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Integrated development

How to follow the integrated development application process for Aboriginal cultural heritage and environmental heritage.

 

Certain development applications need input from a NSW Government agency (approval body) before a determination can be made by the local council (consent authority). These applications are called integrated development. It is an efficient way to assess proposals that require: 

In these instances, a development application can become an integrated development application (IDA). 

Some IDAs are placed on public exhibition. The local council decides if the IDA involving the Aboriginal cultural heritage will be exhibited. All IDAs involving State Heritage Register listed items will be exhibited.

We recommend following the integrated development application process when a proposal needs development consent and heritage approval. This allows issues to be identified and resolved before you lodge an application with us.

Below, we have set out the application process from lodgement to outcome. 

Gather your essential documents

For Aboriginal cultural heritage, these include:

For environmental heritage, these include:

When there is known or suspected historical archaeology to manage also include:

Request pre-lodgement comments

Consider requesting pre-lodgement comments on your proposal.

See Pre-lodgement service for more information about this free service.

Lodge your application to council

Lodge your application online through the NSW Planning Portal.

The local council refers the application to us within 14 days.

We will do a preliminary assessment for completeness within 48 hours.

Application assessment

Once accepted as complete, your application is allocated for assessment and the application clock starts. The timeframe is 40 days (if the application does not need to be advertised).

Integrated development relating to the Heritage Act 1977 must be advertised for 28 days. We must provide a response within 21 days after we receive public submissions.

The application is assessed to consider the:

  • impact on the significance of the heritage item or
  • nature and extent of harm to Aboriginal cultural heritage.

Internal specialists may provide input.

You may be contacted to discuss your application, request additional information, or clarify details. The application clock stops until requested information is received.

We can refer an application for environmental heritage to the Heritage Council if:

  • there would be substantial change that might reduce or remove heritage values
  • it is potentially in the public interest or high-profile, or the proposal is large (for example, it covers an extensive area like a precinct, suburb or town, or infrastructure).

We prepare an assessment report with recommendations for general terms of approval or reasons for refusal.

Application outcome

We submit the general terms of approval or reasons for refusal through the NSW Planning Portal.

If we advise that a heritage approval for the proposal won’t be granted, the local council cannot issue development consent under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

If we provide general terms of approval, we must grant the AHIP or heritage works approval when you later apply.

Lodge your application for a heritage permit or approval

If the local council grants consent, you then need to apply for either:

You need to lodge your application for an AHIP or section 60 approval within 3 years of development consent from the local council. Attach your development consent and approved stamped plans.

How to modify a development consent or heritage approval

To modify a development consent granted under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 or an approval granted under the Heritage Act 1977, you should first lodge a section 4.55 modification application with the local council.

Once determined, attach the development consent to a section 65A modification application under the Heritage Act 1977.

Contact us

Heritage NSW

Phone: 02 9873 8500

Email: [email protected]