works approvals under section 60 apply to minor works.

To be eligible, the proposal must relate to works that:

will have little or no adverse impact on the heritage significance of the item
have an estimated cost under $150,000.

The fast track pathway can’t be used to obtain heritage approval following an integrated development application determination.

Standard pathway

Standard works approvals under section 60 are for activities and works that:

have or may have a moderate or greater impact on the heritage significance of the item in the opinion of the Heritage Council or its delegate
have an estimated cost over $150,000.

This is the pathway for heritage approvals following determination of an integrated development application.