Important Changes to Victoria's Heritage Act Now in Effect

The Heritage Act 2017 came into effect on 1st November 2017. The updated Act is a result of two years of consultation and the passing of amendments to the Heritage Act 1995 through Victorian Parliament.

The Heritage Act is an important piece of legislation for the identification, protection and management of heritage in Victoria. It applies to heritage places and objects of state significance, historical archaeological sites and maritime heritage.

The amended Act is intended to improve processes and protections provided to heritage.

Key Changes

• Simplification of important statutory processes to provide more clarity and certainty
• Including sites aged 75 years or more on the Heritage Inventory rather than those 50 years or older
• New rights of review for consents issued to archaeological sites
• Changes to penalties including significant increases in maximum penalties for unauthorised works
• Updated fee structure for heritage approvals and appeals
• New compliance and enforcement tools that include stop orders, rectifications orders, and a liability offence to reduce the likelihood of works being undertaken without a permit
• A greater role of local government in permit processes to allow for local heritage concerns.

We encourage all clients to stay abreast of these important changes and to understand the implications for their projects. There is much more detail to the amendments than what can be outlined here.

Free Training Sessions

Ecology and Heritage Partners offers free training sessions on Victoria's Heritage Act that are tailored to your industry. We cover:

• Important features of the legislation
• Implications for projects and industry
• How to minimise risks, delays and unexpected costs
• Questions answered

We will either come to your office or you may come to ours.

Further Information

For further information about the Heritage Act 2017, please contact our cultural heritage team on 1300 839 325.

 

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