Heritage Impact Statements: an overview
What a heritage impact statement does
A heritage impact statement (HIS) tests one proposal against what makes a heritage place significant. It is not a history of the place or a design statement. It answers the three questions set out in the Heritage Council's Heritage Impact Statement: a guide (July 2026):
- How will the proposed works affect the significance of the place or area?
- What measures, if any, are proposed to reduce any adverse impacts?
- Will the proposal bring any heritage conservation benefits that might offset adverse impacts?
Trace Archaeology prepares heritage impact statements for owners, architects, developers and local governments across Perth and regional WA. We write each one to the 2026 guide: concise, built on the place's statement of significance, and closing on those three questions.
What is involved
How we prepare it
Start early if you can. The Burra Charter asks for studies before work on a place begins, and a significance assessment at concept stage can still shape the footprint and materials. A statement written after the final drawings can only describe the impacts.
- Confirm every listing and control that applies: State Register, local heritage list, heritage area and the council's heritage policy.
- Review the register or inventory entry and any conservation management plan.
- Inspect and photograph the place, and test the existing statement of significance.
- Assess the drawings element by element, using the guide's Appendix One questions for demolition, additions, change of use, subdivision and other changes.
- Work with your designer on ways to reduce impact while the design can still change.
- Write a concise statement that closes on the three questions.
Heritage Impact Statements in the field
When you need one
State Register places
Proposals that would, or would be likely to, affect a registered place are referred to the Heritage Council for advice (Heritage Act 2018 (WA), Part 5). The Council's guide lists a heritage impact statement by a heritage professional among the documents for larger or complex proposals.
Local heritage list places & heritage areas
The local government may require a heritage assessment before it approves development (Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015, Schedule 2, clause 11). Many councils encourage a statement for any proposal affecting a heritage place, so check the council's heritage policy.
Panels & the Significant Development Pathway
Since 1 March 2024, developments over $2 million can opt in to a Development Assessment Panel, and larger projects can use the Significant Development Pathway, decided by the WA Planning Commission. These change who decides, not the heritage questions.
Aboriginal Cultural Heritage is assessed separately, under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 (WA). See Section 18 notices and heritage approvals.
What we need from you
- The address and any listing details you already have
- Existing and proposed drawings
- Any conservation management plan or earlier heritage report
- Any advice from the council or the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage so far
Lodging a development application? Our town planners can prepare it alongside the heritage impact statement, so the planning and heritage cases line up.
Recent heritage impact statements
Federation-era cottage, Guildford Historic Town (March 2023). A heritage impact statement and heritage character statement for the owner's renovation. Our review found the works would not detract from the cottage's heritage significance. Read the project
State Register place, Rockingham (October 2024). A heritage impact statement for replacing an asbestos-affected rear roof, tested against the City of Rockingham's local planning policy. Our assessment found the change would not adversely affect the place's significance. Read the project
Frequently asked questions
What does the 2026 guide ask for?
A concise statement built on the place's statement of significance, taken from the register entry, local inventory or conservation plan. If none exists, or it is too brief, the statement should include a new one. It should quote any conservation plan policies that apply, address local policy, attach supporting extracts rather than repeat them, and end with a conclusion that answers the three questions.
Who can prepare a heritage impact statement?
The guide sets no accreditation. For larger or complex proposals to State Register places, the Heritage Council refers to a heritage professional, and some councils ask for one for local places.
Do minor works need one?
Not always. It depends on the significance of the place, the scale of the change and the council's requirements. Routine maintenance and like-for-like repairs to State Register places generally do not need referral to the Heritage Council.
How much does a heritage impact statement cost?
It depends on the place and the proposal: whether a current statement of significance exists, how much of the place the works affect, and how many design options need testing. Send us the address and drawings and we will give you a quote.
Is it the same as a conservation management plan?
No. A conservation management plan sets long-term policy for a place. A heritage impact statement assesses one proposal, and it should quote any conservation plan policies that apply.
Does a supportive statement mean approval?
No. Decision-makers weigh heritage alongside other planning matters, and for State Register places the Heritage Council advises on heritage only.
For the detail, read our guide: Heritage impact statements in WA. Planning works to a heritage place? Talk to a heritage consultant or call (08) 9446 6185.
Trace Archaeology is a division of Trace Enterprises, which brings heritage, environmental and planning specialists together under one roof.
