Draft Local Heritage Policy and Heritage Design Guidelines

Council is updating our Local Heritage Policy and Heritage Design Guidelines to guide conservation and development in heritage areas. The updated local policy and guidelines will make expectations clearer for property owners, buyers, designers and Council planning officers when planning permit applications are considered for properties affected by a heritage overlay.

What do the draft local policy and guidelines cover?

  • Conservation, maintenance and repair
  • Demolition (including demolition by neglect)
  • Alterations and additions to heritage places
  • Residential infill development
  • Sustainability, services and ancillary features (including solar panels)
  • Fences, gates and boundary treatments
  • Vehicle access, garages, carports and on-site parking
  • Public infrastructure in heritage precincts (e.g. bluestone kerbs/channels)
  • Landscapes, gardens, parks and trees
  • Subdivision in heritage precincts
  • Commercial heritage places
  • Industrial heritage places
  • Signage and lighting

Provide feedback on the draft local heritage policy and design guidelines from 8 July to 19 AugustTo view the drafts and have your say, go to the Participate page.

Current local policy

Currently the local heritage policy is split into Clause 15.03-1L-01 Heritage conservation and Clause 15.03-1L-02 Industrial heritage in the Hobsons Bay Planning Scheme. The draft local policy Clause 15.03-1L is intended to replace both clauses. 

Council's existing guideline documents

Council’s existing guideline documents include:

The draft heritage design guidelines are intended to replace the existing guideline documents, except for the advertising signs guidelines because this also applies to signage outside of heritage overlays.

What happens next?

Following consultation on the draft, Council will review feedback and finalise the local heritage policy and design guidelines. Once these are finalised, a planning scheme amendment (PSA) will be prepared to introduce the local policy and guidelines into the Hobsons Bay Planning Scheme.  

Process and indicative timeline

Background Review, Preparation of Draft Local Policy and Guidelines, Consultation on Draft (we are here), Finalise and prepare PSA documents (Late 2026), Adoption by Council and endorsement for PSA (Early 2027), Planning Scheme Amendment (PSA) process commences (Early/Mid 2027)