Historic Heritage Glossary Victoria

An assessment that evaluates the visual, architectural, and historic characteristics of an area, streetscape, precinct, or neighbourhood to inform planning and heritage decisions. 

The processes undertaken to retain and manage the cultural significance of a heritage place, including maintenance, preservation, restoration, reconstruction, and adaptation. 

 A comprehensive heritage document that assesses significance, identifies conservation policies, and provides guidance for the long-term management of a heritage place. 

A set of heritage management principles and recommendations that guide future works and decision-making for a heritage place. 

The land surrounding a heritage building or place that contributes to its heritage significance, setting, and interpretation. 

A planning scheme amendment that introduces, modifies, or removes heritage controls, including Heritage Overlays and Statements of Significance. 

An architect with specialist expertise in the conservation, restoration, adaptation, and management of heritage buildings and places. 

A professional assessment undertaken to identify and evaluate the cultural heritage significance of a building, site, structure, landscape, or precinct. 

A concise document that summarises the significance, history, description, and heritage values of a place, often prepared as part of a Municipal Heritage Study. 

A heritage specialist who provides advice on heritage significance, planning approvals, conservation strategies, and heritage legislation. 

A planning control within the Victorian Planning Provisions that protects places of local heritage significance from inappropriate development, demolition, or alteration. 

Approval issued by Heritage Victoria for works affecting a place included in the Victorian Heritage Register. 

 A building, structure, site, object, landscape, or precinct recognised for its cultural heritage significance. 

A group of buildings, places, or streetscapes protected collectively because of their shared historical, architectural, or cultural significance. 

A collection of buildings, structures, and public spaces that collectively contribute to the heritage character and significance of an area. 

The Victorian Government authority responsible for administering the Heritage Act 2017 and regulating places included in the Victorian Heritage Register. 

The study of physical remains associated with post-contact history, including buildings, artefacts, industrial sites, settlements, and infrastructure. 

Heritage associated with Victoria's post-contact history, including buildings, structures, landscapes, objects, archaeological sites, and cultural places. 

A report that assesses how proposed works, development, demolition, or alterations may affect the significance of a heritage place and whether the proposal complies with heritage policies and controls. 

The extent to which a heritage place retains its original fabric, design, setting, and heritage values. 

A heritage place protected by a local council through a Heritage Overlay rather than inclusion in the Victorian Heritage Register. 

The section of a planning scheme that contains local objectives and policies, including those relating to heritage conservation and development. 

Routine works undertaken to prevent deterioration of heritage fabric without altering the heritage significance of a place. 

A heritage assessment prepared by a local council to identify, evaluate, and document places of local cultural heritage significance.  

Australia's list of places recognised as having outstanding heritage value to the nation. 

A building, structure, site, area, landscape, object, or precinct that possesses cultural heritage value worthy of recognition and protection. 

Approval issued by a local council that may be required for development, demolition, alterations, or works affecting a heritage place or land affected by a Heritage Overlay. 

A document that explains why a heritage precinct is significant and identifies the elements that contribute to its heritage value.  

The maintenance of heritage fabric in its existing state and the prevention of further deterioration. 

The recreation of missing elements of a heritage place based on historical evidence and documentation. 

A heritage place included in the Victorian Heritage Register due to its State-level cultural heritage significance. 

The process of returning a heritage place to a known earlier state by removing later alterations or reinstating missing elements. 

A planning scheme schedule that identifies individual heritage places and precincts protected under a Heritage Overlay and specifies permit requirements. 

The immediate and broader environment that contributes to the significance and appreciation of a heritage place. 

A professional assessment used to determine the cultural heritage significance of a place against recognised heritage criteria. 

A heritage place considered important to the history and development of Victoria and included in the Victorian Heritage Register. 

The formal description of why a heritage place is important, and which attributes contribute to its significance. 

The publicly accessible database containing information about heritage places, archaeological sites, permits, and heritage registrations throughout Victoria. 

The register of known historical archaeological sites maintained by Heritage Victoria. 

Victoria's register of places and objects considered to be of State-level cultural heritage significance. 

Important visual connections to or from a heritage place that contribute to its significance, appreciation, and setting. 

A provision allowing specified works to occur without a heritage permit where heritage impacts are considered minimal or appropriately managed.