It’s important to carry out regular maintenance and repairs and minor works to heritage properties, including local heritage items and properties within heritage conservation areas, to care for and protect their heritage significance. Generally, development consent is required for any works to a heritage property to assess the impact of works on the heritage significance of a site. However, some minor works may be carried out without the need for development consent under subclause 5.10(3) of the Armidale Regional Local Environmental Plan 2012.
A heritage 'Minor Works Exemption' may be requested in writing for minor works and maintenance that have minimal or no impact on a site. Minor works may only be carried out if council is notified of the proposed development and advises the applicant in writing before any work is carried out.
Minor works may include like for like maintenance and repairs of existing building elements, including repairs to roofing and guttering, the repainting of a heritage building in an appropriate heritage colour scheme, restoring a veranda, or replacing fences and gates.