Heritage Impact Statements
What is a Heritage Impact Statement and when is it required?
A Heritage Impact Statement (HIS) is a professional heritage planning report that assesses how proposed building works, renovations, extensions, demolition, or development may affect the cultural heritage significance of a heritage-listed property or place. In Victoria, a Heritage Impact Statement is required or strongly expected for most planning permit applications involving a Heritage Overlay property, and is mandatory for all Heritage Victoria permit applications for places on the Victorian Heritage Register.
Councils and Heritage Victoria use the report to determine whether a proposal appropriately responds to the heritage significance of the site and complies with the Planning and Environment Act 1987 and the Heritage Act 2017. A well-prepared Heritage Impact Statement demonstrates how heritage values have been identified, considered, and managed throughout the design process — significantly improving the likelihood of planning permit approval.
Strata Heritage prepares Heritage Impact Statements for property owners, developers, architects, builders, and councils across Gippsland, Melbourne, and regional Victoria.
What does a Heritage Impact Statement include?
A Heritage Impact Statement provides a detailed assessment of both the heritage significance of a place and the impact of proposed works. The level of detail required depends on the scale and complexity of the project — a straightforward residential alteration requires a different scope to a major commercial development or adaptive reuse of a state-listed place.
The report typically includes:
- A description of the heritage place, its history, and its cultural significance
- Analysis of the Statement of Significance and applicable heritage controls
- A detailed description of the proposed development or works
- Assessment of heritage impacts on significant buildings, structures, fabric, and setting
- Evaluation against the Victorian Local Heritage Guidelines, heritage policies, planning controls, and the conservation principles of the Burra Charter
- Recommendations for design modifications or mitigation measures where required
- A professional conclusion regarding the overall heritage outcome of the proposal
Further Information
Understanding heritage legislation and the approvals process can be complex. The following resources have been prepared by Strata Heritage to help landowners, developers, planners, and councils navigate their historic heritage obligations in Victoria.
Heritage Overlay Advice
A Heritage Impact Statement is most commonly required for Heritage Overlay permit applications. This page explains what a Heritage Overlay means for your property and when a planning permit is required.
Historic Heritage Guide
A comprehensive guide to Victoria's two heritage systems — local heritage managed through Heritage Overlays under the Planning and Environment Act 1987, and state heritage managed through the Victorian Heritage Register under the Heritage Act 2017. Covers Heritage Impact Statements in detail, including when they are required, what they must contain, and how they are assessed by Heritage Victoria and local councils.
Historic Heritage Glossary
A plain-language glossary of key terms used in historic heritage assessment and planning in Victoria, including Heritage Overlay, Statement of Significance, Heritage Impact Statement, Conservation Management Plan, and Burra Charter.