More Historic Heritage Services services
What a heritage impact statement does
A heritage impact statement (HIS) tests one proposal against what makes a heritage place significant. It is not a history of the place or a design statement. It answers the three questions set out in the Heritage Council's Heritage Impact Statement: a guide (July 2026):
- How will the proposed works affect the significance of the place or area?
- What measures, if any, are proposed to reduce any adverse impacts?
- Will the proposal bring any heritage conservation benefits that might offset adverse impacts?
Trace Archaeology prepares heritage impact statements for owners, architects, developers and local governments across Perth and regional WA. We write each one to the 2026 guide: concise, built on the place's statement of significance, and closing on those three questions.
How we prepare it
Start early if you can. The Burra Charter asks for studies before work on a place begins, and a significance assessment at concept stage can still shape the footprint and materials. A statement written after the final drawings can only describe the impacts.
- Confirm every listing and control that applies: State Register, local heritage list, heritage area and the council's heritage policy.
- Review the register or inventory entry and any conservation management plan.
- Inspect and photograph the place, and test the existing statement of significance.
- Assess the drawings element by element, using the guide's Appendix One questions for demolition, additions, change of use, subdivision and other changes.
- Work with your designer on ways to reduce impact while the design can still change.
- Write a concise statement that closes on the three questions.
When you need one
State Register places
Proposals that would, or would be likely to, affect a registered place are referred to the Heritage Council for advice (Heritage Act 2018 (WA), Part 5). The Council's guide lists a heritage impact statement by a heritage professional among the documents for larger or complex proposals.
Local heritage list places & heritage areas
The local government may require a heritage assessment before it approves development (Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015, Schedule 2, clause 11). Many councils encourage a statement for any proposal affecting a heritage place, so check the council's heritage policy.
Panels & the Significant Development Pathway
Since 1 March 2024, developments over $2 million can opt in to a Development Assessment Panel, and larger projects can use the Significant Development Pathway, decided by the WA Planning Commission. These change who decides, not the heritage questions.
Aboriginal Cultural Heritage is assessed separately, under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 (WA). See Section 18 notices and heritage approvals.
What we need from you
- The address and any listing details you already have
- Existing and proposed drawings
- Any conservation management plan or earlier heritage report
- Any advice from the council or the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage so far
Lodging a development application? Our town planners can prepare it alongside the heritage impact statement, so the planning and heritage cases line up.
Recent heritage impact statements
Federation-era cottage, Guildford Historic Town (March 2023). A heritage impact statement and heritage character statement for the owner's renovation. Our review found the works would not detract from the cottage's heritage significance. Read the project
State Register place, Rockingham (October 2024). A heritage impact statement for replacing an asbestos-affected rear roof, tested against the City of Rockingham's local planning policy. Our assessment found the change would not adversely affect the place's significance. Read the project
Frequently asked questions
What does the 2026 guide ask for?
A concise statement built on the place's statement of significance, taken from the register entry, local inventory or conservation plan. If none exists, or it is too brief, the statement should include a new one. It should quote any conservation plan policies that apply, address local policy, attach supporting extracts rather than repeat them, and end with a conclusion that answers the three questions.
Who can prepare a heritage impact statement?
The guide sets no accreditation. For larger or complex proposals to State Register places, the Heritage Council refers to a heritage professional, and some councils ask for one for local places.
Do minor works need one?
Not always. It depends on the significance of the place, the scale of the change and the council's requirements. Routine maintenance and like-for-like repairs to State Register places generally do not need referral to the Heritage Council.
How much does a heritage impact statement cost?
It depends on the place and the proposal: whether a current statement of significance exists, how much of the place the works affect, and how many design options need testing. Send us the address and drawings and we will give you a quote.
Is it the same as a conservation management plan?
No. A conservation management plan sets long-term policy for a place. A heritage impact statement assesses one proposal, and it should quote any conservation plan policies that apply.
Does a supportive statement mean approval?
No. Decision-makers weigh heritage alongside other planning matters, and for State Register places the Heritage Council advises on heritage only.
For the detail, read our guide: Heritage impact statements in WA. Planning works to a heritage place? Talk to a heritage consultant or call (08) 9446 6185.
Trace Archaeology is a division of Trace Enterprises, which brings heritage, environmental and planning specialists together under one roof.
Every heritage, environmental and planning project starts with the right conversation.
Tell us what you are planning and where. We'll tell you what assessments and approvals it needs, who should be involved and what happens next.