State agencies are responsible for managing the largest heritage property portfolio in New South Wales. The portfolio is diverse and includes all aspects of the state’s heritage such as Aboriginal cultural heritage, archaeology, moveable heritage, built environment, natural environment and cultural landscapes. The Heritage Council of NSW provides guidance documents specifically to help state agencies to manage these heritage assets.
State-owned heritage management principles
The Heritage Council of NSW developed these principles for managing government-owned heritage assets across New South Wales. The principles were approved by the Minister for Heritage in 2004.
1. Heritage asset management strategy
Each state agency is required to develop a heritage asset management strategy to implement the state-owned heritage management principles and guidelines. A heritage asset management strategy:
- assists an agency in the conservation of its heritage assets
- provides the basis for Heritage Council delegation to state agencies for the management of their heritage assets.
2. Identification of heritage assets
State agencies' heritage asset management strategies are to identify a date for completing their heritage and conservation register.
3. Lead by example
State agencies should lead by example by adopting appropriate heritage management strategies, processes and practices. The public sector should set the standard for the community in the management of heritage assets.
4. Conservation outcomes
Heritage assets should be conserved to retain their heritage significance. State agencies should aim to conserve assets for operational purposes or to adaptively reuse assets in preference to alteration or demolition.
5. Sustainability
Conservation of cultural and natural heritage is recognised as part of a state agency’s management response to ecologically sustainable development. The conservation and, where appropriate, adaptive re-use of heritage assets has major benefits to the community in terms of promoting the wise use of resources and achieving energy savings.
6. Integrated heritage management
Heritage assets, and their importance, should always be considered by state agencies as an integrated part of their asset management. Agencies should be guided by the NSW Treasury capital planning.
7. Appropriate uses
Heritage assets should, where feasible, continue to be maintained in their operational role. Where they are surplus to operational requirements, state agencies should aim to ensure that items are adaptively re-used for a purpose sympathetic to their heritage significance.
8. Maintenance of heritage assets
Heritage assets are to be maintained in a manner which retains heritage significance, with the objective of preventing deterioration and avoiding the need for expensive 'catch-up' maintenance and major repairs.
9. Alterations
Alterations should be planned and executed to minimise negative impacts on heritage significance (including curtilage and setting), and appropriate mitigating measures should be identified.
10. Transfer of ownership
The transfer of ownership or control of heritage assets that are surplus to the state agency’s requirements needs to be planned and executed to conserve the item’s significance.
11. Management of redundant heritage assets
Management of redundant heritage assets (orphan assets) surplus to the state agency’s needs (but still in the ownership of the agency or under its control) should be planned and executed to conserve the item’s heritage significance.
12. Prudent financial and budgetary management
State agencies should implement the 5 stages of Total Asset Management in an efficient and effective manner which achieves value for money and does not unreasonably burden the community into the future. For example, the deferring of conservation and maintenance actions to heritage assets will result in additional costs in the longer term.
13. Staff expertise and compliance
State agencies need to ensure that their staff are appropriately informed on the value and role of their heritage estate. Specific expertise should be available to effectively and efficiently implement these principles and guidelines.
14. Monitor performance
State agencies should adopt processes to monitor and report on the relevance, effectiveness and efficiency of heritage assets and service delivery, and take prompt action to provide for optimal heritage conservation outcomes.
15. Monitor condition
State agencies monitoring and reporting on the physical condition of heritage assets in their heritage and conservation registers should take appropriate action to ensure heritage significance is not eroded.
16. Reporting
Reporting is an effective tool that is to be used as a basis for achieving continuous improvement within a state agency’s heritage asset management strategy and in setting budgetary priorities.
17. Promotion
State agencies should take every opportunity to celebrate and promote their heritage estate with the community.
Heritage asset management guidelines
The Heritage asset management guidelines explain the practical aspects of managing heritage assets and conserving our state’s heritage for future generations.
These include requirements for:
- creating and maintaining a publicly available heritage and conservation register of heritage assets
- maintaining assets
- notifications for work and change of ownership and use
How to set up a heritage and conservation register
Heritage and conservation registers should be created and maintained in the NSW Heritage Management System. Email heritagemailbox@environment.nsw.gov.au to set up specific access as a state agency asset manager, including passwords and training. Registers are made available on the State Heritage Inventory when they are accepted by the Heritage Council of NSW. See the State Heritage Inventory webpage.
State agency assets that are listed on the State Heritage Register or subject to an interim heritage order are subject to specific maintenance requirements under the Heritage Act. See the Minimum standards of maintenance and repair webpage.
How to connect with other state agency asset managers
Contact us to find out more about state agency heritage network meetings.
Email NSWHeritageNetwork+subscribe@groups.io to join a network of all types of heritage advisors and professionals from across NSW as a forum for information exchange.