When Council considers whether a property or precinct in Boroondara should be protected for its heritage value, your feedback is crucial.
Well-prepared, timely feedback from property owners and other members of the public helps us to accurately assess the heritage value of a property or precinct and decide whether to include a property in the Heritage Overlay. Your feedback also helps us to ensure that the heritage assessment and information about a property or precinct is correct.
There are several opportunities to provide feedback on heritage value. These usually include:
- Preliminary consultation on a draft heritage study, to help Council determine whether to adopt the study and commence an amendment to the Boroondara Planning Scheme
- Statutory public exhibition of an amendment to help Council gauge whether the public supports the proposed Heritage Overlay changes.
For details on consultation steps, see the Heritage Overlay process.
Provide feedback on a Heritage study, citation or planning scheme amendment
Step 1: Read the consultation announcement and supporting documents
Before a public consultation, we send a letter to affected property owners and occupiers, notifying them of the study, citation or amendment details and dates for providing feedback.
We also encourage feedback from the public by announcing the consultation on the City of Boroondara website and other Council media.
- Read the letter or announcement .
- Read the heritage study or amendment details on the City of Boroondara website. The letter or announcement will provide a link to the relevant page.
- Consider whether and how you are affected by the study or amendment.
- Take note of the consultation closing date.
Step 2: Prepare your feedback carefully
At minimum you need to state whether you support or object to the study, citation or amendment.
We suggest that you provide detailed reasons for your support or objection.
To strengthen your feedback:
- Familiarise yourself with the State Government’s heritage criteria, as set out in Planning Practice Note 1 - Applying the Heritage Overlay-external site. Address these criteria in your feedback.
- Consider engaging an expert heritage advisor to help you prepare your submission. Visit Heritage Victoria-external site to find a heritage consultant.
Read through the heritage citation:
- Look at the heritage assessment criteria set out in the heritage citation and explain why you believe the property or precinct does or does not meet the relevant criteria.
- Refer to the citation’s history and description details to support your view and identify any inconsistencies, errors or gaps of which you may be aware.
- Provide detail on any alterations or additions to a property that may impact its heritage significance, and that may not have been noted in the heritage citation.
It is important to note that Council cannot consider the following matters when we determine whether to include a property in the Heritage Overlay:
- The potential impact on property value. The application of the Heritage Overlay is principally based on the heritage significance of the property or precinct and the need to protect the heritage place.
- A property owner’s ability to undertake alterations and additions to a home.
The location of a property or precinct in an area zoned for commercial use or higher density development does not necessarily diminish its need for heritage protection.
Step 3: Send the feedback to Council
For your feedback to be considered, you need to submit it to Council in writing by:
- Completing the relevant online form
- sending an email to the address provided, or
- sending a letter to the address provided.
Your feedback must be submitted to Council before the feedback closing date as stated on the consultation announcement or notification letter.
Include any documentation, photographs and plans that might support your submission.
Contact Information
For queries about providing feedback on heritage matters:
- Phone: (03) 9278 4815
- Email [email protected]